Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 121 - 46 Bargaining

Chapter 121: Chapter 46 Bargaining

"You want to sell the wood ear mushrooms to us at Yingkelai, right? Name your price!" Manager Liang thought these wood ear mushrooms were especially refreshing to eat in the summer and were appetizing. They were also a fresh ingredient that could become a signature dish at the restaurant.

"Manager Liang! Don’t underestimate these seemingly insignificant wood ear mushrooms. Their benefits are considerable! They can nourish the blood, make the consumer’s complexion rosy, and give them a radiant appearance. Eating them often can also prevent obesity and keep the body slender—something I’m sure the ladies would appreciate?" Gu Chengyu wasn’t in a hurry to discuss how much he planned to sell the mushrooms for. He wanted to promote their benefits first, so he could earn some silver and the restaurant could have a gimmick.

"Oh? Do these wood ear mushrooms truly have such benefits?" Manager Liang scrutinized Gu Chengyu again. Even if the mushrooms didn’t have these benefits, the restaurant could use this gimmick to sell them at a good price.

"Of course, I wouldn’t dare deceive Manager Liang. These wood ear mushrooms can also cleanse the stomach and remove impurities from the body. The mushrooms have many benefits. I won’t list them all here. In short, Manager Liang, with these wood ear mushrooms, the restaurant’s business is bound to flourish, filling the coffers!" Everyone likes to hear flattering words. Although Manager Liang was just a shopkeeper, good business would surely benefit him.

"You young man sure know how to talk! Just based on what you’ve said, I can’t not buy your wood ear mushrooms! Tell me, how much are you planning to sell them for? And while we’re at it, sell me your recipes too." When Manager Liang saw the braised pork with preserved vegetables dish, he knew the two were more interested in the mushrooms even though there wasn’t a trace of them in the dish!

"Old Liang, look, it wasn’t easy for them to come so early in the morning. Don’t keep them guessing; name a reasonable price!" Manager Zhou, feeling obliged after tasting their food, helped from the side. Besides, the food really was good. All three dishes could be signature dishes at the restaurant!

"Since you’re brought by Old Zhou, let’s talk about the mushrooms first! Are you okay with one silver note per kilogram?" Manager Liang didn’t like to beat around the bush and preferred to be straightforward.

Mr. Gu, upon hearing a silver note per kilogram, was overjoyed. Just as he was about to smile, he felt his clothing hem being pulled by Gu Chengyu and quickly suppressed his grin.

"Manager Liang, you may not be aware that the production of these mushrooms is extremely low. Even in the mountains, they’re not easily found. We encountered them by chance. They’re seasonal; outside their season, you won’t find them even if you search everywhere. Like drying shiitake mushrooms, seven or eight kilograms of fresh mushrooms yield one kilogram of dried mushrooms. Rehydrated, one kilogram becomes over ten kilograms of mushrooms. These mushrooms have diverse cooking uses, such as in chicken soup or rib soup, adding a handful enhances the flavor and looks great and tasty; they can also be used as side dishes, etc. Your restaurant’s chef should be able to explore more dishes." One silver note per kilogram was hard work for the whole family, and only earned a few notes, not his goal.

"Based on what you’ve said, these mushrooms are indeed precious. How about three silver notes per kilogram? But I can’t go higher; we don’t yet know how they’ll be received!" Manager Liang, after some consideration, doubled the price.

"Manager Liang, actually, these mushrooms are a unique offering for your restaurant! No matter if other restaurants imitate it in the future, it won’t prevent you from earning the first pot of gold, right? Let’s not go in circles; a fixed price, four silver notes per kilogram. How does that sound?" Gu Chengyu thought the hour was getting late, and delaying further might cause him to miss school.

Mr. Gu thought his son was really asking for too much; four silver notes? Would Manager Liang buy it?

"Alright! Did you bring any today? How much did you bring?" Manager Liang thought carefully and felt there was a lot of potential profit—not about how much silver they could make but at least adding a new dish category to the restaurant.

"The mushrooms are at home, not yet dried." Mr. Gu found it incredible that Manager Liang agreed, but regretted not having dried mushrooms on hand to immediately earn silver notes.

"If the weather’s good, I can deliver them to Manager Liang in a couple of days!" Gu Chengyu planned to dry the mushrooms at home first, then sun them tomorrow, and that should suffice!

"Let’s discuss the recipes then! How much silver do you want for the shredded pork in fish sauce and braised pork with preserved vegetables?" Manager Liang realized now that the young child before him was the decision-maker.

In wealthy households, children are taught by elders from a young age. Even at five, many are precocious! But the child before him was distinctly of farmer origin, which was quite eye-opening.

"That depends on Manager Liang’s sincerity! If you want these to be unique offerings at Shanhe Town’s restaurant, naturally, you would offer us a satisfying price." Gu Chengyu smiled at Manager Liang, sensing from his willingness to pay four silver notes for the mushrooms that Manager Liang was likely someone with foresight.

Ha! This child is incredible! So young and already proficient at friendly negotiation with someone seasoned like him. No wonder the owner always says the world is full of smart people, especially those with courage.

"For braised pork with preserved vegetables and shredded pork in fish sauce, I’ll give you twenty-five silver notes each. But you can’t charge for the cold wood ear mushroom salad, can you?" Manager Liang, impressed by the child’s wisdom, decided to form a good connection!

"Since I’ve shared how to make dishes with mushrooms, of course, I won’t charge for the cold salad."

"Very well!" Manager Liang said, taking out a fifty silver note along with dried mushrooms brought by Gu Chengyu, totaling fifty-four silver notes, and handed them to Gu Chengyu. "You have the notes now, but we need to establish a contract!"

Gu Chengyu received the silver note, glanced at it, and handed the notes to Mr. Gu. Then he clasped his hands towards Manager Liang, "Although I’m not one to break promises, it’s necessary to establish a contract. Manager Liang, let’s state upfront—I’ll only make these dishes at home. However, if other restaurants later imitate them, we can’t be blamed!"

In ancient times, they didn’t know the thickening process. For shredded pork in fish sauce, thickening was indispensable for color, aroma, and flavor. Braised pork with preserved vegetables focused heavily on steaming, requiring careful timing. The Dayan Dynasty was accustomed to soups, sometimes stews, and braises, but rarely stir-frying. These two dishes aren’t difficult to replicate; it’s only a matter of time before they’re imitated.