The purpose of going to a temple fair is to eat, drink and have fun, so few people go out after having breakfast at home, for fear that their stomachs are not big enough to taste all the delicacies at the temple fair.
We came out so early in the morning, either walking or taking a car, and by the time we arrived at the temple fair, we were all starving.
It just so happened that the skewers in Jiang Yunzhu's hand were almost done. A large skewer of meat was dripping with oil, which fell onto the charcoal fire, making crackling sounds. Sometimes a flame would suddenly pop up, making the roasted meat even more oily.
At this time, sprinkle a handful of cumin and chili pepper, the aroma that fills your nose will make you drool.
"What kind of skewers are these and how much are they?" asked a man with a child. Next to him stood a woman, and it was obvious that they were a family of three who came to the temple fair.
"There are three kinds of meat skewers. Pork skewers are eight cents each, beef skewers are fourteen cents each, and mutton skewers are fifteen cents each. We also have gluten and grilled sausages. Grilled gluten is four cents each, and grilled sausages are six cents each." Jiang Cheng replied quickly.
At first, he was a little nervous, but later, he was completely calm and asked the man with a smile, "What kind of skewers do you want?"
The man lowered his head and asked his wife and child. His wife seemed to think it was a little too expensive, but the man said, "It smells delicious. It's New Year's Day, let's buy some to try." The child also pulled the woman's hand and looked at her eagerly. He wanted to eat it.
What else can the woman say? Just buy it.
"One skewer of beef, one skewer of pork, and one skewer of grilled gluten." The child wants to eat pork, the wife likes beef, and as for the man himself, he has never seen this grilled gluten before. It looks interesting and cheap.
"Okay!" Jiang Cheng quickly took three skewers and handed them to them.
The meat skewers sold by Jiang Yunzhu and her friends are big ones, one skewer is as long as a forearm, and each piece of meat is the size of a small plum. When you take a bite, oil sizzles and the aroma of meat mixed with the aroma of seasoning explodes in your mouth, satisfying both your teeth and tongue.
The woman took a bite and curled her eyes, feeling that the money was well spent.
Someone took the lead and people started buying immediately. A fat man bought two skewers of pork, took a bite, and immediately ordered three skewers of mutton.
There were also two girls who bought two pieces of beef. They covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and ate with their eyes shining.
There were also a few strong men in uniform who ordered five skewers of each, went to the tea stand next to them, ate and drank, praised the meat skewers loudly for being authentic, and asked the boss for ten more skewers of mutton.
There was even a passing carriage that stopped there, and a servant came over, bought two strings of each item, and handed them respectfully into the carriage.
…
There were all kinds of people at the temple fair, and Jiang Yunzhu and her friends’ kebabs were selling better and better.
Especially in the afternoon, there are more and more people at the temple fair, and if you come late to their stall, you have to queue up.
"Let's light up that stove as well." Jiang Yunzhu said while she had time.
So she had one stove and Xue Jing had another, and they both worked non-stop to barely make enough to sell.
Jiang Yunzhu anticipated this might be the case, so she didn't make so many varieties, only five best-selling skewers. Even so, Jiang Cheng, Chen, Gu Qifeng, and even Xu Qingshan came to help, and they were busy as hell.
When we returned to Fatong Temple in the evening, everyone was too tired to talk, but they all had smiles on their faces.
The next day, they went earlier to claim the spots, full of energy.
In this way, it was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. During this time, of course, many things happened. For example, Jiang Yunzhu found that if they continued to sell like this, they might not be able to sell enough skewers, so she raised the price. Another example was that one day they arrived early enough, but someone else still took up the space, so they had to sell at the side.
For example, seeing that their business was good, some people set up a stall next to them to sell skewers.
For example, a young man dressed in noble style ate their kebabs and directly gave them a silver ingot, weighing five taels.
This is how business is, you will encounter all kinds of people and all kinds of things.
"One lamb skewer and one grilled gluten, a total of nineteen cents." Jiang Cheng handed the last two skewers to the child.
The child started eating with big mouthfuls under the envious gazes of everyone.
"Boss, are you really out of skewers?"
"Mom, I want to eat skewers, too."
…
Several people gathered around the stall and asked Jiang Yunzhu.
Seeing that the situation was not right this morning, Jiang Yunzhu raised the price again. But there were too many people on the street today, and many people were buying skewers, especially at noon. I heard that there were not many skewers left. Some people who originally wanted to buy only two now wanted to buy three. There were still many such people, causing the skewers to sell out faster and faster.
By 3 p.m., all the skewers had been sold out.
"Thank you everyone, that's really all." Jiang Yunzhu said to everyone.
"Boss, it's still early, why don't we ask someone to skewer some more skewers?" someone suggested. Indeed, there would be many people at the Lantern Festival tonight.
Jiang Cheng and Chen were moved by what they heard, but Jiang Yunzhu shook her head. The meat skewers had to be marinated before use, and they were in a hurry, so there was no time. It was good enough now, the goal had been achieved, and if they pursued it too much, they might make mistakes in a hurry, which would be bad.
"Then boss, will you come tomorrow?" If they come, even if there is no temple fair tomorrow, they will come to buy skewers.
"Or boss, do you have a stall or store in Luzhou?"
Jiang Yunzhu could only shake her head again, and then, under the regretful gaze of everyone, she packed up her things with Jiang Cheng and others and returned to Fatong Temple.
"Are we going back now?" Chen asked. She wanted to leave, but she didn't want to leave.
Jiang Yunzhu looked around and said with a smile, "Let's leave early tomorrow morning. We finally made it to Luzhou, and today is the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the Lantern Festival, so let's all go shopping." As she spoke, she took out her purse and gave everyone one or two taels of silver.
"What is this for?" Xu Qingshan said to Xue Jing.
Xu Qingshan had already collected the fare, and Xue Jing received his monthly salary, but neither of them accepted the money.
"This is hard work pay for everyone. We made money, so everyone can share in the joy." Jiang Yunzhu said. Xu Qingshan had helped a lot these days. Although Xue Jing was hired by her, he had been busy with her since the fifth day of the New Year, so his overtime pay was more than this.
She pressed the silver into their hands.
She wanted to give it sincerely, so Xu Qingshan and Xue Jing accepted it with happy faces.
He also gave Gu Qifeng one or two taels of silver. He had helped a lot these days and even became hoarse from hawking his wares.
When Gu Qifeng held the tael of silver, he seemed to see the sea of stars.
Chen and Jiang Cheng also have a part.
After finishing the work, everyone got the money and felt relieved and happy. They started to discuss where to go next.
Xue Jing wanted to buy some things and go to the Xiangke Tower to see his master. Now that he had arrived in Luzhou City, it would be rude not to visit the old man.
Gu Qifeng took Xu Qingshan to enjoy the lanterns and take a good look at Luzhou City. When we get back, we can tell others about it. It would be embarrassing if we came here and didn't know anything when we got back.
"Dad, Mom, you should go too." Jiang Yunzhu said to Jiang Cheng and Chen.
The two were very interested. First, they wanted to go shopping in Luzhou City. Second, they wanted to buy some new things to bring back to Old Man Chen and Jiang Lin to make them happy.
"Let's go together." Chen said.
"You guys can go, I want to take a break." Jiang Yunzhu said. She was different from them. She was too familiar with Luzhou City and there was nothing to see. She was tired after being busy for so many days. At this moment, she just wanted to have a good sleep.
Before leaving, Chen asked Jiang Yunzhu again, "Are you really not going with us?"
"No." Jiang Yunzhu said.
Only then did Chen go out with Jiang Cheng and disappear into the crowd.
The room became quiet and deserted. Jiang Yunzhu actually fell on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
When she got up, it was already dark outside. She was full of energy at the moment, so she took out her money bag and counted it carefully. There were 58 taels and 5 cents of silver in total. After deducting the cost of 25 taels, she made a net profit of 33 taels and 5 cents.
Of course, if she didn't give Xue Jing and the others one or two taels each, she would earn more, but that would be meaningless.
Fifty-eight taels was more than enough to rent a store, pay tuition, and even decorate the store.
I can set up the store when I get back.
Jiang Yunzhu put away her purse contentedly, looked at the time, and decided to go to the kitchen to make two more vegetarian dishes for Pu Xuan as a thank you, and also tell him goodbye at the same time, so that she could have a complete beginning and an end.
When she arrived at the kitchen, the people there still remembered her and when they heard that she was making vegetarian food for Pu Xuan, they let her do as she pleased.
Jiang Yunzhu looked at the ingredients in the kitchen and marveled that it was worthy of the Fatong Temple, which was famous for its vegetarian food. In the middle of winter, there were so many fresh ingredients here.
She was itching to make two vegetarian dishes to repay her gratitude.
One is Wensi Tofu. This dish is very famous because the tofu and various ingredients are cut as thin as hair. Most chefs cannot do it without talent even if they work hard.
This dish was originally meant to be made with ham and chicken broth, but Jiang Yunzhu has her own way of making it vegetarian without changing the taste at all.
The second is the Eighteen Arhats, which sounds like a vegetarian name.
Eighteen kinds of raw materials including shiitake mushrooms, straw mushrooms, black fungus, etc. are processed and stir-fried into a dish. The finished product has bright color but not messy. The taste retains the flavor of each raw material and is blended into one flavor, just like the Eighteen Arhats.
Of the two dishes, the second one seems simpler than the first one, just an ordinary stir-fry, but in fact the second one is the most difficult. Eighteen kinds of dishes, each dish must be matched just right, and the heat cannot be wrong by even a little bit. Even for Jiang Yunzhu, making this dish depends on luck.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it just doesn’t work, either it’s wrong here or it’s wrong there.
Fortunately, she was lucky today and succeeded in one go.
It turns out that when people are in a good mood, everything goes smoothly.
Jiang Yunzhu wiped the sweat from her forehead, put the two dishes into the lunch box, and went to meet Pu Xuan.
However, when she found the young monk Jingyuan who had received her last time, she was told that Puxuan was very busy and might not have time to see her.
Yes, fifteen, there must be a lot going on in the temple.
"Miss, is there anything important?" Jing Yuan asked.
"No. I just made two more vegetarian dishes and wanted to invite Master Puxuan to try them. Thank him for letting us stay overnight these days. Also, we have to leave early tomorrow morning." Jiang Yunzhu said quickly.
"I'll tell my master." Jingyuan took the food box and said.
"Thank you." Jiang Yunzhu turned and left. Anyway, her feelings had been expressed.
Jingyuan took the food box and went back to see Puxuan.
Pu Xuan was pacing around anxiously at the moment and had no time to see Jiang Yunzhu.
Today, two very important guests came to the temple. He had asked the kitchen staff to prepare vegetarian food for them, but when the two dishes were brought in, the guests only took two bites and stopped.
The host had something to ask of the two guests, and kept winking at him when he saw this, but what could he do
"Master, the girl said they will leave tomorrow morning, and asked me to help thank you. Also, the girl made two vegetarian dishes for you." Jingyuan said, holding up the food box.
Pu Xuan didn't take it seriously at first. It was just a matter of staying in the woodshed for a few days. However, he suddenly looked at the food box.
In the elegant Zen room, the abbot of Fatong Temple was sitting opposite two men.
The two men were probably in their forties or fifties, both with fair complexions and great bearing.
There are two Lins in Luzhou. One is the Lin family of Anping Marquis Mansion, and the other is the Lin family of Crown Prince's Tutor, who is also the Lin family that opened Huaying Academy.
The eldest master of the Lin family had been working as an official in the capital, serving as the prince's tutor. During the New Year, when the court was on holiday, he would return to Luzhou to visit his relatives.
The second master of the Lin family also served as an official in the court a few years ago. Later, he disliked officialdom and came back to serve as the dean of the academy.
Both of them are well-read and like Zen philosophy, so today they came to discuss Buddhist principles with the abbot of Fatong Temple.
The three of them talked until it was dinner time.
Master Lin was about to leave, and the abbot of Fatong Temple invited him to taste the vegetarian food in the temple.
Master Lin Er also said that the vegetarian food in the temple was very famous. Anyway, it was getting late, and it was not easy for Master Lin Da to come back, so he might as well try it before leaving.
Master Lin stayed.
But when he talked about other things, he couldn't help but think of the affairs in the court. He felt depressed and had no mood to eat. So when the two vegetarian dishes came, he only ate two chopsticks and didn't want to eat anymore, which made Pu Xuan anxious.
At this time, the little monk brought up two more dishes.
It's like a white jade soup, exuding bursts of fragrance, and the color is eye-catching at a glance.
The abbot of Fatong Temple was surprised. Could the previous dish be Wensi tofu? However, this dish could also be made into a vegetarian dish. This was the first time he had seen it.
What is the last dish? At a glance, there are more than a dozen ingredients. If they are mixed together, wouldn’t it be a mess
But he couldn't say it in front of the guests.
Master Lin Da and Master Lin Er also thought that these two dishes were very novel and tasted them immediately.
Wensi tofu is really Wensi tofu, without any smell of meat, and the key is that the taste is exactly the same.
This stir-fry is even better. It looks messy, but in fact, every detail fits together perfectly.
Mr. Lin immediately thought of a lot of things and started talking to the other two.
The atmosphere in the room immediately became relaxed. Pu Xuan took a look outside and breathed a sigh of relief.
Coming out of Fatong Temple, there were lights and flowers everywhere outside and sounds of laughter and joy. Master Lin, sitting in the carriage, frowned.
"Brother, if you can't do it, you can come back and teach with me." Master Lin Er advised.
"You should eat the emperor's salary and share his worries. If everyone is like you, wouldn't the court be dominated by treacherous people? Then the country will be in ruins. Can you still hide at home and study peacefully?" Master Lin scolded.
Master Lin Er did not dare to speak. He admitted that he was afraid of the power struggle in the court.
The Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince have been fighting for so many years. How many people have died
"Didn't we say last time that the Sixth Prince privately made weapons? Why was he only confined for a year in the end?" Thinking of this, Master Lin II asked.
"Your information is outdated. The emperor has lifted the Sixth Prince's house arrest order." Master Lin said worriedly.
Master Lin Er was shocked when he heard this, "How could this be?"
Master Lin pinched his brows and said, "How should I know? The will of the emperor is hard to predict."
Master Lin Er was speechless for a moment.
"It would be great if Scholar Shen could stand on our side." Master Lin suddenly said.
And that Commander Shen, Master Lin Er added in his heart. Of course, Grand Secretary Shen and Shen Fengming are one and the same.
"The case of the Sixth Prince this time was handled by the Qilin Guard." said Master Lin Er.
"Last year, the Qilin Guard also handled Li Yushi's case." Master Lin glanced at him and said. Li Yushi was the prince's man.
Master Lin Er was speechless again. He really didn't like what was happening in the court.
"You are in Luzhou. How is the Anping Marquis' Mansion doing recently?" Master Lin finally asked about this.
Master Lin Er smiled awkwardly, he had no idea. He was the one who "turned a deaf ear to the world outside the window and focused on reading the books of sages".
Master Lin snorted in anger.
At this time, Jiang Yunzhu was full, and seeing that Chen and the others had not returned yet, she decided to go out for a walk. Today was the Lantern Festival, and there was no curfew, so it would probably be lively outside all night.
When she got outside, she saw decorations and bright lights everywhere, and people were crowded together, making her feel as if she was out of time and space.
She walked forward, admiring the lanterns on the roadside from time to time.
Suddenly she saw someone selling hand warmers and she walked over.
The hand warmer is a cotton cover in which you can put your hands to keep warm.
The stall owner was a woman in her twenties. The hand-warmers she made were very elegant and beautiful. Jiang Yunzhu felt her hands were cold, so she bought one and continued on her way.
On the most prosperous street in Luzhou, there is a Wanyue Tower. The building is five stories high. Standing on it, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Luzhou city. It has always been a place where literati, dignitaries and businessmen flock to.
Today is the Lantern Festival, and the place is packed with people. However, I want to go to the fifth floor, but sorry, it is reserved.
"I was wondering who is so wealthy, it turns out to be Brother Ting'an." Several people went up to the fifth floor. The shopkeeper didn't dare to stop them and simply stepped aside.
The leader of these people was a man dressed in moon-white brocade clothes and had a rosy face. He was none other than Lin Yubai, the famous nobleman of Luzhou City.
That’s right, his surname is Lin, the Lin among the two Lins.
There were originally some people on the fifth floor, also a few noblemen. The leader was dressed in royal blue brocade clothes, with sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, a nose like a hanging gall bladder, and a face with sharp edges and corners. He was the other Lin among the two Lins, Lin Ting'an, the eldest son of the Anping Marquis Mansion.
When Lin Ting'an saw Lin Yubai and the others, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, "It turned out to be Brother Yubai, what's wrong, your butt doesn't hurt anymore?"
A while ago, Lin Yubai was spanked by Master Lin Er, and he was talking about this incident to fight back against Lin Yubai's provocation.
Lin Yubai's expression changed immediately.
The two groups of people stood together, and no one wanted to go downstairs, so they started talking to each other without thinking.
As they were talking, someone from Lin Ting'an's side suddenly said, "How can we not write poetry when it comes to such a beautiful scene? Why don't we write a poem together and appreciate it?" When he said this, he was looking at Lin Yubai.
Everyone knows that although Lin Yubai was born in the Lin family, he has little education and only has a handsome face, which can please girls.
Lin Yubai snorted and decided to write poetry. He was not afraid of them.
"What's the topic?" someone asked.
Everyone looked around and saw the bright moon in the sky. Some people said that the title should be the bright moon, while others said it was too vulgar. When they saw the lights in the distance, some people also said that the title should be the lights, while others disagreed.
At this moment, someone suddenly pointed to the distance and said, "How about we focus on beauty?"
Everyone looked in the direction of his finger, and just then, clusters of fireworks exploded in the air. Under the lights, a beautiful woman in a light persimmon-colored dress was standing there, looking up at the fireworks in the sky.
She had black hair like clouds and eyes as clear as water. She stood leisurely under the firelight and in the shadow of the lamp. Everyone suddenly had the feeling of "looking back suddenly, that person is standing in the dim light".
Suddenly, the fireworks went out, and when everyone looked again, there was no trace of that person.
At this time, Jiang Yunzhu turned into a small alley nearby. She seemed to smell the scent of Ban Yuexiang just now.
She had only smelled this scent on one person.
The alley was a little dark, and she stood there, hesitating whether to go in or leave.
Suddenly, there was a sound inside, and it seemed to be coming this way.
She wanted to exit the alley quickly.
At this moment, a cold light came towards her. Before she could react, she screamed and the cold light fell to the ground.
Then there were a few more cold lights and a few more screams, and the alley was completely silent, except for the frighteningly strong smell of blood.
Jiang Yunzhu retreated to the outside of the alley. The crowds of people outside gave her a sense of security.
She looked carefully into the alley and happened to see more fireworks exploding. When the light flashed, she saw blood all over the ground and a man half leaning against the wall. There seemed to be blood on his body, but he was alive. The rest were dead.
"Mr. Shen?" Jiang Yunzhu really didn't expect it to be Shen Fengming. Why was he here? And there were dead bodies all over the floor.
No one answered.
Jiang Yunzhu hesitated for a while and then entered the alley.
"Mr. Shen?" She touched Shen Fengming with her hand, and Shen Fengming suddenly pounced on her. She had to use a lot of effort to hold on and not fall.