Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 257 Big reward

Dusk enveloped Daying Village early, and the vegetable greenhouses in the distance became blurry white outlines.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Li Weidong's idle land had already become lively, with the smell of soil mixed with charcoal spreading in the air.

Li Zhe squatted on the ground, holding a red brick in his hand, carefully adjusting the makeshift barbecue grill he had just assembled. The gaps between the bricks were just the right size to hold the iron skewers.

The charcoal in the nearby fire was burning bright red, occasionally crackling and sending up a few sparks.

He had just straightened up and dusted off his hands when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw Li Zhiqiang walking over with a large aluminum basin printed with "Serve the People." The rim of the basin made the meat skewers clatter softly.

"Uncle, the lamb skewers are ready!" Li Zhiqiang placed the aluminum basin on the stone next to him, lifted the gauze covering it, and inside were densely packed skewers of meat, each wrapped with bright red lamb, with alternating layers of fat and lean.

Li Zhe picked up a skewer and looked at it. The meat was cut into even sizes, and the iron skewers were pierced through the meat and tied tightly.

"Well done, quite neatly arranged," he complimented with a smile, picking up the glowing red charcoal pieces with tongs and placing them one by one into the red brick grill.

Li Zhe had specially ordered 30 jin of mutton to entertain Qian Duoduo, but Qian Duoduo had something to do and didn't stay for dinner. It was better for them to have some fun together as a family.

He neatly arranged the skewers of meat on the red bricks. Soon, the mutton sizzled, oil droplets fell onto the charcoal, and wisps of white smoke carrying the aroma of meat rose up.

A crowd had already gathered around, including Li Zhe's farmers and village militiamen, chatting idly while their eyes were fixed on the meat skewers on the grill.

Lin Xiaohu and Ge Qingshan each carried two large iron buckets, walked over with a "thump-thump," put the buckets on the ground, and filled them with glass bottles of beer.

"Brother Li, this was just pulled out of the well, it's ice cold!" Lin Xiaohu took a bottle of beer from the bucket, snapped the cap open with his teeth, and handed it to Li Zhe. "You can drink it while you grill, that's the best way to enjoy it."

Li Zhe took the beer, the cool bottle against his palm. He tilted his head back and took a sip. The refreshing beer slid down his throat, relieving the fatigue of the day.

At this moment, his cousin Li Jiugang came over. He was wearing a worn blue cloth jacket and holding a beer bottle in his hand. His eyes were fixed on the skewers of meat: "Brother, there are so many skewers. How can you manage to grill them all by yourself? Let me help you grill them."

"Okay." Li Zhe moved aside to make room for Li Jiugang, and then took out cumin powder and chili powder from the cloth bag next to him.
"Keep an eye on it. Flip the meat when it changes color, don't overcook it. Sprinkle plenty of cumin, and divide the chili powder into portions, put it on half of the skewers and leave the other half without, so that even the kids and people who don't eat spicy food can enjoy it."

Li Jiugang grabbed half a skewer of lamb and, following Li Zhe's example, grilled it on the red brick. In no time, the lamb was grilled to a golden brown, sizzling and steaming.

He imitated Li Zhe, grabbed a handful of cumin powder, and sprinkled it evenly on the meat skewers. As soon as the cumin touched the hot meat, it released a rich aroma, and the people around him gasped.

Li Na also came over, wrinkling her little nose and saying, "Brother, this roasted lamb smells so good!"

"Just wait, you can have some when it's done," Li Zhe said with a smile.

Soon, the first batch of meat skewers was ready. Li Zhe picked up a skewer and handed it to Li Na: "Eat up, no chili." Then, he distributed the skewers to the others. Some ate quickly, stomping their feet because they were hot, while others chewed slowly, their faces full of satisfaction.

Zhao Bing had just finished patrolling the greenhouse and came over with some mud on his hands. He took the kebab and took a big bite. The meat juice burst in his mouth, making him gasp for breath, but he still mumbled, "Delicious! This taste is amazing. This is the first time I've ever eaten roasted lamb skewers in my life."

People around them chimed in, saying that they only ate mutton a couple of times a year, let alone this "novel" way of eating it; many of them had never seen it before in their lives.

Just then, the rumbling of trucks came from afar, their headlights piercing the twilight as they drove toward them.

Li Zhe handed the skewers in his hand to Li Weidong, who was eager to try, and told him to continue grilling. He then got up and walked towards the truck.

The truck stopped in the open space next to it. The door opened, and Uncle Li Zhenguo and Jin Baiwan jumped out of the passenger seat. Both of them looked a little tired.

"Second Uncle, Brother Jin, you're back." Li Zhe greeted them. "You must be exhausted from inspecting the cannery today. Go wash your face by the well over there and cool off. We'll have barbecue skewers tonight."
The driver, Liang Weiguo, got out of the car and smiled, "Boss, you mean grilled lamb skewers?"

Li Zhe greeted him, "Hey, Brother Liang is truly knowledgeable. Tonight, we'll have not only grilled lamb skewers but also cold beer. You've been driving all day, so have some food and drinks to relax."

"That's great. I've heard about lamb skewers before, but I've never actually tried them," Master Liang said with a smile.

The group followed Li Zhe to the well, where Li Zhiqiang was already waiting with a bucket of water and handed them towels.

Li Zhenguo splashed his face with cool water and immediately felt much refreshed; Jin Baiwan gulped down half a ladle of cool water, wiped his mouth, and said with a smile, "Well water is so much cooler! I was sweating buckets on the truck just now."

After they finished washing up, Li Zhe had already set up a small square table next to them, with several small dishes on it—smashed cucumber, preserved egg, and mixed kelp strips, which were refreshing and helped to cut through the greasiness.

Li Zhiqiang brought over a plate of freshly grilled lamb skewers and placed it on the table: "Uncle Zhenguo, Uncle, Brother Jin, please have some skewers."

Jin Baiwan was already tempted by the aroma of the meat. He picked up a skewer and stuffed it into his mouth. He took a bite and grimaced from the heat, but still mumbled, "Delicious! Delicious! This grilled lamb skewer is even more fragrant than stewed lamb."

Everyone was amused by him. Li Zhenguo also picked up a skewer to eat and nodded: "It's really good. The cumin is just right, not too salty or too bland."

After the group had eaten a few skewers of meat, Li Zhe got down to business: "Second Uncle, Brother Jin, how did the trip to the cannery go today?"

Li Zhenguo took a sip of cold beer to moisten his throat and said slowly, "It went quite smoothly. We visited three canneries today."

The first company was located in the suburbs of Beijing. It was quite large, but their fermentation workshop was substandard. We mainly produce canned pickled cucumbers, canned green beans, and canned tomatoes. Among these, canned pickled cucumbers require the most precise fermentation process. If there are problems with the fermentation, the pickled cucumbers will definitely be substandard, so we ruled that out immediately.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "The second one is in Xianghe. The equipment is too old. Many machines are manual, such as cutting vegetables and canning. They all have to be done by hand, so the production efficiency is too low. They can't produce much work in a day."

Moreover, many parts are almost worn out and could malfunction at any time; it's practically obsolete and unusable.

"What about the third one?" Li Zhe pressed, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“The third one is in Tongzhou, and the conditions are much better than the first two.” Li Zhenguo’s tone was more certain. “His production equipment was imported from abroad a few years ago. It looks more sophisticated than domestic machines, and the degree of automation is also higher. Cutting vegetables, canning, and sealing can all be done by machines, which can increase efficiency.”

However, the price is a bit high; the monthly rent for two production lines is 4500 yuan, which is more expensive than the previous two companies combined.

Jin Baiwan swallowed the meat in his mouth and wiped his mouth: "If you ask me, I'll go to Tongzhou with my second uncle tomorrow to take a closer look at that machine, see if there are any problems, and also have a good talk with the factory manager about the price, and try to get the monthly rent down to below three thousand. If he's not happy, we can inquire about other canneries, we'll definitely find a suitable one."

Li Zhe listened, tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the table, thought for a moment, and said, "Brother Jin, don't go to Tongzhou tomorrow. I'll have Brother Hong accompany Uncle Er."

Jin Baiwan paused for a moment, then looked at Li Zhe with a puzzled expression: "Brother, what am I supposed to do tomorrow?"

Li Zhe took out a business card from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Jin Baiwan: "Brother Jin, have you heard of Langfang City Luyuan Agricultural Company?"

Jin Baiwan thought for a moment and shook his head: "I don't remember."

Li Zhe briefly recounted his encounter with Qian Duoduo that day and how he showed him around the greenhouse: "Brother Jin, you have wide connections and know many people in Langfang City. I'd like you to go to Langfang City and find out about his background, whether he's reliable, how strong his company is, and whether he has any bad records, so that nothing goes wrong when we cooperate."

Jin Baiwan picked up the business card and looked at it carefully. It read "Qian Duoduo, General Manager of Langfang City Luyuan Agricultural Company" and included a phone number.

He put away the business card, a serious look on his face, and nodded: "Okay, leave this to me! I'll go to Langfang City first thing tomorrow morning, ask a few old friends, and make sure I find out his background so it won't delay our business."

Li Zhe picked up a beer bottle and raised it towards Li Zhenguo and Jin Baiwan: "Second Uncle, Brother Jin, you've worked hard today. I'd like to toast you."

Li Zhenguo and Jin Baiwan also picked up beer bottles, and the three bottles collided with a "bang".

……

May 1st.

Around nine o'clock in the morning, the wind at the intersection of Chongwenmen West Street was still a bit chilly. Zhang Hongqi stood by the roadside, clutching a stack of promotional flyers printed with the words "Shuxiangju". He was wearing the store's uniform light blue work clothes, the collar of which was tied tightly, and he would occasionally look up at the passersby.

Just then, a middle-aged man wearing a gray jacket walked over. The cuffs of the jacket were worn and faded. He was carrying a cloth bag, and it looked like he had just come back from the market. The man walked slowly, and there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, probably because he was tired from carrying the groceries all the way.

Zhang Hongqi quickly went up to him, handed him the flyer with both hands, and said in a soft but clear voice: "Uncle, take a look, our Shuxiangju has a promotion for May Day."

The middle-aged man stopped, freeing one hand to take the flyer, and looked down at it carefully. The flyer was red, with black lettering that read "Shuxiangju May Day 'Recharge and Enjoy Gifts'" in a particularly eye-catching manner. Below that, the event period was written: May 1st to May 5th, 1989.

He looked up at Zhang Hongqi, his brows furrowing slightly as if recalling something: "I've eaten at your restaurant before, isn't it the one in front that mainly serves Sichuan cuisine? I remember last time I went with my wife, we ordered shredded pork with garlic sauce, and it tasted pretty authentic."

“Yes, Uncle.” Zhang Hongqi nodded, a smile on his face. “It’s May Day, so our store is having a promotion. We’re giving away gifts with top-ups. It’s all written on the flyer. Top up 100 and get 12 yuan free, plus a free Mapo Tofu.”

The middle-aged man looked down at the flyer again, poked at it with his finger, and asked with a hint of doubt, "What do you mean by 'recharge'? Do you mean I deposit money here and use it next time I come to eat?"

"Yes, if you recharge 100 yuan, you can become a member of our restaurant. We will also give you a membership card, which is free. In addition, we will not only give you an extra 12 yuan in spending credit, but also give you a free Mapo Tofu." Zhang Hongqi explained patiently, and he deliberately emphasized "12 yuan" and "Mapo Tofu" in case the other party did not understand.

"Wow, that's interesting." The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow, then hesitated, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "But what if I deposit money and your restaurant goes out of business, and the owner runs away? Wouldn't my money be wasted?"

Zhang Hongqi quickly waved his hand, his tone certain: "No way, Uncle, look at our restaurant, it's so big, two floors, over 200 square meters, and business is booming."

Our boss said that we'll be installing air conditioning in the store when it gets hot in the summer. Think about it, such a big investment, we can't just walk away like that.

The middle-aged man looked in the direction Zhang Hongqi pointed and saw the red lanterns hanging at the entrance. He nodded, his worries lessening: "That's true. Such a big restaurant doesn't seem like it can just go out of business."

If I top up 100 yuan, could you give me two more dishes? My son loves your Kung Pao Chicken, so please give me an extra dish next time.

Zhang Hongqi pointed to the terms and conditions on the flyer and said softly, "Uncle, it says here that if you recharge 200 yuan, you will get a 25 yuan bonus. Not only will you get more money, but you will also get two extra dishes: Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken."

Our Kung Pao Chicken also includes diced cucumber, making it especially refreshing and crunchy, cutting through the richness. Go to other restaurants and see, who puts in this much cucumber?

“That’s true, cucumbers are hard to find these days.” The middle-aged man nodded again, folded the flyer, and put it into the cloth bag in his hand. “Okay, I’ll come to your restaurant when I have time to see what’s going on. If it’s good, I’ll top up my account.”

"Take care, and feel free to visit anytime!" Zhang Hongqi politely watched the middle-aged man leave until his figure disappeared into the crowd before turning around to continue handing out flyers to passersby.

At 11 a.m., the sun gradually rose higher, and more people appeared on the street.

At the entrance of Shuxiangju, a colorful "event poster" is pasted on the wall, with the words "Recharge and get free money + free dishes" written in bold red font, which attracts the attention of passers-by.

Passersby couldn't help but stop and take a look, and some even came over to ask, "How do I participate in your recharge promotion?" The waiter smiled and handed them flyers, explaining everything in detail.

The shop is also in the final stages of preparation. Small red lanterns hang from the ceiling, with colorful ribbons tied between them. When the wind blows, the lanterns and ribbons sway gently, creating a festive atmosphere.

Tan Jingya carried a white enamel mug and strode into the kitchen. A fragrant aroma wafted from the kitchen; Chef Han was standing in front of the stove, stirring dried chilies in a wok with a spatula, the aroma of which instantly filled the air.

Tan Jingya walked up to Chef Han and said in a clear voice, "Chef Han, are all the ingredients ready for today? There will definitely be a lot of customers during the May Day holiday, so we can't let things fall apart."

Master Han stopped what he was doing, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with a smile, "Manager Tan, don't worry, all the vegetables that need to be chopped have been chopped, the meat has been marinated, and all the seasonings have been prepared. I guarantee that it won't delay anything."

Tan Jingya nodded and walked over to Chef Yan: "Chef Yan, there will definitely be a lot of people today, and the kitchen will be under a lot of pressure. You have to take extra care of us. Even though you're busy, don't lose your composure. The taste and portion sizes of the dishes must not be compromised."

Chef Yan looked up and replied with a smile, "Manager Tan, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I guarantee that every dish will be as good as usual."

Tan Jingya then walked over to Master Wu and instructed him, "Master Wu, you have worked in a large hotel before and have a lot of experience. If you are too busy today, please help out the other chefs. Let's work together to make the business during the event a success."

Master Wu nodded: "No problem, Manager Tan, just watch."

After instructing the chefs in the kitchen, Tan Jingya quickly walked to the lobby and found the supervisor, Lin Qiaomei.

Lin Qiaomei was busy assigning tasks to the waiters when she saw Tan Jingya coming over. She quickly stopped what she was doing and said, "Manager Tan, please let me know if you need anything."

"Qiaomei, have the waiters been arranged? Make sure to take good care of the five private rooms upstairs," Tan Jingya asked, her eyes sweeping over the tables in the lobby.

Lin Qiaomei nodded: "Chunyan and Hongqi are in charge of the private rooms upstairs. I'll keep an eye on things in the lobby and coordinate anything that happens."

The two had barely exchanged a few words when they heard the voices of customers coming from the doorway; the shop had welcomed its first customers.

Tan Jingya immediately greeted them with a smile: "Welcome, please come in!" At the same time, she winked at Fang Xiaoli.

Fang Xiaoli immediately stepped forward with a bright smile: "Grandpa and Grandma, please come in. There are seats by the window with a good view. Is that alright with you?"

As she led the customers to their seats, she deftly handed them menus. After they ordered, she smiled and said, "Grandpas and grandmas, we have a membership recharge promotion for May Day. It's a great deal—you get free money and dishes with your recharge. Would you like to check it out?"

As noon approached, the streets became increasingly crowded, and the Shuxiangju restaurant was also packed with people.

All the tables on the first floor were full, and the sounds of guests talking, laughing, and clinking cutlery mingled together.

All five private rooms upstairs were full, with waiters constantly carrying dishes up and down the stairs, their steps hurried yet orderly. Some guests, enjoying their meal, would loudly shout, "Another bottle of beer, please!" creating a particularly lively atmosphere.

The store was so busy that the staff were working non-stop. Tan Jingya, the manager, was also busy, staying behind the cashier to help with the transactions.

When customers finish their meal and pay the bill, she will smile and ask, "Are you satisfied with the food at our restaurant? We have a membership recharge promotion for May Day, which is especially cost-effective. Would you like to consider it?"

Many customers were intrigued after hearing the introduction and immediately signed up for memberships.

Li Zhe had previously discussed membership top-ups with Tan Jingya and offered some suggestions, but Tan Jingya felt that the top-up amount Li Zhe set was a bit high and did not match the menu prices of Shuxiangju.

The dishes at Shuxiangju cannot compare to those at Western restaurants. If the recharge amount is too high, customers may hesitate, so she lowered the recharge price.

The lowest tier of membership is 50 yuan, which includes 5 yuan and a cold dish. The main offer is a 100 yuan recharge, which includes 12 yuan and a Mapo Tofu dish.

This made it easier for customers to accept, and many more people recharged their accounts.

That day, Tan Jingya was busy from morning till night, and didn't even have time to drink water properly.

Around 3 p.m., when there were fewer customers, she sat on a small chair behind the cashier for a while.

The restaurant was still very busy in the evening. She worked as a cashier and helped the waiters serve dishes until 9:50 p.m., when she finally saw off the last group of customers.

After the guests left, Lin Qiaomei immediately led the waiters to clean up.

Fang Xiaoli and Han Chunyan were busy wiping the tables and clearing away the tableware, while Zhang Hongqi and Liu Suzhen were mopping the floor. Guo Yongjiu also came out from the kitchen to help. With everyone working together, the restaurant was quickly restored to cleanliness.

Tan Jingya sat behind the counter, took out the ledger and abacus, and began to calculate the accounts.

The dim light shone on her face, revealing the weariness in her eyes. But when she calculated that more than twenty customers had recharged their memberships that day, with membership deposits reaching 1600 yuan, her eyes instantly lit up, and her fatigue vanished.

She excitedly checked the abacus beads again, confirming the numbers were correct, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her face. This wasn't just about the money; it represented the customer's approval of the restaurant…

(End of this chapter)