Li Wencai suddenly understood, no wonder they could earn so much silver in these few months.
Zhao Jiaqi did not tell the village chief the specific details.
She just wanted to earn money discreetly and live her life, but in a poor village, there were still many envious people.
The aroma from the table attracted Song Mingliang's gaze.
"Were these dishes made by sister-in-law?"
The bright red, the vivid orange, the dark red that looked appetizing, the combination of color, aroma, and taste made one involuntarily want to have a few bites.
Song Mingliang thought so, and he acted accordingly. He took the chopsticks handed by Zhao Jiaqi, tasted them one by one, and even commented from time to time. He even finished two cups of the fruit wine on the table in one go.
"Exquisite dishes and fine wine, nothing more can be said. Sister-in-law, your culinary skills are truly excellent. How about coming to my restaurant as a head chef? Twenty taels of silver a month, what do you say?"
Song Mingliang offered a high price, but Xie Kun disagreed. "I say, Manager Song, are you looking down on people? You're underestimating sister-in-law. She earns more than your monthly salary each month. So, give up, don't expect sister-in-law to be a chef in your restaurant!"
If you want to snatch someone from me, you have to ask if I agree. Xie Kun put a chopstick of food in his mouth and chewed it vigorously.
Fan Zehao slammed his wine cup on the table with a bang and looked at the two of them with displeasure. "Do you think I'm dead? Let me tell you, my wife is not going anywhere. If you don't eat, go home!"
Suddenly, Zhao Jiaqi's face blushed. Her husband's jealousy was really strong, even stronger than the potency of the fruit wine.
Shopkeeper Song was embarrassed and explained to Fan Zehao, "Brother, you've misunderstood. I just saw that the dishes were so well made and wanted your wife to teach our restaurant's chefs. In my excitement, my words slipped. Please don't be angry."
He secretly wiped the sweat from his forehead. If his wife looked like a celestial fairy, it would be understandable for him to have some impure thoughts. But Zhao Jiaqi was at most a delicate young wife, and the wife of a hunter. How dare he snatch a wife from such a simple-minded person?
Fan Zehao snorted coldly. He had grown his beard for many years, and it was because of this person that he had shaved it off. He still remembered this matter.
"My wife is busy. Teaching you in the town would be too much. My wife's feet can't handle it. At most, at noon, you can have your chefs come to our house to learn." He took a step back and said to Song Mingliang.
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Song's head ached.
Noon! The chefs leave the restaurant?
What about the restaurant's customers!
He was unwilling to find an ordinary chef to learn, but if he found the head chef to learn, he couldn't abandon the restaurant's customers.
When he was in a dilemma, Xie Kun gently hummed, "Can't you buy a carriage for sister-in-law, and have brother drive her to the restaurant? Wouldn't that solve it?"
Truly a blockhead. How could these so-called respectable businessmen be so uninspired!
Hearing your words is better than reading ten years of books. He felt enlightened and his mind suddenly opened.
He, who considered himself very clever, hadn't even understood the words of a simpleton. He was truly ashamed!
Song Mingliang immediately expressed, "Brother, I'll give you a two-horse carriage. That way, the driving will be faster, and your wife won't have to walk. What do you think?"
Fan Zehao was overjoyed in his heart, but he didn't show it much on his face. Instead, he pretended to be conflicted, "I have no problem, but I have to ask if my wife agrees."
Zhao Jiaqi: Since when did her husband become so cunning, playing the part of a pig to eat the tiger? This tactic was performed with masterful skill.
"Shopkeeper Song, teaching chefs to cook is possible. Before that, shouldn't we discuss how to cooperate?"
Song Mingliang was stunned. He had completely forgotten about this important matter.
It was all because the restaurant next door had introduced a few new dishes, and half of the restaurant's customers had gone. It was getting worse day by day. Could he not be anxious?
"Then tell me how you want to cooperate?"
It couldn't be like the braised meat, where she delivered it every day!
Delivery was fine, but she couldn't stir-fry a dish and deliver it once. A carriage pulled by two horses wouldn't be enough!
The cooperation came too suddenly, and Zhao Jiaqi wasn't prepared at all. After pondering for a while, she came up with a good idea.
"I will earn dividends from the dishes. For every dish sold, I will charge a fee, five wen for vegetarian dishes and ten wen for meat dishes. The accounts will be settled every half month."
Zhao Jiaqi's request presented a problem for Song Mingliang.
Historically, recipes were usually sold for a one-time fee. It was unheard of to have it be this way.
Song Mingliang couldn't make up his mind. After much deliberation, he still needed to report to his employer. He really couldn't make this decision himself!
However, he did not refuse the proposal outright, merely saying tactfully, "Sister-in-law, I need to discuss this matter with the owner. Please wait for my news!"
"No rush, take your time!"
She wasn't in a hurry, but Shopkeeper Song was.
His main purpose for coming today was to buy recipes. Seeing the duck he was about to catch slipping away, how could he not be anxious?
With his mind full of worries, Song Mingliang sat uneasily and left before finishing the meal. Xie Kun and the village chief remained at the table, drinking with gusto.
After a hearty meal, Xie Kun was picking his teeth and burping, sighing with a tut-tut sound, "Brother, you've stumbled upon a treasure trove. Sister-in-law's culinary skills are truly not just for show, they're amazing."
*Burp*
"This is the first time I've eaten something so delicious in my life. I say, why don't you just stop cooperating with Tianxiang Tower and open a restaurant in the town or county directly? All the money you earn will be your own!"
Xie Kun was typical of the wealthy and arrogant. They, as commoners with no power, no influence, and no money, were to open a restaurant in town with just their bare hands?
If they said it out loud, people would surely laugh their teeth out!
Zhao Jiaqi was willing but unable. She smiled and said euphemistically, "We haven't thought about that yet. My husband and I are just focusing on what's in front of us, building the house, and then buying some good farmland to live a good simple life!"
This was this year's goal, and it was within reach.
Xie Kun shook his head, implying that short hair meant limited knowledge, referring to women with bound feet.
After sitting for a while and drinking some plain water, Xie Kun stated his purpose. "As the weather is getting colder, the ice business will not be done this year. We'll start again next summer. I've come this time to settle your payments for these past few days."
Fan Zehao liked receiving money.
There were less than thirty taels left at home. After the house was built, they would need to buy some furniture. They also needed to buy new pots, pans, and bowls. Bedding, clothes, cotton, and so on. When he thought about it, there were so many places that required money.
The money was dwindling, and now someone was bringing money to their door. This was indeed a cause for celebration. At this moment, Fan Zehao wished Xie Kun would visit a few more times!
After receiving more than ten taels of silver, Xie Kun left with a bulging belly.