Chapter 79: Sideline Business She was even busier in the early spring, full of things...
Pingjiang Prefecture welcomed a beautiful spring at the end of February. Green buds sprouted from the bare branches at the gate of the government office, and the stone lions crouched in the morning light, dazzling the eyes.
A few yamen runners on the morning shift gathered in the corridor for breakfast, steaming white flour buns in their hands. Some, finding them bland, shoved pickled cucumbers into the buns or fished out a fluffy piece of bread from an oil-paper package.
"This bread from Shopkeeper Wei is made with milk. My son buys it every day for breakfast. Today I stole one to try, and it tastes really good."
A yamen runner sighed as he chewed.
The dough is kneaded with milk and water, resulting in a soft, sweet baked bun. Many families sending their children to school would stop by Tianqing Temple to buy some bread for their children to eat as breakfast or as a midday snack.
Another yamen runner took a bite of his steamed bun and was nodding in agreement when he looked up and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
The man was dressed in crimson official uniform, a leather belt around his waist, a sword hanging from his shoulder, and a dangling goose-yellow sachet hanging from his waist. But in the morning light, one could clearly see a headband tied around his forehead, which softened the coldness between his brows and eyes.
In the past, Lord Lu rarely visited the government office except on official business or when escorting a suspect. How could he find the time to come here alone? He was even wearing a headband, something they had only ever seen him wear when in casual attire.
"Good morning, Lord Lu."
The yamen runner didn't think any more and hurriedly bowed and greeted, "What brings you here today?"
Lu Lan said "hmm" lightly, "I'm here to see Mr. He from the Ministry of Agriculture. I want to ask about the documents for my Ah Yun's land purchase. It would be best if it can be approved as soon as possible."
As soon as these words came out, the steamed buns and bread stopped at the edge of his mouth and he was reluctant to swallow them.
The yamen runner coughed and said, "Lu, Master Lu, please wait a moment. I will go and pass the message on."
"No need."
Lu Lan raised his hand to stop him, "I'm just asking, my Ah Yun is waiting anxiously."
The yamen runner's mouth twitched, and he turned the words "my Ah Yun" over and over in his mind, but he didn't dare show it on his face. He just laughed dryly, "Master Lu, you know, spring is almost here, and many families are buying land. As usual, the documents need to be arranged for three days. But don't worry, I will keep an eye on you later!"
"Yes, I understand."
Lu Lan nodded, turned around and left without saying anything more.
"Why is Inspector Lu here?"
Lord He was wearing a round-necked robe and holding a plate with a few soup dumplings. He picked up one with his chopsticks, took a bite, and sipped it.
He only saw the back, but he could tell it was Lu Lan by the red clothes and figure.
"Congratulations, sir."
The yamen runner hurried forward and replied, "Lord Lu is here to urge Madam Wei Jinyun to buy some land. He said...he needs it and is waiting anxiously."
"Wei Jinyun?"
Lord He bit into a soup dumpling, and the boiling hot soup splashed on his tongue. He let out an "ah" and quickly sucked in air and stuck out his tongue, hissing, "Which Wei Jinyun?"
"That's Shopkeeper Wei from Yun Lai Xiang and Miao Miao Bakery."
The yamen runner reluctantly reminded, "You've been busy checking the spring plowing recently, so you might not have noticed. Shopkeeper Wei's bread is delicious. He's planning to buy some land to raise cattle."
Lord He finally reacted, his tongue still numb. "Oh, why didn't you say so earlier? Hurry, go find the one labeled 'Wei Jinyun' among the pile of documents on my desk. I'll approve it quickly!"
As he spoke, he didn't even bother to wipe the soup from the corner of his mouth, and dragged the yamen runner towards the public housing.
The two magnolias on the bank of the Yunlaixiang River are in full bloom, with their petals crystal white. The crabapple in front of the steps has also ushered in the sign of spring, with its pink stamens hanging down, and a few petals fall onto the river surface when the wind blows.
Yuanbao was squatting on the stone steps by the river, his fur tanned and shiny. His green eyes were fixed on the water, his ears pointed forward. A small, shimmering silver fish swam slowly by, occasionally leaping.
Yuanbao suddenly kicked his hind legs, lowered his head, and with a "crackling" sound, bit the small fish that was still performing various swimming styles. He shook his head with the fish in his mouth, raised his chin proudly, and walked back.
"Wow, Master Yuanbao is so awesome!"
Meng Ge'er, who was standing next to him, clapped his hands, holding a few reddish-brown feathers. He handed them over and said, "Here, as a reward to Master Yuanbao, these are the tail feathers of my rooster. These are the most beautiful, and I picked them myself."
Yuanbao lowered his head to smell the feathers, rubbed his head against Meng Ge'er's palm, held the little fish in his mouth, with feathers stuck on his head, and slowly jumped onto Yunlaixiang's door. He found a place where he could get some sun and enjoy his little fish.
Yuanbao went to eat fish, and Mengge'er had no playmates, so he went to play with loofah and edamame, and then plucked a few feathers and asked Sister Chuntao to sew some toys for them.
The aroma of the freshly baked snacks in the shop has not yet dissipated, mixed with a hint of freshness.
Wan Wu held a pair of bamboo chopsticks in her hands, holding a piece of freshly processed puffer fish meat. Her brows furrowed slightly as she complained to the waiters gathered around the table, "You call this faith? If you believe it, come and have a taste."
Chang Siyan suppressed his laughter and put his hand on Chao Jiu's shoulder, "Believe it, why shouldn't we believe Sister Wan Wu? It's just... this thing looks too precious. We have to take a look at it first."
Chaojiu and Gu Xiang nodded, causing Wanwu to glare at him again.
On the porcelain plate on the table, there were a few slices of puffer fish meat cut as thin as a cicada's wing, extremely translucent, with a faint pink color.
Wan Wu used chopsticks to stir it up. "You haven't tasted it before. This puffer fish as sashimi is amazing. It's incredibly fresh."
Wei Jinyun walked over, biting a piece of bread, and glanced at the fish on the plate. "Forget about sashimi, I can't eat it. And this is puffer fish sashimi. I'm really afraid that if I take a bite, I'll run straight to the Wang Family Coffin Shop on Yanzhi Street. What a shame."
The guys burst into laughter and didn't dare to taste it anymore.
Chang Siyan even tried to make fun of it, "That's right, Manager Wei still has to take care of the two shops and the cattle breeding business, he can't afford to lose everything on a single fish."
Wan Wu curled her lips, but was reluctant to put down the fish in her hand. "I cleaned it very well. I threw away the liver and roe long ago, and drained the blood thoroughly. I'm a professional."
As he said this, he held up his chopsticks and showed off to each waiter, "Look how well and thinly I cut the fish."
The guys still shook their heads and rattled in rows.
"Forget it."
Wan Wu finally compromised and put the sashimi aside. "Then let's blanch the fish fillets and boil the clear soup. I'll eat it first and give you a sample."
As soon as these words were spoken, rows of chicks pecked at the rice.
Gu Xiang took the initiative to go to the kitchen to get the copper pot, "I'll go boil some water. Wan Wu, please don't lie to us. Is it really non-toxic?"
Wan Wu snorted, and the knife in his hand "thump thump" began to deal with the remaining puffer fish. "Don't worry, I still want to stay alive and eat our shopkeeper Wei's wedding cake."
"Wedding cake?"
Wei Jinyun was stunned for a moment, looking at her blankly, "What wedding cake? Our shop hasn't had any orders for wedding cakes recently. We sent one to the Liu family for their wedding, and we also sent one to the Qian family for their engagement. The most recent one should be the beam-raising cake for Shopkeeper Wang's new house."
As soon as she finished speaking, the guys around her instantly became excited.
Chang Siyan was the first to come forward and said with a wink, "Hey, Shopkeeper Wei! Are you pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth?"
"You really don't know?"
Wan Wu put down his knife, put his hands on his hips and laughed, "Right now, in Pingjiang Prefecture, these four most popular words are associated with our Yunlaixiang and Miaomiao Bakery. How come you haven't heard of them?"
Wei Jinyun was even more confused, frowning and shaking his head, "What words? I've been busy watching over the workshop and buying land these days, so I really didn't pay attention to the gossip outside."
"Then we must have a good talk with you!"
Chang Siyan cleared his throat and winked at the guys.
The next second, Chaojiu, Wanwu, Gu Xiang, and many of the new guys stood up straight, holding back their laughter, deliberately dragging out their voices, and shouting loudly and in unison to Wei Jinyun.
"My—home—A—Yun!"
These four words were shouted with full energy, echoing throughout Yunlaixiang and Miaomiao Bakery. Wei Jinyun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.
Damn Lu Lan!
She was embarrassed and angry, "You guys, what nonsense are you spreading!"
The guys were rolling on the floor with laughter. Chang Siyan crossed his arms and cried out, "We didn't spread the rumor, it was Lord Lu who was the one shouting it out loud. Who doesn't know by now that Lord Lu keeps referring to 'my Ah Yun'?"
Wei Jinyun's face was still burning.
Lu Lan is taking advantage of others!
After returning from Mr. Li's house that day, Jingfan was still wandering around the streets of Pingjiang Prefecture late at night, unwilling to go back to Lu Mansion.
She clung to his chest, her body stiff, and could clearly smell the scent of oranges on him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, tightly as if afraid she would fall, and they swayed slowly for several blocks, and then he actually fell asleep on horseback, holding her in his arms.
His chin rested on the top of her head, and the air around her was filled with his faint breathing. She didn't know whether to move or not, and stayed on the horse for a whole hour.
Not to mention the entrance to the Lu Mansion, where all the servants were standing at the door. She wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into, but he didn't feel anything was wrong and held her firmly.
Until entering the mansion, Lu Lan was still muttering, "Ayun, come and propose to me soon..."
The best eggs should be about the size of the servants' open mouths.
Thinking of this, Wei Jinyun poked the word "Lu Lan" on the account book with his finger.
The copper pot on the long table of Yunlaixiang was already boiling, bubbling, and the delicious bone soup spread throughout the shop.
Wan Wu deftly put the puffer fish fillets, which were cut into even thicknesses, into the soup. The fillets curled up slightly as soon as they touched the boiling soup, and the transparent flesh gradually turned into a bright white.
"Look, let me taste it first."
As Wan Wu spoke, he picked up a piece of blanched fish fillet, blew on it and put it into his mouth.
After sitting for a while, he spoke again, "It's fresh and tender, I'm still alive, and it's not poisonous or toxic!"
The guys were relieved. Gu Xiang took the lead and took a slice, then Chao Jiu busied himself putting vegetable meatballs and egg dumplings into the pot.
The golden egg dumplings float on the soup surface, and when you bite into them, you will find the fresh and tender water chestnut filling. The round vegetable meatballs have absorbed the soup and are full of delicious flavor when you bite into them.
Chang Siyan smiled as he blanched the fish fillets, "I told you I believed you earlier. I'm just waiting to see our sister Wan Wu test the poison on herself."
Wan Wu glared at him and took another piece of fish with her chopsticks. "The puffer fish in late February is the most precious. The meat is different from that at other times. If it's prepared well, it won't have any fishy smell and will be full of sweetness... Follow Shopkeeper Wei and you will enjoy the blessing."
Wei Jinyun also took a piece to taste. The fish meat was smooth and tender in the mouth, and it fell apart with a light bite of the teeth. The freshness of the soup base and the sweetness of the fish itself were perfectly blended.
She smiled and nodded, "It's indeed fresh, this night fog is not an exaggeration."
The chopsticks beside the hot pot were moving back and forth in the pot, boiling fish fillets, picking up meatballs, and picking up egg dumplings...
Amu loves working at Yunlaixiang. Besides the delicious dim sum, the two meals a day are comparable to those at many restaurants. How come Sister Wanwu's cooking is so good?
Compared to other fish, pufferfish is over a hundred wen more expensive, and the better ones can cost several hundred wen each. It's rarely bought, and here it's even provided for the staff's meals.
Now she looks forward to hearing what fish Lord Lu will send her every two days, and will also go to Sister Si Yan to read her new stories. Wei Rui and Yu Qing, who are one or two years older than her, will also help her provide new ideas to Sister Si Yan.
Today they saw Lord Lu's eyes turn red towards Shopkeeper Wei.
Tomorrow I will see Lord Lu rubbing his head against the palm of Shopkeeper Wei's hand again.
During the days at Yunlaixiang and Miaomiao Bakery Workshop, what else can’t be seen?
Life here is so interesting.
The delicious taste of puffer fish was still lingering on everyone's tongue when a familiar laugh came from outside the shop.
Gu Xiang looked out and said with a smile, "Manager Wei, the Wang Ya people are here!"
Wei Jinyun was thinking about the trivial matters of raising cattle while calculating on the abacus.
Today, the dozens of tonnes of milk farmers bring in daily are no longer enough. The sailors' bread needs milk for flavor, the milk buns children scramble to buy, and even newly developed cakes rely on a sufficient amount of milk for their texture. Everywhere needs milk.
At present, the only way to completely solve this situation of supply exceeding demand is to cultivate the land and support oneself, produce and sell the goods by oneself.
When she went out to greet him, Wang Yaren had already bowed and smiled. "Manager Wei, I've found you some reliable cattle sellers. They have female cows of appropriate age that were discarded by the official pasture, as well as accustomed cattle raised by farmers. They are all registered cattle and are in compliance with the regulations."
Wei Jinyun led everyone inside and served Wang Yaren some delicious snacks along with the wine.
There are many processes involved in raising cattle in the Song Dynasty.
Wei Jinyun had to first submit an application to the Sino-Agricultural Temple, clearly stating the number of cattle to be raised and the purpose of milk production. Only after obtaining the cattle-raising certificate could she begin. Buying cattle required both a cattle deed and a cattle registration. Official cattle had to go through official procedures, while cattle owned by farmers had to be transferred. The Song Dynasty was strict about privately owned cattle, and she couldn't afford the risk of getting involved with unregistered cattle.
"Wangya people, you have to keep a close eye on the age and health of the cattle."
Wei Jinyun took a sip of tea and chatted with him, "I chose the farmland near Zhenze in the east of the city, which can save some costs."
In the future, we will have to find someone to build a new cowshed in a high and dry place, divide it into the dairy cow area and the calf area, cover it with hay to prevent moisture, and prepare stone and wooden troughs. Even the cart for cleaning the manure must be prepared in advance. Everything must be in place.
There are so many things to do.
Wang Yaren bit into a small honey bun and nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, Shopkeeper Wei. I only picked cows between two and five years old. They have full udders and look strong. If you're worried, you can ask a cow doctor to check them out."
Wei Jinyun has recently read a lot of books on cattle breeding and also asked others about it.
In spring and summer, cattle farming relies on grazing to save feed. In autumn and winter, hay must be dried in advance to make silage, and some corn and wheat bran must be added during the lactation period. Daily cleaning of manure, combing of hair and epidemic prevention are also essential.
She also needs to hire a cattle-raising worker, and she herself is a novice.
If her cows are well-raised and the milk is available, she can first use it to cover the cost of bread for Meow Meow Bakery, and use the surplus to make some cheesecakes. It’s a wonderful thought.
Wan Wu came over with tea and saw Wei Jinyun and Wang Yaren chatting animatedly. She said with a smile, "Boss Wei, if we raise cows, we'll have enough milk in the future!"
Wei Jinyun nodded and smiled, hoping that her land approval documents would be approved soon. She also had to take Xiao Zhang and Erniu to personally check out the site, build a cowshed, and then after selecting the cows, register her cows and let them live in her cowshed.
Land east of the city near Zhenze Lake generally cost five guan per mu. She bought eight mu, and still had to pay a deed tax of 130 yuan and a commission of 110 yuan from the Wangya people. Although this land was more expensive than the suburban land she had initially considered, it was close to water and grass for cattle to graze, and she could also harvest nearby farm straw for feed. In the long run, it saved a lot of trouble, making the higher price worth it.
The cowshed was entirely handed over to Zhouji Wood and Stone Shop. It was cheaper than building a house, and not many tiles were needed, and there was enough thatch. We started with one that could hold twenty cows, and then expanded it later if it wasn't enough.
As for dairy cows, the Wangya people said they were 500 wen each. Dairy cows, unlike draft oxen, were much cheaper than ordinary draft oxen. They would also need to buy a few good bulls. Having the cows examined by a veterinarian and registering them required money, and hiring cattle handlers was also a major undertaking.
With so many things happening one after another, she is even busier in early spring.
"Okay, that's settled then!"
Wang Yaren and Wei Jinyun were delighted after hearing this. "Boss Wei, please find a day and let's go see the cattle together."
Wei Jinyun smiled and replied, "Let's set it for the third day of March. I think the cowshed east of the city should be almost finished by then. Thatched roofs and wooden fences aren't complicated tasks to begin with. If the craftsmen are quick and nimble, ten days or so should be enough."
"March 3rd is a good day."
Wang Yaren nodded repeatedly and added, "When the time comes, I will inform the farmers and the people from the official herdsmen in advance and bring all the cattle together. You can check them one by one and choose with confidence."
"Okay, let's try some of our snacks first. Would you like a piece of berry cake?"
As Wei Jinyun spoke, he took a plate, went to Meow Meow Bakery to pick up a few pieces of bread, and asked Wan Wu to add more tea.
"Hey, give me a piece. I've been wanting to eat it for a long time."
Wang Yaren didn't hesitate to take the plate and started eating, squinting his eyes in satisfaction.
He enjoyed doing business with Shopkeeper Wei; it was a pleasant experience. Shopkeeper Wei was never slow to act, paid commissions promptly, and always had delicious snacks to entertain. It was much more pleasant than dealing with some of the more frugal merchants.
He took the tea bowl and drank it slowly, taking a bite of the berry cake that was served soon.
Seeing that he was enjoying his meal, Wei Jinyun turned around and went to the cashier's counter to calculate how much money it would cost.
The shop was bustling with activity, and to the sound of wind chimes, two elegantly dressed women entered. Wu, the woman in front, wore a dark jacket and a thin cloak, while Sun, the woman behind, wore a green silk gown with a bodice over it.
"Manager Wei, are you busy?"
Wu was the first to speak.
Wei Jinyun looked up and saw that it was them. He quickly put down the abacus in his hand and greeted them, "Madam Sun, Madam Wu, please come in and sit down."
Wu smiled gently, "Please don't call me Madam Wu. Call me young."
"You look young."
Wei Jinyun led the two of them to sit at a small table by the window. Mrs. Wu laughed heartily, "Hurry up and give us two pieces of cake. The lingering taste in my mouth is still from Xiangxiang's birthday."
"Oh, okay."
Wei Jinyun responded and turned around to ask Amu to bring two pieces of freshly made berry cakes. The milky white cakes were drizzled with light pink jam.
After they tasted a few bites, Sun put down the spoon and called softly, "Jinyun, come here."
Seeing Wei Jinyun approaching, she asked gently, "Can I call you that?"
Wei Jinyun nodded somewhat embarrassedly, "Of course, Madam Sun."
"That's good."
Sun took her hand, her palm soft and warm, "Jinyun, are you ready to give our Chang Ce's betrothal gift?"
"ah?"
Wei Jinyun replied subconsciously, "Not yet, I'm thinking of adding some more things to make it more comprehensive..."
Halfway through her words, she suddenly realized what was happening and looked at Sun with wide eyes, "How did you know that?"
Mrs. Wu, who was standing by, put down her tea bowl, her eyes curved with a smile, and patted her shoulder. "Is there anyone in the Lu Mansion who doesn't know about this? That brat Changce has been nagging you to propose to him. The news has spread all over the mansion."
Wei Jinyun's face flushed, and he asked vaguely, "So... the Lu family, do you agree?"
Sun's eyes were full of smiles. "This isn't just agreement; it's clearly a blessing for our headmaster. You didn't see it, before you, he spent his days clutching a knife or a gun. But since he met you, he's been smiling a lot more and thinking about you in everything. Do you think he cares?"
She paused, then said seriously, "Besides, Jinyun, you are capable and kind-hearted. You manage the shop in perfect order and respect us. We are so happy to have such a good child."
Mrs. Wu also chimed in, "Exactly. He's so anxious to buy a wedding dress right now, wear it himself, and come to see you."
"ah?"
Wei Jinyun's eyes widened in shock. "No, no, I'm busy building a cowshed and buying cows. I really can't spare any time right now..."
Seeing her anxious look, Sun couldn't help but laugh, "Don't worry, we all understand. What do you think, Jinyun? If you think it's still early, let him wait. He's happy to wait."
"Actually, Lu Lan is really nice."
Wei Jinyun lowered her eyes and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito, "I do like him, but I feel that I need to make more money so that my life can be smooth..."
"That's not difficult."
Sun smiled from ear to ear and pulled her aside to offer an idea, "How about we get engaged first? Let him be happy first. Then when you want to marry him, you don't have to worry about it. He will be happy to prepare the wedding dress by himself."
Wei Jinyun thought for a while and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Mrs. Wu laughed even more happily, "Jinyun agreed? The engagement is done, so that brat should tone down his arrogance."
Wei Jinyun replied, "Okay, then I'll tell him in person...don't tell him in advance."
"No, no, no."
Mrs. Wu nodded immediately. "This is your business. We are just here to join in the fun. We dare not steal your limelight."
Sun also agreed with a smile, "Don't worry, we are tight-lipped and will not say a word. We will wait for you to tell him in person."
As she spoke, Sun took out a brocade box from her sleeve. When she opened it, there lay a lustrous white jade pendant inside. The jade pendant was carved into a small peace locket style and had a warm luster.
"Jinyun, come over here."
Wei Jinyun approached as instructed, and Sun took up the jade pendant, gently wrapped it around her neck, and tied the red string around her neck. The jade pendant was against her chest, with a slightly cool touch.
"For you."
Sun patted her shoulder and said gently, "Wear it to keep you safe. I hope your shop goes smoothly and your cattle breeding goes well in the future."
“This is too expensive…”
Wei Jinyun quickly raised his hand to take it off, but was held down by Sun.
“Not expensive, not expensive.”
Sun insisted that she wear it well. "It's just an ordinary piece of jade, not worth much. Just make sure you feel comfortable wearing it. Put it on quickly and don't take it off."
Wei Jinyun held the peace locket around her neck, rubbing the warmth of the jade, blushing and whispering, "Thank you, Madam Sun."
"Thank you for what?"
Sun's tone was affectionate. "Don't worry, everyone in our Lu family loves you. After we finish our snacks, we'll go sit with your grandmother and talk to her about you two."
"good."
Wei Jinyun responded, and seeing the two of them pick up the cake and taste it, he smiled and said, "Then I'll go to the cashier first. If you need anything, please call me."
"Go ahead, don't delay your work."
Sun waved her hand and looked at her back as she turned around, her eyes full of smiles.
After Wei Jinyun returned to the account desk, his hands resting on the abacus, his gaze drifted away involuntarily, his mind filled with Lu Lan's image. The warmth of him sleeping soundly on horseback that day, even the sight of him drunkenly muttering, "Ayun, propose to me," was as clear as if it were right before his eyes.
She unconsciously reached out and poked the word "Lu Lan" on the account book again. Every time she poked it, she felt annoyed.
Damn Lu Lan, he messed up her mind and let the whole family know about it. It’s really... annoying!
Sun took a bite of the berry cake and looked at Wei Jinyun poking at the account book at the counter. She turned to Wu and whispered, "Mother, I'm so happy."
Mrs. Wu took a sip of tea and her eyes fell on Wei Jinyun's back. "As long as you're happy, I'm glad. I was so happy that I turned around and gave the jade pendant that my mother gave you back then to Jinyun."
"Just give it to me."
Sun didn't care at all, instead she laughed even more happily, "The jade pendant is just sitting here unused, it looks good on Jinyun, and besides, I just like her, so what's wrong with loving her a little more?"
Wu laughed heartily at her words. "So, Chang Ce's protective and awkward personality is inherited from you, not Lu Heng."
Sun took a bite of the cake, her tone full of relief, "She's a good girl. It's great to have such a caring child in the family in the future."
Wei Jinyun checked the last number in the account book and headed straight for the backyard. He needed to test the temperature of the newly built stove, otherwise he might not be able to catch up with the next order.
There were five new stoves standing side by side in the backyard. Xiao Zhang joked with her at that time, "Manager Wei, you built these stoves in a hurry. It's a good thing it's February. If it were summer, your backyard would be as hot as a steamer and you would be able to bake bread while standing."
Wei Jinyun reached out and touched the wall of the furnace. With more and more orders coming in, the previous six furnaces were no longer enough.
Now that she was raising her own milk, she'd have to expand the bakery. The backyard oven wouldn't last much longer. Once the cattle business was stable and the shop's profits doubled, she'd buy some new land and build a dedicated bakery.
The spacious and airy space allows for more ovens and separates the kneading, fermentation, and baking processes, eliminating the need for crowded, chaotic operations. Her two shops are better known for their dine-in service.
A few soldiers from the Inspection Office came to the shop to rest as usual. As soon as they entered the door, they greeted Wei Jinyun cheerfully, "Hello, Manager Wei!"
After all, she is the person that Lord Lu holds in his heart. They respect Lord Lu, so they naturally respect her more.
Wei Jinyun responded with a smile and served them hot tea.
"Sweet wine! Freshly brewed sweet wine!"
The peddler's shouts came from outside the shop.
"Just right."
Wei Jinyun stopped at the door and waved to the peddler, "Give me two pounds of sweet rice wine. Grandma's brewed it is all gone. Buy some for Xiao Chang to make eggnog. It's still cold out, so he needs some to warm himself up."
"Then I'll take a pound too!"
Another soldier nearby said, "You're on duty, and you still dare to drink?"
He quickly retorted, "Not now, buy it back and drink it with my wife later. She loves this the most."
"Oh, you're so painful."
Several local soldiers burst into laughter, and the peddler also laughed, "Don't worry, sir, my sweet wine is pure sweet and has no alcohol. It won't hurt to drink a few sips."
"That won't work either."
The soldier said seriously, "The master said that we cannot drink alcohol while on duty. The rules cannot be broken. Besides, the master himself never drinks, so we cannot break the rules."
As soon as he finished speaking, another older soldier laughed, "You're late to the Inspection Office, kid. Back then, when Lord Lu was sixteen, he was a spy for the Black Wind Gang. His drinking capacity was incredible! It was because of his drinking that he became brothers with the gang leader. That's why we wiped out the Black Wind Gang."
He continued, "Your Excellency's alcohol tolerance is so high that he can drink a whole jug without blinking, let alone a bowl!"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Jinyun: Lu Lan is so annoying... (Huh? [rolling eyes]
Mr. Lu: Dear audience, what do you think of my drunkenness? [Starry eyes]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com