Dao Mark City, as the largest city in Minghong State, is exceptionally bustling.
Moreover, Dao Mark City is not very far from Changting Town; traveling by carriage takes less than a day.
When this place was being decorated, many business owners were curious about what someone intended to do after buying it.
It was only today, after its opening, that people realized it was a commerce association.
Seeing that it was a commerce association opening surprised quite a few people.
The competition among commerce associations is quite intense.
The small commerce associations live very difficultly, and being able to cover daily expenses while earning a little extra is considered quite good.
In the past, there were also attempts to open large commerce associations in Dao Mark City.
However, none lasted even half a year before they all closed down.
To many, the Evergreen Commerce Association would likely share the same fate, inevitably heading towards closure.
With the presence of Yunling Commerce and Minghai Commerce Association here, these two dominate the market, leaving no room for other large commerce associations.
Many are already interested in seeing how long this commerce association can last, one month or two?
The opening of the commerce association was lively, with staff coming out to welcome everyone to come in and make purchases.
However, while many gathered to see the excitement, only a few actually entered the association. Most of the onlookers had heard that someone had the guts to open a commerce association in Dao Mark City, so they came to see just how bold it was.
Those who purchase regularly in Dao Mark City are already accustomed to the existence of Minghai Commerce Association or Yunling Commerce, having long been loyal customers, so why switch to another commerce association?
At the moment, most who entered did so out of curiosity.
For a commerce association, retailing is just a small part; having big partners and orders is where the money is made.
Obtaining orders in Dao Mark City is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Seeing few people entering, the chiefs of several small clans from Changting Town present looked worried.
However, the Chief Shopkeeper of Evergreen Commerce Association is none other than Yan Leisheng of the Yan family.
Although Yan Leisheng is an elder of the Yan family, for so many years, most of the family’s business was managed by him.
With a wealth of experience and some trump cards yet to be used, the commerce association was inaugurated.
Previously, Li Changqing mentioned that unless competing on common products, a price war with extremely low prices is needed to open up the market and be competitive with Minghai Commerce Association and Yunling Commerce.
But they would not use such a strategy that harms both the enemy and themselves.
Despite raising a lot of funds, they are still far from competing with the two major commerce associations. Not to mention their raised funds; even if they sold all the families in Changting Town as a package, it wouldn’t match the financial strength of these two commerce associations.
So, they realized that to stand their ground, the commerce association must have something others don’t.
"Serve it up."
With a wave of Yan Leisheng’s hand, several people walked out from the commerce association, each carrying a large pot filled with various foods.
Each pot contained exquisite dishes.
The aroma wafted through the air, confusing the onlookers, leaving them puzzled.
What’s going on?
Are they opening a commerce association or a restaurant?
Everyone lifted their heads and checked the sign carefully; indeed, it was Evergreen Commerce Association, not Evergreen Restaurant.
That’s right.
But what is happening here?
However... seeing the colorful dishes, everyone present couldn’t help but swallow.
They looked delicious.
What kind of dishes are these? They’ve never seen them before.
"Ladies and gentlemen, these are the specialty products of our commerce association. Since we are opening today, please come and taste them," Yan Leisheng said with a smile.
They placed the dishes on tables, preparing many disposable bamboo chopsticks.
The curious onlookers gathered around.
These dishes were made by Li Changqing based on those not available in restaurants.
Although the dietary cultures of the two worlds are not significantly different, there are differences.
Relatively speaking, they lagged behind.
So, even with Li Changqing’s cooking not being top-notch, he could still make many delicious dishes.
The various cuisines and dishes were enough to broaden the horizons of the people of the Cangyuan Realm.
"Delicious!"
Hearing it was free to sample, someone couldn’t help but try the first bite, exclaiming in surprise.
"This soup is so fresh," someone praised after tasting the soup with the chicken and pork tripe.
With one person leading the way, others joined in to taste.
Although they enjoyed the food, questions remained in their hearts.
What’s the purpose behind an Evergreen Commerce Association letting them taste dishes?
Are they planning to double as a restaurant?
"May I ask, Shopkeeper," a slightly plump dignitary with a silk hat and luxurious clothes and jewelry stepped up, clearly wealthy.
"Please go ahead," Yan Leisheng approached.
"Your food is exceptionally good, better than that in restaurants. But this is a commerce association; what’s the plan here? Are you going to sell these as products?"
The plump man seemed puzzled.
"Yes, we are," Yan Leisheng replied.
His words intrigued everyone; a commerce association selling cooked dishes? What’s the new trend? How will it be sold?
Seeing everyone’s confusion, Yan Leisheng didn’t say much, instead turning back and instructing, "Bring it here."
Then someone brought a box.
Everyone else gathered around curiously to see this box.
Square-shaped, with an unknown content.
Yan Leisheng opened the box, and instantly, cold air enveloped the area. It turned out the box was sealed, with ice blocks and some cotton around it, and a wooden box inside the ice.
He opened the wooden box to reveal a dish inside.
It was braised pork.
However, this braised pork was clearly frozen.
"We call this dish a pre-made dish," Yan Leisheng announced to everyone. "The box is sealed; the ice inside can keep the dish fresh for five days. You can reheat it in a pot whenever you want to eat it, and in about a quarter of an hour, it will be ready, with guaranteed taste equivalent to freshly made.
"This saves you trips to the restaurant; you can eat it whenever you crave for it at home."
"For instance, when restaurants are closed at night, you can warm up braised pork and enjoy it with some warm wine at home. Isn’t that delightful?" he explained to everyone with a smile.
"Is it possible?"
People found it astonishing.
"Won’t freezing the dish spoil the taste?" Someone questioned. "Can it truly taste as good as freshly made ones?"
"Dear sir," Yan Leisheng inquired, "I saw you just tried our chicken and pork tripe dish. How did you find the taste?"
"Delicious," the elder nodded repeatedly, "The pork tripe is tender, the chicken is juicy, and the soup’s flavor is incredibly fresh. I could drink a whole bowl myself."
"Haha."
"The dish you just ate is our pre-made dish. The Evergreen Commerce Association owns ice cellars, and the very fresh soup you drank was actually stewed five days ago."
Upon learning that the soup was five days old, those who had tasted it gaped in disbelief.
That soup was five days old?