After tasting the eight-treasure pickled vegetables, Jiang Tao's parents no longer felt the initial worries and became full of confidence.
These delicious eight-treasure pickled vegetables were sure to sell well!
"Son, how much should we price our eight-treasure pickled vegetables?" Jiang Wen asked.
Instinctively, Jiang Tao felt that the price of their homemade pickled vegetables couldn't be measured by the standards of ordinary pickled vegetables on the market. Although they were both called eight-treasure pickled vegetables, the taste was worlds apart!
Jiang Tao teased with a smile, "Mom, Dad, have you ever heard of the six-hundred-year-old shop, Liubiju, near Qianmen?"
"Nope," Jiang Wen replied bluntly. He had never paid attention to such things.
"Liubiju? Isn't that a place that sells pickled vegetables?" his mother, Tian Xiaomei, asked. She had vaguely heard of the brand.
Jiang Tao smiled, "Exactly. I heard that the bulk eight-treasure pickled vegetables at Liubiju's century-old shop sell for 90 yuan per jin (500 grams)."
"What?! 90 yuan per jin? That's several times more expensive than beef!" Jiang Wen's eyes widened at the price his son mentioned. It was beyond his imagination.
"Goodness, can pickled vegetables really sell for that much? Will anyone buy them?" Tian Xiaomei was equally stunned, worried about the sales.
"Haha, you two are underestimating the spending power of people in the capital," Jiang Tao laughed. "As long as the taste is good, 90 yuan per jin will still sell like hotcakes. It sounds expensive at first, but a jin can last for several days, so it's not that bad when you break it down."
He continued with a smile, "Later, I'll swing by Liubiju to buy some for us to try and compare with our pickled vegetables. If our eight-treasure pickled vegetables taste as good as theirs, we'll price them the same. If they're not quite as good, we'll lower the price a bit."
"Alright! Whatever you say, we'll do!" Jiang Wen said, completely relinquishing his authority as the head of the household. He was ready to follow his son's lead.
Jiang Tao said, "Then let's start by emptying the pickled vegetables from the jar and get ready to make a new batch!"
"Let's do it!" Jiang Wen was brimming with enthusiasm, full of confidence in their future business.
As they worked on the ingredients, Tian Xiaomei suggested, "Son, I think we should prepare more ingredients at once. That way, when we take the pickled vegetables out of the jar, we can immediately start pickling a new batch without any delay. It'll save us a lot of time over the course of a month."
"Great idea, Mom! That's a solid plan. You're so smart!" Jiang Tao had already thought of this, but he gave the credit to his mother. Not only do kids need praise, but parents do too.
Hearing her son's compliments, Tian Xiaomei beamed with joy, her heart swelling with happiness.
The family of three chatted about the future while processing the ingredients. After finishing, they sprinkled salt on the ingredients to draw out the water.
Jiang Tao carefully taught his parents how to prepare the pickling broth and the precise proportions for the various seasonings. "The order and proportions of the ingredients must be followed exactly as I've taught you. No mistakes. Even a small error can affect the taste and quality. If we want to build our own brand, quality control is crucial. Every jin of our eight-treasure pickled vegetables has to taste the same. Inconsistent quality won't do."
As he guided his parents step-by-step in making the broth, Jiang Tao explained the importance of product quality and consistency.
After more than three hours of work, it was noon. They had finished processing all the ingredients and prepared double portions of the pickling broth. With the prep work done, Jiang Tao and his parents went downstairs to a small restaurant in the urban village to grab lunch.
Afterward, they split up to tackle their tasks. Jiang Tao went to consult a company registration agency about starting a business, while his parents continued purchasing and processing ingredients, preparing double portions to ensure seamless production.
---
At 1:19 p.m., Jiang Tao drove his Mercedes GLS into the courtyard of the Hongxing Second-Hand Furniture Wholesale Market. Having worked in the area for over six years, he was very familiar with the place. Besides second-hand furniture shops, there were also a few agency companies, including those handling business registrations.
Jiang Tao parked in front of a company called "Beijing Encheng Financial Consulting Co., Ltd." and walked inside.
"Hello, sir. How can I assist you?" A young man sitting near the entrance stood up politely to greet him.
"I'm looking for Jiang Jiaqi. Is she here?" Jiang Tao asked, scanning the office but not seeing the person he was looking for.
Jiang Jiaqi was a young woman from his village, a recent university graduate with a degree in business administration. She was distantly related to Jiang Tao through her father, though Jiang Tao, her "uncle," was only seven or eight years older than her.
When Jiang Jiaqi was jobless after graduation, her father asked Jiang Tao to keep an eye out for job opportunities in Beijing. By chance, Jiang Tao noticed that this company was hiring, with decent pay and benefits, so he recommended her. Encheng Financial Consulting handled accounting, tax reporting, financial consulting, loan reports, company registration, and other services, which aligned well with her major. She was hired smoothly and had settled into her role as a junior professional in Beijing.
When she received her first paycheck, Jiang Jiaqi invited Jiang Tao to dinner to thank him, though he, being the older relative, ended up paying the bill. He didn't feel right letting a young woman who had just started her career treat him.
"You're looking for Jiang Jiaqi? She quit before the New Year and didn't come back after the holidays," the young man said candidly. "Do you have any business we can assist with? We can handle it for you."
"She quit?" Jiang Tao was surprised. "No worries, I was just stopping by to see her. Carry on."
Though he didn't know why Jiang Jiaqi had resigned, he figured it wasn't because she was thrilled with the job.
Back in his car, Jiang Tao pulled out his phone and dialed her number.
After a dozen seconds of ringing, a cheerful female voice answered, "Uncle Tao! Long time no see! What made you call me?"
"Jiaqi, I stopped by your company today to talk about some business, but they said you quit," Jiang Tao replied.
"Yeah, I quit after my last month before the New Year," she confirmed.
"Why'd you quit? Weren't things going well?"
"It's a long story, Uncle Tao. Let's just say I wasn't happy there. If one place doesn't work out, I'll find somewhere else. I refuse to believe I can't find a job in a city as big as Beijing!"
"You haven't found a new job yet?" Jiang Tao asked, a new idea sparking in his mind.
He was planning to start a company, and he'd need more help in the future. Once the shop was renovated and opened, his parents alone wouldn't be able to handle everything. As for himself, he had no intention of tying himself to the shop selling pickled vegetables. That would mean giving up the freedom to roam and make use of his daily intelligence system. The best plan was to let his parents manage the shop while he continued his ventures. To make that work, he'd need to hire a few helpers for them.
Jiang Tao had brought his parents to Beijing to enjoy a better life, not to work themselves to the bone. Having a business and some work was fine, but it shouldn't be too exhausting.
While his thoughts raced, Jiang Jiaqi laughed over the phone, "Uncle Tao, I took a break for about a month after the New Year. I'm back in Beijing now and looking for work again. If I ever go broke and can't afford food, I'll come to you for a meal!"
"Haha, anytime! You're welcome to come over for dinner. Your aunt and grandparents are here too. We'll treat you well," Jiang Tao said warmly.
"I heard from my dad that you're the talk of Jiangjiazhuang now, Uncle Tao. Everyone says you've made it big in Beijing, with a fortune worth over a hundred million!" Jiang Jiaqi teased.
"Haha, those old folks at the village gossip station are blowing things out of proportion. A hundred million? I wish!" Jiang Tao laughed, shaking his head at the exaggerated rumors.
"By the way, Jiaqi, I'm planning to register a company and a trademark for our eight-treasure pickled vegetables. You're familiar with the process, right?" Jiang Tao shifted to business.
"Yep, it's pretty straightforward. You just need to…" Jiang Jiaqi launched into a detailed explanation, but Jiang Tao barely registered it.
"Jiaqi, since you're looking for a job, how about joining my company? I won't shortchange you," he said, extending an offer.
"Your company?" Jiang Jiaqi sounded surprised and hesitant. She didn't even know what kind of company he was starting or what business it would do.
"Let's meet up and talk. Where are you? I'll drive over," Jiang Tao suggested.
"I'm at Wanxiang Mall. I just finished an interview. There's a KFC nearby—how about I wait for you there?"
"Sounds good. I'll be there in about ten minutes."
"Great, see you soon!"
After hanging up, Jiang Tao started the car and headed toward Wanxiang Mall. He'd been there often recently and knew the way without needing navigation.
Ten minutes later, he arrived, parked in a nearby lot, and walked to the KFC. Scanning the restaurant, he quickly spotted Jiang Jiaqi licking an ice cream cone. Her long hair framed a pair of frameless crystal glasses, giving her a quiet, studious look. Despite the early spring chill outside, the warm KFC allowed her to wear just a black cotton short-sleeve shirt, her jacket draped over a chair.
"Uncle Tao! Over here!" Jiang Jiaqi waved excitedly as she spotted him.
"You young folks are bold, wearing short sleeves right after the New Year," Jiang Tao teased as he sat across from her.
"Hehe, I just throw on a down jacket outside—it's not cold, and it makes me look slimmer!" Jiang Jiaqi grinned, sizing him up. "Uncle Tao, you seem… different somehow. Like, your vibe has totally changed. You're still you, but it's like you're a new person!"
"Haha, what's so different? Your uncle's still your uncle. Order whatever you want—I'm treating today," Jiang Tao said, pulling out his phone to open the KFC app on WeChat and handing it to her.
"Uncle Tao, how could I let you do that?" she said playfully.
"Don't be shy with me. Order, or you'll miss your chance!" he said, pretending to take the phone back.
"Hehe, alright, I won't hold back then!" Jiang Jiaqi giggled, taking the phone and scrolling through the menu. She ordered a 39-yuan double combo and handed the phone back. "All set, Uncle Tao."
Jiang Tao glanced at the order and laughed. "Jiaqi, this is you not holding back? That's barely enough for two kids, let alone us!" He added a crispy whole chicken, chicken nuggets, skewers, egg tarts, wings, and more, bringing the total to around 300 yuan. With his current financial status, he could eat at KFC without a second thought about the cost.
"That's too much, Uncle Tao! We can't eat all that!" Jiang Jiaqi protested as he kept adding items.
"We'll take leftovers home for dinner. It's rare I treat you to KFC, so we've got to fill you up," Jiang Tao said, finalizing the order and paying.
While waiting for the food, he asked, "How's the job hunt going?"
"It's brutal, Uncle Tao. Beijing's even tougher this year than last! I interviewed at a few companies this morning, and the highest internship salary was only 3,500 yuan. In Beijing! After rent, food, phone bills, and transport, plus doing the dirtiest, most exhausting work, there's barely anything left," Jiang Jiaqi vented.
"Haha, why not work with me then? I'm starting a food company. For now, it's just my parents and me, but if you join, you'd be part of the team. I think the market prospects are solid, and if things go well, we'll hire more workers and salespeople," Jiang Tao said, extending the offer again.
"A food company? What kind?" Jiang Jiaqi asked curiously.
"Eight-treasure pickled vegetables with a secret recipe. That's our main product for now," Jiang Tao replied.
"Eight-treasure pickled vegetables?" Jiang Jiaqi was surprised. She'd never heard of a company focusing solely on that.
"Yep, just that for now. As for salary…" Jiang Tao paused, then continued before she could ask. "Since we're family, I won't bother with internships. I'll start you at 6,000 yuan a month, plus performance bonuses based on the company's revenue. I'll also cover lunch and give you a 500-yuan rent subsidy."
"6,000? Lunch included and a rent subsidy?!" Jiang Jiaqi's eyes lit up with surprise and delight. For someone with only a junior college degree and no special skills or experience, 6,000 yuan was a high salary, not to mention the bonuses and benefits. Joining a new company also meant she'd be a founding member, with potential for raises as the business grew.
Seeing her excited expression, Jiang Tao teased, "Is that too high or too low?"
"High, definitely high!" Jiang Jiaqi exclaimed. "Uncle Tao, I've interviewed at a dozen companies in the past few days, and your offer is the best! Plus, working with you feels reliable!"
She was thrilled at the opportunity. A high salary, working with someone familiar from her village—it was a no-brainer.
"Alright, it's settled. You're officially a founding member of the company. Consider today your first day, and I'll count it as a full day's work. Your first task is to handle the company registration and trademark for the pickled vegetables. Once the paperwork's done, we'll formalize your employment and set up social security and benefits," Jiang Tao said.
"Got it, Uncle Tao! I'll need your ID, and you should come up with a few company names…" Jiang Jiaqi rattled off the requirements, and Jiang Tao nodded along.
They chatted for about ten minutes until their order arrived, filling two trays with food. They ate and discussed the company's details for over an hour before leaving KFC. Jiang Jiaqi packed up the leftover nuggets and tarts, determined not to waste anything.
At the parking lot, Jiang Tao unlocked his Mercedes. "Uncle Tao, this is your Benz? My dad said it cost over a million yuan!" Jiang Jiaqi said, her eyes gleaming with admiration.
Jiang Tao was the first in their village to own a million-yuan luxury car, a fact that had spread like wildfire through the village gossip network. Jiang Jiaqi had heard about it during her month back home for the New Year, but seeing the car in person sparked a mix of excitement and awe. It was her first time riding in a BBA-level luxury car.
They drove toward Baigezhuang New Village. Initially, Jiang Tao had planned to rent a stall at the market as a workspace, but Jiang Jiaqi suggested otherwise. They headed to an industrial park near Baigezhuang instead.
With money paving the way, anything was possible. Jiang Tao had hundreds of thousands in available funds, bolstered by the confidence from his daily intelligence system. As Jiang Jiaqi had noted, he was still Jiang Tao, but no longer the same Jiang Tao. He was calmer, more generous, and far more confident, no longer hesitating over decisions or worrying about debts from a failed investment. He was 100% certain this pickled vegetable venture would succeed.
With a winning hand, how could he lose?
Accompanied by a Ms. Liu from the park's business department, Jiang Tao and Jiang Jiaqi toured the area and settled on leasing a 300-square-meter micro-factory. It had two production workshops, an office, and a 100-square-meter courtyard. The rent was 100,000 yuan per year, with a 30,000-yuan deposit, paid annually. The factory was already equipped with water, electricity, and a hardened, painted floor, needing only a quick cleanup and some equipment to start operations.
Jiang Tao didn't choose a small factory just to save money. The eight-treasure pickled vegetables relied on his [Delicious Pickle Jar], and since he only had one, production capacity was limited. A larger factory wasn't necessary.
Producing the pickled vegetables in a factory offered better hygiene and more space, making operations smoother. Food safety was critical, and while Jiang Tao and his parents had done their best to keep things clean in their rental apartment, it still felt like a small, makeshift workshop. The factory's clean, modern workspace was far superior. Plus, registering a company required an office address, and the factory solved that issue too.
The 100,000-yuan rent was well worth it.
Jiang Jiaqi, witnessing Jiang Tao lease the factory without batting an eye, gained a deeper appreciation of his financial strength—especially considering his million-yuan Mercedes. She felt confident that working with him offered both a promising future and good money.
"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Jiang, if you need anything, feel free to find me at the park's management office," Ms. Liu said as she left.
"Thank you, Ms. Liu," Jiang Tao replied with a smile.
Now alone in the factory, Jiang Tao looked at the spacious, bright space and said confidently, "This is where our business will take off. In the future, our brand will be renowned throughout Beijing."
"Absolutely!" Jiang Jiaqi agreed, not sure where his confidence came from but happy to go along with her boss's enthusiasm.