The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

The interior of the house was very simply decorated, yet it exuded a sense of elegant grandeur everywhere, perfectly reflecting Zhuang Qingning s character.

Overall, Ding Gaochang found it very pleasing.

“Uncle Ding, you flatter me too much.” Zhuang Qingning slightly smiled, “I just randomly decorated it according to my taste and I am glad you liked it.” As they were talking, Lian Rong ran over, “Miss Zhuang, my master said the food is almost ready, the meal can start anytime. He asked me to see when you are ready to eat.”

Zhuang Qingning looked up. The sun was already high in the sky.

“Let’s have the meal right now, please have a seat everyone.

“Okay.” Lian Rong, having received the instruction, went to inform Zhang

Yongchang.

Zhuang Qingning led Ding Gaochang to take a seat at the table.

The dishes were brought in one after the other.

Braised Tofu, Pan-Fried Tofu, Minced Pork Tofu, Mung Bean Sprouts Stir-fried with mixed vegetables, Fried Spring Rolls made with Mung Bean Sprouts, Radish, Chives, Pork Tenderloin, Soybean Sprouts Stir-fried with Dried Tofu, Five-Spice Rolls made with Tofu Skin wrapped around Pork Belly, Peking Sauce Stir-fry with Tofu Sheets, Spicy and Sour Soup, and the main dish was buns wrapped in tofu skin.

There were a variety of dishes, filling the entire table.

Each dish was made from various types of tofu and tofu skin from the tofu shop. The ingredients were of excellent quality, and Zhang Yongchang’s cooking skills were superb, so each dish was perfectly created in terms of color, aroma, and taste.

Even Ding Gaochang couldn’t help but nod while eating, “The taste is indeed very good. The items made in Miss Zhuang’s tofu shop are indeed excellent.” Not only was the taste excellent, but more importantly, it helped the villagers to use up the soybeans, saved them from exploitation by the grain reselling merchants, provided livelihoods for the young people in the village, fattened their wallets, and provided such delicious food ingredients for others.

Such a tofu shop…

Ding Gaochang licked his lips.

At the end of the feast, when the villagers had helped to clean up and taken their utensils or tables and chairs and dispersed, Ding Gaochang did not immediately leave. Instead, he waited until almost everyone had left before he pulled Zhuang Qingning aside to talk.

“Miss Zhuang, I see that your tofu shop is excellent. Moreover, I heard from the village chief that the tofu skin workshop next to your house is also about to start making tofu skin. In the future, the village will no longer have to worry about their livelihood. Miss Zhuang, you have enriched the villagers and done good deeds for the people. Mr. Xu also fully approves of this matter, so today I am here on the command of Mr. Xu.”

“in addition to congratulating Miss Zhuang on your housewarming, I also wanted to discuss with you, whether such tofu and tofu skin workshops can be built in other villages as well. Firstly, it will allow your workshops to grow bigger and stronger, and earn more money. Secondly, it will benefit more common people. I wonder if Miss Zhuang would be willing?”

Ding Gaochang said very seriously.

Zhuang Qingning blinked.

Expanding the scale of production would certainly be beneficial to her path to wealth, especially since this expansion was supported by the government , which could clear many obstacles, save a lot of trouble, and deter those with malicious intentions.

However…

“Uncle Ding, what you said is not impossible, but the tofu and tofu skin workshop is not feasible.”

“I’m quite confused about what Miss Zhuang is saying.

Zhuang Qingning watched as Ding Gaochang furrowed his brows, “What do you mean it’s feasible, but the tofu and tofu skin workshop is not feasible?” isn’t what Zhuang Qingning can do just those two workshops? If they are not feasible, where is there a possibility?

“Uncle Ding, there is no need to rush, listen to my explanation. First, let’s discuss why this tofu and tofu skin workshop is not feasible.” Zhuang Qingning explained, “Items like tofu and bean sprouts don’t keep well and require meticulous techniques and strict supervision. If we open another tofu workshop elsewhere, we cannot guarantee that the taste will be the same as here, and the quality may also be different. If the food tastes subpar, it’s like damaging the reputation of the tofu workshop and it could also cause people to lose faith in the government’s promises and compromise the government’s credibility.”

“And as for this tofu skin workshop, it might not seem large, but if we want to start production at full speed, the daily output is quite high, and tofu skin is much more expensive than tofu. The number of people who can afford it is limited. I plan to sell to the county town or even the prefecture city in the future. If the word of mouth spreads, and here becomes known as the origin of the tofu skin workshop, then the whole village can concentrate on this one thing. Given enough time, not to mention the prefecture city, even the capital city could know our village as the tofu skin producer, and at that time the whole village could be known far and wide, and our tofu skin could become famous nationwide, just like when you hear of a certain tea, you could associate it with its place of origin.”

“But if from the beginning the tofu skin workshops are everywhere, then tofu skin doesn’t seem so unique, and it would be difficult to concentrate all the sales on one place thus hindering the business of the workshop.”

“So, I suggest not setting up tofu and tofu skin workshops in other villages. Firstly for the sake of the business, second for the sake of the local villagers, and thirdly to consider the County Government Office, to avoid creating resentment among the people if this initiative doesn’t work out, then the County Government would struggle to gain people’s trust in any future good ideas.”

“That makes sense,” said Ding Gaochang, who had been the county magistrate for many years and was not well versed in workshop management. After hearing Zhuang Qingning’s explanation, he felt it was very reasonable and bowed to her, “I was thoughtless.”

“Uncle Ding, don’t be discouraged yet. It’s no big deal if we can’t open tofu and tofu skin workshops. We can open other types of workshops.” Zhuang Qingning said with a smile.

“Oh?” Light flashed in Ding Gaochang’s eyes again, “Do you have other ways to make a living?”

“There are indeed other ways, but firstly, some of the skills involved are not yet perfected. It will take some time to improve and practice. Secondly, it would be best to act according to local conditions. For example, ordinary farming households rely mainly on farming, growing peanuts and corn. Setting up a spinning and weaving workshop would obviously be forcing them to do something difficult.”

Zhuang Qingning responded, “So I would like to ask Uncle Ding to help look around, carry out a survey, and see what special products are available in which villages, and where there are skilled craftsmen who can help run workshops. This way, we both have an idea and can make targeted plans for a more productive effect.”

“That is indeed the principle!” Ding Gaochang nodded vigorously, “Everything should be used to its full potential. Everyone should make the best use of their talents and act according to local conditions. Only then can things proceed smoothly.”

“Miss Zhuang, you are younger but far-sighted than me, which makes me feel ashamed.”

He spoke from the heart.

He just wanted to replicate these workshops, but Zhuang Qingning could think of acting according to local conditions. That was the difference.