CHAPTER 606: CHAPTER 606: GU DASHAN’S SKILLS

"What kind of flour is this rare?" Boss Hu was very curious and wanted to see.

Gu Jinli showed it to him and had Lu Haozi’s wife bring out some water chestnut flour: "It’s this kind of flour, feel it, isn’t it very different from the flour used to make baked goods?"

After Boss Hu and the others looked at it, they said, "Indeed, it’s quite different. Okay then, we’ll start selling Crystal Osmanthus Cake next year."

Because of the dish, Boss Hu and his group had been delayed for three days. Now that the matter was settled, they agreed to send a chef to learn how to make the dish tomorrow, and then they bid their farewell to head home.

Gu Jinli generously gave each of them three bamboo boxes of Crystal Osmanthus Cake: "Uncles, take these home to eat, don’t be shy."

Boss Hu and his two companions: "..."

Heart-piercingly touching, felt like crying!

The three of them took the cakes and left.

They stayed at the same inn, and on the way back, Manager Feng said, "The Gu Family’s daughter is a money tree. If one were to marry her as a daughter-in-law, the family business would surely flourish."

Manager Lin and Boss Hu stared at him with wide eyes: "Are you her real father? Would your son dare to marry her?!"

The Gu Family’s daughter is both fierce and tough. Even men in their fifties feel intimidated dealing with such a young girl. If their own sons married her, would they even survive?

Forget it, forget it, it’s better to just be business partners. If they married such a daughter-in-law, their sons might have shortened lives.

However, Boss Hu and the others still gossiped a bit: "Has that young girl been betrothed? She seems to be reaching the marrying age, but who knows who will end up marrying her?"

After they returned, they would surely offer incense for that unlucky fellow, asking God to bless him to live a happier life now because if he ends up marrying the Gu Family’s daughter, his good days would be over.

...

In the private room at Yanfu Building, Gu Jinli ordered a table full of dishes, currently "feeding the pig": "Eat this Crystal pork, this is delicious. And this salt-and-pepper duck meat is not bad either."

Duck is cheap in Great Chu, so the restaurant made several duck dishes, with salt-and-pepper duck meat being one of them.

Qin San Lang looked at the bowl piled high, continuously eating whatever Gu Jinli put in front of him, eating with a smile on his lips.

Xiao Ji, seeing this, felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth, feeling stomachache. Young Master letting Qin Family’s third son eat like this, wouldn’t he end up eating him to death?

However, Qin San Lang won’t be eaten to death; he actually can eat a lot, just that he normally abides by the rules and doesn’t eat to fullness. Today, the three of them enjoyed a satisfying meal eating a table full of dishes.

After finishing their meal, they didn’t immediately go home but instead waited for Gu Jin’an and Gu Jincheng. In the afternoon, Gu Jin’an came to pick up Gu Jincheng and brought him to the restaurant.

"Second Sister is really nice, letting us come to Yanfu Building to eat." In the morning, when Second Sister mentioned that after school at noon she wanted him to come with his big brother to Yanfu Building to eat, then they could go back home.

Gu Jinli pinched his nose and said: "You only think about eating, this meal cost Second Sister quite some silver."

She set the rule that she, along with Qi Kangping and Qi Kangle – the three Dong Families, whenever anyone brought people to Yanfu Building to dine, they had to pay. Because if they didn’t pay, it would be a loss for the three of them, and others had no obligation to spend their money to treat you.

Qin San Lang upon hearing this said, "Need to pay? Here, I have two taels of silver."

Eating so much today must have cost a lot, Xiao Yu must be feeling quite heart-ached.

Gu Jinli glared at him: "I am very rich, I don’t need your money."

Gu Jin’an laughed and said, "San Lang, just keep it. Xiao Yu is a rich lady; buying us a meal is no big deal for her."

"Mhm, Second Sister is the richest." Brother Cheng said vaguely while eating his Crystal osmanthus cake.

Gu Jin’an told him, "Swallow your food before you talk, or Master Xia will punish you again."

Lately, Master Xia has been earnestly teaching Brother Cheng manners, and there would be punishments for not learning well.

Hearing this, Brother Cheng’s eyes reddened, and after swallowing his food, he leaned against Gu Jin’an’s arm and said, "Big brother, is it okay if I don’t go to school? The teacher can be quite mean sometimes."

Gu Jin’an smiled and said, "Sure, but would you really not go?"

After studying with Master Xia for a while, Brother Cheng had grown attached to him. Although he still complained about not wanting to go to school when the workload was heavy, deep down he actually wanted to continue.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Brother Cheng sat up straight and continued eating his meal. "Then I’ll try to eat more elegantly."

It was something the teacher had been instructing recently - how to eat elegantly.

Gu Jinli saw this and exchanged a glance with Gu Jin’an, then continued eating... The current situation was a bit complicated. They might not listen to Master Xia, but they couldn’t completely sever ties, as it involved their maternal family. Whether to sever ties would have to be decided by Mrs. Cui later.

After a pleasant meal, everyone went home together.

Upon returning, Gu Jinli went straight into the pharmaceutical workshop to make Convenient Medicine.

The next day, early in the morning, he saw off Qin San Lang and then greeted the people from Yuanzi Pharmacy.

The tooth powder was selling well, and Yuanzi Pharmacy had placed a substantial order; they were here today to pick up new stock and to discuss about toothbrushes.

Due to the rising popularity of tooth powder, toothbrushes were gradually becoming household items. However, toothbrushes were scarce and, with only Gu Dashan and a few others in the workshop making them, the supply was insufficient.

To make toothbrushes was not difficult – one only needed to know how to process bristle hairs, drill holes, and fix the bristles to the handle. Any experienced carpenter could probably figure it out in two or three months.

But Gu Jinli didn’t want to just hand this over; she wanted to credit this achievement to Gu Dashan, to let Master Xia and others see that her father was capable!

Thus, she discussed with Gu Dashan, Doctor Wu, and Yuanzi Pharmacy, suggesting that while others haven’t started making toothbrushes, Yuanzi Pharmacy should collaborate with a carpenter’s shop. Gu Dashan would teach the technique, but the toothbrushes made must be engraved with ’Gu’s Toothbrush’ to establish the brand.

Yuanzi Pharmacy thought this was feasible. They owned a carpentry shop that made medicine cabinets and boxes for the pharmacy, so making toothbrushes wouldn’t be an issue. They brought people today intending to sign a new contract with Gu Dashan about the toothbrushes.

Gu Dashan was a bit nervous, and said to Gu Jinli, "Xiao Yu, making toothbrushes isn’t hard, and since you will continue doing business with Yuanzi Pharmacy, why not I just reveal the making technique to them and not take any share from the profits?"

Gu Dashan was afraid if he took a share of the profits, it might upset Yuanzi Pharmacy and make business difficult for his daughter.

Gu Jinli said, "Dad, Yuanzi Pharmacy might be wealthy and influential, but our collaboration is based on genuine skills. Don’t worry too much, just sign the contract and collect the money. Besides, don’t you want to provide a dowry for mom? How can you do that without money?"

And...

She halted, looked at Gu Dashan and said, "When you are recognized for your skills, mom will be respected, and others won’t dare look down on her."

Gu Dashan paused, thinking about the hardships Mrs. Cui had endured, and how the Old Gu Family used to mock her, saying she was a flower tainted by filth, that by marrying him, she would always be a lowly woman with no prospects.

With these thoughts, he clenched his fists and said, "Alright, Dad will go sign the contract, earn more money, provide a dowry for your mom, and earn respect!"

Gu Jinli smiled, "That’s the spirit."