Seeing Lin Yuan coming forward to help clarify, Yan Xiangkai was very grateful and gave a respectful bow with his fists clasped.
However, gratitude was one thing, and the challenge was another. As soone who had been running a restaurant for decades in the Capital city, the sudden ergence of a rival establishnt of comparable reputation made him feel sowhat uncomfortable.
Moreover, their challenge was a fair one, just like the sparring between Martial Arts Schools, where restaurants also improved and sought breakthroughs through competitions.
Lin Yuan had also frequently represented her restaurant in culinary king competitions, so she wasn’t too averse to the challenge.
She looked at the large sign and said with a loud, cheerful laugh, "Since Old Master Yan thinks highly of Lin Yuan, I will accept this Challenge Letter. It just so happens that I would like to witness the culinary skills of your esteed chefs."
As she spoke, Lin Yuan gave Shopkeeper Liu a nod behind her.
Shopkeeper Liu imdiately instructed several boys to step forward and take the large sign from the hands of the n. Only then did everyone realize that the sticks in the hands of those n were not for fighting, but for carrying the large wooden sign.
Once the boys had taken the Challenge Letter, Lin Yuan looked towards Yan Xiangkai and asked, "May I ask how Old Master Yan would like to proceed with the duel?"
Yan Xiangkai was sowhat surprised that Lin Yuan had accepted the challenge letter, but at this ti, he appreciated all the more this petite and lovely young lady.
"Princess Pingxi truly is straightforward."
After praising her, Yan Xiangkai continued: "To be fair, I shall set the ti, and Princess Pingxi shall choose the location. How about that?"
Lin Yuan nodded: "Fine."
Seeing her agreent, Yan Xiangkai then suggested, "How about the sixth day of next month?"
The sixth day of the next month was the sixth day of November, and there were less than twenty days left from today. Although the ti was sowhat tight, it should be enough.
Lin Yuan nodded: "As for the location..."
Before Lin Yuan could finish, soone in the crowd suddenly shouted loudly, "Dong Tian and Drunken Immortal Tower competing is a once-in-a-century event in the Capital city, please allow Princess Pingxi to give us a chance to witness it with our own eyes and enlighten us!"
After this person finished speaking, it imdiately resonated with a lot of people: "Yes, yes, please grant us this favor, Princess Pingxi!"
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow and glanced around, cooking wasn’t like martial arts that could be done anywhere, just the stoves and large pots alone were troubleso. She had originally planned to arrange it in the kitchen of Dong Tian; a kitchen, like the knives used by chefs, must be familiar for the hand to move swiftly and the dishes to be best.
However, now that these people were all making a fuss, she obviously couldn’t arrange the competition at Dong Tian’s location. But there was no appropriate stove in any other place!
Just as Lin Yuan was worrying, Xia Zheng suddenly spoke up from the side: "The area outside the city near Linjiang is open and bright, with a wide view, and next to it is River View Tower."
Lin Yuan turned her head and glanced at him, seeming to understand Xia Zheng’s intent.
The competition between Dong Tian and Drunken Immortal Tower was bound to draw a lot of attention, and no matter where the location was set, it would cause so conflicts or unnecessary trouble.
There definitely wasn’t such a large and suitable place in the city. But outside the city was different; Linjiang was already sparsely populated. Moreover, River View Tower could accommodate a number of nobles, and these matters could be resolved.
Moreover, this competition would certainly bring a lot of guests to River View Tower, who would definitely be happy to provide so conveniences, such as the large platforms for the competition and the stoves and spatulas for cooking.
"Alright, let’s set the location at Linjiang!"
Lin Yuan made the final decision, and Yan Xiangkai also imdiately nodded his agreent, apparently very satisfied with this location.
The ti and place of the competition were set. Now, only the thod of the competition was left.
Yan Xiangkai, being the older and the one issuing the challenge, Lin Yuan let him decide.
However, Yan Xiangkai was a very upright man and would definitely not take any advantage of Lin Yuan.
"The competition will consist of three rounds, with each of us proposing a challenge for one round, and the third round will be freestyle. As for the judges, you invite three and I invite three, how does that sound?"
Lin Yuan curved her lips into a smile, quite satisfied with this proposal.
However, glancing around at the eagerly anticipating onlookers, an idea bubbled up in her mind. Her eyes glead and she suggested with a smile, "Having only six judges seems too few, how about we set up an additional row of spectator seats beside them, offer the food to these common folk as well, and then let them join in the judging too, what do you say?"
Lin Yuan’s proposal was t with fierce cheers from the surrounding crowd upon being spoken. Everyone was loudly exclaiming their approval, and so were even declaring on the spot their desire to be judges.
With the people so excited, if Yan Xiangkai were to refuse, it could certainly lead to an uproar.
Although he felt that these commoners did not have the experience of the judges he would invite, he bit the bullet and agreed.
The commoners began exclaiming joyfully, all asking how to sign up to be judges.
Lin Yuan gave a sweet smile and squeezed her eyes at Xia Zheng.
Xia Zheng imdiately understood, secretly cursing Lin Yuan for being a little money-grubber, and then stood up to announce loudly, "Everyone, please calm down. We will select twenty people to serve as judges. Those who wish to participate can sign up at Dong Tian. Ten days from now, we will determine who gets to be the judges by drawing lots at the Dongtian entrance."
He took a look at the enthusiastically high-spirited crowd and heh-hehed, continuing, "I know there are many who want to participate as judges, but to ensure the smooth operation of the competition, those who wish to sign up must contribute two taels of silver each. Whether or not you will be chosen, this two taels of silver is non-refundable. So everyone, think carefully before signing up; don’t co fussing after not being selected. It’s too troubleso."
With such a condition announced, naturally many people lost the desire to participate. Two taels of silver for a chance with an uncertain outco was too risky.
However, there were still many who were willing to risk it, and imdiately there were people raising their hands in agreent.
"It’s just two taels of silver, right? Maybe I’m just that lucky to be chosen! Besides, if I get to taste the food prepared by Dong Tian and Drunken Immortal Tower’s chefs, two taels of silver is a steal!"
"Exactly! I heard that Princess Pingxi has extraordinary culinary skills, maybe she’ll be competing herself this ti! If I get to eat food cooked by Princess Pingxi, I would die satisfied!"
"I want to participate too! Two taels of silver is not much; count in!"
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