Chapter 523: Boisterous Voices
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Qiuhua had learned to cook many different dishes from her daughter. She found pleasure in cooking for her family in different ways. She would feel happy whenever she saw her children enjoying her food.
Moreover, two more were people living with the family now. She saw how skinny Lan Ruozhu and Blue Eagle were and decided to nourish them.
Shen Qiuhua considered what to make for lunch as she carried her basket around when everyone greeted her. The small vendors also refused to charge her for the things she wanted to buy.
“These are my items, Miss Shen. You can take them if you like them. Don’t worry—they don’t cost much.”
“Miss Shen, I carved these toys myself. You can give them to your grandchildren to play with.”
Many vied to give Shen Qiuhua something. They were respectful and polite to her because they knew she was Su Binglan’s mother.
Shen Qiuhua’s heart felt warm, but she refused to take these things for free. She said, “I can’t take these. I’ll feel too embarrassed to come here next time if
I do.”
She insisted on paying for what she bought instead of taking them for free. After all, the market only existed to make it more convenient for the Su Teng villagers to sell the things they made or no longer used.
It was even more convenient for people to leave their homes and buy what they needed just a few rows away from their houses. The Su Teng villagers rarely went to town to buy things. Instead, they waited for the market to open. That was because the Su Teng Market was much more lively than the one in town. In addition, Stone Village and Willow Village were neighbors to Su Teng Village, and the people there could enjoy the market’s convenience.
People from these two villages would visit the market one after another after breakfast. Even people from far and wide came over. Those who worked in the embroidery shop and winery typically came to the market at noon to buy lunch for their families.
Some only came to walk around leisurely or visit their relatives. Many people liked visiting their Su Teng Village relatives. After seeing how well it developed, they wanted to build a relationship with the village.
If the Su family were to build another factory, these people wanted to be the first to attend the interviews as soon as they heard the news.
The market was bustling with chatter. Some would see familiar faces while shopping and would stop to chat. Most were old friends. After all, women who had gotten married came home less often at different times and rarely saw their childhood friends.
Everyone would look excited whenever they saw their old friends. They would pull each other to the side and catch up. They even agreed to meet and talk whenever they visited home.
Merchants from far and wide liked strolling around and feeling the lively atmosphere.
“Wow, Mother, this place is just as Father described it. It’s so lively, unlike our village. ”
“Your father came to collect his goods. We can stay for a few days. I’ll take you to eat hotpot, too.”
“Oh yeah, it’s time to eat hotpot. What about the stinky tofu Father mentioned?”
“All right, we can also have that,” the woman said smilingly.
“Madam, I never expected a small village like this to be so lively.”
“Yeah, you’re not the only one who thinks that. Everyone says the place King Lan Ruozhu lives is remote and desolate, but this place is prosperous. I can’t help but want to buy a house and settle down here.”
A little servant girl overheard the conversation and said excitedly, “I can eat delicious food more often if that’s the case.’
The madam shook her head and chuckled. “It’s not that simple. Our family’s roots are back home. Still, thanks to the things here, our Master has earned a lot. ”
When it was almost noon, more businessmen from other places visited. Many brought their families to shop and have fun. The embroidery shop would be extra busy whenever the market opened.
Even Su Fengchen and Miao Zhizhi’s shop became popular as they started selling cured meats.
The couple prepared countless roast ducks, grilled chickens, and cured meats in advance but would always sell out by noon. Those who came to buy these things could not help but sigh and ask, “Could you prepare more next time, Mr. and Mrs. Fengchen?”
Su Fengchen felt somewhat helpless as he had already prepared as much as possible. However, his business’s popularity only kept increasing.
Miao Zhizhi looked at him and said, “Why don’t we learn from Binglan and build a factory to make our products?”
Many merchants wanted to order products from them because of the cold weather. After all, cured meats were easier to store and could last longer, making them suitable to order in batches.
After some thought, Su Fengchen nodded. “I agree, but we must buy more land before doing that. I’d prefer to build it near our house so it’s more convenient to care for my parents simultaneously.
He was a dutiful son who naturally wanted to spend more time and accompany his parents. However, they would still be far away if he built a store or factory between the village and the town like Su Binglan.
That was why he felt it would be best if his store were closer to his house so his parents would not worry so much.
“There’s a vast piece of land to the east of our house,” Miao Zhizhi said, “We can buy it and build a store. Then we can hire plenty of workers to help us.”
Su Binglan had given her many suggestions before, and Miao Zhizhi had learned much from her niece. Miao Zhizhi realized that building a store was not a problem for her husband and her.
Moreover, they would also give their workers wages and bonuses. It would help more villagers with their daily lives. It was also a more meaningful thing to do.
“Besides, we can also make and sell our grilled chicken and roast duck in the store. We can make many more things if we want.”
The young couple had saved a lot of money, so they could buy land to build their store. Su Fengchen thought it was a perfect idea since Su Teng Village had many wide, open spaces and plenty of unused land.
In addition, Su Teng Village was well-connected, making it convenient for people from neighboring villages to visit.
Some even bought tofu directly at the factory’s entrance. There was a long line outside, too. Previously, Su Binglan thought most visitors did not eat anything from morning till night since they spent much of their time at the market.
Therefore, she built a shed at the factory’s entrance with tables and stools for everyone to sit and eat tofu pudding. Many foreigners would spend a few coins to buy tofu pudding at noon and eat it with dry food.
If they brought their own food, it would get cold by noon. Since eating cold food would not taste good, they broke their food into pieces and added them to their hot tofu pudding.
Of course, some vendors would put a stool and table in front of their stalls to sell stews and hot soup. Hot soup only cost two copper coins; many would buy a bowl..