Courtyard House: Starting as a mediocre engineer

Returning to vocational schools, is this tantamount to mass-producing chefs? From a national perspective, the more chefs and other skilled workers the better. Otherwise, when will chefs become ubiquitous across the country?

In the chef's eyes, they spent three years cleaning chamber pots, three years doing odd jobs, and three years helping in the kitchen. For nine whole years, they had no income, working like slaves before their master, receiving nothing but food and lodging. They endured nine long years before finally getting the chance to learn the craft at the stove? And now, when they train apprentices, it's the same story?

Why should you be able to graduate in just four years? And in such large quantities? We definitely won't stand for that. So we'll just have to be stricter with you, right?

This is understandable; there's a subtle resistance involved.

Therefore, there will inevitably be an inherent conflict between school training and apprenticeship.

The government will definitely encourage schools to train graduates because it's a faster way to cultivate talent. This applies not only to chefs but also to other industries. Is the influence of academics growing stronger across all sectors?

That's why the government supports and encourages it.

However, all the master craftsmen of this era came from apprenticeship backgrounds, and only these masters were qualified to serve as examiners.

On a side note: these masters and their disciples and followers wielded immense power, practically forming the backbone of the era.

Everyone should remember this. New workers entering a factory become apprentices, seeking out a master craftsman to learn the trade? Like Ma Hua, the fat man, constantly outwitting his master, He Yuzhu. Often, he serves his master like a grandson for over a decade, only to learn absolutely nothing in the end?

main reason……

To put it bluntly, even if He Yuzhu doesn't teach, we can go to Lanxiang Technical School, right?

However, in the current situation, we can't entirely blame the examiners. The candidates' performance wasn't great either; the main mistake was with that dish—sweet and sour crucian carp head.

According to the assessment requirements: the twenty pieces of crucian carp head must be clean and distinct, each piece clearly defined, and absolutely not scattered or broken. Arrange them in a circle around the large plate, and ideally, carve a flower out of a carrot in the center.

Chinese cuisine emphasizes color, aroma, and flavor. The art of plating is also one of the most important basic skills for a chef.

However, how could these candidates train during the three years of hardship? Schools couldn't provide that much food, and families certainly couldn't.

Therefore, most test takers were completely clueless when faced with the fish head dish. They frantically tried to cook it, and in the end, all they managed to produce was a lump of something...?

Given this performance, giving it a zero score is really not unreasonable, right?

At this moment, Zhuang Zhongchen frowned slightly. To be honest, he could ignore everything, since there was nothing wrong with the exam. In fact, that included the original owner of this body. As a complete novice, the original owner had always been completely carefree.

However, Zhuang Zhongchen is different now. Before transmigrating, years of hard work and experience had made him a seasoned veteran of society. He possessed a natural sensitivity to certain hidden rules of social operation.

It's important to understand that, many times, who is right and who is wrong is not important.

As a government employee, Zhuang Zhongchen should firmly stand on the side of the country!

Isn't his own name "Zhongchen"? Then he must be absolutely loyal! No more words, one strike, attack!

Furthermore, government service is a good place to cultivate oneself! It's just a matter of using one's mouth and lifting one's hand to get a few more approved. In this way, these students' families can have a lot more income. During these three years of hardship, it might just be a lifeline.

……

The last batch of exams in the morning finished, and it was finally time for the lunch break.

Zhuang Zhongchen gathered everyone together and said with a smile, "Let's have a short meeting and say a few words. The purpose of today's exam is to train more chefs to meet the needs of the people. There are special circumstances regarding the meat dishes, and we hope they will continue to improve in their work. My personal suggestion is that the sweet and sour crucian carp head should not be counted in the exam score, but rather as bonus points. Master Han, and all the master chefs, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, the examiners were taken aback and couldn't help but exchange glances. Then, Master Han nodded: "Alright! Officer Zhuang, we'll do as you say."

Zhuang Zhongchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If they had firmly opposed it, this would have been quite troublesome: "We still need to be lenient in entry but strict in promotion. Future promotion exams will need to be even more rigorous."

"Hehe. That's definitely how it should be." The examiners smiled broadly and echoed their agreement.

Since he's become a head chef, he must be quite adept at interpersonal relationships. Take He Yuzhu, for example. He's stubborn and foolish, but when he's with Li Huaide or a high-ranking leader, doesn't he become incredibly charming and agreeable?

Therefore, the examiners immediately understood Zhuang Zhongchen's meaning. They observed his expressions and realized that they should let this group of candidates go.

Besides, Zhuang Zhongchen had promised "easy entry, strict promotion." Even if there were a few more level-three chefs, it wouldn't affect the status of these head chefs in the future. So, let's just turn a blind eye!

"I just discovered that the chef training program doesn't have standardized teaching materials yet; they're using makeshift resources. This is very bad and detrimental to student development. I will report this to my superiors."

"Oh, Officer Zhuang, are you preparing to compile teaching materials?"

"We definitely can't do it. We'll have to trouble you guys then. Without your expertise to oversee things, how can we possibly teach the students well?"

"Really? It's my duty, old man." "Yes! Me too." "Officer Zhuang, we're waiting for your good news."...

The chefs were overjoyed. To write a book and create a biography—that would be a great honor, bringing glory to their ancestors! Manager Zhuang is truly a good man!

Until the afternoon exams began, Huang Ya gave Zhuang Zhongchen a meaningful look and even offered him a cigarette. Only Sister Li continued eating sunflower seeds, completely unconcerned about what was happening...

Sure enough, these candidates had a solid foundation in basic skills. Many of them had practiced knife skills and wok tossing for several years, and their right arms had become noticeably thicker.

Therefore, while the sweet and sour crucian carp head was removed, the other dishes were generally fine. All candidates passed smoothly by the end of the exam.

The atmosphere was relaxed, and Zhuang Zhongchen signed his name on the exam form one by one.

However, at that moment, the system beeped: "Newbie Quest: Complete any good deed. Quest now complete. Calculate?"

Zhuang Zhongchen was taken aback, feeling both surprised and delighted. He didn't seem to have done anything, did he? How had the beginner's quest been completed so inexplicably?

Although I'm happy, the timing isn't right. Let's not rush to settle the account yet; let's wait until we have some free time.

Zhuang Zhongchen smiled and nodded, "Thank you all for your hard work."