No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 414 The old glutton doesn’t care about eating

Qin Ying found that Aweng had a big appetite today and ate a lot. The food on the table was full of delicious food.

That Ouyang Lianghan didn't give in too much. He accompanied Ah Weng while talking about current affairs and eating a lot, coaxing Ah Weng into bursts of hearty laughter from time to time.

Seeing this, Qin Ying's appetite, which was new to Longcheng and acclimatized to the local environment, also improved a little, so she took two more bites of Dongpo meat.

On the high water pavilion in the open air, everyone was full of wine and food, enjoying the wind and admiring the moon together.

Xie Lingjiang, Xie Xue'e, Qin Ying and other women walked aside to chat and enjoy the scenery.

Ouyang Rong and Qin Jingqin stayed in their seats, chatting without a word.

Ouyang Rong asked:

"Why did Mr. Qin get off the boat at Shuangfeng Peak the day before yesterday? Everyone thought that you were delayed in coming. What happened?"

Qin Jingqin didn't answer and said leisurely:

"I come here because of your reputation."

"Come here because of fame?"

"That's right, when I was living in Yangzhou, I heard that His Majesty was going to build the Great Zhou Dede Center and the Buddha statues in all directions. Yangzhou is one of the four states with statues, and there is another state, which is your Jiangzhou.

"There was quite a turmoil at that time, and scholars from all over the country were against it. The question and answer you had on a boat at the Temple of the Holy Master, Lianghan, was famous among scholars, and I heard about it. It also included the promise made to the scholars by Jiang Han. We promise that the construction of the Donglin Giant Buddha will not waste people or money.

"I was curious at that time. Firstly, your Jiangzhou is not as rich as Yangzhou, and secondly, it is not as rich in Buddhist culture as Taiyuan. There are many Buddhist temples everywhere, and it saves time and effort to build giant Buddhas.

"Jiangzhou is at best better than Guizhou, which is at the tail end of the crane. How can it take the lead and be promoted as a model for statues by His Majesty and the imperial court?

"So I came here this time to admire the reputation. I got off the boat and took a look."

At this point, Qin Jingqin stopped talking and took a sip of wine with a smile.

Ouyang Rong thought for a while and said truthfully:

"Actually, it wasn't spread that much. I'm ashamed to say that although it was highly praised by the imperial princes, the construction of Xunyang Grottoes and Donglin Buddha didn't have much experience for other states and counties to learn from.

"Xunyang City has a special terrain, and there are very few places where Buddha statues can be built. The only thing we can do is the tip of the twin peaks.

“Coincidentally, the excavation of the water channel at the twin peaks will not only free up terrain space for the construction of the Donglin Giant Buddha, but also take into account water control and some subsequent expansion prospects of Xunyang City that are being planned...

"It has both, proper planning, and profitable. It just so happened that I had some experience and connections when I was supervising the construction of the Broken Wing Canal in Longcheng...so I must have been lucky."

After hearing this, Qin Jingqin shook his head and nodded again:

"Luck is also a part of strength. Regardless of whether it can be promoted through experience or not, it is the ability to satisfy His Majesty and the princes of the court, the troublemaking scholars and the people of Xunyang.

"It doesn't matter whether there is a combination of interests, compromise or selfishness... Being able to coordinate all parties, take into account the emotions of most people, and promote the completion of one thing is not called ability. What is ability? Many people say that taking care of the whole situation is The overall situation, but how many people can really put the overall situation first?"

The tall old man stroked his beard, looked appreciatively, and said slowly:

"You are just a weakling, but you have such qualities. You are among the best among your peers in this world."

After listening to Qin Jingqin's compliments, he noticed that Xie Lingjiang, Qin Ying and others who were chatting not far away seemed to have stopped talking and looked at each other. Ouyang Rong's face turned red.

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

"Liang Han, do you know the name of this dish?"

Ouyang Rong looked in the direction Qin Jingqin suddenly pointed, and saw a plate of bad crabs on the table.

If I remember correctly, it was a valuable specialty sent by my uncle from Yangzhou. Xie Xue'e, who was good at dancing, made it into delicacies to entertain the granddaughters of the Qin family.

"I heard from my aunt that it seems to be called hollow dragon and phoenix crab."

Qin Jingqin nodded: "Is it delicious?"

Ouyang Rong nodded: "It can be called the most delicious dish in Yangzhou."

Qin Jingqin then asked: "How does it compare with Dongpo meat?"

Ouyang Rong didn't squint: "Each one has its own merits, and all are delicious."

Qin Jingqin asked reluctantly: "Compared to the pork that the rich and powerful people discard like chickens, is this dish respectable? Is it high-quality?"

Ouyang Rong nodded: "The color, aroma, taste and appearance are complete, the style is extremely high, and it is naturally noble."

Qin Jingqin suddenly picked up the blue and white porcelain plate and poured the remaining golden crab shells and crab claws into the empty dish that had been filled with Dongpo meat:

"But the background color is just a bunch of bad crabs cooked. In Yangzhou, every autumn, in the mudflats by the river, these crabs run all over the place, covered with mud, and look gray.

"I only found out after I went to Yangzhou that there are so many bad crabs in the restaurants and stalls there. You can catch a lot of them at a time. They are just a common commodity.

"It doesn't look any more noble than the pork bought in Lianghan Market."

Ouyang Rong was speechless.

Qin Jingqin asked with a smile: "Liang Han, do you know how such a dish of bad crabs and hollowed-out dragon and phoenix crabs got its name?"

"I don't know."

Qin Jingqin said in a long tone:

“Speaking of which, this dish dates back hundreds of years.

“Back then, there was a four-story luxurious dragon boat that could be called a palace on the water, which traveled along the Grand Canal from north to south, all the way down to the south of the Yangtze River, and docked in Yangzhou.

"This dragon boat has its own main hall, inner hall and court hall. It has 120 rooms and is decorated with splendor. It is followed by more than 5,000 large and small ships, carrying kings, concubines, officials and a large number of followers, more than 100,000 people. …”

"It is rumored that this is the huge formation that accompanied the Mad Emperor when he cruised the Grand Canal.

"Let's not talk about the merits and demerits of this Lord. It is inevitable for an emperor to travel extravagantly and wastefully. However, unofficial history records that he was extremely picky about food. It is said that during his stay in Yangzhou, local officials, in order to curry favor, offered local food spoiled crabs. As a result, When the Mad Emperor saw them bringing out a plate of blue-grey crabs, he immediately became angry and wanted to behead both the donor and the cook.

"Later, a cook took the initiative and wiped the crab shells clean one by one, pasted these gold foils engraved with patterns of dragons, phoenixes, flowers and clouds, decorated them sparklingly, and brought them back to the saint. The book recorded that the emperor was very pleased. , tasted it with chopsticks, and asked its name again. The cook said: "Gold dragon and phoenix crab." He was rewarded with a thousand gold coins and entered the dining room of the palace.

Qin Jingqin narrowed his eyes and said:

“But does this mad emperor really like this half-cooked, salty southern native product?

"I don't think so. After all, this kind of bad food is only popular in the south. People in Jiangnan particularly prefer the taste of bad food. The coastal waters are hot and humid, the seafood is rich, and the food is perishable. And Guanzhong, the representative of northern food, obviously has no interest in bad food... …But why is it that the same dish, given a new name, is treated so differently before and after it is served? The dish is still the same dish.”

The tall old man nodded as he asked himself:

"Oh, because the gorgeous 'gold-engraved dragon, phoenix and crab' can undoubtedly better demonstrate the emperor's nobility. Lianghan, whether in the past or in this life, if you want to do something and coordinate everyone, this is the case."

"But in this world, there are many cooks who can make delicious ingredients, but not many cooks like this one who find new ways and can go around in circles. Even the latter kind of cook may never be able to learn from the former, because of this flexible talent , many times it can only come from birth...

"After hearing the anecdote about this dish, I often thought hard. If all the cooks in the world were like this flexible cook, why would the world have trouble finding delicious food? Princes, generals, heroes, farmers, traders... most people can do it. Don't worry about eating anymore.

"A cook like this can take care of anyone's taste. He has ideas for dealing with the emperor and good strategies for dealing with the common people."

"Look at it this way, he's not a cook, he's just a paper decorator?" Ouyang Rong said with a smile.

"That's right, it's the paper poster." Qin Jingqin nodded.

"There are always times when a clever woman cannot make a meal without straw." Ouyang Rong nodded.

"Isn't Kemi right here?" Qin Jingqin reached out and patted the edge of the porcelain plate containing Dongpo meat:

"If we still follow the previous method of cooking pork, it will never be possible to get such good ingredients on the table. Fortunately, we met a good chef like Liang Han. A dish of Dongpo pork is enough to leave a name. It is impossible to say that a hundred years later, it will also be sought after by everyone in Jiangnan. Famous dishes, like this plate of hollowed-out dragon and phoenix crabs.”

Ouyang Rong was silent, drinking and saying nothing.

After a while, the family dinner ended.

Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang bid farewell to Qin Jingqin and Qin Ying in person at the door, and the armored guards in the garden also left with them.

Ouyang Rong thanked Fan Xie Xue'e.

At the gate of the garden, the lady Bu Yao shook her head:

"It's your own fault."

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

"Where is Dongpo?"

Ouyang Rong suppressed the corner of his mouth and only said: "Over there in my hometown."

Turn around and leave.

Want to deduct my merit? no way.

The young man in fox white fur who answered cleverly and avoided lying had his merit reduced by one nodded and left with satisfaction.

After walking out of the gate, Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang got into the carriage.

Ouyang Rong sat down, leaned back in relief, closed his eyes and said.

"Go to the palace."

"it is good."

As he was thinking about something, he felt a catkin approach and gently rub his brow, feeling a little warm in his heart.

But as soon as the carriage left the Xie family's private residence, Ouyang Rong, who was closing his eyes and concentrating, heard Xie Lingjiang's voice next to him:

"There seems to be an informant in the alley outside. He ran away in a hurry, as if reporting a message. He may be Wang Lengran's person. He has been watching us since we entered for the family banquet."

Ouyang Rong said with a smile: "It seems that the most tense thing in Xunyang City at tonight's family banquet is not between us and the palace, but the king's governor. I don't know what Qin Jingqin talked about when he made an exception to attend the banquet. Our king's governor I guess I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Xie Ling Jiang Yanran smiled:

"Relieve a little bit."

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

"What do you think of tonight's dinner? Have you met Qin Jingqin?"

After seeing Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang returning, Li Xian, Li Guo'er and others couldn't wait to ask.

Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and drank tea. Xie Lingjiang slowly recounted the general conversation at tonight's family banquet while peeling pears.

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

"Aside from asking about Li Zhengyan, we just chatted about food, Shuangfengjian and Xunyang Grottoes?"

"Ah."

Li Guoer was a little confused:

"It's understandable to ask for advice. But to talk a lot later, just to use metaphors to praise you? It's too wrong."

Xie Lingjiang, however, was not so stubborn and said bluntly:

"Perhaps Uncle Qin didn't think so much and just admired Senior Brother?

"I was observing from the side and found that Uncle Qin's granddaughter Qin Ying looked at him frequently, her eyes seemed surprised."

Li Guo'er was noncommittal, frowned and thought for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"How can you bring up the Shuangfengjian and Xunyang Grottoes so easily? Could it be that Qin Jingqin has taken a fancy to it and wants to get involved and get a share of the pie?"

"It is true that this kind of person rarely makes a pointless decision." Wei Mei nodded: "It makes sense."

Everyone looked at Ouyang Rong, who was looking down and thinking.

Without raising his eyes, he asked: "The Qin family is short of money?"

Xie Lingjiang shook his head: "From what my aunt said, there should be no shortage."

"If there is no shortage, there will be no shortage, but who would despise having more money?"

Li Guoer analyzed softly:

"What's more, if you come across a construction like the Xunyang Grottoes where you can earn money for your merits and conscience, you can not only make money, but also win a good reputation. If the Qin family happens to also worship Buddhism, it can be considered as killing three birds with one stone."

After a pause, she cast a look at the handsome young man with fox-white fur and fur, asking for his opinion.

Ouyang Rong was a bit meek: "Add him... It's okay, but I feel that if you really hint at joining the gang, it would be too naked."

Li Baoer tilted his head:

"If you still want to talk in circles, this hint is enough. Ouyang Lianghan, sometimes smart people can't think too much. Be more simple and rely on first impressions."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"The first thing I felt was that he was praising me."

"..."

Li Guoer glared:

"You want to be flattering...Praise is not pure praise. People like this always have a purpose in what they say. Even when I meet you at this family dinner, I may have known you would come in advance. There is no surprise..."

The little girl with plum blossom makeup raised a red cardamom index finger, tapped her chin, squinted her eyes and thought for a moment:

"According to the previous analysis, Qin Jingqin should attach great importance to military merit when he comes out this time. The purpose of being knighted like the old Hu Guogong is. Looking at it now, he may be asking for more, and he may have the intention to join us. The grotto at the double peak is An opportunity to join the team, seeing how he likes it so much, and the compliments in and out of words... If it’s a hint, it’s just the right thing to bind.”

She paused in her words and nodded slowly.

Ouyang Rong glanced at her and thought for a while.

This little princess is too sober and rational in her dealings with others. Sometimes she only analyzes the pros and cons. Although she is a bit arbitrary and ruthless, her logic is not unreasonable.

Li Guo'er suddenly slapped his hands with both hands:

"You can test it out tomorrow and find out your attitude. If you are really interested in the interests of Xunyang Grottoes, or are optimistic about us and want to bet on us, there is no harm in recruiting them to join us. One more ally will bring more strength, especially at this time. The more, the merrier.”

"That makes sense." Li Xian nodded.

They discussed it again and found no objection. Finally, they looked at Ouyang Rong with expectation in their eyes: "How about giving it a try?"

Ouyang Rong neither nodded nor shook his head.

Said softly: "Principle...agreed."

"..." Everyone in the study.

As expected of the governor of Jiangzhou, a man of the fifth rank in talent and a refined speech... Li Guoer's originally indifferent eyes couldn't help but give him an angry look.

However, Ouyang Rong found that everyone's eyes were filled with joy at the prospect of winning over a highly respected General Zuo Wuwei.

The atmosphere in the study is slightly soothing.

At this time, Li Guo'er suddenly asked: "Then Mr. Qin's eldest granddaughter hasn't left the cabinet yet?"

The study suddenly became quiet.

　The roommate who was out for a night out was infected with the flu. She had a sore throat and a runny nose, and her head was heavy. Well, everyone, please pay attention to your health and be careful about the flu as the season changes.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)