Who in Mengshan County didn’t know the name of Jin Shi Xuan?
After gaining fame for its innovative dishes, Jin Shi Xuan was bustling with diners every day, to the point where it could be said that it was making a fortune every day.
Wealthy gourmands from other neighboring counties in Qingzhou would brave the long and arduous journey to Mengshan County just to have a meal at Jin Shi Xuan.
There was no shortage of people with deep pockets who tried to lure Lady Jiang away with high salaries, but they all met with rejection.
When Liu Zishi arrived at Jin Shi Xuan, it was obviously not meal time, but there were many diners waiting in the hall.
The waiter recognized him as a friend of the owner’s and warmly welcomed him into the back hall to meet Duan Changjin.
“Shopkeeper Duan, my young master ordered me to bring something as a gift to the diners.”. Liu Zishi got straight to the point. After speaking, he untied the cloth bag around his waist and took out the crystal clear white sugar.
Duan Changjin was confused, “What is this?”
“Young master said that this is white sugar, after the impurities are removed from the brown sugar” Liu Zishi responded honestly according to Rong Xi’s instructions.
Although Duan Changjin was not good at business, he was not a fool. When he heard it, he would feel that business opportunities were coming.
People often love exquisite and transparent things.
Compared to brown sugar, white sugar was not only novel but also more adorable to look at. If it were promoted, it would surely attract a large number of customers.
“I will complete Young Master Rong’s guidance” Duan Changjin said excitedly.
After Liu Zishi left, he instructed the waiter to divide the sugar block into five parts, taking one part to give to the diner who spent the most today.
That diner happened to be a wealthy merchant, with fortunes aplenty. Since Jin Shi Xuan reopened for business, he made it a point to visit every day. Perhaps delayed by business today, he arrived a bit late, but coincidentally, Liu Zishi had brought the white sugar.
Seeing the waiter bring a plate to the table, the items on the plate were crystal clear, which was extremely rare. The diners couldn’t help but be surprised and asked., “What is this?”
“This is a complimentary white sugar from the shop. The shopkeeper said that Master Wang has visited the shop many times, so he asked me to bring it to you to taste.” The waiter smiled sincerely, speaking warmly.
Looking around, Master Wang saw that no one else had it, so he was naturally surprised and delighted to have it all to himself. He asked, “I’ve never heard of white sugar before. What exactly is it?”
“Master Wang, I really didn’t lie to you. This is white sugar, but the impurities have been removed.” The waiter still smiled, “If you don’t believe it, why not try it?”
Master Wang was doubtful, so he twisted it up with his hands and licked it. His eyes widened, his eyebrows raised, and he was surprised, “It really is sugar!”
The waiter smiled and said: “This is a novelty. You are a valued guest of our establishment, and the shopkeeper specifically asked me to bring it to you”
“Thank shopkeeper Duan for me.” Master Wang was both delighted to receive this new and unusual dish and proud to be the only one enjoying it. His mood improved considerably, and his smile grew even wider.
After leaving Jin Shi Xuan, he went straight to his friend’s house. After entering, he pretended to be displeased and said, “You made white sugar, why didn’t you tell me?”
The friend looked confused, “What is white sugar?”
Master Wang thought that he still wanted to hide it, so without another word, he placed the object in his hand on the table. The object was covered in a sugar coating, making it difficult to see clearly.
“Apart from you, are there any other sugar merchants in Mengshan County?”
Yes, there are others, but he is the only one who conducts business on a large scale.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Master Wang then sat cross-legged on the cushion., “This is a gift from Jin Shi Xuan.”
“Jin Shi Xuan?” The friend was dumbfounded, “Didn’t you ask where they got this sugar?”
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
“I thought it was made by you, so I hurried to ask you.” Master Wang covered his face and sighed, “I didn’t think much of it at the time.”
After a long time, the friend said: “This white sugar looks lovely. If I can obtain the recipe, it will surely be profitable. Since it’s a gift from Jin Shi Xuan, it must be related to Jin Shi Xuan. I’ll go ask for clarification right away.”
Unable to detain him, Master Wang watched as his friend hurriedly departed, feeling helpless, and thus, he had no option but to trail behind him.
When it came to sugar merchants in Mengshan County, the Zheng family was the most famous.
Zheng Huaili hurried to Jin Shi Xuan. Before the waiter could speak, he asked, “Is shopkeeper Duan here? I have something to ask him.”
The waiter recognized his identity, with Master Wang standing beside him. He immediately understood the reason and led the two of them to the back hall to meet Duan Changjin.
Tea and snacks were served, but Zheng Huaili and Master Wang had no intention of tasting them. Seeing Duan Changjin remain silent, they had no choice but to pluck up their courage and ask straightforwardly, “Could Shopkeeper Duan kindly inform us who made the white sugar?”
“I know what Master Zheng means, but without that person’s permission, Duan doesn’t dare to say anything.”
Young Master Rong only said that he would give the white sugar as a gift and did not mention what would happen next. He couldn’t speak rashly.
Zheng Huaili and Master Wang looked at each other. Master Wang knew that he was anxious, so he asked: “Could Shopper Duan introduce us?”
Seeing that Zheng Huaili was really impatient, Duan Changjin said softly: “I can go and ask first, and when I get the results, I will send someone to inform Master Zheng. How does that sound?”
“That’s very good,” Zheng Huaili stood up and saluted, “Thank you very much, Shopkeeper Duan.”
After the two left, Duan Changjin sat quietly for a long time, then covered his face and let out a long sigh.
In the past, had he ever received such courtesy? This current situation is all thanks to Young Master Rong.
After practicing martial arts, Liu Zishi came out of Feng’s carpentry shop and saw the servants of Jin Shi Xuan waiting outside.
When the shop servant saw him, he informed Liu Zishi of Duan Changjin’s instructions.
After returning home, young man Liu went to the study and said, “Young master, shopkeeper Duan asked me to inquire on his behalf: Zheng’s sugar merchant wishes to meet the individual who made the sugar. What are your plans regarding this matter??”
Rong Xi had already anticipated this.
He had asked Duan Changjin to introduce the sugar as a gift, simply waiting for customers who were familiar with the product to purchase it.
But he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
“I will go to the county with you tomorrow.” Rong Xi replied.
Not only for the matter of white sugar, but also for some personal affairs.
At noon the next day, the two arrived in Mengshan County.
Duan Changjin warmly entertained Rong Xi in the back hall of Jin Shi Xuan.
When Hu Yulin heard about this, he was afraid that the two of them would be deceived by Zheng Huaili, so he went to Jin Shi Xuan to accompany them.
The three of them chatted leisurely, sipping on hot tea. Hu Yulin sighed: “I have never seen such a skill in my life. If I had not witnessed it myself, I would find it hard to believe.”
Duan Changjin nodded in agreement.
The two men’s eyes were blazing, and Rong Xi said helplessly: “What I learned from the strange book made the two brothers laugh.”
These methods are all inherited from his predecessors. Now, by utilizing them, one is accumulating wealth, which can support his future research and establish himself in the world. Second, it can also change the world in this direction and benefit people.
He was grateful for the methods of his predecessors and did not dare claim them as his own.
Hu Yulin and Duan Changjin obviously didn’t believe it; they just thought he was being modest.
After a while, Zheng Huaili arrived with Master Wang. Seeing the unfamiliar Rong Xi, he knew that he was the sugar maker and couldn’t help but smile.
Duan Changji and Hu Yulin took their seats after making the greetings, Zheng Huaili asked politely: “Can I know the name of this gentleman?”
“My surname is Rong, Rong Xi.”
Zheng Huaili and Master Wang were stunned and looked at each other.
Since Rong Xi came to Linxi, his name became a topic of discussion among the people. Both Zheng Huaili and Master Wang also criticized him a few times for his actions.
Zheng Huaili thought about it, sweat broke out on his back, and he hurriedly asked: “May I ask Master Rong, if you came from Linxi?”
Rong Xi knew what he was thinking, his face remained calm, and he nodded in response.
Hu Yulin felt dissatisfied, but when he remembered that he was no different from these two people before, he felt even more guilty and ashamed.
Many voices can turn gold into dust, and rumors can blind the eyes.
If Rong Xi had not been steadfast in his resolve and brilliant by nature, he would have had no place to stand even after being sent to Linxi.
“That sugar was really made by Young Master Rong?” Zheng Huaili was surprised.
It’s not that he looked down on people, but rather that he couldn’t imagine how a son of a court official could be so skilled in the art of craftsmanship.
“That’s true.” Rong Xi drank tea leisurely. Even if he was suspected, he didn’t feel the slightest displeasure.
Seeing him like this, Zheng Huaili and Master Wang felt a little more confident.
“To be honest, I came here today for the white sugar making method. If the young master is interested, I am willing to exchange it for fifty guans.”.
Hu Yulin narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “Shopkeeper Zheng is generous. However, as we both know, once white sugar is introduced to the market, it will surely be a favorite among the nobility. If you acquire this method, you will reap untold profits. Fifty guans is merely a short-term gain.”
Without waiting for Zheng Huaili to retort, he faced Rong Xi and said sincerely: “If brother Rong is interested, I would like to buy this method with 20% profit.”
“Boss Hu, you are not a sugar merchant, why are you competing with me for sugar production methods?” Zheng Huaili asked with a frown.
The corners of Hu Yulin’s lips curled up, “I would like to try it. If Mastee Zheng is not sincere, please don’t disturb my appointment with brother Rong.”
After the popularity of honeycomb briquettes and coal stoves, the Hu family’s momentum grew stronger. Everyone could see that the Hu family no longer wanted to rely solely on charcoal, seeming to expand their business.
Perhaps the Hu family has also set their sights on white sugar?
Thinking of this, Zheng Huaili was secretly frightened. Compared with the fifty guans, the 20% profit was obviously more tempting.
He gritted his teeth and said, “I would like to hand over the 30% profit to Young Master Rong.”
Rong Xi chuckled, his voice clear and refreshing like the wind through the forest, washing away the anxiety in people’s hearts.
“Zheng family has been making sugar for a hundred years and has rich experience in this field. Brother Hu, I apologize to you.”
Hu Yulin lamented, pretending to be disappointed.
Zheng Huaili was overjoyed, his heart blooming like spring flowers and melting like snow. He immediately asked, “I wonder when Young Master Rong would like to finalize the agreement?”
White sugar was novel, even if he only got 70% profit, it was still enough.
After reaching an agreement, Rong Xi explained the secret of the sugar-making method to him in detail. Zheng Huaili felt as if he had been enlightened. He immediately understood.
“Although this method is simple, it is actually difficult to devise. I admire Young Master Rong’s talent.”
Because Zheng Huaili was eager to try to make white sugar, he did not want to stay for a long time, so he left with Master Wang.
When he disappeared, Hu Yulin slapped the table and laughed, extremely happy.
Finally he helped Rong Xi one or two.
Rong Xi was about to bow in gratitude when he was stopped by Hu Yulin’s grip on his wrist. Hu Yulin said,”There’s no need for that, brother Rong. As brothers, it is only right that I help you.
“Brother Hu, I am deeply grateful for your kindness.” He was lucky enough to meet a few good friends in another world.
The three of them had a pleasant conversation, but when personal matters came to mind, Rong Xi apologetically stood up and said, “I wish to speak with Lady Jiang, so please wait here, my two brothers.”
“Are there any new dishes?” Duan Changjin asked.
“It has nothing to do with the dishes, it’s my private matter.” After Rong Xi finished speaking, he went to the back kitchen of Jin Shi Xuan.
There were no customers in the shop at the time, so Lady Jiang shouldn’t have been busy.
Seeing him disappear, Hu Yulin and Duan Changjin looked at each other. He is having a private conversation with Lady Jiang and avoiding others. What kind of private matter is this?
The two people’s eyes widened immediately, could it be?
Haha, what could it be? I wonder how far their imagination run?
Traditional consciousness
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