Chapter 60

Cao Cao Weiguo went to the kitchen to practice Tai Chi a few times.

His whole body felt relaxed and refreshed.

By practicing the secret Tai Chi from time to time, Cao Cao Weiguo's physique was becoming stronger and stronger.

"Master, you're really early today!"

Twenty minutes before work, Liu Liu Limin was the first to arrive in the kitchen.

Cao Cao Weiguo said with a smile: "I had some things to do this morning, so I came a bit early."

Liu Liu Limin rubbed his hands and said: "Master, can you do me a favor?"

Cao Cao Weiguo: "Tell me what it is first?"

Liu Liu Limin said embarrassedly: "It's like this, my eldest uncle's child, my cousin, is getting married. They aren't doing a big event, just setting up three tables at home to entertain the in-laws and relatives. Knowing your superb culinary skills, they want to invite you to help manage the cooking."

Cao Cao Weiguo asked: "When?"

Liu Liu Limin said: "Next weekend. If you're busy, Master, I'll just tell my uncle."

Cao Cao Weiguo thought for a moment and said: "Fine, it's rare for you to ask for something, so I'll agree to it."

Liu Liu Limin said gratefully: "Thank you, Master. You're really good to me."

Cao Cao Weiguo waved his hand: "Alright, if you have the energy to talk, you'd be better off studying culinary arts. Once you graduate early, you won't need to look for me. Wouldn't it be more impressive if you managed the cooking yourself?"

Liu Liu Limin scratched his head and laughed foolishly: "Master, no matter how much I study, I can't catch up to you. If I could have even thirty percent of your culinary skills, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."

Cao Cao Weiguo kicked Liu Liu Limin impatiently: "Look at your lack of ambition. Hurry up and tidy up. While there's some free time, I'll check your knife skills."

"Yes!"

Liu Liu Limin happily got to work.

By the time Ma Hua, Fatty, and the others arrived at the kitchen, Liu Liu Limin had already cut a basin of radish slices.

They were cut with uniform thickness and nearly identical size.

Cao Cao Weiguo said: "There are twelve types of knife techniques: cutting, slicing, paring, chopping, carving, splitting, trimming, patting, scooping, rotating, scraping, and food carving. You've practiced cutting, paring, and chopping well. Next, I'll teach you slicing, carving, and trimming."

Liu Liu Limin bowed excitedly: "Thank you, Master!"

Ma Hua and Fatty, the two apprentices, were envious.

Liu Liu Limin had only been Cao Cao Weiguo's apprentice for a few days, and his culinary skills were already about to surpass theirs.

Everyone knew this wasn't because Liu Liu Limin was talented, but because Cao Cao Weiguo taught with heart.

Why didn't they have the good fortune to meet a good master like Cao Cao Weiguo?

People in the kitchen arrived one after another, and Vice Factory Manager Li suddenly appeared at the door: "Cao Weiguo, do you have time? Come out, I have something to tell you."

"Coming."

Cao Cao Weiguo put down his thermos and hurriedly chased after him out of the kitchen.

Vice Factory Manager Li said with a kind smile: "It's like this, I have a nephew who came to the city from the countryside, and I want him to learn a trade. Are you willing to take him as an apprentice? I guarantee you, my nephew will be honest and obedient. If he doesn't do well, you can beat or scold him as you please, and I won't interfere."

Vice Factory Manager Li had personally experienced how good Cao Cao Weiguo's culinary skills were.

The food he cooked was impeccable!

If his nephew could learn even half of Cao Cao Weiguo's skills, he would be able to live comfortably in the future.

Hearing Vice Factory Manager Li's words, Cao Cao Weiguo didn't agree immediately.

Vice Factory Manager Li didn't urge him either; after all, this wasn't a small matter.

Even as a superior, Vice Factory Manager Li couldn't force Cao Cao Weiguo to take an apprentice.

This would not only affect the relationship between the two but also concern his nephew's future.

One sheep is work, and two sheep is also work.

Cao Cao Weiguo thought for a moment and said: "You've taken good care of me, Factory Manager, so I naturally can't fall short. As long as you're willing to entrust him to me, I will definitely do my best to teach him culinary arts."

Vice Factory Manager Li said happily: "Cao Weiguo is righteous, my nephew is lucky." ===== CHAPTER 108 =====

Steel Mill

Office Building

In the office, Cao Cao Weiguo was leisurely reading a book when the phone on the table rang.

After cooking for Director Director Jiang, Vice Factory Manager Li specifically ordered a landline to be installed for Cao Cao Weiguo.

"Comrade Cao Weiguo, come to my office."

Cao Cao Weiguo hurriedly said: "Yes, I'll be right there."

Putting down the phone, Cao Cao Weiguo headed straight for Factory Manager Yang's office.

"Comrade Cao Weiguo, please sit."

Factory Manager Yang stood up warmly to greet Cao Cao Weiguo.

"This time, thanks to your help, otherwise I, the factory manager, would have lost my credibility."

Factory Manager Yang wasn't being polite; if anything, he was understating it.

If not for the chicken and pork Cao Cao Weiguo had managed to get in time.

He would not only have lost credibility with the advanced workers of the branch factory but would also have been punished by those above.

Cao Cao Weiguo said seriously: "Factory Manager, you're being too modest. Under your leadership, I will definitely cooperate actively with the work."

Factory Manager Yang said with satisfaction: "Comrade Cao Weiguo's work attitude is worthy of praise!"

Immediately after, the two had a formulaic exchange of pleasantries in the office.

Factory Manager Yang said: "Comrade Cao Weiguo, recently there has been a shortage of supplies in the factory, and the workers have been working hard but haven't had meat for a long time. Can you help the factory procure some meat?"

Cao Cao Weiguo thought to himself that supplies in this era were truly scarce, and food was lacking everywhere.

Large units like the steel mill also had to worry about food.

In this era, while cracking down on speculation and profiteering, whoever could get supplies was the boss.

Cao Cao Weiguo's farm had over a dozen large fat pigs, and he had over a thousand jin of pork stored in his storage space.

But he didn't dare to take it out rashly, fearing being labeled for "speculation and profiteering."

Cao Cao Weiguo said with a difficult expression: "Factory Manager, it's my duty to work for the factory, but a clever housewife cannot cook without rice. Life in the countryside is even harder than in the city."

Factory Manager Yang sighed: "Alas, I know the current food supply situation is severe, but there are always more solutions than difficulties. For the sake of all the factory employees and production, I hope you can take on the heavy responsibility and do everything possible to procure more ingredients for the factory."

Cao Cao Weiguo said solemnly: "Thank you for the trust of the organization and the leadership. I will definitely go all out."

Factory Manager Yang said happily: "Good! Comrade Cao Weiguo, I will express my gratitude on behalf of all the factory employees first. I will issue an appointment with the Personnel Department to let you concurrently hold the position of procurement officer. You can apply to go out for procurement at any time, and your monthly salary will be increased by an additional 23 Brother Yuan in post allowance."

The conversation between the two ended, and Cao Cao Weiguo returned to the office.

After a while, the procurement director ran over to congratulate Cao Cao Weiguo.

Cao Cao Weiguo smiled: "Director Feng, please take care of me in the future."

Director Feng laughed heartily: "I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that the procurement department has a general like you. Otherwise, I would have been so depressed I'd want to hit a wall from being criticized every few days."

The two laughed, the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.

Then Director Feng took Cao Cao Weiguo to the procurement department to meet his colleagues and familiarize himself with the procurement work process.

Director Feng said with anticipation: "Cao Weiguo, take a look at these procurement tasks. Is there anything you can complete? Hurry and help your brother."

Cao Cao Weiguo took the procurement list to check; the items to be procured were varied.

Cao Cao Weiguo asked suspiciously: "Why do we need to procure flour? Can't we just get it directly from the grain station?"

Director Feng whispered: "What we get from the grain station is the quota; these procurements are additional needs."

"Additional needs" were mostly for small kitchens to entertain guests.

Cao Cao Weiguo nodded in sudden realization: "Director, I'll take on the task of procuring these three hundred jin of flour."

Director Feng clapped happily: "Good! Brother Cao Weiguo is righteous. You solved a problem for me as soon as you arrived."

After chatting in Director Feng's office for a while, he had a general understanding of the procurement work.

Before getting off work, Cao Cao Weiguo went to the Personnel Department to get a certificate and an introduction letter for going to the countryside.

He prepared to go to the countryside tomorrow to "procure" flour.

Sihe Academy

He returned to the courtyard pushing his bicycle, smelling of alcohol.

The things hanging on the handlebars were eye-catching.

"Cao Weiguo is back!"

"Oh my! Where did you buy this roast duck!"

The Third Master, who was taking a stroll in the front courtyard, had his eyes fixed on it. ===== CHAPTER 109 =====