The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 446 Marketing Master
Tong Huaqiong asked in surprise, "Inspired by me?"

Master Wen smiled and said, "Yes, when Peach Blossom Dessert opened, you put up a big sign saying it was the same pastry that Prefect Yao loved. That pastry has since become our shop's signature dish. I thought maybe I could use that idea too. Our bakers each have their own skills, and at this time they'll definitely all show off their best techniques. I thought that instead of figuring out new pastry recipes, I should think about how to make the pastries sell better. That's when I thought of the sign on opening day."

It must be said that Master Wen has learned exceptionally well, even surpassing his teacher.

Tong Huaqiong said with a smile, "So you went to Wanliu Academy to find Jingzhe, and then found Miss Lu to do a joint event?"

Gu Jingzhe's title of top scholar is acceptable, since it's his own business, so he will definitely agree and even help with the writing of the copy.

The title of "Young Master Lu" requires authorization from the Lu family.

Master Wen nodded and said, "It's all thanks to the Third Young Master's support and for helping me write the plaque. I also want to thank Miss Lu. I originally said that I could get a discount of a few coins when I bought rouge or soap with the receipt for the hibiscus cake, but Miss Lu offered to give it to me directly, saying that if her brother really became the top scholar, it would be a happy occasion and she would have to give out money to celebrate."

"Moreover, boss, I've calculated it. I made two hundred hibiscus cakes. If the young master of the Lu family becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, he can get a 20% discount on pastries when he buys them based on his record of purchasing hibiscus cakes. We'll still make a profit. Even if it's just to win this time, I can't possibly harm the overall interests of the store."

Master Wen explained the costs and profits to Tong Huaqiong.

That's great, she's already aware of cost control.

"And Su Pingting's butterfly cookies."

"I've already spoken to Miss Su about using her name to give her a commission. The customers who buy Miss Su's butterfly cookies are mostly young gentlemen, so we price them slightly higher. Even if we only give Miss Su 30% of each pastry, we'll still make a profit. Miss Su is very willing for us to use her name to name our pastries. She says that relying on one's looks to please others can't last, and we should make money while we can."

If Master Wen hadn't mentioned Su Pinting, Tong Huaqiong would have forgotten that Master Wen had even targeted Tianxianglou.

Tianxianglou was a legal establishment during this era, but most people didn't want to be associated with it.

Master Wen's ability to come up with the idea of ​​collaborating with the top courtesans of Tianxianglou to make money from young masters shows that she is flexible and unconventional in her business dealings.

This is exactly the same method Tong Huaqiong used when she was in Yanguan Town, targeting the girls at Tianxianglou to celebrate their birthdays in order to open up the birthday cake market.

This further illustrates that Chef Wen's skills extend beyond the bakery; he is also a potential marketing master.

She just wanted to cultivate her own talent and then distribute them to various businesses.

I saw hope in Master Wen.

Tong Huaqiong looked at Master Wen with a gratified expression, then turned to Manager Sun.

In her mind, Master Wen was the best candidate to be the head of the bakery, but she also had to put on a show of respect for the shop owner.

Manager Sun nodded repeatedly, this time expressing his sincere admiration for Master Wen.

Manager Sun took the initiative to speak, "Master, Master Wen really won this competition. I admire him. From tomorrow onwards, the bakery will be entrusted to Master Wen."

With a solemn expression, Master Wen assured Tong Huaqiong and Manager Sun that he would live up to their expectations.

Some of the bakers were convinced of their defeat, some were convinced but not convinced, and some were convinced in both words and deeds.

But none of this matters.

In the end, Chef Wen won, and since she won, everyone had to accept that she, a woman, would become the head of the bakery.

Master Wen stood at the entrance of the baking room and took a deep breath.

This was her first time working as the head of the bakery.

She needs to stay calm.

Master Wen's eyes were resolute.

She knew that some people inside still didn't respect her. The employer said she had been selected through a fair and impartial competition, and she was fully qualified to be the head of the bakery.

Then she deserves it.

Looking at the busy figures in the baking room, apart from her standing outside, they were all male bakers.

Master Wen had a bold idea: she could hire some young women to be pastry chefs.

Lu Zhaozhao's rouge shop is almost entirely staffed with female employees, and the peach blossom dessert shop also has female employees, so why can't the bakery?

Many poor girls around the prefectural city had to work as slaves or maids in wealthy households to make a living.

Is it that they are unwilling to learn a skill?

Are they simply not suited to learning a trade?

No, the real reason is that some shops are unwilling to hire female apprentices, let alone let young women work in their shops.

She had worked in other pastry shops for many years and had excellent skills, but the owners always made her do the work of sifting flour, and she couldn't even get into the baking room.

If it weren't for Tong Huaqiong, the owner of Peach Blossom Desserts, who was unconventional in letting her work in the bakery making pastries, she wouldn't be where she is today.

If those poor girls could learn a skill at Peach Blossom Dessert Bakery, they would surely be grateful and work even harder.

As she pondered this, Chef Wen steadily walked into the baking room. First, she imitated the owner by holding a meeting with everyone, and then she planned to establish a reward and punishment system. She no longer cared who opposed her or who supported her.

After a day of managing the household, Master Wen gained confidence.

"how is today?"

After closing time, Tong Huaqiong approached Master Wen, who was still pondering the reward and punishment system, and asked him a question.

Master Wen said with a smile, "It's not as difficult as I imagined."

Tong Huaqiong gave Master Wen an approving look and said, "Some things are not difficult once you start doing them."

Things are done by people, and Master Song can do them just as well as Master Wen.

Master Wen thought for a moment and said to Tong Huaqiong, "Boss, I have an idea."

Master Wen then explained his plan to recruit some girls from poor families to work as apprentices in the bakery.

Tong Huaqiong immediately understood what Master Wen meant. Now, Manager Sun was the head of the shop in Fucheng, and he might not agree to recruit female apprentices. Master Wen hoped that Tong Huaqiong would give her support.

Tong Huaqiong, however, would not do that. She said, "Master Wen, your idea is very good. I support your idea, but I will not force Manager Sun to agree. After all, this shop is handed over to Manager Sun, and as the owner, I cannot ignore Manager Sun's thoughts. You are now the head of the baking room, and you need to be able to persuade Manager Sun to do things according to your ideas. This is just a matter of recruiting female apprentices. In the future, you will need Manager Sun's support for many things, and you must learn how to get along with Manager Sun."

Master Wen thought for a moment and understood. She put away her smile and said to Tong Huaqiong, "Boss, I understand. I will not overstep my bounds in the future. Sometimes I will definitely discuss it with Manager Sun first."

Tong Huaqiong said, "It's good that you understand."

No shopkeeper wants his subordinates to overstep their bounds, and Manager Sun was no exception.

If everyone bypasses him when looking for a job, where will his authority be?

Master Wen was a new manager and didn't know anything. If she didn't know something, she could be taught.

Fortunately, she understood immediately after Tong Huaqiong gave her a little pointer.