Chapter 124: A Gathering of Chefs (Seeking a Monthly Pass)
The first impression Li Qi had on Cai Taishi's Mansion was one word: big.
It's just ridiculously big.
Forget about the rockery, there is an artificial lake inside. This is too exaggerated.
There are pavilions, pavilions, precious stones, small bridges and flowing water. After walking to the bluestone road and passing through the cobblestone path, there are birds singing, flowers fragrant, green grass and trees shading everywhere. Every few steps,
You will see two or three servants, or four or five maidservants passing by in a hurry, just like the Hong Kong people of later generations, who walk very fast. Occasionally, you will see a few servants driving donkey carts passing by.
.
This is not a residence, it is clearly a large park.
Li Qi was secretly surprised. It seemed that the most traitorous official in the Northern Song Dynasty was not called for nothing.
On the way, Li Qi asked Cai Minde about the situation in Taishi's Mansion. Unexpectedly, Cai Minde said that when he was a cook in Taishi's Mansion, he only stayed in the West Courtyard, and he didn't know much about other places.
I'm afraid the palace is no different.
Li Qi shook his head in amazement.
The servant took them to a big house and asked them to rest here for a while. Someone would take them to the front yard to meet Master Cai later.
As soon as they entered the house, there were already more than a dozen people standing inside, talking to each other in twos and threes, and one thing they had in common was that they were all very fat, as if they were afraid that others would not know that they were cooks.
All in all, Li Qi and Wu Xiaoliu, the pair of masters and disciples, are still the slimmest.
If this group of people were in later generations, who would have thought that they were among the best chefs in the country and a group of butchers who killed pigs.
Li Qi smiled bitterly in his heart. Fortunately, I wasn't here to compete in the ring, otherwise I wouldn't be able to withstand their torture with these few kilograms of flesh.
When everyone saw Cai Minde coming, they all came over to salute. Cai Minde was also considered a special one. Apart from Li Qi, the hidden boss, he was the only boss who came to participate in the crab roe banquet. His status was naturally higher than that of these cooks.
Come.
However, although the cooks who came forward to salute had respectful voices, their faces looked very dull.
Li Qi saw him and smiled secretly in his heart. It seems that this old fox is not very popular. I'd better keep a distance from him to avoid misunderstanding.
Just as Li Qi was about to find a corner to rest, a short, fat man about forty years old suddenly came over and said, "This is the chef of Zuixianju, Master Li."
Li Qi glanced at the short fat man and was stunned when he saw his honest and simple appearance. He couldn't remember how long ago he had seen this short fat man.
Wu Xiaoliu was busy beside Li Qi and whispered: "Brother Li, this is Yang Lou's chef, Liu Yongfu, Master Liu."
"Oh. It turns out to be Master Liu, whom I have admired for a long time. I'm Li Qi."
When Li Qi heard this, he hurriedly held his hands and smiled, thinking that on the day Zuixianju reopened, only Yang Lou's family sent congratulatory gifts in the restaurant industry, so Li Qi also had a good impression of Yang Lou.
In fact, Liu Yongfu saw Li Qi for the first time, but he recognized Wu Xiaoliu. He cupped his hands and grinned: "I didn't expect Master Li to be so young. I thought back then when I was still Master Li's age.
, and is still working as a firemaker under Master."
Hey, this fat guy is quite honest.
Li Qi smiled slightly and humbly said: "Where. Where. Master Liu is too proud of me. I am here today only because of the blessing of my wife and Uncle Wu."
When Liu Yongfu heard Li Qi mention Mrs. Qin, he had a look of admiration on his face and praised: "I never expected that Mrs. Qin, a delicate woman, would have such a method. As soon as she showed up, she would take care of Zuixianju in order. It's really Amazing!"
He has a very honest character. No matter what others say, he always believes it. How could he have thought that Li Qi was behind all of this? Moreover, he has believed that cooks are cooking since he was a child. Those intrigues are nothing like the truth. The cook couldn't take the bait.
Liu Yongfu's words attracted the attention of others. When they heard that this handsome man was actually the chef of Zuixianju, their faces were filled with surprise and jealousy.
Nowadays in Bianjing City, Li Qi's name is known to everyone, and his reputation is also legendary. This is the first time in the culinary world of the Northern Song Dynasty that, as colleagues, they have no words. He said, but he must be very jealous of Li Qi in his heart.
Li Qi originally wanted to say hello to them. After all, he was still a junior here, but seeing how hostile they were towards him and how disdainful they all were, he didn't bother asking for trouble. He was still laughing secretly in his heart. It's just you. With such a big heart, it's no wonder that Old Fox Cai doesn't take you seriously.
Liu Yongfu chatted with Li Qi for a while and then left. Li Qi and Wu Xiaoliu found a random chair and sat down.
In the entire hall, everyone was discussing the crab roe feast. Only Li Qi and Cai Minde looked lonely, and the other chefs seemed to stay away from them.
However, the two of them didn't take it too seriously. They were enjoying themselves while sipping the fine tea from the Taishi Mansion and occasionally chatting with their assistants.
After a while, four more people came in from the door. The two people walking in the front were a man and a woman. The man was about thirty years old, with a strong build, thick eyebrows and a big nose, and an ugly appearance. The woman was also He is about thirty years old, tall but plain in appearance, with long hair rolled up, thick limbs, but slim body, which looks very strange.
Wu Xiaoliu glanced at the two people and whispered: "Brother Li, these two are the chefs of Pan Lou and Fan Lou. The man's name is Guda, and he is the chef of Pan Lou. The girl's name is My name is Zhang Chun'er, and she is the chef of Fan Lou."
Li Qi was stunned and said in surprise: "You said this woman is the chef of Fan Lou?"
He never expected that the cook on the first floor of the Northern Song Dynasty was actually a woman. He couldn't help but look at Zhang Chun'er again. Seeing the arrogance on her face, he knew that this woman was definitely not simple.
Wu Xiaoliu nodded and said: "Yes. This lady's cooking skills are very good, and she is also known as the best cook in the Song Dynasty. It is said that even the current emperor highly praised her dishes."
Li Qi saw the look of admiration on his face and asked curiously: "Have you ever eaten the food she cooked?"
Wu Xiaoliu shook his head and said: "How can I be so lucky? Besides, I don't have that much money."
Li Qi shook his head speechlessly.
"Haha. Master Gu, Madam Zhang, you are fine."
When Cai Minde saw Zhang Chun'er and Gu Da coming, he stood up, held his hands towards them and smiled.
The two of them also saluted Cai Minde.
"I really didn't expect that a member of the Communist Party of China would actually go out in person this time and attend this crab roe banquet with us cooks." Zhang Chun'er said lightly. The words were a bit harsh. But the person standing behind her was Fan Lou, and her status in Fan Lou was also high. He is different from ordinary cooks, so he is not afraid of Cai Minde.
Cai Minde was not annoyed at all. He sighed and said, "Cai doesn't want to either, but the store doesn't have a chef as skilled as Mrs. Zhang. Otherwise, Cai wouldn't come to join in the fun. Alas, Cai
I was born with a hard life, and I can't compare with your master."
Zhang Chun'er said with a smile: "There is no need to be too humble, Yuan Wai. In my opinion, Yuan Wai's cooking skills are among the best in Tokyo and even the whole country. Of course, if my master can be as open-minded as Yuan Wai, then I will probably serve as a deputy today."
I came to participate in my identity.”
In recent years, everyone sitting here was well aware of the overt and covert struggle between Jade Hall and Fan Lou, and when they saw the two engaging in an affair, they all pretended to be watching the show.
Cai Minde laughed and said: "Mrs. Zhang, you are wrong in saying this. Let's not talk about it. There is a young talent in this room today. I am afraid that his cooking skills are better than those of you and me.
"As he spoke, he waved to Li Qi and said: "Brother Li, come here quickly, I will help you introduce a cook with excellent cooking skills."
The words "Brother Li" undoubtedly put Li Qi into his camp.
Damn! This old fox really thinks about me all the time.
When Li Qi heard this, he immediately cursed Cai Minde's whole family. He didn't want to become a target in everyone's eyes.
Although he was reluctant at all costs, Li Qi still walked over with a smile on his face.
"Ms. Zhang, this is the chef of Zuixianju, Li Qi, Master Li. The Yuanyang Pot and the unparalleled ones in the world are all brewed by Brother Li himself."
After hearing this, Zhang Chun'er looked stunned and glanced at Li Qi in surprise.
Then Cai Minde introduced to Li Qi: "Brother Li, this lady is Fan Lou's chef, Madam Zhang, who is known as the best cook in the Song Dynasty."
"It turns out to be Mrs. Zhang from Fanlou. I have admired her for a long time." Li Qi cupped his hands and said with a smile.
"I don't dare. Zhang Chun'er is really ashamed to be called the number one cook. I hope the staff won't mention it again."
Although Zhang Chun'er spoke modestly, there was a look of pride on his face. He glanced at Li Qi and asked: "Master Li, I heard that you have to spend thirty guan to eat the boiled water song leaves in your store.
I wonder if this is really the case?”
Li Qi was stunned, nodded and said: "Not bad."
Cai Minde suddenly interjected: "Brother Li, you don't know that this dish in your restaurant has surpassed Mrs. Zhang's Jinyu Mantang and has become the most expensive delicacy in Tokyo."
md. Is it over or not? Do you fucking have to watch me fight with this Chuner before you give up?
Li Qi didn't understand Cai Minde's intention and felt very unhappy, but his face remained calm and he just glanced at Cai Minde slightly.
A flash of displeasure flashed in Zhang Chun'er's eyes, and she asked again: "But I don't know what kind of dish it is and why it is so expensive."
Li Qi smiled and said: "That is a soup dish. As for why it is so expensive, you have to ask my wife. She set the price."
Having said that, Mrs. Qin didn't know how many times she had taken the blame for Li Qi.
Zhang Chun'er frowned slightly and said, "I wonder if any guests have ordered this dish."
Sweat! Isn’t it just that the price of a dish is a little too expensive? Why do you need to be so stubborn?
Li Qi felt deeply helpless.
Little did they know that Zhang Chun'er had always been arrogant. Of course, she was also proud of herself. For a woman to serve as a chef in Fan Lou, this in itself was something to be proud of.
She has heard about Li Qi for a long time, but she thinks that the reason why Li Qi is famous inside and outside the city is just because the dishes Li Qi cooks are relatively novel. In terms of cooking skills alone, she thinks Li Qi is nothing more than that. Now that she sees Li Qi
Being so young again, I felt even more dissatisfied.
Cai Minde also seized on her character traits and provoked her.
The current situation of Zuixianju is not suitable for making too many enemies. So although Li Qi was unhappy, he couldn't show it. He laughed and said, "It's embarrassing to say that so far, only one person has ordered this dish."
At this time, Guda on the side suddenly said: "This is amazing, Master Li, this one dish of yours can be worth six dishes."
When Li Qi heard this, he frowned secretly, "Okay, you Pan Lou will come to join in the fun, okay, I will write down this account for you first, and I will repay you double the amount another day."
Everyone sitting here now is a peer. Since we are peers, competition is inevitable. On the surface, they all appear to be harmonious, but secretly they have their own agenda. A man like Li Qi, who is such a pushover,
It is inevitable not to become the target of everyone's attack.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Zhang Chun'er's face looked a little ugly and said: "I think that guest must have admired the boiled water song leaves."
Li Qi smiled and said nothing.
Zhang Chun'er added: "Zhang Chun'er will definitely pay a visit someday and taste the boiled water song leaves."
War letter?
Li Qi cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Welcome." This person was already on top of him, and Li Qi didn't want to give in anymore.
At this moment, three maidservants came in, and the leader said: "Masters, my master invites you to meet in the front yard."
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