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

Wang Xinkuan was the second person today who boasted to him about today's dishes. Xiao Yankai took another look at the dishes on the table. They were indeed fragrant, which made Xiao Yankai feel more expectant.

"Si Er, stop talking nonsense. It's cold in this winter. Hurry up and take your seats. Let's prepare for the feast. Otherwise the food will get cold."

Hearing Mr. Cai's greeting, Wang Xinkuan smiled and sat down next to Liang Jingcheng.

Mr. Cai looked around, then he was the first to raise his chopsticks and greet everyone.

"Okay, everyone is here, let's get started."

As they spoke, everyone picked up their chopsticks, and Mr. Cai stretched out his chopsticks to the braised pork with dried salted vegetables in front of him.

"Brother-in-law, what kind of dish is this? I've never seen it before."

Xiao Yankai saw Mr. Cai pick up a piece of brown-red meat with alternating fat and lean meat, and put it into his mouth. He took a sip first, and then began to chew it with relish. Xiao Yankai also stretched out his chopsticks, picked up a piece, and then asked Mr. Cai.

"Eat first and talk later."

Seeing Xiao Yankai's curious expression, Mr. Cai kept it a secret and then pointed to the dish of braised pork with dried salted vegetables in front of everyone.

"This dish must be eaten while hot. There are only a few slices on a plate. Everyone should try it."

As he spoke, Mr. Cai picked up another piece. When the others heard what Mr. Cai said, they also stretched out their chopsticks to pick up some.

At this moment, Xiao Yankai had just tasted the deliciousness of the meat in his mouth. It was soft and sticky, with a salty, fresh and sweet taste. It looked like a piece of pork belly, but the taste was unforgettable.

Xiao Yankai saw everyone stretching out their chopsticks to pick up something. Fortunately, there was still one piece left. He quickly stretched out his chopsticks and picked up the last piece. After tasting it, he looked at Ye Changyan with curiosity.

"My dear nephew, your teacher is keeping me in suspense. Tell me what kind of dish this is. It tastes soft, glutinous, fragrant, and not greasy. I've never seen it cooked this way before."

Everyone at the scene tasted the flavor of the braised pork with dried salted vegetables. They wanted to have another piece, but they found that the plate was empty. Only some brown and black vegetable grains that looked like pickled vegetables were left. When they heard Xiao Yankai's question, they all pricked up their ears.

"To answer your uncle's question, this dish is called Braised Pork with Dried Salted Vegetables. It uses the middle section of pork belly that is half fat and half lean. It is first boiled and then fried. It is then cut into thick slices and placed on the bottom of the bowl. It is then covered with dried salted vegetables and then placed in a steamer. It is then steamed for nearly an hour and that's it."

"Just hearing you say that makes it sound complicated, boiling, frying, and steaming for an hour, but it tastes really good, it's a pity that this plate isn't big enough for everyone to share."

Ye Changyan looked at Mr. Cai for help, only for Mr. Cai to nod reluctantly. Then Ye Changyan continued.

"My husband liked this dish when he was in Yuzhou Prefecture. Since the process is relatively complicated, I usually make more at a time. When we eat it again, we just take it out and steam it before serving."

"What are you waiting for? Go and get another bowl."

Xiao Yankai is worthy of being a military commander, he has a straightforward personality.

Ye Changyan then called out to the maid Hongli who was serving beside him and told her to go to the kitchen and ask Aunt Zhen to bring up another plate.

Soon, Hongli brought a plate of steaming braised pork to the table. Except for Mr. Cai, Ye Changyan, Liang Jingcheng and Zhong Yunfeng, everyone else stretched out their chopsticks to pick up some.

"Uncle, this braised pork belly has fat in it after all, so you shouldn't eat too much at one time. Three to four slices each time is just right."

Hearing Ye Changyan's caring instructions, Xiao Yankai nodded happily.

"Yeah, not bad. I ate four slices today. It's just the right amount. But I think you should have more in the kitchen. Fill a bowl for me later and I'll take it home to eat tomorrow."

There was a sudden burst of laughter at the scene, and then Wang Xinkuan, who was sitting next to Liang Jingcheng, joked with Xiao Yan.

"General, you just laughed at my uncle for eating and taking things, but you yourself are not particular at all."

"What's wrong with me taking dishes from my eldest nephew? Your uncle is an old rascal. He comes to my house and eats and takes things, as if he is from my mother's family."

While Xiao Yankai was quibbling, he followed Mr. Cai's chopsticks and picked up a piece of pickled fish.

"Wow, this is a really good fish."

Afterwards, this table of dishes won continuous praise from Xiao Yankai and his son.

Although some of the dishes today were ones that Zhu Yuchun and his fellow apprentices had already eaten, they still tasted amazing today. And there were also many dishes today that Zhu Yuchun and his fellow apprentices had never tasted before, so they all devoured them with relish.

Everyone enjoyed the family dinner very much as they toasted each other.

"My dear nephew, your cooking skills are really eye-opening for me. At first, my brother-in-law said that my father and I had a great meal today, and I thought he had gotten some delicacies. Later, Xinkuan said that I could make my money back, and I thought he was laughing at me. But now I really think that this meal not only paid off, but also made a fortune."

During the meal, Ye Changyan drank two cups and his face turned a little red, but he spoke in an orderly manner.

"It would be great if my uncle likes it. I hope my uncle can interact more with the teacher in the future."

There was another round of laughter at the scene.

As the weather was cold, after dinner, everyone sat in the front hall to chat and digest the food.

During the chat, everyone became concerned about Wang Xinkuan's marriage, and then everyone asked about Zhong Yunfeng's marriage.

Zhong Yunfeng then mentioned that he was engaged to Ye Changyan's sister, and that the marriage was arranged by Mr. Cai in Baoshan. Everyone came out to congratulate him.

At the birthday banquet just now, Lu Ge'ang sat next to Zhong Yunfeng, and the two of them were able to chat very well.

Then I heard Lu Ge'ang asking Zhong Yunfeng.

"Brother Yunfeng, are you also coming to Beijing to study like Changyan?"

Zhong Yunfeng smiled and shook his head, then spoke with an open-minded expression.

"A few years ago, I followed my father to learn how to manage some of the family's businesses. Now I run a restaurant and a candy and pastry workshop."

"Don't tell me that the milk candies and lactic acid candies that Chang Yan brought were produced by your candy and pastry workshop?"

When everyone heard Lu Ge'ang's loud question, they all looked over here and saw Zhong Yunfeng nodded.

"No wonder Chang Yan brought a lot of candy to his fellow apprentices. This candy is very expensive in Shengjing, but it is still very popular. I didn't expect it to come from your workshop."

After hearing what Lu Ge'ang said, Xiao Jingxing asked with some confusion.

"But the milk candy and lactic acid candy sold in Lihua Lane?"

"That's right. Currently, this kind of candy is only sold in Lihua Lane in Shengjing. It's sold by the pound per bag. Once it's put on the shelf, it will be snapped up immediately."

"My wife likes this kind of candy, especially the lactic acid candy. I heard from the buyer that two bags cost three taels of silver. At first I suspected that the buyer was taking advantage of it, but later I found out that the buyer was familiar with the shopkeeper in Lihua Lane, otherwise he might not be able to buy it."

Having said that, Xiao Jingxing turned to look at Zhong Yunfeng and asked.

"Brother Yunfeng, are you here in Shengjing to look for merchants? I do have some connections in this area. If you need help, I can introduce you to some."