Indeed, the news rapidly disseminated.
During the evening when Jiang Zhou went home for dinner, a succession of people arrived, eager to inquire about the news.
Among the first visitors were Lu Dalang, Aunt Lu, and Lu Xiangxi. Upon hearing that the imperial envoy sought Jiang Zhou, they rushed over anxiously. Arriving before Jiang Zhou returned, they waited with growing concern.
Wen Yan, unable to sit still, anxiously stared at the door, fearing the worst. The possibility of Liu Lin’s involvement weighed heavily on his mind.
A sense of relief washed over the group when they saw Jiang Zhou returning with joy.
As they recounted the news, the astute among them recognized the magnitude of this event.
Lu Dalang pondered further. Understanding Jiang Zhou’s intention to spread the news, he proposed an idea, “In the future, when our hot pot restaurant becomes popular, it might attract envy. Why not invite an engraver to create a plaque for the shop? It can serve as a symbol of prestige and allure.”
Everyone agreed that it was a clever idea.
Lu Xiangxi voiced a concern, “But what if there’s a thief? Losing this imperial decree might be irreparable. We can’t afford to compensate.”
Jiang Zhou shrugged, “Let’s discuss that later. First, let’s focus on preparing for the hot pot restaurant. Capitalizing on the excitement, we can open the store first.”
The logic in his words resonated, prompting them to prioritize the opening of the store.
.
While they prepared, word of the news quickly spread throughout the town. People learned that someone in Xiaohe Village had received an imperial decree!
Curiosity led them to inquire about Jiang Zhou. Discovering his journey from misfortune to success, from selling sponge cakes to oden, and finally opening Jiangjia Restaurant, the latest news hinted at an upcoming hot pot restaurant.
Although many hadn’t heard of hot pot before, Jiang Zhou’s association with the food intrigued them. Envy, greed, and curiosity fueled anticipation for the hot pot restaurant’s opening.
Regarding the cement mentioned in the imperial edict, they had also heard it was a valuable construction material. Rumors suggested it was stronger and more aesthetically pleasing than their current building materials.
Witnessing Jiang Zhou’s well-constructed house left an impression, sparking interest in using this new material. Consequently, a local cement factory opened, and those seeking cement had to make advance appointments. As autumn approached, the demand surged, urging people to hurry and secure their orders.
A bustling house-building craze swept through the town, drawing even more people to Jiangjia restaurant and turning it into a popular hotspot. Reflecting on this phenomenon, Jiang Zhou realized it resembled the memory of a time traveler. Was this what they referred to as an ‘popular celebrity attraction’?
.
Amidst the widespread attention, Jiang Zhou’s hotpot restaurant opened its doors.
Compared to a smaller eatery, this larger establishment with a spacious interior and a grand name caught even more eyes.
Benefiting from Jiang Zhou’s intentional or unintentional publicity, nearly everyone was aware of this novel restaurant that had never been seen before.
On the opening day, the entire street buzzed with excitement.
Jiang Zhou specially invited Zhuo Bang to preside over the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Bright red firecrackers crackled, and red cannon paper fluttered in the air. The lion dance team, specially invited for the occasion, performed for almost an hour. With the emperor’s sponsorship, Jiang Zhou spared no expense, creating a lively atmosphere that attracted a large crowd.
To mark its opening day, the hot pot restaurant held an event, offering a 19% discount on all dishes except the pot base, which drew many people.
Upon entering, the customers immediately sensed a different atmosphere.
Carved wooden window edges and semi-hollow screens divided the lobby into two halves. Before they could take a closer look, a warm breeze mixed with an enticing fragrance swept in, dispelling the chill in the air.
A nimble waiter approached and greeted them, asking, “How many people are you in?”
“Two of us.”
“Alright, please come in!”
The young waiter took the menu and led them to their seats, then put away the dishes and chopsticks, saying, “Take a look at what you’d like to eat. Here’s a charcoal pen. Just write along. If you don’t know the characters, feel free to ask, and I’ll tell you the dish names!”
Coincidentally, one of the customers was well-read. The waiter gestured to his companion to bring tea and snacks.
“Hey, are these boiled peanuts from Jiangjia restaurant?” The observant man immediately recognized them.
The waiter chuckled, “Good eye. These are complimentary. Give them a try.”
A few days ago, the supply of peanuts in the restaurant had stopped. Some regulars missed them, so it was a pleasant surprise when they were sent here. Besides, while peanuts weren’t particularly valuable, they still filled the stomach. After receiving a can for free, the man felt immediately content.
Twisting a peanut and peeling it carefully, he listened to the waiter’s introduction, “There are several types of pot bases, such as roasted chicken, fried shrimp in oil, big bones… Which one would you like?”
“What’s in this big bone pot, and what are the sides?”
The waiter smartly responded, “This big bone pot has three fresh thigh bones, with both meat and marrow. You can enjoy both. The side dishes include mushrooms and new bamboo shoots. If you don’t find it sufficient, you can also order additional dishes listed at the back of the menu.”
The man then ordered the big bone dish and added two more side dishes.