Lin Xiaoman launched her spicy hotpot business in the county town. She blanched chickens and mushrooms, stir-fried them with hotpot soup base, lard, scallions, ginger, and garlic. Customers were initially shocked by the spiciness but found it intoxicating. She priced chicken pots at fifty wen and vegetable pots at fifteen wen with ten wen extra for broth refills.
