Banquet of Heroes

Next, Xiao Yao prepared a dish called "Moonlit Night on the Twenty-Four Bridges." The name was elegant and poetic, but in essence, it was a simple steamed tofu dish. The method was not complicated, yet to execute it perfectly was exceptionally challenging. First, a ham was sliced open and hollowed out with twenty-four round holes. Tofu was then carved into twenty-four small spheres and placed, one by one, into the holes. The ham was tied up and steamed; once cooked, the savory flavor of the ham permeated the tofu completely, while the ham itself was discarded and not eaten.

The dish's name was inspired by the poet Du Mu: "On a moonlit night at the Twenty-Four Bridges, where is she who teaches the flute?" The Twenty-Four Bridges span Shouxi Lake in Yangzhou, each a single-arched bridge named for its twenty-four balustrades of white marble, as graceful as a jade sash or a rainbow lying across the water.

The dish captured a poetic ambiance, but for its flavor to live up to the name's artistry was a true test of any chef's skill.

While this dish was steaming, Xiao Yao moved on to make "Twin Fowl with Cabbage." This was a straightforward stir-fried cabbage dish that used only the tender hearts of the cabbage, stir-fried with chicken fat and minced duck web. The steps were simple, but to bring out its best, a few key techniques had to be mastered—so much so that even a master chef could fall short if careless.

The "Jade Fish Balls" also seemed simple, but the finesse lay in the details. Listening to Xiao Yao explain and watching his effortless, flowing movements, Qin Dahai realized that to learn and truly master this dish would not be easy in a short time.

The final dish Xiao Yao made was "Perfect Match Soup."

Its ingredients: lotus leaf, bamboo shoot tips, cherries, half a turtledove, and a few fresh petals.

The method: wash the lotus leaf clean; debone and mince the turtledove, mix with rice wine, soy paste, and a touch of honey. Only the crispest bamboo shoot tips were used; the rest discarded. The cherries were pitted, then stuffed with the marinated turtledove meat. A soup was made with the lotus leaf. The shoot tips were diced and boiled in the lotus-leaf soup, to which the cherries were added. When the turtledove meat was cooked through, seasonings were added and finally, petals were sprinkled on top.

A beauty’s face, cherry lips—symbolizing a fair maiden. Bamboo is hollow, representing a gentleman’s virtue, and the lotus a noble blossom among flowers. The turtledove refers to the lines in the Book of Songs: “There the turtledoves coo on river islets; such is the modest, graceful lady, the gentleman’s perfect match.” Hence the name, "Perfect Match Soup."

The presentation of this soup was stunning: emerald broth, crimson cherries, blush-pink petals, and tender yellow bamboo shoots—a feast for the eyes, intoxicating even before the first taste.

For these four dishes and one soup, Xiao Yao prepared an extra serving of each. It was a rare occasion for him to cook personally; both chef Qin Dahai and manager Zhou Xiaobai surely deserved a taste.

Just as the dishes were finished, Zhou Xiaobai entered the kitchen.

“Take these plates up and deliver them to Sang Qingye,” Xiao Yao instructed, seizing the opportunity.

“These dishes look amazing! I wonder if they taste as good as they look?” Zhou Xiaobai exclaimed in awe.

“Just look at Qin Dahai’s blissful expression—how could they not taste good?” Xiao Yao replied.

Zhou Xiaobai glanced at Qin Dahai, who had just popped a jade fish ball into his mouth and, eyes closed in rapture, looked absolutely lost in delight.

“Is it really that delicious? Can I try some?” Zhou Xiaobai swallowed hard; she was eager for a taste.

Xiao Yao said, “I made extra, just so you two could sample them.”

Zhou Xiaobai couldn't wait. She picked up a strip of roasted meat, chewed, and instantly, an indescribable umami burst across her taste buds!

After reluctantly swallowing, she sighed, “I’ve truly broadened my horizons—who knew such incredible flavors existed in the world!”

Xiao Yao replied matter-of-factly, “These are dishes I made myself—of course they're extraordinary. Once Dahai masters them, we’ll have a few real signature dishes for the restaurant. In the coming days, think about planning some promotional campaigns for the new additions.”

“Our restaurant is already packed every day—if we introduce these new dishes, we’ll be bursting at the seams! Looks like we really need to speed up our search for a new location,” Zhou Xiaobai said, half-lamenting and half overjoyed. “Boss, these dishes look fantastic—what are their names?”

“These are, in order: ‘Whose Jade Flute Hears the Plum Fall,’ ‘Moonlit Night on the Twenty-Four Bridges,’ ‘Twin Fowl with Cabbage,’ ‘Jade Fish Balls,’ and ‘Perfect Match Soup.’” Xiao Yao pointed to each as he introduced them.

“Why do these names sound so familiar?” Zhou Xiaobai asked, puzzled.

Qin Dahai shot her a look of disdain and interjected, “And you call yourself a postgraduate? You really need to brush up on your culture. Haven’t you even read ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’?”

At this, Zhou Xiaobai suddenly understood. “So these are the dish names from ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’! No wonder they sounded familiar.”

“Not all of them,” Xiao Yao added, inspiration striking. “Jade Fish Balls is actually a signature dish of Abi in ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.’ What do you think of the name ‘Hero’s Banquet’? We could turn it into our restaurant’s signature.”

“I think that’s a great name—it’s perfect for promotion and really attractive!” Zhou Xiaobai instantly thought of several marketing ideas. “Great name, and the dishes look and taste even better. I never imagined you were such a culinary master, boss. Now I’m completely confident that we can turn our place into a renowned restaurant.”

Xiao Yao fully understood Zhou Xiaobai’s excitement; if Xunwei Zhai developed its own distinctive signature dishes, future success would be within reach.

“But don’t get too excited just yet,” Xiao Yao cautioned. “I can teach Dahai these recipes step by step, but there will be a significant gap between his results and mine. The difference in culinary skill isn't something that can be bridged overnight; you need to be prepared for that.”

“Even if Dahai only learns a tenth or two of your technique, I think that’s more than enough. Of course, if you, boss, could occasionally cook a few dishes yourself and help me out with promotions, that’d be even better.” Zhou Xiaobai seized the moment to voice her request.

“I’m the boss—I hardly have the free time for that,” Xiao Yao shot her a glance. “Don’t even think about making me cook personally.”

“I know you’re busy, boss. I just hope that when you’re in the mood, you might whip up a dish or two, and I’ll handle the promotions.” Zhou Xiaobai couldn’t help but flatter him, “With skills like yours, you must love to cook. When inspiration strikes, making a dish or two isn’t work at all—it’s pure enjoyment. Don’t you agree?”