Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Youre Right (1/2)

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: You’re Right

Translator: 549690339

“As you’ve just mentioned your plan to make tofu curd and tofu sheets, you still need to use my tofu shop; as such, it should be offset with the new produce. You can’t skimp on the daily tofu curd and tofu sheets, and on the fifteenth of every month, I expect buns filled with tofu skin.”

Mrs. Wen stated calmly.

Zhuang Qingning gave a tight-lipped smile.

Mrs. Wen, as ever, was a prickly exterior with a soft heart. With an aloof demeanour, she set the lowest possible terms. Although internally tender-hearted, she presented herself tough as a hedgehog.

“Alright, you can rest assured, Auntie. Everything you want will be provided,” Zhuang Qingning wholeheartedly agreed without any hesitation.

Mrs. Wen ignored her and scattered feed on the ground for the chicks.

The tiny chicks, yellow and fluffy, that she had seen when first coming to the tofu shop, had now grown bigger. They fluttered their wings, no longer fluffy, whilst looking for food, stirring up a layer of dust on the ground.

With the matter settled, Zhuang Qingning went looking for Zhuang Yonghe about the tofu shop’s need to erect an extra shed and procure a stone mill and a big iron pot.

“A stone mill can be easily managed,” said Zhuang Yonghe, “We just have to purchase one and hire a cart to carry it back. There are people in the nearby Tung Tree village who specialize in this. With luck, they might have one ready. I’ll go take a look tomorrow. If they have one, we can bring it straight back. If not, we’ll place an order for two, and it should only take a few days.”

“I’ll also look for the materials needed for the shed, get a couple of people, and get it done quickly – that’s no trouble.”

“As for the iron pot… It may be difficult to buy one so large. We’ll probably have to seek the permission of the village chief. Once we get the pot, we’ll need to figure out how large a stove we need, so it fits snugly.”

Zhuang Qingning understood why this might be a problem.

Even in these peaceful times, the imperial court strictly controlled necessities such as salt, iron, and minerals. Especially ironware, which was very strictly regulated. The size of each family’s pots, the number of shovels and hoes they owned – all these were strictly counted. If you needed anything extra, you had to explain your needs to the village chief, then go and buy it.

If you wanted a big cooking pot like those used to make tofu, they wouldn’t sell it to you without a legitimate reason.

“I’ll go speak to the village chief first thing tomorrow morning about this, see if he’ll allow us to buy a pot, even just one.”

Considering Zhuang Jingye’s fervent wish for her to maintain the tofu shop, Zhuang Qingning believed that he would help her out.

And indeed, the outcome was as Zhuang Qingning expected.

Zhuang Jingye, who had just awoken and hadn’t even washed his face, practically ran out of his house on hearing that Zhuang Qingning was visiting. He immediately asked what she was there for.