The process of making the "Penfu Paste" was extremely complicated. Early in the morning, Shopkeeper Du had promised that regardless of success or failure, he would pay them double wages.
If the old busybody surnamed Qin had scared the shopkeeper off, their bonuses would be in jeopardy.
At this thought, the clerk glared at the pool of urine on the floor left by Granny Qin and cursed her under his breath.
Li Ying calmly looked at Shopkeeper Du, waiting for his decision.
"Miss Li, I hope you weren't too frightened. Please don't let this little incident bother you."
Du Zhong was quite concerned about her, which made Li Ying breathe a sigh of relief.
Then he turned to Huang Lian and asked, "Have you selected the new clerks?"
Seeing Huang Lian nod, he bowed politely to Li Ying and said, "Then, I'll have to trouble you, Miss Li, to take care of things."
The clerk, who had been worried about losing his bonus just a moment ago, was overjoyed. He rolled up his sleeves eagerly and prepared to go back to work on the donkey hides.
Li Ying wasn't in a hurry to leave. Watching the busy clerks from afar, she asked softly, "Shopkeeper, what are you going to do about all the returned 'Guyuan Paste'?"
Hearing this, Du Zhong couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.
The owner placed great importance on the "Jiuchao Tribute Paste" business. If they could really make it, it would be sold in the capital, so it couldn't be delayed.
But these "Guyuan Paste" products...
After today's incident, it seemed that the only option left was to sell them at a low price.
However, this would result in a significant loss. Even Du Zhong, who was used to dealing with difficulties, couldn't help but feel heartache.
Who on earth was it? Knowing that the divorce between Li Ying and the Qin family had caused quite a stir in the city, they still sold the "Guyuan Paste" to Granny Qin. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
An investigation! A thorough investigation was needed!
He fell into deep thought, while Li Ying remained calm.
"Shopkeeper Du, are all the clerks in Deji Hall long - time and trustworthy subordinates who have been with you for years?"
Li Ying took a sip of the green tea, seemingly asking casually.
"Of course. Shi Hu, who just left, has a seventy - year - old mother bedridden at home. He's a dutiful son. And Su Mu's daughter is getting married, so he has to save up for a dowry..." Du Zhong was very familiar with the family situations of these clerks. Now that Li Ying asked, he recounted them in detail.
"However, Miss Li, what do you mean by this? Even the youngest apprentice, Huang Lian, has been with me for five years. There's absolutely no way they would have any ill intentions. But as for the new ones..."
Li Ying nodded slowly and didn't rush to refute. She just said calmly, "Shopkeeper, don't be in a hurry. I'm just asking casually. I have a plan that can not only catch the troublemaker in the shop but also turn the 'Guyuan Paste' business from a loss into a profit. What do you think?"
Du Zhong had long been in awe of her methods. He quickly said, "Miss Li, I'm all ears."
"The 'Penfu Paste' business will surely attract a lot of jealousy in the future. The new clerks we recruited today are a mixed bunch. We need to carefully assess them before we can trust them. The old clerks have been busy for two days and are tired. This is a good opportunity for them to take a vacation."
Li Ying's words made sense, and Du Zhong nodded repeatedly.
She took a sip of tea and added, "During these two days of vacation, could you please arrange for some storytellers to visit the clerks' homes? After getting their consent, record the hardships they've endured. It's okay to exaggerate a bit."
Du Zhong looked at her in confusion.
It was true that most of the clerks in Deji Hall came from poor backgrounds. He had deliberately doubled their wages to help them live a better life.
But what did this have to do with the "Guyuan Paste" business?
Seeing the look of confusion on his face, Li Ying smiled confidently and said, "Shopkeeper Du, think about it. Who are the customers who buy our 'Guyuan Paste'?"
The female relatives of merchants had nothing to do all day. Apart from taking care of their appearance, listening to operas, and going to temples to pray, they just hoped to do good deeds to ensure the prosperity of their families.
"The hard - working lives of the clerks, if turned into operas, will surely be full of twists and turns and move people to tears."
"Human nature is kind. When the ladies are killing time in the opera house, if they hear that for every two pieces of 'Guyuan Paste' they buy, the pharmacy will donate three copper coins from the profit to these struggling people, they can not only do good deeds but also nourish their bodies. Why not?"
Shopkeeper Du never expected that Li Ying would come up with such a brilliant divide - and - conquer strategy. She understood the art of business better than he did, and he was completely in awe of her.
Seeing his respectful expression, Li Ying explained the concept of "developing the humanistic care for employees into a corporate culture and promoting it widely" in detail.
The unfamiliar terms overwhelmed Du Zhong, but he knew that every word she said was valuable. He nodded seriously.
"Thank you, Miss Li, for your instruction. I've learned a lot!"
Li Ying knew that he was quick - witted and would understand immediately, so she felt relieved. Seeing that the new clerks in the backyard were still scraping the donkey hides and didn't need her supervision, she called for Mao Mao and prepared to leave.
Just now, when she was discussing seriously with Du Zhong how to revive the "Guyuan Paste" business, Mao Mao had obediently jumped out of her arms and didn't disturb them.
Now, hearing her call, Mao Mao emerged from somewhere, holding a small purple - flowered grass in its mouth. It looked at her as if offering a precious treasure.
"Did you pick this flower to cheer me up because you were worried I was upset?"
The small flowers were layered one on top of the other, with delicate filaments hanging down, emitting a strong and exotic fragrance.
This... was actually basil!
"Mao Mao, where did you find this grass? You've really helped me a lot! Take me there quickly!"
Li Ying was overjoyed. She had come up with the idea of turning the clerks' stories into operas for Deji Hall. Naturally, she also wanted to take this opportunity to introduce some new snacks and make a little money.
The ladies were tired of the usual refreshments when they drank tea and listened to operas. Besides the sweet and glutinous "Penfu Paste" and "Guyuan Paste", appetizing snacks would surely be popular.
The most elegant and time - killing aquatic food was the sea snail, which the fishermen in the village called "thin - shelled snails".
She was worried that she didn't have enough seasonings and the snacks would taste monotonous. But unexpectedly, Mao Mao had brought her such a wonderful gift!
She kissed the little sickly cat on its furry face, much to Mao Mao's disgust.
With Mao Mao leading the way, she soon picked a basket of basil leaves. Then she grabbed a young chicken and rushed back to the village excitedly.
Granny Sun had heard that Granny Qin had caused trouble in Deji Hall today. But she had to stay at home with Mian Mian and couldn't go to help. Seeing Li Ying return safely, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
"A Ying, what kind of vegetable is this? I've never seen it before. And the smell... it's so strong!"
She looked at the basket of basil suspiciously.
While quickly chopping the young chicken into large pieces and blanching them in boiling water, Li Ying explained to her.
"Auntie, this is called basil, also known as 'invaluable herb'. It makes the dishes extremely fragrant. It's a rare good thing. Thanks to Mao Mao for leading the way today! We'll have 'Three - Cup Chicken' today. You can help me taste it and see if it suits your taste!"
If Granny Sun liked it, she would go to the beach to wash the sea snails today. After frying them, she would sell them in the opera house!