Goldfield
Chapter 174: The Supper

The busy Xiaocao was finally able to sit down and drink water to soothe his throat. When he faces a disappointed customer, who does not manage to buy watermelon, he will persuade them to order in advance and leave a deposit. By leaving a deposit, customers will order watermelon for them. This way, they will not face the situation of not being able to buy watermelon because it comes too late.

Many customers left deposits for their advanced orders, so he wrote receipts for them with his Simplified Chinese characters and immature-looking Arabic numerals. His handwriting and writing style could also be used to fend off counterfeiting. This was because, the next day, there was someone coming with a receipt to retrieve the ordered watermelon, but Yu Xiaocao could identify it as fake with one look. The man wanted to argue with him, but he was speechless in front of Yu Xiaocao's receipt, which was written in handwriting that ‘had no arms and legs’. He was taken to the yamen by Li Li, who was helping out at the store.

In fact, word of mouth, the entire Tanggu City learned that the Tanggu Watermelon Shop had a relationship with yamen. These pantofel shoes eventually became cannon fodder, which helped watermelon stores prove their prestige. After this incident, no one dared to cause trouble for the Yu Family watermelon shop.

After he closed a wooden board that said, ‘Semangka has been sold. Please come early tomorrow ‘, at the shop door, Yu Xiaocao bowed to pick up the money chest. He used so much strength that even his face flushed red, but the money chest was still sitting firmly on the table. Li Li, who was beside him, saw this and could not help but laugh!

“Do you know how many watermelons are sold today? There were at least a hundred or so watermelons in both carts. Let's just say we sell each for three taels, then the price will be more than three hundred taels! However, you want to take this money box with your little limb? ” Li Li rolled up her sleeves to reveal her strong arms and easily lifted the box. He took her under his arm and asked, “Say, where are you going? I'll take over for you! ”

“Ke Zhenxiu Restaurant across the street. Uncle Li, after being busy all afternoon, aren't you hungry? Let's eat!” Yu Xiaocao thought that the party should have already started, if they left now, then they would be on time.

With the money chest under his arm, Li Li stepped towards Zhenxiu Restaurant. Not everyone can afford to eat at Zhenxiu Restaurant whenever they want. Even if he had not eaten and drank for a month, his salary might still not have been enough for him to eat a decent one-time meal at a restaurant! In order to get a rare opportunity today, he had to try his hardest and eat until he was full.

Yu Xiaocao, along with the money chest, was taken to the room where Fang Zizhen was entertaining wealthy and noble guests. As soon as he entered, School Head Yuan teased, “Oh! Our little shopkeeper has finally arrived! Business must be good today. You definitely get enough money for two food tables! ”

Xiaocao's expression, which was originally immersed in the happiness of making money, suddenly changed when he heard what he said. ‘One stays! It costs at least a hundred taels to eat in the private room of Zhenxiu Restaurant. If they ordered all the best dishes, even two hundred taels would not be enough. Holy hooch! Then was all my hard work today done without results? ‘

Seeing his goddaughter bow her head and looking pitiful, Fang Zizhen's heart ached for him as he hurriedly said, “Today, my daughter's shop has been opened for business, so as his godfather, he's, it is my duty to help him receive guests! Young man Zhou, today's banquet is there for me! ”

Zhou Zixu had already seen Xiaocao's emergence as a money loser before, so he knew that he was really depressed over losing the money he had just earned. He hurriedly said with a smile, “Master Fang, how can I let you pay? To be honest, Xiaocao was the one who created the recipe for the most popular dishes in our restaurant such as oyster sauce dishes, roasted chicken, and osmanthus duck. It could be said that without Xiaocao, the current Zhenxiu Restaurant would not exist. Just take these two food tables as a token of my gratitude to Xiaocao. Don't mention anything about payment! ”

After hearing that he did not need to spend his money, the little money loser Xiaocao immediately beamed with joy. Looking at the table full of delicious food, he stood up with a raised cup in his hand, and with tea in place of wine, he toasted to all the distinguished guests present, “Today is the opening of my small business. I did not expect so many distinguished guests to congratulate me, so please forgive me for any mistakes. Xiaocao would use tea as a substitute for wine toast to everyone here today. Please–”

Among the people sitting in this room, even the youngest was older than Xiaocao's father. Seeing a pure and beautiful little girl holding a cup with a serious expression and speaking like an adult, they all felt it was quite interesting. With an understanding smile, they took their wine cup and took a sip.

Little Shitou attentively poured wine for the guests, while Xiaocao courteously invited everyone to eat. Seeing that the two children were able to handle this situation well, Old Master Yao could not help but laugh, “The Yu family is really good at teaching their children. When my grandkids were their age, they were still acting spoiled and crying for attention ah! ”

“There is an old saying: ‘kids from poor families have to take care of their families early!’ All of your grandchildren grew up in a special and sheltered environment, so they naturally didn't have to be like us. Grandfather Yao, allow me to pour a cup of wine for you, thank you for the support you have always shown us! ” In his previous life, Yu Xiaocao was also involved in some social activities, so he could handle this situation easily.

Old Master Yao happily drank the wine Xiaocao poured for him and laughed, “Godles from your family are delicious! Since eating your family's vegetables grows, vegetables from other families can't even match the taste. In the past, I loved to eat meat and almost never touched vegetables. Now, I cannot even eat without vegetables from your family ah! Look at me now. I get stronger as I get older. Look, it seems like all my remaining health problems from before are all gone! Ha ha! Everything is better! I'm sure the biggest reason is vegetables from your family.. ”.

“What did you say? It's not like our vegetables are magic pills, so how can they be as magical as you say? I have learned some medical knowledge from the village doctor, and thus I know that eating more vegetables is beneficial to public health! Your health was not good in the past because you did not eat vegetables. Since you now like to eat vegetables, it is only natural that your health gets better! It actually has nothing to do with our family vegetables! ” Yu Xiaocao did not want to tell others about the secret of their vegetables, so he hurriedly explained.

Old Master Yao still thought it was a donation from the Yu family's vegetables and said, “Alright, I am willing to eat vegetables because the vegetables grown by your family are fresh and juicy, and it tastes good too! In the end, this remains a tribute to your family's vegetables! ”

Right now, Zhou Zixu laughed and said, “Old Master Yao, Xiaocao, you two should have stopped. One gave endless praise, while the other tried desperately to be humble. Old Master, all the vegetables used in Zhenxiu Restaurant are provided by the Xiaocao family. If you like it, please eat more! ”

District Judge Wu tried ‘tumis lettuce with oyster sauce’, while nodding his head and saying, “The oyster sauce dish Zhenxiu Restaurant is really amazing! I may not have the opportunity to eat it again in the future. ”.

Third Young Master Zhou hurriedly replied, “Uncle Wu, our Zhenxu Restaurant branch restaurant in the capital has been open for several months. So, you don't have to worry about not being able to eat our oyster sauce dish. What's more, our spice shop in the capital also sells oyster sauce. Now, many officials and nobles have this spice in their kitchens. ”

“Patriark Yao, the store next to Zhenxiu Restaurant sells seasonings produced by our ‘Haiti’. In addition to oyster sauce, we also have MSG and fermented tofu. In the future, there will be more and more seasonings available to buy. If you need it, just send someone to buy it. I'll give you twenty percent discount.. ”Zhou Zixu is really talented in business.

District Judge Wu laughed as he pointed at her and said, “You ah! You will not forget to advertise your products even while we are eating! ”

“Xiaoxu, does your product need advertising? I've heard that people line up and still can't get it! ” Young Master Wu commented while gnawing on the wings of a roasted chicken.

Zhou Zixu humbly said, “I have to thank everyone for their support and continuous support for it.”

Everyone at the table chatted happily while eating as they pleased. They really enjoy a plate of watermelon served after a meal. Under the skilled hands of the chef, watermelon has turned into a very beautiful work of art, which discourages people from eating it. The sweetness of fresh watermelon gets praise from everyone.

After the banquet, Xiaocao took the watermelon he had saved for the honored guest and gave each of them two pieces to take home. Although Xiaocao was not ready for the banquet today, neither the host nor the guests were truly enjoying themselves.

Xiaocao had to return to Dongshan Village in the afternoon, so Fang Zizhen stayed behind to take care of the watermelon shop. Fang Zizhen and his two subordinates did not go to the dock for a few days due to the watermelon shop affairs. Knowing that this would not work in the long run, Xiaocao thought that he should hire someone to oversee the watermelon shop.

Who should they hire? First of all, this person should be of good character, smart, and able to manage the store. When Xiaocao came home, he discussed this with his parents and felt that the eldest maternal aunt was the most suitable for this job.

Aunt Mother Oldest honest and kind. As the Yu Family went through their hardest times, he personally spent his hard-earned money to support them. Madam Han also has experience doing business at the dock. The watermelon shop is not always as busy as opening day today, so once the business has stabilized, he should be able to manage the shop alone.

After entrusting someone to send a letter, Madam Han came that afternoon with Xiaocao's maternal grandmother and two maternal uncles.

“This child, you should have told us early if you need help! You ah, what should I tell you? You always do everything yourself. ” Xiaocao's maternal grandmother lovingly scolded Madam Liu as she poked her forehead lightly.

With her head bowed, Madam Liu said with a smile, “We have only been slightly busier over these two days since the watermelon has matured. As a married princess, how can I continue to trouble my girl family? ”

“We are all one family, so how is it considered to bother each other?” Madam Han deftly helped load the wagon, and planned to go to the city with the wagon that was transporting watermelon. He even brought extra clothes in preparation for a long stay at the store!

The eldest uncle of Xiaocao's mother's side was discussing the watermelon sales issue with Yu Hai and Xiaocao, “I don't think you guys can manage with just these two carts, so let's forget about the problem of lending us a donkey cart. I'm not delaying your business! ”

Yu Xiaocao interrupted, “Old Mother's Uncle, you don't have to worry about this! Third Young Master Zhou said that his family had an extra horse carriage that they would not normally use. So I borrowed it from him. ”

“This child, you are troubling Young Master Zhou again!” Yu Hai exclaimed as he shook his head helplessly.

Yu Xiaocao made a funny face to her and said, “He voluntarily lent it to me! Besides, the carriage only stayed at home, so lending it to me was considered useful! Oldest Uncle Mother, you can use the Zhou Family carriage as it can carry more items! ”

“If there is a carriage, then things will be much easier! I've talked about it with your mother's second uncle. Watermelons are very valuable, so it is enough that only your store sells them in the city. We were preparing to go to the prefectural city, which had more noble and wealthy families. So, we should be able to sell it! ” Liu Pei is braver than his second brother.

Yu Xiaocao expressed his support, “Oldest Uncle, when are you guys planning to leave? My godfather will go to the prefectural city tomorrow to take care of some things. If possible, you can join him on the journey tomorrow. With the support of my godfather, you can avoid meeting with rioters, local tyrants, and so on. ”.

Prefectural cities are different from the small town of Tanggu, which has simpler and more honest societies and customs. It was indeed rare to see a watermelon during a time like this, so it would definitely attract envious eyes. However, with the support of this great master, Fang Zizhen, the Liu brothers would definitely not have any trouble!