The Duke of Newcastle was very angry and said, "Embassies and consulates? Please, have you Chinese people established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom? Have the two sides exchanged credentials? You are just distinguished guests from the East now, representing an organization rather than a country!" "
"Want to have the power of the consulate? You have to get our recognition first. How to get our recognition? You have to please our queen first!"
"Now I order you to modify the menu. If such dishes are given to the queen, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the consequences!"
The Duke of Newcastle underestimated the stubbornness of these Chinese people. No matter what he said, they would not let him go. He could go to the study to rest, but there was absolutely no way to see the head of state.
Just then, a tired voice came from behind the crowd, "Bring me the menu!"
As soon as the voice came to mind, all the soldiers present stood at attention and saluted as if a switch had been triggered on their bodies. Except for a few chefs from Ryukyu, the remaining chefs from the Qing Dynasty and Fuso Nanyang all knelt down. .
Xiao Letian appeared in front of everyone with bloodshot eyes. Even Dr. Huang Xiyi didn't expect that the soothing decoction that could last for four hours would expire after only three hours. This shows how stressed Xiao Letian is.
"Give me the menu!" Xiao Letian said unhappily. Duke Newx quickly took the menu from Liu Dadao and handed it to Xiao Letian with both hands.
"Führer, you must listen to me on this matter today. This banquet is too important. You have already gained favor in front of the queen, so you can't let this banquet ruin your success?"
Xiao Letian ignored him and waved his hand, "I'll see for myself, I have my own judgment!"
As soon as he opened the menu and glanced at it, Xiao Letian knew the key to the problem. In the final analysis, it was the gap between Eastern and Western food cultures.
The Chinese should be regarded as the least taboo nation in human society. There was a proverb in the past that said they would not eat planes flying in the sky, cars running on the ground, or four-legged benches. They would eat whatever is left.
This is a bit exaggerated, but it also reflects the diversity of Chinese people’s diet.
The vast land, complex terrain, and the mixed living of multiple ethnic groups have resulted in mutual tolerance of eating habits. Many rare ingredients have spread throughout the country little by little over a long period of time.
In addition, China has not had a monotheistic religion to control people's hearts since ancient times, let alone God to tell people what not to eat. Gradually, Chinese cuisine has become more colorful.
Europeans do not eat animal heads and hooves, and strong-flavored foods like pig knuckles seem to be enjoyed only by Prussians and some people in Northern Europe.
Animal internal organs and blood are also not eaten because religion considers them to be unclean.
Europeans dislike the spiny and earthy smell of freshwater fish. In addition, Europe has many coastlines and a rich supply of seafood, so marine fish naturally replaced freshwater fish.
The same goes for crabs. With delicious sea crabs available, no one will consider the small freshwater crabs.
There are also pets. Cats and dogs are absolutely not edible in Europe. Although there are no animal protection organizations in this era, Europeans recognize that cats and dogs are friends of humans, so they will never eat these things.
Xiao Letian closed the menu and said to Liu Dadao, "I know you want to show off your cooking skills, but some things are taboo and cannot be served!"
"Snake meat, cat meat, dog meat...take them all off the menu. I won't eat them. Do you still want to give them to the queen?"
"Don't do the heads and hooves either. Cut them all out. However, the freshwater aquatic products such as crab stuffed with oranges, secret braised fish and so on on your menu can be kept..."
"Wait a minute..." the Duke of Newcastle hurriedly tried to dissuade him, "You can't keep this either. God, although that kind of rough food doesn't violate doctrine, it can't be given to the Queen!"
Xiao Letian rubbed his temples to cheer up and smiled, "Duke, you don't understand, please trust my chef team! As long as the ingredients they provide do not violate the doctrine and do not cause huge plans, then please let them go. Just do it and believe in miracles!”
"Come on, let's have breakfast together. Don't waste time here. How about I treat you to beef noodles? A very classic Chinese delicacy, but you have to learn to use chopsticks!"
No one dared to disobey Xiao Letian's decision. All the chefs immediately went back to adjust the menu. Then countless buyers, accompanied by the British butler, left the East Palace in a carriage.
Before Xiao Letian left, he specifically warned Liu Dadao. He said in a low voice, "These Europeans are all hypocrites. When you process the ingredients, you must remember to change the knife and try not to serve the ingredients as they are..." "
"For example, let's take your secret braised fish. Don't serve it with the whole fish head and tail like in China. In this way, Europeans will think they are eating fish carcasses. Very unsightly!”
"You disassemble the fish and cut it into beautiful shapes of uniform size. Whether it's sliced or shredded, it's up to you, as long as you don't let them see the whole shape..."
"Damn it, they can't bear the psychological burden of tasting delicious food. How difficult it is! Go get to work quickly and follow the principles I told you..."
The huge team immediately began to act according to the will of the head of state. When Xiao Letian came to the study, he found that the Duke did not taste the steaming bowl of beef noodles, but stared blankly out of the window.
"What's wrong? Can't you accept such food? This is beef, not something taboo..."
"No, no, no, I'm not saying that this strange bowl of noodles isn't delicious. On the contrary, I just took a sip of a very unique broth, and even the noodles have a unique taste... I was attracted by the angel in the garden!"
Xiao Letian looked up and saw that Fangguan was training the Chinese musicians who came with the ship in the garden, and one of the musicians who played the guzheng was making contact.
Europeans have never heard such wonderful music. It does not have the mathematical precision of a symphony, but it has a sense of freedom in nature.
Coupled with Fangguan's beautiful figure, the Duke was completely obsessed!
Xiao Letian did not disturb the Duke's appreciation of the beauty and elegance. He first consumed a large bowl of beef noodles in front of him. When he was hungry, he felt a sense of fulfillment that was indescribable when he drank a bowl of fragrant and hot noodles.
"My dear Duke, don't look any further, be careful of your eyes falling out... Let's get down to business. What else do you think the Prime Minister will use to attack me today?"
The Duke of Newx reluctantly withdrew his eyes from Fangguan, only to see him using chopsticks awkwardly, and whispered in his mouth, "Because we are business partners, I will tell you some tidbits." information!"
"Prince Edward and the Queen talked in secret for more than half an hour this morning. Afterwards, Gladstone accompanied the prince to have breakfast, and then the prince went to meet the prime minister..."
"Everything is developing for the better, don't worry! That's why I pay so much attention to this dinner. If you can add more points, your diplomatic activities will be easier to carry out!"
"Listen to my advice and revise the menu... Also, don't be stingy with your precious spices. Whether you can conquer the queen's taste buds depends on your performance tonight..."
