Chapter 143

The top sauce shop in Jiangnan is undoubtedly Jinji Sauce Shop, a century-old establishment. From its beginnings in making soy sauce to now offering various sauces, its flavors are unmatched by other ordinary sauce shops.

Jinji Sauce Shop has branches all over the Northern Dynasty, and its brand is well-known. From sauces to restaurants to pastry shops, it is praised by many. The first building in Changle Town, Huifengyuan, is also a Jinji property.

Jinji comes from the top family in Jiangnan, the Song family. A hundred years ago, the Song family started with soy sauce. Later, they produced an imperial teacher, and now they have three scholars serving as officials in the court. This secured their position as the top family. The family affairs are managed by the third son of the Song family’s second house, Song Lijie, known as Master Song San.

At this moment, Master Song San was sitting in front of Wang Yuan’er, proposing a business deal.

“I heard from Manager Yu that fermented tofu is your family’s business. After some inquiries, I also know that fermented tofu has a good reputation in Changle Town and the capital. I’m here to ask if you are interested in expanding this fermented tofu business across the country?” Song San, with a gentle demeanor, smiled at Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er was stunned by this news and stared at him blankly.

If others didn’t know Jinji Sauce Shop, it wouldn’t be surprising, but she had lived two lives; how could she not know?

In her previous life, it was Jinji Sauce Shop that created fermented tofu!

And now, Jinji was seeking her cooperation to do the fermented tofu business together? And expand it nationwide?

Wang Yuan’er felt a bit flushed and inexplicably guilty, slightly avoiding Song San’s gaze.

It wasn’t surprising that she felt guilty. Others didn’t know, but she was well aware that Jinji developed fermented tofu in her previous life. If not for Jinji, how would she know about it? Now, she had simply made it first.

And now, the original owner of the fermented tofu was here to discuss cooperation. How could she not feel guilty and awkward?

Wang Yuan’er grabbed the tea on the table and took a big gulp, but because she drank too quickly, she choked and started coughing violently, her face turning red with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

Song San found it strange. He had been in the business world for many years and met countless people, so he naturally noticed something was off with Wang Yuan’er. Although it was their first meeting, he felt she seemed guilty when looking at him. How could that be?

Song San went through his memories and was sure he had never met this girl before, so there was no reason for her to feel guilty. Maybe it was just that he had been busy lately and was seeing things.

“Miss Wang?”

Wang Yuan’er hurriedly dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled, “What kind of cooperation does Master Song propose?”

“I see you’re running a small workshop now,” Song San said, slightly curling his lips, “but in my opinion, it’s hardly a workshop, more like a small shop. It can barely supply the surrounding areas, but it’s insufficient for farther places like Jiangnan or the Northwest.”

Wang Yuan’er blinked, feeling a surge of excitement.

Thinking about Jinji’s background, she hesitated for a moment and said, “I know Jinji is a sauce shop. Is Master Song here to buy my fermented tofu recipe?”

In her previous life, Jinji was the pioneer of fermented tofu. Naturally, they could also make it in this life, but why cooperate with her? To take a shortcut to get the recipe?

Song San laughed heartily, his slender fingers caressing the edge of the teacup, nodding to the attendant behind him.

The attendant placed the cloth-wrapped bundle he had been holding on the table and unwrapped it, revealing a small brown jar.

Wang Yuan’er was puzzled, but when the attendant opened the jar, the unique sour and pungent smell of fermented tofu wafted out. There was no need to look closely; it was definitely fermented tofu.

“Miss Wang, please taste this fermented tofu,” Song San smiled.

Wang Yuan’er looked at it, then took some chopsticks, picked out a small piece from the jar, first observed the color, which was whitish, then smelled it, which was almost identical to her own fermented tofu but lacked a bit of fragrance. She dabbed a little with the chopstick tip and tasted it.

Salty, spicy, and a bit coarse, the texture wasn’t as smooth as her own fermented tofu. What did this mean? Could it be that they thought it was her product and came to confront her?

Wang Yuan’er’s expression changed, and she hurriedly said, “Master Song, where did this fermented tofu come from? It’s not our product.”

Song San laughed softly and reassured her, “No need to worry, Miss Wang. This is not from Wang’s fermented tofu. It’s newly developed by Jinji.”

Wang Yuan’er let out an “oh,” her face still a bit flushed, but she found it strange. In her previous life, Jinji’s fermented tofu was unique and spread across the country. She had tasted it, and it was quite good. Why did it taste different now?

She didn’t realize there was a term called “first impressions.”

In her previous life, Jinji was the first to create fermented tofu, which the world praised. Since it was new and from a renowned sauce shop, she naturally thought Jinji’s fermented tofu was the best!

In this life, Wang Yuan’er was the pioneer of fermented tofu, and her product was indeed delicious. Others could replicate it, but naturally, there was a comparison, and her fermented tofu was the benchmark.

“How does Miss Wang find Jinji’s fermented tofu?” Song San asked.

“Well…” Wang Yuan’er hesitated.

“Please, speak freely.”

“It tastes good, but it’s a bit coarse and lacks smoothness,” Wang Yuan’er said, pursing her lips.

“That’s exactly why I’m here,” Song San said, smiling as he took her bowl and turned over the fermented tofu she had picked out. “When fermented tofu first appeared in Jiangnan, Jinji began developing this sauce, experimenting many times. To be honest, this jar is the closest to Wang’s product, but the texture is still rough. I believe Wang’s family has a secret recipe for producing such good sauce.”

“Jinji’s sauces have a great reputation. I’m sure you can develop better-fermented tofu than Wang’s,” Wang Yuan’er modestly complimented.

Song San shook his finger and said, “There are experts in every field. Jinji may not excel in every area. Just like this fermented tofu, it’s not that we can’t make it, but we strive for perfection.”

Wang Yuan’er nodded without speaking.

“For whatever reason, Jinji’s fermented tofu doesn’t match yours. I know Wang’s fermented tofu has a good reputation, so I’m here to explore cooperation opportunities. Of course, if you’re willing to sell the recipe, you can name the price. If not, we can share the profits as partners,” Song San said, sipping tea and waiting quietly.

Wang Yuan’er thought deeply. Selling the recipe was definitely not an option. Honestly, the recipe wasn’t very precise, and the key lay in the ingredients. Jinji had talent, and collaborating with them might improve the fermented tofu. As for the earnings, the concept of small profits but quick returns was acceptable.

However, Wang Yuan’er was more interested in the benefits of cooperating with Jinji than the money.

Jinji, the Song family, started with soy sauce but produced an imperial teacher. Now, they have three scholars serving as officials. In Jiangnan, they are the top family, and in the capital, few would dare look down on them.

In terms of the Song family’s foundation, even the Tang family in Changle Town couldn’t compare.

By cooperating with Jinji, she would also be allied with the Song family, gaining not just money but connections and support. It’s said that having someone in the court makes things easier. If she allied with the Song family, wouldn’t she gain their support?

The more Wang Yuan’er thought about it, the more feasible the cooperation seemed. Still, she kept her expression calm and asked, “If we share the profits, what would be the terms? How much would I get?”

“If we partner, you’ll provide the recipe and production process. If you’re willing, we can build a large workshop in Changle Town, funded by Jinji. Jinji will handle distribution and sales. As for the shares…” Song San tapped the table lightly. “If you agree to cooperate, we can discuss the details. However, if we cooperate, the fermented tofu will no longer be called Wang’s Fermented Tofu but Jinji’s Fermented Tofu. What do you think?”

Wang Yuan’er frowned slightly.

Song San’s proposal meant erasing the Wang family name from the fermented tofu and replacing it with Jinji. If she agreed, there would be no Wang’s Fermented Tofu anymore, which was similar to selling the recipe.

Traditionally, people valued heritage. Jinji, a century-old brand, had built its reputation over the years, just like a family passing down its legacy, forming a prestigious family.

A hundred-year-old family is more persuasive and respectable than a nouveau riche. Even a three-year-old knows that a hundred years signifies deep roots, while a nouveau riches glory is short-lived. Thus, Wang Yuan’er understood the importance of heritage.

However, understanding and achieving it were different. Heritage took time, and with her current resources, how long would it take to make the name of fermented tofu famous? Not to mention, she was a woman facing many limitations in this era.

Wang Yuan’er was caught in a dilemma—whether to preserve her legacy or choose cooperation. Although cooperation would provide protection and ensure the family’s stability, it would also mean losing their only trump card. Should she prioritize heritage or protection?

Wang Yuan’er found herself in a difficult situation.