Lin Xi brought the steamed fish to the table and said, "The good Yin River fish I bought today is very plump. I steamed one for you to try."
Wang Xiaolie said: "It didn't take long for you to learn how to cook?"
Lin Xi said: "What are you talking about? My mother left early. I was the one who cooked at home before. I didn't learn it after I got here."
Wang Xiaolie said: "I forgot about this part. I don't know how good your craftsmanship is. Give it a try."
He took a piece of the fish and chewed it carefully, nodded and said: "This fish is good, without a trace of fishy smell. You did a great job, it is fragrant and pure, which is the characteristic of Yinhe bream. It seems that you cook it often, The craftsmanship is extremely exquisite.”
Lin Xi smiled and said: "I didn't expect that you actually eat a lot of home-cooked food here. I used to think that as Xuanfu, there was plenty of fish and meat every day, and there were so many delicacies from the mountains and seas that I couldn't eat them all! I didn't expect that like ordinary people, they also had home-cooked stir-fries. Lord.”
Wang Xiaolie smiled and shook his head: "Is this home? Of course it has to taste like home. Besides, there is a reason why these home-cooked dishes are home-cooked."
In daily life, Wang Xiaolie only eats four dishes and one soup. After adding Lin Xi, I occasionally eat ribs, fish, etc., and eat hot pot, which is similar to ordinary people's meals. It’s just that the materials are good, the workmanship is good, and the taste is more mellow.
Watching Lin Xi sit down, Wang Xiaolie thought for a while, got up and picked up the wine. He said: "This bottle of Sangchen wine is carefully brewed and is particularly delicious. I am going to Shizhou tomorrow, so you should drink some tonight as a farewell."
Lin Xi said: "This time I go to Shizhou. It seems that you attach great importance to it. You have mentioned it many times."
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "Yes, we have to pay attention to it. Many things are not done after thinking about them, but only after they are done are they discovered that there are so many implications. At that time, I asked Jiang Min to go to Shizhou without thinking about it. Too many, I just feel that the place is too empty. In the past few months, Jiang Min has been stationed in Shizhou. After his report, coupled with the reactions of various forces, I realized that what I thought before was simple. "
Lin Xi asked hurriedly: "What, was it because I didn't think carefully before?"
Wang Xiaolie shook his head: "That's not true. In such a small mountain town, with thirty thousand troops stationed, how could there be any surprises? However, to the north of Shizhou is a very powerful sphere of influence. Even though I didn't want to do anything to him So, how can he feel at ease? On the other side of the Yellow River is the Suide Army, and Zheng Jianchong of Yan'an Prefecture is worried. Moreover, Shizhou is not far from Xixia, and Xixia is also suspicious. This army can be said to have affected all forces. "
Lin Xi said "Oh", nodded, and didn't ask again. After tasting the fish, he said, "This fish seems to be a little watery."
Wang Xiaolie laughed. He said: "What's wrong? I'm eating just right. - You don't seem to be familiar with the situation in Shizhou."
Lin Xi said: "How can I, a woman, know about those military and national affairs? It's just that you have said too much, so I don't want to ask."
After saying that, I also found it funny and couldn't help but laugh.
Lin Xi smiled, and it was like flowers blooming in front of her eyes. Wang Xiaolie's worries suddenly disappeared.
The next day, Wang Xiaolie shook his head when he saw the large and small packages Lin Xi had prepared for him. I am a member of the military, and I used to like to walk with my legs up. Where is the saying about saluting? Even a change of clothes is prepared by the soldiers. Lin Xi is different, with many names and categories.
When he was about to go out, Lin Xi stopped him and said: "The army sent us a new cotton-padded jacket two days ago. It is light, comfortable, and extremely warm. Wear it inside, and it doesn't matter how many clothes you wear outside. It's cold in the north, so put it on in time." .”
Wang Xiaolie said: "That coat is worn under the armor when I'm wearing it. I'm afraid it's inconvenient due to the cold weather in the north. I wear it naturally when I'm wearing a helmet."
Lin Xi said: "It's not just for wearing armor, it's also very convenient for everyday use."
Wang Xiaolie laughed loudly after hearing this, shook his head and walked out of the room.
After crossing Zhongtiao Mountain and arriving in Jiangxian County, the sky became overcast. The north is roaring, the withered grass is pushing and breaking, and it is no longer suitable to travel.
It was already noon when Wang Xiao arrived at Jiangxian County. Seeing that the weather was not good, he took a rest.
Jiangxian County is the main road to Luoyang, and there are many people going south living outside the inn. Most of them were kidnapped by the Jin people and went north, and recently went south. They were unlucky enough to huddle in the shed outside the inn in such weather, lighting several braziers to keep warm.
The inn was only slightly tidied up to prevent leakage. Many rooms have loose windows and no window paper, so they don’t know how to survive the winter.
Wang Xiaolie entered the inn, looked at it and shook his head. Under such conditions, let the guards live in tents.
After looking at where he lived, Wang Xiaolie returned to the yard. The soldiers were preparing lunch. Wang Xiaolie said to Wang Ruohai and Wang Yan: "Let's go out and have a look. I don't know how the people can live in such weather."
After leaving the post house, I saw porridge being given out in front of the large wooden shed next to it. When I walked forward, I saw that the porridge was made from millet, and it felt very watery.
I looked around and saw the magistrate of Jiang County standing aside. Seeing Wang Xiaolie inspecting Shi's porridge and rice, he felt timid.
Wang Xiaolie asked his soldiers to come forward and get a bowl of porridge. He took a sip and frowned. After calling the county magistrate, he shook his head and said, "How can the common people only eat a bowl of porridge in this weather? At least there is some dry food to fill their stomachs."
The county magistrate looked troubled. He cupped his hands and said: "The tens of thousands of troops ahead need to eat. Xuanfu, this is what you can do with your humble position. If you want to eat dry food, the others will have nothing to eat."
Wang Xiaolie turned around and looked at the people receiving the porridge. He said: "It's extremely cold today, so just eating porridge is not enough. I also know that it's difficult for you. It's really difficult to raise military rations and take care of the food of the people going south. Jiangxian County is a small county with a small population and even less tax and grain." Let's do this. Even if I give out food at noon today, please add two steamed buns to each person in addition to a bowl of porridge. By the way, also in the evening. Go tell them not to receive the porridge yet. The millet will become thicker if cooked for a while. .”
The county magistrate's face was full of gratitude and he hurriedly handed over his hands to express his thanks.
Seeing the county magistrate hurriedly going about his business, Wang Xiaolie could only sigh in his heart.
There were many people going south and returning to their hometowns, so Wang Xiaolie originally wanted to send someone to take charge of this matter. As a result, it only ran a few times. There were fewer people behind and they stopped gathering, so it stopped. The official arrangements have stopped, but the people's footsteps southward have not stopped. These counties on the southbound road took responsibility.
We can't blame the Jiangxian magistrate for giving him thin rations. Food here is indeed not easy for him.
Jiangxian is a small county. In the past, under the rule of the Jin people, there was a lot of money and grain, so there was no surplus grain. There are tens of thousands of troops in Jinzhou ahead, and people eat horses and chew them, so naturally they have to collect food from the local area. There is nothing better than this place in Jiangxian County.
Not a single sheep can be killed in the market for several days, and there are few open shops. It is even more deserted in this weather. This county town is far inferior to a town in Xiangyang area. Wang Xiaolie decided to shrink his staff a while ago, but the situation in Hedong is far worse than imagined.
What can be done? We can only wait for time and slowly treat these wounds.
Henan Prefecture and these prefectures and counties in the southeast of Henan are the places with the most serious injuries. Henan Prefecture is located in the middle. It has both the population replenishment from the south and the people from the north moving south, so it recovers much faster. The situation is different south of Hedong Road. The population is outflowing and the place is dilapidated. It will take a long time to recover.
