Chapter 88: The Shop Opens for Business

Han Qing shook his head. The largest restaurant in Blue City belonged to the Du family, and right now, there was no need to become their enemy outright. It was better to wait a little longer and see if there might be a chance for reconciliation.

“When they bring back the goods, you’ll know what to do,” he said as they discussed their plans.

Just then, the servant who had gone out returned. Aside from buying some vegetables and fruits, he had also brought back several large pots.

“Stop staring and come help set all this up,” Han Qing suddenly ordered.

Though the others looked puzzled, they quickly got to work, preparing the vegetables and putting them all into the pots. They also mixed up the accompanying sauces. None of them had ever tasted such flavors before. Even Young Master Zhu, who had traveled far and wide, was astounded by what he saw. This was a way of eating he had never encountered.

Moreover, they simmered a rich broth, and after the vegetables were dipped into it and then into the sauces, the taste was so delicious it filled him with delight.

“Can you all accept this?” Han Qing asked, a little unsure. After all, the locals had never tried this way of eating and might not find it appetizing.

“It’s delicious! I’ve traveled half my life and never tasted anything like this,” exclaimed the old beggar, who had been silent until now, offering genuine praise.

Young Master Zhu nodded in agreement. “Brother Han, so this is the gourmet shop you spoke of?”

“Yes, this is hotpot,” Han Qing replied.

Since everyone was willing to accept it, he figured that opening such a restaurant in Blue City would likely be well received.

“But we’re newcomers here—won’t it be difficult?” Young Master Zhu still sounded conflicted. So far, aside from getting caught up in a murder case, they hadn’t figured much else out. Just dealing with the Du family alone could be enough to shut down their hotpot restaurant.

“We’ll hire some craftsmen to renovate the place first. When the time is right, we’ll open the restaurant,” Han Qing said, knowing this must not be rushed. He also intended to thoroughly study a few martial arts manuals before taking further action.

The old beggar was a conscientious man. Having promised to pass on all his lifelong skills to Han Qing, he made no attempt to hold anything back.

Han Qing had a remarkably quick mind. The next few weeks in Blue City passed peacefully. However, Chen Tianwei grew anxious. Since his transfer here, he had been intent on causing trouble for the Du family, sending people over every few days, but had yet to find any evidence of wrongdoing. Instead, the Du family grew wary, sensing something off about this official sent by the court, and soon came to the general store to seek him out.

“Master Han, you’ve been living peacefully here—haven’t you noticed anything amiss?” he asked, his tone sharp and sarcastic.

“Lord Chen, if you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to test me,” Han Qing replied coldly, giving no courtesy at all.

This left Chen Tianwei somewhat embarrassed as his intentions were immediately exposed.

“Why haven’t you acted yet? The Du family is becoming more and more brazen. If we wait much longer, won’t they be beyond our control?”

“We? My lord, you must be joking. I did promise to help you investigate the case, but I never agreed to help you deal with the Du family,” Han Qing said, shaking his head. Trying to get something for nothing was never so easy, and verbal promises alone meant little.

“You...” Chen Tianwei was furious, but could not refute him.

“So what would it take for you to help me?” Chen pressed.

“The Du family’s problem can’t be solved overnight. Right now, I need a foothold in Blue City. Surely you understand what that means?”

Chen Tianwei nodded.

“This general store will soon become a hotpot restaurant. When the time comes, find people to spread the word for us.”

“That’s it?”

“This is only the first step,” Han Qing replied. Nothing could be rushed. Now that they finally had this opportunity, there was no way they would let it collapse. Chen Tianwei was simply too eager to make a name for himself and had forgotten that things were rarely as easy as they seemed.

“Very well,” Chen agreed.

Three days later, the hotpot restaurant opened for business. Thanks to the advance publicity, many customers were drawn in, especially notable figures and local gentry. They had eaten every signature dish in the city’s restaurants, but none had ever heard of hotpot and were eager to try something new. After their meal, they were full of praise.

“Brother Wang, this is the first time I’ve seen vegetables prepared like this—it’s truly delicious!”

“Yes, I thought the hype was exaggerated, but after one bite, I simply couldn’t stop…”

The restaurant’s clientele grew steadily, soon attracting the attention of local businesses, most notably the Du family. They already owned four or five restaurants in Blue City, with most locals as their regular customers. An occasional visit to try something new was nothing to worry about, but what alarmed them was how the hotpot restaurant’s business only flourished day by day, directly threatening their interests.

“I hear there’s a hotpot restaurant on the east side of town? There’s never been such a place before,” Old Master Du asked in puzzlement.

“I’ve already sent someone to investigate. It’s only been open less than a week, and businesses like that rarely last long,” the steward replied.

“They’re not locals?”

“No, sir, all of them came from North County City. No one knows why they chose to settle here, and no one’s ever heard of hotpot before.”

“Interesting. Can a backwater like North County compare to our city? They probably just want to make a little silver here, but do they know the rules of the local merchants’ guild?” Old Master Du’s intent was clear—he would send people over to teach them the rules, perhaps even smash up a few shops. If these outsiders refused to follow the local ways, they were as good as defying heaven.

“Yes, sir, I’ll arrange it right away.”

He immediately gathered over a dozen house servants to go and shut down the hotpot restaurant. This fierce group’s arrival caused all the customers to leave at once. The head steward, however, was reasonable and did not start a fight. Instead, he questioned who had authorized the shop to open.

“I’m just an honest merchant—how have I angered Old Master Du?” Han Qing asked, his expression tinged with disdain.

“It’s not that you angered the master, but that you don’t understand the rules,” the steward replied.

Oh? The way he made it sound, it was as if Han Qing had truly committed some misdeed.

“We have Lord Chen’s official warrant, which should take precedence over any local rules, shouldn’t it?”