I need to think of a way to help my uncle's family, but they are too honest and not suited for business. How can I help them?
Just as I was considering this, I saw Qin Yingying carrying a basket of duck eggs into the kitchen, which she had specially bought today.
Upon seeing these duck eggs, Zhao Xian's eyes lit up; he had already come up with a solution.
As dusk fell, Qin Shiyu lit the candles in several red lanterns, instantly changing the atmosphere of the entire restaurant.
All the food was ready, and it was finally time to eat.
All the dishes were served, and the restaurant was immediately filled with a delicious aroma. Seeing the food on the table, not only children but also adults would drool.
The four tables in the restaurant were soon filled with people. The elders of the family sat at one table, while the others were seated at the other three tables.
Zhao Xian had something important to say later, so he also came to the table with the elders.
We're all family, so there's no need to be formal about sitting down for a meal together. The food on the table is very plentiful, even better than what we eat during the New Year. This is such a rare opportunity, we must eat our fill.
At the elders' table, some rice wine was specially served. As farmers, they sometimes couldn't even get enough to eat, let alone drink rice wine. Today, the Zhao family rarely gathered together, so they had to have some.
This large pot of rice wine weighed a full five jin (2.5 kg) and was bought from a wine shop in town. Zhao Xian took a sip; it was sweet and sour with a low alcohol content. Even if one person drank the whole pot of rice wine, he wouldn't get drunk.
Everyone ate heartily, and the whole restaurant was filled with laughter.
Zhao Xian made an excuse to leave. He bought a few preserved eggs in the system, peeled off the shells, cut them into six pieces, arranged them on a plate, sprinkled a layer of white sugar on top, and drizzled sesame oil on top.
He carried the plate of preserved eggs into the restaurant and placed it on the table.
"Come and try this dish, it's made with duck eggs, see how it tastes."
The table was filled with Zhao's elders, who were well-traveled and knowledgeable, but they had never seen this dish before.
They didn't dare touch their chopsticks. Judging from the appearance, the dish should be made from duck eggs, with the yolk and egg white very distinct, except that the yolk was grayish-black and the egg white was a transparent yellowish-brown.
"This is the first time I've ever seen this stuff. I wonder what it tastes like."
"This dish should be made with duck eggs, so why are the egg whites and yolks this color?"
Several elders were still discussing it; they wanted to try the dish, but dared not take a bite.
Zhao Xian smiled, picked up a piece of preserved egg, put it in his mouth and chewed it, looking quite pleased with himself.
The elders picked up their chopsticks and began to taste the preserved eggs. They looked strange, but they actually tasted quite good.
"Xian'er, what kind of egg is this? We've never seen it before."
"These are called preserved eggs. Currently, they are only sold in big cities like the capital and provincial capitals, where they cost ten coins each."
"Ten coins each, that's too expensive. Duck eggs only cost one coin each, but they become so expensive when they're made into preserved eggs. It seems only the rich can afford them."
“That’s easy. If you want to eat preserved eggs, just make them yourself,” Zhao Xian said.
"Xian'er, you know how to make preserved eggs?" Old Mrs. Zhao asked, a little puzzled.
"Some time ago, I accidentally obtained the secret recipe for making preserved eggs. I can not only eat the preserved eggs I make, but also sell them in the market."
The elders immediately became interested in making and selling preserved eggs. Zhao Xian had made a lot of money making kimchi and sugar recently, so they were sure that making preserved eggs would also be profitable.
His uncle's family was very honest, and the method for making preserved eggs was not complicated. He planned to let his uncle's family make preserved eggs and then help him open up sales channels. In this way, his uncle's family could earn money and improve their life.
“Uncle, making preserved eggs is not difficult. I can teach you how to make them. Then, Tiezhu and Tiedan can take the preserved eggs to the market and sell them. They will definitely make money.”
Zhao Youzhu never expected that Zhao Xian would give him the business of making preserved eggs. It was a lucrative business, and the family would never be short of money again. His nephew wanted to help his family.
"Xian'er, your uncle will listen to you. I will do whatever you tell me to do. It's just that Tiezhu and Tiedan don't know anything. They only know how to use brute force. They are not cut out for business at all."
"You don't need to worry about that. You just need to focus on making the preserved eggs. I'll help you open up the sales channels later. You can just have Tiezhu and Tiedan deliver the goods."
"That's wonderful! If the family can earn money, Tiezhu and Tiedan will be able to find wives," Liu said excitedly.
"Uncle and Aunt, buy a hundred duck eggs tomorrow, and also prepare some quicklime, wood ash and rice husks. I will teach you how to make preserved eggs this afternoon."
The matter was settled, and Zhao Youzhu was very excited, his face flushed. He picked up the bowl of rice wine on the table, put it to his lips, and gulped it down.
Grandpa Zhao felt heartbroken. Rice wine was so precious, yet his eldest son drank it like water. Wasn't that a waste of such a good thing?
Before long, all the dishes on the table were eaten up. Although a lot of good food was prepared for this meal, people at that time did not have much oil in their stomachs, so no matter how much food there was, it was not enough.
Overall, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
It was already dark when the woman began to tidy up the mess on the table, gathering the dishes together in preparation for washing.
At this moment, Madam Wu's face was gloomy, and everyone present knew what was going on. With Old Madam Zhao beside her, she dared not make a scene.
Liu was washing dishes in a large wooden basin. She was immersed in joy and washed the dishes very quickly and easily.
Zhao Xian let his family run the business of producing preserved eggs, which should be a very profitable business. As long as they can make money, it won't be difficult to get Tiezhu and Tiedan married.
"Oh, sister-in-law, don't forget about our third branch when you make your fortune." Seeing that the old lady wasn't around, Wu began to mock Liu.
Liu didn't take it to heart. She knew Wu's character; if she really started a fight with her, it would never end.
She just smiled and didn't respond to Wu's words.
"The scholar is truly generous, giving this unique business to your eldest son's family. From now on, you can make as many preserved eggs as you want, and you'll have endless money. Your family will truly prosper then."
We were different. We worked for scholars, producing just a little bit of pickled vegetables every day. We were exhausted, barely getting enough to eat, just barely surviving.
Wu continued to complain, but when she saw Old Mrs. Zhao approaching, she quickly shut up and dared not say another word. If Old Mrs. Zhao had heard what she had just said, she would have been in for a good scolding.
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