Chapter 6: Power Beyond Reach (Part 1)

  "Since you can come up with so many cooking methods, consider this level passed." The shopkeeper stepped aside to make way for Wang Kuang to enter.

  Actually, the master only told Xiao Er that he could answer any four of the five cooking methods: stir-frying, boiling, braising, steaming, and roasting. If he passed this first test, he would be fine. In fact, during the Tang Dynasty, these five cooking methods were the main ones used. As for pan-frying and deep-frying, they didn't appear until the Song Dynasty. Before the Tang Dynasty, pork was rarely eaten because it was considered dirty, as pigs rolled around in mud every day. Only farmers and common people would eat it. The main edible oil during the Tang Dynasty was plant-based, with sesame oil being the dominant one. Therefore, there wasn't much oil used for frying food. It wasn't until the Song Dynasty that pig farming became widespread, and lard gradually appeared on the tables of the aristocracy. The sources of edible oils also became more diverse, making it possible for "oil-fried dough" (the precursor to fried dough sticks) to appear in the Southern Song Dynasty. Wang doesn't understand these circumstances yet.

  "Can't be too sharp." Wang realized that his words and actions from now on had to be cautious, thinking carefully, from the mouth of a beggar in his early teens, so many unheard-of words came out, if there were fewer, it could be said that they were created by themselves or heard from others, but if there were more, who knows, they might be regarded as monsters. Fortunately, so far, no major accidents have occurred.

  In the Tang Dynasty, although it is said that the customs of the people are simple and honest, there may be some people with ulterior motives. If one is too sharp and revealing, they will inevitably arouse the envy of certain individuals. As a small beggar, one would not even know how they died. Therefore, under the premise of lacking self-defense capabilities, being cautious in speech and action is very necessary.

  Set a tone for yourself and follow it in front of others from now on, try not to make any mistakes.

  As he pondered, he had already entered the store. Wang Kuang was curious about the layout of the inn at this time, so he looked around. But it wasn't much different from what he had seen in movies and TV shows in his previous life: to the left of the entrance was a wooden counter, about a head taller than Wang Kuang, probably about 1.2 meters high. Behind the counter, an old man-like figure was bent down, busy with something, and occasionally came the sound of abacus beads clicking, probably calculating something. Behind the counter was a wooden cabinet, on which several large black-glazed ceramic jars were placed, presumably for storing wine. There were no other decorations. In front of the hall to the right were several tables, which were rectangular in shape, with unknown grass mats laid out on both sides. It seemed that high-legged tables and chairs had not yet been introduced to Jian'an. Some guests were kneeling and drinking, with simple side dishes: a plate of unknown meat slices, a plate of what looked like boiled green vegetables, the color was not very appetizing, but the guests were eating with gusto. The entire floor in front of the hall was paved with green square bricks, it seemed that the owner of Fulu Inn had some business sense, knowing the importance of environment, unlike the Tongqu Inn in the north of the city that Wang Kuang had visited two days ago, which was still the largest inn in Jian'an, but the floor was just compacted mud. Further inside was a staircase leading to the second floor on the right side. On the edge of the stairs was a door with a grass curtain hanging from it, blocking the view, probably leading to the kitchen and backyard.

  The shopkeeper had already run to inform the East House, and Wang Kuang came in just a moment later. The East House of Fuli Inn arrived at the hall with two other kitchen helpers from the kitchen. After all, having worked at Fuli Inn for several years, they had some insight, so it was most suitable for them to come and make a judgment. When the East House heard that someone had come to apply for the job just one day after posting the notice, and had easily passed the first test, he was naturally very pleased, and hastily brought the kitchen helpers to the hall.

  "Have you passed the first test?" Only two tables in front of the hall had guests drinking, and except for the shopkeeper, there was only Wang Kuang standing, so the owner saw Wang Kuang at a glance. The excitement just now suddenly cooled down to the bottom. He was just a child of ten or twenty years old, wearing tattered clothes that could no longer see their original color, barefoot, and holding a crooked wooden stick in his hand. What kind of ability can a beggar have? The food he has eaten is definitely not as much as one-tenth or one-twelfth of what I have eaten.

  When he saw someone asking him a question, Wang Kuang withdrew his gaze from the layout of the Tang Inn, which he had been curiously examining everywhere. He saw a short and stout middle-aged man with a pair of small eyes narrowed at him. The man was wearing a brown round-necked robe made of unknown fabric, with a green hat on his head. His face was gentle and auspicious, with a goatee beard, giving off an affable feeling.

  "It was indeed me, because I have been a foodie since I was young. Whenever the peddlers came to our village, they would tell stories about all corners of the world and share interesting tales about Northern and Southern cuisine. I remembered some of them." Wang Kuang replied.

  "Oh? What's your name?" The master thought to himself, "It turns out that he just overheard it, being able to speak doesn't mean he can do it. It looks like today will be a waste of time. However, this beggar has a good memory, and is suitable for being a shop assistant." Without waiting for Wang Kuang's response, he turned his head towards the counter and loudly said: "Sun Zhanggui, I think this kid is eloquent and has a good memory, and can run errands in front of the hall. What do you think?"

  The old man behind the counter raised his head, narrowed his eyes and looked for a moment, then clasped his hands together and said: "So it's the master who has arrived. What would you have this child do?"

  It turns out that this old shopkeeper is getting old and his eyes are dim, how can such a person be in charge? Wang was amused. At that time, since the Han Dynasty, almost all merchant families, whenever an important position was available, would choose someone who was reliable and trustworthy to take on the role. This old shopkeeper had been running this inn since his grandfather's generation and was considered one of the master's most trusted people. However, his son was not suitable for the job, his grandson was still young and learning, and the accounting skills were a family secret that they didn't want to pass on to outsiders. The master couldn't find anyone else suitable at the time, so he had no choice but to let the old shopkeeper continue working for a few more years until his grandson grew up and could take over.

  The old shopkeeper knew that the old master was deaf, so he didn't get annoyed. He took a few steps forward to the counter and repeated loudly again. The old shopkeeper looked up and down at Wang Kuang for a moment, nodded his head: "I think it's okay, look at this kid's eyes shining, he's a clever guy, won't take long, can be a good shop assistant."

  Wang Kuang was displeased at one side, cupped his hands and asked the host: "May I ask, sir, is there a age limit for this position of leader?"

  "That's not it, but you're still young, probably just over ten years old?"

  "The young master is exactly twelve years old this year." Since he didn't know the specific age of the dog before possession, and this body looked like it was around eleven or twelve years old. Wang Kuang said twelve, which was a bit understated, as his previous life's psychology was still somewhat awkward at over thirty years old, and if he were younger, others would look down on him. But if he said he was older, others wouldn't believe him either. Before the master could speak, Wang Kuang continued, "Since there is no age limit, why won't you let me continue to pass the levels? Are you afraid I'll waste your food?" This was using the tactic of reverse psychology.

  He stroked his goat-like beard with his left hand, and put his right hand behind his back. The landlord thought for a moment: "Alright, just because you're a little kid who can be so clever, I'll let you try. Whether you pass or not, don't lose heart. At the very least, you can run errands in front of the hall, and I'll provide food and lodging. There's no monthly salary, but if you do well, you might even get some tips from wealthy guests."

  "Thank you so much, sir. Please give me the next question." Wang Kuang didn't want to be a waiter, thinking that as long as he showed off his skills a bit, it would be enough, and he wouldn't need too many. Relying on the delicious food he had seen, eaten, and cooked in his past life, he wondered if there was anyone in the entire Tang Dynasty who could surpass him. It seemed that this lifetime, he would only be a chef's fate.

  "Come with me." Seeing the master nod, the helper who came along led Wang Kuang through the front hall and from the door with a hanging grass curtain to the back.

  Behind the door was a courtyard, about 100 square meters in size. In the courtyard, a mother hen with a group of chicks was pecking at food under the sun. To the left should be the kitchen, as there were several bundles of firewood stacked in front and a slop bucket placed by the door. Along the wall of the courtyard stood several trees that looked like osmanthus, but it was unclear what variety they were. On the right side was a stable for cattle and horses, where a thin horse that seemed to belong to a guest was eating fodder while shaking its head. Next to the stable was a small thatched hut, which should be the toilet. Wang Kuan clearly saw many green-headed flies buzzing around the door of the toilet, shining with green spots in the sunlight. By the kitchen door was a small ditch leading outside the courtyard wall, where several geese were drinking water. When the cook led an unfamiliar child towards the kitchen, bullying Wang Kuan for being short, the geese stopped drinking and stretched their necks, pressing their heads to the ground as they rushed towards Wang Kuan, continuously making "honking" noises, wanting to peck at him. This startled Wang Kuan.

  "Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!" The kitchen helper waved his hand to chase the geese away, but seeing no effect, he lifted his leg and kicked two of them over, only then did they scatter.

  Leading Wang Kuang into the kitchen, a middle-aged woman who was busy washing dishes at the stove nodded. Bringing Wang Kuang to the counter in front of the stove, pointing to several things on the counter and saying to Wang Kuang: "The second pass is to process these ingredients, just make them directly cookable, after the master sees it, if he's satisfied, you'll pass."

  On the table was a yam with its skin still on, several eggplants, and a carp that had been killed. These were nothing to Wang Kuang, who poured out a basin of water, peeled the yam in the water, cut it into small segments about half an inch thick, and put them on a plate; then he changed the water in the basin, took the eggplant in his hand, and with a slanting knife sliced it into blocks that fell into the water to soak; next he placed the fish on the chopping board, made two cuts, and the fish bones were exposed, which he cut off near the head and removed, then changed the knife to a chrysanthemum pattern on the two pieces of fish still attached at the head, sprinkled a little salt evenly over the fish flesh, took a large dish, and curved the fish body around in it. All this was done in just a few minutes. When he finished, he turned to the kitchen helper who had been watching stupidly and said: "All right."

  "Doesn't your hand itch?"

  "Say this?" Wang pointed to Huai Mountain, because he didn't know what Huai Mountain was called during the Tang Dynasty, so he didn't dare say the two words "Huai Mountain". "I put it in water to remove the skin, and it won't itch anymore. Actually, if you feel itchy hands, washing your hands with salt water or applying vinegar can also relieve itching."

  "How did your eggplant end up in the water?"

  "Eggplant can be prevented from turning black when it is put in water." The ancient people did not know that the eggplant would oxidize and turn black inside when exposed to air, so they naturally didn't know to use water to isolate the air. Wang Kuang also didn't explain why, he just said: "This was taught to me by that peddler." Without waiting for the kitchen helper to ask another question, he pointed at the fish and said: "First debone the fish, sprinkle salt to taste, this way is suitable for steaming or presenting a whole fish on the table. It's also convenient for guests to eat. But if you want to stir-fry or boil it, then you need to cut it into slices or small pieces."

  Helping the cook to pick up the eggplant blocks, he took a look and found that they were indeed not blackened. He couldn't help but praise: "It's really quite durable, I've learned a thing or two. I think this level is definitely passable."