Although the dish had a very complex and strong flavor, Guo Laosan's wife made faces while eating it. It really didn't taste good.
Seeing this, the fiery woman leading the caravan thought that Li Ying was deliberately making things difficult because of her rudeness just now. Knowing she was in the wrong, she still swallowed her anger, raised her face, and stared at Li Ying steadily.
"Boss Li, I've offended you. If you're angry, just come at me directly. I won't say a word. I just beg you not to make things difficult for my sister."
Li Ying gave a charming smile and gently asked, "Well? Is this the most touching delicacy under the sky?"
"Three parts of the sourness of leaving home, one part of the sweetness of yearning, three parts of the pain of lovesickness, one part of the spiciness of adventure, and two parts of the salty astringency of fatigue. It's a mixture of flavors. Every bite is the deep sorrow of separation and the heartfelt yearning of Brother Guo and the caravan members."
"Is this dish really that hard to swallow?"
Before her words faded, several female relatives of the caravan were already in tears. Even the tough caravan men couldn't help but redden their eyes.
The villagers in the fishing village also felt deeply touched. In the past, when the village was in poverty, the men in the family would go out to sea and be away for three or five years. With the rough waves on the sea, they might even lose their lives. Which of the fishing women didn't yearn for their men in the same way?
If it weren't for Li Ying, who led everyone to open shops and start profitable businesses, God knows when this difficult time would end.
Li Niangzi and the others wiped their moist eyes and looked at Li Ying, carefully probing, "A Ying. How about leaving them in the village..."
Li Ying had already had a plan in mind. Now seeing that the villagers in the fishing village clearly shared the same thought as her, she immediately gave a sweet smile.
"I'm not such a heartless person who would break up lovers. There are still many oyster shells in the village and some empty places. Sisters and aunts of the caravan, why don't you just settle down in our village?"
The caravan men have been running around all year long, working day and night, just to earn a little money. After all, isn't it all for a warm family with a wife and children?
A loving couple separated for a long time, the caravan members worrying about their wives and children, would inevitably be distracted. If something went wrong on the road, the compensation for "work-related injuries" would be a small matter, but losing a life would be a big deal.
When Lu Xunguang's business was just starting to show signs of success, she had already had this idea.
Now that he was so busy that he couldn't manage everything, as his good wife, she naturally had to solve his worries.
But since she wasn't born and raised in the fishing village, it wasn't appropriate for her to act like the host and take the initiative to keep the guests. She had to get the approval of the villagers first.
The fishermen were kind - hearted. Now that they heard her suggestion, they were overjoyed. Several enthusiastic fishing women immediately greeted warmly, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pack your things. If you need help building the house, count my husband in!"
The caravan women looked at each other in surprise. They never expected that this young Boss Li was such a thoughtful and considerate person.
The leading woman stood still for a moment and finally said awkwardly, "Boss Li, we appreciate your kindness, but..."
Li Ying smiled again.
The caravan had lived in the southwest for a long time. The local customs were tough. The men were bold and straightforward, and the female relatives were naturally fiery and straightforward.
Settling down in the fishing village, leaving their hometown and depending on others, how could they live comfortably?
"Sisters, don't be in a hurry to refuse."
"On my way back to my hometown this time, I tasted the dishes made by the caravan brothers. I thought that although the caravan cuisine was rough, it had a unique and hearty flavor. I'm thinking of opening a new restaurant."
"Most of the dishes sold in the Li Restaurant are local seafood. If the vacationing guests eat them every day, they may be at risk of getting gout."
With the caravan cuisine, on the one hand, it would enrich the dishes, and on the other hand, it could promote cured meats and mountain products. It was a win - win situation. Why not do it?
"You sisters and aunts are all capable. I'm sure you're all good at handling all kinds of household chores. This authentic caravan restaurant really needs your help. The caravan brothers come to the fishing village every month, so you'll have more time to be together. What do you think of this win - win strategy?"
She analyzed everything clearly and considered every detail. The men and women of the caravan looked at each other, then at the villagers in the fishing village. The fishing women even had silver hairpins in their hair, so they must be quite well - off.
After much thought, everyone was finally excited and quickly agreed.
The group happily led the caravan members to settle down.
Li Ying watched their backs and a faint smile played on her face.
Lu Lang, are you satisfied with my arrangement?
Thinking of Lu Xunguang, she felt a little sad.
One day apart felt like three autumns. When she was busy, she didn't feel anything unusual, but now that she was free, the surging yearning grew like spring grass.
She steadied herself and suppressed her emotions. Only then did she finally find some free time to go and see the conch pearls mentioned in Zhang Lu's and his wife's letters.
"A Ying, I've already told Zhu'er in the pearl farm. According to the method of cultivating seawater pearls, she secretly implanted pearl nuclei into a batch of conchs. I don't know if it will succeed. You have to go and take a look yourself."
Zhang whispered to her. Li Ying knew it wouldn't be easy. She was afraid that nine times out of ten it wouldn't succeed, but she still couldn't help praising Zhang for being so thoughtful and thinking what she was thinking.
Zhang Lu prepared a small boat and personally sent her off. Soon, Zhu'er also got the news and waited at the ferry with a happy face.
"Sister Li, you're finally back! I have something urgent to tell you!"
Zhu'er's tone was rather anxious. Li Ying knew that this little girl had already put away her naughty nature. She nodded seriously and followed Zhu'er into the room.
"Sister Li, you don't know. A few days ago, a group of government officials swaggered onto the island. They said they were under the imperial envoy from the capital and without further ado, they posted a notice."
She showed the notice to Li Ying. It clearly stated that the emperor, in order to receive foreign envoys and show the national prestige, ordered Envoy Lin to search for rare treasures all over the country and make a string of extremely luxurious court beads.
Li Ying sneered. This Envoy Lin was really persistent in his greed. Taking advantage of his position, he had already set his sights on her business.
"Since the emperor wants to collect pearls, we can just sell them at the market price."
Li Ying said calmly, but Zhu'er bit her lips.
"Sister, you don't know. They kept saying that all under heaven belongs to the emperor. If our pearls are selected by the emperor, it's a blessing from our previous lives. There's no need to pay silver!"
"They also said that Lord Lin is the most honest official..."
Li Ying sneered again.
What a good "honest envoy" who used other people's things to curry favor and was insatiably greedy!