Chapter 492: 492: She Figured Out How to Cook Bean Sprouts

So the matter proceeded as Qiao Xiaomai had imagined. She went to find Tong Sanlang and let him inquire about Tingfeng Pavilion.

However, at this stage, she had a new idea.

Her relationship with Tong Sanlang was quite cold right now, like a man who would not marry a woman who refuses to be his wife. Nonetheless, she would have to offer him a reward for her errands.

She took out the recipe for maltose, which was to be Tong Sanlang’s reward for finding Tingfeng Pavilion.

Another recipe.

Qiao Xiaomai’s family had built its fortune on these recipes.

The Zhang family, who originally had a deep misunderstanding of Qiao Xiaomai, accepted the recipe willingly when they realized they could not use this matter to facilitate a marriage between Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang.

Common people don’t typically make maltose. It is sold in town and is cheaper than cane sugar.

In the past, peddlers brought a variety of small household items to sell in the village, and maltose was always a must-have. Families that adored their children were willing to spend a few coins on it.

Although the profit may be small, it is certainly better than nothing.

Zhang family eagerly announced, “We will start preparing today and sell sugar along with the vinegar.”

“Okay.” Tong Tiehu agreed, “In the future, my eldest son will handle the vinegar, my second son the sugar, and all profit will go into the public coffer.”

Hearing this, Li Rou asked, “Grandfather, do you mean this recipe is only for Er’lang and his wife to learn?”

Hearing this, Zhu Hongyun quickly said, “If you let me and Er’lang learn how to make vinegar, then you and big brother can learn how to make maltose.”

Li Rou only smiled, her eyes on Tong Tiehu.

Tong Tiehu nodded, “Per Er’lang’s wife’s suggestion, the maltose recipe will be learned by Er’lang and his wife.”

Hearing this, the smile on LiRou’s face disappeared.

Tong Tiehu continued, “This is a preparation for future divestment. It’s good for everyone to master some kind of craft. As for now, the profit will still go to the public coffer, which benefits everyone.”

When the profit goes to the public coffer, it will be distributed to everyone equally when the family splits up.

No one refuted this proposal.

Zhu Hongyun and Tong Erlang, following Qiao Xiaomai’s recipe, hurriedly began preparations.

Members of the Zhang family also followed out of curiosity.

Making maltose wasn’t complex. First, select some full grains of wheat and rinse them with water, then let the wheat germinate, like one would do with bean sprouts.

“Oh?” The Zhang family, seeing Tong Erlang and Zhu Hongyun busying themselves, suddenly had an idea, “The wheat germinates after being soaked in water — could Qiao Xiaomai’s bean sprouts be made in the same way?”

At this remark, the crowds who hadn’t dispersed yet fell into stunned silence.

Tong Sanlang “…”

The bean sprout method had unexpectedly been revealed?

He turned towards Tong Tiehu.

Tong Tiehu was also looking at him, sporting an exasperated expression.

Zhu Hongyun reacted, slapping her thigh excitedly, “It must be exactly like this!”

“Erlang, go grab some beans!” she ordered.

Tong Erlang rushed into the house and promptly came out with half a bag of soybeans, wearing a smile on his face, “Qiao Xiaomai is really naive! She never would’ve guessed that we’d figure out how to make bean sprouts!”

In the past, Tong Tiehu always scolded him for being lazy.

But now, it seemed Qiao Xiaomai wasn’t very clever either.

“Qiao Xiaomai sells bean sprouts in the village for two catty per coin, and it’s one catty per coin in town. Oh, with two new recipes now, our family will surely prosper!” Zhu Hongyun said excitedly.

Qiao Xiaomai made bean sprouts intermittently when she had time. With so many people in Anping Village, just selling bean sprouts every day could bring in dozens of copper coins, right?

If they were transported and sold in town, it could be over a hundred copper coins a day.

If you add it to the profits from maltose and the vinegar shop, the three small businesses combined could match the profit of the previous vinegar shop in town.