Since Brother Fang is so forthright, we won't be polite. We'll accept this three-tenths share each. If anyone in Chang'an City dares to cause trouble, just send someone to inform our residences. Also, stop calling me General; it's too formal. Call me brother from now on. Come, cheers!
The two looked at each other. Cheng Yaojin stood up, finished speaking, picked up his wine bowl, and clinked it with Fang Er.
Yuchi Heizi also stood up and clinked his wine bowl with Fang Er.
Fang Er quickly got up: "Then I'll thank you both for your regard. If you ever need anything from your little brother, just send word, and I'll do my best without shirking!"
After speaking, Fang Er downed the wine in his bowl, signaling to them that he had finished first.
Hahahaha, refreshing!
The two drank their wine in one gulp, looking at each other and laughing heartily.
Next, the three began to discuss how to operate the winery.
Originally, Fang Er's idea was that he would provide the money, the wine, and the labor, while Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi would only contribute their names.
However, Cheng Yaojin insisted on not agreeing and wanted to contribute a shop he owned on Zhuque Street.
Yuchi similarly contributed a shop.
The two shops were adjacent, both bestowed together by Li Er at the time.
They said that if Fang Er didn't accept, it would mean he looked down on them.
Fang Er had no choice but to accept.
He had initially intended to win over these two men with a share of the profits, but he never expected them to be so generous.
These two shops were priceless, hard to acquire even with money.
Moreover, both shops were three stories high and had courtyards of at least half a mu behind them. Once connected, the space would be sufficient not only for a winery but also for a restaurant.
Therefore, Fang Er decided to combine the two shops completely. The courtyards, totaling over an acre, would be enough for distilling wine. The front shops would be directly used to open a restaurant. The cooking methods of this era were limited to boiling, roasting, or steaming. Fang Er was confident that with his wine and recipes from later generations, it would surely be a sensation in Chang'an.
Cheng Yaojin and the other man didn't understand business much. Whatever Fang Er said, they just nodded along.
They had an expression that conveyed "You're in charge, we just want our share of the money," which left Fang Er speechless.
Fang Er said, "Brothers, how about we name the wine 'Drunken Immortal Brew'?"
The two nodded.
Fang Er continued, "Brothers, I plan to combine these shops and renovate them properly, what do you think?"
They nodded again.
Fang Er then said, "Brothers, how about we name the restaurant 'Drunken Immortal Tower'?"
Snore~~~~!
Damn it, these two have passed out!
So, someone had to carry them to bed.
Then he instructed the housekeeper to go and purchase a large quantity of wine for processing.
After arranging all that, it was already dark.
"Young master, dinner is ready."
Xiao Qing placed the dishes she brought onto the table one by one.
Seeing the items on the table, Fang Er instantly lost his appetite.
"It's always steamed or boiled; I really have no appetite. Come on, young master will make something delicious to open your eyes."
Fang Er said, then stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Fang Er found a piece of fat pork about a palm thick, sliced it, and prepared it.
Xiao Qing watched her young master with surprise.
"When did young master learn to cook?"
"Stop daydreaming and go manage the fire."
Fang Er flicked Xiao Qing's nose with his hand.
Xiao Qing's face instantly turned red.
She hurried to the stove, lit the dry grass with flint, and fed it into the firebox, then slowly added firewood.
Soon, a strong fire was blazing under the pot.
Fang Er threw the prepared fat pork slices into the pot.
Sizzle~~~~!
As the fat entered the pot and came into contact with the hot iron, the aroma of meat immediately wafted out.
The heat from this earthen stove pot was much more powerful than natural gas.
Fang Er held the spatula and stirred quickly.
The fat from the meat was continuously rendered and fried out, its volume shrinking, while the oil in the pot increased.
When the meat turned a golden brown and no more fat seeped out,
Fang Er removed the meat.
Looking at the large bowl of rendered oil at the bottom of the pot, he scooped out the oil with a ladle.
Some oil remained in the pot.
Fang Er found a few eggs, cracked them into a bowl, stirred them quickly, then added salt and chopped scallions. After mixing them evenly, he poured them into the pot.
Instantly, the aroma of eggs and scallions filled the air.
Xiao Qing sniffed with disbelief.
"It smells so good!"
Normally, they only had boiled eggs.
She never knew that eggs could be cooked like this.
Besides, isn't it said that gentlemen stay away from the kitchen? It's said that apart from restaurants, no man cooks.
"Where did young master learn this from?"
Xiao Qing also watched the golden-brown eggs in the pot with eager eyes, the enticing aroma constantly wafting into her nose; they looked delicious.
Fang Er chuckled at her expression.
"Quick, wipe your mouth, your saliva is about to drip."
Hearing Fang Er's words, Xiao Qing quickly wiped the corners of her mouth, but there was nothing there.
"Naughty young master, you're tricking me!"
Xiao Qing blushed again and turned away, not daring to look at the eggs in the pot.
But the smell couldn't be stopped from wafting into her nose, making her truly mouth-watering.
Fang Er served the eggs and then stir-fried a plate of greens.
By this time, the leftover fat from rendering the oil had been drained. Fang Er casually grabbed some green salt and sprinkled it evenly on the leftover fat, releasing a savory aroma.
He asked Xiao Qing to extinguish the fire in the stove, and then they carried the three dishes to the inner courtyard.
"Go, call Xiao Huan too, let her taste your young master's cooking!"
Fang Er took a piece of egg himself, put it in his mouth, and said while eating.
Yes, young master.
Xiao Qing looked at the dishes on the plate with reluctance, then turned to go to the backyard to find Xiao Huan.
"Hmm, the taste is still a bit lacking; this salt isn't good enough."
It seems I have to do it myself and make some refined salt.
Xiao Qing, bringing Xiao Huan, ran back to the inner courtyard. Seeing Fang Er eating with great relish, his mouth greasy, the two stood by the table, hesitant and afraid to pick up their chopsticks.
Although they were tempted, they were servants, and their young master hadn't given the word, so they dared not take food from his plates.
"Why are you standing there? Hurry up and try, see if what young master made is delicious."
Fang Er knew what they meant, so he took two pairs of chopsticks and handed them to the two girls.
Xiao Huan, after all, was just a twelve-year-old girl, in the age of being greedy for food. Seeing the golden eggs and salty leftovers, and their enticing aroma, she had secretly swallowed her saliva several times.
Seeing the chopsticks her young master handed over, she immediately forgot everything else. She took the chopsticks and picked up a piece of leftover fat, putting it into her mouth.
The crispy texture, the burst of oil, and the fragrant taste were amazing.
As servants, they rarely got to eat meat, and they had never seen cooking like this before.
The little girl was instantly won over.