Chapter 93 Taro Milk Green Tea Scholar Peng Goes to Work
Ye Li spent the whole afternoon making more than twenty taro cakes.
He makes taro cakes using leavened dough as the base.
Wrap the filling with taro paste, roll it out, and then pan-fry it over low heat.
The taro cakes made this way are soft and fluffy, with a thin crust and generous filling, making them very delicious.
He specially saved a small bowl of taro paste to bring to Yu Cai, so that Yu Cai could also make some delicious food herself.
Even without a refrigerator at this time of year, you can leave the taro paste bowl outdoors overnight, and it will freeze solid.
However, the next day, it started to snow lightly again.
Ye Li hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to go out.
Since it's nearby, if the snow shows signs of getting heavier, he'll hurry back to the village.
Jiang Ya didn't insist on going with him today.
The little guy is going to learn to read with Jiang Mai.
At the very least, you should be able to recognize all the words on the menu.
Otherwise, he won't be able to earn money once he moves to the city.
So Ye Li braved the wind and snow to enter the city alone.
When he arrived at Banxianju, Yu Cai happened to step into the shop.
Hearing his shout, she turned around and saw that he was covered up from head to toe except for his eyes. She was a little surprised: "Brother Li, are you still going into town in this weather?"
"Nothing's going on at home."
Ye Li got off the oxcart as he spoke, carrying a basket on his back.
He swayed his basket and said, "I made some taro cakes, have a taste."
"Taro cakes?"
Yu Cai looked at the basket in his hand with surprise and said with a smile, "This is really a novel way of eating. I will definitely try it later."
"However, since you're already semi-retired, why don't I send someone to fetch Jiang Ji over?"
"You two can have a hot meal at the shop, so you don't have to go to the county school again."
There was still about half an hour before the end of the county school term, enough time for Ye Li to leisurely make his way there.
But this kind of weather is perfect for hot pot.
Ye Li thought about it and realized that the small noodle shop was indeed not as comfortable as the Banxianju restaurant.
He nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Cai."
"No trouble at all, it's just a matter of asking. Come on, let's go inside, it's cold outside."
Yu Cai greeted him with a smile.
The shop was already busy with customers.
On a snowy day, you should gather around the stove and eat something hot and steaming.
Several tables were already occupied on the first floor.
Yu Cai and Ye Li went to the backyard. Before they even entered his courtyard, he called Steward Xing and asked him to find a worker who knew Jiang Ji to go to the county school to pick them up.
Manager Xing was the one in charge of purchasing.
After giving the instructions, Yu Cai added, "Oh, and bring Scholar Peng along too, since it's on the way anyway."
Peng Xiucai?
Ye Li's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately asked, "Which Scholar Peng?"
Yu Cai first dismissed Manager Xing, then explained as she walked toward her courtyard, "I'm hiring for my shop, right? Jiang Ji recommended someone to me yesterday, his classmate, named Peng Ximing."
"Was it you who told Jiang Ji that I needed to hire people?"
Ye Li followed his footsteps, and upon hearing this, she looked thoughtful: "Hmm... I guess so? Jiang Ji and I talk about everything, so it must have just slipped out."
Yu Cai smiled and said, "That's it. Jiang Ji recommended Scholar Peng. Moreover, Scholar Peng is quite efficient at his work."
“Yesterday at noon and in the evening, I asked someone to take him to work. He was quite skilled at wiping tables, pouring water, and serving dishes, as if he was used to doing them, so I kept him on.”
"Today is his first day at work."
"I see..."
Ye Li stopped pretending this time; he was genuinely surprised: "He's very efficient at this kind of work?"
"Yes, it's not unfamiliar at all; you can get started as soon as you roll up your sleeves."
Yu Cai nodded.
"...Then the Peng family must be in even more dire straits than the Jiang family."
Ye Lidao.
Jiang Ji had gone home for vacation and only did farm work, ignoring everything in the kitchen.
But since Peng Xiucai was so skilled at serving tea and water, it must be because no one in his family could help him with these things.
It's truly lamentable that a scholar has fallen so low.
Yu Cai nodded gently: "That's right, so if you can give me a ride, then do so. It's quite far from the county school."
"Cai Ge is kind and benevolent!"
Ye Li gave a thumbs up: "However, although he was recommended by Jiang Ji, if he slacks off or tries to cheat, then don't worry about Jiang Ji's feelings, just fire him."
"Prioritize your feelings and interests."
"Although the profit is only five hundred coins."
Yu Cai chuckled at these words and nodded gently, "Okay."
As they spoke, the two went inside.
Yu Cai took off her heavy cloak and sat down at the table.
Granny Wang lit the stove again.
Manager Xing brought over some tea.
Ye Li and Yu Cai warmed themselves up with hot tea while discussing what to eat later.
Ye Li has been eating hot pot more frequently than ever before lately. After eating too much oily and spicy food, he was worried about getting a sore throat, so he wanted to eat a lighter mushroom soup hot pot.
Yu Cai agreed.
He spends all his time in the shop and doesn't want to eat anything too greasy.
Ye Li brought ten taro cakes.
Divide it into two: Jiang Ji has five sheets, and Yu Cai has five sheets.
This kind of pancake tastes best when it's fresh out of the pan; although it doesn't get hard when it's cold, the texture is not as good.
On such a cold day, you shouldn't eat cold food.
However, this kind of flatbread cannot be steamed, as the steam will make the flatbread skin soft and mushy.
The best way to heat it is to bake it on the stove.
The process was quick; soon, Steward Xing brought over the baked taro cakes.
The flour is white, and the taro filling is also whitish; judging by appearance alone, it's not particularly outstanding.
But once you actually taste it, it's amazing.
Yu Cai always thought that taro and sweet potato were somewhat similar, but if you mash sweet potato into a paste, it won't have the delicate and soft texture of taro paste, and it also has a milky aroma.
It tastes like cheese, but also has the aroma of taro.
He swallowed the cake in his mouth and looked at Ye Li: "I didn't know taro could be used to make sweet cakes. My family used to use it to stew meat."
"Brother Li, with your brains and skills, if you don't get rich, who will?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Li happily replied, "I'm planning to use this taro paste to make a new drink. What do you think?"
"A new drink? That's great! If it tastes so good, the drink itself must be excellent."
"It can also be used as a topping for soy milk rice mochi."
"At that time, there might be diners who come specifically for the drinks."
Yu Cai said with a smile.
Soy milk rice mochi is very popular.
Previously, because Bao Beiyuan could only make a limited number of drinks a day, Banxianju only ordered 120 packs of soy milk rice mochi every day.
But this quantity was far from enough to sell, so when Bao Beiyuan stopped delivering to regular customers, he took over the vacant quota.
However, there are still some not enough to meet demand.
A hot pot, heavy with oil and spice, paired with a bowl of sweet drink when you're thirsty is just so satisfying.
If you add taro paste as a topping, the shop will definitely be even more popular.
“Okay, then I’ll go to Zheng’s Grain Shop tomorrow to buy taro so I can teach Bao Beiyuan how to make it.”
"Here's a bowl of taro paste. You can take it. You can use it to make buns or desserts."
As Ye Li spoke, she took the bowl of taro paste out of the basket.
Yu Cai was very happy and immediately thanked her.
However, when it came to Bao Beiyuan, he reminded him, "You should find another helper for Xiao Bao. The two of you can't handle it all."
"If taro paste is particularly popular, then I'll definitely make it."
But taro is a seasonal food.
If you really need to hire someone, then a temporary worker will suffice.
While the two were discussing the taro paste, the waiter at the semi-idle restaurant also received Jiang Ji and Peng Ximing.
Peng Ximing was quite pleased. "Great! I hitched a ride on my first day of work. Manager Yu is truly kind and benevolent."
The county school was quite far from Banxianju; even if he ran there, it would take him 45 minutes.
As a result, he could no longer arrive and leave on time like other temporary workers.
He can only arrive later and leave earlier.
Even so, Manager Yu still kept him on.
Of course, Jiang Ji's influence certainly played a key role, but Manager Yu's kindness and benevolence are also beyond doubt.
As the son of a county magistrate, his kindness and generosity are truly remarkable; he has struck it lucky.
This kind of employer is rare and hard to find!
Moreover, if he performs poorly, it will be Jiang Ji who loses face, and Jiang Ji will definitely not help him again in similar situations in the future.
With this in mind, upon arriving at Banxianju, he immediately bid farewell to Jiang Ji.
He went to the storeroom to change into the cloak that was reserved for shop assistants, and then followed the shop assistant surnamed Wang who had taken him there the day before, bustling around.
So, when Ye Li, Jiang Ji, and Yu Cai were eating in a corner on the first floor, they saw him carrying charcoal fire, ingredients, and rags to quickly clean up the mess left by the previous table of diners.
She's always running around, she can do any job—except writing down ingredients for diners.
Of all the jobs, this is the most respectable.
But Yu Cai didn't make him do that.
But he showed no resentment; like the other men, he always wore a friendly smile.
Ye Li nodded to himself inwardly.
Good, you have a very calm and stable mindset.
They did not claim any special status or demand special treatment.
He did not lose his composure just because his classmate Jiang Ji was sitting down while he had to serve tea and water to others.
This composure in the face of honor and disgrace is indeed worthy of Yu Cai.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at Yu Cai.
His opinion is not important; what matters is how Yu Cai sees it.
As a semi-retired boss, Yu Cai naturally had high expectations for his employees, so he would occasionally glance at Peng Ximing.
The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.
This scholar Peng doesn't have the pedantry of most scholars; he's quick and efficient at his work. One wonders how much hardship he endured to be shaped into what he is today.
well.
People all suffer.
After the meal, the snow outside stopped.
Although it snowed all morning, the snow only reached ankle height and did not affect travel.
Jiang Ji stayed a little longer so he could give Peng Ximing a ride.
Peng Ximing was quite grateful for this.
After getting on the oxcart, Peng Ximing immediately said, "Brother Jiang, we'll have a holiday at the end of the month in a few days. I'll treat you and your husband to shredded pork noodles."
Jiang Ji, who was sitting on the carriage shaft and driving, smiled and shook his head upon hearing this: "That's not necessary. Let's talk about it when you're really in a better financial situation."
"Yes, yes, I can save up for next year's tuition with just this job."
Peng Ximing said.
Sigh, once the twelfth lunar month arrived, he begged Manager Yu to turn his hourly job into a full-time job when the county school was on holiday.
Having found such a good job, he's not going home for the Chinese New Year.
He'll have somewhere to go when the county school has a holiday at the end of the month.
The wages for a full-time worker will definitely be higher!
Meals are provided!
For example, just now, because he was in a hurry to leave and couldn't eat with the other employees, Manager Xing packed him three large flatbreads and a few boiled quail eggs that the other diners hadn't put into the pot.
White flour pancakes and quail eggs – this meal is comparable to Chinese New Year!
I'll eat two later, and save one for tomorrow's breakfast.
And yesterday evening, he didn't have to leave early; he ate a stew with the other guys.
Everyone gets a big bowl, and you can eat as many cornbreads as you like.
The stew mainly consisted of cabbage, radish, and tofu, but there were also lotus root slices, wood ear mushrooms, and even a few slices of mutton—the good stuff was all taken by the manager and cooks, and the other workers could only eat this much.
However, these were all excellent for him, especially since the soup base was chicken broth, which tasted delicious.
After eating such a big bowl of stew, his heart and body were still warm even after he lay down in bed!
From now on, he will no longer need his family to bring him food or firewood; he truly won't have to spend a single penny!
The food rations he saved could be sold to earn money.
In this way, he really won't have to worry about paying tuition next year.
Moreover, there's no need to rack my brains to find new jobs anymore.
With that freed-up energy, he can then focus on reading.
Although his future was hopeless, since he had entered the county school with high expectations, he could not slack off.
Furthermore, this job is far better than copying books; it's like a delicious, fragrant meat pie.
Sitting at a table copying books on a winter night—only those who have done it know the feeling.
Dim lighting can hurt your eyes.
The small side room was as cold as an ice cellar; after writing a few words, he would want to get up and jump around to warm himself up.
bitter.
It's extremely bitter!
The job of a waiter is perfect in every way, except that it doesn't sound very good.
Therefore, he certainly couldn't just thank Jiang Jifu verbally.
Thinking this, he added, "I still have enough money for a meal. It's settled then. We'll see when you're free."
"I've been quite busy this holiday. I need to visit my former tutor and also see my old classmate; I have a favor to ask him."
Jiang Jidao.
"Oh, I see. What about the holiday for Chinese New Year?"
Peng Ximing immediately asked again.
Seeing that he really wanted to treat him to this meal, Jiang Ji said, "We'll see then. Anyway, my husband and I often go to Banxianju. We'll set a time with you then."
Upon hearing this, Peng Ximing finally smiled and said, "Okay, let's do it that way."
Hearing this, Ye Li, sitting on the other side of the carriage, felt his opinion of Peng Ximing rise even higher.
Good, you know how to be grateful.
I'm not an ingrate.
This completely avoided Yu Cai's trigger points.
How wonderful!
The oxcart soon arrived at the county school gate. Ye Li handed Jiang Ji five taro cakes wrapped in oil paper. After Jiang Ji entered the county school, he turned the cart around, gently cracked the whip, and went home.
It's a bit late to buy taro now.
He'll go again tomorrow.
After buying the taro, he went straight to Bao Beiyuan and Jiang Shun and taught them how to make taro paste.
Zheng's Grain Shop was located in the west of the city. The shop was not large and the location was remote.
According to Yu Cai, this was a game played by one of the young masters of the Zheng family.
The Zheng family runs a carriage and boat business, with their headquarters in Fucheng.
Crops do not store well.
However, one of the Zheng family's sons loved to eat something new, so he opened a grain shop in Beiyang County, selling rare items brought back from the south.
You can find candied fruits, dried fruits, and fresh fruits such as longan, loquat, bayberry, and bamboo shoots at Zheng's Grain Shop.
It's just that the price is very high.
Taro is the cheapest fruit; at this time of year, it only costs ten coins per pound.
Ye Li bought 200 catties at once, which cost him two taels of silver.
He delivered the two hundred catties of taro to Bao Beiyuan, which startled both Bao Beiyuan and Jiang Shun.
Buying so much at once!
"Don't worry, this stuff is delicious, and it'll be gone in a few days. It'll just be a bit of a hassle for you two."
Ye Li said with a confident expression.
"It's not hard work, it's about making money."
Jiang Shun opened his mouth with a smile.
Bao Beiyuan nodded, eager to be even busier: "Brother Li, how do you make this taro paste?"
Ye Li explained, "First, we need to make condensed milk..."
He spent the whole day teaching Jiang Shun how to make taro paste—Bao Beiyuan had to go out and ship the goods.
The next day, he drove his oxcart over again and, together with Bao Beiyuan and Jiang Shun, made a pot of taro paste.
We're not worried about not selling out.
Unsold items can be frozen first.
With the taro paste ready, the new drink was also ready.
Ye Li plans to make taro milk green tea.
Making taro milk tea is extremely simple. Brew jasmine green tea with goat milk, then remove the tea bag, pour it into the taro paste, stir it, and it's done.
So that evening, when diners stepped into Banxianju again, the waiters greeted them with smiles and recommended a new drink – taro milk green tea.
And a new side dish: taro paste.
Taro paste is complicated to make and costs twice as much as rice mochi—mainly because condensed milk is expensive.
Condensed milk is a concentrated mixture of sheep's milk and cane sugar, and it takes a lot of firewood and time to boil it!
Therefore, the finished product is also expensive, with a small portion costing nine coins.
A serving of taro milk tea costs twenty coins—this drink isn't good if you don't add enough taro; a serving of this drink is one-third full of taro.
If you want double the taro paste, it's 29 coins per sachet.
But for those who can afford hot pot, many are not short of money.
You should know that those high-end drinks sold in beverage shops, served in silver vessels and with lots of dried fruit, cost tens of coins a bowl!
Although this taro milk tea doesn't contain any expensive dried fruits, taro is still a rare ingredient.
Goat milk and cane sugar are not cheap either.
More importantly, this drink tastes good and is fresh!
As a result, some diners who are not short of money choose to try the new products.
Especially the VIPs in the private rooms on the third floor, who are even more willing to pay for their preferences.
The food served to the staff at Banxianju mostly came from the third floor. These VIP guests wouldn't pack up leftovers; they would just leave them on the table, which ultimately benefited the employees.
The diners are not short of money, and the taro paste tastes truly outstanding.
So the first batch of taro paste that Bao Beiyuan sent, weighing a full five jin, was quickly sold out.
Those who arrive late will have to wait until tomorrow.
Yu Cai was very happy and immediately sent a servant to tell Bao Beiyuan to prepare more taro paste for the next day.
He himself went to Zheng's Grain Shop early the next morning to check on the taro inventory.
Because he also wanted to stock up on a batch of taro.
Ye Li gave him a bowl of taro filling, which he took home and made taro buns. Even his older brother praised them as delicious, not to mention his father and nephew.
As for his maternal grandfather, he never even got to see him!
This delicious food is fragrant and soft, making it perfect for the elderly.
So he plans to buy more taro so that the whole family can enjoy it to their heart's content.
Of course, he didn't want this taro paste recipe for free; he was willing to pay for it.
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