The next day.
Lin Zhao woke up early, made breakfast for Xiao Shitai and Xiao Jiu'er, and then sent Xiao Jiu'er to school. Afterwards, he left Xiao Shitai fishing by Baiyu Creek, and went up the mountain with traps, snares, and a longbow. He had to hunt another decent prey, otherwise Xiao Jiu'er's tuition fee of one Qingfu coin would be indefinitely delayed.
On the first day, after wandering around several mountain tops, he only caught two rabbits. They were enough for everyday meals but not for selling.
On the second day, he only managed to shoot one mountain pheasant.
On the third day, he shot a young porcupine. It didn't have much meat and couldn't be sold for much money.
...
Lin Zhao was somewhat desperate.
One day, while fishing with Xiao Shitai by Baiyu Creek, he soon saw Zhang Liucheng and a few other children not going to school but digging for shrimp by the river. They were overjoyed when they caught small crayfish, running around excitedly.
Looking at the small crayfish in the children's hands, Lin Zhao's heart suddenly lit up, and he said, "Xiao Shitai, do you know how to dig for shrimp?"
"Yes!"
Xiao Shitai was startled, "But some people say those crayfish are not edible."
"It's okay, just dig them. I'll go look around elsewhere."
"Okay!"
Lin Zhao returned to the small town and browsed through various grocery stores. He could buy seasonings like bean paste, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, bay leaves, and cinnamon, but he couldn't find Sichuan peppercorns or star anise. It seemed that no one in this world had developed these seasonings. However, Lin Zhao had seen many wild star anise and Sichuan peppercorns when hunting in the mountains. At the time, he hadn't paid much attention, thinking they were useless, but now... they seemed to be about to come in handy.
So, the young man, carrying two large bags, rushed into the mountains. He ran all the way and reached the mountains before noon. Then he began to pick various wild star anise and Sichuan peppercorns, stripping the Sichuan peppercorn trees bare before stopping. He arrived back in town before dusk and saw that Xiao Shitai had already caught half a basket of crayfish. This was the good thing about this boy; he was steady and diligent in his work.
"Brother Lin Zhao, what are we doing?"
Xiao Shitai looked at Lin Zhao's busy figure, completely confused.
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Let's go pick up Xiao Jiu'er, and then go to Baiwei Xuan. Shall I treat you to a meal at the restaurant tonight?"
"Ah?!"
Xiao Shitai was startled, "No need, we don't have much money."
"It's okay, just follow me."
"Okay!"
...Da Feng Novel Network
In the evening, at Baiwei Xuan.
Lin Zhao, for the first time ever, was eating at Baiwei Xuan. He ordered a plate of fried pork liver, a braised chicken, and a large bowl of egg drop soup, enough for the two children. He then went to the kitchen. He saw the boss, Jia Zhong, and his wife, Sister Qing, washing pig intestines together. The smell was quite strong, but Lin Zhao didn't mind and sat down on a stool nearby.
"What are you up to today, kid?"
Jia Zhong glared at him.
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Boss Jia, look, business is particularly slow again today. When I came back from the front street just now, I saw that Hua Qianshu Restaurant was doing great business, with both the first and second floors full."
Jia Zhong rolled his eyes, "If you want to mock me, go ahead. I've long been numb to it."
Sister Qing chuckled, "Such a disgrace! Why did I marry you in the first place!"
Lin Zhao laughed and said, "Boss Jia, have you ever thought about why business is so slow?"
"What? Do you know, Shopkeeper Lin?" Jia Zhong sneered.
"I know a little."
Lin Zhao squatted on the small stool and said, "First of all, in terms of culinary skills, our head chef is definitely not as good as those well-funded large restaurants like Hua Qianshu and Mingyue Xuan. They even have branches in the capital of the Great Shang Dynasty; it's different. However, it's not that we don't have a chance. As long as we can innovate and come up with something new, are we afraid of not having an opportunity?"
Jia Zhong glanced at him lazily, "If that's the case, may I ask, Advisor Lin, what is your brilliant strategy?"
"That attitude is not right."
Lin Zhao said, "Sister-in-law, look at old brother Jia. Does he look like someone who is trying to cheer up, run a good business, and make it bigger and stronger?"
"Exactly!"
Sister Qing directly slapped Jia Zhong, "Look at how reasonable Lin Zhao is! Ability is one thing, ambition is another. Just looking at your useless self makes me so angry!"
Lin Zhao secretly chuckled.
Jia Zhong was dejected and glared at Lin Zhao, "What exactly do you want to say, kid?"
"I have a recipe for a world-renowned dish here."
Lin Zhao said, "I have the name of the dish, the method, and the ingredients. I only ask old brother Jia for a pot. I will cook a dish today for you and sister-in-law to taste. If you think the dish is good, then add it to your Baiwei Xuan menu as your signature dish. But friendship is friendship, and business is business. I will use this dish to invest in your Baiwei Xuan. For every dish sold, you will give me 20% of the net profit. What do you think?"
Sister Qing raised her eyebrows, "Lin Zhao, sister-in-law is giving you face by letting you talk here, but not by letting you brag!"
Jia Zhong, uncharacteristically, retorted, "Humph, wife, this kid might be bragging, but if he can really cook something amazing, I'd like to see it. We only need to provide a pot anyway."
"Deal!"
...
So, Lin Zhao began to wash the crayfish. When he brought out a large basin of crayfish, Jia Zhong was shocked, "Isn't this the crayfish from the river? The elders say they are not edible, and eating them will surely lead to death. You dare to eat them?"
Lin Zhao nodded, "First, the scientific name for this type of shrimp is crayfish. Although it belongs to the crawfish family, it's not called crawfish. Second, I dare to eat it. I fed one to your dog just now, and it's still lively."
"You rascal!"
Jia Zhong was choked with anger.
Not long after, Lin Zhao set up the pot and started cooking. Soon, a fragrant pot of spicy crayfish appeared before Jia Zhong and Sister Qing.
"Shall we try it?"
Lin Zhao crossed his arms and suddenly realized, "Oh, you're afraid of dying? That's okay, I'll try first."
He quickly peeled a crayfish and threw it into his mouth. The taste was excellent.
Jia Zhong observed for a while. Seeing that Lin Zhao was fine, he also ate one and was immediately stunned, "The taste is a bit strange."
He started eating the second one, "The taste spreads in my mouth, and it feels... very different."
Sister Qing also started to eat, repeatedly praising, "Exquisite, truly exquisite!"
"Can it be added to your menu?"
Lin Zhao asked with a smile.
"It can be, but for a dish like this, we should find a guest to try it first and build its reputation." Jia Zhong said.
"No!"
Lin Zhao directly grabbed his shoulder and said, "Old brother Jia, what's the use of having an ordinary person try it? We need someone with prestige to try it, like... the self-proclaimed gourmet, the ninth-realm Great Sword Immortal, Old Mr. Han Buyu. Hurry up! While the dish is still hot, go and get Mr. Han. I saw him drinking tea at the teahouse when I passed by the front street just now. No matter what, you must invite him over. If Han Buyu approves, the entire Tianchi Town will also nod in agreement."
"Brilliant!"
Jia Zhong's eyes lit up, "You really are a business talent, kid!"
...
Not long after, Jia Zhong, acting like a sycophant, led the Old Sword Immortal Han over.
"What dish is it that you're talking about?"
Old Sword Immortal Han had a defiant look, "Jia Zhong, you said this dish will never disappoint me. If it does, I'll run my sword through your restaurant!"
Jia Zhong repeatedly said, "Old Sword Immortal will never be disappointed. Hurry, hurry, Lin Zhao, serve the dish!"
Lin Zhao immediately brought out the remaining half of the spicy crayfish.
Han Buyu sniffed, then took out his wine gourd and placed it on the table. He ate a crayfish and drank a sip of wine. A smile kept appearing on his face, and he praised it with relish, "I never expected such a delicacy to exist in this world! What is this dish called?"
Lin Zhao quickly said, "Old Sword Immortal Han, this dish is called Spicy Crayfish, and it's my unique recipe."
"Good, good!"
Han Buyu laughed heartily and ate with great satisfaction, "Can I have another portion?"
"Yes, yes!"
Lin Zhao immediately got busy again.
...
The kitchen, a restricted area.
Xiao Shitai stood in a horse stance nearby, while Xiao Jiu'er watched Lin Zhao busy.
"What do you say?"
Jia Zhong said, "A dish that Old Sword Immortal Han praises so highly will surely become famous. The pricing... and the ingredients and recipe, Brother Lin, you should give me a clear account, right?"
"Simple."
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "20 crayfish per plate, 100 copper coins per plate, no credit. I will also give you the ingredients one by one. You can buy them from various shops. As for the method, I will only give it to you after we sign the investment agreement and seal it with our fingerprints. Furthermore, the ingredients need to be prepared quickly. Tomorrow, you will post a notice outside the shop offering to buy crayfish at five copper coins per jin, so that everyone in town can go and dig for crayfish. In the end, we will still be the ones making money!"
"What are we waiting for!?"
Jia Zhong was excited, "I'll go write the investment agreement right away. Brother Lin, we'll prosper together from now on!"
"Not at all, not at all."
Lin Zhao said with a smile, "Brother Jia, may you prosper greatly, and I'll just follow along and eat some scraps."
...
Thus, the agreement was written and sealed.
Jia Zhong barely slept that night. He tricked several lazy men from the town into going to dig for crayfish overnight. By noon the next day, Lin Zhao personally cooked. He made five portions of spicy crayfish consecutively. Among them, Old Sword Immortal Han ordered one, a fourth-realm martial artist from another place ordered one, and the captain patrolling the town also ordered one. Those who could afford such a dish costing 100 copper coins per plate were either rich or noble.
On this day, the fame of spicy crayfish spread throughout the town.
Jia Zhong secretly found hunters to go into the mountains to collect wild Sichuan peppercorns and star anise. Lin Zhao became idle until the evening, when two people visited the inconspicuous small restaurant on the back street for the first time: Chu Huaixi and Chen Yu.
When Lin Zhao appeared with a plate of spicy crayfish, Chen Yu was surprised, "Lin Zhao, you're here... doing what?"
Lin Zhao was also taken aback, "Here... helping out. Greetings, Commander Chu, greetings, Sister Chen Yu. So it's you..."
"Mm."
Chu Huaixi smiled slightly, "Is this dish really that delicious?"
"Mm, Commander Chu, would you like some wine?"
"Good."
Not long after, Chu Huaixi's face turned red from eating, "Excellent dish, excellent dish! It truly lives up to its reputation!"
...
At this moment, Lin Zhao knew that he was about to make a fortune!