Mu Yi'an's barbecue shop has a simple and direct name: Jiang's Barbecue Shop.
In ancient times, most shops started with a surname, such as "So-and-so's Shop". Mu Yi'an was too lazy to think about it, just like her Jiang's Vegetable Shop.
Mu Yi'an didn't go on the opening day because she was pregnant and it wasn't convenient for her.
Steward Li, along with his wife and the newly appointed Manager Wei, went to the north of the city.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Butler Li lit firecrackers, and the crackling sound echoed throughout half the street.
The two-story building has not undergone any major alterations; not even the exterior paint has been repainted.
The words "Jiang Ji Barbecue Shop" are engraved on a solid wood plaque of natural wood color. Jiang Shuyun's calligraphy is quite eye-catching.
At the entrance, a specially made barbecue grill stood, and two men in matching uniforms were grilling meat skewers, sprinkling on some barbecue seasoning. The unique aroma wafted far and wide on the wind.
"What's that smell? It smells so good!"
"It tastes like meat, but it's not the usual meat flavor."
"It smells so good, I'm hungry."
...
It was lunchtime, and the already hungry people were drawn in by the irresistible aroma, following the scent to come over.
"Here it is, Jiang's Barbecue Shop, a newly opened store."
"What are you doing, grilling meat?"
"Let's go in and take a look first."
...
Diners attracted by the aroma were intrigued by the long barbecue grill.
Driven by curiosity, everyone entered the newly opened shop, wondering if there was something else hidden inside.
Upon entering, there was nothing new or unusual; it was no different from any other ordinary restaurant.
The lobby on the first floor is neatly arranged with rows of tables, both large and small.
The entire shop doesn't look like it's newly opened; it doesn't have the feel of being freshly painted. However, it's clear that it's very clean, with spotless surfaces everywhere.
The only novel thing was the menu on the wall; I'd never heard of many of the dishes.
Spiced edamame, cold tofu salad, stir-fried shredded vegetables... it looks like cold dishes. There's also a row of grilled pork belly skewers, grilled lamb skewers, grilled shrimp, grilled chives... it feels like everything can be grilled.
Since we're already here, we can't just leave empty-handed; we should try the food.
The waiters, dressed in neat uniforms with their hair combed perfectly and white cloths draped over their shoulders, took orders from each customer with beaming smiles.
As meat skewers were continuously brought in from outside, the room was filled with the aroma of food.
This was the first time we'd eaten meat like this. It was novel, fresh, and tasted pretty good. Everyone felt the trip was worthwhile.
Gradually, the first-floor lobby was filled, and several tables in the private rooms on the second floor were also taken in.
Jiang Mian greeted everyone, while Manager Wei and Steward Li also focused intently on looking around.
I hope everything goes smoothly on the first day of business.
The grill at the entrance was always running, with people coming and going without stopping.
After lunchtime, fewer and fewer people arrived, and the workers took turns eating in the back courtyard.
Sister-in-law Li and Jiang Mian's wife had already prepared lunch for everyone and were still mixing side dishes.
In the afternoon, everyone took a break and cleaned the shop again, making it spotless once more.
In the evening, there were noticeably more diners, and more people were ordering drinks.
Zhao Wu, accompanied by two guards, patrolled the area inside and out, fearing that someone might be drunk and causing trouble.
Thankfully, everything went smoothly.
After closing time, Accountant Song and his team tallied up the accounts, and the amount was astonishing!
It's unbelievable that a skewer of grilled meat, costing only one or two coins, could bring in several hundred taels of silver a day.
After tidying up the accounts, Butler Li led his men back. Jiang Mian and the others still needed to do some final tidying up, close the door, and return to the small courtyard at the back to have dinner, digest their food, and prepare for bed.
The shop opens late, so everyone doesn't have to get up early. A good night's sleep can help relieve fatigue.
For several days in a row, the barbecue stalls were packed with people, as if the entire city had come over.
Butler Li and his team have been coming to take care of things. Since it's just opened, they want to do everything perfectly and make a good reputation.
To maintain a business's success, it's essential to retain existing customers and attract new ones.
Mu Yi'an didn't go, but Butler Li would report on the situation every day.
It was even better than she had imagined, mainly because it was a novel and unique deal with almost no competitors.
Mu Yi'an knew that this situation wouldn't last forever. Once people with sharp minds realized what was happening, similar shops would spring up like mushrooms after rain.
She never intended to remain an exclusive; she simply wanted to create a time gap, wait for others to react, and then prepare and open her shop. Her shop had already accumulated a certain level of brand recognition and loyal customers.
As time went by, Jiang's Barbecue Shop became more and more famous.
Jiang Shuyun also invited the teachers she was close to in the academy to come and try the new food.
"Zhonglin, is this shop owned by your wife?"
"Yes, my wife enjoys researching food. She's done it before when taking the kids on picnics in the countryside, and she found it quite interesting."
After arriving in the prefectural city, she used her dowry to open this shop and entrusted it to her uncle to manage.
Jiang Shuyun didn't hide it either; this was something that couldn't be kept secret.
"Your wife is amazing, she's a shrewd businesswoman. No wonder Zhonglin lives such a carefree life, without having to worry about mundane things like firewood and oil. I'm so envious!"
Most of the teachers in the academy came from poor families. They held high positions and were respected, but they really didn't have much money.
"Indeed, how come my wife doesn't have such a good mind? Besides being jealous, she's completely clueless about everything else."
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