“What is this, Ping ger?”

“Is it made of tofu? It looks a bit like tofu.”

“One wen for two pieces? A bit pricey. I’d rather have the braised pig intestines, give me two skewers of that.”

“Red fermented tofu is indeed made from tofu. It can be paired with steamed buns, porridge, pancakes, or added to a bowl of noodles. Just a little can enhance the flavor when cooking,” Chen Yuping explained the various ways to enjoy fermented tofu in detail.

Dad Chen was focused on collecting money and doing business.

Chen Yuping smiled and asked, “Would anyone like to try some? There are steamed buns and pancakes in the kitchen for free tasting, but just a bite, no more.”

“My family had steamed buns this morning too. Should I go home and bring one?”

“Sure.”

“My family made porridge, can I bring a bowl? Can I have a bit of your fermented tofu to taste?”

“Then I’ll go home and get some porridge.”

“I’ll go get pancakes.”

“Can I bring fried rice?”

Chen Yuping replied amicably, “Anything is fine.”

The villagers of Kuzhu Village quickly noticed something was off. One by one, people hurried to Chen’s house with buns, pancakes, and bowls. What new food had the Chen family come up with this time?

“What are you all doing? Going to Chen’s for breakfast?”

“Breakfast was finished long ago. Ping ger made some new food that you can taste for free, but you have to bring your own food.”

“Didn’t you say it’s free? Why do we have to bring our own food?”

“If you want to know, just go see for yourself. I have to hurry, there isn’t much fermented tofu for free tasting. If you’re late, there might not be any left.”

Chen Yuping shouted, “Don’t push! Line up one by one. There are only ten pieces of fermented tofu available for free tasting.”

“One piece per person?” someone shouted.

“You wish.”

“Is Ping ger really that generous?”

Chen Yuping, amused by their teasing, replied with a smile, “I’m not that generous. One piece of fermented tofu can be shared among five people. Once we have fifty people in line, the rest won’t need to queue.”

“That tiny piece of tofu shared among five people? It’s really just a taste.”

“I have to be careful eating it, otherwise, I might not even taste anything.”

“If you can’t get enough, just buy some. One wen for two pieces isn’t too bad. Who knows how much effort Ping ger put into making this new food?”

“Exactly! They give you a taste for free, and then they complain. Where do they get so many words?”

Dad Chen chuckled, “Don’t underestimate the tofu. It may seem cheap, but at one wen for two small pieces, some think it’s a bit expensive. This stuff is a hassle to make, he spent a whole month preparing it. There’s not much in this jar, so if you like it, buy more while you can. It’ll be another half month before it’s available again since it needs to be fermented for a month before it can be sold. It takes time!”

“Stop the line! I’ve counted, I’m the fiftieth. Don’t let anyone else line up behind me. If they want to eat, they can pay.”

“Is it really tasty? It doesn’t smell very good.”

“I think it has a bit of a strange smell.”

“I smell something fragrant. It doesn’t smell bad at all,” a confused person said, “I find it fragrant. Just looking at it makes my mouth water.”

“Is something wrong with your nose?”

“I smell something nice. It’s quite fragrant, but I can’t explain it, it just smells appetizing.”

“I smell something foul, I’m not particularly fond of it.”

The crowd began to discuss, half saying it smelled bad and half saying it smelled good. How intriguing!

Their curiosity grew: what did it actually taste like? Was it fragrant or foul?

Chen Yuping started the free tasting, using clean chopsticks to serve the fermented tofu to those in line.

The first person held a large steamed bun, split it in half, and spread a little fermented tofu on it—just enough for a taste. He took a careful bite, chewing slowly and savoring the flavor.

The villagers watched in silence, some gathering around to see.

Once he finished, they began to ask questions.

“How is it? What does it taste like?”

“Is it good? Does it taste fragrant? Is it spicy? Is it light?”

“Speak up quickly!”

“I can’t say.” The man chuckled sheepishly, taking another bite of the bun, which was now dry without the fermented tofu. “I think it’s better than shrimp paste on a bun. It has a bit of spice. I can’t quite describe why it’s good, it just has a peculiar, enticing fragrance.”

“It’s spicy and fragrant, very good with rice. It looks small, but it packs a punch.”

“You had a spicy one? Mine wasn’t spicy or numbing at all, it was very fragrant and smooth, with a rich texture. Just one piece of fermented tofu, and I could eat a whole bowl of rice porridge. No wonder it’s one wen for two pieces, it’s a good deal. Ping ger’s skills are amazing!”

As the tasting ended, everyone who had tried it began chatting.

Some said it was delicious, others said it was oddly fragrant, some said it was great with rice, while others said it wasn’t to their taste. Everyone had different opinions, leaving the group bewildered.

The mixed reviews about the smell and taste made Ping ger’s new food quite unique!

It seemed lively, but not many were buying yet, and still watching.

Given the choice of one wen for two pieces of fermented tofu or a skewer of braised pig intestines, most preferred the latter, thinking the intestines would taste better.

In the morning, most customers were from the village, but by afternoon, villagers from surrounding areas arrived. A group of seven or eight from Shen Village could be heard discussing the new food from a distance. After a whole morning, they had heard that Chen’s stall had released something new, particularly different this time.

“Are there still braised pig intestines? I’ll take ten skewers.”

“I want a tea egg.”

“I heard there’s new food? What’s it called—fermented tofu? Is there any left?”

“Is it in that white plate? The smell is indeed a bit strange, it’s hard to tell if it’s fragrant or foul.”

“Should we try two pieces? Is it good with braised pig intestines?”

Chen Yuping replied with a smile, “Pairing it with lighter foods will bring out its wonderful flavor even more.”

“Let’s have a few buns then, don’t add shrimp paste. How about half a bun each?”

“Sounds good, let’s go with the fourth brother’s suggestion.”

Without shrimp paste, Chen Yuping gave them four pieces of red fermented tofu, still charging one wen for each bun.

Dad Chen brought out some chairs for them to sit and eat. This group of Shen family young men frequently visited and were generous and easygoing, which earned his favor.

“Oh, this is interesting.”

“It really is interesting, and it has a strange fragrance. I feel like I could eat another bun.”

“Still eating? How long has it been since lunch? With tea eggs and braised pig intestines, and half a bun down, you should be full. Be careful not to overeat.”

“The smell isn’t great, but it looks appetizing, and it tastes quite good—better than shrimp paste.”

“Eating it plain enhances the flavor.”

“Are we tasting the same piece of fermented tofu? I’m starting to doubt my taste buds, why don’t I feel the same as you all?” He wondered why he felt out of place while everyone else was enjoying it.

“It’s fine, I’d buy some.”

“Is this stuff long-lasting?”

Chen Yuping nodded, “Right now, since it’s not hot, it can last a day or two. If you buy a jar, it can last a month, just keep water at the jar’s edge.”

“How much for a jar?”

“Twenty-five wens.”

“Alright, give us a jar. If you want to eat, just bring your own bowl.”

Seeing these young men accepting it well, Chen Yuping had an idea: “I don’t have much of the shrimp paste left and can’t sell it in bulk, but I can do that with the fermented tofu. If your restaurant wants to buy in bulk, you can come talk to me in detail. But it won’t be ready until mid-October.”

The Shen family has a restaurant in town called Shen Ji.

Their business is thriving. Previously, someone from Shen Ji asked about purchasing shrimp paste, but the profit margin was too low, so he declined. The fermented tofu, however, is different. Since he can make the tofu himself, costs are greatly reduced, allowing for a larger profit margin. If Shen Ji wants to buy in bulk, that’s a deal he can do.

“Great! I’ll take some home for the elders to try.”

“Fermented tofu can be eaten with breakfast and used in cooking. Some people even like it with alcohol,” Chen Yuping thought, reluctant to let go of an opportunity. He decided to tempt them: “I also have a dish of fermented tofu steamed with meat. If you’re interested, I can prepare it now, and I can teach you how to make it step by step.”

“There’s such a good thing? Alright, you can go do it now.”

The young men from the Shen family had eaten their fill, each holding a bamboo basket containing a small clay pot filled with freshly made steamed pork with fermented tofu. The pot was tightly covered, and only a faint aroma wafted through the cracks, subtly enticing the Shen family members, who had just overeaten but still couldn’t resist peeking into the basket.

“I think this business is likely to succeed.”

“Third Brother Chen really has great skills. I’ve been to the county and met many wealthy families, but when it comes to food, Third Brother Chen makes the best.”

“Last time, when I sent those snowskin mooncakes to the capital, my second uncle specifically wrote back saying they were delicious and wanted to buy more. When he learned they were sold out, he reminded me to send more next year. Clearly, even in the capital, Third Brother Chen can make a name for himself.”

As they spoke, they returned to the Shen family home.

Regarding the business with the Shen family, Chen Yuping didn’t pay much attention to whether it would succeed or not. 

If it worked out, great, if not, it wouldn’t hinder their daily life.

In the evening, when the manager of Shen’s shop arrived with two boxes of fine pastries, Chen Yuping was a bit surprised. The allure of steamed pork with fermented tofu was indeed strong.

“Manager Shen, please have some tea.”

“Third Brother Chen, you look even more spirited after not seeing you for a few days,” Manager Shen complimented.

Exchanging pleasantries, Chen Yuping replied, “You are even more radiant, Manager Shen.”

The two of them exchanged flattery, and as the atmosphere improved, they gradually moved into the main topic.

Seeing that it was getting late, Manager Shen was straightforward and laid out his terms: Shen’s shop wants Chen’s fermented tofu. The price would remain at twenty-five wens per jar, but Chen’s family could not sell the fermented tofu to other inns or restaurants in the county or surrounding towns. Additionally, Third Brother Chen would need to personally teach them how to make the steamed pork with fermented tofu, for which Shen’s shop would pay eighty taels of silver. If Third Brother Chen has other fermented tofu dishes, Shen’s shop is willing to buy them at a high price.

The conditions were acceptable, but Chen Yuping had to inform him of one thing in advance: “Cooking also relies on talent. Even if I teach step by step, the dishes made by different cooks will inevitably vary a bit. Manager Shen would do well to hire a chef with some talent. Even then, it’s quite possible that the steamed pork with fermented tofu won’t taste the same, since I am me, and he is he.” He had a golden touch, and he was favored by heaven.

“I understand. I will choose someone good to send over. If there are no problems, let’s sign a contract. I’ll send someone over in mid-October, and you can keep the eighty taels for now.”

Spending eighty taels on a dish of steamed pork with fermented tofu wasn’t a high price. Chen Yuping clearly understood Manager Shen’s considerations. This was bait that Shen’s shop had taken, and it was astute enough. They didn’t demand wholesale price for the twenty-five wens per jar of fermented tofu, so naturally, the steamed pork with fermented tofu couldn’t be sold at a high price.

To put it simply, the steamed pork with fermented tofu was merely an extra dish, and Shen’s shop was quite generous to offer eighty taels.