Miao Chu

Chapter 340 has additional content.
Because of Han Li's reminder, Song Miao also went out early the next morning to do the shopping with Cheng Erniang and others.

Although I felt that relying solely on word of mouth, even with the emperor's praise, might not spread that quickly, I preferred to believe it rather than not – it's not like a real dragon comes to praise us every day, and now is a rare opportunity to build a reputation and establish a brand. If we miss this chance, we'll truly never have another one.

With Song Dongjia's approval, the shopping list prepared in advance this time contained several times more ingredients than usual.

Songji has always been known for its people who get things done. After several incidents, they developed a style that emphasizes discipline over seniority.

Once the long-term and short-term hired women get a chance, they all speak up eagerly, hoping to contribute their efforts. The long-term hired women hope to gain recognition from their superiors and peers, so that they can eventually get their names on the food business and share the profits. The short-term hired women hope to perform well and become long-term hired women.

On the way to shop, someone couldn't help but remind her, "Madam, aren't you buying too much? If we don't have many guests today, all this meat and vegetables will just go bad, wouldn't that be a loss?"

But someone nearby immediately said, "This is a rare opportunity. Sell as many as you can. If people hear the news and rush to buy them, only to leave empty-handed, our alley is already remote. If we suffer this once, those customers might not be willing to come again!"

"What about the losses?"

"What's there to be afraid of? Our Songji food tastes amazing, and it has such a great reputation! How could it not sell? If no one comes by noon, I'll roll up my sleeves, push a cart out, and start hawking! The Imperial Academy steamed buns praised by the Emperor are from Songji; I refuse to believe no one will buy them!"

Another person chimed in, "Even if we don't have enough carts in our eatery, we can borrow some. Most of the stall owners in the back alley of the Imperial Academy only sell breakfast. If we spend a little money and give them face, we can definitely borrow some. Even if it's hard to borrow, I can carry a load on my shoulder and hawk my wares—the shop has plenty of carrying poles and winnowing baskets! What's there to be afraid of!"

"Actually, we can take a middle ground. Let's not buy this much now. If we have more customers, we can order another meat dish at noon!"

This time, it was Cheng Erniang who shook her head.

She said, "My wife has told you many times, and you all know that the most important thing for our restaurant is fresh ingredients and clean food. If you go to buy food at noon, it's all leftovers. What good dishes can you expect? As for meat, if you don't tell Butcher Shen first, why would he save the good ones for you?"

Everyone went to see Song Miao.

Song Miao made the decision: "Buy!"

She said, “Don’t worry about whether the steamed buns will sell well or not. We’ll make them in batches anyway. The weather isn’t so hot now. If we can’t sell them all, we can make them and push them to the dike outside the city. Many laborers and water workers are busy with flood control and dike protection. They bring their own food. Although I’m not rich, I can continue doing business because of their hard work and the fact that the water won’t enter the city. I’ll just consider it a donation. This time, I’ll just try to gain some fame and see if they give our restaurant this opportunity to make a name for itself!”

Upon hearing this, everyone was eager to get started.

Employers always consider the well-being of their employees, letting them know that they can stay long-term and that the better the business is, the better they will be. Only then will the employees consider the business and the employer's interests.

Song Ji pays wages based on labor and effort, ensuring that every bit of effort put in by the workers is rewarded. They know that the more they work, the more they earn. Their hard work and mental effort are recognized, and the staff are selected based on their similar qualities. Naturally, everyone is united and hopes the restaurant will thrive.

After everything was arranged here, Song Miao called Cheng Erniang aside and said, "If we really can't sell them all today, I'll take some people to the embankment outside the city to find Wu Gongshi and Han Gongzi and deliver some steamed buns. Erniang, you'll have to make a trip here to explain to the creditors that I'm delivering steamed buns this time for the sake of good reputation and to promote the restaurant. Please forgive me."

He added, "If you are unhappy, please don't make things difficult for us. Just explain the situation clearly and we will refund your money immediately."

Song Ji's business is booming day by day, with daily sales constantly increasing, not just steadily, because the most important business is delivery, mainly to government offices, academies, and shops. The sales are almost skyrocketing. Right now, they have more than ten short-term hired women—but it's still not enough.

Before Han Li came to explain the progress of the house across the street yesterday, Song Miao had already found several intermediaries to follow Cheng Erniang and repeatedly check out the nearby houses in their spare time.

If the house across the street isn't suitable, you'll have to rent a new one as soon as possible and separate the steamed bun and glutinous rice business from the restaurant business. Otherwise, the space won't be enough and people's movement will be very inconvenient.

If business is good, money will naturally follow.

Despite numerous expenses and the imminent opening of a new restaurant, Song Miao, the owner, has amassed considerable wealth and is now able to pay off her debts without any pressure.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Erniang replied, "Don't worry, madam, I will go door to door to make sure no one talks behind my back—but we're just discussing this briefly, and I doubt anyone will ask for the money right away!"

Although Song Miao was in debt, she had already paid interest at the current rate.

The way she runs her business, the way she manages it, even a fool can see its future potential; it's like a money tree, a treasure trove.

Lending to others means worrying about whether they can be repaid or whether they will default, but lending to Song Miao is very stable. Anyone with a little extra money would be willing to do it.

Moreover, getting closer to them might even bring some business over.

Don't you see that Madam Peng, who runs a dried goods business, has hired two more deliverymen in just a few months by supplying her family with mung beans, soybeans, mushrooms, and other items? She even openly told Song Miao not to rush to repay the money, but to repay others first and deal with her own later, hoping that Song's family could borrow for as long as possible!

Those who sold off their debts recently, though they didn't say it, were clearly regretting it – they didn't get much more money from the sale, but they no longer had any chance to do business with Song's.

After Song Miao gave all the instructions, everyone busied themselves, and before dawn, they were already working hard.

When the appointed time came, the others set up their stalls or delivered goods. Apart from those working outside, the rest of the people in the restaurant did not stop either, some preparing ingredients and others kneading dough.

When Madam Xu woke up, she ate a hearty breakfast, taking a bite of everything and trying a variety of dishes. She was as happy as a mouse that had fallen into a rice jar, wishing her mouth and stomach were bigger than hers.

After she finished eating, she saw that everyone was busy and there was no one to talk to. She felt embarrassed to just sit there, and because she was full, she couldn't help but ask if there was anything she could do to help.

Seeing that she was complaining about how boring it was to wait alone, Song Miao decided to give Xiao Lianzhu the same treatment and asked her to help peel the garlic.

Shortly after dawn, someone from Xu's Escort Agency came to take over the day shift.

Today, Xu Erlang and Chief Qi were supposed to come with two bodyguards, but no one came with them – Xu Erlang arrived alone.

Seeing how busy the restaurant was, he was clearly surprised. He looked around for Song Miao and found her in the kitchen checking the fillings and dough. She was too busy to go in, and there were rules in the kitchen that he couldn't enter since he wasn't a cook. So he had to leave and turn to his aunt.

Madam Xu was peeling garlic with great enthusiasm when she saw her nephew arrive. She moved the small wooden stool with the basket between the two of them, gestured with her chin, and signaled for him to join in.

Xu Erlang had come full of expectations, but now he was quite disappointed. He picked up a clove of garlic and asked, "Auntie, why is the restaurant so busy today? I remember that at this time usually, Miss Song is free!"

Madam Xu then recounted what Han Li had said the previous night about the Emperor personally visiting the Imperial Academy and praising the steamed buns.

Xu Erlang was astonished and kept asking, "Was it really the Emperor? What kind of steamed buns did he eat? Were they the same kind we usually eat? Or did Lady Song make them separately and present them to him? Which one did he say was the most delicious?"

She continued, "I suppose you like mutton buns the most? Mutton buns are so fragrant, with a bite of meat and fluffy dough—isn't that right?" Madam Xu had asked the same question in a hurry last night, but now she acted nonchalantly, saying, "What's all the fuss about? Look at you, so unsophisticated. Do you think the Emperor would share your taste? You think mutton is expensive, so you're always thinking about it—His Majesty praises roasted pork and char siu buns the most!"

"I heard that the Emperor even brought back a lot of steamed buns to the palace to show his respect to the Empress Dowager! I wonder which one the Empress Dowager likes best!" Madam Xu couldn't help but guess. "I'm afraid she likes tofu steamed buns and red bean paste steamed buns the most—these two are the softest and taste the best!"

He then asked, "Have you heard any news outside?"

Xu Erlang shook his head and said regretfully, "I went back to sleep last night and got up again before dawn this morning, so I didn't see anyone!"

He added, "When Uncle Qi and the others arrive, ask them!"

At this point, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh no! Aunt, does that mean we'll be eating the same food as the Emperor?!"

Madam Xu said proudly, "You just realized! This escort mission is a really great job. I just hope that Madam Song will often ask us for favors in the future, so we can come and eat here often. After all, it's still a bit far away, and it's inconvenient to come and go at noon and in the evening!"

Xu Erlang became a little shy at this moment. He turned his head to look around and, seeing that there was no one else nearby, finally mustered up his courage and whispered, "Aunt, if... if it works out... then there's no problem with it. We're all family, are you worried about not being able to eat?"

As he spoke, he pulled out a cloth bag from his pocket and asked, "Auntie, could you take a look at these things for me? I gave her some lotus flowers last time, and Miss Song thanked me but said it wasn't necessary in the future. I noticed that she doesn't usually display flowers at her restaurant, so I changed some. I spent half the night out yesterday and finally managed to buy them!"

Madam Xu wiped her hands, opened the cloth bag to look inside, and saw a comb, a box of rouge, and a small box of face powder.

The comb was ornate, carved with peonies, peonies, roses and other flowers—to have enough space to carve these flowers, the comb was also three or four centimeters larger than usual, and the two boxes for rouge and face powder were also quite exquisite.

At first glance, it seems that he has already put a lot of effort into understanding the woman's thoughts.

Can……

Madam Xu turned her head and glanced at the corner.

—There, a chair sat calmly and unmoved.

She couldn't help but sigh deeply, and still asked, "Why did you want to buy these to give as gifts?"

He added, "You've known Miss Song for a long time, when have you ever seen her use rouge and powder?"

Xu Erlang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Who doesn't love beauty? She's so beautiful. She didn't use it before, mostly because she had to run her stall and cook. But now... oh dear, the shop assistant said that if I buy something, I should buy something nice. The most important thing is to let her know how I feel. As for what to give her or whether it's even necessary, it's not that important..."

Madam Xu didn't want to say anything anymore.

She sighed again, not wanting to scold her nephew or discourage him. After a while, she finally mustered her courage and asked, "Second Brother, why don't you... why don't you... get to know some other young ladies?"

Xu Erlang was taken aback and asked, "Aunt, didn't you tell me last time to put in a good effort and not just give me a perfunctory answer?"

Madam Xu was also helpless. She looked around and simply went to the front, carried the chair back to the storeroom, and asked, "What do you think of this chair?"

Xu Erlang was quite puzzled. He looked down at the food for a while and said, "Your skills are quite good. What's wrong?"

"That was made by Young Master Han." Madam Xu pointed decisively, then sighed, "Last time my eyesight was not good, unlike you who can see—as expected, he has ulterior motives. If he could only write essays, that would be one thing, but look at this table, and look at the others—did you drink that sweet fermented milk tea during the day?"

Xu Erlang naturally drank it.

Madam Xu said, "It's the same when you're in trouble, young lady. Look at what others give—they all know to buy iced milk to feed the whole house, but what did you do? You went back to inquire about something, and didn't give any explanation for half a day. In the end, you didn't even help. This time, the gift you gave wasn't even the best, but compared to others... sigh... it's not that you can't compete, but others..."

She waited at their house for half a day, but no one came out.

How should I put it? Even when two people are talking from a distance, separated by a door, their eyes, movements, and expressions make you want to smile along with them.

The aunt and niece were whispering to each other in the storage room, but no one outside paid them any attention.

The restaurant was bustling with activity all morning.

At the Imperial Academy, Cheng Zijian didn't sleep well all night.

Before dawn, he opened his eyes, quickly rinsed his mouth and washed his face. After changing his clothes, he came out, and his roommate Wang Chang also got up.

Cheng Zijian called out to him, saying, "I'm going to Song's place. If I don't make it back in time and the teacher asks, could you please look after me? The school was locked last night, so I couldn't get out. Now that the door is open, I need to hurry and inform Miss Song!"

Wang Chang asked, "Will it take that long?"

He then asked, "Isn't there Song's stall in the morning? Even though Song might not come every day, can't we just tell them to go back and help us make arrangements?"

“Once they set up their stall, they sell for more than half an hour. By the time people get back, it’s not until noon, but it’s still very late. My older sister works at Song’s, and I heard that they have a fixed quota for both purchasing goods and manpower. If you go too late, it might be too late to change your plans!”

Wang Chang immediately understood what he meant, and jumped up as well, saying, "Let's find someone else to help out this time. I'll go to Song's with you—you can't outrun me!"

The two hastily made their arrangements and ran outside.

They went to the back alley food street first, but before they even left, they felt something was wrong—there was a buzzing sound outside, and even from a distance, through the wall, they could hear it making a lot of noise.

Once they exited through the back door, even though Cheng and Wang were used to seeing people queuing behind the Song Ji sign every day, they were still taken aback by the sight outside.

Early in the morning, the outside was packed with people, a constant commotion, and so crowded that it was impossible to move.

The two hadn't walked more than a few steps when they were stopped by someone nearby.

"Young men, I see you just graduated from the Imperial Academy. You must be students there, right? Does the Imperial Academy have steamed buns? My youngest son is having his first birthday celebration, and I'd like to get a few for him—I've heard even the Emperor praised these steamed buns, and they're eaten by the most accomplished scholars. Could you do me a favor and buy a couple from the kitchen? I'll give you an extra twenty coins! Just a small token of my appreciation!"

(End of this chapter)