Rebirth He Yuzhu stays away from troubles

Social life in the later period of the Great Wave was still very simple. Apart from the occasional state-owned shops in the streets and alleys, there were some pedestrians coming and going, or uncles and aunts sitting under the shade of trees chatting. The small business owners who were so bustling in later generations were hard to find in the streets and alleys of the old city at that time.

He Yuzhu suddenly appeared in the alleys of the many courtyard houses in the prosperous Sijiu City, just like the masters who sharpened scissors, knives, and bowls rarely appeared in the alleys in this era, and everyone could accept it. After all, every household has needs, and everyone is used to it and no one will think too much about it.

When He Yuzhu appeared in the same alley frequently within a short period of time, the enthusiastic and vigilant elderly people in the city reported his unusual behavior to the neighborhood office. The neighborhood office at that time was very pragmatic and efficient. As soon as the elderly people reported it, staff members followed them to question He Yuzhu.

When He Yuzhu faced people who came to interrogate him, he took out his work ID from the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill. Although this helped him resolve many problems on the spot, it still made the staff of the street office wonder, "Today's leading cadres have a very strange hobby. They like old plates, bowls, bottles and jars?" Therefore, many street offices were puzzled and would write letters or call the steel rolling mill to verify the situation in order to understand it clearly.

He Yuzhu's unusual behavior puzzled the people in the steel mill. It was totally inconsistent with the preferences and habits of people of this era. Wouldn't new plates, bowls, bottles and jars be better? What old ones should we replace without worrying about viruses, bacteria, or taboos?

As He Yuzhu did not stop with the "old for new" exchange of plates, bowls, bottles and cans, it still attracted reports from some enthusiastic people in the steel mill. Some reported it to the leader of the "cultural and transportation staff", some of the "cultural and transportation staff" reported it to Director Li of the Revolutionary Committee of the steel mill, and even people from the Security and Logistics Departments of the steel mill reported it to their superiors.

Director Li of the Revolutionary Committee of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill looked at the endless reports from He Yuzhu and began to wonder, "Did He Yuzhu borrow so much money from me just to exchange for those old things?" He thought, "In the past ten years or so I have been getting along with He Yuzhu, he is neither greedy for money nor power, and he doesn't like to stir up trouble. At most, he likes to seek benefits for his relatives and friends, but this is also human nature." In order to continue to work with his deputy He Yuzhu, Director Li thought about holding a meeting of middle-level managers and above of the steel rolling mill to let He Yuzhu give an explanation to everyone.

At 2-3 pm one afternoon, a meeting was held regarding the recent “old for new” exchange of plates, bowls, bottles and cans by Deputy Director He Yuzhu of the Revolutionary Committee. At the beginning of the meeting, Director Li asked curiously and puzzledly: “Comrade He Yuzhu, some street offices and some people in Sijiucheng have reported that you exchanged old plates, bowls, bottles and cans for new ones recently. Can you explain it to everyone?”

Director Li's question made many creditors who lent money to He Yuzhu very worried. They were afraid that He Yuzhu would cause trouble and the loans would become bad debts. That was their hard-earned money! At the end of his "literary career", if someone reported something, it would be a big deal.

He Yuzhu's creditors looked at him worriedly, including Director Li, while a few who had little dealings with He Yuzhu looked gloating. He Yuzhu looked at the bad guys and made up his mind that he must lend out all the money they had after the meeting, and he was not going to write an IOU.

After Director Li finished speaking, He Yuzhu calmly looked around the conference room and explained loudly: "Everyone should know: I am a cook. When a chef cooks, all he cares about is the "color, fragrance and taste", and also the presentation of the dish."

“For color, the chef needs to understand the properties of the ingredients and properly match them into a dish; for aroma and taste, the chef relies on his understanding of seasonings, his comprehension of cooking steps, and his control of the heat to make a dish.”

"In fact, having a dish with good color, aroma and taste is only the most basic thing for a chef. What kind of dish should be paired with what kind of plates, bowls, bottles and jars, and finally the dish should be arranged and presented perfectly in front of the diners, only then can it be a complete dish."

"I am a humble cook, so I can't say anything profound. But I still want to tell you loudly: I went out to replace the old plates, bowls, bottles and jars with new ones, just to find some unique utensils to match my superb cooking skills..."

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he looked at everyone with great pride. Everyone present at the meeting, listening to He Yuzhu's carefree speech and looking at his proud expression, couldn't help but laugh. Director Li looked at the confident He Yuzhu and sighed helplessly in his heart, "I think I, Li Bufan, am also very powerful in the steel rolling mill. You, He Yuzhu, are my follower, oh no, my deputy. Although you shouldn't compete with me for power, don't you go fishing for yellow croakers and money? You actually like to tinker with old plates and old bowls. I am speechless..."

Director Li had a little contempt in his heart, but he smiled and said, "We all know that Comrade He Yuzhu is a disciple of the state banquet master Luo Jianrong. Several of his senior brothers, such as Wang Sheng and Chen Kangnian, have also taken up the responsibility of the Sijiucheng Hotel and have made their mark in state banquets. He now has a deeper understanding of the "color, fragrance, taste" and style of dishes. As a colleague and worker, I am happy for him."

"Well, let me express my opinion here. I happen to have a vintage plate at home. I will give it to Comrade He Yuzhu someday as a recognition of his love for his work and as a support for his diligent attitude as a chef..."

Director Li of the Revolutionary Committee of the Steel Rolling Mill set the main tone, and the atmosphere at the meeting immediately became relaxed, with participants whispering to each other.

"Deputy Director He was a chef by profession, so it's normal for him to have this hobby."

"It's just a matter of collecting a few broken plates, bowls, bottles and jars. Those people are just too idle."

"But to be honest, the dishes are beautifully presented and are indeed pleasing to the eye..."

Director Li listened to everyone's discussion with a sly smile on his face, and said in a half-truthful tone: "Although Comrade He Yuzhu's starting point is understandable, his unique behavior of "trading old for new" has indeed brought trouble to the steel mill and everyone present. I propose here: punish Deputy Director He to set up a few tables for everyone in the reception restaurant and let him take out his specialty dishes to apologize to everyone. At the same time, everyone present here, if you have old plates, bowls, bottles and jars at home, please exchange them with him! Ha, ha, ha..."

Director Li smiled happily after he finished speaking, and most of the people present applauded and all agreed with Director Li's proposal. Some of them were impatient and asked directly: When will He Yuzhu entertain everyone in the reception restaurant? A meeting that was originally for He Yuzhu to explain, under the protection of Director Li, turned into a dinner discussion meeting for the leaders of the steel rolling mill.

Ever since He Yuzhu entertained the leaders of the steel mill in the reception restaurant, gradually everyone in the steel mill and the courtyard knew that He Yuzhu liked to collect old plates, bowls, bottles and jars. He Yuzhu no longer had to hide in the He family's courtyard as before, and only had to consider the impact outside.

That day, He Yuzhu did not go far, but started to trade old for new plates, bowls, bottles and jars in the alleys near the courtyard of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. Yan Jiedi was unemployed at home, and she was also curious: Why did He Yuzhu go out wearing rags and pushing an old bicycle? So she chased He Yuzhu out, followed him closely, listened to his shouting, and watched him busying around.

On the way back, Yan Jiedi, the calculating daughter of the Yan family, had some thoughts in her mind...