Since sponge cake is the store's main product, Xu Zhi naturally pays great attention to how to make it. Therefore, she keeps the method of making yeast powder under her control. Even her subordinates don't quite understand how that sour-smelling powder that makes the cake fluffy is made.
Xu Zhi had already thought it through. She would make the yeast powder herself first and then deliver it to each branch store regularly. That way, even if someone wanted to steal the sponge cake recipe in the future, they would only know how to make it. Even if they stole the yeast powder and knew how to use it, they wouldn't know how the yeast powder was made.
Several sponge cakes had already been baked in the oven, and the aroma of freshly baked cakes gradually filled the area around the shop. People passing by wanted to go in and ask, but unfortunately, the front door of the shop was tightly closed. Xu Zhi only opened a small back door in the backyard, and people had to enter and exit through this small door in order to maintain the mystery of the front shop.
When Xu Rao returned home from the government office, he saw a plate of sponge cake on the kang table. He quickly washed his hands, picked up a piece, broke it open, took a bite, nodded, and said to Chen Zhaoci, "It tastes much better than last time. It seems you've improved."
Chen Zhaoci laughed and said, "Of course! We've eaten so much trying to make this. To be honest, I'm really fed up."
Xu Raoting Chen Zhaoci said this, Xu Raoting thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll tell Xiao Jiu that if they have any pastries that are not made well or that are ruined in the future, they can send them to the government office and we will send them to the orphanage."
Chen Zhaoci nodded and said, "There is a food shortage now, so we can't waste food easily. If we send food, we must pay attention to the method. It would be best to do it under the witness of your government. Otherwise, it will be easy to become a target for others to attack."
Xu Rao waved his hand and said, "I understand that principle, so don't worry. By the way, have you prepared the New Year's gifts to be sent to the capital?"
Chen Zhaoci took out a booklet from the cabinet and said, "Of course it's ready. We're planning to set off for the capital in the next couple of days."
Xu Rao took the booklet, flipped through it, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's add another 10% to Second Brother's share."
Chen Zhaoci asked curiously, "Why did you decide to give Second Brother an extra 10%?"
Xu Rao placed the booklet on the kang table and said, "Let me explain. You know that my second brother and sister-in-law didn't live a very comfortable life before. A couple of years ago, when our third daughter got married, my second brother complained to me that they had many children. Three daughters were getting married, and they needed to prepare dowries. There was also Zong'er who was getting married. My second sister-in-law has earned a lot of money with my grandmother's shops and estates over the years with Xu Di, but she still has to prepare for the four children, right?"
Chen Zhaoci said, "I understand what you mean, but you can't treat all your brothers in the household equally. What will your brothers think of you? What will your sisters-in-law and brothers' wives think of you?"
Xu Rao smiled and said, "Of course I've considered that. The marriage between Liu Yatou and the Lu family boy has been arranged, right? It'll be next year. You can use that as an excuse to get some more things for their family, saying it's for Liu Yatou's dowry."
Chen Zhaoci sighed and said, "Of course I know you're doing this out of pity for Second Brother and want to share his burden, but doing this will only give others a handle to use against you. Who knows if your other brothers will have a bad opinion of you because of this?"
Xu Rao sighed and said, "Of course I understand these principles. I just feel that among your sisters-in-law in our family, Second Sister-in-law is the one who is short of money, and she has the most children. You should think of a way to do this well. Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law have helped us a lot in the past."
Chen Zhaoci sighed and said, "It's true what they say: 'When the leader opens his mouth, the subordinates run themselves ragged.' Just one sentence from you, and I have to start thinking about what to add, how much to lick, and how to tell the steward of the mansion when it's delivered."
Xu Rao quickly bowed deeply to Chen Zhaoci and said, "Thank you for your trouble, madam."
Chen Zhaoci scolded playfully, "Go away, get out of here."
Chen Zhaoci held the booklet, looking at the various gifts already listed. Every year during the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, gifts were sent to the mansion. Of course, the mansion also sent gifts back. Currently, only Xu Rao's family members were serving as officials outside the mansion. Xu Rao and Chen Zhaoci were not only the favorites of the old lady and the Marquis, but they also got along well with their brothers and sisters-in-law. In fact, Chen Zhaoci felt that the Yongning Marquis's family had a good tradition. The children in the mansion were taught from a young age to support each other. Everyone helped each other on a daily basis, and naturally, they thought of exchanging gifts during festivals. It wasn't just for Xu Rao; all five gentlemen in the mansion exchanged gifts during festivals.
Chen Zhaoci scribbled and drew in the booklet. When he finally settled on a plan, he took out another booklet to copy it. While copying, he said to Xu Rao, "Brother Bai recently made the yeast powder and has already used it in Xiao Jiu's cake shop. What do you think about this?"
Xu Rao was holding a book when he heard Chen Zhaoci talking to him. He put the book down, thought for a moment, and said, "This boy, Bai, is actually quite suitable for the path of scientific research. I think he will definitely make many discoveries that benefit the country and the people in the future. Perhaps in the future, my wife and I will be proud of Xu Bai."
Chen Zhaoci finished copying the booklet and put it aside to wait for the ink to dry. He said, "Of course I hope that my brother Bai can achieve something. It's just that the social status of these craftsmen is too low now. Some of them are even classified as the lowest of the low. It's really disheartening to think about it."
Xu Rao comforted him, saying, "Society always progresses step by step. Human society has gone through so many years, and those groundbreaking inventions are just small sparks in the long river of history. We should be full of hope for the future, and even more so for the future development of society."
After listening to Xu Rao's words, Chen Zhaoci remained silent for a while. Xu Rao gave her a strange look, and Chen Zhaoci burst out laughing, saying, "When I'm in a bad mood, I like to hear you talk like this. I think listening to you talk like this is really stress-relieving."
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