At four in the morning, little Ya got up to cook rice.
Da Zhuang loaded two stoves onto the cart, along with pots, steamers, tables, chairs, benches - filling up a whole big cart.
At first light, the family was ready to set off.
Today quite a few people were going to the market. Seeing their big cart loaded with things, wafting delicious aromas, everyone was curious.
"Da Zhuang, where are you guys going?"
Da Zhuang was honest, answering every question.
Hearing they were going to town to sell food, fellow travelers all chuckled together.
Villagers all knew that Li Yao couldn't even wash pots clean, yet she wanted to learn to sell food like others?
A toad lusting after swan meat would probably have better luck.
"These days we're all starving to death, who would spend money to buy?"
"At fifteen wen a bowl, you could buy two jin of corn and feed the whole family for three days."
"Business isn't something just anyone can do, or else the streets would be full of businessmen."
...
Hearing the villagers quietly gossiping all the way, the confidence of Da Zhuang and his brothers started to fade.
"Ma, what if it really doesn't sell well?"
"Whether it sells well or not isn't up to them to say," said Li Yao. "Don't just believe whatever others say. You have to try for yourself and experience it, to really know what it's like."
Da Zhuang's face reddened and he hurriedly lowered his head to pull the cart.
Mother was right, without even trying, how could they know the result?
Arriving in town, Li Yao had already picked out a spot for their stall, near the marketplace, where foot traffic was greatest.
The few of them clumsily set up their small stall. Li Yao lifted the pot lid, immediately releasing the rich aroma.
Da Zhuang and his brothers hovered nervously behind the stall.
Seeing them like this, Li Yao shook her head.
These boys were good in every way, just too simple-minded, too timid.
"Let me show you how it's done," said Li Yao. "Later you just copy me calling out like this."
Li Yao cleared her throat and started shouting loudly.
"Come, come! Don't miss out!"
"Fresh and delicious stewed pork with rice or buns, only 15 wen a bowl!"
"Big portions, eat until full!"
...
After a few shouts, plus the rich smell, some passersby were immediately drawn over.
But seeing it was pig offal, they unanimously shook their heads.
"It smells good, but that stuff has a strong funky taste, probably doesn't taste good."
"Uncle," said Li Yao, "I guarantee our stew has no funky taste. Try it and you'll know."
"No need to try, anyone who's eaten it knows."
"How about this, uncle," said Li Yao. "If you're willing to be our first customer, this bowl is on the house."
The man's eyes lit up.
"Really free?"
"Really."
"Then give me a bowl with rice!"
Free stuff, only a fool wouldn't eat. The man immediately sat down, attracting envious looks from companions.
This damn old guy was lucky today, actually running into something so good.
Seeing the man eating with relish, the others with him kept swallowing saliva, eventually unable to resist.
"Can I also get a free bowl?"
"I'm afraid not," said Li Yao. "But the first 10 customers get 20% off! Limited spots, first come first served..."
"I want a bowl with rice!"
"Me too! With buns!"
"Give me a bowl too!"
...
In a flash, both small tables were full.
Da Zhuang and Er Dan were busy nonstop serving rice. San Dun Er and Wang Xiao Si helped add dishes and ladle soup.
"Delicious, so delicious!"
"I've never eaten such fragrant rice and dishes."
"This aroma must waft for miles around."
...
Word of mouth is the best advertising.
With the constant sounds of praise, more and more people sat down to try this unprecedented delicious food.
Near noon, the two small tables couldn't seat everyone, some stood eating bowls.
In this freezing cold season, eating a steaming hot, fragrant bowl of stew brought a feeling that these hard days had gotten a little better.
At first Da Zhuang and his brothers were a bit clumsy, but with time their actions became more smooth, and they gradually opened up, proactively calling out to attract customers.
Seeing money continually dropping into the cash box, the faint stirrings of excitement appeared on their faces.
Since this was opening day, they had only prepared around 50 bowls. Before noon everything was sold out!
"Come back tomorrow everyone."
Latecomers looked disappointed, deeply inhaling the lingering aroma.
"I definitely will, I'll come early to wait."
Da Zhuang tightly hugged the heavy cash box, feeling on the verge of tears.
"Ma, we sold out!"
The three younger brothers were also extremely excited, but even more nervous.
Not knowing how much they'd earned...
"Let's count the money."
"Okay!"
The brothers immediately opened the box and started counting coin by coin.
"1, 2...644, 645!"
645!
The boys were as thrilled as if they'd won the lottery, bodies trembling with excitement.
"Our initial capital was 320 wen," said Li Yao. "Tell me, how much did we earn?"
Besides Er Dan, the other three were collectively stumped.
Numbers this big, they didn't have enough fingers!
"325 wen," Er Dan quickly answered. "Ma, did I get it right?"
Li Yao nodded.
"So much? Amazing!"
325 in one day, then in a month...
Even Er Dan couldn't calculate it now.
"Close to 10,000 I'd say," said Li Yao. "But this was just the start. Volume will surely increase later, possibly multiply by a few fold, and we'll earn even more."
10,000!
10 taels of silver!
And multiplying by a few fold!
For these boys whose farthest trip was to the village market, these were astronomical figures beyond imagination, unbelievable they could earn this much!
An overwhelming happiness left them dizzyheaded.
Mother really was too amazing!
"Quickly go buy ingredients," said Li Yao. "Let's double it tomorrow."
"Let's go!"
There were only two pork stalls in town. Li Yao bought out their pig offal. She estimated 100 bowls of stew was about the sales limit.
She also boldly bought several jin of pork belly.
Growing boys couldn't skimp on nutrition, no matter how poor.
She also bought a new cart.
Although all the money made today was spent, being able to buy their own things meant not owing any favors. Owing favors was easy, but hard to repay.
