Culinary Challenge

Soon, Luo Qinzhu found out the answer to this question.

Back at Baiweilou, she found everyone sitting around a table, all silent and staring intently at something on the table.

A sense of oppression permeated the air.

"What is that?" A sense of foreboding arose in Luo Qinzhu's heart.

"It's the Jiang family's challenge to a culinary duel!" Xiao Zou said indignantly. "Chef Li has told us everything... The Jiang family said that if we don't want Baiweilou to be taken back, we have to participate in this culinary duel!"

Luo Qinzhu frowned, picked up the cooking challenge letter, and began to read it carefully.

According to the challenge letter, the Jiang family will launch a three-on-three public culinary duel against Baiweilou, titled "The Taste of Huizhou," at the government office square in the city, starting at Shenshi (3-5 PM) today, and those who miss the deadline will not be accepted.

If Baiweilou wins, all of Baiweilou's outstanding debts will be wiped clean, and from then on, the restaurant will belong entirely to Luo Qinzhu.

But if Baiweilou loses... then not only the restaurant, but even the Baiweilou brand will be handed over to the Jiang family. After that, Luo Qinzhu will no longer be allowed to use the name Baiweilou.

To ensure fairness and impartiality, the Jiang family will only send two seventh-rank chefs and one eighth-rank chef, which is a perfect match for the strength of Baiweilou.

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The challenge letter ended with a pretentious note: "Whether or not to accept the invitation is up to Baiweilou; we have no intention of forcing anyone." The neat and orderly handwriting was utterly repulsive.

Master Li's voice was laced with suppressed anger as he sneered, "Ha, what a fine excuse of 'no coercion'... If we really refused, they would definitely spread the word that Baiweilou is afraid of the Jiang family!"

"If we do that, where will we get any customers?"

Wang Yi also looked anxious: "What's more, we've had a lot of expenses lately, our accounts are tight, and we simply can't raise the money we owe!"

As he spoke, he looked at Luo Qinzhu, his tone becoming more urging: "By the way, Luo, did you manage to borrow money from Manager Huang?"

Luo Qinzhu bit her lip and shook her head silently.

"What should we do... Do we have no choice but to use the reputation of Baiweilou as a wager and agree to a culinary duel with the Jiang family?" a chef muttered to himself.

"How can that be! This signboard of Baiweilou is not only Lao Luo's hard work, but also the hard work of all of us. How can it be used as a wager in a culinary competition?" An old chef who had worked at Baiweilou for a long time couldn't help but refute.

"That's right, as long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood to burn! It's just a building, let them have it. As long as the Baiweilou brand remains, the spirit of Baiweilou will not dissipate!" another old chef said in a low voice.

Luo Qinzhu clenched her fists, her knuckles turning even paler from the pressure.

The Jiang family was a long-established salt merchant family, monopolizing the local salt industry, and salt is the foundation of seasoning. In Shexian County, the Jiang family controlled the foundation and lifeline of the catering industry, and was the source and master of all delicious food, with a galaxy of excellent chefs under their command.

Is it really possible to win a culinary battle against such an opponent?

After a long pause, she shook her head, a clear-headed glint in her eyes: "No... Chef Li is right. If we refuse this culinary duel, the reputation of our Baiwei Restaurant will definitely plummet under the Jiang family's publicity."

"If it really comes to that, we might as well start over. Even if the signboard is gone, as long as the people of Baiweilou are still here, the spirit of Baiweilou will not dissipate."

"Moreover, when it comes to culinary skills... the Jiang family may not be able to compare with our Baiwei Restaurant."

"This is my opinion."

Her voice wasn't loud, but her tone was unusually firm.

The two chefs exchanged a glance, both revealing a hint of surprise in their eyes.

After a pause, Luo Qinzhu's tone softened slightly as she spoke again:

"But I also know that today's Baiweilou is not only the result of my father's and my hard work, but also the result of our collective hard work."

"So, I want to ask for everyone's opinion. This time, should we fight or flee?"

Chef Li spoke first: "My opinion is, of course, the same as Chef Luo's."

His voice carried a subtle hint of satisfaction.

Immediately following suit, Wang Yi nodded in agreement: "Xiao Luo is right. Only by participating in the culinary competition can we possibly win back Baiweilou!"

Seeing this, the other chefs also spoke up:

"Yes, yes, what kind of talk is it to be cowardly before even fighting?"

"The Jiang family is nothing but a bunch of worthless wretches. With Chef Luo and Master Li working together, how could the Jiang family possibly stand a chance against our Baiwei Restaurant?"

Even the two veteran chefs who had previously suggested avoiding the fight sighed and said:

"Chef Luo, the reputation of Baiweilou is far more important to you than it is to us."

"Since you've put it that way, how could we possibly be ungrateful?"

Upon hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Luo Qinzhu's pale face: "Thank you... In that case, we should start preparing for the cooking competition as soon as possible."

"It's almost Shenshi (3-5 PM), I'll go buy some fresh ingredients!" Wang Yi volunteered.

"Old Li, you have better eyesight than me, come with me."

Master Li nodded and followed Wang Yi out without saying anything more.

After the meeting, the faces of everyone at Baiweilou softened, replaced by optimism.

Luo Qinzhu returned to her room and let out a long sigh.

Instantly, immense pressure and exhaustion overwhelmed her. Her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed onto the bed.

In reality, she was far less carefree than she appeared in front of others. The Jiang family's despicable methods had completely struck at her weak spot.

Baiweilou is the most important thing her father left her.

If she failed to protect Baiweilou, she really didn't know how she would face her father when he returned.

Therefore, her powerful speech was almost entirely forced out of her.

Fortunately, as long as she wins this culinary battle, she can keep everything at Baiweilou.

Therefore, she must win.

……

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), in the government office square.

With the Jiang family's preparations, a tall cooking arena has been set up, complete with all the necessary cooking utensils and basic ingredients.

Prefect Zhao, dressed in a blue official robe, sat upright and looked at Luo Qinzhu in front of him with a serious gaze.

"Chef Luo, I will represent the Food Review Bureau as the chief judge for this culinary competition."

"Finally, I'll confirm with you one last time—are you sure you want to represent Baiweilou and accept this culinary challenge?"

"I'm sure," Luo Qinzhu said firmly. "This is the shared wish of our Baiweilou."

Seeing this, Prefect Zhao nodded and said nothing more.

After a long pause, he stood up and said loudly:

"Therefore, on behalf of the Food Appraisal Bureau, I formally accept the culinary competition application submitted by the Jiang family salt merchants to Baiweilou!"

"The theme of this culinary competition is 'The Flavor of Huizhou,' and the format is three against three, best of three rounds. Each round will be decided by independent voting from the judges, and the player with the most votes will be the winner of that round."

"If the Jiang family salt merchants win, they will acquire all ownership of the Baiweilou brand."

"If Baiweilou wins, it will not have to pay the outstanding amount for the Baiweilou land deed to the Jiang family salt merchants, and will permanently acquire ownership of Baiweilou."

At this point, Prefect Zhao paused and looked at the two people sitting on the judges' panel beside him.

"There are three judges for the cooking competition. Besides me, the other two judges are—"

"Huang Rong, the head manager of Qingxi Tea Shop."

Manager Huang, supporting his obese body, stood up, awkwardly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and gave Luo Qinzhu an embarrassed smile.

"And, the second son of the Jiang family salt merchants..."

"Jiang Yuqiao".

Upon hearing this name, Luo Qinzhu frowned slightly.