Be a master through ancient times

Chapter 333 Talking about business

Jixianglou is a well-known restaurant in Zhangzhou Prefecture, but Chuci has never been there.So when Chu Ci saw this two-story restaurant, he couldn't help but feel a little strange.

This restaurant occupies a large area, and the decoration inside looks very elegant, with some famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on it everywhere.The second brother in the store is about the same figure and height, and also handsome in appearance. It can be seen from his gestures that he has undergone professional training.This alone makes other restaurants far behind.

"This place is interesting." Chu Ci said as he walked in.

Zhang Wenhai looked confused, he looked around, but he didn't understand what Chu Ci meant by interesting.In his eyes, this is just an ordinary restaurant.

"Please, two guest officers, do you want to sit in the lobby or the private seat upstairs?" As soon as they entered, a smiling brother greeted them and enthusiastically asked about their needs.

Zhang Wenhai took a step forward and said, "Thank you, little brother, we have an appointment with Mr. Zhao, I wonder if he has mentioned this?"

"It turned out to be Master Zhao's guest. Please invite the two upstairs. Master Zhao is currently in the elegant room on the second floor. After the two go up, someone will lead the way."

They went upstairs along the stairs, and sure enough someone stepped forward to lead the way.The guide didn't look like he was in a restaurant. Chu Ci guessed that this person should be the person serving by Mr. Zhao's side.This person walked in front, his steps were light, and he stepped on the ground silently. He probably belonged to the Lian family.

"Please come inside, two guests." The man led the two of them to turn left and right, and stopped at the door of a wing room with the inscription "Hui Feng He Chang", and then lightly knocked on the door twice, getting a response from inside Then he gently pushed it away with his hand, signaling the two to go inside.

Zhang Wenhai walked in front, Chu Ci followed behind, and after entering the door, he saw a beautiful screen.This screen is embroidered with a pair of cats and butterflies with gold and silver threads. Both cats and butterflies are clearly visible. It can be seen that the embroidery is exquisite, and it is difficult for ordinary embroiderers to compare with it.This is the style that the old man likes.Because the homonym of cat butterfly is old, it means longevity.

There are two large blue and white porcelain vases on both sides of the screen, with lucky bamboo inserted on them. From time to time, a wisp of white air can be seen rising along the mouth of the vase, which seems to be ice cubes for cooling.

By May, the weather was getting warmer, but not to the point of needing ice to cool it down.Ice is expensive to make, and even if the restaurant wants to use it, it has to be hidden. These things should be arranged by the master Zhao.

Going around the screen, the first thing Chu Ci noticed was Zhao Kuan who was sitting on the host seat.He was wearing a piece of clothing that didn't look very eye-catching at first glance, but if there was light shining on it, it would appear radiant and colorful, which had a hint of low-key luxury.Needless to say, the other decorations on his body are all worthy of this clothes.

Chu Ci was looking at Zhao Kuan, and Zhao Kuan was naturally looking at Chu Ci as well.The young man in front of him was dressed in ordinary clothes, but the demeanor and confident and steady appearance that surrounded him made people dare not underestimate him.Although everyone says that a man relies on his clothes and a horse depends on his saddle, but a really good-looking person, even if he is wearing a piece of rag, looks like a banished fairy, and there is no need to use clothes to decorate him.

"Mr. Zhang is here? Please take your seat. This is Chu Tixue, right? It's a pleasure to meet you. This old man has long wanted to meet you." Zhao Kuan got up to greet him, with a just right smile on his face.

Chu Ci also bowed his hands to him: "Master Zhao, you are welcome. I am busy on weekdays, and I really don't have time. I heard Brother Wenhai said that Master Zhao has invited many times. After thinking about it, I still squeezed out the time to come. Come to the appointment, otherwise it would be rude."

"Chu Tixue's contribution to Zhangzhou Prefecture, I have already heard about it. Since you came, the common people have greatly improved in terms of academic style and other ways of doing things. As a citizen of Southern Fujian Province, I admire Chu Tixue Very good!"

"Hehe, where is it?" Chu Ci responded to his rainbow fart with a smile.As the saying goes, if you are polite to others, you must ask for something.Chu Ci was already sure that this Zhao Kuan was probably trying to trick him.

Zhang Wenhai sat on the sidelines and watched them flatter each other, thinking to himself: This guy really can talk, I just hope that Brother Chu will not be fooled by him later.In the past few days, he himself has talked a lot in a daze.

The touting came to an end for now, Zhao Kuan asked them to serve them a pot of tea and a lot of snacks, and then carefully observed Chu Ci's reaction.Chu Ci felt a little confused when he noticed his gaze.He picked up the teacup and took a sip, and couldn't help admiring: "Good tea!"

The tea soup of this tea is clear and shallow, the tea buds are golden yellow, silky and smooth in the mouth, and full of mellow aroma, which can be said to be the best among teas.

Chu Ci didn't know much about tea, he just thought it tasted good, thinking that this tea should not be cheap.Zhang Wenhai at the side has already called out: "Master Zhao, is this tea a tribute tea with pumpkin?"

Zhao Kuan's eyes were pale, and he nodded with a smile.When Chuci was drinking tea just now, there was no emotion on his face other than admiration, which made Zhao Kuan think that Chuci was well-informed and looked down on the pumpkin tribute tea.At this moment, Zhang Wenhai's surprised and envious expression made him very relieved.

Pumpkin tribute tea?I have never heard of Chu Ci, but it involves the word tribute, which is exclusive to the royal family, which is already unusual.

"Master Zhao really has strong financial resources, and he can get tribute tea at random, which makes me really envious." Chu Ci complimented.

"It's not a big deal. It's rare that Chu Ti learns to like it. When I leave later, I'll ask you to pack two packs and take it home to taste slowly."

This inhumane look made Zhang Wenhai want to scream. He pretended to hold a cup of tea, but secretly talked to Chu Ci: "This pumpkin tribute tea costs only one tael for 500 taels of silver, so it's hard to buy." Very much."

Chu Ci couldn't help being surprised, 500 taels of silver, according to his current salary level, it would take him about six months to buy one tael, but Zhao Kuan casually gave away two packs.This damn wealth gap!

"Haha, Mr. Zhao is too polite. This tea is really delicious, but it's fine as a gift. Both of us know little about tea ceremony. Drinking tea is like chewing peonies. No matter how good things are given to us, it's a waste. Mr. Zhao still Give them to those who know tea."

The manpower is short, if you take his 500 taels of tea today, you will definitely pay him 5000 taels tomorrow.Chu Ci knows that there is no free lunch in the world.They are officials, and they can't make a wrong step in their errands.

Zhao Kuan wanted to persuade him again, but Chu Ci changed the topic: "I heard from Wen Hai that the business of this Yurong Pill has been discussed for several days. Come out and let us listen. This business is not benevolent, no matter what, it is worthwhile for us to get to know Mr. Zhao."

"Chu Ti's learned words are serious. Your company's Yurong pills melt in your mouth. The taste is so delicious that it makes people salivate. How can I be so ignorant of such things? It's just that I still have doubts in my heart. This Yurong pill It's cooked food, if we have to transport it to a long distance, how can we guarantee that it will not change the taste?" Zhao Kuan questioned.

Zhang Wenhai said: "Master Zhao doesn't know something. In fact, we have discussed this issue with your housekeeper before. Although Yurong pills are cooked food, the workmanship is complicated and it is not easy to deteriorate. You only need to use ice cubes to transport them Keep it fresh and delicious.”

"But ice is expensive to make. If the whole process is kept in ice, wouldn't the cost of transportation be higher than the selling price in the end? Besides, the Zhangzhou government is not in the early stage. If you want to transport it out, you have to take a horse-drawn carriage. Yanzhou Mansion, isn’t this one more procedure? I’m a businessman, and I know I’m going to lose money, but I still do it, it’s really..."

Hearing what he meant, he actually retreated.After talking about this business for so many days, Zhang Wenhai felt anxious and was about to speak, but Chu Ci pulled the corner of his clothes to signal him not to be impulsive.

"Master Zhao's words are wrong. You must know that the most important thing in business is novelty. There is nothing else for this Yurong Pill except Zhangzhou Prefecture Tixue Division. The surrounding merchants bought it, but sold it in Nanfu Province. The market is still huge! According to Mr. Zhao's strength, it is easy to transport it to other places. If Mr. Zhao sincerely wants it, then I can guarantee that the business outside of Nanmin Province will It's exclusive. I don't need to tell you how profitable the exclusive business is, right?"

"This..." Master Zhao hesitated.

Chu Ci went on to say: "As for Mr. Zhao's worry about the lack of ice during transportation, I have a solution here. I wonder if Mr. Zhao has heard of a method of making ice?" Chu Ci threw out a bait, I want to lure Mr. Zhao to the bait.

When Zhao Kuan heard this, he really became interested.If there is a way to solve the problem of ice cubes, then this business will definitely do well.

The method Chu Ci mentioned was the method of "making ice with saltpeter". It actually appeared at the end of Tang Dynasty, but it is impossible for the major families who have mastered this method to make it public, so the people are not very clear about it.Chu Ci smiled slightly, and declared that if Zhao Kuan was willing to cooperate with them, he would tell him the method after signing the contract.

Zhao Kuan still looked a little hesitant, and then brought up the issue of Zhangzhou's lack of a wharf.According to what he said, the business should be sure, and raising this question now is just to lower the price.

How could Chuci let him succeed? He smiled wryly and said, "If it is possible to build a wharf, how can the Zhangzhou government not give convenience to the people? It is true that the financial revenue is not much, and it is already difficult to use it for food and clothing. Where did it come from?" How about using the extra money to build wharves? I heard that there are several wharves in Nanmin Province that were funded by Mr. Zhao, but it's a pity that Zhangzhou Prefecture doesn't have that blessing..."

The meaning of Chu Ci is obvious. The government has no money and wants to build the pier by itself.

Mr. Zhao frowned and pondered for a while, then said: "It's not impossible to build this pier. It's just that when Mr. Zhao built the pier in the past, he didn't build the pier by himself. If Chu Ti learns that he can meet my requirements , we will be able to start construction in a few days.”

After hearing what he said, Chu Ci was really surprised.No matter how Mr. Zhao flaunted his wealth before, Chu Ci didn't think it was a big deal, but this time, a pier will be built as soon as it is built, which is not something ordinary people can do.

He suppressed his excitement and said: "Master Zhao might as well put forward the request first. It's just that I am an academic officer, and it is extremely helpless to maintain the official office business with Yurong pills. Once it involves such important matters of people's livelihood, my official We still have to go to the magistrate to discuss it."

Zhao Kuan nodded, and seemed to be used to it.He clapped his hands, and a person came in from behind the screen, holding some papers in his hand, and handed them to Chu Ci.

Just as Chu Ci was about to take a closer look, he heard Zhao Kuan say, "Chu Tixue might as well go back and take a closer look. This dish is ready, so I'll let someone serve it up slowly..."

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