Seven or eight types of sausages in different colors but all giving off a fragrant aroma were laid out on the table.
Not just Jiang Sheng, even Wang Xiaosong was surprised.
His mother had left behind only one recipe!
Zhang Xianglian explained in a low voice, "That day I forgot to add Sichuan pepper and black pepper, and found that different spices had a big impact on the sausages."
But as long as the production method was right, and the saltiness was there, the preserved sausages wouldn't actually taste too bad.
The spices just determined the flavors.
For example, the one Jiang Sheng was eating now only had black pepper and no Sichuan pepper or sugar, retaining sufficient spiciness, and also having the unique salty fragrance of preserved sausage. Eating it was a bit choking, but after finishing it, one wanted another bite.
There was also one without any peppers, but with more sugar. After drying, the preserved sausage had an inherent sweet aroma, paired with rice it was incredibly delicious.
Or one with both Sichuan pepper and black pepper, but no sugar...
Or even one with garlic juice and green onions and ginger, the sausage with a garlic taste made one unable to forget it after eating it once.
All kinds of seven or eight flavors, for someone from Sichuan it would probably make them faint with anger.
But in Jiang Sheng's eyes, these were all recipes. Although only three stood out, who would complain about more flavors?
"Auntie is truly amazing," she didn't forget to compliment the contributor, "With auntie here, the workshop will find it hard not to expand and thrive."
Zhang Xianglian smiled somewhat shyly.
She was still her, speaking softly, acting carefully and gently, but also seemed different, at least when facing Jiang Sheng's praise, she no longer shrank back or feared, but accepted it fair and square.
Beside, Zhang Qiquan poked Liu Cui and whispered, "I remember Jiang Sheng said the person the workshop relied on was me."
Liu Cui glared fiercely at him, and also pinched his waist.
Zhang Qiquan obediently quieted down.
From April to May, a full month, he had been helping Zheng Ruqian buy land and hire people to plant green beans.
During this time, his heart was always concerned about the workshop in the prefecture city.
Although the preserved meat business was forcibly stopped, the workshop held too much meaning for Zhang Qiquan and his wife, as well as Auntie Zhang.
That was the turning point in their lives, and also the launching point for their new life. After leaving their homeland for various reasons, the prefecture city became their new hometown.
Now, all the green beans were planted in the fields, and the temporary workers had all been paid and gone home.
Zhang Qiquan coughed twice, and forcibly brought up a new topic, "Master, when do we go back to the prefecture?"
Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian both turned back.
Speaking of which, these two were both Zhang Qiquan's masters.
Zheng Ruqian had him sign on for ten percent of the workshop's profits, but after the preserved meat recipe was leaked and the workshop exposed, they switched back to planting green beans in Xieyang County.
Later the Hairpin Courtyard was gifted to Jiang Sheng, and the young girl refused to close down the workshop, and even racked her brains to find a preserved sausage recipe, trying to revive the workshop.
Zhang Qiquan also didn't know who his definite master was, and could only look to each in turn.
Zheng Ruqian was extremely surprised, seemingly not having expected that the fallen workshop could be started up again.
Jiang Sheng on the other hand was delighted, her little head nodding like a chopper handle, "Great, great, Auntie's preserved sausage is so delicious, it will definitely sell better than the preserved meat.
But the preserved sausage recipe needs to be kept more secret, and cannot be easily known by others."
"You can rest assured about this." Zhang Qiquan happily laughed, "A person cannot slip in the same place twice. If the recipe leaks out again this time, I, Zhang San, will retire and go home."
The group enthusiastically discussed how to keep the recipe secret, and how to sell the preserved sausage.
With the preserved meat as a foundation, even if the preserved sausage was a new product, there would definitely be people willing to try it.
But before this, they had to gift several jin to the Bai Manager, Magistrate Pang, Magistrate Bian, and Lord Prefect.
"It just so happens the green beans are also planted, I'll reluctantly accompany Jiang Sheng to the prefecture city. If the workshop can't be revived, I'll need to rely on my connections again, you'll have to beg me." Zheng Ruqian arrogantly said something outrageous.
If it was Fang Heng, he would definitely punch him twice.
But Jiang Sheng was who she was. She immediately threw herself at his arm, coquettishly saying, "Second brother is the best, second brother will help me sell it to You Ran House, okay?"
Who could resist a sweet and soft little sister?
Zheng Ruqian surrendered, "Okay, okay, I'll sell it for you, I can sell it anywhere I deliver vegetables to."
Jiang Sheng was extremely delighted, and tiptoed to give second brother a smack on the face.
Making the other brothers' eyes red with envy, resenting themselves for not having as many connections as Eldest Brother Zheng.
Although these siblings had different names, their feelings were truly good.
Wang Xiaosong tightly grasped his sister's hand, hesitating in his heart on whether to quietly leave or bid farewell before leaving.
After living here in the small courtyard for over half a month, leaving abruptly might not be too good, right?
But the preserved sausage was made already, it seemed like they didn't have a reason to continue staying?
"Big brother, I like it here." Wang Xiaozhu looked up, her gaze clear like water, "Can we not leave?"
Wang Xiaosong's heart quivered.
Not leaving, what reason could they give to stay?
As if hearing his inner voice, Zheng Ruqian was pushed out by Jiang Sheng, and said while rubbing his nose, "I still lack someone to deliver vegetables, or you can stay at the workshop to make preserved sausage."
Wang Xiaosong looked up in astonishment, unable to believe it.
"Following me delivering vegetables pays two taels of silver a year, working at the workshop pays five copper coins a day, you can choose yourselves, but you'll need to sign a contract." Zheng Ruqian patiently said.
Wang Xiaosong didn't speak, he gazed fixedly at Jiang Sheng, and suddenly bowed his head and said, "Actually I don't remember what preserved sausage tastes like anymore, I only pretended to stay so my sister wouldn't have to wander with me, I deceived you all, I'm sorry."
Saying these words really eased his heart.
He had assumed Jiang Sheng would get angry, or at least scold him a couple times.
He didn't expect the young girl to just smile at him, "Brother Xiaosong didn't ask me for money for the preserved sausage recipe either, me letting you stay for a few days is nothing."
Wang Xiaosong was shocked stiff for a moment, then let out a breath, completely feeling at ease now.
Jiang Sheng had brought the doctor to save his mother, and out of gratitude he had given the preserved sausage recipe. Jiang Sheng had reciprocated by letting their siblings stay and eat. This was just a benevolent cycle.
Now, the Jiang siblings were also giving them a chance to work and earn money, under this benevolent cycle he also had to do well, in order to match the kindness of the Jiang siblings.
"Master."
Wang Xiaosong bowed with his sister, "We will be in your care from now on."
