Chapter 119 New Recipes
"It's only a few months now, where can we find ice? Let's go, let's go, you are talking about something unrealistic."
Wei Zhangzhuan waved his hand and prepared to send them back.
"Then, what if we can really make ice?" Jiang Zhiyu, Liu Mengmeng, and Qi Zimo asked in unison.
"Making ice?" Wei Zhangzhuan frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of doubt and impatience, "You female disciples are really fanciful. Well, since you asked, I will tell you that the Imperial College kitchen is for cooking, not for studying ice."
Jiang Zhiyu's eyes flashed with determination. She took a step forward with an unquestionable look on her face: "Sir Wei, we are not here to study ice, but we want to ask you how the ancient ice rooms preserved ice."
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhangzhuan's expression eased a little. He glanced at the three female disciples and said with a hint of helplessness, "Do you know about the ancient ice room? It was an ice cellar with thick earth walls and buried deep underground, so that the ice could not melt in the hot summer."
A trace of disappointment flashed across Liu Mengmeng's eyes, but she still mustered up the courage to say, "Master Wei, we are not trying to imitate the ancient ice room, but we would like to ask you to guide us on how to make ice cubes using the existing conditions."
Qi Zimo also continued, "Yes, sir, there are many books about ancient science and technology in the library of our Imperial College. We want to try to combine the knowledge in them to see if we can make a breakthrough."
Wei Zhangzhuan was silent for a moment, and looking at the three female disciples' persistent eyes, he couldn't help but waver in his heart. He pondered and said, "Well, since you are so persistent, I will give you a chance. However, I want to remind you that this is not an easy task."
The three of them immediately showed joyful expressions and said in unison: "Thank you, Lord Wei! We will definitely not let you down."
Jiang Zhiyu, Liu Mengmeng and Qi Zimo surrounded Wei Zhangzhuan and kept asking him various questions, ranging from the melting principle of ice to the structure of ancient ice rooms to modern refrigeration technology.
Although Wei Zhangzhuan was a little impatient, he still patiently answered them one by one. He found that these three female disciples were not ordinary people. Their thirst and persistence for knowledge reminded him of himself when he was young.
"Do you know?" Wei Zhangzhuan suddenly asked during a lecture, "In fact, the ancient ice cellars did not rely solely on earth walls and ice to maintain low temperatures. There is another important factor, which is ventilation."
The three of them immediately gathered around and asked curiously, "Ventilation? Sir, can you tell me more about it?"
Wei Zhangzhuan smiled and pointed to a corner of the kitchen: "Look over there, that vent. The ancient ice cellars also used reasonable ventilation design to allow air to flow around the ice, thereby lowering the temperature and slowing down the melting of the ice."
Jiang Zhiyu's eyes flashed with inspiration, and she suddenly said: "Sir, if we can simulate this ventilation effect and combine it with some modern technology, maybe we can really make ice cubes."
Liu Mengmeng and Qi Zimo also nodded excitedly, and the three of them immediately began to experiment. They were busy in the kitchen, measuring the temperature, adjusting the size of the vents, and placing various materials on the ground.
Wei Zhangzhuan looked at their busy figures and felt a little warm in his heart. He knew that these three female disciples had deeply fallen in love with this challenge, and their eyes were full of determination and expectation.
A few days later, a miracle happened. Jiang Zhiyu and the other two successfully made a block of ice by using ventilation principles and some modern materials. Although the block of ice was not big, it meant that they had taken a step towards success.
Wei Zhangzhuan looked at the ice with deep emotion. He walked forward and patted the three people on the shoulders: "You did it, it's really great. I know this is just the beginning, but you have proved your ability."
Jiang Zhiyu, Liu Mengmeng, and Qi Zimo had tears in their eyes. They excitedly held Wei Zhangzhuan's hand and said, "Thank you, sir. It is your guidance that gave us this opportunity."
……
a few days later.
Jiang Zhiyu asked someone to bring paper and pen, and began to write quickly.
Those are some very creative recipes.
Jiang Zhiyu's pen tip jumped lightly on the paper, and every word seemed to carry her warmth and emotion. Wei Zhangzhuan stood aside, with both admiration and curiosity in his eyes. He knew that this female disciple was not only talented, but also had an extraordinary talent for cooking.
"Jiang Zhiyu, what are you doing?" Wei Zhangzhuan couldn't help but ask, with a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.
Jiang Zhiyu kept writing and smiled: "I am writing a new cookbook for the kitchen, which includes some new dishes I have researched over the years. I think these dishes may add some color to the food culture of the Imperial College."
A gleam of light flashed in Wei Zhangzhuan's eyes. He walked forward and looked at Jiang Zhiyu's handwriting carefully: "Zhiyu, your cooking skills are indeed extraordinary, but can you teach us these dishes? Let more people taste your delicious food."
Jiang Zhiyu stopped writing and looked up at Wei Zhangzhuang with a hint of seriousness in his eyes: "Sir Wei, I am willing to teach these dishes to everyone in the kitchen. But I want to know, are you willing to explore the secrets of these dishes with me?"
Wei Zhangzhuan was stunned for a moment, then he smiled firmly: "Of course I am willing, Zhiyu. I feel honored to have more exchanges with you."
The two of them sat at a small table in the back kitchen, chatting while tasting Jiang Zhiyu's new dishes.
"This dish is called 'Fairy Lotus of Yaochi'. It is made from fresh lotus and has a refreshing taste and a strong lotus fragrance. I tried to combine lotus with chicken to create a completely new taste." Jiang Zhiyu picked up a piece of lotus chicken and gently put it into Wei Zhangzhuan's bowl.
Wei Zhangzhuang tasted it carefully, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Zhi Yu, this taste is really amazing, as if I am in the fairyland of Yaochi."
Jiang Zhiyu smiled, with a hint of pride in his eyes: "I also prepared a dish of 'Drunken Crab and Tofu', featuring the deliciousness of drunken crab and the delicateness of tofu. I believe you will like it too."
Wei Zhangzhuang couldn't wait to taste it, with a hint of intoxication in his eyes: "Zhi Yu, your cooking skills are really getting better and better. This dish is not only delicious, but also has a rich aroma of wine, which is intoxicating."
The two of them tasted the food and talked at the same time, and Jiang Zhiyu observed Wei Zhangzhuan's expression from time to time.
"Lord Wei, your eyes are full of surprise and appreciation, which makes me feel very gratified." Jiang Zhiyu smiled with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
Wei Zhangzhuan smiled sheepishly: "Zhi Yu, you are too modest. Your cooking skills have long surpassed mine. I am just your apprentice."