During the meal, Zhao Bin gave a few instructions.
First, pay close attention to the autumn harvest, always pay attention to the presence of the Jie clan rangers, and pay attention to protecting the people;
Second, promote the forging and use of iron plows, encourage land reclamation, and ensure expanded farming next spring;
The third is unified management of the distribution and breeding of livestock. The distributed livestock must not be slaughtered or sold in the first two years, and can be disposed of by themselves after three years (except for cattle and horses, which must never be slaughtered).
The prefect Lin Jingtang, the county magistrate Cao Li, the chief registrar He Miao, the treasurer Yang Guangtai, the captain Qin Fang, and the captain Wei Xiang sat around the table and looked at the strange-shaped copper pot placed in the middle of the table.
Wei Xiang was not surprised. He pointed at the copper pot with some pride and said, "My lords, you see, this is the copper pot that I helped the prince build a few days ago, also known as hot pot. How exquisite is it?"
He Miao looked at the copper pot, and then at the plates of raw sheep and some vegetables. He seemed to think of the way the Hu people used to cook beef and mutton in large pots, so he asked: "Your Majesty, do you want to cook this mutton like this?" ?”
"Master He is asking this question. Of course it is cooked, is it possible that it should be eaten raw?" Cao Li said with a laugh.
"Hahaha" everyone burst out laughing.
Lin Jingtang said at this time: "I wonder why the prince is hosting a banquet for us today?"
When others heard this, they also became curious and couldn't help but look at Zhao Bin.
Zhao Bin said with a smile: "Actually, there is nothing wrong. It has been a while since I came to Yancheng, and I have never communicated with you in depth. I have gained some benefits this time, so I thought I would share it with you adults. Let's eat and talk. .”
With that, Zhao Bin started to explain how to eat this hot pot, which needs to be paired with sesame sauce, coriander, sesame oil, fine salt...
Everyone watched Zhao Bin explain and demonstrate, and their curiosity about hot pot became more and more intense.
In fact, eating can be done at a glance, and there is no need to pay too much attention to it. However, if Zhao Bin wants to make this hot pot a refined meal, he will naturally have to add some refined expressions. When his restaurant opens in the capital, he will have a way to earn money from aristocratic families, wealthy businessmen, and prominent families.
Wei Xiang has come to the palace the most, and he knows a lot about the people in the palace, so he is not so restrained. However, He Miao, Yang Guangtai, and Qin Fang are here for the first time, and they still seem very restrained.
"Your Majesty, you're welcome, aren't you?" Wei Xiang said with a smile at Zhao Bin.
"You're welcome, adults, please use your chopsticks, otherwise the meat will be cooked for a long time and it will not be fresh anymore." Zhao Bin motioned to others to use their chopsticks to eat quickly.
The fresh and tender prairie lamb, coupled with the condiments prepared by Zhao Bin, made everyone who had hot pot for the first time not feel overwhelmed, as if they had never tasted such delicious lamb.
There is always no shortage of wine at the dinner table. Even if this wine is not as mellow as the wine of later generations in Zhao Bin's opinion, it is still better than nothing.
Zhao Bin asked someone to serve two jars of wine, and the main official of Yan City began to live a luxurious life in Prince Yan's Mansion.
In fact, this so-called extravagance is only for the common people who live in misery. For the dignitaries in the court and the aristocratic families, this hot pot meal is not really a luxury.
The wine and meat smelled stinky in Zhumen, and there were bones frozen to death on the road. This was never the case in ancient times.
Zhao Bin wanted to be a noble in the old days, but his conscience told him that he couldn't, and he couldn't do it by drinking and eating meat and turning a blind eye to the people. So he had to find a way to change all this, at least change the current situation in Yancheng.
After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food. The content of the chat at the dinner table ranged from how to be an official to what is an official and what is a citizen, and then from what is a citizen to what is a human being and how should a human being live?
He Miao listened to Zhao Bin's words and sighed helplessly as if he was drunk: "Hey, this Yancheng border pass has been fought over for hundreds of years. The casualties of the people are unknown, and the imperial court and those wealthy families have also fought for it. How many people care about the life and death of the people in Yancheng."
Upon hearing this, Yang Guangtai hurriedly reminded: "Sir, please be careful. Now that His Highness Prince Yan has come to join the vassal, it shows that the imperial court still attaches great importance to important border areas."
"Brother Yang, why do you have to deceive yourself? Who doesn't know that Your Highness, Prince Yan, has come to this end because he was ostracized by the Crown Prince and His Highness, Prince Qi. I'm afraid that one day he may not have a happy death." He Miao picked up a glass of wine and drank it all.
Several people sitting around were shocked, but He Miao shouldn't be so bold.
Lin Jingtang, Cao Li and others stood up in a hurry and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Mr. He made a mistake while drunk. Please forgive me. I will send someone to send him back right now."
Zhao Bin waved his hand for the two of them to sit down: "Master He is not wrong in what he said. The competition for the throne in the past dynasties has been cruel. I am lucky to have a small life left to come to Yancheng.
As for whether you can end well in the future, it depends on your own destiny. "After Zhao Bin finished speaking, he shook his head helplessly.
Everyone was silent for a while.
"Okay, gentlemen, you don't have to worry. My father is now at the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period. In a short period of time, my life is not in danger. I invite you to come today. Firstly, you can taste the taste of my hotpot. Secondly, there are indeed a few items. This matter needs to be discussed with you.”
Lin Jingtang asked: "I wonder what the prince said?"
Several other people also looked at Zhao Bin curiously.
Zhao Bin stood up from his seat and said: "Since I have come to Yancheng to become a vassal, I will definitely not let Yancheng be as dilapidated as before. At present, the imperial court can only station troops at the pass to defend against foreign enemies, but it has no spare efforts to improve people's livelihood.
So we can only find a way on our own. I accidentally learned the art of refining salt before. We can use salt to exchange for livestock with the Xianbei and Xiliao people.
With cattle and horses, farming efficiency can be improved, cultivated land area can be expanded, and grain production can be increased.
In addition, there is a large amount of wasteland around Yancheng that can be used for grazing, increasing sheep production, and adopting a combination of agriculture and animal husbandry. In this way, at least the food and clothing problem of the people of Yancheng can be solved within one or two years. "
After saying that, Zhao Bin looked at He Miao: "Master He, this mutton is not for free today. Since you have eaten my mutton, you have to work for me."
Hearing this, He Miao immediately stood up from his seat, cupped his hands and said, "No matter what the prince says, as long as it is for the people of Yancheng, I will do my best."
"Okay, Sir He's just saying this. Starting tomorrow, I want Sir He to recheck the local household registration and land acres in Yancheng, register and make a list, and prepare for the future distribution of cattle and sheep. Old Wei, please send someone to assist He grown ups."
Wei Xiang stood up and replied, "It's the prince."
Zhao Bin waved his hand to signal the two of them to sit down, and then looked at Yancheng Treasurer Yang Guangtai.
He said: "Master Yang, now the people have entered the autumn harvest stage, and Master Lin is already relatively old. This year, I will ask Master Yang to cooperate with Master Lin to handle the autumn harvest.
In addition, I have asked people to build some improved agricultural equipment, promote these equipment, and find ways to improve farmers' production efficiency. "
"It's the prince. I will definitely cooperate with Mr. Lin and handle this year's autumn harvest affairs well." Yang Guangtai replied.
"Captain Qin?"
"Your Majesty?" Qin Fang stood up and answered with his hands raised.
"They are not only officials of Yancheng, but also officials of Prince Yan's palace. Qin Duwei is an official of the imperial court. Logically speaking, I have no right to interfere, but the defense of Yancheng still belongs to Qin Duwei.
Tomorrow, the Xianbei people will send dozens of good horses. I will give these horses to Qin Duwei. Can the captain select some people from the defense army to train and let them go out to patrol the city.
Although these soldiers are no match for the Jie clan rangers in a short period of time, they can detect their whereabouts and report messages in a timely manner to minimize the losses and casualties of the people.
In addition, we will open a horse farm near Yancheng. We may exchange for more horses in the future. I will give part of it to the people for farming, and the other part will be given to you. I wonder what your intention is? "After Zhao Bin finished speaking, he looked at Qin Fang.
"The general thanked the prince on behalf of the soldiers, and also thanked the prince on behalf of the people outside the city." Qin Fang bowed and saluted with a solemn expression.
"I should be the one thanking you. You are protecting the people of King Yan." Zhao Bin said. Since he knew that Qin Fang was his grandfather's subordinate, he had a better impression of him.
"Master Cao, please come to the palace on duty in the future. I have other important things for you to do."
"I obey," Cao Li said happily.
The moon gradually rose, and the autumn atmosphere seemed particularly refreshing. After discussing some details, everyone got up and left.
