…
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, a few months passed.
After a few months of construction, Chen Xiao Cai's hot springs resort had begun to take shape.
Because the location of the hot springs resort was relatively remote, the difficulty of construction was hard to imagine, the project had already fallen behind schedule. But Chen Xiao Cai was confident that this resort would be a hit.
Chen Xiao Cai loved to go to the site and watch it taking shape day by day.
A lot of young masters from the capital city were now in Sha County. They stayed in the best inns and ordered food from the best restaurants, of course Chen Xiao Cai was very glad, he could pump the income from those rich young masters directly into the construction of the resort.
Several young masters from the Prime Minister Gao Heng's family were talking in a high-sounding manner in one of Chen Xiao Cai's restaurants this day.
The young masters all want to impress Gao Heng and win his favor, so they acted without delay upon hearing the news that the government and the Liao Dynasty meant to have peace negotiations.
"This hotpot is indeed very good, no wonder His Highness Cheng keeps talking about it."
"Yeah! His Highness Cheng is full of praise when it comes to hotpot."
"It is said that Magistrate Lu has shared the recipe with Highness Cheng, but Highness Cheng refuses to share it with anyone in the capital city, only his guests can try the authentic hotpot at his manor."
"I've heard of it too, I've even heard that His Majesty has visited Highness Cheng for hotpot!"
"I didn't expect a remote and backward place like Sha County could be this charming, look at all those inventions!" a young master named Gao Yuan pointed at the baby seat in the restaurant and exclaimed.
"It is said that this restaurant is owned by Magistrate Lu's brother-in-law, but Magistrate Lu is the one who has come up with all the unique recipes and inventions."
"Magistrate Lu? I've long heard of him, he is the one who has invented Curved Iron Plough, isn't he? But I've also heard that he bought his official post and he seems to be a bit illiterate."
The young masters from capital city all got their own tutors since they were toddlers and their influential family tended to pave the way for their official career, so they looked down on someone like Lu Lin.
For Lu Lin, he couldn't care less how those young masters saw him, all he cared was howe much money they were going to spend.
Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Cai launched a menu just for those wealthy young masters from the capital city to stimulate consumer spending.
It worked out perfectly, those young masters were constantly looking for expensive items for vanity, so they were thrilled to find out there were something in the county that only they could afford.
…
When Lu Lin returned home this day, he found that the atmosphere at home was unusual.
Lu Lin was so surprised when he saw the guest at home.
It was Ji Yun An.
Ji Yun An smiled at Lu Lin and bowed. "Long time no see, Magistrate Lu."
Lu Lin asked with excitement, "Why are you here? This is such a nice surprise!"
Ji Yun An smiled and said, "I'm here to do a study tour."
Lu Lin narrowed his eyes, 'Really? You spent so many years in this place and now you are back to do a study tour?'
A tempting aroma had distracted Lu Lin, he turned around only to see a variety of dishes on the table.
"So many dishes!" Lu Lin exclaimed.
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yeah, Mai cooked them all."
Mai enjoyed cooking, but that boy was fickle, you needed to catch him in a good mood if you wanted him to cook something for you. Lu Lin cast a glimpse at the dishes and smiled knowingly, they were all Ji Yun An's favorite.
Chen Xiao Mai glanced at Lu Lin and said, "Lin Ge, do you want to have some as well?"
Lu Lin shook his head and said, "Thank you, Mai, but I've already eaten." Lu Lin touched his chin and vaguely felt like a third wheel in the room, soon he excused himself and left the room.
…
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Lu Lin and said, "Have you met Ji Yun An? He is back, now he is in Mai's room."
Lu Lin nodded and said, "Yeah! He has grown so much, he was such a little brat when he left, but now he is a young man!"
Chen Xiao Mi rubbed his chin and said, "He indeed has grown much taller."
"Why is he suddenly back? I heard that he has passed the imperial examinations at the provincial level, should he be waiting for his appointment in the capital city? He can pursue his official career now!"
After Ji Yun An found out he had passed the imperial examinations at the provincial level, he wrote to Ji Cheng Kang and Chen Xiao Mai, and of course Chen Xiao Mai shared the great news with the family.
Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "He has indeed passed the exam, but he is not happy with his ranking. He plans to take another exam."
Lu Lin frowned and asked with disbelief, "Another exam?"
'Isn't that guy a bit cocky? Does he have any idea what an achievement it is to just pass the exam? Let alone he is so young! What on earth is he thinking? He surely would make the news in modern society, genius kid who has his heart on Harvard turned down the scholarship from Stanford!'
Lu Lin found it funny that they all saw Ji Yun An as a brat when in reality he was anything but one. He found it funnier how Ji Yun An entered their life, it was Xiao Mai who caught him breaking in and forced him to work as punishment. And one thing led to another, the two kids saw each other differently.
Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "He said that he wasn't happy with his ranking this time and he didn't want to compromise, so he wanted to study harder and do better next time he attends the exam."
"He is young anyway, he can afford to wait for a few years. Although it's going to be funny if he fails to do better next time." Lu Lin made a face.
"Don't jinx it!" Chen Xiao Mi made as if he was going to punch Lu Lin.
"Take it easy, I'm just kidding, of course he is going to do great next time."
Mai and Ji Yun An
Ji Yun An came out of the county yamen and went to the patrol camp.
"Have you really thought this through, are you really going to re-take the exam?" Ji Cheng Kang looked at Ji Yun An with a worried look, he didn't want his little nephew to get too carried away and make the wrong decision.
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yes, uncle, my mind is made up. Although I passed the exam this time, but my ranking is terrible. I'm hungry for a better ranking and better a better starting point for my official career."
"All right, Yun An. It looks like you have given mature consideration to this matter, I support your decision."
Ji Cheng Kang stared at Ji Yun An for a while and suddenly said, "You are interested in the Lu Lin's little brother-in-law, aren't you?"
Ji Yun An scratched his head and said shyly, "I accidentally ran into his room years ago, I believe it's fate."
Ji Cheng Kang shook his head and said, "At that time, you were very young, trust me, Lu Lin didn't care that you have broken into his house. Getting betrothed is no joking matter, I want you to be with someone who share mutual love and respect with you."
Ji Yun An said with a smile on his face "I think Mai and I have that."
Ji Cheng Kang was not surprised. Although Ji Yun An had been in the capital city for the past few years, he had always been in contact with Chen Xiao Mai.
Ji Cheng Kang thought Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin must know what was going on as well and they had tacitly consented to this, otherwise they would have had meddled in.
"Your father has introduced a girl to you, hasn't he?"
Ji Yun An's face darkened, he frowned and said coldly, "It's his niece, I don't feel a thing about her."
Ji Yun An had a very bad impression of his father, Zhao Heng, and he felt great hatred for his father's behavior of introducing him a girl.
Ji Cheng Kang smiled. Ji Yun An had passed the highest imperial examination at such a young age, of course people were eager to be betrothed with him. Not only the Zhaos , but some of the Ji family's distant relatives wanted to be betrothed with Ji Yun An.
"Yun An, let me ask you one last time. Are you sure you want to marry Mai? Knowing Mai, he is not going to be able to give you any assistance for your official career."
Ji Yun An's eyes sparkled and he said in a relaxing way, "Areal man relies on himself to fight for his future, not his wife, or his wife's family."
Ji Yun An suddenly thought of his mother. When his mother was alive, she had given his father a lot of help. Some people who were jealous of his father sowed discord between his parents by saying that his father relied on a woman for his success. And his father took it to his heart, he started to estrange himself from his mother.
Thinking of his father, Ji Yun An shook his head with disapproval.
Ji Cheng Kang nodded and said, "If you're sure, I'll talk to Lu Lin for you. Chen Xiao Mai has reached marriageable age, I'm afraid others will propose to him if we don't act fast."
Ji Yun An scratched his head and said shyly, "Thank you so much, Uncle."
Ji Cheng Kang smiled bitterly. Ji Yun An chose a wild child Chen Xiao Mai over all those ladies from eminent families, it was hard to believe. Zhao Heng would be so furious after he heard of it.
…
A few days later, Ji Cheng Kang prepared a generous gift and visisted the county yamen.
Chen Xiao Mi and Ji Cheng Kang chatted happily.
Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Mi and asked, "What was Ji Cheng Kang doing here?"
"He was here to propose for Ji Yun An," Chen Xiao Mi said.
Lu Lin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Finally! Ji Cheng Kang did something right! Otherwise I would throw Ji Yun An out next time he walks into Mai's room."
A few years ago, Chen Xiao Mai was still young, and it was not a big deal for Ji Yun An and him stayed in the same room, so, but both kids were older now, people would talk if they spent time in the same room.
"General Ji looks very sincere."
Lu Lin nodded and said, "My only concern is Ji Yun An's family background is a bit complicated. I don't know if our Mai can handle that."
When Lu Lin first transmigrated to this time and space, Chen Xiao Mai was a toddler. In the past few years, Lu Lin raised Chen Xiao Mai as his own son. Lu Lin inevitably had his concerns about this betrothal.
Chen Xiao Mi sighed and said, "Ji Yun An is a nice young man, I believe he can take care of that."
Lu Lin nodded, "Mai is really charmed by Ji Yun An, I won't try to meddle in or anything. I know Ji Cheng Kang supports Ji Yun An's decision, but how about Ji Yun An's father?"
Matches were arranged by go-betweens according to the wishes of the parents. Although Ji Yun An had changed his surname, it was still a fact that Zhao Heng was his father.
Ji Yun An had boundless prospects before him, of course Zhao Heng wanted to find a lady from an influential family for Ji Yun An so that they could have a strong ally in the imperial court. As far as Lu Lin knew, although Zhao Heng had the highest imperial examinations, he was unappreciated in the official circles!
Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "General Ji mentioned this. He said that Zhao Heng would oppose this marriage, but no need to worry, General Ji said he would take care of this."
Chen Xiao Mi tilted his head. Ji Cheng Kang seemed to have a deep hatred towards his brother-in-law, but no one could blame him. Zhao Heng took advantage of Ji Xue and abandoned Ji Yun An. And Zhao Heng seemed to be scared of Ji Cheng Kang, Chen Xiao Mi was confident that it shouldn't be a problem if Ji Cheng Kang talked to Zhao Heng.
…
In the patrol camp.
"General, what does Lu Lin say about the young master's proposal?" Liu Yun asked.
Ji Cheng Kang said lightly, "Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi both approve it, but they are worried Zhao Heng will object."
Lu Lin was just a county magistrate and Chen Xiao Mai was a bit special.
People would say that was not a great match, Chen Xiao Mai didn't deserve Ji Yun An. But Ji Cheng Kang felt otherwise, he had seen how happy Ji Yun An had become due to Chen Xiao Mai. And Chen Xiao Mai's family members were all very ambitious and capable, Yun An made his first fortune thanks to Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Cai.
Liu Yun frowned and said, "Zhao Heng will not be happy about this."
Ji Cheng Kang narrowed his eyes and said, "Of course he won't be happy. He is the biggest hypocrite I have ever met, he is desperate to use Yun An to associate with the influential families. And people still have some prejudice against Bios, probably those stupid people are going to make fun of Yun An, and Zhao Heng would find that embarrassing."
Ji Cheng Kang then added with a scorn, "No need to pay him any attention though, what matters is Yun An's happiness."
Liu Yun nodded, "I think young master Ji is now very happy, he goes to the county yamen every day to spend time with Mai, and he comes back to the camp, beaming with smiles."
…
Ji Yun An spent so much time in the county yamen, he naturally heard about the hot springs project.
Ji Yun An was very curious about the hot springs project and he followed Chen Xiao Cai to visit the site.
Chen Xiao Cai and Ji Yun An had cooperated well before, and now they were going to become a family. Ji Yun An was interested in the hot springs, Chen Xiao Cai was naturally more than happy to show Ji Yun An around.
"It looks spectacular!" Ji Yun An exclaimed at first sight.
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "The cost is already quite high. I've put so much time and efforts in this, I dread to think no one comes visit this resort."
Ji Yun An glanced at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "That won't be the case, Cai. Once we resume the trade route with the Liao Dynasty, all the big merchants will visit this resort!"
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "I hope so."
Ji Yun An had seen many exquisite landscapes in the capital city and he gave Chen Xiao Cai some inspiring advice.
After visiting the hot springs hotel, Chen Xiao Cai and Ji Yun An went to one of Chen Xiao Cai's restaurants.
Ji Yun An looked at the busy street and said in admiration, "Cai, you are really amazing."
Chen Xiao Cai smiled and said, "Thank you, Yun An. I can't wait for the trade route to reopen, all right, enough about me."
Chen Xiao Cai glanced at Ji Yun An and said, "I heard that you are not happy about your ranking in the exam and plan to retake it?"
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yeah! I've thought this thing through, people in the official circle tend to overlook youngsters, so I figured I better retake it and fight for a better ranking."
Chen Xiao Cai looked at Ji Yun An and gave him a thumbs up in heart, 'I appreciate your courage, insight and confidence! No wonder Mai is charmed by you!'
Chen Xiao Cai hesitated for a moment and asked, "Are you going to marry Mai?"
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yeah!"
Chen Xiao Cai sized Ji Yun An up for a while and said seriously, "I need to make one thing clear, there can't be other people in this marriage."
Ji Yun An smiled and said, "Don't worry, I only want Mai."
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and half-jokingly, "If you cheat on Mai, there's even no need for me and my Big Brother to punish you, I'm sure Mai can teach you a lesson himself."
Chen Xiao Mai could tackle Ji Yun An years ago, and he had only got stronger over the years.
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "There won't be such a day, but now let's talk about you, I heard that there are many people who want to be your concubine. If you dare do that, I'm afraid Lin Ge will not stand by your side."
Chen Xiao Cai glanced at Ji Yun An and said unhappily, "Chi and I are in love, I won't have a concubine."
Chen Xiao Cai rubbed his forehead. Recently, his business was getting bigger and bigger. There were always some people who wanted to send a concubine to him. Chen Xiao Cai rejected one after another but to no avail, people would still try their luck. Chen Xiao Cai was so jealous of Lu Lin who had never encountered such a situation due to his reputation of being hen-pecked.
…
Yuan Bao held his face and looked at Chen Xiao Mai, "Little Uncle, are you going to marry Big Brother Ji!"
Chen Xiao Mai nodded and couldn't help blushing.
Yuan Bao blinked and said: "Little Uncle, what do you like about Big Brother Ji?"
Chen Xiao Mai thought for a moment and said, "He is a pretty boy."
Lu Lin who was walking towards this room happened to hear that conversation between Chen Xiao Mai and Yuan Bao.
Lu Lin chuckled, 'Mai likes Ji Yun An because Ji Yun An is very good-looking. But Mai, he is so much more, he is a genius.'
Yuan Bao puffed up his cheeks and said, "A pretty boy? So you love him for his outer beauty? But Father Lin said that we should look for the inner beauty about someone."
Lu Lin nodded in approval, 'Good boy, Yuan Bao, you are listening.'
"He also has great handwritings, he has read a lot of books, he knows martial arts, he is just very great," Chen Xiao Mai said.
Yuan Bao nodded and said, "I agree. Father's handwriting is terrible, and Brother Ji's handwriting is as pretty as his pretty face."
Lu Lin pouted.
Chen Xiao Mai said smugly, "It's amazing that he has such great handwritings. It means you are dedicated to practicing since you were young, you know, it requires a lot of practice and determination."
Yuan Bao scratched his head and said, "This brother Ji seems to be quite capable as well. I heard that he passed the exam."
Chen Xiao Mai nodded and said, "Yes, he passed the exam and now he can become a government official."
Yuan Bao puffed up his cheeks and said, "But Father said that you can become an official if you have money. It's not good to become a nerd when you can do things in a clever way."
Chen Xiao Mai shook his head and said, "I don't know what a nerd is. I'll ask Brother Ji next time I see him."
Lu Lin gasped, then he covered his mouth, hoping Ji Yun An had no idea what a nerd is.
Chen Xiao Mai's Engagement Banquet
Ji Yun An sat in the restaurant with one of his close classmates Wei Qiyu.
"Yun An, Sha County is much more lively than I imagined! How great!"really good!" Wei Qiyu was rejoicing.
Wei Qiyu originally thought that he would be starving once he arrived at Sha County, but to his surprise, he had tried so many unique delicacies without ever needing to worry about his nect meal. His face had even become plump.
What made Wei Qiyu even happier was that the food of Sha County was not expensive in his standard.
It would cost more than three times if he wanted to try different delicacies every single meal.
"Qiyu, all jokes aside, I'm really surprised a young master like you who revels in a high position and indulges in comfort has actually come all the way from the capital city to this remote county," said Ji Yun.
Wei Qiyu shook his fan and said listlessly, "It's not like I have an option! I didn't pass the exam, my father kept enumerating my wrongdoings due to that, and I've had enough, so I decided to do some travelling and use Sha County as a place of refuge. But to be honest, I wasn't the only one who didn't pass the exam, I really don't know why father was so angry. It's your fault in a way. Not only have you passed the exam, but you decide to retake it for a better ranking, that makes me look even more incapable!"
Ji Yun An smiled, "I'm really sorry."
Wei Qiyu looked at Ji Yun An's cheeky smile and pouted. "All right, I forgive you, my friend. It is really torturous along the way. I'm afraid I couldn't make it if not for all the delicious food you have described."
Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said: "I thought you came here because you have heard the news that the imperial court was keen to establish relations with the Liao Dynasty."
Wei Qiyu scratched his head with a fan and said, "Of course I need to make a high-sounding excuse in front of my parents, otherwise how could they let me go!"
Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said, "How cheeky!"
Wei Qiyu crossed his arms and said, "It's not just me who has fooled his parents. Have you seen all the young masters wandering on the street right now? From what I have seen, these guys look like good-for-nothings."
Ji Yun An said, "You just find everyone suspicious because you are guilty."
Wei Qiyu waved his hand and said, "Enough about me. I heard that you are about to get engaged with Magistrate Lu's brother-in-law?"
Ji Yun An nodded and said happily, "Yeah!"
Wei Qiyu frowned and said, "Your father won't agree! Have you told him about this engagement?"
Ji Yun An's face darkened, "I don't need his approval, I already have my uncle's support."
Wei Qiyu held his chin and said with a snigger, "I think your father must be stamping his foot in anger right now."
"Not my concern. There will always be people who are happy to comfort him," there was a hint of sarcasm in Ji Yun An's tone.
There were many considerate and beautiful women around Zhao Heng.
Wei Qiyu said curiously, "You are something else, my friend! There are so many beautiful ladies in the capital who are eager to betroth you. But you, you are chasing after a Bio boy! Wait, the drumstick sketch hidden in your book, was it drawn by him?"
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yeah, his name is Chen Xiao Mai, and I think the sketch is very cute!"
Wei Qiyu rolled his eyes and thought, 'I knew it! No wonder he got so snappy when I laughed at that sketch, turns out it was from his sweetheart! Aww, Yun An, madly in love, cannot even tell it's a lousy sketch.'
"It seems like you and this Chen Xiao Mai are in love, do I have the honor to meet him?" a smile flashed across Wei Qiyu's face.
Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said lightly, "If you really have this much free time, you might as well go meet all the ladies your mother has introduced to you."
Wei Qiyu made a face and changed the subject.
"The longer I stay in this Sha County, the more I understand why you love this place so much, "Wei Qi said.
Ji Yun An nodded, "Soon there will a Hot Springs Resort. You can go and check it out when it's done." Ji Yun An thought to himself, Wei has a much wider network of contacts than me, with his promotion, those young masters will be happy to pay a visit to the resort.'
"Hot springs? Yeah, I heard that Magistrate Lu's second brother-in-law is building a resort, it's still under construction, isn't it?"
Ji Yun An nodded and said, "It's a big project, but it's partially done. I think there will be a soft opening in a few days."
Wei Qiyu touched his chin and said, "I'm looking forward to that, I can't even find a brothel in this damn place, I'm so bored."
Ji Yun An shook his head and said, "Wei, why do you always want to visit the brothels?"
Wei Qiyu looked at Ji Yun An and said, "I think you are jealous of me, because I get to do whatever I want to do. Your fiancée wife seems to have a ferocious reputation, I think you are marrying a shrew."
Ji Yun An helplessly said, "I am not interested in going to brothels in the first place."
…
In Zhao family.
"How stupid!" Zhao Heng slammed the table angrily.
"Heng, what happened? Why are you so mad?!" Liu Qingmei quickly walked to Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng's face darkened, "It's that Ji Cheng Kang! Can you believe he approves Yun An's engagement with a Bio boy in Sha County, and I heard that Bio boy is retarded! I said earlier that Ji Cheng Kang was up to no good, now he finally is showing his true colors. He is deliberately trying to ruin Yun An's future."
Zhao Heng was so furious that his face went pale. Neither Ji Cheng Kang nor Ji Yun An had informed him about this engagement, he heard it from someone else. Zhao Heng found that very humiliating.
Zhao Heng was the biggest supporter of patriarchy, he liked women who obeyed him. Ji Yun An's late mother Ji Xue was born into a martial general's family and had a strong personality. In fact, Zhao Heng didn't like her. However, for the sake of his future career, Zhao Heng he cajoled Ji Xue into marrying him.
They had some happy days when they first got married, but things went south after Zhao Heng heard people talking about him behind his back, calling him hen-pecked and relying on his wife.
Liu Qingmei frowned and asked, "A retarded Bio boy?"
Liu Qingmei was wild with joy when she heard that, she was so jealous of Ji Yun An who had passed the exam at such a young age, but now she felt so relieved that Ji Yun An is engaged to a retarded Bio boy with no background.
"I've introduced a lot of young ladies to him, but he… he picked a fool." Zhao Heng looked so sullen.
Liu Qingmei was confused. "Why would Ji Cheng Kang find a fool for Yun An? Ji Cheng Kang has always loved Ji Yun An the most! He raised Ji Cheng Kang's as his own kid!"
Zhao Heng snorted and said, "Yun An is not his biological child after all."
"This retarded Bio boy, what exactly is his background?" Liu Qingmei asked suspiciously.
Zhao Heng was unhappily, "His brother-in-law is the magistrate of Sha County, that's all. This magistrate is the one who has invented Curved Iron Plough with Ji Cheng Kang. Humph, I say they have reached a deal between the two of them, Ji Cheng Kang is using my son to please Lu Lin."
Liu Qingmei was confused. "But what did Yun An say, he just accepts the fact that his wife is a retarded Bio?"
Zhao Heng gnashed his teeth and said, "That silly boy listens to whatever Ji Cheng Kang says, and he sees me as his enemy."
Liu Qingmei remained silent, but she was very happy.
Liu Qingmei knew very well that Ji Yun An hated her. She hated to see Ji Yun An fully spread his wings and fulfill his potential, so she was thrilled to find out that Ji Yun An chose to get engaged with someone who cannot help him in his future official career.
Liu Qingmei hesitated for a moment and said, "I heard that Yun An is going to retake the exam. Is that true?"
Zhao Heng nodded and said, "Yeah! This child gets carried away with success, he was lucky this time, so he thought he could be lucky again and again. He is so full of himself."
Zhao Heng was born in a family of scholar, but he was in his thirties when he passed that exam.
Although Zhao Heng always urged Ji Yun An to study hard and bring glory to the family. However, Zhao Heng could not help but feel jealous when his son surpassed him so much.
The Emperor was impressed by Ji Yun An due to the book Journey to the West. This time, Ji Yun An was an outstanding talent in the exam, the Emperor appreciated this young man very much.
Although Zhao Heng felt indignant, he sighed with inward relief in secret. For the time being, Zhao Heng did not want to be outshined by his own son.
…
No matter what Zhao Heng thought, Ji Yun An and Chen Xiao Mai's engagement was settled.
The people in the camp supported Ji Yun An and Chen Xiao Mai's engagement.
"Mr. Liu, Young Master Ji and Little Master Chen are now engaged. Do we enjoy a discount when we go to the winery?"
Liu Yun glanced at the soldiers who asked him the question, "Is this what you have been thinking?"
A soldier scratched his head and said with embarrassment, "I just… I want to support their business, but our salary is just so pathetic."
"Young Master Chen has already given us a discount, don't you know that?" Liu Yun said angrily.
"Mr. Liu, you are right, yes, I shouldn't be so greedy, I was just being cheeky. And we are so happy for Young Master Ji, they make a beautiful couple! Little Master Chen is such a great cook, Young Master Ji is so lucky."
Liu Yun glanced at the soldier and nodded with a smile.
Lu Lin and Ji Cheng Kang discussed about the engagement banquet and they decided to throw it in the camp.
On the day of the engagement banquet, Lu Lin arranged a few chefs to cook. They had prepared more than 20 pigs, both the guests and the hosts had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The soldiers who were pigging out said, " Young Master Ji is so lucky!"
"This sausage is so delicious."
"Exactly, the best I have ever had, I heard Magistrate Lu and Little Master Chen came up with the recipe together."
"The taste of this chicken soup is really amazing, what ingredients have they used, the flavor is so rich."
"Boss Chen closed all his restaurants today and asked all the chefs to work for the banquet!"
"Imagine all the money he has lost though!"
"Boss Chen doesn't care, this is his little brother's engagement banquet, of course he wants it to be the best."
…
The whole Sha County heard about the engagement banquet, and the people were so happy for the couple.
Lu Lin and Ji Cheng Kang felt closer after the engagement banquet as well, they had been good friends for a long time, and now they started to see each other as family.
Auction
In one of Chen Xiao Cai's restaurant.
A well-dressed young master stood in front of the counter and asked leisurely, "How much is it?"
"Ten taels and twenty-three cents, just give me ten taels," the shop assistant said carefully.
"Here you are," the young master casually threw out an ingot, and the assistant quickly took it.
"Thank you so much, distinguished customer, please come back again time," the shopkeeper said respectfully.
The customers in the restaurant stole a glance at the young master and whispered to one another.
Ten taels of silver was a large sum to many people in Sha County. The customers couldn't believe someone had actually spent ten taels on a meal.
The young master and his friends then walked out of the restaurant with chest and head high.
They started discussing as soon as they left the restaurant.
"The dishes in this restaurant are pretty good!"
"The food is pretty good. It's just the busboys are so green and inexperienced, have you seen their faces when we order so much? And the assistant at the counter has even stammered when he found out we blew 10 taels of silver over a meal." said a young master in an arrogant way.
"This is not the capital city. Many people here have less than 10 taels of silver income all year round."
"I feel sorry for those people," a young man in a blue robe played with the folding fan in his hand.
"I don't know what secret ingredients they have put in the spicy crabs. They are tastier than the crabs in the Heaven Aroma in the capital city."
"How are we supposed to know, you've said it yourself, they've put secret ingredients."
"Can you imagine how much money we can make if we know the recipe."
"Don't talk nonsense! The recipe is created by Magistrate Lu, who is His Highness Cheng's friend. Let's watch our tongues and not say anything that might offend Magistrate Lu."
"His Highness Cheng seems to have all the recipes created by Magistrate Lu, but His Highness isn't interested in opening a restaurant. He is already very rich."
After Highness Cheng returned to the capital city from Sha County, he would invite people to his manor for gatherings. All the influential officials took pride in being invited to the exclusive gatherings for the unique delicacies. And he had been promoting Sha County to all of his friends.
The reason why so many people came to Sha County was related to Highness Cheng as well.
…
Chen Xiao Cai walked into one of his restaurants this day, and the shopkeeper greeted him immediately.
"Boss, a young master came over today and ordered all the dishes on the menu. He and his friends tried a few bites from each dish and they paid about ten taels of silver."
The dishes in Chen Xiao Cai's restaurants were originally on the cheap side. However, Chen Xiao Cai accepted Lu Lin's suggestion and launched some high-end dishes after the young masters from the capital city came to Sha County. Ordinary people wouldn't order these dishes, but they were perfect for the rich young masters who were always looking for opportunities to flaunt their wealth. But in fact, these high-end dishes weren't much different from the ordinary dishes.
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "Sounds great. You can send the leftovers to Yun Niang who is in charge of cooking for the construction teams."
There were many people working for the Hot Springs Project. They were not picky eaters, and they welcomed leftovers from the restaurants.
Chen Xiao Cai thought to himself, 'These rich people are so dumb, they order so much food just to flaunt their wealth and gratify their vanity.'
Chen Xiao Cai didn't like it, but it was a good thing for the business.
Those young masters desperately needed some confidence boost that they couldn't find in the capital city, so they deliberately spent so much money to enjoy people's attention.
Chen Xiao Cai flipped through the account book and a smile flashed across his face. The profits of the restaurants had been rising sharply recently thanks to the young masters!
…
After a busy day, Luo Wen left the restaurant with a basket and headed home.
When Lu Lin first arrived, Luo Wen was just a boy who was desperately looking for a job. Slowly he had won Lu Lin's trust, and he had been working for Lu Lin since that.
After Chen Xiao Cai built the commercial street, Luo Wen had been working as an apprentice in different stores.
Because Chen Xiao Cai appreciated Luo Wen very much, he even let Wan Li took Luo Wen as a disciple.
Luo Wen was still learning and practicing at the moment. After a few years, he would have what it takes to become a shopkeeper.
Luo Wen glanced at the things in the basket and walked towards home.
"Brother Luo."
"Brother Luo."
A few kids in the village greeted him respectfully.
Luo Wen would pack leftovers for the kids, so he enjoyed a good name among the kids.
There were significant improvements in people's living standards in Sha County, but leftovers from restaurants were still valued by the children in the village.
…
"Wen, you are back," Luo Wen's mother smiled.
Luo Wen put the basket on the table and said, "Mom, there are delicious food today."
Luo Wen's mother helplessly said, "You've brought back from again, will Boss Chen be happy about this?"
"It's fine. Boss Chen asked us to take home these, recently there are so many young masters from the capital city order excessively, so we have a lot of leftovers."
Local customers would usually order the right amount for themselves, so they usually didn't have much leftovers.
The young masters, on the other hand, would just try a few bites from each dish and leave the rest untouched. Luo Wen was very lucky this day, he got a large plate of untouched pastries.
"Are these pastries leftovers? " Luo Wen's mother gasped.
Luo Wen nodded and said, "Yes! The pastries are sold for 100 cents per plate, so yummy. Mother, please try it."
Luo Wen felt so lucky that he got the pastries this day, usually it was the shopkeeper who picked first, but he had been doing a good job recently and the shopkeeper rewarded him with the pastries.
"I'm afraid I don't deserve such good things!"
Luo Wen comforted his mother patiently, "Mom, please try some. It's not like I stole them or anything, the shopkeeper gave them to me as a reward."
Luo Wen then let out a sigh, he found it unfair that the young masters could just waste so many dishes without hesitation while his mother felt she didn't deserve some leftovers.
"Son, Boss Chen likes you. You have to work hard and not let him down!" Luo Wen said.
Luo Wen nodded and said, "I know, Mother."
…
In a small restaurant in Sha County.
"Young Master Ma, they said that the Third Master of Chen family and Ji Yun An are engaged.
The man nodded and said, "Yeah, I've heard of it too."
The man called Young Master Ma was from Forest Town. He came to Sha County to do business with merchants from the Liao Dynasty.
When Lu Lin left Forest Town, the Ma family was little known, but in the past few years, they had shot to fame.
Lu Lin was a legend in Forest Town and Ma Hu had heard of Lu Lin and his story. He knew how Lu Lin spent thousands of taels on his official post, how Lu Lin got a Commendation Letter from the Emperor due to the Curved Iron Plough, how Lu Lin associated with His Highness Cheng…
In the past,
"Young Master Ma, should we go to the county yamen and introduce ourselves to Magistrate Lu?" A guard asked.
Ma Hu was thinking about the same thing. They were town fellows, and he was doing business in Sha County, he figured it was a good idea to visit Lu Lin.
He looked at the commercial street and said, "I heard that the shops on this entire street all belong to Chen Xiao Cai."
"Yes, master, Chen Xiao Cai also has many restaurants!"
"There are so many people on this street. All of these stores should be worth thousands of taels."
"I heard that Chen Xiao Cai is developing a Hot Springs Resort in the mountains."
"Wow, rich people do know how to have a good time!"
…
There was sound of firecrackers coming from the street and Ma Hu craned his neck to get a better view, it was from a hot pot restaurant.
"Waiter, what's going on in that hot pot restaurant? Why are there so many people?"
The waiter smiled and said, "The hot pot restaurant is doing a promotion today, all the dishes are half price. And they are having an auction."
"Auction? What is up for auction?" Ma Hu asked curiously.
The waiter frowned and said, "It seems to be a sheep."
"A sheep? What's so special about this sheep?"
Ma Hu knew that there were certain breeds of horses were worth hundreds of taels of silver, but he had never heard there were some special breed of sheep.
The waiter smiled and said, "Of course it's not ordinary sheep. It's something called Roast Whole Lamb. That Boss Chen and Magistrate Lu have just come up with the recipe for the Roast Whole Lamb, and whoever offers the best price will get the lamb."
"Young master, let's go take a look too!" A guard couldn't resist the temptation.
Ma Hu nodded and said, "Why not?"
He thought to himself, 'I won't buy that lamb, but I just want to see the fun.'
Roast Whole Lamb
Ma Hu and his guards walked into the hot pot restaurant. The hot pot restaurant was full of guests and the private rooms upstairs were all occupied as well.
There were no empty seats, so Ma Hu registered his name on the book and the busboy handed him a number.
"Boss Ma, it's so lively here!" One of the guards sighed with emotion.
Ma Hu nodded and said, "Yeah!"
The number on Ma Hu's number plate said 318, that meant there were 317 people before them. Ma Hu shook his head, he knew no way they could have hotpot today, but he was still excited to watch the auction.
Some customers here were for the half-price hotpot, and some of them were here for the auction and others were here to watch the fun.
Ma Hu heard a few people talking, apparently the private rooms upstairs were all booked by the rich young masters from the capital city.
"Yun An, have you ever tried Roast Whole Lamb?" Wei Qiyu asked curiously.
Ji Yun An shook his head and said, "No."
Wei Qiyu was a little surprised. "Wow, even you haven't had some begore? No wonder they hold an auction for this!"
Ji Yun An smiled. Lu Lin made the roast whole lamb on a whim recently, and he had been keeping it a secret. He had not eaten it before, but Mai had tried some while he helped out, and Mai was full of praise.
Wei Qiyu had a tremendous air of expectancy, "What does it taste like, or what does it look like, this is so exciting!"
"You'll find out what it looks like soon."
"Here it comes, here it comes!"
Several busboys carried out the lamb on a huge plate and put it on the round table in the middle of the hall, the aroma of the lamb was wafting across the whole restaurant.
There were some vegetables sitting by the lamb as garnish, the golden color of the lamb and the green color of the vegetables complemented each other.
No one in the restaurant had seen a whole roast lamb, quite a few of them were stricken dumb with amazement.
"Yun An, just look at that, what a delightful golden color!" Wei Qiyu hit his palm with his fan in excitement.
It was said that there was only going to be Roast Whole Lamb up for auction today, and the next auction was in next month.
Wei Qiyu didn't want to miss out, so he was determined to get it. He looked around and he saw a few people rubbing their fists and wiping their palms, eager to bid.
Wei Qiyu licked his lips, hoping he could outbid them all.
"Quiet, everyone, Roast Whole Lamb is the latest item created by our manager and Magistrate Lu. Great breed of lamb and the seasoning spices are both scarce resources, even though we know a lot of guests are here for the lamb, but I'm so sorry, this lamb belongs to the highest bidder. Come on now, let's get it started, the starting bid is one tale of silver." The shopkeeper whooped.
"Two taels of silver," someone yelled as soon as the shopkeeper finished his sentence.
"Two taels of silver, hehe, you go back home! I say, five taels!"
"Eight taels."
"Twenty."
"Fifty taels."
Hearing someone said fifty taels, a burst of exclamations erupted in the hall.
At the beginning of the bidding, there were still some rich people from Sha County participating. But soon it was only the young masters from the capital city bidding against each other.
It was a huge leap from twenty taels to fifty tales, so people were stunned.
"80 Taels!" a young master raised his hand.
People in the hall gasped.
…
Ma Hu took a glance at the young master who was leaning on the handrail on the second floor and he exclaimed in his heart, 'Wow, such impressive appearance!'
The color and the aroma of Roast Whole Lamb were indeed extremely tempting. Ma Hu even thought about joining the bidding and treating his guards in the beginning, but soon he gave up on the idea.
In the end, the young master called Gao Jun got the lamb with an offer of 80 taels of silver. Other young masters soon surrounded Gao Jun and congratulated him, Gao Jun gave them a nodding with a triumphant smile.
Wei Qiyu was the one who offered 50 taels, but he stopped his bidding right after he saw it was Gao Jun who bid against him. He had no intention to offend Gao Jun from the Prime Minister Gao's family in the slightest way.
…
Many customers in the store were still stunned by the offer, it took them a while to applaud for Gao Jun.
Chen Xiao Cai breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Xiao Cai was so glad that the auction went so smoothly, he was even more glad that Roast Whole Lamb became famous together with this auction.
Originally, in order to create some hype for the auction, Chen Xiao Cai invited a few friends to act like they were here for the auction, he had even asked them to bid. However, the young masters from the capital city had overwhelmed him, none of his friends had actually made a bid.
Ma Hu and his guards left the restaurant after they watched the auction. He was still in a daze when he walked out from the restaurant gate.
"Boss Ma, isn't that crazy? Roast Whole Lamb, some dish, is sold for 80 tales of silver, you can buy a ferghana horse with that amount of money."
All sorts of feelings welled up in Ma Hu's mind. He used to take pride in his profession, he and his guards travelled all the way from hometown to Sha County for trade, they could make several taels of silver from one trip, but they had risked their lives for this! Chen Xiao Cai, however, had just made eighty taels of silver from an auction.
Ma Hu suddenly felt so defeated and disheartened.
"I thought Sha County was poor, but I'm so wrong!"
"The local people in Sha County are indeed not rich. The people who were bidding were all young masters from the capital city!"
Ma Hu turned around and glanced at the signboard of the hot pot restaurant, his mind in a whirl. People in Forest Town all said that Chen Xiao Cai was a business genius, and he had always been dubious about that. However, after a trip to the hot pot restaurant, he suddenly felt so dwarfed.
…
After Gao Jun got the Roast Whole Lamb, he invited a few friends to try it together.
Wei Qiyu and Ji Yun An were both on good terms with Gao Jun, so they were invited as well.
The Roast Whole Lamb was perfect combination of color, aroma and taste.
The young masters all praised themselves as gourmets, but they all found it mind-blowing how delicious this lamb was.
"I didn't expect we could have such great food in Sha County."
"80 taels of silver is a bit expensive, but this lamb alone has made the trip well worthwhile," Gao Jun said proudly.
"It's all thanks to you, Young Master Gao that we can enjoy such delicious food!"
"Yeah! This seasoning must be their secret recipe, it's nothing like the lamb dishes I have had before."
"Exactly! I usually have stewed lamb in the capital city, I didn't expect roasted lamb could be this good."
…
The crowd surrounded Gao Jun and praised him, making him very proud.
Gao Jun had invited too many people, and the lamb turned out be to not enough to feed that many people.
Everyone was still feeling a little unsatisfied. Gao Jun then treated them to some hotpot.
Wei Qiyu walked out from the restaurant with excitement, "That lamb tasted so tender and so crispy at the same time, it's a shame that Gao Jun has invited too many people, I wish I could have some more."
Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said, "You weren't being shy at all, I've noticed several guests glaring at you because you couldn't stop eating."
Wei Qiyu smiled and said with some disdain, "Great food deserves to be appreciated, I don't want to pay attention to those hypocrites, they want to have manners and they also want to eat, no way!"
Ji Yun An smiled and said, "Some of them are Prime Minister Gao's disciples, of course they pay attention to their table manners. You should also pay attention to it."
Wei Qiyu glanced at Ji Yun An and said, "It's fine, that doesn't bother me. But you didn't eat much, ah, you can ask your brother-in-law to cook some for you, right? I think that shopkeeper was just lying, I know it talks time and effort to roast the whole lamb, but no way they can only roast one in a month! You guys must have it at home all the time!"
Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said, "You are overthinking. It is too extravagant, I won't ask Magistrate Lu to do it for me."
Wei Qiyu pouted and said, "Too extravagant? A lamb is worth one or two taels of silver. They just held an auction to attract more customers and find a better price! No wonder everyone keeps saying Boss Chen is a business genius, he is full of ideas to promote his business."
Ji Yun An smiled and said, "Mai's second brother is indeed very capable!"
Wei Qiyu looked at Ji Yun An and said with a worried face, "I heard your fiancée's big brother is a shrew, apparently he has once hunted a tiger, and Magistrate Lu is super hen-pecked and he listens to everything his wife says. Yun An, take care, all right?"
Ji Yun An helplessly said, "No, they are all lovely people! Mai's big brother is very nice and approachable, he once was a hunter because he needed to provide for the family."
…
The news that Chen Xiao Cai sold a Roast Whole Lamb for eighty taels of silver spread to the military camp.
Ji Yun An and Chen Xiao Mai were now engaged, which boost the relationship between the patrol camp and the county yamen. Chen Xiao Cai's business was flourishing, and the people patrolling the camp felt proud.
"Mr. Liu, Boss Chen is a business genius."
"To be honest, I think the fundamental reason is people from the capital city are too rich."
"Mr. Liu, I heard that Roast Whole Lamb is a rare delicacy in the human world."
"Mr. Liu, I heard the Roast Whole Lamb is even tastier than Imperial Cuisine."
Liu Yun looked at the soldier and said, "The way you said it made me feel like you have eaten imperial cuisine before."
The soldier smiled embarrassedly. He had never had the Imperial Cuisine before, he learned that saying from a young master on the street.
"Mr. Liu, when can we cook a Roast Whole Lamb?"
Liu Yun glanced at the soldier and said, "Do I look like I have eighty taels of silver? There isn't 80 taels of silver in our entire camp."
The soldier made a face and smiled embarrassedly, "I'm just joking with you."
Liu Yun frowned and thought to himself, 'More and more young masters are coming to Sha County recently, they say they are here for the peace negotiations. However, it looks like they have been indulging themselves in creature comforts.'.
"Mr. Liu, to be honest, 80 taels is just too much. Boss Chen is such a genius though!"
Liu Yun thought to himself, I don't think the genius here is Boss Chen, I think this is all Magistrate Lu's idea, Magistrate Lu is low-key so he gives all the credit to Boss Chen."
"The hot springs resort is so luxurious," a soldier chimed in.
The soldiers nodded in agreement. They felt that although Chen Xiao Cai made a lot of money, the hot springs resort was not the best investment.
Here Comes a Freeloader
In the county yamen.
Lu Lin counted the silver in his hand and said excitedly, "The Roast Whole Lamb is sold for 80 tales! Fancy!"
"I thought we would have to ask our friends to act like they are customers and bid for it," Chen Xiao Mi muttered.
Chen Xiao Mi had long planned that if there were no offers over 20 taels of silver, they would buy it themselves. The purpose of this auction was not to make money, but to make a name for Roast Whole Lamb.
The auction went better than they could possibly thought.
A young master bought the lamb for 80 tales of silver would cause an uproar in the county for sure.
Chen Xiao Cai looked at Lu Lin and asked curiously, "Lin Ge, what has inspired you to cook Roast Whole Lamb?"
'Because it's a famous dish in modern times, so I took the liberty to try it myself.' Thought Lu Lin.
"I thought about it on a whim, I'm tired of all the old dishes, so I was feeling inventive."
In Lu Lin's previous life, he had tried Roast Whole Lamb twice when he when went out for dinner. It was a luxury for him and his friends as well, an authentic Roast Whole Lamb was usually 800 Yuan, they couldn't afford to have it all the time.
It was said that the Roast Whole Lamb was invented accidentally, a shepherd had accidently burned down his house and all the sheep had died in the fire. However, the aroma of the dead sheep wafted across the whole village, the shepherd was overjoyed and made a fortune since that accident.
Chen Xiao Cai looked at Lu Lin and said, "Lin Ge, that was some bold invention, to roast a whole lamb?"
Lu Lin glared at Chen Xiao Cai and thought to himself, 'Chen Xiao Cai, you're a little brat, you should be thanking me instead of judging me.'
"If I'm not bold, how can you make this 80 taels?"
Chen Xiao Cai scratched his head and said, "Lin Ge, you're right."
"I think the villagers will start to raise sheep now. The cost of raising sheep will probably go up too."
Chen Xiao Cai nodded, "Big Brother, you are right. I heard that just after the auction, the villagers have swarmed to the market to buy sheep."
Lu Lin wasn't that surprised, this wasn't the first time that he had set a trend.
Chen Xiao Cai didn't stay for too long, he was here to give Lu Lin his cut of the Roast Whole Lamb.
Chen Xiao Mi cupped his face in hands and asked Lu Lin, "Do you often eat Roast Whole Lamb in your hometown?"
Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "I wish that were the case! You need to have a proper occasion for this kind of dish."
"Because it requires the right atmosphere?" Chen Xiao Cai asked.
Lu Lin nodded, "But most importantly, I didn't have much money. I could order the whole lamb and share it with strangers, but I didn't have that kind of money."
Chen Xiao Mi patted Lu Lin's shoulder and said, "You can eat as much as you want now, Lin."
Lu Lin smiled, 'Yeah, to some agree, there's significant improvement in my living standards now.'
…