He was the one who found the people. Although he didn't contribute any money, he was responsible for supervising everyone. If anyone didn't work hard, he wouldn't get any of the good opportunities next time.
He had just come up for a walk when he saw Cheng Yue and her family of four working in the field. He thought he would ask if they could help.
Then I saw a basket of dark seeds, and not knowing what they were, I asked about them.
To avoid planting something inedible, wasting land is a minor issue compared to the potential for poisoning.
Cheng Yue thought to herself: That's quite an appetite!
Steaming, stir-frying, pan-frying, stewing, cold dishes, fillings, and starches—these are all small-scale methods; there are many more advanced ways to prepare them.
Cheng Yue wanted to rattle off the names of the dishes in her mind, but she could only reply, "This is called a potato. I bought it from a traveling merchant. I don't know where they brought it from. They said it can be used as food."
I figured this land was just going to lie fallow anyway, so I might as well plant something on it. If I can't grow sweet potatoes this year, I'll plant potatoes. If they turn out edible, at least we'll have some extra food.
Well, Chen An's excuse was very suitable for dealing with the three children and the village head.
The village head looked at the potatoes in his hand a few more times and nodded, saying, "We don't go out much, so there are many things we haven't seen before. Maybe it really is grain from somewhere else."
When the family divided their property, Chen An knew that his family didn't have any sweet potato seeds. It wasn't that they didn't want to share; it was because Zhao had taken all the sweet potatoes in the house to grind into flour, so they only received a little bit of sweet potato flour.
Cheng Yue is right. If the land isn't cultivated, it will be wasted. You can't tell what's wrong with these potatoes just by looking at them; you'll only know if they're edible once they're planted.
Cheng Yue laughed and said, "If it's edible, we'll share it with Uncle Lizheng next year."
That's a serious statement. Potatoes can be used in so many ways. If everyone grows them, some businesses can be established.
"Okay, you plant them first. We'll plant some too, since we can eat them."
The village head knew what kind of person Cheng Yue was; she always thought of those who treated her well, so he immediately smiled and agreed.
Moreover, the traveling merchants were selling grain, and since they were all farmers, who could resist the temptation of grain?
They only have a few kinds of food, so having another kind of food is just to change things up.
"I'll call your two sisters-in-law up here to help you out in a bit."
The village head looked at the two baskets of potatoes, wondering how many more Cheng Yue would plant. There was still plenty of dry land nearby, and if she planted them all, she would be exhausted taking care of her three children.
Cheng Yue quickly stopped her, "Uncle Village Head, no need, we can manage. We didn't buy many seeds, just these, enough to plant this plot."
Since we're buying from itinerant vendors, we can't buy too much at once. Besides, we don't have a main labor force in our family, so we really can't manage to grow too much.
Once she grows them and lets the villagers taste them, I believe many people will be willing to follow suit, and then there will be no shortage of potatoes.
She was thinking about doing business and leaving the farming to others.
The village head looked around and saw that the land was indeed not very big. It would take about half a day to finish the work, so he didn't offer to help anymore and slowly went down the mountain with his hands behind his back.
The village head's plan was correct. With two baskets of potatoes, digging holes, gathering soil, and watering, the whole family finished planting them in half a day, and that was after speeding up the process.
The sun is getting stronger and stronger these days. Even on sunny days, it feels scorching when you go out. Let alone working hard in the fields, your back will be covered in sweat in no time.
Back home, the mother and her three children each went inside to wash up and change their clothes before feeling much fresher.
All the vegetables had been planted, and since there was nothing to do in the afternoon, Cheng Yue took a half-day break.
However, she could only rest for half a day, because the next day, Cheng Yue went to the county town again.
The shop is all set up, even the tables at the braised food window are newly made. All that's missing now are some pots and pans.
Cheng Yue parked the oxcart in the yard, and she and Chen Lin carried baskets on their backs and walked to the next street. This street was full of shops selling daily necessities and supplies, and it was close by with everything they needed.
Cheng Yue first went to the carpenter's shop and bought seven or eight trays used for serving dishes in restaurants. They were already very smooth, and when they were laid with oil paper, they would be perfect for holding braised dishes.
Next to the carpenter's shop was the blacksmith's shop, which had freshly made iron pots. Cheng Yue ordered one without hesitation this time.
To make braised food, you first need a pot. Since you're opening a shop, you can't keep using the pots from home.
The pot in the space is a bit small and definitely not enough. Besides, she doesn't want to cook anything in the space; the aroma of the braising sauce is what makes it truly delicious.
The same principle applies to selling noodles; that's why they have to be cooked fresh.
Thinking that she would need to buy other things later and there was no one in the shop, Cheng Yue asked the two shopkeepers to deliver the items to the shop in 15 minutes.
Upon hearing that it was a newly opened Chengji Braised Food Shop, both owners said they would come to support it on opening day.
Cheng Yue was naturally very grateful, thinking that the advertisement was quite effective.
After buying these items, Cheng Yue went to buy some commonly used bowls and chopsticks, as well as two quilts.
There are rooms in the backyard, so these can be prepared in advance. It's hard to say whether we'll eat here often in the future, or even just stay here for a few nights.
Cheng Yue had only been back at the shop for a short while, and was tidying up, when all the goods were delivered.
After the mother and son finished packing, they went straight to Wu's place and bought a pig's head, a set of offal, and two pig's trotters.
After leaving the town, we went to Wangshan Village.
With the opening date set, she had to notify the delivery time and, in addition to the original plan, added a few more chickens and ducks.
At the beginning, we didn't use any scarcity marketing. More customers meant more money, which served as a good publicity effect. After all, people would only buy again after trying the product and becoming repeat customers.
The first batch of chickens and ducks didn't need to be delivered; Cheng Yue took them home directly. She needed to make the braised food on the first day of the opening, as there definitely wouldn't be enough time that day.
However, she wanted to go on the opening day, as going every day was quite troublesome.
Make the first batch of braised food at home, put the braising liquid in your virtual space, and then take it to the shop to braise the next day's batch.
The opening day arrived quickly. Early in the morning, the three siblings were constantly rubbing their hands and stamping their feet, making a lot of small movements, clearly showing their nervousness.
Chen An felt the same way. Only Cheng Yue was slightly calmer, but only slightly.
Opening a shop is different from setting up a stall. After all, it's my first time, so it would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous.
Since it's a grand opening, the whole family should go together. Only by seeing it with our own eyes can we feel at ease.
After the family finished washing up and changing into new clothes, they set off just as dawn was breaking.
As soon as I came down the mountain, I saw the village head sitting on the stone stool in front of his house.
Cheng Yue greeted him, "Uncle Village Head? You're up so early!"
The village head stood up, a smile on his face. "It's opening day, so you can go ahead without worry. I'll keep an eye on building the chicken coop at home."
The village head was waiting there, apparently to say this to them on purpose. Chen An and Cheng Yue were moved and said, "Uncle Village Head, thank you."
"Grandpa Village Head, thank you!" The three children were also very moved. Even their own grandmother had never done this. Oh, and now she's not their grandmother anymore.
The village head smiled and waved his hand, "Don't be so polite, go ahead!"
The oxcart moved slowly forward. Cheng Yue and Chen An looked back and saw the village head still standing at the door. They felt both relieved and grateful.
Today was another day when the village head broke my defenses.
"We've made braised food, but we haven't let our family try it yet. When we come back today, we'll bring some to our parents and also some to Uncle Village Head and the others."
"Okay!" After hearing Cheng Yue's words, Chen An and the three children all nodded emphatically.
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