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

Chapter 92 You're here, have you eaten?

In winter, there is very little rain in the north of the Ming Dynasty, or rather, there is no rain at all after crossing the Huai River.

But riding a bicycle in the Ming Dynasty was truly a torment. Not only was your buttocks bruised from the constant jolting, but the northwest wind also stung your face like a knife.

"I'm a typical example of someone who deliberately seeks out hardship when there's none, but at least we've seen Beijing. Once we get to Beijing, I'll find a place to hide this bicycle."

Song Xiaoyi stopped his bicycle, found a small earthen slope by the roadside to rest, drank water, and talked to himself.

"Looks like there's no chance to hide the bicycle anymore?" Song Xiaoyi stood up calmly. "Brothers, come out."

A rustling sound began to rise from the surroundings. Song Xiaoyi's ears twitched slightly, but he was too careless and his alertness came too late! There were people, and more than one. The enemy had already surrounded him.

Embroidered Uniform Guard!

No, wait! It's the Embroidered Uniform Guards wielding Zhuge Repeating Crossbows!

That's not right either! "You're not the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

One lap, two laps, three laps! A full three laps! A mix of high and low formations, front and back, all composed of highly skilled fighters, even more formidable than the Imperial Guards!

The key thing is that the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow is not only that, but the crossbow bolts also have a cold, colorful light, and they are actually made of fine steel.

"Eastern Depot? Western Depot? Still not right, you don't even have the waist badges of the Imperial Guards!"

"It seems Young Master Song knows quite a lot. Come with us."

"So you all knew I was coming?"

"I've been waiting for you for over a month."

"Hey bro, can you tell me which department you're from?"

"Young Master Song, we mean no harm, we are just following orders. Please do not resist. We know that Young Master Song is highly skilled in martial arts, and we are no match for you in a one-on-one fight."

"You know me very well, don't you?"

"You'll understand when you get there."

"Oh, I forgot to mention, your parents and grandfather are all over there."

"Brother, if we hadn't said it, we would have been better off fighting to the death. Since that's the case, we'll have to fight to the death."

"Ah? Young master, wait a moment! Your father and family were not imprisoned; on the contrary, they were treated with courtesy!"

Through probing and observing micro-expressions, Song Xiaoyi determined that the other party was 90% telling the truth.

But what kind of organization was more well-trained than the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Did they have the Eastern Depot and Western Depot at this time? That can't be right!

"The Imperial Guard?"

"It's getting late, Young Master Song. Why don't you come with us? You'll understand when we get there. We won't restrict your freedom; as long as you don't run away, we won't take any action."

"Alright, this brother looks good, I'll go with you."

Guided by the other party, Song Xiaoyi boarded their carriage, entered the city gate, and headed straight for the Forbidden City.

The people of the capital were not surprised by this spectacle, but Song Xiaoyi was secretly alarmed.

They didn't find it strange, but Song Xiaoyi did! Why didn't the carriage bounce as it sped along? And why were the wheels made of rubber?

Two rows of imperial guards on horseback led the way, followed by three rows bringing up the rear. The ranks on both sides were perfectly synchronized, even the rhythm of their horses' hooves landing was almost identical. The repeating crossbows carried by the guards were always engaged! Were they afraid of being thrown off balance? Song Xiaoyi confirmed that they were engaged; pulling the trigger would fire an arrow, the kind that couldn't be dodged—

Along the way, Song Xiaoyi considered many possibilities. Was it Tang Bohu and his group that provoked them? Unlikely, this possibility was ruled out first.

Did the Embroidered Uniform Guard report their irregularities to higher authorities? Logically, the Embroidered Uniform Guard from the capital should have come, so that possibility can be ruled out as well?

Was it because of his grandfather and parents? Had the other party been watching him? Or perhaps they had been spying on his grandfather's shop?

This might be the most plausible explanation, as the other party mentioned their grandfather and parents. If that's the case, it's actually quite troublesome, as the other party knows they're not from this era!

Thinking too much was useless, because they had arrived at the Forbidden City. Song Xiaoyi lifted the carriage curtain, and sure enough, the uniforms of this group of soldiers were the same as those of the gatekeepers. The leader did not dismount, but simply showed a sign, and the gatekeeper let them through. The leader led the group straight in.

"Hey bro, what brand is that? It's so effective! It's the Forbidden City, they don't even check carriages? What if there's an assassin hiding inside?"

"Young Master Song, please don't joke. There are few assassins who can match you."

"That's not right. Look, I only realized it when you all surrounded me."

"That's because you didn't want to put your brothers in a difficult position."

"I like hearing that."

"Young Master Song, we've arrived. Please get out of the carriage and walk straight ahead; someone will meet you there. According to the rules, we cannot go any further from here."

Song Xiaoyi dismounted from the carriage. On the ground in front of him, eight traditional Chinese characters read, "Blue line for horseback riding, yellow line for carriage riding." But why couldn't he see either the blue or yellow line?

There's only one green line in front of us?

The capital city during the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty was shrouded in mystery.

Following the direction pointed out by the Imperial Guard leader, Song Xiaoyi continued forward and ascended to a grand hall with dozens of steps. Inside the hall, a man—young? or middle-aged?—wearing a Ming Dynasty dragon robe stood there, staring at him!

Yes, that's it!

Song Xiaoyi narrowed his eyes, glancing at the empty hall out of the corner of his eye. At the same time, he held his breath and focused his mind, using his fighting skills to probe his surroundings. Apart from the man in the dragon robe, there was not a trace of life!

No, isn't he afraid I'll kill him?

Am I supposed to kneel down? How do I kneel down again? I don't remember!

Song Xiaoyi was in a state of confusion and unknowingly walked to within five meters of that person.

The other party stared at Song Xiaoyi, who was dressed in rather incongruous Ming Dynasty attire, while Song Xiaoyi looked the emperor up and down in front of him.

"You've arrived."

"Yes, it's here."

Have you eaten?

"I didn't eat; I was arrested before I even entered the city."

"It's alright. You can have it with me later. It's your Song family's food."

"How is Old Man Song?"

"Very good, my chief chef."

"Where is my father, Song Shen?"

"Director of the Ordnance Bureau of the Ministry of Works, a fifth-rank official."

"Where is my mother, Shen Xiang?"

"Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Rank 5".

Why aren't they responding to the Tianfu News?

"Because I won't allow it."

"You are—the Emperor? Zhu Youcheng?"

"Exactly."

"Excuse me, when did you travel here?"

"Six years old."

"Oh, that must have been difficult. We owe you a lot to that old eunuch that year!"

"Yes, he's dead. I'm here."

"My turn to ask a question! Is Song Xiaoyi your real name?"

"right."

"So, like your grandfather and parents, you came directly from the human realm?"

"right."

"You should have a system, right?!"

"have!"

"You must have access to another world, right?!"

He knows all that! "Yes...yes!"

"What is your mission?!"

The two had a strange conversation, and Zhu Youmo became more and more agitated as he spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

"Please don't get excited. My mission is to become the Great Chef of the Ming Dynasty."

"The Great Chef of the Ming Dynasty? What use is a chef? How can he help?! Why is this happening?!"

"Senior, do you have a mission? Are you looking for something or waiting for someone?"

"I'm waiting for someone! But I'm not waiting for some lousy chef!"