From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Feng Zhengming's return to Beijing was not a grand affair; he didn't even have his fifth senior brother and the others pick him up at the airport.

He took a taxi after leaving the airport and went directly to his residence in Beijing.

Feng Zhengming had asked his fifth senior brother to help prepare his accommodations in Beijing beforehand.

His residence was in an old alley not far from the street where Feng Zhengming had acquired those small shops.

A room in a clean courtyard house.

Feng Zhengming got into a taxi and chatted with the driver for a few minutes.

The driver was quite talkative, so when Feng Zhengming took the initiative to chat with him, he talked about all sorts of things with Feng Zhengming.

As we chatted, we naturally started talking about some of Beijing's time-honored delicacies.

The driver immediately started complaining.

"To be honest with you, there aren't many time-honored brands left in Beijing these days, and those old flavors are long gone."

You mentioned those eight famous restaurants in the past, how magnificent they were! Are they still doing well now? They're really not good anymore. If it weren't for the experienced chefs overseeing things, the food wouldn't even be as good as a street-side eatery.

Hearing the driver say that, Feng Zhengming smiled.

"The inheritance of Shandong cuisine is quite particular, and it is indeed not easy to make Shandong cuisine well. Although Shandong cuisine may seem like home-style dishes, home-style dishes are often the most difficult to make taste good."

The driver agreed: "That's right, this used to be the Shandong cuisine."

The driver then gave a thumbs-up.

"But now the Eight Great Restaurants are really not doing well, and the young chefs can't fill the gap."

At this point, the driver went on to talk about Feng Zhengming's two shops in Beijing, as well as the small shops he had acquired.

"However, if you want to eat some authentic Beijing cuisine, there are places to eat. Have you heard of the national culinary champion, the one named Feng?"

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Hmm, I've heard of it. It seems that the top scholar's business is quite large. Is that an exaggeration?"

The driver immediately became excited: "That's right, Scholar Feng has real skills. He has two shops in the capital, and their business is booming."

Furthermore, Scholar Feng acquired all the old shops in the capital and supported all the veteran craftsmen.

For that reason alone, they truly treat food as a career.

Hearing the driver's praise made Feng Zhengming a little embarrassed.

"Our top scholar is indeed quite resourceful. He acquired those small shops and supported veteran craftsmen in making traditional Beijing flavors. This should be very profitable."

The driver said, "I don't know if they make money or not, but we have to support what they're doing."

Feng Zhengming chuckled: "Since you think like that, we're all big brothers, and others are making a lot of money, aren't they?"

The driver was clearly taken aback, probably not expecting Feng Zhengming to say that.

However, after a moment of surprise, the driver quickly recovered.

"What's wrong with making money? Since they've supported those traditional crafts and revitalized those small shops, they should be the ones to earn that money. If others are unhappy about it, they can go and acquire and support those shops themselves."

Feng Zhengming laughed upon hearing this: "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, brother."

Then the driver actually recommended some restaurants in Beijing to Feng Zhengming.

In addition to Feng Zhengming's own shops, his elder brother also recommended several high-end restaurants in Beijing.

"Those restaurants are indeed a bit pricey, but they have experienced chefs, so their food is quite good. We also choose those restaurants for any important family gatherings."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you for the recommendation, brother. I will definitely make time to go and take a look."

Upon arrival, the driver remained very welcoming, saying to Feng Zhengming one last time, "Welcome to Beijing."

Feng Zhengming paid the fare, said goodbye to the driver, and pulled his luggage into the alley.

The driver glanced into the alley and couldn't help but mutter something to himself.

"Living here? It seems the people from the south are really rich. It's not easy to live here."

Feng Zhengming entered the alley and saw some elderly people sitting outside their doors, chatting and basking in the sun.

The elderly people all smiled at him when they saw him pass by.

Feng Zhengming returned the smile.

Stepping into the courtyard that my fifth senior brother had rented for me, I found that the courtyard was relatively clean, clearly having just been cleaned, and some of the doors and windows had even been freshly painted.

Feng Zhengming was somewhat amused and exasperated by his fifth senior brother's arrangements.

He can stay anywhere in the capital.

However, before he came, he did tell his fifth senior brother that he wanted to stay somewhere close to the street where those small shops were located, and somewhere quiet.

As it turned out, his fifth senior brother actually found him a courtyard that was a little bit luxurious.

But then Feng Zhengming thought that everyone really didn't lack that little bit of money now.

We are not yet at the stage where land and housing prices will skyrocket.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming and his team still have relatively sufficient funds.

He also encouraged his fellow students to buy a few houses if they were able to do so.

After all, for Feng Zhengming's senior classmates, the current housing prices are indeed something they have to bear.

Feng Zhengming went into the house and unpacked the luggage he had brought.

Then he went outside, sat in the courtyard, and called his wife.

He told his wife that he had arrived in the capital.

He gave his wife a few words of advice and promised to call home again that evening to chat with his daughter.

After hanging up the phone, Feng Zhengming thought for a moment and then dialed a few more numbers.

These calls weren't made to Fifth Senior Brother and Lü Chongshan in Beijing; they were made to some veteran masters in Beijing.

He told the elders that he had arrived in the capital and arranged a time to visit them.

When the master craftsmen in Beijing heard that Feng Zhengming had arrived, they all welcomed him.

Master Wang even made a direct appointment to meet Feng Zhengming that evening.

Feng Zhengming smiled and agreed over the phone.

"Yes, Uncle Wang, I will definitely visit you tonight."

After making a round of phone calls, Feng Zhengming got up, locked his door, and then pushed the bicycle that his fifth senior brother and the others had prepared for him out of the yard.

After getting on his bicycle, Feng Zhengming first took a stroll around the neighborhood.

I went to check out all the small shops he had acquired.

So the small shops are doing very well, and they're basically always packed with people.

Feng Zhengming didn't interfere with the shop's business; he just stood outside and looked around.

These small shops in Beijing have always done business this way.

For a long time afterward, the shop gradually lost its former atmosphere, and even some old crafts were lost.

Feng Zhengming's acquisition has given these small shops a new lease on life.

Moreover, due to some of Feng Zhengming's strict regulations.

These small shops have successfully broken the stereotype that shops near tourist attractions are always ridiculously expensive and will rip off tourists. In this respect, these small shops have done an excellent job.

At one point, even the authorities in Beijing contacted Feng Zhengming to award him a prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the capital's small catering industry.

Feng Zhengming didn't have time to come to Beijing to receive the award at the time, so he temporarily declined it.

However, Feng Zhengming still gained a great sense of satisfaction from the fact that these small shops were quite popular with tourists.

For Feng Zhengming now, making money is no longer his pursuit.

He still prefers to gain a sense of accomplishment.

It's like he acquired so many small shops, then renovated them, turning them into a scenic spot in Beijing and a well-known traditional craft shop that many people talk about.

Standing aside, listening to the compliments from passersby on the street, Feng Zhengming truly felt very pleased.

After visiting these small shops, Feng Zhengming went to check out the shops that were closer to here and that his fifth senior brother was in charge of.

There's already a long queue at this store; many people would rather sit and wait in line.

There are other shops in the vicinity.

But it seems that not many people are willing to go to the other stores; everyone prefers to stay here and wait in line.

Feng Zhengming naturally wouldn't queue up; he didn't go inside to disturb his fifth senior brother who was in charge of the shop's business.

He simply went across the street, found a shop that had a few customers, and sat down inside.

Sitting by the window, you can look across the street at Fifth Brother's shop.

The waiter clearly saw Feng Zhengming sit down, but didn't greet him very warmly.

I simply handed him the menu and tea list.

"We need to order first, otherwise we can't sit here."

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

No wonder this shop doesn't have many customers; it turns out they have to make customers order food.

Feng Zhengming flipped through the tea menu and saw all sorts of teas, each costing tens or even hundreds of yuan.

He didn't say anything, but simply ordered a cup of tea and a few other Beijing-style snacks from the menu.

Seeing that Feng Zhengming had ordered tea and snacks, the waiter didn't say anything more and turned to leave.

Soon, the tea and snacks that Feng Zhengming had ordered were served.

Feng Zhengming could tell at a glance that the pastries were probably bought from an outside factory and made, then simply unpacked and piled up on small plates.

As for tea? Feng Zhengming had to say that the tea industry in the country is a very complex and unpredictable market.

Although Feng Zhengming doesn't know much about tea, he can tell from the appearance of the tea leaves in the cup that the tea isn't very good.

However, he couldn't help but feel relieved that at least the shop didn't serve him those tea bags.

Feng Zhengming didn't mind, after all, the cup they used to serve him tea was a white porcelain teacup.

Then he looked across the window at his fifth brother's shop, where customers were coming and going.

When I saw some tourists who had come from afar, they looked a little tired, perhaps because they had been working too hard.

The shop has staff who come out regularly to help tourists find a place to sit and rest. They also serve tea and some of the shop's own Beijing-style snacks.

Feng Zhengming was quite satisfied with his fifth senior brother's arrangement.

No wonder there are so many people queuing in front of the store.

With such excellent service, even if Feng Zhengming were a tourist, he would be willing to wait in line a little longer.

After watching quietly for a while, Feng Zhengming heard an argument breaking out in the shop he was in.

"No, what kind of attitude is this? Is this how you do business?"

"That's right. We didn't say your tea and snacks were expensive or that you were asking for more water. We asked for a long time but no one brought any. We asked for it ourselves, but you still wouldn't give it to us. What does that mean?"

"No wonder your shop has no business. I think you should close down as soon as possible."

"Exactly, exactly, they're a disgrace to the capital."

"If you keep acting like this, when foreigners come to the Olympics, won't you be laughed at to death?"

As the guest finished speaking, one of the waiters let out a cold laugh.

"If foreigners come in, of course we'll treat them well. Who do you think you are? You can't even afford a few cups of tea. So many people and you only ordered three cups of tea. If you can't afford to spend money, what's the point of going on a trip? Just stay at home."

Hearing the waiter's words, Feng Zhengming could only shake his head.

In a shop like this, with waiters like this, you can probably guess the owner's attitude.

The tourists from out of town were immediately displeased when they heard the waiter say that.

Seeing that things were about to get out of hand, Feng Zhengming got up, paid, and left.

Stepping out of the store, Feng Zhengming carefully examined the shop.

He was wondering if he could take over the shop.

I can renovate it and open another shop opposite the one my fifth brother is currently in charge of. This way, I can divert some customers and prevent so many people from queuing up in front of the shop.

With these thoughts in mind, Feng Zhengming continued walking along the roadside.

There were indeed some shops along the way, but clearly there weren't many customers inside.

However, most of the stores still had a considerable number of customers.

After all, this place is indeed not far from the attractions in Beijing.

Not everyone is willing to queue in front of Feng Zhengming's branch.

After wandering around for a while, Feng Zhengming found a tobacco and liquor store in Beijing, bought a few bottles of good wine and two cartons of good cigarettes, and rode his bicycle to Master Wang's son's shop.

When Feng Zhengming appeared in front of the store, the greeters were all a little confused to see him pushing a bicycle.

Fortunately, the greeter didn't speak, and just then, Master Wang's son came out.

Upon recognizing Feng Zhengming, he quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Haha, Zhengming, look at you, riding your bicycle over here, that's really unexpected."

Feng Zhengming smiled as he carried his things and followed Master Wang's son into the house.

"Senior brother, how is Uncle Wang's health?"

"Okay, so he keeps talking about you. You have no idea how much pressure we Shandong cuisine chefs are under with you around."

"Haha, senior brother, you're right. I'm definitely not as professional as you guys when it comes to Shandong cuisine. I mainly make fusion dishes now, which combine dishes from different regional cuisines."

"Zhengming, don't be modest. I heard from Senior Brother Cao that you are planning to reopen Yanxilou in the capital?"

"Yes, that's a plan."

“Great! If you open Yanxilou in the capital, the status of Shandong cuisine in the capital will be raised even higher.”

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but laugh: "Hahaha, Senior Brother Wang is exaggerating too much. I still need everyone's help to open Yanxi Restaurant in the capital. Otherwise, I might not be able to gain a foothold in the capital."

Just as Feng Zhengming finished speaking, Master Wang's strong voice came from the front.

"Zhengming, you don't need to be modest. Your return to the capital to reopen Yanxilou is a great blessing for Shandong cuisine. With you here, Shandong cuisine will surely regain its former glory in the capital." (End of Chapter)