Zhao Xian looked at the two of them and continued:
"The newly opened restaurant in Qing'an Prefecture is called Qinghe Restaurant. You two will mainly be in charge of the kitchen. Da Ni will be in charge of cooking, and Xiao Shan will be in charge of managing the kitchen to ensure the quality and supply of the dishes. There are more than ten chefs in the kitchen, and you will be responsible for managing them. This is no easy task."
There is a house in Qing'an Prefecture that was bestowed by the government. You can stay there. I will also be there on the opening day to make arrangements for you.
The reason our dishes are so delicious and visually appealing is mainly because we use special seasonings. This is our secret recipe, and we mustn't reveal it easily. After Da Ni goes to Qing'an Prefecture, she will be paid ten taels of silver per month, plus a year-end bonus.
Zhao Dani was stunned. The monthly wage was ten taels of silver. She couldn't believe her ears.
She pinched her thigh so hard she almost cried out. Ten taels of silver a month, that's one hundred and twenty taels a year. Plus the year-end bonus, how much money would she make in a year?
"When Da Ni gets back, tell his family about this. Otherwise, they won't know if he goes to Qing'an Prefecture one day."
“Okay, brother, I understand,” Zhao Dani said happily.
With the opening date approaching, Zhao Xian planned to introduce preserved eggs to the restaurant and open up the market for preserved eggs in Qing'an Prefecture. His uncle's family produced a limited number of preserved eggs, which could not meet the demand. He had a house in Qing'an Prefecture that he could use to produce preserved eggs.
Currently, several members of his uncle's family know how to make preserved eggs, and he plans to take one of them to Anqing Prefecture to produce preserved eggs.
At Zhao Youzhu's home, the whole family was working hard, sweating profusely. When they saw Zhao Xian coming over, Zhao Youzhu quickly stopped what he was doing.
"Xian'er, is there something you need?" Zhao Youzhu asked.
"Come and see how the preserved egg production is going, how many are you producing each day."
"Making preserved eggs is indeed a very good business. My family makes more than 500 preserved eggs every day, and we are simply too busy to keep up. I am planning to hire two helpers, but I am afraid of revealing the secret recipe for making preserved eggs, so I dare not ask anyone for help."
Upon hearing Zhao Youzhu's words, Zhao Xian couldn't help but laugh.
"Uncle, why are you doing this? You just need to keep the method for preparing the lime mud firmly in your hands and not let anyone else know it. You can let others do everything else, including delivery. You just need to settle accounts regularly."
“Yes, how come I didn’t think of something so simple? As long as I grasp the key points, I can ask others to do the rest.” Zhao Youzhu scratched his head.
"Uncle, I need your help with something," Zhao Xian said.
"Xian'er, just tell me what you need, and I will definitely help you."
"Here's the thing, I'm planning to open a restaurant in Qing'an Prefecture in partnership with someone. I've arranged for Xiaoshan and Dani to go to Qing'an Prefecture to be in charge of this business. We're going to introduce preserved eggs and pickled vegetables to the restaurant, which will require processing and production in Qing'an Prefecture."
I have a residence in Qing'an Prefecture, which might be used as a processing site. It's definitely not appropriate to have an outsider do this; it must be done by a family member.
Zhao Youzhu nodded; he understood what Zhao Xian meant.
"From the current perspective, Tiezhu and Tiedan have no problem making preserved eggs, but Tiedan is always responsible for delivering goods and settling accounts for restaurants and inns, so the family really can't do without him."
Tie Zhu is too honest; he can't even finish a sentence. Sending him is definitely not an option. There is someone else who can go, but..."
Zhao Youzhu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
“Uncle, I’ve thought about it. Only Tiezhu and Tiedan from your family can go. You said there’s one more person who can go. Who is it?”
“Your uncle is talking about my niece Liu Xuan from my maternal family. She is not only literate but also good at bookkeeping. If she could go, she would be the most suitable candidate. It’s a pity that she is not a member of our Zhao family,” said Liu, who was standing to the side.
Zhao Xian suddenly remembered his cousin Liu Xuan. The girl was very quiet, with eyes full of wisdom. More importantly, she could read and keep accounts. Girls like her were very rare in this era.
“Of course Liu Xuan can. Since she’s Third Aunt’s niece, she’s family. Is Liu Xuan home?” Zhao Xian asked eagerly.
"I went back a couple of days ago. Liu Xuan had been working very hard recently and helped us with a lot of things. Unfortunately, her mother wants to marry her off, and the man is willing to offer a dowry of five taels of silver."
But Liu Xuan was unwilling. Some time ago, she stayed at my home for more than ten days under the pretext of visiting me, also to escape this marriage. You know, the man introduced by the matchmaker is ten years older than Liu Xuan. I don't know what her mother was thinking.
Two days ago, her mother came and forcibly took her back. When Liu Xuan left, she looked at me with tears in her eyes, as if asking me to rescue her. But this is their family matter, what can I say?" After saying this, Liu wiped away her tears.
It seems that in this era, girls' marriages are arranged by their parents, and they have no choice at all.
"Are they engaged yet? Has the groom given the betrothal gifts?" Zhao Xian asked.
"They probably haven't gone back yet. They went back the day before yesterday afternoon, and it rained all day the next day, so it shouldn't be that soon. I estimate it will be in the next day or two."
"Actually, Liu Xuan is only fourteen years old this year. Her mother is in such a hurry to marry her off because of the five taels of silver in dowry," Liu replied.
It seems there's still time, Zhao Xian breathed a sigh of relief.
“Auntie, the restaurant in Qing’an Prefecture is about to open, and I urgently need Liu Xuan to help me. I will pay her ten taels of silver a month. Could you please make a trip for me and see if Liu Xuan’s mother is willing?”
After Zhao Xian finished speaking, he took out ten taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to Liu.
“This ten taels of silver is my advance payment for Liu Xuan’s first month’s wages. Tell her mother that I have a house in Qing’an Prefecture where she can live.”
Liu took the silver and said excitedly, "A month's wages is twice the bride price, and a year's income will be more than a hundred taels of silver. I estimate that Liu Xuan's mother will be overjoyed. Now, Liu Xuan is saved."
After Liu finished speaking, she went to change her clothes and prepared to leave. Zhao Youzhu told her to have lunch before coming over, but Liu couldn't wait and insisted on leaving immediately.
“Auntie, I’ll arrange a carriage to take you there. We must make this clear to them; we can’t force them.”
"Don't worry, once I go there, their family will be begging me. This deal is guaranteed to work out," Liu said confidently.
Soon Zhao Xian arranged for a carriage to come over, and Liu Shi got into the carriage, which then sped away.
The carriage returned in the afternoon. Liu got off the carriage, and Liu Xuan followed. Zhao Youzhu smiled and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this.
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