From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

During the National Day holiday, Feng Zhengming and his entourage spent a few days sightseeing in Beijing.

I also took the opportunity to look at several suitable locations for opening a shop.

Feng Zhengming asked his two senior brothers for their opinions.

He hoped that his fifth senior brother could come to the capital again and help him manage the branch in the capital.

Cao Zhiguo refused immediately upon learning this.

“It’s not that I’m backing down from going to the capital, it’s just that I think you have better options, for example, among the disciples of the third senior brother and the eldest senior brother, there are now people who have gone to the capital to become disciples. Why not let them come and gain some experience?”

Feng Zhengming knew that the fifth senior brother was referring to the newly accepted disciples of the eldest and third senior brothers.

After Feng Zhengming became famous, quite a few people did go to Huiquanlou to become his disciples.

Some young chefs from Beijing even went there specifically to become apprentices.

They can all be considered to have already acquired skills before becoming apprentices.

Some of them had already learned in the kitchens of some restaurants when they were in Beijing.

The reason I went to Huiquanlou again to become an apprentice was to learn traditional Shandong cuisine better.

Because Feng Zhengming was not in Jinan, these disciples were basically apprenticed to the eldest and third senior brothers.

Fifth Senior Brother Cao Zhiguo also took on two apprentices, but both were from within the province.

Feng Zhengming: "Fifth Brother, I know you didn't mean to refuse, and I know we should give young chefs more opportunities, but this is a crucial start for us in Beijing, and I still hope you can come and oversee things."

Yang Bin, the third senior brother, helped to persuade them.

“Zhiguo, I think Zhengming is right. When we first come to the capital, we definitely need a master chef to oversee things. You are the best choice.”

Cao Zhiguo said helplessly, "I'm here. Only Senior Brother is left in Huiquan Tower."

Feng Zhengming: "How could that be? There are other people in the kitchen of Huiquanlou, including several of the eldest brother's apprentices."

Yang Bin: "That's right, Senior Brother's abilities are more than enough to lead those young chefs."

Feng Zhengming: "Fifth Brother, don't worry, I will arrange for people to return to Huiquan Tower. I won't let Eldest Brother bear it alone."

Cao Zhiguo was still somewhat hesitant: "Actually, both the second and third senior brothers can come."

Yang Bin laughed: "If I come, what will happen to the family? My second senior brother is also in charge of the branches in various parts of the province in the north. Who will take over those stores after he leaves?"

Feng Zhengming: "Fifth Brother, you are really the most suitable. You have experience in Beijing."

Faced with these words from his third senior brother and junior brother, Cao Zhiguo pondered for a moment, searching his mind for suitable candidates, but it seemed that he couldn't find anyone more suitable.

In the end, Cao Zhiguo had no choice but to agree.

"Okay, since someone's going to come anyway, I'll come and hold things up for now."

Feng Zhengming: "Fifth Brother, don't worry, I won't leave you to carry on alone for long. Once our two stores are open and established, and a new batch of young chefs have completed their training, we will arrange for someone to come and take over the branch in Beijing."

"By then, you'll have gained some experience in the capital, and we can reopen Yanxi Restaurant there."

Cao Zhiguo was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: "No, Zhengming, you're not planning to let me go back?"

Feng Zhengming: "No, I plan to have all of you senior brothers come to the capital to be in charge of the reopening of Yanxilou in the capital."

These words surprised both Cao Zhiguo and Yang Bin.

The two then exchanged a glance, simultaneously realizing Feng Zhengming's plan.

"You're not planning to invite Master to the capital as well, are you?"

"No, Zhengming, are you really going to have Master come?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I do want to invite Master to the capital to reopen Yanxilou for a period of time. Of course, it won't be for long. I will take care of Master's health. I estimate it will be at most one or two years in the capital."

The two senior brothers were greatly surprised to hear what their junior brother said.

"What? You want Master to come to the capital for another year or two?"

“If you do this, Master will definitely not agree.”

Feng Zhengming smiled: "We might agree. Think about it, senior brothers. Aren't the conditions in the capital quite good? If Master goes to the capital, not to mention anything else, wouldn't the medical care be better?"

These words silenced the two senior brothers, who had to admit that the conditions in the capital were indeed better.

Feng Zhengming then explained, “Inviting Master to Beijing is not so that Master can continue to cook in the kitchen, but mainly so that Master can provide guidance. Most of the time, it will definitely be you senior brothers who do the cooking.”

The two senior brothers looked at each other, and slowly understood their junior brother's plan.

Feng Zhengming wanted to prove to everyone that the collapse of Yanxilou had nothing to do with his master and fellow disciples.

He wanted to prove to everyone that his master and his fellow disciples could run a top-notch restaurant well, and even have a place in the capital.

Understanding their junior brother's intentions, the two senior brothers were willing to help him fulfill his wish.

But in fact, the two senior brothers also understood this in their hearts.

When Yanxilou reopened in Beijing, what attracted the people of the capital the most was still its national culinary champion.

As long as we can establish his reputation as the top culinary master in the country and the number one restaurant in Beijing, then we can make it a reality.

That would probably attract a large number of customers.

Of course, with their master personally overseeing and guiding them, Feng Zhengming and his fellow apprentices worked together in the kitchen.

The reopened Yanxilou Restaurant in the capital will surely become the premier restaurant in Beijing.

It is definitely no worse than the eight famous restaurants in Beijing, and it can truly become the leading restaurant for Shandong cuisine in Beijing.

This can truly be considered as fulfilling the wishes of the master and fellow disciples.

At that time, we will also add two branches of dry rice shops in Beijing.

Feng Zhengming has the potential to become a renowned restaurant owner in Beijing.

In addition, there are his several stores in Shanghai, his branches all over Shandong, and even the branch in Hongcheng, Jiangxi Province.

It can be said that Feng Zhengming has truly achieved the unification of the martial arts world across the entire country.

Perhaps if he wanted, he could open branches anywhere in the country.

However, Feng Zhengming himself understood that he couldn't be too high-profile anymore.

Therefore, he no longer plans to open more branches, as his energy is limited and he cannot continue to operate more branches.

Especially after Yanxilou reopened in the capital.

With two top-tier restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai already under his control, Feng Zhengming's status in the business world is already secure. Opening more stores would seem like a waste of his influence.

We need to maintain some semblance of dignity; we can't let more stores distract us and cause the quality control of each store to decline.

Both senior brothers agreed with this point.

"Quality control really needs to be done well, otherwise problems will indeed arise." "So we really don't need more branches; the current situation is actually quite good."

Feng Zhengming: "Haha, if we can finally reopen Yanxilou properly, I think we brothers will have had enough for this lifetime."

Yang Bin and Cao Zhiguo both burst into laughter; at that moment, they felt it was all worth it.

……

"With the conclusion of the Olympics, my country's athletes achieved an outstanding result, winning 28 gold medals and a total of 59 medals, ranking among the top three in the world medal standings. This is my country's best performance since participating in the Olympics..."

The outstanding achievements of the Olympic Games were reported to the nation on the evening news.

The whole nation is incredibly proud at this moment.

At that moment, everyone truly realized that their motherland had become powerful.

They have caught up with those countries that were once stronger than themselves.

Feng Zhengming and the others also watched TV together in the hotel.

And I also heard people cheering in the street outside the hotel.

Feng Zhengming and his colleagues also felt proud, deeply appreciating the strength and prosperity of the nation at that moment.

At the same time, Feng Zhengming and his team felt proud to host a welcome banquet for the Olympic athletes.

Those Olympic athletes who win honor for their country are true heroes.

Being able to cook a grand meal for the triumphant heroes was truly the proudest experience for Feng Zhengming and his team of chefs.

Sun Decai couldn't help but ask, "Master, what dishes should we cook for them then?"

Tang Yong: "I think we can make braised sea cucumber with scallions, a Shandong dish, for them."

Sun Decai: "Braised sea cucumber with scallions won't do, it's not satisfying. We should make traditional braised sea cucumber with pork knuckle or braised sea cucumber with lamb chops, that would be much more satisfying."

Lu Haisheng: "Are there any athletes from Shanghai here? Should we make them some braised pork too?"

Tang Yong: "Just your local-style braised pork? That's too greasy. I think it should be made like the one my master made, with abalone paired with braised pork. That would be much more flavorful."

Listening to the discussion of the three apprentices, Feng Zhengming and his two senior brothers exchanged a smile.

Seeing that Xia Hui didn't speak, Sun Decai immediately asked, "Senior Sister, why aren't you saying anything?"

Xia Hui said calmly, "The chef has already submitted the menu, so there's no point in you discussing it now."

The three apprentices were taken aback by Xia Hui's words.

Then Tang Yong muttered, "Big Sister is getting more and more aloof; we can't even have a discussion with her."

Xia Hui glared at Tang Yong upon hearing this.

"The dishes you mentioned are all on the menu that Master submitted. Master also prepared a lot of home-style dishes to cook some hometown dishes for the athletes."

Yang Bin chuckled: "Look at you three, you can't keep your tempers up. Your senior sister is much more composed."

Cao Zhiguo: "Zhengming, did the menu you submitted include all the dishes they mentioned?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, I even reported it to the Peking duck supplier. It is said that the kitchen of the Great Hall of the People has genuine white duck embryos among its supplies."

These words surprised everyone.

Then everyone couldn't help but sigh, "As expected, state banquets are different!"

Actually, it's not that we can't find authentic Little White Duck products, but the cost is just too high.

Cao Zhiguo suddenly asked, "Zhengming, you said that when we open a branch in Beijing, can we add roast duck to the menu? And then hire a famous roast duck chef from Beijing?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Sure, we can sell roast duck in our shop then, and we can also sell all kinds of duck products at the same time."

This surprised everyone at first. Then Yang Bin asked, "You don't mean to put all those dishes from the whole duck banquet back then into the Beijing branch for sale, do you?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I do have this plan. We can make dishes like roasted duck hearts and wasabi duck feet in the shop."

Upon hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the two senior brothers looked at each other in bewilderment.

They suddenly realized that their junior brother, despite saying he would keep a low profile in the future, was actually being rude.

But when it comes to opening a shop and cooking, the junior apprentice doesn't seem to want to keep a low profile at all.

If Feng Zhengming were to open a branch of a dry restaurant in Beijing, and then bring out roast duck and all sorts of duck dishes from famous roast duck restaurants in Beijing, he could do so.

Aren't you just openly challenging those roast duck restaurants in Beijing?
Seeing the expressions on his two senior brothers' faces, Feng Zhengming guessed what they were thinking.

"Haha, I'm already being very low-key. Maybe after I reopen Yanxi Restaurant in the capital, I'll even be making roast suckling pig there."

These words immediately stunned the two senior brothers, the apprentice, and the three students.

Then Yang Bin smiled wryly and said, "Okay, if you put it that way, then making roast duck at the Beijing branch is indeed very low-key."

Cao Zhiguo was amused by his third senior brother's words.

"Third Senior Brother, you can't say that. If it were us opening a roast duck shop, no one would probably take it seriously. But the shop is Zhengming's. Since he's making roast duck in the shop, I think the well-known roast duck shops in Beijing should definitely come knocking on his door."

Upon hearing this, Xia Hui, Sun Decai, Tang Yong, and Lu Haisheng all looked at Feng Zhengming.

They all felt that what their master was doing was indeed a bit too exaggerated.

After all, Peking duck can be considered the last signature dish of Beijing cuisine.

If Feng Zhengming puts roast duck and various duck products in the branch of the dry rice shop, it does seem to lower the shop's signature dish to the level of street food.

If we actually did that, we might really offend all the Peking duck restaurants in Beijing.

Feng Zhengming dismissed it: "Don't worry, at worst we'll sell the roast duck a little cheaper. We won't make it as properly as those other places. If all else fails, we'll just make it like Nanjing roast duck."

Hearing Feng Zhengming say this, the two senior brothers looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

They couldn't help but wonder: how could they believe that their junior brother would keep a low profile?
Luo Qing, however, was very supportive of her husband's idea.

"I think it's fine. Peking duck is indeed a very famous dish in Beijing, and it's even the most famous Chinese dish overseas. Our branch doesn't mean to disrespect Peking duck by serving it; we're just making it more approachable."

Feng Zhengming: "See, my wife knows how to talk, doesn't she? Third Brother, Fifth Brother, don't be nervous, we're just trying to be approachable."

Yang Bin and Cao Zhiguo could only nod and smile.

Of course, the most nervous person is probably Cao Zhiguo. He now feels that he may have agreed to come to Beijing to take charge a bit too hastily.

If Feng Zhengming isn't often in Beijing at that time, what if their two shops sell too well with roast duck and various duck products?
Cao Zhiguo thought he would really be approached by several roast duck chefs from Beijing.

However, upon further reflection, they realized that their original intention in opening Yanxilou in the capital was to establish Shandong cuisine as a prominent force in the city.

So, it doesn't seem like a big deal that a branch of Ganfanpu is now selling roast duck, right?

You're allowed to make roast duck high-end, but we're not allowed to make it affordable?
Thinking about it this way made Cao Zhiguo feel much better.

Feng Zhengming and his friends continued watching the news on TV, all looking forward to seeing the Olympic athletes at the welcome banquet. They were already discussing who they would take photos with. (End of Chapter)