When the finished product was ready, Boss Song tasted it and immediately asked, "Young man, how much is this starch?"
Xu Ping was overjoyed, but he pretended to be very calm. "This item costs 25 coins per catty. If Boss Song signs a contract, we can guarantee a stable supply."
Upon hearing the price, Boss Song was even more shocked. It was 25 coins per catty. You should know that the "Burning Snow Mountain" dish at Chunfeng Restaurant across the street, because of its novel ingredients and exquisite presentation, costs more than 80 coins per dish.
Judging from the amount Xu Ping used, this pound of starch could make at least three or four servings. If it were made into steamed dumpling wrappers, the amount would be even more economical. However, that plate of crystal shrimp dumplings was more than twice as expensive as regular steamed dumplings. At 25 yuan per pound, it was incredibly affordable.
As long as the product is good, there's no need for Xu Ping to say anything more. Boss Song made the decision directly: "200 catties a month, order me a year's supply."
Xu Pingqiang suppressed his joy and hurriedly said that he would come to sign the contract in a moment. He then rushed back to the village and called the village headman over. He ran back and forth the whole way. Although he was tired, he thought that there was no reason not to persevere when he thought about the money that was right in front of him.
The village head didn't expect Xu Ping to bring good news so quickly. The two, who were decades apart in age, hugged each other and laughed heartily.
After preparing the contract, they rushed to Zuixianlou. Once the contract was signed, Boss Song grabbed Xu Ping and asked, "Young man, tell me the truth, did you supply that guy from Chunfenglou?"
Xu Ping feigned confusion: "I really don't know that. I just heard from our boss that a restaurant did order a lot of goods from us, and their business is doing very well. Because they ordered so much, we only supplied them before."
"Because I am acquainted with Cao Chuan, and I heard that Boss Song was troubled by his business, I thought I would see if I could help, which is why I came to Zuixianlou."
Boss Song looked at Cao Chuan beside him and nodded repeatedly. "Good lad, he's done me a great favor."
Cao Chuan, who had been listening to their conversation, straightened his back, feeling proud to have Xu Ping as a friend.
Hearing that their workshop's output seemed to be insufficient, Boss Song directly stopped Xu Ping and the village head and signed another two-year contract.
Xu Pingli was forcing himself not to laugh when he picked up his pen and signed a two-year contract.
The village head took the contract and hurried back to Shenjia Village to arrange for the preparation and delivery of goods.
Xu Ping was dizzy when he left Zuixianlou. According to the profit-sharing arrangement that his cousin Meng Zhao had mentioned, he could earn 9 taels of silver from this deal. That's 9 taels of silver! If he bought rice and flour with it, it would be enough for him and his grandfather to eat for more than ten years.
Feeling dizzy, Xu Ping wanted to tell Meng Zhao the good news as soon as possible. Remembering that his cousin was moving today, he went to buy a few gifts. He didn't feel bad about spending the money because he was about to earn more money.
Hearing this good news, Meng Zhao was also very happy. For every business deal the starch workshop closed, she would also receive a share of the profits. The feeling of watching the white silver jump into her pocket was just too great.
It was almost lunchtime, and Xu Ping was starving after a long day, so he stayed to lend a hand and also to mooch a meal.
Just as the food was almost ready, Meng Dashan and Xu Yunrong arrived. To Meng Zhao's surprise, Meng Dashan brought over half a carcass of pork.
Meng Zhao's eyes widened in surprise. "Father, you brought way too much!"
Meng Dashan patted his chest and said, "Your dad is a butcher. I can lack anything, but I'll never let you go without meat."
Shen Qing and Xu Ping helped Meng Dashan unload the pork and place it on the counter.
Meng Zhao looked at Xu Yunrong and said, "Mother, why didn't you stop me? There's so much pork, how can I possibly finish it all?"
Xu Yunrong patted Meng Zhao's hand reassuringly, "You're not eating alone, you still have the shop, so you can use it without worry."
Looking at the half-pig, Meng Zhao was also worried. There was no other way but to open the shop as soon as possible. Although the weather was getting cooler and the meat wouldn't spoil so easily, fresh meat was still the best.
Once all the food was ready, everyone began to set the table, using the same long table that they had brought from Shenjia Village.
Meng Dashan, Xu Yunrong, and Meng Zhao sat on one side, opposite Shen Qing and her two children. Gu Shi and Xu Ping sat on either side.
The small table was packed with people, and the dishes were spread all over the table.
Meng Zhao kept putting food on her parents' plates, saying, "Mom, you like sweet and sour food, try this sweet and sour pork, it's my specialty."
"Dad, this boiled pork slices are the most delicious, fragrant, spicy and numbing, just to your liking."
Xu Yunrong quickly called for a stop, "Alright, alright, you eat your own food, stop fussing, my bowl is almost full."
Meng Zhao then stopped eating and started eating his own food.
With such a delicious meal, how could there be no fine wine? Meng Zhao took out two bottles of Jinbo wine that he had bought in advance. These two bottles alone cost him about one tael of silver.
There weren't many adults at the table, and only Meng Dashan and Xu Yunrong could drink. Gu Shi rarely drank, but she was really happy today, so she picked up her glass and drank a few sips with them.
Meng Zhao also enjoys a drink in modern times, but even the best wine in ancient times tastes a bit bitter. Besides, although she is now married, she has only recently turned 16, so it's better to drink less. Therefore, she didn't touch her glass.
By the time the dumplings were cooked and served, Meng Dashan was already a little drunk. He grabbed Shen Qinghe on the table and wouldn't let go, saying, "Qinghe, how can a real man not drink? Come on, have a drink."
Meng Zhao thought that he was still young, so she wanted to stop him. But Shen Qinghe smiled, took the cup, tilted his head back, and drank it straight down, which startled Meng Zhao.
Seeing how readily he drank, Meng Dashan was very pleased. He patted Shen Qinghe on the shoulder and said, "Good lad, you're a straightforward person. I usually hate those scholars the most. They talk about classical Chinese all day long. When they come to my stall to buy meat, they have to stay far away from me, as if they're afraid of getting dirty."
Then she added, "But you're different. You don't have their bad habits. It's just a pity that if Zhao Zhao hadn't stopped earlier, you'd probably be me by now... Waaah... Waaah."
Before he could finish speaking, Meng Zhao covered his mouth and pressed it down. Everyone at the table was busy eating and drinking, and no one noticed what Meng Dashan had said. Only Shen Qing stared at them with her two glass-bead-like eyes.
Seeing that Meng Dashan still wanted to speak, Meng Zhao quickly pressed him back into his seat. "Dad, stop drinking. Come and try the pork dumplings I made."
Then she turned to look at Shen Qinghe, worried that he might have overheard something.
His complexion was normal, with his lips still red and teeth still white, but there seemed to be a touch of red between his eyes and brows, and his glass-like eyes had become more watery.
Meng Zhao waved her hand in front of his eyes.
Is this...? Is he drunk?
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