"How could I dare? Lin Ersao's 'Rich and Oily Egg' is very popular with customers. It really is a 'Rich Egg', hahaha... I have to personally receive this 'rich'."
Manager Meng was actually quite afraid that they would run away. Losing money was a small matter, but offending those high-ranking officials and dignitaries would be a much bigger problem.
Song Anxin smiled and exchanged compliments with him.
This was the first time Uncle Lin had ever seen his second sister-in-law talk to these wealthy people from the city like this, and she didn't seem flustered at all.
When he came to the county, he would avoid these people as much as possible. They looked down on him, these country bumpkins.
But this second sister-in-law of the Lin family actually started doing business with these people, and the restaurant manager even personally greeted her at the door!
Lin Fengnian and Lin Fenghe weren't so surprised; they had already witnessed their mother's negotiating skills yesterday. Their mother wasn't afraid of even the county magistrate, so how could she be intimidated by a mere shopkeeper?
I never expected their salted duck eggs to be so popular; the shopkeeper even came out to greet us personally.
Manager Meng invited Song Anxin and the others in for tea, but Song Anxin declined, citing her upcoming delivery to another customer. She then introduced them to the manager:
“These are my eldest son, Lin Fengnian, and second son, Lin Fengshou. They will be in charge of delivering goods from now on. If you need anything in the future, just talk to them directly.”
Manager Meng cupped his hands and said with a smile, "So you are the first and second owners. I'll have to take good care of you in the future."
Lin Fengnian felt somewhat uncomfortable in this situation, especially since people were calling him "Big Boss." He felt extremely awkward and didn't know what to do, so he could only force a smile and return the greeting.
Lin Fengshou returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "Manager Meng, please don't call us that. We are the juniors, you can just call us Fengnian or Fengshou."
And what are you saying? We'll have to rely on you for support in the future.
These days, while staying by his mother's side, he often observed her talking and interacting with people, and naturally learned some of her skills.
After exchanging pleasantries, Song Anxin and her group bid farewell to Manager Meng and set off for another restaurant, "Kelai Restaurant".
At the same time, Song Anxin also received the first payment of two taels and eight hundred and eighty-eight coins.
This was the result of nearly a month of hard work by the whole family, and it also cost them all their money. Now, they finally got a return. Song Anxin felt at ease as she held the heavy money bag in her hand.
The same thing happened at the "Kelai Restaurant". The manager was waiting at the door early and greeted Song Anxin and the others warmly.
After exchanging pleasantries as usual, Song Anxin introduced her two sons. The two boys behaved the same way: one was reluctant to talk much, while the other chatted politely.
Song Anxin didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Everyone has their own personality and strengths. Although the eldest brother is not as flexible in interpersonal relationships, he is down-to-earth and steady. The second brother is outgoing and clever. The two are a good match and there won't be any mistakes on the way to deliver the goods.
Song Anxin received another 1.6 billion taels of silver. This batch of duck eggs, including the deposit, sold for a total of 5.6 billion taels of silver. Although it seems like a lot, she will definitely increase the quantity and investment later. This money will not last long.
After delivering the goods, it was still early, so Song Anxin gave Uncle Lin two coins as a delivery fee and told him to go back to the city gate first, while she went to visit her parents.
Uncle Lin was surprised to receive two coins for helping out. He waved his hand and said, "We're all from the same village. Why would I need a delivery fee for such a short distance? Fengnian's mother works hard to make a living, so I can't accept it."
Although he saw Fengnian's mother chatting with the restaurant owner, he didn't know exactly how much money they made.
Fengnian's mother had her back to him and couldn't see him at all, but he wouldn't ask. How much profit could she possibly make doing business with these city leeches? Fengnian's mother was a widow raising four children; it wasn't easy for her.
Seeing how simple and honest Uncle Lin was, Song Anxin took a step back and said:
"Uncle Lin, in good years and good harvests, we will come to the county to deliver goods every three days. Could you deliver them to the restaurant every time? We will give you a penny each time as a tip for your trouble."
Just as Uncle Lin was about to refuse, Song Anxin quickly said, "Please don't refuse, otherwise how can I have the nerve to ask you to deliver them every time?"
Uncle Lin had no choice but to agree. Actually, it was already a good thing for him that Fengnian's mother and the others rode in his oxcart every three days. He wasn't worried about not having anyone to ride in the oxcart for several days in a row.
Now he's getting another penny for free. He's just sitting here at the corner of the city wall anyway, and he doesn't know what to say. He also wants to earn a few more coins to buy medicine for his son.
After Uncle Lin drove the oxcart away, Song Anxin took her two sons and strolled around the streets to buy some things. Her mother might not be willing to eat meat, but she was willing to wear clothes.
So he went to the cloth shop and bought ten feet of coarse cloth for twenty coins. He then asked his two sons if they wanted anything, but they both shook their heads like drums, saying they already had new clothes to wear and meat and white rice to eat, so what more could they want?
Song Anxin couldn't guess what they were thinking, so she could only continue taking the two little ones around, thinking that they would eventually find what they wanted.
We strolled all the way to the innermost part of the county town, almost to Renshan Academy. Near Renshan Academy, there are many bookstores that sell calligraphy, paintings, books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
The further you walk down this road, the more scholars there are in long gowns. Just then, the bell of Renshan Academy rings, signaling the end of get out of class.
A large group of students dressed in white and blue academy uniforms came out for a stroll; the sight of all these teenagers was quite pleasing to the eye.
Lin Fengnian and Lin Fengshou felt somewhat uncomfortable among these scholars. Although they had also read some books, they always felt out of place compared to those who were trying to pass the imperial examinations.
Lin Fengnian said, "Mother, let's go to Grandma's house instead."
Seeing their dejected expressions, especially Lin Fengnian, Song Anxin sighed inwardly. Confidence really needs to be built up gradually.
Song Anxin nodded, intending to turn around. Casually glancing to the side, she seemed to see a familiar figure near the entrance of a bookstore in a nearby alley.
The man sat there upright, with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones laid out on a small table. An old woman was sitting in front of him, talking to him. He would look up to listen, then lower his head to write, and then look up again, repeating this process over and over.
Song Anxin knew that this was a letter-writing service. Many illiterate people who wanted to write a letter to their relatives in distant places came here to find someone to write it for them. Many impoverished scholars here made a living this way.
The person sitting there helping the old woman write letters was her younger brother, Song Anbang.
After writing the letter, Song Anbang stuffed it into an envelope and gave it to the old woman. The old woman tremblingly took out a few coins from her handkerchief to give to him, but Song Anbang insisted on refusing to accept them.
Song Anxin only heard this when she got closer. Song Anbang said, "Grandma Yang, I can't accept this money. You should quickly send a letter to your son. I believe he will rush back as soon as he sees your letter."
Grandma Yang said with gratitude, "Thank you so much, Song Tongsheng. You always help us poor people write letters for free. When my son comes back and has money, I will definitely have him send it to you, Song Tongsheng."
Song Anbang got up and saw the old woman off.
Song Anxin felt that her younger brother was a really good person, and she would probably be a good official who would bring blessings to the people if he were to become one.
Lin Fengnian had met this uncle before, so he naturally recognized him.
Just as Song Anxin and the other two were about to greet them, four or five young men dressed in academy attire suddenly surrounded Song Anbang's stall.
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