Chapter 24 Business Expansion!
The new dishes at Manxin Food Shop—the "Clay Pot Mushroom and Chicken," simmered over low heat with a secret sauce, resulting in tender and flavorful mushrooms and juicy chicken; and the "Three Shredded Vegetables," a cold dish made with bean curd sheets, cucumber shreds, and carrot shreds, drizzled with her special hot and sour sauce—became an instant hit. Word spread among diners, and even some well-off families sent their servants to pack some to take home and try.
With so many customers, the one waiter and one helper they had hired were clearly not enough. Yu Man went to a slave trader and hired two honest-looking, quick-witted young men and a woman to help with washing and cleaning. Now they were finally fully staffed.
One afternoon, as Yu Man was doing her accounts, Madam Sun arrived with a smile. Upon seeing her, Yu Man quickly and personally welcomed her into the small house in the backyard. She then cooked a few of her signature dishes and warmed a pot of light rice wine as a way of thanking Madam Sun for her continued care and support.
Madam Sun didn't stand on ceremony, praising the food highly. Raising her wine cup, she laughed, "Aman, your cooking skills have improved so much! To be honest, I helped you back then because I thought you were honest and quick-witted. Now it seems I've benefited too. Since you sent your sauce to me, my little restaurant's business has improved a lot. Many customers come specifically for that one bite!"
After chatting and laughing for a while, Madam Sun put down her wine cup, her expression becoming slightly more formal, and said, "Actually, besides enjoying this fine wine and food, I have another matter to discuss with you today."
"Please speak, Madam Sun." Yu Man poured her a full glass of wine.
“Yes, someone wants to see you,” Madam Sun lowered her voice. “I’m just here to act as a middleman. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.”
Yu Man's heart stirred slightly, but her face remained impassive: "Oh? May I ask which distinguished guest wishes to see me?"
Madam Sun smiled and said, "You'll find out who it is when we get there. Get ready and come with me; they're waiting over there."
Seeing that Madam Sun spoke mysteriously, Yu Man had some doubts, but she believed that Madam Sun would not harm her. She gave a few simple instructions to the waiter and then followed Madam Sun out the door.
The two didn't go to any restaurants or teahouses, but instead wandered around until they arrived at a rather quiet alley. They stopped in front of a private residence with blue bricks and gray tiles, its entrance not ostentatious but exuding a calm and composed air. They knocked on the door, and a servant quickly opened it, his attitude respectful but not obsequious, clearly having been carefully trained by the master.
He led them through the clean and tidy courtyard to the main house. The interior was elegantly furnished, not luxurious but exuding a sense of refinement. A kind-faced middle-aged man in his early forties, wearing a dark blue silk robe, was sitting in the main seat enjoying tea. Upon seeing them enter, he smiled and rose to greet them.
"This must be Lady Yu? I've heard so much about you." The man said with a friendly smile and a gentle tone.
Madam Sun quickly stepped forward and introduced with a smile, "Aman, this is Master He, the owner of Zuixianlou in our county."
Yu Man was startled. The owner of Zuixianlou? Although she had never met him, Zuixianlou was renowned and was the top restaurant in the county. She quickly curtsied, her attitude neither humble nor arrogant: "Greetings, Owner He."
Master He chuckled and waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities, and invited them to sit down. Madam Sun then excused herself, saying, "I'm quite thirsty after walking this far. Master He, may I ask for a cup of tea?"
Master He understood immediately and instructed his servants, "Take Madam Sun to the side room for tea and serve her well."
Before leaving, Madam Sun secretly gave Yu Man a reassuring look.
Only Yu Man and Master He remained in the room. Master He stopped beating around the bush, took a sip of tea, and got straight to the point: "Madam Yu is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush either. I've heard a little about your slight disagreement with the Chen family of Fengyulou."
His tone was calm, revealing no emotion, as if he were talking about something ordinary: "The Chen family has always been somewhat eager for quick success and instant benefits, and this time they have been even more dishonest. I have been running Zuixianlou for many years and have always cherished talent the most, especially young people like Madam Yu who have real talent and are willing to work hard."
His gaze fell on Yu Man, scrutinizing her while also revealing his admiration: "The reason I asked Madam Sun to act as matchmaker and invite Madam Yu here is to discuss cooperation."
The room fell silent, save for the faint aroma of tea and the distant chirping of birds outside the window. After saying, "I'd like to discuss a collaboration," Mr. He didn't rush. Instead, he leisurely poured himself another cup of tea, calmly awaiting Yu Man's reaction.
Yu Man's mind raced. The owner of Zuixianlou had personally come forward, bypassing the Chen family and directly approaching her, a small eatery owner with no connections; his intentions were clearly significant. She gently traced the warmth of her teacup with her fingertips, then looked up to meet the gaze of the person opposite her, her tone cautious:
"Mr. He, you flatter me. I barely make a living with my family's traditional skills and the help of my fellow villagers. I really don't know what I have that would catch your eye and be worthy of your personal discussion of this cooperation?"
Master He chuckled, leaning forward slightly, now displaying a shrewdness typical of businessmen: "Madam Yu, you're too modest. Your Manxin Food Shop has been open for less than two months, yet you've managed to snatch food from the jaws of the Chen family's Fengyu Restaurant, prompting them to resort to some underhanded tactics. How could you possibly manage something so barely making ends meet?" He stopped there, not delving into the specifics of what the Chen family had done, but the information in his words was enough for Yu Man to deduce—he was fully aware of the Chen family's movements.
“In that case, I will speak frankly.” He held up his first finger. “The Chen family, Fengyulou, and the grain company behind them are our enemies. They monopolize the local grain and oil markets, raising and lowering prices at will. We restaurant owners have suffered for a long time. Now they are even trying to crush your fledgling little shop, which is nothing more than making an example of you. On this matter, we are of one mind.”
Yu Man remained calm and said, "The Chen family is powerful, and I am but a nobody. I am afraid I cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with Master He."
Master He extended a second finger, his smile deepening: "Cooperation naturally requires sincerity. Does Madam Yu know why the Chen family has suddenly become so aggressive towards you, even... disregarding manners?"
This was precisely the question in Yu Man's mind. Logically speaking, although her small shop was doing well, it was far from being able to threaten the very foundation of Fengyulou.
Master He lowered his voice and dropped a bombshell: "It's because a distinguished guest will be visiting the prefecture soon. This person has a unique personality, especially a love for fine food, and his opinions can even influence... the allocation of the imperial merchant slots."
Yu Man was startled. A royal merchant! That explained it. The Chen family wanted to eliminate all potential rivals to ensure their restaurant could greet dignitaries in the best possible light and compete for that prestigious brand. And Yu Man's restaurant, which had quickly gained fame in the county for its novelty and delicious food, naturally became a thorn in their side.
Master He observed her expression and continued to press on: "My sincerity lies in the fact that, aside from other things, I have some old friends in the county, and I can make some arrangements for your sister's schooling."
Yu Man's eyes flickered; this boss really had connections everywhere.
Seeing the flicker in Yu Man's eyes, Master He knew the time was right and finally revealed his ultimate goal: "As for how to cooperate... Madam Yu, what I value is precisely your novelty. No one can predict the tastes of nobles; delicacies from land and sea may not be able to surpass them, but your unique folk flavors may just be what they prefer."
He sat up straight: "I have some connections in the prefecture. I can introduce you to a trustworthy restaurant owner. You can start by supplying your sauces to his restaurant to test the waters. The prefecture is vast, far beyond what this small county town can offer. Once you establish a foothold, the profits will be substantial, needless to say. More importantly, with a foothold in the prefecture, the Chen family will have to think twice before trying to harm you again."
He looked intently at Yu Man: "This is my proposal for cooperation: you and I will secretly join forces, share information, and deal with the Chen family. I will open up sales channels in the prefecture for you and provide protection. If necessary, Zuixianlou can also be your backer. All you need to do is continue to improve your skills, and when a benefactor arrives, perhaps we can go all out."
After saying that, He Ming took a sip of tea. Over the years, when others mentioned him, they at most said he had a sharp eye, but only he knew that he was a gambler.
While Zuixianlou certainly has its advantages, its menu is limited and it struggles to innovate. With Yu Man's help, its chances of success would be much higher.
A brief silence fell over the room. Yu Man lowered her eyes, watching the tea leaves floating in her cup, her mind racing with a decision.
The conditions he offered were extremely tempting, and she couldn't help but be tempted. The owner of Zuixianlou was interested in her usefulness. Once that usefulness disappeared, or if a greater benefit appeared, would this alliance be strong?
But right now, she doesn't seem to have a better option.
After a moment, she raised her head, her gaze clear and firm. She did not immediately agree, but asked, "Master He's planning is far-sighted, and I admire it. However, how exactly will this cooperation proceed, and how will the profits be distributed? Please enlighten me, Master He."
She did not bask in the glow of those undeserved accolades, but instead cut straight to the most practical issues, demonstrating a composure and shrewdness beyond her years.
A genuine sense of appreciation flashed in Mr. He's eyes. He knew he had found the right partner.
"How about I get 60% and you get 40%? If we really win the favor of an important person, we can discuss it further."
Yu Man did not haggle any further, and the two temporarily agreed on the price. After adding some minor details, Master He planned to have his trusted confidant take Yu Man to the prefectural government for a preliminary visit.
The next day, a trusted aide surnamed Zhang prepared a carriage to escort Yu Man to the prefectural capital. Yu Man temporarily entrusted the shop to his parents, packed only some personal belongings and a few carefully prepared jars of sauce samples, and set off on his journey.
The prefectural capital was a full day's drive from the county seat. When we arrived, the city lights were just coming on. The city gate was high and wide, and the carriages and horses were like dragons. The shops along the street were lined up one after another. The colorful lanterns hanging on the street illuminated the bluestone road as if it were daytime. The air was filled with the bustling atmosphere of snacks from all over the country, cosmetics and spices, and the faint aroma of wine. It was far more prosperous than the county seat.
Manager Zhang, familiar with the place, arranged for her to stay in a clean and respectable inn, though not in a particularly conspicuous location. After settling her in, he said, "Madam Yu, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest first. I will go and find Manager Li of the Zhenxiu Restaurant to arrange a meeting for tomorrow."
Yu Man agreed. After Steward Zhang left, although she was a little tired, she couldn't suppress her curiosity about the prefectural market. She quickly washed up and went out. She strolled along the bustling street, her sharp eyes scanning the shops on both sides.
Besides the usual restaurants, cloth shops, and silver shops, she noticed mountain produce stores specializing in dried goods from both the north and south, elegantly decorated spice shops, and even shops selling imported goods, demonstrating the prosperity of commerce and the diversity of consumer levels in the area. In front of some grandly decorated restaurants, carriages and sedan chairs were gathered, and the shouts of waiters rose and fell, showing the fierce competition for food; and she also secretly took notice of the variety of food vendors hawking their wares along the street.
"The market here is truly beyond what any county town can match..."
A day later, Manager Zhang indeed brought good news: Manager Li of Zhenxiu Restaurant was willing to meet him immediately. The meeting place was a secluded private room in the backyard of Zhenxiu Restaurant. Manager Li was a capable middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a rather straightforward manner. He had obviously learned about Yu Man's background and purpose from He Ming, and after carefully tasting the several sauces she had brought, especially the uniquely flavored mushroom sauce and the complexly aromatic meat sauce, a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
"Mrs. Yu's sauce has a rich and complex flavor, which is truly rare on the market." Manager Li put down the small dish and got straight to the point. "My Zhenxiu Restaurant can order a batch first and put it in the store for trial sales to see the customers' reaction. If it sells well, we can sign a long-term contract. As for the price, it will naturally be 30% higher than the purchase price in the county town. What do you think?"
The start went quite smoothly, and Yu Man felt reassured. He finalized the details of the first batch of goods, such as the types, quantities, and delivery times, with Manager Li. The process was much faster than expected.
After the business deal was settled, Yu Man prepared to take her leave and return home. Unexpectedly, Manager Li smiled and said, "Why is Madam Yu in such a hurry to go back? In two days, it will be our prefecture's annual Food Festival. Famous restaurants and eateries in the city will set up stalls in front of the City God Temple, showing off their best dishes and competing with each other. It will be quite a lively event. Since you are in the food business, you might as well stay and take a look. Perhaps you can find something of value."
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Author's Note: Updated on Sunday at 11 PM. The next chapter will be about their meeting (a one-sided meeting)!
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