Chapter 1194: Be persuasive
Yesterday, Zhang Xiancheng and the others stepped on the boat, which was decorated even more grandly than yesterday. Not only were they decorated with lights, but also a red carpet was laid out. Zhang Xiancheng and others bowed their waists and introduced Eunuch Qian into the painting boat attentively.
"You are determined."
Eunuch Qian pinched his orchid fingers, swayed, walked into the boat, and naturally sat on the main seat. Before sitting down, Eunuch Qian wiped the chair with an embroidered handkerchief. Seeing that there was no trace of dust on it, he nodded with satisfaction.
After receiving Eunuch Qian’s affirmation, Zhang Xian Cheng and the others suddenly felt as if they had drunk fine wine. They were so beautiful that they felt that the slaves they had brought a day early had not been in vain, and they became more and more attentive.
In order to please Eunuch Qian, Zhang County Cheng specially relied on several connections and hired three chefs from Fucheng with a lot of money to cook all kinds of delicacies and delicacies regardless of the cost. Since Eunuch Qian sat down, there were piles of plates of delicacies. The delicacies flowed onto the table like water, and bottles of fine wine that had been stored for more than a hundred years were opened one after another.
On both sides of the river, there were more stray dogs chasing the boat
Zhang Xiancheng and the others put a lot of effort into preparing the delicacies carefully, but they failed to satisfy Eunuch Qian.
“This Longjing shrimp dish focuses on the white and tender shrimp meat, and the fragrant buds and leaves. Unfortunately, the heat of this dish was not controlled enough, and it was three points too shallow. It is tender when it is tender, and the buds and leaves are fragrant. Failed to soak the shrimp ""
Under the enthusiastic recommendation of Zhang County Cheng and others, Eunuch Qian tasted a mouthful of Longjing shrimps. He only ate half of the shrimps, then put down his chopsticks, wiped his lips with an embroidered handkerchief, and commented lightly. One sentence.
Not enough heat?
A bunch of subordinates took a bite of the shrimp and almost swallowed it with their tongues. How could we eat so delicious! ?
"Ahem, Eunuch Qian, try this West Lake vinegar fish. This dish is the well-deserved 'leader' of Jiangnan cuisine. We specially invited Master Liu from Taizhou Fucheng, who is the most famous chef in Taizhou Prefecture. A master who is good at making West Lake vinegar fish "Cook."
Seeing that Eunuch Qian was not eating well, Zhang Xian Cheng couldn't help but feel anxious. At this moment, a dish of West Lake vinegar fish was served. Zhang Xian Cheng looked overjoyed and hurriedly took the dish with both hands. Place it in front of Eunuch Qian.
Under the expectant eyes of everyone, Eunuch Qian stretched out his chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish, put it into his mouth, and took a bite.
After taking a mouthful of fish meat, Eunuch Qian chewed it gently for a moment and slowly spit out a few tiny fish bones.
Everyone looked at Eunuch Qian expectantly, waiting for Eunuch Qian’s evaluation.
Master Liu is an expert in making West Lake vinegar fish, and he is famous throughout Jiangnan.
Zhang Xiancheng and others are full of confidence, believing that this West Lake vinegar fish will definitely be well received by Eunuch Qian.
However, they were disappointed again.
"The sauce is so-so and the fish is fresh and tender, but the fineness is not enough. The imperial chef in the palace made this West Lake vinegar fish, but couldn't eat a single fish bone. Before cooking , the imperial chef has jumped out every thorn, and put the fish bones on the plate, just like a fish shape."
Mr. Qian wiped his mouth with an embroidered handkerchief and shook his head slightly, I don't think highly of this dish either.
"Haha, that's right. What kind of delicacies have Eunuch Qian not eaten in the palace? It's our fault for being so generous."
Master Yao smiled slightly and said flatteringly.
"Wherever, the Zajia just serve the empress, gain the favor of the empress, and then get some light"
Eunuch Qian half-covered his lips with an embroidered handkerchief and said modestly, his words full of humility and his face full of pride.
Neither boy nor girl, what a hard-to-serve girl!
Li Dianshi cursed in his heart, but he did not dare to show it on his face. Zhang Xiancheng specifically told him that he would treat Eunuch Qian as his own ancestor and coax him to Jingnan to deal with Zhu Ping'an. .
Although Eunuch Qian is picky about meals, under the deliberate flattery and compliments of Master Yao, Zhang Xiancheng and others, as well as the endless stream of delicacies from the mountains and seas, regardless of the cost of work, this A banquet is a feast for the guests and the host. Naturally, the conversation at the banquet came about Eunuch Qian's errand to the south of the Yangtze River.
"Eunuch Qian, just come to Jingnan to buy gold, treasure and pearls. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the famous pearl hometowns in the Ming Dynasty, and Jingnan is even more famous as the pearl treasure land in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, even the famous Zhuji. It's not as good as our Jingnan." Zhang Xiancheng held the wine glass in both hands, respectfully toasted Eunuch Qian, and finished drinking.
"Oh?" After hearing about Pearl, Eunuch Qian became obviously interested. "Zhuji, Shaoxing, the ancient capital of the Yue Kingdom, and the hometown of Xi Shi, is the famous hometown of pearls in the Ming Dynasty. This miscellaneous family knows that it is said that Fairy Chang'e of the Moon Palace has a huge pearl that is the best in the world. She often plays with it in the palm of her hand, filled with fairy spirit. One day, Fairy Chang'e couldn't stand the loneliness, so she secretly had a private meeting with Wu Gang under the sweet-scented osmanthus tree, and left the pearl for the protection of the golden rooster. As usual, the golden rooster tossed the pearl around and played secretly. Suddenly, the pearl fell into the world. The golden rooster chased the pearl down to earth, and the pearl fell into the Huansha River in Zhuji. Pearls have spirituality and beautiful mountains and rivers. Zhuji was far away from the cold Moon Palace and refused to go back. To avoid the pursuit of the golden rooster, the pearl flew from Huansha River to the woman in Huansha by the stream. Among the people. The woman was pregnant with pearls and gave birth to Xi Shi, so there is an allusion that "the mother tasted the silk and bathed in the stream, and the pearls ejaculated into her body and she became pregnant." However, as Zhang Xiancheng said, Zhuji was also called the hometown of pearls. It’s not as good as your hometown Jingnan, but what do you say?”
Seeing that Eunuch Qian was interested in his words, Zhang Xiancheng was even more diligent. He expressed, "As we all know, these pearls are bred from shells. Zhuji is located inland and only has river shells. And our Jingnan is backed by the boundless sea, not only with river shells, but also with sea shells. Whether it is quantity or quality, it is Far better than Zhuji."
"Oh."
Eunuch Qian said lightly.
Obviously Zhang Xian Cheng’s rhetoric did not convince Eunuch Qian.
Zhang Xiancheng's face turned red.
"Ahem, does Eunuch Qian know whether He's Bi?" Chief Yao coughed, took over Zhang Xian Cheng's words, and said to Eunuch Qian.
"He's Bi is famous all over the world, how could the Zajia family not know about it." Eunuch Qian narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly,
"Eunuch Qian knows He's Bi, how can he know that He's Bi is famous in the world?" The pearl of the Sui Dynasty, which is famous all over the world, must be fought for by emperors of all dynasties, and is also the "treasure passed down by the whole world"?" Master Yao smiled slightly and continued.
"The Pearl of the Marquis of Sui?!" Eunuch Qian was slightly startled, and then nodded slightly, "This Zajia family seems to have heard of it, but knows very little about it."
"There is a saying in "Han Feizi": 'The walls of the He family are not decorated with five colors; the pearls of the Sui marquis are not decorated with silver and yellow. Their quality is so beautiful that objects are not enough to decorate it.' "Lu Shi Chun Qiu·Guansheng Chapter" There is also a saying: 'Why are some people using the pearls of the Sui Marquis to play with the Thousand-Ren Birds?'. This famous book has a detailed description of the Sui Marquis' pearls.
"Could it be said that the Pearl of the Sui Dynasty is related to your land?" Eunuch Qian asked with interest after hearing what Master Yao said.
"Eunuch Qian is wise and he is right in his guess." Master Yao complimented, "The Sui Marquis of the Western Zhou Dynasty went out to inspect the fiefdom to Zhishui and found a giant snake dozens of feet long on the hillside. Someone cut it in the middle and chopped it off. When he was dying, Sui Hou felt compassion and asked for treatment. A year later, Sui Hou came again. Patrolling to Zhishui, he took a nap at a mountain station at noon. In his sleep, a yellow-haired boy knelt down in front of him, saying that he was the incarnation of the giant snake that was rescued last year. In order to thank Sui Hou for saving his life, he came here specially. Come to offer pearls. Sui Hou suddenly woke up and found a huge pearl on the bedside. It is white, round, and dazzling. It looks like a crystal candle when viewed from a close distance, and looks like a bright moon on the sea when viewed from a distance. When the news of the Sui Marquis getting the pearl came out, it immediately aroused the covetousness of princes from all over the world, just like the Heshi Bi. It was fought over by people all over the world, and finally the Sui Pearl fell into the hands of King Wu of Chu. Later, Qin Dynasty. After the Chu was destroyed, the Sui Zhu was taken over by the First Emperor of Qin and was regarded as a national treasure of the Qin State. It was as famous as the Heshi Bi and was a must-have for all emperors. This slag water is located in Jingnan. There is a clear record of this in the Jingnan County Chronicle. , you will know after checking it” (End of this chapter)