Last time the fishing boats docked, the fishing was good. The fishermen quickly unloaded their catch, bought some dry rations, and then set sail again. In the rush, Li Ying didn't have the chance to meet all these fishermen one by one.
But today, seeing their unfriendly looks, Li Ying had a vague idea in her mind.
Tao Zhi was cornered and making a last - ditch effort. He surely wouldn't be satisfied with just making Yang Er frame the night - market snacks as unhygienic. That was just a petty trick.
These fishermen who had just returned from the sea were probably his real ploy!
Lu Xunguang sensed something was wrong. Despite his injuries not fully healed, he picked up a firewood knife and stood guard in front of Li Ying warily.
"Brother Lu, it's okay. The villagers are the most reasonable people. We can just talk things out."
Since she had settled in the fishing village, unless it was absolutely necessary, she wouldn't have any conflicts with them. Her words were quite reasonable.
Finally, it was Mrs. Zhang who spoke up timidly first.
"A Ying... I know it's too late to say this now... but... could you return the silver for the recipe to me..."
Li Ying's mind raced.
"So last night, your husband beat you because of this?"
Mrs. Zhang hung her head even lower, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum. She said guiltily, "A Ying... I really did something wrong in this matter... but my husband forced me so hard... I promise you that I won't tell anyone the recipe for the black - pepper chicken chops, and I won't make them secretly myself. Otherwise, let me be struck by lightning!"
She was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. She even wished she could kneel down and plead with Li Ying right away.
Seeing how easy she was to manipulate, Li Ying understood why Yang Er had targeted her and her daughter's stall yesterday.
The men behind her also chimed in, "That's right. We mean the same thing!"
"Our wives are just women with narrow vision. It would be fine if they could earn a few more copper coins by selling food with you to support the family. But because of your feud with Tianxianglou, now our whole village has been affected!"
Li Ying originally didn't understand what had happened. After listening to everyone's chattering, she finally realized that the remaining restaurants in the town, in order to prevent her "Li Ji Restaurant" from sharing a slice of the pie, had actually united unprecedentedly. No matter how low the fishermen set the price, they just gritted their teeth and refused to buy a single fish.
Seeing the fish and shrimp in the nets losing their vitality, Mrs. Zhang's husband, who was the captain of this fishing boat, was already extremely anxious. When he heard that his wife had started a small business with Li Ying, the so - called culprit, he got even angrier and gave her a beating.
Lu Xunguang's face was as gloomy as water. His bright eyes saw through the whole thing at a glance. He frowned and snorted disdainfully.
"A few men, after being bullied outside, come to bully the women at home. It's really disgraceful."
As soon as he said this, the hot - tempered young fishermen waved their fists and rushed forward.
Lu Xunguang stared at them without giving an inch. Seeing the stalemate between the two sides, Li Ying put on a flawless smile and calmly stepped in to mediate.
"That's right. On the surface, this matter is indeed aimed at me. But the gun always shoots the leading bird. Gentlemen, who did I stand up for?"
"Before I came, the purchase prices of fish and seafood in this town were completely monopolized by those restaurants. Your wives and parents worked hard all night but couldn't even earn ten copper coins, and they were still picked on for being short - weighed."
"A serving of black - pepper chicken chops costs ten copper coins, and two deep - fried squids also cost ten copper coins. The night market is bustling with customers. In the future, it will only grow bigger and stronger and become a landmark of our village! People from all over will come here admiringly. What does the suppression of those few restaurants today matter!"
Her words were so powerful that several fishermen looked hesitant. The oldest one among them still asked suspiciously, "What you said is all just empty talk. Although the night market is booming now, it will eventually become old - fashioned. What then?"
"That's right. Just the ten taels of silver for buying your recipe, we don't know when we can earn it back. Don't just draw a pie for us!"
Everyone was chattering away, insisting that Li Ying give up the idea of encouraging the villagers to set up the night market, lest all the fishermen lose their source of income. Li Ying was getting a headache from listening. Seeing Mrs. Zhang standing there aggrievedly and timidly, she felt even more annoyed.
"Isn't it just about purchasing the fish catch? It doesn't matter who we sell it to. From now on, I'll buy your catch at double the price!"
The fishermen were stunned. They never expected her to say such a thing. They stared at her blankly. After a long while, they asked in surprise and joy, "Is this true?"
"Of course it's true! Absolutely true, no deception! However, I have a condition. All the catch must be processed according to my requirements. Otherwise, don't blame me for not acknowledging it."
The fishermen were afraid that she would go back on her word, so they rushed home to tell their wives to come and learn how to process this batch of fish. Only Mrs. Zhang still hesitated and stayed to look at her.
"A Ying... I..."
She hesitated to speak, but Li Ying interrupted her directly.
"Sister - in - law Zhang, I know that asking for the recipe back is not your intention. I only have one question for you. Are you really willing to submit to your husband's fists and beatings for the rest of your life?"
"Maybe you can bear it silently, but what about your daughter? Because she has witnessed her father's violence, when she gets married in the future, even if she is bullied by her husband's family, she will be used to it and not dare to cry to her natal family?"
These words made Mrs. Zhang tremble. When she looked up again, the timidity in her eyes was gone, but there was a hint of indescribable confusion.
"A Ying... I don't want to ruin my daughter's future... but... I came from far away and have no one to rely on... what can I do..."
Li Ying said calmly, "You are your own most reliable backer. If you can really stand up, don't mention quitting again. After I purchase the catch, I'll have another task for you."
Although Mrs. Zhang was soft - tempered, she was very meticulous and sincere. She always obeyed Li Ying's instructions and was a down - to - earth and hard - working subordinate.
She gave Mrs. Zhang another tael of silver to deal with her husband. After the woman left gratefully, Li Ying turned around and asked in confusion, "You usually don't get along well with these people. Why are you so tough today?"
Lu Xunguang's expression remained normal. He just stared deeply into her eyes and said, "Everyone has their sore spots. If you touch them, they will get angry."
Li Ying blushed and didn't know how to respond.
Lu Xunguang noticed her evasive look and simply changed the topic. "These shops are not very decent, but when they gang up, they can really be a nuisance. Have you thought of a way to deal with them, A Ying?"