Fang Zhicheng smiled and said, "Isn't dinner ready yet? I'll cook later. I discussed with my classmates at the Party School today, and they said that this roast duck is delicious."
Master Yan nodded and said, "You called and gave instructions before, so the kitchen hasn't prepared dinner yet."
Fang Zhicheng changed into a light outfit, came to the kitchen, and greeted Aunt Chen in the kitchen. Aunt Chen smiled and said, "Zhicheng, there are not many young people like you who are willing to take the initiative to cook."
Fang Zhicheng carefully sliced the roast duck skin and said, "I have been separated from my mother since I was a child. It is rare for me to spend time with her every day. It is only natural for me to cook for her."
Aunt Chen secretly wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Miss, you have finally gotten your happy ending after all the hardships you've endured. It's a blessing that you have such a filial son like you."
A roast duck can be made into three dishes, which opened Aunt Chen's eyes.
Fang Zhicheng's knife skills are good, and he slices the duck skin very well, almost as well as the boss of a roast duck restaurant. After the skin is sliced, it is placed on a plate, and sweet bean sauce, green onion strips, cucumber strips, radish strips, and lotus leaf cakes are placed on the side. It doesn't take long, only a few minutes.
Then, he separated the duck meat and duck bones, tore the duck meat into strips, leaving a little meat on the duck frame, and then put the duck frame directly into the pot, boiled soup with warm water, and stir-fried the duck meat with green pepper and garlic.
About half an hour later, the three dishes were successfully prepared, namely duck skin wrapped in lotus leaf pancake, green pepper duck strips, and radish and duck bone soup.
Aunt Chen smiled and said, "I have learned something from you today. It turns out that a roast duck can be eaten like this. It really opens my eyes."
Fang Zhicheng said modestly: "I just borrowed other people's wisdom and I don't know how it tastes."
Aunt Chen tasted a piece of bright duck meat, gave Fang Zhicheng a thumbs up, and said with a smile: "Your cooking skills are really good. I am a little worried now. If the young lady is spoiled by your cooking skills, I will be under a lot of pressure to cook in the future."
Fang Zhicheng quickly laughed and said, "Aunt Chen, please don't say that. Your cooking skills are much better than mine. I am just showing off my skills in front of Guan Gong. Please don't laugh at me."
Fang Zhicheng then fried another vegetable. Master Yan came in, coughing and smoking his pipe, and asked, "How is the dinner preparation going? The eldest lady is back."
Aunt Chen smiled and said, "Three dishes and one soup are ready."
The Su family's house is very big, but there are not many people. In the past, there were only Aunt Chen, Grandpa Yan, and Su Qing. Now there is Fang Zhicheng, and three dishes and one soup are enough for four people.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Su Qing had already changed into a casual outfit. She smiled and asked Fang Zhicheng, "How do you feel today?"
Fang Zhicheng reported truthfully: "Today Secretary Zhao gave us a lecture and we benefited a lot from it. He made a very thorough analysis of the international situation."
Su Qing sat down and tasted the soup with a spoon, then looked at Aunt Chen in surprise. Aunt Chen quickly smiled and explained, "Zhicheng prepared the meal today, and I just helped."
"No wonder the taste is different." Su Qing smiled lightly, took another sip, and continued, "Zhao Chengping is an expert in Sino-American relations. He has done a thorough study of the relationship between China and the United States. Several trends in Sino-American relations predicted in the past few years have basically become a reality. The fact that we can invite him to teach you shows that this Party School course is of great value."
Fang Zhicheng smiled and said, "However, I don't quite agree with some of his views."
Su Qing raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh?"
Fang Zhicheng said: "He believes that America has always regarded China as its biggest enemy, so whether it is economic strategy or military deployment, it is all centered around China. I think this view is a bit one-sided and extreme."
Su Qing said: "From the development in recent years, the United States has always maintained a two-faced attitude. On the one hand, it maintains a good economic relationship with our country, and on the other hand, it obstructs our economic and political fields in various ways."
Fang Zhicheng nodded and said, "I am not questioning America's hostility towards our country. I just feel that America not only regards China as an enemy, but it actually regards all countries as enemies that will challenge its hegemony, and China is just one of them. I have recently studied the views of mainstream media in several countries such as Britain, France, South Korea, and island countries. America has always exerted high pressure on other countries."
"To properly deal with the strong hegemony of the United States, there is no need to be independent of other countries in terms of diplomatic strategy. We should find more common ground with other countries instead of making ourselves the biggest enemy of the United States. This is why Western countries have formed the view that China will become the second hegemonic country in the past period of time. Although we have emphasized peaceful rise in the past few years, in fact, other countries have been paying attention to our military strength."
Su Qing nodded. Fang Zhicheng's analysis made sense. She smiled and said, "Then what do you think is the correct way to deal with China's current international situation?"
Fang Zhicheng was slightly stunned, scratched his head, and said: "I have said too much. Mainly because I have a lot of feelings after listening to the class today."
Su Qing said encouragingly: "Keep talking! I'm listening."
Fang Zhicheng said seriously: "I think the correct way for the country to deal with it should be to keep the same rhythm as other countries. When it is time to denounce, it should be denounced, and when it is time to take action, it should take action. The more you emphasize peaceful rise, the more panic it will cause other countries."
Su Qing smiled and said, "You have a point. Calling for a peaceful rise does give people a sense of trying to cover up one's own faults."
Fang Zhicheng said: "Wars between countries are ultimately wars between people. Only if you act strong will your opponents respect and recognize you. Otherwise, they will only provoke you step by step and constantly lower your bottom line."
Su Qing sighed and said, "The top management has their own ideas. After all, it is not easy to get the current good situation."
Fang Zhicheng said: "Compared to China, the American economy is more stable and the living standard is more developed, but why is it not afraid of war, and it keeps starting wars? That's because it knows that if it doesn't start a war outside its borders, then one day the flames will burn into its borders."
Su Qing smiled and said, "Young people are always more radical in their thinking."
Fang Zhicheng smiled faintly and said, "There are also many incomplete aspects."
Su Qing said: "If your future father-in-law hears your opinion, he will be very happy. However, if I or Prime Minister Siyuan hear it, they will not agree with it. Because any war will cause economic decline. Even if the war is outside the borders, it will have an impact on the domestic economy."
Fang Zhicheng nodded and said, "This is the difference in instinct between politicians and soldiers."
Since ancient times, military officers have sought war and civil officials have sought peace, not because military officers are naturally more belligerent than civil officials, but because their positions are different. If he were standing in Su Qing's shoes, Fang Zhicheng would probably also be cautious about whether to go to war.
Su Qing and Fang Zhicheng, mother and son, ate and chatted. They talked about many topics, including the international situation and the next economic trend and hot spots. Su Qing's perspective was very high, and many of her views benefited Fang Zhicheng a lot. Fang Zhicheng's active thinking also made Su Qing see the determination of young officials.
Because the food was delicious today, Su Qing ate two more bowls of rice. He couldn't help burping and said with a smile, "I ate too much today."
Aunt Chen smiled and said, "It's rare to see the young lady eat so much."
Master Yan nodded and said seriously, "Good craftsmanship."
Fang Zhicheng smiled modestly and said, "Thank you all for the compliments." Fang Zhicheng is still very confident in his cooking skills.
Aunt Chen and Master Yan cleaned up the table, and Fang Zhicheng followed Su Qing to the study. Su Qing handed Fang Zhicheng a document, and Fang Zhicheng looked at it carefully for a long time, and said in surprise: "Is there going to be a big change in Huainan?"