Seeing Zhao Erleng's wife's hesitant expression, Jiang Ling quickly smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Erleng, this small business is still under development, so we don't need so many people for now!"
Zhao Erleng's wife immediately showed a disappointed expression upon hearing this, but Jiang Ling smiled slightly and continued, "However, I do have something that requires manpower!"
"What? Where do you need help? Just tell me, I can do any dirty or hard work!" Zhao Erleng's wife's eyes lit up as soon as she heard that Jiang Ling needed help again.
“Sister-in-law Erleng, I’ve been busy with other business lately, but I’m also thinking about getting the house built as soon as possible. I need people to make adobe bricks. Can you help me find some people? And can you help me supervise how the adobe brick making is going?” Jiang Ling said.
"What? That's it? Then... how many copper coins a day?" Zhao Erleng's wife initially thought Jiang Ling would assign her some dirty or tiring work, but after hearing what Jiang Ling said, she was quite surprised.
"Yes, all I need to do is keep an eye on the project's progress! How about I give you five copper coins a day?" Jiang Ling asked, holding up five fingers.
"Five? Five?" Upon hearing this, Zhao Erleng's wife immediately covered her mouth, afraid that she would shout it out.
“Yes, that’s right, five. If the people who help need lunch, I’ll pay you separately then!” Jiang Ling said, blinking.
“Okay! No problem, I’ll take care of it. I’ll definitely find you some quick and efficient people. What do you think of my husband, sister-in-law?” Zhao Erleng’s wife asked tentatively.
“Just let my older brother come and work with us. He looks like a hardworking person. He only needs to work two hours a day, and I’ll pay him five copper coins!” Jiang Ling understood what Zhao Erleng’s wife wanted to say, so she spoke up first.
Zhao Erleng's wife thanked him repeatedly with gratitude, her joy barely contained. She greeted Jiang Ling and then turned and ran towards her own courtyard. Jiang Ling could even hear Zhao Erleng's wife's slightly excited shouts.
As evening approached, Jiang Ling and the children had just finished dinner and were enjoying the cool air in the courtyard when there was a knock on their door. Jiang Ling was a little surprised as to who it could be so late, and didn't open the door immediately. After asking the person who was there, Jiang Ling slowly opened the door.
Then, Afu from Li Shanren's family appeared at Jiang Ling's door with a smile on his face.
"Ah Fu, did you also come for the peppermint water?" Jiang Ling asked directly.
Afu was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Jiang Ling to say such a thing. He nodded and said, "Yes, our master said that the weather has not been as hot as before lately."
Jiang Ling nodded and continued to ask, "Is that reducing the quantity or eliminating it altogether? Do you still need the menthol balm?"
"Let's leave both of these for now! But..." At this point, Afu glanced at Jiang Ling's house and then asked, "Aunt Jiang, I wanted to ask, did you go to Pingxi County yesterday?"
Jiang Ling chuckled. This Li Shanren was really well-informed. Jiang Ling didn't deny it and nodded, saying, "Yes, your master is curious about what new business has emerged in Pingxi County yesterday, right?"
Afu gave a thumbs up and said with admiration, "Aunt Jiang is really a prophet. I bet you were the 'Spicy Beauty' we were talking about yesterday?"
"Spicy beauty? These people really know how to make fun of me!" Jiang Ling smiled and said, "These people really know how to joke about their old sister-in-law. Spicy beauty? I'm just a regular bowl of boiled vegetables!"
Afu stared wide-eyed in surprise and asked, "Ordinary boiled dishes? Sister Jiang, please don't be shy! It's quite a coincidence. Yesterday, our master's sister came back to visit relatives. She ran into your boiled dishes as soon as she got off the boat. After returning to our master's house, she told everyone she met that the taste was comparable to all the delicacies she had eaten for so many years!"
Hearing what Afu said, Jiang Ling's eyes darted around as she carefully recalled the woman's appearance. She did indeed resemble Li Shanren quite a bit!
“Our master is probably referring to you, Aunt Jiang, so he hopes you’ll come over tomorrow and try this rare delicacy!” Afu continued.
Jiang Ling thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "That's fine, but Afu, I need you to prepare the vegetables!" As she spoke, Jiang Ling told Afu all the vegetables and meats she needed.
After listening to all of this, Afu wrote it down and handed the last sum of money to Jiang Ling before driving his carriage away from the entrance of Lujia Village.
After talking with Afu, it gradually got dark, and Jiang Ling quickly began preparations for the next day.
The temperature wasn't very high, but it wasn't very low either. If the broth wasn't changed for a day, it would definitely spoil by the next day, so Jiang Ling had to start making the broth all over again.
The next morning, Uncle Lu's oxcart appeared at Jiang Ling's door. Jiang Ling said to Uncle Lu, "Uncle Lu, let's go to Changning Town first, and then to Pingxi County!"
Lu Bo nodded and drove the carriage toward Changning Town.
As soon as Jiang Ling arrived at Li Shanren's house, she saw Afu looking around. Upon seeing Jiang Ling, he waved and ran over, warmly leading her towards Li Shanren's house.
"Our master has been waiting for you for a long time, and he hasn't even eaten breakfast!" Afu said after leading Jiang Ling to the kitchen.
Jiang Ling glanced at the fresh vegetables on the stove and nodded in satisfaction. Afu tactfully withdrew.
Jiang Ling poured the stir-fried base ingredients into the pot, and then added a lot of water. While waiting for the water to boil, Jiang Ling specially took out the sesame paste she bought from the mall yesterday as a secret seasoning.
Sesame cultivation was not unfamiliar in this era, but the process of making sesame paste was not very advanced. The sesame paste produced had a bitter taste, so people rarely chose to buy it. Sesame was mostly used for pressing oil and making pastries.
After the water boiled, Jiang Ling added meat, vegetables, and staple food in sequence. Soon, a bowl of bright red spicy hot pot appeared in front of Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling poured the prepared sesame sauce over the spicy hot pot, then turned around and pushed open the kitchen door, gesturing for Afu to come in.
Afu carefully carried the bowl of spicy hot pot, while Jiang Ling followed behind, and the two of them walked into the inner room together.
At this moment, Li Shanren was chatting with his younger sister, Wang Shi. Wang Shi was very surprised when she saw Jiang Ling. She looked at Li Shanren and asked, "Brother, how... how did she end up here?"
"Young lady, you don't know this, but the peppermint balm I sent you before was made by her!" Li Shanren said with a smile.
"What? Her? This... she's truly an extraordinary woman, skilled in both incense making and researching such novel foods! Hey, brother, why is this bowl different from the one I ate yesterday?" Wang's eyes were sharp, and she immediately noticed the sesame paste in the bowl.
"I improved the seasoning yesterday, so the flavor will be richer and the spiciness will be slightly reduced!" Jiang Ling replied.
"Afu, go and prepare another pair of bowls and chopsticks!" Li Shanren, seeing through Wang's thoughts, quickly instructed.
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