Chapter 432: Jin Fresh Building

Chapter 432: Jin Fresh Building

Mo Jiuye and He Ziran’s original plan was for him to come into the city to inquire about Tang Mingrui’s intentions. If the other party was willing to cooperate, Mo Jiuye would go to the city’s brokerage to buy a few suitable people.

He Ziran’s soul came from the modern era and did not support such human trafficking in ancient times.

However, since she had come and could no longer return, adapting to local customs was inevitable.

Using molds to make jewelry was a secret that could not be entrusted to just any craftsmen.

The best way to keep this secret from spreading was to buy people.

In Great Shun, the indenture contract was equivalent to those people’s lives, their fates in the hands of their masters. Unless something unexpected happened, they would not betray their masters.

Mo Jiuye was not in a hurry, but Tang Mingrui did not want to wait long.

Seeing that Mo Jiuye did not respond promptly, he said anxiously:

"Ninth Brother, I know that such jewelry will certainly be more expensive, but you have worked with me before. Please trust me; I will ensure that this kind of jewelry generates the highest profit."

Mo Jiuye knew that Tang Mingrui was passionate about business, but he had never seen him so eager before. This made him somewhat amused.

"The jewelry is currently only as much as what I showed you. I came here today to ask about your interest in cooperation. Additionally, some of the watermelons at home have ripened and can be harvested."

Upon hearing Mo Jiuye’s words, Tang Mingrui initially felt a bit disappointed, but then he became excited.

As he had expected, the watermelons had ripened. He and his family could enjoy the delicious and refreshing melons, and they could also make a substantial profit.

"Great, Ninth Brother! I’ll arrange for people to transport the watermelons immediately."

The matter of his inability to leave Yuncheng was now far from his mind.

Mo Jiuye also believed in Tang Mingrui’s capabilities. Even if he couldn’t leave Yuncheng, he would find a way to sell the watermelons.

Having achieved his purpose in seeking out Tang Mingrui, he had to ask one more question before parting ways.

"Tang Brother, have you encountered any strange incidents or suspicious people recently while doing business?"

Mo Jiuye had a reason for asking this.

He had just heard the entire process in court.

He suspected that Wang Lin was indeed being manipulated by someone, but that person was definitely not Chen Wu.

Moreover, he noticed that Wang Lin’s eyes kept darting around, especially when Tang Mingrui appeared, which became even more pronounced.

These small actions clearly indicated that there was something fishy about the whole situation.

Chen Wu was also a pawn being used, though he knew less than Wang Lin.

Another possibility was that Wang Lin had some leverage against him, forcing him to act this way.

Furthermore, the method of murder was not typical. Who would commit a murder on the street and still get caught by passing constables?

This was clearly a trap set for Tang Mingrui.

If it weren’t for Meng Huaining’s wisdom, the confessions of Wang Lin and Chen Wu would have been enough to convict him of hiring a killer.

When asked, Tang Mingrui’s initial excitement quickly faded, and he fell into deep thought, recalling recent events.

After a long moment, Tang Mingrui spoke:

"After taking those ruffians away from Xiling Village last time, to teach them a lesson, I sent them directly to the prefectural yamen and gave some benefits to the Prefect.

The Prefect had each of the ruffians beaten with twenty heavy blows and fined them before releasing them.

Since then, I have rarely seen those people loitering on the streets; things have been much quieter.

Until five days ago, two new taverns named Jin Fresh Building opened on the main streets of the prefecture. The second master, who hadn’t been seen for a long time, appeared with a few of his men."

Hearing this, Mo Jiuye interjected: "You said the taverns are called Jin Fresh Building?"

"Yes, that’s right, Jin Fresh Building. As far as I know, Jin Fresh Building has many branches throughout the Great Shun Dynasty, all high-end establishments that ordinary people can hardly afford.

Moreover, Jin Fresh Building’s branches are usually located in bustling cities. A place like Northwest, which is relatively barren, even the prefectural capital, might not meet its criteria for opening a branch." Tang Mingrui continued to explain.

Although Tang Mingrui knew about Jin Fresh Building, he had never imagined that such a grand tavern would open in Northwest, nor did he know who the owner was behind it.

However, based on his business experience, anyone who could open such a luxurious tavern and operate it across various regions must have a powerful background. But what exactly that background was and who the owner truly was, he was unsure.

Tang Mingrui was unclear, but Mo Jiuye knew.

"The owner of Jin Fresh Building is a collateral branch of the Empress’s natal family. The Empress’s father is the current Left Chancellor, Xue Qing. In addition, she has several clan brothers who hold official positions in the court.

One could say that the Empress’s maternal family is a vast clan in the Great Shun Dynasty.

Such a clan not only needs people in power but also requires substantial financial backing.

And the source of the Xue family’s wealth is none other than the owner of Jin Fresh Building, Xue Jinchuan."

This was not a secret among the nobility in the Imperial City, especially during the intense rivalry between Nan Qi and Nan Heng, where the backgrounds and resources of their opponents were thoroughly investigated.

At that time, he and Nan Qi were close friends, and Nan Qi would certainly mention such matters to him after discovering them.

The reason why the Xue family relies solely on the tavern business to support their finances is that Jin Fresh Building’s cuisine has four specialties.

The first specialty—Lion’s Head.

The second specialty—Roast Duck.

The third specialty — Braised Pork.

The fourth specialty — Steamed Perch.

Anyone who has tasted these four dishes would praise them without end. The roast duck is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with each bite releasing a rich, savory juice.

While some can imitate the Lion's Head and Braised Pork, none can replicate the mouthwatering flavor unique to Jin Fresh Building.

The Steamed Perch, in particular, has received countless accolades.

In ancient times, with limited seasonings, it was no easy task to eliminate the fishy smell.

Yet, this Steamed Perch is perfectly prepared, free of any fishy taste and exceptionally fresh and fragrant.

For this reason, wherever Jin Fresh Building opens, it always garners the admiration of the nobility.

Speaking of these four dishes, Mo Jiuye had tasted them all while in the Imperial City.

If he hadn't enjoyed his wife's exquisite cooking, he might have considered them the pinnacle of culinary art.

However, having savored many unique delicacies, Mo Jiuye no longer holds Jin Fresh Building's four specialties in high regard.

Not to mention Ran Ran, even his current culinary skills, combined with the special seasonings from his wife's space, could easily surpass those of Jin Fresh Building.

Moreover, the prices at Jin Fresh Building are exorbitant, catering only to the wealthy, as the cost of each dish is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

In other words, Jin Fresh Building caters exclusively to the rich. While there are wealthy individuals in the Northwest, they are far fewer compared to other regions.