Lu Yuan scooted inward, and Su Liyan sat down beside him on the edge of the kang.

Thankfully, the village kangs were large.

Otherwise, with the three Su Family men and their three sons-in-law, Lu Yuan included, there would hardly have been enough room.

"Chang Yu’s cooking is pretty good."

Lu Yuan commented with a raised eyebrow as he ate a piece of food his wife had put in his bowl.

But Chang Yu’s father, Second Uncle, just chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

"Lu Yuan, you’re too kind. Chang Yu still has a lot to learn. His cooking is far from perfect."

And that was true enough.

Lu Yuan had eaten at his fair share of restaurants in the city.

Never mind the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Even the cooks at his own home, all hired by Aunt Zhao, were famous in their own right.

Compared to professionals like them, Chang Yu’s cooking was definitely lacking.

But Lu Yuan’s praise was just a stepping stone for what he wanted to discuss next.

Lu Yuan then took a sip of the wine his wife had poured for him, raised an eyebrow, and asked:

"How much does Chang Yu make a month as a kitchen helper in town?"

Second Uncle paused for a moment, then answered:

"One and a half maces of silver a month. It’s not much, but his meals and lodging are covered, so that’s all clear profit."

Lu Yuan nodded.

"After the New Year celebration, there’s no need for Chang Yu to go back. Have him come to the city.

We opened a factory there, and the cafeteria is short-staffed. Let Chang Yu come be our head chef.

I’ll pay him eight maces of silver a month, plus room and board."

’Truth be told, since we’re family, I could even afford to pay him eight taels.’

’But if I offer too much, it’ll seem like charity, which wouldn’t be right.’

’Besides, if I gave him that much money, I’m afraid he might get lazy and not work hard.’

’Eight maces a month is about right.’

’If he does a good job, I can always give him a raise later.’

Lu Yuan’s words made everyone in the east room look at each other, completely stunned.

Huh??

They didn’t understand what a "factory" was, nor a "cafeteria."

But a chef earning eight maces a month? What kind of grand restaurant would pay that much?

Startled, Second Uncle hurried to say:

"No, no, that won’t do. With Chang Yu’s current skill, he’d have trouble even running his own small stall.

If he went to a big restaurant, wouldn’t he run your business into the ground in a matter of days?"

Second Uncle knew his son’s abilities perfectly well.

His cooking was only good enough to pass muster with his family.

But if he were to cook for paying customers—people used to fine dining—they have discerning palates.

At his level, he’d bankrupt Lu Yuan’s new restaurant in a few days.

Lu Yuan just grinned and said:

"Don’t worry, it’s just cooking in bulk. The people eating there won’t be picky.

He just needs to go, work hard, and use it as a chance to improve his cooking."

’My factory provides free lunch. Who’s going to complain about free food?’

Before Second Uncle could reply, Lu Yuan looked at him again and continued:

"And after the New Year, Second Uncle, you should come to the city, too.

I’ll set you up with a restaurant. It’s a surefire way to make a fortune."

Snapping back to his senses, Second Uncle grew flustered and waved his hands again.

"That... that’s even more impossible...

I only know how to cook in bulk. My skills are nowhere near good enough to open a restaurant."

Lu Yuan took a sip of his wine and grinned.

"The food doesn’t have to be that delicious.

At the place I’m thinking of, as long as your food doesn’t make anyone sick...

...you’ll be making money hand over fist!"

Lu Yuan’s words once again left everyone in the room staring at each other in disbelief.

Huh??

’What kind of place is he talking about?’

’He makes it sound like you can just scoop up money off the streets.’

’If a place like that really existed, wouldn’t better chefs have gone there already?’

’Once customers start comparing...’

’...wouldn’t we be ruined?’