From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Feng Zhengming wanted Sun Decai and Tang Yong to go to Beijing to learn how to make roast duck.

The goal is to improve their skills and broaden their horizons.

It was like when he sent Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong to Hongcheng, Jiangxi Province, to study under Yu Fuxiang.

He hopes that apprentices will not limit themselves to the skills of one type of cuisine, but will explore more aspects and integrate different cuisines and Shandong cuisine.

Of course, this fusion cannot bring together all cuisines.

So in reality, Feng Zhengming also wanted his apprentices to learn about other cuisines and understand their aspects, so that they could gain a comprehensive understanding by analogy.

Sun Decai and Tang Yong returned to their lodgings and began to think about going to Beijing to learn how to make roast duck.

Thinking about it, the two of them couldn't sleep, so they texted each other and arranged to go out for a drink and a chat.

The two of them didn't go by themselves, but instead invited Gao Yongfu, Hou Dong, and Lu Haisheng to come along.

The five of them went downstairs to the night market and found a small barbecue stall to sit down.

After sitting down, the five of them almost simultaneously observed that the barbecue stalls seemed to be doing the best business in the night market.

It seems that when people come to the night market for late-night snacks, they almost always choose the barbecue stalls first.

Ordering some barbecue and beer has indeed become a must-have for many people's late-night snack.

Tang Yong smiled and said, "Do you remember what Master said? Although there are many hot pot restaurants all over the country now, they may be replaced by barbecue in the future. Look, aren't barbecue stalls doing the best business on the street?"

Hearing Tang Yong say this, the other four looked at each other, and they had all thought of what Feng Zhengming had said.

Lu Haisheng: "Master's ideas are always very advanced, and his vision is really sharp. Maybe in the future, what Master said will really come true."

Gao Yongfu: "Our master's foresight is indeed something we can't compare to. It's mainly because our master has a broader vision."

Hou Dong: "Master is in a higher position, so he can definitely see more."

At this point in the conversation, Sun Decai asked rather directly, "You guys think our master wants Tang Yong and me to go to Beijing to learn how to make Peking duck? Should we go?"

This question caused everyone to fall silent, and several people thought about it carefully.

Then Lu Haisheng spoke first: "If you two don't want to go, I can tell Master that I will go."

Lu Haisheng's words surprised his fellow apprentices.

Tang Yong asked curiously, "You want to go? Then why didn't you tell your master?"

Lu Haisheng: "It's not that I really want to go, but I feel that if there is an opportunity, my master needs someone to learn how to roast duck, and I am willing to learn it."

Sun Decai was also puzzled: "Do you think that roast duck skills will be very important in the future?"

This time, Gao Yongfu spoke up: "I'm afraid it's not the skill of roasting duck that's important, but that the master is intentionally training the two of you."

Upon hearing this, Sun Decai and Tang Yong exchanged a glance, both still somewhat unable to understand.
Hou Dong, however, cited his and Gao Yongfu's experience of learning from Yu Fuxiang in Hongcheng as an example.

“When my senior brother Gao and I were assigned to Hongcheng, we initially thought that Master wanted us to manage the branch there. But we later discovered it in the kitchen.”

Actually, our master wanted us to go to Hongcheng to learn cooking skills from Master Yu, specifically how to prepare some traditional Sichuan dishes.

Gao Yongfu nodded: "Yes, we only found out after we got to know Master Yu that he went to Sichuan and Chongqing when he was young and learned his craft from an apprentice there."

Hou Dong: "Master Yu learned Sichuan cuisine in Sichuan and Chongqing, which is the Jianghu style of Sichuan cuisine. So Master Yu's skills are a Jianghu style that combines Sichuan cuisine and Jiangxi cuisine."

Hearing this, Sun Decai and Tang Yong were somewhat surprised.

Tang Yong: "So, Master also hopes that we go to Beijing not only to learn how to make Peking duck, but also to learn some of the local cuisine?"

Sun Decai: "It seems that's really the case. Beijing cuisine is influenced by cuisines from all over the country and has its own unique style."

Lu Haisheng pointed out: "There is another important cuisine in Beijing, which is imperial cuisine. Speaking of which, Peking duck can also be considered a type of imperial cuisine. So, the reason why Master sent you to Beijing is probably to learn imperial cuisine."

After hearing Lu Haisheng's words, Sun Decai and Tang Yong couldn't help but feel that going to Beijing might not be such a bad thing after all.

Lu Haisheng remarked with emotion, "My master didn't let me go, otherwise I definitely would have gone to see."

Gao Yongfu smiled: "Don't worry, your master probably has plans for you too. It's definitely not just about local cuisine. He might also teach you some Jiangzhe cuisine."

Lu Haisheng was also a little excited when he heard this: "Really? Master is going to let me learn some Jiangzhe cuisine? I'm going to learn Huaiyang cuisine?"

Hou Dong: "Don't worry, Master will definitely make arrangements. Besides, isn't it better for you to stay by Master's side?"

Lu Haisheng thought about it and agreed; it would indeed be better to stay by his master's side.

"I still envy Senior Sister, who has been able to stay by Master's side for so many years."

Gao Yongfu laughed: "Back when your master wasn't famous, would you have thought of becoming his apprentice?"

These words shattered some of the people's illusions.

If Feng Zhengming hadn't already become famous, it seems that Lu Haisheng wouldn't have become his apprentice in the first place.

With that in mind, no one had any objection to Xia Hui's identity as the senior sister.

After all, Xia Hui had followed Feng Zhengming all the way from the very beginning.

Back then, Feng Zhengming only had Xia Hui and Sun Hai by his side to help him.

Sun Haidu became Yang Bin's apprentice, but Xia Hui never became an apprentice of anyone else.

It can be said that from the very beginning, Xia Hui felt that only Feng Zhengming was worthy of her becoming his disciple.

This also demonstrates Xia Hui's discerning eye.

Lu Haisheng: "Hahaha, okay, I'm satisfied now. I can become Master's apprentice and one day formally become his apprentice with you all. It will be a great honor to be a disciple of the top scholar."

When the four men heard Lu Haisheng say that, they all felt that it was indeed more prestigious to say it out loud.

Gao Yongfu was quite old, but he still reminded everyone.

"Don't be too happy yet. Senior Sister followed Master for many years before she became an apprentice. We probably still have a long way to go, and we will need to work hard ourselves."

Hou Dong nodded in agreement: "Yes, the master is very strict with his disciples."

Tang Yong: "A strict teacher produces outstanding students, so of course we can't let our teacher down."

Sun Decai: "Alright, then Tang Yong and I will go to Beijing together. You two must learn diligently from our master. Don't wait until we come back and find your skills are inferior to ours, then you'll have to call us your senior brothers."

When Tang Yong heard Sun Decai say that, he also thought it was very impressive and echoed him with a smile.

"That's right. If you're not as good as the two of us then, you'll have to call us senior brothers."

Gao Yongfu, Hou Dong, and Lu Haisheng exchanged glances, and all three agreed.

"Alright, if you guys are better than us, we'll call you senior brothers."

"That's right. Among us fellow disciples, whoever becomes the senior disciple is judged by their skills."

"If anyone's skills don't improve by then, they'll have to become the junior apprentice."

The five men laughed as they spoke, then raised their beer glasses together, clinked them together, and drank their beer heartily.

Even after closing his restaurant in the old mansion, Feng Zhengming still made sure to visit all the other branches.

Having his own car in Shanghai made it convenient for him to visit the various branches. Instead of choosing the nearest branch first, he went to the branch on the Western restaurant street.

That branch is now the most famous in Shanghai.

It is also considered by many to be a more affordable alternative to old-style villa restaurants in Shanghai.

So when Feng Zhengming drove to the vicinity of the Western restaurant street, he was already stuck in traffic with all kinds of vehicles.

Among them are quite a few very expensive luxury cars.

Seeing that he couldn't drive his car in, Feng Zhengming decided to skip the branch on the Western restaurant street for now.

He turned the car around and went directly to the branch near the train station.

This shop is now managed by Zhang Lei, the senior apprentice of the eldest brother.

Feng Zhengming parked his car in the underground parking garage at the train station and then walked to the store.

Although it was already evening, there were still quite a few people in the shop at the train station.

Feng Zhengming also heard Zhang Lei tell him that he now basically stays open very late, mainly to provide a place for people from other places who come to Shanghai by train to have a hot meal even if it is very late.

Feng Zhengming did not object to Zhang Lei's arrangement, but he demanded that all work after 9 p.m. be considered overtime.

All staff in the store should be paid 1.5 times their normal wage, and those in the kitchen should be paid double their normal wage.

Zhang Lei strictly followed this rule.

When Feng Zhengming entered the shop tonight, he saw a group of people who were obviously from out of town and had just arrived in Shanghai. They seemed to have encountered some difficulties after getting off the train and came to the shop to ask if they could have a bowl of white rice to share among the three generations of their family.
Feng Zhengming remained silent, watching as the staff went in and explained the situation to Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei quickly arranged for the three of them—grandfather, grandfather, and grandson—to sit down in the shop.

Then Zhang Lei had food served to the three of them, telling them to eat as much as they wanted without paying.

This surprised and delighted the three generations of the family, but also filled them with panic.

Although the food was served, the three members of the family dared not eat.

Zhang Lei came out of the kitchen and explained in detail.

"Grandpa, please eat. Everyone encounters difficulties when they're traveling. Our shop is located near the train station, and our prices are cheap so that everyone can have a good meal at a reasonable price."

"You've just arrived in Shanghai, and you're facing difficulties, so you should make sure you eat well first. Maybe if you eat well, your problems will be solved?"

After Zhang Lei's persuasion, the three members of the family almost knelt down to thank him.

However, Zhang Lei had his men quickly help them up.

"Grandpa, brother, please eat with peace of mind. If you ever encounter difficulties in the future, no matter if you have money or not, you can always come to our restaurant for a meal."

The old man couldn't help but shed tears: "Thank you, thank you so much, I've met a kind person."

Feng Zhengming was quite satisfied with Zhang Lei's handling of the situation.

It's clear that Zhang Lei has grown a lot in the past few years.

This junior apprentice who once stood up for me has now become a capable assistant who can stand on his own.

After Zhang Lei returned to the kitchen, Feng Zhengming went out through the front door and went around to the back door of the kitchen.

He knocked on the door and stepped into the kitchen through the kitchen door.

When Zhang Lei heard that Feng Zhengming had arrived, he quickly came out from the kitchen to greet him.

"Hey, Uncle-Master, what brings you here?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "If I hadn't come, wouldn't I have missed witnessing your act of kindness?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lei immediately realized that his junior uncle had seen what he had just done.

"Junior Uncle, I didn't hire anyone to perform."

Feng Zhengming: "Finding someone to perform? You're quite capable, aren't you? I know you mean well, Lei Zi, you truly are my senior brother's good disciple."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Junior Uncle."

Feng Zhengming suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought about going back to Jinan? Going back to Huiquan Tower, going back to your master's side?"

Zhang Lei was taken aback by the question.

He really hadn't thought about that question.

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhang Lei couldn't help but ask, "Junior Uncle, is it because I did something wrong?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "No, you did very well. Precisely because you did very well, I think you need to take it a step further. You need to go back and learn from your master how to manage the kitchen of a large restaurant."

Most importantly, you need to go back and learn some serious dishes, and master the dishes for real banquets.

That way you can take it a step further and become a real chef, able to work as the head chef in the kitchens of restaurants and hotels.

Zhang Lei was stunned again. To say that he didn't want to become a head chef like his master and junior uncle would be self-deception.

Previously, when his junior uncle held a small meeting, Zhang Lei heard that his junior uncle was going to open a restaurant for several young chefs, and naturally, he had the same expectations in his heart.

He also hopes that one day he can become the head chef of a restaurant or hotel.

But Zhang Lei never expected that such an opportunity would suddenly come his way.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Lei couldn't help but ask, "Junior Uncle, after I go back to Jinan and study with my master at Huiquan Tower, will I still have a chance to return to Shanghai?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengming immediately chuckled: "What? You've fallen in love with this dazzling world along the Huangpu River?"

These words made Zhang Lei feel embarrassed.

"Junior Uncle, I... I've actually only been to the riverbank a few times, especially at night. I've never really seen any of the glitz and glamour of the world."

I just feel that being the head chef in a restaurant in Shanghai would better showcase my culinary skills.

Feng Zhengming asked, "Can't going to the capital demonstrate this?"

Zhang Lei was taken aback, then asked, "I... I can go to the capital?"

Feng Zhengming burst out laughing when he saw Zhang Lei's expression.

"Haha, look at you, you're still more looking forward to going to the capital, aren't you?"

Zhang Lei suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

Feng Zhengming: "Don't worry, once you've learned your skills from your master, you can choose to go to Beijing or return to Shanghai. If you want to open your own restaurant then, I will support you."

Zhang Lei remained silent for a moment, then said to Feng Zhengming very respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance and support, Junior Uncle."

Then Zhang Lei asked, "Junior Uncle, if I go back, what about this shop?"

Feng Zhengming: "Naturally, we'll have a new person take over, so you'll probably need to train the new person for a while before you go back."

Zhang Lei nodded earnestly: "I understand, Junior Uncle. I will definitely teach the newcomer well." (End of Chapter)