Perhaps due to the long journey, Manager Shi was extremely tired. He straightened his clothes and began to speak:
“A few days ago, I learned that Manager Ruan was going to open a restaurant, which means that Manager Ruan is going to enter the catering industry, which is a big deal.”
I had to come for such a joyous occasion, so I rushed here as fast as I could and finally arrived at this time. I hope I'm not too late.
“Of course it’s not too late. Thank you very much, Manager Shi, for coming to support us. Who is this manager? Please introduce him to us, Manager Shi.” Ruan Zhenggang asked.
"This is Manager Bai, also from our Song County. He hasn't been in business for long, but he heard that Manager Ruan's restaurant was opening, so he came here to congratulate him and wanted to get to know Manager Ruan."
"So it's Manager Bai! Congratulations! Let me introduce you. This is the Registrar of the Ministry of Works of the Imperial Court," Ruan Zhenggang introduced.
"I've met you, Registrar. I didn't expect you to be so young," Manager Bai said first, bowing deeply to Zhao Xian.
Zhao Xian sized up Manager Bai. He was in his thirties, of medium build, with a slender face and a smiling expression, giving him a very approachable air.
Zhao Xian felt that this person seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
"Does Manager Bai know me, Mr. Zhao?" Zhao Xian asked.
Manager Bai smiled and said:
"My name is Bai Shina. I have been in business for many years, but I have never understood the way of doing business. My business has been getting worse and worse. So I want to make some connections with business people in the hope that they will be of help to my business."
In Song County, there's a restaurant called Qinghe Restaurant. The dishes there are quite unique. Later I learned it was a franchise of the restaurant "Lord Registrar," and that's how I learned about "Lord Registrar."
"Manager Bai, you flatter me. I am not good at business. I only invested in the franchise store and never participated in the operation of the restaurant."
As the number of guests increased, Manager Ruan also needed to attend to other guests, so he had the two managers taken upstairs.
By noon, most of the guests had arrived, and the banquet hall on the second floor was full.
Soon, a variety of dishes were served on the table, a very sumptuous feast. After exchanging pleasantries, Ruan Zhenggang, as the host, officially began the banquet.
Zhao Xian was not seated in the banquet hall on the second floor, but rather in a private room upstairs. There were only a few guests in the private room, including Zhao Xian, Ruan Zhenggang, Ruan Fang, and three teachers from the academy.
Zhao Xian understood Ruan Zhenggang's intention in making this arrangement. In ancient times, there was a strict hierarchical system, and although merchants were wealthy, their social status was very low.
Although Zhao Xian was a businessman, he was still an official with a very high status, so Ruan Zhenggang would not arrange for him to sit with the businessmen.
But the teachers in the academy were different. They believed that all other professions were inferior, only studying was superior, which was a true reflection of ancient society.
It would be very appropriate to have the headmaster and teachers of the academy accompany Zhao Xian for a meal.
Besides Mr. Fang, Mr. Fang and Mr. Wu are both highly learned, and Zhao Xian is happy to associate with them.
The group was in high spirits and chatting happily when Ruan Zhenggang spoke up:
"Please enjoy your lunch, Your Excellency and the three gentlemen. The lunch has been going on for a while now, and I should go down and greet the guests."
“Alright, I won’t go with you,” Zhao Xian said.
After Ruan Zhenggang left, the group ate and chatted. At this point, Ruan Fang spoke up:
"A month ago, the clerk accompanied the princess to Yuanxi to help the government quell the rebellion."
It is said that many local forces were eliminated, important criminals were captured, and a large amount of money was seized.
"Could you tell me the details, sir? I'd like to write these events into a story to instill patriotism in the children."
Zhao Xian thought this was a good idea; it could indeed be used to educate the children in the academy.
"Of course, you can make some changes based on my explanation to inspire the children's patriotism."
However, real names should not appear in the story to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Of course I know that. With three gentlemen helping me oversee things, there definitely won't be any problems," Ruan Fang said excitedly.
Then Zhao Xian began to recount the whole story of his trip to Yuanxi. Everyone listened attentively, showing great interest in the mysterious Gobi Desert.
What was originally intended as an operation to combat human trafficking and liberate slaves turned into a war to eliminate local hostile forces.
Zhao Xian spoke in great detail this time, and also shared some of his own insights, which Ruan Fang and the three elderly gentlemen agreed with.
Zhao Xian spoke very earnestly, and the listeners were so engrossed that they didn't realize Ruan Zhenggang was standing right next to them until Zhao Xian finished speaking.
"Excuse me, Manager Ruan, why are you still standing? Please sit down. How are the customers downstairs?"
"The luncheon is over, and the guests have already left," Ruan Zhenggang said.
"It's over so quickly?" Ruan Fang asked in surprise.
"You two have been chatting for almost an hour, and I've been standing here listening for half an hour. I bet the clerk hasn't eaten anything and has been telling you stories the whole time."
Zhao Xian glanced at the food on the table and realized that very little had been touched, so he smiled sheepishly.
"Let's eat something, the hot pot is still hot."
Following Zhao Xian's suggestion, the group continued eating.
At this moment, Ruan Zhenggang took out a very exquisitely crafted box and said:
"A guest gave me a gift today, a jade ruyi. I'm not an expert on jade, but I heard that Mr. Fang is a senior figure in the jade industry. Could you help me assess the value of this jade ruyi?"
The landlord became interested when he saw that Manager Ruan had asked him to appraise the value of a piece of jade.
He took the box from Ruan Zhenggang and carefully opened it.
He took out the jade artifact and examined it carefully in his hands.
This object is indeed a jade ruyi, about a foot long, and is entirely emerald green; it is clearly a top-quality piece.
Everyone watched with bated breath. The landlord examined the items very carefully, evaluating everything from the materials to the workmanship.
Gradually, a look of joy appeared on the landlord's face, and he said:
"This jade ruyi is very rare. It is carved from a single piece of top-quality jade and the workmanship is very exquisite. Although I cannot tell which master craftsman made this jade ruyi, I can tell that the jade comes from Yuanxi."
“Yuanxi is a source of jade, and many priceless jade artifacts come from Yuanxi. Mr. Fang, could you estimate the value of this jade ruyi?”
"This jade ruyi may not be priceless, but judging from its size, material, and craftsmanship, it should be enough to buy ten of your restaurants."
"Ah!" Ruan Zhenggang was taken aback.
Ruan Fang didn't spend much money when she bought the restaurant, but with the appreciation of the property and the investment in renovations, the restaurant is now worth at least a thousand taels of silver.
In other words, the value of this jade ruyi exceeds ten thousand taels of silver.
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