Novel Full Chapter 227: Ham?
Chapter 227: Chapter 227: Ham?
"You get back to your work. If you need anything, just let me know."
Jiang Liu, sitting in the kitchen, tapped on his phone and replied, "I’m making some twice-cooked pork and rice soup in a bit. Want to come over for lunch?"
The man had helped him so much; Jiang Liu had to repay him somehow.
Wang Cheng: "!Yes! I’ll head over as soon as I’m done!"
Jiang Liu swiped away from the chat screen. His apprentice, Hu Yongfa, had just sent him a message.
Hu Yongfa: "Master, just reporting in. I just gave Lawyer Wang some documents and materials."
Jiang Liu thought for a moment and replied, "Lawyer Wang told me about it. Just do as he says. We’re all on the same team. Thanks for running around so much today."
Hu Yongfa: "Master, don’t say that. You’re the one working the hardest! Just give the word, and I’ll be the first one there, no matter what!"
Hu Yongfa: "There’s one more thing. About staffing the shop—I found some reliable people from my own circle. One cleaning lady, two servers, and a kitchen helper. The kitchen helper is a relative of mine, and I’d like him to learn from me. What do you think, Master?"
Jiang Liu nodded at his phone and replied, "That’s fine. You’re in charge of it. Use your own judgment. I trust you."
"Come over in a bit, you two, and demonstrate the bun-making process for me."
Jiang Liu planned to take a hands-off approach with this shop. He wouldn’t meddle in daily affairs, leaving everything to Hu Yongfa.
He would just be responsible for checking on the progress, listening to reports, and giving a few orders from time to time.
Besides, Jiang Liu could also check the shop’s security cameras remotely, so he wasn’t worried about them messing around.
Hu Yongfa: "No problem! We’ll head back right away."
Jiang Liu didn’t say anything else.
’Next, I need to get the sign put up... What should I name it...’
He called the friend Xue Guang had introduced him to before.
It was still the same "friendship price" of 450 per square meter.
Jiang Liu ordered a large, five-square-meter sign. The sign itself would be yellow.
The name was (Xiaotong’s Restaurant).
His own daughter’s name.
He had just considered naming it "Xiaotong’s Breakfast Shop," but then he remembered it would be open all day, so he decided on "Restaurant" instead.
To avoid any misunderstanding from customers.
Below the large characters on the sign, there was a list of items sold: steamed buns, stir-fried dishes, and rice.
The call wasn’t over yet.
Just before hanging up, Jiang Liu asked, "How long will it take to make? I’m in a bit of a hurry."
"About two days, Boss Jiang. It’s a big sign."
"Can you get it done by tomorrow? I can add eight hundred yuan."
In the end, out of consideration for their mutual acquaintance, the man charged Jiang Liu a six-hundred-yuan rush fee.
That was one less thing for Jiang Liu to worry about.
’Once the sign is made and the permits come through, the new shop will basically be ready to open...’
’As for ingredients... I can have Hu Yongfa find a good supplier... or find a partner from a nearby village...’
As for seasonings, Jiang Liu planned to provide Hu Yongfa with some of the ones he personally used.
Although he didn’t plan for the new shop to meet the same standards as the old one, better was still better. It was his business, after all.
At half past ten, Jiang Liu went out and bought some more finger chilies and garlic shoots.
He planned to keep selling twice-cooked pork for lunch, as it was a dish customers really liked.
Back at the shop, he took a moment to glance at the [Gourmet Album] and was surprised to find a shape had appeared on the fifth page.
"What is this? A leg?"
On the page was an animal thigh, narrow at the bottom and wide at the top. The pattern on its edge had an orange tint.
Because it was blurry, abstract, and colorless, Jiang Liu couldn’t make out what it was.
’This should be something good, better than all the previous ones...’
Jiang Liu was a little excited.
Every new dish meant more income, and his fame would spread even wider.
"Divine Book, how many points to unlock?"
Jiang Liu asked tentatively. Sometimes the [Gourmet Album] didn’t respond, but other times it did.
As soon as he spoke, neat black text materialized on the page.
[Spanish-Procured Ham: 550,000 Reputation Points to unlock]
[Current Reputation Points: 412,540]
Jiang Liu was astonished.
Ham?
He remembered it was something that Western nobles enjoyed eating, especially in the 19th century, when ham was very popular among royalty.
And Spain was known for producing the highest quality, top-tier ham.
’This stuff must be expensive, right?’
’I wonder if it’ll sell well in Hua Country...’
Jiang Liu’s heart pounded with excitement. Once he introduced the ham, a rare item like this might drive his customers even crazier.
He wanted his customers to go crazy.
It would be best if they dreamed about his food; his Reputation Points would definitely skyrocket!
’But the supply chain is an issue I’ll have to figure out...’
「The time was now 11:30 AM.」
The weather was gloomy, with specks of light piercing the clouds. It was unclear whether or not it would rain.
Outside the door, the customers wore looks of anticipation.
It was mealtime again, and they wondered if Boss Jiang would have any new dishes.
The long line stretched across the street, and the clamor and chatter filled the air, making the whole street feel boisterous.
Hu Yongfa and Yue Longfan walked in, carrying a box of Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes.
"Master, we picked up some mooncakes on the way. Please take them home for your family."
"That’s right, Master. You can’t refuse. It’s just a small token of our appreciation."
The two of them held up the red mooncake box with utmost respect.
They were truly grateful to Jiang Liu.
Not only had their master given them the steamed bun recipe, but he had also entrusted them with a new shop.
Jiang Liu raised an eyebrow. ’I think I already have a pile of mooncakes at home.’
’Why are they still giving me mooncakes? I won’t be able to finish them all in a year...’
But he didn’t refuse. He just smiled, nodded, and said:
"Alright, just put it aside. Now, you two, come to the kitchen and make a steamed bun for me to see."
Jiang Liu took a small, prepared bowl of filling from the refrigerator and placed it on the table.
"Huh?"
"I’ve never seen chives like this before?"
"And this shrimp meat doesn’t seem to be the kind you find at the market!"
The two examined the filling, their faces showing their surprise.
’The filling Master gave us seems to be something special!’
In all their years in the industry, they had never seen shrimp meat like this.
It was like white, transparent crystal, and it smelled of the fresh scent of the sea.
Although the two were curious, they didn’t dare ask too many questions and obediently began kneading the dough using the technique Jiang Liu had taught them.
Jiang Liu instructed, "Use more force. Add the water little by little, not too much at once... You have to remember, try to use cold water in the summer and warm water in the winter... Okay, you can add the yeast and sugar now..."
"You need to be fast when wrapping the buns. Each filling should be around ten grams, no more than thirteen. You can use a measuring spoon... The saltiness is very important. Follow the standards for the seasonings on the list I gave you!"
As Jiang Liu taught, the two diligently corrected their technique.
Afterward, he confirmed the new shop’s menu items and prices with Hu Yongfa.
The prices for stir-fry dishes and nutritious congee sets were all around a few dozen yuan.
The steamed buns were still priced at two and five yuan.
Jiang Liu instructed, "Our shop must have a spirit of craftsmanship. You must strictly follow the standards. The hygiene, the ingredients—you two must personally inspect them every day."
"This is about being responsible to the customers who trust us! Do you hear me?"
"We hear you, Master!!"
The two stood up straight and thumped their chests, making a solemn promise.