With Boss Yang's permission, Zhang Tianxing smiled. "If you give me a chance, I'll conquer your taste buds with crayfish," he said, brimming with confidence.
Zhang Tianxing quickly prepared the crayfish, stir-fried them with oil, and skillfully wielded his wok, busy in the kitchen.
Amateurs watch the spectacle, while experts observe the technique. Zhang Tianxing's wok-handling demonstrated his skill; he wasn't a novice in the kitchen.
With such prowess, everyone's anticipation for Zhang Tianxing's crayfish grew.
"The way this young man handles the wok is so cool. You can't do that without practice."
"Yes, it's impressive. His movements and flair clearly show he's experienced."
"Let's not get too excited yet. I've never heard of a place specializing in crayfish. In some areas, they're considered a pest."
"Hey, you know what? The aroma is great. I wonder what it tastes like."
At this moment, Zhang Tianxing had finished preparing the spicy crayfish. As he plated them, he announced to the crowd,
"Spicy crayfish are ready. Boss, please try."
Boss Yang picked up his chopsticks, following Zhang Tianxing's instructions to peel a crayfish, and then popped it into his mouth.
Boss Yang's eyes immediately lit up. He began peeling another, and then another. The crayfish tasted fantastic, far exceeding his expectations.
Seeing Boss Yang's reaction, the crowd surged forward. "Boss Yang, how is it?"
Boss Yang, still eating, replied, "Delicious! Everyone, come and try!"
Everyone present crowded around, curious what kind of crayfish had earned the praise of the usually discerning Boss Yang.
They all peeled crayfish and popped them into their mouths, their eyes widening in unison.
The crayfish tasted truly good, unlike anything they had eaten before. In a word: delicious.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhang Tianxing felt a weight lifted from his heart.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me add one more thing: eating more crayfish is beneficial for your health."
Before Zhang Tianxing could finish, everyone burst into laughter.
"Alright, tell us what good it does to eat crayfish. If it's beneficial, I'll eat it every day."
Zhang Tianxing cleared his throat. "First, eating more crayfish strengthens bones and protects teeth, as crayfish are rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus. You all know the importance of calcium and phosphorus."
"Second, it can enrich the blood and beautify the complexion, as crayfish are rich in iron, which aids in oxygen transport and is very effective in preventing iron-deficiency anemia."
"Third, it can enhance the body's immunity, as crayfish contain abundant protein and a good amount of zinc, which are crucial for boosting immunity."
Everyone was astonished. Eating crayfish had so many benefits. Even if it weren't delicious, these effects alone would make people flock to it.
One's body is one's own; all else is built upon good health.
Boss Yang pondered for a moment. "Do you deliver your crayfish daily, or how often?"
"It depends on your needs, Boss Yang. I'll deliver whenever you need," Zhang Tianxing replied readily, seeing an opportunity. He wanted to satisfy his customers and make a profit.
"How about this: deliver 200 jin (approximately 100 kg) every day. How much per jin?"
"Eight jiao (0.8 yuan) per jin. I'll select large, fresh ones for you. If they're not up to par, you can return them."
He was taking a gamble. His distribution network wasn't yet robust, so he had to offer attractive terms to gradually change the market.
He then signed deals with eight or nine other restaurants, each ordering 200 jin or 100 jin daily to ensure freshness.
Only fresh crayfish could produce authentic flavors.
Preliminary calculations indicated that his second uncle would need to supply 2,000 jin of crayfish daily.
Zhang Tianxing calculated that he didn't need to earn much per jin, just a little over one jiao.
The key was volume, not a high price per unit.
Low profit, high turnover – it seemed like a good business.
The most critical issue now was whether he could acquire such a large quantity of crayfish in time.
When his second uncle heard that Zhang Tianxing needed 2,000 jin of crayfish daily, he was startled. This was no small matter; 2,000 jin was a significant amount.
However, Zhang Tianxing reassured his uncle, promising not to let him bear the initial costs. Zhang Tianxing provided the capital upfront.
Thus, funds circulated, all within legal and regulatory frameworks.
Earning just five fen per jin would mean ten yuan for 2,000 jin, let alone the potential to earn more than one jiao per jin.
His second uncle began to deliberate.
"I can't exert myself physically right now, and the restaurant can't open. I can only stay home and manage. Fortunately, Xiao Xing has provided this opportunity."
"What's more, there's another convenience. If our crayfish sales take off, I plan to open a dedicated crayfish shop. I'll have Aunt manage it. That would be a powerful combination for you two as a couple."
Liang Cheng was tempted. This would improve their family's situation.
Without additional income, their small family would be in dire straits.
Based on initial estimates, they could earn several hundred yuan a month.
The thought alone was enticing. This would also balance their daily income and expenses.
Of course, Zhang Tianxing taught different preparation methods to each restaurant, with slight variations in spices.
Nevertheless, spicy crayfish quickly became a signature dish in the county's restaurants.
To avoid all restaurants having the same taste, and because so many restaurants were seeking his services, Zhang Tianxing felt overwhelmed.
His second uncle considered the situation. He would start by sourcing crayfish from the villages and then find people to deliver them to the restaurants daily.
Days passed, and Zhang Tianxing lived a fulfilling life, no longer burdened by excessive worry.
His pace of life noticeably slowed down.
In the big city, people were always in a rush.
Zhang Tianxing told his second uncle, "Uncle, if this continues, crayfish will become a must-order dish every summer. If possible, you should consider leasing a pond and raising crayfish ourselves."
"Xiao Xing, don't tease your uncle. Your uncle is currently incapable of lifting a chicken, let alone raising crayfish. I don't know how to do that."
Raising crayfish was simple. There were no complex techniques; it was only difficult for those who didn't know.
Seizing the momentum, Zhang Tianxing finalized the daily quantity of crayfish to be delivered with his uncle.
"Uncle, the county will likely need about 2,000 jin of crayfish daily. Will there be any problem acquiring that amount?"
"For a day or two, it's fine. But long-term, it's hard to say." Zhang Tianxing's words disheartened his uncle.
His elementary math skills told him that 2,000 jin represented a lot of money. No, he had to meet the daily target.
"Right, Xiao Xing, is the delivery of crayfish reliable? What if we deliver them to the restaurants and they refuse to pay? We'd be in trouble."
"Uncle, don't worry. I have my ways," Zhang Tianxing replied, hanging up the phone and contemplating. "One should not harm others, but one must guard against them."
Everything had been documented. Acquiring crayfish was less profitable than raising them oneself, especially since the crayfish industry had great potential.
Zhang Tianxing was confident he could make crayfish famous nationwide. Summer was the season for barbecues and beer.