Siheyuan: Pioneer in anti-corruption, fighting against evil!

"Director, are you looking for me?" After getting permission, Nan Yi pushed the door open and stood in front of Li Huaide's desk to ask.

Li Huaide stood up and said with a smile: "Come on, Comrade Nan Yi, let's sit down and talk.

"OK.

"At Li Huaide's invitation, Nan Yi sat on the sofa, but still seemed a little reserved.

“I came to you today because I wanted to really understand your cooking skills.

"After Li Huaide sat down, he got straight to the point. He didn't offer any water, but asked directly, "Are you confident in your ability?"

Nan Yi nodded slightly and replied: "I have a certain degree of confidence in this regard.

My family used to run Yaheju. My ancestors were from the imperial kitchen, but we mainly serve Shandong cuisine because imperial cuisine cannot be made casually.

“I have been learning this since I was young, and Shandong cuisine is my best dish now.

Since the ingredients for palace dishes are rare, I can make a lot of them, but not many of them are made with great care.

“Well, that’s true.

"Li Huaide was satisfied with Nan Yi's answer, and then said: "How about this, you go find Ma Feng later and cook four dishes in the canteen tonight. After I taste them, we can drink and talk about palace cuisine. How about it?"

“I will definitely give it my all.

" Nan Yi immediately stood up and promised.

“Very good, go get ready, I’ll come after get off work.

" Li Huaide didn't stand up, but just waved.

Walking out of the office, Nan Yi was very excited. This was his chance to show his talent! He was not going to replace He Yuzhu. He knew that his cooking skills were still far behind He Yuzhu's, but he knew that as a chef, the opportunity to practice cooking was extremely precious.

How can cooking in a big pot day after day hone one's exquisite skills? He Yuzhu's growth was not limited to the small kitchen in the factory. He took private orders outside, and such practical experience made him progress rapidly.

Usually, people who invite him would not just cook for one or two tables. He would cook every table of dishes himself. It was this kind of training that enabled his skills to advance by leaps and bounds.

For Nan Yi, the key to improving cooking skills also lies in practice.

He hurried to find Ma Feng to get the ingredients.

The dishes tonight will definitely be Shandong cuisine, but what to cook will depend on the ingredients we get, and then we have to go to a canteen.

Hearing Nan Yi's words, Ma Feng was secretly delighted and thought to himself: "Okay, you come with me to the small warehouse to get the ingredients, and then go to the canteen.

“Okay, I’ll go with you.

" Nan Yi followed Ma Feng to the small warehouse without hesitation.

After getting the ingredients, Ma Feng led Nan Yi into a cafeteria, only to see He Yuzhu sitting on a chair, looking leisurely and contented.

"Team Leader He!" Ma Feng said, "The factory manager asked Nan Yi to cook a few dishes tonight, please arrange for him.

He Yuzhu turned his head and noticed the smug look on Ma Feng’s face, and Nan Yi quickly added: “The factory director wants to test my ability.

"No problem!" He Yuzhu didn't mind at all and shouted, "Liu Lan!"

"Master He?" Liu Lan came hurriedly.

"This is Nan Yi, he is the cook squad leader of the Second Canteen. He needs to prepare a few dishes for Director Li tonight. You come and give him some guidance, and you will also stay to help him in the evening.

"He Yuzhu explained.

"Don't worry, just leave it to me, Master Nan, please come this way.

"Liu Lan led Nan Yi to the small kitchen area, where there was a ** stove with two flame holes.

This is designed specifically for small pots and is only available in one canteen. Other canteens use large stoves.

Nan Yi put the ingredients aside, then asked Liu Lan about the location of kitchen utensils, seasonings, woks, casseroles and other items.

Then, Nan Yi began to process the ingredients himself.

Liu Mang watched from the side, his eyes turned, and asked: "Master Nan, do you need help?"

“No, there aren’t many dishes, I can do it myself.

" Nan Yi answered politely.

After all, this is his chance to demonstrate his abilities, and he wants to prepare these four dishes himself so that he can have more opportunities to cook in the future and improve his cooking skills.

Ma Hua walked up to He Yuzhu and whispered, "Master, are you trying to take your job?"

"Don't talk nonsense. Who stole it?" He Yuzhu glared at him. "Do you think my skills are just exaggerated?"

"No one can take your place, but Master Nan is a great chef after all, and he cooks Shandong cuisine. How could Director Li not use him?"

"You're distracted by this little thing?"

"Go practice!"

After being scolded, Ma Hua had no choice but to lower his head and practice.

His basic skills are decent, and He Yuzhu plans to take him to take on private jobs in the future to increase his income, and at the same time let others see that his apprentice is valuable.

He Yuzhu plans to train more apprentices so that they can become helpers when he opens a restaurant or hot pot restaurant in the future instead of hiring outsiders.

After all, in the early days of reform and opening up, many people were reluctant to leave their iron rice bowl in the factory, but his apprentices would follow him because they had enough trust in him.

For He Yuzhu, the steel mill is no longer important and he will leave one day, but this identity is just a cover.

After all, after the storm, the workers’ identities remain solid.

Besides, he felt at ease with Li Huaide around.

Otherwise, what's the point of staying here? Can't you just become a chef for the senior leaders?

He Yuzhu only has a system to improve his cooking skills, and the breeding and planting space also serves the cooking skills, so he cannot do anything big.

He can only guard his little life and look forward to the future, but time is precious and it passes by step without speeding up or going backwards.

He Yuzhu has a wife, children and relatives. They are his treasures and he must ensure their safety.

Nan Yi's arrival, whether good or bad, will not shake his position, because Nan Yi has no system, and Li Huaide obviously has a purpose in transferring him here, but it is definitely not about the factory.

Nan Yi's Shandong cuisine skills were not outstanding in his opinion, so it might be palace cuisine.

However, a steel mill cannot make royal cuisine, and Li Huaide would not be so stupid as to do that.

Then the possible location is outside.

If you think about this clearly, the answer becomes clear: this is Li Huaide's way of winning people's hearts, and the target may be someone close to him, otherwise he would not do this. After all, this can easily cause controversy and most people will not accept it.

That person is Li Huaide's backer. I heard that he is his father-in-law, which makes everything make sense.

He Yuzhu took out a cigarette and lit it as if nothing had happened. Ma Feng had been paying attention to He Yuzhu's expression and found that there was nothing unusual about him.

When it was time to get off work, He Yuzhu left directly, handing the canteen to Nan Yi, leaving only Liu Lan to look after it.

It was indeed appropriate for Liu Lan to stay. Four dishes were indeed too much for Li Huaide and Nan Yi. They simply couldn't finish them.

Li Huaide walked into the box after get off work, and Liu Lan slipped in quietly, still holding cutlery in her hand, and asked, "What's wrong with this guy Nan Yi?"

"Didn't you say he couldn't replace He Yuzhu?"

"Of course not, but he also has his uses, otherwise why would I transfer him here?" Li Huaide smiled and stretched out his hand, trying to take advantage of Liu Lan, but she slapped his hand away.

"Stop it, there are people outside!" She glared at him and started to set the tableware, "Are you two the only ones eating?"

"Come with me, there's no one else here today, I'll go to the kitchen and call you later.

Li Huaide explained: “The palace dishes that Nan Yi makes cannot be made in the factory, but they may work outside, but the ingredients are difficult to find.

What I mainly want to ask today is whether ordinary ingredients are enough.

"He Yuzhu can buy good ingredients in some restaurants. Can this be a substitute?"

"It's also to test his ability. If he's suitable, I'll ask him to cook for me occasionally. I have some people behind me who need to make connections.

Liu Lan suddenly realized, "You still remember that I am a formal employee!"

"Don't worry, I won't forget it.

And He Yuzhu hasn't recommended his apprentice yet.

"Li Huaide smiled and said, "Why don't you leave early in the evening?"

"Okay!" Liu Lan twisted her waist, turned around and left.

Nan Yi concentrated on cooking, "Sister Liu, the first dish is done.

"..." Liu Lan tasted it and for some reason, she felt that Nan Yi's dishes were not as good as Yuzhu's.

Although she didn't quite understand it, she could still tell some differences based on common sense.

"Okay, I'll take it in first.

"Liu Lan picked up the first dish and went straight into the box.

Li Huaide picked up the chopsticks and took a bite, "Well, the level is not bad, but it is still far behind He Yuzhu.

"I think so too. I can tell at a glance that although I can't put my finger on what's wrong, it just feels wrong.

Liu Lan echoed.

"Okay, let's go out!" Li Huaide stood up and planned to go to the kitchen to see Nan Yi's cooking, and then let Liu Lan taste it together, "This is fair treatment.

The two walked out of the kitchen and Nan Yi was still busy with his work with his head down.

"Nanyi!"

"Hey, Director, why are you in the kitchen?" Nan Yi quickly raised his head.

"I'm in charge of logistics, so why can't I come to the kitchen?" Li Huaide said without a single leak, "I'm here to see your cooking skills. Comrade Liu Lan is working overtime, so let's have dinner together later!"

"She comes from an average family and probably can't eat that much, so let her pack it up and take it away.

“No problem, then go ahead and do it.

"Nan Yi quickly returned to cooking.

Li Huaide observed for a while and had a general idea in his mind.

He can't cook, but he knows how to appreciate food.

He didn't know much about Nan Yi's skills, but cooking is about color, aroma and taste, and Nan Yi still has a lot to improve in this regard.

He decided to let Nan Yi practice more.

Soon, Li Huaide returned to the box. Nan Yi finished another dish and handed it to Liu Lan, who brought it in.

When Liu Lan came out again, Nan Yi was a little nervous, but he still mustered up the courage to ask, "Sister Liu, is the factory manager satisfied with my food?"

Liu Lan smiled and said, “Although our Deputy Director Li can’t cook, he is a gourmet.

You can ask him yourself, I can't comment, but judging from the taste alone, I don't think you are as good as Master He.

Liu Lan has a straightforward personality. She says what she thinks without beating around the bush.

Soon, the last two dishes were finished, and the two of them each carried their dishes into the box, "Master Nan, Comrade Liu Lan, please take a seat.

“This is my personal suggestion, sorry for delaying your get off work.

"Nan Yi explained.

“No problem. I heard that you are an expert, so I would like to ask for your guidance today. When I was working in the machine repair shop before, I never had the opportunity to practice my cooking skills.

"Nan Yi continued.

“Indeed, the machine repair shop is just a subordinate department and does not have such reception and learning tasks.

I transferred you here, and I hope you can make the most of your strengths.

"Li Huaide continued.

“Cooking requires color, aroma and taste. First of all, from a visual perspective, your dish is a little lacking.

Li Huaide analyzed, “Every dish of Chef He’s is extremely exquisite in appearance, and he always arranges the plating with great care.

Nan Yi and Liu Lan suddenly understood. No wonder Nan Yi’s dishes were not as good as He Yuzhu’s at first glance. That was the problem.

Nan Yi nodded and admitted: "Indeed, I mainly prepare collective meals in the machine repair factory, and I am a little unfamiliar with this kind of refined cooking. It was my negligence.

“I understand your thoughts and feelings.

I came to see you today, firstly to taste your cooking, and secondly to discuss palace cuisine.

How about some wine while we eat and talk?" Li Huaide said directly, and ordered Liu Lan to pour the wine.

"This is what I should do. We are serving the leader!" Liu Lan stood up, took out a bottle of wine from the cabinet and started pouring it.

Li Huaide and Nan Yi began to discuss in depth the possible methods of cooking palace dishes and which ingredients were relatively easy to obtain. After all, the sources of ingredients for palace dishes were wide-ranging and it was difficult to generalize.

Although Nan Yi doesn’t know much about the ingredients, he said: “I can still try some dishes. After all, I’m not an all-round chef. Most of what I can cook are simple, but the production process is complicated and requires a lot of preparation time.

“No problem, you can improve your skills first, there’s no need to rush for success.

"Li Huaide seemed very happy. He had bigger ambitions in the steel mill, but the time had not come yet. However, he had been building up his network in advance.

His goal is the position of factory director, but due to his limited status, he can only make friends with people of the same level, and Director Yang has a better chance.

Through court cuisine, he intended to please his father-in-law, who would then host the guests while he controlled the chef.

He Yuzhu's Sichuan cuisine is of limited quality and cannot meet Li Huaide's needs.

After dinner, Li Huaide asked Liu Lan to clean up, and then asked Nan Yi to leave first. He then quietly returned to the box to have a secret talk with Liu Lan.

Nan Yi was in high spirits and pedaled with doubled strength. He was looking forward to improving his cooking skills. His life had improved significantly since he came to the steel mill.

His heart was full of longing for a better life, and he was also looking forward to meeting Ran Qiuye again.

……

The next day, He Yuzhu came to the cafeteria to arrange work. Liu Lan approached him: "Master He..."

"Sister Liu, is there anything I can help you with?" He Yuzhu asked.

“Yesterday, Factory Director Li Huaide mainly inspected Nan Yi’s cooking skills and also asked about some things about palace cuisine.

"Liu Lan revealed to him.

He Yuzhu was slightly stunned and thought that there was no need to tell him this?

"Well, thank you Sister Liu, I'm not worried about anything!" He Yuzhu responded.

"I know you don't have to worry, I'm just reminding you, and isn't Ma Hua already working in the kitchen?" Liu Lan added finally.

He Yuzhu understood, "Indeed, I was planning to make him a regular employee, and I'll hire him as a level 10 chef first..."

At this point, He Yuzhu observed Liu Lan's expression and immediately understood, "Also, Sister Liu, you often work overtime and serve the leaders, so it is reasonable for you to be promoted. You two should work together!"