Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

The day after Zhang Youtie finished paying everyone's wages, he delivered the prawns to Zuixiaolou and then took several watermelons weighing eight or nine pounds to the Shen residence.

However, Zhang Youtie did not see Steward Ding this time, saying that he had gone out on business.

Granny Qian munched on the roasted melon seeds Zhang Youtie had just brought her, chatting with him as she ate. Zhang Youtie always brought her something when he came; he was a thoughtful person, and Granny Qian enjoyed talking to him.

"You're lucky, young man, to have gotten on the good side of Steward Ding. He's a favorite of several masters in our household now, especially our master, who always specifically requests Steward Ding to handle important matters. He just left yesterday and probably won't be back for a few days. But he already told me that if you come and need anything, just tell Steward Qin. I've already sent someone to fetch him, so don't worry, just wait here, we'll get back to you soon."

"Hey, I'm not in a hurry. It's quite interesting chatting with you, old lady." Zhang Youtie's tone was respectful, and he didn't look down on Granny Qian just because he had gotten on good terms with Steward Ding.

Soon, footsteps echoed in the courtyard. Granny Qian quickly got up and opened the door, and Steward Qin emerged from the side gate with two servants. Upon seeing Zhang Youtie, he clasped his hands in greeting and smiled.

"Brother Zhang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Butler Ding is out on business. You can tell me what brings you here today."

"No, no, you're too kind, Steward Qin. I brought some late-ripening watermelons with me this time, and I was wondering if your esteemed household still accepts them?"

"Oh, there are even late-ripening melons? I wonder if they taste the same as the last ones?" Although Manager Qin is young, he is quite thoughtful.

"I happened to bring a few with me this time, and I would like to ask Steward Qin to give them to the masters in the manor to try," Zhang Youtie said, taking one out of the basket of the mule cart and handing it to Steward Qin.

Manager Qin took the watermelon and weighed it in his hand. It wasn't heavy, but it looked much smaller than the one they brought back last time.

He leaned over and looked at the watermelons in the basket, saying, "I'll take these back to the manor first so my master and mistress can take a look. They'll let you know later. Please wait a moment. Brother Zhang, why don't you come in and sit down and wait?"

"Oh, you're too kind, Steward Qin. I'll just wait outside. It wouldn't be good if Mule got into trouble with someone." Zhang Youtie politely declined Steward Qin's suggestion, feeling more comfortable here than inside.

Hearing this, Steward Qin didn't insist. He apologized to Zhang Youtie and then had the two servants carrying the baskets go into the Shen residence.

At this moment, inside the Shen residence, Master Shen and Madam Shen were having breakfast with their grandson.

"Sir, would you like to try this crystal shrimp dumpling?" As she spoke, Madam Shen picked up a dumpling and placed it in the small bowl in front of Mr. Shen.

"The name is quite fitting. It really does look like crystal. Is this a new dish developed by the restaurant?" Master Shen picked up the dumpling but didn't rush to eat it. Instead, he carefully examined it in front of him.

"Yes, ever since Chef Zhao learned two new ways to cook shrimp, it's like he's had a breakthrough. He's come up with several new ways to cook shrimp, and this is the latest one."

"Mmm, delicious. Is this cucumber peel?" Mr. Shen asked, pointing to the bright green vegetable shreds inside.

"Yes, it's made by cutting cucumber peel into thin strips. Isn't that a clever idea? From the outside, the green and red colors are quite beautiful." Madam Shen also held a dumpling in her hand, liking it more and more as she looked at it.

"Grandma, I want to eat dumplings too." Young Master Shen Luo waited obediently for his grandmother to put dumplings in his bowl, but after waiting for a long time, the dumplings on his grandmother's chopsticks did not fall into his small bowl, so he had to ask for some.

"Oh dear, how could I forget about our Luo'er? This is for Luo'er, okay?" As she spoke, the dumplings on the chopsticks were finally placed into Shen Luo's bowl.

"Thank you, Grandma." Although he was in a hurry to eat the dumplings, the little guy still remembered to thank his grandmother before picking up the dumplings from his bowl and eating them.

Seeing that he was eating with relish, Master Shen reached out and moved the plate of dumplings in front of Shen Luo so that he could easily pick them up himself.

"Old Zhao and Old Niu from Fucheng have been doing quite well lately. They've developed several dishes using this shrimp. Don't forget to reward them, Madam."

"Don't worry, sir. The reward has already been sent. Each dish was rewarded with twenty taels of silver, and there will be a bonus after the accounts are settled at the end of the year."

"Madam is very thoughtful; she always anticipates my needs."

Steward Qin waited outside the courtyard until the servants started clearing away the dishes before having a maid announce his arrival and go inside to report.

"Master, Madam, Zhang Youtie from Zhangjiazhuang just came to say that the late-season watermelons in the fields are almost ripe, and he's here to ask if we still want them?" Steward Qin bent over, his eyes only seeing the ground two feet in front of his toes.

"Oh, there are still watermelons! What do you think of this, Madam?" Master Shen was quite surprised but also happy to hear that there were still watermelons this year. To be honest, he didn't eat many of the watermelons last time, as his son and wife had taken them all to the capital.

"Did you bring any? Open it and taste it; is it as good as last time?" Madam Shen put down her teacup before speaking.

"I've already cut one open, and it's outside the courtyard, waiting for the master and mistress's instructions," Steward Qin replied.

"Yes, bring it up." Master Shen said.

Butler Qin stepped back to the doorway, stood on the steps, and called out to the people outside the courtyard, "Come in, everyone!"

An old woman carried a tray with two plates of sliced ​​watermelon on it, while two servants followed behind carrying baskets.

Manager Qin placed two plates of watermelon on the table, then bowed his head and stepped aside.

Looking at the bright red flesh dotted with black seeds, it was clear the melon was ripe. Mrs. Shen picked up a piece and took a bite. She nodded in satisfaction. Seeing the whole watermelon in the basket in front of her, she said...

"This looks much smaller than the last one. I wonder what the price is?"

Upon hearing Madam Shen's question, Steward Qin's heart skipped a beat. He had forgotten to ask, or perhaps not forgotten, but subconsciously felt that the price should be the same as last time.

"This servant was negligent and forgot to ask. I will go and ask right away."

Hearing the nervousness in Steward Qin's voice, Madam Shen turned to look at him and smiled.

"Manager Qin, there's no need to be so nervous. Since you forgot to ask, you can ask again later. I think the price shouldn't be higher than last time. Go tell this family that we want all the watermelons they have."

"Yes, Madam. This servant will go right away."

"Don't rush, I have something else to say," Madam Shen said, glancing at the watermelon on the table.

"Yes, Madam, please give your orders." Butler Qin bowed even more.

"Are the shrimp in our restaurant supplied by this family?"

"Yes, madam, it was this family that provided us with the shrimp."

"I'm thinking that we should only supply these shrimp to our restaurant in Ming'an County, and we shouldn't supply them to any other restaurants." Madam Shen's voice was gentle, but her meaning was very firm.

"This..." When Manager Qin heard his master say this, he was already thinking about how to talk to Zhang Youtie.

"You don't need to be troubled. Just tell him that if other restaurants come to him to buy shrimp, if they want fifty catties a day, we will increase it by fifty catties a day. If they want one hundred catties, we will take one hundred catties. Only one large shrimp can be sold to Zuixiaolou."

"Yes, Madam. I'll go talk to the Zhang family about this matter right away. Do you have any other instructions, Master and Madam?" Steward Qin replied respectfully.

"That's all, you can go now." Madam Shen glanced at Mr. Shen and, seeing that he had nothing more to say, dismissed him.