Chapter 296: Dining at Bianyifang

“Director Zhang, I’m fine. The ones with a problem are them.” Zhou Yimin said indifferently.

Director Zhang glanced at the two men on the ground, both severely injured. He was a little surprised—Zhou Yimin had always appeared refined and well-mannered, but clearly, he had a ruthless side.

But it didn’t matter—no one had died!

“Take them back!” Director Zhang ordered in a deep voice.

The officers who had followed him over immediately escorted the two sleazy men back to the station.

Zhou Yimin checked his watch and realized it was already quite late. He quickly said, “Director Zhang, Minister Gao from the Ministry of Commerce is treating us to dinner. Could you possibly…”

Director Zhang felt a shiver run down his spine.

He immediately waved his hand. “You better go quickly! No need to come to the station.”

Zhou Yimin hurriedly left.

At that moment, the female comrade asked, “Leader, do you know the person who just saved me?”

“He’s Zhou Yimin, Team Leader Zhou at the steel factory,” Director Zhang replied.

With that, he led his team back to the station.

Naturally, the woman also had to go with them—after all, Zhou Yimin was already gone.

About ten minutes later, Zhou Yimin finally arrived at Bianyifang. Seeing the antique-style building, he could only say: no wonder it’s a century-old establishment—there was a distinct atmosphere to it.

Bianyifang is a renowned “China Time-Honored Brand” restaurant in the capital. It was established in the fourteenth year of the Yongle Emperor’s reign during the Ming dynasty and has nearly 600 years of history.

The name “Bianyifang” has a story behind it.

It’s said that in the year 1552, Yang Jisheng, then a junior official in the Ministry of War and a resident of Dazhi Bridge outside Xuanwu Gate, boldly impeached the treacherous official Yan Song in court. As a result, he was falsely accused by Yan Song.

After leaving the court in distress, stomach growling with hunger, he wandered to Mishihutong in Caishikou. Suddenly catching a whiff of a delicious aroma, he saw a small shop and walked in. The dining hall was small, but clean and elegant, filled with guests. He found a seat and ordered roast duck and a few side dishes. Delighting in the meal, he momentarily forgot all his troubles.

Someone recognized him as a loyal and patriotic official and informed the shop owner. The owner personally served the duck and wine, showing great respect and striking up a conversation.

Upon learning the shop’s name was “Bianyifang” and seeing the warm hospitality, Yang Jisheng exclaimed, “This shop is truly convenient and affordable, with products worth more than their price!” He called out, “Bring me a brush! Quickly!” With brush, ink, paper, and inkstone brought out promptly, Yang Jisheng swiftly wrote the three large characters: “Bianyifang!” Everyone present cheered in approval.

After that, Yang Jisheng and other court officials often visited.

Later, when Yang Jisheng was framed and executed by Yan Song, Yan ordered the Bianyifang owner to take down the plaque. The owner refused. Yan sent men to forcibly remove it, but the owner shielded it with his body and was beaten until he vomited blood. Yan Song gave up after that.

From then on, Bianyifang’s reputation spread far and wide.

As soon as Zhou Yimin walked into Bianyifang, a server came forward and asked, “Are you Comrade Zhou Yimin?”

“I am,” Zhou Yimin nodded.

The server was overjoyed—the main guest had finally arrived.

Today, Bianyifang was hosting an important guest. Everyone in the restaurant had been busy preparing. He had been sent out specifically to receive a man named Zhou Yimin.

“Comrade, this way please,” the server said enthusiastically, leading him in.

Soon, they reached a private room with antique decor. The server opened the door—the room was still empty.

Zhou Yimin let out a sigh of relief. He was afraid the earlier incident had made him late. If Minister Gao and the others had already arrived and he wasn’t there, that would have been bad.

Minister Gao had personally invited the guest. The dishes had already been arranged in advance by the restaurant manager, waiting only for Minister Gao’s arrival to be served.

Luckily, Zhou Yimin didn’t have to wait long. The door opened again, and a middle-aged man with a square face entered, accompanied by an elderly man.

Zhou Yimin immediately recognized the square-faced man as Minister Gao and stood up politely, saying, “Good evening, Minister Gao. Good evening, comrade!”

Since he didn’t know the other man, addressing him as “comrade” was the safest option.

Minister Gao introduced, “This is Mr. Li Guang, a patriotic overseas Chinese.”

“Mr. Li, pleased to meet you,” Zhou Yimin said.

He knew of Li Guang. He had come across his name on the internet in his previous life. According to some sources, by the 1960s, Li Guang’s net worth was already over a billion US dollars.

At a time when wages were only a few dozen yuan, a billion dollars was an astronomical figure.

In fact, China’s foreign currency reserves this year were probably just a fraction of that.

Zhou Yimin also knew that in the next few years, Li Guang would likely be diagnosed with liver cancer and eventually pass away despite rescue efforts.

“Yimin, do you mind if I call you that?” Li Guang asked gently.

“Not at all, Mr. Li. It’s an honor for me,” Zhou Yimin quickly responded.

“Yimin, what gave you the idea to invent the seatbelt?” Li Guang asked curiously.

Zhou Yimin explained, “There’s an uncle in my siheyuan who used to be a truck driver. He died in an accident—he was thrown out of the vehicle during a sudden stop.

Also, I had a close call myself on a recent business trip. That’s when inspiration struck and I came up with the idea.”

Li Guang and Minister Gao both nodded. Indeed, experience is the best teacher.

As the conversation continued, Li Guang, with his exceptional social skills, quickly broke the initial awkwardness and got everyone talking comfortably.

At that moment, Bianyifang’s manager personally brought in the dishes—all the restaurant’s signature items were served.

Braised oven-roast duck, Kung Pao mushroom and shrimp balls, preserved egg with ginger sauce, and more.

The manager made a brief appearance in front of Minister Gao, but knowing there’s a limit to everything, he promptly excused himself after serving.

The three of them chatted while enjoying the meal.

During their conversation, Li Guang discovered that Zhou Yimin was truly a talented individual. Every time he asked a question, Zhou Yimin responded with a perspective that no one would have expected.

Moreover, Zhou Yimin’s ideas were very forward-thinking—he often said things that surprised and impressed him.

Li Guang was even tempted to recruit him for his own company. Talent like this was hard to come by, especially in times like these.

Although Zhou Yimin didn’t have Li Guang’s extensive experience, after being bombarded by short videos in his past life, he had seen plenty even if he hadn’t personally experienced it.

“If the seatbelt is paired with an airbag, the combined effect wouldn’t just be one plus one—it would definitely be greater than two,” Zhou Yimin blurted out, mentioning airbags as well.

Li Guang didn’t let that slip past. “Yimin, what’s this airbag you just mentioned?”

“An airbag is something that inflates like a balloon during a collision. It cushions the impact and, together with the seatbelt, provides even more protection in an accident,” Zhou Yimin explained briefly.

Whether current technology could produce such airbags was still uncertain.

But Minister Gao and Li Guang now had a general idea of what airbags were.

When it came to automotive components, Minister Gao paid close attention. Mr. Li had already told him that for a long time to come, the automobile industry would be a key battleground among nations.

(End of Chapter)