Chapter 97: The Culinary Tycoon

The New County Magistrate

After entering May, the snack shop introduced Dragon Boat Festival zongzi.

(T/N: Zongzi is a traditional Chinese food made of glutinous rice stuffed with various fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves. It is typically shaped like a pyramid or cone).

In this world, people don’t have the custom of eating zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival, but Yu Qingze does. Zongzi, as a special festive food in his previous country, is very popular. If he doesn’t eat zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival, he feels like something is missing.

Moreover, zongzi itself is a very delicious food, and the people here have never tasted zongzi before, so it’s a great opportunity for them to try it and increase the snack shop’s income.

So, Yu Qingze made zongzi.

On the first day, he didn’t make many, just one pot. There were jujube and chestnut, meat filling, red bean paste, and salted egg yolk flavors. There were probably fifty or sixty zongzi in total, and they were sold out in the morning.

So in the following days, they made more. Unlike the sticky rice chicken with only a salty taste, the sticky rice inside the zongzi was compact and had a fresh bamboo leaf fragrance and a hint of a woody taste. The flavors varied, with both savory and sweet options, and the customers loved them. They quickly became the best-selling snacks in the shop.

Especially the salted egg yolk flavor of the zongzi received a lot of praise from many customers.

Yu Qingze made the salted duck eggs after getting married. The method was very simple. He mixed salt and well water into yellow clay to make a paste, then coated the clean duck eggs with the paste and put them in a jar, sealing it tightly. After more than twenty days, they could be taken out and boiled to eat.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yu Qingze also introduced the salted duck eggs. They were washed clean, boiled in water, and sliced. Selling at two and a half copper coins each, they also sold well.

The snack shop was doing well, and the two apprentices were studying diligently. Yu Qingze was contemplating that once the two apprentices became skilled, he could start thinking about opening a small restaurant.

Now, Chang Le’s culinary skills had greatly improved. Jiabao was also cooking at home every evening, learning while cooking. He could now make several dishes, and in a while, he should be even better.

Then, they needed to carefully consider how to open it and in what form.

On the third day of May, in the late morning, Tongshan City was engulfed by two major events coming from the capital.

The results of the imperial examination in the capital were announced. Jiang Tianrui, the second son of the Jiang family from the southern part of the city, ranked eighth in the second class!

Cai Chenxi, the eldest grandson of the Cai family, achieved the top score in the provincial examination!

Moreover, both of them stayed in the capital and entered the Hanlin Academy!

Tongshan City suddenly gained two officials from the capital, as well as a top scholar, and everyone was filled with joy.

After all, this is the hometown of the top scholar!

Upon hearing this good news, many merchants spontaneously took action—discounts and special offers to celebrate this joyous occasion!

Yu’s Delicious Delights also followed suit and offered a three-day celebration with an 20% discount.

At this time, Jiabao’s arithmetic knowledge came in handy. With the abacus on the left and the sandalwood tray on the right, he calculated quickly. Yu Qingze took a few glances and saw that he didn’t make any mistakes, so he felt relieved and went to attend to other matters. They had to prepare gifts to send to the Cai family and Liu’s!

Because of the actions of the merchants, the city was livelier than usual these days. Everyone took advantage of the discounts and bought the things they had previously liked but couldn’t bring themselves to purchase. Chang Le and Brother Chang also went to the cloth store and brought back a batch of fabrics.

When many traveling merchants saw that the entire city was offering discounts and special offers, they became curious and inquired. They then learned that it was all to celebrate the emergence of a top scholar and another successful candidate. It was a rare opportunity, so they also bought some things they needed.

Everyone happily celebrated the “shopping festival” for a few days, and then the Dragon Boat Festival passed.

On the seventh day, early in the morning when the sun had just risen, a series of banging gongs echoed through the North Street.

“The newly appointed County Magistrate, Lord Luo, will take office today at the hour of si. Everyone is requested to line the streets and kneel in welcome!”

The person banging the gong shouted while banging it. Starting from the North City Gate, they went all the way to East Street, then from East Street to South Street, and finally reached West Street. After finishing their rounds on the main road, they went to the county government office to deliver the message.

“The new County Magistrate is here. Let’s hope they won’t be like the previous one!”

“The new County Magistrate’s surname is Luo. I wonder where they are from and how they will govern?”

“They’re asking us to line the streets and kneel in welcome. In the past, no County Magistrate was notified in this way. They would quietly go to the county government office with their own family, right?”

“Well, since we’re here on the street, we might as well get to know their faces to avoid offending them later when we don’t recognize them!”

“That’s a good point.”

“…”

Yu Qingze and the others were also at the door, listening to the discussions of the customers nearby. Yu Qingze raised an eyebrow, wondering whether the earlier event was orchestrated by the new County Magistrate or arranged by the county government. Either way, it was quite ostentatious.

After half an hour, the person banging the gong specifically went through North Street and East Street again, reminding everyone that these were the two main roads the new County Magistrate would pass through, and they should be careful not to obstruct the way.

Soon after, the people on North Street saw the Deputy Magistrate leading a group of bailiffs from the county government rushing towards the dock.

About forty-five minutes later, a procession of carriages and horses approached from the direction of the North City Gate.

At the forefront was a young man dressed in the official attire of a County Magistrate, riding a large bay horse, led by a bailiff, slowly making his way towards them. Behind him was an extraordinarily splendid carriage with its curtains pulled back, revealing an exquisitely dressed young man inside, adorned in brocade.

The young man riding the horse was indeed the newly appointed County Magistrate, while the person in the carriage was presumably the Magistrate’s spouse.

Following the carriage were two ordinary carriages, and behind them were several carts carrying luggage, supplies, and a few servants.

Wherever the procession passed, people knelt down and offered their greetings.

The new County Magistrate had a smile on his face and continuously waved and acknowledged the people on both sides.

When they reached a point just ahead of the snack shop, Yu Qingze took the opportunity while everyone was distracted and pulled Chang Le and Jiabao into the shop, heading to their room.

Chang Le looked at Yu Qingze curiously.

“Do you have something to tell us, Big Brother?” Jiabao also looked at him inquisitively, wondering why he suddenly brought them back without any apparent reason.

Yu Qingze didn’t really have anything important to discuss. He simply didn’t want his wife and younger brother to kneel down.

He cleared his throat and thought for a moment, using an excuse. “I suddenly remembered that there will be a gratitude banquet at the Cai Residence tomorrow. We can prepare some additional pastries.”

Chang Le gestured, asking what kind of pastries.

Yu Qingze replied, “Scholar cake.” At that moment, he couldn’t think of any other pastries.

“Scholar cake? Is there such a pastry? Is it a pastry that only the top scholar can eat? Or does eating it make you become a top scholar?” Jiabao asked curiously.

Yu Qingze ruffled Jiabao’s head and said, “Becoming a top scholar is not that easy. It’s just a symbol of good fortune.”

(T/N: Scholar Cake aka “Zhuangyuan Bing” (状元饼) is a traditional Chinese pastry or cake that is associated with academic success. The name “Zhuangyuan” refers to the top-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations, who achieved the highest score and was awarded the title of “Zhuangyuan.” The pastry is named after this prestigious title and is often consumed as a symbol of good luck and blessings for academic achievement.

During important academic events, such as the release of examination results or graduation ceremonies, Scholar Cake is commonly gifted or consumed to celebrate academic achievements and to wish for continued success in scholarly pursuits.)

Jiabao grinned and then said, “Let’s make sure Xiaohao and Xiaowei get to eat some!”

Yu Qingze sighed and said, “In the afternoon, I’ll go to the Cai Residence to discuss it with Old Madam Cai. If he agrees, I’ll teach Brother Le in the evening. Tomorrow, we’ll have to rely on Brother Chang to handle the accounting at the shop. We’ll all go together.”

Jiabao nodded and asked, “Big brother, what if I come back after lunch tomorrow?”

Yu Qingze shook his head and said, “No need. You are now an adopted son of the Cai family, and you are considered a host as well. Tomorrow, you don’t need to go to the kitchen with us. You should help the old master and others in receiving guests, understand?”

Jiabao smiled shyly, scratched his head, and hesitated, “But, I’m not good at welcoming guests. I’m not very articulate.”

“It’s okay. The old master has already talked to me about it. He said you can work with Yunwei. Just be yourself and don’t overthink it.” Yu Qingze reassured him. Jiabao already had good manners in dealing with people, as Yu Qingze had taught him well.

“Oh, alright.” Jiabao nodded, feeling relieved.

After they finished talking, the carriage of the new county magistrate had already passed by.

Brother Chang knocked on the door and said at the entrance, “Why did you all come inside? Did you see the new county magistrate? Jiabao, there are customers outside who want to settle their bills.”

“Oh, okay, I’m coming.” Jiabao heard that there were customers who wanted to settle their bills and quickly responded and went out.

“Let’s go outside too.” Yu Qingze stood up and pulled Brother Le up as well. As they walked, he explained to Brother Chang, “I suddenly remembered some things for tomorrow and was afraid of forgetting, so I need to talk to them.”

Brother Chang suddenly realized and said, “Oh, no wonder I didn’t see you when I turned around.”

After a while, Boss Liu came over.

He pulled Yu Qingze to the backyard and mysteriously said, “My brother-in-law’s family sent me a message. They said this new county magistrate has a strong background. They advised us to be cautious and not provoke any trouble, so we don’t give them any reason to target us.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingze curiously asked, “Did they mention any specific background?”

Boss Liu shook his head and replied, “They didn’t specify, only mentioned that he is the son of a high-ranking official in the capital city and came here to accumulate experience. It’s estimated that he will be transferred back to the capital city in a couple of years.”

Yu Qingze nodded and said, “I see, I understand. Thank you, brother!”

“Don’t mention it. By the way, can I start serving the sour bamboo shoots? Can we also introduce snail noodles and Guilin rice noodles?” Boss Liu asked.

Yu Qingze nodded and replied, “Yes, let’s introduce them. Just be careful not to mix the snails and the noodles together, as it may cause stomach discomfort.”

“Okay, I’ll make a note of that.”

“…”

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Thandar: I have a feeling … this new magistrate might bring some trouble. Hope he’s not another dumb cannon fodder.