A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

In Nie Qianqian's original world, the street vendor economy was already quite prosperous during the Tang and Song dynasties. The Qingming Scroll of the Song Dynasty shows the commercial activities in the city streets, with thousands of streets and alleys bustling with activity.

As early as when Nie Qianqian first came to the county to sell fish, she discovered that the commercial activities in this world were quite active. Fulin County had two grass markets, east and west, where goods were abundant and varied, including vegetables, meat, daily necessities, gold and silver calligraphy and paintings, medicinal herbs, clothing, and women's products.

There is also a special cross street where shops and restaurants can be opened. Of course, the things sold on the cross street are much more exquisite and the prices are also much higher. The writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones that Nie Qianqian bought before were purchased on the cross street. Guangjuxuan, the best restaurant in the county, is located in the core area of ​​the cross street and is very conspicuous.

The imperial court had strict control over street vendors, establishing the position of "Street Office" to maintain the daily order of the market. This included controlling vendors from occupying the road indiscriminately, erecting "marking wooden posts" on both sides of the street to demarcate the boundaries between vendors and buildings, cleaning the streets, and having a "Market Magistrate" to manage market transactions.

Vendors who want to set up stalls and do business need to apply to the city magistrate, provide household registration documents, house deeds, land deeds, and pay city fees before they can obtain a permit to set up a stall.

Nie Qianqian had previously inquired about these matters from the village head. This time, she brought Liu Yan to Fulin County for two reasons: first, to conduct market research, and second, to go to the county government's street office to discuss the application for permits.

Liu Yan rarely came to Caoshi, or more accurately, rarely came to Fulin County.

After getting married, she had to take care of all the housework, cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning. There was always endless work to do. That small courtyard was her tiny space, which confined her for more than ten years.

Liu Yan was like a bird released from its cage, curious about everything, looking around as if she couldn't take it all in.

The two walked along, looking around, and when they came across a food stall that was doing good business, they would buy a dish to try.

Nie Qianqian wasn't a marketing expert, and she didn't necessarily know much about business. It was just that in her previous life, she was bombarded with all kinds of online information every day and had seen countless merchants' fancy marketing tactics, so she did understand a little bit.

She kept telling Liu Yan what she should pay attention to.

Nie Qianqian: "Mom, look, the market has the most noodle stalls. Noodles are warm and comforting, and each bowl costs about 5 or 6 coins."

Liu Yan slowly calculated in her mind that a pound of white flour costs 10 coins and can make about three bowls of noodles. The noodles only contain some vegetables and no meat. Each bowl of noodles sells for 5 coins, which means she can earn about 1 coins per bowl.

Nie Qianqian pointed to a noodle stall, "There are quite a few of these noodle stalls. Steamed buns, dumplings, and sesame cakes can all be bought and eaten on the go, which is suitable for customers in a hurry. There is a big price difference between vegetable dumplings and meat dumplings. Vegetable dumplings are 3 coins, while meat dumplings are 8 coins."

Liu Yan felt distressed, "A meat bun costs 8 coins, that's really too expensive."

Pork is expensive, and ordinary families in Qinghe Village rarely have meat on their daily meals. They only buy a few ounces of meat to eat on special occasions like festivals.

Nie Qianqian: "It's not expensive at all. Eight coins is a lot for people in our village, but there are plenty of people in the county who can afford it."

Liu Yan observed the steamed bun stall for a while, and sure enough, quite a few people were buying the meat buns.

The two walked around a bit more and saw a few more food stalls selling roast chicken, braised duck, and meat. Each item cost twenty or thirty coins. Although these food stalls didn't have as many customers as the noodle stalls, they still had customers.

In fact, Fulin County is still too small. The food stalls in the market don't sell a wide variety of dishes, and expensive food doesn't sell well, so it can only be sold in restaurants.

In the provincial capital, street food stalls offer all kinds of food, including geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and fish, and there are plenty of customers who can afford to eat there.

The two of them strolled around all morning, until their calves were about to cramp. Although Liu Yan's legs were tired, she was still very excited and kept thinking about what she had seen and heard that morning.

Nie Qianqian: "Mother, after looking around, what do you think?"

Liu Yan thought for a moment, "Mom thinks that the spicy hot pot, pickled cabbage soup and braised pork will definitely sell. I don't see any other restaurant selling the same things as us."

Nie Qianqian nodded, giving her an encouraging look to continue.

"Pork is expensive, and there aren't many meat dishes sold in the market. Offal is much cheaper than pork, and our braised offal is so delicious. If we set the price lower, customers might come and eat at our place."

Nie Qianqian smiled, "Anything else?"

"That's all. Mother's mind works slowly, so I need to think about it some more."

Nie Qianqian praised, "Mother, you're absolutely right. I can see you have a good business sense, but you just lack experience."

To accomplish something, you first need confidence. It doesn't matter if Liu Yan lacks confidence; Nie Qianqian will make it happen no matter what.

Liu Yan blushed slightly, "Is everything Mother said reasonable? I'm afraid I'm misunderstanding something."

Nie Qianqian: "Of course that makes sense."

She continued, "Mom, this afternoon you can take another walk around the market and write down the prices of the food sold at each stall, what drinks they sell, and which drinks are the most popular. Also, check the prices of the tables, chairs, bowls, plates, and chopsticks needed to set up the stall. When we get home tonight, we'll discuss the pricing of the food together. I have to go to the street office to apply for the permit this afternoon, so I won't be able to come with you."

Liu Yan asked nervously, "Qianqian, aren't you coming with me?"

Nie Qianqian shook her head.

The application for the permit wasn't in a rush, but Nie Qianqian wanted Liu Yan to handle those matters herself.

Liu Yan recalled what Huang Zhenzhu had told her.

"Once you leave the Nie family, you'll have to rely on yourself for your life. You'll be Qianqian's support and hope. You can't be as weak and helpless as before, letting others bully you."

She gritted her teeth and forced herself to say, "Okay, Mother can do it herself."

After lunch, the two parted ways, with Nie Qianqian driving the oxcart to the county government office.

Nie Qianqian didn't intend to trouble Magistrate Tang with the matter of obtaining the food stall permit.

Since Magistrate Tang helped Liu Yan and Nie Erzhuang divorce, Nie Qianqian has never completely severed ties with Magistrate Tang.

The magistrate of Fulin County was the most powerful figure she could currently rely on, so of course she had to maintain a good relationship with him.

Every week, she would have Liu Yan prepare a variety of delicious dishes to send to Magistrate Tang. Magistrate Tang repeatedly declined, but Nie Qianqian ignored him and continued to send the meals as usual.

Over time, Magistrate Tang and his servant Afu became accustomed to receiving a delicious and abundant food box every week.

However, such carefully maintained relationships should be used in crucial areas; otherwise, frequent disturbances over trivial matters will only wear down the relationship.

Nie Qianqian provided all the required documents and certificates as requested by the street office. Since her family had no land or land deeds, they needed to pay more city fees for registration and filing. After completing these procedures, all that was left was to go back and wait.

The street office is slow; Nie Qianqian estimates it will take at least a month for the permit to be issued.

After Nie Qianqian finished her business, it wasn't too late yet. She thought she would go to Jishetang first, wait for Liu Yan to finish her work, and then pick up Gu Xiao and Liu Yan to go home together.

Tang Jincheng finished his official business and went out, just in time to see Nie Qianqian walking out of the street office.

Afu: "Isn't this Lady Nie? What's she doing at the Street Office?"

Tang Jincheng had some guesses and instructed, "Go to the Street Office and ask them if they have any needs. If so, you can pay attention to them appropriately."

Tang Jincheng had a very good impression of Nie Qianqian; she was highly skilled in medicine and straightforward and honest.

"He who takes a bribe is bound to be obligated to pay his debts. Having accepted so many meals from Nie Qianqian's family, it wouldn't be too much of a favor to offer some help."

Afu received the order and left. Having followed Lord Tang for many years, he naturally understood his master's meaning.

He didn't need to relay Tang Jincheng's words when he went to the street office. He only needed to inquire about the matter, and the people below would naturally guess his intentions and do a good job for Niangzi.

Five days later, when Nie Qianqian received the management documents, she was genuinely impressed by the high efficiency of the work here, unaware that it was due to Lord Tang's help.