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As night fell, the once-bustling hot pot restaurant had closed for the day. The sounds of pots and pans clinking in the back kitchen echoed clearly in the quiet night.
Bai Linglong sat indoors, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow on her slightly rounded belly. She gently stroked her stomach, filled with plans for the future.
“Knock, knock, knock,” a series of knocks came at the door.
“Master, it’s us, Zhao Gang and Wang Meng,” came the voices from outside.
“Come in,” Bai Linglong replied.
Zhao Gang and Wang Meng pushed the door open, the flickering candlelight illuminating their faces, which still bore traces of excitement and fatigue.
Bai Linglong looked up and stated directly, “You both saw how busy the restaurant was today. Our hot pot business has great potential. I plan to have you go to other towns to open branch stores and make our brand known.”
Zhao Gang’s eyes lit up instantly. He stepped forward excitedly and said, “Master, you can trust me with this! I am guaranteed to open the branches bustling with activity, spreading the name of Linglong Hot Pot far and wide!”
Wang Meng scratched his head, grinning as he added, “Right! With the flavor of our hot pot, who wouldn’t want to try it wherever we go?”
Bai Linglong continued, “You see, the exterior will incorporate local architectural styles, but the interior layout and decor will still highlight the lively atmosphere of our hot pot.”
Zhao Gang and Wang Meng leaned in, examining the plans closely, occasionally letting out exclamations of admiration.
“Master, you’ve thought this through so well! This design will surely attract a lot of people,” Zhao Gang said sincerely.
Bai Linglong then became serious, looking at Wang Meng. “Wang Meng, the training of the Hidden Guards is still your responsibility. This is the foundation of our standing in the Jianghu, and we cannot slack off in the slightest.”
She then turned to Zhao Gang. “Zhao Gang, expanding the business will mainly rely on you; you’ll be running around quite a bit.”
Wang Meng patted his chest confidently, saying, “Master, don’t worry! I’ll keep a close eye on the training of the Hidden Guards and ensure we develop a strong team!”
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and then Li Fei burst through the door, looking travel-worn yet excited. “Master, Pavilion Master Heifeng received the news and immediately started making arrangements. He’s chosen the most capable business talents from the pavilion and is sending them over first. The training for the Hidden Guards is also being expedited and will be sent to us in a few days.”
Bai Linglong nodded with satisfaction. “Good. Zhao Gang, when these people arrive, you’ll take them to find suitable storefronts in various locations. Remember, the location should be in high-traffic areas, close to markets or inns.”
Zhao Gang nodded seriously. “Rest assured, Master! I will find the best location!”
A few days later, the business experts from Mingyue Pavilion arrived. At the forefront was a young man named Su Yu, who had sharp eyes and a shrewd demeanor.
Upon meeting Bai Linglong, Su Yu cupped his hands in greeting. “Lady Bai, Pavilion Master Heifeng has sent us here to await your orders.”
Bai Linglong assessed the group and said, “From now on, we are all in the same boat. For this branch opening, we will need your insights and strategies.”
Su Yu replied, “You can rest assured, Lady Bai. We will do our utmost. I believe we should go to Jiangcheng first. It’s a bustling area with many merchants and a large population, making it an excellent place to open a hot pot restaurant.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang immediately became interested. “Great! Let’s head to Jiangcheng and scout the area!”
Thus, Zhao Gang set off with Su Yu and the others towards Jiangcheng. Upon arriving, they were shocked by the city’s prosperity. The streets were filled with a constant stream of traffic, and shops lined the road, with the sounds of merchants calling out ringing in the air.
Stalls along the roadside displayed a dazzling array of goods, including exquisite silks, sharp knives, and various fresh fruits and vegetables. Zhao Gang and Su Yu first visited the most famous real estate agency in the area.
The agency was bustling with people, and a young man wearing a felt hat approached them with a broad smile. “Welcome, gentlemen! Are you looking to buy property? We have a wide selection available!”
Zhao Gang replied straightforwardly, “We want to buy a storefront in a bustling area of the city to open a hot pot restaurant. Do you have any suitable options?”
The agent’s eyes lit up, and he quickly responded, “Yes, yes! I have several storefronts available in prime locations, right near the busiest market. The foot traffic is massive! However, the prices, of course, won’t be cheap.”
Su Yu frowned slightly. “Price isn’t an issue as long as the storefront is suitable. But don’t try to pass off any shabby places on us; we need something spacious, bright, and ready for renovation and operation.”
The agent patted his chest in assurance. “You can trust me! I wouldn’t dare to mislead you! Let me take you to see them right away.” Following the agent, they wove through the city.
Along the way, the agent continuously introduced Jiangcheng’s local customs and business conditions.
“Jiangcheng is the commercial hub of this area, with a constant flow of merchants coming and going as long as the business is good, the profits will be substantial!” Before long, they arrived at a street.
The agent pointed ahead to several storefronts, saying, “Gentlemen, look, these shops are right next to the market, and the locations are excellent. This first shop has a spacious area and was previously a restaurant; it just needs a little renovation to be usable. The second shop is smaller, but there’s a large open space in front that could accommodate some tables and chairs to attract customers.”
Zhao Gang and Su Yu carefully examined each storefront. The first shop, while spacious, was a bit set back and not very noticeable; The second shop had a large front area but was somewhat cluttered inside, making renovations a hassle.
They looked at several more places but were still unsatisfied. Just when they were feeling a bit disappointed, the agent suddenly said, “Oh, there’s another shop with an excellent location, though the price might be a bit higher.”
Zhao Gang quickly replied, “As long as the shop is good, we can negotiate the price. Please take us to see it!”
They arrived on a bustling main street, and the agent pointed to a storefront, saying, “This one used to be a wealthy merchant’s silk shop, but he’s moving his family elsewhere and plans to sell it.”
Zhao Gang and Su Yu entered the shop and found it spacious with excellent lighting, located in a prominent spot on the main street, with a constant flow of pedestrians.
The interior, although somewhat outdated, had a very organized layout, and with a little renovation, it could become a grand hot pot restaurant.
Zhao Gang frowned and said, “Sir, the location of this shop is great, but as you can see, the facilities inside need to be completely renovated. This price seems a bit high.”
The seller, a middle-aged man, sighed. “Gentlemen, I’m in urgent need of money, which is why I’m selling. This price is already the lowest I can offer.”
Su Yu chimed in, “Sir, we are genuinely interested. How about this? We’ll pay the full amount upfront, but you need to lower the price a bit more. Additionally, when we take over, we would appreciate your help in getting familiar with the surrounding area.”
The seller hesitated for a moment but eventually relented. “Alright, seeing that you are sincere, I’ll lower the price a bit more.”
After some back-and-forth negotiation, they finally agreed on a price. Zhao Gang and the seller signed a contract, officially purchasing the storefront. After acquiring the shop, Zhao Gang began preparing for the renovations in earnest.
He searched for skilled craftsmen everywhere, personally visiting their homes to invite them to participate in the shop’s renovations.
“Everyone, our hot pot restaurant is going to open in multiple locations. Your skills are exceptional, and if you can help us with the renovations once the sign is popular, it’ll reflect well on you too!” With Zhao Gang’s earnest invitation, many renowned craftsmen joined the renovation team.
The craftsmen began working on the storefront. Zhao Gang held the blueprints given by Bai Linglong, carefully explaining every detail to the craftsmen.
“The placement of the hot pot tables needs to be neat; the round holes in the center are for the hot pots, and the dimensions must be precise. The walls should be painted in warm tones, adorned with murals that showcase delicious food and a lively atmosphere; and the sign must be striking and grand, visible from a distance.” Zhao Gang said.
During the renovation, they encountered several issues. First, there was a delay in the supply of materials. The promised high-quality timber had yet to arrive.
Anxious, Zhao Gang personally rushed to the lumber supplier, sternly stating, “What’s going on? If the materials don’t arrive soon and the construction is delayed, you’ll bear full responsibility!”
The lumber supplier quickly apologized, “I’m truly sorry; there was an unexpected incident on the road. We will do our utmost to deliver the timber as soon as possible.”
After Zhao Gang’s insistence, the materials were finally delivered on time. Next, they faced a shortage of labor. Some craftsmen had to leave unexpectedly due to family matters. After more than a month of hard work, the renovations were finally complete.
A brand-new sign hung high, reading “Linglong Hot Pot Jiangcheng Branch” in big letters.
Inside the restaurant, the tables and chairs were arranged neatly, and the copper hot pots on the tables shone brightly.
Beautiful murals decorated the walls, depicting people gathered around hot pots, their faces radiating happiness.
Once the renovations were complete, they began preparing for the grand opening. Zhao Gang and Su Yu busily promoted the restaurant throughout the city.
They posted flyers in markets, inns, and docks, highlighting the restaurant’s specialties.
“Dear guests, our Linglong Hot Pot offers various broth flavors, including spicy, clear, and tomato. The ingredients are fresh, the prices reasonable, and there will be grand opening promotions!” Su Yu enthusiastically introduced the restaurant to passersby.
They even set up a platform outside the restaurant and invited a local theater troupe to perform, attracting a sizable crowd.
“This hot pot restaurant looks great! I must go and try it when it opens!” One passerby exclaimed while looking at the flyer.
At the same time, they began recruiting waitstaff. Zhao Gang and Su Yu set up a table at the entrance to interview applicants.
“Have you worked as a waiter before?” Zhao Gang asked a young applicant.
The young man quickly nodded, “Yes, I have! I worked as a waiter for two years at another restaurant. I’m quick on my feet and can ensure excellent service for the guests!”
Su Yu followed up with another question, “Do you know how to greet customers and serve dishes?”
The young man confidently replied, “Of course! When customers come in, they should be warmly welcomed. I can patiently explain the menu and serve the dishes quickly and steadily.”
Zhao Gang and Su Yu exchanged glances and nodded. “Alright, you can start tomorrow.”
After several days of screening, they successfully hired a group of lively and capable staffs. These staffs underwent brief training to familiarize themselves with the menu and service processes, eagerly awaiting the grand opening.
Finally, the day of the grand opening arrived. The entrance of the Linglong Hot Pot Jiangcheng branch was festooned with decorations, and firecrackers sounded all around.
A crowd gathered at the entrance, drawn in by the lively atmosphere. Zhao Gang stood at the doorway, welcoming guests.
“Welcome to Linglong Hot Pot!” The staffs shouted in unison.
As people entered the restaurant, they were captivated by the decor and vibrant atmosphere.
“This place is beautifully decorated!” one customer exclaimed.
“Yeah, the hot pot here must be delicious!” another customer chimed in.
Before long, the restaurant was packed to capacity. The aroma of hot pot wafted throughout the establishment as people enjoyed their meals, chatting and laughing continuously.
“This spicy broth is fantastic! It’s deliciously fiery!” one customer exclaimed, his face flushed from the heat.
“This tomato broth is also great; it’s sweet and sour, really whets the appetite!” a lady added with a smile.
Watching the bustling scene inside the restaurant, Zhao Gang felt a sense of accomplishment.
He knew this was just the beginning; many more branches awaited his exploration, and Bai Linglong’s business empire would continue to expand through their efforts.
Meanwhile, Wang Meng at Qingyan Mountain was also hard at work. Every day before dawn, he would wake the selected little beggars to start their training.
“Stay sharp! If you want to stand out, you must endure hardships!” Wang Meng shouted. Although the little beggars were young, they were full of enthusiasm, diligently learning various martial arts techniques and stealth skills under Wang Meng’s guidance.
“Master, is this movement correct?” a little boy asked.
Wang Meng approached to correct his posture. “No, your waist needs to bend a bit more. The movement must be quick, precise, and fierce!”
During breaks, Wang Meng would share stories from the Jianghu, helping them understand the intricacies of the world they were stepping into.
Wang Meng continued to instill the importance of loyalty and caution in the little beggars.
“You will all become Hidden Guards in the future, and you must remember that loyalty and discretion are paramount!” As the days passed, under Wang Meng’s strict training, the little beggars showed remarkable progress.
Their martial arts skills improved dramatically, and they became increasingly adept at stealth and reconnaissance techniques.
Watching them, Wang Meng felt a sense of pride. “I will definitely complete the tasks assigned by the Master successfully! These children will be our capable assistants in the future!”
With both the Jiangcheng branch opening and the training of the Hidden Guards progressing, Bai Linglong’s vision for expansion and strength was steadily coming to fruition.