Chapter 381

126. Xie Qin Family Banquet

The person whom Prince Xunyang Li Lixian and Assistant Jiangzhou Cishi Wang Lengran did not invite out was invited out by the Xie clan.

Ouyang Rong looked at this pair of Xie clan direct-line aunt and niece in front of him.

For a moment, a sense of incomparable strangeness arose in his mind.

However, this feeling was fleeting.

Below, a soft hand quietly reached out and held his palm under his sleeve; it was the touch of warm fragrance and soft jade.

Ouyang Rong came back to his senses.

Beside him, Xie Lingjiang was holding hands with him, looking at him with concern, her eyes soft.

And the beautiful woman with dangling hairpins in front of him proudly raised her head, her eyes sideways, glancing at his expression and reaction.

The strangeness of the moment turned into incomparable familiarity.

"Ru Shixiong, what's wrong? Is there something uncomfortable with your body?" Xie Lingjiang asked cautiously.

"It's nothing, hearing about this... just a bit surprised."

Ouyang Rong patted the back of her hand.

He actually suddenly felt that the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs, or the aristocratic clans, still had immense power in the Great Zhou Dynasty, deeply rooted.

The Guanlong clans, the Northern clans, and the Jiang Nan clans were all behemoths. The noble scholar-officials they cultivated were potential spokespersons for regional landlord groups.

Previously, because of his own experience, he always felt that the upward channel was not blocked and was relatively open.

But thinking carefully, how many cold scholars in the Great Zhou Dynasty could be like him?

Not to mention the Ding Sword, winning the favor of the Five Surnames' women, and the status of the Tanlang in the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

Just the status of a Metropolitan Graduate in the imperial examination, the number of Metropolitan Graduates in each list is only twenty or thirty, and not everyone among them can get an official position from the Ministry of Personnel.

Not to mention Metropolitan Graduates like him back then, who were sent to poor and remote places like Dragon City County without any background.

How many of each Metropolitan Graduate list can truly stay in the capital as officials? Even if they are in high positions in the state like him, how many are there?

No wonder Ouyang Rong, a cold scholar elite, refused a Grade 5 official position in the capital back then, causing such a huge public opinion reaction in the Luoyang court.

Having said so much, who occupied the official positions and high positions of the court?

Well, first exclude the common people.

The imperial examination of the Great Gan and Great Zhou Dynasties was initially to curb the aristocratic families, but the effect was not as good as imagined, because it was not breaking and then establishing, but supporting as a third party.

In short, the Great Zhou Dynasty was still aristocratic politics. No matter how powerful Qin Jingzhen was, he was also from a noble background and could not escape the limitations of his own class. This led to the private banquet of the Xie and Qin families tomorrow night.

The status of the Xie clan's son-in-law was even more powerful than he imagined.

It might be getting an admission ticket that countless cold scholars dreamed of.

Ouyang Rong's brows gathered slightly.

Xie Xue'e looked sideways and asked: "Why, looking unhappy?"

After speaking, she glanced at the ten fingers tightly clasped under the sleeves of Xie Lingjiang and Ouyang Rong.

He shook his head: "No, I'm thinking about how to thank Aunt."

Regardless, a true strong person will not complain about the environment or the era, but will be able to achieve something in any environment and any era. Even if he possessed the perspective leading a thousand years ahead from the Pure Land, his vision was telling him every moment that this was hell.

Ouyang Rong's heart was as clear as a mirror, and he felt that the warm and soft beauty and the beautiful woman with dangling hairpins beside him were becoming more and more familiar and intimate. They were all existences of flesh and blood.

"Why thank me?"

Xie Xue'e suppressed the corners of her lips and waved her hand:

"If you want to thank someone, thank Seventeen. I arrived in Xunyang yesterday and have been accompanying her for almost two days. You haven't come to find her once. How did you do as a Ru Shixiong? Your teacher is not by your side, and you don't even care about your Xiao Shimei."

"Aunt, Ru Shixiong is busy." Xie Lingjiang said with a straight face: "Uncle Qin is here, and the Jiangzhou Government Office has been holding meetings for these two days to discuss the dispatch of food and grass for the army..."

Xie Xue'e couldn't help but: "You are protecting food now, where did the muttering go when you were looking forward to it during the day."

Xie Lingjiang stared: "Aunt is talking nonsense."

Ouyang Rong grabbed Xie Lingjiang's fair hand under his sleeve and said directly:

"Thank you, Aunt, for the arrangement. To tell you the truth, this banquet can be considered solving an urgent need, it's really sending charcoal in snow. Xiao Shimei and I will arrive on time tomorrow night."

After a pause:

"This is the first time attending this kind of family banquet. I don't understand the customs and etiquette of Yangzhou and Jin Ling. May I ask Aunt if there is anything I need to pay attention to?"

"There are not many rules for a private family banquet, just inviting Uncle Qin and his granddaughter to have a meal, just home-cooked dishes, everything is simplified. However, if you want to say pay attention, Uncle Qin is a well-known gourmet in Yangzhou, and he has tasted all the delicacies in Jiang Nan. If Xunyang has any special delicacies, you can find some..."

Speaking of this, Xie Xue'e shook her head, counting family treasures:

"If there isn't, it's fine. I'll prepare the dishes for the family banquet. Your uncle sent from Yangzhou some fermented crabs, Guanghan cakes made with three autumn osmanthus from Qiantang, and hairy crabs from Dongting Lake..."

Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows slightly:

"Gourmet?"

"Hmm, what's wrong."

"It's nothing." Ouyang Rong shook his head, thought for a moment, and tried to ask:

"How has Uncle Su been lately?"

Xie Xue'e's husband was Su Youwei, the Jiangzhou Cishi of Yangzhou. Because of official business, he was also one of the four cities of statue-building. Ouyang Rong was quite familiar with the deeds of this Jiangzhou Cishi Su, but they only had official correspondence and did not know each other privately.

However, because of his Xiao Shimei and the Chen Jun Xie clan, once they were engaged, he could be considered a cheap uncle.

Xie Xue'e curled her lips: "He's just like that, dull and stupid."

Ouyang Rong laughed. How could the Jiangzhou Cishi of the most prosperous and wealthy state in Jiang Nan be truly dull?

Xie Xue'e looked at him: "For tomorrow night's family banquet, you still need to make some preparations, mainly... in terms of dealing with people."

Ouyang Rong nodded, understanding the meaning.

In a sense, this family banquet was an opportunity for him to talk to Qin Jingzhen. Xie Xue'e was the matchmaker, giving him a platform to show himself.

This is not to say that he wanted to carry out any interest transfer, but to open up some relationships and find out Qin Jingzhen's attitude towards the Xunyang Prince's Mansion and the Wei clan.

If there is an opportunity, he can also strive for favor and sympathy for the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

Mainly because the position of the Grand General of the Jiang Nan Circuit is too important. If it is occupied by someone close to the Wei clan, the environment of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion will be even worse, so he must plan early.

Therefore, it is very important to find out Qin Jingzhen's attitude.

This is also the reason why Wang Lengran and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion racked their brains to involute when they went to Xunyang Wharf to welcome people not long ago.

Ouyang Rong's trip this time is also to find out the truth.

The next day, evening.

A family banquet was quietly held in a private garden of the Chen Jun Xie clan located in Xiushui Square, Xunyang City.

A carriage stopped leisurely at the main entrance. Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang held hands and got off the carriage to attend the banquet. Xie Lingjiang was also carrying a food box in her hand.

In the center of the Xie family garden, there was a pool of clear water, and a high building and wide pavilion stood by the water. The top platform had an open view.

Tonight, the family banquet was held on this top platform, without a roof, which was convenient for enjoying the moon while eating.

The two entered the garden and found that they were a bit early. Xie Xue'e was still dispatching maidservants, running between the kitchen and the water pavilion, busy preparing the delicacies to be served later.

Under the sleeve of the Xie clan noblewoman, Ouyang Rong boarded the high platform of the water pavilion and saw delicacies and wine listed at the banquet, accompanied by singing and dancing with strings and woodwinds.

This can be considered the most elegant and particular private family banquet Ouyang Rong has ever attended.

It can also be considered the particularity of the aristocratic family.

Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang took their seats and waited for a moment. Only then did they see a group of personal guards pouring in like a tide from below the water pavilion, occupying various sentry points in the garden, guarding strictly, but they did not approach the water pavilion where the banquet was held.

After the personal guards finished guarding, a tall old man and a slightly plump female Daoist walked over leisurely and boarded the platform to take their seats.

Ouyang Rong glanced at Qin Ying, the slightly plump female Daoist behind Qin Jingzhen, who should be Qin Jingzhen's granddaughter.

It's just that he didn't expect that Qin Ying also cast her gaze over, as if glancing at Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang who were sitting close together.

Ouyang Rong smiled politely, but Qin Ying had already moved her gaze away.

Everyone took their seats, and the evening banquet began.

Even though everyone already knew each other, as the host, Xie Xue'e still formally introduced them one by one.

Facing someone he had dealt with officially at the Jiangzhou Government Office during the day, Qin Jingzhen's face was not embarrassed at all.

In private, his expression was more amiable and kind, without the severity of the day. Seeing the familiar fermented crabs, hollowed-out dragon and phoenix crabs, Guanghan cakes, and other delicacies on the table, Qin Jingzhen's expression was not surprised at all, and he teased a few words:

"Xie Da Niangzi remembers my preferences, eh, better than Ying'er, she doesn't care about this, she always eats mine."

Qin Ying stared and whispered: "Grandfather!"

Xie Xue'e and Xie Lingjiang laughed.

It seems that the Xie and Qin families have a good private friendship.

Ouyang Rong thought to himself.

"What dish is this?"

Qin Jingzhen saw a plate of hot cooked meat brought up by Xie Lingjiang from the self-brought thermal food box and asked curiously.

"This was made by Ru Shixiong himself, he was busy for a day."

"Is it... pork?"

Xie Xue'e sniffed.

"That's right."

Xie Xue'e frowned slightly and looked at Qin Jingzhen's expression.

In Jiang Nan, pork is relatively cheap. Rich people disdain it and regard it as civilian food, while mutton, hairy crabs, etc., are symbols of status.

Xie Lingjiang's eyes were shining, and she explained crisply:

"This was made by Ru Shixiong with his hometown method... He went to buy a large piece of pork early in the morning, added water to cover the meat, and only put a large log in the stove to burn, stewing it with a low fire for a whole day, from morning to night, until just before going out, it was stewed until soft and rotten, and he brought two bowls..."

Xie Xue'e, who was frowning, caught a glimpse of Qin Jingzhen's expression, which was full of interest. After listening, he even smiled and asked:

"This cooking method has never been seen before. Old man eats little pork, but it sounds quite interesting. Xie Xiaoniangzi, what is the name of this dish?"

"Ru Shixiong said it's a hometown dish, called Dongpo meat."

Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows slightly. Xiao Shimei is worthy of being his mouthpiece; she can remember clearly what he said casually during the day.

"Dongpo? Where is this place." Qin Jingzhen curiously picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of Dongpo meat, put it in his mouth... The more he chewed, the quieter his expression became.

Qin Ying, who hadn't spoken much since she came in, was a bit quiet. At this moment, she hesitated, also picked up her chopsticks, tasted it, and her eyes lit up:

"Delicious."

Her eyes were shining as she looked at Ouyang Rong.

Qin Jingzhen praised: "The taste is tender and smooth, fat but not greasy, a delicious delicacy."

Xie Xue'e, who was silently preparing to clean up the scene, stopped her words and couldn't help but look at Ouyang Rong, as if asking.

Qin Jingzhen nodded with emotion:

"Being able to cook pork so deliciously, it's the only time I've seen it in my life. It's an eye-opener. I was ignorant before. I really should go out more and taste the delicacies from all over the country...

"Lianghan has heart. It seems you have an extraordinary understanding of delicious food."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"A little thin opinion. Ingredients actually have no high or low, good raw materials are the basis of delicious food, just like the tender meat on the neck of a small pig, or the two fat large claws of the crab before the autumn frost... these are essence ingredients.

"Secondly, the appropriate cooking method can add color to the ingredients. For example, clams should be eaten with wine when they are half-cooked, and crabs should be steamed with wine dregs, tasted when they are slightly raw..."

Qin Jingzhen smiled and interrupted: "For example, you stew the pork neck meat until it is soft and rotten with a low fire?"

"Exactly." Ouyang Rong nodded.

Qin Jingzhen looked at Ouyang Rong with a flash of light in his eyes, quite like a gourmet meeting a soulmate, and suddenly became very talkative.

Ouyang Rong also answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, with clear speech and distinct viewpoints.

After three rounds of drinking, the tall old man suddenly paused and asked:

"Actually, hearing Xie Da Niangzi say you would come, I thought you would send some paintings for me to appreciate. I didn't expect it to be a plate of delicacies. Dongpo meat, is that the name?"

"Hmm, hometown dish." Ouyang Rong nodded, and added: "My pockets are empty, no paintings to offer, only a little culinary skill to show off."

"I heard that Lianghan refused the position of Senior Secretary of the Expeditionary Camp. Could it be that you don't want to work with me? Do you think I'm hard to serve?"

"Not so."

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "Does Qin Bo want to hear the truth or lies?"

"Tell the lies first."

He said sincerely: "The lie is that my ability is not enough, my energy is insufficient, and I am not worthy of this position."

Qin Jingzhen smiled: "Then what is the truth?"

"The truth is that leading troops to fight is the same as a cook handling ingredients. Facing the same ingredients, different cooks have different methods, and the dishes made must have different tastes, but they are all delicacies.

"For example, the Great Zhou army, the foundation of the Wei Mansion soldiers is still there, this is the top-grade ingredient in the eyes of the cook. Qin Bo or I can do it, both have their own methods of cooking and processing.

"But now, for this big meal in the southwest, Qin Bo, you are the cook, so why do you need me, a cook, to intervene and be an assistant? This makes both of us uncomfortable, easy to be unable to help but point fingers, and even usurp the host's role, causing contradictions."

"Hahaha, this is interesting." Qin Jingzhen laughed loudly.

Regarding Ouyang Rong's cook metaphor, and comparing himself to him, he didn't feel offended at all. Qin Jingzhen asked with interest:

"In that case, you are also a cook?"

"Not talented." Ouyang Rong sat upright: "Exactly."

Xie Lingjiang, Qin Ying, Xie Xue'e, and other women around couldn't help but look at the fox-white fur youth who spoke lightly and exuded a confident aura.

For a time, he became the focus of the gathering.

Even Xie Lingjiang, who was very familiar with Ouyang Rong, rarely saw Ru Shixiong so wanton and flamboyant... It seems that tonight is indeed important, and he is no longer hiding his clumsiness.

Qin Jingzhen narrowed his eyes:

"Then how does Lianghan view Li Zhengyan's Restoration Army? If Lianghan were to serve as the main general for suppressing the rebellion, what would you do?"

The banquet was silent.

Ouyang Rong watched his nose and heart, understanding that the real test tonight had come...

Sorry it's a bit short... or (End of chapter)