Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

Ye Changyan explained to Yang Lin some key points about greenhouse that he had compiled.

For example, let Yang Lin tie straw into straw mats, string them together with ropes, pull the ropes at night, cover the glass roof with the straw mats to keep the greenhouse warm.

On particularly cold snowy days, you can also heat up by burning charcoal braziers in the greenhouse.

However, Ye Changyan and Yang Lin particularly emphasized that if people want to enter a greenhouse with a charcoal basin burning, they must first open the door curtain, ventilate the room, and then enter to avoid staying inside for too long. Once they feel unwell, they must leave the greenhouse immediately.

Yang Lin and Da Hu both nodded to Ye Changyan. They had already kept in mind everything Ye Changyan emphasized. Then Ye Changyan explained some precautions to Yang Lin.

"It's not too far from the end of the year, Manager Yang, you can plant some fast-growing greens in the experimental field in this greenhouse. Also, plant some leeks, so that the teacher can have a meal of fresh leek dumplings during the New Year."

After explaining everything, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng prepared to return to the city, while Yang Lin and his wife were busy preparing dinner for them.

Because they had wasted a few days in Mangshan a few days ago, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng had to make up for the lessons they had missed, so they politely declined.

Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, Mr. Cai's birthday is coming. Originally, Zhu Yuchun and several fellow apprentices discussed and planned to hold a party for Mr. Cai, and take this opportunity to introduce his junior brother to his old friends in Shengjing City.

However, Mr. Cai did not agree with a big celebration. It was almost the end of the year and everyone was busy. Mr. Cai just wanted to have a simple gathering with his master, disciples and their families.

As for introducing Ye Changyan to his old friends in Shengjing, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. For example, if Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng can both be admitted to the Imperial College next year, that will be the best opportunity to introduce them to all the old friends.

Although Mr. Cai didn't want to have a grand celebration, his biggest birthday wish was to eat a table of delicious food cooked by Ye Changyan himself.

Ye Changyan naturally had no choice but to do his duty. These days, while studying, he was also preparing for Mr. Cai's birthday to ensure that the gentleman would have a satisfying meal on his birthday.

The day before Master Cai’s birthday, in order to give Ye Changyan enough time to prepare tomorrow’s dishes, Master Cai gave his two disciples and Sang Li a day off.

Brothers Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng were busy frying crispy pork in the kitchen, and Xing Wang was also wandering around the stove.

"Sir, what's in this pot? Why does it smell so good?"

Xing Wang smelled the aroma of crispy meat and asked while swallowing his saliva.

Ye Changyan used a colander to scoop up a few pieces of crispy meat that were put into the pot first and put them in the drain basket. Then he picked up a piece and tasted it. It was cooked.

"Although it will be even crispier if you fry it again, it's already cooked. Try it. It's a little hot, so be careful."

Ye Changyan greeted Liang Jingcheng and Xing Wang, then went back to taking care of the pot.

"Mmm, it smells really good, but it's a little hot."

Liang Jingcheng picked up a piece and tasted it. It was fragrant and crispy, and really delicious.

Xing Wang also reached out to take it. It was indeed delicious. After he finished one, he took another. In just a few bites, he had eaten all the crispy meat that Ye Changyan had just picked up.

"Xingwang, aren't you afraid of the heat?"

Liang Jingcheng had just stuffed the last piece of crispy meat into his mouth when he saw Xing Wang had already eaten all the crispy meat in the drain basket and asked him with a worried look on his face.

"Mr. Liang, it's not hot. Mr. Liang, this crispy meat is really delicious. I want to eat more."

Ye Changyan turned around and saw that all the crispy meat in the drain basket had been eaten. He was also very surprised and reached out to pat Xingwang on the shoulder.

"Xingwang, the crispy meat is being fried in the pot, and there is still a lot left in the basin. Don't worry, you can eat it. But the crispy meat is still very hot after being fried. Wait until it cools down a little before eating it, and don't get burned."

When Xingwang heard that there were many more, he became excited, showing two rows of white teeth, and smiled innocently at Ye Changyan.

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng seemed to have underestimated Xing Wang's appetite. They saw that most of the basket of crispy meat that Ye Changyan scooped out of the pot and put in the drain basket was eaten by Xing Wang in a short time.

"Xingwang, don't you feel bored?"

Ye Changyan was very curious. This crispy meat was just taken out of the frying pan and had a very high oil content. Could it be that Xingwang didn't feel it was greasy?

Xingwang just shook his head and threw out two words.

"good to eat."

Ye Changyan had no choice but to smile and continue staring at the pot. Fortunately, he prepared enough meat this time, otherwise, Xingwang would have eaten it all before it was served on the table tomorrow.

After frying the crispy pork, Ye Changyan fried some meatballs, and then started to fry the braised pork, which he hadn’t made for a long time.

When in Wanshou County, Mr. Cai liked the braised pork with dried salted vegetables made by Ye Changyan very much. It had a soft and glutinous texture and a salty and mellow taste. Mr. Cai's love for the braised pork with dried salted vegetables almost surpassed his love for the shredded pork with fish flavor.

When he set out from Wanshou County, Ye Changyan brought several handfuls of dried salted vegetables with him. However, the preparation of braised pork with dried salted vegetables involves many steps and is very time-consuming. Normally, this dish is rarely prepared. But tomorrow is Mr. Cai's birthday, so of course this dish must be served on the table.

Xing Wang was chewing a piece of crispy meat in his mouth and holding two pieces of crispy meat in his hands, but his eyes were fixed on the two large pieces of brown-red pork belly in the pot, which were sizzling with oil.

Ye Changyan saw Xing Wang’s longing eyes and quickly waved at him.

"Fortunately, you don't want to eat the meat in this pot like this. After frying, you have to cut it into slices and steam it until it's soft and sticky. It's delicious then."

Although Xing Wang understood what Ye Changyan said, he still stared at the two large pieces of meat with oil bubbling in the pot.

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng looked at each other, smiled helplessly and shook their heads.

Just when Ye Changyan was busy in the kitchen, someone knocked on the door of Cai Mansion.

When Mr. Cai heard the doorman come to report that someone claiming to be Mr. Zhong Yunfeng came to knock on the door, Mr. Cai hurriedly asked the doorman to open the door and welcome the man in. He then asked someone to go to the kitchen to call Ye Changyan, and he himself walked towards the front hall.

When Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng heard that Zhong Yunfeng was coming, they quickly handed over the things in their hands to Aunt Zhen, then washed their hands and ran to the front hall.

When Ye Changyan arrived at the front hall, he saw Zhong Yunfeng, who looked exhausted, bowing to Mr. Cai.

Although they had only been separated for two months, it was extremely heartwarming to see his relatives from his hometown. Ye Changyan walked up to Zhong Yunfeng and patted him on the back with a smile.

"How come you're here so soon?"

"I received your letter and was inexplicably excited. However, the content of the letter was limited, and I didn't know the specific situation. I wanted to go to Beijing as soon as possible to see what the situation was. And since Mr. Cai's birthday is coming soon, we changed horses and headed straight to Shengjing."