Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Ever since Li Jiuzhou hosted a high-profile banquet for Lou Bancheng's family, this guy has been trying to get close to him all the time.

There was no other reason than that Lou Bancheng had learned at the last banquet that Li Jiuzhou had a family relationship with the leader.

That's why they intentionally or unintentionally tried to get closer to each other.

Li Jiuzhou did not distance himself from Lou Bancheng because Lou was a capitalist.

This is one of his big clients, the kind who pays ten million for a single banquet.

If Li Jiuzhou were to be invited again, would the price be less than ten million?

Moreover, Li Jiuzhou never asked for a price when he was invited to cook, because he didn't need to ask for a price at all; these people were very generous.

The main point is: whatever you want, I'll take it all.

The kitchen at Fengzeyuan was bustling today because Manager Luan felt that Shazhu's cooking skills had improved significantly recently, so he gave him a chance to be tested.

He was asked to cook the staff lunch, and Sha Zhu was so pleased with this news that he was excited for several days.

This is making the pot practically fly off the ground.

There were three dishes in total, which were also the most basic dishes.

Hot and sour shredded potatoes, Kung Pao chicken, and pickled fish.

The whole routine went smoothly, and it seemed there were no problems with the posture; it was a complete pass.

Don't let Sha Zhu's age fool you; he's only 16, but he's as strong as a bull.

After tasting the food, Manager Luan and the chefs all nodded in approval.

"Zhu Zi, go to the third stove, specializing in Sichuan cuisine!"

Manager Luan made the final decision!

"Thank you, shopkeeper!" Sha Zhu happily bowed to him.

The other apprentices were green with envy.

Seeing this, Manager Luan began to appease the boys, which is what is known as "drawing a pie in the sky" (a Chinese idiom meaning to promise something in return).

Sha Zhu's promotion was inseparable from the hands-on teaching of Li Tielong and his two apprentices, but that was not the only reason.

The key is that he works hard and is also very talented.

This guy is so lucky. His father, He Daqing, laid the foundation for him from a young age, and later he had a master chef teaching him step by step.

If he doesn't show some ability, Luan Academy won't even look at Sha Zhu.

On his way home from get off work in the evening, Sha Zhu rode his bike very fast, humming a song as he went.

"Hey, senior, Jia Dongxu is still an apprentice at the steel rolling mill, and he's making 18 a month!"

Li Jiuzhou's lips curled slightly upon hearing this:

"So, what are you trying to say?"

Sha Zhu said excitedly:

"I'm not an apprentice anymore, I'm the head chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant, making 52 yuan a month!"

"A difference of 20,000 yuan a month is three times Jia Dongxu's salary. Don't you think I'm awesome?"

"Awesome, absolutely awesome..." Li Jiuzhou didn't discourage Sha Zhu, but instead praised him.

This is Li Jiuzhou's praise for Sha Zhu's improved cooking skills.

Fengzeyuan's 16-year-old head chef is quite capable, and he's also quite impressive.

"Senior, your nickname in our business is 'Mr. Fish,' what nickname do you think I should get?"

"The problem is, I don't even know how to create my own dishes!"

Li Jiuzhou didn't want to pay attention to him. "You think you can make a name for yourself?"

You're going to use that "Idiot Zhu" nickname until you die!

There were few forms of entertainment in the 50s, and many people couldn't even read.

But it's different for ordinary people in the capital; they are very well-informed.

Li Jiuzhou was chatting with someone recently, and after only a couple of sentences, the other person said:

"Have you heard? They say we're going to fight those foreign devils..."

Such news has caused a slight tension in Beijing.

After all, the country has only been established for less than a year, and the people haven't had many good days yet, so it's inevitable that they have some worries and anxieties.

Li Jiuzhou was not worried, because he was certain that China would win this battle.

Sure enough, not long after, the country sent out troops, marching with great fanfare and high morale!

My master's two older brothers didn't go to the battle; they had their own missions.

Needless to say, my second uncle was also absent, having just gotten married and for various reasons.

It was only 1950, and there were still nearly five years before the country implemented the rationing system.

In other words, it will be fine to buy anything or even do some small business in the next few years.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Jiuzhou bought a bicycle and a radio.

The bike is for my second son to ride, and he listens to the radio occasionally.

Now that electricity is basically available in Beijing, No. 95 Courtyard, being located at the foot of the Forbidden City, naturally also has electricity.

Sha Zhu had his own money, so he got a bicycle along with Li Jiuzhou.

Two bicycles suddenly appeared in the yard, making many neighbors quite envious.

Li Jiuzhou and Sha Zhu's new car entered the yard, with red flowers draped over the front.

Just kidding, this is a big deal. Just draping it with red flowers isn't enough; we also need to hear a loud bang!

Two strings of firecrackers went off at the entrance of the courtyard as we entered.

The two of them bought some peanuts and melons to share with their neighbors, hoping to bring some joy.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I was saying that Jiuzhou has pillars, but you two are like this!" Yan Bugui's envy was undisguised as he gave the two of them a thumbs up.

Other neighbors also came up to congratulate them, their eyes filled with envy mixed with other emotions.

Li Jiuzhou's neighbors all know his income.

Needless to say, Sha Zhu exploded on his own after joining the Three Stove.

His personality isn't the kind that can be hidden.

When Jia Dongxu learned that Sha Zhu, this idiot, was working as a head chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant, he was completely stunned.

That's not the main point. Sha Zhu is too cocky. He lives so close to Jia Dongxu, they see each other all the time.

So Sha Zhu intentionally or unintentionally talked about how high his salary was, and said that his apprenticeship at the steel rolling mill wasn't so great.

Sha Zhu's sharp tongue really angered Jia Dongxu.

Now Jia Dongxu was standing in the crowd, watching Li Jiuzhou and his fellow apprentice being flattered by their neighbors, and he felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten shit.

A hysterical scream in my heart:

"I, I'm the number one among the younger generation in Compound 95!"

"Two lousy cooks, what's the big deal about buying a bicycle? They'll probably fall and die sooner or later!"

With a smile, Liu Haizhong asked Li Jiuzhou all sorts of questions, his words revealing his longing for bicycles.

Seeing his expression, Li Jiuzhou knew he was interested, so he smiled and said:

"Uncle Liu, why not get one? It's convenient, and they're not expensive these days. With your salary, buying a bicycle is a piece of cake!"

Being flattered by Li Jiuzhou in front of so many neighbors, Liu Haizhong was in a very good mood and laughed:

"Jiuzhou, what you said makes sense. I'll go back and think about it."

Just one day later, Liu Haizhong not only picked up a car but also a radio.

The firecrackers at No. 95 courtyard went off again, drawing people from several neighboring courtyards out to watch the spectacle.

Once something like this happens, it's bound to happen again.

The firecrackers went off again on the third day. The deaf old lady may be old, but she's rich.

I asked Li Jiuzhou to get me a radio to listen to.

Yan Bugui thought it over and over and felt that things couldn't go on like this. "How can I, from a family of scholars, be outdone by a bunch of peasants?"

So they also brought back the bicycle and the radio.

Yi Zhonghai realized this wouldn't do; why wasn't he among the wealthy residents of No. 95 courtyard?

They copied it and brought back a set too.

Xu Xufugui in the backyard was equally unwilling to be outdone. He had a bicycle, which was provided to him by Boss Lou, so he also got a radio.

Firecrackers were set off in courtyard number 95 for six consecutive days, it was a scene of constant explosions.

It not only shocked the entire alley, but also brought the military control commission to the scene.

It was a normal transaction; the military control commission came to investigate the situation and then left.

Li Jiuzhou was dumbfounded. What was going on?

There's no element of flaunting wealth in the story either.