Butcher Fulang’s Noodle Shop - Chapter 32
Qingjiang Town wasn’t small; it was very close to Yuezhou City, the capital. It served as the thoroughfare of nine provinces, attracting constant businessmen and merchants. Despite its significance, the town had only three noteworthy restaurants, not five, before and after the war.
Baihe Restaurant, the top restaurant, often hosted courtesans from brothels. The Fireworks Market, known for its gold cave, attracts wealthy businessmen and county government officials managing Qingjiang Town, Yuejiang Town, and Jiangbei Town.
Baihe Restaurant’s fame grew, evident in hosting the grand sixtieth birthday party of the county magistrate’s mother, Madam Li, two years ago. The occasion received widespread praise, solidifying Baihe Restaurant’s esteemed status.
Although Boss Bai, the elderly owner, had delegated the business to his son and daughter-in-law, he occasionally visited other restaurants to scout for potential competitors and innovative dishes.
Upon hearing about Song Shi’an’s new noodle stall, Boss Bai was skeptical. Despite its popularity among porters, he believed dealing with them yields hard-earned money smelling of sweat.
Later, when the noodle stall owner turned it into a restaurant, angering Boss Bai. The establishment, once a premier teahouse, now only sells noodles and rice bowls on the first floor, with a recent addition of braised pig offal, which further irks Boss Bai.
He sighed, saying, “I’ll never taste the old teahouse Yunwu tea again. The young and ignorant shop owner occupies a prime location but offers dishes like eel noodles and loach rice—things unsuitable for a proper meal.”
Although Baihe Restaurant lost some customers, it didn’t affect them much. Wealthy businessmen prioritize an elegant atmosphere, expensive dishes, and dignified service.
Boss Bai dismissed the few lost customers, attributing it to their lack of funds. He expressed no concern for the new restaurant, predicting their reputation might not last three to five months.
The real worry laid with the second-rate Song Family Restaurant. While their prices were lower than Baihe Restaurant’s, recent cost-cutting measures affected ingredient quality. Cheap alternatives like fish with a slight flavor, pork ribs, and Jinhua ham smelling like clams became the norm.
To compensate for the lack of flavor, excessive salt was added, leading some diners to complain about risking their lives with such salty dishes. The restaurant defended itself, claiming a jar of salt costs fifty cents and that their willingness to add condiments enhances the taste.
In reality, Song’s Restaurant now uses cheaper coarse salt.
Song Shi’an’s restaurant wasn’t far from Song’s Restaurant. As it gained fame, diners flocked to try it. Once they tasted the food, they couldn’t stop eating and naturally wouldn’t return.
Observing flies and mosquitoes swarming around the building just after dinner, with no customers in sight, Wang Jiaojiao complained.
“Your first wife’s childf managed to start a restaurant just two blocks away from your house, and you don’t even know where he got the money. I think he’s seeking revenge on you!” Wang Jiaojiao’s accusation didn’t make sense as Xu Zhongyue, who remained wary but hesitant to take action against Song Shi’an’s father and stepmother.
Despite Song Shi’an and his husband’s prosperous life, Song Shi’an seemed to forget the past unpleasantness. Song Yuchun and Wang Jiaojiao, discarded by him and seemed forgotten.
Song Yuchun stayed silent, suspecting Song Shi’an’s deliberate motives. The eldest child’s striking resemblance to his late mother raised doubts about his lineage.
Song Yuchun questioned whether he truly belonged to the old Song family, given his mother’s pre-marriage love affairs.
Hearing footsteps outside, Wang Jiaojiao rushed out to greet guests, only to find them in a hurry.
“Are the eel noodles that good?”
“What a joke! Their restaurant is so interesting. Either make him close the shop or hand over the recipes!” Wang Jiaojiao complained.
Angry and distressed, Song Yuchun and Wang Jiaojiao suffered, unbeknownst to Song Shi’an busy in the store.
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Concerned about hiring a trustworthy waiter, Song Shi’an discussed it with Xu Zhongyue. Fearing someone might steal his recipes, Xu Zhongyue volunteered.
Excited about sharing the burden, Song Shi’an hugged Xu Zhongyue tightly. However, during a spicy stir-fried large intestine dish preparation, Xu Zhongyue’s efforts went awry, leaving Song Shi’an speechless.
Despite training, Xu Zhongyue struggled, prompting Song Shi’an to give up. As another guest arrived, it was a little different from the usual guest.
A man in his thirties, with a pale face and a few wrinkles, donned a navy-blue cotton gown, giving him a bookish appearance. The other, around 19, fair and handsome, seemed a bit shy.
Song Shi’an greeted them; the older one nodded, but the younger one avoided eye contact, which seemed odd.
“What would you like to eat? Besides the signature dishes of eel noodles and braised loach rice bowl, we have a summer special today—spicy and sour potato noodles with braised pig intestines,” the older man inquired.
Stunned, he repeated, “Pig intestines?”
Song Shi’an reassured with a smile, “Many people are wary, but our pig intestines are cleaned thoroughly. Take a look if you’re skeptical; they’re guaranteed to be clean and delicious!”
To address concerns, Song Shi’an meticulously cleaned the intestines, removing fat, lymph, and debris. The resulting clean pig intestines were presented, looking impeccable.
Sales improved, and even Xu Zhongyue sold pork every day, struggling to meet demand.
Noticing the older man might be a scholar and cautious about this, Xu Zhongyue added, “Apart from the braised large intestine, we also have eel noodles…”
The older man smiled, saying, “No, I just want something sour. Spicy potato noodles with braised pig intestines.”
The handsome young man, Lin Zhihang, glanced at Song Shi’an, blushed, and quickly said, “Let’s have one shredded eel noodles and one loach rice bowl each.”
“Okay. Please take a seat inside; we’ll be right with you!”
As Song Shi’an got busy, the young man, Lin Zhihang, sighed, stealing glances at him. He sat down with the older man.
Lin Zhihang, the young master of the North and South Trading Company, dealt in southern cloth and ventured into salt production in Qingjiang Town after unloading goods. With government-owned salt mines nearby, merchants aimed to purchase high-priced government salt, obtain the salt lead, and trade northward where heavy snow demanded salt, tea, and other essentials.
Lin Zhihang sought a substantial profit to prove himself to his father and brothers. Manager Li advised him on various tricks to succeed in the salt business, including mixing cheaper private salt with official salt for a profitable journey.
Lin Zhihang stayed in town to secure enough salt and open opportunities.
Opening this business promises great profits, but the Lin family’s connections lie outside Qingjiang Town. Lin Zhihang’s brothers, not sharing the same mother, weren’t inclined to assist him despite their expertise in private tricks.
With limited connections and multiple failed attempts to secure recommendations, Lin Zhihang faced frustration. After days of worry, he discovered a potential contact: Zhang Nanming, the younger brother of Zhang Nanyan, overseeing the salt academy and teaching at the county academy.
Despite Lin Zhihang’s repeated attempts with invitations and gifts, all were returned untouched.
Finally, learning that Zhang Nanming taught at Hongwen Academy, Lin Zhihang made several trips bearing generous gifts to gain entry. Inviting Zhang Nanming to dine at Baihe Restaurant, a top-tier restaurant, faced an unexpected refusal, with Zhang Nanming stating his disinterest in such lavish feasts.
Left with no choice, Lin Zhihang resorted to bribing the academy’s porter with fine wine, bacon, and cloth.
The porter offered valuable advice, noting Zhang’s history as an upright official who, after being impeached, resigned and found refuge in teaching at Hongwen Academy. To successfully invite Master Zhang to dinner, the porter suggested avoiding overly expensive delicacies, as Master Zhang considered them bribes and would refuse such offerings exceeding one tael.