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275: Partnering in Business

The county magistrate was about forty years old, very plump, and dressed in silk clothes. Although he tried hard to look impressive, he seemed not as imposing as the wealthy man next to him. As soon as he saw the white wolf, his imposingness disappeared. He was so scared that he wanted to turn around and run away, but he restrained himself and was supported by his followers behind him. He took a step slowly and walked to the back, as if that would make him safer.

Su Zhi was picking vegetables in the vegetable garden behind the garden, removing the weeds as she picked. She really liked doing these easy farm work. When she heard that the county magistrate was coming, she stood up and went back with the vegetable basket. She recognized the county magistrate from those people at a glance. She thought that officials in ancient times were like this.

Bai Lang saw Su Zhi coming and glanced at her.

The county magistrate's name was Tong Jin. He had heard that there was a never-drying pond in a riverside village under his jurisdiction, and that there was a holy beast there, so he wanted to visit the man's house and asked a wealthy man to accompany him. However, he was still frightened when he saw the holy beast, and stood in front of the door, not daring to move forward. The holy beast stared at them, and they could not move, so they could only stand with the gatekeeper, thinking that it would be safer.

At this time, everyone in Fuyuan's family was busy with their own things and no one was in the house. Aunt Lan went to the area at the back where vegetables, sweet potatoes and potatoes were planted and found Su Zhi first.

Tong Zhixian saw a young woman coming over. She was wearing a light blue shirt that reached below her knees and dark blue wide-legged pants. She was very fair, unlike the country women he had seen before who were a little dark. He thought to himself that this woman must be the owner of the garden. This made sense. A garden like this should have an outstanding owner. Otherwise, it would be a real pity.

Su Zhi came over and touched the white wolf's neck, then said to it, "There's nothing wrong here. These people are just here as guests."

The white wolf glanced at the people in Tong County again with a cold look in his eyes that made their hair stand on end. Then he turned around and walked away gracefully. Dahei followed behind him, looking like a husband and wife following suit.

Tong County Magistrate saw Su Zhi actually talking to a wolf, and the wolf listened to her so much. Although he knew that the holy beast could live here, it must have human nature, but now seeing it with his own eyes, he was still surprised. He thought this family was really extraordinary. No wonder they could dig such a water hole and get such a good place where trees can grow green even in the drought season. It seems that he can't underestimate this woman.

Su Zhi bowed gently, spoke to Qian Dafu in a dignified manner, and was introduced to Tong County Magistrate. She invited the two of them in for tea and asked Old Man Lan to arrange the carriage and the driver and servants for them.

Mr. Qian and County Magistrate Tong only brought their own followers in, and those who came on horseback all stayed in the gatehouse to rest.

Aunt Lan went to the bamboo forest again to call Shen Zian, and Xiao Ri and the others were with him. At this time, the three kids also ran back with Dahui, Xiaohei and Xiaobai.

When Tongxianling and Qian Dahu saw Xiaobai again, they thought that this family had even trapped the next generation of the Holy Beast. If the Holy Beast didn't leave, this family would be able to live in peace for decades, maybe even hundreds of years.

Shen Zian was the host, so naturally he was the one to greet the male guests. He invited a few people into the living room.

Su Zhi went to make tea.

It was the first time for County Magistrate Tong and Mr. Qian to come here. Mr. Qian had heard from his son and niece that Fuyuan was good, but it was not quite what he had imagined. He thought it was just better than an ordinary person's home, but he didn't expect it to have such a scholarly atmosphere.

There are paintings and calligraphy hanging on three walls of the living room, and there is a screen next to it.

The calligraphy and painting were painted by Shen Ziju, and the screen was embroidered by Su Zhi. The original one was put in the children's room, and now there is another new one, with a green background and white lotus embroidered on it. Under the lotus leaves, you can see dark blue fish, which makes people feel refreshed at a glance in this hot summer.

When County Magistrate Tong and Mr. Qian knew that the calligraphy and painting were by Shen Ziju, they nodded with approval. When they heard that the screen was by Su Zhi, they couldn't help but praise her. In their opinion, if this country woman could have such embroidery skills, she could definitely support her family.

"Shen Si, I heard that everyone in your village has switched to growing sweet potatoes this year. Was this your family's suggestion? What's going on?"

County Magistrate Tong took a sip of tea and nodded inwardly. He thought there was no good tea in this country, but he didn't expect this tea to have such a unique flavor, especially the small yellow chrysanthemums floating on it. They looked so fresh, as if they were blooming in the water, without any sign of withering.

This tea is wild tea that Su Zhi found deep in the mountains. She picked it, added chrysanthemums and some spiritual spring water, and made it herself. Although it is not as delicious as the tea brewed with spiritual spring water, it is as good as the top tea leaves sold in tea houses outside. And you can't buy it in tea houses outside.

Shen Zian and Su Zhi looked at each other and thought that it seemed that everyone in their village had already investigated everything before coming.

The wealthy man said, "Why are you buying so many sweet potatoes? This is a loss-making business. Are you just trying to help the villagers?"

Su Zhi thought that it was still unclear what business they were going to do.

Shen Zian looked at Su Zhi. In his opinion, the vermicelli business was very profitable. He was not sure whether he should disclose it to others or not. His wife should make the decision on this matter.

Su Zhi thought about it and revealed some information, but not all.

"My husband and I plan to start a small business. We will make sweet potatoes into food after we harvest them. We collect sweet potatoes from the villagers, which helps them and ourselves at the same time."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Tong asked curiously, "What kind of food is this? How can you use so many sweet potatoes? Can you tell me about it?"

Mr. Qian didn't say anything. He also wanted to know, but he didn't ask. He had known for a long time that Su Zhi was the one who provided recipes for Zhang's restaurant, and he also knew that the kang was her idea. Now with the addition of the holy beast Shuiyan, he felt that this was a woman who was both smart and blessed. He thought that she could harvest so many sweet potatoes, which must be of great use. She said she was going to make food, so the food must be extraordinary.

Su Zhi rolled her eyes in her heart, looking at the direct gaze of County Commander Tong, and the ears of the wealthy man who seemed to be indifferent but still erect, thinking that these people really did not give up. She thought about it and felt that if the vermicelli came out, it would be possible for her to do the business alone, but there might be trouble.

Think about it, that vermicelli might be unique and extremely profitable, and some people will definitely be jealous.

Look, the vermicelli hasn’t even come out yet, but someone is already eyeing it.

Su Zhi recalled a time-travel story in which a female protagonist started a hot pot business. Someone came to cause trouble and added drugs to the hot pot, which led to a lawsuit. In the end, the problem was solved by asking someone to help her, but she didn't dare to do that business again. She thought that she might have the same trouble. She originally wanted to find a partner, and now this person came to her again. Not only was he a wealthy man, but he also brought a county magistrate with him. She would not hand over the secret recipe, but selling it to others was still a possibility.

"To be honest, the food I'm going to make is called vermicelli noodles. The raw material is sweet potatoes, or potatoes, which can be made into long thin strips. After they are made, they can be preserved for a long time. When the time comes, just soak them in water and cook them with vegetables. It's a very good dish, delicious and filling. When it's ready, I will definitely send some to Master Tong and Master Qian."

County Magistrate Tong and Mr. Qian became interested as soon as they heard it, thinking it sounded quite interesting.

Tong County Magistrate is an official after all. Although he thinks that the family favored by the Holy Beast is not simple, he can't ask whether he wants to join this business. He is not shameless enough to do that. He just said, "That's good. I really want to taste it. Who knows, this place may become a source of new food. Then I can also benefit from it. Hahaha!"

Su Zhi has some good feelings towards this Tongxian.

Although Qian Dahu held a small but fake official position, he had been doing business for many years. When he heard Su Zhi introduce the vermicelli, he could tell the business opportunity of the vermicelli from just a few simple sentences. He didn't want to miss it. Moreover, Shen Ziju was going to take the imperial examination. He felt that Shen Ziju had great potential, while his son's hope was not very high. He thought that if he could do business with Shen Ziju's fourth brother, it would also be a kind of connection between him and Shen Ziju. Besides, Shen Zian and his wife were worth investing in. Not to mention the vermicelli, just the paradise of Fuyuan and the holy beast, who knows, this little farmer couple will become famous figures in the future.

As soon as Mr. Qian thought about this, he started talking.

"Nephew Shen Xian, Madam Shen, do you want a partner for this business? I would like to join in, but don't worry, I will only provide money and labor. The formula is yours, I don't want it."

Rich people also want it, but they don't want to offend the Holy Beast. The higher the status of a person, the more they care about the Holy Beast, because they understand the significance of the Holy Beast to Liang Country.

Su Zhi thought to herself: What's going on? He really said it out loud, didn't he? This saved her from having to go to the door and ask to be a partner.

Su Zhi made a thoughtful expression before agreeing, and then asked Master Tong if he wanted to get a share. Master Tong was happy when he heard it, thinking that this young lady was very active, and that was exactly what he wanted. He was a little hesitant before, but now that the rich man who knew how to make money had made a move, he was of course more confident. No one would complain about having too much money, especially him as a county official. Although he was a little stupid as an official, he was not too greedy. Although there was a lot of money in the family, it was not so much that he could not spend it all, so he was still happy when he saw the way to make money.

Su Zhi finalized the deal with the two of them. She would wait for the sweet potatoes to grow and the vermicelli to be made, and then discuss with them about doing business together. She had secured a guarantee for herself, thinking that no one would covet the vermicelli.