flstandardbreds Chapter 72 Seller
Chapter 72 Seller
"Well then, since that Lady Song has such skill, and she brought some new dishes today, bring them up in a bit, and I want to try them myself."
I just didn't believe it. Only after I tried it myself would I know. It's definitely not just because I was greedy.
Manager Wang nodded to indicate that he understood, and went to the kitchen. Just then, Song Jiaojiao finished preparing the food, and Manager Wang brought out the crayfish.
Even with the lid on, the overpowering aroma couldn't be contained. Many diners craned their necks, and when they saw Manager Wang go upstairs, they assumed it was some new dish and called out to the waiter to bring it to them.
The waiter was sweating profusely as he explained to each table that the regular customers were easy to talk to and knew that the new products would be available in a few days, but the tourists from out of town who were just passing by were making unreasonable demands.
Having no other choice, the waiter had to go to Manager Wang.
Manager Wang brought the new dishes upstairs, explaining and demonstrating how to eat them.
When Wang Ziyi saw the strangely shaped crayfish on the table, he was reluctant, but the smell was so irresistible, and coupled with the fact that he hadn't been eating or sleeping well on the way, he simply couldn't resist it.
As soon as the crayfish enters your mouth, the freshness, aroma, and spiciness explode in your mouth, making it unexpectedly irresistible. Even if you're gasping for breath from the spiciness, you don't want to stop.
At first, it was the servant Wang Yu who was peeling the lobsters, but Wang Ziyi thought he was too slow, so he ended up doing it himself. Sure enough, the ones he peeled himself tasted better.
In no time, the two large platters of crayfish were reduced to just shells on the table. Wang Ziyi, still not satisfied, wanted to ask Manager Wang to order more, but his trip upstairs had already caused dissatisfaction among the diners downstairs, so Manager Wang went to deal with the situation.
By the time Wang Ziyi instructed Wang Yu to go find Manager Wang, the remaining crayfish had already been given to customers for free tasting.
With no other option, Wang Ziyi turned his attention to the stir-fried snails. The pink pickled radish paired with thin slices of snails, along with the garnish of chili peppers, scallions, ginger, and garlic, didn't look as tempting as crayfish, but it didn't seem too bad. Wang Ziyi picked up a piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
The perfect combination of pickled radish and chili peppers, along with the firm and chewy snail meat, is very appetizing, but it always feels like something is missing.
"Wang Yu, have someone bring a pot of wine." Wang Ziyi thought to himself, such delicious food deserves fine wine to go with it. Wouldn't it be wonderful to invite a few close friends over as well?
After having eaten and drunk his fill, Wang Ziyi remembered the purpose of his visit and asked Wang Yu to call Manager Wang up so that he could invite Song Jiaojiao up for a chat.
Song Jiaojiao, who was practically sprouting from waiting in the kitchen, was finally remembered by this man. She tried to say goodbye to Manager Wang several times, but he turned her away each time. If it weren't for the snacks she was eating, Song Jiaojiao wouldn't have wanted to leave empty-handed, so she had no choice but to wait patiently.
Manager Wang led the people upstairs, and after they introduced themselves, he went about his business. What happened afterward was beyond his control; one must be perceptive.
Song Jiaojiao looked at the young man in front of her, who was only eighteen or nineteen years old and dressed in luxurious clothes. She was not intimidated. She simply found a seat opposite him and sat down.
Wang Ziyi was surprised to see that Song Jiaojiao, dressed simply and neatly, was completely unfazed. She showed no stage fright in front of someone who looked a thousand times better than him, which made Wang Ziyi think more highly of her.
Wang Ziyi fanned himself with one hand while looking Song Jiaojiao up and down. "You're the farm lady who sold the recipe for braised dishes to Sifanglou and provided the sweet potato starch, Song Niangzi."
Wang Ziyi has a fair complexion and looks like a scholar, but I never expected his voice to be so powerful. Just by listening to him speak, I can't imagine what he looks like.
"It's me. I wonder what business Mr. Wang has with me?" Song Jiaojiao ignored the curiosity in his voice and spoke directly.
Wang Ziyi was taken aback by Song Jiaojiao's directness. "It's nothing, I'm just curious that there are such intelligent people in such a backward and impoverished place."
"Not exactly clever. Farmers just eat three meals a day to fill their stomachs, so it's all just wishful thinking," Song Jiaojiao said casually, her tone distant.
"Haha, Madam Song is too modest. Even if others study it every day, they might not be as good as your wild guesses." Wang Ziyi laughed when he heard this.
Song Jiaojiao didn't seem to care much about what Wang Ziyi said. She just wanted to finish quickly so she could go to Huichuntang to ask about He Shou Wu. "If Mr. Wang has nothing else to say, I'll take my leave now. It's not easy for us country folk to come to the city. I have other things to do, so I won't keep you company any longer."
After saying that, Song Jiaojiao got up and was about to leave.
Seeing this, Wang Ziyi hurriedly said, "Madam Song, please wait a moment. Let's talk about today's crayfish and snail meat."
When Song Jiaojiao heard Wang Ziyi get to the point, she didn't mention leaving again. She turned around and sat back down in her original seat, waiting for Wang Ziyi to speak.
Seeing Song Jiaojiao's indifferent expression, Wang Ziyi knew he would have to speak up himself today. "Should we do it the same way as before, you sell the goods?"
“I can sell the land, but I have one condition: you have to buy the crayfish at five coins per pound.” Song Jiaojiao thought about the villagers’ kindness to her and wanted to repay them. Even a child could get a lot of crayfish, which would be a source of income.
Upon hearing this condition, Wang Ziyi was puzzled. Could it be that she was providing the raw materials again? "Oh? Is it that Madam Song is providing the crayfish again this time?"
Song Jiaojiao shook her head and said, "No."
Why is that?
"This time, Sifanglou can post a notice to buy crayfish. These crayfish are generally available in waters with suitable temperatures. In the past, no one has eaten them, but I think there will be plenty this year. Mr. Wang only needs to buy live crayfish that are two fingers or longer. As for the reason, just consider it me helping the people earn some income!"
Wang Ziyi hadn't expected such a reason. To be honest, he had never seen anyone in the business world or in a large family consider the interests of unrelated people. Most people only acted in their own self-interest.
"I can agree to this, even if it's in other places, I'll still buy at this price. However, this will increase my costs considerably."
Song Jiaojiao didn't believe him. They say there's no such thing as a businessman without guile, and that the money comes from the customer, so there's no way he could lose money.
"Based on the price of 15 coins for a plate of vegetarian dishes at Sifanglou, the price of crayfish at Sifanglou would not be less than 50 coins, and half a jin (250 grams) is quite a lot. Sifanglou can easily set the price of crayfish according to size."
This is only in a remote place like Yunshui Town; one can only imagine how much more expensive it would be in prefectures and the capital.
Song Jiaojiao paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, crayfish are harmful to rice paddies. They like to burrow everywhere, and too many of them can lead to reduced grain yields and even cause the rice dams to burst."
"Once Sifanglou's crayfish are launched, they'll be bought up in large quantities, leading to a massive overfishing of crayfish. Thinking about it this way, Mr. Wang is actually doing a good deed. I think Mr. Wang is a smart man; he knows how to use this opportunity for publicity, which will naturally drive up the price."