"This group of people is so extravagant."
"To think that such a large and luxurious ship is used to carry people by water."
"There are still a dozen guards and thugs, and I don't know where they are from. Do you want to check them out?"
On the deck, the two people who were rescued by Li Xiao and others last night were whispering.
Both of them were dressed in silk and satin, and their looks carried an air of official authority. They were obviously not ordinary people.
The older one was named Lü Zhen. In the 19th year of Hongwu, Lü Zhen entered Taixue with the provincial examination.
At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered his students to go out to check the fertility of the land in various counties and counties in order to share the tribute equally. Lu Zhen was ordered to go to Zhejiang and Zhejiang. When he came back to report, he was very happy with the emperor's wishes and was promoted to Shandong Province to examine the affairs.
Another younger man named Ji Gang is deputy Qianhu of Fusi, Jinyiweibei Town.
He is one of the capable men under the command of Jinyiwei Erhu.
This time I was ordered to come to Texas to investigate.
A few years ago, Ji Gang worked with Lu Zhen on investigating the fertility of the land, and they had a good relationship.
And Lu Zhen is currently serving as the Inspector General of Shandong Province, and his duties are somewhat similar to those of Jin Yiwei.
Correcting official evil, exterminating rape and violence, redressing prison cases, redressing injustices, in order to promote moral integrity and clarify the administration of officials.
After arriving here, Ji Gang found that things were not easy to handle.
Many things were difficult to accomplish without local officials, so he immediately went to the door in person and contacted Lu Zhen, asking him to help investigate the case together.
Unexpectedly, the two got on the boat and encountered a killer on the canal to Texas last night.
Reluctantly, the two of them took advantage of the chaos and jumped off the ship, while their colleagues on that ship probably felt like they were dead.
The water in Texas is so deep that some people actually dared to directly intercept and kill the imperial officials. What's even more frightening is that their actions were exposed before they even started.
At this time, both of them became interested in Li Xiao and his party.
The daily expenses of these people are probably no less than one hundred taels, and such a big ship can actually carry more than a dozen people, spending their money like water.
If such a wealthy person is not a wealthy businessman, he must be from a family of officials, and there is also the possibility of corruption.
Ji Gang shook his head and said, "I don't think so. From the accent, they are not from here. They should be from Beiping. There is no need to add any extraneous details."
Lu Zhen nodded: "That makes sense. This trip to Texas is probably going to be so bad that I won't have the energy to investigate other incidents."
“Mountain Wai Qing Shan Lou Wai Lou is not as delicious as Dongpo Pork!”
In the kitchen, Li Xiao changed into a waistcoat.
Let’s start making this first delicacy: Dongpo Pork!
“If you want to make this dish well, high-quality ingredients are the first step!”
Li Xiao turned into a chef and began to teach Zhu Gaosui patiently.
With his intermediate cooking skills, Li Xiao has countless orthodox recipes for dishes in his mind. The dish he is making now is a state banquet-level Dongpo Pork recipe.
"Choose the five-flowered flower, which has three layers, alternately fat and thin."
Li Xiao picked out the best piece of pork belly, cut off the leftovers, and cut it into square pieces.
Zhu Gaosui stood aside, silently writing down the steps.
This guy has a very good memory and has a photographic memory.
"Use a flame to burn off the hair on the meat skin, and then scrape it off with a knife until it is white. Pour cold water into the pot and blanch it. This step is called shaping. The Dongpo pork produced in this way is firm, beautiful and has a suitable taste. "
Zhu Gaosui took a look and found that the pork belly on this large piece had become square, white and beautiful.
"Change the knife and make it four centimeters square."
After Li Xiao processed the meat, he set it aside for later use.
"Slice the ginger and cut the green onions into white sections."
"Okay, now we use the pressure cooker and put the sliced ginger and green onions underneath."
Li Xiao took out the pressure cooker, and Zhu Gaosui was slightly startled. What is this?
"Brother-in-law, what kind of pot is this??"
"Pressure cooker."
"Pressure cooker?"
Zhu Gaosui stared at the pressure cooker, looked at it again and again, and asked, "What's so special about this pressure cooker?"
Li Xiaodao: "Pressure cooker, this is my latest masterpiece. This pressure cooker is also called a pressure cooker. Through the physical phenomenon that the boiling point of liquid will increase under higher pressure, the water can reach a higher temperature without boiling to speed up the process. Efficiency in stewing food.”
Zhu Gaosui was stunned, shook his head and said, "I don't understand."
Li Xiao explained: "You don't need to understand, you just need to know that it takes an hour to steam an ordinary bowl of rice, but with this pressure cooker, it only takes less than a quarter of an hour. Using a pressure cooker to cook any ingredients will increase the speed by three times. above!"
hiss.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaosui took a deep breath.
Although he has no fingers in the spring water, it doesn't mean that he doesn't understand anything.
This is simply an artifact. It improves the efficiency of cooking, which is very important when marching and fighting.
Time is money, time is life.
In times of war, racing against time is what every general needs to do.
More than three times faster than ordinary cooking, this thing is indeed very useful! !
If I report this information to my father, I will
Zhu Gaosui silently recorded the pressure cooker in his heart. At the same time, he kept observing the shape of the pressure cooker so that he could record it later.
Zhu Gaosui asked. "Brother-in-law, you said that after you teach me your cooking skills, you will let me cook later, right?"
Li Xiao nodded: "Why, third child, are you unwilling?"
"Yes, yes"
Zhu Gaosui waved his hand quickly, then smiled and said: "What does my brother mean, do you want to give me this pressure cooker too? Otherwise"
"Isn't this nonsense? Of course it's for you, otherwise how would you make pressure cooker delicacies?" Li Xiaodao.
"Okay!" Zhu Gaosui said with a flattering smile: "Leave it to my brother. I promise to make delicious food for everyone later."
After getting the pressure cooker, he can slowly study the wonders of this pressure cooker.
"Okay, let's continue. You'd better take a note." Li Xiao said.
"That's exactly what I meant."
Zhu Gaosui was so happy that he took out a small notebook and pen from his chest.
Li Xiao looked slightly confused: "Huh? Why do you bring this thing with you?"
Zhu Gaosui realized that he was a little exposed and quickly covered it up: "Hey, haven't I always wanted to steal my brother-in-law's cooking skills?"
"Oh, that's it. Brother-in-law, my cooking skills are indeed at their peak, but I'm not a stingy person either."
Li Xiao smiled, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Third brother, don't be so reserved. If you want to learn anything in the future, just tell your brother-in-law directly. My brother-in-law will tell you everything he knows and will teach you everything you have."
"Brother-in-law, you are so kind to your brother."
Zhu Gaosui was a little touched. It was his brother-in-law who was kind to him.
"No, we are a family, we love each other and we are a family!"
Li Xiao said this.
This Zhu Gaosui is his wife's biological brother, we can't treat him badly.
I'm counting on him to cook for me later and free up my hands.
After some exchange of feelings, Li Xiao continued to teach the state banquet-level Dongpo Pork recipe.
"The rice wine is inside, with a rich aroma."
"Put the rock sugar inside to enhance the freshness and sweetness."
"Wait!" Zhu Gaosui asked, "Where did this rock candy come from?"
Li Xiao explained: "Rock sugar is made from white sugar."
Zhu Gaosui asked: "Don't you know how to batch white sugar?"
Li Xiao laughed: "You really think I'm playing with you every day during this period. I've figured out how to make batches of white sugar and Fengyoujing, and I can do it now."
What?
Zhu Gaosui was stunned again.
As expected of a brother-in-law!
On the surface, I am playing with everyone, but secretly I have developed the method!
There are already methods for batch production of white sugar and Fengyoujing.
My father and mother will probably be very happy!
It must be reported to the father!
"What a fuss."
Li Xiao rolled his eyes, he just picked up something and you were so shocked.
When will I get the steam engine out, you won’t be allowed to kneel down and call daddy?
"Soy sauce, put it inside."
"Add two more handfuls of scallions and put them inside."
"This is the supplement my uncle gave me last time. Slices of deer antler, sliced ginseng, a little bit of Poseidon, plus star anise, bay leaves, and fennel."
"Cover the pressure cooker and press him for an hour!"
Li Xiao taught while Zhu Gaosui recorded.
"It's a pity that Brother Gao Chi didn't come, otherwise he would be very happy." Zhu Gaosui said with a smile.
Li Xiao laughed and said, "When I get back to Peking, I'll give my uncle a good meal."
Next, Li Xiao taught Zhu Gaosui how to cook other dishes.
Roast goose, sweet and sour pork ribs, fish head with chopped pepper, boiled cabbage, garlic prawns.
Two hours later.
A variety of dishes are coming out of the oven, and the aroma is wafting in the kitchen.
"Gao Sui, bring the dishes."
"Okay~"
Good wine and delicious food were served on the deck.
"Wow! It smells so good."
Zhu Ningyun and Zhu Gaoxu have been waiting on the deck for a long time.
As soon as the various dishes are served, the aroma is immediately overflowing, making people's mouths water.
"Wow, my brother-in-law really made Dongpo pork!"
Zhu Gaoxu saw the dish he wanted to eat at a glance and asked in surprise: "It looks very good, how can it be made so quickly?"
Zhu Gaosui explained: "Second brother, this pressure cooker for Dongpo pork can stew it in just two hours."
"Pressure cooker?" Zhu Gaoxu was a little confused.
Zhu Gaosui chuckled: "You don't understand even if I tell you."
That expression seemed to say, brother-in-law only told me~
Li Xiao waved and said, "Everyone is starving. Come sit down and start eating."
The group of people were already starving and sat down one after another.
But Li Xiao hadn't moved his chopsticks yet, and no one was the first to move their chopsticks.
Along the way, Li Xiao continued to show himself, and everyone admired him. He has unknowingly become the eldest brother of this group of people, and he can be called a serious brother-in-law.
Zhu Gaoxu smashed his mouth, waiting for his brother-in-law to call him to start.
Just when Li Xiao was about to let everyone get started.
Lu Zhen and Ji Gang, who were rescued ashore yesterday, came over.
"Young masters, thank you for saving your life last night."
Lu Zhen could see that Li Xiao should be the leader of this group of people, and bowed to Li Xiao and said: "The grace of saving my life will never be forgotten! Kowtow to thank my benefactor."
Li Xiao laughed, looked at Zhu Ningyun and said, "If you want to thank me, just thank this girl."
As soon as these words came out, Lu Zhen understood that it was this girl who suggested saving people last night, and he bowed to Zhu Ningyun, "Thank you for saving my life, girl. She really has the heart of a Bodhisattva."
Zhu Ningyun stood up quickly and said: "No need to say thank you, I think anyone who sees someone in distress will lend a helping hand."
"Okay, okay, stop talking nonsense, go ahead and don't delay our meal."
Zhu Gaoxu was too lazy to listen to these people's insistence and waved directly.
"Overlord Halberd, don't be rude!"
Zhu Ningyun gave him a cold look, and then Zhu Gaoxu remained silent.
Lu Zhen's face also looked a little confused. He was so disgusted by someone, but he was their savior, so it was hard to say anything.
"I haven't asked the girl for her name yet."
Lu Zhen cupped his hands and looked at Zhu Ningyun.
Zhu Ningyun returned the greeting and said: "Your Excellency, Zhao Ling'er, we, the sons and daughters of the Jianghu, rule the roost and eliminate evil. Saving people is just a matter of effort, no need to be polite."
The group wanted to conceal their identities and used pseudonyms when outside.
“The grace of salvation is greater than God.”
It turned out to be a person from the Jianghu. Lu Zhen straightened his chest, cupped his hands and said, "I am Lu Zhen, who is in charge of the Shandong Provincial Examination Bureau. If this girl can be of use in this trip, just speak up."
According to the Chasi Examination, he is a high-ranking official of the fifth rank, and he is considered a heavenly official in front of the people.
As he said that, he took out a money bag from his sleeve and handed it over: "I didn't bring much else with me when I went out. It's disrespectful to be careless."
"No, no, please take it back."
Zhu Ningyun quickly refused.
But Li Xiao's eyes lit up. Is this person Lu Zhen?
In his own memory, Lu Zhen was the favorite of the future Yongle Emperor Zhu Di.
When Zhu Di launched his army, he passed through Shandong, and Lu Zhen surrendered immediately. Later, he was reused by Zhu Di.
In other words, these are friendly forces!
As long as it is conducive to his father-in-law's rebellion plan, Li Xiao will treat him well.
However, Zhu Gaoxu had already mixed in the Dongpo pork and waved his hand: "Okay, thank you. You just stay here."
Hearing this, Ji Gang was a little dissatisfied. After all, Lu Zhen was a fifth-rank imperial official. Didn't these people give him any face?
Lu Zhen was very sensible and raised his hands and said, "Then I won't disturb you all while you are eating. Just step back. If you need help with anything, please contact me."
Saying that, he was about to leave.
Li Xiao laughed, stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Oh, it turns out it's Master Qianshi. It's fate that we meet each other. Since we're here, let's sit down and eat together."
"Why is this so embarrassing?"
Lu Zhen is hesitant like this, it seems that there is still a knowledgeable person here.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, I just got two more pairs of chopsticks."
Li Xiao looked at the sailor and said, "Here, bring me two more sets of bowls and chopsticks."
The sailor brought the dishes and put them on the table.
"Then I'd rather be respectful than obey."
Lu Zhen cupped his hands, looked at each other with Ji Gang, and then sat down.
Although Zhu Gaoxu is a little unhappy, is this little fifth-grade Qianshi worthy of sitting with him for dinner?
But since his brother-in-law had spoken, he couldn't say much.
Li Xiao waved his chopsticks and said: "Okay, let's get started. If the food gets cold, it tastes better if it's hot!"
When his brother-in-law spoke, Zhu Gaoxu moved his chopsticks and picked up a piece of Dongpo meat.
"Dongpo pork needs to be simmered for a day before it can be selected. I don't know how the Dongpo pork you made in the past two hours will taste."
After saying that, he put the piece of meat into his mouth.
This Dongpo pork is crispy and delicious, melts in your mouth, soft, glutinous and sweet.
Because there is rock sugar to enhance the freshness and flavor, the taste is better than the authentic Hangzhou Dongpo Pork.
"Madam, madam. It's so delicious!!"
Zhu Gaoxu's eyes widened and he praised him profusely:
"It took two hours to stew the meat until it was so crispy and soft. My brother-in-law's cooking skills are no less than those of famous chefs!"
Others also put a piece of Dongpo meat in their bowls and tasted it carefully.
The entrance is fragrant and waxy, fat but not greasy, with a wine aroma and a slight sweetness.
"It's so delicious, brother Xiaoyao, your Dongpo meat tastes amazing."
Zhu Ningyun originally didn't like eating fatty food, but seeing the satisfied look on Zhu Gaoxu's face, she couldn't help but taste it.
Once I tasted it, I was immediately hooked! ! !
It's so delicious. There is such a delicious food in the world. You can't feel the greasiness of the fat at all, and it is as elastic as ointment.
"Eat more if you like it."
Li Xiao put another piece in Zhu Ningyun's bowl: "If you like it, I will make it for you every day."
"Um"
Zhu Ningyun nodded happily and said proactively: "I love you."
Li Xiao booed in the air: "I love you."
Under Li Xiao's training, Zhu Ningyun gradually relaxed and began to adapt to this behavior of showing off dog food.
Lifespans and points arrived one after another, and Li Xiao was delighted.
The two of them looked at each other affectionately, making Lu Zhen, who was sitting aside, a little embarrassed.
He smiled and said: "The friendship between Miss Zhao Ling'er and Mr. Li Xiaoyao is really enviable and enviable."
When Li Xiao saw Lu Zhen swallowing his saliva, he laughed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lu. You should try it too. Don't just sit here."
With that said, he picked up the serving chopsticks and gave Lu Zhen and Ji Gang a piece each.
Lu Zhen was a little embarrassed to use his chopsticks at first, but because Li Xiao was so enthusiastic, he had no choice but to obey his orders.
Is it really that delicious?
Lu Zhen and Ji Gang took a sip with confusion, and their eyes immediately lit up.
This is so damn delicious!
Li Xiao used snowflake white salt, fine Huadiao wine, special soy sauce, plus the flavor from the pressure cooker and the freshness from rock sugar. This is state banquet-level Dongpo pork!
How can they eat such good food? They can finish a piece of meat in two or three mouthfuls.
"Master Xiaoyao's cooking skills are amazing!"
Lu Zhen was full of praise and what he said was true.
Ji Gang also praised: "This, this... is really delicious."
Zhu Gaosui laughed and said proudly: "That's not true. My brother-in-law's cooking skills are at the pinnacle. No cook in the world can be half as good as him. You are really in luck. This Dongpo pork also contains ginseng slices, deer antler slices and other precious medicinal materials. It's both delicious and very nourishing. This pot of meat only costs fifty taels of silver."
After hearing this, everyone realized that Dongpo meat was so good.
Lu Zhen and Ji Gang were completely shocked!
A pot of meat costs fifty taels of silver! ! !
Their half-year salary can only afford this dish!
No wonder he just took out the money to thank him for saving his life, but these people didn't even look at it
Where did this group of people come from?
In addition to Dongpo Pork, there are other delicacies on the table, and none of them are inferior to this Dongpo Pork.
The group ate with gusto.
"I haven't asked yet, who is this?"
Li Xiao looked at Ji Gang and asked.
Ji Gang quickly replied: "Ji Gang, I am Mr. Lu's assistant."
Ji Gang came here to handle the case in secret, so he had to hide his identity and couldn't reveal Jin Yiwei's identity.
Lu Zhen also nodded and said, "Yes, this is my assistant, named Ji Gang."
Ji Gang?
Li Xiao found that he met an acquaintance again.
This Jigang was the commander of the Jinyi Guards during the Yongle period and was also a minister under his father-in-law. He was a powerful minister.
When Jing was in trouble, this guy should have done a lot for his father-in-law, otherwise he would not have been appreciated by his father-in-law.
"Come, come, come, from all over the world, it's fate to meet you, let's have a drink."
With that said, Li Xiao opened the wine. It was not a good wine, but it was also a wine that could not be bought in this era.
The 50-year-old 52-degree strong-flavor Wuliangye produced by the system.
There is also Feitian Moutai in the system warehouse, but that is reserved for those who honor their father-in-law.
"What kind of wine is this? Even the bottle is made of glass!"
As soon as Lu Zhen looked at the bottle, he knew that this wine was extraordinary.
"Hey, the wine I brewed is not worth mentioning. Let's drink it and have fun."
Li Xiao opened the wine and handed it to Zhu Gaosui.
Zhu Gaosui immediately served everyone a round of wine in a sensible manner.
However, he started with his brother-in-law first, and finally it was Lu Zhen's turn.
In his eyes, Lu Zhen's status was incomparable to theirs.
Suddenly, the aroma of wine overflowed.
Everyone clinked their glasses and drank it all.
Now the wine of the Ming Dynasty can only reach a maximum of 30 degrees.
The so-called "green ant new fermented wine, red mud small stove", the wine brewed in this era is low in alcohol content and often has fermentation residues floating around.
And this Wuliangye is the future brewing technology. The 52-proof liquor is clean, pure, fragrant and delicious.
However, Li Xiao and his group have long been accustomed to the spicy taste.
Lu Zhen frowned as he drank.
But soon, the aftertaste of the wine was endless, and I was tipsy.
"What a wine! This is truly the best wine in the world!"
Lu Zhen said in surprise.
"Oh my god. There is such a beautiful wine in the world. If I drink such a wine, I'm afraid I won't be able to feel the fun when I drink other wines in the future. How can I survive if I can't drink it anymore?"
Ji Gang loves wine so much that he suddenly feels like what the hell was he drinking before?
Sadly, if I can't drink such good wine in the future, won't I be hopeless?
"Brother Ji Gang."
Li Xiao smiled and said: "Don't worry about not being able to drink. If you want to drink in the future, you can always come to me."
Ji Gang smiled and nodded, thinking that the other party was just talking politely.
The group of people ate and drank. They became more drunk and talked more.
Lu Zhen said: "Young Master Xiaoyao, this banquet is made of fresh ingredients purchased in the canal, which are very expensive. We also use good medicinal materials to cook the food, plus this wonderful wine, the cost of this table is almost two dollars." One hundred taels, right?”
Li Xiao thought for a while, nodded and said: "I haven't calculated it carefully, but it should be about the same."
“Luxurious”
Lu Zhen said with emotion: "The meal Xiaogongzi has is equivalent to the income of an ordinary farmer for ten years. This is too luxurious. Think about the fact that there are people everywhere who are full and hungry. Compared with this, it is simply Worlds apart, two worlds apart."
After the words fell, everyone looked at Lu Zhen strangely.
Lu Zhen said: "Young Master Xiao seems to be a wealthy man, but you can't be so extravagant and wasteful, which will encourage the extravagance of our Ming Dynasty. I would like to make a suggestion. I don't ask you to help the poor, but since you have money, you should be frugal." Some people should save more money. I think this is the same idea as the Holy One. It will be beneficial to the country and the Ming Dynasty, so that the Ming Dynasty can have long-term peace and stability."
In Lu Zhen's view, corruption was common in the Ming Dynasty because of the prevalence of pleasure-seeking, which was not a good thing.
If you have money, you may not be extravagant and wasteful!
There are still so many people who don’t have enough to eat.
Lu Zhen made a circle, and he was trying to persuade Li Xiao to be frugal and to give full play to the simple Chinese virtues.
She was very frugal in the palace. Empress Ma had planted vegetables in the imperial garden many years ago. Could she be as powerful as the emperor?
Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu was unhappy and cursed:
"Well, Lu Zhen, I saved your life and entertained you with delicious food and drinks. Why are you making sarcastic remarks? Our money is neither stolen nor robbed. It comes from a legitimate source. Why do we need your permission to spend it? You Who is it? I’m the King of Heaven?”
Lu Zhen frowned slightly and said, "Young Master, you are serious. It's just a suggestion, a suggestion from someone who has experienced it. If you don't adopt it, just pretend that I didn't say it."
Li Xiao knew what Lu Zhen meant, and he was just kind-hearted. After drinking too much, he spoke his mind. He smiled and waved his hands and said, "It's okay, I understand Mr. Lu's intention. It's not malicious."
"but."
Li Xiao changed the subject and said, "Master Lu's views are somewhat different from mine."
"Frugality will not make the Ming Dynasty stable and stable."
"Rich people are frugal, and they will not feed and clothe poor people."
"In my opinion, frugality will lead to decline, while luxury will lead to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty!"
The words fell.
Everyone in the house was shocked!
(End of chapter)
