Chapter 69: Foodie

Chapter 69: Gourmet

The growing number of visitors to Xin Feng County has not all been beneficial. Merchants from different regions have started clashing, and recently, there have been several violent altercations, though thankfully, no one was killed. This has put additional pressure on Archivist Zhu and his clerks, adding to their workload.

Some merchants from out of town heard it was Yu Lanyi's birthday today and learned that only a select few were permitted into the Zheng residence, so they had to leave with regret, only sending gifts as a token of their goodwill. These merchants are savvy, aware that they have money but no influence and need to rely on officials. For example, when the local gentry and wealthy merchants in towns and counties hear of a commoner's child passing the imperial examinations, they come bearing lavish gifts to visit, curry favor, and even arrange marriages. Once they enter commerce, their families are barred from the imperial exams for three generations, which inevitably cuts them off from power.

In addition to currying favor with officials for protection and shortcuts, they also like to marry off their sons and daughters to officials. Usually, the sons and daughters of merchant families marry officials as second wives, concubines, or to men much older than themselves, sacrificing their youth and beauty for the sake of the family.

Boss Qian sighed deeply, "If Lord Zheng weren't so difficult to win over, we wouldn't have to put so much effort into Young Master Yu."

Young Master Yu's background is a mystery. After Imperial Censor Li departed from Xin Feng County, rumors spread that Yu Lanyi was a son of the Marquis of Changyang's household, which naturally commands respect. This status makes them wary and anxious. What kind of gift would be appropriate for such a family?

As for Lord Zheng, they dare not send him beautiful maids or young men, as this would not only not benefit him but could also harm him, as if wishing him an untimely death.

Zheng Shanci, on the other hand, does not accept bribes, making it difficult to approach him. Some wish to do business in Xin Feng County and establish connections with the county office. Others have greater ambitions, hoping to build a relationship with Zheng Shanci, the esteemed son-in-law of the Marquis of Changyang, before he rises to prominence. With such a connection, they could leverage his future success in official circles.

Boss Guan suggested, "Let's head back for now. I've done some business in Xin Feng County before, and the county office doesn't deliberately obstruct as long as you pay. As long as it's legal, the customs clearance is swift."

However, Boss Ma and the other merchants were skeptical. While Zheng Shanci is not corrupt, his subordinates might still take some liberties, varying only in the extent of their corruption. To these officials, the merchants are like children carrying large treasures past them—how could they resist taking a handful? Several merchants came from various counties in Qingzhou, seeing Fan Ping's success and tasting Xin Feng County's chili sauce and wearing its silk, they sensed business opportunities here.

Some were deterred by the sandstorms in Xin Feng County, but those who had traveled there mentioned the concrete road, making the journey from Lan County to Xin Feng County just a day's trip. This convinced some merchants to come.

Upon reaching the gates of Lan County, they saw the concrete road was indeed excellent, impervious to rain and heat, stretching straight into the sandstorms. They stayed in Lan County for a day and planned to head to Xin Feng County the next morning.

They were advised to buy horseshoes, as the horses' hooves couldn't withstand the concrete road.

Boss Qian, Boss Guan, and the other merchants, unable to cozy up to the county magistrate, returned to their inn.

Although they returned to the inn, some merchants still took their people to explore Xin Feng County's market. Some had just heard of the Zheng family's restaurant and booked a private room to satisfy their hunger. Right at the entrance, they were overcharged. Boss Qian, who had eaten a grilled sausage without chili, found it so delicious that he immediately bought three more.

Someone advised, "It tastes even better with chili."

Upon hearing this, Boss Qian added chili to the three sausages and took a bite, feeling his taste buds explode. After eating four sausages, Boss Qian entered the restaurant, planning to have lunch and then buy five more sausages to enjoy later.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, a wave of aroma greeted him, and a clerk warmly welcomed him, "Sir, would you like to sit in the main hall or a private room?"

"Private room."

The clerk led Boss Qian to the private room, which was well-decorated with a few potted plants, quiet and spacious, though lacking a qin stand. In other counties, private rooms often had qin stands for those who enjoyed music with their meals, but not here.

"Can't you call someone to sing here?" Boss Qian asked as the clerk poured tea, with the menu on the table.

"Our master doesn't care for such things, and neither do the guests here. If you'd like to listen to music, you can go to the teahouses down the street, where the tea-serving skills are quite good," the clerk replied politely after pouring the tea.

Boss Qian was still puzzled, wondering who this "master" was, then remembered the restaurant's name, Zheng's Restaurant. Was this a Zheng family establishment? He opened the menu, and his appetite was immediately whetted.

"Bring me all your signature dishes, plus a plate of fried lamb and winter melon soup."

Boss Qian waited alone in the private room for the dishes to arrive. He sipped his tea and ordered a plate of peanuts. He also checked the wine selection: liquor, osmanthus wine, plum wine, medicinal wine, and spirits... Boss Qian ordered a pot of liquor and a plate of smashed cucumber.

The peanuts were crispy, and as he opened the bottle of liquor placed on the table by the clerk, the strong aroma hit his nose, confirming it was good quality, with no off flavors. He poured himself a bowl and took a sip, the liquor burning his throat. It was indeed strong. Boss Qian sipped slowly, quickly adapting to the alcohol's potency, enjoying the peanuts and cucumber, which added a unique flavor.

By the time the dishes arrived, Boss Qian had already drunk three bowls of liquor. The smell of the food only heightened his appetite. The dishes included drunken fairy fish, three-shredded tofu, braised lion's head, steamed tender meat, stir-fried rabbit, mapo tofu, braised eggplant... These dishes were not available in Xin Feng County before, but with the concrete road to Lan County, any ingredients could be sourced from there. Even grain shops in Xin Feng County had smartly lowered their prices, encouraging local purchases and saving the common folk the travel expenses to Lan County for essentials like grain.

Boss Qian particularly enjoyed the rabbit meat. The plate was a vibrant red, full of chili. He picked up a piece of rabbit meat, finding it fresh and tender, with the chili flavor lingering. He took another bite, savoring it with a mouthful of rice.

The braised lion's head was the highlight, with the sauce bursting in the mouth, rich and scalding, both hot and delicious. Boss Qian was totally won over by Zheng's Eatery.

After finishing his meal, he picked up the menu and saw the clerk leading him to the accountant with a piece of paper.

"The total is one tael and six qian of silver."

Boss Qian thought that with so much food and signature dishes, the price should be higher. When he takes people out to eat, it usually costs at least ten taels of silver. Even when he dines alone, it costs three taels. In Xinfeng County, he only spent one tael and six qian, which left Boss Qian stunned.

He handed the accountant two taels of silver and got four qian back.

Boss Qian inquired, "Do you do meal deliveries?"

"Sir, where do you live?"

"I'm staying at Tongxin Inn, and my surname is Qian."

The clerk nodded eagerly, "We deliver. Just let us know when you'd like it, and there's a five-wen delivery fee. Is that okay?"

Boss Qian shrugged, "No problem. I'll order first—give me a braised pig's trotter..."

After ordering what he wanted, Boss Qian also bought some sausages to take back. Even though he didn't get to meet the county magistrate today, his stomach was full, and his mood was lifted.

Meanwhile, Zheng Shanci had just bid farewell to his guests and was heading back.

Yu Lanyi walked over, took Zheng Shanci's hand, and grumbled, "Are we really discussing this on my birthday? Take a break."

In any case, three years later, moving from Xinfeng County to the capital was a done deal.

"Just chatted a little," Zheng Shanci smiled, "Today's your birthday, so it's all up to you."

Yu Lanyi had a completely obedient husband, but he didn't know what to ask of Zheng Shanci, just letting him follow along and do whatever he did.

The birthday boy still needed a nap, and for dinner, Lin Geer whipped up a delicious meal for Yu Lanyi. The day was peaceful with family around, and in the evening, they went out to enjoy the night view. Yu Lanyi dragged Zheng Shanci to buy a pair of ducks.

"I doubt you can keep them alive—you'll probably hand them off to someone else to raise or just eat them," Zheng Shanci said calmly, even though he bought them.

As for what's worth seeing in Xinfeng County's night market, the only real fun is in the food. The area is sandy, and there's not much to see. Some people make the best of it, enjoying a stroll on the concrete road at night.

The snacks are usually enjoyed at the snack shop run by the Zheng family. An eatery and a snack shop always attract the stomachs of Xinfeng County's people, and the key is that the prices are not expensive. If one can't afford much, buying a few skewers of pot chicken to satisfy the craving is also good.

Boss Qian was convinced. He came to stroll the night market but ended up eating again.

The other bosses who came out with Boss Qian also smelled the snack shop and went to eat. Once they started, they couldn't stop until their bellies were round and full.

"Can this place be sold?" one boss asked.

Boss Qian: "Yes, go ask Lord Zheng."

The boss: "..."

Zheng Shanci usually doesn't eat at night. He sits in the county office, and after work in the afternoon, he goes home without time to exercise. He can't eat more, or his figure will deform. He needs to start exercising; Zheng Shanci can't accept becoming a big belly, patting his round belly.

He glanced at Boss Qian and his group.

Yu Lanyi saw someone releasing river lanterns and gave one to Zheng Shanci, covering his own so Zheng Shanci couldn't see his wish.

Zheng Shanci wanted to see, but Yu Lanyi covered it too tightly, and he saw nothing.

The two walked to the door, and Yu Lanyi stopped.

His eyes gleamed: "Zheng Shanci, I don't want to walk anymore. Can you give the birthday boy a piggyback ride home?"

Zheng Shanci crouched down, his voice clear and crisp: "Hop on."

Yu Lanyi, delighted, suddenly leaped onto Zheng Shanci's back, his legs wrapping around his waist.

"..." Zheng Shanci nearly stumbled forward from the force of the jump.

He steadied himself; Yu Lanyi wasn't heavy, but the force of the jump was too much.

"Zheng Shanci, your back isn't as hard as my brother's," Yu Lanyi said, placing his hands on Zheng Shanci's neck and resting his head on his back.

As if he could measure up to Yu Zhangxing!

His brother-in-law was clearly a seasoned martial artist, with a body that was lean and muscular. Zheng Shanci pictured a muscular man in his mind.

"You're the fifth man to give me a piggyback ride," Yu Lanyi said, counting on his fingers.

Zheng Shanci was displeased: "Birthday boy, mind telling me who the first four were?"

"They were all family members. I'm someone who values my reputation, of course. As for the time with you, just act like it never happened."

He said it so casually that Zheng Shanci was left speechless.

Everyone in the mansion saw Zheng Shanci giving Yu Lanyi a piggyback ride from the entrance to the bedroom. After the two left, they exchanged kind whispers among themselves.

"The lord is so kind to the young master."

"The young master is in high spirits today, even though he didn't celebrate his birthday at the marquis's residence."

...

When they reached the bedroom, Yu Lanyi got down from Zheng Shanci's back and ran into the room, fetching a comb and handing it to Zheng Shanci. "Help me comb my hair."

Zheng Shanci held the comb, his hand still warm. He removed Yu Lanyi's hairpin and began combing his hair. This was the first time he had combed someone else's hair. Zheng Shanci used a hairband to tie Yu Lanyi's hair up.

"The hairband looks nice too. Zheng Shanci, since you've combed my hair, you can't comb anyone else's."

Alright, the bossy young master.

Yu Lanyi went in to wash up.

Zheng Shanci looked at the comb and placed it back in Yu Lanyi's drawer. He took his own comb, removed his hairpin, and combed his own hair.

A tuft of hair fell out.

Zheng Shanci was stunned.