Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

After hearing Zhu Gang's story, Xie Yuer couldn't help but admire him sincerely: "This man has perseverance and talent."

After saying that, she took a sip of tea, with a look of admiration in her eyes.

Zhu Gang smiled and nodded, with a hint of appreciation in his expression.

“It was with this hard work and talent that Fan Zhengqing finally got the opportunity to enter the Yuan court as an imperial chef.

In that magnificent palace, he saw rare ingredients from all over the world, and also appreciated the exquisite cooking techniques of various imperial chefs. "

Zhu Gang paused for a moment, as if recalling something, and continued, "In order to satisfy the Mongolian nobles' preference for meat delicacies, Fan Zhengqing devoted himself to studying roasted and grilled dishes, striving to achieve perfection.

Take the roast suckling pig for example. He put a lot of effort into making the dish have the perfect texture of crispy skin and tender meat.”

Xie Yuer came closer and asked curiously: "Oh? Then how did Fan Zhengqing do it?"

Zhu Gang looked solemn and spoke slowly, "He often stayed in the kitchen for a whole day, guarding the stove.

Fan Zhengqing looked at the suckling pigs that were either burnt or raw, and a trace of frustration flashed through his heart.

He also thought to himself, 'Is it really impossible for me to achieve that perfect state of crispy skin and tender meat?
Is it possible that the cooking skills inherited from my family will stagnate in my case?'

However, Fan Zhengqing is not someone who gives up easily. "

A trace of admiration flashed in Zhu Gang's eyes, as if he saw the persistent Fan Zhengqing of that year.

"I saw him clench his fists again, his eyes rekindled with determination, and he made up his mind, 'No, I will never give up! I must carry forward the craftsmanship passed down by my ancestors and make this dish shine in the palace.'

In this way, Fan Zhengqing repeatedly tried different temperatures, seasonings and baking times.

Finally, when he saw that the roast suckling pig had become an indispensable delicacy at the palace banquet and everyone praised it highly, he was filled with pride and felt that his efforts had not been in vain. "

Xu Miaoyun sighed with emotion, "It seems that it is not easy to achieve success in cooking. Behind every dish, there is countless sweat and persistence."

Zhu Gang's expression darkened, and he frowned slightly and said, "It's a pity that with the final fall of the Yuan Dynasty, Fan Zhengqing's life also fell into trouble.

Even so, his love for cooking never changed.

For Fan Zhengqing, this cooking competition is an opportunity to regain his glory, and also a stage for him to show the world his family heritage and thousand-year-old cooking skills. "

Su Mingzhi, who came in second, is calm, introverted and thoughtful.

He is a descendant of a Suzhou family with deep knowledge of food culture.

Suzhou, as a land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River, has a long history of food culture.

Su Mingzhi has been deeply influenced by this atmosphere since he was a child and has a unique insight into local cuisine.

By chance, Su Mingzhi heard a legend about the royal court cuisine of the previous dynasty.

At that time, Su Mingzhi met with several literary friends, one of whom happened to talk about it: "I heard that in the Southern Song Dynasty, the imperial chefs tried to make mandarin fish into various shapes in order to cater to the royal family's pursuit of exquisite dishes.

One of the dishes is made by deep-frying mandarin fish that has been specially processed to resemble a certain animal, and then pouring a carefully prepared sauce on it.

It’s just a pity that this legend does not record in detail the specific production method and the final appearance.”

As the saying goes, the speaker has no intention, but the listener has.

After hearing this, Su Mingzhi's eyes flashed with light, and he was immediately deeply attracted.

In order to recreate this dish, he began a long period of research and experimentation.

Faced with countless failures, some people around him advised Su Mingzhi to give up.

A good friend advised: "Mingzhi, I don't know whether this legend is true or not, maybe this dish doesn't exist at all.

Why are you so persistent and wasting your time and energy?"

Su Mingzhi just smiled slightly, with determination in his eyes. He said firmly: "I believe this dish must have existed, and I am confident that I can reproduce it.

Suzhou's food culture has a long history, and this may be one of the lost pearls. I want to make it shine again."

After countless failures, Su Mingzhi gradually developed a unique cooking method.

He skillfully shaped the triangular fish flesh at the lower jaw of the fish head into the shape of a squirrel head.

After being fried, the fish body becomes golden and crispy, and then topped with a sweet and sour sauce, creating a dish that is both delicious and fragrant.

Su Mingzhi named this dish "Squirrel Mandarin Fish" and presented it at gatherings of some local literati in Suzhou.

When this dish was served, everyone's eyes lit up.

One of the famous scholars exclaimed: "Brother Mingzhi, this dish is not only unique in shape, but also has an alluring aroma. I wonder how it tastes?"

Su Mingzhi smiled and said, "Please appreciate it, brothers."

After tasting it, everyone praised it highly.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!

This dish has a crispy texture and a moderate sweetness and sourness. Brother Mingzhi's cooking skills have improved."

As Zhu Yuanzhang's reign passed the middle stage, officials and nobles became more particular about their diet.

Su Mingzhi's reputation spread like ripples in the circle of powerful people.

On this day, Su Mingzhi prepared a family dinner for a senior official in his mansion as usual.

The expressions of the senior officials at the table were a little strange. While praising Su Mingzhi's cooking skills, they seemed to be testing something in their words.

The senior official smiled and said, "Master Su, your cooking skills are amazing!
Besides studying cooking, are you interested in other things?"

Su Mingzhi was alert, but he still maintained a calm smile and responded cleverly: "Your Excellency is too kind. I only focus on cooking and rarely pay attention to other things."

After the dinner, Su Mingzhi returned home and felt that something was wrong.

A few days later, when Su Mingzhi was out buying food, he always felt that someone was following him secretly.

He pretended not to know and deliberately took a detour into a remote alley.

Just as Su Mingzhi was about to turn around to check, a dark shadow suddenly flashed out from the corner of the wall and blocked his way with such agility.

Su Mingzhi was startled and subconsciously took a defensive posture.

The black shadow lowered his voice and said, "Don't panic, Mr. Su. My prince wants to see you."

So Su Mingzhi was taken to a secret mansion and met Zhu Gang.

When Zhu Gang saw Su Mingzhi, he stood up and greeted him with a smile and said, "Mr. Su, I have long heard of your great name.

I have always admired your cooking skills, and seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."

Su Mingzhi bowed and said, "Your Highness, thank you for the compliment. I am just a little bit knowledgeable in cooking."

Zhu Gang then changed the subject and talked about the complexity of the current situation and his need for intelligence.

Zhu Gang said that if Su Mingzhi's special status in the mansion of high-ranking officials could be used by the Prince of Jin's Mansion, it would be of great help in stabilizing the situation.

Su Mingzhi was confused, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Your Highness, joining the Hidden Dragon Guard will give my cooking skills a broader stage, but it also means getting involved in some complicated affairs.

If I don't handle it well, will it affect my pursuit of delicious food?" (End of this chapter)