Empress of Fortune: A Farm Girl’s Rise
Chapter 525 - 512: Fool

Chapter 525: Chapter 512: Fool

"You... you dare!" As soon as Feng Yongfu heard this, he scrambled up from the ground, "Blatant daylight and you dare to hit people randomly?"

"In this blatant daylight, aren’t you causing trouble arbitrarily, too? If we do not handle people like you, wouldn’t the County Government Office be bullied by just anyone in the future?"

Shi Bao shouted, "Hurry up, don’t delay, finish administering the paddling quickly and get rid of him."

Hearing Shi Bao say this, the other two, especially the one who had just received an earful, were invigorated and dragged Feng Yongfu toward the backyard of the Government Office.

Feng Yongfu opened his mouth to shout but was muzzled before he could make a sound, and he could only struggle fiercely.

The government officials dragging the man off to the backyard of the Government Office certainly caught the eye and attracted onlookers.

But as for how things were at the local government office, the residents knew all too well over time, so upon seeing this, they all spat in disgust.

"They must have caught a petty thief or something, they deserve it. People like that should have their hands broken so that they never dare to entertain such thoughts again."

"Isn’t that so? He’s not young, yet acting so shamelessly. Lock him up for a few more days, give him a few more paddlings, let’s see if he dares again."

The onlookers pointed and commented at Feng Yongfu.

Hearing these words, Feng Yongfu was first stunned, then struggled even more furiously, his face turning red and his neck bulging, but he was unable to break free from the grip of the two government officials, so frustrated he was itching at the teeth.

You idiots, you know nothing at all, how can you think of others this way!

Feng Yongfu’s forehead veins protruded visibly.

Having dealt with Feng Yongfu, Shi Bao felt a rush of satisfaction inside.

This kind of person, no matter what you do, will never consider your goodwill; it’s better not to leave a good reputation in front of him and let these "infamous" reputations stick.

By the way, it would vent some anger for everyone, including Zhuang Qingning’s share.

Standing to the side, Shang Chengen touched his nose with interest.

You could say, compared to the government officials from other counties who would shout and scream without proper manners, the ones here were very polite and also quite skilled and measured in their ways, clearly very capable.

It clearly showed that the county magistrate here was rather good, managing his subordinates effectively.

"Manager Shang," Shi Bao gestured respectfully toward Shang Chengen, "are you the manager of the world’s number one noodle shop?"

"Indeed," Shang Chengen nodded.

"Your noodle shop’s dishes are indeed delicious. The other day, Brother Shen Quan, Manager Zhuang, and I all thought it was very tasty. After coming back, we’ve been considering taking the time to go back specifically to have another bowl," Shi Bao chuckled.

"I just wonder, Manager Shang, what do you have to discuss with me?" Shi Bao grinned.

If he remembered correctly, Shi Bao recalled that Shen Quan had indeed paid for the noodles that day.

"To be frank, my apprentice overheard both gentlemen and a certain Manager Zhuang discussing dried noodles that day, saying the dried noodles made by Manager Zhuang also tasted very good. As I run a noodle shop myself, I was thinking of asking Manager Zhuang how these dried noodles are made," responded Shang Chengen truthfully.

"It’s just that the apprentice didn’t know where Manager Zhuang was from, and only knew that both gentlemen were dressed as government officials, so I came to the County Government Office to inquire and see if by any chance I could find Manager Zhuang to discuss the matter of the dried noodle workshop."

Feng Yongfu had just caused a scene here, and although Shang Chengen didn’t understand the whole story, he had heard enough about the workshop matter and had clearly seen that it seemed Manager Zhuang couldn’t operate a workshop, so he might as well take advantage of the situation.

"It turns out you’re looking for Manager Zhuang." Shi Bao immediately felt relieved, "That’s easy to discuss. Manager Zhuang is from Enji Village near Sunguang Town. He has opened Zhuang’s Tofu Shop in Sunguang Town; furthermore, in Enji Village, he has started tofu, tofu skin, and century egg workshops. Now, Enji Village has become quite famous, a little inquiry and you should be able to find out."

Shang Chengen was immediately excited upon hearing this.

Since he had opened so many workshops, and each seemed related to food, Manager Zhuang must have a profound understanding of cooking and culinary arts.

It seemed, indeed, he had not come in vain this time!

"Thank you for the information," Shang Chengen thanked him with a fist and palm salute, "I will go look for Manager Zhuang right now."

"Take care, Manager Shang." Shi Bao saw that Manager Shang seemed quite concerned about the dried noodle workshop, and this brought him some relief.

After all, if Manager Zhuang happened to turn this misfortune into a stroke of luck and find a good partner to start up the dried noodle workshop, it would be a good thing indeed.

Shi Bao walked away with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly heading towards the County Government Office.

He was curious to see how Feng Yongfu’s punishment was coming along.

Meanwhile, Shang Chengen went to the tea stall, grabbed some items from Kugua’s hands, and said, "Let’s go."

Kugua hadn’t even finished his bowl of tea, hurriedly put down the tea bowl, paid the old man running the tea stall, and quickly caught up to the striding Shang Chengen, "Manager, where are we headed?"

"To Enji Village, to find Manager Zhuang," Shang Chengen said with a smile, "to discuss a big deal."

A big deal?

Kugua blinked in surprise.

They drove the carriage, inquiring along the way; Enji Village wasn’t hard to find, and soon they were at Zhuang Qingning’s front door.

Kugua put down the whip, jumped down from the carriage, and lifted the curtain for Shang Chengen, "Manager, this is it."

After Shang Chengen alighted from the carriage, Kugua said, "I’ll go knock on the door."

"There’s no need, I’ll do it," Shang Chengen walked forward, cleared his throat, and was just about to knock.

But just as he raised his hand, the door suddenly opened, and Shang Chengen, caught off guard, instinctively stepped back two paces.

Zhuang Qingning, who had opened the door to go pick some winter spinach from the field, also didn’t expect someone to be at the door, let alone strangers, and was startled, "Who are you looking for?"

Catching sight of Kugua, she was even more surprised, "Aren’t you the waiter from that First Under Heaven Noodle Shop?"

"That’s right," Shang Chengen cleared his throat, trying to mask the awkwardness from the scare, "I am indeed the shop manager of the First Under Heaven Noodle Shop, Shang by surname."

"So it’s Manager Shang," Zhuang Qingning gave a polite bow and invited them into the courtyard, pouring them hot tea, "May I ask what brings Manager Shang to me?"

Shang Chengen didn’t beat around the bush and directly stated his intention to learn the method of making dried noodles from Zhuang Qingning and even his wish to partner with her to open a dried noodle workshop.

Zhuang Qingning stroked her chin.

Was this a case of failing to grow flowers deliberately but inadvertently growing a willow tree?

Originally she had gone to the Feng family’s village full of confidence, only to return in a sullen mood, and unexpectedly, while stopping for a bowl of noodles on the way, she found herself a partner?

However, it would still be best to first see what the potential partner was like.

Manager Zhuang smiled, "I understand what Manager Shang means."