Chapter 396 Gifts and Surprises
Dibo was sincerely proud of French food, and explained its historical origins and development to Gu Lu in detail.
It's a pity that Gu Lu is not interested in this: "Okay, if you are interested, I will try it."
"Don't be interested. Let's make an appointment as soon as possible. Do you have time tomorrow? My term in China is running out. It's better to choose a date than to hit it." Dibo continued, "Our French cuisine is also very innovative. Both Paul Bocuse and Auguste Escoffier contributed to the construction of modern French cuisine and provided many good ideas.”
Gu Lu then spoke twice and tried to "interrupt" tactfully, but the other party was determined to finish the sentence.
Even if I admit that French food is better than Italian food, it doesn’t have a decisive role, right? Gu Lu thought to himself, why bother catching him and talking so much.
"I see." "Is that so? I didn't know it before." "It opened my eyes." Gu Lu was doing two things, using a more advanced perfunctory method, and packed up the books in the apartment with his other hand.
Maybe someone is curious at this time, what is the low-level perfunctory method? It’s “Oh oh”, “Hahahaha” and “Okay”.
The small apartment is 40 to 50 square meters, and he lives alone. Logically speaking, there should be plenty of space. Buyable books and a lot of information were thrown around - no, it couldn't be considered littering. They were neatly stacked, and that pile and this pile were like Tetris that was about to end the game, full of them.
After more than twenty minutes, Dibo concluded without hesitation, "The selection of the four major cuisines in the world is nonsense. There should only be Turkish, French and Chinese food in the world! The rest of Italian food is the same as Japanese food. It’s a matter of making up the numbers.”
In order to get the other party to agree, Dibo also specially put on neon lights.
"What's in Turkish cuisine? Well, it doesn't matter. I'm really looking forward to the authentic French food!" Gu Lu interrupted his curiosity. There were enough popular science things tonight.
The following conversation is about the specific time tomorrow and the meeting place.
After reaching an agreement, both parties hang up the phone.
Dibo's wife Camille was quietly applying a facial mask on the side, with a goblet and red wine in front of her. This was her little habit before going to bed.
Seeing her husband hang up the phone, Camille smiled and said, "How come you didn't know before that Mr. Dibault was also a defender of French food?"
The two now communicate in French. Camille's Chinese is not as good as her husband's.
"You can't take risks," Dibo said. "Writers like Hugo and Kawabata Yasunari play a very exaggerated role in the spread of things. Gu Lu is very likely to become a world-class writer. To say the least, even if he doesn't become Such a writer can eventually become a best-selling author like Mark Levy.”
Guaranteed to become Mark? This rating is too high.
Horses is France's top bestseller. It has been ranked among the top three bestsellers in France for eleven consecutive years. His works "The Shadow Stealer", "If It Happened Again", "Holiday in Istanbul", etc. are all popular works in Hollywood.
From this, Camille understood what her husband was doing. Implant the idea that French food is delicious into future best-selling authors as soon as possible, at least not to let Italian food compare. Food culture is also culture. After all, it will soon be Dibo's responsibility to spread French culture.
"I have to make a good plan to let the customer know the charm of French food tomorrow." Dibo said, at least let him try more than ten kinds of cheese tomorrow! Cheese is the essence of French cuisine. Italian food uses less cheese, and Italian food pays attention to restoring the original taste of the ingredients.
"Have the handover of work been completed?" Camille reminded.
"Of course, the handover was completed one week in advance." Dibo said that according to the plan, he will return to Paris next week to serve as the first minister of the Ministry of Culture and Communications.
However, the attitude of the new ambassador to China, Mulder Bruno, was very different from his.
To put it more bluntly, if Dibo returns to Paris a year early, Bruno can take over. It is impossible for "One Night Genius" to appear at all, the two people's positions are completely different.
It should be noted that the difference between Bruno and Dibo's positions does not refer to their attitude towards China, but to their work focus.
"They are all leaving, and it's none of my business." Dibo put aside his worries and thought about what cheese to eat tomorrow.
……
The next day, Gu Lu called the city courier to transport some books and materials to a larger suite near Union Hospital.
I was on the phone yesterday and really packed up a lot of things.
Gu Lu also sent an email to Fujimaki Tadatoshi and Tsukuda. Since he wanted to help, he had to be thorough.
Go out after doing the above.
"I'm a little hungry...but I won't have any breakfast." Dibo invited him to have a big meal at noon, and Gu Lu showed respect and kept his stomach.
However, in what happened in the Fukou District yesterday, some small details still need to be changed.
"Would you like two pounds of bananas and half a watermelon?"
King Gulu was passing by, thinking about something, when a familiar male voice suddenly sounded in his ears.
It was the owner of Lele Fruit Shop. When he saw Gu Lu passing by, he took the initiative to speak.
"Huh? Oh, okay, let's have some." Gu Lu's mouth was faster than his brain.
He didn't come back to his senses until everything was put in red plastic bags and in Gu Lu's hands.
Scanning the QR code to pay the bill, Gu Lu was thinking in his mind, without going to see the two elders, Professor Lu or President Jian, who should these things be given to? Just eat it yourself.
Put the things back first, and then meet Li Minghai.
The meeting place was a little more solemn than yesterday, a specialty coffee shop in Sijiu City. The interior decoration of the store is Nordic style. On the left side is a wooden grid on the wall filled with coffee beans of various brands. The density between tables is very sparse, and craft statues are even used as screens to create soft partitions.
When talking about things, always find a quiet and formal place, either a teahouse or a coffee shop. Li Minghai thought for a long time that young people should all like to drink coffee. He recalled that the interns in the department drank two cups of loose coffee every day. Therefore, there is this choice.
As soon as he sat down, Li Minghai ordered coffee for Gu Lu.
Be polite at the beginning, chatting for a few words, and then get down to business.
“I’ve seen the plan and it’s very feasible.”
What makes Gu Lu most satisfied is that the Dukou District has not set high goals. All Dukou District wants is that [the Gulu Festival and related festivals] bring 50 million in revenue to the area every year. It’s really not that high, because it includes accommodation, meals and other expenses. For more than half of the month that "Bingguo" was on the air, the overall tourism revenue was in the millions.
Compared with Ciqikou, it generated more than 2 billion in revenue in the first two quarters of 2019. Nothing at all. What's more, it's not just the ferry area that attracts tourists. Fog City already has huge tourism resources. As long as it can become the top five check-in destinations for tourists, it will be enough.
"I have a few minor issues that I need to report to Director Li. Among them, Gu Lujie is a bit too high-profile." Gu Lu said. Another reason is that the festivals named after writers in ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad, are all after death.
Such as Shi Naian Literary Festival, such as Hemingway Festival. Might as well learn from Ireland's "Blooms Day". This is a holiday commemorating the author James Joyce. And Bloom is the protagonist of the famous novel "Ulysses". Ulysses knows that, right? Ten people read it, but eight people couldn't understand it.
"You can name it [Little Prince's Day] or [Little Deer's Day]." Gu Lu suggested.
"Teacher Gu Lu's suggestions are very constructive." Li Minghai said immediately, "For specific choices, we need to go to the district for a meeting. But for these two names, does Teacher Gu Lu have any preference?"
If I call him Xiaoluri, I guess he will give his full help. Several years have passed, and the little mouse Algernon does not know how many generations he has lived. The disadvantage is that its popularity is not that wide.
On Little Prince Day, the popularity will be even higher.
"Our department's discussions must focus on the opinions of Teacher Gu Lu." Li Minghai said.
"In addition, Director Li has a few other small points..." Gu Lu mentioned a few more small issues.
Li Minghai had a very good attitude and took out a small notebook to record everything.
For example, regarding the little prince as the mascot of the Ferry District. This matter involves copyright and requires Guo Dafa to talk. Gu Lu is more sensible. Now that he has delegated power, don't give random orders or delay things.
Perhaps even many locals don't know that fog has no mascot, but the most representative one is "Shanba", the mascot of the International Garden Expo, which is very green...
"Yes, I understand Teacher Gu. Teacher Gu's copyright must have been signed out. In this regard, we need to talk about the copyright agency fee." Li Minghai said, "Mr. Gu Lu, can you give me the contact information of the agent."
Gu Lu handed over Guo Dafa’s contact information.
"Our district will have a meeting to decide within about a week," Li Minghai said. "Teacher Gu Lu, do you think it's appropriate for me to call you in a week?"
No problem. Gu Lu responded that he would call in advance to explain the matter. Li Minghai quickly thanked him. He was just waiting for this sentence.
"Dukou District is also the place where I grew up. I am going to give Dukou District a little surprise." Gu Lu said.
"What surprise?" Li Minghai guessed in his mind, could it be a donation of money or something?
"We'll know when the event starts." Gu Lu pretended.
The remaining minor issues were resolved after ten minutes of chatting.
After the matter was settled, Li Minghai wanted to treat Gu Lu to lunch.
Not to mention that the other party came to Sijiu City from Fog City, but also asked the other party to treat him to dinner, which was not in line with the behavior of people in Fog City.
"I'm sorry, Director Li, I just have an appointment at noon..." Gu Lu said, "Otherwise, in the evening, I would treat Director Li to a meal and come all the way to Sijiu City. Has Director Li ever heard of the roast duck in Quanjude?"
No matter how many times you say it, it's always like this. Quanjude Roast Duck is really average, but it can’t stand up to its great reputation!
Li Minghai struggled to say that he would invite him, but in the end he still couldn't resist Gu Lu.
"The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the National Museum in Forty-Nine City are all very interesting. If Director Li has nothing else to do in the afternoon, you can take a stroll." Gu Lu said, "If necessary, I can arrange for a reliable local to accompany you."
They are all old people, so Li Minghai certainly understands the implication of this sentence. He immediately spoke, "I have some work arrangements in the afternoon, forget about traveling. Teacher Gu Lu, look... let's talk about it later."
That's right, Gu Lu's words meant that the show could be dismissed.
After taking a few sips of coffee, the two of them walked out of the coffee shop and into the crowded streets. It's like the droplets merge into the water.
The taxi stopped in front of a French restaurant. This restaurant seemed to be a Black Pearl Samsung? Made based on Dianping.com. Gu Lu felt that all the reviews were unreliable, because one-star restaurants were all expensive, and there were very few real fly shops that tasted good.
The dining environment is indeed an important part, but it is definitely not the core.
Closer to home, at this moment, King Gulu still doesn’t know that today is the day of his tribulation.
I haven't seen Dibo for a long time, but he is still in good spirits. He has already ordered a set meal for two people.
The order of course meals is different from that of ordinary aperitifs, table dishes, hot soup, etc. Dibo knows the chef of the restaurant, so today's things are specially arranged according to Dibo's requirements.
First up was the mini dessert Apple Brie. It's said to be a dessert, but it's actually baked apple slices with cheese on top.
"This is Camembert cheese, the most delicious of the soft cheeses with floral rinds. It is usually spread on bread. The taste... Gu, try it. How does it taste?" Dibo seemed to have thought of something, and added In one sentence, "I love Brie more, the hazelnut aroma is stronger, etc."
"It's delicious." Gu Lu decided to be a ruthless praise robot today. But this little dessert tastes pretty good. The apple has a bit of sourness and goes well with the cheese.
Three of the next five dishes are related to cheese.
This was the first time that Gu Lu knew that cheeses were so different. Making washed soft cheese was quite troublesome. The process required scrubbing with salt water at a later stage, and special fungi were added to stimulate red yeast. The taste in the mouth is also very different, it is similar to air-dried meat jerky.
Just when King Gulu relaxed his vigilance, he served a pork chop with blue cheese, which smelled, uh, stinky...
Is it similar to stinky tofu, which smells bad but tastes delicious?
"Blue cheese! You must try it. Do you know how the blue cheese is produced?" Dibo still pretended.
"Maybe something has been added." Gu Lu seemed to have had a glimpse of it on the Internet, but he was not very impressed. People who often surf the Internet have very complex knowledge, and most of them are not cerebral.
"Smart," Dibo said, "blue cheese is made by adding penicillium, so blue or green marble patterns will be formed on the surface and inside of the cheese. The blue cheese in this restaurant is Hogberg brand, and the taste is It’s a bit salty, the inside is wet and brittle, try it.”
After taking a bite, Gu Lu felt the musty and spicy smell that his throat was not used to. But Dibo opposite was very drunk.
It couldn't be said that it was particularly unpalatable, but it just happened to be the kind that Gu Lu couldn't accept, so he swallowed it.
"Gu, when will our sister go to Paris?" Dibo asked, "I have a suggestion for you. I have an unused small villa in Paris. I usually leave it unused and leave it to the housekeeper to take care of. It happens to be in Paris as well. Clay Heights saves you a lot of trouble.”
The Highlands of Saclay is France's Silicon Valley, where basic high-tech companies are concentrated. It is conceivable that the house price is definitely not cheap, but for the current Gu Lu, it is not a big problem, but it is good to have familiar people outside to take care of him.
"There is still some preparation needed for specific enrollment..." Gu Lu was interrupted by Dibo before he finished speaking.
"Gu, we don't need any other preparations. Your sister is definitely my sister, as long as she has a good mood and a desire to learn." Dibo, who is about to return to Paris, has this strength.
Very good, very domineering.
Then Dibo opened his mouth and wanted to introduce the new ambassador to China, Mulder Bruno, to Gu Lu. But there was a little surprise...
Dibo's perfect arrangement today was to let Gu feel the beauty of French food, followed by tea in the afternoon and introduce Bruno to him.
Although he thought that he would not care about the flood when he returned to China, he contacted the ambassador directly in China and it would be convenient for him to hold cultural activities in the future.
But... Bruno said that he had something to do and couldn't make the appointment in the afternoon.
"The chef doesn't seem to be in good condition today. He can do a better job with this dish." As Dibo's mood worsened, his tongue seemed to have become more sensitive.
It was indeed a temporary matter, and there was no need for Bruno to offend Dibo. It's just that this matter is not very important, but in Bruno's opinion, it is more important than meeting a Chinese writer.
Bruno's focus is on finance. He serves as ambassador to China and has set himself the task of promoting bilateral trade.
The ambassador's duty is to promote international exchanges and cooperation, promote cooperation between the two countries in various fields through diplomatic channels, and enhance friendship and understanding between the two peoples. Culture and trade are all one way.
[I'm sorry, Mr. Debo, I just have an urgent meeting. ] Bruno replied to the message.
Bruno looked at Dibo's reply and thought to himself. "I don't have time to waste on useless things."
Look at his "Statham"-like hairstyle and his premature baldness, and you know that he is an ambitious and introverted person.
He respects the Peng Pang family very much. It is one of the top ten political families in Paris and is very powerful.
But the evaluation of Dibo Pengpang... Bruno felt that it was a waste of time.
Look at what you have accomplished in the past few years as ambassador to China. The only bright spot was the singing between China and France on National Day, which could be regarded as a slight political achievement.
But culture is useless in front of the economy!
Only economic and trade are real benefits, and only by making real political achievements can the French people live a better life.
Of course, a better life for the people is not his ultimate goal. His ultimate goal is to leave a mark in history! Even decades later, people are still talking about his name.
Bruno's ambitions are considerable.
To sum up, Dibo did not wait for Bruno.
"The position will be handed over soon. I am already busy, so this is normal." Gu Lu said.
He himself has no interest in making friends with foreign dignitaries, not to mention what King Gulu wants most right now is to leave the restaurant in front of him.
"That's right. We can't let other things affect our taste of food." Dibo calmed down and asked, "Has there been a subversive change in your view of French food?"
"Yes, quite a bit." Gu Lu said firmly.
Unbelievable, nine different cheeses in one meal.
Gu Lu even wondered, was the other party deliberately retaliating? Nine kinds correspond exactly to nine miles.
After eating one thing and forgetting the other, Gu Lu felt that he would feel uncomfortable whenever he saw the word cheese for at least several months in the future.
Slowly walking out of the French restaurant——
"Look, Gu, this is my gift to you." Dibo handed over a package, "It contains cheeses from Cantal and Salé."
King Gulu couldn't help but burped, and he agreed with the statement that France is the country of cheese.
"That's too polite. Besides, I don't cook much at home." Gu Lu said, "It would be a pity if it goes bad."
"Not at all. Both of these are hard unripe cheeses that can be stored for a long time." Dibo said, "I'm leaving China soon. You and I... yes, it's called year-end friendship in Chinese, and this gift is Don’t refuse.”
Now that the words have come to this point, it would be rude for Gu Lu not to accept them. Taking a deep breath, he accepted the gift as if he were receiving a bomb, it was heavy.
Seeing the other party nodding, Dibo nodded happily and added a few words. "Oh, by the way, both of these cheeses come from the Auvergne mountains, but the core of Salay is stronger, has a higher pure cheese content, and has a mild and smooth taste. It is very suitable for diners who are new to cheese. Don't skimp on it, After eating, I will send you something more authentic and delicious from Paris.”
Gu Lu really regrets it now. If I had known this outcome, "Nine Mile Walk" would never have included Italian food.
What a sin!
The two of them walked along the pedestrian street. There were quite a lot of people. Gu Lu felt that his burps smelled like cheese...
"I also have a gift to give you, which can be regarded as a farewell gift." Gu Lu said.
"Oh? What?"
"A rather special gift, I will definitely receive it at your resignation party tomorrow." Gu Lu was talking about "Who Touched My Cheese", which swept across Europe and the United States and was renamed Ziba by himself.
"A special gift? I'm looking forward to it so much." Regardless of whether Dibo really expected it or not, the emotional value was very sufficient.
After walking for more than ten minutes, Dibo suddenly felt a little sad.
"It will be difficult to have the opportunity to walk around like this together in the future." Dibo lamented.
"If I go to Paris, won't Mr. Dibo entertain me?" Gu Lu didn't like this kind of sad atmosphere, so he changed the subject.
Around three o'clock in the afternoon, the two separated.
Gu Lu went home, rested for a while, and sat in front of the computer.
Retrieved documents that had been stored in the cloud disk for a long time.
Seriously speaking, the age difference between Gu Lu and Dibo is 23 years, but because of the latter's personality, communication is very smooth.
It's a bit exaggerated to say that they have been friends for many years, but they can indeed be called friends. There is no use lying in the arsenal anyway, so they might as well take them out.
Change all the glutinous rice cakes to "cheese", and then Gu Lu added a preface [Mr. Dibo Peng Pang, thank you for the cheese dinner].
After finishing it, print it out at home. Whether it is a room in Sijiu City or in Fog City, there is a printer. After all, I often print some contracts and so on.
It is better to be more solemn when giving it to foreign friends who are about to leave China. Print it out, bind it, and keep it in a small, thin book.
After all, "Who Moved My Cheese" is a novella, and its word count is even less than that of "The Little Prince".
Express delivery directly to the embassy requires special procedures, which is too troublesome, so Gu Lu chose a simple one. Let Director Zhao do you a favor.
In fact, in addition to Director Zhao, diplomats I met in the Great Diplomacy International Think Tank can also help.
Dibo's resignation dinner was semi-official. He could invite some friends privately in the evening, but in the former case, all the people present were civil servants...
(End of chapter)