The chicken feet at Yunlaixuan weren't deboned but simply cut into small pieces. Although they were quite flavorful, they lacked the thrill of "gorging on meat".
Different from Li Ying's sweet - and - sour taste, Yunlaixuan only used spicy red oil for seasoning. This flavor was more to the taste of the men in the capital.
Granny Sun nibbled on a few chicken feet reluctantly. A faint sense of worry welled up in her heart.
"One can't please everyone. The taste of Yunlaixuan is completely different from ours. It's bound to attract a lot of customers. Do we... really stand a chance?"
Li Ying was unhurried. She rummaged through the soup and examined the spices. Then she had a clear idea in mind.
"Auntie, don't you think the taste of these spicy red - oil chicken feet is quite familiar?"
At her words, Granny Sun finally came to her senses and nodded repeatedly. "Indeed. If you put it that way, the taste of these chicken feet is just like the spicy red - oil pot - cooked chicken you made back then."
Seeing the faint smile on Li Ying's face, she finally realized it later than she should. She stared at Li Ying in surprise. "A Ying, do you mean that Yunlaixuan is using the seasoning packets we sell?"
Li Ying nodded. The pot - cooked chicken and hot - pot base had always sold well. She only needed to change the recipe occasionally to prevent others from stealing her skills. She really didn't know that in just a few months, this business had already reached the capital.
"That Yunlaixuan is so shameless! They're clearly using our ready - made base, yet they still have the nerve to claim it's their secret flavor!"
Granny Sun immediately felt indignant and was eager to expose Yunlaixuan's opportunistic trick to the public.
But Li Ying just slowly shook her head.
"Auntie, don't be hasty. Yunlaixuan only uses our base as one of their seasonings. They've actually added a lot of their own secret spices. If we confront them rashly, we may not gain anything."
Granny Sun said anxiously, "Are we just going to let them do whatever they want?"
Li Ying waved her hand. "We're new here. We only know that each of the restaurants in the capital has noble families backing them. We can't figure out their details for the time being, nor do we know the interests and relationships among them. If we act rashly, we may put ourselves in a passive position and become the target of public criticism."
Just then, the caravan members hadn't set off yet. So she simply wrote a letter, asking the villagers in the fishing village to investigate carefully and cut off the supply of the base to Yunlaixuan in the capital.
Without the materials, Li Yun would be like a clever woman unable to cook without rice. He would eventually find out where the base came from. She could wait patiently for the opponent to come to her.
Before the leader of the caravan set off, he looked at Li Ying worriedly.
"Boss Li, that Inspector Lin has been conducting strict inspections. It's obvious that he wants to make our fish and shrimp go bad. Should the caravan still bring aquatic products next time?"
Li Ying shook her head. Before dealing with Yunlaixuan and establishing a firm foothold in the capital, she wasn't in a hurry to confront Inspector Lin head - on.
"What about the fish this time..."
The caravan leader hesitated to speak, but Li Ying already had a plan in mind. She smiled confidently.
"Don't worry. I have my own way."
She discussed with the caravan and decided to transport some more storable mountain products and tea drinks. After seeing the caravan leave the city, she slowly rolled up her sleeves and got ready in the backyard of the Li residence.
The fish and shrimp that had been delivered earlier and were no longer fresh were of course not suitable for entertaining guests.
Fortunately, these seafood had already been cleaned on the assembly line of the canning factory. Now all they needed to do was to move them into large jars, sprinkle a thick layer of sea salt on each layer of fish meat, and let them ferment.
Time would transform these smelly fish and shrimp. In just a year, these stinky things in front of her would become the king of the most delicious seasonings.
She had started preparing this fish sauce when she was still in the fishing village. Now it had fermented perfectly. When no one was watching, Li Ying carefully took out a small cup to taste.
At first taste, there was the unique saltiness of the sea. But on closer inspection, the umami flavor would hit the taste buds wave after wave, bringing an indescribable wonderful aftertaste.
Make incisions on the chicken wings, marinate them only with fish sauce. After they're fully flavored, coat them with a thin layer of starch and fry them in a pan over low heat until both sides are golden brown.
The crispy coating locked in all the juice of the chicken wings. Every bite was filled with an extreme salty and umami flavor. The tender chicken slid smoothly over the tongue, leaving only the original fresh and fragrant taste.
This way of frying chicken wings with fish sauce was quite ordinary, but simplicity was the ultimate sophistication. It made people taste the simple and natural flavor of the meat.
Granny Sun and Li Ying shared a few pieces of the chicken wings while they were still hot. Even Mianmian took a small bite with her soft little gums and closed her eyes contentedly.
"A Ying, I used to think that the oyster sauce you made was already delicious enough. I didn't know there was fish sauce like this!"
Granny Sun couldn't stop praising it. This fish sauce was so delicious that it could make even a shoe sole smell good!
Even Lu Xunguang, who usually didn't like fishy smells, nodded frequently. Only then did Li Ying feel relieved. She took a deep breath, filled the remaining fish sauce into a delicate small glass bottle, and then rushed straight to Yunlaixuan.
Opposite Yunlaixuan was another restaurant called Zizai Fang.
Lu Xunguang had already found out that Zizai Fang and Yunlaixuan had been competing with each other for many years and neither would give in.
This place was the most suitable breakthrough point.
Li Ying changed into a plain dress and ordered a few signature dishes of Zizai Fang.
The waiter was quite efficient. Soon, the dishes were served one by one.
The matter of the Feast of the Burning Tail had been a big sensation in the capital and everyone knew about it. All the restaurants had been avoiding her, but Zizai Fang had been quite polite in receiving her. Li Ying felt a bit of admiration for it.
She took a few small bites of the various stir - fried dishes. The dishes in the capital were indeed more delicate than those in the fishing village. Even a simple plate of green vegetables had the leaves and stems separated, and the veins on the leaves had been carefully removed. The taste was crispy and refreshing.
"Waiter, the dishes in Zizai Fang are really well - made. However, I have a way to make these ordinary vegetarian dishes taste even better. I wonder if your shopkeeper is interested?"
As soon as she said this, the waiter's heart skipped a beat.
He had recognized this lady early on and had been carefully waiting on her side, fearing that she would be picky and say something unfavorable to the shop.
Li Ying saw his embarrassment and said softly, "Don't worry, waiter. I'm not here to cause trouble today. I just have a good business deal to discuss with your shopkeeper. Please pass on the message for me."
She spoke so modestly and reasonably that the waiter couldn't say anything more. He just obediently agreed and nervously went to the backstage to report.
A moment later, a plump shopkeeper with a ruddy complexion walked out slowly with measured steps. He looked at Li Ying imposingly and said in a deep voice, "You're the one who asked to see me?"