Chapter 223: Spicy Strips, Grilled Sausages

223. Chapter 223: Spicy Strips, Grilled Sausages

Qiao Sheng had Zhao Fang and the others prepare four dishes and a soup: shredded pork with celery, lightly stir‑fried chrysanthemum greens, pork slices with garlic sauce, cold shredded radish; the soup was radish and pork soup, made with half‑fat, half‑lean pork cut into chunks and stewed together.

Such dishes might be too much for Qiao Sheng to finish, but for the laborers they are very comforting.

Qiao Sheng had thought of that, so he let them do it.

Besides those, there were just steamed buns and rice.

It didn't take long for the rest of the village to hear about it.

Gao Shi and his group also learned of it, and after that they were full of envy and jealousy.

Gao Shi was not only envious and jealous but also angry; she went after Qiao Hushui and the others and started a quarrel: "Are you idiots? You don't invite your own people, but you ask outsiders to cook for you."

"Mother, could you have forgotten what you did to me?"

Lan Yue Niang asked Gao Shi with a cold expression.

Gao Shi's expression faltered as she said, "Those are all in the past; why do you keep holding onto them? We are all family, you …"

Qiao Sheng stepped forward: "Who says we're family? We have already split apart!"

He didn't wait for Gao Shi to say anything.

She said, "I paid to repair these two houses; I can invite whomever I want. If you have a complaint, go to the Yamen and sue me!"

"You …"

Gao Shi choked on words, not knowing what to say. She wanted to hit Qiao Sheng, but thinking of his fierceness, she never dared to strike.

Qiao Sheng ignored her further, calling Lan Yue Niang and the others to leave.

The next day she taught Zhang Qiao how to make snacks.

She thought that spicy strips and grilled sausages are quite popular in the modern world.

They should work in ancient times as well.

So Qiao Sheng taught Zhang Qiao to make spicy strips and grilled sausages.

Since they didn't have tofu skin for sale here.

Qiao Sheng also taught Zhang Qiao how to make tofu skin.

Zhang Qiao's learning ability wasn't great; Qiao Sheng taught her for several days before she finally learned to make spicy strips and grilled sausages.

Even so, it still wasn't as good as hers.

It was only about seventy‑or‑eighty percent as good as hers.

On the first day Zhang Qiao set up a stall, she was a bit nervous, and Qiao Sheng went to help her arrange it.

Spicy strips sold for five wen per serving.

Grilled sausages sold for five wen each.

Spicy strips are pre‑made and can be packed directly; grilled sausages are more troublesome—they must be grilled on the spot and seasoned, though customers can skip the seasoning if they wish.

The aroma of the grilled sausages attracted a crowd of onlookers.

Qiao Sheng took the chance to have Zhang Qiao prepare some for everyone to taste; after trying, everyone liked them, though they thought they were a bit pricey.

"Our food is a little expensive, but it's worth it. Look at these grilled sausages— they're all meat and use many costly seasonings, and these spicy strips also contain expensive ingredients…"

After Qiao Sheng's spiel, everyone stepped forward to buy.

Zhang Qiao was thrilled; she packed and collected money at the same time, and Qiao Sheng helped with both packing and collecting.

Twenty grilled sausages were cooked.

They sold out in no time.

Those who didn't buy had to stand there waiting for Zhang Qiao to grill.

Half a day passed.

After covering costs, Zhang Qiao earned over two hundred wen; she was so happy she hugged Qiao Sheng: "Lianhua, I never expected to make so much money, thank you, thank you."

She suddenly thought of something.

Zhang Qiao let go of Qiao Sheng and began counting the money.

"What are you doing?"

Qiao Sheng had actually guessed what Zhang Qiao was about to do, but he still asked aloud.

Zhang Qiao, after counting, grabbed the copper coins and shoved them into her hand: "Lianhua, these two recipes you taught me can't be taken for free. From now on, whatever we earn will be split with you half, just like today." (End of chapter)