Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1766

Then, they came to Quanpu Gorge, where there is the Yuntai Tianpu, the highest waterfall in Asia. When they saw the Yuntai Tianpu from afar, they were all impressed by its majestic momentum. The waterfall cascades down from a 314-meter-high cliff, like an inverted Milky Way, with magnificent momentum. When the waterfall falls, it makes a deafening roar, and the splashing water mist fills the air, making people feel as if they are in a fairyland. Li Xiao stood under the waterfall, looking up at the waterfall, with a feeling of awe in his heart. He said with emotion: "This is the Yuntai Tianpu, it's so spectacular, it deserves to be the waterfall with the highest drop in Asia."

Zhang Yuedong also said excitedly: "The momentum of this waterfall is so shocking. I feel so small in front of it."

Lin Yifei excitedly ran around in front of the waterfall, trying to find the best angle to take pictures. He said, "This waterfall is so beautiful. I must take the most beautiful picture."

During their visit to Yuntai Mountain, they met a local tour guide who enthusiastically introduced the geological structure and formation process of Yuntai Mountain to them, giving them a deeper understanding of Yuntai Mountain. Li Xiao curiously asked the tour guide, "Guide, why are the rocks in Yuntai Mountain red?"

The tour guide smiled and replied: "This is because the rocks of Yuntai Mountain contain a lot of iron, which has formed the current red color after a long period of oxidation. In addition, the geological structure of Yuntai Mountain is very unique. It has undergone many crustal movements and geological changes to form the current canyons, waterfalls and other landscapes."

Zhang Yuedong then asked: "Then how was this Yuntai Waterfall formed?"

The tour guide patiently said: "The formation of Yuntai Tianpu is closely related to the geological structure of Yuntai Mountain. The crust here rose rapidly, fracture joints developed in groups, and the soft rock interlayers were exposed, which caused many waterfalls to appear in the river valley, and finally formed the 314-meter Yuntai Tianpu at the head of Tanpu Gorge."

Lin Yifei was fascinated by what he heard. He asked again: "Guide, are there any other interesting places in Yuntai Mountain?"

The tour guide said enthusiastically: "Of course there are. In addition to Hongshi Gorge and Yuntaitian Waterfall, Yuntaishan also has Tanpu Gorge, Zhuyu Peak and other scenic spots. Tanpu Gorge is known as 'a spring every three steps, a waterfall every five steps, and a pond every ten steps'. The water scenery there is very beautiful; Zhuyu Peak is the main peak of Yuntaishan, with an altitude of 1308 meters. Climbing Zhuyu Peak, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Yuntaishan."

After listening to the guide's introduction, the three of them became more curious and yearning for Yuntai Mountain. They decided to stay in Yuntai Mountain for a few more days to enjoy the beautiful scenery and feel the charm of nature.

Taste Jiaozuo’s specialties
After coming out of Yuntaishan Scenic Area, the three people's stomachs were already rumbling. They decided to try the special food of Jiaozuo. They came to a local restaurant, which was full of diners and very lively. They found a seat and sat down. The waiter enthusiastically handed over the menu. Li Xiao looked at the menu and said curiously: "There are really many delicious foods in Jiaozuo. What should we order?"

Zhang Yuedong smiled and said, "I heard that Wuzhi casserole is very good. Let's order one to try."

Lin Yifei also nodded in agreement: "Okay, let's order another serving of Huaifu Donkey Meat Soup. I heard that this is also a specialty of Jiaozuo."

Soon, the dishes were served. The first dish served was the Wuzhi casserole, which contained tender spare ribs, smooth vermicelli, and fresh vegetables. The soup was rich and fragrant. Li Xiao couldn't wait to fill a bowl of soup and took a sip. The delicious taste of the soup spread in his mouth. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "The taste of this Wuzhi casserole is so delicious. The spare ribs are stewed very well and melt in the mouth. The vermicelli is also very tasty."

Zhang Yuedong also tasted it and nodded, saying, "Yes, the soup in this casserole is rich and mellow, and it tastes particularly good. Moreover, this casserole is cooked slowly over a low fire, and the flavor of the ingredients is fully stimulated."

While eating the dishes in the casserole, Lin Yifei said: "This Wuzhi casserole is really delicious. I feel like I can eat several bowls."

Next, the Huaifu Donkey Meat Soup was served. This donkey meat soup uses high-quality small donkey meat. After repeated washing and blanching, it is put into the ancestral century-old soup, boiled on high heat for 20 minutes, then simmered on low heat for 2 hours, and then simmered for 5 hours. Donkey meat soup generally uses donkey tendons, heart meat, ribs, donkey tongue and other parts to simmer. When eating, cut it into pieces and put it on a small stove, pour a spoonful of "soup" made from donkey bones, and eat it while it cooks. It is rich and mellow. Li Xiao picked up a piece of donkey meat and put it in his mouth. The tenderness of the donkey meat and the richness of the soup are perfectly combined. He said with satisfaction: "This Huaifu Donkey Meat Soup tastes very good. The donkey meat is tender and juicy, without any fishy smell. The soup is also delicious and has a strong flavor."

Zhang Yuedong also praised it highly: "Yes, this Nao Tang donkey meat is really worthy of its reputation, it has a soft and glutinous texture and tastes delicious. Moreover, the name of this 'Nao Tang' is also very interesting. It is said that the locals prefer to use the word 'Nao' to describe the feeling of joy. In addition, when the donkey meat is cooked, the whole pot of donkey meat is steaming hot and the soup is bubbling, so it is called 'Nao Tang'."

Lin Yifei smiled and said: "The food in Jiaozuo really suits my taste. Every dish is very memorable."

While tasting the food, they also learned about the uniqueness of Jiaozuo cuisine. Jiaozuo cuisine is mostly cooked by stewing, boiling, simmering and other methods, focusing on the original flavor of the ingredients, with a mellow taste that makes people have an endless aftertaste. Li Xiao said with emotion: "This Jiaozuo cuisine is not only delicious, but also contains a deep cultural heritage. Every dish is like a story."

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, through these delicacies, we can feel the Jiaozuo people's love for life and their persistent pursuit of food."

Lin Yifei smiled and said: "If I have the chance in the future, I must come to Jiaozuo again to taste more delicious food."

Experience the local customs and culture
After lunch, they took a short break and then headed to the JZ city area to experience the local customs and practices. They came to a lively market filled with a variety of goods, including exquisite handicrafts, fresh agricultural products, special snacks, and souvenirs with Jiaozuo characteristics, which were dazzling.

They strolled in the market, admiring various commodities and feeling the lively atmosphere of the market. Suddenly, a burst of cheerful music came. They walked in the direction of the sound and found that a group of local residents were performing folk dances. They were dressed in bright clothes, holding colorful silks, dancing happily, with happy smiles on their faces. Li Xiao was infected by their enthusiasm and said excitedly: "This folk dance is so wonderful. These residents are so enthusiastic."

Zhang Yuedong also smiled and said, "Yes, this is the local customs and culture of Jiaozuo, full of the breath of life." Lin Yifei took out his camera to record this happy moment. He said, "Such a lively scene must be photographed."

Then, they came to a traditional handicraft shop, which was filled with various exquisite handicrafts, including paper-cuts, embroidery, ceramics, etc. They walked into the shop, carefully admired these handicrafts, and were impressed by the exquisite skills of the craftsmen. Li Xiao picked up a paper-cut work and saw that the pattern on it was lifelike and the lines were smooth. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "This paper-cut work is so exquisite, and the craftsmanship of the craftsmen is really amazing."

Zhang Yuedong also picked up an embroidery work, looked at it carefully, and said: "The embroidery has delicate stitches and bright colors. Every stitch and every thread contains the hard work of the craftsmen."

Lin Yifei picked up some handicrafts in the store as souvenirs of his trip. He said: "These handicrafts are not only beautiful, but also very memorable. I will take them back to give to my family and friends."

At the market, they also interacted with local residents. An old man enthusiastically introduced the history and culture of Jiaozuo to them, allowing them to have a deeper understanding of the city. Li Xiao curiously asked the old man: "Uncle, are there any special customs and habits in Jiaozuo?"

The old man smiled and replied: "We have many customs and habits in Jiaozuo. For example, every year during the Lantern Festival, we hold a lively temple fair with dragon and lion dances, stilt walking, land boat rowing and other performances. It is very lively. And our Tai Chi is world-famous. Many people come here to learn Tai Chi."

Zhang Yuedong then asked: "What is so special about Tai Chi?"

The old man said enthusiastically: "Tai Chi is a traditional martial art. Its movements are slow and gentle, and it focuses on the coordination and balance of body and mind. Practicing Tai Chi can not only strengthen the body, but also cultivate one's character. It is a very good form of exercise. Moreover, Tai Chi also contains rich philosophical thoughts, reflecting the profoundness of Chinese traditional culture."

Lin Yifei was fascinated by what he heard. He asked again: "Uncle, are there any other interesting places in Jiaozuo?"

The old man proudly said: "In addition to Yuntai Mountain, we also have scenic spots such as Qingtian River and Shennong Mountain in Jiaozuo. The scenery in these places is also very beautiful. Qingtian River has beautiful mountains and rivers, and Shennong Mountain has unique geological landscapes and rare animal and plant resources. They are all good places worth visiting."

After listening to the old man's introduction, the three of them became more curious and yearning for Jiaozuo. They decided to stay in Jiaozuo for a few more days to experience the local customs and local life.

Choose special souvenirs
On the last day in Jiaozuo, they came to a specialty store, ready to buy some specialties of Jiaozuo to take back. The store was filled with a variety of specialties, including iron stick yam, Wuliyuan Songhua eggs, Naotang donkey meat, Wuzhi oil tea, etc. Li Xiao was attracted by the iron stick yam. He picked up an iron stick yam and looked at it carefully. He saw that the yam had a smooth skin, hard texture, long and dense roots, protruding hair eyes, and irregular red spots on the skin. Li Xiao couldn't put it down. He said: "This iron stick yam looks very special. I heard that it has high nutritional value. I want to buy some to take back and replenish my family."

Zhang Yuedong was interested in Wuliyuan Songhua Eggs. He said, "Wuliyuan Songhua Eggs are a specialty of Jiaozuo. The egg white is a unique amber color and as delicate as cream. The pine flower patterns on it are as beautiful as the elaborate paintings of an art master. The soft-boiled egg yolk is peacock blue, and the taste is fresh and smooth, with a light pine fragrance in the salty and fresh taste. I want to buy a few more boxes and bring them back for my friends to taste."

Lin Yifei picked some Naotang donkey meat and Wuzhi oil tea in the store. He said: "This Naotang donkey meat and Wuzhi oil tea are also very good. They taste good and are easy to carry. They are good souvenirs."

In the process of buying specialties, they also met a passionate shopkeeper. The shopkeeper introduced the characteristics and production techniques of various specialties to them, allowing them to have a deeper understanding of these specialties. Li Xiao curiously asked the shopkeeper: "How is this iron stick yam grown?"

The shop owner smiled and replied: "The iron stick yam has very high requirements for soil. The loess soil in Wen County, Jiaozuo is very suitable for its growth. Planting iron stick yam requires careful care, from seed selection, sowing to field management, every link can not be sloppy. Moreover, the growth cycle of iron stick yam is relatively long, generally it takes seven or eight months to mature."

Zhang Yuedong then asked: "What is so special about the production process of Wuliyuan Songhua Eggs?"

The shop owner patiently said: "The production process of Wuliyuan Songhua Eggs is very unique. It uses high-quality duck eggs bred by the abundant local water resources, and then uses the pickling method improved by Li Tong, the ancestor of the Li family, to transform the duck eggs into Songhua Eggs. During the pickling process, it is necessary to control the time and temperature well, so as to produce Songhua Eggs with a unique amber color of egg white, as delicate as cream, and beautiful pine flower patterns on it."

Lin Yifei asked again: "What is the method of making this donkey meat soup and Wuzhi oil tea?"

The shop owner proudly said: "Donkey meat for soup is made from high-quality young donkey meat. It is repeatedly washed and blanched, then put into the century-old ancestral soup, boiled over high heat for 20 minutes, then simmered over low heat for 2 hours, and then stewed for 5 hours. The donkey meat for soup made in this way is tender and soft, melts in the mouth, and the soup is rich and mellow. Wuzhi oil tea is made by frying flour, peanuts, sesame seeds, walnut kernels and other ingredients, adding appropriate amounts of seasonings and water, and cooking them into a paste. Wuzhi oil tea has a strong flavor, fragrant aroma, and rich nutrition. It is a very popular traditional snack."

After listening to the introduction of the shop owner, the three of them liked these specialties even more. They carefully selected their favorite specialties and returned home with a full load. On the way back to the hotel, they walked and admired the specialties in their hands, recalling the good times in Jiaozuo. Li Xiao said with emotion: "Jiaozuo is really a charming city. The scenery, food and local customs here are unforgettable. These specialties are the best testimony of our trip."

Zhang Yuedong also said: "Yes, this trip to Jiaozuo has brought me a lot of benefits. Not only did I see beautiful scenery, but I also learned a lot of cultural knowledge."

Lin Yifei said with a smile: "Our journey in Henan is still going on. I believe there will be more surprises waiting for us in the future."

The three returned to the hotel with great anticipation, resting and gathering their energy for the next stop. They believed that there were more wonderful things waiting for them to discover in Henan.