Li Shimin asked curiously while eating:
"Brother Qin, why does this chicken smell like lotus leaves? How is it done?"
Qin Ming glanced at Wan'er and motioned for her to speak.
Wan'er nodded and introduced:
"Mr. Li, the young master discovered these dishes from ancient books and taught them to Wan'er.
The dish you are eating is called Beggar's Chicken. The reason why it smells like lotus leaves is because this dish involves marinating the chicken, wrapping it in lotus leaves, then wrapping it in mud and roasting it. "
No wonder it tastes so good, it turns out that this dish is so complicated to make.
Li Shimin nodded, then pointed to another dish and asked:
“What’s that plate of red meat and vegetables called again?”
Qin Ming knew that in the Tang Dynasty, pork was called cheap meat, and only ordinary people would eat it during holidays.
When he heard Li Shimin's question, he was afraid that Li Shimin would think too much, so he decided to give it up and said with a smile:
"Brother, you might as well try this dish first to see if it's to your liking."
When Li Shimin heard this, he thought it made sense, so he picked up a piece of braised pork and tasted it.
Then his eyes lit up. The meat was soft and glutinous, fat but not greasy, and had some sweetness. It was truly a delicacy in the world!
But what he was confused about was that such delicious meat tasted neither like mutton nor chicken.
So he asked:
"This dish tastes very good. I wonder what kind of meat it is made from?"
At the same time, he also asked Fang Xuanling beside him to try it too.
Fang Xuanling found it very delicious after eating it.
Qin Ming saw that the two brothers were enjoying eating and said:
"Actually, this is pork meat, which is also commonly known as cheap meat."
Fang Xuanling and Li Shimin were shocked when they heard this.
"Pork meat? Then why, the pork meat that I ate before didn't taste like this? Is it not as delicious as the one made by Lady Wan'er?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Wan'er reply:
"Because when the slave cooks, there is an extra step to remove the fishy smell from the pork, and when the meat is stewed, some medicinal materials are added to it.
The technique is very simple, it’s just that others don’t know how to do it. "
When Li Shimin heard this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this brother Qin is really a person who knows how to enjoy.
Not only did I study comfortable furniture, but I also studied so many delicious foods.
He couldn't help but feel the love for talents, so he said:
"Brother Qin, you are very knowledgeable about these foods. But you are young, so don't spend too much energy on it.
You still need to study more. If you have the opportunity in the coming year, you can take the imperial examination and become an official in the court. In the future, you can honor your ancestors and have your wife and children. "
After Qin Ming heard this, he knew that Brother Li was thinking about his future, but he had decided not to participate in the court dispute.
I don't want to be an official in the court. Not to mention the intrigues in the court, just getting up early every day to go to court is a pain for modern people.
He can start a business at home, make a little fortune, marry a few wives, and tease little Wan'er when he has nothing to do. Wouldn't it be nice for him to live like this?
After finally traveling through time, An Neng bent down to serve the powerful, which made me unhappy!
But Brother Li’s original intention was also for his own good. Since he really wanted to make friends with the two brothers in front of him, Qin Ming didn’t want to hide it and said directly:
"To be honest with you two elder brothers, my younger brother doesn't have such a big goal, and he doesn't want to become an official in the court.
My younger brother just wants to spend this life peacefully and does not want to become an official in the court. "
Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling were startled after hearing this. They didn't expect that there were still people who didn't want to be officials.
Li Shimin thought that he carried out autumn plowing regardless of the cost, and he was obviously a person who cared about the country.
Could it be that he has a problem with himself as the emperor, or that this kid's ancestors are rebels?
So he asked calmly: "Brother Qin, judging from your autumn plowing, I see that you are also a person who cares about your family and country.
Wouldn't it be better to become an official and work for the benefit of the people?
Could it be that there is some difficulty or that someone in the court has been offended? Or do you have any objections to His Majesty today? "
Qin Ming knew as soon as he heard that Brother Li was overthinking. To avoid misunderstanding, he quickly said:
"Brother Li, you misunderstood, I am just a commoner, how can I offend anyone.
Today's saint is also a rare wise emperor in the past and present. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is an emperor throughout the ages. A certain person will not have any objection to the saint. "
Li Shimin couldn't help but feel happy when he heard Qin Ming evaluate him as the emperor of the ages.
Fang Xuanling on the side felt that it was fortunate that this guy didn't want to be an official.
Otherwise, Qin Ming would be a traitorous minister due to his ability to flatter him.
At this time, Qin Ming said again:
“Actually, I don’t want to be an official because I feel my abilities are limited.
Second, I really feel that it is too early to go to court every day at the fourth watch, and I cannot bear the hardship.
And brother, don’t you think that someone’s current life is already very comfortable? "
When Fang Xuanling heard this, she felt sour in her heart.
Thinking about it, when he was the prime minister of the dynasty, his food was not as good as Qin Ming's. Although he lived in a big house, he was not as comfortable as Qin Ming.
Li Shimin also saw some envy from Fang Xuanling's expression.
So he said seriously:
"Brother, I think you are just lazy. You are young, so it is nothing to worry about. But you just said that today's saints are the emperors of the ages.
I don't think so. There are rumors outside that His Majesty launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, killed his brothers, forced the Supreme Emperor to abdicate, and was both disloyal and unfilial.
Moreover, since His Majesty ascended the throne, there has been a drought in the east of the river, and there was a locust plague in the past few years. There are rumors among the people that His Majesty was appointed to the throne improperly and that he is a complete tyrant. "
Qin Ming broke into cold sweat on his forehead when he heard this, and Wan'er was trembling on the side.
Qin Ming couldn't help but think that this old man really dared to say anything. No matter how wise Li Er was, he couldn't bear such accusations, so he quickly said:
"Brother Li, are you desperate for your life? If you privately criticize the current emperor, you will be beheaded."
In fact, Li Shimin said this, firstly, he was testing Qin Ming to see if he was a remnant of the previous dynasty, and secondly, he wanted to see what the people thought of him.
Seeing Qin Ming's anxious look, he said:
"Brother Qin, don't worry, Lao Fang is someone's housekeeper, he won't talk nonsense.
We just chat among friends and won’t talk about it out there. "
As he spoke, he looked at Fang Xuanling next to him.
As Li Shimin's confidant, Fang Xuanling naturally knew what His Majesty was thinking.
He also wanted to know how Qin Ming would answer this question. After all, Xuanwu Sect was a knot in His Majesty's heart.
At the same time, he also wanted to know whether this young man could only flatter others, or whether he had real qualities.
So he also followed:
"Yes, I am also very curious. Brother Qin, why do you say that the current emperor is the emperor of the ages?"
Qin Ming saw the two elder brothers looking like they were breaking the casserole to ask the truth, and helplessly said to Wan'er next to him:
"Wan'er, go to the courtyard gate and watch. No servants are allowed to come near the restaurant."
"Yes, sir."
After saying that, Wan'er stood up, walked out of the room, and greeted everyone in the courtyard to go down, while she stood guard by the moon door to prevent other servants from entering.
Qin Ming looked at the closed door next to him, thought about the discussion on the Internet about the Xuanwu Gate incident, and said to Li Shimin and Li Shimin:
"Since the two brothers are interested, I will tell you my opinion. In fact, what Brother Li said about being unfaithful and unfilial, I don't think so.
Your Majesty is actually just protecting yourself. If you really want to make mistakes, the biggest mistake is made by the Supreme Emperor. "
Li Shimin was interested and said:
"how do I say this?"
"At the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the current saint has been leading the generals of the Tang Dynasty in the south and north, and made great achievements in battle."
"During the Wude period, behind Prince Yin were officials from aristocratic families with five surnames and seven hopes. They were also quite prestigious in the court."
"In order to contain the prince, the emperor strengthened the military power in the hands of the emperor."
...
