Niu Liang, you don't need to go back. Let them handle the rest of the work. Tomorrow, I have something for you to do. Go to the backyard and find Qing'er. Collect your reward, and she'll arrange a room for you to stay.
Fang Er kicked Wangcai, who had run over, and instructed Niu Liang.
Yes, young master.
Niu Liang said and headed to the backyard.
After Xiao Qing finished arranging things for Niu Liang, she returned to the courtyard. Fang Er was happily playing with three puppies.
Young master, Brother Niu is all settled. Is the restaurant really opening in three days?
Fang Er casually picked up Laifu and handed it to Xiao Qing, then said, "Yes, the sooner we open, the sooner we'll make money. We'll have many expenses later. You should pick a few skilled people from the helpers and teach them how to stir-fry. The restaurant will rely on them in the future."
Alright, young master. Xiao Qing took Laifu from Fang Er and held him in her arms.
The next morning, the old carpenter from the manor arrived at the Fang mansion with his three apprentices. Seeing Fang Er practicing his morning exercises, they stood aside quietly, waiting.
After a while, Fang Er rubbed his sore legs and sat on a stone bench. The old carpenter quickly came forward to pay his respects.
Fang Er looked at him and asked, "Did you bring all the tools?"
The old carpenter pointed to his apprentices beside him. "Replying to the young master, they are all carrying them."
Fang Er looked at the things on the backs of the three young men, took a sip of tea, and got up, saying, "Follow me."
He led the old man and three young men to the backyard, where Niu Liang was organizing the wood he had bought yesterday.
Niu Liang, come here. Let me introduce you. You'll all be eating from the same pot from now on.
Fang Er pointed to the old man and the three youths and said to Niu Liang.
Right, introduce yourselves. I don't even know all your names yet.
Fang Er said, touching his forehead with a hint of frustration.
Replying to the young master, this old man is called Ma Qi. These three are my apprentices: Zhou Mu, Li Jiu, and Wang Mo.
The old carpenter, Ma Qi, said as he pointed to his three apprentices.
Alright, these are the craftsmen in my household, Niu Liang. You will be working together from now on. Niu Liang, here is the drawing for the waterwheel. See if you can understand it.
Fang Er said, pulling a drawing from his怀 and handing it to Niu Liang.
Niu Liang was accustomed to his young master's habit of drawing blueprints before starting any work. He took the drawing, looked at the dense symbols and lines, studied them carefully for a moment, and then looked up at Fang Er. "Young master, it's generally fine. We should be able to make them."
Good. From now on, you will lead these three. Just follow the drawings and make one first. If there's anything you don't understand, come and find me in the front yard anytime.
After arranging things for them, Fang Er returned to the front.
As soon as he stepped out of the back courtyard, he saw Cheng Chumuo and Yuchi Baolin sitting in the courtyard, playing with the three puppies.
You two scoundrels, you're bullying my dogs as soon as you arrive!
Fang Er greeted them with a smile and sat down on the stone bench.
I say, Brother Fang, where did you get these puppies? They're so adorable.
Cheng Chumuo said to Fang Er, still holding Laifu.
Yuchi Baolin was also holding Wangcai in his arms, constantly scratching it. The puppy squinted its eyes, enjoying the attention, and didn't resist at all, making Fang Er a little jealous of this ungrateful creature.
Heh heh, it's a secret! Want one? I'll give you one when they have puppies later.
Fang Er said, crossing his legs and drinking some cool boiled water.
That will be a long time. To be honest, Brother Fang, my sister loves to raise these things, besides practicing martial arts. But she never raises them well. Either they bite the servants, or they bite outsiders. Every few days, I have to go and pay compensation. How about we trade? I'll give you my family's big dog for a puppy, what do you say? That's a genuine hunting dog; it can catch wolves and hunt foxes! Cheng Chumuo looked longingly at Laifu in his arms.
Indeed, dogs, like people, show their nature early. You can tell from their puppyhood.
The term "warm golden retriever" isn't just a saying; this dog is truly gentle. Anyone who has raised one knows this.
These creatures, let alone biting people, generally don't even bark. Unlike huskies, besides their love for destroying things, they often revert to their primal nature and howl like wolves. If they were in the Tang Dynasty, people might think wolves had entered the village.
Cheng Chumuo had only been holding Laifu for a short while but had already fallen in love with the little fellow. It was chubby and fluffy, and it would occasionally lick his hand with its tongue. It was nothing like the hunting dogs he kept at home, which bared their teeth at everyone.
Get out of here. I don't like raising hunting dogs. What if they bite my Qing'er? I'd kill and eat them without hesitation.
Fang Er gave him a sideways glance and continued, "If you really like it, you can take it home for a couple of days. Then bring it back to me. This one is too small and precious. I'm afraid you won't be able to raise it properly. I'm really not being stingy with you."
Brother Fang, what about me? You can't be biased!
Yuchi Baolin chimed in.
Alright, alright, you can each have one. But remember, you can only take them home for two days, then bring them back for me to inspect. You can come back to pick them up again after some time.
Fang Er agreed helplessly and then instructed Xiao Qing to prepare puppy milk.
After discussing the puppies, the three of them began to plan the opening of the restaurant.
I say, my two brothers, although good wine fears no bush, it's best to have some prominent figures help us support the event during the opening. What do you think?
Fang Er said, looking at the two of them.
They both nodded in unison.
They truly knew nothing about doing business. They were beaten by their fathers for practicing martial arts every day. As they got older, they were thrown into the army, so they never had any contact with this kind of thing. They could only do as Fang Er said.
Brother Fang, you arrange it. We'll listen to you.
Cheng Chumuo said, nodding.
Alright. Look, can we invite some court officials over? Just tell them it's the opening of our family business, and let them come to taste the delicacies. Can this be done? Fang Er asked.
That's a small matter. I'll have my father inform them. If those uncles and elder brothers know there's good wine, they'll be eager to drink their fill! Cheng Chumuo patted his chest and guaranteed.
Exactly. They are all fond of wine. If they smell wine, they'll probably want to sneak over and try it themselves. Yuchi Baolin echoed.
Alright, then it's settled. Have your fathers handle this matter properly. I'll take care of everything else. You just wait to collect the money.
Fang Er raised his teacup and toasted them.
The two quickly reciprocated, and the opening matters were thus decided.