Knowing that this was a skill taught to everyone for free by the imperial court, everyone consciously stood in a circle, watching intently. If there was anything they didn't understand, they would ask carefully to clarify it. Gradually, a fixed order was formed, and Xie Tianqi and the others no longer needed to worry about it.
Seeing that order had been restored, Xie Tianqi cheerfully beckoned Xie Yushu to a quiet spot to talk.
"Sister, how come you're so smart! You can actually make those awful beans taste so good. Yesterday, Lord Han brought us some Doufu and Doufu Nao, and as soon as we brought them into the house, the brothers snatched them all up. I only ate one bowl, and the bucket was already empty!"
The gravy was so delicious that these foodies licked the bottom clean, and they were still complaining they hadn't had enough!
Xie Tianqi's eyes were bright and sparkling, radiating energetic vitality. Xie Yushu felt much more at ease; it seemed he was doing quite well. She smiled and said...
"Now that the recipe has spread, if you love it, we'll make it in your kitchen every day. Sooner or later, you'll have your fill of it!"
By the way, I see your shop is almost finished being built. When will it open?
Once we open, we can offer soy milk and doufu pudding for breakfast; the cost is low, and the profit is considerable!
"That's what Brother Liu said too. We plan to price soy milk at one copper coin a large bowl and soy milk pudding at two copper coins a bowl. Brother Liu has already found a mother and daughter cook and a young boy to work as waiters, each earning three hundred copper coins a month. We brothers will come and help out when there are many customers, so it won't interfere with either business!"
Now we're just waiting for the carpenter to finish making the tables, chairs, and benches and deliver them. He said it would be around the New Year, and we've already had someone check the auspicious date—the opening day is set for the eighth day of the first lunar month!
"Okay, I'll come and support you then!"
Do you remember what I said when I appointed you as ferry officials?
The job of ferry official, besides managing the boats and taxes at the ferry crossing, could have many other opportunities for advancement.
Don't just open a shop and be done with it. When my resort develops, there will be a lot of merchants coming and going. Make more friends with the people you can get along with. Also, tell Liu Qiang to prepare to recruit a group of people to be in charge of loading and unloading cargo at the dock and to standardize the dock work!
"Consult Liu Qiang on everything. Tianming, you two are young, so observe and practice more. If you need anything, come find me at the villa."
Xie Yushu gave her further instructions.
"Okay, I'll tell Brother Liu later. By the way, Sister, it's almost Chinese New Year, when are you coming home?"
Brother Liu, we've applied to go to Yonghe County to teach how to make Doufu (a type of tofu dish), and we plan to go back on the 25th.
"I'll teach in our town for two more days and then go straight home for the New Year. When I get home, I'll make a couple of dishes for my parents so they can try something new. Are you coming with us, or do you want to wait a couple more days?"
Xie Yushu was just about to bring this up, and seeing that Xie Tianqi had mentioned it, she spoke directly.
"I won't be going back for the New Year. Anyway, I just went back to see my elder brother's wedding a few days ago. My parents don't have anything to do. I'm currently working on glass production and plan to finish a batch before the New Year so that Lord Han can send it to the palace."
Firstly, it's a new thing, and a new thing that has the potential to make a lot of money. It's not good if it doesn't get official approval from the emperor.
Secondly, things that are sought after by nobles in the palace will be sought after by ordinary people and regarded as treasures.
This path to expanding our business empire must be taken carefully and without any mishaps. I need to personally oversee it to feel at ease!
I won't be going back for the New Year. I'll bring back a batch of glass for my parents to replace.
Xie Tianqi was somewhat disappointed when she heard that Xie Yushu wasn't going back and wanted to persuade her, but when she heard that Xie Yushu was going to send something to the palace, she knew that this matter couldn't be taken lightly, so she didn't try to persuade her anymore. She just said that if Xie Yushu was busy, she could go to the manor to get it herself.
Xie Yushu thought that they would be extremely busy these days, so she said that Qu Xiaodie and the others would deliver it later.
After the two sisters made their agreement, they went about their own business.
Xie Yushu went to find the sugar maker first. It was the end of the year, and there were several sugar makers available.
Xie Yushu tried them one by one. There was a grandfather and grandson duo who were good at making sugar figurines, and their sugar figurines were very lifelike. They were also quite honest in their words and deeds. Xie Yushu bought five of the largest sugar figurines. Since the grandfather and grandson bought so many, they even gave her a small sugar figurine as a gift.
Moreover, no matter what requests Xie Yushu made, the father and son would patiently do as she asked with smiles.
He seemed to have good character, so Xie Yushu asked.
"Who else is in the old man's family? How much money can he earn in a day making sugar figurines?"
The old man continued to smile and say...
"There's only one old woman left in the family. After two years of severe drought, our son and daughter-in-law both passed away. Now it's just the two of us old folks taking care of my grandson!"
There are a lot of people these days, so I can earn twenty or thirty copper coins.
Thankfully, ever since Lord Han came, we haven't had to pay protection money anymore, and the thugs on the streets have disappeared. Whatever we earn is ours; we have enough to eat!
"Would you like to change to a different job that pays more?"
I bet your grandson is thirteen or fourteen by now, he should be finding you a wife!
Upon hearing this, the old man sighed.
"Now that we're old and young, what kind of work can we do?"
I'm old and can't do any other work anymore. My grandson is still young and can't do much physical labor, so nobody wants to take him in!
Xie Yushu saw that the old man didn't want to change, but his circumstances wouldn't allow it, so she stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly.
"I am Xie Yushu, the owner of Yuquan Manor. I wonder if you have heard of me?"
If you trust me, I do have a job that would be perfect for you, and for your grandson, it's also a job involving blowing things.
"I'll give you and your son five taels of silver each per month, with a year-end bonus, but you'll have to sign a contract of servitude. Are you interested in going?"
The old man was startled and quickly pulled his grandson to kowtow to Xie Yushu.
"This old man and his grandson kowtow to Lady Jingde!"
Xie Yushu pulled the person up and said
"No need for formalities. Just consider what I'm about to say! If you can't make a decision now, you can think about it for a day, and I'll come back the day after tomorrow to hear your answer."
Xie Yushu knew that signing a contract of servitude was a big deal, and she didn't expect the father and son to agree immediately, so she gave them a day to consider it.
But she was anxious. After all, going to and from the capital was a lot of trouble and not easy. Sending them away in one trip would save a lot of trouble!
Unexpectedly, just as she was about to turn around, the father and son knelt down with a thud.
"Lord, we believe you. My son and I have both heard that you have donated your newly developed Doufu recipe to the imperial court for free."
In all my years, I've only ever seen people desperately guard their prescriptions, never willingly give them away. I've never even tried Doufu (a type of tofu), but just because you always think of the common people, my son and I are willing to serve you!
Xie Yushu said happily
"That's great! I'm in a hurry to get people. Nanxing, pack your things for your father-in-law and take some people to complete the formalities."
"But what will you do if I leave?"
Nanxing asked with concern.
"It's alright, I'll buy the things and go back by myself. There won't be any problems for a while. After you finish the formalities, just go to your father-in-law's house, pack your things, and take them to the resort together!"
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