Chapter 41: The Steel Mill, Part Two

Chapter 41: The Rolling Mill (2)

After chatting idly with Director Sun in his office, the director checked the time and said, "Zhuzi, it's getting late. Let's head to the kitchen to handle business first; we can talk more once we're done."

Director Sun led He Yuzhu to the kitchen. As they entered, everyone inside turned to look. Old Liu walked up and asked, "Director, do you have any instructions for us?"

"You all know He Yuzhu. He's here today to prepare a reception banquet. Old Liu, please make sure everyone cooperates with him."

Director Sun then brought He Yuzhu and Old Liu to a small storeroom. "Everything is here; you handle it as you see fit. You're familiar with the kitchen. If you need anything, find Old Liu. If he can't handle it, come find me in the office."

He Yuzhu looked at the ingredients in the storeroom; they were quite abundant. "Uncle Sun, you go ahead and attend to your work. Having Uncle Liu here is enough."

"Very well. Old Liu, help Zhuzi out and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Director, you can trust me to handle things," Old Liu promised, patting his chest.

Once everything was arranged, Director Sun left.

"Zhuzi, you’ve become a master chef without saying a word. We received notice yesterday that Chairman Lou was hosting guests in the canteen and had invited a chef from outside. I thought it would be a master chef from a big restaurant; I never expected it to be you." Old Liu looked at the young He Yuzhu in disbelief.

"Uncle Liu, let’s get the ingredients out first. It’s getting late; we don't want the guests to arrive before the food is ready." He Yuzhu urged him to start moving the supplies.

Old Liu called over a few kitchen hands to move the ingredients into the main kitchen. Once they realized He Yuzhu was there to handle a reception banquet, the kitchen staff began whispering. After all, they had been kitchen hands together just over a year ago. While they were still doing menial tasks, He Yuzhu had become a master chef. They didn’t know how skilled he was, but the fact that he had been invited to prepare a state-level reception meal suggested his cooking was superior to even the most skilled among them, Master Liu.

Old Liu gathered a few people to help He Yuzhu dress the chicken and fish. The dried goods had already been soaked in advance. He Yuzhu started by putting the dishes that needed slow braising on the stove, as they required the most time. Then, he efficiently prepared the rest of the meat, fish, and vegetables. Watching He Yuzhu’s fluid, professional movements, the skepticism of the staff vanished, replaced only by envy.

They envied his culinary talent and his good fortune in having a master who could teach him so much in just over a year. Yet, some harbored jealousy. They felt that He Yuzhu was a fool, and since they were smarter, they should have been the ones apprenticed to his master. They believed they should be the ones being envied as master chefs, while He Yuzhu should be the one left doing the menial work. This was precisely what his master, Fan Dakang, had meant when he said He Yuzhu was too young to command respect.

As noon approached, Director Sun returned to the kitchen to check on the progress. "Zhuzi, how are things coming along? The guests will be here soon."

"No problem, it’s all ready. We can start serving as soon as they arrive."

Director Sun took a look, satisfied that everything was prepared, and headed back out. Before long, there was movement outside; the guests had arrived. Soon after, Director Sun hurried back in and said, "Zhuzi, the guests are here. Start serving."

"You got it."

Cold dishes, the braised pork elbow prepared earlier, and the stewed chicken with mushrooms were carried into the guest room by the female kitchen hands. He Yuzhu worked at full throttle, sending one delicacy after another out of the kitchen. Once the dishes were served, he finally had a moment to relax. He took out his own cup and sat to the side. He couldn't leave yet; he had to wait in case they needed additional dishes.

After the food was served, Director Sun came back to the kitchen. Old Liu greeted him, offered him a cigarette, and asked, "Director, who are these guests? We had to hire a chef from the outside to host them."

He Yuzhu pricked up his ears to listen. Director Sun glanced at Old Liu and said, "You're a chef; why do you care who they are?"

"Just curious. I saw them earlier—they were all wearing cadre uniforms," Old Liu insisted.

Seeing that everyone else was busy, Director Sun whispered to Old Liu, "Remember the talk about public-private joint ownership? These people are here to handle that."

"Does that mean we’ll be under state management from now on?"

"That’s right. Everything will be under state management."

Director Sun checked his watch and said, "It’s lunchtime. Take the food out front and get ready to serve the workers."

As the canteen staff went to the front to serve the workers, Director Sun saw He Yuzhu sitting to the side. "Zhuzi, wait a little longer. I'm going to check on the situation in the private room."

"No worries, Uncle Sun. You go ahead; waiting a bit is no trouble."

Director Sun left the kitchen to scout the situation. He Yuzhu sat there reflecting on what he had heard about the joint public-private ownership of the rolling mill. He had assumed the mill had long since been donated to the state by "Lou the Half-City," but it seemed the process was only just beginning. It was 1953, the first year of the First Five-Year Plan. With steel being the top priority, the fate of the rolling mill had already been sealed.

A short while later, Director Sun returned. "Zhuzi, you can go now. The guests have finished eating and they all praised your cooking. I was hoping there would be leftovers so I could taste your craft, but there wasn't a scrap left. It seems I’m out of luck today."

"Uncle Sun, who says you’re out of luck? Look at this." He Yuzhu pulled several bowls covered with plates from under a nearby table and uncovered them one by one. "Look, I made a bit extra while cooking. I couldn't do much with the fish and the elbow, but I saved some of the rest. This is a portion for you and the kitchen staff."

Director Sun looked at the dishes, grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and took a bite. "Zhuzi, you have a real talent. It’s no wonder Chairman Lou invited you to handle this reception. Have you eaten? Why don't you join us?"

"No thanks, Uncle Sun. I’ve already packed my own portion; I’ll just eat when I get home," He Yuzhu declined.

"Alright then. Here is your payment for today," Director Sun said, handing him a red envelope. "I'll see you out; otherwise, it might be a hassle for you to leave on your own."

Director Sun snatched a few more bites, carried a bowl of meatballs to his office, and then escorted He Yuzhu to the main gate of the rolling mill. He Yuzhu waved goodbye to Brother Li, the guard on duty, hopped on his bicycle, and headed home.