Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Afterwards, Li Tielong didn't hesitate and went directly to his apprentice to discuss it.

"Would you like to order from our Fengzeyuan menu?"

"Master, will my pickled fish be alright?"

Li Jiuzhou asked, quite surprised.

Li Tielong glared at his apprentice:

"Why not? The shopkeeper said that you're the one who makes the order when a customer orders."

"If it sells well, I'll promote you to Sanzao."

"If sales are poor, you get a commission."

Li Jiuzhou rolled his eyes and said:

"Then I also have two dishes: boiled live fish and grilled live fish."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Hehe, just doing random research for no reason," Li Jiuzhou laughed.

Li Tielong took a deep breath and slowly said:

"How do the other two dishes compare to the pickled fish we just had?"

"You've mastered it all?"

Li Jiuzhou nodded:

"Hmm, I know what I'm doing. How about we try boiling a live fish tonight?"

"You'll need some tools to grill live fish over charcoal."

"Then I'll go and talk to the shopkeeper."

Li Tielong went directly to Manager Luan.

Upon hearing that this kid from Jiuzhou had two more dishes that were no less delicious than pickled fish, he immediately ordered the purchasing department to buy three more live fish.

He asked Li Jiuzhou to do it that night, wanting to see how it turned out.

That evening, a dish of boiled live fish once again shocked the kitchen staff.

It's more fragrant, spicier, and more numbing than pickled fish; it's the most authentic Sichuan cuisine imaginable.

Everyone who ate was covered in grease and sweat.

Li Jiuzhou also drew up a design for a charcoal-grilled fish dish, asking the shopkeeper to order one from the factory to test its quality first.

Three days later, Li Jiuzhou's three dishes were ready.

The grilled fish, in particular, was a hit with everyone, especially since it was late autumn and the weather was slightly cool.

Manager Luan made the decision on the spot, putting the menu on the table, and Li Jiuzhou was in charge of these three dishes.

At the same time, he was promoted and received a raise. The head chef of the 30,000-burner kitchen earned 56 yuan a month!

Oh my god, the apprentices in the kitchen were green with envy.

However, Li Jiuzhou was truly talented. Not long after his master introduced him to the business, he created three new dishes.

He's only 15 years old! He's practically a genius in the industry.

The head chef at Fengzeyuan was extremely envious of Li Tielong, who had practically taken on a divine apprentice.

Chefs might be able to make a few Sichuan dishes, but they're definitely not authentic; Sichuan cuisine uses too many seasonings.

If the master doesn't teach you everything he knows, you won't learn it all; there are secret methods.

Li Jiuzhou was open-minded and wouldn't teach outsiders, but he didn't hold back when it came to his own master, senior brothers, and junior brothers.

I explained the procedures to them in detail.

Li Tielong and Wang Shan were very pleased, and He Yuzhu was as happy as a child.

A week later, three Sichuan dishes were officially added to Fengzeyuan's menu.

They're all fish, but they have different names.

Sauerkraut fish, boiled fish, grilled live fish!

One midday, an important guest arrived at Fengzeyuan Restaurant, and Manager Luan personally received him.

"Seventh Master, it's been a while since I've seen you. Are you still in the private room upstairs?"

Master Bai waved his hand:

"Alright, let's go downstairs. I didn't invite anyone today, so you can have a couple of drinks with me later."

"Sure, it's my honor to accompany you," Manager Luan said with a smile.

"What would you like to eat today?"

After hearing this, Master Bai stroked his chin:

"Your Fengzeyuan restaurant only serves the same few dishes, right? Seventh Master has been eating them for years. Has your little Luanzi come up with some new tricks lately?"

"You guessed right, there really is one."

Now it was Bai Qiye's turn to be surprised. He had only asked casually, but he didn't expect that there really was one!

"There are a few new dishes?" Master Bai asked, intrigued.

"All three dishes are fish."

"Three dishes, and all of them are fish?"

"Hehe, why does this sound a bit funny, little Luanzi?" Master Bai teased.

Manager Luan wasn't annoyed and smiled:

"How about this, I'll have you try some pickled fish first?"

Master Bai smiled:

"Alright, I don't really want to eat anything today anyway, so I'll do as you, Manager Luan, suggest."

"Let me make this clear first, Seventh Master, if I'm not satisfied, I won't pay."

"Just you wait and see, I promise you won't be disappointed," Manager Luan assured him.

Seeing his reaction, Master Bai felt reassured.

He knew what kind of person Luan Xuetang was, having dealt with him for so many years.

Would you dare to eat food that isn't good?

I'm even afraid of myself when I get angry!

After greeting Master Bai, Manager Luan came to the kitchen:

"Kyushu, Kyushu, one serving of pickled fish."

"Make things right, this is a big client!"

"I understand, shopkeeper."

After agreeing, Li Jiuzhou said to He Yuzhu:

"Zhu Zi, kill the fish!"

"Senior brother, just you wait and see!"

When Li Jiuzhou joined the Sanzao restaurant, he asked He Yuzhu to be his helper, since he couldn't do all the chopping and preparing of vegetables by himself.

He Yuzhu was more than happy to do it, and his skill in killing fish was incredibly smooth.

Li Jiuzhou wasn't idle either; he was preparing side dishes and seasonings.

The kitchen staff cooks very quickly; the sauerkraut fish was ready in less than 20 minutes.

The aroma filled the air all the way, and many people looked at the pickled fish in the waiter's hands with surprise.

After seeing the pickled fish in front of him, Master Bai didn't say anything, picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

He then turned to Luan Xuetang, who was standing nearby, and said:

"Bring some white rice. Seventh Master won't be drinking today, he'll just be eating."

Luan Xuetang smiled slightly: "Please wait a moment, I'll be right there."

He went to get the food himself, and seeing this, Luan Xuetang no longer wanted to drink with Master Bai.

They're just here to eat...

And so this scene unfolded in the lobby.

An elderly man has a bowl of fish in front of him, and five empty bowls beside him.

The other diners nearby marveled at the old man's appetite, secretly thinking that he had quite a good appetite.

A clever person immediately guessed the reason:

"Young man, what dish did that gentleman serve? Bring us a serving too."

"It's pickled fish, a new product we just launched."

So you got one and I got one.

Li Jiuzhou prepared twelve dishes in one lunch break.

7 dishes of pickled fish and 5 dishes of boiled fish.

"Good lad, really good lad, Li Tielong has taught a good apprentice."

Master Bai couldn't stop praising Li Jiuzhou.

He ate so much today, he really ate so much that he didn't leave even though Fengzeyuan restaurant closed at noon.

We need to slow down.

"Seventh Master, you flatter me. It's just my duty."

Li Jiuzhou was very modest; today he met another film and television celebrity.

Bai Qiye of the Bai family!

Anyway, he's used to it, and maybe more film and television characters will appear in the future.

"Here, take this, it's a reward from Seventh Master."

A full ten silver dollars.

"Thank you for the reward, Seventh Master." Li Jiuzhou accepted the reward without any pretense.

"Hehe, I'll be back tomorrow, Seventh Master, for boiled fish, and the day after tomorrow for grilled live fish!"

"I'm leaving, Xiao Luanzi, you don't need to see me off."

"Seventh Master, please take care..."

Li Jiuzhou was overjoyed at the great victory.

For the next two weeks, Fengzeyuan was packed with people, all coming to eat fish.

Fengzeyuan's three newly introduced Sichuan dishes became an instant hit in Beiping (Beijing).

Li Jiuzhou's name is well-known in major restaurants.

Sanzao, the 15-year-old apprentice of Li Tielong, the head chef of Fengzeyuan Restaurant, created three Sichuan dishes on his own, which is incredibly impressive!

After inspecting his family's pharmacy, the Seventh Master of the Bai family returned home and was preparing to eat.

But he had no appetite looking at the dishes on the table.

So he turned to the butler with a stern face and said:

Tell Xiao Luanzi, I want to eat fish!