Chapter 9: The Culinary Tycoon

Household Registration

There were three dishes on the table: the fish head with vibrant red chopped peppers and garnished with green scallions, the flavorful loofah and egg soup, and the fresh pumpkin sprouts.

Color, aroma, and taste, all perfect.

Once the four of them sat down, Yu Qingze first announced the names of the dishes. “This is chopped pepper fish head.”

The three members of the Chang family looked at the plate of vivid red fish head with curiosity, although their focus was slightly different.

Grandpa Chang wondered how the fish could be prepared this way, Chang Le was curious about the cooking process, and Chang Hao was solely thinking, “Let’s start eating, come on, let’s eat!”

“Grandpa,” Chang Hao licked his lips and eagerly looked at his grandfather.

Grandpa Chang smiled and said, “Let’s eat.”

Chang Hao cheered, and his chopsticks immediately reached for the small piece of meat left under the fish head. Following his foodie instincts, he also dipped it in the soup in his bowl.

“Wow! It’s so delicious!” After expressing his amazement, Chang Hao took a big mouthful of rice and swallowed it, then said, “Grandpa, brother, you have to try it!”

The three of them shook their heads and chuckled. In the past few days, Chang Hao’s words had become a common phrase at the dining table.

After Grandpa Chang and Chang Le also took a bite, they were pleasantly surprised.

“It’s delicious, isn’t it? There’s no trace of that fishy smell. It’s spicy, but it goes so well with rice!” Chang Hao exclaimed, his voice slightly hoarse from the spiciness. However, his chopsticks didn’t stop, and in no time, he had devoured half a bowl of rice.

Yes, there’s no distinctive fishy smell that river fish usually has!

Instead, there was a strange flavor, a light and refreshing fragrance mixed with the taste of fish and chili peppers, creating a unique combination of flavors. The fish meat was tender and delicate, and when dipped in the soup, it became even more savory and flavorful.

Chang Le was curious about that flavor. Was it the taste that masked the fishy smell of the fish?

Then he noticed the purple leaves at the bottom of the plate, which had softened during cooking. Weren’t these wild herbs found by the roadside?

He picked up a piece with his chopsticks and examined it. Yes, it was the same plant that grew in patches by the roadside, the one used for medicinal purposes. So, it could also be eaten?

“Hey, what kind of leaves are these?” Chang Hao curiously asked.

Grandpa Chang recognized some herbs and said, “Isn’t this the perilla leaf used to treat wind-cold?”

Yu Qingze nodded and said, “It’s perilla. It can remove the fishy smell. It can be used to cook fish, shrimp, and meat to eliminate the fishy smell.”

So that’s how it worked!

Chang Le looked at the small piece of leaf with a burning gaze, thrilled to have learned another cooking tip.

Yu Qingze continued to educate them, “Apart from perilla, alcohol, vinegar, ginger, scallion, and garlic are also great ingredients for removing fishy smells. Additionally, star anise, cinnamon, orange peel, and others can be used, especially for dealing with the strong gamey smell of mutton.”

Chang Le listened attentively, and his eating slowed down a bit. Chang Hao’s little mouth didn’t stop moving, and in no time, he had finished a bowl of rice. He reminded his brother, “Brother, hurry up and eat. I’ve already finished a bowl.”

Chang Le felt a bit embarrassed and gave his younger brother a glare before quietly starting to eat.

Yu Qingze blinked his eyes. It seems like Chang Le is quite interested in cooking?

Lunch was devoured completely, and even the chopped pepper soup inside the fish head was all consumed along with the rice.

During dinner preparation, Yu Qingze paid attention to the situation. After picking the vegetables, he returned to the kitchen to wash them and prepare for stir-frying. That’s when he noticed that Chang Le, who had been harvesting the grain, took over the task of tending the stove from Brother Hao.

Yu Qingze thought to himself, “Come to think of it, it seems that whenever Brother Le is at home these past few days, he’s the one tending the stove?”

For dinner, they had braised fish and stir-fried winter melon.

Yu Qingze skillfully heated the wok, added the ingredients, and stir-fried them, while keeping an eye on Chang Le’s actions.

This observation led him to discover something.

Chang Le was secretly learning!

As Yu Qingze observed Chang Le’s cautious and occasionally diverted glances, trying not to be caught, he was certain that Chang Le was learning by stealth.

If it were someone else, Yu Qingze might have directly stared at them. He was used to train junior chefs that way. However, based on his observations of Chang Le these past few days, he realized that Chang Le was actually quite shy and hesitant to ask directly, so he could only learn in secret.

Yu Qingze found it quite amusing and silently watched for a while, stifling a smile.

When he had seen enough and while the winter melon was simmering in water, he said to Chang Le, ” Brother Le, now you can increase the heat a bit. Let it simmer for… a little over ten… half a quarter of an hour until the winter melon becomes translucent and soft, then it should be ready.”

Originally, he wanted to say ten minutes, but suddenly realized that there was no concept of minutes in ancient times, which was quite mentally exhausting.

Chang Le nodded and added a couple more firewood. Suddenly, he belatedly realized that Yu Qingze… was teaching him how to cook?

Previously, it was always “Brother Le, please make the fire bigger (or smaller),” but just now, Yu Qingze gave specific instructions on how long to cook the winter melon and how to determine its doneness.

Confused, Chang Le looked at Yu Qingze, only to meet his smiling eyes.

Chang Le: …Could it be that he noticed my attempt to learn?

As Yu Qingze continued to explain each step of the process, Chang Le’s face grew warm, thinking that he had indeed been discovered.

In the next moment, Yu Qingze confirmed his suspicion.

With a smile, Yu Qingze asked, ” Brother Le, are you interested in cooking?”

…He was indeed discovered.

Chang Le’s face flushed, quickly averting his gaze, feeling a bit embarrassed. Nevertheless, he nodded.

He wanted to cook delicious meals for his grandfather and younger brother.

Then…

Then Yu Qingze gave him a surprise.

“Are you willing to learn from me?” Yu Qingze asked.

Chang Le’s eyes lit up, widening, and his mouth involuntarily opened slightly in surprise. But soon, he reacted and nodded eagerly, quickly making two hand gestures.

“Wait, Brother Le, I don’t understand,” Yu Qingze hurriedly called Chang Hao, the little translator, to come in.

Chang Le’s bright eyes dimmed for a moment, feeling somewhat frustrated. He realized that from now on, when communicating with Yu Qingze, his grandfather and Xiao Hao had to be present. Otherwise, if the master couldn’t understand what he was saying, it would be very inconvenient and could affect his future culinary studies.

Chang Hao ran in quickly and asked, “What’s the matter? Do you want me to taste it?”

“No,” Yu Qingze laughed and said, “Can you tell me what your brother just said?”

“Oh.” Chang Hao turned to ask his brother, “Brother, what did you just say?”

Chang Le repeated the hand gestures, and Chang Hao translated. The meaning was that Chang Le was very willing to learn cooking from Yu Qingze and asked if it would be too troublesome for him.

Yu Qingze shook his head and smiled, “No, don’t worry.” He had previously taught a few apprentices, and as an experienced teacher, it wouldn’t be troublesome.

Chang Le was happy to hear that and promised to study hard.

Surprised, Chang Hao asked his brother, “Brother, are you going to learn cooking from Brother Yu?”

Chang Le nodded.

Chang Hao became very happy and said, “That’s great!” Even if Brother Yu moved out, they would still be able to enjoy delicious meals!

Then he dashed out to inform his grandfather of the good news.

Grandfather’s expression became complex, showing a mix of happiness, surprise, relief, and a touch of nostalgia.

This young man is capable and has good character!

Afterward, Yu Qingze cooked while teaching Chang Le about cooking techniques, the required heat, and other important details.

Chang Le listened attentively, afraid of missing any points and troubling Yu Qingze.

After dinner, Yu Qingze went to the village chief’s house to discuss the contract.

The terms of the collaboration were not complicated, and they quickly reached an agreement. They decided that tomorrow they would invite the village scholar to draft the contract and then sign and seal it.

With that matter settled, Yu Qingze inquired about the household registration.

The village chief replied, “It’s the fifteenth year of the new dynasty now, and the management of household registration has become stricter than before. When the new dynasty was established, the court directly allocated land to the refugees to settle them. The ten or so households, like the Chang family, settled here at that time. But now, there are still three methods to obtain household registration.”

Yu Qingze listened carefully.

The village chief continued, “First, you can buy land at the place of registration. It doesn’t have to be much, just an acre of land is enough to obtain household registration in that area. Second, you can be taken in by another household. However, since you are a male, the household accepting you would have to pay additional land taxes. And third…”

The village chief paused for a moment and said, “Third, if you want to expedite the process, you can spend some money to buy it. They won’t ask where you’re from; you can choose where you want to be registered. Of course, it would be either commoner or city registration. Remember, don’t make a fuss about it.”

Yu Qingze pondered for a moment and asked, “How much money would it cost to buy it?”

The village chief shook his head and said, “I don’t know. I’ve only heard that someone once spent eighty taels.”

“Then how about buying land? How much would it cost for land in Niutou Village?”

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

The village chief was astonished. “You want to be registered in our village?”

Yu Qingze nodded.

The village chief was somewhat surprised but quickly answered, “Our village is relatively close to the county town, and the land is fertile. The government has set the price at fifty taels for good farmland and thirty taels for slightly inferior land.”

Yu Qingze: …

None of the three methods were currently feasible.

Earn money! He needed to earn money quickly!

However, without household registration, there would be risks in doing business and earning money. What if he were mistaken for a refugee and apprehended? What should he do?

He had to come up with another solution.

Yu Qingze returned home with a troubled expression. As soon as he entered the house, he saw Wen Li with a boy of around thirteen or fourteen years old in the main hall.

He was about to turn around and go to the kitchen to avoid them when sharp-eyed Wen Li noticed him.

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Translator has something to say: What’s up with this Wen Li? Go get your own son marry creepers.