From a distance, I saw that the carriage had stopped outside the small bamboo shed, but because the bamboo shed was now covered with curtains on three sides, Su Jinyao didn't know how many guests were inside.

Su Jinyao greeted Chunniu and said, "Let's go, the guests are here." For a while, you look at what I say, how I do it, and learn a little better. If you can't come to the town tomorrow, you can come by yourself, right? ”

"Okay, it should work." Chunniu looked very confident, nodded and said: "I understand what you told me along the way, no need to say such nice words, as long as you sincerely treat the guests passing by here as family members who are going to go away." Pour them a glass of water and give them a place to rest. It's not just about rewarding money. ”

Su Jinyao nodded when she heard this, and said, "Yes, I want this sincerity." The guests are not fools, especially since this road is an official road, and the people who come and go on this road are either Shangjia or official eunuchs, and at worst, they are all officials who eat public meals, and there are not a few white dings. So whether you are sincere or in it for the money, the guests can tell. ”

As they spoke, the two of them had already descended the hillside and came to the outside of the small bamboo shed.

The people in the bamboo shed should have also heard the footsteps, and two sturdy men came out, looked at Su Jinyao and Chunniu, and said with a smile: "Ah, you changed people today?" Isn't he a clever kid who is here every day? ”

Su Jinyao knew that they were regular guests when she heard the meaning of these two guests, and said with a smile: "It's my younger brother who is usually here, and he is sick today." I came with my sister-in-law. Listen to the eldest brother, what he means is a regular customer, sit down, the mountain spring water just called is cool and clear. ”

As she spoke, Su Jinyao pulled out the plug of the bamboo tube and poured water on the three or four guests in the bamboo shed one by one.

Chunniu was also very quick, took a rag from the bamboo pole on the side, and wiped the small stone tables and chairs.

Su Jinyao watched Chunniu clean up generously and felt quite satisfied. He said to the guest: "It seems that the eldest brothers often come and go this way." In the future, this place will be taken care of by my sister-in-law. My brother is going to school soon. When the eldest brother passed by, he came in and sat down, so that our little water shop would add a little more popularity. ”

"It's easy to say, your family looks quite real. And it's nice to have such a place to stop on this road. Although it stopped for a while, people and horses were able to rest, and it was much faster to hurry. ”

Another also said: "Yes, if we can have another hot meal, we can bring one less dry food in the future, and it will be more convenient to travel." ”

Su Jinyao listened to it and said with a smile: "Then the farmer's meal we make, don't the big brothers dislike it?" ”

"Why don't you dislike it? I'm all eating dry food when I'm out there, and it's good to have saliva to drink. If you have food and vegetables, you can eat a meal, as long as it is not pig food, you can feel very fragrant. ”

"Haha, that's true." A few guests smiled and talked, and the atmosphere was a lot warmer.

However, after drinking two glasses of water, several people took out copper plates and put them on their seats, and got up and hurried.

Su Jinyao took the money, and when she saw a very delicate bamboo basket hanging inside, she knew that it was prepared by Xiaocheng'er and specially used for money, so she put these copper plates in. There were four guests who drank water, and each person was given two copper plates, a total of eight copper plates, which is not a lot.

However, Chunniu couldn't help but be stunned when she looked at it from the side, and said, "Jinyao, I really didn't expect that the spring water from the other side of the mountain could be sold for money when I carried it here." And a few of them drank a few glasses of water, and they earned eight copper plates. At the end of this day, there are dozens of copper plates, right? It's more than my sister-in-law earns more from selling vegetables. ”

Su Jinyao smiled when she heard this, and said: "This group of guests is transporting goods at a glance, and they are not rich people, but they often run on this road, so they can be very content if they have a place to rest." So they will give a reward every time they come, but there will not be many of them, and such guests are more expensive than stable. And some guests only pass by occasionally, but they have plenty of money and generous people, so there are more rewards for such guests, and there are also those who give silver. It is also normal to give a direct reward of one or two cents of silver. However, such rich and generous guests may not be available every day, so there is no need to be too extravagant. ”

Chunniu asked again, "Well, I see." However, there is no village in front of the village and no store in the back, so there are not too many customers who should come and go. ”

Su Jinyao nodded: "That's right for you." The time for guests to come and go here is very fixed, only for a short time in the afternoon. So when you come here in the future, you don't have to be too early, and you don't have to go back too late. When the time comes, pack up and go home, you don't have to get up early and stay late. ”

"Okay, I see. Then next time you come to visit, I'll help you say hello, what do you think? Chun Niu looked eager to try.

Su Jinyao agreed, took the bamboo cup used by the guest just now, took it to the back to wash it, and left it aside.

Su Jinyao didn't come here these days, but when she came today, she found that Xiaocheng had decorated it with great care. There are also hand-woven straw mats placed on stone benches so as not to disturb guests.

And before Su Jinyao's signboard engraved with the words "Quanqing Bamboo Fragrance" on the bamboo tube, it was still hanging outside, and it had been yellowed, making it look more simple and elegant. Xiao Cheng'er also tied a few strips of red cloth underneath. As soon as the wind blows, the swaying of the red cloth strip "hulahula" is quite conspicuous.

Su Jinyao walked over, rubbed the bamboo tube signboard with her hand, and beckoned to Chunniu: "Chunniu, look, this is the signboard of our small water shop." The name is 'Quanqing Bamboo Fragrance'. Even if you don't know words, you must know these four words, and you have to remember them. I dare to assure you that in a few years, this name is guaranteed to resound on many official and commercial roads in the north and south of the country. ”

"Jin Yao, you are really ambitious." Chunniu looked at the bamboo tube in Su Jinyao's hand, and also reached out to touch it, and said, "I wrote it down." If you have such a mind, I will follow you. But I'm a rough man, and I can only help you do all the rough work I can, don't hate me. ”

"No, as long as you are sincere in helping me, I'm very direct, but sometimes I'm also cold. As long as you have the same heart as me, I can help you carry it even if it is a big thing, but as long as you want to play tricks with me, even if it is only once, and it is just such a loss, I will not believe it anymore. ”

Su Jinyao's words Chunniu also understood, not only did she feel that Su Jinyao was deliberately saying a warning to her, but she felt that she was talking to herself. Very grateful: "I understand your thoughts, you won't treat the people around you badly, but you can't rub sand in your eyes, and you won't get used to those who don't fit your heart." My spring girl doesn't have any skills, but she is still straight-eyed. In the future, you will know that I am not a man, but I can also speak. ”

Su Jinyao finally laughed "haha", pushed Chunniu and said, "There is a word called 'female man', I think it means you." ”

"It seems to be." Chun Niu laughed when she heard this, and the two girls laughed together.

After that, three more groups of guests came in a row, and they were all Chunniu who took the initiative to greet them. There are also a group of regular customers, but they only know Xiaocheng'er and don't know Su Jinyao, let alone Chunniu. Chunniu directly said that she was Su Jinyao and Xiaocheng'er's sister-in-law.

Because Chunniu's age is really not big, she doesn't care how the generations are confused. Anyway, it's not a relative of the family, so it's not a big deal to scream.

When these groups of guests passed, Su Jinyao looked at the sky and said, "It's almost time to close the stall." No matter how someone passes by, they may not stop to drink water. Leave a bamboo tube filled with water, put the basket with the money on the table, and we can go back. It is also clearly written on the signboard, here is free water to drink, all based on rewards. If the guest wants to give money, it will be automatically placed in the bamboo basket. ”

Chun Niu nodded, indicating that she had memorized them all. packed up his things with Su Jinyao and walked back.

On the way back, Su Jinyao remembered that the time of the day had run out, and she hadn't asked Chunniu Li Jiatun if anyone raised ducks. hurriedly asked, "Chunniu, there are ducks in your mother's house?" It's the kind that is eaten, not specifically for laying eggs. ”

Chun Niu said: "Yes, there is a family that has dozens of them." I heard that there is also a special hatchling duckling to buy money, and some people buy ducklings to raise them back, and they are also sold to restaurants after fattening. ”

Su Jinyao's eyes lit up and asked, "Then can you help me ask and see if you can sell me a few ducks from that family?" ”

"You want to eat? The duck stew is not very tasty. However, the old duck went to the fire, but many people sold it to boil soup and drink. Chunniu said curiously: "Then how many do you want?" ”

Su Jinyao calculated for a moment and said, "First, there are more than a dozen of them." If it does, it will be more in the future. ”

Chunniu agreed: "Okay, I'll ask you when I go back." But I don't know that family well, so I guess they can't sell it to me cheaply. ”

"You don't have to negotiate the price for me, it's just how much you want. If I really want to buy a lot, I will naturally go to them to negotiate the price. After Su Jinyao finished speaking, she told Chunniu again: "However, you have to keep the matter of me buying ducks secret." And about this small water shop, don't talk about it. If someone asks, you can help me clear the land in the mountains. Then you work for me now, and I'll pay you. Regardless of whether Xiaoshuipu loses money or earns, I will give it to you in a month...... Three coins of silver. ”

When Su Jinyao said this price, it was considered. Because in Pingshan Village, people generally do odd jobs, that is, the price of a few copper plates a day, for example, Sophie helped Aunt Niu's family clean up the vegetable patch, and only gave three copper plates a day. Even if it is a strong laborer as a helper, working hard, it is the price of one penny of silver a day, and it is three dollars of silver in a month.

And although Chun Niu is physically strong, she is still a woman after all. If she went out to work for others, she would definitely not make so much money.

But Su Jinyao also considered that Xiaoshuipu's business is very good now, and there are twenty or thirty copper plates in a day's income. After this month, it must be enough for Chunniu's salary. If Chun Niu really worked hard and enveloped the guests who came and went, then Su Jinyao would still have money to make.

So giving Chunniu this money sounds like a lot, and it can be regarded as a reassuring pill for Chunniu, so that she can really feel at ease to guard herself here.

Chun Niu was also surprised when she heard Su Jinyao say that she would give herself three coins of silver a month. Hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No, Jinyao, you give me so much money, how can I be embarrassed to take it." Are you kind enough to help me pay back the money? To tell you the truth, how can I make money from you and give it back to you. How much money should be paid, I go out to do short-term work for other people's families, which is five or six copper plates a day, and the eight copper plates that are a little tired are the most. You give me two pieces of silver a month, and I can't ask you for three dollars. ”

"Ouch, you're really weird, too much money to start work?" Su Jinyao said with a smile: "I gave you so much money because I wanted you to work more, but there was no reason for you to take advantage of it." I was thinking that you could make money by building a stove behind this small bamboo shed and cooking some simple meals for the guests. There are no good dishes with big fish and meat, the vegetables in the field, the local chickens raised in the yard, and the mushrooms in the mountains are all good. To make rice, there is only one pot per day. Steaming a drawer of steamed buns and a drawer of steamed buns is almost the same. If you come early, you have food, but if you come late, you can't eat yet. ”

"This ...... Aren't restaurants all a la carte? Will this meal suit the customer's appetite? I'm not sure about that, and I can't ask you for so much money. Chunniu flinched a little when she heard this, she really didn't know why Su Jinyao trusted herself so much. She doesn't cook badly, but she can't compare to the cooks in the town's restaurants.

When Su Jinyao heard this, she glanced at Chunniu and said, "It's quite big, and you're so timid." Just tell the guests what you said to me, and tell them that what you make is just the taste of peasant food, not as fine as the big restaurants in town. The price is also for the guests to look at, and the guests are not allowed to order. It's what you do, what they eat, picky eaters don't have to eat, or only white steamed buns are sold to them. ”

"What? Jinyao, why are you doing this business again? Chunniu was even more surprised: "I heard you say that if you want to reward, you have to see the guests happy, and the enthusiasm is right." But now that I hear what you mean, how can it seem that even if we say it, what do guests mean by whether they like to eat or not? ”

"Hey, don't say it, that's the truth." Su Jinyao said proudly: "It's just such a big official road, there are no villages and no restaurants before and after, and they will eat dry food if they don't eat." Didn't you hear the first batch of guests say today, don't ask for good food, as long as there is hot food and vegetables, it is better than eating steamed buns and drinking white water. Besides, some of the guests are wealthy merchants and eunuchs, and the food they eat on weekdays is as fine as you can imagine, and I am afraid that there are several cooks at home, all of whom are better than the chefs of the big restaurants in the city. Such a guest mouths, the more delicate you do, the more you can't catch it. But your craft of wild game in the mountain village can make them eat a fresh taste. If the guest is happy, a big ingot will reward you, don't pick it up yourself. ”

Chunniu listened to it and knew that Su Jinyao's last sentence was a joke. But he still didn't have the confidence, and said to Su Jinyao: "Otherwise, tomorrow I will build a stove in the back, and then transport some pots and pans from home, Jinyao, you come to shout for a day and let me study hard." Otherwise, I will always be bad at it, and I will mess up your good business again. ”

Su Jinyao listened, sighed, and said, "No interest, no courage." Tomorrow I'm going into the city, and you'll be here to watch it yourself. If you don't dare to cook and sell food, then wait until I come back. Xiaocheng'er has a fever today, and I don't plan to let him out tomorrow. Let him rest at home for the past few days, learn to write hard, and send him to the school in a few days. ”

Chunniu was surprised: "I'll be here alone tomorrow?" I'm afraid I can't. ”

"yes. Or else? I paid you to watch the hilarious? Su Jinyao deliberately said it quite ruthlessly, and continued: "Your ability is not as good as my brother Xiaocheng'er. He also studied with me for one day, and the next day he was alone here to greet guests. If you look at the guests who came today, there are also repeat customers who know him specifically. ”

Hearing Su Jinyao say that she was not as good as Xiaocheng'er, Chunniu was not angry, pursed her lips and smiled, and said: "Your Xiaocheng'er is an elf ghost, there are not many children in our village who can make a living, and your Xiaocheng'er is the first one." ”

"Of course, I don't look at whose brother it is." Of course, Su Jinyao likes to hear people praise her brother, and she laughs with Chunniu and walks back.

Back home, Sophie cooks in the kitchen. As soon as he saw them coming back, he said, "Jinyao, Xiaocheng'er has a fever." The medicine you pick works. ”

Su Jinyao asked, "It's good to work." Is he still asleep? ”

Sophie said: "I woke up after eating at noon, saying that I was reading a book. I fell asleep again just now. I thought I'd wait until dinner time to call him. ”

Su Jinyao answered and went to the house in the small city to take a look. Seeing that Xiaocheng'er really slept soundly and didn't have a fever, he put his mind at ease. I went out and said hello to Su Xiangui again.

Su Xiangui pointed to Siping in the courtyard and said: "Siping started to make up when you left and sat down, I think he can really sit still, more stable than ordinary young people." It's not like some people, there are craftsmen, but after sitting for a while, they get bored, and they can't keep working like this. ”

"Well, that's good." Su Jinyao agreed, and came out again to see Siping's craftsmanship.

Siping was still sitting in the yard weaving baskets, and Chunniu was squatting beside him. His hands are really skillful, and in this half a day's work, a small basket has been braided. However, the handiwork is indeed not as good as Su Xiangui's weaving, and it is not so fine. Now it is being closed, and when the rim of this circle is braided, the basket will be completed.

Su Jinyao walked over and looked at it, and praised with a smile: "Yes, this shape sounds chic." It's like a boat. ”

Seeing Su Jinyao coming, Siping raised his head and smiled at Chun Niu first. Probably because he didn't see Su Jinyao's mouth shape, he didn't know what she was talking about, so he asked Chunniu to translate for him.