Chapter 176: Tampering
"Please understand. After all, our stall owner's wife makes a living by running a small stall. It's normal for a small business to not be considered a high-class establishment. But even in the world of street vendors, this is quite eye-catching..."
Several businessmen who ran restaurants and teahouses were sneering and mocking, their words and deeds showing their pessimism towards Cheng Wei Yao.
The other exhibits were all meat and fish, with the vegetarian dishes serving as embellishments, in keeping with the formality of entertaining guests and the predominantly meat-based approach. Cheng Weiyao, who couldn't touch either meat or vegetables, was bound to stumble.
"This is Sushan, with a sweet and refreshing taste. The shape of the mountains represents the height of the temple, while the gurgling ice and water beneath Sushan represent the people..."
Cheng Weiyao didn't care about these bad words at all, and just gently introduced the theme of Sushan's work.
The main purpose of Sushan is to serve as a warning to the world: those in high positions should understand the suffering of the people. Sushan is made by dripping, and it can be said that without the ice and water below, it would be impossible to reach its current height.
Because the exhibits brought by Cheng Weiyao were unheard of and never seen before, everyone listened with great interest at first, but the more they listened, the more they felt something was wrong.
Why is this woman introducing an exhibit with a hidden meaning? Isn't this a subtle hint that the achievements and status of the people present today are inseparable from those lowly common people?
"That's about right. Do you really think that just because Manager Wang gives you a little favor, you can open a dyeing shop on your own? Your business is so limited, you're not even worthy of teaching us a lesson!"
"A woman should stay home and take care of her husband and children. Talking about the high position of the government and the survival of the people is ridiculous! What do you think your status is, the emperor or the empress dowager?"
Once the voices of rebuttal started, more and more would come, and eventually the discussion would develop into personal attacks.
"Stop talking, women have long hair but little knowledge. Isn't that something everyone knows? It's not easy for the stall owner's wife either. Who would want to show their face in public? Maybe the husband is not capable, so the woman has to support the family..."
Cheng Weiyao looked at the faces of these participants calmly, but she was disdainful in her heart. Their intense reactions were simply because their sore spots had been touched.
The participants present at the meeting were either big businessmen or officials from various places. It was not difficult to guess from their polite words that expecting this group of rabble to wake up was like expecting a sow to climb a tree.
"My Lord, would you like me to speak up for the princess? These people are so shallow and ruthless..."
Wu Qi clenched his fists under his sleeves. It was one thing to criticize the princess at first, but now even the prince was being slandered. This was intolerable!
"No need. The mouth is on someone else's body, why bother to show off your strong words."
Wen Chengyun rejected Wu Qi's kindness, but he was thinking about something in his heart.
He was born into an imperial family and was truly in power. Cheng Weiyao's words actually coincided with his father's idea of benevolent governance. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The survival of the people is indeed a point of eternal concern.
He hadn't expected Cheng Weiyao to have such achievements in politics. He had unknowingly married a talented woman...
"Everyone, the exhibition is officially about to begin. We still have a lot of exhibits, so everyone should give other exhibits some opportunities..."
Wang Yuanbao was very satisfied with the situation where Cheng Weiyao was under attack from both sides, but the food appreciation meeting still had to proceed as normal. In addition to the contestants, there were also many traveling merchants and diners who needed to be entertained.
Many restaurants and teahouses are hoping to boost their reputation through food appreciation events...
Under the hosting of Wang Yuanbao, the food appreciation party officially kicked off, and the entrance of Taolin was surrounded by diners holding tasting invitations.
Most of these people were traveling merchants from all over the country who had spent money to purchase the qualification to taste the peaches, or local officials who had been given the qualification as a gift. The gatekeeper was busy checking the tickets, and the peach forest was suddenly crowded with people.
In order to ensure fairness and openness, each exhibit is untitled or signed. The only information left is the exhibit introduction and ingredient list.
Wang Yuanbao didn’t think Cheng Weiyao’s Sushan could be selected at all, so he didn’t inform Cheng Weiyao about the introduction process of the exhibits.
Among all the exhibits, Sushan is really eye-catching. The huge crowds of people made everyone sweat. People don’t want to get close to food that emits heat for a short time. What’s more, Sushan also touches the aesthetic tastes of many literati and scholars.
As a result, more and more people gathered around Cheng Weiyao's exhibit, discussing this year's new dishes.
Some of the participants in the food appreciation party were already experienced foodies. When they saw that there was no space in front of Cheng Weiyao's work, they immediately started asking about it.
"Manager Wang, is there something wrong with your feast this year? At least write down the ingredients clearly. Everyone's waiting to eat..."
No one was interested in the preset dishes, but Cheng Weiyao's Sushan became a surprise hit. Wang Yuanbao had a hypocritical smile on his face. After perfunctorily sending the old diner away, he asked the servants to ask Cheng Weiyao to complete the process the next second.
"Madam, I'm sorry. I forgot to inform you that the exhibits need additional introductions and ingredients. Is it inconvenient for you..."
Cheng Weiyao was already looking for food at other exhibit tables with a plate in hand, but she was stopped by the servants after just a few dishes.
A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes. She had noticed Wang Yuanbao's discriminatory treatment early on. Treating people with delicious food and making secret moves were commonplace in modern times, let alone in ancient times.
The reason he thought of looking for me now was probably because there were so many people gathered in front of Sushan, so he had no choice, right?
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Considering that if the form is not completed, there is a high possibility that no one will try the food, Cheng Weiyao decided to take this trip.
However, as soon as the maker left, the other contestants began to whisper to each other. Judging from the current situation, this small vendor's exhibit might be a big hit.
Where would these restaurants and teahouses stand in terms of face? It would be better to destroy the exhibits before anyone could even taste them!
The appearance has been unchangeable in everyone's image, so it is normal that the quality is poor. Isn't there a saying that goes "Golden exterior, rotten interior"?
"If you ask me, let's add some chili water. Who among you has chili? Boil some water and add it to it. Let's see who dares to try it..."
"That won't work. It's too much trouble. If you ask me, wouldn't some laxatives be better? They're all white, so they can't be detected if you mix them in..."
When a group of people were talking and plotting, they didn't notice at all that there was another person named Wen Chengyun at the outermost edge, who was eavesdropping openly with a calm face.
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