Chapter 31: The Shandong Cuisine Assessment

Chapter 31: The Lu Cuisine Examination

Time slipped away unnoticed. He Yuzhu had gradually mastered the fundamentals of Lu cuisine, lacking only the practical experience of controlling the stove. However, Master Sun could not allow him to take charge of the cooking, meaning there was nothing left for He Yuzhu to learn in the Lu cuisine kitchen.

One day, He Yuzhu sought out his master, Fan Dakang.

"Master, I have finished my studies in the Lu cuisine kitchen. I only need practice at the stove now, so I don't need to go there for lessons anymore," He Yuzhu said.

"Are you certain you've learned everything?" his master asked.

"Certainly. I only lack the practical application now," He Yuzhu replied with conviction.

"Zhuzi, it is not that I doubt you, but although you are gifted, mastering an entire regional cuisine in less than a year is truly astonishing," Master Fan replied.

"Master, why don't we go to the kitchen? I will prepare a few Lu dishes for you to sample. Wouldn't that prove it?" He Yuzhu suggested confidently.

"Very well, let's do that," Fan Dakang agreed.

He Yuzhu and Fan Dakang left the office and arrived at the Sichuan cuisine kitchen.

The second senior disciple saw them enter and asked, "Master, is there something you need, bringing Zhuzi here?"

"It is nothing. Carry on with your work. Zhuzi, look at the ingredients and decide what you want to make. If you are missing anything, speak up; otherwise, begin," Fan Dakang said.

"Understood, Master," He Yuzhu replied.

He Yuzhu surveyed the ingredients and decided to prepare Sautéed Fish Slices in Fermented Rice Sauce. This dish requires a unique technique, and its delicious flavor depends entirely on the precision of the knife work and the coating process.

"Master, what is Zhuzi doing?" the second senior disciple asked, watching him work.

"Zhuzi claims he has finished his studies in the Lu kitchen. I am letting him cook a dish to see if he has truly learned," Fan Dakang explained.

"He learned it so quickly?" the second senior disciple said in surprise.

"I find it hard to believe myself. We shall see in a moment," Fan Dakang replied.

Before long, the dish was finished, and He Yuzhu served it to his master.

"Master, please have a taste," He Yuzhu said, handing him a pair of chopsticks.

Fan Dakang took the chopsticks and sampled a slice of fish. Instead of commenting, he turned to the second senior disciple and said, "You try it as well."

The second senior disciple took a pair of chopsticks and tasted a piece.

"Tell me, how is the dish Zhuzi prepared?" Fan Dakang asked.

"The texture is smooth and tender, the sauce is thick and rich—it is delicious. I cannot find a single fault," the second senior disciple admitted.

"It is indeed well-made. I have nothing to add," Fan Dakang said.

"Zhuzi, in my view, you have graduated from Lu cuisine. Have you spoken to Master Sun about this yet?" Fan Dakang asked.

"Not yet. I was afraid of embarrassing you, so I wanted to consult you first and have you check my work," He Yuzhu said.

"In that case, go and invite Master Sun over," Fan Dakang instructed.

"Understood, Master. I will go and invite him," He Yuzhu said.

He Yuzhu arrived at Master Sun's office and knocked. Upon hearing an invitation to enter, he pushed the door open.

"Zhuzi, is there something you need?" Master Sun asked upon seeing him.

"Master Sun, my master would like to invite you over," He Yuzhu said.

"Does your master have something to discuss?" Master Sun asked.

"I have been studying in the Lu kitchen for a long time, and my master is testing my progress. He would like you to come over and oversee the evaluation," He Yuzhu explained.

"That old Fan—very well, let's go," Master Sun replied.

He Yuzhu led Master Sun to the Sichuan cuisine kitchen.

"Old Fan, what brings on this sudden urge to test your apprentice?" Master Sun asked as he entered.

"Nothing much. Just come and taste this Sautéed Fish Slices and tell me what you think," Fan Dakang said.

Master Sun took the chopsticks offered by the second senior disciple and said, "Then I shall have a taste."

After trying a piece, Master Sun turned to Fan Dakang and asked, "Did you make this?"

"It wasn't me; it was Zhuzi," Fan Dakang said.

"You aren't lying to me?" Master Sun was deeply astonished. He knew that He Yuzhu had only ever observed in the Lu kitchen and never once touched the stove, yet he had produced a dish that did not lose to his own young apprentice, Wang Fusheng, who was responsible for most of the cooking at Fengzeyuan.

"Would I lie to you about this? Why don't you test him yourself?" Fan Dakang suggested.

"Very well, I shall not be polite then," Master Sun said.

"Please don't be. This is to help Zhuzi identify his shortcomings; your guidance will help him improve further," Fan Dakang said.

"Zhuzi, prepare a plate of Oil-Exploded Double Crispy and a plate of First-Rank Tofu. If you are missing ingredients, go to the Lu kitchen to get them," Master Sun ordered.

The Oil-Exploded Double Crispy required extremely precise heat control; a second too short and it would be undercooked, a second too long and it would lose its crispness—it was a dish of great difficulty.

First-Rank Tofu was a classic Kong Family dish, a staple of Lu cuisine.

He Yuzhu prepared the ingredients and began. He started with the tofu, as it required more time, while the double crispy dish was prepared with a quick, high-heat stir-fry.

After a busy stretch, He Yuzhu served both dishes to his masters.

"Come, Old Sun, have a taste," Fan Dakang said.

Master Sun did not stand on ceremony and began to taste. Fan Dakang followed suit.

"Old Sun, tell me, how is it?" Fan Dakang asked.

"The First-Rank Tofu is excellent, very well done. The Oil-Exploded Double Crispy was cooked just a hair too long; it was taken off the heat a moment late. That is simply because he has made it rarely; more practice will fix that," Master Sun noted.

"Then can we say Zhuzi has met the standard for graduation?" Fan Dakang asked.

"Certainly, Zhuzi has graduated," Master Sun confirmed.

With those words from Master Sun, He Yuzhu no longer needed to go to the Lu cuisine kitchen and returned to working under Master Fan.

In Master Fan's office, Fan Dakang asked, "Zhuzi, you have graduated from Lu cuisine. What are your plans now? Which cuisine do you intend to study next?"

"Master, I am not sure yet. Although I didn't do the cooking while learning Lu cuisine, it was mentally taxing. I had to observe and memorize all day and review everything at home at night. I am quite tired. I plan to rest for a while, summarize what I have learned, and let it all sink in," He Yuzhu said.

"You haven't had much rest over this past year, and you have learned a great deal. Resting and consolidating is a good idea," Fan Dakang agreed.

"How long do you intend to rest?" he asked.

"I don't know, but after I rest, I want to explore other regional cuisines," He Yuzhu replied.

"Very well. Rest first, and when you decide what to study next, let me know, and I will help you look into it," Fan Dakang said. "Come, let's go tell Manager Luan."

Fan Dakang took He Yuzhu to Manager Luan's office to explain the situation.

"Old Fan, you know how it is—business at Fengzeyuan is getting better and better, and the kitchen is overwhelmed, especially in the evenings. I was actually planning to have Zhuzi pause his Lu cuisine studies and return to help in the Sichuan kitchen," Manager Luan said.

"Then let's do this: he can continue to help out as he did before whenever it gets busy," Fan Dakang suggested.

"Since you have decided, that will do. Zhuzi, you must come in the evenings. There are many guests, and your second senior brother cannot handle it alone," Manager Luan said.

"I can do that," He Yuzhu replied.

After leaving the manager's office, He Yuzhu headed home.