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The climate here is mild, the soil fertile, natural resources abundant. Flying Horse Ranch was located in such open country. The pasture was particularly rich, all four sides were bordered by mountains, surrounding a fertile land of more than ten li in either direction. There were only two gorges to the east and to the west providing access. The ranch was an inaccessible stronghold with the protection of natural barriers.

After entering the mountain pass with the team of riders, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling reached the mountain ridge where they could have a bird’s-eye view of the ranch. They saw piece after piece of cultivated lands, big and small, were covering the valley below, forming beautiful patterns like a quilt; they could not help feeling carefree and relaxed.

On the pasture full of beautiful colors: dark green, light green, umber-black dye, in all kinds of hues stitched together, more than a dozen mirror-like lakes of various shapes and sizes dotted the land. The deep-green color of the water of the lakes vying against the dark-green color of the grass to be the most glamorous, with their flowing light and overflowing color, full of life and beauty that the two boys held their breath in admiration.

No matter from whichever angle they looked, the border of the grassland was an endless line of undulating mountain peaks, stretching as far as their eyes could see.

In this fairy-land that resembled the Garden of the Peaches of Immortality, countless poultry and livestock roamed around freely: white sheep, brown or grey cows, all kinds of horses; adding even more color to the already-saturated beautiful prairie.

The northwest corner was comparatively higher than the rest. A magnificent castle was built there, with its back against the steep wall of ten thousand fathoms precipice, and its front overlooking a winding-like-a-piece-of-ribbon brook, making it even more spectacular.

By this time everybody dismounted from the horses and continued on foot. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling walked in the middle; looking around, they were ecstatic, almost felt that this trip has not been made in vain.

The things Kou Zhong noted were the construction of the fortress and its strategic points, as well as the sentry platforms and lookout stations, while Xu Ziling was single-mindedly enjoying the beautiful and picturesque scenery.

The exit to the gorge was equipped with a city gate tower, with a trench, three zhang wide and five­ zhang deep dug in front of it, crossing the gorge outlet. The bottom of the trench was full of sharp spikes, so the only way in was via the drawbridge. It was indeed a ‘one man can defend it, ten thousand men cannot cross’ situation.

Upon entering the grazing land, it was obvious that Liu Zongdao and the others became more relaxed; everybody was chatting and laughing loudly as if they had just laid down the heavy burden on their backs.

Mounting their horses again, they galloped toward the castle along the gravel road.

Different types of farm animals were separated by wooden fence. The shepherds were rushing back and forth between the wooden fence, shouting repeatedly. The farmers were working quietly on the fields, occasionally the low mooing of the plowing ox blended with the neighing of the horses and the bleating of the sheep.

Along the way, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling gained further understanding of this seemingly standing-aloof-from-worldly-affairs Flying Horse Ranch.

The founder of this Flying Horse Ranch, the first generation Ranch Master Shang Xiong was a military leader from the end of the Jin Dynasties [265-420AD]. When Liu Yu broke away from Jin and changed the country’s name to Song [of the Southern dynasties (420-479)], the world split up.

Avoiding the disaster of war, Shang Xiong led his troops and clansmen to go down south, and by chance found this hidden valley. Thereupon they decided to live in peace and work happily in here, establishing the Ranch.

From the time the Ranch was founded to the time the Sui Dynasty unified the world, spanning a period of 160 years, the Flying Horse Ranch has had seven different Ranch Master, all from the Shang family clan, passing down from generation to generation, and all had supreme power over the Ranch.

As for the other clans, namely Liang, Liu, Tao, Wu, Xu, Luo, and the others, after more than a century they multiplied and continuously moved out to the surrounding area, forming the villages and towns around the Ranch, so much so that the majority residents of the two big cities by Ju Shui, Yuan’an and Dangyang, were originated from Flying Horse Ranch.

Flying Horse Ranch was also the economic lifeblood of the region. Their product, excellent quality horses, was world-famous. Yet because the Ranch Masters always adhered to the teachings of their ancestors, they did not participate in Jianghu matters, as well as got involved in imperial court. Maintaining a low-key work ethic, they had always been businesspeople; hence the reason Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling never heard about them.

The first generation Ranch Master Shang Xiong was of military background, with deep understanding of punching and kicking principles; hence he encouraged his subordinates and clansmen to research and study martial arts, promoting martial style throughout, so that everybody in the Ranch was strong, brave and adept in warfare, unafraid of bandits and robbers from the outside, and became a force able to ensure the peace and safety of the region, and thus won the veneration of the citizens of the cities and towns in the vicinity. It was somewhat similar to the role of Duba Village toward Jingling.

Whenever the Flying Horse Ranch was in need of staff, they usually recruited new people from the surrounding area; it was very rare that they would seek employees from different part of the country.

But this time it was a special case; first of all, it was due to Liu Zongdao had a favorable impression as soon as he saw the two boys, but probably more importantly, it was because the Pastry Chef of the Ranch had passed away recently, and none of the new recruits was able to satisfy the female Ranch Master Shang Xiuxun’s taste buds. Consecutively more than ten different people have been discharged, prompting Liu Zongdao to invite the two boys to try.

Seen from the front, the Flying Horse mountain city was even more impressive.

The city wall was built following the topography of the mountain, constructed from uneven pile of rocks; it wound and snaked, and went up and down along the steep terrain. Behind the city was bare stratified rock, with cavities perched high into the sky, so that even flying birds would find it difficult to cross.

The troops crossed the river via the suspension bridge, and entered the city. All the bridge guards treated them amiably and enthusiastically, in friendly atmosphere, giving the impression that they were all members of one big family living in harmony with each other.

Beyond the city gate was a wide street sloping upwards, extending to the Ranch Master’s inner castle at its highest point. On either side of the road was an unbroken line of houses, with streets and alleys all connected to the sloping road; a distinct characteristic of a mountain city.

Pedestrians and carriages traveled back and forth along the road, as majestic as a thriving metropolis. Flocks of children played noisily, making Kou and Xu to open their eyes wide and click their tongues in wonder, since they had never imagined that such a happy place really existed in the world.

All the buildings were plain and simple, constructed mainly of rocks, but the model was spacious. Bell-shaped pavilions, decorated archways and doors heavily lined up both sides of the road; plain, unadorned design that clearly defined the grand and heroic spirit of the establishment of the city.

The scale of the inner castle was even grander; the main building complex consisted of five layers of halls and pavilions, plus another side palace hall colonnade. Buildings of various sizes were spread out within the castle complex, everything clear and in good order, linked together by gardens and shrubberies, small bridges and fountains and waterfalls; elegant and graceful.

Upon entering the castle, Liu Zongdao and the old man Xu took the good horses from outside the northern border to see the Ranch Master, but Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling was led by the young fellow Luo Fang toward the Housekeeper Mansion to report for duty.

Due to their lowly position, naturally the two boys did not have the qualification to see the Housekeeper, Shang Zhen. Therefore, they were received by his assistant, Liang Qian, who was in charge of personnel affairs.

This man was around forty-years old, dressed in scholar attire. At first his manner was arrogant, but after hearing Luo Fang’s explanation that these two were the Pastry Chef recommended personally by Liu Zongdao, he became rather polite.

After routine interview of the two boys’ background, Liang Qian said seriously, “There is one thing that I must make it clear to the two of you: unless Changzhu [Ranch Master] nods her consent, gentlemen’s employment here is only probationary. During this probation period, unless under someone else’s escort, you are not allowed to leave your lodging house. After you are officially employed here, I will personally go through the Ranch’s rules and regulations with you.”

Kou Zhong said excitedly, “A country has national laws, a house has family rules; this aspect, we understand clearly. It’s just that when can we showcase our unique talents, so that Changzhu get a taste of the goodies we can produce?”

After casting a sidelong glance toward the two boys, Liang Qian asked Luo Fang, who was standing on the side, “What was Liu Zhishi’s comment on their products?”

Luo Fang replied awkwardly, “Er Zhishi has not tasted their handicraft.”

Liang Qian stared blankly for half a day. His countenance changed, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? If Changzhu blamed me for dereliction of duty, who would have pity on me?”

Smiling apologetically, Kou Zhong said, “Liang Fu Guanjia [Deputy Housekeeper] may rest assured that we ...”

“Less bullsh1t,” Liang Qian cut him off impatiently, “Right now I’ll have someone take you to have some rest. After making some arrangement, I’ll have someone bring you to the kitchen to see what can you do? We’ll talk again after you pass my test.”

After a pause, he went on with a sympathetic tone, “I want you to be well aware of the situation: I lost track of how many Pastry Chefs, all with experience over ten years more than you have, plus outstanding reputation, yet they absolutely had no luck in this matter at all. Men! Take Xiao Ning and Xiao Ling to the courtyard of the Rear Castle.”

And then, turning to Luo Fang he said, “You are dismissed!”

The courtyard was located east of the Rear Castle. There were more than a dozen buildings in it, and next to it was precisely the kitchen that supplied food to the people of the Inner Castle, from top to bottom. The two boys were placed in a small room in one of the buildings; they also had to change into low-rank Flying Horse Ranch uniform.

Sprawling on the bed, Xu Ziling grumbled, “Thousands and tens of thousands names in the world, why must you pick Fu Jing? People are calling me Xiao Jing, Xiao Jing; so awkward, like I turned into a woman. It also reminded me of Dong Ming Princess.” [Reminder: same Jing character as Shan Wanjing’s name.]

Kou Zhong was leaning against the window, looking out. He said proudly, “You are Xiao Jing, and I am Xiao Ning; both reminded us of people we ought to forget; we are even. Ay! Why am I thinking about these things at time like this? I was just inventing crazy nonsense and blurting out those names, I thought we only had to tell them and be done with it.”

And then he became excited as he said, “That day in Cui Shan town when we worked for Ol’ Zhang, he often bragged that his dumpling oil rice, jade-well rice are peerless under the heavens [see Book 1 Chapter 9], and now we can confirm whether he indeed has bragging rights.”

Xu Ziling chided him gently, “You are right; Ol’ Zhang often bragged about his rice dishes, but he had never said his pastries were anything amazing. Ay! You, this kid, also love to brag, and this time you are implicating me that I have to share the humiliation with you.”

Kou Zhong stared blankly for half a day. Like a wandering soul he walked over to the bed and sat down. “Logically speaking, Ol’ Zhang’s pastries can’t be that lacking,” he muttered to himself, “At least, I think so. Hey! I think they are all very tasty!”

Xu Ziling smiled wryly and said, “Other than being good at consoling yourself, what else can you do? Have you forgotten what that rotten ghost scholar surnamed Liang told us that there are a lot of outstanding pastry chefs who had been sacked and sent home to till their fields? Ol’ Zhang is just like you; he loves to brag. Rice dishes he may have a skill or two, but pastry? I’ll say even by patting the horse’s bottom he won’t be able to catch up with big city’s or big town’s famous masters.”

Kou Zhong’s countenance changed, “What should we do?” he asked.

Xu Ziling said in an unusual tone, “If you really want to be Pastry Chef in here, I may be able to accompany you. What I am most afraid of is if you are coveting others’ ranch, and here to obtain both riches and sex. If that’s the case, please forgive Xiaodi for not be able to keep you company!”

Kou Zhong’s old face turned slightly red; he said in embarrassment, “Can you not paint me in such an unbearably light? Most probably that Shang Xiuxun is just another Zhai Jiao; nothing to look at. I only want to build a good relationship with her, so that when I buy horses from her in the future, I can get a bit more discount. That’s all!”

Staying calm and composed, Xu Ziling said, “Whatever you say, it’s useless. First thing tomorrow morning we have to get out of here; I forbid you from looking at her even for a glance.”

‘Pow!’

Kou Zhong pummeled Xu Ziling’s thigh and cried out, “You have to think of something for me!”

‘Ow!’ Xu Ziling cried out in pain and dropped back onto the bed. Stroking the sore spot, he moaned, “You wanted to kill me?”

Kou Zhong was skeptical, “Based on your, Ling Shao’s power this day and age, a gentle slap could give you that much pain?”

Xu Ziling angrily replied, “Your Niang’s gentle slap carried the strength of a vortex of qi. You nearly broke through the qi protecting my body.”

Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong was about to speak, when a young woman’s voice was speaking angrily from outside the door, “Who’s making a big fuss inside? Get your @ss out here right now!”

Stunned, the two boys looked at each other.、

Chapter 5 – Part 2

The woman shouted again in her tender voice, “If you don’t get out, I’ll come in and you’ll be sorry!”

“We’re coming! We’re coming!” Kou Zhong replied, “Miss, please calm down, we are just goofing around here!”

The woman said in heavy voice, “The two of you are newcomers from the outside, you think our Ranch is the place to goof around? More bullsh1t and you will be rewarded with ten sticks each according to our rules.”

Hearing that, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other in dismay before rushing to the door and out to the corridor.

Standing under the sunshine was a tall and thin, with slender waist like a willow tree, middle-aged woman. Although her overall appearance could be considered all right, her hollow cheeks were dry and heavy, as if she could fly into a rage at any time. With frosty countenance she stared at them.

Her clothes were of gorgeous silk, but it did nothing to help her lack of luster, just like it was hung on the bamboo pole to dry under the sun.

Standing behind her was a little maid that looked pretty and pleasant; she was secretly sizing up the two boys in curiosity, her eyes showed sympathy.

Kou Zhong cupped his fist to salute and said, “This is ...”

Without any trace of politeness the tall and thin woman cut him off, “You must be Fu Jing and Fu Ning. Looking at your smell-of-mother’s-milk-not-yet-dried appearance, how much experience can you possibly have? Er Zhishi is an astute man, but sometimes he is muddleheaded, unexpectedly he got you, these two useless people to waste my precious time.”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were broadminded people, they could not possibly lower themselves to her level; thereupon they kept silent and ignored her insults.

The more the woman cursed, the more her anger rose; she grumbled, “Just yesterday I sent people to Yiling to send gifts and invite the most famous Pastry Chef in the area to come and serve Changzhu, but now you, two kids who don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth, came to mess things up. This is really irritating!”

The two boys suddenly understood, the reason this woman was so unfriendly was because of rivalry. She wanted to be in charge of hiring and firing kitchen workers, but the people she hired failed to satisfy the Ranch Master’s taste, hence she lost face big time.

This time, supposing the Second Manager Liu Zongdao succeeded in recommending these two boys, wouldn’t she lost even more face? In view of this, Liu Zongdao was not as simple as he looked to be.

Three or four young male servants congregated at the corridor on the other side of the courtyard, busily gesticulating at the two boys, in a taking-joy-in-calamity-and-delight-in-disaster manner.

However, even under this vicious woman’s lashing out without leaving them any room to maneuver, the two boys remained calm and composed, like even if they were being scolded for three days and three nights, they would not be impatient.

More and more people heard the commotion and came to watch, filling the corridors around the courtyard. A large group of children, who were playing in the vicinity, also rushed in, creating a very lively scene.

Xu Ziling noticed that one of the children, a little girl was staring at him curiously, seemingly unable to take her pair of big eyes off of him; he could not help smiling at her.

The woman angrily scolded him, “Are you listening to me?”

Bashfully the little girl hid behind her friend. Xu Ziling’s tiger-eyes flashed with cold rays; he looked straight into the woman’s eyes and unfazed, he said, “We are hired to make cakes and pastries, not to receive your insults. Besides, why speak so much nonsense? Won’t testing our skill be enough? What’s more, we don’t even know who you are. If you think we are unsuitable, why not confront Liu Er Zhishi directly?”

With Xu Ziling’s piercing gaze on her, the woman immediately felt as if she was burning in a scorching flame; her arrogance was gone instantly. Furthermore, considering the opposite party’s response was reasonable, neither haughty nor humble, momentarily she was stumped.

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “We still don’t know how to address Auntie.”

The vicious woman finally regained her composure. Letting out a cold snort, she said, “I am in charge of the general affairs of the kitchen; everybody calls me Lan Gu [(paternal) auntie Orchid]. Hey! Come with me! I want to see what amazing skill you have.” Finished speaking she stormed away.

Kou Zhong put on an act by bowing respectfully with clasped hands in four directions, just like a performer expressing his gratitude to the audience, which immediately prompted a roar of laughter.

Lan Gu did not look back, but her originally-lacking-color face became even more pale from anger.

The two-storied building they called kitchen was actually made up of twelve kitchen units. Working in this place were the chefs and their subordinates, amounting to more than sixty people: chefs, assistants, apprentices, and kitchen helpers; each position was clearly identified, and everything was under Lan Gu’s supervision.

One unit, called the Upper Kitchen, specialized in supplying meals for the Ranch Master, Housekeeper, and other important personnel of the Ranch, and was further divided into four stations: east, south, west and north. The south station was Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s pastry section.

Still fuming, Lan Gu took the two boys to this place, and then with a wooden face said, “Before the day you are officially hired, you must not roam around anywhere. Otherwise, if you offend the Ranch’s rules, even Er Zhishi won’t be able to protect you.”

Noticing that in their station, other than the steamer basket to make pastries, knives and cutting board, stove and other kitchen tools, the table was as empty as anything, Kou Zhong asked, “Where can we get the ingredients?”

Struggling hard to keep her temper under control, Lan Gu ordered the pretty maid standing to her left, “Xiao Juan! See if they need anything, and then let Uncle Gu know. Understand?”

With her head hung low, Xiao Juan acknowledged the order, but she could not help stealing a glance toward the two boys, while a delighted expression appeared on the corners of her mouth.

“I want to see what kind of trick you are going to play,” Lan Gu muttered to herself. Finished speaking, she left without looking back.

The three people looked at each other. “Pfft!” Xiao Juan suddenly burst into tender laughter and said, “I am waiting for two Big Masters’ instruction!”

Kou Zhong sat on the edge of the stove. After scrutinizing Xiao Juan for quite a while, he smiled and said, “Xiao Juan Jie [elder sister] is really pretty.”

Xiao Juan’s jade cheeks immediately turned as red as sunset clouds; half delighted half angered, she cast him a hateful look and said, “If only I had known earlier that this person can’t be serious.”

Folding his arms in front of his chest, Xu Ziling went to the door, looked out all around, and said with a wry smile, “We’d better get out of here as soon as possible! How could Lan Gu be willing to give us highest quality ingredients? This is called ‘even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice’.”

With a serious expression Xiao Juan said, “Two Xiao Shifu need not be worry! You have the support of Er Zhishi behind your back, no matter what Lan Gu won’t dare to play tricks in this regard, not to mention she basically does not believe that you can make any cake that will satisfy Changzhu’s taste.”

“Does Xiao Juan Jie believe?” Kou Zhong asked slyly.

Hanging her head down, Xiao Juan chuckled lightly, and then shook her head slightly. But then she looked up with a puzzled expression on her face, “You don’t seem to be nervous at all,” she commented, “Could it be that you really have full confidence?”

Kou Zhong breathed out a sigh and said, “Speaking about taste, everybody is different. Even if you get the Chief of Imperial Kitchen who previously served that muddleheaded ruler to come over here, your honorable Changzhu might still be dissatisfied.”

Xiao Juan turned her gaze toward Xu Ziling, who was still leaning against the door, looking out. “Xiao Shifu, what are you looking at?” she wondered.

Xu Ziling was focusing his power onto his ears, trying to eavesdrop the conversation in the other stations. Hearing the question, he replied indifferently, “Nothing. I am just looking around. As long as you are willing to look attentively, you’ll be able to see a lot of things.”

Xiao Juan seemed to understand, but she did not really understand. Nodding her head, she sat down on a chair at the side. Knitting her jet-black eyebrows, she said, “I am still waiting for two Xiao Shifu’s instruction. Hmm! But you really don’t look like Pastry Chefs; you look more like chivalrous heroes and warriors.”

Turning toward Kou Zhong, she said, “The saber behind your back is not just for decoration, is it? Why not get good knives that are more decent?”

Kou Zhong changed the subject, “Isn’t Xiao Juan Jie Lan Gu’s trusted aide? Why do you seem to be very willing to help us out?”

Pouting her pretty mouth, Xiao Juan replied with a little disdain in her voice, “Who’s her trusted aide? I am Fu Dajie’s [big sister] subordinate. Were it not for Fu Dajie sending me to tell Lan Gu to have you make pastries, she could have been leaving you forgotten, or perhaps even forcing you to leave.”

“Who’s Fu Dajie?” Kou Zhong wondered.

Xiao Juan proudly said, “She is Miss’ must trusted person, the head of the maids of our Changzhu’s mansion.”

And then, lowering her voice, she added, “And she is in good terms with your good friend, that Luo Fang bro. I don’t need to tell you why she is willing to keep an eye on you, do I?”

Kou Zhong suddenly understood what was going on.

Xu Ziling cheerfully said, “We need three catties of dragon eye flour, a bottle of cow’s curdled milk broth, ten strips of white lotus roots, eight taels of fresh lotus seeds ...” He listed a string of ingredients in one breath.

Xiao Juan took note of everything, cast a sweet smile toward the two boys, and happily left.

Stupefied, Kou Zhong asked, “Aren’t those the ingredients for cool-breeze rice, dumpling oil rice, and jade-well rice?”

Xu Ziling calmly sat down and said, “Exhaustion drives changes, changes drives breakthrough. Just now I overheard that not only Shang Xiu Xun is a glutton, she also loves to try novel things. So we’ll make cakes that even we have not tasted yet. After she has tasted it, she’ll definitely have a second thought. Zhong Shifu, do you understand?