novelhk Chapter 192: Meeting an Old Friend in Zesheng County
Chapter 192: Meeting an Old Friend in Zesheng County
After listening to this, Gu Dajiang explained while fiddling with the abacus beads.
"As a side dish, bacon can be added with other ingredients in large quantities when it is fried. If there are 30 tables of guests every day, and each table consumes an average of one kilogram of bacon, then the amount of bacon consumed per day is 30 kilograms. It will take more than 300 days to consume it all. It will take ten to eleven months to eat it all."
The shopkeeper saw Gu Dajiang explaining in an orderly manner while fiddling with the abacus calmly, and he didn't even want to blink.
"Although bacon can be stored for a long time, it will be damaged if it is not stored properly, which is not worth it. Bacon is fifty cents per pound, which is equivalent to four hundred and fifty taels of silver. We also need to consider people's acceptance of the taste of this dish. I suggest you buy some to try first, and buy more if you think it is good." Gu Dajiang suggested at the end.
At this moment, the shopkeeper's eyes were shining as he looked at Gu Dajiang.
He gave a thumbs up again and again: "Sir, you are really great. You are so proficient in counting. I really admire you! I admire you! How about buying two months' supply first according to your suggestion?"
Gu Dajiang thought about it and thought that 1,800 kilograms of meat would be fine for two months at the current temperature. He nodded and said, "Okay, boss, let the waiter go to the caravan to get the meat. My wife will also give you the recipe for cleaning, steaming, and frying bacon and sausage."
"Oh! Mr. Gu, you are so kind. Please accept my greeting." The shopkeeper immediately bowed deeply in gratitude and saluted to Gu Dajiang.
After the ceremony, he hurriedly stood up and went behind the counter to take out one hundred taels of silver from the cash box.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir. I cannot accept your prescription for nothing. However, since you gave it to me with good intentions, I will not refuse it. I will make it an even number for you. Please don't refuse it." The shopkeeper said with a bright, sincere and flattering smile.
Gu Dajiang thought about it and didn't refuse. He nodded and accepted it. He thought to himself that he would ask his wife to give him an extra recipe for bacon.
While the two were chatting, another person came in from outside.
As soon as this person came in, he stretched his neck forward, raised his head slightly, and sniffed vigorously. He ignored everyone else.
He kept sniffing the aisle where food was delivered from the kitchen, and then he shouted excitedly: "It's here! It's here!"
"Excuse me, who is this brother?" The shopkeeper, who had been following behind, asked in confusion. He already had some complaints in his heart.
"Manager Xu?" Gu Dajiang had been staring at the man since he came in, and now he called out uncertainly.
But the current Shopkeeper Xu looks a lot thinner than before, and seems to be a few years older.
The visitor then noticed the two people in the hall. When he saw Gu Dajiang, he was shocked at first, and then he hurriedly pulled Gu Dajiang to hide in the shelter of the stairs inside the store.
When he saw that he was not so exposed, he asked, "Why did Mr. Gu come to the county?"
Gu Dajiang smiled and said, "We came here to do some small business. Why is Shopkeeper Xu here?"
When the incident happened in Weng County, the several shopkeepers with whom they had done business before were not seen. The Gu family was worried at the time, but they did not expect to meet old friends here again.
"Oh! I should have thought of it earlier. Such a unique delicacy can only be developed in your family." Shopkeeper Xu said excitedly.
"Manager Xu, thank you for the compliment." Gu Dajiang said modestly.
"I am just telling the truth. But there is one thing I don't know if you know?" Shopkeeper Xu frowned and said.
"But what about the destruction of Weng County?" Gu Dajiang asked, seeing Shopkeeper Xu shaking his head with a heavy heart.
Then he said, "I really don't know what the shopkeeper is talking about! Please let the shopkeeper speak frankly." Gu Dajiang clasped his fists and began to worry.
So, next, Shopkeeper Xu told Gu Dajiang why he was transferred to Zesheng County, how Magistrate Duan investigated them in Weng County, and how King Li investigated the survivors of Weng County after they arrived in Zesheng County.
Gu Dajiang was full of doubts after hearing this. It was easy to understand why County Magistrate Duan was investigating them, and Duan Shuhuan also talked about this matter after entering the valley.
But King Li, he had never even met him in person at that time, so why would he investigate his own family?
Gu Dajiang was full of doubts after hearing this: "Manager Xu, do you know why King Li is investigating us?"
"Ah! I don't know about that. When we, the common people and merchants, meet the prince, we are already good enough to maintain basic etiquette. How can we dare to say or ask too much? I'm really sorry, I have let you down. Thanks to you, my family escaped the disaster in Weng County, but I told King Li about County Magistrate Duan's investigation of you. Please forgive me!" Shopkeeper Xu said, feeling more and more ashamed, and bowed deeply to Gu Dajiang.
Gu Dajiang was also upset at this time. Although he knew that Manager Xu was in a difficult situation, he couldn't spare the energy to comfort him.
Fortunately, Shopkeeper Xu also understood the ways of the world and knew that Gu Dajiang would not be available to greet him at this moment, so he instructed him again: "Now that the purpose of the King of Li is unclear, Mr. Gu should make plans early. It is better to conceal your trip for the time being."
Gu Dajiang knew that Shopkeeper Xu meant well, so he clasped his fists and said, "I'm really sorry, Shopkeeper Xu. I'm afraid I can't serve you well today. If you're interested in buying bacon, let's make an appointment another day to discuss in detail."
"Okay, Mr. Gu Er, you go ahead and do your work. I'll take my leave now." After saying this, Shopkeeper Xu also said goodbye and went back.
Ever since he got the Gu family's braised pork recipe and was promoted for his achievements, Shopkeeper Xu would go for a stroll on the street from time to time.
First, to see if you can come across anything new, and second, to take a look at the business of your peers.
Coincidentally, I came here today following the smell and ran into the Gu family.
Although I know that the Gu family is being investigated by King Li, I learned from the surviving fellow villagers in Weng County that the Gu family is indeed a good family and saved everyone.
That's why Shopkeeper Xu helped to conceal it and gave reminders.
At this time, Shopkeeper Xu himself was also afraid. After saying what he needed to say, he dared not think about the bacon anymore. After hurriedly clasping his fists to greet the shopkeeper, he hurriedly said goodbye and left.
Gu Dajiang no longer had any interest in doing business. He thought about the time when his family had been in Weng County and had come into contact with General Xu, and the only person they had spoken to alone was Old Man Gu.
Thinking of this, he hurried back to his room and carefully locked the door.
He took out his cell phone and called Mr. Gu.
In the valley, Grandpa Gu was inspecting the fields with Uncle Farmer and the little monkeys.
I felt the vibration at my waist and looked around.
Everywhere I look is my own thousands of acres of fertile land, and no one comes.
He took out his cell phone, covered it with his wide sleeves and made a video call: "Dajiang, what's the matter?" Grandpa Gu asked his son.
"Dad, do you still remember what you said to General Xu in Weng County?" Gu Dajiang asked his father directly.
Old Master Gu frowned and thought: "He didn't say anything. The general just asked us to help with the resettlement, saying that he owed us a favor. He gave us a badge and said that we could go to Zesheng County to find him if we have any problems. But the meeting didn't go well?" Old Master Gu asked with concern.