Chapter Twenty-Five: Cooking

"Opportunity?"

The manager smiled and asked, "Do you have any idea what kind of establishment my Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion is?"

Zhao Mu rolled his eyes and replied, "I do. The Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion is the finest restaurant in Taiping County."

The manager retorted, "Since you know it is the finest restaurant in the county, how can you speak of 'opportunity'?"

Zhao Mu said with a straight face, "It is indeed the finest restaurant in Taiping County right now, but if you were to kick me out today, that title would soon change hands."

Hearing this, Wen Zhi and Wang Wu hurried to stand on either side of Zhao Mu, fearing the manager might lose his temper and have him beaten out.

The manager stared coldly at Zhao Mu, his expression displeased. "I, Qin Jian, have lived for thirty-six years, and this is the first time I have ever met someone so arrogant!"

Zhao Mu chuckled. "That is only because Manager Qin has never met me before."

In an instant, Wen Zhi felt cold sweat trickling down his back. Zhao Mu’s tone was far too bold! Moreover, he seemed intent on locking horns with Qin Jian. Qin Jian had built the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion into the best restaurant in the county; he was no ordinary man. Even back when Wen Zhi served as a gate officer, he wouldn't have dared to act so presumptuously. With Zhao Mu making such grand claims right from the start, it would be difficult not to offend someone.

"Manager Qin, my brother is new here and does not yet know of your reputation," Wen Zhi said, rushing to explain on Zhao Mu's behalf for fear of provoking Qin Jian.

Qin Jian waved his hand, his face stern. "Brother Zhao, is it? Since you say so, why don't you explain why my Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion is about to lose its title as the best in Taiping County?"

Zhao Mu cupped his hands in a salute. "Though I am unworthy, I am somewhat of a cook myself. My ancestors served as imperial chefs, leaving behind two secret recipes. If I were to sell these recipes to another restaurant, the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion would no longer be the best."

Qin Jian narrowed his eyes, finally understanding Zhao Mu's intention. He sneered, "Are you trying to sell these recipes to me, Brother Zhao? Or are you looking to work as a cook here?"

Realizing his motive had been seen through, Zhao Mu felt a sense of gravity. Although he was a transmigrator, he knew better than to underestimate anyone, especially someone who could build a business empire in such chaotic times. Qin Jian's words made his own approach seem like a cheap trick. And since it was a trick, the motive was impure and easily invited disdain.

"Manager Qin is right. Compared to you, I have been rather hypocritical." Zhao Mu immediately cupped his hands to admit his fault and continued, "Since you have seen through me, how about I form a bond of goodwill with you today and simply gift these two secret recipes to you?"

Qin Jian was taken aback. He hadn't expected Zhao Mu to be so straightforward. He had just exposed Zhao Mu's intentions, and yet Zhao Mu had immediately admitted his error and offered to gift the recipes. It seemed that while Zhao Mu might be prone to opportunistic schemes, he was still a man of character.

"If it is about forming a bond, then that is perfectly fine." Qin Jian thought for a moment before saying, "Though I am a merchant who cares for profit, I am not one to take advantage of others. Since you are so generous, I will not be stingy. Beyond what we discussed, you may make one request, as a fair exchange."

Zhao Mu smiled. "How about this? I was boasting to these two brothers of mine that I would treat them to a feast today. If the dishes I prepare satisfy you, would you be willing to host a banquet for us?"

Qin Jian pondered for a moment and nodded. "Agreed!" He gestured toward the kitchen. "Please, Young Master Zhao!"

Zhao Mu took a step forward, then hesitated and pulled back. Qin Jian’s expression grew slightly displeased again. "Does Young Master Zhao have other conditions?"

Zhao Mu shook his head. "Not exactly a condition, but I would prefer not to have anyone else around while I am cooking."

Qin Jian scoffed. "If that is the case, how will you teach my staff these two dishes?"

Zhao Mu explained, "Once the dishes are finished, if you are satisfied, I will write down the recipes, and you can hand them to someone you trust."

Qin Jian paused, finally understanding Zhao Mu's intention. He nodded immediately. "Very well!"

By doing this, Zhao Mu could protect himself from any potential betrayal while also helping Qin Jian ensure the recipes remained secure. Since these were exclusive secrets, they would inevitably become signature dishes. The fewer people who knew how to prepare them, the better. Otherwise, if another restaurant poached his staff, they could replicate the dishes and steal away his customers, leaving Qin Jian with nowhere to turn.

Before long, the kitchen of the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion was cleared out. The patrons, having overheard the exchange, were curious about what Zhao Mu would cook. They stopped urging the regular chefs and waited, treating the situation like a show.

Zhao Mu entered the kitchen and checked the various seasonings. Although they were not as varied as those from his previous life, they were adequate. At the very least, he had scallions, ginger, and garlic. He wasn't sure which era of his previous world the Great Qi Dynasty corresponded to, but since stir-frying already existed, it was likely at a level comparable to the Song Dynasty or later.

He sniffed the air and caught a sour scent. After searching, he found the source: a large vat containing seven or eight heads of fermented cabbage. In ancient times, cabbage was known as *song*, and the practice of pickling it had been known since before the Eastern Han Dynasty. However, in the Great Qi Dynasty, pickled cabbage was still a rarity, and few knew of it. The presence of it in the kitchen was purely due to the personal preference of one of the cooks.

Zhao Mu pondered for a moment and decided on his first dish. Then, he discovered a pot of dried chili plants in the corner. Staring at the withered red chilies, he was stunned. Whether it was the pot or its placement, it was clearly intended for decoration. Due to neglect, the plants had died, and the chilies had become dried peppers. Having lost their ornamental value, they had been discarded in the kitchen.

Zhao Mu smiled; this era was remarkably similar to his own world. He vaguely remembered that chili peppers were introduced to China in the late Ming Dynasty, but were initially treated solely as ornamental plants, only becoming a common culinary ingredient during the Qianlong era. Since no one here knew their culinary value, it was a stroke of luck—he possessed a seasoning that no one else knew how to use.