In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Upon hearing Zhao Gao's report, Qin Shi Huang nodded with a profound look in his eyes.

The Nine Provinces are already the whole picture in most people's eyes, but clearly, the Zhang family's Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces is somewhat challenging most people's understanding.

Even Ying Zheng wanted to try it out.

But what he was eating wasn't food, but the world!

I never imagined that there was such a vast world beyond Kyushu. So many top-quality ingredients from all corners of the world signify an endless unknown world.

Unfortunately, apart from the Zhang family, virtually no one else could reach the other side of the sea.

"Your Majesty, there is unexpected news regarding the matter of Princess Yinchuan of Western Xia."

"What accident?"

"This is not a simple marriage alliance, but rather the entrustment of the young emperor by the Empress Dowager of Western Xia."

The Western Xia Empress Dowager was a Taoist, and her daughter, Li Qingluo, was one of the owners of Ghost Street, a Rakshasa woman. The Zhang family had plotted against her before.

This time, Western Xia was attacked from both sides, and the Western Xia Empress Dowager was already over a hundred years old. She usually doted on Princess Yinchuan, which is why she found Young Master Zhang to entrust her son to.

Qin Shi Huang nodded upon hearing this.

However, he wasn't interested in this news at all.

Let alone a country on the verge of collapse, even at the height of the Western Xia dynasty, Qin Shi Huang did not take it seriously.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan's terrifying and domineering methods made him somewhat wary of the Zhang family, but he admired them even more.

After all, the Zhang family doesn't easily take action against their own people, but they are truly ruthless and exceptionally vicious towards outsiders.

Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts!

Zhang Xiaoshan has taken this concept to its extreme.

···

The Grand Feast of the Nine Provinces, the Goddess of Cookery Huang Rong!

For many renowned chefs, the allure of being the best in the world is irresistible.

There was no such thing as the world's number one chef before, but now a number one chef has suddenly appeared. For a group of famous chefs, this is not a cause for despair or resistance, but rather excitement.

Since there was no first place before, they naturally couldn't compete for first place.

After all, they don't have the energy to challenge them all, not to mention there are always people more capable than them, and there's always something beyond their understanding.

But now that they have first place, they can compete for first place.

Even Huang Rong, who was busy refining her sword techniques, had no idea that trouble was quietly approaching.

However, everyone forgot one thing: Huang Rong's identity was that of the Zhang family's lawfully wedded first wife.

Such a status is not something that chefs can challenge.

"Young lady, the capital city is just ahead. Do you really want to challenge the God of Cookery?"

"Challenging the God of Cookery is just a side event; what I really want to witness is the Zhang family's number one banquet in the world—the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces!"

A clear and melodious warbling of a nightingale rang out, and then a beautiful young woman in a green dress with exquisitely drawn eyebrows stepped out of the carriage, a hint of longing in her eyes.

"Perhaps it's just the Zhang family exaggerating about having the best banquet in the world. Young lady, you shouldn't have too high hopes."

"No, we have been to the Zhang family's Hongfu Restaurant before, and it truly lives up to its reputation."

Moreover, this is a new chef, not the original chef from Hongfu. The taste is always a little lacking. Therefore, this time, I am going to the capital to find the most authentic Hongfu cuisine.

As for the "Number One Feast Under Heaven," it's not just about the taste and quality, but also the significance the banquet represents.

The nine provinces are united, a magnificent sight!

The young girl had no aversion to the world's number one banquet.

The "Number One Feast Under Heaven" doesn't necessarily mean the most delicious banquet in the world; it simply signifies something different.

Moreover, the Zhang family does indeed have the resources to host the world's premier banquet, which is exactly what the young woman aspires to. Those legendary ingredients are not something that money can buy.

The ingredients for the Grand Feast of the Nine Provinces were so rare that only the Zhang family had them.

"Moreover, this Madam Zhang, Yiyi once met an old senior who said that if there is anyone in the whole country whose cooking skills are better than Yiyi's, it is this Madam Zhang."

"Nonsense!"

Hearing the girl's praise, the already disdainful old woman next to her became even more furious and scolded her.

"Alright, ma'am, that senior is one of the few fair and just people in Kyushu, a true connoisseur among heroes, he can't be wrong!"

Besides, there are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding.

It's a good thing that someone is above Yiyi, because that gives Yiyi direction and motivation to move forward.

Upon hearing the girl's explanation, even the woman fell silent.

The young girl's cooking skills have surpassed her teacher's, but there's always someone better, and she may not truly be the best in the world.

"What you said is right. Exchanging ideas and learning from each other will benefit your cooking skills."

However, young lady, you must remember one thing: do not go to see that Mr. Zhang.

Legend has it that although this young master Zhang was a man of unparalleled benevolence and righteousness, he was also a womanizer with many women in his family and numerous extramarital affairs.

Yiyi, you're still young and naive when it comes to relationships. Once you fall in love, it could ruin your life.

"Auntie, what are you saying!"

The young girl let out a shy cry, never expecting the woman to utter such lewd words.

"I'm just giving you a heads-up, young lady. This Mr. Zhang is no good man; I'm afraid you might be bewitched by him!"

"I'm ignoring you, auntie!"

Seeing the girl's appearance, the woman sighed.

Love is a woman's most formidable enemy in life, and therefore she would never want a young girl to go astray.

The carriage slowly entered the capital. It wasn't just the young girl; chefs from all over Kyushu seemed to have made a pact to rush into the capital.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Xiaoshan realized just how much trouble Huang Rong had gotten herself into this time.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan thought again that this might not be a bad thing.

Perhaps this will solidify Huang Rong's reputation as a culinary goddess. After all, it's Zhang's home turf, so what tricks could those chefs possibly pull?

As long as things are fair and just, Huang Rong's abilities will almost certainly earn her the title of God of Cookery.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but smile:

"Piaoxu, pass on the word: Yingbinlou will hold a Food God Competition in three months."

To ensure fairness in the competition, all 108 participants must possess recommendation letters from major aristocratic families to be eligible to participate; this is the entry requirement.

As for the prizes for the cooking competition?

The Zhang family will provide a set of nine culinary utensils crafted from cold iron, black iron, and meteorite iron!

"Yes, son!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's instructions, even Liu Sheng Piaoxu was surprised by Zhang Xiaoshan's madness.

What started as a small, localized fire has now become a raging inferno!

Chapter 499 Restaurant Membership System Preparation: Closed-Door Breakthrough

"A cooking competition?"

Liu Yiyi was extremely surprised when she heard the news suddenly released by the Empire State Building.

It wasn't just the young girls; the famous chefs who came to the capital, even those who hadn't previously cared about fame and fortune, all flocked to the Imperial Building.

You should know that the first place winner is a culinary master – cookware!

Anything made by the Zhang family is guaranteed to be of high quality!

A chef also needs a good knife and a top-quality set of cooking utensils, which are no less important to the chef than a peerless treasure knife.

Those who know the Zhang family understand that since the Zhang family dares to name their cooking utensils after the God of Cookery, they must be the finest of the finest, and absolutely not to be missed.

Moreover, this is not a simple competition for fame and fortune, but a top-level event that brings together chefs from both the north and south.

How could they possibly refuse such a grand event?

"The Zhang family's goal is to clear Madam Zhang's name and turn the tide with a grand culinary competition!"

Granny Shi was an old hand at the world, and she saw through the Zhang family's intentions at a glance.

Moreover, the Zhang family is brimming with confidence; both the grand scale of the event and the final prize are extraordinary.

Mysterious iron, meteorite iron, cold iron... clearly, the nine cooking utensils are made of nine special materials.

Regardless of its effectiveness, the cost of this material alone is a huge financial burden.

Three months later, the Zhang family was indeed full of confidence.

Let's go, ma'am, let's go see the Zhang family's Yingbinlou, this legendary super restaurant that's even better than the Hongfu!

The Red Mansion is already a magnificent and prosperous mansion.

If the Zhang family hadn't moved away, what they saw would certainly have been far superior.

Even so, the Zhang family's Empire State Building is still known as the number one restaurant, surpassing any other restaurant. This widespread reputation speaks volumes about its prestige.

The walls are made of glazed tiles, and the floor is paved with celadon!

This is the most direct expression of the girl's arrival at the welcoming building.

Even upon entering the capital, they saw phosphorescent, pillar-like buildings.

But when you actually stand in front of this extraordinary building, you can still feel its luxury and domineering presence, no wonder it is considered unsurpassable.

The Zhang family spent an unknown amount of money on just glass and celadon.

Even knowing that the Zhang family owned a kiln in the porcelain capital and imported large quantities of celadon dye from Persia every year, they were still deeply shocked.

Is this the Zhang family's foundation?

Once inside, they only ordered a few classic dishes that they had eaten at the Hongfu restaurant.

Crispy pork that melts in your mouth, sweet and delicious green vegetables, spicy and savory tofu... these are all classic dishes.

"It really lives up to its reputation!"

The young girl only took one bite, but she already knew how skilled these master chefs were. They were definitely at the level of imperial chefs.

"I'm afraid very few of the people who came to participate this time will be able to get a letter of recommendation!"

"What do you mean, girl?"

Aunt Shi took a bite and felt it was no less delicious than the dishes Liu Yiyi usually made.

After all, these are the Zhang family's signature dishes. They have made each dish hundreds or thousands of times, reaching a level of mastery through practice.

Why does the Zhang family require a letter of recommendation as proof of entry?

The heads of those aristocratic families are all regulars at Yingbinlou, and their palates have long been spoiled by the food here. How many chefs in the entire Kyushu could make dishes comparable to these?

"By going through this layer, the Zhang family will have to eliminate countless people."

Upon hearing the girl's explanation, Granny Shi suddenly understood.

So that's how it is. At first, she thought the Zhang family was planning something underhanded. Turns out, this is your entry certificate.

If you can't even conquer the heads of those powerful families, how can you possibly enter the God of Cookery Competition?

The Zhang family's move was extremely clever, handing over the mess to those powerful families without any objection.

After all, if the chef they recommended won first place, they would be proud of it.

Most importantly, what about the chef's cooking utensils?

The Zhang family's extravagant spending was seen as a complete waste of materials by them.

"Head waiter, may we order a small banquet?"

"I apologize to you, but Xiaoyan is just too popular lately, and the ingredients are all special and precious."

Therefore, a month ago, our young master restricted purchases, making it possible to book a small banquet only by becoming a special member of the restaurant. We hope our esteemed guest will understand!