freenovelworld Chapter 976: The Seven Fairies' Potato Noodles Are a Huge Hit
Chapter 976: The Seven Fairies' Potato Noodles Are a Huge Hit
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the entire Jurchen royal camp was shrouded in an unusual atmosphere.
The wooden and stone building that rises from the ground in the center of the tribe, and the huge plaque in front of the door with the words "Seven Fairies Potato Noodles" written by Bai Lu herself, have had their red cloth removed, and the Chinese characters, written in a vigorous and elegant style, stand out in the grassland.
The shop was already packed with Jurchen herders who had come after hearing the news.
They craned their necks and discussed it curiously.
"Is this the shop run by that Han Chinese White Snake Lady?"
"I heard that the things they sell inside are made from potatoes, something like... potato noodles?"
"What good things can you make from potatoes? You can only boil or roast them."
"What do you know! I heard from Agula that the taste is so good that even gods can't stand up straight!"
Wanyan Zongbi, dressed in his most magnificent fur robe, led a group of tribal leaders and personally maintained order at the shop entrance.
Looking at the sea of people before him, he felt both shocked and impressed.
Even before Bailu started selling anything, the pre-sale publicity and the novel building alone had already whetted everyone's appetite.
The auspicious time has arrived.
A rousing horn blast pierced the sky, and the crowd automatically parted to the sides, making way for a passage.
Bai Lu was dressed in a magnificent Hanfu today, her hair piled high, and she walked slowly with graceful steps.
She wore a dark blue cross-collar long robe with wide sleeves embroidered with dense silver thread depicting swirling cloud patterns. As she walked, the cuffs flowed like clouds, their luster understated.
She wore a moon-white soft silk pleated skirt tied around her waist, the hem of which reached the ground, rippling gently with each step she took.
The outer garment is a vermilion double-breasted jacket, with several budding plum blossoms outlined in gold thread at the hem and collar, spreading upwards from the corners of the garment, their sparse shadows casting oblique shadows, exuding an air of proud elegance.
She didn't wear many elaborate ornaments, only a white jade hairpin inlaid with pearls tucked diagonally into her hair. The warm luster of the pearls made her eyebrows and eyes appear even more beautiful and serene.
"(⊙o⊙) Wow! Lady White Snake looks so beautiful today!"
What truly made everyone gasp was the seven little girls following behind her.
They wore matching, custom-made, colorful jackets and skirts embroidered with exquisite cloud patterns.
From largest to smallest, red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple are arranged in a row.
They styled their hair into delicate double buns, adorned with velvet flowers and small beads in the same color scheme as their dresses, creating a dazzling effect as they moved.
Her hair at the back was tied up with a ribbon of the same color, the ends of which fluttered in the wind. Her delicate, fair face was slightly red from the cold wind, which only made her look more charming and adorable.
They are like seven fairies who really stepped out of a mural.
"My God! These are the Seven Fairies!"
"It's exactly the same as the painting on the wall!"
"The White Snake Lady's daughter...so she's the legendary fairy!"
The crowd erupted in cheers!
The Jurchen people naturally worship gods and strong people, and Bailu's wisdom and ability had already won them over.
And now, mythology has become reality!
Bai Lu, holding Qi Yue's hand, walked to the shop entrance and announced loudly, "My fellow Jurchen friends! I, Bai Lu, have brought my seven daughters with me today!"
"Seven Fairies Potato Noodle Shop, officially open today!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the waiters, who were already prepared, carried out a large pot from the kitchen that was nearly two meters in diameter.
Inside the pot, a rich, milky-white broth was bubbling away, its powerful aroma instantly overpowering the gamey smell of beef and mutton, filling everyone's nostrils.
Manager Zhou stood behind the large pot and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Grand opening! The first 100 bowls are free to sample!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, and they surged forward, jostling to get ahead!
The first bowl of noodles was served by Bai Lu herself and handed to Wanyan Zongbi.
It was a large, rough earthenware bowl, with a layer of bright green scallions and cilantro at the bottom.
The translucent potato noodles are soaked in milky white broth, topped with a spoonful of bright red chili oil, a few golden-fried beans, and a pinch of stir-fried minced meat.
Red, white, green, yellow... the colors are vibrant and the aroma is irresistible.
Wanyan Zongbi looked at the bowl of noodles and was at a loss as to where to begin.
He imitated the Han people, clumsily picking up his chopsticks and taking a strand of vermicelli.
The rice noodles were incredibly slippery; he had to try twice before he succeeded.
Put it in your mouth—
An indescribable deliciousness exploded on his taste buds!
First, the rice noodles themselves are chewy, smooth, and have a subtle powdery aroma.
The taste was far superior to any pasta he had ever eaten.
Next, the rich and delicious beef bone broth enveloped the entire mouth, followed by layers of unique aromas from the secret spices.
Finally, the mild yet stimulating spiciness of that touch of chili oil ignited my mouth like a flame.
It made him feel warm all over in this cold winter day.
"Delicious!" Wanyan Zongbi exclaimed after taking a bite, his eyes wide open.
Immediately, he no longer cared about the demeanor of the fourth prince and buried his head in his food, slurping it down and drinking every last drop of soup.
The herders who received the free potato noodles squatted on the ground or leaned against the wall, all imitating him and enjoying their meal.
For a moment, the only sounds around the shop were slurping and satisfied exclamations.
"This is so delicious! Is it really made from potatoes?"
"This soup! I could drink three bowls of it!"
"It's so smooth and bouncy, and a little spicy too, it's so addictive!"
Bai Lu's seven daughters were seated in the most prominent positions in the shop, with a small bowl of potato noodles in front of each of them.
They eat the most delicious food in March, their little mouths glistening with oil.
In July, she mischievously used her chopsticks to lift the rice noodles high into the air, causing the Jurchen children watching to burst into laughter.
One hundred bowls of free potato noodles were quickly distributed, but people's enthusiasm did not diminish at all.
"Shopkeeper! Give me another bowl! I'll pay!" A burly man, still enjoying his meal, pulled out a handful of copper coins from his pocket and slammed them on the table.
Shopkeeper Zhou smiled and loudly quoted a price: "Sir, we offer three kinds of potato noodles."
Pure soup noodles, ten coins a bowl.
With minced meat, it's fifteen coins.
If you add our secret-recipe braised pork, it's twenty coins a bowl!
This price is undeniably expensive.
But at this moment, no one thinks it's expensive.
That unparalleled deliciousness had completely conquered their taste buds.
"Give me a bowl with extra meat!"
"I want beef! Give me two bowls!"
The kitchen staff were extremely busy, making pot after pot of potato noodles.
Bai Lu stood outside the crowd, calmly observing.
She saw that those who hadn't received the free followers and were reluctant to spend money yet had an intense longing in their eyes.
After tasting the food, the wealthiest leaders in the tribe began to whisper to Manager Zhou about joining the franchise.
Agula, the tribal chief who was the first to plant potatoes, excitedly told his people, "See! The potatoes we grow can become such a valuable thing!"
"Next year, plant potatoes on all the land in our tribe!"
Gu Liang walked to Bai Lu's side, looked at the incredible scene before him, and exclaimed sincerely, "You succeeded."
By the time the last bowl of potato noodles was sold, night had completely fallen.
Manager Zhou led his employees to count the day's earnings. The several large boxes filled with copper coins made everyone involved gasp for breath and their eyes light up.
White Dew did not stay there.
With her tired but content daughters and Gu Liang, she returned to the largest and warmest tent in the tribe that Wanyan Zongbi had prepared for them.
In the center of the tent, a brazier was burning brightly, warming the entire space.
Bai Lu didn't ask anyone for help; she rolled up her sleeves herself and walked to a small stove that had been prepared beforehand.
A small pot sits on the stove, containing the finest beef bone broth that has been specially reserved.
Bai Lu skillfully started a fire and boiled water, then personally put the last batch of potato noodles into the pot.
Watching the glistening rice noodles tumble and unfurl in the boiling water, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Mommy, it smells so good!" The youngest, July, came over and sniffed the fragrance in the air like a kitten, her mouth practically watering.
"You glutton," Bai Lu said with a smile, gently pinching her little nose. "You've been a little fairy all day, aren't you tired?"
"Not tired!" July puffed out her little chest. "Lots of people are looking at us, and they all say we're pretty! It's just that my butt hurts a little from sitting so much."
"Hahaha..." Gu Liang's cheerful laughter rang out from inside the tent.
He was sitting to the side, carefully peeling a frozen pear with a knife, preparing it as a dessert for the children.
He looked at the eight figures—one large and seven small—before the fire, the sharpness and vigor in his eyes long gone, replaced by a gentle tenderness.
The eldest sister, being very sensible, helped her mother set out the dishes in January.
February, meanwhile, was holding her little notebook, calculating with great seriousness: "A bowl of braised pork noodles costs twenty coins, and we probably sold... um... a lot of bowls today!"
"Mother, have we struck it rich?"
“Yes,” Bailu replied with a smile, “we’ve struck it rich.”
"From now on, you can be Mother's little accountant in February, okay?"
“Okay!” February immediately straightened her back, looking very responsible.
Soon, eight steaming bowls of potato noodles were served.
Unlike what's sold in stores, these bowls don't have too many spices or chili peppers. The soup is clear and bright, with only a few bright green scallions and a few slices of braised meat that Bai Lu cut herself.
"It's time to eat!"
The children cheered and each picked up their own little bowl.
"Eat slowly, be careful it's hot," Bai Lu gently reminded him, picking up a piece of meat for one person and blowing on the soup for another.
Gu Liang also picked up his bowl. He didn't rush to eat, but just quietly looked at the scene in front of him.
Seven girls sat around a long table, chattering away.
In March, they praised the braised pork as being even better than the one they had at noon. In April, they discussed whether to change into a prettier outfit tomorrow. In May and June, they whispered and imitated the way a Jurchen man they had seen eating noodles that day, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Bai Lu sat between them, sometimes responding to her daughters' words, sometimes wiping the grease from their mouths, her face showing an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and peace.
At this moment, she was not the strategist and mastermind, the Marquis of Anguo.
She was not the White Snake who impressed the Jurchen king.
She is just a mother.
A happy mother surrounded by her children.
"Do you remember?" Gu Liang suddenly asked softly, "Back then in Qingzhou, they were only this tall."
He gestured with his hand, "In the blink of an eye, she's grown into a young woman."
Bai Lu followed his gaze, her eyes also filled with memories. "I remember, back then July was still in swaddling clothes. She would cry her heart out whenever she was hungry, and only your holding her would calm her down."
Gu Liang smiled, picked up a mouthful of noodles with his chopsticks, and put it in his mouth.
That familiar, chewy and smooth texture, along with the light yet rich broth, slid down my throat, warming my whole body.
This flavor isn't as strong and overpowering as the ones sold in stores, but it has an indescribable, homey taste.
He said softly, "Now, they've all become our seven fairy maidens."
“Yes,” Bai Lu said, looking at her daughters’ bright and cheerful faces, “they’ve all grown up.”
Recently, Seven Fairy Potato Noodles has become incredibly popular.
Long queues form outside the restaurants every day.
"Another big bowl, please! And the spiciest one!"
"This stuff is even more satisfying than our strong liquor!" A Jurchen man with a full beard ate a bowl of steaming hot potato noodles, sweating profusely, his big, round eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Yes, it's slippery and filling, and it warms you up all over after eating it!" a companion next to me shouted in agreement.
The seven adorable little girls were placed by Bailu in a specially partitioned greenhouse in the backyard of the restaurant.
Bai Yiyue was responsible for supervising the preparation of the soup base to ensure that the taste was exactly as described.
Bai Eryue carefully divided the chopped scallions and cilantro into small dishes.
In March and April, he worked quickly on his abacus while looking at the daily accounts.
In May, she looked in the small bronze mirror, pondering how to smile in a way that would entice the occasional Jurchen women and children passing by to come in and try her...
In June, I will still be the chief taster, ensuring that every batch of noodles maintains the highest standard!
I even got into a fight with several other women for this job!
In July, she calmly observed the flow of customers in the lobby and the staff's responses through the cracks in the window.
Although July is young, she is very calculating.
She understood her mother's intention: to open a business on Jurchen territory was a well-thought-out move.
This is not just about making money, but also about infiltration.
Food is the gentlest yet most effective weapon to break down barriers.
She wanted to make these future threats get used to the taste of the Great Zhou Dynasty, starting with their palates.
Seeing that the business was on track, the Jurchen people had made it a daily routine to go to the Seven Fairies' house for a bowl of noodles, so Bailu decided to take her daughters back to Pingzhou first.
The subsequent management will be taken over by the managers she has trained.
"Mother, are we really not coming?" Bai Sanyue clung to the carriage window, looking back at the Jurchen tribe's chimneys where smoke was rising from the chimneys, her little face full of regret. "I haven't had enough yet! Those Jurchens are so generous with their money!"
“Yes, Mother, they don’t bargain.” Bai Siyue nodded vigorously from the side, and the two little girls looked at each other.