Xi Chun asked someone to help her choose an auspicious date, and Chen's Restaurant officially opened for business.
It's still hot outside, so the restaurant mainly serves cold pot skewers. However, some people prefer to eat hot pot on a hot day because they find the feeling of sweating is more comfortable. Therefore, the first-floor hall is divided into two areas by screens so that customers on both sides won't disturb each other. Curtains are also used to separate each table so that even if female guests come in, they won't have to worry about being seen eating.
The crackling of firecrackers rang out, and Xichun unveiled the red cloth covering the signboard. The village chief and other members of Taoyuan Village presented many gifts to celebrate.
The entire Fu family came to show their support, bringing generous gifts. Several other gentry and wealthy merchants who had been threatened by the county magistrate also came to celebrate, remembering Xichun's help in the past.
Grandpa Hu did not appear at this occasion. Last time, Xichun wanted to thank him for his help, but she heard from the servants of the Hu family that he had gone back and would not be back for a while. She still sent an invitation as usual, and their steward also sent a congratulatory gift.
"Congratulations, Miss Chen! You can't judge a book by its cover. To be able to open such a restaurant at such a young age is truly impressive. We old folks are so clever and bold," said Master Fu and several other wealthy merchants as they approached.
"Not at all, not at all. You are all my seniors. I still have a lot to learn. Please, gentlemen, go upstairs to the private room. Just ask the waiter to order what you would like to eat today. For the first three days of our opening, we will reduce all prices by 20%, and only charge 80% of the price."
"Alright, let's try this hot pot that everyone in the city loves today and see what it tastes like."
The village chief, Wang Shi, and Uncle Ma's family all arrived. Xi Chun invited them to sit down and try the dishes in the restaurant, but they all said that the guests should sit first, as they were not hungry. Wang Shi even went to wash the dishes and vegetables, busy and happy.
Because he was going to open a restaurant, Xichun hired several new people, mostly from the village. As long as they were provided with good accommodations, they were willing to work hard. Even with so many people, they didn't slack off and kept busy.
When there were fewer guests, the village chief and the others finally sat down at Xichun's insistence, and Xichun personally served them the dishes.
"Xichun, you've really made something of yourself. It's only been a short time, and you've already opened such a big restaurant in the city. Now, when people from our village come to the city to buy things, they'll have a place to stay."
"That's right. Whenever people from our village come, they stop by my place to rest. It takes quite a while for them to come and go. The village is busy with farming right now, so are you still able to manage?"
"It's alright, it's alright. Everyone is busy harvesting and picking fruit now. Speaking of which, quite a few wealthy merchants are buying our fruit this year. We can make a lot of money just from this income."
"That's right. Xiaofeng's grandma is the most enthusiastic. She invites people to pick fruit on the mountain every day. She picks quite a lot every day. Fortunately, there are merchants you introduced who go to collect them every day. Otherwise, it would be quite a journey to bring them to the city."
Wang also chimed in, saying that since Old Lady Ma got busy and started earning money, she has become much gentler. In addition, with Xichun's help over the past two years, the family's life has been getting better and better.
"Anyway, we can finally look forward to a better life. Everyone says that it's inconvenient for those merchants to come every time they come. We're planning to repair the road from the village to the town this winter. Each family will contribute a few people to dig a wider and smoother road so that it will be faster if anyone comes again."
The village chief was also very happy. Since ancient times, building bridges and paving roads has always been a good deed. In the past, the villagers didn't have money, so they wouldn't dare to mention such a thing. Now, everyone is organizing it spontaneously, and naturally no one objects to something that benefits every household.
Xichun also needs a lot of vegetables and meat, so the villagers are planning to make use of the land after the autumn harvest to grow more vegetables and earn more money. Some people are also planning to raise more pigs so they can sell them for money next year.
"Yes, the villagers' lives are getting better and better. This is all thanks to Xichun and the village chief. Otherwise, how could we have such a good life?"
After exchanging pleasantries, they all returned to the village together. Xichun continued to work until nightfall, when the closing sign was hung up, and only then did Xichun begin to settle the accounts.
She's the only one here who knows how to do accounts. She used to be able to manage when she was running a stall, but not anymore. Xichun thought it was time to hire someone who could do accounts, but such a person was hard to find. She could only ask the Fu family if they knew any accountants.
"Although we reduced the price by 20% today, we still made 20 taels. However, it's the first day of business, so there are always more people. We may not be able to come every day in the future, and the profit may not be as high as today."
Xi Chun called Qiangzi and Taozi together and told them to listen. She was already teaching Taozi how to do accounts. Qiangzi's stall was no longer set up there. It was moved to the entrance of the restaurant so that regular customers could buy their food at the entrance and leave.
"That's great! It's more profitable than setting up a stall before. No wonder so many people are willing to open shops and don't want to set up stalls anymore," Taozi said with delight.
"Qiangzi, Taozi, you two need to study hard too. I'll be opening more than just one shop in the future, so I need you to gain experience as soon as possible so you can manage a shop in the future." Xichun also had high hopes for the two of them.
“No problem, we will study hard. This is a rare opportunity.” Both of them nodded solemnly.
Xi Chun also planned to open a shop in the prefectural city, but it's not realistic right now. Going to the prefectural city would require more start-up capital, and she doesn't dare to set her sights on the prefectural city yet. However, her chili sauce should have made a name for itself in the prefectural city. If she wants to do business there, she'll need someone to make the connections.
Just as she was pondering who should be sent to open up the market in Guangming Prefecture, An Wuji came to find her.
"Miss Chen, I'd like to ask if your chili sauce sold well in Fucheng. I'm thinking of going to Fucheng to do business recently, but I haven't decided what to do yet. I just remembered that you said your chili sauce sold very well in Fucheng. Could I buy some from you wholesale and resell it?"
"Brother An, why did you decide to go to the prefectural city to do business? It takes several days to travel back and forth from the prefectural city."
“I really feel that the business in the county town is too small. I want to make more money. In addition, my younger brother is growing up, so I plan to let him take over my business here and go to the prefectural city with some friends to see if we can make money.”
An Wuji was too embarrassed to say that he and Guo Xuewei often did business together and gradually developed feelings for each other. However, his family was worse off than Guo Xuewei's, and he had many younger siblings. If Xuewei married into the family, he was afraid they wouldn't even have a place to live. That's why he wanted to try his luck in the prefectural city.
"Of course! I'm currently wondering how to get the chili sauce business going in the city. Brother An, just ask Brother Qiangzi to place an order if you need it."
"Okay, thank you, Ms. Chen. Your business is getting better and better. I hope I can achieve that level someday."
"Brother An, you can definitely do it. You are very capable. You just need an opportunity to rise to prominence."
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