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"This is one thousand taels! How many years would this shop have to sell braised dishes to earn that much?"
Wei Ruo smiled. "I’m not selling the braised dish recipe, but I think I can discuss another business deal with Master Fan—one that would be even more suitable for Drunken Immortal Restaurant."
Shopkeeper Shen looked puzzled. "Young Master has another business deal to discuss with our master?"
"Yes, please inform Master Fan. If he’s truly interested, we can meet and talk." Wei Ruo said.
Shopkeeper Shen looked at Wei Ruo in surprise.
This young master was truly bold. A complete novice, inexperienced and unseasoned, dared to directly request a business discussion with their master.
Should he call it fearless ignorance, or commendable courage?
After pondering for a moment, Shopkeeper Shen said, "Very well, I’ll return now to report to our master. Please wait here, I’ll be back shortly."
"Alright," Wei Ruo agreed.
Shopkeeper Shen got up and quickly returned to Drunken Immortal Restaurant.
In a private room on the second floor, he recounted the conversation word for word.
"Oh? He wants to personally discuss a business deal with me?" Fan Chengxu smiled with interest.
"Yes."
Fan Chengxu thought for a while before saying, "Bring him here."
"Understood. I’ll fetch him at once."
Since the two shops were close, it took less than the time of a burning incense stick* for Wei Ruo to be led into the Crane Pavilion private room on the second floor.
*refers to a short period, typically around 15 to 30 minutes.
This time, Fan Chengxu took a closer look at Wei Ruo.
Young in age, petite in stature, with a large bluish birthmark and unsightly dark moles covering much of the face—his appearance could only be described as ugly.
The only redeeming feature was a pair of clear, bright eyes, full of spirit and intelligence.
"They say you have a business deal to discuss with me?" Fan Chengxu gazed at Wei Ruo with a half-smile.
"Yes," Wei Ruo replied.
"Let's hear it," Fan Chengxu said slowly, taking a sip of tea as he waited for the explanation.
"Drunken Immortal is the most famous restaurant in Taizhou Prefecture, offering a wide variety of dishes. Braised food is just one of over a hundred dishes on the menu, so spending a fortune on a single braised recipe isn't worthwhile. However, I have something even more valuable that I wish to supply to Master Fan on a long-term basis."
"Oh? And what would that be?" Fan Chengxu admitted that he was quite intrigued by what the young man in front of him had to say.
Instead of answering directly, Wei Ruo took out three porcelain bottles from the embroidered pouch he had brought along.
-porcelain
He placed the three bottles neatly on the redwood round table in front of him, lining them up in a row.
"These three bottles contain seasoning ingredients. The braised dishes sold in my shop use these very spices. If Master Fan is interested, you can take a look." Wei Ruo said.
Fan Chengxu examined the three bottles on the table.
After scrutinizing them for a moment, he signaled to Shopkeeper Shen with a glance.
Understanding the cue, Shopkeeper Shen stepped forward and placed the three porcelain bottles in front of Fan Chengxu.
Fan Chengxu opened the first bottle and brought it to his nose. A rich and layered aroma wafted out—strong yet complex.
The scent was indeed similar to the one that lingered in Xu’s Braised Food Shop.
Wei Ruo explained, "Smelling it directly might be a bit overpowering, but when incorporated into dishes, the flavor improves significantly. It does an excellent job of neutralizing the strong, unpleasant smells in meats and seafood."
Fan Chengxu poured a bit of the powder onto a dish.
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