Thursday 7 September 2023

WLAEF 66




Chapter 66


"What kind of smell is this?" Someone asked dizzily. There was the aroma of wine and meat. The combination of the two was overwhelming like a forest of meat and a pool of wine.

Smelling it carefully, the wine seemed to be Huadiao. What about the meat? Why was the meat so fragrant?

"Could it be celestial meat?" Some people couldn't help drooling. Their eyes were fixed on Jiang Yun Zhu's jar.

Celestial meat? Was it celestial meat?

It must be. Otherwise why was it so fragrant?

"No, I can't take it anymore. I want to eat." Some impatient people yelled. What to eat though? Go home and eat mantou? They could eat several, but won’t feel reconciled! After smelling such a delicious smell, they could only eat mantou.

Some people were envious of the judges on the stage. If they knew earlier, they would also be a judge. Among those people on the stage, some weren’t as good as them!

"When is Qishanju open for business?" Suddenly a person shouted loudly. It immediately gained everyone's support.

Yes, when would it open? They couldn't wait to get in and eat.

This competition seemed to be a best-of-three competition. Now that the second dish had been prepared, it was obvious that the food in Jiang Yun Zhu's jar was more fragrant. If she wins this competition, the whole competition would be over.

There was a lot of noise below. Manager Song, Manager Meng, and Gao Shun’s expressions were all ugly.

Manager Meng looked at Manager Song with an anxious face. Didn't he say that they would definitely win? What should they do now?

Manager Song didn't bother to hide his identity at this time. In order to win this competition, he spent all his money. If he lost...

He walked to the edge of the stage and tugged on Gao Shun's clothes. That meant, think of a way.

Gao Shun couldn't believe it as well as feeling infuriated. He didn't know what Jiang Yun Zhu was making in that jar, but he knew that he lost this competition. He actually lost at the hands of a woman. If this was reported back to Lu Prefecture, wouldn't he lose all face?

He clenched his fists and first stared at Jiang Yun Zhu closely. Then he looked at the judges.

At this time, the attendants had already begun to divide the dishes among the judges. Gao Shun's dish was finished first. So this time, his dish was also divided first.

Old duck meat, wild chicken meat, and pigeon meat. A little bit of each was distributed among the judges. Then a spoonful of soup was poured on it.

The attendant did it carefully, but unfortunately no one cared at all. Everyone wanted to know what was in Jiang Yun Zhu's jar and why it was so fragrant.

The attendant began to divide the contents of Jiang Yun Zhu's jar. It was a bit difficult to divide, because there were fifty-eight ingredients in this jar. Each ingredient was only a bit, so it wasn't enough for eleven judges to divide. In the end, the attendant closed his eyes and fished from the jar and gave the judges what was given.

Magistrate Meng was first. It was scooped into the small bowl in front of him. Inside was a piece of sea cucumber, a piece of tendon, and a piece of quail egg.

Magistrate Meng licked his lips.

Then it was scooped out for the ten gentlemen. The first one got abalone, fish lip and a piece of flower mushroom.

The young man looked at the contents of the small bowl. It took a lot of effort to hold back to not immediately grab the spoon to eat.

Then the second gentleman, the third, and the fourth... They were served one after another. There were almost no duplicates.

It wasn't until the dishes were all served to the judges that Magistrate Meng smiled and declared, "Everyone, have a taste. See which dish is better."

Was there a need to taste it? It was clear at a glance who would win and who would lose. It was obvious that Jiang Yun Zhu's dish was more delicious.

Still, the procedure must be followed. Everyone agreed and picked up the spoons.

Scoop up a piece of abalone and it was in the mouth. The abalone was already umami, but a few layers of thick taste was added. Still, it didn't damage the taste of the abalone at all. The taste of the abalone had been maximized to the top.

Also, the soft and glutinous taste of abalone was vividly reflected in this dish.

Instead of eating abalone, eat a piece of flower mushroom. Putting the flower mushroom into the mouth, the person who ate it was immediately stunned. Was this flower mushroom? Meaty but not greasy. Soft but not slush. This flower mushroom was even more fragrant and delicious than meat.

There were only two or three pieces of food in each person's bowl. This time, even Magistrate Meng didn’t get to taste it carefully. He just put all the food in his mouth and felt that the various flavors were like waves after waves. They crashed into the human taste buds and nerves.

Until there was only a little soup left at the bottom of the bowl in the end.

This soup was different from ordinary broth. It was heavy in color; brown in color, and had a strong taste. Unlike soup, it was more like stew juice.

Usually this kind of juice was undrinkable as the taste was too strong.

But everyone couldn't help but want to try it. They all scooped up some soup and put it in their mouths.

To everyone's surprise, the soup was thick but not greasy. It was delicious.

Everyone immediately drank the soup at the bottom of the bowl. They couldn't get enough of it.

Shouts could be heard from below. "Qishanju open quickly".

They actually wanted to end the competition and have a hearty meal.

However, procedure had to be followed. They rinsed their mouths and began to taste the three nested ducks made by Gao Shun.

The taste was very umami. The meat of the male duck was firm. The meat of the wild chicken was soft and elastic. And the meat of the young pigeon was tender and smooth. The combination of the three was perfect. This three nested duck dish was definitely a rare delicacy.

It was a pity that it encountered Jiang Yun Zhu's... By the way, what's the name of this dish? Magistrate Meng asked Jiang Yun Zhu.

"Buddha jumped over the wall." Jiang Yun Zhu replied.

"A good Buddha jumped over the wall." Magistrate Meng praised. The Buddha smelled it and wanted to jump over the wall to eat it. The name was appropriate!

When the voting started, the ten gentlemen voted first.

The first young man picked up the spoon and was about to move toward the Buddha jumped over the wall when suddenly, Gao Shun said, "Everyone, I'm not bragging. Marquis likes to eat the three nested ducks I made. He said that in middle south, if I’m second, no one dares to be first."

After finishing speaking, he looked at the judges one by one.

The people receiving his gaze were a little shocked and mad. What did he mean?

Gao Shun's meaning was obvious. Marquis Anping said his food was wonderful and they say his food wasn't as good as that of an unknown girl. Was Marquis Anping wrong, or were they wrong?

After the ten gentlemen were upset, they all pondered a lot. When beating the dog, one must check the owner. If Gao Shun lost face today and Marquis Anping was magnanimous, he should know that Gao Shun wasn't skills weren’t on par. But if Marquis Anping misunderstood or someone was trying to sow discord in front of him?

These people have a small reputation in Wuling County. How could they compare with Marquis Anping Manor! A little finger from the other party could ruin their family.

Take a step back, even if Marquis Anping didn't care about this matter, Gao Shun would definitely bear a grudge against them. He was like the third-rank official in front of the prime minister's gate. It was heard that he was favored by Marquis Anping. If he retaliates afterwards...

The faces of the ten gentlemen changed.

Gao Shun stood there with his arms folded, carefully observing everyone one by one, as if he wanted to keep their appearance and reactions in mind. Afterward,... it must be nothing good.

The ten gentlemen were enraged, but they didn't dare to show it. They all turned to Magistrate Meng.

Magistrate Meng was furious when he heard Gao Shun threatening everyone. However, he was a little afraid of Marquis Anping. After more than ten years of hard work, he passed the Jinshi examination and got the official position of a county magistrate. What if he lose it because of this trivial matter?

Yes, he knew that a man would rather break than bend and that a gentleman knew what should be done and what should... That was the reasoning, When things happened, there were a few who could stick to it. Otherwise there wouldn’t be so many dynasties and so many officials and only a few names would go down in history.

Magistrate Meng didn't speak.

His silence made Gao Shun energetic. He gazed at Jiang Yun Zhu proudly. She was good at cooking, so what? The one who wins in the end had to be him.

Manager Song and Manager Meng thought they were doomed. Unexpectedly, there was such a turnaround. At once, they were overjoyed.

It was almost time to vote, but the stage had suddenly fell silent. The people under the stage became noisy.

"Vote already. I'm starving to death. After voting, Qishanju, open the door quickly! I’m waiting to eat." This was someone clueless.

"Is Marquis Anping's Manor great? He's obviously not as good as the other party." Someone understood Gao Shun's meaning and muttered in a low voice, arguing for Jiang Yun Zhu.

"Of course the Marquis Anping is." Some people sighed, feeling that this competition was meaningless. Like this world, where the rich do whatever they want and the poor, even though their strength surpasses everyone, lose miserably in the end.

...

Everyone was talking about it, but Xue Jing and the others were filled with righteous indignation. What were these people doing? Everyone could see that Jiang Yun Zhu won. Do they insist on favoring Gao Shun? This life can’t go on!

Xie Lian nervously held Xie Chen's hand.

Xie Chen's already slightly frowned eyebrows pinched even tighter.

Gu Yan Zhou's face darkened. He was about to say something, when a golden and jade-like voice sounded, "Marquis Anping, is he amazing?"

It was Lin Yu Bai.

He couldn't stand this matter. What’s more, he felt that these people on stage were looking for death, no? Therefore, he decided to kindly remind them that it was Marquis Anping’s turn to cover the sky with his hands in Lu Prefecture.

As soon as he said this, everyone looked at him. Immediately, everyone felt that their eyes lit up. This young man looked so handsome.

Gao Shun knew Lin Yu Bai. His face immediately changed. If others said that about Marquis Anping, he would naturally have something to say. But Grand Tutor Lin’s Lin Family didn’t seem to be afraid of Marquis Anping.

"This cook says he’s the number one in the mid-south, so he is the number one in the mid-south? His cooking isn’t on par. If he becomes the number one because of his words today and words spread around in the future, wouldn't it make people laugh?" Gu Yan Zhou lightly remarked.

Everyone heard this. That’s right. If Gao Shun wins today, Wuling County's reputation in the future may stink even with the wind against it.

"A fox is pretending to be a tiger, and a dog is relying on others. Marquis Anping may not know what he is doing at all. Otherwise, Marquis might be the first one not to tolerate him." Xie Chen snorted.

With what he said, Marquis Anping couldn’t pull down his face even if he wanted to shield Gao Shun.

Hearing this, Gu Yan Zhou looked at Xie Chen. He knew him. He seemed to be helping out at Qishanju.

Xie Chen remembers Gu Yan Zhou. The day Qishanju opened, he brought people to congratulate. He and Jiang Yun Zhu should have a close relationship.

The two looked at each other and nodded to each other.

As soon as the two of them sang together, everyone's emotions were instantly ignited. Everyone shouted, wanting Gao Shun to step down quickly and let the judges decide Jiang Yun Zhu as the winner and Qishanju open quickly. They want to enjoy a good meal.

Magistrate Meng and others were awakened by Gu Yan Zhou and Xie Chen's words. They don't have to be so afraid of Gao Shun. If they all decide on him to lose, he has to deal with everyone? On the contrary, them being so timid was embarrassing.

Magistrate Meng stood up, stretched out his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then took the lead in putting the spoon in his hand on the plate representing Buddha jumped over the wall. He felt that Buddha jumped over the wall was better than the three nested ducks.

Next was the ten gentlemen. This time, all of them voted for Buddha jumped over the wall.

"Qishanju’s Buddha jumped over the wall, eleven spoons. Xishanju’s three nested ducks, no spoons." The master of ceremonies announced the results of the judges' decision.

In the last round, Gao Shun had two spoons. Somewhat considered having a piece of cloth that is worn around one's loins. In this round, even his final cover up was torn off.

No spoon! Everyone cheered.

The result of this competition had been decided. The master of ceremonies directly announced, "Qishanju wins the second dish competition. Qishanju wins the entire cooking competition!"

"We won! We won! We won!" Mrs. Chen held Jiang Cheng's hand, weeping with joy. Finally won! Her heart almost jumped out now. Fortunately! Fortunately!

"En." Jiang Cheng smiled.

"The boss won! The boss is mighty." Xue Jing shouted at the side.

He was the one who yelled the loudest. Jiang Yun Zhu could hear his voice on the stage. She couldn't help but smile.

Just now, Gao Shun used the Marquis Anping Manor to suppress people. She didn't expect it. As a cook, he didn't even have the courage to admit his failure. It seemed that he was like that.

She wasn't too worried about Magistrate Meng or the ten judges being intimidated by him. She knew exactly what kind of people Marquis Anping and Lin Ting An were. As Xie Chen said, it was impossible for them to stand up for Gao Shun. On the contrary, if they knew about it, they would definitely punish him.

Still, she thanked Gu Yan Zhou and Xie Chen for their help. Oh right, there was that handsome young man.

But these weren’t urgent. There was one thing that needed to be dealt with quickly.

Jiang Yun Zhu took out the competition contract she had signed with Manager Meng and directed it to Manager Meng, "Manager Meng, I won. Did you bring the house deed and title deed of Xishanju with you?"

Manager Meng was still in a daze. He couldn't believe it. He lost. Hearing Jiang Yun Zhu's words, he subconsciously looked at Manager Song. This matter had to... There was no shadow of Manager Song.

Manager Song noticed things going downhill just now and slipped away.

Manager Meng only felt that his vision darkened. He thought that he might as well faint.

Hearing Jiang Yun Zhu's words, Magistrate Meng said to Constable Head Hu, "I'll leave the rest to you."

Then he got into the sedan chair and left.

Constable Head Hu naturally knew what Magistrate Meng meant and immediately said to Manager Meng, "Manager Meng, since you bet, be willing to admit defeat. Don't get faint. If you faint, our brothers have to wake you up. On such a cold day, better not freeze."

Who were these constables? They were used to all kinds of rogues. As long as they want to, they would definitely have a way to make one submit.

Manager Meng stopped halfway and he bitterly responded, "Constable Head Hu, my house deed and land deed are all in my hometown. Could you give me a few more days?"

"Don't talk nonsense or I'll send you to prison. When your family get the deed and land deed is when I let you out?" Constable Head Hu said.

Manager Meng quickly waved his hand. The prison! Was that a place for people to stay?

Immediately, two constables followed him home and brought the house deed and land deed of Xishanju.

Manager Meng's wife was crying, beating and rolling around. That was no use.

When the constables was about to leave, she scolded Manager Meng loudly. Saying that he was delusional and insisted on making a lot of money. Now what happened? Even the store had been lost. What to do in the future?

Manager Meng was infuriated. If Manager Song hadn't insisted that they wouldn't lose, he would never have signed the contract.

"You’re being used as a knife!" His wife continued berating.

Manager Meng immediately went to find Manager Song. He said that if he lose, he would pay his store money. Now he wants to hide? Not happening.

It was a pity that he didn't see Manager Song at all.

Manager Song was having a hard time right now. Gao Shun lost face this time. When he got off the stage, he vent all his anger on him and he could only bear it.

Now he didn't want to see anyone, especially Manager Meng.

Manager Meng knew that he was avoiding him on purpose. How could he give up so easily?.

The two had a complete quarrel and even became enemies.

The two constables came back quickly and handed over the title deed and land deed of Xishanju to Constable Head Hu. Constable Head Hu turned around and handed the two things to Jiang Yun Zhu.

Jiang Yun Zhu accepted it, "Thank you. If you are not busy, why not come to Qishanju. I would cook some dishes to thank you."

Constable Head Hu was thinking about eating Qishanju's food, otherwise he wouldn't have oppressed Manager Meng like this to sell favor to Jiang Yun Zhu.

Now that Jiang Yun Zhu accepted the favor and invited him to a meal immediately, he was of course happy, "Not busy. Not busy."

Jiang Yun Zhu turned around and declared to everyone, "Qishanju is now open. Everyone is welcome!"

"Hurry up and open the door. I'm waiting to eat your food."

"Boss is skilled. I’m set on your store from now on."

"Boss Jiang, when can I order that paper-wrapped chicken and Buddha jumped over the wall?"

"Yes, that’s right." They wanted to eat.

...

At this time, Xue Jing opened the door of Qishanju. Everyone was afraid that there would be no place for them if they were one step behind. So they didn't have the mind to talk to Jiang Yun Zhu and rushed into the store one after another.

After a while, the store was overcrowded.

Li He, Mrs. Chen, Jiang Cheng, and the others all rushed to greet the guests.

The surroundings suddenly became empty. Only Shen Feng Ming was left standing there.

Jiang Yun Zhu met his eyes and said with a smile, "I won."

"I know." Shen Feng Ming said. He had been watching her.

The two looked at each other. For a moment, Jiang Yun Zhu seemed to see a smile in Shen Feng Ming's eyes.

After working for a while, they finally sent all the customers away. Everyone in the store had time to eat and rest.

Everyone slumped on their seats.

Suddenly, Xue Jing asked, "Boss, is the next door yours?"

Everyone became energetic. Although they already know, they wanted to hear Jiang Yun Zhu say it herself.

"Yes!" Jiang Yun Zhu responded with a smile. She won a store for nothing and it was completely renovated. She was in a good mood at the moment.

Everyone was overjoyed.

"Boss, is it connected?" Xue Jing asked. In this way, in terms of scale, Qishanju wasn't inferior to Baofulou. It could be regarded as one of the best restaurants in the county.

This... Jiang Yun Zhu got up and went outside.

Everyone quickly followed. In a short while, they all stood in front of the gate of Xishanju.

"I'll take this plaque down first. It's an eyesore," Xue Jing said. Immediately, he moved up the ladder and threw the original plaque aside.

It looked much better now.

Jiang Yun Zhu stepped inside and carefully inspected the decoration inside.

Not to mention, Manager Song and Manager Meng did a good job on the renovation. They could almost use it at once.

Jiang Yun Zhu stood there, looking at the next door. Connect them? Or do something else.

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3 comments:

  1. Ooooh, hahaha knew she would win! Thank you for the chapter!

    ReplyDelete
  2. FL and ML had eye-contact that shared how proud they are about the skill in their respective craft and each other

    thats a sweet, understated moment

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like their interaction, subtle but very sweet. The man not so overbearing and letting her to solve it herself.

    ReplyDelete