Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

"It's been a while since I've had such a feast. Your cooking skills are really good. This burp makes me feel so good."

Hua Da Jiao glanced at Cheng Yaojin in disapproval, but couldn't help but burp a little, her face flushed with shame. She smiled and said, "Look at you, you're so naughty, but this fish porridge and small fish and shrimps are really delicious. I ate too much without realizing it and I'm feeling full."

When the servants heard the continuous hiccups, they all covered their mouths and laughed secretly, but they did not stop their hands and continued to savor this rare delicacy.

Cheng Yaojin's little daughter is even cuter. After burping a little, she giggled and said in a baby voice, "Brother, burp... It's so delicious. I even burped while eating it, burp..."

That look made everyone in the room laugh even harder.

Seeing this, Cheng Chumo couldn't help but burp as well, and then joked: "Haha, it seems that today's meal is too much to everyone's taste. Everyone is so full, burp..."

Qin Huaidao hummed a little tune as he walked into the house, holding a bucket of fresh fish in his hand. The fish in the bucket were jumping around, and the splashing water wet the corners of his clothes, but he didn't care at all, his face full of joy of harvest.

When his family saw him coming back, they rushed forward to greet him. The elders in the family asked with a smile, "Huaidao, what did you bring back?" Their eyes were full of love.

Qin Huaidao raised the fish in his hand and replied with a smile on his face: "Fish, I went to the river with Yuyu's family today. I was lucky. There were a lot of fish in the fish cage. I thought it would be a good time to bring some back for everyone to taste. Dad has been working hard in the army, and Mom has been working hard to take care of the family. This fish is just the right supplement for everyone."

The servant beside him came over, looked at the fish curiously and said, "Master, this fish looks really fresh. It will definitely be delicious."

Qin Huaidao nodded and walked towards the kitchen while saying, "Of course, I've already thought of a recipe. I'll have the chef steam the fish and make some fish soup. It's very nourishing for Mom to drink, and I guarantee everyone will be full of praise for it."

Qin Huaidao carried the fish into the kitchen and directed the chefs to get busy.

"This fish needs to be cooked well. Pick a few big ones to steam. They will taste delicious."

"Yes, yes, those fish over there can be used to make fish soup, making the fish soup thick and white like milk." Qin Huaidao said excitedly.

The chefs responded and began to process the fish skillfully.

The kitchen was soon filled with busy sounds, including the sound of fish struggling and flapping on the chopping board, the rhythm of the kitchen knife colliding with the chopping board, and the footsteps of servants boiling water and preparing condiments such as onions, ginger, and garlic.

Qin Huaidao stood aside and watched the chef carefully wash the fish, make a few cuts on the fish, and then marinate it with salt, wine and other seasonings.

"When it comes to steaming fish, it's important to keep the original flavor. Don't use too much seasoning, or it will cover up the freshness of the fish itself." He said like an expert.

The cook placed the fish in the steamer and covered it. Steam began to rise, and amidst the steam, the aroma of the steamed fish gradually began to spread.

Qin Huaidao took a deep breath, as if he could already imagine the tenderness of the fish in his mouth: "After the steamed fish is out of the pot, drizzle some hot oil on it and sprinkle with chopped green onions. Wow, the taste is amazing." He said to the servant beside him, and the servant also swallowed his saliva.

Elsewhere, a large pot of fish soup was also set on fire. The fish pieces rolled in the pot, dancing with the water, ginger slices, and scallions.

"The fish soup must be simmered over low heat to bring out the essence of the fish. It's like living your life, you have to take it slow to be good." Qin Huaidao looked at the fish soup in the pot, thoughtfully.

He thought of his father Qin Qiong's calmness on the battlefield, and how he made great achievements for the Tang Dynasty step by step. That was a spirit of perseverance, just like the fish soup that takes time to cook.

My mother takes care of things at home with gentleness and meticulousness, filling the home with warmth, just like the aroma of this fish soup, which warms people's hearts.

As time goes by, the aroma of steamed fish becomes stronger.

The cook opened the lid of the pot and a delicious aroma wafted over.

Qin Huaidao looked at the perfectly steamed fish, its eyes bulging, its skin glossy, its flesh slightly opened, revealing its tender white color. "Good! Quick, pour some oil on it!"

As the hot oil was poured in, there was a "sizzling" sound and the aroma instantly exploded, filling the entire kitchen.

The fish soup gradually became thicker, and the white fish soup was rolling like a pot of white jade treasure.

The cook stirred it gently with a spoon, tasted it, and added a little salt: "Master, the fish soup is ready."

Qin Huaidao walked over, looked at the milky white fish soup, and nodded with satisfaction: "Bring the fish soup and steamed fish to the table, let's all taste this delicious food today."

When the fish soup and steamed fish were served, the family members gathered around.

Qin Huaidao looked at his father Qin Qiong's tough face, which showed an expression of anticipation, and his mother's eyes were full of love and joy.

He smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, I prepared this especially for you. The steamed fish is fresh and tender, and the fish soup is nourishing. I hope you like it."

Qin Qiong laughed heartily: "My son is thoughtful. He knows it's a good thing just by smelling it."

The family sat together, tasting the delicious fish, laughter echoed in the house, and this meal was full of family love.

Qin Huaidao watched his family members pick up their chopsticks, his eyes full of anticipation.

Qin Qiong picked up a piece of steamed fish and put it in his mouth. He chewed it gently, and suddenly a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Hmm, this tastes really wonderful! The fish meat is very tender and melts in your mouth. The fish is so fresh that it seems to dance on the tip of your tongue. And there is this light salty fragrance, just right, not covering up the original taste. It tastes delicious!"

My mother also smiled and nodded. After tasting the fish soup, she said, "This fish soup is so rich and mellow. I can taste the essence of the fish in every bite. The delicious flavor spreads between my lips and teeth, warming my stomach and even my heart. Huaidao, your cooking skills are really getting better and better."

Qin Huaidao's face was filled with pride as he smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, this fish is fresh and the cooking method is exquisite. Steaming fish is all about locking in its original flavor, so the heat and seasoning must be precise. As for the fish soup, it's simmered over low heat to incorporate all the nutrients and flavor of the fish. I put a lot of thought into it."

The younger ones in the family also chattered: "Brother, this fish is so delicious, I have never eaten such delicious steamed fish!"

"I can drink two bowls of this fish soup, it's so delicious!"

Qin Huaidao smiled and said to his family: "Actually, I learned these skills of cooking fish at Yuyu's Zuixianlou."

"For steaming fish, there's a lot of knowledge involved, from selecting and processing the fish to controlling the heat and ingredients."

"And this fish soup? How to remove the fishy smell and make it thick, white, fresh and fragrant requires skill. I've been thinking about it since I came back and have tried several times. Today I finally succeeded and can let you taste this delicious food too."