Chapter 6: Deception

"Oh dear, look at this child, why is he so impatient? In business, everything requires negotiation; the price can be discussed. Don't leave now," Boss Wang said, seeing Jia Yi turn to leave. He hurriedly sat up from the cushion and grabbed Jia Yi, indicating that he was ready to raise the price.

You still know that I am the young lady. You sold the secret recipe for the oil-splashed noodles to Wang Mengfa without my permission. What exactly are your intentions? Do you think that the Lin family cannot survive without you? You had better give me an explanation; otherwise, I will have my father sell you to someone else tomorrow

You see, why are you leaving without saying a word? How about this: you name a number, and if it is suitable, we can proceed with the deal. If it is not suitable, we can part ways amicably. What do you think?

How about those five strings of coins

After contemplating these matters, Boss Wang gritted his teeth, nodded firmly, and uttered a "good". He then reached into his wide sleeves and pulled out fifty taels of silver, placing them directly into Jia Yi's hands

The price you offered is simply too low. With a bitter smile, Jia Yi looked at the cheerful Boss Wang, his face filled with bitterness, making even the seasoned businessman Boss Wang momentarily unable to discern whether Jia Yi's expression was genuine or not

Originally, I wanted to explain a thing or two to Jia Yi, but after hearing what the young lady said, I directly abandoned the idea of explanation. I am also a person; although I have no human rights, the recipe for the oil-splashed noodles was created by me. Do you know what intellectual property is? I hold the right to dispose of it as I see fit. How I choose to sell it has nothing to do with you at all

The transaction was completed. Perhaps Boss Wang felt that Jia Yi had lost his value, or he suddenly realized the vast disparity in status between himself and Jia Yi. In an instant, he raised his head, turned his nostrils toward Jia Yi, and let out a heavy snort.

After receiving fifty taels of silver, Jia briefly explained the method of making oil-splashed noodles to Boss Wang. Of course, he chose to temporarily forget about the matter of using lard, as it was not something he needed to advise on in this day and age.

I will follow your instructions

In Jia Yi's memory, Duqu County is merely a street, a street selling various goods. Of course, Jia Yi could not possibly believe such a ridiculous memory; after all, Duqu County is a county town. Not to mention the bustling vendors, there must be quite a few lively commercial streets. It is likely that the reason Jia Yi previously thought of Duqu County as just a street was entirely because he had only ever purchased items on that particular street

The noodles with meat scraps are akin to a lunch box with chicken legs; this elevates the quality significantly. Lin Ruyu enjoyed it immensely, finishing a large bowl in no time. When in a good mood, one tends to eat more, especially knowing that Jia Yi is still on their side, how could one not be happy

"Did you not just get fifty guan? You can go buy it yourself." A glint of cunning flashed in the young lady's eyes, and then she pulled Lin Meiyu and dashed towards the Lin residence.

Seeing the tear-streaked faces of the two women, Jia Yi's heart softened as well, so he decided to explain things to them

I am倒 ... ...

Although he was very reluctant in his heart, Boss Wang still pondered for a moment in his mind. His inn was more than twice the size of the Sifang Restaurant. If we consider the booming situation at the Sifang Restaurant, the daily net profit should be about the same. Even if he spent fifty guan today, he could recoup his investment in a month and a half, and everything thereafter would be pure profit. This already counts as a good business deal

"Damn, that's my wife's dowry; how can I just spend it on your Lin family?" After stroking the fifty taels of silver in his pocket, Jia Yi couldn't help but mutter a remark, then added, "If my wife were among you, then this money wouldn't be impossible to spend."

I only sold the secret recipe for the oil-splashed noodles to Wang Mengfa, but I did not sell the method for the sauce. You mentioned that if we add some meat scraps to the oil-splashed noodles without changing the price, what effect would that have

Furthermore, we have run out of fatty meat in the kitchen. Don't you think we should go out and buy some

Lin Ruyu is a clever person, and she has worked in the restaurant the longest. She quickly figured out the intricacies of the situation and immediately stopped crying and started to smile. In contrast, Lin Meiyu had not yet grasped the key point. Looking at the two people who were laughing together, she weakly said, "Does that mean we won't have any meat scraps to eat in the future"

Miss, I believe it is time for you to start considering hiring help. Although this restaurant is not large, we do have quite a number of customers, and it is truly overwhelming for me to manage alone. Currently, we only have this one type of oil-splashed noodles, but if we start offering stir-fried dishes in the future, I might just work myself to exhaustion. Since I have demonstrated my value, it is essential to elevate my position at the appropriate time. Now, while we are on amicable terms, is the best moment to make such a request, as it is most likely to be approved.

Angered, Lin Meiyu and the librarian had always regarded Jia Yi as a well-behaved child who passively accepted everything and never knew how to refuse. What was going on today? In order to aid the enemy, he disregarded social hierarchies and the master-servant relationship. The good impression that had been earned through Jia Yi's hard work just a few days ago instantly vanished from Lin Meiyu's mind. Watching Jia Yi walk towards Boss Wang, she stomped her foot in frustration and ran towards the backyard, seemingly intending to go home and discuss this matter with her father.

You ... ...

Upon hearing this, both individuals simultaneously ceased their weeping, raising their heads with expressions of confusion as they looked at Jia Yi. Clearly, they had sold the secret formula to someone, so how had it now turned into a scheme to deceive? Was there some hidden intricacy involved?

"Hehe, Boss Wang really knows how to joke. My daily revenue has already reached half a guan, and you only offer me one guan. This is truly too far from what I had in mind. I think it’s better to forget it."

I will discuss it with my father as soon as I return

As Boss Wang departed, Jia Yi quickly closed the door. Just as he turned around, Lin Ruyu's frostbitten face appeared before him.

Lin Meiyu seemed to have understood something, lost in thought while eating, and naturally her pace slowed down. It took a full fifteen minutes before the meal was finally finished

Boss Wang's five fingers are quite thick, and they appear somewhat short and stout. However, Jia Yi is still not very satisfied with this price. Without saying a word, he turns to leave, but is once again grabbed by Boss Wang's arm.

In this era, silver is not widely circulated in the market; it is only used as a substitute for copper coins during large-scale monetary transactions. During the Tang Dynasty, copper coins were the most commonly circulated currency among the people. However, fifty guan of coins equates to fifty thousand copper coins, which, although not heavy, are quite voluminous. In this day and age, no one would carry such a large amount of money around all day.

As soon as these four words were uttered, the furious young lady was left dumbfounded. What was going on? When did Jia Yi become so resolute? However, this was not the time to ponder such matters. It should be noted that the Lin family was entirely reliant on Jia Yi's skills for support; once Jia Yi left, the downfall of the Lin family would be imminent.

"What a ridiculous thing to cry about! What do you all know? You're just here crying. Did I not just swindle a bit of money from Wang Mengfa? And this is enough to make you all so upset? If I had actually caused his death, would you not have given him a grand funeral?" Unable to tolerate these two foolish girls any longer, Jia gritted his teeth and returned to the hall, unleashing a furious tirade at the two girls.

Then, fifty guan

Boss Wang, it is not that I cannot sell you this recipe, but it is a family secret that has been passed down through generations. I am counting on this secret recipe to bring me immense wealth, so that I can marry and start a family. You see... As the saying goes, one sets a high price to negotiate down to a reasonable amount. Jia Yi has quoted an astronomical price for this secret recipe, waiting for Boss Wang to bargain down, but he did not expect Boss Wang to have such poor psychological resilience. Just a cough, and he is already frightened

Jia Yi returned to the kitchen and used the last bit of lard and some dough to make two bowls of oil-splashed noodles. Then, he took a ceramic bowl filled with quite a bit of oil residue from the cupboard, casually grabbed some and added it to the noodle bowls, and served them to the two sisters. Practice is the only standard for testing true knowledge, and Jia Yi was indeed too lazy to explain the intricacies to Lin Meiyu. Just eat, and once you finish, you will understand what it is all about.

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved Lin Ruyu felt. Unable to contain her emotions, she collapsed onto the low table and began to weep bitterly. Lin Meiyu, still unclear about what was happening, saw her sister crying and joined in the tears. In an instant, the hall of the Sifang Restaurant was filled with the sound of their two cries.

Taking advantage of the early hour and the lack of plans for the afternoon, Jia Yi tidied up a bit, locked the courtyard gate, and walked towards the street that lingered in his memory

Choked by his own saliva, Boss Wang began to cough violently. "You dare to ask for 10,000 guan for a mere bowl of oil-splashed noodles? Do you really think this is something extraordinary?" He inwardly scorned Jia Yi's audacious demand, yet still managed to smile and said, "Hehe, at such a young age, you've already learned to plan for the long term. Quite impressive, indeed. How about this: I give you 1 guan, and you give me that secret recipe, alright?"

Boss Wang nearly spat blood; he simply could not understand how Jia Yi, a mere servant who had never seen much of the world, could negotiate so fiercely. The price had skyrocketed tenfold, yet the expression on his face still suggested that he was the one at a disadvantage. Was there something wrong with this picture

Consistent money, are you here to beg? I only sold oil-splashed noodles for two days and earned half a guan. Although there are considerable costs involved, this still indicates that this secret recipe is worth far more than this price. Your repayment is indeed too harsh.

What was just said was all in the heat of the moment. Now reflecting on it, Lin Ruyu also feels that her words were a bit excessive. However, the oil-splashed noodles have now become a crucial support for the Lin family. Yet, that brat Jia Yi said he would sell the secret recipe and just went ahead and did it, which is truly infuriating

Turning one's back on someone, Jia Yi had only heard of it before, but today he has finally witnessed it in person

Miss ... ...