He Yuzhu got straight to the point the moment he opened his mouth, without beating around the bush.
“Factory Director Yang, I wasn’t included in last year’s cook grading. I’m still a grade eight cook, while those people who only stir-fry dishes and stir paste were graded as Level Six. I can’t figure it out.”
He Yuzhu deliberately put on a foolish, blunt expression as he spoke.
Factory Director Yang smiled and said, “I don’t know the specific circumstances, but if things really are as you say, you’ll definitely be included in this year’s grading.”
“But if you mess this up, forget about being graded. I estimate you’ll be stuck as a grade eight cook for the rest of your life.”
“Got it. I’ll head back now.” He Yuzhu turned and left.
He Yuzhu returned to the Siheyuan at top speed. His mind raced the entire way as he considered what dishes to use to win over the leaders attending the banquet.
It was 1961, and supplies were extremely scarce. Even the leaders had little oil and calories in their stomachs.
There were three key points to shocking everyone and winning the leaders’ appreciation.
The first was high fat content. In 1961, no one could resist the temptation of dishes rich in fat.
The second was innovative dishes.
After all, he was an executive chef who had traveled through time, possessing decades of accumulated culinary knowledge ahead of his era. He could easily create new dishes that transcended the times.
Third, the seasonings and ingredients available through negative emotion currency were abundant. In this era of scarce supplies, that was an enormous advantage!
As soon as he entered the house, He Yuzhu immediately began exchanging for ingredients. First, he exchanged for a live grass carp weighing more than ten pounds.
Then he exchanged for green sichuan pepper, pickled peppers, chili peppers, Pixian bean paste, a large barrel of cooking oil, salad dressing, mustard…
There were also multiple options for the outer packaging, and He Yuzhu chose bottles and cans that fit the style of the 1960s.
These ingredients and seasonings were extremely difficult to find in this materially impoverished era. With these supplies, he could conquer anyone’s taste buds!
By the time He Yuzhu returned to the factory Canteen, the Canteen Director had already been waiting anxiously. The moment he entered the kitchen, the director stared blankly at the grass carp.
“I say, Master He, you really have some ability! Where did you get such a large grass carp?”
“This is my chance to shine today!” He Yuzhu deliberately spoke with feigned excitement. “There was someone fishing in an ice hole by the road, so I hurriedly bought it.”
“To let our Canteen shine as well, and to help you, the Canteen Director, give an account, I had to make a sacrifice, didn’t I?”
“You’ll be reimbursed. I’ll definitely get you reimbursed!” The Canteen Director hurriedly promised. “Come, come. I’ll help you carry it.”
Today, He Yuzhu truly put in the effort and displayed the executive chef’s abilities to the fullest.
Before long, flames roared in the kitchen, pots, bowls, basins, and spoons clanged noisily, and dish after dish of hot food was carried out.
It was easy to see that today’s dishes differed from usual in both appearance and aroma.
Many of the seasonings and ingredients had been brought from the 21st century.
For example, fish-fragrant shredded pork, a sichuan-style stir-fry, was also prepared using innovative methods popular in the 1990s, with many of his own ingredients added.
Laughter and lively conversation could be heard from inside, along with the warmth of wine. There was no need to ask—the guests were extremely satisfied with the meal.
“Make way…”
At some point, He Yuzhu approached slowly carrying a large porcelain basin. Even from far away, its rich aroma wafted toward them.
When the Canteen Director took a closer look, he was utterly startled.
The large porcelain basin was filled to the brim with scalding hot oil, with pale slices floating inside—whether meat or fish, he could not tell.
“This dish can’t be passed from hand to hand. It’s too hot. Move aside, move aside…”
As he spoke, He Yuzhu gently pushed the door open with his foot, walked a few steps, and placed the basin of boiled fish squarely in the center of the dining table.
Everyone at the table was a factory-level leader. In the seat of honor sat a man in his fifties whose bearing clearly marked him as a department leader.
These people had all seen the world, but even they were somewhat astonished when the boiled fish was served.
Although it was called boiled fish, it was actually an entire basin of oil. In 1961, even the factory kitchen would not dare use oil so extravagantly.
“This is a dish I created myself. It’s called boiled fish. Leaders, please try it.”
He Yuzhu did not leave immediately. Instead, he smiled and urged them to try the dish, standing firmly in place.
The department leader hesitated for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks and tasted a bite. Even his usually stern face revealed a look of surprise.
“This dish is good. Very good indeed. All of you, try it.”
The other accompanying factory-level leaders each picked up a bite, and after tasting it, they all praised it enthusiastically!
In the early 1960s, when fat was scarce, especially during the depths of winter, this fresh, fragrant, hot, and spicy boiled fish was exactly what people craved.
However, Factory Director Yang carefully observed their expressions and had already noticed the department leader’s hesitation. He realized that the dish used too much oil and was somewhat inconsistent with thrift and frugality in these times.
He hurriedly said, “This is our factory’s cook, Comrade He Yuzhu. His skill is genuinely excellent, but this dish uses too much oil. You’ll have to pay more attention to that in the future.”
“The oil in this dish didn’t come from the factory. I brought it from home,” He Yuzhu said with a smile.
“I live alone and can’t use all that oil. To develop innovative dishes, I saved it all up and even bought some from the neighbors. I knew this dish would use a lot of oil, so I brought it to the factory today.”
After hearing this, the leaders present could hardly believe their ears, especially the department leader, who was even more astonished.
“You used oil you saved yourself and brought it to the factory for public use? Young man, you have admirable character. You don’t care about personal gains or losses.”
“However, public matters are public, and private matters are private. This was all part of the factory’s approved reception expenses. How could we let you pay out of your own pocket? When you return, I’ll have the finance department reimburse you.”
Factory Director Yang hurriedly said, “Since the leader has spoken, what else is there to say? Employee He Yuzhu is truly exceptional.”
The department leader continued, “I believe everyone present is very satisfied with today’s dishes, aren’t you? This shows that Comrade He Yuzhu works diligently to study his profession and is an exemplary model.”
“If everyone were like Comrade He Yuzhu, refining their technical skills and professional abilities without concern for personal gains or losses, wouldn’t the state’s soaring rise be just around the corner?”
“Exactly, exactly. We should promote this spirit.” Factory Director Yang hurriedly agreed.
After seeing the department leader off, He Yuzhu was cleaning the stove when Factory Director Yang returned to the Canteen.
“I have good news for you. A few factory leaders just held a briefing meeting. For this year’s grading, you’ve been provisionally assigned as a Level Five Cook.”
“Oh, and from now on, you’ll be in charge of the Canteen. The Canteen Director has been transferred to the labor union. Work hard!”
To be honest, He Yuzhu had expected to succeed in getting a higher grade, but he had not expected to be promoted directly.
The former canteen director had been Deputy Factory Director Li’s trusted subordinate, and Deputy Factory Director Li had always been at odds with Factory Director Yang.
Although the Canteen was merely an auxiliary position, it was directly tied to the important task of entertaining leaders and was also a place with plenty of oil and calories.
This time, Deputy Factory Director Li happened to be absent, while the department leader had publicly praised He Yuzhu. It was the perfect opportunity for Factory Director Yang to promote his own man and win people over.
He Yuzhu had effectively leaped into the center of attention, gaining both money and power in one stroke.
He had taken the first step toward becoming a winner in life!