What was the most popular thing that happened in Songjiang Prefecture in October of the 44th year of Wanli?
It was definitely the first-class frosting candy that Xu Ji's brown sugar workshop had just made. It was a frosting candy that could be stored for a year in a clay jar!
Moreover, it was only selling for 333 wen per can!!
…………
Yang Sichen didn't expect the white sugar to cause such a huge sensation. Almost every family in Songjiang Prefecture with some status was willing to buy the white sugar from Xu's Brown Sugar Workshop. However, Yang Sichen was very rational. He knew that he could earn more if he continued to work hard. Hence, he ordered the store to provide at most fifty cans of white sugar a day. At the same time, the Yang family's store also received instructions: Each shop only sold 20 cans a day, and they were not allowed to increase the price.
For a time, the frost candy produced by Xu Ji's brown sugar workshop became extremely popular. Someone even offered a high price of 500 wen per can to buy it. Moreover, there was still a high price but no market.
Everyone in Yang's Store and Xu's Brown Sugar Workshop knew about the two new rules: Once someone was found to be profiting from the items in the shop, the person would be chased out of the shop and asked to hand over the money. Otherwise, the person would be handed over to the government immediately. If there was a worker who worked for Yang's store for forty years, Yang's store would give him one tael of silver every month for his retirement. If he became a shopkeeper or manager, he would have more money for his retirement. Those who had made outstanding contributions could enjoy the store's dividends until they died.
Needless to say, this was naturally Yang Sichen's idea. Old Master Yang was very satisfied with Yang Sichen's idea and said that Yang Sichen had the demeanor of a general. When Yang Sichen heard Old Master Yang's evaluation of him, he just laughed it off. This was nothing in the future. It was just a carrot and stick policy. Anyone could think of it.
…………
In the first ten days of October, Yang Sichen sent two jars of white sugar to the eldest son of Magistrate Li of Songjiang Prefecture in the name of Old Master Yang. Of course, he did not use a clay jar, but a small blue and white porcelain jar with a painting of a beautiful woman and a small lid made of the same material.
Young Master Li was very happy about this and placed the small jars in the study to enjoy.
The next afternoon, Magistrate Li came to the study room to test his son's homework. After he finished his homework, he saw the pair of blue and white porcelain jars on his son's rack and liked them very much. So he asked his son,"Who sent this?"”
"Father, it was sent by Yang Xingrun. Originally, it was used to store frost sugar. When his son saw that it was small and exquisite, he liked it very much, so he placed it in the study to enjoy it. If father likes it, he can take it.”Young Master Lee replied.
"How can I let you give up what you love?" Magistrate Li smiled. I will visit Yang Junrong tomorrow. He still had a long time to be an official in Songjiang Prefecture, so it was time to maintain some relationships. After all, the Yang family was a prestigious family in Songjiang Prefecture, and he would need his family to help him in the future.”After saying that, he instructed the butler to send an invitation to the Yang residence.
Old Master Yang received the invitation and smiled at Yang Sichen, who was sitting below.""You're really lucky! He had just sent the things over yesterday, and today, the magistrate had already sent an invitation.”
Yang Sichen smiled apologetically." I'm not your grandson's lucky star. I'm just using Grandfather's name to mess around."”
Old Master Yang laughed after hearing this and said to Xia Zhong beside him,"Look at this little bastard. You're so sweet!"
Xia Zhong also smiled and said," The Old Master is blessed with great fortune. The Young Master is smart and quick-witted. The grandfather and grandson are of one heart. The future of our Yang Residence will be like sesame seeds blooming-rising steadily!"!”
…………
The next afternoon, Magistrate Li arrived at the Yang Residence in a sedan chair. Yang Sichen was already waiting at the door. When he saw that the sedan chair carrier had alighted and Magistrate Li was about to come out, Yang Sichen quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists."This junior, Yang Sichen, has been ordered by my grandfather to respectfully greet the Prefect.”
Magistrate Li stepped forward and raised his hand to support him, saying,"Sichen, there's no need to be so polite."
"Thank you, Magistrate!" Yang Sichen stood up and turned around to lead the way. He took the opportunity to size up Magistrate Li," In his early fifties, he was not tall and had a hunchback. His hair was white, and he was smiling. His eyes were shining as if he could see through everything. One look and one could tell that he was a tactful and worldly person.
When they entered the Blue Sea Hall, Old Master Yang was already waiting under the eaves. Seeing Magistrate Li approaching, he went down the steps to welcome him. He cupped his fists and said with a smile,"Jingzhi (Prefect Li's handwriting), you came so quickly. I was just about to go out to welcome you when you came in."
Magistrate Li cupped his fists in return and said,"Brother Yuanshan, your body is still as strong as ever. You have made your grandson smart and quick-witted. I am envious."”
" You flatter me. Brother Jingzhi, you flatter me. I'm just a bunch of old bones…" Old Master Yang said as he led Magistrate Li into the main room. He only sat down after Magistrate Li sat down.
Yang Sichen followed Old Master Yang into the house and stood respectfully beside him. He used his eyes to signal for the servants to serve good tea.
Magistrate Li and Old Master Yang began to chat. They talked about the recent situation in the imperial court, the civil unrest in Longyou, and the stories in Songjiang Prefecture. Finally, they talked about the frosting candy produced by the Xu's Brown Sugar Workshop. They also said that their two little granddaughters liked the frosting candy produced by the Xu's Brown Sugar Workshop very much…
After an hour, Magistrate Li stood up and bade farewell. Old Master Yang instructed Yang Sichen to escort Magistrate Li out of the Yang Residence. At the entrance of the Yang Residence, Magistrate Li spoke to Yang Sichen for a while. He saw Xia Zhong pass the wrapped gift box to the butler before he got into the sedan chair.
When he returned to the manor, he opened it and found a pair of small blue and white porcelain jars. There was a painting of pine and bamboo on the jars, and an envelope was pressed under the jars. Magistrate Li smiled slightly and did not say anything. He carefully enjoyed the letter, then put it away and ordered someone to send the candy to his two granddaughters.
…………
There was no such thing as an impenetrable wall in the world. It did not take long for the entire Songjiang Prefecture to know that the Yang family had sent candy to Magistrate Li and his son. As a result, the frost candy of Xu Ji's brown sugar workshop became even more popular. The sales of Frost Candies were booming, and so were the sales of other items in the shop. After all, not many people would make a trip to buy Frost Candies. Before October even ended, the sales of the shop had already exceeded the entire September. For this, the shopkeepers of the Yang family's shops were all beaming with joy. Old Master Yang was happy and ordered that everyone's salary for ten months would be increased by ten wen!
Some were happy while others were sad. The profits of the other shops were much lower than usual, so the shopkeeper and assistant were naturally not very happy. A few quick-witted shopkeepers went to Xu Ji's brown sugar workshop to inquire about it, wanting to buy frost sugar, but they were all blocked by Steward Zhang, who had just come out of the oven. As for the reason, it was very simple. They were out of stock.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]