Chapter 382: 128

128.

biqukun text The Gourmet's Intention is Not in Food The Gourmet's Intention is Not in Food→:

Qin Ying found that Grandfather had a great appetite today and ate a lot. The delicacies on the table were swept away.

That Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan was not to be outdone, accompanying Grandfather while talking about current politics, while eating and eating, making Grandfather burst into hearty laughter from time to time.

Seeing this, Qin Ying, whose appetite had been poor since arriving in Longcheng and not being acclimatized, felt a little better and picked up two more pieces of Dongpo meat.

On the open-air water pavilion platform, everyone was full of wine and food, bathing in the wind and enjoying the moon.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang, Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Xuee, and other women walked to the side to chat and enjoy the scenery.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Qin Qin Jingqin remained in their seats, chatting casually.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong asked:

"Why did Qin Lao disembark at Shuangfeng Peak the day before yesterday? Everyone thought you were late and something happened."

Qin Qin Jingqin did not answer, and said leisurely:

"The old man can be considered to have come for the name."

"Come for the name?"

"That's right. As early as when I was idle in Yangzhou, I heard that the Emperor wanted to build the Great Zhou Praise Virtue Center and the Four Directions Buddha Statues. Yangzhou is one of the four states for statue construction, and there is another state, which is your Jiangzhou.

"The disturbance caused by that was not small, and scholars from all over the country opposed it. Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, your boat-water question and answer at the Most Holy Master Temple spread in the scholar forest, and the old man also heard about it, including the promise made to the scholars that the construction of the Donglin Great Buddha in Jiangzhou would not disturb the people or waste money.

"The old man was curious at the time. Your Jiangzhou is neither as rich as Yangzhou, nor does it have the rich Buddhist style and temples everywhere like Taiyuan, making the construction of the Great Buddha time-saving and labor-saving.

"Jiangzhou is at most better than Guizhou, which is at the end of the crane. How can it occupy the top spot and be publicized by the Emperor and the imperial court as a model for statue construction in all directions?

"So this time, it can be considered coming for the name. I disembarked and took a look."

Speaking of this, Qin Qin Jingqin stopped his words and drank wine with a smile.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, and said truthfully:

"Actually, it's not as powerful as publicized. To be ashamed, although I was praised by the imperial court, the construction of the Prince Xunyang Grotto and the Donglin Great Buddha does not have much experience that can be learned by other counties.

"The terrain of Prince Xunyang City is special, and there are very few places where Buddha statues can be built. I can only gnaw on this hard bone of Shuangfeng Peak.

"Coincidentally, the excavation of the Shuangfeng Peak waterway can not only free up the terrain space for building the Donglin Great Buddha, but also take into account water control and some subsequent expansion prospects of Prince Xunyang City that are being planned...

"Both are prepared, the planning is appropriate, there is profit to be made, and it happened that when I was supervising the construction of the Zhe Yi Channel in Longcheng, I had some experience and connections... so it can be considered walking on dog shit luck."

After listening, Qin Qin Jingqin shook his head, and nodded again:

"Luck is also a part of strength. Regardless of whether it can be promoted or not, being able to satisfy the Emperor and the imperial court, and satisfy the scholars and the people of Prince Xunyang who caused trouble, this is ability.

"And don't care whether there is a joint interest, whether there is a compromise or selfishness... Being able to coordinate all parties and take into account the emotions of most people to promote and accomplish a thing, if this is not called ability, what is ability? How many people can truly take the overall situation into account when they say they take the overall situation into account?"

The tall old man stroked his beard, his eyes appreciative, and said slowly:

"Just reaching the age of twenty, having such cultivation, among the peers of the present age, can be ranked in the forefront."

Hearing Qin Qin Jingqin's praise, noticing that the Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang, Qin Ying, and others who were chatting not far away seemed to stop their voices and look over, Magistrate Ouyang Rong's old face turned red.

He opened his mouth to speak, but was directly interrupted by Qin Qin Jingqin:

"Does Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan know the name of this dish?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong followed the direction Qin Qin Jingqin suddenly pointed, which was a plate of drunken crabs on the table.

If he remembered correctly, it was a valuable specialty sent by the inexpensive uncle from Yangzhou, which was made into delicacies by the dancing Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Xuee to treat the Qin family grandfather and granddaughter.

"Listening to Aunt, it seems to be called something like hollowed-out dragon and phoenix crab."

Qin Qin Jingqin nodded: "Is it delicious?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded: "Can be called the ultimate taste of Yangzhou."

Qin Qin Jingqin continued to ask: "How is it compared to Dongpo meat?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked straight: "Each has its own merits, both are delicious."

Qin Qin Jingqin asked relentlessly: "Compared to the pork that the rich and powerful abandon like shoes, is this dish noble? Is the style high?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded: "Color, fragrance, taste, and visual sense are all complete, the style is extremely high, naturally noble."

Qin Qin Jingqin suddenly picked up the blue and white porcelain plate and poured the remaining golden crab shells and crab claws in the plate into the empty vegetable plate that had held Dongpo meat:

"But the background color is just a pile of drunken crabs cooked. In Yangzhou, during the autumn season, this kind of crab runs everywhere on the mudflats by the river, covered in mud, gray and dull.

"The old man also only knew after going to Yangzhou that there are many such crabs in the food stalls there, grab a handful, just road goods.

"Looking at it, it doesn't seem much more noble than the pork Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan bought in the market."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was speechless.

Qin Qin Jingqin asked with a smile: "Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, do you know how the name of this plate of drunken crabs, hollowed-out dragon and phoenix crab, came about?"

"Don't know."

Qin Qin Jingqin's tone was long:

"Speaking of which, this dish has to be traced back a hundred years.

"Back then, there was a four-story luxury dragon boat that could be called a water palace, sailing along the Grand Canal from north to south, all the way down to Jiang Nan, and anchored in Yangzhou.

"This dragon boat had its own main hall, inner hall, and court, with 120 rooms, decorated brilliantly, and followed by more than 5,000 large and small ships, carrying princes, concubines, officials, and a large number of followers, totaling more than 100,000 people..."

"It is rumored that this was the huge formation when the Mad Emperor toured the Grand Canal.

"The rights and wrongs of this master are temporarily not discussed. Imperial travel is naturally extravagant and wasteful. However, wild history records that he was very picky about food. It is said that during his stay in Yangzhou, local officials, in order to curry favor, presented drunken crabs as local food. As a result, when the Mad Emperor saw them take out a plate of gray crabs, he was immediately angry and wanted to behead the presenters and the cooks.

"Later, a cook took the initiative to stand up, wiped the crab shells clean one by one, pasted them with these gold foils carved with dragon and phoenix flower cloud patterns, decorated them brilliantly, and presented them to the Saint again. The records say that the Emperor was very happy, used chopsticks to taste it, and asked for its name again. The cook said: Hollowed-out gold dragon and phoenix crab. He was rewarded with a thousand gold and entered the palace kitchen.

Qin Qin Jingqin narrowed his eyes and said:

"But would this Mad Emperor really like this kind of half-cooked, salty-fresh southern local product?

"The old man feels not necessarily. After all, this kind of drunken goods is only popular in the south. Jiang Nan people are particularly fond of the taste of wine dregs. The coast is humid and hot, and seafood is abundant, and food is easy to rot. While the northern Guanzhong, which represents northern food, obviously lacks interest in drunken goods... But why is the same dish, changed in appearance, given a new name, and the treatment before and after is so different? The dish is still that dish."

The tall old man nodded to himself:

"Heh, because the gorgeous 'hollowed-out gold dragon and phoenix crab' can undoubtedly better highlight the Emperor's nobility. Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, regardless of the previous dynasty or the present, if you want to do something and coordinate the top and bottom, it is always like this."

"But in this world, there are many cooks who can make delicious ingredients, but there are not many cooks like this one who finds another way and knows how to go around in circles. Even the latter kind of cook might be something the former can never learn, because this kind of flexibility talent is often born with it...

"After listening to the anecdotes of this dish, the old man often thinks hard, if all the cooks in the world were like this flexible cook, why would the world worry about not finding delicious food? Princes and generals, heroes and scholars, farmers and merchants... most people would not have to worry about eating, right?"

"Looking at it this way, it's not a cook, it's a paper-paster?" Magistrate Ouyang Rong said with a smile.

"That's right, it's a paper-paster." Qin Qin Jingqin nodded.

"There is always a time when a clever woman cannot cook without rice." Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded.

"But isn't the rice right here?"

Qin Qin Jingqin reached out and patted the edge of the porcelain plate that had held Dongpo meat:

"If you still follow the previous pork cooking method, such good ingredients will never be on the table. Fortunately, it met a good cook like Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan. A dish of Dongpo meat is enough to leave a name. Maybe a hundred years later, it will also be a Jiang Nan famous dish sought after by everyone, just like this plate of hollowed-out gold dragon and phoenix crab."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was silent, drinking wine without speaking.

A moment later, the family banquet ended.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang personally saw off the grandfather and granddaughter Qin Qin Jingqin and Qin Ying at the entrance. The iron-clad personal guards in the garden also left with them.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong thanked Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Xuee.

At the entrance of the garden, the noblewoman with dangling hairpins shook her head:

"It's your own ability."

The expression on her face under the lantern hesitated for a moment, and she asked:

"Where is Dongpo?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong suppressed the corners of his mouth, leaving only one sentence: "In my hometown."

Turned and left.

Want to deduct my merit? No way.

The fox-white fur young man who answered cleverly and avoided lying and merit deduction nodded, satisfied and left.

Walking out of the main entrance, Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang got into the carriage.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong sat down, relaxed and leaned back, closed his eyes and said.

"Go to the Prince's Mansion."

"Good."

Thinking about some things, he felt a soft hand reach out and gently rub his brows, and his heart felt warm.

But just as the carriage drove away from the Chenjun Xie family's private residence, Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who was resting with his eyes closed, heard the voice of Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang beside him:

"There seems to be an eye in the alley outside, running away in a hurry, like reporting news. It might be Wang Wang Lengran's person. They have been staring at us since we entered the family banquet."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled: "It seems that tonight, the most nervous person in Prince Xunyang City is not us and the Prince's Mansion, but our Great Jiangzhou Cishi Wang. Not knowing what Qin Qin Jingqin chatted about after breaking the rules to attend the banquet, our Great Jiangzhou Cishi Wang will probably have a hard time sleeping tonight."

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang smiled beautifully:

"Slightly relieved."

An hour later, in a study in the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion, everyone gathered.

"How about the banquet tonight? Did you see Qin Qin Jingqin?"

Seeing Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang return, Li Wang Lixian, Li Su Guoer, and others asked impatiently.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and drank tea. Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang, while peeling a pear, slowly recounted the general conversation at the family banquet tonight.

After listening for a while, Li Su Guoer put down the white cat and asked first:

"Except for asking about Li Li Zhengyan's strategy, the rest was just chatting about delicacies, and Shuangfeng Peak and the Prince Xunyang Grotto?"

"Um."

Li Su Guoer was a bit puzzled:

"Asking about strategy is understandable. But chatting about a lot of things later, just to metaphorically praise you? It's too abnormal."

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang didn't have so many twists and turns, and said directly:

"Maybe Qin Bo didn't think so much, just purely appreciating Senior Brother?

"I observed from the side and found that Qin Bo's granddaughter Qin Ying looked at him frequently, her eyes looking surprised."

Li Su Guoer was noncommittal, frowned and thought for a moment, and spoke slowly:

"Why did he mention Shuangfeng Peak and the Prince Xunyang Grotto for no reason? Could it be that Qin Qin Jingqin took a fancy to it and wanted to participate and share a piece of the pie?"

"Such figures rarely act without a goal." Wei Mei nodded: "Makes sense."

Everyone looked at Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who was thinking with his eyes lowered.

He didn't raise his eyelids and asked: "Is the Qin family short of money?"

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang shook her head: "Listening to Aunt, it shouldn't be."

"Not short is not short, but who would dislike having too much wealth."

Li Su Guoer analyzed softly:

"What's more, encountering this kind of construction of the Prince Xunyang Grotto where you can earn merit and conscience money while lying down, not only earning money but also winning a good name, even if the Qin family happens to worship Buddha, it can be considered killing three birds with one stone."

After a pause, she cast an inquiring look at the handsome young man in fox-white fur.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was a bit lukewarm: "Adding him... it is possible, but I feel that if it is really a hint to join, it is too naked."

Li Su Guoer tilted her head:

"What else do you want to go around in circles? This kind of hint is enough. Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, sometimes smart people can't think too much, be shallow, rely on your first feeling."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded:

"The first feeling is that he is praising me."

Li Su Guoer stared:

"You think beautifully... It's not pure praise either. Such figures always have a purpose when they speak, including seeing you at this family banquet, maybe he knew you would come in advance, no accident..."

The little girl with plum blossom makeup raised a red bean-card index finger, tapped her chin, narrowed her eyes and pondered for a moment:

"According to the previous analysis, Qin Qin Jingqin's trip out of the mountain should be very important for military merit. Like the old Duke of Hu, the purpose is to be enfeoffed. Now it seems that he may want more. Maybe he also has the intention to join us. The grotto at Shuangfeng Peak is an opportunity to join. Seeing that he likes it so much, and the praise in his words... maybe it is a hint, just right to bind."

Her words paused, and she nodded slowly.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong glanced at her and pondered for a while.

This little Princess's way of dealing with people is too clear and rational. Sometimes she only analyzes the pros and cons. Although she is a bit decisive and ruthless, her logic is not unreasonable.

Li Su Guoer suddenly clapped her hands with both jade hands:

"You can try to test it tomorrow, figure out the attitude. If you are really interested in the interests of the Prince Xunyang Grotto, or if you are optimistic about us and want to bet, why not pull them in? One more ally is one more strength, especially at this time, the more the better."

"Makes sense." Li Wang Lixian nodded.

They discussed again, all had no objections, and finally looked at Magistrate Ouyang Rong together, eyes full of expectation: "Want to try?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong neither nodded nor shook his head.

Said softly: "In principle... agree."

"..." Everyone in the study.

Worthy of being the Jiangzhou Senior Official, only twenty years old and Grade 5, speaking with particularity... Li Su Guoer's originally indifferent eyes couldn't help but glance at him with resentment.

However, being able to hope to win over a highly respected Left Martial Guard General, Magistrate Ouyang Rong found that everyone's eyes were full of joy.

The atmosphere in the study eased slightly.

At this time, Li Su Guoer asked suddenly: "Then is Qin Lao's eldest granddaughter still unmarried?"

The study was suddenly quiet.

Infected with the flu by a roommate who went out to play, sore throat, runny nose, and a bit of a heavy head, um, everyone pay attention to your health, be careful of the flu when the season changes.

(End of chapter)

, ===== CHAPTER 383 =====

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