Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"This 'Nanyue Restaurant' isn't just for Chaozhou and Turkic cuisine. We can also serve Cantonese, Hakka, Sichuan, and Shandong cuisines—any cuisine that our participating chefs have, we can list them separately on the menu!"

Chen Dong's words silenced the brothers for a moment, then Chen Zaiguang slapped his thigh, "Ah Dong, that's a great idea! Invite master chefs from all the major cuisines to be judges, and then have the participating chefs showcase their skills on TV. That's a hundred times better than putting a 'ghost story' in the newspaper!"

"Nowadays, people watch operas on TV every day, and they're all tired of it. If there were a program where you could watch chefs cook, every household would be gathered around to watch," Chen Zailong said, perking up. "And what A Dong said is right. Once the program becomes popular, the name Nanyuelou will become popular too. When people invite guests to dinner, the first place they'll think of is 'Nanyuelou,' since it's a restaurant that's been on TV."

"Ah Dong, you...you mean this 'Chef God Showdown' thing, can it really work?" Chen Zaiguang's voice trembled slightly, clearly shocked by this audacious idea.

"Why not?" Chen Dong said with a smile. "Third Brother, think about it. If this works out, our 'Nanyue Restaurant' won't just be a famous brand in Tuocheng. It will become well-known throughout Nanyue Province, and even the whole country!"

"When more people watch the show, word will spread, not only promoting our Chaozhou cuisine and other cuisines, but also spreading the reputation of our 'Nanyuelou' as an authentic restaurant. Then, if diners who want to eat authentic cuisines don't come to 'Nanyuelou,' can they still call themselves gourmets?"

"hiss!"

As Chen Zaiguang listened to Chen Dong's explanation, he became more and more excited. His hands started rubbing together reflexively, like flies rubbing food. He leaned closer to Chen Dong and asked, "Dong, how exactly does this 'Chef God Competition' work? Tell me in more detail."

"It's very simple," Chen Dong said, dipping his finger in tea and drawing a few squares on the tablecloth. "First of all, the entry requirements should be low. Whether you're a master chef in a state-run canteen, a cook in a small street restaurant, or even a country cook preparing a large banquet, as long as you have the skills, you can apply."

"Our main focus is on recruiting talent without being bound by convention," Chen Dong continued. "Secondly, the judges must be authoritative, like Chef Ye, a top-level chef. We need to invite at least one or two chefs for each cuisine. They can sit in a row, taste the dishes on the spot, and give scores on the spot. The audience loves to watch that."

"Furthermore, the competition system should be fair and exciting at the same time. The preliminary rounds should be an elimination system, the semi-finals should be a points system, and the finals could be a live challenge where chefs use the same ingredients to make different dishes, so that it will be clear who has the best skills."

"We need to talk to the TV station in advance. If Tuocheng TV is willing to broadcast it, we can offer a cooperation plan. We can discuss things like sponsorship fees, revenue sharing, and program production costs," Chen Dong said, using some common TV station terms from later generations.

"The show incorporates 'Nanyuelou' into its programming, with 'Nanyuelou' appearing at the beginning and end of each episode, 'Nanyuelou' teacups on the judges' panel, and the host frequently mentioning 'This program is exclusively sponsored by 'Nanyuelou'. Foreign TV stations have been using these tactics for ages, so we can just copy them."

Chen Zaiguang listened with his mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time. Chen Zaiming, Chen Zaifang, and the others who were listening nearby were also completely confused, but they truly admired Chen Dong's business acumen, as he could come up with a way to make money so easily.

Chen Zaiguang was momentarily stunned. Chen Zaixing then asked, "Adong, what is naming rights?"

"We're funding this 'Chef Showdown' in collaboration with a TV station. The TV program will use our name, called 'Nanyuelou Chef Showdown.' We'll also register 'Chef Showdown' as a trademark to prevent other TV stations from piggybacking on our popularity," Chen Dong explained.

"That must cost a lot of money," Chen Zaiguang thought. Although he was tempted by Chen Dong's "Chef Showdown" plan, his stingy nature made him unconsciously tighten his grip on his wallet.

Chen Zaiguang was a little stingy and felt a pang of regret, but Chen Zaixing was much quicker-witted. As soon as he heard Chen Dong say that, he immediately went through Chen Dong's plan in his mind, and it seemed to have great potential.

So he immediately said to Chen Zaiguang, "Third Brother, don't worry about spending too much money. Let me tell you, if A Dong's proposal can be implemented, once the program airs, the number of customers at your 'Nanyuelou' will definitely increase dramatically. You'll earn back the money you've spent in no time."

"Think about it, this show itself is the best advertisement. If the entire city of Tuocheng and even the whole country knew about the fame of 'Nanyuelou,' then who would be the first place that comes to mind when anyone wants to eat authentic cuisine from various major regions?"

"Nanyue Tower?!"

"That's right," Chen Zaixing clapped his hands and said, "So, Third Brother, you must not feel that you are spending too much money. If you do feel that you are spending too much money, how about this, I, your younger brother, will share some of the pressure with you. Lotus Electronics will pay the prize money for the champion, runner-up and third place in the finals, but you have to leave Lotus Electronics a sponsorship right."

Upon hearing Chen Zaixing's words, Chen Zaiguang knew what the young man was planning. He also spoke up, "Third brother, I'll help you out a bit. Guangdong Group just happens to have some soy sauce, cooking oil, and condiments on the market. When the show airs, we'll use Guangdong's cooking oil and condiments. Guangdong Group will sponsor it with 200,000 yuan. What do you think?"

"Since we're going to do this, we have to be willing to spend money," Chen Zaisheng said with a smile. "Third brother, Xiaochi Group can also sponsor a sum of money. We will provide the transportation for the show. The company has just launched a new car to compete in the competition, so let's put the competition money to good use."

"Third Brother, look, the program hasn't even started yet, and the funding is already so plentiful," Chen Zailong said with a smile. "Since you've all invested, there's no reason for Huaxingsheng Supermarket not to. Our Huaxingsheng Group will contribute a little more and get two sponsorship rights."

Chen Zaixing laughed in exasperation. "Fourth Brother, aren't you usually so smart? Why are you being so stupid today? Discuss it with Third Brother, put up one share of the money and get two sponsorship rights. I'm really annoyed by you."

After hearing his four brothers' words about sponsoring and funding the show, Chen Zaiguang, who had initially thought he would have to spend a lot of money, suddenly realized that the show wasn't so expensive after all.

Moreover, the involvement of the three major groups, Xiaochi, Guangdong, and Huaxingsheng, made Chen Zaiguang feel even more confident that the program would be a success. In particular, Chen Zaixing's active performance gave Chen Zaiguang even more confidence.

Chen Zaiguang had great faith in Chen Dong's judgment and Chen Zaixing's "good luck." After all, among the five brothers, Chen Zaixing, the youngest, had the largest business. According to his wife, Lin Ruiqing, Chen Zaixing's success in building such a large enterprise was entirely due to "good luck."

While Chen Zaiguang was still pondering the gains and losses, his master Ye Daqiu listened to the entire conversation of the Chen brothers. Seeing that Chen Zaiguang was silent, he assumed that his disciple was worried about the money, so he advised, "Zaiguang, what are you still hesitating about?"

"Just listening to you brothers talk about it makes me think this program is worth watching. If it can be done and broadcast on TV, I guarantee that the reputation of your 'Nanyuelou' will spread all over the country. At that time, our Chaozhou cuisine lineage will truly be famous throughout the world."

"Third Brother, don't hesitate. If you really don't want to do it, then leave it to me," Chen Zaixing said with a wicked grin. "But once the show becomes popular, if your 'Nanyue Restaurant' wants to join, I won't stand idly by, and you'll have to bleed a lot to sponsor it, hehehe!"

"Get lost! You brat, always trying to take advantage of your third brother," Chen Zaiguang said with a smile after Chen Zaixing said that. "This was an idea that Adong gave to my 'Nanyue Restaurant.' If you want to sponsor the show, then I'll have to squeeze you dry."

"No, no, no, good third brother, we're brothers!" Chen Zaixing quickly begged for mercy with a roguish grin.

Chen Zaiguang said jokingly, "Don't you understand the importance of keeping clear accounts even between brothers? I'll have to charge you extra sponsorship fees separately, kid."

"Why!"

"The older brothers all pay one yuan for one sponsorship spot, but you're greedy, you're asking for two for one yuan, I can't charge you for an extra one!"

"Good third brother, it was my fault, please forgive me."