Imperial Kitchen

"Xiaoqiu, this program has a lot of problems."

Vice Director Liu had also been considering pulling the show.

He had agreed after being worn down by his niece, never expecting it to turn into a program like this. It was novel and interesting, but he also knew that broadcasting it like this would definitely cause some minor trouble.

Before Vice Director Liu could finish, Zhen Xiaoqiu darted over, grabbed his arm, and shook it hard. "Uncle, you promised me back then. You can't go back on your word. When I was little, you told me that people had to be honest. You can't take it back."

"Did I say that?" Vice Director Liu's eyes flickered.

"Uncle~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Vice Director Liu's entire body went numb. Whenever something happened when she was little, Xiaoqiu would use this trick on him—shaking his arm and dragging out that one word, "Uncle," until he surrendered every time.

"Alright, alright, I'm scared of you. You've been like this since you were little. Fine, I'll call the programming department and arrange a broadcast slot. But let's agree on this: if the results are poor, this show will be canceled immediately," Vice Director Liu said.

"Then I want a prime-time slot," Zhen Xiaoqiu said through gritted teeth.

Vice Director Liu personally coordinated the schedule and set it to air tomorrow night after 10 p.m. It was not quite prime time, but it was already very good. After all, dramas were still the station's main attraction.

After returning, Zhen Xiaoqiu told Jiang Hao the result. The show would air tomorrow night at 10 p.m. Jiang Hao thought for a moment and said, "I think we should use this day to make as many episodes as possible."

"Why?"

"Because I'm afraid that once the show airs, all the major restaurants will blacklist us," Jiang Hao said.

Zhen Xiaoqiu frowned as well. "Then won't we be unable to keep making the show?"

"Heh, don't worry. I have my own plans. Right now, we should race against time and make at least two more episodes," Jiang Hao said.

"Then which restaurant do you think we should go after next?" Zhen Xiaoqiu asked.

Go after!

That was a good choice of words.

"Imperial Kitchen."

This restaurant was connected to Boss Wu. He was not the major owner, but he had shares in it. Jiang Hao held grudges, so naturally he was going after his enemy's restaurant.

Moreover, Boss Wu did not manage the restaurant directly, so they could exploit the time gap.

The next day, the television station's vehicle stopped in front of Imperial Kitchen. They followed the same procedure as yesterday. Once the restaurant heard that they were filming a food program, it naturally welcomed them.

After entering the private room, they saw a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall.

"Set out the banquet mats and arrange the seats in order. Some offer, some return the toast; cups are washed and goblets set down. Vinegar sauces and meat pastes are presented, some roasted, some grilled. Fine dishes and rich meats abound, some sing, some chant. The stout bows are firm, the four arrows evenly balanced; the arrows fly like trees, and the guests are ranked by worth. The stout bows are full, four arrows are nocked; the four shafts stand like trees, and the guests are ranked without regret."

Seeing Jiang Hao studying the calligraphy, Zhen Xiaoqiu looked at it too. After staring at it for a long time without understanding a single line, she asked, "Can you understand it? What does it mean?"

Jiang Hao said, "I happen to know it. It's a passage from the Book of Songs, describing a banquet held by a Zhou king for feudal lords and high officials, with everyone making merry during the feast."

Manager Zhao was quick on the uptake and immediately praised him. "This gentleman is truly learned. We specifically invited a famous master to write this. Many people cannot recognize it, yet this gentleman identified its source at a glance."

Zhen Xiaoqiu could not help glancing at Jiang Hao. She had not expected this guy to know such things.

Once the equipment was set up, everyone began filming. This manager had not asked the owner for approval today, so there was no question of a free meal. Zhen Xiaoqiu did not mind. They had filming funds anyway; at worst, they could pay for the meal themselves.

In fact, compared with other types of programs, this kind of show was much cheaper to produce.

Manager Zhao introduced the restaurant from the side. "Our Imperial Kitchen draws on palace cuisine from every dynasty, especially imperial dishes from the Qing court. We place special emphasis on 'ancient methods and ancestral traditions.' Our ingredients are carefully selected and our presentation is exquisite, bringing harmony and unity to color, texture, flavor, and nutrition. Whether in taste or appearance, we give diners the utmost enjoyment."

After discussing it, Zhen Xiaoqiu and Jiang Hao ordered twelve dishes, all signature specialties of Imperial Kitchen.

Eight Treasures Roasted Duck, Braised Lion's Head, Hibiscus Prawns, Consort Scallops, Four Treasures Platter, Butterfly Sea Cucumber, Fish and Rice Fragrance, Dragon Playing with Phoenix, Golden Garden, Pear and Dove, Full of Joy, Heaven and Earth Buddha's Hand.

One dish after another was served.

The strongest impression they gave was beauty!

Every dish was incomparably exquisite, crafted like a work of art. Pine trees, cranes, koi, and other designs were arranged on the plates. They looked less like food than paintings or scenery, so refined that no one dared to pick up their chopsticks.

The cameraman took pictures while Imperial Kitchen's head chef explained from the side. This time, Jiang Hao did not interrupt midway. After yesterday's post-production work, he had learned that television programs could be edited. He was planning to make his move at the end.

"Ding~~ Collected one portion of 'Taste of Gourmet Food.' Collector, keep up the good work."

"Ding~~"

As Jiang Hao ate the food, he received system notifications one after another. He had struck it rich again, collecting 12 points of mission value.

His mission value had now reached 20%.

That was his real objective.

Food and drink satisfied, it was time to get to work.

Jiang Hao wiped his mouth, gave a light cough, and drew everyone's attention. The camera focused on him; they knew he was about to begin.

With a smile, Jiang Hao said, "As expected of imperial cuisine. The dishes are exquisitely made, each with its own distinctive qualities. They are indeed rare delicacies. Take this Eight Treasures Duck, for instance: its skin is pale and tender, rich without being greasy, fragrant, fresh, and delicious, with the qualities of aroma, crispness, and tenderness. And this Heaven and Earth Buddha's Hand: pork shaped into a Buddha's hand, crisp on the outside and tender within, fresh, fragrant, and delicate on the tongue."

Jiang Hao praised several dishes in a row. The head chef's face was full of smiles as he kept nodding at Jiang Hao.

This is an expert who understands gourmet food.

Zhen Xiaoqiu was somewhat surprised. Why was Jiang Hao not being sharp-tongued and mocking the food today? Had yesterday's fight changed his nature?

But then Jiang Hao abruptly changed his tone.

"However, I still think this table of dishes is below standard," Jiang Hao said.

The smile on the head chef's face froze.

Excitement appeared on Zhen Xiaoqiu's face. It was starting. It was finally starting.

"If I had to evaluate it, I could only describe this table of dishes with four words: all show, no substance! Every dish has an intimidating name, but they are all gimmicks."

"Fish and Rice Fragrance, Dragon Playing with Phoenix, Golden Garden, Full of Joy—could you possibly know what dishes they are from their names alone? Only after they arrive at the table do you realize that Full of Joy is just pork loin in a money bag."

"And this Butterfly Sea Cucumber. The sea cucumber slices are so thin." Jiang Hao picked up a slice of sea cucumber with his chopsticks and displayed it. "They are practically transparent. Once it goes into your mouth, your teeth cannot even find the ingredient. How are you supposed to eat that? You people are being far too stingy."

"This Pear and Dove dish stir-fries dove slices with snow pear slices, which requires precise control of the heat. Look at your snow pear slices—they're already mushy."

The head chef's expression turned ugly as he looked toward Manager Zhao beside him.

Manager Zhao also looked astonished and confused. Television stations had come to record programs here before, but no one had ever so fiercely criticized their dishes.