It's no wonder Yan Qingqing was so happy, because one of the two baskets contained potatoes, and the other sweet potatoes. These are both high-yield crops, and if they grow well, they won't have to worry about going hungry.
Yan Qingqing waved her hand and said readily, "Manager Yang, how much are these two baskets? I'll take them both."
Seeing that Yan Qingqing seemed to recognize the two items, Manager Yang asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, do you recognize these two items?"
Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "I've seen them in books before. The long ones should be called sweet potatoes, and the round ones should be called taro. They're both edible."
Yan Qingqing didn't use the names sweet potato and potato, but instead used a different name. Anyway, Manager Yang had already said that these things were bought from foreigners.
Manager Yang nodded and gave Yan Qingqing a thumbs up, saying, "I really didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable, sister-in-law. I admire you."
In the end, Manager Yang charged Yan Qingqing a total of sixty coins for the two baskets of goods. Yan Qingqing also bought some bean seeds from Manager Yang.
Yan Qingqing has decided that she will still plant beans this year, since these two baskets of beans won't be enough to plant much land.
In fact, Yan Qingqing thought that if there was nothing special, planting some beans would be fine, since beans can be processed into many delicious foods.
Just thinking about all the delicious foods made from soy products made Yan Qingqing's mouth watered. If all else failed, she would set up a soy food processing plant; she was sure she could make a lot of money then.
However, that won't work right now; Yan Qingqing doesn't have that kind of strength yet.
Yan Qingqing stayed at Manager Yang's place for quite a while, and Li Xiangping and the others didn't return.
Li Xin's mother couldn't sit still any longer and looked at Yan Qingqing, saying, "Mother, why are my older brother and the others so slow today? They should be home by this time usually."
Yan Qingqing glanced at the sky; it was indeed a bit later than usual today. She wondered if something had happened, but she still comforted her, saying, "Something must have tripped us up. Let's wait a little longer."
It wasn't that Yan Qingqing wasn't worried, but she wanted her children to learn to handle things independently. She couldn't rely on her for everything, otherwise she would be exhausted, and her plans wouldn't be realized.
Fortunately, Li Xiang'an and Li Xiangjian arrived a little while later, both with happy expressions on their faces.
Li Xiangjian excitedly exclaimed, "Mom, you must have been waiting anxiously! We're late because..."
Before Li Xiangjian could finish speaking, Yan Qingqing stopped him and said, "Alright, it's getting late. Let's talk about it on the way back. We've already bothered Manager Yang for so long."
"You all move these things onto the oxcart!"
Manager Yang was also curious and was craning his neck to hear what good things Li Xiangjian and the others had to say, but unexpectedly Yan Qingqing stopped Li Xiangjian.
Seeing Manager Yang's gossipy expression, Li Xiangjian felt a pang of annoyance. His mother often taught him to stay calm in everything he did, especially important matters, and not to show his emotions. Why couldn't he learn that?
Manager Yang didn't feel awkward when Li Xiangjian looked at him, since they were acquaintances.
He jokingly added, "I can tell from your expression that this is good news, but it is getting late. You can talk about it on the way."
"Your mother bought all these things. I had the shop assistant help you load them onto the oxcart. If your business grows bigger in the future, or if you need grain, be sure to remember to come to Uncle Yang's shop. I guarantee it will be cheaper than anywhere else."
It's no wonder that Manager Yang wanted to befriend them. When he first met Yan Qingqing and her companions, they were dressed in rags and looked like beggars. When he met them again, they had already started a business.
In just over two months, Yan Qingqing and her team have made the "Flip Red" so famous throughout Chengyang County.
It's said that even the county magistrate frequently visits Yuelaiju Restaurant just to eat this, and Manager Xue of Yuelaiju has made a fortune from it.
Manager Yang is a shrewd person. He saw not only the economic benefits that Fanfan Hong brought to Yuelaiju, but also the network of connections that Fanfan Hong brought to Yuelaiju.
Imagine, if the county magistrate frequents a place, wouldn't other high-ranking officials and nobles also frequent it? Over time, how many people could Manager Xue cultivate relationships with? This is something that money can't buy.
Manager Yang could see it, so Manager Xue could see it too, which is why he was especially polite to Yan Qingqing and the others.
This is also why Yan Qingqing is not worried about Li Xiang'an and the others.
Yan Qingqing smiled and thanked Manager Yang before taking her three children home.
On the way, Yan Qingqing finally asked, "Tell me, what good thing happened that made you two so happy?"
Li Xiangjian glanced at Li Xiang'an, signaling him to speak. Li Xiang'an quickly said, "Mother, Manager Xue said that in five days the magistrate's mansion will hold a banquet to celebrate this year's harvest. I heard that he will be hosting all the wealthy and powerful people in Chengyang County, and he specifically requested the banquet at Yuelaiju Restaurant."
Moreover, our "Flipped Red" is the county magistrate's favorite, so Manager Xue wants to order another batch of braised offal from us.
The son thought it was a good opportunity and agreed.
I was late because I was discussing the dosage and details with Manager Xue.
Actually, we should discuss such a big matter with Mom, but I'm afraid of missing such a good opportunity.
Yan Qingqing nodded in agreement. Opportunities are fleeting, especially in business, so it was only right for Li Xiang'an to agree immediately.
If their braised offal is well-received at the county magistrate's banquet, their business will be secure throughout Chengyang County, and it might even become a specialty snack of the county.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing also took the banquet seriously, so she said to the two of them, "After you get home, you two should discuss it with your eldest brother and come up with a plan. From the selection of ingredients to the braising process, there can be no mistakes. This is a great opportunity for our family to turn our fortunes around and become famous."
Seeing Yan Qingqing's seriousness, the two were happy but also became even more attentive. Their family was starting to improve, and they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
After telling them about this, Yan Qingqing thought for a moment and then told the two of them about Li Chengye.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangjian immediately became angry and said, "No wonder you fail the exam every year. It turns out you haven't been focusing on your studies at all."
Our family and my third uncle's family have been terribly harmed by him. If it weren't for supporting his education, would our family be in this state? I don't know how heartbroken Grandpa would be if he knew.
"Mother, thank goodness you were decisive back then and we separated the family property, otherwise he would have swindled all the money we made in our business."
After Li Xiangjian finished speaking, he saw Yan Qingqing looking at him without saying a word, scratched his head and asked, "Mother, did I say something wrong?"
Yan Qingqing shook her head. Li Xiangjian was so sincere, yet he was still worried that Old Master Li would be sad at this moment.
Li Xiang'an said with a somewhat gloomy look in his eyes, "Mother, my fourth brother will also be going to school in the future. Won't his moral depravity affect him?"
Yan Qingqing glanced at Li Xiang'an but didn't say anything. She needed to learn about the policies of the Great Yan Dynasty when she got back. If Li Chengye blocked Li Xiangkang's path, she wouldn't be so ruthless.
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