"My dear son-in-law, what's the problem?"
Seeing Li Xiao's expression changing constantly, Xu Miaoyun couldn't help but asked worriedly.
"Nothing serious."
Li Xiao pretended to be relaxed and said.
I just checked that my mother-in-law was suffering from breast cancer, the number one killer of women. No wonder Zhu Di said that Queen Xu was unwilling to seek medical treatment. This was indeed an unspeakable thing in ancient times.
Although doctors are not afraid of men and women, in ancient thinking, getting this disease is almost like waiting for death.
Fortunately, Li Xiao was his son-in-law and the other party trusted him so much that he allowed him to check.
After some investigation just now, we found that this is already an advanced stage and life may be in danger at any time.
Li Xiao smiled and explained: "Mother-in-law, you are overworked. You need to rest more on weekdays, and then just take this elixir."
Li Xiao took out a golden elixir from his sleeve. The Nine-turn Ruyi Golden elixir can drive away all diseases in the body, eliminate all toxins, and restore it to the peak health state of its current age.
"Is this a golden elixir?"
Xu Miaoyun squinted her eyes and looked at Li Xiao: "Could it be the golden elixir practiced by those alchemists?"
"This is a medicine prepared by my son-in-law, not a golden elixir." Li Xiao explained with a smile: "Mother-in-law, please take it quickly."
Li Xiao touched the beads of sweat on his forehead. Fortunately, there is a system. Otherwise, there would be almost no cure for this disease in ancient times. No, there will be no cure in the future.
That was Ningyun's mother. No matter how many points she spent, she still had to be saved.
Xu Miaoyun didn't have too much doubt. After taking it, she swallowed it in one gulp. Li Xiao quickly brought a glass of water to help him swallow it.
It only takes a few breaths for the elixir to enter the abdomen.
Xu Miaoyun felt a warm current rushing through her body, and her limbs were all broken.
After a while, she was surprised to find that all the physical discomfort had disappeared, she was full of energy, and her ears and eyesight were better than before.
"Elixir?"
Xu Miaoyun's eyes were slightly bright, and she couldn't help but speak softly: "Xian son-in-law, you are not an immortal, are you?"
Li Xiao was stunned for a moment, and then said: "What a fairy, mother-in-law, you have misunderstood. You are suffering from a female disease. Ordinary doctors don't know how to diagnose and treat it. My son-in-law just knows a little bit about it."
"Is this really the case?" Xu Miaoyun was dubious, and then said seriously: "You tell me honestly, according to your memory of Su Hui, at this time I..."
The implication is that according to history, she had already died of illness at this time.
Li Xiao hesitated for a moment, nodded slightly and said, "Yeah."
It is a wonderful feeling when one knows the day of his death.
And when I know that I have missed the day of death, the feeling is even more indescribable.
The gratitude in Queen Xu's heart kept flowing throughout her body, and her thousands of words finally turned into one sentence, "Thank you."
The sunlight shines into the room from outside the window, passes through the white paper screen, and creates a peaceful halo on the ground, which makes people feel at ease.
"Could this healing method also come from later generations?"
Empress Xu deserves to be a virtuous queen. After what happened just now, she thought that women all over the world have such troubles. Now that Beiping Prefecture allows women to work, if there are female doctors, wouldn't it be a blessing to women all over the world.
Li Xiao replied: "Yes, I have passed on many recipes to Li Kefang and asked him to compile them into a book."
Xu Miaoyun discussed and said: "Xian son-in-law, there are various colleges in Beiping now, including culinary arts college, agricultural college, and craftsman college. But there is no medical college."
Li Xiao explained: "Doctors are related to people's life and death and cannot be taught at will. Right now, I am integrating a college called 'Beiqing University'. All colleges will be integrated into it. Students who have graduated from high school will be selected to enter the university. , to learn these professional knowledge. Especially those who study medicine, they need to be carefully selected."
Xu Miaoyun said in surprise: "So you have planned this for a long time. Do you think it is possible for women to enter this kind of school to learn medical skills and specialize in diagnosing and treating women's diseases?"
Li Xiaodao: "Mother-in-law, do you think my son-in-law allowed the admission requirements for elementary school and junior high school to be open to both men and women?"
Xu Miaoyun suddenly realized: "It turns out that you have already planned it!"
"Exactly."
Li Xiao handed over his hand: "In the future, when women engage in all walks of life, people will definitely have resistance. Mother-in-law can break this barrier."
In fact, in ancient schools, both men and women could enroll.
It's just that it's useless for a woman to learn it. She can't be an examiner and can only stay at home to support her husband and raise children.
Women from wealthy families only learn to enrich their knowledge, increase their self-cultivation, and find bargaining chips to find better husbands.
If Li Xiao hadn't been forced to go to school, the tuition would be exempted.
Ordinary people simply would not let women enter school.
But if women are really allowed to engage in various important types of work, the people will definitely be resistant. After all, the old feudal ideas are not easy to break.
In fact, women are patient, careful, and good at many jobs.
Li Xiao thought that as long as women's status was not so low, the bad habit of polygamy would slowly change.
Polygamy is not conducive to population explosion.
Too many old bachelors cannot find wives.
And too many rich people occupying the toilet will also affect social harmony.
I, Li Xiao, only have one wife, so don’t think of marrying more! ! !
"Well, you're right."
Xu Miaoyun nodded slightly and recognized this concept.
The female doctor just now was one of her thoughts.
Out of the room.
Xu Miaoyun's face was already rosy and radiant.
Seeing this, Zhu Di couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised. This virtuous son-in-law was indeed a miracle doctor, and the medicine could cure his illness.
After a few people chatted in the hall again, Zhu Di was going back to the palace.
After sending the two elders to the carriage, Li Xiao and Ningyun watched them go away and returned to their room.
"Husband, is the queen okay?"
Zhu Ningyun asked worriedly.
"It's nothing serious."
Li Xiao looked over and said with a bad smile, "It's you."
"What's wrong with me?" Zhu Ningyun looked at herself.
"My father, the emperor, mother and concubines are starting to worry about us."
Li Xiao chuckled: "We have to give it a try."
"try what?"
"What are you trying to do? Make a baby."
"Don't make trouble in broad daylight"
"Don't let the two elders worry, keep working hard."
in the room.
What a beautiful view.
Li Xiao thought to himself that the quality was not enough, so he had to make up for the quantity.
Even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, we must work hard for it.
By the way, although not being able to conceive is a bit annoying, there is also a benefit.
That means you don’t need to wear a small umbrella, which is very appropriate.
Thinking of this, Li Xiao turned over again, come again!
Hongwu Palace.
Zhu Di is still extremely filial.
Although he was busy with government affairs, he often took time to visit Zhu Yuanzhang.
At this time, Zhu Di was accompanying Zhu Yuanzhang to plant vegetables in the yard.
The vegetable garden is full of novel crops, such as potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
"Fourth, don't leave today, stay for dinner."
Zhu Yuanzhang held up his crutch and hunched over while picking several ripe corns with his hands.
"Dad, let me help you."
Zhu Di wanted to reach out to help.
But Zhu Yuanzhang opened it with his hands, and he said angrily: "What are you doing? We are not old yet, we can still move."
"Yes, yes, dad, you are always getting stronger." Zhu Di could only smile awkwardly.
"Look at this corn, it has a high yield and good taste. It can be stored as dry food when dried, and ground into corn flour to make corn flour buns."
With a kind smile on his face, Zhu Yuanzhang held the corn in his hand and handed it to Zhu Di: "Look, now the people don't even have to worry about seeds. There are shops specializing in selling seeds in Peiping. These are good days."
Zhu Di said with emotion: "Yes, corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes are enough to prevent people all over the country from worrying about food. It is really a prosperous age."
"The prosperous age, haha the prosperous age"
Zhu Yuanzhang hunched over and turned around, muttering as he walked, "Li Xiao is such a good son-in-law. I don't know where these seeds came from."
Zhu Di explained with a smile: "Li Xiao said that potatoes are produced in the Andes Mountains of South America, corn is produced in Mexico, and this sweet potato is produced in Colombia. They are all overseas crops."
"We have survived. There are so many good things from overseas countries. We must continue to exchange for more of these good things." Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "How is the plan for opening the sea?"
Zhu Di smiled and said: "Returning to my father's words, now the Japanese pirates have been completely eliminated, the sea ban has been lifted, and many merchants in Beiping are preparing to set up shipyards. When sea-going ships that can travel long distances are completed, maritime trade can be opened. In addition, , the boy also asked Zheng He to continue building the Ming Dynasty treasure ship, to draw sea charts, and world maps to see how big the world is."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Well, that's right. The Japanese country has been in chaos for ten years. Before the Northern Expedition, we first captured the Japanese country and used it as a transit point for the Ming Dynasty's navy. By the way, remember to get rid of Wei Zhongxian. We have been observing this person for a long time. , actually accumulating strength in secret and harboring evil intentions."
Zhu Di said: "Li Xiao has already mentioned that Wei Zhongxian does have some abilities, but his mind is not right and he must not be kept. If the time comes, he will be killed together. He is nothing more than a clown."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "Fourth brother, I leave this country to you, don't worry. I just don't know if we will be able to see what the world map looks like in our lifetime."
"My dear father, you can live a long life. You will see it in a few years."
The two walked back to the main hall. Zhu Di helped Zhu Yuanzhang onto a chair, waved, handed the crops in his hands to the servants for cooking, and then said: "With Li Xiao helping you to take care of your body, you can enjoy the blessings in peace." .”
Half an hour later, the dishes were served.
They are all home-cooked dishes, cooked with vegetables grown by Zhu Yuanzhang himself.
During the meal, Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "By the way, what about the thing I asked you to check last time? Is this Li Xiao really practicing elixir? You must stop him and don't let him do whatever he wants. How many princes, generals and ministers have been fooled by this immortal The two words blinded one's eyes, lost one's mind, and ruined one's life. Li Xiao was of great use to the Ming Dynasty, so we must not let him die young."
Zhu Di smiled and said: "No, I have already asked specifically. Li Xiao does not want to make elixirs."
"That's good." Zhu Yuanzhang said doubtfully: "Then why does Li Xiao want to find so many alchemists?"
Zhu Di smiled awkwardly and said: "I heard from Li Xiao that he wants to establish a university with many majors to provide the country with more talents of all kinds, including the major of alchemists."
"Alchemist?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "Li Xiao wants the alchemist to become a master?"
"Exactly." Zhu Di said.
Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned.
If you let a group of liars teach people, won't they teach more liars?
"Isn't this nonsense?" Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time, frowning and said: "According to Li Xiao's temperament, he should not be able to do such nonsense."
In his opinion, the alchemists were just a bunch of swindlers.
Zhu Yuanzhang fell into deep thought, and after thinking for a long time, he could not figure out what use this alchemist could have.
Zhu Di smiled and said: "My child also finds it a bit strange, but Li Xiao said that he should go to the house in a few days and find out."
"That's okay." Zhu Yuanzhang said: "We will go with you. We are curious about what Li Xiao is going to do. If he is really messing around, we still have to tell him."
"Dad, you" Zhu Di said worriedly.
"We are not old." Zhu Yuanzhang was dissatisfied with old age and said, "What, you think we can't walk anymore?"
After finishing speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang said again: "The first dragon boat racing competition in Beiping is about to start. We will also have a look at that time. Can Li Xiao establish a new structure including dormitories and organize thousands of villages at the same time?" Competition size.”
This is what Zhu Yuanzhang is looking forward to most.
This Dragon Boat Festival dragon boat competition is within the jurisdiction of the capital, and a thousand villages are participating at the same time. An event of this scale is unimaginable, and there will definitely be a huge crowd of people.
If the dragon boat racing competition can go smoothly, what does it prove?
It proves that such an organizational structure solved the dilemma of imperial power not going to the countryside. Government orders were passed from top to bottom, and they passed unimpeded. This was of great help to the rule of the dynasty.
Over the past ten years, Beiping Prefecture has established a housing area in every village.
In ancient feudal society, most people lived off the land and used villages as their base for production.
There are nearly a thousand dormitories in Beiping Mansion alone, and the cost is quite huge.
A large part of the local fiscal revenue is invested in the housing area.
In fact, the dormitory area did play its due role.
The new fish scale book and various ledgers of Beiping Prefecture handed over are more standardized and clear.
Information such as population, number of births per year, number of households, number of crimes, number of deaths, etc. can be clearly seen at a glance.
Zhu Yuanzhang also secretly asked Jin Yiwei to measure the land, and recorded the amount as much as possible, without shrinking the land or hiding the rope.
The land was redivided in the housing area and leased to the people for growing crops.
The government also established a wasteland reclamation team, which was a stable job. They received a salary to clear up wasteland, resulting in an increase in the area of cultivated land every year.
Because it is divided into large tracts of land, a family with many brothers can contract a hundred acres or even hundreds of acres of land to work, and the benefits generated are much higher than the efficiency of scattered planting in the past. The same land produces more food.
Half of the grain is purchased by the government as a reserve grain to ensure stable grain prices.
The other half is sold to markets or supermarkets, and people buy it themselves, so they have enough food.
Furthermore, the entire land is rented out, and the tax revenue is collected by the community and handed over to the government government the moment it is rented out, which is extremely efficient.
There is no need to collect taxes from every household as before.
In the past, taxes were collected by relying on subordinate officials and local gentry.
Coupled with the removal of the tax exemption system for the gentry, this resulted in Beiping's land tax revenue being three or four times that of any other government.
In addition, dormitories have many benefits.
Zhu Yuanzhang found that the birth rate of Beiping Prefecture was rising year by year through the data compiled by the dormitory area.
This year has reached its peak. The number of newborns has increased tenfold compared to ten years ago!
This should be attributed to the improvement of people's lives and the lack of poll tax.
In short, dormitories have numerous benefits.
Now Zhu Yuanzhang is looking forward to seeing whether the current organizational structure can hold such a large-scale event with the power of one government.
At this time, Zhu Di smiled and said: "Father, my sons and ministers are also looking forward to it. This dragon boat competition with thousands of villages competing on the same stage is indeed the largest competition in history, even in thousands of years. It truly makes all people enjoy it! If it succeeds, It will be passed down through the ages and praised by future generations. It also proves that the government orders issued by our court can be issued directly to the villages."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded: "Yes, but now only Beiping has a community. If you want to spread it across the country, the expenditure will be astronomical. It is almost impossible. The only way is to make the whole country as rich as Peking."
Zhu Di said: "I am working hard towards this, and I will definitely be able to do it. By the way, Li Xiao and Gao Xu will also participate in dragon boat racing that day, and there will be a good show then."
Hearing such news, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but smile and said: "These two boys are really playful. Isn't it unfair for him to attend as a prince?"
Zhu Di smiled and said: "Beiping City is also divided into more than a dozen dormitories. The two of them represent their respective dormitories, and their identities are common people. It doesn't matter."
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed: "Then we are really looking forward to it. This is to have fun with the people. If we weren't old, we would definitely go to participate."
Come these two days.
Li Xiao participated in the dragon boat rowing team of the dormitory area as a civilian in the housing area affiliated to the Guogong Mansion and conducted dragon boat training.
"I'm finally free."
Li Xiao felt a little emotional. In the past ten years, he was as busy as a dog every day.
In particular, the entrepreneurship base has been held for three times. Each time, Li Xiao was personally involved, bringing out ideas for future entrepreneurship and providing technical guidance.
Large-scale ones include chicken farming, duck farming, fish farming, pig farming, vegetable greenhouse farming, and other technical breeding technology training.
Small-scale ones include furniture manufacturing, clothing shops, flower shops, cake shops, wedding shops, second-hand housing agencies, and labor agencies.
He also personally founded a pharmaceutical factory, a cement factory, a fertilizer factory, a bicycle factory, a steel mill, and an arsenal.
In short, Li Xiao spent a lot of effort to transport everything that current technology can match.
In addition to the lack of electricity, Beiping is now more prosperous than it was in the late Qing Dynasty.
Next, Li Xiao felt that there was no need to continue to encourage others and let him develop on his own and manage by doing nothing.
As long as a good environment is provided, the technological level will automatically increase over time.
"Your Excellency, you row so well."
At this time, Li Xiao and others were practicing on a small river in the suburbs, and a man behind them flattered them.
This man is an ordinary citizen. The district will select people with strong strength and good physical fitness from within the jurisdiction and from those who voluntarily sign up to form a team.
"Don't call me Duke. This competition is about fairness and justice. If you call me Duke, if others hear it, will you still dare to win?"
Li Xiao controlled the direction at the bow of the boat and said while rowing.
"Okay, Your Majesty." The man replied naively.
Li Xiao had no choice but to say: "Call me Li Qingtian, no. Li Tian."
The man said: "Okay, Li Tian, sir."
Li Xiao: "Remove the word "Sir".
Man: "Good Lord."
Li Xiao: "."
After training for two hours, Li Xiao gave these people a good talk after getting off the boat, and then everyone dared to call Li Xiao Li Tian.
Later, Li Xiao rode the yellow gelding given by Zhu Yuanzhang and returned to the city.
After passing through a street, Li Xiao suddenly smelled a foul smell.
This smell is very familiar, just like the smell of shit in a latrine.
When I looked up, I saw a newly opened small shop with the sign "Beiping Stinky Tofu" written on it. However, it was empty and there was not a single customer. The shopkeeper was sitting at the door in a daze.
"Eh? Didn't stinky tofu only appear in the Qing Dynasty? Why did it appear in the Ming Dynasty?"
Li Xiaodeng became curious and decided to find out. He got off his horse and walked towards the stinky tofu shop.
Before I even reached the door of the store, I heard people discussing on the street.
"This person is actually selling stinky tofu. There is something really wrong with him."
"Yes, but it stinks to death. I can smell it every day."
"Isn't there a food supervision department in Beiping? Let's go report it. This will make people feel bad."
The common people obviously don't like "stinky tofu" and they all look down upon it.
"Hey, look, isn't that Master Qingtian?"
Suddenly someone with sharp eyes shouted.
"It's true, Master Qingtian!"
"Hello, Master Qingtian."
"I have met Master Qingtian."
The people saluted one after another with great momentum.
But it attracted some Confucian scholars who came to Beijing to watch.
There were also reporters from the newspaper who happened to be passing by and saw the excitement and ran over, thinking that there was big news.
"Don't be crowded, don't get together."
Li Xiao waved his hand to let everyone disperse.
It's not easy to be a celebrity. Every day when you go out and someone recognizes you, you'll be looked at like a monkey.
The streets that were not crowded at first became crowded in an instant.
When Zhao He, the stinky tofu shopkeeper, saw Li Qingtian walking towards his shop, he was immediately flattered and hurriedly bowed and said, "The common people have met Lord Qingtian."
Other people showed puzzled expressions.
Why did Mr. Xindao Qingtian go to a stinky tofu shop?
You know, Master Qingtian is a famous gourmet.
As long as the restaurant he has eaten at gives a good review, the business will be booming all over the city immediately, and everyone will come to have a taste of the food that Lord Qingtian said.
Could it be that today's good luck is going to happen to this stinky tofu shop?
But what’s so delicious about this stinky tofu? ? ?
At this time, Li Xiao walked to the store and took a look. It was really stinky tofu. It smelled terrible. He swept his nose and asked, "What's your name? Why do you want to sell stinky tofu?"
"Reply to the adults."
Shopkeeper Zhao He said: "Zhao He, a common man, originally made tofu and supplied it to the shop. But one day the shop closed down, leaving behind several large vats of tofu. The villain couldn't bear to throw them away, so he carried his own burden and sold them along the street. What was left was A jar of tofu was not sold out, but it turned out to be hairy and smelly. So the common man couldn't bear to throw it away, so he took a bite and found that the stinky tofu smelled bad and tasted delicious. The common man thought this was a business opportunity, so he went to the bank. I borrowed money to open this shop."
Hearing this, Li Xiao nodded slightly and understood.
Let's just say that after so many dynasties, this stinky tofu is very simple. It should be possible that more than just Wang Zhihe of the Qing Dynasty can discover it. Many people must have discovered it, but they just didn't sell it, so no one knew about it.
Because the business environment in Peiping is particularly good now.
So this stinky tofu was born in the Ming Dynasty in advance.
Wonderful, although I didn’t think of the idea of stinky tofu.
But with this good business environment, ideas like stinky tofu will surely spring up like mushrooms after a rain.
Li Xiao smiled and said, "How is business?"
Zhao He said helplessly: "Hey, it's been three days since we opened, and I've been scolded every day. So far, I haven't even sold a piece of tofu. If this continues, I'm afraid I'll have to pay to my death."
Li Xiao smiled awkwardly. This person really doesn't know how to do business. The stuff is good. Why don't you hire a few shills first to promote it?
Zhao He said cautiously: "Sir, do you want to have a taste?"
He thought, if Master Qingtian tasted it, wouldn't his business turn around?
The words fell.
Many people's expressions changed.
"Well, Zhao He, you actually let Mr. Li Qingtian eat your stinky tofu, which ruined your stomach. Do you know the consequences?"
"Yes, that's our Lord Qingtian, our Qingtian from Peking. What's your intention? Just because your shabby shop doesn't make money, you want to harm people, right?"
"I think you want to poison Lord Qingtian, Zhao He, Zhao He, looks so honest, but has evil thoughts!"
The common people pointed and cursed at Zhao He.
Zhao He was immediately scolded so badly that he shrank his head and did not dare to say anything.
"Don't be prejudiced."
Li Xiao smiled and waved his hand: "Everyone, please be quiet."
After it calmed down, Li Xiao looked at Zhao He and said, "Bring me a piece of stinky tofu to try."
Huo, after hearing such words, the people became worried.
What should I do if I poison Master Qingtian to death?
But those Confucian scholars are looking forward to it, and they want to poison you, this scourge, quickly.
The reporter took out a small notebook and wrote down the scene in front of him.
Li Xiao sat down at the small table in front of the shop.
Zhao He was flattered and excitedly took out a piece of stinky tofu, put it on a small plate and placed it in front of Li Xiao.
As Li Xiao moved his chopsticks, the people's hearts were in their throats.
Someone has already called the doctor. If he is poisoned, he can be treated in time.
The tofu is indeed authentic stinky tofu, with rich flavor and delicious taste. It smells stinky and tastes delicious.
Li Xiao tasted it and found that it tasted okay, but not too interesting.
This kind of stinky tofu will not be a big hit.
And Zhao He stood nearby, his heart pounding, feeling like he was being judged by fate.
"good!"
Li Xiao put down his chopsticks and said something right, which made everyone uproar.
How could something so smelly be said to be good? ?
But those are the words of Master Qingtian! Have to believe it!
There are already people who also want to taste it.
"Thank you for the compliment, sir!"
Zhao He was extremely excited. These two words were enough to determine his future business.
Master Qingtian is such a good person, and he is extremely grateful.
Seeing that this man was honest, Li Xiao decided to help.
"But it's still not that interesting. I'll help you improve it. Here you go, get an iron pot, a large pot of oil, five-spice powder, sesame paste, sesame oil, garlic, millet chili, chopped green onion, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and coriander. .”
"Yes, yes, thank you sir, thank you sir, the common people will go look for it now."
Zhao He prostrated himself with gratitude and hurriedly bowed his thanks.
Master Qingtian is really a good man. He is the founder of the Snack Training Academy. If it were improved by him, it is unimaginable how popular his business would be!
Not long after, Zhao He brought these things.
"You, chop these onions into chopped green onions and mince the garlic."
Li Xiao began to teach Zhao He how to make authentic "Changsha stinky tofu" on the spot. The audience was fascinated and more and more people came.
The stinky tofu was put into the pot and fried sizzlingly.
Li Xiao started seasoning the stinky tofu again, while Zhao He watched and studied carefully.
Soon, the world’s first bowl of fried Changsha stinky tofu was ready.
Li Xiao tasted it himself first and it tasted good.
It's the taste in my mind.
I really didn’t expect that after so many years, I would be lucky enough to eat such delicious food again.
Li Xiao said loudly: "Fragrant! Excellent!"
The words fell.
The people were in an uproar.
This stinky tofu was actually called "excellent" by Lord Qingtian? ?
That's okay, I guess they will put up a sign saying 'Master Qingtian has tasted it and said it is good' soon. I'm afraid this stinky tofu shop will have a prosperous business in the future!
“Excellent.”
Zhao He was stunned for a moment, then said ecstatically: "Thank you, sir."
Li Xiao was in a good mood and couldn't help but said: "Come here, give me pen and ink, and I will write a couplet for this stinky tofu."
As soon as he finished speaking, countless shopkeepers cast envious glances. This Zhao He was really lucky. He got an inscription from Lord Qingtian. He was going to make a fortune!
Although Li Xiao did not bring any entourage, the clever shopkeeper from the shop next door rushed over immediately with pens, inks, paper and inkstones from his shop.
He found a table, spread it on the table respectfully, ground the pen and ink, handed the brush to Li Xiao with both hands, and whispered: "Ding Ping, a common man, runs a pen, ink, paper and inkstone shop."
Li Xiao nodded slightly and wrote the first word. He felt that the writing was pretty good. Seeing that the shopkeeper was up to something, he said, "Not bad."
Hearing the word "not bad", Ding Ping was overjoyed. He immediately shouted excitedly to the shop assistant: "Did you hear that? Lord Qingtian said 'not bad', but he didn't even ask someone to carve the word "not bad" on the wooden sign. Hang it in front of the shop.”
"Yes, from the shopkeeper."
The store clerk was so happy that he went to do it immediately.
Don't underestimate the word 'not bad'. Mr. Qingtian is a reviewer in Peiping, a living sign. The shops he reviews, even if they say 'not bad', mean business is booming.
Immediately afterwards, Li Xiao finished writing the remaining couplets.
First couplet: It is both fragrant and smelly. The fragrance floats thousands of miles away.
Second line: The taste is delicious and reaches thousands of families.
Horizontal couplet: smelly and fragrant.
Li Xiao's perfect-level calligraphy is bold and vigorous, with strong strokes and flying dragons and snakes.
After writing it, someone immediately picked it up and showed it to everyone.
As soon as the couplet came out, everyone praised it.
"Good calligraphy, good calligraphy. Mr. Qingtian deserves to be called the master of contemporary calligraphy."
"Look, everyone, this couplet is so neatly written and rhymes. It's wonderful."
"It's so famous throughout the ages. It's brilliant in writing. It's amazing! It's amazing!"
"Does this mean that this stinky tofu smells bad but tastes good?"
The people were talking a lot, all with smiles on their faces, and they were full of praises, and they believed it deeply.
Only the Confucian scholars discussed quietly and privately.
"Just this couplet, a proper limerick."
"I'm just a farmer who hasn't read a book. How much literary talent do you think he has?"
"Keep your voice down, this is the Duke of the Kingdom, it wouldn't be good to be overheard."
"I'm so afraid. So what if the Duke of the country doesn't have a good literary talent? Why can't he show it?"
"That's right, I'm afraid of what he will do. This is clearly confusing right and wrong, calling smelly things smelly and calling black things white. This is the Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty, haha."
Although the Confucian scholars discussed in a low voice, several common people heard it and glared at them fiercely. The Confucian scholars glared back not to be outdone.
Later, the couplet was posted on the wall by enthusiasts.
The people cheered loudly.
Li Xiao thought, as long as he said a few words, he could save an industry, why not do it. As a snack, this stinky tofu can also help many people find ways to make money, which is a good thing.
Thinking of this, he waved his hand and said loudly: "As my couplet says, this stinky tofu smells stinky and tastes delicious! Come and try it too, dare to try it."
"Okay! Let's listen to Master Qingtian."
"Have a taste. How much does this stinky tofu cost?"
"Give me one, give me one."
"I want one too."
Suddenly, the people consciously formed a long queue in front of the stinky tofu shop, clamoring to have a taste.
The cost of this new approach has not yet been calculated, and Zhao He doesn't know how to charge it.
However, he was considered smart and said loudly: "Thank you Lord Qingtian for mentioning the word today. This stinky tofu is free of charge for Lord Qingtian until sold out."
"Okay! Open up!"
The people cheered.
As a result, portions of stinky tofu came out of the oven and appeared in the hands of the people.
"It smells so bad. Oh, it tastes so good!"
At first, no one dared to eat it.
But when the first person to eat crab tasted it, he couldn't help shouting.
"Really? It's really delicious if I try it! It's so fragrant!"
"I never thought this stinky tofu could be so fragrant!"
"Charred on the outside and tender on the inside, fresh and spicy, crispy but not mushy, tender but not greasy. The smell is tantalizing at first, but the aroma is alluring when you smell it carefully."
"Sir Qingtian really didn't lie to us. It's really delicious. Give me another portion and I'll take it back to my wife to try."
"That's too much. Each person can only have one portion of free food, so don't even think about it. The people behind you haven't eaten yet."
After the people ate it, they all said it was delicious and fragrant!
Li Xiao saw this scene and smiled and clapped his hands. The mission was completed and it was time to leave.
Just as he was about to leave.
Loud shouts sounded from where the group of Confucian scholars were.
"A disgusting couplet, showing off literary talent in public, but attracting applause."
"In ancient times, Zhao Gao referred to deer as horses, but now there is a state official who refers to smells as fragrances. This is a strange story through the ages!"
"The people are afraid of the power of the prince and dare not tell the truth!"
"What kind of world is this! It's sad! It's deplorable! It's so ridiculous!!!"
When the Confucian scholars saw this scene, they stood up one after another and pointed at Li Xiao angrily.
Today, when they saw this scene, they were shocked, and all their dissatisfaction and hatred towards Li Xiao exploded at this moment!
(End of chapter)
