Chapter 226 Reward
Not long after, the imperial envoy suddenly fell seriously ill. A group of famous doctors were helpless, but he was cured by a medicinal meal. The legendary story spread throughout the streets and alleys in an instant.

Only then did people realize that the chefs were not arrested because they had committed a crime, but were asked to treat the imperial envoy's illness.

Later, more details gradually emerged, and the names of Xu Qing and Yangquan Restaurant once again reached people's ears.

If Xu Qing was still a commoner chef in the eyes of the public before, he was now gilded with a layer of gold. Anything related to the government, the court, and the royal family instantly became different in people's eyes.

Yangquan Restaurant once again welcomed a crazy influx of customers, and everyone was busy as a whirlwind.

Fortunately, they had experienced a huge crowd before, so they were not in a panic this time. They were busy but orderly, and everyone gradually began to get used to it.

At such a busy time, Master Luo Tian naturally could not stay out of it and had to start working.

As he was busy, he felt that something was missing.

Until one day he accidentally walked into the kitchen and found that Xu Qing had not left. He was still organizing the ingredients in the kitchen, preparing for the opening the next day.

Master Luo Tian then realized that he had not heard Xu Qing's complaint.

In the past, Xu Qing always complained about being too tired. Even though he was the most serious one at work every day, he still complained.

In recent days, the workload has increased exponentially, but Xu Qing has never said the word "tired".

He is often the first to arrive and the last to leave.

"Xu Qing, aren't you going to rest yet?"

Master Luo Tian asked aloud.

"Almost. It will be ready soon."

Xu Qing lowered his head and said.

"It's still not too late to sort it out tomorrow."

“If you do a little more today, everyone can save a little energy tomorrow.”

Master Luo Tian found a chair and sat down. Looking at Xu Qing's busy figure, he asked, "Are you tired?"

"Of course I'm tired."

Xu Qing said.

"But I haven't heard you complain about being tired recently."

Xu Qing turned to look at Master Luo Tian, ​​"Because I'm not the only one who's tired. The chefs, the guys, Meili, and you, Master, are all exhausted."

Master Luo Tian nodded slightly.

He could clearly feel that Xu Qing's original arrogance that was unique to genius had dissipated a lot.

Now all he could see were the diners, himself, his companions around him, and the chefs and waiters who helped him.

The chef has the heaviest work, but that doesn't mean others have it easy.

Xu Qing now looks more like a restaurant chef than ever before.

A chef needs not only excellent cooking skills, but also a strong sense of responsibility, because he needs to take responsibility not only for himself, but also for the entire restaurant.

Master Luo Tian took the key from his waist and placed it in front of Xu Qing.

"This is?"

Master Luo Tian said solemnly: "This is the key to Yangquan Restaurant, and it also represents the position of head chef. Xu Qing, from this moment on, you are the real head chef of Yangquan Restaurant."

Xu Qing looked at him suspiciously, "Master, you are not going to be lazy again, are you?"

"You kid!"

Master Luo Tian was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, "I'm talking about serious matters!"

"Ok."

Xu Qing took the key and gently stroked the patterns on it.

The position of head chef of Yangquan Restaurant is not only an honor, but also a responsibility.

Xu Qing never thought he could shoulder such a heavy responsibility. He preferred the life of a free and easy wanderer, relaxed, comfortable and unrestrained, where he could do whatever he wanted.

In the past, when he was the head chef, Xu Qing only regarded it as a means to improve his cooking skills and did not take it too seriously.

However, after experiencing the previous events, Xu Qing realized that someone has to take responsibility. Even if responsibility brings more busyness and pain, it is not something that can be easily abandoned.

And his strength means that he is destined to take on more responsibilities.

Escaping may give you a temporary respite and relaxation, but in the end you still have to shoulder your own responsibilities, for yourself and for others.

Xu Qing held the key tightly in his hand, as this was his responsibility at the moment.

Master Luo Tian felt much more at ease when he saw Xu Qing's expression.

He stretched and yawned, saying, "I feel relieved now. I'm going to sleep first, and you shouldn't be busy too late."

Xu Qing responded and reminded: "Master, don't forget to get up early tomorrow, you still have work to do."

Master Luo Tian froze for a moment. He turned around in disbelief and asked, "I am no longer the head chef. Do I still need to work?"

Xu Qing shook the key in his hand and said, "I am the head chef now. I am the boss of Yangquan Restaurant, so of course the chef has to listen to my orders."

"Give me back the key, boy!"

"No!"

……

Today is still a busy day.

The chefs stretched, yawned, opened the door of Yangquan Restaurant, and prepared to welcome guests and start a busy day of work.

However, as soon as he opened the door, he saw many soldiers standing outside, and the leader was the official who had come to arrest Xu Qing.

This familiar scene immediately set off alarm bells in the chef's heart. He subconsciously turned around and shouted into the house: "Xu Qing, run! The soldiers are here to arrest people again!"

Jiang Long, who was waiting outside the door, was speechless, while the officers and soldiers around him couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"No laughing."

Jiang Long growled.

Xu Qing heard the shouting and came over. Seeing that the person coming was Jiang Long, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, they are not here to arrest anyone."

Then he clasped his fists towards Jiang Long and said, "Master Jiang, how are you? How is the Imperial Envoy?"

Jiang Long said repeatedly: "Good, very good! Since eating your medicinal food, the Imperial Envoy's health has gradually recovered. It's a pity that we asked you to come and make medicinal food for the Imperial Envoy several times, but you declined."

Xu Qing said: "Pharmacology is extensive and profound. The medicinal diet I made before was a blessing from my predecessors. If I really make it myself, I am afraid that the efficacy will be much worse than the doctors' prescriptions."

Although Mr. He entrusted his life's work to him for safekeeping, Xu Qing has been extremely busy recently and has no time to read it at all.

Xu Qing glanced at the officers and soldiers behind Jiang Long and asked, "By the way, what is the matter with you, Lord Jiang?"

"Of course there is something wrong, and it's a good thing. Carry it up!"

Following Jiang Long's order, the officers and soldiers behind him came forward carrying a plaque covered with red cloth.

At this time, the rest of the people in Yangquan Restaurant were also attracted by the previous shouting.

Master Luo Tian saw the plaque and asked, "What is this?"

Jiang Long pulled the red cloth off the plaque and saw that it was actually a plaque made of golden nanmu wood, extremely luxurious, with four large golden characters carved on it in a flamboyant style - Yangquan Restaurant.

Jiang Long said: "These four words were written by the emperor himself and were carefully crafted by the craftsmen in the palace as a golden plaque bestowed by the emperor."

Upon hearing this, everyone in Yangquan Restaurant was shocked.

Everyone at Yangquan Restaurant thanked the emperor for the grace and happily took the golden plaque. They stroked it carefully and looked at it again and again with curiosity.

Jiang Long said: "There is one more thing, which is a special reward for Chef Xu."

As he spoke, another person came forward holding a tray. On the tray was a set of clothes, which looked very familiar to Xu Qing.

This is the signature outfit of a top chef.

However, unlike the common top chef uniforms, this set of clothes is outlined with gold threads, and the green dragon on the top chef logo has turned into a golden dragon.

Jiang Long said, "This is the special chef clothing bestowed by His Majesty. Chef Xu, just based on this set of clothing, local officials will bow to you when they see you."

"This……"

Xu Qing was so surprised that he didn't know what to say.

Master Luo Tian quickly pulled him aside, and the two of them thanked the emperor together.

Soon, the news that Xu Qing and Yangquan Restaurant had received the emperor's favor spread throughout Guangzhou. Officials of all ranks and gentry from all over the country came to pay a visit, to see with their own eyes the golden plaque bestowed by the emperor and to get a taste of the dragon's aura.

This news also reached the ears of the dark cuisine world, which had been paying close attention to Xu Qing.

(End of this chapter)