Chapter 341

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Because she received Han Li's reminder, the very next morning, even Song Miao went out, going together with Cheng Erniang and the others to do the purchasing.

Although she felt that relying solely on word of mouth, even with the Emperor's praise, the speed of spread might not be that fast, it was better to believe it existed than not — the True Dragon does not come to praise every day; right now is precisely the rare time to build reputation and establish the signboard; if she missed this village, there would truly be no such shop again.

With Song Dongjia's word, the purchasing list everyone had planned in advance this time had ingredients multiplied several times over compared to usual.

Song Ji has always been staffed by doers from top to bottom; after several incidents, they cultivated a style that spoke only of discipline, not seniority.

Once the long-term and short-term hired women got the chance, encountering an opportunity, every single one actively spoke up, just hoping to exert some effort; long-term hires hoped to accumulate the boss's appreciation and peers' recognition, to get their names entered into the food guild in the future for profit sharing; short-term hires hoped to perform well and convert to long-term.

So on the road to purchasing, someone couldn't help but remind: "Young Lady, did we buy too much? If not that many customers come today, all this meat and vegetables left to spoil, wouldn't that be a loss?"

But someone beside her immediately said: "A rare good thing; sell as much as we can. If people hear the news and rush to buy, and we run out, our alley is already remote; if they make a wasted trip once, those customers might not be willing to come again!"

"Then what about the spoilage?"

"Afraid of what? Our Song Ji food — what taste, what reputation! How could it not sell? By noon, if no one comes, Old Lady will roll up her sleeves and push a cart out to hawk! The Emperor-praised Taixue Steamed Buns, produced by Song Ji — I don't believe no one will buy!"

Another chimed in: "Even if our food shop doesn't have enough carts, we can borrow. Most stall owners in Taixue Back Alley only do breakfast; we spend a little silver, give some face, definitely can borrow. Even if hard to borrow, I can carry a pole and hawk — the shop has plenty of carrying poles and winnowing baskets! What's there to fear!"

"Actually we can take a middle path: we don't buy this much first; if customers are many, we come back at noon to buy another batch of meat and vegetables!"

This time it was Cheng Erniang who shook her head.

She said: "Young Lady has instructed many times, you all know: the most crucial thing for our food shop is fresh ingredients and clean things. Buying at noon means leftovers others picked over; what good vegetables could there be? As for meat, if you don't tell Shentu Hu in advance, how would he keep the good cuts for you?"

Everyone looked at Song Miao at once.

Song Miao made the final call: "Buy!"

She said: "No need to worry whether the steamed buns sell well; either way we make them batch by batch. The weather isn't that hot now. If we can't sell them all, once made, we push them to the embankment and dam outside the city. Many corvée laborers and water conservancy workers are busy with emergency flood protection; their dry rations are self-brought. Though I'm not wealthy, getting their labor means water doesn't enter the city, so I can continue business — just treat it as a donation. This time I'll fish for fame once; it depends on whether they give our food shop this chance to win renown!"

These words out, practically everyone was rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Never before had a boss thought for the helpers like this, making people know they could stay long; the better the business, the better for themselves; only then would helpers think for the business, for the boss.

Song Ji sets wages by labor and effort; every bit of effort the helpers put in gets a return. They know more work truly means more gain; exerting strength, using brains — all are seen. Originally screened for compatible temperament, good people; naturally united, everyone hopes the food shop does well.

With things arranged here, Song Miao called Cheng Erniang aside and said: "If today we truly can't sell out, I'll take people to the embankment outside the city to find Wu Gong and Young Master Han and them, deliver a batch of steamed buns. Er Niangzi, you'll have to make a trip, explain to each creditor: say I'm giving away steamed buns this time for a good name, to publicize the food shop; ask for their understanding."

Also said: "If they're unhappy, please everyone absolutely don't make things difficult; say it clearly immediately, we'll repay the money right then."

Song Ji's business grows bigger by the day; daily sales keep increasing, not even steady growth — because the most crucial is delivery business, mainly to various yamen, academies, shops — almost explosive growth. Right now even short-term hired women number over ten — still not enough.

Before Han Li came yesterday to explain the progress on the house opposite, Song Miao had already found several intermediaries, and with Cheng Erniang, stealing leisure amid busyness, repeatedly scouted nearby mansions.

If the opposite house falls through, she must rent a new one early, separate the steamed bun and glutinous rice business from the food shop business; otherwise the layout won't work, and the flow of people will be very inconvenient.

Business done well, money naturally earns plenty.

Although expenses are many, and the food shop opening is imminent, Song Miao this boss's purse has already gradually filled; the few remaining debts are no pressure at all.

Cheng Erniang heard this and replied: "Young Lady rest assured, I'll run to each household, won't let people gossip behind backs — but this matter we say is just saying it to say it; I reckon no one will demand money immediately!"

Song Miao though in debt, has long paid interest at current market rates.

She runs it like this, such business; even a fool can see the future prospects — like a money-shaking tree, a treasure-gathering bowl.

Lending to others, you worry if they can repay, if they'll default; lending to Song Miao is very stable. Anyone with a bit of spare capacity, who wouldn't want to?

Moreover, getting close might even bring some business over.

Look at that Peng Niangzi doing dry goods business; just by supplying her family with mung beans, soybeans, shiitake mushrooms, in a few short months, the delivery clerks hired increased by two — this family even openly said, telling Song Miao not to rush repayment, pay others first, theirs later; they wish Song Ji would borrow longer!

And those who sold off the debts earlier, though they don't say it, everyone can see they truly regret it — the money they sold for wasn't much, but they lost all possibility of doing business with Song Ji again.

Song Miao here explained everything properly; everyone busy, sky not yet bright, already bustling with heat.

When the hour came, the rest went to stalls those who stall, delivered those who deliver; except those on duty outside, the rest in the food shop didn't stop either, still prepping ingredients those who prep, kneading dough those who knead.

Xu Niangzi woke up, ate a full breakfast, a bite of everything, a taste of each, simply happy as a mouse fallen into a rice vat, only hating her mouth and stomach weren't big enough.

She finished eating, saw everyone busy, not a single person to talk to; really too embarrassed to just sit. And with her belly stuffed, she couldn't help but go ask if she could help with something.

Song Miao saw her muttering alone was truly boring, simply gave her the Xiao Lianzhu Jie'er treatment, asked her to help take garlic and help peel.

Not long after dawn, Xu Biaojiu people came to hand over the day shift.

Today originally should be Xu Erlang and Qi Biaotou bringing two guards; but the group didn't come together — Xu Erlang alone arrived first.

Seeing the food shop this busy, he was clearly somewhat surprised. He looked around for Song Miao, saw her in the back kitchen checking fillings and proofing dough, really couldn't spare time. The back kitchen has rules; he's not a cook, couldn't enter. Had to retreat, turn to his own aunt.

Xu Niangzi was peeling garlic with gusto; seeing her nephew come, she moved the small wooden stool by the basket between the two, nudged her chin, signaling the other to work together.

Xu Erlang originally came full of anticipation; now quite a bit disappointed. He picked up a garlic clove, asked: "Aunt, why is the food shop so busy today — I remember usually at this time, Song Xiaoniangzi is free!"

Xu Niangzi then recited what Han Li said last night: the Emperor personally visited Taixue, praised the steamed buns once.

Xu Erlang listened, tongue-tied, kept pressing: "Truly the Emperor? What steamed bun did he eat? Just the ones we eat daily? Or did Song Xiaoniangzi specially make them to present? Which did he say was best?"

Also said: "Must be he liked the mutton steamed bun most, right? Mutton steamed bun so fragrant, one bite one mouthful meat, the dough also fluffy — is it or not?"

The same questions, Xu Niangzi had asked anxiously last night; now she put on a light, unconcerned air: "What noise, noise! Look at you, never seen the world. Can the Emperor share your taste? You see mutton expensive, always thinking of mutton — His Majesty praised the Grilled Meat Chashao Steamed Bun most!"

"Heard the current Emperor even specially brought many steamed buns back to the palace to present to the Empress Dowager! Don't know which the Empress Dowager likes best!" Xu Niangzi couldn't help guessing, "Most likely the Tofu Steamed Bun and the Red Bean Paste Steamed Bun — these two are softest, taste good too!"

Also asked: "You all outside, heard any news?"

Xu Erlang shook his head, regretfully: "Last night I went back and slept; this morning before dawn I got up, didn't meet anyone!"

Also said: "In a bit Qi Uncle and them come, we'll ask them!"

He spoke to here, held back then said: "Incredible! Aunt, then don't we get to eat the same food as the Emperor!"

Xu Niangzi proudly: "You only just know! This escort guarding this dart is truly a great assignment; just hope later Song Xiaoniangzi often has matters to entrust us, so we can come often and eat. After all, still a bit far; noon and evening, coming and going inconvenient!"

Xu Erlang at this moment instead turned a bit shy, turned head to look, saw no one nearby, finally boldly whispered: "Aunt, if... if it succeeds... then there's no inconvenience or not; all one family, you still afraid you can't eat?"

Speaking, he fished out a cloth bundle from his bosom, asked: "Aunt, help me look if these few things are good — last time I gave lotus flowers, Song Xiaoniangzi thanked me, said no need in future. I see her food shop usually doesn't seem to arrange flowers, so I changed. Yesterday wandered outside half the night, bought with great difficulty!"

Xu Niangzi wiped her hands, opened the cloth bundle to look, and found a comb inside, a box of rouge, and another small box of powder.

The comb was ornately carved with peonies, peonies, roses, and such—carved large enough to fit these flowers, making it three or four tenths larger than usual, and both rouge and powder boxes were quite exquisite.

At first glance, he had actually thought quite seriously about a woman's mind.

But...

Xu Niangzi turned to glance at the corner.

There, an armchair sat comfortably, motionless.

She couldn't help but heave a huge sigh, and still asked, "Why do you want to buy these to give her?"

She added, "You haven't known Song Xiaoniangzi for just a day; when have you ever seen her use rouge and powder?"

Xu Erlang fidgeted, saying, "Who doesn't love beauty? She's so beautiful; before she didn't use them, probably because she had to run the stall and cook, but now... oh, the shop assistant said, bring them back, buy better ones, the most important thing is to let her know my intentions; as for what to give, whether it's useful or not, it's not that particular..."

Xu Niangzi didn't want to speak anymore.

She sighed again, couldn't well scold her nephew, and was even more unwilling to discourage him. After a long while, she finally composed her thoughts, mustered her courage, and asked, "Erlang, why don't you... why don't you... get to know some other young ladies?"

Xu Erlang was stunned for a moment and asked, "Aunt, wasn't it you who told me last time to find a way and not be perfunctory?"

Xu Niangzi was helpless, looked left and right, and simply went to the front, moving that armchair back into the Miscellaneous Room, asking, "How do you like this chair?"

Xu Erlang was bewildered, examined it for half a day, and said, "The craftsmanship is quite good. What's wrong?"

"Made by Young Master Han." Xu Niangzi pointed it out plainly, then sighed again. "Last time my eyes were bad; you're better at seeing—surely he has other thoughts. If he only knew how to write essays, fine. Look at this table, then look at the others—did you drink that Cow's Milk Sweet Embryo Tea during the day?"

Xu Erlang had naturally drunk it.

Xu Niangzi said, "You see how the young lady handles things; you see what you give, you see what others give—everyone knows to buy iced cow's milk to feed a whole room of people. What's your performance? You went to inquire about something, half a day with no explanation, and in the end didn't help at all. This time giving a gift, it's not terrible, but compared to others... sigh... it's not that you can't compete, but others..."

She said "others" for half a day, but in the end no "others" came out.

How to put it? Saying that even if two people speak from afar across a door, their gazes, movements, and expressions are so endearing that one can't help but smile while watching?

The aunt and nephew whispered in the Miscellaneous Room, but outside no one had the leisure to pay them any mind.

The Food Shop was busy in earnest for a whole morning.

Meanwhile, in Taixue, Cheng Zijian hadn't slept soundly all night.

Before dawn, he opened his eyes, hastily rinsed his mouth and washed his face. After changing his clothes and coming out, his roommate Wang Chang had also gotten up.

Cheng Zijian called out to him, saying, "I'm going to Song Ji. If I can't get back in time, when the teacher asks, please cover for me—last night Xuezhong locked the door and we couldn't get out. Now that the door is open, I must hurry to get word to Song Xiaoniangzi!"

Wang Chang said, "Do you have to be gone so long?"

He also asked, "Isn't there a Song Ji stall cart in the morning? Even if the Song Stall Owner doesn't come every day, just tell them, and have them go back and explain. Wouldn't that work?"

"Once they set up the stall, they sell for more than an hour. By the time someone returns, it may not be noon, but it will be very late. My elder sister works at Song Ji. I heard that whether they buy things or manpower, everything has a fixed quota. If we go too late, I'm afraid it will be too late to change anything!"

Wang Chang immediately understood his meaning, also scrambled up, and said, "Let's find someone else to help cover for us. I'll go to Song Ji with you—you can't match my long legs and fast running!"

The two hastily made their preparations and ran outside.

They first went to the Back Alley Food Street, but before they even left the door, the two felt something was wrong—outside there was a humming sound, and through the wall, from far away, they could still hear loud noise.

After exiting the Rear Gate, even though Cheng and Wang, who saw the line behind the Song Ji signboard every day, were used to it, they were still startled by the scene outside.

Early in the morning, outside was densely packed with people, heads bobbing, noise unceasing, packed so tightly not even water could leak through.

The two had walked only a few steps when they were stopped by someone at the side.

"Two Younger Brothers, I see you've just come out of Taixue. You're Taixue Xue Shi, right? Are there steamed buns in Taixue? My young son at home needs to do the zhua zhou ceremony. I want to get a few for him. I heard the Emperor has praised these steamed buns. They are extremely impressive for scholars to eat. Could you help by going to the Canteen to buy two for me? I'll add twenty wen! Consider it a small gesture!"