Chapter 516 Jin Wuzuchi
No one or anything in the world is absolutely perfect.
The same goes for Ning Weimin’s opening ceremony.
Even if he thinks carefully, there will inevitably be some oversights.
No, compared with the cheerfulness and spring breeze on the faces of most of the guests.
Two guests today were the exception. They felt slighted and really unhappy.
They are the deputy manager Chi Guowei, the representative of Tingliguan Restaurant in the Summer Palace.
And the representative of Fangshan Restaurant - deputy manager Yan Hong.
The two are about the same age, have about the same length of service, and have similar resumes.
They are all in their thirties and have worked in their respective units for more than ten years. They are grassroots cadres who have been promoted step by step from waiters.
And speaking of it, they are all the same business backbones who were promoted after the retirement policy was introduced in 1982.
So by participating in various meetings of the District Service Bureau’s catering service company, the two of them have long been old acquaintances.
But just because their backgrounds and conditions are so close, they have become competitors in various award selections and performance evaluations.
The discord between their faces and hearts is the true reflection of their relationship.
Even if they meet here today, when they meet, they still nod to each other and say a few polite words, and then they have nothing to say.
This fully exposes the alienation of "comrades are enemies".
On the contrary, it is not as lively and harmonious as other strangers.
But it’s interesting to say that today is different from usual.
As the opening ceremony progressed step by step, they actually had an unprecedented tacit understanding.
It is rare to have the meaning of "we are destined to meet each other thousands of miles away, and we will forget our grudges when we meet".
For no other reason than because Ning Weimin held today's opening ceremony so well and stimulated them at the same time.
This prompted them to unknowingly develop a common enemy, turned their guns, and regarded "Tan Palace" as a common enemy.
In fact, as soon as they came here today, these two people felt uncomfortable.
No matter in front of the restaurant, there are lights and colorful lights welcoming guests, tall billboards, service staff in retro clothes, sign-in books imitating imperial edicts, and when firecrackers go off. Amazing lion dance activity.
These grand and prosperous scenes were far beyond their expectations and made them quite uncomfortable.
I thought to myself, why not open a restaurant? They are really capable of sorting things out, and there are a few bad guys who don't know how to show off. What's the use of all this fuss and excitement?
The other person also felt that he really didn’t know how high the world was. Our restaurant receives ministerial-level leaders all day long, and the opening of our restaurant is not as ostentatious as yours.
Who are you?
As a result, the sour smell caused them to feel depressed.
In addition, there were too many guests arriving by car to attend the celebration today.
Not only the district leaders, the Tourism Bureau, the Service Bureau, the Artists Association, Fu Jie and his wife, and the crew of "The Burning of the Old Summer Palace" all have their own cars.
Even the old artists, calligraphers and painters, and teachers and students from the two art academies were all specially picked up and dropped off by taxis hired by Ning Weimin.
In this way, the long row of shiny cars parked on the roadside made them feel even more uncomfortable in the eyes of the two restaurant managers. It looked like they had traveled all the way to catch a bus. It's really shabby.
What was especially unexpected was that the waiter at the restaurant entrance actually asked them to leave one by one from the shade of the trees in order to free up parking spaces in the limited space on the roadside.
As a result, a kind of anger at being "humiliated" made them involuntarily want revenge.
For this reason, they all ran to the back kitchen and called their chef out.
Then with special "care" and special "instructions", we added some "happy seasoning" to the restaurant's good days.
In this way, there was a turmoil in the back kitchen of "Tan Palace" today.
However, even so, the two big managers did not take it easy and regained their composure.
In fact, when the celebration officially started and they entered the second floor of the restaurant, their negative emotions became more serious.
Because whether it was the layout, furnishings, colors, decoration grade, or the various unconventional enjoyments and performances of the "Altar Palace", their eyes became as red as rabbits, and they felt envy, jealousy, and hatred from the bottom of their hearts. .
They believe that "Tan Gong" is not only a nouveau riche who relies on his wealth to impress the public, but also is not worthy of these decorations and furnishings.
How do you look and how do you get angry?
It’s just a newly opened restaurant, but it’s actually more generous than the two “big brothers” who supported you!
See what you can do! So awesome!
What is this called? Trespass!
But to be honest, this is still not what makes the two managers the most angry.
What made them most angry was actually their dissatisfaction with the seating arrangements.
You know, they claim to be seniors in the catering industry, and they are also the "benefactors" who provide technical and human support to "Tan Palace".
So they feel that since they have helped "Tan Palace" so much, they should be taken seriously.
Even if you can't sit at the same table with the bureau-level leaders, you still have to sit with their hotel managers and travel agency managers at the same level, right?
At least someone from the service bureau has to come out to accompany me, right?
Qiao Wanlin didn't take them seriously at all.
The section chief of the service bureau just took a look at them at the gate and said hello casually.
He assigned Zhang Shihui to bring these two people into the banquet, and actually arranged them with many service providers from the "Tan Palace".
There was a table full of people, but they couldn't see anyone they knew, so that was all.
The key is to directly cut off their ability to show their faces in front of leaders and communicate with peers.
How to not make people angry?
That is to say, they were obedient and knew that the people at the same table who were greeting each other and being polite were of high rank. They were all directors and secretaries of handicraft manufacturers.
Otherwise, they would be so angry that their bullae would explode!
All in all, these two big managers were not satisfied with the reception given by "Tan Palace", so how could they still look good when they sat down?
Especially when listening to the guests at the same table chatting with each other, all aspects involving the "Tan Palace" are full of flattery and compliments, and their expressions are so gloomy that they can almost cry out.
So in this case, the two of them are united together.
It’s not surprising that you and others are going against each other in public, and you and I are talking about each other.
Yan Hong from Beihai Fangshan Restaurant was the first to speak.
"Hey, this 'Tan Palace' is really wealthy. It's a pity that this new store is just a new store. As the saying goes, 'The new painting of the tree house is not ancient, this person must be the Ministry of Internal Affairs.' The really important antiques here are too If there is less, we will rely on Xibei goods to fill the scene, haha..."
Chi Guowei of the Oriole Pavilion in the Summer Palace also agreed.
"No, if we take this entire restaurant into account, there are only a handful of porcelains that are older than Kang, Yong, and Qian dynasties. There are only forty or fifty pieces, and the colors are single, either yellow or blue. Not to mention the calligraphy and paintings, they are all modern things. The floor coverings and furniture are indeed of high quality that are regulated by the palace. It is a pity that the woodwork is not of high quality. Besides, it’s just a show, so the money spent is a bit unfair..."
As soon as they said this, the other people who were trying to make fun of "Tan Palace" and said good things were all stunned.
There was obvious confusion on the faces of the guys, and they all meant the same thing - on this big day, how can you say these things that are not listened to? Where did these two people come from?
Some people even looked unhappy, and their expressions were undoubtedly—what are these two grandsons doing? Why are you so disrespectful? I sincerely want to trouble everyone!
For example, Zhang Jisheng, the director of Jimo Winery, couldn't help but speak up for "Tan Gong" just because Ning Weimin was the big financier of his products.
“You two, you can’t say that, can you? ‘Tan Palace’ is a new restaurant, and it’s normal to have fewer antiques. But it’s not necessarily that there are no good things. Like the sacrificial offerings at the entrance of the restaurant on the second floor. Aren’t Heaven’s ritual utensils qualified? They are all treasures of the Temple of Heaven, and they are not even available in the Forbidden City. Tourists can’t see them at all.”
“How can the handicrafts be considered Xibei products? ? As far as I know, all the furnishings, palace lanterns, and utensils are made by famous artists, and the same goes for the calligraphy and painting. Take a look at the murals in the entire restaurant. Can you see such a spectacular scene? It is the brainchild of many teachers and students in our top art school."
"And the several-meter-long "Fu Lu Shou Xi Tu" is an art. This is Mr. Huang Zhou’s masterpiece. With its size and effect, it is completely comparable to "The Country Is So Beautiful" by Dongfang Hotel. Coupled with the performance of the guzheng and pipa, it is both artistic and practical. In my opinion, it is a masterpiece. This is simply a food museum..."
Zhang Jisheng's words were well-founded and seemed to have won the approval and support of many people.
However, the nods and echoes of these people made Yan Hong and Chi Guowei feel even more embarrassed.
Yan Hong immediately changed his concept and launched a counterattack.
"You, what you are saying are completely layman's words. How can artistry and practicality coexist? What kind of food museum? This is a restaurant, and a restaurant is a place to eat. The key is to look at the food. Just them. What kind of good food can you make in this new restaurant? You are just a junior in the catering industry. As the saying goes, no matter how big the water is, the mountain is nothing. Without the guidance of a real palace chef, this restaurant is nothing." br>
Chi Guowei also deliberately raised eyebrows.
"That is, the people regard food as their heaven, and the mountains and stones as their immortals. Although as a restaurant that sells palace cuisine, it is indeed related to 'culture'. But how can the palace have modern gadgets? The culture of the palace must of course be genuine antiques, and Guanggu is not enough, it must be something from the royal family. The things in this restaurant are not suitable? To put it bluntly, this place is just pretending to be a palace..."
"Yes, it is just fake. Sheephead sells dog meat. Have you been to Yilantang and Daoningzhai in Beihai? You have to go and see what's there first, and then compare it to what's going on here. What's the use of all the fancy stuff? Yes, it’s fake. Only by dining at Beihai Fangshan can you truly feel the taste of the emperor’s meal.”
“Yes, the same goes for the Tingli Pavilion in the Summer Palace. The plaque on the door is the Queen Mother of the West. Written by Yubi. What else is there? Isn’t it a big joke that Fangshan Restaurant and Tingli Restaurant only call themselves “Fangshan”? This newly opened 'Tan Palace' is really 'authentic'. How dare you brag! How dare you brag..." Listen, the words of this chorus are getting worse and worse.
Everyone here could not help but look at each other, becoming more and more confused.
Everyone really couldn't understand why such a charming host appeared at today's banquet.
Especially Zhang Jisheng from Jimo Winery couldn't help but talk about the theory.
But fortunately, someone spoke first and stopped him in time, preventing him from further verbal conflict with these two people.
“Hey, you are Manager Yan of Fangshan Restaurant, right? I’m sorry, I just came here to talk and I didn’t recognize you. I’m Xu Pingzhi, the head of the Beijing Art Red Light... ...This is Shi... No, Manager Chi? It was because of the palace lantern repairs last month."
This is the artist. Xu Pingzhi, the director of the red light factory.
As soon as he recognized the two big managers, he stood up immediately and couldn't wait to go around others to shake hands with the two men.
Nothing else but business needs.
You know, who does a small palace lantern factory rely on to make a living? Besides, their business is so special.
There are only three palace cuisine restaurants in the whole capital, and he cannot afford to offend any of them.
Although "Tan Palace" is the one who can spend the most money and is the most happy, it is enough to rival the other two.
But we have to consider that "Tan Palace" has just opened, so the demand is so high.
What's more, the future of "Tan Palace" is not very clear, and it might just be a one-time deal.
So he can't offend the other two families in order to maintain the reputation of "Tan Palace".
In short, it is best not to offend anyone, so of course you have to take pictures when you need to, and you have to coax when you need to.
We must admit that as long as someone can manage a factory, there is no fool.
Just like Xu Pingzhi, other people immediately understood the attitude they should hold, and it was time to take a firm stand.
Although everyone has almost understood that these two people criticized and expressed disdain for "Tan Palace" on such an occasion out of jealousy and narrow-mindedness.
However, out of self-interest considerations, they still became enthusiastic, took the initiative to greet Yan Hong and Chi Guowei, and started self-introduction mode one after another.
There is only one purpose, that is, each of them hopes to establish business relationships with Fangshan Restaurant and Tingli Restaurant so as to find more outlets for their products.
This is the same even for Zhang Jisheng who sighed secretly.
Although he was the first person to express his objections, he knew that he had offended the two managers.
And he can also see that these two people probably don't have much room for people.
It is basically impossible to forget the disagreement just now and purchase goods from his winery.
But the problem is "I would rather offend a gentleman than a villain."
After all, these two big managers are also masters with some status and connections in the catering industry in Beijing.
He didn't want to leave any hidden dangers for himself.
What if Jing'er turns around and becomes unprofitable for no apparent reason while opening up the Beijing market for other businesses?
So it’s better to take a step back and try to ease the relationship.
In this way, Zhang Jisheng also apologized by saying, "Shandong people have a straightforward temperament and never take offense."
In short, under the unanimous compliments and long-term admiration, Yan Hong and Chi Guowei's spirits suddenly perked up.
They do not think that it is their special status that causes others to give in. This kind of verbal dispute is unwinnable.
But he was full of arrogance and really thought that it was his superior eloquence that convinced everyone.
As a result, the two of them began to put on airs and pride themselves on being the authority on palace cuisine.
The mutual compliments, self-bragging, and nit-picking became more and more intense.
In their mouths, Beihai Fangshan Restaurant’s palace snacks and stir-fried vegetables, Tingli Restaurant’s river delicacies, and the “Manchu and Han Banquet” each developed by their two restaurants, which are mainly delicacies from the mountains and seas, are the best. The benchmark of palace cuisine is worth tasting by everyone.
On the other hand, "Tan Gong" is just a speculator who uses gimmicks to make money.
Yan Hong also said arrogantly, "It would be great if Tan Palace could cook 50% to 60% of our dishes under the guidance of our two restaurants. There is really no need to be too optimistic about today's dishes." Big hopes and expectations. Although these table dishes are quite novel and taste good, this is the limit of their cooking skills."
Chi Guowei also asked, "Don't you see? Is it time for serious hot dishes? What does it mean that a hot dish has not been served for a long time? "
It should be said that with the status of Yan Hong and Chi Guowei, they said such slanderous words? , which is quite confusing.
Especially because they were sure that the kitchen of the "Tan Palace" would be on fire today, and they used time to support their remarks with ulterior motives, which undoubtedly showed their authority.
For a moment, the factory directors and secretaries sitting at the table could not help but believe them.
On the surface, they all agreed submissively, but in their hearts they were secretly worried about "Tan Gong".
But things in the world are still such coincidences.
Just when the two big managers reduced "Tan Palace" to nothing, "Zhang Dashao"'s "live fish with sauce" began to be served by the waiter from the back kitchen in the name of serving the dish. Take it out and make your debut.
So when many of the table mates saw the waiter hurriedly delivering several plates of fish into the private room inside, they all breathed a sigh of relief with their hearts in their stomachs again.
On the other hand, the two big managers who just made the assertion are a bit hot and sarcastic in appearance, which is very unsightly.
Yan Hong quickly made amends.
"What's this all about! Serving dishes? That was a dregs and confusing trick in the restaurant industry in the past. You may not know this, but the so-called "serving dishes" is actually what chefs used in the past. It's a scam to use worthless materials to touch customers' pockets and ask for rewards. Of course, no one of us will reward them. This can only show that their kitchen is in chaos. They are trying to delay time."
Chi Guowei also took the opportunity to criticize and boast.
"Yes, I also think they are just messing around. I have never heard of using a whole fish as a dish. Besides, this is a hot dish at the beginning. If it doesn't taste good, it's not complete. Damn it? I want to see what kind of fish they cook. Is it the palace fish, the dragon boat fish, or the five-leaf fish or the lotus fish? Yes, if I want to be in our unit, I have to deduct the bonuses of these waiters..."
It has to be said that people should never make judgments easily when they do not understand the situation.
No, before they finished speaking, the fish on their table was also served, and the fact blocked some people's mouths.
And this fish dish is neither a palace gate fish offering nor a dragon boat live fish.
However, a very ordinary dish of live fish in sauce is extremely extraordinary.
When the fish was served to the table, it was still moving its gills and opening its mouth. It was really amazing.
Especially when everyone used their chopsticks to taste it, they couldn't help but praise the taste.
Almost everyone praised the fish as tender and delicious. It was not like carp at all and had no earthy smell.
At this point, the most sad scene for the two managers occurred.
It’s also evil. After the waiter served the plate of fish, he actually didn’t leave.
What’s more, I’m so angry because of the few words that this kid added emphatically later.
"Everyone, this 'live fish in sauce' is the unique skill of our chef Zhang. Although the material is carp, it is very ordinary. But no one else in the whole capital can make it. Only we can make this fish dish famous. It will be on your table within three minutes, and your mouth and cheeks are still moving. Everyone is welcome to taste it and provide more comments..."
Look at the pride on this kid's face.
Yan Hong and Chi Guowei were immediately furious. They wanted to strangle this kid to death, and then stomp their feet to relieve their anger.
These few sentences are simply a slap in the face to them in public.
Needless to say at this moment, even the other guests present were extremely embarrassed.
They want to praise it but dare not praise it. They feel that the wonderfulness of this dish is indisputable.
But we have to worry about the feelings of two big managers. How awkward this is!
Fortunately, Zhang Jisheng made a mistake and finally settled the matter.
“Not bad, not bad. I, Mr. Zhang, am an authentic Shandongese, but I have never seen such a magical sauce of live fish. The chefs in the capital are amazing, they can make such an ordinary home-cooked Shandong dish. It's amazing! Our local chefs in Shandong are not at this level. It seems that this is true. Oh, by the way, what the two managers said just now is like Gongmen Xian. Fish, this kind of palace cuisine seems even more magical. If I have the chance, I really want to experience it in person at your Fangshan Restaurant and Tingli Restaurant. It’s a pity that our level is a bit lower. Can you give more details? Let me give you an introduction, so that everyone can have a good experience.”
We are all people in the scene, and everyone immediately felt that Zhang Jisheng’s words were just right.
So they all expressed their approval, and then toasted together, hoping that the two managers could comply with public opinion.
To put it bluntly, wine is water from heaven. The more you drink, the more beautiful you become.
As long as you drink, any embarrassment will disappear.
(End of this chapter)