The first person to notice Shen Yuanqiong was Deng Yuanxiang, the shopkeeper of Guanhe Tower.
He came from a humble background. He started as a waiter and worked step by step. It took him a full twenty years to gain the recognition of his boss, who overcame all objections and promoted him to become the shopkeeper of Guanhe Tower. Deng Yuanxiang has been here for another thirty years. He is very knowledgeable, clever, and has a particularly sharp eye. He has never made a mistake. His most proud experience was entertaining the eldest prince who paid a private visit incognito. He was calm and meticulous. From then on, he gained the favor of dignitaries. His tail was so big that even his boss couldn't touch him.
Deng Yuanxiang did not get carried away. He married one wife and one concubine. He had no children for many years, and he did not intend to accept the son of a borer to inherit the incense. He personally told his employer that his health had deteriorated over the years, and he asked the employer to find a candidate as soon as possible and work with him for a few years. When he took over Guanhe Tower, he was ready to retire and return to his hometown to enjoy his old age. The owner was very pleased after hearing this. He felt that shopkeeper Deng was indispensable for the success of Guanhe Tower. Since he knew how to advance and retreat, the owner would not treat him badly. As for who would take over Guanhe Tower, he had already planned it. After the New Year, his youngest son would go to Guanhe Tower to serve tea and become a disciple, and he would study with shopkeeper Deng for several years.
Just three or four months before the New Year's Eve, Shen Yuanqiong returned to Jiannan, revisited his old place, boarded the Guanhe Tower, ordered a few dishes and a pot of wine, his expression was indifferent, and he refused to let others in. a long distance away.
Guanhe Tower is one of the largest restaurants in Jiannan. It is very expensive and cannot be afforded by anyone without a wealthy family. Solitary guests like Shen Yuanqiong are rare and rare. At first sight, Deng Yuanxiang felt that this man had an indescribable smell. He lowered his head and thought about it. He vaguely felt that he was kind-hearted. He thought for a while and remembered that he was the only son of the jeweler Shen Wujiang. Do some small business.
We haven’t seen each other for many years. If Deng Yuanxiang didn’t have a good memory and a photographic memory, how would he have remembered such a little person. I heard that Shen Wujiang lingered on his sick bed and died in a foreign country. I wonder what kind of opportunities this son had, and he was completely different. He secretly told the waiters to greet him carefully, use the best wine, food, cups and dishes, and not to neglect the guests.
Without any delay, the waiter quickly served the food and wine, including a plate of steamed deer tail, a plate of simmered radish with shrimps, and a bowl of four-lung soup. The master chef personally prepared the dishes. It was originally prepared for Xie Sikong's banquet with his colleagues, and was temporarily diverted. two. Shen Yuanqiong looked at himself calmly and drank while looking at the street scene. The wine was Luofuchun, which was of the finest quality. It was clear and sweet in the mouth. After all, it was just an ordinary product and could not be compared with the fairy wine. Thinking of Baihua Nong, Luohua Island, and Bixiazi, Shen Yuanqiong sighed slightly. Time is like running water, and the past cannot be traced. The prosperity of Daxia is just like the burning fire cooking oil. I don't know when it will repeat the mistakes of Rakshasa Kingdom. It vanished into nothing in an instant.
Shen Yuanqiong drank a lot of wine and drank two bottles of wine slowly. There was not much food left. He was about to order a few more dishes. Deng Yuanxiang ordered his waiter to serve the master's new dish "Yipin Guo". He smiled brightly and called himself He is the shopkeeper of Guanhe Tower and would like to invite guests to taste it. Shen Yuanqiong naturally recognized the old shopkeeper of Guanhe Tower. Seeing how diligent he was, he nodded slightly and accepted his kindness with a smile.
Folks cook a pot of hot pot during festivals, and the whole family sits around it. Young and old eat it together. In order to win praise, it is called "Yipin Wealth Pot". Chicken and duck soup are used as the base of the soup. Egg dumplings are said to be "gold ingots", pigeon eggs are said to be "silver yuan treasures", hooves are said to be "a ball of harmony", duck wings are said to be "a journey of thousands of miles", winter bamboo shoots are said to be "rising steadily", and vermicelli noodles are said to be "rising higher and higher". "Long-lasting happiness and longevity", "Chicken head and tail" say "There is a beginning and an end", and ham and feet say "Smooth progress towards the clouds". Guanhe Tower originally did not have "Yipin Guo". Xie Sikong came from a humble background and missed the old days. He specially took care of shopkeeper Deng, so the chef reluctantly added this dish.
Guanhelou's "Yipinguo" naturally cannot use ordinary things such as duck fins, winter bamboo shoots and vermicelli. The soup in this pot is soup and the vegetables are vegetables. There are chicken, duck, pig's trotters, ham, shark's fin, and sea cucumber, which are refreshing and refreshing. It's cool, neat and tidy, just looking at it makes you excited. Deng Yuanxiang personally served the guests a small bowl of soup, picked up a few chopsticks and served the dishes with both hands. He also ordered the waiter to bring a pot of "Sanle juice", and drank a few glasses with the guests to relieve the cold.
Deng Yuanxiang appraises appearance and color, talks and laughs happily, starting with the "first-grade pot". Don't look at this pot of hodgepodge. If the fire is not done, the ingredients will be hard and the soup will be bland, making it unbearable to entertain guests. Some old gourmets commented: Angry shark fins, sea cucumbers that never come back, old and virtuous chickens, wine and lust. An excessive duck, a pig's hooves that relies on force and refuses to be caught, and a minister's heart is like a soup of water. Speaking of "Sanlejiang", it is a fine wine introduced from the Western Regions. Sanle is called Anmale, Pilile, and Helile. It was originally a medicinal material used to make wine. The wine has a mellow taste and can dispel plague and digestion. The medicinal effect. Guanhelou's "Sanlejiang" wine is brewed by winemakers from the Western Regions. It takes nine steamings, eight fermentations and seven harvests. After a full year, the resulting wine is called "new fermented grains". "New fermented grains" must be stored in the cellar for five years before being opened, and are called "old cellars". They have the best flavor and potency and should not be missed.
Aunt Shen Yuanqiong listened to this and drank with shopkeeper Deng. They drank three pots in a row and remained calm. Deng Yuanxiang was too drunk, his cheeks were red, his tongue was a little big, and he said vaguely: "Back then, I was entrusted by your father to take care of the business, and we had several encounters. Unfortunately, your father returned to Daoshan early. Brother Shen returned to Jiannan this time, but he had the intention to return to Jiannan. Start a fire? Maybe I can help you a little bit..."
Shen Yuanqiong smiled slightly and said casually: "I'm just visiting my old place to relax and relax!"
Deng Yuanxiang probed: "I wonder where Brother Shen is employed now?"
Shen Yuanqiong said: "I can't talk about Gao. I just help the Taoist sect and take care of some mundane affairs."
Deng Yuanxiang was in awe. Buddhism and Taoism coexisted in Daxia, and immortals and mortals had different paths. Most of the secular affairs were taken care of by the disciples of the outer sect of Zongmen temple. Although they were not destined for the path of immortality, if they did well, the inner sect would give them elixirs to prolong life. With ten thousand pieces of gold, all the dignitaries in the palace flocked to it. He is getting older, half buried in the earth, and knows his own family affairs. It is estimated that this old bone will last for another three to five years at most. Even if his boss does not mention it, he will have to abdicate in favor of someone worthy of his position. The arrival of Shen Yuanqiong gave him hope. Deng Yuanxiang's heart was beating wildly, and he subconsciously lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Taoism has an elixir for rejuvenating youth. Is it true or not?"
Shen Yuanqiong glanced at him and said calmly: "Rejuvenating one's youth is not easy. It is possible to extend one's life by one or two."
Deng Yuanxiang welcomed and escorted many dignitaries, but it was the first time he met a Taoist disciple. His life was at stake. He didn't care about distinguishing the true from the false, and said anxiously: "I don't know if Brother Shen can give me an elixir? But I don't know." There will be no disasters from illness and life will be extended for ten years, even if you become old and lose your family and property, you won’t hesitate!”
Shen Yuanqiong thought for a while and said: "It's not necessary to lose everything. I heard that the leading oiran of Linshui Xuan is a humble servant. He is an entertainer but not a prostitute. He is arranged by shopkeeper Lao Deng, and once in the spring night, an elixir will be given to him."
(End of chapter)
