Chapter 526: Chapter 513: Good Things Come In Pairs

“However, this workshop was something I had initially intended to discuss with Master Ding. If we could take advantage of the opportunity of opening a workshop and manage to bring some benefits to the Common People, it would be optimal. Therefore, I need to discuss with Master Ding regarding the possibility of partnering with Manager Shang to open this dried noodle workshop.”

Zhuang Qingning simply explained her previous plans with Ding Gaochang to Shang Chengen, including her visit to Feng Village, and the successful case of the sweet potato glass noodle workshop in Miao Village.

Since she had already agreed before, even though the Feng Village venture failed, Zhuang Qingning felt it was polite to inform Ding Gaochang about it.

“Manager Zhuang is considerate, and Master Ding is also devoted to the welfare of the people, which is admirable,” Shang Chengen said. “How about this? For the workshop, I will partner with Manager Zhuang, I can take a smaller portion in the silver stock. The rest will follow the procedures of Manager Zhuang’s previous workshop in Miao Village. I will find a suitable village and set up such a workshop, distributing a share of the silver stock among villagers.”

“In this way, we can achieve the desired effect of benefiting the local community, as envisaged by Manager Zhuang and Master Ding. Secondly, this workshop would be a mutual check and balance between the village and me, ensuring its well-managed operation and avoiding any disadvantage to the villagers.”

Zhuang Qingning found the proposal quite agreeable and nodded.

Indeed, during her visit to Feng Village, she noticed an issue – not all Village Chiefs were as capable as Miao Hongjin. If they lack sufficient understanding, not only would the workshop be impossible to launch, but even if it starts up, it might have myriad future issues.

If she, at the moment, is really incapable of managing a new workshop, a person like Shang Chengen capable of providing comprehensive management and sales assistance, is indeed urgently needed.

“Rest assured, Manager Zhuang. Our family has a long history in business. We have various businesses in the county town and the capital city, and capable managers. You won’t have to worry too much about the affairs of the workshop,” added Shang Chengen.

A business family indeed…

Zhuang Qingning suddenly thought about the workaholic, Cheng Ruize.

She can only hope that Manager Shang is as competent as Cheng Ruize, so she could essentially become a hands-off manager, only awaiting to count the money.

Zhuang Qingning felt exhilarated and said with a smile, “Having visited Manager Shang’s noodle shop before, I can tell from the arrangements there that you are very meticulous in your work.”

“It’s just a small shop, I’m honored that Manager Zhuang appreciates it.” Shang Chengen smiled and said, “Doing business in my family and enjoying tinkering with food from a young age, I found that the most common things are the hardest to make delicious.”

“Thus, I wanted to open a noodle shop to practice my culinary skills and also to build a renowned noodle restaurant. Unfortunately, the best noodles are made with water from near Qingshi Town, and this water cannot be transported elsewhere. It was a coincidence that when you and your companions came to eat, an employee overheard that you knew how to make dried noodles, hence the idea of opening a dried noodle workshop, so that our noodle shop can be expanded to other locations.”

As expected, he’s a determined man.

However, any task requires perseverance to do it well.

Zhuang Qingning approves of this and discusses some details of the dried noodle workshop with Shang Chengen.

When Shang Chengen left, Zhuang Qingning gave him a package of dried noodles, asking him to try it with his own noodle toppings to see how it tastes.

They also agreed to sort out the workshop affairs once Zhuang Qingning discusses it with Ding Gaochang. After that’s settled, they would discuss the rest.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, these matters can hardly be finalized until after the festivities.

“The beginning is always the hardest, and things can’t be rushed. With so many things happening towards the end of the year, I should also go home for the Lunar New Year. I expect the noodle shop to close after the minor Lunar New Year, so there’s no hurry,” said Shang Chengen to comfort her.

“Besides, I have another favor to ask, Manager Zhuang.”

“Please, go ahead, Manager Shang,” Zhuang Qingning responded with a smile.

“Before coming here, I was told that the tofu skin, tofu and the century eggs from your shop are exceptionally tasty. But quite unfortunately, these items were not available in the town’s shop when I was passing by.”

Shang Chengen laughed and added, “So I especially wanted to ask if Manager Zhuang could make an exception and allow me to taste them. I could then enjoy something fresh.”

“That’s no problem at all,” Zhuang Qingning stood up, “Please, follow me, Manager Shang.”

She then led him to the workshop and packaged some of each item for him to take away.

Shang Chengen repeatedly thanked her and even washed and tasted one of the century eggs on the spot.

“The taste is rich, and the aftertaste is endless, it’s wonderful,” he said after eating it. Shang Chengen also asked Zhuang Qingning, “Manager Zhuang, do you only sell these century eggs in town? Can I sell them elsewhere in the future?”

“As I mentioned earlier, our family has businesses in the county town and the capital city, with such delicious century eggs, you can definitely earn a good profit.”

Zhuang Qingning smiled and replied, “That’s kind of you, but all of my century eggs have been signed over to Manager Cheng from Cheng’s in the county town.”

Zhuang Qingning further explained, “It’s not that we do not want to expand the business, but it’s the inconsistent supply of duck eggs that limits the production of century eggs. Even the shops in the county often run out of stock.”

“I see,” Shang Chengen nodded, “I apologize for my presumption.”

Turns out the Cheng family beat him to the punch, and the one doing business in this county must be that Cheng Ruize.

Well, then, he should put his plan to take over the business on hold.

After all, it’s not right to bully the small with the big, right?

Shang Chengen suppressed his thoughts.

Considering it was getting late, and they had pretty much discussed the dry noodle workshop, and he had obtained the food he wanted, Shang Chengen bid farewell, and left.

Zhuang Qingning watched Shang Chengen’s carriage gradually disappearing into the distance, a long-lingering issue had finally seen a ray of light, she let out a sigh of relief.

[“Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the rescue mission. The host has received the reward: the lower half of the soap-making recipe.”]

As expected, good things come in pairs.

Zhuang Qingning perked up at this. Following the prompt from Number Five, she combined the upper and lower half of the soap-making recipe, obtaining a complete production formula.

Looking at the detailed soap-making method with clear illustrations and texts, Zhuang Qingning couldn’t help but smack her lips.