Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 12052

"Qing'er, if you hadn't asked this question today, I wouldn't have brought it up." Yang Huamei's smile faded, her eyes became serious, and her tone was somewhat anxious.

"Since you asked, I won't hide it from you. I didn't mention a single word about it, not even in front of your grandparents."

"Aunt, do you and Uncle have any other plans?" Yang Ruoqing asked.

The three children, weighing three, four, and five jin respectively, are still young and have very few expenses. A single bite of food from the adults' mouths is enough to feed all three of them.

So under the current circumstances, a small shop of nearly 15 square meters used to sell roast duck, after calculating the income throughout the year, after offsetting the losses with the profits, the net profit after deducting costs and rent should be enough to support a family of several people and leave a surplus of about 10 taels of silver.

However, as the children grew older, this money gradually became less useful.

"Qing'er, your uncle and I have other plans. We're just selling roast duck. Let me put it this way, the pure money we saved in a year was 12 taels of silver last year!"

12 taels?
Yang Ruoqing smiled slightly, it seemed that her prediction was correct, the error was only 2 taels of silver between 10 taels and 12 taels.

Yang Ruoqing secretly gave herself a thumbs up in her heart, thinking, "What a math genius I am!"
“Your uncle said that my husband and I are still in good health, and the children are still young. We don’t have many expenses, so 12 taels of silver can be enough for emergencies,” Yang Huamei continued.

"But later, when the kids grow up, things like going to school and learning a trade won't be discussed in advance. What's right in front of them is having their own house."

"It would be reasonable to build at least four rooms, right? We can't keep renting rooms like that. Not only is it cramped, but all the money we make each month just goes into the landlord's pocket."

“Building a house is indeed urgent; a house is a place to settle down and make a living,” Yang Ruoqing said.

"So, Auntie, where do you plan to build the house? Are you building it yourselves, or buying a second-hand house and renovating it?" Yang Ruoqing asked again.

This involves a lot of additional expenses. If you're building your own house, the first hurdle in terms of cost is the money for the foundation...

The price of land purchased in or near a town is different from that of land purchased in a village.

Therefore, you need to plan ahead so that you have a goal when saving money, know roughly how much money you need to save, and then you can accomplish something.

One cannot simply daydream without taking action. Nor can one bury one's head in work without looking up to consider the purpose of one's actions; both are unacceptable.

“My idea is to buy a piece of land and build a house in Changping Village. I want to be closer to you all, especially your grandparents,” Yang Huamei said, her eyes full of longing. “But your uncle said that our business is based in the town. If we build the house in the village, it will be very inconvenient to go there early and come back late every day. It would be better to settle down in the town. The town is not very far away. It only takes an hour or two to go back and forth.”

Actually, Xu Yuanming didn't say it that way. He also said four words: "Far away, it smells good; up close, it smells bad."

Now, people stay in town and only return to the village when necessary, maintaining a proper distance from each other's relatives, which is good for everyone.

If she were to live in the same village as before, like she used to live with Old Wang, they might end up arguing every few days.

Moreover, for the sake of the children, it's better to settle down in town.

“Your uncle said that it’s very likely that he’s going to buy a second-hand house. As long as we can live in it, we’re not picky. At worst, we can just repaint the house, replace the broken doors and windows, and buy some new furniture. We don’t compare ourselves with others; we just want to be practical!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Ruoqing couldn't help but give Yang Huamei a thumbs up.

"Aunt, you and Uncle are right to think this way!"

"Auntie, please continue."

"Okay, now that we've talked about the house, the next step is after the New Year. Your uncle and I are discussing adding some other things to sell besides roast duck."

"It's food, but we haven't decided what to make yet. It should be related to chicken and duck, since we source poultry from the Zhou family..."

"What are you all talking about? Why are you making such a fuss?" A middle-aged man's slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out from the doorway.

Yang Huamei looked up and saw the person who came in. Her tone was somewhat reproachful. She immediately stood up and said, "Why are you up so soon? Didn't I tell you to sleep a little longer?"

Xu Yuanming said, "I slept for half an hour, but I was thirsty. I drank two bowls of tea and then couldn't fall back asleep. I might as well get up and sit for a while."

"Uncle, how much did you drink this afternoon? I can't smell any alcohol on you anymore," Yang Ruoqing teased with a smile, getting up to pour Xu Yuanming a bowl of tea.

Xu Yuanming smiled and took the tea, saying, "I've drunk less than half a jin, and a nap should be enough."

Yang Huamei shook her head: "You're talking very arrogantly. Your voice is so hoarse from drinking, how can you not tell?"

Xu Yuanming was taken aback. "Really?"

"Of course! Would I lie to you? Besides, your eyes are bloodshot; you look like a drunkard who hasn't sobered up yet!"

Xu Yuanming looked embarrassed by Yang Huamei's words, especially since they were in front of Yang Ruoqing. He felt awkward and didn't want to argue with Yang Huamei. So when people are embarrassed, they pretend to be busy. He lowered his head, blew on the tea leaves floating on the surface of the tea, and took a couple of sips.

The hot tea was so hot it almost burned his tongue. Xu Yuanming took a deep breath and started to initiate a conversation.

"I was at the door just now, and I heard you two talking about business?" he asked.

Yang Ruoqing smiled and said, "Yes, Uncle, what new products are you planning to develop after the New Year? Tell me about them."

Yang Huamei glanced at Xu Yuanming with some concern, worried that he would blame her for not being able to keep her mouth shut, knowing that "things are accomplished in secrecy".

As a result, Yang Huamei not only didn't see anger on Xu Yuanming's face, but even saw surprise on his face.

Qing'er's initiative inquiring about business actually pleased Old Xu? Was he excited?

But then Yang Huamei realized that Qing'er was an expert in this area.

When the second wife was doing business before, Yongjin and the others probably wanted to ask Qing'er for advice, but they were afraid of troubling her.

Qing'er didn't take the initiative to ask about it, and her attitude was very clear.

But Qing'er took the initiative to inquire about our family's business. What does that mean? It means Qing'er wants to lend a hand!
Yang Huamei immediately became excited. While Xu Yuanming and Yang Ruoqing were talking, she opened her eyes wide and saw that the tea in Yang Ruoqing's teacup was almost empty. As her aunt, she immediately got up and brought the thermos from the table to refill Yang Ruoqing's teacup.

"Auntie, do you need to refill my water? I'm so sorry." Yang Ruoqing was also a little flattered. She knew that during the Lunar New Year, her aunt and the others were staying at her house, so they should be considered guests.

They even expect guests to refill the host's tea, hehe...

"It's nothing, it's nothing, you guys continue chatting." Yang Huamei smiled and shook her head, put the hot water bottle back, and pulled up a stool to sit down next to Xu Yuanming.

“Qing’er, this is what I’m thinking: you can’t put all your eggs in one basket,” Xu Yuanming continued, “so I plan to make some braised dishes to sell in addition to roast duck.”

"To give an example, I buy whole ducks, but the roast ducks I sell are usually without the internal organs and feet."

"Before, I used to cook these offal and claws for my own family, or sell them to the fishmongers in town." "Now I make these offal into braised dishes and sell them, along with some peanuts and other braised dishes. People who like to drink should still love this cold dish. What do you think, Qing'er?"

Yang Ruoqing nodded directly: "Of course, but there is a time limit for selling these cold dishes. If we wait until May, they may go bad overnight."

"That's alright, I'll just make enough for the day. If we can't sell it, we'll eat it ourselves. We won't lose much."

In fact, it's not even a loss.

"I have another idea regarding the hot weather that I can share with my aunt and uncle."

"Qing'er, your idea is definitely the most valuable, so please tell me quickly," Yang Huamei said impatiently from the side.

Yang Ruoqing said, "But before that, I have to ask you if you're afraid of the heat? Like sitting by a fire in June?"

Yang Huamei and Xu Yuanming exchanged a glance and both smiled.

Xu Yuanming said, "Our roast duck oven was placed in the shop on a hot day. The ducks were sizzling and dripping oil inside the oven, and your aunt and I were sizzling and dripping oil outside the oven. By the end of the day, we would sweat three pounds of sweat!"

Yang Huamei said with a proud look, "I can't think of anything hotter than that roast duck oven!"

Yang Ruoqing snapped her fingers: "That's good. I'll get you a barbecue grill and some long bamboo skewers. You can skewer duck meat, duck intestines, duck hearts, duck livers, and duck feet together. When the braised food doesn't sell well, you can make barbecue to sell."

"Grill it over charcoal on a barbecue grill, sizzling and dripping with oil. Then I'll pass on my secret recipe for the soul seasoning that I've researched, and I guarantee your business will flourish."

Barbecue is a popular food that can be found in any era.

Especially since the people in this time and space haven't yet unlocked the cumin powder.

It's only in the county town where Yang Ruoqing lives that the roasted mutton at Tianxianglou uses cumin powder, but this is Tianxianglou's secret. Customers in the county only know that if they want to eat mutton in winter, they must go to Tianxianglou, because the mutton there is the most delicious and has a wonderful flavor that mutton from other places cannot find.

The key lies in the cumin powder that Yang Ruoqing personally prepared.

"Qing'er, you've broadened my horizons so much!" Xu Yuanming's face was flushed and his breathing was rapid.

Please note that this is not because he's drunk, but because he's excited and currently having a brainstorming session.

"Was it because your aunt and I got better at grilling later on that we could grill things other than duck, like eggplant, peppers, and chives?"

"Roasted eggplant tastes best when it's coated with minced garlic!" Yang Huamei added impatiently from the side. "It would be even better with roasted chives and chili peppers, sprinkled with bright red chili powder. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water."

Yang Ruoqing snapped her fingers again: "You two are really talented, foodies with a business mind."

Yang Huamei excitedly exchanged glances with Xu Yuanming again. Yang Huamei said, "Let's put the barbecue grill at the entrance of the shop. It'll be perfect for using one shop for multiple purposes. You can sell roast duck and I can run the barbecue. We can both make money!"

Xu Yuanming nodded vigorously, suppressing his excitement and impulse, and said to Yang Ruoqing with a face full of gratitude, "Qing'er, you are the benefactor in Mei'er's and my lives!"

Unexpectedly, this visit to Changping Village to pay New Year's greetings, which I originally thought was to help Yang Yongjin and the others with their plans, turned out to be the one who benefited the most!

Yang Ruoqing waved her hand: "This idea wasn't mine, you guys figured it out yourselves. As for the barbecue grill, you designed it yourselves too."

Yang Huamei and Xu Yuanming exchanged a glance. At first, they were both a little confused about Yang Ruoqing's words and wondered why she suddenly said that.

Xu Yuanming quickly realized what was happening.

He noticed Yang Ruoqing's gaze was directed towards the second room, and she blinked.

Xu Yuanming understood immediately.

Yang Huamei understood immediately.

"Yes, this is an idea we came up with ourselves. It's our livelihood, and no one can steal it from us," Yang Huamei said.

Xu Yuanming nodded to Yang Huamei with satisfaction: "Don't tell anyone, except the three of us!"

This "who" naturally includes the Tan family.

Yang Huamei winked knowingly; she wasn't stupid, she knew what she was doing.

If this matter gets out, it will undoubtedly make the second wife resent Qing'er.

So none of them will tell.

The next morning, Xu Yuanming couldn't wait to return to town.

At any other time, Yang Huamei would definitely hope that he could stay with her and her son at her parents' home for a few more days.

However, Xu Yuanming's decision to return early was made after discussing it with Yang Huamei.

Originally, Xu Yuanming planned to open the roast duck shop after the Lantern Festival, but now, because of the braised dishes and barbecue, he can't stay idle. Last night, he wished he could grow wings and fly back.

Before leaving, Xu Yuanming came to say goodbye to Yang Ruoqing and the others. Finally, since Luo the blacksmith was going to Zhoujia Village, he took Xu Yuanming with him on his journey.

Ms. Tan was somewhat dissatisfied with this. When she took Sanjin out to bask in the sun, she couldn't help but mutter a few words to Yang Huamei.

The gist of it is that Xu Yuanming has shirked his responsibilities. It's one thing to be busy normally, but during the Lunar New Year, he didn't even stay to help his sister take care of the baby. What a lazy dad!

Yang Huamei simply smiled and offered no explanation.

Tan secretly observed Yang Huamei and saw that her daughter's face showed no sign of grievance, but rather joy and sweetness in her eyes and brows. She was full of energy when she spoke, walked, and played with the children. She did not look like a wretched person who was carrying a burden in her heart, trying to be strong, and swallowing her bitterness.

"It's probably something the young couple planned together. Sigh, my daughter isn't close to me anymore; she's all siding with that old man!" Madam Tan thought to herself.

Yes, whether it was Wang Shuanzi, the former son-in-law, or Xu Yuanming, the current son-in-law.

With their mother-in-law, Ms. Tan, they all happily acquired their own nicknames.

The former was a sickly child.

The latter is an older man.

Her daughter is a natural beauty.