Chapter 17: A World Within the Jar (Please Recommend and Favorite)

Chapter 17: The World Within the Jar

“That’s exactly what we’re waiting for.” Li Qi fought back a smile and said seriously, “Words alone won’t do. How about this: I’ll first test your basic knowledge about cooking.”

The more Li Qi said this, the more Wu Xiaoliu felt that he wasn’t being dismissed. He brightened up and said, “Alright, just ask away.”

Li Qi pretended to ponder for a moment before asking, “By the way, can you write?”

Wu Xiaoliu nodded. “I learned a bit from my uncle a few years ago. I can write a little.”

Li Qi nodded approvingly. “Good. Here’s what I want you to do: take a day to visit some restaurants outside and gather information about the dishes most loved by the people of Bianliang. Remember, the more detailed, the better.”

“Just… just that?” Wu Xiaoliu’s eyes widened. He had expected Li Qi to ask about cooking techniques but instead was sent on an errand. He felt both confused and frustrated.

Li Qi gave him a sidelong glance. “What, do you think this is easy? Knowing the customers’ tastes is essential for any chef—unless you’re cooking just for yourself.”

Hearing this, Wu Xiaoliu realized Li Qi was right and nodded eagerly. “I understand. I’ll head out first thing tomorrow.”

“Good.” Li Qi was pleased with his attitude and nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly, he asked, “By the way, Liuzi, do you still have the kitchen key?”

“Yeah, Brother Li. Do you need to use the kitchen?”

“Mm, I want to borrow it for a few days.”

“No problem. Nobody’s using it now anyway. Wait a moment—I’ll get it for you.” Wu Xiaoliu had been wondering how to flatter Li Qi, and now seized the chance eagerly, pulling a copper key from the wardrobe and handing it over.

Li Qi caught the key, tossing it lightly in his hand. His eyes gleamed with sharp calculation as a near-perfect plan to seize the Drunken Immortal Residence took shape in his mind.

In truth, Li Qi’s instruction to Wu Xiaoliu was merely a “market survey.” Since he had decided to make a grand move in the capital city of Bianliang, such research was indispensable. Though he had once lived here, times had changed—and so had people’s tastes. He needed to re-familiarize himself with current preferences.

This task might seem simple, but to Li Qi, it was crucial, leaving no room for error. He had originally intended to do it himself but, pressed for time and short on manpower, he had to delegate it to Wu Xiaoliu.

***

Early the next morning, Wu Xiaoliu rose from bed, greeted Li Qi, and hurried out. This was his first assignment, and he dared not slack off.

Li Qi was not idle either. Less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea after Wu Xiaoliu left, he too stepped out with silver coins tucked in his pocket.

There were over seventy restaurants throughout the Northern Song capital, Bianliang. Visiting each one would take at least ten days—far too time-consuming. So Li Qi instructed Wu Xiaoliu to focus on a few with heavy foot traffic.

Even so, Wu Xiaoliu was utterly exhausted by the time he returned in the evening.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Brother Li! Brother Li—huh? Not in the room.” Wu Xiaoliu knocked repeatedly at Li Qi’s door but heard no movement inside. Scratching his head, he muttered, “Could he still be out? No way—it’s this late. Maybe… in the kitchen.”

He suddenly recalled Li Qi’s mention of borrowing the kitchen for a few days and hurried over.

Sure enough, entering the kitchen, Wu Xiaoliu saw Li Qi standing there alone, holding a rag and carefully wiping down four large jars—each big enough to hold an adult.

“Liuzi, you’re back,” Li Qi smiled warmly, setting down his rag.

Wu Xiaoliu nodded and pointed at the jars. “Brother Li, did you get these?”

“Mm.” Li Qi nodded and asked, “How did your investigation go today?”

“Oh, right.” Wu Xiaoliu hesitated briefly, then pulled out a sheet of rice paper and handed it over excitedly. “Brother Li, look. This is the information I gathered today—all the dishes and snacks that the people of Bianjing love.”

Li Qi skimmed the list. The dishes were mostly lamb and beef, followed by fish. Pork was rare. Flavors leaned toward salty and sweet, with little spiciness.

He nodded approvingly. “Well done. This information will be very useful. But how did you get it?”

Wu Xiaoliu chuckled. “Brother Li, remember the two taels of silver you gave me this morning?”

“Of course. Why?”

Li Qi’s eyes lit up. “I bet you used that money to bribe the restaurant staff and get this info from them, didn’t you?”

Wu Xiaoliu laughed, “Nothing escapes you.”

The boy was clever. Li Qi chuckled. “So, have you spent all the silver I gave you?”

Wu Xiaoliu shook his head, holding up a finger. “I still have more than one tael left.”

“That much?” Li Qi was surprised.

“Brother Li, you don’t know. The bartenders only asked for two or three copper coins each. I made a good deal.” Wu Xiaoliu grinned proudly.

Li Qi teased, “Seems like you made some good earnings when you worked as a bartender, huh?”

Wu Xiaoliu laughed in acknowledgment, then pointed curiously at the jars. “Brother Li, what are these for?”

Li Qi smiled. “They’re for storing amaranth juice.”

“Amaranth juice?”

Wu Xiaoliu scratched his head. “Brother Li, what’s amaranth juice?”

“Do you know what amaranth is?” Li Qi asked.

“I do. Some families like to pickle amaranth to eat. Master Zhou used to make it too,” Wu Xiaoliu nodded.

Li Qi explained, “Amaranth juice is the liquid left after pickling amaranth.”

Wu Xiaoliu’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Brother Li, you mean that smelly liquid?”

Li Qi nodded.

“Brother Li, why do you want that stuff?” Wu Xiaoliu asked, puzzled.

“Don’t ask now. You’ll find out soon enough,” Li Qi smiled mysteriously, then asked, “Do you think one wen is enough to buy this smelly juice?”

“Definitely. No one has any use for it,” Wu Xiaoliu said.

“Good.” Li Qi pulled out three taels of silver and handed it to Wu Xiaoliu. “Take this and exchange it for copper coins. Tomorrow, come with me on a trip outside the city.”

Wu Xiaoliu finally realized Li Qi wasn’t joking. Buying “stinky juice” with silver—what on earth was Li Qi up to? He thought about it but couldn’t figure it out. Seeing Li Qi unwilling to explain, he didn’t ask further but was curious all the same.

The next morning, Li Qi hired a donkey cart, and the two of them traveled more than ten miles outside the city to small villages. Most residents were simple mountain folk, living off woodcutting and farming in harsh conditions.

Spring had arrived, and most families had finished eating their preserved vegetables. The leftover roots and juices were about to be discarded, as a new pickling season was imminent. When villagers saw Li Qi and Wu Xiaoliu offering copper coins to buy this “stinky juice,” they flocked to them eagerly, carrying their jars and pots. This saved Li Qi considerable time and effort.

Of course, Li Qi wasn’t interested in just any liquid; it had to be amaranth or mustard juice. He also sniffed each batch—the stronger the aroma, the better he liked it. Freshly pickled juice was rejected, which only deepened Wu Xiaoliu’s curiosity.

Within a day, the four large jars were filled to the brim.

But that wasn’t all. The following day, Li Qi took Wu Xiaoliu to the market several times, purchasing vast quantities of fermented black beans, shiitake mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and four jars of fine wine.

He combined the mushrooms, black beans, and other ingredients in a pot, brought it to a boil over high heat, then simmered it gently. After straining the solids and letting the broth cool, he mixed it with the wine in precise proportions, poured the mixture into the four jars, sealed them tightly with cloth, and stored them in the Drunken Immortal Residence’s wine cellar.

Wu Xiaoliu was dumbfounded. Buying stinky juice was one thing, but to mix it with such fine wine? Even with money, this was an unusual method!

When Li Qi finished, Wu Xiaoliu could no longer contain his curiosity. “Brother Li, what exactly are you doing?”

Li Qi smiled mysteriously, patted Wu Xiaoliu on the shoulder, and said, “You’ll find it interesting. Tomorrow, get Uncle Wu here and tell him that a friend of mine is interested in buying the Drunken Immortal Residence.”

“What!” Wu Xiaoliu exclaimed.

(End of chapter)