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Su Zhi had no prior experience in business in her previous life. After graduation, she joined a company, became a homemaker, and eventually retired to the countryside as a leisurely individual. However, she did have some experience in selling goods from assisting elderly neighbors with selling vegetables in the village. This background made her confident and enthusiastic about selling, eager to move her products and engage customers.
Observing people showing interest in her creations, Su Zhi seized the opportunity, her demeanor exuding warmth and determination. Her enthusiasm was palpable as she described her offerings, her usual smile widening slightly.
“These are hawthorn cakes, pre-cut into pieces, priced at one coin each. Roasted chestnuts are sold by the pound, twelve coins per pound. The hawthorn cakes are appetizing and great for stimulating the appetite, making children enjoy their meals. Chestnuts are filling, serving as a snack or a main course. Both items are loved by adults and children, benefiting one’s health,” Su Zhi explained enthusiastically.
Upon hearing Su Zhi’s description, the woman became interested but expressed concern about the prices being too high. She remarked, “One coin for such a small piece of hawthorn cake is like the cost of an egg, quite expensive. Additionally, twelve coins per pound for roasted chestnuts is almost the price of a pound of pork. It’s too costly. Can’t you make it cheaper?!”
Recognizing the woman’s interest, Su Zhi responded with a smile, “Madam, eggs are common items, and the twelve coins per pound of pork is likely the cheapest lean meat. This sweet and sour cake is my unique creation, unavailable elsewhere, which makes it more special than an egg. One coin per piece is reasonable. As for the roasted chestnuts, their fragrant and flavorful nature surpasses that of a pound of lean pork without much juice. Few can roast chestnuts as well as I do. Compare them carefully, won’t you?”
Su Zhi’s points were valid. Nowadays, people tend to avoid hawthorn fruits due to their sourness, making it unlikely to find them used in pastries.
Similarly, while chestnuts were known as a staple food, many were unaware of the technique of roasting them with sand, resulting in unevenly cooked chestnuts, either raw or burnt. Su Zhi’s method produced visually appealing and delicious chestnuts, a level of quality that most couldn’t achieve. Consequently, many opted to boil chestnuts for consumption, missing out on the superior flavor of roasted chestnuts.
Indeed, sometimes the simplest methods can lead to wealth creation. Su Zhi, as a time-traveling woman with extraordinary abilities, would be remiss not to capitalize on such opportunities. Her innovative approach to business not only showcased her resourcefulness but also highlighted the potential to turn simple ideas into financial success, making the most of the blessings bestowed upon her.
The woman, without needing to see, trusted Su Zhi’s honesty. The enticing aroma of the roasted chestnuts and hawthorn cakes alone made her mouth water. Even her child couldn’t resist the temptation, eagerly expressing his desire to indulge in the treats.
As more people gathered around, enticed by the delicious scents, their curiosity piqued by the enticing red hawthorn cakes and roasted chestnuts. However, upon hearing the prices, they hesitated. People often adopted a wait-and-see approach, observing others’ actions before making their own decisions. Even if they desired the products, they preferred to wait and see someone else make a purchase first, ensuring they didn’t feel deceived or make a poor choice.
Su Zhi, understanding the crowd’s psychology, promptly took out a small knife she had prepared earlier and cut a piece of hawthorn cake, skewering it with a bamboo stick and offering a piece to the young boy and the woman.
“Here, madam, you and your son try a piece. If the taste doesn’t match up to city-made pastries, I’ll take this entire basket of treats back for myself.”
Confident in her products, Su Zhi had soaked the hawthorn cakes and chestnuts in the water from the Spiritual Spring. This process enhanced the flavors, evident in the vibrant colors of the hawthorn cakes and the lingering aroma of the chestnuts even after cooling down. She believed that once someone tried them, they would be irresistibly drawn to have more, securing her sales.
The woman felt a bit shy about accepting the free sample from Su Zhi, but her son had no reservations. He eagerly devoured the hawthorn cake without hesitation. Seeing her son enjoy it, the woman tried a piece too, her eyes lighting up at the delightful, sweet and sour taste, finding it even more delicious than the best fruit desserts she had ever tasted, leaving a refreshing sensation in her mouth and a clearness in her mind.
“Mom, it’s delicious! I want more!”
The young boy, having swiftly devoured the hawthorn cake, immediately clamored for more, his eyes filled with longing as he nibbled on his finger, saliva trickling down.
Su Zhi peeled another chestnut and offered it to the boy, who, upon tasting it, became immersed in the delicious flavor of the chestnut, then began asking his mother for more.
Su Zhi then had the woman taste a chestnut, stating, “Not to boast, but this is my unique skill. Even if others make the same items, they won’t be as delicious as mine. I rely on these treats for some extra income. I don’t sell them every day, so if you miss this chance, you may not find them again.”
Li Qing’s wife, who had been observing nearby, chimed in, “That’s right, madam. With the New Year approaching, why not buy some snacks for your child? Look at how adorable he is, tugging at one’s heartstrings!”
The young boy continued to plead with his mother, and the boy’s father agreed to make the purchase.
The woman had also fallen in love with the delicious hawthorn cakes and roasted chestnuts, finding them more tempting than even meat. Seeing her husband and son eager to buy, she no longer hesitated about the prices.
“Alright, I’ll take ten pieces of the hawthorn cakes and two pounds of chestnuts,” she decided.
Su Zhi had Shen Zi’an handle the payment and swiftly wrapped up their purchases. While packaging, she also promoted the flower ornaments, saying, “Madam, take a look at these flower ornaments! They are made of premium fabrics, including silk, priced at just one coin each. Look at these beautiful colors; they are far from being gaudy like gold and silver accessories. With the New Year approaching, why not buy a few to wear? Sir, help the lady pick out a few. She will look lovely with them. Consider how hard she has worked all year; shouldn’t she treat herself to some joy with these flower ornaments?”
The man, who had been silent while holding the boy, immediately responded, “Let’s buy them. We’ll take a few. Dear, pick out a few, especially the silk ones.”
The woman shot her husband a playful glare but happily went to select some flower ornaments.
With the first woman making a purchase, others swiftly followed suit. Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an sprang into action, bustling around to fulfill orders – a few pieces of hawthorn cakes here, a pound of chestnuts there. They efficiently managed the transactions, smoothly coordinating their roles of handling payments and handing over goods. Meanwhile, the flower ornament business also flourished. The array of flower ornaments already caught the eye, but when women tried them on, their beauty shone even brighter, drawing a crowd of onlookers, including some men contemplating purchasing a token for their loved ones or sisters.
Li Qing’s wife and her companions worked diligently at selling the flower ornaments- one recommended, another handled payments, and the third tidied up the displaced ornaments, keeping busy throughout the bustling market.
In less than an hour, Su Zhi’s roasted chestnuts were completely sold out, leaving only a handful of hawthorn cakes. The fur pelts that Shen Zi’an had brought were also sold out.
While the flower ornaments sold well, there were still more than half remaining unsold, considering the vast selection of over a hundred ornaments available.
“Three sisters, continue selling the flower ornaments here for now. Zi’an and I will go to the inn for a while and then we’ll return to go to the embroidery workshop together,” Su Zhi informed the trio. She had previously promised the shopkeeper to return and show him another recipe, primarily to sell off more of the chestnuts from their home. With an excess of chestnuts, relying solely on roasted chestnut sales would take a considerable amount of time. To make money efficiently, selling to the inn was the most straightforward option.
“You go ahead, dear. These ornaments will likely be sold out soon,” Li Qing’s wife joyfully assured Su Zhi. The flower ornaments were selling exceptionally well that day, with the trio handling payments continuously. As customers kept coming, they anticipated selling even more. The prospect of earning more money from today’s sales left them delighted. Even if it wasn’t a long-term business, the opportunity to make a substantial profit multiple times over made them ecstatic.
Shugen’s wife and Li Shi also urged the trio to attend to their tasks.
Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an hurriedly departed with the ox cart. They left it outside, concerned about the three women handling it, especially with the chestnuts on board.
Arriving at the inn, they tied up the ox cart and were warmly welcomed by the Shopkeeper Zhang, whose smile was radiant.
“Brother Shen, Sister Su! You’ve arrived! I’ve been eagerly awaiting your return. Your dishes, Sister Su, have become the signature dish of our establishment. I’m looking forward to learning a few more recipes from you!” Zhang, beaming with joy, expressed. Since Su Zhi had taught them the Dongpo pork and boiled fish dishes, the inn’s business had flourished. Customers had more than doubled, profits reaching an all-time high. Grateful for Su Zhi’s culinary contributions, Zhang saw her as a harbinger of prosperity. He couldn’t hide the success from the couple; he even feared other inns would compete for Su Zhi’s recipes. For now, he needed to keep Su Zhi close and ensure they maintained a good relationship.
Su Zhi smiled and replied, “I promised the shopkeeper to come back and share more recipes, but I also need to sell some of my family’s chestnuts. They are outside in the cart; could you please have your staff bring them in? Without those chestnuts, some of the dishes wouldn’t be complete.”
The innkeeper immediately instructed his staff to bring in the chestnuts from the cart. At this point, Su Zhi could have asked him to buy cabbage, and he would have gladly complied.