Reborn in 1994, escaping from marriage and going sea fishing, I won!

Chapter 1372 Shanghai Specialty Dishes

Upon arriving at the office, Liu Meilan met Hu Jian.

"Hu Jian, what's the situation now?" Liu Meilan asked. Qin Zheng often came here and automatically found a cup to pour water.

Hu Jian took out the documents and said, "Some technologies and materials are marked as not suitable for military use!"

Liu Meilan nodded, "Then I agree!"

“But…” Hu Jian frowned, “But we…”

Liu Meilan chuckled, "No matter what, we need to have it first. As for the rest, we'll follow foreign requirements! At least on the surface, we'll make it perfect. As for the rest, we'll increase investment in research, break through technologies, and achieve domestic substitution!"

Hu Jiansong breathed a sigh of relief, "Are you really alright?"

Liu Meilan's attitude was firm: "It really doesn't matter! As long as the factory takes root in our land, the rest will be simple! Starting from nothing is the hardest part! Going from 1 to 10 to 100 is just a matter of quantitative change leading to qualitative change!"

"Since you say that, I'm relieved!" Hu Jian laughed. "Those foreign technicians have been acting all high and mighty these past few days, traveling around! We can't just rush to agree! We have to think it over carefully before we can agree, otherwise they'll raise their demands!"

Liu Meilan wholeheartedly agreed, "Yes! You should all get some rest these next couple of days. We'll negotiate and sign the contract after my third brother arrives!"

Hu Jian looked apologetic. "Meilan, I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip!"

"No trouble at all!" Liu Meilan waved her hand. "It's my maternal grandmother's birthday, and my third sister-in-law is having a baby, so my mother can't make it over! On behalf of the whole family, I wish my maternal grandmother a happy birthday!"

Hu Jian smiled and said, "May the old man live to be a hundred years old!"

"Thank you!" Liu Meilan nodded. "The old lady is in good spirits now, and she's spending every day happily with her long-lost brother and sister! After the contract is signed here, you don't need to rush to the Northwest. Take your team home and rest for a few more days!"

"Thank you!" Hu Jian was very happy. In order to achieve results, their team had traveled to various places. The management policies here were implemented effectively, and the results were remarkable. They had firmly established themselves in the head office and were worthy of the high salary and settlement allowance that Liu Meilan gave them.

"No need to thank me, it's nothing!" Liu Meilan chuckled. "Your abilities have been proven, and your achievements are obvious to all! Xiufang, with Xiao Chen and Niu Gang's family and children, is adapting very well!"

Hu Jian beamed, "I'm so glad I resigned from my old job! Now, jobs are based on ability and performance, not on forming cliques and flattering people like they were in my old workplace!"

Niu Gang nodded in agreement, "Yes, although there are internal reforms now and everything is based on performance, the assessment criteria they designed are unreasonable. Many tasks are very important, but the results are not visible, and they end up with very low ratings. Not only are bonuses deducted, but sometimes performance bonuses are also deducted."

"Many people have to flatter and give gifts in order to get a better performance review. They don't earn much money to begin with, and this makes it even less! After working for so many years, I only have 1 yuan in savings."

"I never expected that after working for less than three months, I would receive a settlement allowance of 3 yuan, not to mention the high salary and travel subsidies. My family's savings will soon exceed 5 yuan! I never thought my family would have so much savings. Mr. Liu, we will definitely work hard."

Liu Meilan encouraged them, "Don't worry, your hard work will be well rewarded."

We had lunch together. Liu Meilan was going to treat us, but someone beat her to it, saying, "Come on, I'll take you to a private restaurant for lunch, the taste of old Shanghai."

Liu Meilan smiled, "Since you want to extend your hospitality, I can't refuse. Thank you."

When you arrive at the private restaurant, you'll be presented with an exquisite menu featuring seasonal ingredients.

Qin Zheng chuckled, "The stir-fried eel with scallion oil is good, I'll order one first. It's the season for shad now, so steamed shad with shredded vegetables would be nice too. Come on, Meilan, Fujian, you guys order too."

Liu Meilan saw that the first dish in the queue was braised pork, which was a bit darker in color than the one in her hometown, with a rich, dark sauce. "I'll order braised pork to see how it differs from the one at home."

"One is too few, order more!" Qin Zheng urged.

Liu Meilan looked at them carefully. "I've never had this before. Let me try it. Crystal shrimp, stir-fried shrimp, let me see what the shrimp tastes like here."

Liu Meilan handed the menu to Hu Jian, "Order a few."

Hu Jian smiled and said, "The sweet and sour pork ribs here are very good, and the eight-treasure duck is also excellent."

Niu Gang and Xiao Chen also ordered dishes such as pickled bamboo shoots with pork and sea cucumber with shrimp, enough for five people.

About twenty minutes later, almost all the dishes were served, beautifully presented and delicious in color, aroma and taste.

"It's really good!" Liu Meilan praised. "The braised pork is fatty but not greasy, and it's delicious. I could eat several pieces with rice. The stir-fried shrimp is also good. Indeed, the taste of dishes from different places is different. Dishes that can be called famous dishes are generally good."

Hearing this, Hu Jian laughed, "That's not necessarily true. There's another possibility. When I was on a business trip to Hangzhou before, I went to eat the most famous West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce. If the people sitting opposite me weren't important guests, I would have thrown up on the spot."

Liu Meilan was taken aback. "What's that smell?"

Hu Jian thought for a moment, "It has a sweet taste, a sour taste, and a fishy taste, but I don't know how it tastes bad when put together. I can't describe it. Just listen to it and forget about eating it."

Niu Gang smiled wryly, "You told me before, but I didn't believe you. When I was on a business trip, I went to try it, and then... and then I also thought it wasn't good."

"Haha, it seems the reputation is greater than the actual taste of this fish, and many people want to try it," Xiao Chen laughed. "Maybe we haven't had the authentic version. I think a dish that's been praised so much shouldn't be like this."

Qin Zheng glanced at his friends and chuckled awkwardly, "My family's ancestral home is over there. Actually, that dish is purely a test of skill; not many people know how to make it. The authentic sauce is made with rock sugar, balsamic vinegar, Shaoxing wine, a little soy sauce, and a broth made from simmered fish bones. The sweet and sour ratio is balanced, with a hint of Shaoxing wine's freshness. The sauce is clear and lightly clings to the fish. The main focus is on the freshness of the fish, with the sweet and sour flavor as a secondary element."

Liu Meilan looked suspicious. "Something feels off to me."

Qin Zheng chuckled, "You saw right through me. Even if it's authentic, many people aren't used to the taste. Everyone thinks West Lake Vinegar Fish is sweet and sour, but it's not. No matter how well it's made, it won't live up to your expectations. Plus, the flavor is bland, so it might not be that delicious."

"I see." Liu Meilan nodded. "They say there's heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. When the children are a little older, I want to take them traveling."