Chapter 356: Personnel Selection 2.0

In Zhang Ping'an's vision, this hotel would be the first step in launching the pork, horse, beef, and mutton from his farm, with the goal of establishing a national chain in the future.

"Zhang Shu, have you forgotten about Nan Yi?"

"Nan Yi?"

Zhang Ping'an had originally intended to wait until this first hotel was stable before inviting Nan Yi, but now he had no choice but to make arrangements in advance.

"Right, his three sons are all at least Level 5 Chefs, and I've mentioned it to him, but he was a bit hesitant."

"Hmm... alright then, I'll go ask. Also, Zhuzi, Sichuan Cuisine Garden is probably going to need a name change."

"Understood." Shazhu didn't find it surprising; after all, it would be absurd for a hotel on six or seven mu of land to serve only Sichuan Cuisine.

"Let's call it Divine Chef Workshop."

"......"

"Zhang Shu, let's keep a low profile. Even if my father were to preside over it, he wouldn't dare use that name."

"Ahem, that's true. How about we call it Yuchufang instead?"

Ancient Imperial Chefs were all famous throughout the land, and even their deputies likely possessed the skill level of a modern Level 3 Chef. Although it was still a bit of an exaggeration, everyone could barely accept it.

"Fine. Zhuzi, you and Brother He should also look for your masters and fellow apprentices. They don't need to do much; they just need to preside over the place and occasionally cook."

"Just a nominal position? That's not hard."

"Right, just three to five times a year is enough."

"Good, I'll get started on contacting them."

"Done."

Zhang Ping'an no longer hesitated. Nan Yi was one year younger than him and in his prime, and his three sons were all in their early thirties—all of them were promising talents.

"Nan Yi..." Zhang Ping'an went straight to the point and explained the matter.

"This..."

Although Zhang Ping'an didn't mention the exact salary, being able to build such a massive hotel meant the pay certainly wouldn't be low.

"Done, Brother Zhang, I accept."

"Good. Nan Yi, if you have fellow apprentices you can call over, feel free to do so, but no padding the numbers with incompetent people."

"Understood. My father does have three other disciples; only one is currently in Sijiucheng, so I'll have to contact the others."

"Hmm, no rush. The hotel hasn't been built yet; the earliest it will be ready is after the New Year."

"That works, there's plenty of time."

Zhang Ping'an also gave Nan Yi some instructions, emphasizing that he must resign without affecting the operations of the Rolling Mill kitchen.

If the Rolling Mill kitchen were to collapse because of their departure, it would be troublesome, and he wouldn't be able to explain himself then.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang. Over the years, I haven't been too secretive with the chefs in the Third Canteen; their culinary skills are all at a Level 7 or 8 standard, so our departure won't affect them."

"Hmm, that's good." Zhang Ping'an was finally relieved.

Returning to the small courtyard at home, Zhang Ping'an waved at the busy Master Lei.

"Director Zhang."

"Master Lei, I've already secured that plot of ruins. When do you think you can arrange for construction to start?"

"This..."

Master Lei was momentarily stumped; the manpower he currently had under him really wasn't enough to work on three fronts at once.

"Director Zhang, it will take about another half a month to finish your younger brother's courtyard, and the Shichahai courtyard is guaranteed to be finished before the New Year."

"As for the three-story hotel, at most we can only lay the foundation before the New Year. After all, the temperature in Sijiucheng in December isn't suitable for building houses."

"Master Lei, please arrange for more manpower as soon as possible. Can you get your peers involved to speed up the process?"

"Alright, I'll ask around and try to be as fast as possible."

Master Lei did know quite a few peers, but he didn't know if they had any work on their hands right now.

"Good."

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed. The younger brother's family had moved into the courtyard across the street for over a week. Today, the whole family was having a hot pot, and Zhang Weijun had also brought Liu Shujun back.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Aunt Li, this is my partner, Liu Shujun. Shujun, this is my..."

"Hmm." Everyone looked at Liu Shujun with smiles on their faces.

Liu Shujun greeted everyone one by one like a lady. Although she saw that Zhang Ping'an and Li Aihua were young, she thought of the miraculous Skin Cream and didn't dwell on it further.

Laughter and joy filled the air above the small courtyard. With the family gathered together, Zhang Laohan got drunk for a rare occasion and declared that his life had been worth it.

"Uncle, my father asked me to send you his regards."

"Oh? And who is your father?"

"Liu Haiyang, he works in Yantai City. My family is also from Sijiucheng."

Zhang Ping'an rubbed his chin. He didn't seem to recognize this Liu Haiyang, but judging by what Liu Shujun just said, her father clearly knew him.

Actually, Liu Shujun was also confused; she didn't remember knowing anyone named Zhang Ping'an, but her parents clearly knew him, yet her future father-in-law didn't seem to recognize her parents.

"From the Liu Family?" A flash of surprise passed through Li Aihua's eyes.

"You know them?"

Li Aihua then whispered a few words into Zhang Ping'an's ear, and Zhang Ping'an's expression instantly turned awkward. So that's how they knew him.

"Ahem, thank your father for me."

"Yes, okay."

Thinking of Zhong Mingzhu, Zhang Ping'an also planned to let her come back with the children next year to visit. After all, Zhong Laotou was getting old, and he would likely pass away in another eight or ten years.

However, that brat Zheng Zhiming from the Zheng Family hadn't made a move yet, which almost made Zhang Ping'an forget about him. This person was a ticking time bomb; it seemed he would have to find time to take a trip to Yun Province to secure evidence of Zheng Zhiming's crimes.

In the blink of an eye, it was September. Last month, Master Lei recruited a group of peers, a craftsman surnamed Yu, who had thirty skilled hands under him.

Last month, they finished clearing the entire ruins of the shelling, and they were currently laying the foundation. The progress had suddenly picked up, and there was a good chance the overall frame could be finished before the New Year.

At this moment, the Lujia Garden Private Kitchen at Shichahai was nearing completion, with forty to fifty craftsmen working at full capacity.

He Daqing looked at this antique-style private kitchen with great satisfaction; it had a main hall, private rooms, and the kitchen specifications were entirely in accordance with his requirements.

"How about it, Quanwu? Do you want to come over?"

"This, I need to go home and discuss it with Huizhen."

Cai Quanwu was clearly tempted; the Small Tavern was, after all, just a small tavern, its scale was still too small, and it was primarily known for its wine.

He had taken on two apprentices some years ago who were currently at a level-six standard, which was sufficient to handle the Small Tavern, but he still had to go back and discuss it with Xu Huizhen.

"Done, that's only natural."

He Daqing did not want his younger brother's culinary talent to go to waste; with his experience passed down in the future, catching up to him would be a matter of time.

Upon returning home, Cai Quanwu found Xu Huizhen and expressed his thoughts.

"Huizhen, what do you think?"

"Quanwu, I had originally planned to use the Small Tavern as a starting point, then move into catering, and then into real estate; I didn't expect someone to have already taken the first step."

Cai Quanwu was somewhat surprised; he had thought Xu Huizhen would continue to develop the Small Tavern, and he had not expected her ambitions to be so far-reaching.

"In that case, I won't go either; I'll just stay home and help you."

"No need, you go help Big Brother first. For these few years, we will use the Small Tavern as a transition, and after a few years, when I have saved enough capital, we will see how things stand."

Xu Huizhen wanted to develop catering for Cai Quanwu's sake; since he now had a better path for development, they would just start directly with real estate in a few years.

"That, that's fine."

"Let Kangning go with you." Cai Kangning was their only son, born in '62, and the only child among them with the surname Cai.

"But Kangning is still in school."

"Do you see him having any heart for studying? Every chance he gets, he follows behind you learning to cook."

"Hahaha, that works."

Cai Kangning, like him, was very talented in the culinary arts; Cai Quanwu had long wanted his son to learn cooking from him, but he had been afraid Xu Huizhen would not agree, so he had never brought it up.