Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Li Jiuzhou and his family stayed in the ward for more than half an hour.

My second uncle's father-in-law was overjoyed; he was a grandfather now, and he held the baby so tightly he didn't want to let go.

When Li Jiuzhou hugged him, he kept saying, "Hey kid, be gentle, that's enough, give it back to me."

Li Jiuzhou could only smile helplessly at this. This kind of grandparent-grandchild affection is a tradition and a continuation of bloodlines. The most important thing is that the old man is happy.

Didn't you see Uncle Li Huaide jumping up and down in anxiety? He hasn't even held his son yet, what a fucking bastard...

That's enough. My second uncle has a large family and plenty of manpower, so he doesn't need Li Jiuzhou to do anything. He can just make a soup every other day.

Upon returning home, Li Jiuzhou instructed his second brother to fetch the tiger from the backyard.

Not long after, Wang Dahu arrived: "Brother, what do you want?"

"Da Hu's here. Sit down, have some tea and a cigarette." Li Jiuzhou handed Da Hu a cigarette and poured him some tea, then asked him how his business was going lately.

"Brother, it's alright. The main problem is that we don't have stock every day, but the advantage of this business is the freedom it offers."

"If I'm lucky, I can collect enough goods in a day to feed me for a month."

Li Jiuzhou laughed:

"Haha, not surprising. Don't be fooled by the city's prosperity; there are plenty of good things in the countryside too."

"You're just having a bad day, but once you do, you'll live off what you have for three years."

"Hehe, that makes sense, but I still have to thank you, brother, otherwise I'd still be carrying heavy bags." Da Hu said with a simple smile.

Li Jiuzhou waved his hand gently:

"We all live in the same compound, it's just a matter of helping out."

"I asked you to come over today because I need your help with something."

Upon hearing this, Da Hu patted his chest and said, "Brother, just tell me what you need, and I'll take care of it for you."

Seeing that Da Hu was willing to help him without hesitation, Li Jiuzhou was quite happy. He hadn't gotten the kid for nothing.

"Haha, it's not a difficult thing, just do your best."

"My second aunt just gave birth, so I was thinking of making some soup for her to nourish her during her postpartum period."

"But as you know, the hens at my house aren't old enough. I'd like to ask you, Da Hu, to get me a few older hens."

"If there's any good game, let me have a look first."

Upon hearing this, Da Hu said heartily:

"Hey, I thought you had something important to tell me. This is just the work I do every day in the countryside. Don't worry, brother, leave it to me."

"It's not difficult. There are plenty of old hens in the countryside, and even more wild game. I'll go to the countryside first thing tomorrow morning, and I'll have the goods by tonight. You can pick whatever you want; it's all on me. Consider it a gift for your second uncle."

Li Jiuzhou was surprised upon hearing this, then burst into laughter: "Hahaha..."

"Hey, you've learned your lesson from doing business in the countryside, haven't you? You're not that simpleton who couldn't utter a word after three sentences anymore!"

"Now you know how to flatter, not bad, very good!"

"Hehe..." After being praised by Li Jiuzhou, Da Hu's face turned red instantly, and he could only scratch his head and chuckle sheepishly.

Actually, Da Hu isn't stupid. After living in this courtyard for a long time, wouldn't he know who has the ability?

Besides, he's been doing business in the countryside for several months now; if he were really stupid, he would have been ripped off long ago.

His experience of collecting wild goods in the countryside greatly broadened his knowledge and broadened his horizons, teaching him about the intricacies of life.

He naturally wanted to return the favor to his elder brother Li Jiuzhou who had helped him.

After laughing, Li Jiuzhou continued, "I'm very pleased that you have this thought. It's not easy for you to earn money in the countryside. Just treat me to a drink when you have time. We don't do these superficial things between brothers."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say," Da Hu agreed.

"Tell me how much money I can make a month now, is it stable?" Li Jiuzhou asked casually.

"Hehehe..." Upon hearing this, Da Hu chuckled first, then continued:

"To be honest, I make at least 300,000 a month, and when I get good quality goods, I can make 600,000 to 700,000."

"Damn, you've really got potential! You're got business acumen. You've paved the way for this." Li Jiuzhou was also happy for Da Hu.

"Hehehe..." Da Hu was really happy and shy to be praised by his good older brother again, and continued to chuckle.

However, Li Jiuzhou felt he should give him a few words of advice, lest he become arrogant like Jia Dongxu, whose family income had just increased.

Li Jiuzhou's smile faded, and he said seriously:

"It's good to be able to make money, but I have to remind you, don't get cocky after you make a little money."

"Your brother has never been to the countryside, but don't think I don't know about the dirty things that happen there."

"Never venture into the homes of young wives or charming widows, or you'll get trapped and in big trouble, you know?"

Upon hearing this, Da Hu slapped his thigh:

"Brother, you're amazing! A colleague of mine managed to sneak into a widow's house, and the next morning he was cornered inside. The villagers were determined to make him marry the widow; they had him completely under their control."

He looked lingering fear after he finished speaking.

"So, be careful when you're in the countryside. Doing business inevitably involves drinking, so make sure you drink as little as possible."

"I understand, brother." Da Hu nodded repeatedly, his good brother was only doing this for his own good.

Li Jiuzhou thought for a moment and continued:

"Also, this business isn't a long-term solution for you. Save up some money and find a proper job later."

"When a man has money, he stands tall and his word is law at home."

"What if you don't have money? You'll have to sit at the children's table at banquets!"

Upon hearing this, Da Hu exclaimed excitedly, "Brother, you're absolutely right! Now, my word is law at home!"

"Hahahaha..." The two burst into laughter.

Da Hu's successful business also benefits Li Jiuzhou.

Sending him to the countryside to collect wild goods was also a preparation for the future.

Having this connection will be a huge benefit for Da Hu in the future. If he does well, he can find a purchasing job at any factory.

Of course, that's a story for later. Right now, Beijing has everything. As long as you have money, you can have all kinds of delicacies.

Moreover, no receipts are needed, so ordinary people can buy whatever they want without any obstacles or difficulties.

For a family with a monthly income of 30, saving 15 for normal expenses is not a problem at all.

You can't eat meat every day, or what would that be like?

But eating meat every few days is perfectly fine, and there's no shortage of oil in regular stir-fries.

Da Hu also told Li Jiuzhou about what was happening in the countryside. Now that they have land to farm and raise chickens, ducks, and geese, life is pretty good.

In the countryside, there's a small market every five days and a large market every half month; these are good days for rural people to eat meat.

It seems to be an unspoken agreement among every household that meat must be eaten at the market, and even the butchers will slaughter a few extra pigs.

Not having enough money to buy meat is not a problem, I can just buy it on credit, okay?

We're all neighbors, how dare you refuse to give me meat on credit? If you sell even a handful of pork, I'll wreck your stall!

Whether you have money or not, it's common to buy meat on credit in the countryside at this time. You can pay it back in a quarter or by selling grain or poultry.

Furthermore, the local environment shapes its people; everything that runs in the mountains, flies in the sky, and swims in the water in the countryside is a resource.

Those who are capable can eat meat every day, while those who aren't can eat less without dying. They can always pay off their debts, as long as they don't die!