Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

Chapter 495 Airdrop Rain

"Zhu Zi, although you're the one I selected, to be honest, your braised pork with vermicelli is really just average. Of course, compared to the average person, it's definitely quite delicious, even very delicious. But compared to a real master chef, you're still far from it."

If someone else said this to me, especially after I'd finished two big bowls of food and my mouth was greasy, it would be a different story.

Given He Yuzhu's temperament, regardless of whether that's true or not...

Even if you don't beat him up directly, you should at least give him a good scolding and curse at him.
"You're full and then you start criticizing the cook? If you're so capable, then don't eat in the first place!"

Unfortunately, the person who said this was his most respected brother Lang, a famous foodie in Beijing, so his words were very constructive and forward-thinking.

"Brother Lang, I know that my skills are no match for those master chefs who have been immersed in this art for many years, but today we're making pork and cabbage stew with vermicelli, which is authentic Northeastern cuisine! As a native of Beijing, of course my version isn't authentic. You've forgotten, my teacher is a Sichuanese, Beijing-style Sichuanese, which is my specialty."

Ximen Lang knew perfectly well that He Yuzhu was good at Sichuan cuisine. He even knew that He Yuzhu's family recipes, which were already commonplace in period dramas, were Tan family dishes. Having watched the entire series of "Full House of Love," Ximen Lang knew them very well.

“But now that I’ve brought you out here, and you have the talent, we can’t just stick to one type of cuisine, or only eat in the small, niche Beijing-style Sichuan cuisine that’s popular around Beijing.”

"You need to learn from the strengths of many schools of thought, then integrate them and forge your own path, a path that belongs only to you. Otherwise, wouldn't I have wasted the time I brought you out to broaden your horizons? And you would have wasted this rare opportunity!"

Believe it or not, in this day and age, being able to travel freely and without distraction across the country, to see the beautiful mountains and rivers, natural scenery, and local delicacies, and to have countless ingredients to practice with, is a rare opportunity that many people would love to have!
Especially for He Yuzhu, who has hardly ever left Beijing in his life, and whose life might have ended like this if it weren't for Ximen Lang's appreciation!
Therefore, He Yuzhu had nothing to say about Ximen Lang's obvious high regard for him.

After Ximen Lang finished speaking, he even had someone bring over a thick stack of all kinds of recipes.

How comprehensive?
The family recipes that He Yuzhu is so proud of, and the Tan family cuisine are just an inconspicuous little branch of them.

Like the renowned Confucius Family Cuisine and Tan Family Cuisine, both place great emphasis on the quality and original flavor of ingredients. Similarly, there's the Suiyuan Cuisine, which shares a similar philosophy; the Honglou Cuisine, specifically developed based on the descriptions in *Dream of the Red Chamber*; and the Imperial Cuisine, which truly inherits the traditions of the palace.
It has everything!
Even the variety of foreign dishes from different regions and with different flavors is not just ordinary.

This is truly an extraordinary level of respect.

At least in He Yuzhu's eyes, this kindness was absolutely immense!
Seeing that there was an unexpected bonus, a few words of inspirational advice, plus a stack of recipes that would be readily available and worth almost nothing in later generations, He Yuzhu was moved to such an extent.

While marveling at how his skill in making empty promises had finally reached a high level, he seized the opportunity before he burst out laughing and offered a word of encouragement.

"Keep up the good work, I believe in you!"

Without waiting for He Yuzhu's tearful reply, he properly expressed his gratitude to himself.

Ximen Lang simply kicked He Yuzhu out, citing his inability to bear seeing a grown man wiping away tears.

Then, before he and Bai Ling, whose eyes were practically rolling to the sky, could properly boast about his unique personal charm and his nearly perfected ability to make grand promises, he was already pestered by Hao Pingchuan, who had been waiting for him for half a day.

Seeing that they were about to set off, Hao Pingchuan, the battalion commander of the guard battalion, was still huddled around, looking worried and hesitant to speak.

Ximen Lang was speechless. "You're the battalion commander of the guard battalion, the commander of an entire battalion! At this critical juncture, instead of watching the soldiers set up camp, overseeing operations, and doing your job properly, what are you doing running here? And with that long face, it's such bad luck!"

When the topic turned to his job, Hao Pingchuan immediately dropped his worried expression.

First, he honestly reported his work to Ximen Lang and explained the reasons.

"Because we only stayed in Qinjiatun for a while, then set up a few pots and cooked a stew of pork, cabbage, and vermicelli. That was it. There was no need for any preparation, and I didn't need to be there to watch over things. We just washed the pots, loaded them into the car, and we were ready to go anytime!"

"The reason we haven't set off yet is because Lao Luo is still arranging work. After all, this is a pilot area for our Project Hope, and the schools here need renovation. It involves both money and materials, and Lao Luo definitely won't feel at ease if things aren't arranged properly."

Yes, because this is the birthplace of the great public welfare project, Project Hope, which is also located in the vicinity of Beijing.

And it is almost obvious to the naked eye that with the completion of the soy sauce factory, this place will definitely become prosperous and become an economic powerhouse commune that is even comparable to the city.

So, unsurprisingly, this place was directly listed as a key project in the first phase of Project Hope, intended to be the face of Project Hope and then promoted to the outside world.

This is undoubtedly a very happy thing, and it certainly needs some careful instructions.

So that I don't end up showing my backside instead of my face.

just
"You still haven't told me why you're looking so gloomy in front of me. What's wrong? Are you unhappy because other places are about to develop and the students will have spacious and bright classrooms?"

Upon seeing that Ximen Lang would think of him in this way, Hao Pingchuan, who resolutely refused to accept such accusations, immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum and retorted.

"How is this possible?! I am happier than anyone else to see the students learn in spacious and bright classrooms, for the local area to develop, and for the people to become prosperous!"

"Then what is your reason?!"

"Hey, it's all because of our logistics, Brother Lang. Your treat has cost us several days' worth of rations! We're still a long way from our designated supply point! We didn't make any prior arrangements for Tianjin, and even if we had, they might not be able to gather this much supply in a short time. And on top of that, you insist on not lowering the food standards. This..."

He rambled on incoherently, leaving Ximen Lang completely bewildered.

After all that fuss, it turns out it was all because of this.

Too lazy to waste any more words with Hao Pingchuan, he casually pointed to the sky.

"look!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than countless airdrops with parachutes filled the sky that Ximen Lang had pointed to.

(End of this chapter)