Chapter 23: Fast Food Delicacies

Chai Xiao had indeed considered everything.

"The reason for setting them up on both sides is to avoid interfering with the normal operation of the Drum Tower."

"All our kitchen staff and guards should quickly use bamboo to erect two large awnings on either side of the Drum Tower."

"Under one large awning, place offerings of grains, livestock, and ceremonial wine to give thanks to the earth for providing us with food."

"Beside it, set up a large pot, boil some porridge, and distribute it for free."

"While free porridge is typically associated with disaster relief—which is exactly what Taizhou needs right now—we have, after all, been spared from the floods. Therefore, this serves as both a response to Taizhou’s plight and a gesture of the Prince’s compassion for the common people."

Hearing this, the group nodded one after another. Even Su Zhongjing stroked his beard and smiled.

The Ninth Prince was about to become the beloved "Ninth Lord of Justice"!

With such public support, why fear losing to that Second Prince, who only knew how to line his own pockets? After just this one round, the Second Prince would likely lose so much he’d be down to his last pair of trousers!

After all, nothing is more valuable than the hearts of the people.

Chai Xiao then joked with Chef Yi Taihe.

"Chef Yi, you don't need to worry too much about the cost of this big pot of free porridge. After all, this isn't a time of famine. Aside from the truly needy, those coming for the porridge will include curious onlookers, the night watchmen who report the time, and the performers exhausted from the Qilin and Lion-Elephant lantern dances!"

Yi Taihe replied, "Yes, Your Highness! I wasn't worried about the cost exceeding the budget!"

"Haha!" The group burst into laughter.

Chai Xiao pointed to the other side. "Under the other large awning, you can set up about twenty tables and over forty benches. It’s like a stall specializing in breakfast. You can give it a new name: a 'Fast Food Restaurant'!"

Yi Taihe murmured, "Fast Food Restaurant! Fast Food Restaurant!"

Chai Xiao nodded. "Exactly! As the name suggests, fast food means fast ordering, fast pickup, and fast dining!"

"You can charge double or triple for the private rooms on the second floor. But for this fast food on the first floor, you’ll at most charge a little extra! The menu should be relatively simple—geared toward that 'fast' factor: quick to cook and quick to serve."

"I’ll make a wager with you all: don't look down on this just because it’s an awning and the items are cheap. Because the volume is high, the profits won't be any less than those from the second floor!"

Yi Taihe said, "This..." He wanted to ask how that could be possible, but remembering Zhang Bao’s repeated warnings not to contradict the Prince, he swallowed his words.

Seeing that Yi Taihe was skeptical, Chai Xiao couldn't help but grin mischievously. "What? You don't believe me? Then let's make a bet! Ten taels of silver, how about it? If any of you don't believe me, you're all welcome to join!"

With that, the Prince pulled out some silver from his robes.

"Ten taels it is, I'll take that bet!" Yi Taihe gritted his teeth and pulled out ten taels of his own.

"I’ll bet ten taels too!"

"Me as well!"

The four sous-chefs, also convinced that the "fast food" awning could never outperform the "private room" dining, followed the head chef’s lead and placed their bets.

Consort Yun, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but cover her face. This incorrigible child was perfect in every way, except for this gambling spirit—always ready to bet with anyone—that he seemed to have inherited from who knows where.

Moreover, his ability to mobilize others through gambling was simply too strong!

Previously, he had gambled on whether the Second Prince would let the messengers pass, starting with ten taels and raising the stakes to two hundred, eventually winning a full six hundred taels. Now, he was leading these cooks into a bet about "fast food" versus "private room" dining.

One gambling Prince leading five betting cooks—it looked ridiculous no matter how you sliced it!

But then again, why was this boy so confident in his "fast food"? If she didn't have to maintain her dignity as the Prince's mother, she would have joined in the bet herself!

Regardless, the three-part strategy for today—Heaven, Man, and Earth—had been deployed. Now, it was just a matter of seeing how it would play out.

Chai Xiao had already tucked away the silver and glanced at the sun. "It is nearly the hour of Si. Let's hurry with the preparations; we start officially at the hour of Wu!"

"As for the Drum and Bell Towers in the west, south, and north, I ask the Grand Tutor to coordinate the personnel and ensure everything is synchronized."

"As for how to arrange things and inform the public, you can begin now. We must make good use of this Drum Tower; it does serve the purpose of disseminating decrees and educating the people, doesn't it?"

The group responded in unison, "Yes!" The voices were firm and resolute, as if announcing the arrival of an era entirely different from what came before.

Escorted by Yao Jin and the other guards, Chai Xiao returned to the Prince's residence to change into his formal ceremonial robes.

*Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!*

As the hour of Si arrived, the great bell in the Bell Tower struck six times, signaling the sixth two-hour period since the start of the day. After striking three times, the great drum in the East Drum Tower began to beat.

To beat the drum in broad daylight always signaled a major event! Moreover, the weight of the strikes and the density of the rhythm were different from any other day.

Su Zhongjing led his men throughout the city, announcing that the ceremony would commence at the hour of Wu.

"Respectfully to the vast heavens, impartial in your embrace. The balance of Yin and Yang nurtures all things..."

Not far away, Chai Xiao turned back to look at the Drum Tower.

In truth, he should have given a name to these ten days of Heaven, Earth, and Man events. What would be a good name? A Food Festival?

Truth be told, Chai Xiao had indeed designed these three "activities" following the logic of a "Food Festival."

The safety of the top floor was paramount—"Strict Control of Personnel." By proactively providing high-quality pastries, cakes, tea, and wine, it was equivalent to hosting a "cocktail party" on this level. But the focus wasn't on "ambiance," but on "significance"—giving thanks to the heavens, respecting the elderly and caring for the young, rooted in filial piety—"Establishing Values."

The private rooms on the second floor hosted a "Chinese banquet." With the Prince leading at the main table, it was an endorsement of quality and reputation—"Royal Endorsement." The nobility and wealthy families would inevitably flock there. Other tables were arranged freely, giving them space. The menu here was important—"Clear Pricing." Although much more expensive than outside, the quality was guaranteed. One bite would make them want another, and one meal would make them want to return—"Quality Control."

The large awning on the first floor was a genuine "street food stall," following the popular "fast food" route—"Winning through Volume." The reason he dared to bet with Yi Taihe and the others was that, through observing the crowds on the street, he saw that their general purchasing power was limited. Thus, affordable dishes actually had a larger market—"Market Research" and "Precise Positioning."

In short, to host a successful "Food Festival," one must implement "Three Controls and Three Adjustments," achieving "Three Divisions and Three Integrations."

Three Controls: Control safety, control quality, control the scene.
Three Adjustments: Adjust the market, adjust reserves, adjust mobility.
Three Divisions: Categorize by type, by crowd, and by scenario.
Three Integrations: Integrate planning, integrate effort, integrate morale.

...

Just as the East Drum Tower of the Great Xu Royal City was broadcasting to the entire city, a group of people was walking at a leisurely pace outside the city gate. It was the Second Prince, Chai Huo, and his entourage.

Faintly, they heard the heavy sound of drums echoing from within the city, sounding quite different from the usual time-keeping.

"Why are they beating the drums in broad daylight?"

"And why so loudly?"

"What is the Ninth one up to?"

Hiding in his fine silk and fur, the listless Second Prince yawned repeatedly. If it weren't for the annoying but loyal eunuch official Huang Zhongyong constantly urging him, he wouldn't have wanted to get up at all.

Was he not an Eight-Pearl Prince? Did he really have to be chased away by some useless Duke?