The apricot blossoms have faded, the peach blossoms are in full bloom, and in sunny places, the pear blossoms are slowly blooming. When the grass grows and the eagles fly, it is the best time of the year. The willow trees on the roadside have grown new leaves, and catkins hang gently swaying between the leaves.
In the ditch on the roadside, a group of ducks swam by from time to time, looking curiously at the pedestrians on the road.
Wang Zhongfu sat on his horse and looked at the surrounding scenery. He said to Xu Zhe: "This area has flat land and crisscrossed waterways, just like Guanzhong. It is most suitable for growing crops. It's just that there are few people living along the way, unlike our Guanzhong, which is densely populated."
Xu Zhe said: "Sanlang, our Guanzhong is not what it used to be. The gold thieves came and went several times, and I don't know how many people died. There were few wars and disasters passing by your house, so I don't think so. This is Nanyang County, which has been a prosperous place since ancient times. Who could have imagined that today would be like this!”
Wang Zhongfu said: "Since it was densely populated in the past, the land here must be good. As long as there is peace for a few years, the population will naturally increase."
Li Qingdao: "It's so easy! It has been more than a hundred years since the founding of this dynasty, and by the time of Shenzong, there were still not many people here. It was only in the past few decades that the number of households gradually increased. Who would have thought that a gold thief came!"
Several people discussed and followed Xu Shijie, the head of the capital, towards Xinye, twenty miles away.
The Nanyang Basin was one of the most densely populated areas in China during the Han Dynasty. However, wars later broke out and water conservancy projects fell into disrepair. By the Song Dynasty, there was a large amount of barren land. The Song Dynasty was founded for more than a hundred years, and the population began to increase only a few decades ago. Then the Jin army came, and a large number of people were either killed or driven to the north, and now they are sparsely populated.
When they arrived at Xinye City, Xu Shijie said to the five people: "Although there are people here, it is a military city after all. When you enter the city, be careful and don't make any noise or look around to cause trouble."
Wang Zhongfu said: "How come the city doesn't even care about the people?"
Xu Shijie said: "How do the people on patrol know whether you are a soldier or a civilian? As long as there is trouble, someone will come to investigate. You are soldiers, and if you are investigated, you will be in a lot of trouble. Even I will be implicated."
Five people say yes. He led the horse and followed Xu Shijie into the city.
Military schools, recruit camps, etc. were all located around Xinye City. In two or three years, the city became extremely prosperous. As a military city, it is governed by military discipline. Compared with other cities, this place is particularly orderly. On the street, there are patrol soldiers in uniform from time to time, checking the pedestrians on the street. The shops on the roadside are in good order no matter how good the business is.
After entering the city, Xu Shijie said: "There are people from all over here in Xinye, and the food in the store is the best. The dumplings in the front store have extremely fresh fillings and are very delicious. Come on, let's go have a meal."
Wang Zhongfu said sheepishly: "We come to take the exam with Dutou, how can we let Dutou spend money?"
Xu Shijie said: "What are you thinking? Your exam is a business matter, so of course minister money will be used. How can I pay for it myself when I only have so much money a month? Don't worry, as long as it's not delicacies, the money provided by the government will be enough."
Several people couldn't help but be surprised when they heard this. The villagers saw that Xu Shijie was very frugal, but they didn't expect that he still had the minister's money.
Under Wang Xiaolie's rule, ministerial money began to gradually turn into departmental expenses in various yamen. As long as it is official business, officials are no longer required to pay for it, or officials are apportioned to the officials below. The burden on the officials was lightened, and the outlook began to change.
The dumpling house is a second-floor building with a large facade. It's just not like an ordinary restaurant. There are no waiters in front of the door, and there are no women accompanying the wine and singing. In the front hall, there were many tables filled with about 70 to 80% of the guests.
Wang Zhongfu said: "This store is so big! And business is good!"
Xu Shijie said: "This is a business under the Zhenfu Shisi, and it is naturally not comparable to that of ordinary restaurants. Their stuffing is made with fresh meat every day, and the dishes are even fresher and really delicious. Let me tell you, there is a business under the Zhenfushi. There is a food research yamen, and there are people there who think about how to make it more delicious. There are also many restaurants down there, opened in various cities. This one specializes in selling dumplings. "
Wang Zhongfu smiled and said: "The governor here is really interesting. How do you do these things?"
Xu Shijie said: "What's weird? Do you think it's free to raise soldiers? These places are just for the governor to make money!"
While talking, several people stepped into the door.
A young man came up and saluted, "What dishes do you want our guests to eat? Do you want to drink or not?"
Xu Shijie said: "The exam is tomorrow, so I'll drink two less drinks today. The six of us will find a quieter little room."
The boy agreed. He led six people up to the second floor, went to a pavilion, and said: "There are many guests today, and the pavilion by the window is gone. Everyone, please sit here. If you want any drinks, I will bring them to you in a minute."
Xu Shijie said: "We poor people, if you have good soju, bring us a bottle. By the way, we also need a pot to warm the wine."
The boy agreed and helped several people sit down. He took out a small book and said, "What dishes are you going to use today? We don't have any freshly fried dishes here. If you want to use them, you have to go to the restaurant next door to buy them."
Xu Shijie said: "No need. Each person has a plate of dumplings and a plate of cold dishes."
Although it is said to be a cold dish, the restaurant actually also has braised pork, braised tofu, meatballs, etc. cooked in a pot and served hot. In this dumpling restaurant, there is no cooking, the hot dishes are all prepared in advance.
According to taste, each of the six people ordered a dish of their own. Following Xu Shijie's example, Wang Zhongfu and the other five looked at the menu and each ordered three dishes to form a plate. A portion of dumplings costs twenty-five cents, and a vegetarian dish costs ten cents. They are not expensive.
Watching the waiter leave, Wang Zhongfu said: "For such a big restaurant, each of us only has thirty-five cents. How do they make money?"
Xu Shijie said: "I heard people say that this restaurant is different from ordinary restaurants. When you eat here, you eat and leave quickly. Each table receives several guests during a meal. Everyone makes more money, but the people who come There are so many.”
In later generations, this was called the table-turning rate. Dumpling restaurants, noodle restaurants and other places rely on small profits but quick turnover, which is different from other restaurants. This was Wang Xiaolie's experience learned from his previous life, and he did this deliberately.
There are many restaurants under the Zhenfu Division. There are three companies that make dumplings. They design their own flavors, open branches in prefectures and counties, and each store does its own accounting. I make a lot of money, and everyone from the supervisor to the servants gets bonuses, so I make a lot of money. If you don't do well, you will make less money.
In almost all walks of life, as long as the conditions are right, Wang Xiaolie requires officials to participate in opening a store. Generally, there are several stores with their own characteristics, and branches are opened in Xiazhou County. Above these stores, there is usually an official institution similar to a research institute, where people conduct research. New colors and flavors have been researched, and the techniques are taught to the stores below, and the stores report back to the institute.
