Chapter 22 Cost Calculation

Chapter 22 Cost Calculation

"What's with that look on your face?"

Xing Dairong was displeased when she saw him frowning.

"Miss, the cost of the pastries isn't low. The price of brown sugar is still rising, and the cost for one catty of pastries is over thirty copper coins," Kang Ping answered honestly.

In this era, pastries were rare treats. The brown sugar needed for them came from the south, and its price fluctuated greatly, ranging from ten to twenty copper coins per catty. In Imperial City, the wealthiest place in the country, ordinary waiters at restaurants earned only two to three taels of silver per month, which equates to two to three hundred copper coins. Not many people could afford pastries.

To be asked to fill the place with such expensive pastries upon entry would surely lead to massive losses!

"Do you know anything? Who eats just pastries at a buffet?" Xing Dairong frowned, looking as if she found him petty.

Beside her, Cheng Yunshuo smiled at her spirited appearance and indulgently said, "Let's listen to Dairong."

Kang Ping remained silent, nodding and noting down the instructions.

Meanwhile, Xing Dairong continued walking inside and soon reached the cold dish area she had requested.

There were twelve large porcelain basins prepared, each labeled with its name.

They included boiled fennel beans, boiled mung beans, boiled peanuts, boiled kidney beans, cold mixed eggplant, cold mixed bean sprouts, cold mixed tofu, boiled radish, cold mixed lettuce, cold mixed spinach, cold mixed cabbage, and cold mixed winter purslane.

Next to these were various staple foods: steamed sweet potatoes, steamed pumpkins, steamed buns, and steamed coarse rice.

Seeing so many cold dishes and staples, Xing Dairong nodded in satisfaction. "You said the pastries are expensive, but wouldn't the costs of these cold dishes balance it out? At a buffet, people eat a little bit of everything, not just the expensive items. Your perspective is too narrow."

Kang Ping: "..."

His perspective was narrow, but he didn't mention that the cost of these cold dishes wasn't low either. If people were allowed to eat without limit, they would naturally gravitate towards the more expensive options. Who would choose the cheaper ones?

How many people in this era could even afford to eat properly!

Soon, they arrived at the meat dish area. According to Xing Dairong's requirements, besides the usual braised pork belly, pig knuckles, stir-fried meat, roasted chicken, and roasted duck, there should also be a new addition: barbecue.

Skewers of marinated lamb and pork were grilled over an open flame until they sizzled with oil, then seasoned with chili sauce and the rare western spice, cumin, creating an irresistible aroma.

This barbecue indeed broadened Kang Ping's horizons. When he first heard about it, he thought their restaurant could introduce it as a signature dish, refining the taste and targeting high-end customers.

But who knew Xing Dairong wanted a complete overhaul, making barbecue a category, which doubled their costs.

Meat prices were already high, and their unlimited buffet style would surely lead to significant losses.

"You must ensure a steady supply of meat. If it runs low, replenish it immediately, especially the barbecue. It's a major draw."

Kang Ping looked at Cheng Yunshuo, who was focused on Xing Dairong, and replied, "Yes."

"By the way, what about drinks?"

"Miss Xing, drinks are too expensive. We plan to sell them separately at fifteen copper coins per cup."

"No! This is a buffet restaurant; drinks are included!"

"But the cost of drinks is really high. Without limits, our restaurant will be drained dry!"

"Yunshuo, look at this." Xing Dairong tugged at Cheng Yunshuo's sleeve, pouting.

"Alright, alright, let's do as Dairong says, Kang Ping. Include the drinks."

Hearing this, Xing Dairong immediately looked triumphant at Kang Ping. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes."

"Don't give me that long face. You short-sighted people only see small profits. Just wait and see how I'll take Imperial City by storm and make a fortune! And don't forget the watermelon juice and fruit drinks. Got it?"

"Yes." Kang Ping lowered his head, not daring to say more.

He watched Xing Dairong walk through the entire restaurant, satisfied with her rough, low-budget version of a buffet. After pointing out a few flaws, she finally finished.

Afterward, Kang Ping cautiously asked, "Prince, Miss Xing, what will be the price for this buffet?"

Price?

That stumped Xing Dairong. She turned to Kang Ping, asking, "What do you think the price should be?"

Kang Ping's expression grew serious. "It can't be less than one hundred copper coins per person."

The unlimited buffet she created was suitable only for the wealthy. Not only were the costs high, but the poor would consume more.

One hundred copper coins was a crucial threshold, ensuring that only those with some savings could enter. Even then, Kang Ping worried that after the novelty wore off, few wealthy patrons would be willing to pay.

Upon hearing this, Xing Dairong widened her eyes. "How can you be so greedy!"

She understood the value of money in this era. Back at the brothel, a pot of flower wine cost only one hundred copper coins. How could Kang Ping charge so much for the buffet?

Who could afford it?

"Miss Xing, this is already the lowest price. Do you know how much pork and mutton cost per catty, or how much chickens and ducks cost per bird..."

"Stop talking nonsense! My buffet should be affordable for everyone. How much do you earn as a servant like you?"

"Miss, I earn four taels per month, which is four hundred copper coins."

"Then set the price at forty copper coins! Half-price for children and the elderly! On opening day, everyone gets half-price!"

"Ah!"

Kang Ping drew in a sharp breath.

At this moment, even Cheng Yunshuo couldn't help but frown and look at Xing Dairong.

It wasn't that he had a concept of money, but he knew that forty coins were absolutely not enough to eat meat and drink wine in the Imperial City.

"Yunshuo! You have to understand that my model is about volume; the more people, the more profit. Besides, didn't you tell me that I'm in full charge of the buffet restaurant? I promise to build you a unique business empire!"

Kang Ping: "......"

Under her cajoling, Cheng Yunshuo said, "Alright, it's all up to you."

Kang Ping: "......"

Xing Dairong looked expectantly, "Then let's officially open tomorrow! I guarantee it will be an instant hit!"

Upon receiving the news that the buffet restaurant was opening tomorrow, Lu Lingyun gave a faint smile.

This buffet restaurant is indeed something new.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

On East Street, drums were beaten, gongs were struck, and firecrackers were set off.

After over a month of renovation, the Gather Good Fortune Building reopened, drawing a crowd to gather and watch.

After the noisy firecrackers finished, Kang Ping came out from the Gather Good Fortune Building, unveiling a brand new red sign, revealing several large characters before everyone.

Gather Good Fortune Buffet.

For a moment, the surrounding crowd buzzed with excitement.

"Gather Good Fortune Buffet?"

"What is a buffet?"