"What's past is past." Hua Zhi didn't want to say more and continued to talk about the previous events. "The cost of canned food can be calculated. The jars I used last year cost two taels of silver each. This year, I decided on the specifications and styles with the kiln factory in advance. The price is still the same, but it looks much better. It's not difficult for my uncle to find out this expenditure. Then there is the cost of the goods. They are not expensive in themselves, but I need to get them from other places, and I also set up an ice kiln in advance. The price of rock sugar is there, plus labor and so on. The cheapest canned citrus also needs a base price of five taels of silver, so we have some profit."
Bai Mingxia objected without thinking, "Five taels is too expensive. This thing can be sold for ten taels in the capital, but it may not be sold in other places. I also have to bear the shipping costs and the loss during the journey, as well as the store rent, labor, etc. After all, I am afraid that the profit will be about the same as the previous profit in the restaurant."
"The selling price cannot be reduced. In fact, many things from the capital are sold at higher prices in other places. We are not a business that relies on small profits but quick turnover. The canned food business is mainly aimed at the elderly, women and children of wealthy families. If you really reduce the price, they may not be interested. Besides, there is only one Yunlai Restaurant, and a considerable number of people later buy from shops. The quantity is limited. If you have the ability to expand this business throughout the nine provinces, how much volume will it take? Can I calculate for you how much profit will be in total?"
"… "
"… "
After some bargaining, the two men decided on a price: 4.5 liang (15.7 yuan) for oranges and 4.5 liang (15.6 yuan) for peaches, although more expensive than oranges, because they did not require long-distance transportation.
"I plan to make a few new products. One is lychee. A shipload of them arrived a few days ago. One is hawthorn and one is pear. I'll set the price after you try them."
“You can do these too?”
"You can cook any fruit, but some don't taste good, and some are hard to store, like grapes. By the way, when you sell canned hawthorns, you have to explain clearly that pregnant women can't eat them. It's the same as eating hawthorns, it can cause miscarriage."
This is indeed important. Bai Mingxia kept it in mind. "How many cans are left from last year?"
"It should be enough to support a few stores. After all, this stuff is expensive, and we won't sell too much in a day. Take your time, and don't spread the stall too wide at the beginning. Also." Hua Zhi looked at Bai Mingxia solemnly, "I recognize you, not the Bai family. I hope Uncle Shi can handle the family affairs well and not cause trouble later."
"As long as I leave the capital, my brother will stop biting me. Don't worry, I will get what I need and then come back to negotiate the contract with you. Two months is enough."
Hua Zhi calculated the time and said, "It's just right. The fruits will be ripe at that time. Maybe I will need help from my uncle."
The two chatted for a long while, and stopped after drinking two cups of tea. With the window propped up, Bai Mingxia saw that it was almost dark outside and slapped his forehead, "It's already this late, and it's not convenient for me to send you off. You should go back quickly. There's no rush for other things."
Hua Zhi then looked outside, stood up and bowed slightly.
People in the capital have a consensus that vegetarian dining is a place to eat delicious food. The more people follow it, the more classy it becomes. No one will do anything embarrassing here, and getting drunk is even more forbidden. The only thing available at vegetarian dining is fruit wine, and it depends on what the dish is. If it is a mushroom feast, fruit wine will not be served at all, and it will not be available even if asked.
People who come here just want this kind of food, and those who leave always have full stomachs and are happy with their meals. Also, because there is no mess around, the shop always closes before dark.
Fudong had already packed up and was waiting outside. Baoxia was whispering something to her. When she saw the young lady coming out, she hurried to greet her.
"Are you done?"
"yes."
"Then go back."
Bai Mingxia followed out, Hua Zhi stepped aside and asked him to go first, and the two of them went downstairs one after the other. When they reached the corner, Bai Mingxia saw the man waiting on the first floor at a glance.
He remembered this man. He had secretly asked Yue Zhi about him when he went to Yinshan Pass this time. From what Yue Zhi said, he seemed to know him, but he didn't know who he was. Judging from the way he treated Hua Zhi, their relationship was not ordinary.
Hua Zhi also saw him and smiled. She walked down the stairs and asked, "Have you been waiting for a long time? Have Shaoyao and Xiaoliu come out? I asked Lanqiao to prepare dinner before they came out."
"Just arrived, they passed by." Gu Yanxi glanced at Bai Mingxia, "Are you done with the discussion?"
"Yes." Hua Zhi had no intention of introducing the two people. They were not related to each other and there was no need for them to know each other. "Uncle, I will go home first."
"Go back soon, it's getting late."
Gu Yanxi first helped Azhi get on the carriage before climbing onto the horse. Huazhi called Fudong over.
In the shaking carriage, Hua Zhi pulled Fu Dong, who was kneeling on one side, to sit down and asked, "Are there any people under your command who can be used now?"
Fu Dong shook his head. "They are all responsible for different things. If one person can do it, then basically everyone can start their apprenticeship. At present, it's still a long way to go."
Hua Zhi was not surprised. There was only one Fu Dong, and he had been trained by her for many years before he could handle the job on his own. The talents of others were far inferior to Fu Dong, so how could they possibly become the chef in such a short time.
"Miss, do you want to use them?"
"I want to use you." Hua Zhi's eyes lit up instantly and softened when she saw her. Although she always treated everyone equally, among the several maids, her favorite was Fu Dong, who was well-behaved, obedient and gentle.
"What does the young lady want me to do?"
"I've already decided on the source of ingredients for my trip south this time. When I come back north, the seafood business will be set up in August. You'll still be in charge of the food, but you'll also be needed for the vegetarian side..."
"Miss, I can do it." Meeting the young lady's gaze, Fu Dong emphasized, "I can take care of everything."
Hua Zhi was slightly stunned, then smiled, pinched her face and said, "You've improved."
In the past, Fu Dong could only push it with some effort, but now he will take the initiative to share her worries.
Fu Dong blinked, held the young lady's hand in hers and lowered her head. She still wanted to go back to the young lady and still didn't want to be in charge of things, but if this was what the young lady needed her to do, she was willing to do it.
"Those things are easy to make. As long as they are fresh enough, they will be delicious if boiled in water. During this time, you should study the dipping sauce carefully. This is very important. In addition, you need to prepare pickled vegetables and other things. The ones at home will not last long. Don't worry about the hot weather. There is no shortage of ice at home."
"yes."
"When I leave, take Lan Qiao with you. I think she's a good girl, and maybe she can help you share some of the burden in the future."
Fu Dong nodded, "Yes, Lan Qiao has a lot of ideas and is willing to spend time researching, but..."
"how?"
"She is engaged and will be married at the end of the year."
No matter how many ideas they have, they are all empty talk after getting married. Pregnancy and childbirth are what they need to think about. Hua Zhi secretly said it was a pity and no longer held out hope for Lan Qiao. She was also glad that she had not said anything to Lan Qiao. Everyone has different pursuits and she didn't want to affect other people's lives.
"Then let her be my cook."
Fu Dong lowered her head, feeling wronged and sad, "I thought about the young lady's cook..."
"That day will come. When the Hua family members are back, we won't have to worry about these things anymore and you can come back and be my cook."
PS: I will update twice a day, and I have set a flag. I will update three times tomorrow. Please vote for me next month, it seems that I have dropped to the second place...