Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

"Great! The Great Liao Dynasty now has the Zhiwei Restaurant too!"

"This is awesome! Finally, I can eat all sorts of different kinds of food!!"

The two brothers were so excited that they hugged each other and spun around. At that moment, they completely forgot about their previous estrangement and grudges.

Upon seeing this, Shen Qing couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll be opening tomorrow, so please help me invite as many people as possible to come and support me."

Since we're going to open a branch, the more people the better.

We might even have a chance to run into our mission target.

"Don't worry, Madam Shen, we brothers have it covered!"

"Yes, Madam Shen, we'll call everyone around here for you. As soon as the aroma fills the air, a long queue will form!"

Yelü Qi couldn't help but imagine it.

He had been to Zhiwei Restaurant in Da'an and seen the long queues, so he was particularly looking forward to it.

Although the courtyard was simple, he trusted Madam Shen's cooking skills; after all, the aroma didn't lie.

"Madam Shen, what are you planning to sell tomorrow?" Yelü Gan was already curious.

Shen Qing: "I'll think about it later."

"Okay, okay, just let us know what ingredients you need, and we'll definitely get them for you!"

The two brothers, along with a group of servants, began tidying up and, while they were at it, hung up the plaque.

Shen Qing then went to a secluded spot and opened the system.

Tongzi, what are you selling on your first day of business?

[Random food items are being drawn...]

[Draw successful! Tomorrow's random food item is: Mala Tang!]

"Mala Tang!!"

After much anticipation, Mala Tang (a type of spicy hot pot) has finally arrived.

Mala Tang (a type of spicy hot pot) was originally a way of eating for boatmen and haulers. These people dealt with water all year round, and in order to ward off the cold and dampness, they would throw mushrooms, wild vegetables, fish and shrimp, along with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, into a pot to cook. They would eat the soup and vegetables together, and sweat it out, which would dispel the cold.

Later, this way of eating spread to the shore, to the city, and to all parts of the country.

In modern times, many people enjoy eating mala tang (a type of spicy hot pot), such as Yang Guofu, Liu Wenxiang, Zhang Liang, etc. Each has its own characteristics, but they are all quite delicious.

Shen Qing couldn't help but get excited when she heard about mala tang (a spicy hot pot dish).

It's mainly because I haven't eaten it in a long time.

She quickly went to find Yelü Gan and the others, saying, "As for ingredients, we can have some mutton, beef, tofu, potatoes, lotus root, cabbage, vermicelli, dried bean curd..."

"In short, the more ingredients, the better."

Mala Tang (a type of spicy hot pot) is a dish where you can cook whatever you want.

Yelü Qi's eyes lit up as he listened: "Madam Shen, you're not planning to make hot pot, are you?!"

He had heard during his mission to Da'an that the hot pot there was incredibly spicy and numbing, and so fragrant that even immortals would applaud it.

But I've only heard about it; I've never actually eaten it.

Shen Qing waved her hand: "No, the mala tang I made this time was also very delicious."

Malatang and hot pot are fundamentally different; one is boiled, and the other is simmered, resulting in different tastes.

"Malatang? It's spicy too?"

"You'll find out tomorrow," Shen Qing said with a smile.

Yelü Gan and Yelü Qi were both incredibly excited, and their motivation to tidy up the courtyard increased even more. They even wished they could open for business right now.

Shen Qing also helped tidy up, and soon the small courtyard was tidy and neat, with pots, pans, tables and benches all prepared.

We're just waiting to open tomorrow.

The sun slowly set behind the mountains, and the night passed quickly.

It's a brand new day again~

Shen Qing was still asleep, holding the dumpling, when suddenly a commotion broke out outside.

"Zhiwei Restaurant is opening soon!!"

"We're open for business! Everyone, please remember to come and support us today!"

"All expenses today will be charged to the Second Prince's account. Everyone must go to Zhiwei Restaurant for spicy hot pot, the really spicy and numbing kind!!"

"Zhiwei Restaurant's Liaoning branch is opening soon!"

"..."

The noise outside grew louder and louder. Shen Qing rubbed her eyes, stretched, and then got out of bed.

What's that noise? It's so noisy! I want to sleep!

The dumpling was rolling around on the bed.

While washing up, Shen Qing replied helplessly to Tuanzi, "It's most likely Yelü Gan and his gang's doing."

"Tuanzi, bury your head in the blankets and go to sleep. I'll go out and check on things."

The commotion outside continued. Stepping out of the tent, I saw a group of soldiers walking and shouting, holding up large pieces of paper with the words "Zhiwei Restaurant" written on them.

"Zhiwei Restaurant is opening soon!"

"Lady Shen is mighty!"

The soldiers walked and shouted, followed by a large number of Liao people who came to watch the spectacle.

Shen Qing sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Although she had asked the Yelü brothers, Yelü Gan and Yelü Qi, to invite more people to support her, she never expected them to do it this way.

That's a bit outrageous.

"Madam Shen, how's that? Pretty impressive, right?"

"I sent four teams, one each from the east, west, south, and north, and had them walk around the capital, shouting as they went."

"Rest assured, the Zhiwei Restaurant is absolutely packed today for its grand opening!"

Yelü Gan patted his chest, his face flushed with excitement, looking as if he had done a great deed.

Shen Qing: "...Thank you."

This is indeed a grand spectacle.

"No need to thank me, no need to thank me. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. As for that spicy hot pot, could I have another bowl?" Yelü Gan rubbed his hands together, and when he mentioned having another bowl, he was actually a little hesitant.

Shen Qing: "The mala tang is sold by weight, so you can eat as much as you want."

"real?"

"Yes, you can choose whatever dishes you want."

"That's fantastic! I'm going to spread this good news! A mala tang where you can choose your own ingredients—" Yelü Gan rushed out, acting like he'd gone mad.

Shen Qing smiled and shook his head, then walked towards the small courtyard that had been cleaned up yesterday, which was the Liaodong branch of Zhiwei Restaurant.

Upon entering, one sees a group of servants standing neatly in a row, along with a great many fresh ingredients.

"Greetings, Madam Shen!"

Shen Qing knew at a glance that these were the two brothers' men again.

That would be perfect for me to assist her.

"Get ready, let's start making mala tang!"

"Slice the lamb and beef into thin slices, cut the tofu into cubes, shred the bean curd sheets, soak the wood ear mushrooms, and soften the glass noodles..."

Soon, under Shen Qing's instructions, everyone got to work, some washing vegetables, others cutting meat.

Meanwhile, Shen Qing began preparing to make the soul of Mala Tang – the soup base.

Break fresh beef bones into pieces, soak them in clean water for a while to remove the blood, then take them out and blanch them in boiling water. Skim off the foam and wash them clean.

Pour water into a large pot, add the prepared beef bones, a few slices of ginger, and scallions. Soon, under the high temperature of cooking, the soup boils and foam rises.

Shen Qing carefully skimmed off the foam with a spoon until the soup in the pot was completely clean, then covered the pot and simmered it slowly.

More than an hour later, the collagen and marrow oil in the beef bones had melted into the soup, which turned milky white with a thin layer of oil floating on the surface, and the aroma of beef bones filled the air as the steam rose.

The broth at the bottom of the pot is now ready.

Shen Qing then turned to the wok next to him.

Pour oil into a pot, and once the oil is hot, add scallions, ginger, and garlic. After the aroma is fully released, remove and discard the scallions, ginger, and garlic.

Now add chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns to the pot. Soon, a numbing and spicy aroma will rise from the pot. Pour in fermented broad bean paste and fermented black beans, stir-fry over low heat, and taste the aroma of the sauce.

Add star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, etc.

Before long, a strong and pungent aroma filled the air, and all the servants who were preparing the ingredients couldn't help but sniff and stare at Shen Qing.

When it's almost done, pour all the stir-fried chili oil into the bone broth, add some rock sugar and fermented glutinous rice, and simmer over low heat for half an hour.

Rock sugar enhances the flavor, while fermented glutinous rice can neutralize the spiciness of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers.

Half an hour later, the chili oil and bone broth gradually blended together, and the color of the soup changed from milky white to bright red.

"It smells so good!"

"Oh my god, I can smell it."

"I can't wait! When are we opening?"

"..."

At this time, the entrance of Zhiwei Restaurant was already crowded with people.

Most of these people came to watch the spectacle after hearing the soldiers' shouts, while a small number came because they smelled the aroma.

Yelü Gan looked at the crowd at the door and was very satisfied.

"Third brother, how's it going? These are all the people I brought for Madam Shen, isn't it lively?"

Yelü Qi looked around and shook his head: "It's lively enough, but there's no order."

"You haven't been to Zhiwei Restaurant in Da'an. You don't know how long the queue is at the entrance of Zhiwei Restaurant in Da'an. Even when Madam Shen isn't there, none of the diners seem to be causing any trouble."

"This place looks too messy."

"What's so difficult about that?" Yelü Gan stared wide-eyed.

He randomly yelled at the top of his lungs, "Line up! All of you line up!!!"

"I'm paying for everything today. Anyone not in line has to pay for themselves."

Yelü Gan's shout immediately roused the crowd.

Just kidding. Only a fool wouldn't take advantage of a good deal. Of course they'd queue up if they could eat for free.

Upon seeing this, Yelü Qi didn't bother to say anything and rushed to the front.

Of course, he had to be first in line.

This mala tang smells so good, he wants to be the first person to eat it.

Almost instantly, a long queue formed, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Third brother, what are you doing??" Yelü Gan looked completely bewildered.

"I forgot to mention, Madam Shen has a rule that everyone, no matter who they are, has to queue up to buy food."

"So even if you pay for the whole place today, you still have to queue to get your mala tang. I advise you to hurry up and queue up, or you won't be able to get any if you're late."

Yelü Gan: "..."

The third brother is still as annoying as ever!

He had almost thought that the third brother had changed for the better these past few days, but it turns out he was just waiting for this.

Yelü Gan snorted coldly, strode up to the second person, took out twenty coins, and said, "I'll buy this position from you for twenty coins."

He just bought the spot; it was that simple.

If you go to the back of the queue now, you'll be waiting for ages.

"Great! Great!" The man's eyes lit up. This was a windfall, a stroke of good luck from heaven!

Upon seeing this, Yelü Qi couldn't help but say, "Only twenty coins? A seat at the entrance of Zhiwei Restaurant costs more than twenty coins."

You should know that when he bought a seat at the entrance of Zhiwei Restaurant in Da'an, he spent a full one hundred taels of silver.

"Hmm... then, how much would be appropriate..."

The man was about to move aside, but after hearing what Yelü Qi said, he stopped.

Is God about to throw a huge pie at his head?

"It should cost at least two hundred taels of silver," Yelü Qi said without hesitation.

Yelü Gan gritted his teeth and said, "Yelü Qi!"

"I... I'll keep these twenty coins..."

The person in second place was shocked. Two hundred taels of silver? Was this insane? It was no different from robbery.

God's pie is too big; it's easy to get crushed by it.

He should just take the twenty coins and run.

"Third brother, you're still too green to try and harm me," Yelü Gan said smugly as he took the second position.

Yelü Qi: "Just kidding."

"However, when I went to Da'an Nazhiwei Restaurant back then, I really did spend one hundred taels of silver to buy a seat."

Yelü Gan: "??"

"Are the people of Da'an that rich?"

"It's not that she's rich, it's just that Madam Shen's food is so delicious that there are long queues of people every day."

"Indeed, Madam Shen's food smells so good. If we could eat it, it wouldn't be a waste of money. I must say, the aroma is wonderful..."

Yelü Gan inhaled the aroma with a look of rapture, but a thought involuntarily arose in his mind.

His third brother kept talking about the Zhiwei Restaurant in Da'an, making him feel like a country bumpkin.

If he has the chance, he must go to Zhiwei Restaurant in Da'an to see for himself what a grand occasion it is.

Snapped--

Just then, the door opened.

Shen Qing's voice rang out:

"Zhiwei Restaurant - Daliao Branch is officially open. Welcome everyone to come and enjoy our food."

"Today's offering: Mala Tang (spicy hot pot). You can freely choose your favorite ingredients, and the price will be based on weight."

Rows of fresh ingredients were neatly arranged, and the soup in the pot was bubbling and steaming, making the complex aroma even more intense.

"Madam Shen, I'd like one!" Yelü Qi called out hurriedly.

"Okay, take a plate and choose your own ingredients. Weigh them after you've chosen, and then I'll cook them."

Yelü Qi's eyes lit up when he heard about this novel way of eating. He hurriedly picked up a plate and headed to the ingredient area.

The meat slices were thinly cut and neatly arranged; the spinach was vibrant green; the tofu was tender; the wood ear mushrooms were dark; and there were even pre-rolled noodles...

The variety of ingredients is countless.

Yelü Qi selected his favorite ingredients, weighed them, paid the money, and then took a plate of ingredients to Shen Qing.

Shen Qing took the plate and added the ingredients in batches to the bubbling broth.

Add the ingredients that take longer to cook first, and then add the ingredients that cook faster after they have cooked for a while.

Before long, a plate of spicy hot pot was ready.

Place all the ingredients into a ceramic bowl, pour a spoonful of boiling hot broth over them, and sprinkle with a few white sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

"It's ready. There's also sesame paste, sesame oil, minced garlic, etc. You can add some according to your own taste."