bigshooter's answer has more truth than not, though if you're looking
to find the standard flavoring sauces, find a reputable Chinese brand
- Koon Chun, Lee Kum Kee, and the like. The rudiments of the standard
techniques can be learned in a few sessions, though perfecting them is
not so straightforward. Main things are to use enough oil, enough heat,
and enough Alliums.
For a beginner text, I suggest Grace Chu's Pleasures of Chinese Cooking,
though a "master" book of any cookery is but a dream.