In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

The price of the wine wasn't listed. After checking, I found that brewing wine in the Ming Dynasty requires a license, and you have to buy wine from stores that specialize in wine. Although the government is unlikely to investigate privately brewed wine, it's better not to list the price in advance in case it causes trouble.

While they were tidying up, Zhu'er, who had nothing to do at home, came over to see if there was anything she could help with. Seeing the menu written by Song Xiaoyi, she raised a few questions: "This is a bit strange. Even if it's a large bottle of Wanglaoji, this cup is 300 ml, and you're only selling it for two yuan? You're losing money. And these eggs, this is a tourist area, one yuan each, that's too cheap."

"Seven yuan a serving of instant noodles is acceptable, but two yuan a stick of King of Kings instant noodles doesn't make any money."

"......"

Faced with Zhu'er's questioning, Song Xiaoyi was speechless for a moment and could not explain. He really had to find a way to avoid Zhu'er later.

"Let's try it out for now, consider it a grand opening promotion. We'll adjust it if more people come."

"That's more like it."

We've managed to get away with it for now.

With everything prepared, Pearl volunteered, "The museum is too busy during the summer vacation. I have to volunteer at the Jinling Museum every day, and I also have to help with the procurement of restoration materials when there are restoration tasks, so I won't be able to come and help."

"It's just a small shop, so I don't need any help for now. I can handle it all by myself."

After sending Zhu'er home, Song Xiaoyi locked the door and returned to his own little world in the attic. He began to search online for information about people and things from the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, focusing on learning how to speak. He even took notes in a small notebook, a practice known as "sharpening your spear at the last minute, even if it's not quick, it will still shine."

In the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, a major event occurred in Yingtian Prefecture, Southern Zhili: the upcoming provincial examination in August.

Since Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) moved the capital to Beiping (Beijing) with the phrase "The emperor guards the nation's gate," Yingtian Prefecture became the secondary capital of the Ming Dynasty. However, the secondary capital still retained a complete set of national institutions, governing 14 prefectures and 4 sub-prefectures, including Suzhou Prefecture. In the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign (1498 AD), the triennial provincial examinations were held at the Jiangnan Examination Hall.

The Jiangnan Examination Hall is not far ahead, just across the street, no wonder there are so many scholars coming and going at the gate.

Both Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming participated in the provincial examination that year, and Tang Bohu won the title of Jieyuan (top scholar).

Further investigation revealed that Zhu Zhishan passed the provincial examination two years earlier than Tang Bohu, but he never passed the imperial examination in his lifetime...

Late at night, Song Xiaoyi couldn't stay awake any longer, so she set her alarm and went to sleep.

Everything is ready; we're just waiting to open tomorrow.

The next morning, at five o'clock.

After getting up and washing up, Song Xiaoyi took Yangzhou steamed buns directly from the freezer on the second floor, unpacked them, and put them into the steamer. He steamed ten baskets in two steamers first. This was a ferry crossing, and there were many people coming and going in a hurry, so he didn't have to worry about selling the steamed buns.

Next, use a water heater to boil water and fill all the kettles for later use.

After boiling a pot of water, start beating the eggs. Crack a tray of eggs into the pot, then remove them and set them aside.

Unpack the Wangzhongwang ham sausage and cut it open for later use.

Three noodle cookers are ready.

We open the doors to welcome guests at six o'clock.

As soon as the two door panels were removed, the first customer crawled in.

"Shopkeeper, do you have any instant noodles left?"

"We're opening today, so there's plenty of instant noodles, sir/madam." Song Xiaoyi replied as he removed the door panel, glancing at something. "Huh!"

Zhu Zhishan! And a sleepy-eyed Tang Bohu, plus two other unfamiliar faces. Goodness, according to the information I just checked online last night, one of them is most likely Wen Zhengming. However, Wen Bi hadn't changed his name yet at this time. These four gentlemen must be served well.

"Four guests, the menu is over there. Please choose your preferred dishes first."

"Shopkeeper, noodle stall owner, what kind of food is that?"

"My noodle buddies, didn't Brother Zhishan and Brother Bohu already try it yesterday!"

"Oh, I forgot, the partner is that sausage, it has to be served with every bowl of noodles."

"Shopkeeper, what is this 'secret recipe herbal tea'? And what is this 'secret recipe fruit juice'?"

"Gentlemen, would you please choose your noodles first? The secret-recipe herbal tea is naturally cold and not suitable for drinking in the morning. Please choose your noodles in the afternoon."

"During lunchtime, our shop offers our secret-recipe malt liquor," Song Xiaoyi whispered to Zhu Zhishan.

Zhu Zhishan suddenly realized: "I understand! It's illicit brewing!"

"Shh!"

Upon hearing "private brewing," Tang Bohu instantly snapped to attention. "Private brewing? Where's private brewing?"

"Brother Bohu, we can only drink the homemade wine at lunchtime."

"Ugh, this is so boring. I'll have a bowl of Suzhou-style crab roe noodles."

"I agree."

+1.

+2.

Well, they really are all from Suzhou.

"Please wait a moment, everyone." By this time, the steamed buns were all ready, and water was boiling in a pot. Song Xiaoyi brought over a basket of them. "On our opening day, please feel free to sample them, gentlemen."

"Yangzhou-style noodles? Hot! Hot! Hot! Hmm~, the taste is excellent! Gentlemen, please try some."

Four sets of "Suzhou Crab Roe Noodles" were prepared. Song Xiaoyi brought them to the table and thoughtfully gave each person a small bowl of noodle soup, saying, "Please enjoy."

Four servings of noodles, each eaten differently by one person, but all received +4 points for positive feedback.

The advantage of Suzhou-style crab roe noodles is its strong flavor. Before everyone had finished eating, the aroma wafted out, attracting passersby to stop and watch. Song Xiaoyi moved the small whiteboard with the water sign to the door for passersby to choose from.

"Yangzhou-style noodles? Two for only one coin? Give me two."

"Give me two too."

"Shopkeeper, what are they eating?"

"This is it, Suzhou crab roe noodles."

"I'd like a bowl of Suzhou-style crab roe noodles."

"I'll have one too."

......

The bandwagon effect was particularly evident here. In one morning, almost all the items sold were steamed buns and Suzhou-style crab roe noodles. Two packs of Suzhou-style crab roe noodles, a total of 10 bags, were quickly sold out. There was no time to go to the supermarket across the street to pick up more, so Song Xiaoyi could only add two words after "Suzhou-style crab roe noodles Qiwen".

After the third batch of noodles was served, everyone at Zhu Zhishan's table finished eating. As expected, Zhu Zhishan then pulled out a sheet of Xuan paper from his sleeve.

"The shop owner..."

Song Xiaoyi caught it, unfolded it, and immediately rubbed his forehead. It was another painting, "Divine Bird and Phoenix"!

"Shopkeeper, this time we have two more... baby phoenixes!"

"And now there's also my brother Wenbi's seal."

"Sure! Sure! Take care, everyone. Please come back for drinks this afternoon."

Song Xiaoyi quickly put away the second copy of "The Divine Bird and Phoenix Painting", went through the kitchen to the second floor, and put it on the cashier to dry.

Holy crap, a few more chicks don't matter, the key is the addition of Wen Bi's seal, that makes it even more valuable. Wen Bi is Wen Zhengming, no doubt about it!

At this time, the ferry crossing ushered in the peak dining season, and "Song's Restaurant" gradually became busy. Fortunately, Zhu'er reminded them to purchase enough kraft paper bags at the market, which greatly facilitated customers who wanted to take their food to go.

On the first day, Song Xiaoyi was overwhelmed with work, feeling disoriented. Customers sitting down inside were urging for instant noodles, those at the door were asking for takeout buns, and new customers were asking all sorts of questions...

I thought I could handle the first day of the official opening with ease, but I ended up rushing around in a frantic rush all morning.