The next day, Wei Hongru and his father Hengyuan Marquis Wei Chunlin went to the palace for a banquet. Wei Hong is just a bastard, and he has no official position, and no qualifications to face the saint. For this, after Wei Hongru boarded the carriage to the palace, Wei Hong who saw this scene was full of hatred and anger. Obviously he is the boss, but because his mother is a concubine, everything he deserves has to be handed over to Wei Hongru. Sooner or later, he will trample Wei Hongru under his feet!
As soon as Hengyuan Hou entered the palace, he found out that today's palace banquet was held. The emperor invited many people, not to mention the "Three Dukes, Five Marquises and One King General", all the senior officials above the second rank of the imperial court came. Not only that, but also several merchants from the Shanren tribe and Xianlu Kingdom. Seeing this situation, Hou Hengyuan's heart skipped a beat.
"Lord Hou."
Hou Hengyuan turned around, and it was Luo Rong Wang Murong Duan who greeted him. Murong Duan was the younger brother of the late Emperor Kang Sheng. His biological mother was born as a court lady, and her status in the palace has never been high. After Emperor Kang Sheng fell into a coma, the palace was in chaos. The few sons in the capital have no time to take care of him, and the women in the harem are also busy fighting for power. Only Luo Rongwang has been serving Kang Shengdi's bed.
King Luo Rong never participated in government affairs, nor did he participate in the battle for the reserve position. Because of his "obscurity", Murong Kun generously named him King Luo Rong after he ascended the throne. In the eyes of the aristocratic family, this King Luo Rong, who has no ability and does not participate in the government affairs, just likes to raise flowers and amuse the birds, is just a chess piece for Emperor Yongming to show his generosity, and he is not at all noticeable.
Hou Hengyuan greeted King Luo Rong politely on the surface, and asked tentatively: "My lord, why is the emperor in such a good mood that he invites me to a banquet?"
Emperor Yongming had no money, and he only cared about it during the Chinese New Year all year round, so the meals should be as simple as possible. Just after this year, the emperor treats guests, how can it not be curious.
King Luo Rong's attire was very simple, except for the princely attire, he didn't even have any decorative jade pendants on his body. Because he stayed in the flower garden all the year round, King Luo Rong was dark and strong, with gray hair and a vicissitudes of face. If he wasn't wearing the prince's clothes, at first glance he would think that he had muddy legs. Emperor Yongming was quite dark at first, he rarely went out of the palace these few years, so he grew whiter.
King Luo Rong smiled and said: "I went to see the emperor just now and asked about it. The emperor said that he got some delicious food, let us all have a taste. The emperor refused to say what the king asked about." Luo Rong The king licked his lips, "I hope that the emperor can have some more good wine. I am so hungry now." Then, he asked curiously: "I heard that the Hou's mansion is collecting goat's milk wine and wine. Longjing tea, have you received it! If you have received it, sell me a few catties of wine. But I don’t have that much money, Lord Hou should give me some money.”
Hengyuan Hou's face turned dark immediately, Wei Hongru remained calm and said nothing, Hengyuan Hou said awkwardly: "Is there such a thing? I don't know about it yet. When I get back to the mansion, I will first ask what's going on."
King Luo Rong was surprised: "Huh? The Marquis doesn't know? A few days ago, the king's servant came to ask the king if there were goat's milk wine and Longjing tea rewarded by the emperor in the mansion, saying that the goat's milk wine in the Hengyuan Hou's mansion produced this amount." One catty harvest, this is the number of Longjing tea!" He gestured with three and five fingers respectively, as if he didn't understand the black face that Hengyuan Hou couldn't keep up with, King Luo Rong continued: "Master Hou is really rich and powerful, this number book The king is moved, but the wine and tea are rewards from the emperor, no matter how greedy I am, I dare not sell the wine rewarded by the emperor, so I have to give up." He sighed, "No, the wine has been eaten long ago, I have already eaten it. Wang's alcohol addiction has broken again, after eating goat's milk wine, he really can't drink any other wine, so he can only rely on Lord Hou."
King Luo Rong's voice was quite loud, and everyone around could hear it. What made Hou Hengyuan's teeth itchy even more was that the sick son of Prince Luo Rong also came to make trouble!
Murong Yi, the son of King Luo Rong, is twenty-two this year. The name sounds good, but I am a sick child who was born with a disease in the womb. I don't know what kind of medicine he is taking, he is not in good health, but his whole body is white and fat, in stark contrast to the black and thin King Luo Rong. King Luo Rong also has a youngest son named Murong Hui, who has just turned ten years old and was born in a concubine's house. He is relatively introverted. He is following behind his elder brother Murong Yi, grabbing his elder brother's clothes, and peeking at the dark-faced man curiously. Heng Yuanhou.
Hou Hengyuan was so embarrassed that he wanted to cover the mouths of King Luo Rong and his son. He can do this kind of thing, but it would be disrespectful to the emperor to be said on the spot. Even the merchants from the Shanren Tribe and the Xianlu Kingdom heard it and turned their attention to this side.
"Hey, Lord Wei, it turns out that your family collected it. It just so happens that the old man bought some from you. It shouldn't be too expensive. The old man doesn't have that much money."
Ningguo Gong Chu Wenshi came over with a smile while stroking his beard. At this moment, Heng Yuanhou was surprised that his eldest son Wei Hongzheng was not doing well. How much tea and wine has been confiscated, everyone in the capital knows!
With Ning Guogong's meddling, other people came to Hengyuan Hou for unknown reasons, and wanted to buy tea and wine from him. Hengyuanhou's forehead was covered with sweat, and he still couldn't get angry. When his father was about to be overwhelmed, Wei Hongru said: "Uncles, my father really didn't know about this matter, and there may be some misunderstanding. Who knows that the new tea and new wine in the uncle's house are rewards from the emperor, just to give Hongzheng ten courage, he I don’t dare to put my mind on the emperor’s reward. After returning to the mansion to find out, the boy will give an explanation to all the uncles.”
Heng Yuanhou nodded hurriedly: "That's right! After returning to the mansion, I will definitely find out. If Hongzheng is really ignorant, I will definitely punish you severely, and I will definitely give the prince and the Duke an explanation."
King Luo Rong said with a look of pity: "That's not the case. If Hongzheng can really receive new tea and new wine, this king can still have a good taste. Alas, the quantity of this new tea and new wine is so small. It seems that this king I still have to have the cheek to ask the queen to ask for it, the emperor won't do it."
A businessman from the Xianlu Kingdom whispered to the ministers around him: "Aren't goat's milk wine and Longjing tea the business of the Hengyuan Hou Mansion?"
The man immediately replied in a low voice: "Of course not." Looking around, he lowered his voice, "Goat's milk wine and Longjing tea are the Queen's business, as for the Hengyuan Hou Mansion..." He showed a "you understand" expression.
The merchants from the Xianlu Kingdom understood, and so did the merchants from the Shanren tribe who were with the merchants from the Xianlu Kingdom. But the businessman from Xianlu Country didn't understand: "But Wei Hongzheng said that the goat's milk wine and Longjing tea originally belonged to the Hengyuan Hou Mansion, but they were just taken away by..." whispered, "The queen. People who can make wine and tea In fact, they are from the Hengyuan Marquis Mansion."
The man exclaimed, and said in a low voice, "Is that what Wei Hong said?"
Businessmen from both countries nodded.
The man half-covered his mouth: "Wei Hongzheng is really daring, the person who brews wine and tea is Jiang Kangning, the magistrate of Yongxiu County, is the adopted brother of Mr. Jiang, and Mr. Jiang is the adopted son of Mr. Weng. Mr. Weng is the emperor's teacher. Everyone, do you think that person is from the Hengyuan Marquis Mansion, or from the Emperor and Queen?"
This time, the businessmen of the two countries were surprised. It turns out that the person who can brew such fine wine and tea has some relationship with the emperor! Now, the businessmen of the two countries know what to do.
Just when the atmosphere at the scene was developing in a strange direction, a high-pitched voice saved Heng Yuanhou who wanted to bury himself.
"The emperor arrives—the queen arrives—"
Everyone stood up immediately, and when the two bright yellows appeared, everyone knelt down: "Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, and a thousand years, the queen."
"Free of courtesy, flat body."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you Qiansui—"
Emperor Yongming came out holding the Queen's hand. Walking behind them were Elder Weng and Old General Dai. Emperor Yongming told everyone without hesitation that these two elders were the people he trusted the most.
Emperor Yongming seemed to be in a good mood. After everyone was seated, he said, "Since I became the throne, due to the busy state affairs, I have not had time to have fun with all my loved ones. I am very sorry. A few days ago, I listened to you Later, when it was mentioned that merchants from the Shanren Tribe and the Xianlu Kingdom wanted to do business in Dayan, I couldn't help thinking of the fact that merchants from all over the world gathered in the capital around the tenth year of Kangsheng and brought prosperity.
I hold a banquet today, firstly, to gather with all my lovers; secondly, to hope that all my dearest friends can join me to restore the prosperity of my Great Yan; thirdly, to hope that the Shanren tribe and the fresh deer More businessmen from the country can come to Dayan to enhance the communication between Dayan and the two countries. I also hope to see my businessmen from Dayan go to the Shanren tribe and the Xianlu country, and bring back the good things from the Shanren tribe and the Xianlu country. Dayan! "
"The ministers would like to abide by the emperor's wishes—"
All the ministers stood up.
The merchants of the Shanren Tribe and the Xianlu Kingdom also stood up and shouted flatteredly: "The emperor's wish is our blessing!"
Hengyuan Hou Wei Chunlin's complexion was the worst among everyone present. The previous episode already almost made him lose face. The emperor's words seemed to want to have fun with the courtiers, encouraging businessmen from the Shanren tribe and the Xianlu country to come to Dayan to do business more, but in fact it was a warning. Warn anyone, there are no fools here, and everyone is clear in their hearts.
The emperor heard that the queen "raised it", why should the queen pay attention to mere merchants? The fact that the Hengyuan Hou Mansion purchased new tea and new wine at high prices is well known throughout the court, so how many people can the Hengyuan Hou Mansion hide from the fact that the Hengyuan Hou Mansion wants to do business with merchants from the Shanren Tribe and Xianlu Kingdom for new tea and new wine. With today's posture, Hongzheng's lack of success must also be known to everyone. This bastard is a bastard, and he doesn't know how to do things properly. He repeatedly asked this matter to be low-key and cautious, and it turned out!
Wei Hongru took a few glances at his father from the corner of his eye, picked up the teacup and pretended to drink tea, and sneered in his heart, mocking his father's self-righteousness. Did he think that if Wei Hongzheng acted in a low-key way, the emperor and queen might not know? Ever since his mother passed away and his father remarried, Wei Hongru became more and more disappointed with his father. Thinking of what his younger brother said to him, Wei Hongru slightly raised his eyelids, and calmly glanced at the superior emperor and queen, realizing that he should make a choice as soon as possible.
What Emperor Yongming said next made Heng Yuanhou even more uneasy.
"I heard that the food in the 'Yunlong Pavilion' in the capital is extremely delicious, and today I specially ordered 'Yunlong Pavilion' to prepare this palace banquet. I also got a jar of good wine to drink and have fun with all my lovers."
"Thank you, Your Majesty—"
Eunuch An, who came back to the palace specially today, shouted from the side: "The feast is on—"
Following Eunuch An's words, he walked into the hall alone. His appearance changed the expressions of some people present. This person is none other than Jiang Kangchen, the titular boss of "Yunlong Pavilion".
Jiang Kangchen walked to the center and knelt down: "Secretary Jiang Kangchen kowtowed to the emperor, long live, long live, long live, and queen, a thousand years ago."
The queen said: "Excuse me, get up."
"Thank you, Chitose."
Jiang Kangchen stood up, ignoring the strange gazes focused on him, and said calmly: "Your Majesty, Empress Chitose, this palace banquet will be presided over by my ministers. May the Emperor, Empress Chitose and all adults eat to their satisfaction. .”
Emperor Yongming and the queen nodded slightly to Jiang Kangchen at the same time. After Jiang Kangchen saluted, he turned sideways and clapped three times vigorously in the direction of the entrance of the main hall. As the applause fell, a group of court ladies entered with trays in their hands. Under the curious eyes of everyone, these court ladies put small palm-sized porcelain plates on the tray on the table in front of them. There are as many as seven or eight kinds of kimchi in these small porcelain dishes. When these court ladies placed pickles, eight burly men came in in groups of two, carrying four whole sheep that had been slaughtered. The ministers and businessmen here are no strangers to this, it should be roast lamb.
After the kimchi was set up, the maids left and stood at the front. Jiang Kangchen, who was standing behind Mr. Weng, said at this time: "My lords are in front of 'kimchi', this kind of 'kimchi' can be eaten alone, or served with rice or noodles , served with dry food, and can also be stored as a winter dish, it is a new dish that 'Yunlong Pavilion' will launch soon, please adults taste it first."
When everyone present heard this, they were all curious, Emperor Yongming and the Empress picked up the chopsticks, and the others held the chopsticks. Shao Yun'an prepared a lot of kimchi, but Emperor Yongming ordered half of them to go, so after today's palace banquet, there would be no other half left.
Immediately after the kimchi entered, voices such as "it tastes good" and "delicious" came out. King Luo Rong's loud voice sounded: "Your Majesty, this 'kimchi' is really delicious, maybe you can bring some back to the Emperor's house?" He said so, and those who are close to Emperor Yongming, such as Mr. Weng and Mr. Dai, looked at him.
Emperor Yongming smiled and said: "I still have some in there. If the emperor likes to eat, why not go to the palace to eat with me. You and my uncle and nephew haven't eaten at the same table for a long time."
King Luo Rong stood up immediately: "Thank you, Your Majesty." After saying that, he laughed out loud, very happy.
At this time, two teams of maids appeared, each still holding a tray, but four people followed behind them, bringing in a square table.
"what is that?"
"Looks like a duck."
"And pancakes?"
The whispers are full of curiosity, what kind of food is this? A whole duck, should they tear it up with their hands? It's so insulting.
But who knows, a team of court ladies with ducks on trays brought the trays with ducks to the square table. The other team of maids still came to the small square table in front of everyone and placed them one by one. Eunuch An and Eunuch Zhuo served the emperor and queen in person, arranging the pancakes in a small steamer, sweet noodle sauce, shredded green onion, and blanched bean sprouts and vegetables on a plate. Shao Yunan wanted to use cucumbers, but they were not available in this era, so he had to use bean sprouts instead. Of course, he and Wang Shijing often ate cucumbers in the space. It's eating real cucumbers.
Emperor Yongming asked curiously: "Jiang Kangchen, what kind of new dish is this?"
Jiang Kangchen bowed and said: "Return to the emperor. This is a roast duck, also called 'roasted duck'. Then roll into pancakes. I invite you to make pancakes for the emperor and queen.”
Emperor Yongming: "Okay."
The first duck has been sliced by the chef of Yunlong Pavilion. Jiang Kangchen brought it to the table of the emperor and queen. After washing his hands, he picked up a hot pancake, picked up two slices of duck meat, dipped it in sweet bean sauce and put it on the pancake, then added shredded green onion and bean sprouts. Everyone straightened their necks and looked around, and many people began to swallow their saliva. Emperor Yongming and the queen took the burritos from Jiang Kangchen one after another. Emperor Yongming took a bite first, then widened his eyes, and swallowed quickly: "It's delicious! It's delicious!" They made a joke, he lowered his voice: "Give me two more!"
Jiang Kangchen held back his laughter in time, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, there are still delicious dishes to come, and I'm afraid you won't be able to eat them later."
Hearing that there are delicious dishes, Emperor Yongming held back. The queen bowed her head and swallowed her smile back.
With Emperor Yongming opening the show, the others couldn't help but hope that their part would come up quickly. The head chef of Yunlong Pavilion took two sous chefs to slice the duck together, and the whole audience was full of chewing sounds. A minister who flattered said: "Your Majesty, queen, this roast duck is really delicious. I have never eaten such a delicious duck." Duck. I wonder if I still want to eat it in the future, maybe I can go to the 'Yunlong Pavilion' to eat it?"
Jiang Kangchen immediately answered on his behalf: "My lord, if you want to eat in the future, just go to 'Yunlong Pavilion'. In a few days, 'Yunlong Pavilion' will officially launch roast duck."
Immediately someone said: "I must go in the future, this roast duck is so delicious!"
Whether it was true or false, many people echoed: "Yes, you must eat it, it's so delicious!"
Jiang Kangchen said: "The leftover duck rack of this roast duck is cooked together with radish soup, which is also extremely delicious. Later, the emperor, queen and all the adults can taste it."
This roast duck is so delicious, the duck soup is probably not too bad. The people who are full of greasy food can't help but look forward to it, even the patriarchs and princes of several big families who are used to eating delicious food have re-evaluated the strength of this "Yunlong Pavilion". Many people would come up with: [Where did the emperor and the empress dig the cooks, how can they be so good at cooking. ] There are also people who don't know the taste when they eat.
Jiang Kangchen tried his best to ignore all kinds of gazes cast on him, especially some gazes, and devoted himself to doing what the queen entrusted to him.