From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

From the very first main course, Qu Bo was already sweating profusely.

Boss Tan could also see that although Qu Bo was a legitimate apprentice of the Tan family cuisine, he was indeed somewhat inferior to Feng Zhengming in many technical details.

This can be seen from the fact that Feng Zhengming knows more about Tan family cuisine and official cuisine than this self-proclaimed Tan family member from Beijing.

This top scholar is not just a master of his craft; he has truly mastered the ability to apply his knowledge to other areas.

Mr. Tan has truly witnessed the brilliance of Scholar Feng.

Of course, it wasn't just Boss Tan and Qu Bo who were impressed; even Feng Zhengming's own third and fifth senior brothers only witnessed their junior brother's strength today.

After the first main course was served, Qu Bo went to prepare the next dishes.

Yang Bin, the third senior brother, asked curiously, "Zhengming, how do you know so much about Tan Family Cuisine and Official Cuisine?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Third Brother, have you forgotten that when we came to participate in the state banquet for the handover that year, didn't I get permission to go to the archives to look through those old documents?"

These words made the third and fifth senior brothers suddenly understand.

It turns out that when the junior apprentice went to look up old materials, he not only looked at the relevant recipes, but also a lot of materials on the inheritance of cooking techniques.

Feng Zhengming: "I also found out that the current successor of Tan Family Cuisine is at the Beijing Hotel."

Cao Zhiguo immediately chimed in: "That's right. I also heard Qu Bo say that the authentic successor of Tan Family Cuisine is at the Beijing Hotel when I was in Beijing."

Yang Bin: "Now that you mention it, I feel like we weren't really paying attention at all when we came to the state banquet for the handover last time. We were just too busy listening to you."

Cao Zhiguo: "That's true, we really didn't pay much attention to it at the time."

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, Third Brother, Fifth Brother, don't say that. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have been able to complete the handover banquet by myself, would I?"

Yang Bin: "I don't think so. Back then, you were in charge of chefs all over the country."

Cao Zhiguo: "Yes, you were in charge of chefs all over the country back then."

Feng Zhengming: "Haha, how could I have directed chefs from all over the country? They were just giving me face and didn't refute my design. Everyone was united at the time, only wanting to do a good job on the state banquet for the return of the nation."

These words touched Yang Bin and Cao Zhiguo quite a bit.

At that time, everyone was truly united.

Regardless of where the chef comes from?

Regardless of the cuisine of the chef?

Everyone gathered in Beijing to participate in such a state banquet celebrating the reunification of the motherland. Everyone had only one thought: to make the banquet a success and let everyone see the pride they felt in taking this step to celebrate the reunification of the motherland.

Qu Bo then served the dishes more carefully, and each dish was made with noticeable more attention to detail.

Both stir-fried shark fin and stir-fried bird's nest are considered relatively difficult dishes.

However, Qu Bo is, after all, a master chef who has been immersed in culinary arts for many years.

When he gets really serious, he can easily master both dishes.

After eating stir-fried shark fin and stir-fried bird's nest, Xia Hui, Sun Decai, Tang Yong, and Lu Haisheng truly broadened their horizons.

They didn't know in the past that shark fin and bird's nest could be stir-fried.

At the same time, Feng Zhengming also praised Qu Bo's skills to his face.

"Chef Qu's skills are superb. Whether it's stir-frying shark fin or bird's nest, it's clear that you have excellent control over the heat and your skill with the spoon. I was presumptuous to offer my opinion on the braised sea cucumber with scallions before."

Qu Bo: "No, no, I want to thank Scholar Feng for his strict requirements. If it weren't for what you said earlier, I wouldn't have been so serious about the dishes later on."

To be honest, after being criticized by Scholar Feng, I suddenly had that same drive I had when I was young.

That indomitable spirit, that meticulous dedication to making the dishes the best they can be.

Qu Bo expressed his gratitude to Feng Zhengming with great respect.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Feng, for coming today. Your visit was a wake-up call for me, making me truly realize my shortcomings."

Feng Zhengming stood up, helped Qu Bo up, and smiled as he picked up a wine glass and handed it to Qu Bo.

"Come on, Master Qu, let's have a drink together, it'll be a good way to make friends."

Qu Bo took the wine cup, lightly clinked it with Feng Zhengming's, and then the two of them drank it down almost simultaneously.

At this moment, there was indeed a degree of fading away of past grievances.

Cao Zhiguo also stood up, refilled Qu Bo's glass, and then toasted Qu Bo himself.

"Brother Qu, it was my fault today. I shouldn't have come to challenge you like that. I have great respect for you, Brother Qu. I have witnessed your culinary skills and realized my own shortcomings. I will take you as my goal and strive to catch up with you in the future."

Qu Bo burst out laughing upon hearing this: "Hahaha, Cao Zhiguo, why do I find what you're saying so fake?"

Cao Zhiguo also laughed: "Absolutely true, I'm telling the truth."

Qu Bo: "I know you're still not convinced by me. It's okay. If you have the chance to come to Beijing again in the future, we can have a proper test of our skills."

Cao Zhiguo: "Okay, it's a deal. I will definitely challenge you seriously when the time comes."

After clinking glasses, the two drank their drinks in one gulp.

For the last cup, Qu Bo shared a drink with Yang Bin and Feng Zhengming's apprentices and students.

After offering this toast, Qu Bo also took his leave.

He had other tables to prepare dishes for later.

After Qu Bo left, Feng Zhengming explained the dishes to everyone in detail.

"Xia Hui, all three of you listen to this too. Do you know why I ordered both shark fin and bird's nest to be fried?"

The apprentices and students looked at each other, and naturally shook their heads to indicate that they didn't know.

Yang Bin and Cao Zhiguo also looked at their junior brother with curiosity.

Everyone knows that Feng Zhengming deliberately didn't say this in front of Qu Bo, which clearly shows that he was holding back.

Feng Zhengming lowered his voice and explained in a tone that was almost audible to everyone at the table.

"Remember, since this is a sea cucumber feast, no matter how high-end the other ingredients are, they cannot overshadow the main dish of sea cucumber. The main dish of sea cucumber should be the most eye-catching dish on the table and the first dish to be eaten."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, everyone present immediately understood.

Unfortunately, Qu Bo's braised sea cucumber with scallions was a little lacking.

If it weren't for Feng Zhengming's insistence that shark fin and bird's nest be changed to stir-fried dishes...

If they were to serve braised shark fin or even more impressive bird's nest dishes, they would completely overshadow braised sea cucumber with scallions.

Only then did everyone realize that Feng Zhengming was indeed more skilled than many chefs in the study of official cuisine.

He had genuinely studied it carefully and knew how to do it and how to serve the dishes.

This is something that many other chefs wouldn't consider.

Everyone enjoyed the meal.

When it came time to pay the bill, both Boss Tan and Qu Bo wanted to waive the charge.

Feng Zhengming insisted on paying and did not ask for a discount from Boss Tan.

Before leaving, Feng Zhengming made sure to say something to Boss Tan.

“Mr. Tan, I know you want to invite me, but I think it’s inappropriate for you to invite me. Chef Qu’s skills are really excellent. He is also the legitimate successor of Tan family cuisine. You should still maintain a good relationship with him.”

When Boss Tan heard what Feng Zhengming said, he was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood what Feng Zhengming meant.

Although he is the owner and the one who funded the restaurant.

But the chef is the key to a restaurant, so it's important to maintain a good relationship with them to motivate them to work harder. Mr. Tan: "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Feng. I'll remember it."

Feng Zhengming smiled and shook hands with Boss Tan, then left with everyone.

After walking a distance, Feng Zhengming looked back.

Seeing that no one was at the door, he then uttered a complaint.

"In the end, it was all just for show. After we finished eating and left, they didn't even mention giving us a gift. It's really thanks to Chef Qu's decent cooking skills, otherwise this kind of private restaurant would be really boring."

Feng Zhengming's words immediately made everyone else burst into laughter.

The daughter smiled and reached out to her father from her mother's arms, wanting a hug.

Feng Zhengming reached out and hugged his daughter.

"It seems that our Youyou also thinks that Dad is right."

Luo Qing couldn't help but laugh and complain, "You really didn't give people any face today!"

Feng Zhengming: "I paid money, can't I even say a few words?"

This made everyone laugh again.

Cao Zhiguo: "That's right, we paid for it, so we should say what we need to say."

Yang Bin: "This meal is really not cheap. Compared to other restaurants in Shanghai, is a meal here more expensive?"

Xia Hui helped answer: "Third Uncle doesn't have that much. A meal at one of our restaurants in Shanghai wouldn't cost that much."

Feng Zhengming smiled and corrected, "That's because we didn't have that many expensive dishes at our meal. If I were to have a banquet at his standard, my price would be at least double or more."

This made everyone laugh again.

They all agreed with Feng Zhengming's statement.

If we cook according to the ingredients we ate today...

Furthermore, if Feng Zhengming, the national culinary champion, were to handle it, the price would definitely be even higher than it is today.

After all, Feng Zhengming's skills speak for themselves.

To prepare all those ingredients properly, more expensive auxiliary ingredients are needed.

Therefore, the price will definitely be much higher.

Yang Bin sighed, "If Yanxilou hadn't been brought down by those guys back then, our Yanxilou could be doing these things now, and definitely better than them."

Feng Zhengming: That's right, so I told Fifth Brother before that we want to open a branch of Yanxilou in Beijing in the future.

Upon hearing this, Yang Bin couldn't help but press, "Zhengming, are you really planning to reopen Yanxilou in the capital?"

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, Yanxilou used to be a well-known restaurant in Jinan with a very high status, but that's all in the past. Now, in everyone's eyes, Yanxilou is a restaurant that has gone out of business."

Therefore, I want to reopen Yanxi Restaurant directly in the capital, so that everyone knows that Yanxi Restaurant is not without good chefs.

Everyone's expressions were complicated upon hearing this, partly because they were awestruck by Feng Zhengming's boldness.

On the other hand, people are also worried about whether Yanxilou can be reopened in the capital.
But while everyone else looked on with complicated expressions, Feng Nuanyou, who was in her father's arms, suddenly clapped her hands and laughed.

Seeing his daughter clapping and laughing, and even shouting to him, "Daddy, great, great..."

Feng Zhengming smiled happily: "See, my daughter understands me best. With my daughter's support, I will definitely succeed."

Luo Qing was the first to laugh: "Yes, yes, in your daughter's eyes, you must be amazing."

The others followed suit and became more confident, all believing that Feng Zhengming could do it.

In the afternoon, the group went to some other places in Beijing.

We visited some of the famous buildings around Tiananmen Square.

Most importantly, you should go to the memorial hall to lay flowers.

Feng Zhengming also told his daughter some stories.

Let my daughter understand from a young age what this place is.
They naturally wouldn't go out for another meal of government cuisine that evening.

After thinking it over, everyone went to a street food stall.

I ate some street food from Beijing at the store.

Although it can't compare to lunch, street food has its own unique flavor.

After having a full meal, I strolled around the streets of Beijing and enjoyed the night view.

Finally, when we returned to the hotel and stepped inside, everyone felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

I hope the investigation into Feng Zhengming will end, that he will be found to be innocent, and that his criminal record will be wiped clean.

The concern was that something might be found out about Feng Zhengming.
However, once they stepped into the hotel, they realized they had been overthinking things.

No results have been released yet.

Feng Zhengming comforted everyone and told them to go back and rest first.

He and his wife took their daughter back to their room to rest.

That evening, Luo Qing still had some worries.

"Tell me, why have they been investigating you for so long?"

Feng Zhengming: "It's okay to be cautious, after all, the incident in Shanghai has caused quite a stir."

Luo Qing: "But those things weren't your fault; you were just defending yourself."

Feng Zhengming: "So don't worry, they will investigate thoroughly and give me a fair result. We should trust them, otherwise they wouldn't have sent me here."

Luo Qing was still somewhat worried: "This kind of thing is really worrying."

Feng Zhengming hugged his wife: "It's okay, you should trust me."

Feng Nuanyou was originally in bed, but when she saw her father hugging her mother, the little girl immediately got up and wobbled over.

"Hehehe, Daddy, Mommy, hug, hug Youyou."

Feng Zhengming smiled and hugged his daughter in his arms.

"Okay, Daddy is holding Youyou, and he's holding Mommy too."

The daughter smiled when she saw her father smile, but when she turned her head, she saw that her mother was not smiling.

She reached out her little hand and gently touched her mother's face, smiling at her mother as she looked at her.

After seeing her daughter's smiling face, Luo Qing finally smiled along with her.

"I'm really impressed with you two, father and daughter. You can always laugh. Okay, we believe there will be a good outcome and everything will be alright."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, I'm a good person."

In fact, regarding Feng Zhengming's situation in Shanghai, both Shanghai and Beijing felt that he was wronged.

It's obvious that someone is deliberately targeting him, and it has already affected the business of his stores.

It's truly understandable that Feng Zhengming would do something as suicidal as taking someone down with him.

So, the purpose of bringing him to Beijing for investigation was actually to discuss whether his criminal record should be erased and whether Feng Zhengming should not be left with a bad record.

They also followed the clues to find certain people hiding in the shadows, helping others with those kinds of things. (End of Chapter)