This time, Shao Jie came to see Shen Shaoguang not with diagrams, but with people.
By the time Shen Shaoguang had fully recovered from her illness, dragging through the recovery, it was already the tenth lunar month, with the Winter’s Beginning approaching. While the “Crab Competition” was still ongoing, Shen Shaoguang had already ordered all the stored hotpots to be brought out and ordered a new batch of hotpots.
Last year when hotpots started becoming popular, Shao Jie hadn’t yet known Shen Shaoguang. He had only tried the “knockoff version” then and thought it was quite good, but now tasting the “authentic version,” he was completely amazed.
“Just this milk soup base with fish balls and meat slices—I could eat this every meal without getting tired!” Shao Jie ate heartily with his cheeks working overtime, and before leaving, he took two pots with him—which then brought in more investment. He presented those pots to Elder Master Shao, who agreed to his grandson’s suggestion and increased the investment in the Shen establishment.
With his characteristically urgent temperament, Shao Jie had been deciding between two shop locations, but now he simply discussed buying both with Shen Shaoguang. Shen Shaoguang gritted her teeth and said, “Let’s buy them!”
Shao Jie stuffed another large portion of meat slices dipped in sesame paste and garlic into his mouth, “That’s more like it! We must sell these pots in the Hu territories, let those barbarians see what a great civilized nation means, what fine dining is, what good food really is!”
Shen Shaoguang: “…” His desire to civilize the barbarians was undying. Well, keep up the good work, young man!
Shao Jie was efficient in both eating hotpot and spending money. After buying the shops, he managed the renovations. With the experience from renovating the Qinren Ward shop, Shen Shaoguang barely needed to intervene as Shao Jie handled everything.
He continued buying people from slave merchants and brought them to Shen Shaoguang for training.
Shao Jie suggested: “Train them for a while, then distribute them between the Chongxian and Qinren shops. Let the experienced staff guide them—after some time, those who didn’t understand before will understand.”
Having experienced staff train newcomers, like an internship? Young Lord Shao was onto something!
Shen Shaoguang agreed with Shao Jie’s opinion but wanted to try something bigger. “Young Lord Shao, let’s do a ‘Winter’s Beginning Hotpot Festival’?”
“Can hotpot have a festival?”
Shao Jie hadn’t experienced an era where manufactured consumer festivals were everywhere, where blankets had festivals, beer had festivals, dog meat had festivals, and where a day that should have been lonely for singles became a nationwide shopping carnival.
Shen Shaoguang explained this was just a marketing tactic. “We’ll choose Winter’s Beginning Day to set up our stalls in either the East or West Market, display our hotpots, and set up shop. We’re not aiming to make much money, just to get our name out there and build a reputation.”
Shen Shaoguang was skilled at painting grand visions: “Think about it—those who try our hotpot that day will remember it the next year, won’t they? As more and more people do this, it might become a new custom for Winter’s Beginning Day. We might even see folk sayings like ‘Eat hotpot on Winter’s Beginning Day, or your ears will freeze.'”
Shao Jie: “…” While customers might not create such sayings, the young lady could certainly make them up and write them on the poetry walls outside.
Indeed, Shao Jie hadn’t overestimated Shen Shaoguang’s integrity. She was contemplating how to maximize publicity for the Shen establishment and hotpot, especially after seeing two of the new people Shao Jie had brought.
These two, Xu Fourth Young Master and Zhang Second Young Master, were former temple servants who had trained their speaking skills with secular monks for quite some time and could recite several Buddhist scripture stories.
Shen Shaoguang had them perform two pieces on the spot—one from the “Vimalakirti Sutra Lecture Text” and one from the “Mulian Rescuing His Mother in the Netherworld Transformation Text.” These traditional religious stories were told in a remarkably engaging way.
Among them, Xu Fourth’s speech was particularly nimble, words flowing smoothly without stumbling, like beans being poured out.
Zhang Second was different—though his speech was average, he excelled at imitation, capable of mimicking men, and women, old, and young, with uncannily accurate expressions and movements.
Such talented individuals! Shen Shaoguang praised Shao Jie: “To find such talented people, you’re truly impressive!”
Shao Jie was puzzled—weren’t they just eloquent servers? They had previously worked in temples with teaching monks, with no culinary skills, but he bought them thinking servers should be articulate.
Then Shen Shaoguang showed him what it meant to “maximize people’s talents and resources.”
She first organized the tavern’s menu items and composed a “Menu Recitation” for her establishment.
Roast chicken, braised chicken, stewed chicken, white-cut chicken, fried chicken, “Hegemon’s Farewell to Chicken”; soy sauce duck, roast duck, braised duck, wine lees duck, rich fatty duck… Chicken, duck, fish, meat, dried and fresh pastries, specialty dishes—everything worth listing was included.
When Xu Fourth tried it, though his craft showed through, he couldn’t remember all the dishes at once, but even these few lines flowed smoothly.
Though Xu Fourth performed better, Shao Jie praised Shen Shaoguang: “Young Lady, you’re incredible! This piece should become one of the tavern’s signatures, performed whenever there’s time to ‘add some flavor’ for the dining lords.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled: “Clever minds think alike!”
The two business-minded flatterers laughed heartily.
Shao Jie asked Shen Shaoguang: “Should Zhang Second be placed in the other shop? His speech isn’t as good as Xu Fourth’s.”
Shen Shaoguang grew even more pleased: “Zhang Second is also a great talent, with his special use.”
Shen Shaoguang had him perform a short skit. Since he couldn’t perform alone, Shen Shaoguang brought someone from the Tongren Ward shop and had Xu Fourth join the performance—three people performing “Leaving Shen’s While Holding the Wall.”
The plot was a worn-out joke from later times—entering a restaurant, holding the wall going in, holding the wall coming out.
Zhang Second played a glutton, his partner A Dou played the friend treating him to a meal, and Xu Fourth played the Shen establishment’s server.
After A Dou offered to treat him, Zhang Second was already starving, his stomach caving in, holding the wall as he entered Shen’s, then Xu Fourth began introducing dishes—since this was prepared for the “Winter’s Beginning Hotpot Festival,” all mentioned items were hotpot ingredients.
With each introduction, Zhang Second would order a portion to try, followed by exaggerated yet realistic eating gestures.
And so it went, with Xu Fourth continuously introducing dishes, Zhang Second eating dramatically, stretching his mouth to catch “fish brain tofu,” scooping up bowls of “bouncy meatballs,” calling for a fishing net to catch meat…
Finally, Zhang Second burped contentedly and said sincerely, “When it comes to good cooking, none compare to Shen’s.”
His friend A Dou replied: “You’d better hold onto the wall.”
Shao Jie laughed so hard watching the rehearsal that he nearly fell, mimicking Zhang Second: “When it comes to good cooking, none compare to Shen’s.” Then imitating A Dou: “You’d better hold onto the wall.”
Shao Jie said to Shen Shaoguang: “Haha, I believe these two lines will be remembered by many Chang’an people for years to come.”
Shen Shaoguang objectively replied: “Repetition is power. If we perform this every year, force-feed it to them, they won’t be able to forget it even if they tried.”
Shao Jie: “…Hahaha!”
Besides these entertainment soft advertisements, hard advertisements were also prepared, such as signs depicting hotpots, flags with Shen’s name, and cart advertisements. As for service staff, pots, soup bases, ingredients, and dipping sauces, Shen Shaoguang didn’t need to worry much since both shops had managers. As for coordinating with the market officials and finding locations, that was Shao Jie’s business.
Shao Jie was reliable in handling matters. In the most prosperous central intersection of the East Market, on an empty plot, Shen’s set up their stalls.
The large wooden sign for the Winter’s Beginning Hotpot Festival stood tall, Shen’s Tavern’s small flags marked out the area, rows of dining tables were set up with hotpots on them, and nearby, the cooking stoves and preparation counters were installed. Large pots wafted the fragrance of old soup stock, and over a dozen kitchen workers dressed in matching clothes stood ready—it looked quite impressive.
How could such a setup not attract people? Gradually customers came, sitting down to order soup bases and ingredients, but even more people stood outside the flags watching.
Then Xu Fourth took the stage, standing in the center of the area, first performing a “Menu Recitation.”
This art form truly transcended time, and after his rapid-fire delivery, he earned thunderous applause.
However, this was just the appetizer—the “skit” that followed was the main course.
“…I’m quite picky, I don’t go to just any ordinary tavern or food shop.”
“This isn’t ordinary.”
“Is it extraordinary?”
“Hey, it’s that Shen’s place where even the Third Month Festival’s Top Scholar dismounted to buy flower cakes!”
“Oh, then it is extraordinary.”
…
“Oh my, Zhang, why are you entering while holding the wall? Are you unwell? Should we eat another day?”
“Don’t delay… I might not live to see another day…” Zhang Second clutched his stomach and said weakly.
By now, both diners and onlookers couldn’t control their laughter.
Xu Fourth entered: “It’s cold weather, would the guest like some hotpot?”
A Dou looked at Zhang Second. Zhang Second: “Yes.”
“Would the guest like a milk soup base? Made from chicken, duck, and pork bones, white as cow’s milk. Sir, take a smell, the aroma is wafting over.”
A Dou looked at Zhang Second. Zhang Second: “Yes.”
“Would the guest like some fish brain tofu? Though called tofu, it’s not real tofu, it’s made from fish meat, even more tender than tofu.”
“Yes!”
Zhang Second’s performance skills were strong. Though performing without props, it looked so real—stretching his mouth to catch the hot fish brain tofu, burning his mouth, unable to swallow yet unwilling to spit it out… making everyone around double over with laughter.
Some mischievous diners even called out: “Give me a portion of that fish brain tofu!”
The onlookers laughed even harder.
Xu Fourth, both actor and real server, actually brought over fish brain tofu.
“Would the guest like some bouncy meatballs? Made from pork, fragrant and chewy, they bounce between your teeth.” Xu Fourth returned to the performance.
“Yes!”
Then Zhang Second began “catching meatballs” throughout the bowl.
The diners also joined in ordering bouncy meatballs.
Later it evolved into whatever Zhang Second ordered, the customers ordered, and whatever customers ordered, Zhang Second would also shout “One portion!”
Fortunately, Zhang Second and Xu Fourth had spent these days at Shen’s, eating hotpot various times, so they could improvise without showing their bottom line.
Watching Zhang Second’s exaggerated performance and this “interaction” with real customers, the onlookers were thoroughly amused. Moreover, on such a cold day, with bronze stoves glowing and rich aromas wafting out, who could resist?
Before the first performance ended, all the dining tables were filled.
Zhang Second, Xu Fourth, and A Dou exchanged glances and ended the show.
“When it comes to good cooking, none compare to Shen’s,” Zhang Second delivered his line.
A Dou: “You’d better hold onto the wall!”
Zhang Second indeed left the scene with a protruding belly, holding the “wall.”
The onlookers cheered as if watching a professional performance.
After Xu Fourth and Zhang Second rested for a while, they began the second show, again starting with the menu recitation followed by the skit.
Some audience members from the first show even came back to watch it again.
In a nearby teahouse, Shen Shaoguang and Shao Jie occasionally lowered their heads to discuss something. Both were very satisfied with today’s setup. Shao Jie laughed: “I really want to set up stalls every day, it’s so much fun! And profitable too.”
“So we can save on buying shop spaces, right?”
“Exactly!”
Both shrewd merchants laughed.
They didn’t know an even bigger surprise was yet to come—Princess Fuhui arrived.
The princess had merely come to browse the East Market, and seeing the commotion, had her attendants drive over. Seeing this setup and those flags, it was Young Lady Shen’s idea.
“Go buy two pots,” the Princess told her attendants.
In this situation, Xu Fourth was a bit overwhelmed, but Manager Xu Kai had received the Princess many times. Having witnessed the Princess’s friendly chats with their young lady numerous times, he boldly said to the attendant with a smile: “Please relay to the Noble Princess that our shop sells the meat in the pot, not the pots themselves.”
The attendant was also clever: “You think the Noble Princess doesn’t want to come down and eat herself?”
The diners and onlookers all laughed heartily.
Princess Fuhui in her carriage also smiled good-naturedly.
One can imagine how far the story of the Princess buying hotpot on the street would spread. Shao Jie looked at Shen Shaoguang, who wore a completely innocent expression—this plant wasn’t pre-arranged by me!