Chapter 56 Chapter 56 Jinjiang Solo
"Boss Zhang, you really understand me. I feel that my money is well spent today. Not only is the food delicious, but the service is also great. I wonder if Boss Zhang is interested in opening a Taibailou in my hometown!"
Boss Lin really wants to eat Taibailou’s food when he is back home.
Although he is a seafood supporter, he also likes the Sichuan cuisine at Taibailou. If you want spicy food, there is spicy food, and if you don't want spicy food, there is non-spicy Sichuan cuisine. It can even be adjusted according to the tastes of diners, unlike some chefs who only stick to what they have learned and don't know how to use it flexibly.
After all, most of the Sichuan dishes are spicy, and although these dishes are delicious, they are too oily, too salty and too spicy. Not to mention that people from other provinces are not used to them, some locals also can't eat spicy food!
At this time, it is not the customers who are picky, but the chef who has to cook dishes according to the individual needs.
If the guests can’t handle spicy food, then put less chili, or even non-spicy chili. There’s nothing wrong with that!
If you insist that this dish is spicy, you will not only drive customers away, but also lose the ability to innovate.
If our ancestors were all like them, Sichuan cuisine today would definitely not have a variety of dishes and flavors. The only flavor left would probably be numbness.
In order to remove moisture from the body, our ancestors in ancient times liked to add Sichuan peppercorns when cooking. Chili peppers were introduced later. The earliest spiciness was replaced by spicy plants such as dogwood, but the spiciness at that time was not as delicious as it is now.
So people need to know how to adapt, and the same goes for chefs.
"I don't have such plans for the time being. Boss Lin, don't be disappointed. Who can predict the future? I don't want to go now, but I'm not sure about the future."
Zhang Mengzhi smiled.
"That's right. My hometown is much worse than Guocheng now. Even if you, Boss Zhang, open Taibailou there, there are still very few people who can afford to eat Taibailou's food."
Boss Lin had to admit that his hometown was developing slower than Guocheng. They didn't have the silk of Guocheng, and had no other advantages except seafood.
Moreover, there are not only his hometown but also other coastal cities that are better developed than his hometown. In the end, Boss Lin himself gave up.
Without any competitiveness, what else can we talk about?
"It will get better in the future. When the time comes, I'll drive over to my Taibai Building. Boss Lin, please come and show your support!"
Zhang Mengzhi chatted with Boss Lin for a while and then left. Taibai Tower was very busy today and he was just taking a break from his busy schedule.
On New Year’s Eve, not only are there many people eating at noon, but even more people come to eat at night.
Fortunately, there were regulations when ordering the reunion dinner, and Zhang Mengzhi only accepted thirty tables, twelve tables for lunch and eighteen tables for dinner.
In addition, there are some individual customers. There are not many of them, sometimes they are a family of four, or even a couple. They order some quick dishes as a reunion.
By the time Taibai Tower closed, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening.
At this time, except for the employees, all the guests have gone home. During the Chinese New Year, you can't stay out for too long, you have to go back to your own home to celebrate the New Year.
After giving red envelopes to all employees and making sure the doors and windows were locked, Zhang Mengzhi rode his bicycle home.
"I'm back."
Zhang Mengzhi pushed open the door. The lights in the yard were still on. When he pushed open the door, someone ran out of the house.
"uncle."
Xiaoyu and Xiaoshuang rushed over and hugged one of his arms.
"Be careful, don't fall."
Zhang Mengzhi instructed, "Catch the two children."
"Uncle, we know!"
Even though the two children are several years older, they still rely on their uncle as before. They have to go to school during the week and only come to Zhang's house to play during holidays.
However, as I got older and started elementary school, I had more homework and the number of times I could play at Zhang's house became less and less each year.
Only during the New Year holidays did they not have to do their homework and could play to their heart's content. The Zhang family's territory was wider than in previous years, so they had more room to play.
"Brother, come in, it's cold outside."
Zhang Mengyu quickly pulled her brother in, as the house was warmer than outside due to the heating.
"You guys are the same. You ran out without even putting on a coat. If you are sick, don't cry."
Zhang Mengyu was a responsible aunt. She took their coats and put them on. The two children would be happier if she didn't nag them like chanting a sutra.
"Auntie, can you please stop talking? I'm going deaf."
The two children covered their ears and shouted.
"No, come quickly and have a bowl of ginger soup."
their mother Zhang Mengyao shouted.
"oh."
He dares to act like a spoiled child in front of his aunt, but when facing his mother he can only be a coward.
Even their father didn't dare to refute their mother's words, so they, as sons, naturally couldn't do that either. Because if they pissed off their father, at most he would say a few words, but if they pissed off their mother, they would face a mixed fight between men and women.
Yes, even their own father got involved, and the couple made all the arrangements for them very clearly.
"Dad, stop looking, it's time to eat."
Zhang Mengzhi looked at the hot pot set out in the main room. Because of his job, the family had always had hot pot for reunion dinners in recent years.
"Here I come."
As Mr. Zhang walked towards the dining table, his eyes were fixed on the TV.
The Spring Festival Gala was playing on TV, no wonder he wanted to watch it without even eating!
From Zhang Mengzhi's perspective, the current Spring Festival Gala still has many shortcomings, but the programs in it are really good to watch!
The singing was nice, the skits and crosstalk were funny, and each show was better than the other, with no boring moments throughout.
"Alright, alright, move the table over here."
Mother Zhang couldn't bear to see her husband being so useless, so she said something to her son-in-law and nephew.
"good."
Xia Dayong and Wang Changjiang each carried one side of the table and moved it to the front of the TV.
"Is that all right now?"
Mother Zhang asked her husband.
“Hehehe.”
Father Zhang scratched his head with a silly smile.
"Have a meal."
At Mother Zhang's command, everyone sat down.
"The New Year is coming soon. I wish you all happiness, good luck and prosperity in the new year..."
No matter whether they were holding wine, juice or water, the glasses clinked together.
"cheers."
Bang……
The sound of firecrackers and fireworks outside rang out from time to time.
The Zhang family also bought a lot of firecrackers and fireworks. Except for setting off a few occasionally, most of them were saved until twelve o'clock.
When it was almost twelve o'clock, everyone came out of the house. Listening to the countdown on TV, Zhang's father placed the incense in his hand on top of the fuse of the firecrackers and fireworks.
Five, four, three, two, one, happy new year.
It's 1987.
"Bang, whoosh..."
Firecrackers and fireworks sounded at the same time. The firecrackers blossomed into red flowers on the ground, while the fireworks blossomed into colorful flowers in the sky.
"Ohhhh, it's New Year's Day!"
The two children jumped around the adults, and the fireworks in the sky were beautiful. Everyone who heard the sound came out. However, most people were far away from Zhang's house, and they could only see the fireworks in the sky from afar.
All the residents in this area had moved away, and Zhang Mengzhi had arranged for people to start demolishing the old houses in a planned manner, starting from far away and moving towards the near ones, and finally demolishing the Zhang family courtyard.
The bricks and tiles from the demolished old houses were not thrown away, and the good ones were kept for use in building new houses. The compacted land had to be dug up again with an excavator, and in the future, all kinds of vegetables and fruits would be planted here.
Before that, you have to cultivate the land first. Otherwise, the land will have no nutrition and you won't be able to grow delicious vegetables and fruits.
After the New Year, Zhang Mengzhi immediately contacted the construction team to demolish the land he bought. Many people came on the day of demolition, some of them came back to miss their previous lives, and some came to say goodbye to their former selves.
They have a new life and are considered the first batch of relocated households! Zhang Mengzhi gave them a fair amount of money, which allowed them to have a large surplus after buying a new house. Even for the elderly who are old and have no children, the best arrangements have been made. Their houses are all on the first floor, so they don’t need to climb stairs.
Living in a clean new house, he has convenient access to water and bathing, and even the market for buying vegetables is close to home. Therefore, he is very popular among the relocated residents, and they exaggerate Meng Zhi to everyone they meet.
There are primary and secondary schools nearby, which is a favorite for parents with school-age children. Being close to home, you don't have to worry about your children getting into danger while going to school.
So with such a good life, no one really came to cause trouble. Well, this was also related to the fact that Zhang Mengzhi was a member of the Zhang family, and everyone was still willing to give them face.
After all, the Zhang family protects their own people. If you dare to cause trouble when they do nothing wrong, then you are wrong.
After the excavator left the demolished house, someone immediately went over to pick out the good bricks and tiles and put them in a wheelbarrow. When the cart was full, it was pushed to a unified place and arranged.
Some people picked up the things, some people moved them, and soon there was nothing left on the ground except broken bricks and tiles.
These broken bricks and tiles are not wasted and can be used to pave the road.
Yes, Zhang Mengzhi will also build several main roads in the manor to facilitate cars entering and exiting.
The first phase of construction will be to plant fruit trees. After all, it takes time for fruit trees to grow. When the fruit trees grow up and bloom and bear fruit, this will become the favorite place for people in the fruit city to go for an outing and play.
While enjoying the flowers and picking fruits, Zhang Mengzhi just sat there and collected the entrance fees.
It’s not that he is stingy, but if you don’t charge admission, he won’t have any peace and quiet here.
At least after collecting the entrance fee, we can stop most of the unscrupulous people.
This is a transaction based on mutual consent. Those who want to take advantage will not come if they find that they cannot do so.
This is the experience Zhang Mengzhi has gained from dealing with scoundrels over the years. As long as you don't let the other party take advantage of you the first time, he will have to consider how stupid his previous behavior was when he wants to come to your house next time.
However, there are also those who have no self-awareness and come hard, and they are from the same family. When facing such people, Zhang Mengzhi often does not come forward himself, but finds the elders and lets them teach them a lesson.
You see, even the scoundrels from Zhang Mengzhi’s own family are being taught a lesson, let alone people from other families?
It was only after Zhang Mengzhi personally tried her hand that she realized how difficult it was to run a restaurant. In addition to the chef, there are also the selection of ingredients, the arrangement of the menu, the management of staff, hygiene conditions, etc. which are not so easy to handle.
Even if he, as a boss, can practice what he preaches, there are so many employees in a restaurant, and they all have their own little thoughts. Zhang Mengzhi doesn't mind that they are ambitious, but he minds that these people mess up his restaurant.
Therefore, he had to frequently inspect the restaurants and hotels under his name, for fear that the people below would mess up and ruin their reputation, which would be a loss!
Every time he traveled to provincial capitals, mountain cities and the capital, he had to spend a lot of time on the road. At this time, he missed high-speed trains and airplanes.
"Mengzhi, I have good news for you. You can take a plane to the provincial capital from now on. The old airport in our city has reopened. You can fly directly to the provincial capital and Shancheng."
On this day, Zhang Deming brought good news to Zhang Mengzhi.
"Really?"
Zhang Mengzhi stood up from behind his desk. It was obvious that this news was too important to him.
"Really? It's just the price. You know, plane tickets are always more expensive than train tickets."
Zhang Deming felt a little embarrassed when he said this. The plane ticket is not cheap, one ticket costs more than 20 yuan!
"It's okay, money is not a problem."
Zhang Mengzhi waved his hand. After he flew to the provincial capital, he could transfer directly, and it would be much easier to go to the capital and Shanghai.
"Okay, I'm just telling you so you don't have to take the bus again. Not only will it waste time, but it will also be uncomfortable to sit in it."
Zhang Deming had just learned that the old airport in their city had reopened, but for the time being it could only fly to the provincial capital and the mountain city, not further.
"Okay, thank you, Master Ming. Please take a seat, have some tea and some snacks. Thank you for taking the trouble to come here."
Zhang Mengzhi handed the brewed tea to Zhang Deming and brought a plate of Hundred Flowers Pastry developed by Taibailou.
"This Baihua Su is delicious, but the snacks in your Taibailou are delicious but a bit expensive. Your sister-in-law only eats it once a month and gives half to us old couple."
Zhang Deming picked up a piece of dessert and said.
"It can't be helped. The ingredients and craftsmanship are here. It's not easier than making Western pastries. Moreover, Taibailou's pastries are all Chinese pastries. You know that fresh flowers are used as ingredients in the Baihua Su. There is really no compromise in the production process. The ingredients used are real."
Zhang Mengzhi smiled bitterly. He might as well call his Baihuasu (Hundred Flowers Su) Baiweisu (Hundred Flavor Su). Because flowers are seasonal, Baihuasu (Hundred Flowers Su) can only be eaten now. After spring, Baicaosu (Hundred Herbs Su) is eaten in summer, Baiguosu (Hundred Fruit Su) in autumn, and Baiguosu (Hundred Fruit Su) in winter. However, the contents are made of various dried fruits.
Because the taste varies so much, it is named Baiweisu. Taibailou's special snacks are also adjusted according to the season. After this season, you will not be able to eat it.
In order to try all the Baiwei Su, many gourmets come to Taibai Tower to check in every day to see if anyone has eaten today's Baiwei Su. If not, hurry up and get it, otherwise it will be gone.
After eating a few pieces of Baiweisu, Zhang Deming wiped his hands.
"That's great. I feel relieved to see you doing things steadily."
Zhang Deming's visit today was actually a random check. His nephew's business is getting bigger and bigger, and now he is about to open a branch in Shanghai. He was afraid that Zhang Mengzhi would become too proud, so he came to check on him today and tell him the good news.
"Don't worry, sir. I can't float. I know what I want."
He hasn't snipe away all those fast food restaurants abroad yet!
As the country's economy recovers, more and more foreigners come to China to invest. He has no ability to stop them from making money in other places, but he still has an advantage in fast food restaurants. While foreign fast food restaurants have not yet entered China, he will develop local Western fast food restaurants.
At the same time, he also announced the improved method of making hamburgers and French fries. It is still a bit slow for one person to do it, so he wants local people to take advantage of their own advantages to open stores first. By the time foreign fast food restaurants move in, the local area will not only have its own Western-style fast food restaurants, but the taste will be better than theirs.
Not to mention that their initial prices were quite high, and ordinary people would not be fooled no matter how stupid they were! I believe that they will not be able to operate in China for long, and they will withdraw from the Chinese market after they fail to make money.
Zhang Mengzhi was right. After flying from the provincial capital to Shanghai, he found that there were already several fast food restaurants in Shanghai. They were advertised as Western fast food restaurants and attracted many people to dine in.
But they are all fried foods. It’s okay to eat them occasionally, but you’ll get tired of them after eating them every day.
Therefore, Zhang Mengzhi opened a Chinese fast food restaurant near these stores and also opened Taibailou in the most prosperous central location.
A lion dance team was invited to the opening ceremony of Taibai Building, and firecrackers were set off, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Congratulations, Boss Zhang. Congratulations on the opening of your new store."
Local bosses from Shanghai came to show their support. They had also heard of Taibailou and had eaten there in Chengdu and the capital!
"Thank you, Mr. Xue. Please come in."
Zhang Mengzhi personally welcomed the guests in. Those who could come to his restaurant to dine today were all rich and powerful people.
Even the owners of several local restaurants came to check out the place.
As a newcomer, he certainly has to show his true abilities.
He did not miss any of the fine Sichuan dishes, and among them, boiled cabbage, a dish that has appeared at state banquets, caused a great deal of surprise.
At first glance, boiled cabbage looks like cabbage cooked in boiling water, which is nothing special. However, only those who have eaten it know that this dish is far from simple.
The first dish drew everyone’s admiration, and the rest became easier. It also broke the rumor that Sichuan cuisine is only spicy.
After the non-spicy Sichuan dishes were served, everyone realized that they were still not very knowledgeable. It turns out that the official Sichuan dishes are really not spicy!
The few dishes with chili peppers have been modified because Shanghai people cannot eat spicy food. The modified dishes are spicy but not so spicy that people will drink water.
The appearance of Taibai Tower broke the impression of Shanghai people on people from Shu Province. It turns out that they not only eat spicy food, but also non-spicy food.
Shanghai people love sweet food, so Zhang Mengzhi prepared some sweet menus for everyone to choose from.
Sweet and sour spare ribs, sweet and sour fish, and Dongpo pork are very popular dishes.
It is worth noting that sweet and sour fish is not the same as West Lake vinegar fish! The reason why this thing can survive in later generations is largely due to the curiosity of outsiders. It can compete with the capital's bean juice. It has always existed because of the curiosity of tourists. Even many locals cannot accept the taste.
"Boss Zhang, congratulations!"
Cheng Jianshe appeared from nowhere, put his arm around Zhang Mengzhi's shoulders and said.
"Why did you come to Shanghai?"
Zhang Mengzhi was really surprised to see him!
"Hey, don't you know? Shanghai is my hometown!"
Cheng Jianshe waved his finger.
"Oh my god, you're not from Shu Province!"
Zhang Mengzhi was shocked. Seeing that he usually spoke authentic Sichuan dialect, who would have known that he was not from Sichuan? He was actually the legendary Hu Ye.
"Look at what you said. Isn't it strange that I'm not from Shu Province? But you guessed wrong this time. I am really from Shu Province. My father worked in Shu Province before I was born. After I was born, my household registration was registered in Shu Province to follow my mother for convenience. My mother is a genuine Shu Province person. Is there any problem with me being from Shu Province?"
Compared to Shanghai, a city he had only returned to a few times, he liked Shu Province better and was more willing to be a Shu Province native.
"If someone hears you saying this, be careful to get beaten."
Shanghai people are quite xenophobic and even look down on outsiders. Maybe they look down on people from other cities except the capital.
"Will they dare?"
Cheng Jianshe said with a look of disdain.
He was not exaggerating, his family was quite influential in Shanghai. His grandparents were locals in Shanghai, and without their support, his father would not have been able to work in the government. Although they were retired now, his father's connections kept their influence alive.
"Well, since you said so, I will rely on you for my Taibai Tower from now on."
Zhang Mengzhi looked at his proud face and joked, "No problem, I guarantee that no one in Shanghai will dare to mess with you."
Cheng Jianshe kept his word. He personally took Zhang Mengzhi for a tour around Taibai Building in Shanghai to let the bosses who came to Taibai Building for dinner know that they were protecting the person in front of them.
Not to mention, his approach did save Zhang Mengzhi a lot of trouble. I dare not say anything else, and I dare not use the secret methods in Taibai Tower.
"Okay, you still haven't told me why you came back to Shanghai this time? I don't believe you are going back to your hometown to visit relatives."
Zhang Mengzhi patted him on the shoulder and took him to his office here. The top floor of the five-story building is the management area. Normally, no one except the staff of Taibai Building is allowed to go up.
"Sit down! Do you want something to eat?"
In addition to tea, Zhang Mengzhi also brought over two plates of snacks.
"Thank you."
Cheng Jianshe took the tea, took a sip to quench his thirst, and then leaned back on the sofa with a tired look on his face.
"What happened?"
Zhang Mengzhi asked with concern.
"My grandfather has been in the hospital for several days and just woke up today."
The information revealed in Cheng Jianshe's words made Zhang Mengzhi spill the tea in his hand.
"Hiss, hot."
"careful."
Cheng Jianshe quickly took some unboiled cold water and applied it to his hands.
"I'm fine. But is Mr. Cheng okay?"
After all, the other party is Cheng Jianshe's grandfather, no wonder he returned to Shanghai. Cheng's father couldn't leave due to work reasons, so his son had to come back to take care of the old man instead of him.
"You know my grandfather is old, and he's suffered a lot in the past, so his health is not good. The doctors can't guarantee that he can be cured. I'm worried that he won't survive this year."
Cheng Jianshe did not lie to Zhang Mengzhi, he believed in the character of this friend. Zhang Mengzhi would never tell anyone what he said in this office today.
He was also too tired and wanted to find someone to talk to and relieve the recent stress.
“What exactly is the problem, and can it be cured?”
While asking this question, Zhang Mengzhi was thinking about what kind of gift she should prepare for visiting a patient.
"Old people's illnesses, and recurrence of old injuries."
Cheng Jianshe did not hide anything.
"They are all difficult to treat diseases that need to be adjusted. You should find a good Chinese medicine doctor. Maybe they can find a solution."
It’s not that Zhang Mengzhi is partial to traditional Chinese medicine, but isn’t it normal to try traditional Chinese medicine when Western medicine doesn’t work?
"Yes, how could I forget about Chinese medicine? My grandfather is lying in the hospital, and those Western doctors can do nothing except asking me to prepare for his death. In this case, I'll try my best to save him."
When Cheng Jianshe got excited, he dared to say anything.
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