Three meanings

For Zhang Nuo, a good chef not only needs to have excellent culinary skills, but also needs to be good at storytelling. Otherwise, how do those popular restaurants become famous?

Based solely on culinary skills, there are many chefs who are better than others. However, people who can package and tell stories tend to become more popular.

Although Zhang Nuo is not currently pursuing the goal of creating a popular restaurant, it is still necessary to establish a high-end image in front of clients, especially for new customers like Sun, whose relationship must be maintained. Zhang Nuo smiled and said,

" Sun, if this is your first time here, you should know that culinary art is a skill that requires just as much effort as any other skill."

"In the"Tao Te Ching", Lao zi said, 'Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish'. Why did he link the governance of a country with cooking? That's because they have something in common. So you should never underestimate the skills in this kitchen."

Not only did Chang Sun Wuji listen intently, but even Li Shimin became more interested.

The phrase "Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish" does indeed come from the"Tao Te Ching". It emphasizes that governing a country requires caution and care, is there any other interpretation?

Before Li Shimin could speak, Chang Sun Wuji, who was more interested in probing Zhang Nuo's background, took the wine jug and poured a cup for Zhang Nuo, then asked with a smile,

"Boss Zhang, can you tell us how culinary art is related to governing a country? Even though I didn't study hard in my youth, I admire cultured people like you."

Li Shimin looked at Chang Sun Wuji's appearance and almost rolled his eyes.

This Chang Sun Wuji, a Minister of Personnel, a Duke of Zhao, would even disregard his dignity to get information. He even had the nerve to say that he didn't study hard when he was young?

But Zhang Nuo was unaware of these thoughts. In his opinion, business people may not have high cultural attainments, but they tend to be exceptionally interested in culture. Isn't that normal?

If he were chatting with someone who was seriously educated in classical literature, Zhang Nuo would probably be at a loss. But he himself proposed this classic phrase and its interpretation, how could he not know about it?

Zhang Nuo planned to use this topic to chat with them and thoroughly impress Sun, making him even more confused. After this, he would have a new big customer.

So, Zhang Nuo took a sip of wine with great satisfaction and said slowly,

"It is said that governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. If an ordinary scholar were to hear this, they would only think that governing a country requires caution. However, for me, I am both a scholar and a cook, and a skilled one at that. So, this sentence has three layers of meaning!"

Changsun Wuji and Li Shimin were both confused. Any scholar would know this sentence and they, being an emperor and a high official, had been discussing statecraft every day, so they were even more familiar with it.

In their view, this sentence had only one meaning: "Governing a country is like cooking a small fish, it must be done with caution."

But according to Zhang Nuo, there were three layers of meaning?

Changsun Wuji was now even more confused. He had only been modest earlier to flatter Zhang Nuo, but now he sounded like he had never read a book before.

Seeing the confused expressions on the faces of the two men, Zhang Nuo secretly delighted in their ignorance.

That's right, they have to be confused. If they're not confused, how can they admire me so much?

And if they don't admire me, how can they throw money at me?

Well, it seems like my opening move worked well. I need to step up my game!

Zhang Nuo decided to turn Li Shimin into a regular customer and make Sun to become the second VIP member of the restaurant.

Seeing that the two men's appetites were whetted, Zhang Nuo smiled and lifted his wine glass, taking occasional sips as he spoke.

"For the first layer of meaning, think for yourselves. What is 'small fish' in the phrase 'governing a large country is like cooking a small fish'? Isn't it the small fish that we usually eat? When frying fish, the most important thing is the heat. Only when the heat is just right can we make delicious food."

"If the heat is too high or too low, we'll end up with either a piece of charcoal or raw vegetables. This is the same as governing a country."

At this point, Zhang Nuo directly pointed at Li Shimin and said,

"When you came here before, we talked about Emperor Yang of Sui. He had too much firepower, such as the Grand Canal, the imperial examinations, and the conquest of Goryeo. These were all the best ingredients in his hands."

"But in the end, he used too much force and tried to accomplish everything in one stroke, resulting in a disastrous outcome. This is a typical case of too much firepower."

Li Shimin nodded seriously. Yes, this explanation made everything clear.

Indeed, it is clear now with such an explanation. Even if it is something good for the people and the state, he cannot act recklessly like his uncle, the previous emperor. That is not doing things, it is courting disaster.

Zhang Nuo saw both of them nod thoughtfully and couldn't help but laugh to himself. It was just a superficial conversation, and in the future, with so many experts deceiving people, who wouldn't learn a thing or two?

After the two of them had processed it for a moment, Zhang Nuo continued,

"The second layer of meaning is that cooking is like medicine, and also requires the cooperation of the ruler and his ministers. Did you both enjoy the pancake I made for you earlier?"

Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji both nodded. There was no denying that the pancake was indeed delicious.

Zhang Nuo leaned back slightly, looking pleased, and continued,

"That's it. Think about it. I mentioned earlier that this staple dish was nothing more than lotus root, chicken eggs, and leftover pancakes cooked together."

"When you both showed up earlier, I happened to have some lamb, so I added some lamb to it. The result was the lamb and pancake dish that both of you are satisfied with."

Changsun Wuji was confused again. Why were they back to talking about recipes? He wanted to know the other two explanations of "governing a large country is like cooking small fish."

But before he could speak, Zhang Nuo continued,

"Think about it. These ordinary ingredients that every household can have, with my handling and the proper cooperation of the ruler and his ministers, have become a delicious dish."

"But if Li or Sun went to the kitchen right now and were given the same ingredients, could they make the same delicious dish as I did? Absolutely not!"

"What does this mean? It means that cooking requires skill and the proper use of any ingredient."