CH 41

County Magistrate Jiang drank a few mouthfuls of water and said, “The water in your house is sweeter than anything I have ever drunk. I don’t know if it’s because of this chrysanthemum or the water is simply just different?” After a pause, County Magistrate Jiang  said, “I am the same age as Shijing. I am just a few months older than him, so in private you two can call me Kangning.”

“My lord?” Both of them were surprised. Jiang Kangning, however, showed a hint of shame and said, “Yunan, Shijing, I won’t go around in circles with you two anymore. I came here today to ask for something.”

Jiang Kangning had already lowered his stance, so Shao Yunan said, “Brother Kangning, don’t say anything else, you just made the decision for my young brother. If you have any requests, just ask, I will do it.” Since you are willing to let me and Shijing call you ‘big brother,’ what was wrong with treating Shijing and I as your brothers?

Jiang Kangning, however, had some difficulty in opening his mouth. He tightened and clenched his teeth before he finally said, “Yunan, Shijing, can you sell me the recipe for that jam? Don’t worry, I won’t sell it within Yongxiu Province.”

Shao Yunan blinked, surprised. Wang Shijing was also stunned. Jiang Kangning exhaled and said, “I know my request would embarrass you and I also know that you and the Zhao family signed a contract. But I learned that although Yizhang Xuan restaurant also sold jam in the capital, the amount was insufficient and the numbers could not be guaranteed. My brother is doing business in the capital. He might not be as good as the boss behind Yizhang Xuan restaurant, but I want to find a business for him that can make money to ensure he has a worry-free life.  I only let my brother do business in the capital, so he will not compete with Yizhang Xuan restaurant for business.”

Shao Yunan was still blinking, so Jiang Kangning immediately added, “If it is really difficult, you two can just pretend that I did not mention this matter. I also understand that my request might be difficult for you.”

Shao Yunan instantly returned to his senses. “No, it’s not difficult. Brother Kangning, you must not misunderstand. In fact, the deed I signed with Uncle Lizheng’s family does state that I still hold the ownership of the recipe, so I can still sell it to other families if it won’t affect uncle Lizheng’s business.”

Jiang Kangning immediately looked shocked. “Then can you sell it to me? I heard that the Zhao family paid 300 taels of silver for your recipe, I’ll pay 500 taels.”

Shao Yunan almost burst into tears. “Brother Kangning, don’t rush. This jam does seem to be very profitable now, but if people with their heads straight do more research, sooner or later someone else will make it. I think that the owner behind Yizhang Xuan restaurant is not a fool, so I won’t believe he didn’t find someone to study this jam recipe. In fact, this jam can only be considered a small business, in terms of the level of craft, it is not as good as this chrysanthemum tea.”

Jiang Kangning smiled. “Then are you going to sell me the recipe for this chrysanthemum tea?”

“No.” Shao Yunan grinned. “It’s a recipe that makes more money than jam or than chrysanthemum tea. If there is big money to be made, why would Brother Kangning bother with this small amount of money?” Jiang Kangning raised his eyebrows, his gaze burning. “Why don’t you tell it quickly?”

“Haha.” Shao Yunan looked at Wang Shijing. “Brother Wang, please.” Wang Shijing knew what he wanted so he went down to get it for him. Shao Yunan said, “Brother Kangning, it’s a real coincidence that you came today. This is a big coincidence. I was worried about finding the right person for business cooperation and was about to go to you to talk about it. To tell you the truth, I don’t want everything to go through the Yizhang Xuan restaurant side. In the long run, it wouldn’t be a good thing for me.”

Jiang Kangning was so excited that he feigned anger. “Tell me what it is. Don’t sell it anymore. If you are not careful this official might gift you a board.”

“Why, isn’t it Brother Kangning?”

“…You, you.”

Wang Shijing first brought the tea set and tea tray, then he brought a jar of Longjing. After Wang Shijing sat down, Shao Yunan boiled water first and said, “I wonder if Brother Kangning knows that I collected tea leaves everywhere a while ago.”

“I’ve heard a little about it.”

“I’ll let Brother Kangning taste the tea I made now and you can see if my tea can become a big deal.”

Jiang Kangning restrained his expression.

The water boiled and Shao Yunan scooped out the tea leaves. As soon as the tea leaves came out, Jiang Kangning’s expression changed slightly. After finishing scooping the tea leaves, Shao Yunan handed it over. “Brother Kangning, you smell it.”

Jiang Kangning took the tea leaves and smelled them, his expression changing even more. “This is tea?”

“It is indeed. I named it Longjing, it’s a green tea.”