Wind rises time and space gate

Chapter 410 Souvenirs from Huixianlou

August 18th is the fifth day that Huixianlou entertains guests for free. At the end of the Youshi period, the invited officials of the Agriculture Department, officials of the royal palace, staff and their families arrived at Huixian Tower one after another.

This time is the peak dining time, but due to previous notification, the tables on the first floor have been cleared one after another.

Xu Shi has not yet arrived, and the turntable on the first floor has been vacated, and the dishes have been placed again. As soon as the table was cleared, a group of officials rushed to sit on it.

The turntable can seat forty-six people, and there are only about a dozen officials from the Agriculture Department, whether ranked or not. Together with the palace officials, staff and bodyguards, the entire turntable is filled to the brim.

There are also twenty-eight booths on the first floor, named after the twenty-eight constellations. Officials and their families who could not get the turntable filled the twenty-eight booths.

On the performing arts stage on the first floor, the melodious singing and graceful dancing kept all the guests spellbound.

"Our location is the best. When watching the show, your neck is not tired."

Changzhi took Jiang Xuyang's three children, as well as the children of the Nongsi and Wangfu officials, and sat at the railing on the second floor. They ate delicious food and watched the program.

Dad said that today he is the young master of the palace and is responsible for entertaining the young guests. He has grown up to the point where he is walking on the railing on the second floor, taking care of the little guests table after table...

"Don't poke your head out, be careful if you fall... If you don't have enough food or if you need anything, you can ring the bell on the table and the waiter will come..."

He went to the table one by one and glanced at the lobby on the first floor from time to time. When he saw his father and mother entertaining guests, he straightened his back immediately. He must have taken care of these little guests for his father and mother.

"Brother Changyu, come and sit too. I heard there will be a play for children later! Sit with us!" Jiang Xuyang's youngest son Boyuan waved to Changzhi desperately.

"Okay, here we come." Changzhi responded, saying a few words to the little guests at the table, and paying attention to them from time to time.

Today he met many children, some older than him and some younger than him.

The older brothers and sisters must have been given instructions by the family to help take care of the younger brothers and sisters. The younger children also listen to the words of these brothers and sisters, and can sit and eat obediently without servants waiting around. , watching the performance, not noisy or noisy, watching for a long time and very happy.

"Chang Yu, go eat, I will watch." Yao Yongyi's eldest grandson Yao Jiabai said to Chang Zhi in a warm voice.

Before coming today, his grandfather had already told him that he would help look after the children of officials from the Agriculture Department.

Grandfather is the largest official in the Sinong Department. These officials often bring their children to visit. He knows all these children. He introduces them to Chang Yu. Seeing that Chang Yu has a sense of ownership, he likes the princess very much. The nephew, seeing that he couldn't take care of eating, hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"Okay, thank you, brother Jiabai." Chang Yu thanked him and sat down at brother Jiang Boyuan's table.

Downstairs, Zhao Guangyuan and Lin Zhaoxia were also entertaining the guests who came today.

Zhao Guangyuan sat on the revolving table, changing glasses with the guests, while Lin Zhaoxia walked among the booths and got to know the women of each family.

Yao Yongyi's wife, Mrs. Wei, took her to meet Si Nongsi's family. As for the palace officials, Jiang Wentao, the highest civilian official, was not married, and Fang Er, the highest military official, was not married either. Neither of them had any family members. So Zhou, the wife of Mu Liao Zhang Zuo, led her to meet people.

"Thank you, Prince and Princess, for the invitation. It opened our horizons."

The dishes I have never tasted before are hot, cold, fried, stir-fried, stewed, grilled, stewed, stewed, steamed... There are also various soups, various staple food snacks, drinks, and fruit wine suitable for women. It is really It was a great eye-opener.

There are also songs, dances and folk operas on this stage, which are really pleasing to the eye. No wonder everyone says they are reluctant to leave after entering Huixian Tower.

"My prince and I are very happy that you can come to support me."

All the family members also went to have a banquet when the King of Yue got married, but most people here had never had the opportunity to meet the Princess of Yue. When they saw her today, they were very fond of her for being so kind and friendly to the people.

There are some female relatives from official families in the Si Nongsi and the Royal Palace, and they still have the opportunity to attend the banquets of officials' families, but without the female relatives from high-level staff families, there is no chance to meet nobles.

Seeing the King of Yue and the Princess of Yue treating them so politely, I wanted to sacrifice my life to repay them.

"Princess, this menu is really well done. It's a painting, it's so lifelike. Just looking at the picture makes me want to eat everything. Just looking at this menu makes me full. I can't wait to take it back."

"Then don't eat it and take it back." The person sitting next to me joked.

In my heart, I praised the king of Yue for his ingenuity. In the past, when I went to a restaurant for dinner, even if the clever waiter told me the names of the dishes, I couldn't remember a few in a long list. Every time I asked them to go to the restaurant's signature dish. Now that they have such a menu book in hand, they can read it by themselves and order whatever they want.

If you can't read, just look at the pictures. Moreover, by looking at the name and picture of the dish, you can know what it is made of, and you can avoid foods you don’t like.

It's really good.

Lin Zhaoxia smiled and said, "Hey, what's the point? It's just like inviting clothing stores and jewelry stores from outside to come to your door. Don't they also come to your door with a picture album? The prince was too idle before and liked to think about it. It’s hard to open a restaurant, so I like to do something different from others.”

Many guests like this menu card very much. I heard from the waiter that the menu card in the private room was often lost in the past. The famous paintings, treasure bottles, glasses and dishes hanging in the private room were not lost, but the menu card was lost every day.

All the guests came and it was difficult to search them. There are still many people who want to spend money to buy it back. Reporting to Zhao Guangyuan and her made Lin Zhaoxia dumbfounded.

Fortunately, there were many students from poor families in the library, and they were asked to draw the menu cards. Zhao Guangyuan also paid a lot of money, so it was not difficult to draw a few dishes. Those students from poor families were very happy to be able to draw every day and get paid every day. .

"The princess is not afraid that someone will look at this menu and learn the dishes in the restaurant?"

It is certain that someone will steal your lessons. But she and Zhao Guangyuan were not worried at all. First, these dishes will change frequently. One of the eight major cuisines comes out every month. There are dozens and hundreds of dishes in each cuisine. They will not be the same in a year. Go ahead and learn them. I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up with the updates of Huixianlou. speed.

Second, they have a secret weapon.

There are so many kinds of seasonings in modern times, and it is not possible to make dishes with the same taste just by learning how to cook them.

The workshop that makes these condiments is far away in Qingzhou. Zhao Guangyuan only wants to supply his own restaurant for the time being and has no plans to sell it to outsiders.

Lin Zhaoxia smiled and shook his head, "Your Majesty and I don't want to imitate others. If the people in the capital can eat such delicious food, Your Majesty and I will be happy."

Everyone praised her, "The prince and princess are so generous."

The guests in the Huixian Building here were enjoying themselves, but in the Yingbin Building diagonally opposite, King Chu felt secretly resentful as he saw that the business was not as good as before.

After eating at Huixian Restaurant once, King Chu was worried about the business of his restaurant.

Seeing the third brother looking in the direction of Huixian Tower through the window sill, King Chu said angrily, "I don't know where that guy Lao Qi invited the chef to come up with so many kinds of dishes."

Even if their chef imitates it in the past few days, he still can't make it taste like Huixianlou.

King Chu could almost foresee that Yingbin Tower’s business would shrink significantly.

Although the business of Yingbin Building is not the most profitable business for the two brothers, because it is located on the prosperous street of the capital, their business has been ranked first for so many years with their backstage and the chefs and royal chefs they poached from everywhere. .

The dignitaries in the capital all fell in love with their Yingbin Building, which allowed them to obtain a lot of news and intelligence. Privately, it was the best place to make friends and chat with the powerful, but once the Huixian Building was opened, they had very little money in their accounts these days. A lot. "Third brother, do you want to send someone to contact the chef over there?"

King Qin looked away from the window and said calmly, "Do you think it's the chef's problem?"

In their Yingbin Building, half of the chefs are retired royal chefs from the palace. Their skills are not as good as those there? In just a few days, their chef was able to imitate the dishes just based on the pictures on the menu boards there. But the taste is different from that there.

"Third brother, do you suspect that there is something special added to the food over there?"

King Qin said nothing, but the meaning was obvious. The king of Yue must have something to add color and flavor to the dishes.

"Then let me ask someone to check out the kitchen over there?"

King Qin was silent for a long time and nodded, "Let people be careful. Old Seven will not be unprepared."

He only borrowed 300,000 taels of silver after mortgaging the palace, and finally opened such an industry that could generate money immediately. No matter how stupid Lao Qi was, he would not fail to guard against it.

"Don't worry, Third Brother, I will ask the people below to be careful."

More than twenty experts sent to spy on Prince Yue's Mansion went out overnight and never came back. King Chu also became wary of Zhao Guangyuan.

"It will officially open for business tomorrow. It has aroused the appetite of the people in the capital these days. It is estimated that customers will flock there tomorrow."

If the Huixian Tower takes the lead, it will be even more detrimental to their Yingbin Tower. "Something has to be done."

King Qin glanced at him and did not say anything to stop him. He asked the fourth child to use some means to prevent the seventh child from thinking that it was easy to earn money by opening a restaurant. "Don't expose it."

"Third brother, don't worry." King Chu responded and went down to prepare.

On the other side, in the Huixian Tower, the guests and hosts had a great time, and everyone had a full stomach. The adults were still able to restrain themselves, but the children were reluctant to leave. Their eyes were glued to the performing arts stage. Today's programs were going on one after another, and there were also programs specially for them. They were so good that they still wanted to watch them.

The parents held their children's hands, looked shy, and whispered, "I'll bring you here next time."

"Not lying?"

"Do not lie to you."

Lin Zhaoxia stood at the door and watched in amusement, and ordered the gifts to be delivered. He and Changzhi stood at the door to give souvenirs to the guests.

"Brother Changyu, what is this?"

"This is a return gift for you."

The women were given a set of glasses and wine gift boxes. One bottle of wine and one bottle of white wine, all packed in glass bottles and wooden boxes, which looked very high-end.

The child is given a Huixianlou companion made of clay, packed in a small box with a small lock on it. Not to mention the contents inside, this box is worth collecting.

The box contains a round table with Huixianlou, a model of Huixianlou, kabuki, and clay pottery made of Huixianlou's signature dishes. The dishes are made just like the real ones, which makes people... I can't wait to take a bite. What's even more surprising is that the souvenirs received by each child are different.

"This is a set of twenty-eight." Changzhi explained.

"Wow, I want them all!" Xiao Boyuan saw that what his brother and sister got were different from his, so he almost grabbed it, "Brother Chang Yu, how can I get them all?"

"Every time I come to eat, I give souvenirs to the children, such as Huixianlou... well, cultural and creative products, which can be collected after eating about twenty-eight times."

Wow! Little Boyuan immediately went to hold his uncle's hand, "Little uncle, bring Boyuan to dinner next time!"

Jiang Wentao couldn't laugh or cry. This is a very damaging move for the prince. It’s so damaging. He even thought of such a move if he wanted to make money. Even the children are lied to. It is said to be a set of twenty-eight, but how can it be that the ones you get are different every time?
The souvenirs are packed in the box, and they are all given randomly. King Yue said that it is like opening a blind box. You can collect a set after eating it twenty-eight times? Lie to children.

Being pestered by Xiao Boyuan, he nodded helplessly, "Okay, I'll bring you here next time." This made him happy.

The guests who got the souvenirs were very happy at first, but when they saw the children opening the gifts, and then after hearing this explanation, they looked at the King and Princess of Yue differently.

What a thief, he actually came up with such a way to attract customers. Any wealthy family in the capital doesn't love their children. If they are pestered by children, they will probably come back several times.

Everyone can already foresee the scene where guests from Huixian Tower will arrive like clouds.

Zhao Guangyuan remained silent while facing the teasing glances of his subordinates. He only raised his eyebrows at Jiang Wentao. There were only twenty-eight cultural and creative products in this set. If he asked, he would have to produce fifty-eight or eighty-eight.

If every dish is molded into clay pottery and made into a souvenir for Huixianlou, I'm afraid the guests will come to the door every day.

Hum, this set is just twenty-eight, just to test the water.

The guests come in joy and return exhausted.

Huixianlou's five-day free banquet in return for wedding guests has also come to an end, and it will officially open for business tomorrow.

Zhao Guangyuan is very confident. On the one hand, he promoted the restaurant in the past five days, and on the other hand, he gave back to the wedding guests. In these five days, he spent money like running water, but he could only get out but not get in. He believed that he would be able to make money starting from tomorrow.

The people in the capital are extremely curious about the table in Huixian Tower that can move by itself. There is an endless stream of people coming to inquire about it every day. If it were not only for guests with posts, Huixian Tower would have been crowded with guests who wanted to try it out. .

After the guests dispersed and the restaurant closed, Zhao Guangyuan called in the shopkeeper and waiters to discuss many matters after the opening tomorrow. He also summarized the situation of the trial opening in the past few days, correcting any shortcomings in a timely manner, and improving the situation if not.

The workers who had been exhausted these past few days were given an additional month's wages, and everyone excitedly thanked the prince.

"The restaurant has lost a lot of menus in the past few days. I'm afraid our competitors are already studying our dishes. The dishes in the kitchen, hygiene, and quality of the dishes must be carefully controlled and no mistakes can be made."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison. Jiang Li, the chief shopkeeper, was very energetic and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, everything has been arranged." He looked at Zhao Guangyuan and nodded invisibly.

The few menus that were lost in the restaurant were due to the prince's connivance, otherwise how could others steal them.

After the official opening tomorrow, after the customers have placed their orders, the waiters will come in and take away the menus and will not leave them in the private room.

As for the spices used in the kitchen, the places where they are stored are guarded, and they cannot be stolen. There is only enough for a day or two in the kitchen, so stealing them all will not accomplish anything.

However, people still have to keep an eye on the hygiene of the dishes and many other things. It would be quite disgusting to find someone who eats dead people.

After the arrangements were made at the restaurant, Zhao Guangyuan returned to the palace with his wife and children.

And the guests who went to Huixianlou for dinner today got souvenirs and the set of small cultural and creative gifts from Huixianlou, and word spread immediately.