Chapter Three: I’ll Destroy You

The next day, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Wu the Butcher shouldered fresh pork from the morning’s slaughter and several baskets of cabbage and pork potstickers to his stall at the market.

Times were hard, and business grew more difficult with each passing day. Even as a butcher, he had to sell breakfast early in the morning to supplement his family’s income. Though the little town was nestled deep in the mountains, there was no shortage of people coming and going to trade. On normal days, the dumplings would sell out within half an hour. Yet today, he waited a full hour, and not a single person bought even a piece of pork, let alone the dumplings.

Instead, a crowd thronged around an unfamiliar stall at the opposite end of the market. Seeing the steady stream of customers at the newcomer’s stall, Wu the Butcher grew indignant and hurried over in a huff.

"Preserved egg and lean pork congee! Delicious and invigorating! Come and buy!" The cry sounded familiar, and Wu the Butcher squeezed through the crowd with great effort, curiosity piqued—what on earth was a preserved egg?

Raising his eyes to the stall, his eyes widened like lanterns. Before the stand was a sign that read, "Men regain their vigor with this congee; women blossom into a second spring." And the vendor was none other than Jiang Chen!

How could this be? Had the boy truly changed? Was he no longer that bookish simpleton?

As he reeled from shock, angry shouts from the other vendors broke into his thoughts.

"Hey, brat! Where do you think you’re from? How dare you steal our business!"

Jiang Chen scoffed, "Steal your business? Does your family own the market? Are you the only one allowed to sell here?"

The merchant glared. "Hmph! The market has its rules! You youngsters know nothing!"

Several other envious stallholders chimed in, "Exactly! You can’t just set up here without everyone’s agreement!"

The crowd grew noisy with their complaints. But just then, a voice called out from not far away.

"Look at you, green with envy just because someone else is making a little money! Rabble, the lot of you!"

At these words, not only the vendors but even the onlookers were taken aback. Yet when they turned and saw who had spoken, their anger melted away at once.

For the newcomer was none other than Lin Qingxuan, the young master of Drunken Immortal Pavilion—the only restaurant in town. It was said that the Lin family’s influence in the county was boundless. Those who had crossed them had all vanished without a trace...

Lin Qingxuan twirled his folding fan as he strolled leisurely to Jiang Chen’s stall.

"I tasted your congee earlier, and I must say—it is truly a delicacy beyond compare!"

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, coldly replying, "You flatter me, Young Master Lin. It’s just a minor skill."

Lin Qingxuan, seeing his tact, raised an eyebrow and folded his fan away. "Brother Jiang, I’ll pay thirty taels of silver for your recipe. What do you say?"

Thirty taels? The crowd gasped—it was as much as an ordinary household earned in a year. Only a fool would refuse!

Yet to their astonishment, Jiang Chen shook his head without hesitation. "No. I won’t sell."

A sigh swept through the spectators. He refused? That penniless scholar couldn’t even do simple arithmetic—no wonder he’d be poor all his life! Good thing they hadn’t married their daughters to him.

Even Lin Qingxuan was stunned. To turn down such a generous offer—was Jiang Chen truly a fool?

But as he faltered, Jiang Chen leaned in and whispered something in his ear, then patted him on the shoulder. "What do you think of my proposal? If you’re interested, we can discuss the details at your residence."

Lin Qingxuan was first taken aback, then a delighted grin broke across his face. "Excellent! Let’s talk at my estate!"

With that, he led Jiang Chen to his carriage. The crowd watched in confusion, shaking their heads as they drifted away.

A while later, Jiang Chen arrived alone at the Lin residence. As soon as he was seated, Lin Qingxuan could hardly contain his impatience.

"Brother Jiang, can you explain in detail how you plan to spread this congee across the entire Great Qian?"

Jiang Chen picked up the fragrant tea on the table, took a calm sip, and replied, "It’s not difficult. And besides this, I have many other rare dishes at hand."

"Talking is easy, action is hard. There’s no need for further questions, Brother Lin. Just rent me your restaurant for the morning hours—then you’ll see my methods for yourself."

Lin Qingxuan nodded slowly, though suspicion lingered in his eyes.

Truth be told, he didn’t think much of Jiang Chen. Yet Drunken Immortal Pavilion had been losing money for months, and if things didn’t improve soon, he’d be reassigned to one of the family’s peripheral businesses. Though the restaurant was on the remote outskirts, it was still a core enterprise of the family, and with patience, there was always hope for advancement. But if he was sent off to raise pigs or cattle, there would never be a day for him to rise again.

But with the nation in turmoil and people’s pockets empty, business at Drunken Immortal Pavilion had dwindled, and Lin Qingxuan lived in constant anxiety as losses mounted. That morning, someone had told him about a stall at the market selling cheap and delicious congee, and brought him a bowl. Though it was only a small bowl, his keen business sense instantly recognized its potential.

Such a fine, inexpensive dish could be promoted everywhere. With just the recipe, he could reverse the restaurant’s losses! And then Jiang Chen claimed he had a way to spread this congee across all of Great Qian, but first wanted to rent the morning hours of the restaurant free of charge, splitting profits fifty-fifty. If the results were good, they could expand further.

He knew Jiang Chen was using his resources to turn a profit, but this was his last hope. That’s why the usually unrestrained Lin Qingxuan had such patience with him.

After some thought, Lin Qingxuan asked, "By the way, Brother Jiang, what did you mean by 'shares' and 'franchising' in the carriage?"

Jiang Chen looked up, sipped his tea again, and replied, "No need to ask—soon, you’ll understand."

"Very well," Lin Qingxuan gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger. "Then tomorrow, I’ll await your good news!"

As he turned to leave, Jiang Chen called him back. "Wait!"

Jiang Chen took out a piece of paper from his breast, covered in instructions. "Have your family follow these directions exactly. See that you don’t neglect anything!"

"Fine!" Lin Qingxuan took the paper, glaring hard at Jiang Chen before turning on his heel, teeth grinding in frustration.

All these years as a wastrel, no one had ever dared order him about like this! Jiang Chen—if you fail to deliver tomorrow, I’ll see you ruined!