Chapter Twenty-Four: Fat Zhu, Untroubled by Doubt

Today was the second product launch.

Yang Cheng rose early and arrived at the front hall. The garden between the pond and the hall’s entrance had long since been leveled on his orders. Stone slabs now paved the area, creating an open space that could accommodate more than four hundred people. As he had requested, Chief Steward Su had arranged for a platform nine meters long and four meters wide, raised half a meter above the ground. Behind it stood a temporary backdrop draped in fabric, and above, a nine-meter-long red cloth embroidered in gold thread with the words: “A Warm Welcome to All Our Distinguished Guests.”

This time, nearly four hundred people had come—not only the first group of partners, but also other shopkeepers drawn by the news. After all, these modest taverns were earning at least forty spirit coins more each day thanks to Yang Cheng’s snacks. This was no small feat; these food items had gradually become the main source of income for many establishments. Yang Cheng only took a ten percent share, not much at all, so the profitable shopkeepers were all smiles today, grateful to Young Master Yang. The rest, envious, had come hoping for an opportunity.

Stewards Yang and Su faithfully carried out their young master’s instructions: the customer is king! They warmly greeted each guest and guided them to their seats. Over four hundred people sat cross-legged or on their knees throughout the open area, chatting with acquaintances.

Yang Cheng surveyed the crowd; most had arrived. He nodded to Xiao Wu, who climbed the stage with some nervousness. “May I have your attention, please,” he called. Gradually, the crowd hushed. “Thank you all for attending our new product launch. May your wealth flow in and your businesses thrive! Now, please welcome Young Master Yang to the stage for his remarks.”

Yang Cheng strode up, waving to the audience. Awkward—there was none of the applause he had imagined. Customs, it seemed, were different here.

After a moment’s pause, someone in the crowd shouted, “Well done, Young Master Yang!”

“Thank you, Young Master Yang!”

Several familiar partners joined in, their voices rising in support.

Ah, so this was their way of expressing enthusiasm.

Yang Cheng pressed his hands downward, raising his voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your warm welcome.”

He paused, then continued, “As I said at our first launch, was I wrong? Our Wuzhou cuisine is far too limited. As tavern owners in this city, our mission is to enrich the culinary culture of Wuzhou’s people—and, incidentally, to make a handsome profit together...”

“Exactly, Young Master Yang is absolutely right!” The partners, thinking little of culinary culture but much of profit, nodded in agreement.

“Today is our second launch, and it’s simple: we’re here to show you these products.” He gestured to the large wooden trays on stage. “These are stuffed buns—meat, vegetable, or sweet. Here are soup dumplings; they can be steamed or pan-fried, easy to carry. They’re similar to the coarse-grain buns you’re used to, but with a far superior texture. And these golden sticks are fried dough—crispy outside, tender inside—best enjoyed with this cup of soy milk. A bite of this in the morning, and you’ll feel better than a god…”

“Come, come—no matter how well I describe them, it’s better if you taste for yourselves.” At his signal, servants, already prepared, brought trays to the guests.

A chorus of slurping and munching filled the square. After a good while, when everyone had savored the offerings, Yang Cheng spoke again: “Our set of soup dumplings includes ten pieces plus two buns. Fried dough sticks and soy milk make another set. Prices remain unchanged: you may price them at twenty silver coins per set for customers, and calculate the unit price for retail as you see fit. I ask all our partners to maintain standardized pricing, to prevent undercutting and protect everyone’s profit margins.”

“Indeed, Young Master Yang is right. Wuzhou is a vast city, and we are but a small fraction among its tens of thousands of taverns. These products are currently exclusive to us, so we must stand united and sell at the agreed prices,” said Mr. Zhu from Liuyun Pavilion, standing up as the first to speak.

“That’s right!” the others chimed in.

Yang Cheng nodded approvingly at Mr. Zhu—the stout fellow was quick on the uptake.

“As I said before, the franchise fee for each batch of products is eight hundred spirit coins. The same guarantee applies: there will be no competing vendors selling the same goods nearby. If conflicts arise, we’ll negotiate—each selling different products—and I’ll provide some compensation. There will be many more varieties in the future. I trust you’ve all done the math; eight hundred spirit coins is hardly a loss. I take only a ten percent share, sparing you the trouble of making the goods yourselves.”

He turned to Mr. Zhu and asked, “May I ask, Mr. Zhu, how much profit do you make daily from the previous products?”

Mr. Zhu stood, beaming. “Thanks to Young Master Yang, I now sell in my own shop and supply the surrounding area, with orders for five hundred servings a day—still not enough to meet demand. I plan to expand next month. After paying Young Master Yang’s share, my daily profit is no less than seventy spirit coins. Even if I don’t expand, I’ll make at least twenty-five thousand a year.” He pointed to the man beside him. “This is Mr. Zhang—his location is even better, selling seven or eight hundred servings a day, more than I do.”

A collective gasp rose from those who had not attended the previous launches. In just a few days, Yang’s snacks had revitalized many small taverns. Everyone knew there was money to be made, but not this much.

Mr. Zhang rose and saluted. “I’m ashamed, truly. I owe it all to Young Master Yang. My tavern used to scrape by on lodging—if I made a thousand or two a year, I was content. Now, my earnings have multiplied, and my whole family is deeply grateful to Young Master Yang.”

“You’re too modest, Mr. Zhang. Ladies and gentlemen, I, Yang, have always believed in win-win partnerships. If I opened my own shops on Mr. Zhang’s scale—say, ten of them—an annual profit of over four hundred thousand would be easy. But business is not something one person can do alone. The franchise fee, compared to your annual profits, is a mere trifle. Taking only ten percent reflects my intentions—I hope all partners are also my friends. In the future, let’s do business and make money together.”

“Well said, Young Master Yang!”

“Yes, this concept of win-win is spot on!”

“We’re honored to call Young Master Yang a friend. If you ever need anything, just ask!”

Whether out of sincerity or courtesy, everyone was deeply grateful to Yang Cheng in the face of such tangible profits. A person like him was worth cultivating ties with—who knew what greater opportunities might follow.

“Now, those who wish to join this batch of products, please see Chief Steward Su or Chief Steward Yang on either side to sign your agreements. They represent me fully. These goods will be available in two days, so your business won’t be delayed. I hope to see you all at the next launch—your expectations will not be disappointed. For the rest of the time, my people will demonstrate how these products are made.” With that, he saluted and withdrew, quietly instructing Xiao Wu to invite Mr. Zhu to the back garden for a chat.

While the others signed agreements and watched the Yang family servants demonstrate the preparations, Mr. Zhu, brimming with excitement, followed Xiao Wu into the conference hall at the rear. He found Yang Cheng sitting alone. Approaching, Mr. Zhu saluted respectfully, “It is a great honor to be summoned, Young Master Yang. May I ask what instructions you might have?”

“Please, Mr. Zhu, have a seat. May I ask your full name?”

“My name is Zhu Buhuo. If Young Master doesn’t mind, just call me Old Zhu.”

Yang Cheng smiled. “That’s an interesting name.”

Zhu Buhuo replied, “My family fell on hard times when I was born. My parents hoped I wouldn’t be too ignorant, so they named me ‘Buhuo’—the Unconfused.”

The two chatted for a while. It turned out Old Zhu’s ancestors had once been a prosperous minor family, but the previous generation mismanaged their affairs and squandered their wealth. By his time, they were destitute. Old Zhu was determined to rebuild the family business from nothing. After much hard work, he had managed to open a small tavern and a general store.

Having learned his story, Yang Cheng asked Zhu Buhuo about his experiences in business. Zhu, sensing this was an assessment, answered honestly and thoroughly, sharing his insights on commerce.

By late afternoon, all the shopkeepers had left. Only then did Old Zhu finish his conversation with Yang Cheng and take his leave.

With his many years’ experience in business, Old Zhu sensed that this Young Master Yang, having just begun to show his sharpness, had given him much to ponder—each detail seemed simple in hindsight, yet no one had ever thought of it before. If he could deepen his association with this man, perhaps his own great opportunity was at hand.