Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 347: The chef solves the problem of cattle

After taking care of the chickens, ducks, fish and sheep, everyone's attention turned to the cows.

There is a bit of stubbornness in the cow's eyes, and it is not easy to deal with it properly.

Several ministers stepped forward to try, but were frightened away by the bull's powerful struggle.

Just when everyone was in trouble, Yu Yu walked out from the crowd. She looked confident and walked with firm steps.

Li Shimin saw this, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, and he asked: "Is Yuyu okay? This cow is not easy to deal with."

Yu Yu saluted with dignity and said loudly, "Let me do it. Your Majesty will know what it means to butcher an ox!"

After saying that, Yu Yu stretched his wrists, walked slowly around the cow, and observed its every move.

Her eyes were focused, not missing any details on the cow, as if she was having a silent contest with the cow.

After a moment, Yu Yu had an idea.

She picked up a sharp knife and approached the cow with seemingly gentle but confident movements.

The cow felt threatened, pawed its hooves restlessly, and let out a low roar.

Everyone around held their breath and stared at Yu Yu.

Yu Yu seized the opportunity, raised his knife and cut the meat, his movements were smooth and precise, without any delay.

She cleverly avoided the cow's attacks and cut the cow's key parts, with each cut being just right.

As Yu Yu operated, the cow's struggle gradually weakened and finally calmed down.

Everyone was stunned by Yuyu's technique. Cheng Chumo was the first to react and cheered loudly: "Yuyu, you are amazing! This is the first time I, Old Cheng, have seen such skill in butchering an ox!"

Li Shimin couldn't help but show an admiring look, nodded and said: "Well, what a good butchering of an ox! Yuyu, you really didn't let me down."

The ministers applauded and were amazed at Yu Yu's skills.

Yu Yu wiped the sweat from her forehead and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

Cheng Chumo's face was filled with excitement. He strode over to Yuyu, patted her shoulder heavily, and shouted at the top of his voice: "Yuyu, you are so amazing! I admire your ability to butcher an ox from the bottom of my heart!"

Li Shimin's eyes were full of admiration, and he nodded slightly and said, "Well, you really are a good butcher! Yuyu, you didn't disappoint me."

The ministers seemed to have just woken up from their dream, and burst into applause, praising Yu Yu's superb skills.

Yuyu wiped the sweat from her forehead, smiled modestly, and was about to continue with her work when Fang Yiai approached her with curiosity and asked, "Yuyu, how did you develop such amazing skills?"

Yuyu explained with a smile, "Sir, this is actually called the way Pao Ding butchers an ox. There was once a chef named Pao Ding who butchered an ox for King Hui of Liang. As he butchered the ox, his hands touched, his shoulders leaned, his feet stepped, and his knees pushed. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, and the rhythmic sounds of his knife were beautiful. King Hui of Liang was amazed and asked him how he could be so skilled. Pao Ding explained that when he first butchered an ox, he only saw the entire animal. After three years, he no longer saw the entire animal, only the structure of its tendons and bones. He cut along the natural grain of the ox, never touching any tangled meridians. That's why his knife still looks like new after nineteen years. I learned the same tricks and have a deep understanding of the ox's structure, which is why I can be so smooth."

Everyone listened attentively. Li Shimin sighed and said, "This principle applies not only to butchering an ox, but also to governing a country and dealing with people. Only by following the rules and grasping the key points can we achieve twice the result with half the effort."

The ministers nodded in agreement.

During this exchange, everyone gained a deeper understanding of Yu Yu's butchering skills.

As Yuyu was expertly butchering the ox, Cheng Yaojin, watching from the side, felt itchy and couldn't help but say, "Yuyu, your butchering skills are amazing. Come on, teach me!"

Yuyu looked up at Cheng Yaojin and said with a smile, "General Cheng, butchering an ox is not something you can learn overnight. You have to take your time. First, you have to understand the structure of the ox and know where its bones and tendons are. It's like this..."

As he spoke, Yu Yu pointed to some key parts of the cow and explained them to Cheng Yaojin.

Then, Yuyu picked up the knife and continued, "When you cut, you have to follow the natural grain of the beef. Don't force it, otherwise it's easy to damage the knife and it will waste your energy. Look, the gap here is a good place to cut."

Yu Yu demonstrated as she spoke, the knife moving flexibly in her hand, and the beef and bones were easily separated.

Cheng Yaojin watched intently, nodding his head repeatedly: "So there are so many details to butchering an ox! I thought just having great strength was enough."

Yuyu smiled and continued, "This is just a basic method. To truly master it, you need more practice. Also, every cow may be different, so you have to flexibly adjust according to the actual situation. Also, you have to be calm when butchering the cow, and don't be impatient, otherwise it's easy to make mistakes."

Cheng Yaojin scratched his head and said, "It sounds easy, but it's hard to do. But don't worry, I will definitely learn it well!"

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help laughing, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Xiaoyu stood aside, watching Yuyu skillfully butchering the beef while patiently explaining it to Cheng Yaojin, her heart filled with surprise and emotion.

She couldn't help but think to herself, "I never thought Yuyu could bring modern knowledge into the past. This story of the butcher cutting up an ox is an allusion from modern books, but Yuyu has used it so skillfully and told it so vividly and clearly that everyone immediately understands the whole story."

Xiaoyu recalled every detail of their modern life, the knowledge they learned in class, and how Yuyu could apply it flexibly in this ancient scene, combining theory and practice so perfectly.

From skillfully handling ingredients to clearly explaining principles, every move of Yu Yu impressed Xiao Yu.

Xiaoyu knows very well how rare and novel such knowledge and skills are in this era.

Yu Yu's behavior not only solved the problem of processing food ingredients, but also gave everyone present, including the emperor and ministers, a new understanding of the skill of butchering cattle.

She looked at Yu Yu's confident look, her heart filled with pride, and she was secretly looking forward to what more surprises Yu Yu would bring to everyone.

After the ingredients were prepared, everyone started to prepare the food without stopping.

Xiaoyu directed the guys to set up the stove, put on the special large iron pot, and prepare to cook the delicious soup base.

She poured the carefully selected bones and spices into the pot, and instantly, a rich aroma filled the air.

Yu Yuhe led the others to start making dumplings and wontons.

She was very skilled. She scooped a spoonful of filling and placed it in the center of the dumpling wrapper. Her fingers flew, and in the blink of an eye, a plump and round dumpling was born.

Xiaoyu was not to be outdone, and the wontons she made were small and exquisite, with even and fine folds.

Cheng Yaojin and his son Cheng Chumo were responsible for cutting the meat.