All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

Seeing that the main event had begun, Han Chunming smiled and said.

"Brother, I've already discussed it with Xiao Qiao. We'll rent a place near the alley entrance by Qianmen Gate to sell nourishing soups. I've already found a spot, but we're still short of money!"

As soon as Han Chunming said this, his older brothers and sisters all took a liking to him. His eldest sister couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up first.

"Wu Zi, it's not that I don't support you opening a shop, but you need to think it through before making a decision. You are a college graduate, after all. Why would you give up a good job in a government agency to become a self-employed individual? If word gets out, how many neighbors will talk about it!"

Han Chunming replied with a smile.

"Big sister, don't you know my personality? I really can't do office work. My butt is uncomfortable just sitting there. I prefer to do something more flexible."

Han Chunming was determined to become a self-employed individual, and his second brother finally couldn't help but say casually.

"Little Five, your second brother here has only just started dating, and I'm practically penniless. I don't object to your opening a shop, but I can't support it either!"

Han Lao Si's words immediately resonated with others, and Han Lao Da followed suit.

"Xiao Wu, your elder brother's family isn't doing too well lately either. The old man just had a serious illness, and there are still many places where money is needed. See if you can postpone your shop opening."

Once Han the eldest spoke up, his eldest sister was also about to complain, while Han Chunming's second sister just smiled at him, her attitude unclear!

Seeing that his elder sister was about to complain, Han Chunming quickly interrupted her and then addressed the crowd.

"Dear brothers and sisters, it's like this, I am indeed a little short of money. I'm confident that I can make this business a success. I plan to need about four thousand yuan for this business, with the main expense being rent."

I've reached an agreement with the landlord to sign a three-year contract. I paid the first year's rent upfront, which is 180 yuan per month. I also plan to renovate the place, buy some kitchenware and ingredients for making soup, etc.

Before Han Chunming could finish speaking, his older sister interrupted him, asking in surprise.

"Xiao Wu, how can opening a shop cost so much money? You're not lying to me, are you? Xiao Wu, you need to think this through carefully!"

Han Chunming shook his head helplessly and continued.

"Don't worry, ma'am, everything is under contract. There's a lot of foot traffic around Qianmen, so it's normal for the rent to be a bit higher. Besides, the shop is over 50 square meters, which is quite big!"

Han Chunming's words did not dispel everyone's doubts. Several older siblings began to ask all sorts of questions about the details, and in short, they all agreed that the amount of money was too much.

At the dinner table, Han's mother looked at the children calmly. Meng Xiaoxing had no say and could only eat with her head down. Qi Siqiao also didn't know how to speak. Occasionally, she would exchange a glance with Han Chunming. The couple understood each other and shook their heads helplessly.

Seeing that no one could eat anymore, Han Chunming waved his hand to stop the discussion and then spoke.

"Brother and sister, please let me finish what I have to say first!"

Everyone stopped their discussion and looked at Han Chunming.

Han Chunming cleared his throat and continued.

"Here's the thing, I won't borrow all four thousand yuan from you. Xiao Qiao and I also have some savings, about two thousand yuan. So I've decided to divide the four thousand yuan into ten shares, each share being four hundred yuan."

I now own five shares. I also found a partner named Taozi, whom you have met. He has also resigned and is preparing to work with me. He bought two shares, which means we still need the money for three more shares.

Dear brothers and sisters, you can discuss this and see who can contribute 400 yuan to buy one share of my shop, or you can pool your money to buy one share. But I want to clarify first that if you buy shop shares, this money will be considered an investment, not a loan!

Han Chunming's words left his older siblings speechless. They looked at each other, and no one spoke.

Four hundred yuan was not a small sum for a working-class family in Beijing at that time, but they could definitely scrape together the money. Han Chunming did this on purpose, letting them choose for themselves.

He's confident that he can make money by opening his own nourishing soup shop with his own secret recipe.

If this doesn't happen, then in the future, once I've made money, my older brothers and sisters will definitely find all sorts of reasons to cause trouble, either by placing someone in their positions or by asking to borrow money.

Now, I'm giving them a chance; let's see if they choose for themselves.

Taozi was the first to support his idea of ​​opening a nourishing soup shop. Although he didn't know if the shop would make money, he only had a little over three hundred yuan in his entire fortune, not even enough to buy a single share. Han Chunming took it upon himself to lend him five hundred yuan, which would be deducted from his share of the profits later.

Of course, only he and Taozi knew about this. Han Chunming's decision to set the price at four hundred yuan per share was also after careful consideration.

His older brothers and sisters all came from working-class families, mostly couples where both husband and wife were workers. Although they weren't wealthy, they could probably scrape together a few hundred yuan.

Now is the time to test family ties, especially since Han Chunming left three shares for his four older siblings, meaning they can easily pool their money to buy it.

However, four hundred yuan was a considerable expense in those days. Since they all had families to support, no one dared to make this decision. The older siblings looked at each other, none of them daring to take the lead.

This awkward situation lasted for a full minute before Han's mother, who had remained silent the entire time, finally spoke.

"Xiao Wu has made such a big decision to do this, so you older brothers and sisters should help him if you can. Besides, if Xiao Wu makes money, you'll all benefit too!"

Han's mother's words immediately made her older brothers and sisters look ashamed. As the eldest son of the family, Han sighed helplessly after hearing his mother's words.

"Mom, since Xiao Wu has already made up his mind, I, as the eldest brother, can't not support him. I'll try to raise the money. I'll contribute two hundred yuan to make up half the share, how about that?"

As soon as the eldest brother spoke, Sister Han quickly chimed in.

"Mom, I'll also contribute two hundred yuan. I still need to discuss this with my husband. Xiaoling is about to start junior high school, and the family's expenses are high. This is all I can contribute!"

Since the eldest brother and eldest sister had already spoken, only the second sister and second brother remained. The second sister looked at Han Chunming with a smile, and finally said with a hint of reproach.

"Xiao Wu, your second sister just got married. You know your brother-in-law is the kind of person who likes to fuss over these things. But your second sister has some savings hidden away. This time, I'll put up four hundred yuan to buy one of your shares. How about it?"

Han Chunming was somewhat surprised after hearing his second sister's words, and quickly nodded with a smile.

The fact that the second sister offered four hundred yuan displeased the second brother, who was the only one who hadn't spoken yet, and he immediately said something.

"Second sister, what do you mean by this? You know I just started dating, and she just asked for three big items (household appliances, wedding gifts, and children's gifts). I really can't just spend the little money I have saved up. Fifth brother, it's not that your second brother doesn't want to help you, but I really can't touch this money. You don't want your second brother to be a bachelor, do you?"

Han Chunming smiled and nodded.

"I understand what you're saying, Second Brother. Okay, thank you in advance, Brother and Sister!"

Everyone looked at Han Chunming with different expressions. Meng Xiaoxing, who was opposite him, wanted to say something several times, but in the end she didn't say anything.

She actually wanted to buy some shares, but she only had seven yuan and fifty cents on her, which she had saved up for a long time. She believed that her brother Wuzi would definitely be able to open a shop and make money, but unfortunately she didn't have the capital.

The meal was unappetizing for everyone. Afterwards, everyone hurriedly went home, and a few of them promised to bring the money to Han Chunming the next day.

That evening, Han's mother called Han Chunming to her room, took out a box from the drawer, and took out a money bag wrapped in cloth. A thick bundle of money was revealed inside, but it looked like most of it was small denominations. The only few large ten-yuan bills were crumpled. However, such a large roll should have been worth two or three hundred yuan.

Seeing this, Han Chunming guessed what was going on and quickly stepped forward to say something.

"Mom, I have enough money. You can keep this money for yourself!"

While taking money out of her pocket, Han's mother said...

"If you're going to open a shop, open it properly. Don't cut corners. The most important thing in business is integrity, understand?"

As she spoke, Han's mother stuffed all the money into his hand.

Han Chunming looked at the money in his hand, finally sighed, and accepted it anyway.

He naturally understood his mother's intentions. Well, now that he had accepted his mother's money, he would have a reason to bring money home in the future.

Han Chunming stepped forward, took his mother's hand, and said sincerely.

"Mom, don't worry, consider this money as your investment. I will definitely make the shop a success!"

Han's mother smiled and nodded, not taking it seriously.

Soon, Han Chunming's "Master Han's Secret Recipe Nourishing Soup Shop" was officially ready to open. Han Chunming chose this name because he had once run Master Zhang's Secret Recipe Casserole Noodle Shop in real life, and thinking about it, he felt quite nostalgic.

The shop has six tables, neither too big nor too small. It specializes in selling soup and does not sell staple foods. You can dine in or take out, but only within a two-kilometer radius.

The store offers about a dozen varieties of soups, ranging from nourishing yin and kidney to liver-protecting and health-preserving soups.

The most eye-catching thing is the price. The prices are clearly marked on the wall, ranging from one yuan to eighty-eight yuan for a bowl of soup, which would absolutely dazzle people of this era.

In the kitchen, there were three large earthenware pots for simmering soup, as well as a dozen or so small ceramic pots. The three large earthenware pots were emitting scalding hot steam.

In the kitchen, various aromas mingled together, and a peculiar smell permeated the kitchen, even drifting out the window and onto the street. The coal fire under the large earthenware pot burned brightly.

In 1982, selling nourishing soup was indeed a bit unusual. In addition, the price was a deterrent at first glance. Even Taozi was a little unsure of himself, hanging his head, looking like he wanted to say something but didn't dare to.

He only found out the prices on opening day. During that time, Han Chunming had been busy running around, and when Taozi saw the beautifully presented menu and the prices listed there, his heart sank.

The cheapest soup costs a dollar a bowl. In this day and age, if you just want to eat your fill at a restaurant, it only costs a dollar or two.

However, Han Chunming was full of confidence. He had studied cooking for so many years, and now all his insights were in this earthenware pot.

His earthenware pot soup wasn't the kind of earthenware pot soup from later generations. His earthenware pots were specially made, and they weren't the gimmicky large earthenware pots of later generations. His earthenware pots could probably hold thirty or forty catties of soup, but that wasn't the key point. The key point was the ingredients for making the soup.

His shop offers more than a dozen types of soup, but he plans to focus on three main types: a nourishing yin and beautifying soup, a kidney-strengthening and liver-protecting soup, and a stomach-nourishing soup. These three types of soup are respectively for women, men, and the elderly and children.

These three soups are also the cheapest and most affordable, costing only one yuan per bowl. As for other less common varieties, the prices are several times, or even dozens of times, higher, and they can only be made to order.

In order to create his own unique style, Han Chunming spent several months figuring out how to make these three soups.

To create something unique, besides good taste, it must also have therapeutic effects. To this end, Han Chunming carefully prepared an exclusive recipe, and the ingredients for the soup are absolutely genuine and effective.

Although this soup doesn't work as quickly as medicine, you're guaranteed to notice changes in your body if you drink it for three consecutive days.

Therefore, Han Chunming decided to make a bold decision, a marketing method that had never been used before in this era.

That means delivering 300 bowls of soup every day. Each earthenware pot contains about 100 bowls of soup, so we deliver three large earthenware pots of soup every day.

Han Chunming's marketing approach made Taozi even more uneasy; he felt somewhat uncertain about this unprofitable deal.

Taozi has now pinned all his hopes on this soup shop. He's caught in the middle, not wanting to be bothered by anyone. He wants to make something of himself and show his parents what he's made of.

But in the current situation, I just feel panicked.

Han Chunming smiled and patted him on the shoulder, telling him not to worry. Free soup, why would anyone want to drink it?

Once you drink his soup, you're his person!

Let's get ready to open!

Han Chunming called out to the shop, and Meng Xiaoxing, hearing the call, quickly responded, hurriedly opened the door, took out the prepared firecrackers, lit them, and threw them outside!

"Master Han's Secret Recipe Nourishing Soup Shop" is officially open!

The sound of firecrackers drew everyone's attention on the street. Han Chunming, wearing an apron, stood behind Taozi and Meng Xiaoxing, both dressed in specially made waiter uniforms, looking at the crowd with apprehension.

Han Chunming smiled as he looked at the crowd on the street, then called out to them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today is our grand opening day! For the next three days, we'll be serving 300 bowls of nourishing soup every day. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy our free tasting!"

After Han Chunming finished speaking, he turned and went into the store. Taozi awkwardly took out the prepared advertising board from the side, on which was written in red calligraphy.

"Free soup for three days!"

The handwriting was so round and large that it immediately drew everyone's attention!

Free things have always been particularly attractive in this country. Several middle-aged women who had just bought groceries caught the eye and rushed over!

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Older Woman Doesn't Believe in Evil

"Young lady, is this soup really free?"