Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

Shredded pork with garlic sauce!

Yang Wei chose this dish to pass the assessment for becoming a master chef for state banquets.

Don't let its status as a well-known, everyday Sichuan dish fool you; it's precisely because of this that he pondered it for a long time before settling on it. The simpler the dish, the more familiar it is to the general public, the more it tests a chef's true skill. This dish has been a tough nut to crack in chefs' exams, from beginners to master chefs. Knife skills, seasoning, and cooking time—none of these can be compromised. So, regardless of the cost of the ingredients or the complexity of the presentation, satisfying everyone is a high-level challenge for any chef.

Today, Yang Wei plans to use it to intimidate the judges.

He took out the divine cleaver used by Peng Zu, said to be forged from an extraterrestrial meteorite, imperishable for millennia, becoming sharper with use—in short, ridiculously powerful. With a swift stroke, the ingredients on the cutting board seemed to obey his every command: pork, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, chili peppers—each slice was distinct, each strand perfectly separated, almost flawlessly thick and long, so neat it seemed machine-carved, with an error margin not even a hair's breadth.

Prepare the fish-fragrant sauce in advance. Heat the wok with cold oil, add the shredded pork, and the sound of stir-frying fills the kitchen—instantly, only the sizzling of oil and the clanging of spatulas. Everyone is on edge, pulling out all the stops, all for a chance to become a chef for state banquets—a lifetime of honor.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Yang Wei took the pot off the plate a few minutes early and garnished it with cilantro. Fish-flavored shredded pork is difficult to plate, so he could only do some embellishment around the edges.

When everyone realized that he was making shredded pork with garlic sauce, many people relaxed, and even the other two Sichuan chefs secretly breathed a sigh of relief: it's always a good thing to have one less strong competitor.

The kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of the dishes; it was difficult to judge their quality without tasting them firsthand. The staff then plated the finished products one by one and lined them up to deliver them to the judges.

"Thank you all for your hard work. Please wait here for the results, and we'll know who will stay once they're out." The leader then left after making the announcement.

As the crowd dispersed, the chefs who knew each other gathered together and chatted amongst themselves. Yang Wei stood alone to the side, waiting quietly. He was confident. Even though he had only made shredded pork with garlic sauce, others might have presented their dishes with exquisite plating or complicated procedures. But there was a difference between flashy and simple.

"That person looks quite young, who recommended him?"

"He must have strong connections, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to get in."

"I thought he had real skills, but he made fish-flavored shredded pork. It's hilarious."

"Young people ultimately can't grasp the nuances; we older folks have to take the lead. State banquets are hardly something young people can handle."

Yang Wei ignored it all, waiting for the results to reveal whether the person was truly capable or not.

Half an hour later, the leader returned, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on Yang Wei. His eyes were filled with disbelief; he simply couldn't comprehend how someone so young could possess such exceptional culinary skills. The judging panel unanimously agreed that the shredded pork with garlic sauce was the best dish of all.

"After unanimous evaluation by the judging panel, the top eight and their rankings are now announced." The leader slowly began, "Eighth place: Li Shizhong; Seventh place: Wang Bin... Second place: Sun Jiufu."

Upon hearing that Sun Jiufu had only come in second, the entire audience's gaze shifted dramatically, filled with surprise and curiosity. Who could possibly defeat this renowned chef? Those who hadn't made the list couldn't hide their delight; if they could surpass Sun Jiufu, their fame would surely soar.

Sun Jiufu, leaning on a cane, wasn't old, but had a chronic foot ailment. Known in the industry as "Sun the Quick-Hands," his Huaiyang soup dumplings were considered a masterpiece, praised by everyone who had tasted them. He had thought this first place was a sure thing, but now his face showed a mixture of emotions.

Who would have thought that a highly respected senior figure would be defeated in this competition?

The announcement of this result caused an uproar. Precisely because of his seniority, if someone were to step on his shoulders and rise to a higher level, that person would surely become famous worldwide. Therefore, the chefs who were not called upon were all extremely excited, hoping to witness a miracle.

However, the miracle took an unexpected turn.

When the host announced the first place winner, the leader's gaze did not search through the crowd, but instead fell directly on Yang Wei, who was inconspicuous in the corner.

"First place, Yang Wei!"

In an instant, the entire kitchen fell silent; you could hear a pin drop. Those who had just mocked Yang Wei for being "wet-blooded" and "ignorant of his own limitations" were now filled with disbelief, their faces burning as if they had been slapped in the face by an invisible hand, wishing they could disappear into the ground on the spot.

Even Old Sun froze on the spot, looking somewhat embarrassed. He had just asserted that Yang Wei was too young to shoulder the responsibility of hosting a state banquet; this slap in the face came far too quickly. Faintly, everyone seemed to hear a series of "slapping" sounds echoing in the air.

After the rankings were announced, the kitchen staff fell into an extremely awkward situation. After a moment of silence, everyone tacitly ignored Yang Wei and instead flocked to congratulate the other seven selected individuals.

Seeing this, Yang Wei could only helplessly rub his nose and mutter to himself, "Really, so petty?"

Instead, it was Xu Guoqing, the person in charge, who broke the deadlock first. He walked up to Yang Wei and politely extended his hand: "Master Yang, hello, I am Xu Guoqing, and I am in charge of the preparations for this state banquet."

"Hello, leader." Yang Wei shook hands with him.

"Don't call me leader, just call me manager," Xu Guoqing said with a smile.

"Okay, Manager Xu," Yang Wei readily agreed.

Xu Guoqing then recounted the judges' praise for Yang Wei's dishes before leading him toward the group of bewildered chefs.

"Everyone, please be quiet." Xu Guoqing raised his voice. "I am Xu Guoqing, in charge of this state banquet. For the next three months, please feel free to contact me if you need anything. The main course for the state banquet will be Sichuan cuisine; the detailed menu will be distributed later. As is customary, the winner of the competition will serve as the head chef for this state banquet."

He paused for a moment, then solemnly announced: "Therefore, from this moment forward, Chef Yang Wei will be the head chef for this state banquet."

"Wait a moment, Manager Xu."

Yang Wei suddenly spoke, leaving Xu Guoqing and the other chefs stunned.

"Master Yang, is there a problem?" Xu Guoqing asked, puzzled.

"Manager Xu, I am already flattered to be selected as a chef for state banquets, let alone to be the top choice," Yang Wei said sincerely and humbly. "But I am absolutely unqualified for the position of head chef. I am too inexperienced and lack the qualifications to take on this responsibility. I believe that Elder Sun is the most suitable candidate."

He pointed to Sun Jiufu, whose expression was complex, and continued, "This senior chef is highly respected and everyone admires him. He must be truly skilled. I am merely a chef specializing in Sichuan cuisine, and my abilities are limited. The head chef for this state banquet should rightfully be Elder Sun. I say this entirely for the sake of the banquet's success, and there is not a single falsehood in my words."

These words resonated deeply, leaving those who had just mocked him utterly ashamed. Their petty judgments revealed their narrow-mindedness and shallowness in the face of Yang Wei's candor.

A hint of approval flashed in Xu Guoqing's eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Chef Yang, I can't make this decision myself; I need to report to my superiors. Until the leadership makes a decision, you'll have to temporarily take over as head chef. However, Elder Sun can assist you in familiarizing yourself with the procedures. I'll let you know as soon as I get the news. What do you think?"

"Xiao Xu, no need."

Sun Jiufu suddenly spoke, interrupting Xu Guoqing, "This is where dreams begin, and where dreams come true." He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Yang Wei and the others: "The head chef for this state banquet is none other than Chef Yang. There is no distinction between young and old in learning; the most accomplished comes first. We all trust the judges' assessment; Chef Yang's skills are certainly superior to ours. He truly deserves the title of head chef!"

He straightened up and frankly admitted his mistake: "My eyesight is failing, and I failed to recognize your greatness. Please forgive my offensive words, Master Yang!"

After speaking, Sun Jiufu turned to the crowd and declared loudly, "I am willing to serve as Chef Yang's deputy and do my utmost to assist him in ensuring the success of this state banquet, leaving no room for error!"

Seeing that the senior had personally apologized, the others followed suit, expressing their apologies for their earlier slip of the tongue.

"Mr. Sun, what are you doing! You're making me feel so bad!" Yang Wei hurriedly reached out to help him up, and said anxiously, "It was my presumption that I didn't come to pay my respects to you seniors first. I was very rude and dared not trouble you all to apologize to me."

This scene, witnessed by Xu Guoqing, intensified his curiosity. He began to wonder whether Yang Wei's previous modesty was a genuine expression of emotion or a tactic of feigned indifference. After all, the position of head chef was a coveted honor for many.

"Manager Xu, what I just said is the truth." Yang Wei saw his doubt and reiterated, "Even if I end up working as an assistant to Old Master Sun, I will be willing to do it. I am not lying."

Yang Wei repeated it to Xu Guoqing.

Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, Xu Guoqing finally nodded slowly.

"Apart from those who have already made their commitments, everyone else can leave with me now."

"The rest of you, come with me later to go through the state banquet procedures again. Make sure you remember everything we taught today. After that, you can go home, but from tomorrow until the end of the state banquet, you must eat and stay here. So go home tonight and prepare a change of clothes. Meet here at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

After speaking, Xu Guoqing instructed staff to lead the unsuccessful candidates out of the state guesthouse. Yang Wei and the other seven stayed behind to get acquainted. Although they had just exchanged names, Yang Wei hadn't remembered anyone except Sun Jiufu. Now, with a smile, he took the initiative to chat with everyone, talking about their respective workplaces.

It was only during this conversation that I learned that, apart from him, who came from the steel rolling mill, the others were all head chefs from restaurants. Although I had never met them, I had heard of them in the industry and knew their names. Only Yang Wei worked at the steel rolling mill, and no one outside knew him, which led to the scene where everyone was mocking him earlier.

"Alright, everyone follow me. Let's get our heads shaved first, then we'll go to class!" Xu Guoqing ordered.

Yang Wei was stunned. Did being a chef at a state banquet require a uniform hairstyle? The others, who were somewhat familiar with the rules of state banquets, didn't take it seriously. Only he was completely bewildered, but he didn't ask any questions and followed the group to the prepared room. It wasn't until he saw someone sit in the barber's chair and the clippers shave down, clumps of hair falling to the ground, that he understood why they had to shave their heads first.

The first step to becoming qualified is to shave your head, specifically shave it completely bald.

Yang Wei watched the barber shave a chef named Wang Bin's head and couldn't help but touch his own. Sun Jiufu, seeing this, laughed, "Don't you know, the first hurdle to becoming a state banquet chef is getting a haircut?"

Yang Wei chuckled: "I really don't know, but I can understand. Losing even a single hair at a state banquet would have a huge impact." He had no objection to shaving his head; he just found it novel, yet it made perfect sense.

Upon hearing this, Sun Jiufu became even more curious about Yang Wei: "Who taught you to cook Sichuan cuisine?" The more he looked at Yang Wei, the more satisfied he became, and he even had some other thoughts, starting to find out more about Yang Wei's background.

"I learned from a Sichuan cuisine chef in the courtyard house. He was also the head chef in our steel mill canteen. Later, he had to go to another place for some business." Yang Wei didn't go into details about He Daqing's whereabouts. After all, he was his mentor, and he had to save face for him.

"Oh? What's your name?" Sun Jiufu's interest grew even stronger. He knew most of the famous chefs in Beijing, even if he hadn't met them in person. That was the confidence of an old chef.

"He Daqing, Master He," Yang Wei answered truthfully.

"Oh, so it was him!" Sun Jiufu exclaimed in surprise. "The way you cooked today reminded me of the dishes. Come to think of it, I've met him a few times, but we never talked much. He was a well-known chef in Beijing, but I don't know where he went. I never imagined he went to work at a steel mill." He clicked his tongue in amazement as he spoke.

He Daqing was indeed quite capable; he was specifically recruited by Factory Director Wang for the factory's banquets. Back then, the steel mill was just starting out and didn't have enough money for fancy restaurants, so they planned to set up a nice private room at the factory and hire a skilled chef to entertain clients. Who would have thought that He Daqing would run off with a widow without a word? Factory Director Wang was so angry he almost killed him with a knife. Fortunately, Yang Wei stepped in and took charge of the kitchen, not only keeping things running smoothly but also making the banquets even more successful than before.

"How many years have you studied under him?" Sun Jiufu stared at Yang Wei, increasingly convinced that this young man was no ordinary person. "Judging by his skill level, it must have been at least five years of training, right?"

"Heh, more or less." Yang Wei didn't explain further, nor did he dare to say that he had only used half a month and his skill level had already surpassed that of a so-called top-level chef. It's just that the country hasn't established a higher professional title yet, so only those who have eaten his food can know his true ability. Since he had already been appointed as the head chef for state banquets, there was no need for him to show off to Sun Jiufu; it was always better to be low-key.

"Old Sun, I'm going to get a haircut now." Yang Wei smiled, turned around, and sat down in the barber's chair. The barber smiled slightly at him, and with a few quick snips of the clippers, hair fell to the floor. In just a few minutes, a bald head appeared in the mirror. Looking at his handsome face, Yang Wei thought to himself, "What a handsome little monk! He'll probably make a lot of young wives drool!" He touched his smooth head, chuckled, and got up to leave. Several female staff members nearby stared, their eyes practically sparkling; if there hadn't been so many people, they probably would have pounced on him.

After everyone had their heads shaved, the group followed Xu Guoqing to a classroom. Standing on the platform was a beautiful woman with a curvaceous figure. Her every move exuded a pleasing charm, making the male chefs below swallow hard.

"Greetings, esteemed chefs. My name is Yang Yourong, and today I will be explaining the important points to note when hosting a state banquet." She smiled gently and spoke softly. "State banquets are of utmost importance, and any mistake could lead to irreparable damage. Please listen carefully."

Yang Wei opened the paper and pen that had been prepared on the table and listened to Yang Yourong's explanation. Only then did he understand how strict the standards were for state banquets. The dishes had to be cooked, portioned, and served in 3 minutes, and the plates had to be kept at a high temperature of 70 degrees Celsius... This was no cooking; it was a war where mistakes were not an option. If anything went wrong, not only would the chef be held accountable, but the person in charge would also be held responsible, since it concerned the face of the country.

The training lasted until 8 p.m. before we finished explaining the precautions for the dishes. Tomorrow we will continue with the menu and preparation process.

"Alright, that's all for today. Everyone, go home now, we'll continue tomorrow." Yang Yourong bowed slightly, turned and left. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Yang Wei also got up, greeted the others, and rode his bicycle straight to the courtyard house.