Armed with a machete and a gun, armed with a system, they fled the famine.

Chapter 441 Eating and Drinking

"Did you hear everything clearly?"

Zhou Hu asked in a deep voice.

The villagers looked at each other, then said in unison, "Understood, village head, don't worry, we will never bring anyone else along to freeload."

Seeing that everyone understood, Zhou Hu waved them away.

"Now that you all understand, hurry back. Take good care of yourselves when you get back, so as not to embarrass Young Master Shen."

They were there to support Shen Yu, so they couldn't appear sloppy.

Finally, he added, "Everyone must wear your best and most handsome clothes tomorrow, understand? Otherwise, it will look like our Huaihua Village is a bunch of poor bastards coming to the city."

"Also, everyone here has plenty of money, so please eat in moderation and don't overeat and lose your composure."

Upon hearing this, the villagers immediately nodded obediently in agreement.

Ever since Zhao Yan led them to start boiling beeswax, everyone has had more money in their hands.

The difference between what we eat and wear these past few years and what we used to eat is like night and day.

Without Zhou Hu reminding them, they knew what to do.

Everyone turned around and went home, rummaging through their closets to find their most presentable clothes.

Even Qiu Zhen rushed back to her home and went straight to her bedroom to start picking and choosing.

This one is too old-fashioned, and that one is too dowdy.

Not long after, she threw a pile of clothes on the bed.

Zhou Xiong walked in from outside with his hands behind his back. When he saw that his wife had left the house in a mess, his brows immediately furrowed.

“Zhenzhen, we’re just going to town for a meal. Don’t listen to your brother’s nonsense. We’ll wear the same clothes we usually wear tomorrow.”

In his opinion, it's just going out for a meal; there's really no need to make such a big deal out of it.

Qiu Zhen stopped trying on clothes, turned her head and glared at someone.

"What do you know, you old geezer?"

"You don't understand. Young Master Shen is only treating our whole village to a meal for free because of Xiao Zhao. We can't just order for him, but we also can't let Young Master Shen lose face."

“Young Master Shen runs a restaurant, not just any random little eatery.”

"Think about it, people who usually go to restaurants are either high-ranking officials or wealthy people. If we go to a restaurant dressed like country bumpkins, wouldn't we be lowering the class of Mr. Shen's restaurant?"

She started urging Zhou Xiong: "Go, go, go! You should also quickly rummage through your clothes and find the new jacket you're going to wear for the New Year. Put it on first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhou Xiong was too lazy to bother, so he simply said, "Find it for me," and turned to leave.

"Lazybones."

Qiu Zhen cursed, but ultimately helped her old man find his new jacket.

Finally, after searching for a long time, she found a light purple top that she was fairly satisfied with.

Zhao Yan and others were unaware of the actions of the villagers of Huaihua Village.

After Zhao Yan and Shen Yu returned home, they hid in their study to discuss the future supply of sweet potatoes and potatoes.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yan said to Shen Yu, "How about this? Since you've opened a restaurant in Stone Town, I'll continue to supply you with potatoes. However, I'll only deliver the goods to Shen's Restaurant in Stone Town. As for how to transport them to the capital, you'll have to figure that out yourself."

"And sweet potatoes. I think sweet potatoes will be a staple food in the Great Nguyen Dynasty for a long time, so I won't sign a contract with you. You can buy them from other people."

"We must keep the potato matter a secret until Brother Dou has popularized sweet potatoes among the people."

Shen Yu naturally had no objection to her arrangements.

Without hesitation, he said, "Okay, we'll do as you say, Sister Zhao."

……

The next day was the opening day of Shen Family Restaurant.

Shen Yu got up early and went to Stone Town.

Dou Xingyan stayed at the farm and went there with Zhao Yan and the others later.

After breakfast, Zhao Yan gave Zhao Xiaomi and her two siblings a good makeover before she and Yang Sanlang each picked one up and headed towards Yuan Yutang.

Zhao Xiaomi ran ahead excitedly.

The group met at Yuan Yutang's place and boarded a carriage to head towards Stone Town.

When the villagers of Huaihua Village across the way saw Zhao Yan and her group move, they followed behind them and hurried on their way.

Thus, a long procession of carriages traveled slowly and steadily along the wide official road.

Zhou Hu sat in his own carriage, turned his head to look at the enthusiastic villagers behind him, and couldn't help but put on a heartfelt smile.

He had never dared to imagine such a scenario before.

In the past, people relied on walking to get around. It's nothing like now, where every household has bought a means of transportation.

With their willingness to spend money, Qiu Zhen and Zhou Hu naturally acquired a horse-drawn carriage for their home.

Other villagers bought donkey carts, mules, or oxcarts.

The cars may differ, but regardless, at least every family has its own car, which makes it much more convenient to travel.

The group was a large and impressive procession, stretching for almost a mile along the official road.

By the time they arrived in Stone Town, it was almost noon.

Shen Yu was waiting in front of the restaurant early.

Upon seeing Zhao Yan and the others arrive, they quickly went forward to help Dou Xingyan down from the carriage.

"Uncle Yuan, Uncle Su, Uncle Zhou, please come in."

He personally led Yuan Yutang and Su Yanzhi to a private room on the second floor of the restaurant.

As for the other villagers of Huaihua Village, they naturally stayed in the lobby on the first floor.

Fortunately, no one minded, and each family found a table, sat down, and waited for their meal.

Eating politely is probably out of the question, because everyone will be hungry by then.

They might have to indulge in a big meal for a while.

Shen Yu invited Yuan Yutang and the others to the largest private room on the second floor.

The room was spacious, with two round tables on each side of the room, separated by a screen.

"Everyone, please sit down. I'll have the food served right away."

Shen Yu told Zhao Yan and the others to sit down quickly, and went outside to arrange for someone to serve the dishes.

Naturally, the men sat at one table and the women at another.

Zhao Yan and the others didn't stand on ceremony and sat down at the table.

Not long after, Shen Yu returned, followed by a string of servants.

The servants brought the food to the table one by one, then bowed and withdrew.

Shen Yu poured a full glass of wine for Yuan Yutang and the other men of the Zhou family, including Zhou Hu and Zhou Xiong. He also raised a glass of wine to everyone.

"I'd like to raise a glass to everyone to thank you all for coming and supporting me today. Thank you, thank you."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and downed the glass of wine in one gulp.