"Madam, this fish is so tender, and the soup is so fresh," Liu Yu said, taking a sip of fish soup and a bite of fish meat, squinting as he savored it. Su Dan Novel Network.
Seeing Liu Yu's expression of enjoyment, Liu Rong picked up a spoonful of fish soup and put it in her mouth. After a slight sip, she shook her head, "You must not have eaten fish for days to find it so delicious."
After speaking, Liu Rong turned to Qin Junyao, "Madam, the local chefs are still not good at cooking fish. This fish has too strong a fishy smell."
Qin Junyao nodded in agreement with Liu Rong's opinion. Liu Rong was skilled in cooking, especially various soups. Although the Northwest cuisine was strong in flavor, there were still people from the south, so she had to cater to different tastes.
"Let Steward Cheng send people to the south to find two more chefs. This place will only be open to the public in autumn, and time is pressing."
"Try this dish, it's not bad," Qin Junyao ate a piece of the belly of the braised fish, which tasted very good.
Liu Rong obediently picked up a chopstick of braised fish tail. The seasonings were strong enough to cover the fishy smell, "Madam, are you not planting watermelons here this year?"
"No, for the first two years, this place will mainly focus on fishing. There's no rush for watermelons. We need to wait for Sui Ren to help us make a name for our watermelons," Qin Junyao said with a smile, a hint of cunning in her expression.
Liu Yu chuckled beside her, as if she had thought of something funny. "Madam, do you remember? That Sui Ren even sent people to your maiden home to work as laborers, wanting to learn how to grow watermelons."
"I didn't expect Old Madam Qin to dislike his ugliness and find him an eyesore, so she sent him to plant saxaul. He didn't even learn how to grow watermelons, and now even news can't get out," Liu Yu found it more and more amusing, to the point where she couldn't stop laughing.
Infected by her laughter, not only Qin Junyao and Liu Rong joined in, but even Little Langtou, who was lying in the cradle gnawing on his sleeve, kicked his legs and laughed along.
After the laughter subsided, Qin Junyao and the others resumed eating their dishes seriously, judging each dish with their hearts so they could discuss it with the kitchen after the meal.
It was best to improve, but if the culinary skills were limited, they would only do what they could. They couldn't ignore the quality just because they wanted a variety of dishes.
After lunch, Qin Junyao took Little Langtou for a nap, and then summoned Cheng Qian to discuss matters.
"Have you read the proposal Liu Rong gave you? Do you have any questions now?"
Cheng Qian stood up, first bowed to Qin Junyao, and then sat back in his chair. "Madam, receiving fishing guests from early autumn this year is achievable, but the pear blossoms next spring..."
It should be known that there were no pear trees in Yusunliu Village at present, let alone pear blossoms. Even if pear trees were planted as soon as possible, not many pear blossoms would be seen next spring.
Cheng Qian knew that it was difficult to buy old pear trees, especially mountain pear trees that bloomed profusely. It was also unrealistic to send people to the mountains to dig them up.
Qin Junyao did not let Cheng Qian overthink, "You don't need to worry about the mountain pear trees. They will be delivered in a few days. You just need to arrange for people to plant them in the designated areas and find experienced fruit farmers to take care of them."
"When it gets warmer, more flowers will be delivered. Please plant them along the roadside, in front of and behind houses, and by the fish ponds."
"Yes, Madam. Our manor will be renamed Fish Manor. Do we need to build momentum in advance?"
"We'll start in the summer. More people will come to the Northwest City then. At the same time, send invitations to the local gentry and landlords, and give them some small discounts like discount cards..."
With Qin Junyao's explanations, Cheng Qian gradually understood why the document called the proposal had a big "One" written on it.
Because the General's wife's plan was not something that could be achieved overnight. This year, they would first use the rare fish in this area as a gimmick to publicize the manor. Then there would be spring flower viewing, summer cooling and fruit tasting, autumn fishing, winter ice games, and eating lamb around a stove.
In the future, they even planned to implement a VIP system, where money alone would not be enough to gain entry.
Whether it was to build good relationships or for other purposes, more and more people would come to Fish Manor.
Thinking of this, Cheng Qian's eyes lit up. He was the steward of this manor. As long as he worked hard, as the manor's reputation grew, he would surely be respected.
Who said that being a steward in a manor meant farming for a lifetime? Who said that with one hand missing, he could only bow and scrape to others for the rest of his life?
His opportunity had arrived.
After they finalized their plans, Cheng Qian bowed and left. Qin Junyao looked at Cheng Qian's energetic back and smiled brightly. When she had chosen the steward, there had been two candidates recommended by "Bench Leg."
In describing Cheng Qian, "Bench Leg" had used words like ambitious, bold yet meticulous, and that if his hand had not been injured, he would have achieved great things in the army.
Ambition was good. With ambition, one would not be conservative and would not fear innovation. As long as Cheng Qian performed well, Qin Junyao would naturally offer him a bright future.
After addressing the existing problems of Fish Manor, Qin Junyao and her group returned. Similar to the morning, by the time the two carriages entered the Zhao family's gate, it was already completely dark.
"Liu Yu," Granny Wang greeted Liu Yu as she was the first to get off the carriage.
"Shh," Liu Yu placed her index finger on her lips, signaling Granny Wang to be quiet, and whispered to Granny Wang in a breathy voice, "The young lady is asleep. If she sleeps well tonight, she might not cry anymore."
Granny Wang, upon hearing this, was so excited that she wanted to clap her hands. Suddenly remembering that the young lady was asleep, she abruptly stopped her hands that were raised in mid-air, which also startled Liu Yu.
As it was late at night, the servants of the Zhao family were already treading lightly, and now they were even more careful.
Qin Junyao, on the carriage, held the sleeping Little Langtou as if she were holding a bomb. She did not feel the coolness of the night but instead broke out in a light sweat.
"With great difficulty," she placed Little Langtou in the cradle on the kang, let out a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from her forehead, signaled the wet nurse to watch her, and then exited the room and went to the dining room.
"Madam, Granny Wang asked the kitchen to prepare noodles and wontons. What would you like to eat? Will the young lady not cry anymore in the future?" Liu Rong, who was usually reticent and steady, was impatient today.
"I'll have wontons," Qin Junyao sat down at the table and took a sip of water poured by Liu Yu. "I hope she won't cry anymore."
.
She really didn't cry anymore. After riding in the carriage once, Little Langtou did not cry before sleeping.
"What credit does the carriage have?" Grandma Qin looked at Qin Junyao with a sidelong glance. "Grandma will tell you, it's the protection of the deceased villagers of Yusunliu Village."
"You did a good deed by taking care of their surviving families, and you avenged them by killing the bandits. Now you are even building their birthplace into a beautiful place. It's just a small favor."
Qin Junyao looked at the high sun and rubbed her arms. "Grandma, what you're saying is a bit scary."
"What's scary? Just tell me why you insisted on taking Little Langtou to Yusunliu Village. It was cold, and the child was still young. Many people advised you, but you insisted on taking her."
"Then..." Qin Junyao thought about it. She had insisted on bringing the child that day, and no one could stop her.
No, no. Even though something as unbelievable as transmigration had happened to her, she still wanted to reject superstition.
"That's because I was afraid my daughter would starve. She doesn't drink the wet nurse's milk."
"Hmph, doesn't Langtou drink goat milk?"
Qin Junyao: ???...