A Western Doctor’s Happy Farming Life[1] chapter 56

Staring at Wu Dahu, Song Qinghan was astonished.

He never expected that Wu Dahu would have such a brain and thought of advance. No butcher would say no to this win-win cooperation. And plus, with restrictions, they wouldn’t be able to act unruly. After all, once their business was tied up to the seasoning stuff, they had to pay close attention to it. If not they probably would lose parts of their customers.

How would Butcher Chen react after hearing the news? Nobody knows.

What Wu Dahu said was quite clear and bright, so the one who showed the most anxious expression on face promised, saying, “Alright, I’m in! Let’s just make this deal. Don’t worry, I can sell all out one day!”

Of course, except some of them who were showing confidence, there existed another group who were questioning Wu Dahu, they came to ask, “So how are we supposed to receive the brokerage charges? Should we just take it from the coins which are belonged to us and give them back to you the rest of the coins?”

Pondering for a brief moment, Wu Dahu shook his head, saying, “This is the first time for our cooperation, so I need you guys to pay for the seasonings in advance, and of course with brokerage charges deducted. Let’s see if we go with a smooth cooperation in three times. If we do reach an agreement for a long-term cooperation, we surely can adopt ‘Sell first, pay later’ method.”

Another guy jumped out from the crowd, asking, “How can we know that whether it is hot-sell product or not? What if people just neglect them, and you refuse to return the money back to us? Or what if this so-called seasoning decays within days, who can guarantee that?”

Wu Dahu still remained his calmness standing there, and answering, “Then this should be the extra risk you have to bear. Anyway, one pack for half a copper coin. I know it’s kind of a tiny amount, but if the cooperation go smoothly and the business boost, it’s a promising one. Moreover, I think all of you had already witnessed how the seasoning brought the profit to Butcher Chen, it’s kind of perfect addition to your business. Isn’t it? And plus, as long as you keep the seasoning away from water or avoid any humid environment, it can be stored without being decayed for at least half a month and longer.”

In fact, what these butchers really wanted wasn’t the coin itself, but the popularity it would bring to their meat shop.

Just as the group was discussing and negotiating here, there came someone not far away, and the man who was approaching the crowd shouted, “Don’t fall for their tricks! This kind of raw material is everywhere. Butcher sells each pack for three copper coins there. Probably this guy has run a bad business with Butcher Chen, so he just resorted any possible means to trap us.”

After that, the crowd was in an uproar. And some of whom reached an agreement with Wu Dahu suddenly dropped the packs back in the basket and turned around to stare at Wu Dahu, seemingly waiting for a sincere response from him.

On the other side, Wu Dahu still kept his equanimity showing emotionless on face, he then bowed in a leisurely manner to untie one of the packs, taking out the star anise among the ingredients and saying calmly, “What they sell doesn’t include something like this. If you pursue the richer flavor of the seasoning, this stuff is a must-have. If you don’t even give credence to me. Go and buy one from their shop and take one pack from me. Let’s check out the difference between these two seasonings when they are applying to cook.”

The crowd again divided into two parts, some of them egged the others on to try it out, while some seemed to make a firm decision right away, shouting, “I will give it a shot. Brother Dahu, here are the coins for one pack. Just count and see.”

Wu Dahu didn’t expect that there would be some to support him, three packs of the seasonings in the basket were gone in a flash. And after that, the rest of the butchers commenced taking out the coins in their pockets aiming to accept the deal, as if they were in a competition in purchasing the stuffs.

The others who was still hesitating to act started being regretful after the seasonings were sold out so quick, they came to chirp one after another in a mocking tone, “Fine, we will just wait and see. We will see how they will be trapped by him.”

Although all star anise had been snapped up, Wu Dahu still hadn’t taken the cumin and black pepper powder out yet.

Raising head, Wu Dahu continued to say, “I got two new spices here. Anyone who would love to make a test marketing is much welcome to purchase some. In addition, one pack of giveaway will be attached.”

Everyone seemed to sink into another hesitation of awkwardness there after knowing Wu Dahu got two brand-new spices.

It was Wu Dahu then explained unhurriedly, saying, “These two spices are quite suitable to be applied in any roasted meat, but I would not recommend you to cook or make a soup with it.”

The briskest butcher among the crowd who showed an active confidence over Wu Dahu’s promise rose again and came over to grab some packs of cumin and black pepper powder, saying, “Brother Dahu, I trust you. Just tell us, how much should we pay for them?”

Wu Dahu then came to answer without hesitation, saying, “Ten copper coins for one pack, and you can take 1 copper coin for brokerage out of it.”

With a shock, the actively-behaved butcher asked again while pondering for a moment, saying, “Isn’t it a bit hefty? Ten copper coins? I don’t think that is a good price. After all, you should know that there only exists few people who roast meat.”

Smiling big, Wu Dahu consoled the man, saying, “Don’t you worry. If you can’t make it to sell it out, just return them back to me and I will pay you back the refund. Or you can come visit me in my village. See, my husband is carrying a big belly right now. How are we supposed to escape? We got nowhere to go. Right?”

The most enthusiastic man took a glance at Song Qinghan’s belly, and then gritted his teeth taking another bunch of coins in his pocket, saying in a low voice, “Fine! For the sake of my decisiveness and enthusiasm, Brother Dahu, you have to deliver more in my meat shop. I’m looking forward to the long-term cooperation with you.”

Wu Dahu responded and then memorized the man secretly in mind, saying in a serious tone, “Sure, if we find other business, we will go to you first, and hopefully, I wish we will have a good cooperation. And no more BUTCHER CHEN.”

Since Wu Dahu had promised something that he would privilege someone, the rest of the crowd commenced rushing over and scrambling for the packs of cumin and black pepper powder.

However, those who stood there stationary again mocked about something in sarcasm.

“Look, how much did he gain now? This amount of coins is quite enough for Wu Dahu to run as far as they can. AND, am I the only one who know the situation of his husband?”

“Hell yeah, his husband is just a concubine kicked out by Lin Mansion. This Song guy is just a pitiful rat. Well, I don’t think he’s carrying a baby belonging to Wu Dahu.”

“Let’s just wait until we can watch a great show of them being in a farce. Let’s leave here.”

“…”

“I got them here, I got them here.” a sound of squeak came far away.

The crowd turned themselves around and found it was someone who went to purchase the seasoning from Butcher Chen came back, they then asked hurriedly, “How is it? Have you cooked it yet?”

Waving hands high, the man who rushed over was catching his breath while speaking to the crowd, “Of course I need to cook them and bring them together over here. If not, how can we just unmask the trick from the tricky party? I haven’t taste them yet. But as far as I can tell from their smells, they bear no difference at all.”

Being informed by this message, those who delivered mocking faces previously became more self-satisfied, they just looked at the group who had purchased Wu Dahu’s seasoning with a great enjoyment as if they were just looking on their embarrassment.

Two men who was holding pot in hands ran over in the middle of the crowd, and then they put them right in front of the man who was a rival against Wu Dahu in this situation.

The man took a look on them and then pointed at the left one, saying, “This one is from Butcher Chen.”

It was quite hard for them to differentiate these two pots if they did not grab a closer observation on them, the pots were all the same from their appearance with a similar smell. The only way for them to distinguish these pots was to see if they were coming with star anise or not.

One butcher in the crowd who was eager to taunt Wu Dahu took out his bowl and chopsticks in his own shop ready to fill his bowl with the soup.

Wu Dahu saw that this man stretched his arm to the pot in the right side, he then came to stop him and dissuade, saying, “If you try to taste ours first, then you have to wait for at least quarter of an hour to taste the one from Butcher Chen. If not, you can’t really tell the difference between them. But if you taste theirs first, you are allowed to taste ours in ensuing course.”

The man grumbled there for a moment, but he still chose the left pot first in the persistence of Wu Dahu.

After the first taste of the soup, the man seemed to be amazed by the rich flavor, he couldn’t help but praise, “Quite nice! It is indeed possessing a better flavor than its originally plain taste.”

It was easy for Wu Dahu to know that the man wasn’t a regular customer who purchased the seasoning of his. Otherwise he wouldn’t praise over the left one.

True, another guy who bought the seasoning from Wu Dahu before came to a complaint after he tasted the soup from the left pot, saying, “This is not the same flavor as before. It possesses a plainer taste.”

People just released their frowning look after tasting the meat from the right pot, and then said with satisfaction, “Right. This one is the perfecter one with a far richer flavor of meat.”

The man who took the first bite wasn’t convinced at all though he had also tasted out the difference between these two pots, he then stared at the meat in both of the pots, complaining, “I think we should blame it for the meat itself. Otherwise how can one is a far cry from the other? I think one of them is the lead leg and the other is hindlimb.”

Well, among the crowd, there were almost all butchers. They should be quite professional at recognizing partial fleshes from a certain animal. They could also recognize at just a glance even if the meat was cooked. So in this situation, everyone there just burst into laughter all of a sudden.

“What the heck? They are both coming from the same leg, aren’t they? And they are both coming from your shop, how can you just tell a lie without even blinking your eyes.”

“Don’t try to argue with him. Otherwise, he will conceive other excuses like ‘the freshness of these meat isn’t at the same level’ or something.”

“Right! Finally I can be at ease now. I can’t wait to try these two new spices out to see if they’re worth ten copper coins. HAHA!”

“…”

Until the crowd dissipated, Wu Dahu commenced putting away the empty sack and carrying the basket, preparing to go back home with Song Qinghan.

“Please stay!”

A voice of vigorousness came right behind this couple, with a seeming urgency.

It was a man featuring a slightly round face who was out of breath not far away, and Wu Dahu turned around and asked while frowning, “What’s wrong?”

The man with a round face seemed to have detected the insecurity of Wu Dahu, he then bowed himself with his fist folding right in front of his chest, explaining, “I come from the other town, and I am not quite sure about what you guys are arguing for just then. But I know that it is you who sold the so-called magic packs which perfect the flavor of the cooked meat. So I’m here to make sure if you still have some. I would love to purchase some from you.”

Shaking head, Wu Dahu motioned the man to take a look in the basket on his back, and then answered without hesitation, “No seasoning or spice is left now, you have to wait until the day after tomorrow.”

After that, he showed no eagerness to the response from that man but took Song Qinghan away in a quick move.

But beyond their expectations, the round face man chased up again, and then asked in a tentative tone, “Do you have some rest at home? Would you allow me to follow you up and take the seasoning? Once I got it, I will leave. I won’t waste any time of yours.”

Song Qinghan then came to explain in a leisure tone, “The seasoning can’t be made within one day. What’s more, we don’t have any in stock currently. You can come here again the day after tomorrow. We will surely be here again if nothing unexpected happens.”

“Thing happens unexpected?” repeated the man, and then he continued to say in distress, “So that is to say, if you can’t make it smoothly, I can’t see you that day.”

Though it was kind of cruel, Song Qinghan still nodded honestly.

After all, they still got bunch of affairs to deal with, in addition, Wu Dahu was still in his recovery period. They came here today not only to sell the seasoning or spice, but most importantly, also deliver the basket of monk fruits to the Huichun Shop.