Knowing what people were like in real ancient times, no one wants to travel back to ancient times.
But now that you are here, you still have to find some fun for yourself, otherwise you won't have the courage to live in this era. "Collecting cards" is one of the greatest pleasures that time travelers can find.
Zhu Xiang had now “collected” the saint card “Xunzi” and was so happy that he wanted to pick up his nephew and spin him around.
But there was Lin Xiangru in the carriage staring at him with disdain, so he didn't dare.
Zhu Xiang gave Lin Xiangru a flattering smile, and then behaved even more obediently than Ying Xiaozheng, who was a little sleepy.
Ying Xiaozheng covered his mouth with his little fist and yawned, secretly glancing at his uncle who had a calm and well-behaved expression.
Although they had only known each other for two days, Ying Xiaozheng was certain that his uncle's expression was definitely fake.
Zhu Xiang had been paying attention to Ying Xiaozheng. When Ying Xiaozheng yawned, he adjusted his sitting position and said, "Go to sleep. I'll wake you up when it's time for dinner."
Zhu Xiang reached out and covered Ying Xiaozheng's eyes to block the light.
Ying Xiaozheng's mouth curled up unconsciously. He turned over to face Zhu Xiang, leaned in Zhu Xiang's arms, curled up on Zhu Xiang's legs, and closed his eyes.
When the two old men saw this scene, they couldn't help but breathe lighter.
Lin Xiangru stroked his pale beard, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
Given Zhu Xiang's love for his nephew, if his nephew returned to Qin, Zhu Xiang would probably go back with him.
Lin Xiangru knew that Zhu Xiang was a kind-hearted but a bit silly man, and anyone with a little bit of cunning could control him. If he used his kindness to bind Zhu Xiang, Zhu Xiang would definitely stay in Zhao State and continue to be his retainer.
But precisely because Lin Xiangru saw Zhu Xiang so clearly, he could not do such a thing as binding Zhu Xiang with favors.
Xun Kuang glanced at Zhu Xiang, who was looking at his little nephew in his arms with loving eyes, and then glanced at Lin Shangqing, who probably didn't even realize how lovingly he looked at Zhu Xiang, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
He turned his gaze out the car window, no longer looking at this warm yet sad scene.
When Zhu Xiang returned home, Xue had already had a lamb slaughtered.
Cai Ze was waiting at home early. When he saw Zhu Xiang carrying his sleeping nephew into the house, he waved to Zhu Xiang the jar of meat sauce he had brought from Zhu Xiang's cellar.
"You have sharp ears and sharp eyes." Zhu Xiang said with a smile.
Cai Ze nodded to Zhu Xiang: "Of course."
He stood up and bowed respectfully to Xun Kuang.
When Lin Zhi drove the ox cart slowly towards Zhu Xiang's house, he had already sent someone to notify Xue to prepare food in advance in order to satisfy his appetite.
Cai Ze also got the news of such a big commotion. He quickly put down the book in his hand and ran to Zhu Xiang's house to wait for a meeting with Xun Kuang, the former Jixia Academy's chief priest.
Xunzi had been the chief priest for such a long time and had taught countless students, so naturally he would not dislike Cai Ze's appearance.
Cai Ze respectfully served Xun Kuang tea made from Zhu Xiang's dried dates, and also brought him some washed fresh and crispy dates that Zhu Xiang had just picked.
Xunzi accepted the tea and dates offered by Cai Ze, then took the wooden slips from Cai Ze's hands, opened it and read it slowly.
Cai Ze sat in front of Xun Kuang in an orderly manner, as if he was checking his homework in front of his teacher.
Zhu Xiang had Ying Xiaozheng carried into the room for a nap. After he washed up and changed his clothes, he returned to the courtyard and saw that the atmosphere in the courtyard was as solemn as a school.
He had the urge to turn around and leave.
Lin Zhi kept winking at Zhu Xiang, asking him to come over quickly and share the joys and sorrows with him.
Lin Xiangru took out a ruler from his sleeve and tapped Lin Zhi on the head with it.
Zhu Xiang no longer hesitated, turned around and left immediately, going to the kitchen to cook himself.
It's not that he didn't want to share the joys and sorrows with Lin Zhi and face the serious Mr. Lin and Mr. Xun together, but there were distinguished guests at home today, and he had to cook himself to show his respect.
Lin Li, you’re on your own!
After arriving at the kitchen, Xue, who was directing the servants to rub salt on the sheep, asked curiously, "Why is my dear here? Isn't he accompanying the noble in the front yard?"
Zhu Xiang said, "Since we have distinguished guests, I must cook for them myself. Xue, you can go to the front yard and accompany them."
Xue did not doubt him and nodded, "Okay. I'll take some dried red dates that my husband prepared a few days ago and soak them for them, and then take some fresh dates for them to eat."
Zhu Xiang shrugged his shoulders and said, "Cai Ze has turned the tables and helped us soak the dried dates and wash the crisp dates."
Xue was stunned at first, then she covered her mouth and chuckled: "Mr. Cai is not as impolite as Xia Tong. It seems that the distinguished guest who came this time must be extraordinary. I will have someone steam some more rice."
Zhu Xiang said, "No, we'll make mutton soup and eat mutton steamed buns today. Xue, go to the front yard and take a look. If they don't need you to entertain them, go and look after Zheng'er. I'm worried that Zheng'er will be scared when he wakes up without anyone by his side."
Xue quickly washed her hands, put down her sleeves and left in a hurry.
Zhu Xiang looked at Xue's anxious back and smiled.
The old servant in the kitchen also smiled. On the second day after the young master came to the house, the master's father and mistress protected the young master like the apple of their eye. The atmosphere in the house seemed to have become much more tense because of the young master's arrival.
Compared to the leisurely atmosphere before, the old servant likes the current slightly tense atmosphere very much.
Since he used cooking as an excuse, Zhu Xiang had to do everything he could to show that he really wasn't looking for an excuse to slip away.
Firstly, there were not enough ingredients, and secondly, Zhu Xiang did not want to reveal too many cooking techniques that were beyond this era, so he still used stewing to cook the lamb this time.
At present, it is a transition period from slavery to feudalism. If Zhu Xiang showed too good cooking skills, King Zhao would probably call him into the palace to cook full-time. If a commoner wanted to serve the king in the palace, he would have to become a slave. King Zhao might even castrate him and make him a eunuch who served the nobles in the palace.
Even Lin Shangqing could not save him, because in that era, it was a blessing for commoners to become slaves of the king.
In order to prevent this terrible thing from happening, Zhu Xiang made delicious food with ordinary ingredients and cooking methods. Even if it got out, it would not arouse the curiosity of other nobles.
The lamb didn't have much of a mutton smell to begin with, and Xue had already had it marinated in water soaked in dried orange peels, so the remaining mutton smell was so light that it was barely noticeable.
Zhu Xiang simply sprinkled the lamb meat with refined salt and did not do any other processing.
At that time, there were shallots, ginger and garlic, but garlic had not yet been introduced to the Central Plains. Zhu Xiang cut a few sections of shallot, tied the shallot into a knot, put them into clear water together with the ginger slices and garlic, and then put in the chopped mutton.
When the water boiled, Zhu Xiang lowered the fire and simmered it over low heat. Whenever bubbles appeared on the surface of the water, he would scoop them up and put them aside.
The servants helping in the kitchen all looked envious.
They will all be able to enjoy the mutton fat foam that Zhu Xiang fished out to remove the mutton smell from the mutton soup later. It is very delicious when soaked in bean rice.
Being a servant in a wealthy and kind family is the dream of many people. They cherish such a master very much.
After scooping up the foam several times, Zhu Xiang carefully dipped the cloth bag wrapped in pepper powder into the broth.
Sichuan peppercorns are the only spice available to Zhuxiang at the moment. The flavor of Sichuan peppercorns blends into the mutton soup, instantly enriching the meaty aroma of the mutton soup and making it less greasy.
After boiling for a while, Zhu Xiang took out the pepper powder bag and put in the chopped radish and soaked mushrooms. When the soup started to boil again, he blanched some leeks in the mutton soup.
"Serve it up first so they can eat it." Zhu Xiang said, "Keep pickling the sheep's head and eat it tomorrow. Steam less bean rice today, and I'll bake a white steamed bun for each of you."
The old servant immediately asked nervously, "How can this be done?"
Zhu Xiang smiled and said, "Zheng'er has just arrived home, everyone should be happy. This is the food that Zheng'er gave to everyone."
After saying that, he scooped out some of the sheep bones with very little meat on them and put them into the earthenware jar containing the broth foam.
Being too kind to servants in this world may not necessarily earn them gratitude, but may also lead to disaster. Appropriate benefits will make servants grateful, but excessive benefits... Zhu Xiang had already experienced a betrayal when he was too kind to servants, and was considered weak and bullied by the servants, who then betrayed him and colluded with the robbers.
Over the years, he has figured out the right way to treat servants.
Now that they had a reason to accept the gift, the servants showed a contented and joyful look.
The old servant took the lead and carried the soup bowl of mutton soup out of the door, his steps so brisk that he seemed about to fly.
Zhu Xiang sighed inwardly, rolled up his sleeves, and started to bake the steamed buns.
The dough has been kneaded long ago, and the steamed buns can be made very quickly.
When Zhu Xiang carried the cooked white steamed buns to the front yard, they had just finished their first bowl of mutton soup.
Xue held Ying Xiaozheng, who had already woken up, and sat at the table, quietly feeding Ying Xiaozheng meat soup.
When Zhu Xiang brought the white steamed buns and taught them to tear the dough and throw it into the broth to eat, Xun Kuang was surprised: "What is this? I have never seen it before."
Zhu Xiang said: "Cakes made from wheat flour."
Xun Kuang was even more surprised: "How can such a delicious cake be made from such coarse wheat flour?"
Although wheat has been planted for a long time, ordinary people only eat wheat by steaming it directly and making it into "wheat rice". Just imagine how unpalatable it is.
In fact, stone mills already existed at that time, but they were expensive and only owned by nobles and wealthy families.
The nobles mostly ate millet and yellow rice, while wheat was eaten by the common people, so they naturally did not use stone mills to grind flour. The pasta such as cakes and noodles found in archaeological excavations of this era were basically made of millet and yellow rice.
The earliest recorded wheat flour cake was in the Han Dynasty, but the "Qimin Yaoshu" in the Wei and Jin Dynasties recorded that wheat rice was still the main way for the people to eat wheat. It was not until the middle of the Tang Dynasty, when the people had stone mills after the prosperity of the early Tang Dynasty, that wheat surpassed millet and sorghum to become the main staple food.
After Zhu Xiang described how to hull and grind wheat flour, Xun Kuang fell silent.
After a while, he sighed and said, "Continue eating the cake."
With a cake in his mouth, Lin Zhi looked at Xun Kuang, then at Zhu Xiang, who always had a foolish smile on his face. He didn't understand what was going on, so he continued to eat the cake.
Ying Xiaozheng did the same as Lin Zhi, looking at Xun Kuang for a while and then at his uncle.
But although his little head told him that he needed to think at this time, he couldn't think, so he had to lower his head and continue eating the mutton that his aunt had torn with chopsticks.
"Feed less. Children are prone to indigestion at night." Zhu Xiang avoided the topic and reminded Xue.
Xue put down her chopsticks regretfully: "Okay."
Zheng'er's expression was so adorable when he was eating meat that Xue could hardly control herself.
"Go play at your uncle's place." Xue pushed Ying Xiaozheng, who was still staring at the mutton in the bowl, worried that she couldn't bear to feed Ying Xiaozheng meat again.
Ying Xiaozheng obediently got up from his aunt's arms and sat next to Zhu Xiang.
His limbs were weak, and he leaned to the side after kneeling for a while. Zhu Xiangxian stopped his nephew from leaning to the side with one hand, and said apologetically: "Zheng'er is too young to sit steadily on his knees. Can you let him stretch his legs and sit?"
Xun Kuang smiled and said, "Although I am a Confucian, I am not so strict as to require such a young child to strictly follow etiquette."
Lin Xiangru frowned: "He is still young, don't be too strict with him, it will have the opposite effect! Lin Li became so lazy when he grew up because I was too strict with him when he was a child!"
After finishing the cake, Lin Zhi buried his head in the meat: "???"
Zhu Xiang smiled bitterly. How did he become the one being harsh towards Zheng'er
Zhu Xiang didn't believe what Lin Xiangru said about being "stern to Lin Zhi". But since Lin Xiangru said so, he naturally nodded in agreement, and then let Ying Xiaozheng stretch out his short legs and lean on him to play.
Xue asked someone to bring a crookedly sewn tiger doll and stuffed it into Ying Xiaozheng's arms, letting Ying Xiaozheng play with it by himself.
Zhu Xiang was curious: "You sewed it? You finished it in one day?"
Xue said: "It's not well sewn. Zheng'er, just play with it reluctantly. Your aunt will sew a more beautiful one for you later."
Ying Xiaozheng was holding the small tiger doll, not knowing how to play with it, so he instinctively crushed and then pulled the doll apart.
Lin Xiangru looked at Ying Xiaozheng who was pulling the doll foolishly, the wrinkles between his brows relaxed slightly, and his eyes became a little softer.
Zhu Xiang noticed this and couldn't help feeling a little smug.
My housekeeper is so cute!
The mutton soup with steamed buns was delicious, and the mutton and leek soup was also very tender and tasty. Xun Kuang accidentally ate too much and took Lin Xiangru with him for a walk.
Lin Xiangru had no choice but to sleep at Zhu Xiang's house, but he sent Lin Zhi back home to report his safety to his wife.
Although the city gates were closed, thanks to Lin Xiangru's power, Lin Zhi could still return to the city and go home at night.
Cai Ze also said goodbye and went home, saying that he would visit again the next day.
After Zhu Xiang had the bed made, he asked Xue to take Ying Xiaozheng to sleep, and he followed the two old men who insisted on going out at night as a bodyguard.
Lin Xiangru glanced at Zhu Xiang with disdain: "You want to be our bodyguard? If we really encounter criminals, you can only hide behind me and Xun Qing and cry for help."
Zhu Xiang said shamelessly: "I am young and my legs are flexible. I can carry you on my back and run!"
Lin Xiangru really wanted to ask Zhu Xiang how to carry him and Xun Kuang on his back, but considering Zhu Xiang's kindness, he gave Zhu Xiang a little face and let Zhu Xiang accompany him for a walk.
But Xun Kuang refused and did not allow Zhu Xiang to follow him.
Zhu Xiang, worried about the two old people, had no choice but to follow them from a distance holding a lantern.
The two restless old men didn't walk far before circling Zhu Xiang's house.
They were silent for a while, and Xun Kuang was the first to speak: "Zhu Xiang needs to seek refuge with a powerful lord."
Lin Xiangru frowned: "You've been thinking about this the whole meal?"
Xun Kuang said: "Zhu Xiang's talents lie in farming and food, both of which are useful tools for the people. He must serve as an official."
Lin Xiangru said: "I will help him get a job!"
Xun Kuang said: "You will help? How will you help? The Zhou royal family is in decline and will soon be destroyed. No matter which country replaces the Zhou royal family, if Zhu Xiang can be reused, countless people will be saved! The former king of Zhao has done you a favor. You can tie yourself and your family to death in Zhao. This is your small righteousness; but you cannot let the people lose their chance to survive in order to repay the favor. This is against the greater righteousness!"
Xun Kuang's spit almost sprayed on Lin Xiangru's face: "Humans have knowledge and righteousness, while animals have knowledge but no righteousness!!!"
Lin Xiangru's face darkened: "If you have something to say, please talk to me nicely. Why are you cursing all of a sudden?"
Xun Kuang said, "I am telling the truth that animals have knowledge but no moral principles. What does that have to do with you? How can you call it cursing?"
Lin Xiangru resisted the urge to hit Xun Kuang on the head with his cane, and said through gritted teeth: "I'll try again. If it doesn't work, I will never stop him from leaving."
Xun Kuang said contemptuously: "You yourself are scolding the King of Zhao. Don't you know that the King of Zhao is not a powerful ruler who can make good use of Zhu Xiang?"
Xunzi had a sharp eye. After following Zhu Xiang for only one day, he saw clearly the difficulties Zhu Xiang faced in realizing his ambitions.
Zhu Xiang wanted to teach more people to transform poor soil into good fields. One or two wells were not enough. The government had to dig canals and build water conservancy and irrigation facilities.
Zhu Xiang wanted to teach more people to grow wheat and barley, which were more productive than millet and yellow rice. It was not enough for him to make wheat cakes at home. He had to use government funds to build public stone mills in towns and villages, and promote the use of flour among the nobles who owned the most land.
Zhu Xiang must have more abilities, but all of these abilities will affect the interests of the nobles and the rich - the lives of the common people will be improved, and the gap between their lives and those of the nobles will be narrowed, which will also affect the interests of the nobles and the rich. To display all his abilities, he must have a visionary and powerful ruler who can suppress the court to back him up.
"How many people Zhu Xiang can save depends entirely on how capable the hero behind him is and how much trust he places in him." Xun Kuang said firmly, "King Zhao can't do that!"
Lin Xiangru's face immediately turned pale: "If you say so, then which king do you think is suitable?! Could it be the King of Qin?? Have you forgotten that the three nobles of Qin Mugong were buried alive with him?"
Xun Kuang remained silent.
The Qin State did not always have a bad reputation among scholars.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Mu of Qin valued talents, loved the people, and offered sacrifices to ordinary soldiers. Even though he destroyed the friendship between Qin and Jin that he had established, many people praised his benevolence during his reign.
Duke Mu of Qin created the guest official system of the Qin Dynasty. At that time, talents from various countries flocked to him and were willing to work for him.
Who would have thought that when Duke Mu of Qin died, he died with more than 170 people, including three loyal ministers: Yanxi, Zhongxing and Zhenhu.
Human sacrifice was already rejected in the Western Zhou Dynasty, but the human sacrifice that was rejected only used people as sacrifices. Another kind of "human sacrifice" has always existed, that is, "following the death".
The so-called "following death" means that wives, concubines, domestic servants, ministers, etc. "voluntarily accompany the tomb owner to the underworld" and continue to serve the tomb owner.
The difference between the two is that the former treats the people buried alive as sacrifices such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs; the latter acknowledges that the people buried alive are human beings, even those they love.
However, everyone knows that this kind of "voluntary" cannot be truly "voluntary", so the princes and nobles were more restrained when choosing people to die with.
When this happened, not only were the scholars in an uproar, but even the people of Qin could not accept it. The Yellow Bird in Qin Feng sang, "That blue sky, killed my beloved!"
The reputation of the king of Qin plummeted, and people of noble character and lofty ideals avoided Qin from then on. After Duke Mu of Qin, Qin made no further achievements during the entire Spring and Autumn Period.
At the beginning of the Warring States Period, Qin became a second-rate country. It was not until the reign of Duke Xian of Qin that Qin's national strength began to rise again.
It was this Duke Xian of Qin who, less than a year after he ascended the throne, issued an edict to end the Qin State's system of human sacrifice that had lasted for more than 300 years. This shows that "reputation" did have a great impact on the Qin State's national strength.
Lin Xiangru mentioned Duke Mu of Qin to remind Xun Kuang that Duke Mu of Qin had always been a benevolent and virtuous ruler during his lifetime, but when he died, he turned against his virtuous ministers and made them be buried with him. Who can guarantee that the current monarch of Qin is not a hypocritical person like his ancestor, who boasts about his virtues but persecutes his virtuous ministers and even makes them be buried with him
The old King of Qin is almost dead!
Xun Kuang could not answer.
This time he traveled west, he went to the State of Qin.
Xunzi praised the officials and common people of Qin for abiding by the law and being well-organized, just like a country ruled by a wise king in ancient times. However, he also saw the biggest drawback of Qin, which was that it only focused on laws and did not promote moral education; it only appointed capable people without selecting their moral character.
Xunzi predicted that the Qin State would perish here.
The history of Zhu Xiang's previous life and time proved that Xunzi's prediction was completely correct.
"Perhaps there is no such hero now." Xun Kuang finally sighed, "Please protect him before he finds such a hero."
Lin Xiangru was silent for a long time and then he sighed.
The two lost interest in the night tour and turned to walk towards Zhu Xiang who was following them far behind.
"Are you not going to take a walk anymore? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Do you want me to make you some midnight snack?"
"What kind of midnight snack should I make? You can't eat too much at night, it will cause indigestion and harm your body!"
"Can you guys eat and then walk for a while? Ouch!"
Zhu Xiang was hit with a ruler by Lin Xiangru. Xun Kuang looked at Zhu Xiang who was covering his mouth obediently and laughed out loud, startling the sleeping chickens and ducks.
(End of this chapter)