Xie Yutang, a three-Michelin-star chef, woke up as a destitute concubine-born daughter driven out of her family home, with just ten taels of silver to her name.
No worries. It's not a big deal.
She rolled up her sleeves and set up a fried rice stall on the street. One bowl sent the South City market into a frenzy. Another had the Prince of Yu, who was traveling incognito, waiting in line for half an hour.
“Miss, this rice...”
“Fair prices for all ages. Ten copper coins a bowl. Scan to pay... no, wait, cash only.”
Xiao Yuheng: ...This woman is interesting.
Only later did he realize just how interesting she was. She used hunger marketing, introduced memberships, opened chain stores, built a central kitchen, issued food vouchers, and founded a culinary business school. She went from a roadside stall to “The Greatest Restaurant Under Heaven,” and along the way turned him, the “idle prince,” into her business partner.
The System, Taotie, grumbled on a daily basis: “Host, your hide has gotten even thicker.”
Xie Yutang smiled. “In business, how can you become the richest person in the world if you're thin-skinned?”
Zhao Shichang slammed the table. “What gives a woman the right!”
Xie Yutang brought out a plate of Soul-Soothing Rice. “This does. Would you care to try some?”
After the Empress Dowager finished the Four Seasons Feast, she bestowed a plaque on the spot: “The Greatest Flavor Under Heaven.” The conservative faction at court fell silent as the emperor quietly helped himself to another bowl.
Xiao Yuheng leaned against the doorway, smiling at her. “Shopkeeper Xie, when are you going to take me on too?”
Without even looking up, Xie Yutang replied, “Get in line. VIP members come first.”
This is the story of a heroine who uses a spatula to reshape her dynasty's economy and, along the way, turns a prince into her business partner. Lighthearted and humorous, with one satisfying moment after another, she builds an empire from a roadside stall. She alone is an army.
Theme: Food is the people's first necessity, and she uses food to change the world.
