Chapter 295: Expanding the Workshop
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The burly man drank and finished the bowl of beer in one gulp. “How refreshing! If this beer is paired with those roasted meat, it will be better.”
If Chu Qingzhi was here, she would definitely say that this person hit the nail right on the head.
The burly man’s words gave Chu Yehui a hint. If this beer was easy to sell, the shop could introduce some roasted and fried dishes at the same time. The business would definitely be good.
When Chu Xuhua heard this, he heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you for your comment, Big Brother.”
The burly man smacked his lips. “How much is a jar of beer? Give me a jar.”
Chu Xuhua was secretly happy. He said apologetically, “Brother, we haven’t started selling the beer yet. Thank you for liking it.”
The burly man nodded. “I see. When will you start selling it?”
Chu Xuhua said, “It will officially start in a month.”
“I’ll wait for another month then. But pour me another bowl today, will you?”
“Sure.” Chu Xuhua poured another bowl for the burly man.
After that, many people tried the beer one after another. Two out of ten people were not used to the taste of beer, and the others liked it.
Two jars of wine, about 50 catties, were soon gone.
Chu Xuhua was grateful. “Yehui, thank you for letting me do this in your restaurant.”
Chu Yehui waved his hand and said generously, “There’s no need to be polite between us. Besides, it’s a win-win for us.”
Chu Xuhua smiled. “When the beer is brewed, I’ll definitely let you sell it first.”
Chu Yehui nodded.
In the central room of the new house.
Chu Qingzhi sat at the table and planned to expand the rice dumpling workshop. The expansion was not that simple.
The first problem was the raw materials. Ning Yuting had been constantly transporting glutinous rice to them from the capital. Now that the glutinous rice crisis was gone, the supply of bamboo leaves was a problem.
Chu Laipi and Chu Peipei plowed a new land and planted twice as many bamboo trees, but they had yet to grow.
She went to take a look. It would take another month to get the leaves.
If they wanted to make sure all three county cities had enough rice dumplings to sell, they would need to plant double the number of bamboo trees. Chu Qingzhi asked them to continue planting.
The two of them were full of energy and worked hard every day.
Now, this dumpling forest was their money tree. They took care of it like it was their child.
Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang each carried a wine jar to Chu Qingzhi. “Master, look at the beer we brewed.”
Chu Qingzhi glanced at the two wine jars and looked up at the two of them in surprise. “Did you brew it?”
Yuan Hongjun explained, “Master, didn’t you say that you wanted to test us? While you were away, the two of us competed to see who could make the better beer. We were busy previously and didn’t show you.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled. “Alright, let me try.”
Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang immediately took bowls and poured wine. “Master, please.”
Chu Qingzhi drank Yuan Hongjun’s first. Then, she drank Bao Linjiang’s. “Hongjun’s beer tastes a little too bitter because you cooked the malt sugar for too long. Lin Jiang’s is a little too light because you didn’t cook the malt sugar long enough. However, it can still be considered good quality.”
“Try your own first, then try the other one. Then, mix your beer together.”
They did as they were told.
Yuan Hongjun said, “Master, our wine tastes the best when mixed.”
Bao Linjiang agreed. “Master, I think so too.”
“Go and mix the beer you brew at a one to one ratio. Then, take it to the villagers to taste and record the results to see how well everyone accepts the beer.”
“Yes, Master.”
The two disciples left with the wine jars.
Chu Qingzhi looked at their backs and smiled. She continued to plan the expansion of the dumpling factory.
At the entrance of the new house.
Ten jars of wine were prepared, each weighing 25 catties.
Yuan Hongjun circulated his internal energy to his throat and shouted, “Everyone, come and drink beer…”
Bao Linjiang was startled and covered his ears. “Can’t you tell me in advance? I’m going deaf from your roar.”
Yuan Hongjun apologized insincerely. “I’m really sorry. 1 didn’t consider the feeling of a delicate young master like you.”
Bao Linjiang glared at Yuan Hongjun and suddenly roared, “Everyone, come and drink beer.”
Yuan Hongjun was so shocked that his body trembled. His head buzzed as if someone had hit him in the head. “Vengeful, petty…”
Bao Linjiang glanced at Yuan Hongjun and smiled provocatively.
When the villagers heard about the beer, the idle ones rushed over…
“What beer?”
“Is it something good?”
“I’ve never heard of it. What is it?”
Yuan Hongjun went to maintain order. “Everyone, don’t squeeze. If you line up, you can drink.”
Bao Linjiang went to scoop beer. He took a sip from a bowl and brought it to the first villager in line. “Drink it carefully. Tell me how you like it after drinking it.”
Chu Qingning brought a bucket of water over and washed the bowls for everyone.
The first person to drink was Chu Xuede. No matter what it was, he was always the first to join in the fun. After taking a sip, he felt as if his body was itchy for more. “It’s not enough, Linjiang. Give me more.”
Bao Linjiang took the bowl. “Tell me if it tastes good first. Then, I’ll get you more.”
Chu Xuede thought about it for a moment. “It’s delicious. There’s a faint smell of alcohol. There’s a special fragrance. It’s a little bitter. For people like us who don’t drink much, it’s good.”
Bao Linjiang took the paper with the word “like” written on it and put down a tick. Then, he scooped a bowl for Chu Xuede. “Drink it.”
Chu Xuede gulped it down and let out a long breath. “It feels good.”
The second was Fang Cuiyun, the big mouth in the village. “Linjiang, let me try it.” She was the most enthusiastic about the gossip in the village, so she was the second in line.
Bao Linjiang scooped a bowl for her. “Auntie, here.”
Fang Cuiyun smelled it and tasted it.
Everyone looked at her, anticipating her reaction.
“This beer is not like wine and not juice either. It stings the tongue. It’s refreshing to drink…” Fang Cuiyun paused. “How should I put it? I think it’s quite delicious.”
Bao Linjiang put down another tick and scooped beer for the next person.
The third was the village girl, Chu Xialan. After drinking it, she said, “I’m not used to it.”
Then, the fourth, the fifth…
The ratio of likes and dislikes was four to one.
They immediately showed it to Chu Qingzhi. “Master, most people like it.”
Wu Yaqing, who was walking over, happened to hear this. “Most people like it, which means that this is a success..”