Chapter 198: No Matter How Expensive, It Must Be Tasted

"My baby is whiter and more fragrant!"

The mother and daughter played around for a while, and Ling'er was taken out to play by Yuehong and the others.

Qiao Mai called someone to summon the Kitchen Maids; they ran really fast, fearing that if they were late the Master would change his mind.

"Master"

"Hmm, you bring people to move the sea goods from the Yuanzi into the Chufang's storage, keep this big fish for me, keep the dry goods, and also summon Niu the Shopkeeper."

"Master, aren't you going to teach us how to eat these seafood?"

"Wait for me a moment; first arrange these and then go find you."

"Yes, Master!"

The Kitchen Maids left happily, and Niu arrived jogging a short while later; upon seeing the sea goods in the Yuanzi, he was a bit stunned.

Is the little shop about to get new stock? But not many Beifang people recognize these items, right?

"Why so expensive? Tell me, as long as the food is tasty, no matter how pricey it is, we have to try it."

Tong the Shopkeeper couldn't wait, grabbed his chopsticks and started on the dry noodles; he ate a big bowl, feeling full several times over.

Everyone felt one bowl wasn't enough and wanted a second, but unfortunately the basket only had those left.

"So are you looking for me about something?"

"Would a bowl of noodles for five taels of silver still attract people?"

Your restaurant charges five taels per bowl; once that spreads, how many diners will it draw to you? The noodles and seasoning don't spoil, and as for the shrimp and ham,

if you omit them you can reduce a tael, if you include them add it; remember not to devalue good things—cook them when ordered. However, the shrimp and ham can't be kept beyond ten days; after ten days they must be thrown away and can't be sold, so in summer you'll just sell noodles.

"Eat it."

Qiao Mai pushed the basket in front of him and said, "Sell the noodles first; later I'll tell you the price."

"Sure, this is more profitable and easier than Liangpi."

His old face flushed red, "Delicious, these noodles are truly tasty."

"Don't leave, watch me cook the noodles."

"So expensive?"

"This is the price list for these dry goods; from now on sell them in your shop, decide how much is appropriate—you control it yourself."

The diners tasted and kept saying it was delicious; not only did they finish the noodles, they also drank all the broth.

He scratched his head and, embarrassed, gave Qiao Mai a small smile.

He quickly followed Qiao Mai's earlier cooking method, boiled a pot, then ladled several small bowls and handed them out to the diners present.

The diners stared eagerly for the noodles and ate nothing else; the noodles were chewy and smooth, the texture especially good, and the broth was far tastier than meat soup.

Then she packed a dozen or so instant noodles into the basket, the seasoning into a jar, and headed to the Liu Ji Liangpi Puzi.

Liu Hai saw Qiao Mai inside, and rushed out.

She, of course, thought the money was trivial; she just wanted the Liu Family to earn a bit more and let modern‑produced food show its face in the ancient world.

Liu Hai had no choice but to sit opposite her, pick at the noodles with chopsticks, and once he started he couldn't stop; a bowl was quickly finished.

"Just tell me, is it okay or not?"

"It's just my subordinate's brain being a bit silly."

Liu Hai is just like that—does whatever he's told, never speaks out of turn.

But thinking of Tong the Shopkeeper, she felt she owed him a favor; Liu Hai had been well taken care of by him.

"But we Beifang people don't recognize quality, huh."

Everything was ready; Liu Hai was about to leave, Qiao Mai said.

"Go cook some for them, just like I did earlier."

"These are the ingredients for ten bowls of noodles, and this is a noodle‑cooking procedure, not a formula; follow what's written here, and remember that wine fragrance isn't afraid of a deep alley,"

"Otherwise? Those diners are wondering what a five‑tael bowl of noodles is like. They'll be curious and travel a hundred li to eat at your place, and then your shop will become famous? Think it over, don't rush."

Later she will, from time to time, order supplies from that Mengjia Village place, adjusting the shop's inventory; she can't always sell fruits and vegetables.

"Don't you think you need something attractive here?"

Qiao Mai had Liu Hai sit opposite her and said, "Twenty Wen per piece with seasoning for you; you sell it for fifty Wen, making thirty Wen profit per bowl—how about that?"

"Oh."

Qiao Mai's mouth twitched, "Alright," she said. Liu Hai, who looks simple, actually has a sharp mind.

Of course, she gave the cheapest kind; the pricey ones here are unaffordable.

"Naturally we give it; how else would they buy our sea goods if they can't make it?"

"Ah, ah?"

Without seeing the noodles, just smelling the scent, he can't resist.

"Do it, I'll do everything you say."

"Taste it, then discuss the price!"

"Things from Nantian sold in Beifang are truly scarce; otherwise why would our shop be so famous? When people buy sea goods you must explain clearly—those who haven't tried should start with a small taste, some are allergic to seafood."

Tong the Shopkeeper frowned and looked at Qiao Niang, "Qiao Niang, can this work?"

At this moment there were indeed many people, all diners, some seated inside, some outside.

"Huh?"

"My heavens, you hold me in too high regard—one bowl of noodles costs five taels of silver; will anyone eat it?"

"Huh?"

Thinking of a deluxe instant noodle, she felt this item would suit the Jingtai Restaurant well.

Qiao Mai cracked two eggs into the water, then boiled the instant noodles in it; once the noodles loosened, she ladled them into a bowl, added the seasoning, and gave it a stir.

"Do you have a Charcoal Stove?"

"Later I'll give the Kitchen Maids a few recipes; they contain the methods for these dried goods. Let them prepare them, you take them to the shop, and let the customers try them."

For example, the ones she ate last night and this morning, if they aren't five Taels of Silver per bowl, she won't sell them.

"Inside, two eggs and a piece of noodles— can we sell it for fifty Wen?"

Liu Hai stammered, "Cold noodles sell for fifteen Wen, so this certainly can't be cheaper than that."

"One piece of noodles, add seasoning, add toppings; I charge you two Taels of Silver. How much you sell is up to you, but I suggest you sell it for five Taels."

Qiao Mai lifted the cloth on the basket, and a steaming bowl of deluxe instant noodles appeared before her eyes.

"Oh!"

Liu Hai quickly replied, "Two eggs, a piece of noodles like this, fifty Wen."

Qiao Mai shouted to them, "You want to eat tomorrow, today I'll let you try."

You have to sell everything first, especially when you have time, study the preparation of one or two kinds of seafood, and turn them into snacks that everyone loves.

Tong, resting his chin, thought for a moment, "What you said seems somewhat reasonable."

"Master?"

Qiao Mai said no more, watching Niu the Shopkeeper take the goods away with his men; regardless, this sales channel must be opened.

The diners wailed, and could only order something else.

"What if the customer wants the recipe?"

"I'll let you eat it."

"It's not that expensive, want a bowl?"

"Then it's settled; tomorrow I'll have someone deliver a hundred portions of noodles to you, you can try selling them first."

"No need to test; it'll definitely sell well. Have them deliver five hundred portions, okay?"

Liu Hai's words immediately drew the diners' attention.

"Yes, I, your subordinate, have noted it."

"Fetch one for me, clean a small pot, then fill it with half a pot of clean water."

"Shopkeeper, how much do you sell this noodle for per bowl?"

"Not eating."

"Yes."

When Tong saw her carrying a basket, he stepped forward, "Yo, Qiao Niang, rare guest!"

"Cousin, what would you like to eat?"

"How much can this bowl sell for?"

Liu Hai boiled them bowl by bowl, fifty Wen each, collecting copper coins at fifty Wen.

Then, swaying, a basket reappeared in his hand before he knew it.

"I have a business for you, will you take it?"

"Looking at what you just ate, it should work for sure."

He gritted his teeth, "Alright, I'll follow your lead."

"Later, put a sign at the entrance that says one bowl of noodles costs five Taels of Silver. I'm telling you, yours is deluxe noodles, while my aunt's are ordinary noodles, and hers still costs fifty Wen per bowl."

This time Tong's mouth twitched; he gave the cheap ones to Liu Hai and kept the expensive ones for himself, really holding him in high regard.

(End of chapter)