"That would be wonderful! If it's really like what Xingxing said, with Dafu and Sanfu becoming officials, Wufu becoming a divine doctor, and Erfu and Sifu managing the family business, that would be perfect." Zhao Guizhi imagined the future as if this day would come soon.
"Let's just focus on our work and talk about it when we've built up a substantial fortune." Zhao Guihua wasn't as optimistic as her. Her wish was easily fulfilled: that no more natural disasters would occur from now on, and that the whole family could live together peacefully and harmoniously.
The villagers of Yegou Village have a habit: whenever something happens, they like to travel in groups when they leave the village. And the first time they go out to scout the way, it is always the strong men in the village who travel together, a group of men carrying baskets on their backs and carrying weapons for self-defense.
This time, Zhou Laoda and the village chief were preparing to take a cart, and the villagers would ride in their oxcarts/donkey carts to the town. The men were all grinning from ear to ear, knowing they were experts at getting free rides without having to pay.
Once it's confirmed that things are truly peaceful outside, the women can go to town next time.
After entering the city gate, the group split up. Boss Zhou led Mo Tianzhu's family to the tavern, checked the doors and windows, found no damage, and then cleaned the tavern.
Afterwards, Mo Tianzhu's family went to their residence, which was in good condition. In this way, the tavern could reopen in a couple of days, and they would not need to return to the village. They could stay in the town for the time being.
Old Zhou bought two catties of pastries and two catties of pork, and visited Master Gu next door. Master Gu was sick and couldn't get out of bed. He estimated that he would need to rest for a while before he would recover.
It seems that the private school will not be able to hold classes for a while. Master Gu said that classes can only resume in another month, and he sounded somewhat embarrassed.
"It's alright, Master, please take good care of yourself. There's no need to rush about teaching." Old Zhou offered a few words of comfort, but not knowing what else to say, he left after sitting for a short while.
As peace gradually returned to the north, the south became even more stable. The taverns in the town reopened for business, and once business was back on track, the county's restaurants were also renovated.
Recently, Zhao Guihua and Zhou Laoda have been learning how to do business under the guidance of Zhao Guizhi and Chen Shunping. Zhao Guihua learned to make the signature dish of Yangmei Stewed Pork, while Zhou Laoda learned to use an abacus and even learned to recognize simple characters.
Of course, he had already started learning to read at home. Chen Shunping focused on teaching him to write numbers so that he could collect payments without making mistakes.
Zhou Laoda wiped the sweat from his forehead and stammered, "Brother-in-law, if you go to town, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle the crowds at the tavern."
Before Chen Shunping could speak, Xingxing quickly came over and hugged Zhou Laoda's leg, saying, "Dad, don't worry. Gu Fuzi isn't going to start school so soon, so let my eldest brother and third brother help with the bills during this time. Fifth brother is fine too. With their help, you won't be flustered and make mistakes. By the time we start school, you'll have graduated."
"Oh yeah, how could I forget about Dafu and the others?" Boss Zhou chuckled, scratching his head.
On the day the county restaurant opened, Zhou Laoda led his family to help out, while the town's tavern was left to Mo Tianzhu's family to manage. Mo Tianzhu's two sons knew some characters and could do accounting, so they were able to handle the tavern's business.
The restaurant in the county town is called "Meizhoulou". The name comes from the fact that the restaurant specializes in selling bayberry wine and bayberry stewed meat. The name "Mei" is the surname of the eldest son, Zhou. The name of the restaurant was come up by the four adults in the family and everyone was very satisfied.
A few strings of firecrackers were set off, attracting many onlookers, but very few people actually entered the shop. The reason was that people were still wary of the fact that someone had died in the shop, and with the malicious propaganda of some people, everyone just came to watch the spectacle, and few were willing to patronize it.
Zhao Guizhi had the waiter bring out a jar of bayberry wine. When the lid was opened, the aroma of the wine filled the air. She then served a plate of freshly made bayberry stew with pork, making the onlookers almost drool.
"Fellow villagers, this wine and braised meat are specialties of Meizhoulou. I dare say that no other restaurant besides Meizhoulou has this wine and braised meat. This is a secret recipe of Meizhoulou that is not passed on to outsiders. Smell this aroma, isn't it intoxicating? If you are interested, you can come in and have a taste."
Zhao Guizhi had someone bring a small plate containing diced braised meat, with toothpicks placed beside it for people to sample.
The quantity was limited, and only a few people at the front could taste it. Everyone who tried it was completely captivated, their eyes practically glowing with delight.
"Can we try this wine?" someone asked.
"The wine is too expensive; at most, three people can taste it." A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhao Guizhi's eyes. She was sure these people would come in and eat after they tasted it.
Sure enough, people gradually started coming into the shop and ordering a small jar of bayberry wine and a plate of bayberry stewed pork to try this specialty of Meizhoulou. Bayberry wine and bayberry stewed pork are not cheap and ordinary people cannot afford them. Only wealthy people are willing to order these two dishes.
Those with limited funds can only order other dishes, but since it's their opening day, the bayberry wine is 30% off. If you grit your teeth and buy half a jin with someone else, you can at least try it.
Around noon, several familiar faces suddenly arrived, which really surprised Zhou Laoda and the others.
Zheng Qingshu suddenly arrived. Did he already know that the Zhou family's restaurant was opening, or did he want to try out the new restaurant? Moreover, he brought along the Assistant Magistrate, the Registrar, the County Magistrate, and others, and they ended up having a table together.
Of course, Zhou Laoda only knew Zheng Qingshu and didn't know the identities of the others. It was Tie Qingfeng who told him.
That's right, Tie Qingfeng also came. After Zheng Qingshu and the others entered the private room upstairs, he privately said to Boss Zhou, "Uncle Zhou, my uncle and I came to show our support, and we also brought along the Assistant Magistrate, the Registrar, the County Magistrate, the Clerk, and others. With them leading the way into the restaurant, others will naturally not dare to make any more comments about your Meizhou Restaurant..."
After listening, Zhou Laoda understood what Tie Qingfeng meant. He wanted to let bygones be bygones after the unpleasantness with Xingxing and Fu Ge, and hoped that the Zhou family would no longer hold a grudge.
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