CHAPTER 430: CHAPTER 430: ONE HUNDRED VOTES TO ENTER THE COMMERCE ASSOCIATION

The person who entered was a man dressed in a brocade robe.

His skin was wheat-colored; his entire presence was extraordinary, suggesting his identity was undoubtedly exceptional.

As soon as he spoke, the previously noisy crowd discussing how to resist Xiao Shen fell into silence.

Upon confirming he had heard "Xiao Shen," Chairman Liu felt as if he had aged several years in an instant.

He leaned on his cane and walked up to Xiao Shen, his voice old and frail.

"That’s me."

Xiao Shen said, "You should know my rules; if you lose after the challenge, then I’ll take thirty percent of the restaurant assets. If you surrender directly, then I’ll take fifty percent."

Everyone’s faces filled with distress; this wasn’t a challenge, it was blatantly extorting money.

Yet, he could use such a legitimate excuse.

Chairman Liu gritted his teeth, "We accept the challenge."

Xiao Shen smirked, "Then let’s duel at noon."

Sister Xian was somewhat lost; upon seeing Xiao Shen, she grew even more desolate.

Currently, the Jingzhou Chamber of Commerce could only rely on Hong Dachu.

Other cooks were truly insignificant.

At noon, the market was bustling with people who came to watch the challenge.

Everyone was talking, but the outlook for the Jingzhou Chamber of Commerce was bleak.

There’s no chance of winning.

This was someone who had defeated everyone undefeated.

"Jingzhou will probably have to reshuffle from here on."

Shu’er and Tang Zan also arrived at the scene; Xuan Liu prepared a chair and held up an oil-paper umbrella for the two.

This commotion was something Shu’er had to witness.

Xiao Shen’s team had a total of twenty chefs, all renowned experts in the industry.

In Jingzhou, almost every restaurant’s chef was called to support, totaling a thousand people.

Now it was these cooks against the chamber’s chefs, who were completely defeated and powerless.

Then they challenged layer after layer; the chamber’s people were mostly defeated, while the Imperial Uncle’s side still had 15 people left.

Finally, the one holding the spoon was just Hong Dachu.

He was up against fifteen people on the opposing side.

The contest was about pastry making.

But this time, the one taking action was Xiao Shen.

He stepped out from under the umbrella, a reckless smile on his lips.

"I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time."

The fundamentals of the two were similar, but Xiao Shen’s skills were clearly more practiced, and he had more variety.

It was evident that he had blended the strengths of both the North and South.

Seeing this arrangement, Shu’er knew the chamber was completely defeated.

Sure enough, most of the tasters chose the Imperial Uncle’s team.

Only a few people chose Hong Dachu.

Another overwhelming victory.

Hong Dachu, having suffered consecutive blows, hair turned much grayer.

Xiao Shen remained elegant, but his eyes were full of scorn.

"Jingzhou, only this much? Such a large state, yet not one decent chef?"

Prefect Xie sighed, thirty percent of the restaurant industry—it’s all the Imperial Uncle’s private wealth, not belonging to Jingzhou nor to Dayan. As long as he pays the normal taxes, there won’t be a problem.

How much will Jingzhou’s economy decline? How murky will Jingzhou’s waters become?

Forget it; who can compete with the Imperial Uncle?

The entire chamber showed a dejected air, completely devoid of their previous arrogance.

No one spoke; solemn and despairing.

Zisu chuckled.

"See, this is what they call poetic justice for the evil deeds of Jingzhou Chamber of Commerce."

Shu’er smiled lightly, saying no more.

Xiao Shen said, "Chairman Liu, according to the agreement, you owe me thirty percent of the restaurant assets. Sign and seal here, and my people will handle the relevant matters."

Chairman Liu’s eyes reddened, his hand trembled as he accepted the agreement, his spine slumped even more.

Some other chamber members even wiped their tears.

This was real money, how much could thirty percent be?

Just then, Sister Xian suddenly raised her head.

"No, Jingzhou Chamber of Commerce has not lost yet."

Chairman Liu’s eyes were a hazy gray, he sighed heavily.

"The chamber can’t produce any more chefs; sooner or later, it will lose."

Sister Xian pointed at Shu’er, "She is one of us; she hasn’t competed yet! So, Jingzhou hasn’t lost."

Xiao Shen’s gaze followed Sister Xian’s hand, looking at Shu’er with amber eyes.

He raised his eyebrows, eyes full of contempt.

This young girl is a chef?

Shu’er shrugged and laughed, "Sister Xian, don’t say that, I’m not part of the chamber."

Sister Xian’s words immediately opened the minds of those in the chamber.

The taste at Pei’s Restaurant was very good, even if it wasn’t a match for Xiao Shen.

But at least it could save some face, rather than allowing Jingzhou to be insulted like this.

"Now we invite you; you are part of the chamber, the chamber needs ten sponsors, I can be one."

"I can also sponsor."

One vote, two votes, five votes, ten votes, twenty votes, fifty votes, a hundred votes.

The sponsors kept increasing; the whole scene was filled with voices proposing Shu’er to join the chamber.

At this moment, people weren’t hoping Shu’er could win; they just wished she wouldn’t lose so miserably.

At least to reclaim a city.

They had tasted the food at Pei’s Restaurant, very delicious, but compared to Xiao Shen’s, still not good enough.

In the end, only Manager Yang and his few did not agree to sponsor.

They looked at the situation now, knowing Shu’er’s joining the chamber was inevitable.

And Shu’er still sat leisurely on the chair, showing no intention of joining the chamber.

She received flower tea from Xuan Liu’s hand, took a slow sip, slightly lifting her eyelids to reveal a pair of clear eyes, carrying a lazy elegance that enhanced her beauty.

"You sponsor me, but I have no intention of joining."

Manager Yang gritted his teeth, "Shu’er, don’t act coy; who doesn’t know you want to join the Jingzhou Chamber the most? Let me tell you, joining Jingzhou Chamber is your honor."

Shu’er shrugged, "Sorry, I don’t find it honorable."

If it weren’t for the Thousand-year-old Ganoderma, she wouldn’t care about joining the Jingzhou Chamber.

Now being forced to stand up for these people, and they still maintain such a superior and condescending attitude; she is not willing.

Chairman Liu, seeing so many people inviting her, yet she was unwilling to join, his face turned downcast.

"Manager Pei, know when to stop; you are indeed part of Jingzhou, and this thirty percent asset would include your share."

Shu’er laughed lightly; her body shook slightly, giving an impression of delicate charm.

She took out a thick wad of silver notes from her chest, a full five thousand taels. She waved it casually.

There were three thousand taels from Tang Zan, plus two thousand taels she earned from her pastry shop and restaurant.

"Oh? Do you think I care about that thirty percent asset?"

Others twitched at the corners of their mouths; they thought Shu’er had no money.

Now they realize, she was indeed wealthy; if those restaurants competed against her in terms of expenditure, perhaps, who knows who would be left standing.

Everyone at this moment had truly run out of things to say to convince Shu’er.

The resentment she had against the Jingzhou Chamber was so deep; it would be strange for her to be willing to help them.

Other chamber members’ perception of Shu’er also changed, from initial disdain to subsequent caution.

Just the silver notes she took out were enough to earn respect.

This wasn’t someone who could be easily manipulated.