The Quanzhou cooking competition was held in the first month of the lunar year, so Ye Changnian set off in the twelfth month with the people from the imperial kitchen, and was destined not to be able to return home for the New Year this year.
Fortunately, the elders of the Ye family have now gotten used to it. After all, there was the example of Qingtian and Ye Changfeng going to the West before.
When we arrived in Quanzhou, it was already the 28th day of the lunar year.
Everyone stayed in the inn arranged by the Quanzhou government office.
The people who came to the imperial kitchen this time were all the disciples of Mr. Cen. Ye Changnian was not only the youngest here, but also the youngest in seniority.
So along the way, he naturally put himself in a position to serve everyone, running around to help everyone.
Several imperial chefs were full of praise for him. If they did not have daughters of marriageable age at home, they would have wanted to bring Ye Changnian home as their son-in-law immediately.
After everyone settled down in the inn, Bai Yonggen, the leader of the local chef industry, came with his people.
“I’m asking for help from everyone this time because these Japanese people are really too arrogant.
"In the past six months, this group of people has singled out many restaurants in Quanzhou.
"When they can't win, they secretly trip us up, either framing us or spreading rumors. They've really ruined a lot of stores!"
As a major port for trading with the West, Quanzhou has developed rapidly in recent years and the city is very prosperous and bustling.
Because of this group of Japanese scoundrels, many shops that were originally doing good business are almost unable to continue operating.
"We had no choice but to accept their challenge this time. It was a fight to the death.
"If they win, they'll open ten Japanese restaurants in Quanzhou and make us admit defeat in public!"
Ye Changnian frowned upon hearing this. "These people are so unreasonable. Cooking isn't martial arts, so how can we tell who's better? Who can be the judge of this fairly?"
"They found several Western envoys and asked them to judge what they were..."
Bai Yonggen was so angry that he forgot how to say the word for a moment and turned to look at the person following him.
"A neutral third party."
Everyone originally thought that the person following Bai Yonggen was his apprentice or servant, but unexpectedly, the voice that came out was a girl's clear and crisp voice.
Bai Yonggen then remembered to introduce, "Oh, this is my daughter Bai Siyan. She has been learning cooking since she was a child and her cooking skills are quite good, so I brought her here this time."
When everyone's attention was focused on Bai Siyan, Ye Changnian was rubbing his chin in thought, and then he said, "I think those Japanese and Westerners probably think that Quanzhou is far away, so they want to stir up trouble here and see how our Great Qi will react.
“If we let them succeed, they will definitely become more and more arrogant in the future.
"But if the imperial court intervenes to resolve this matter, they will say it was just a culinary exchange, saying that our Great Qi lacks the demeanor of a great power, is making a fuss out of nothing, and is bullying foreign guests."
After listening to Ye Changnian's analysis, Bai Siyan stamped her feet in anger and said, "These people are too evil!"
"As the saying goes, poor and remote places breed unruly people. They originally wanted to take advantage of our Great Qi.
"If it weren't for the strong military strength of our Great Qi, they would have already revealed their true intentions."
"Then how should we deal with it?" Bai Siyan was completely attracted by Ye Changnian's words at this time and asked anxiously.
"No rush, there are still a few days left!" Ye Changnian smiled, "Neither of these two groups is a good person. The reason they joined forces this time is just for profit. There is no trust at all.
"So what we need to do is to tempt one of the parties with greater benefits so that he will betray the alliance.
"We don't have to do anything more, they'll just fight each other."
Bai Siyan felt that Ye Changnian said it very easily, but she didn't know what to do. She couldn't help but ask, "But what greater benefits can we give them?"
"It's enough to make them feel that they can gain greater benefits by standing on our side. As for whether they can get it in the end, it depends on their own ability!"
After Ye Changnian finished speaking, he showed a confident smile.
Bai Siyan was stunned for a moment.
It was the first time that Bai Yonggen saw his daughter, who had been a tomboy since childhood, show such an expression. Coupled with what he had just said, he also paid more attention to Ye Changnian.
"Young man, don't talk big. Can you do what you say?"
"Chef Bai, don't worry, I already have an idea." Ye Changnian looked like he had everything under control.
You know, there is not only the Qin family's business in Quanzhou, but also several students from the girls' school. Through them, you can almost contact most of the Westerners in Quanzhou today.
On one side is the Japanese, and on the other side is the princess who is most favored by the emperor. Westerners are not stupid, so they naturally know how to choose.
After coming out of the inn, Bai Yonggen couldn't help but ask, "Girl, you're not attracted to that boy just now, are you?"
Bai Siyan was cheerful and straightforward, not shy at all, and said frankly, "Father, don't you think he's handsome? He's much taller than those local young men."
"Choosing a son-in-law is a big deal, and you can't just look at his height and appearance..." Although Bai Yonggen felt that his daughter was right, he still felt that he shouldn't be so hasty.
"He seems quite capable, his analysis is very logical, and he also proposed a solution." Bai Siyan said with a smile, "Dad, don't worry, your daughter is not the kind of person who only looks at appearance.
"If he can really resolve this matter, then he will barely be worthy of my approval!"
Bai Yonggen finally felt relieved and said with a smile, "Yes, this is my daughter!"
After the father and daughter returned, they thought about helping Ye Changnian contact local Westerners to see if they could have some private contact with them.
They had no idea that while they were running into obstacles everywhere, those Westerners who claimed to be aristocrats had already dressed up and were rushing to attend the New Year's ball hosted by Master Ye Wu.
Although Ye Changnian had never been to the West, he had come into contact with many Westerners in the capital and spoke Western fluently.
When Bai Yonggen arrived at the ball with the invitation and Bai Siyan, who was also confused, the two of them were shocked when they saw Ye Changnian, who was wearing a Western suit and socializing with ease among a group of Westerners.
"Dad, didn't you say he was an apprentice in the imperial kitchen? Why doesn't he look like one to me..."
Bai Siyan said this, but the look she gave Ye Changnian became more and more passionate.
Bai Yonggen heard others calling Ye Changnian "Master Ye Wu" and looked at the name on the invitation in his hand. He couldn't help but suck his teeth in worry.
It’s over. I originally wanted to find a live-in son-in-law.
Now it seems that he has put his own daughter in danger!
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