Chapter 235: Miao Chu Chapter 237: Submission / Compliance

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Hearing Chen Fuzi speak like this, the others looked at each other in dismay, and couldn't help but ask one after another; only the latter simply kept silent and waved his hand, finally saying: "If you truly want Song Ji to set up a stall in the Taixue, I do have a word I want to say — it's best not to rush off to find Little... Dean Deng first; better to seek out Song Xiaoniangzi, have her make samples of all kinds of steamed buns, and take them to Jia Xia to taste."

"The canteen falls within his jurisdiction; if you bypass him, you yourselves aren't afraid, but if Song Xiaoniangzi truly comes in later, and he, as the current manager, is unhappy, who will suffer?"

Everyone had originally been enthusiastic; hearing these words, each fell silent.

Jia Xia is named Jia Chang; he was originally a Imperial Academy Cheng, specially in charge of documents, student registers, finances, and so on, and also coordinated food and lodging supply.

Originally the Taixue Gongchu still had several decent cooks; ever since he took office, he changed some, replaced others, and the food the new people made became increasingly unpalatable; whether students or professors and Xuezheng, all had complained many times, but he always had excuses.

Facing students, he put on the air of an experienced elder and advised: "When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it must first bitter his mind and will, toil his muscles and bones, starve his body and skin... so as to move the heart and temper the nature, increasing what he could not do — Mengzi said so; even a great talent like him had to repeatedly urge that without undergoing tempering one cannot become accomplished; you are precisely at the age to study diligently and prepare for examinations, yet you put your thoughts on eating and drinking all day long, how can you have any prospects??"

He also said: "Moreover, the Court's subsidy decreases year by year; don't just look at how much the canteen food costs versus how much it costs outside? You only care about eating well yourselves, single-mindedly wanting flavor, yet you don't realize that although the canteen food is unpalatable, the portions are sufficient! In the end, you must think a little for your poor fellow students!"

Speaking, he drove them back to study, not caring that those portions were actually not enough to eat at all.

Facing professors and Xuezheng, he simply employed a "delay" tactic; today he said he had found someone, tomorrow he said he had tried a new cook, but they were truly no better than the original ones; when pressed to find again, he would say he had been busy with some matter lately and really couldn't spare the time; after many times, everyone saw he was merely being perfunctory.

Only, first, his attitude was extremely good — one doesn't strike a smiling face with an outstretched hand; second, he truly had backing behind him and was very hard-line; the various Fuzi mostly only ate one meal at noon anyway, and daily teaching and classwork left them no time to wrangle with him, so dragging on, it just continued like this.

But it has always been hard to go from extravagance to frugality.

Everyone had previously been busy during the monthly examinations, used to eating at Song Ji's small dining table; as long as they endured until evening, there would be good rice and good dishes, and from time to time they could even bring back various meat and vegetable buns to eat as breakfast the next day; later Song Miao went to Hua Prefecture, and all of it vanished at once, which they fundamentally could not endure.

As a result, recently because of flooding in the Capital, all ingredients rose in price, and the school canteen, to economize, truly made every kind of unpalatable thing; several times they even made people vomit and have diarrhea, forcing them to run to see a doctor.

Being a Fuzi is different from being in charge of miscellaneous affairs.

The former put their thoughts and energy into students every day, most having the idea of teaching and nurturing, only hoping the students do well; the latter dealt more with money and matters, and when something happened, they only felt it was trouble, hurriedly cleaned it up and let it go.

Because the canteen had recently made people sick several times, quite a few teachers felt it was improper and had all reported it; Jia Chang still fobbed them off with words, and the two sides inevitably had some conflict.

It was also because of this matter that several teachers wanted even more to bring Song Ji into the Taixue canteen.

Clean, delicious, and the price was suitable; it was good for themselves and good for the students.

Not wanting to wrangle with that Jia Chang, everyone thought to directly find Dean Deng — if the superior spoke, you couldn't very well refuse, right?

But at this moment Chen Fuzi pointed it out, and everyone wasn't stupid; they immediately understood.

Seeing everyone fall silent, Chen Fuzi added: "There's another matter; have you asked clearly whether Song Xiaoniangzi is willing? Although it sounds like a good thing, you must first see the principal party's intention before deciding, no?"

Cao Du said: "It's still an undecided matter; we originally wanted to wait until we had a clue before going to inform Song Xiaoniangzi — you're right; it's better to greet her first!"

Sure enough, led by Cao Du, followed by Xiao You, they made a trip to Song Ji, explained the previous many plans, and said: "We originally wanted to wait until we had a clear prospect before coming to tell you; today we received Chen Xiansheng's suggestion, which is very reasonable, so we came to ask you one sentence."

This matter was really rather sudden; Song Miao thought seriously for a moment, then replied: "Teachers coming to my home for lunch at noon to patronize the business, I naturally welcome very much; only the weather is too hot right now, coming and going, a body full of sweat is fine, but I fear you'll get dizzy and feverish from the sun, accidentally suffer heatstroke — can all of you truly bear it?"

Cao Du said: "No matter; we will arrange a carriage to come, put some ice in the carriage body, and it's not that far..."

Song Miao then said: "As for the matter of setting up a stall in the school canteen to sell meat and vegetable buns, I truly thank everyone for thinking of me and worrying for me; only Cao Xiansheng also saw that right now I only have two helpers here; if I set up a stall, it will tie up at least one person, and then the outside business will be too busy to handle, which seems a bit not worth the loss — I wonder what Xiansheng thinks?"

"This morning Chen Xiansheng also asked this; we have already discussed it: if you only make the buns, once they're cooked someone will come transport them away — just treat it as the Taixue buying your goods every day; what do you think?"

Song Miao was stunned, couldn't help asking: "Is the Taixue willing to do it like this?"

"Willing or not, we'll go back and think of a way; just first ask whether you're willing to take this business."

If when they previously spoke of inviting Song Ji to open a stall in the Taixue canteen, Song Miao had seven or eight parts unwillingness in her heart, now that it changed to the Taixue coming to buy breakfast, she at once became seven or eight parts willing.

If done this way, it's no different from delivering breakfast daily to the Censors and Guan Cha inside the Zhuque Gate Patrol Station.

The difference lies in the former being represented by the Taixue canteen, the latter being scattered guests gathering together.

If the Taixue canteen is willing to come collect it themselves, that couldn't be more suitable!

Only one doesn't know how many they want each day, and whether the three people inside the food shop can really handle the workload.

Song Miao considered and asked some questions, finally saying: "Still have to look at price and quantity; if suitable, Cao Xiansheng has gone to such great effort and found such a good deal, I have no reason not to accept!"

She also said: "Troubling Xiansheng to run about in all directions; whether it succeeds or not, truly many thanks!"

Cao Du laughed: "Thanks for what! We're doing this for our own good eating; we haven't thanked you yet!"

Exchanging a few laughing words of thanks, seeing them off, Song Miao couldn't help but seriously calculate.

Actually buns aren't impossible to make; previously to avoid excessively seizing others' business and provoking dissatisfaction from fellow tradesmen in Food Alley, she selected products very carefully; but if she doesn't have to transport and sell them herself, setting up a stall, it's actually a good business.

The troublesome part lies only in insufficient manpower.

Right now Song Ji only has two people; among them Cheng Erniang's cooking skill was originally ordinary, and making wheat foods is even more strained — this is innate; because her tongue isn't sensitive enough, she has less insight in cooking; wanting to learn cooking, she often gets half the result with twice the effort, not to mention she herself finds it very painful.

Her strengths are enduring hardship and labor, and a steady, reliable, resilient personality.

Usually entrusting her with outside deliveries or purchasing, one never needs to worry.

This time Song Miao was away for over two months; the characters she had taught that day, she hadn't forgotten a single one; because abacus users have surpassed counting-rod users these years, Song Miao also learned it, taught her simply, and she practiced day and night repeatedly; upon returning this time, she was already quite proficient.

Not only that, her accent is also striving to correct; although one listen reveals she's from another prefecture, that Fuzhou accent has already weakened a lot.

While doing these things, she also visited all the mud-and-tile craftsmen in the city, and even did it herself, plastering the house walls once.

Such fearlessness of difficulty and ability to persist made Song Miao feel admiration watching her.

Unlike Cheng Erniang, Dabing is another situation.

He can't sit still, his temperament is a bit impatient, but he's very willing to learn cooking and has a certain gift, especially in White Kitchen work; this child understands at one point, loves to ponder, studies hard and asks much, and is also willing to endure hardship.

Precisely because of these situations of the two, Song Miao had originally already planned to hand over more purchasing and transport affairs to Cheng Erniang, and also, future social obligations and account management, she wanted her to help with a hand; but for the actual hands-on work by the stove daily, she would have to teach Dabing more.

But if right now they want to add a certain quantity of buns to make daily, everything must be re-planned.

Even with division of labor, one two-hour period two skilled hands making two hundred or so buns is already very good; moreover Dabing is young after all, his strength is small; truly doing the work, he can't compare to Er Niangzi in endurance; Song Miao also doesn't dare use him heavily, and must still take care of him.

Still have to see what price the Taixue canteen offers and what quantity they want.

If this matter can succeed, and the quantity of buns wanted is also large, and the profit is sufficient, she'll have to consider finding another trustworthy person to come back.

While Song Miao was still calculating manpower, Jixian Yuan's Liu Hanlin took advantage of the noon mealtime to directly find the Taixue Teaching Hall and cornered Chen Fuzi.

"Old Chen! I have something to ask you." His face was full of solemnity, as if what he was about to ask was something extremely important, "That green plum dew from last time—do you have any more where you are? Could you let me have some?"

Chen Fuzi saw that he looked urgent when he entered the door, and already felt something was wrong in his heart; then, upon hearing the other party ask for green plum dew, his entire complexion changed, and he said: "I only have one bottle! There are plenty of green plum dew outside, and many tasty ones too—won't others do? Must you insist on this little bit of mine!"

Liu Hanlin sighed: "Ai, such a shameless thing—if it weren't out of necessity, I wouldn't be embarrassed to speak up—but I've tried this and that, and only your green plum dew works best!"

After all, he had to ask a favor of someone; no matter how embarrassing, Liu Hanlin still explained the whole story one by one.

It turned out that since he had gone back to ask Chen Fuzi for green plum dew that day, after two trials it was indeed extremely refreshing; for the next day his mood was good, his body was good, he walked with vigor, and the sky seemed brighter than usual.

Because he confirmed it was the effect of green plum dew, he had his family buy many green plum dew from the market to try; however, either they weren't effective enough, or they were too effective.

The former at least helped somewhat, but the latter almost made this old man's legs go soft so he couldn't stand.

After trying several rounds, he no longer dared to gamble with his own body; gritting his teeth, he simply swelled his face and came to the door to ask.

"……It really is the most effective, and feels comfortable after taking it; if you only have one bottle, I don't know where this bottle came from? Does that person still have more in their hands? As for others, never mind; for my ailment, I don't know how much medicine I've taken—effective when taken, but relapses as soon as I stop, my stomach is about to be ruined……Ai, for the sake of old ties, why don't you help introduce me? I'll have my family go to your door to beg for some?"

Hearing that Liu Hanlin had nearly fallen because his legs went soft from trying those bought green plum dew, Chen Fuzi no longer dared to be negligent.

He thought for a moment and said: "Let me go ask for you, but whether they still have any, how much, and whether they're willing to sell—I don't know. If they don't have any, or aren't willing to let go, I can't do anything either; I can only let you have half of my own bottle!"

"Old Chen! I knew you were the most generous!" Liu Hanlin was so moved his tears were about to fall.

Those who haven't personally experienced staying in the Xuefang for one two-hour period, producing nothing, yet suffering from an extremely bloated belly, cannot understand his mood at this moment.

He didn't know how long the green plum dew would remain effective; if it kept working, he truly wished he could enshrine the person who made this pickling elixir, burning three incense sticks every day!

Things Chen Fuzi promised were never perfunctory.

He saw that it wasn't yet time to ring the bell for class; once Liu Hanlin left, he went straight to Song Ji.

Seeing someone come in person, Song Miao was extremely surprised; she hurriedly moved a chair herself, served tea, and took a palm-leaf fan, first asking if he had eaten; after learning he had, she said: "In such hot weather, how can you run over in the midday sun? If there's something, sir could send someone to pass a message, or ask me to go—it's the same!"

Chen Fuzi felt very pleased hearing this and smiled: "Xiao You is busy, so I didn't call him; I simply hired a carriage myself—after all, the route is near, and it's not too hot!"

He first took a sip of tea, then explained Liu Hanlin's matter, and asked: "Do you have any extra here?"

Song Miao said: "Those pickled in rock sugar were originally very few and all claimed; however, I also made some pickled in maltose, originally intending to use them for sour plum sauce and sour plum drink when the food shop opens, not meant to be sent out; but since sir's old acquaintance can use them, I'll have a bottle bottled for him—only I don't know if it will work."

Chen Fuzi felt even more pleased.

He hurriedly said: "You shouldn't give it away; he's old and has plenty of silver; let me ask for a large sum for you!"

Song Miao smiled brightly: "Sir asking me for money—wouldn't that be losing face for myself? Never mind, let him off this time; I'll take a favor in return—I already have enough benefit from sir."

She also said: "After all, it's nothing expensive; if you take too much, others will say sir is stingy; if too little, it's too cheap—you came here in the scorching midday sun!"

On a hot day, Chen Fuzi sat in the front hall of Song Ji; clearly there was no wind, but hearing Song Miao's words, it was as if he had received an extremely cool draft through the hall, making his whole body feel completely comfortable.

Hello Food Friends, I've been away on business these past three days, there's really too much work, I get off work very late, updates will be very unstable, everyone please rest early, don't wait for updates.