It is rare to have a good day, the sun is warm, and the white clouds are leisurely.

Under the shed made of wood and tarpaulin, a large iron pot with amphorae was set up on an earthen stove made of bricks, six earthen stoves, six tables, and six cooks were busy around the earthen stove and the table with short clothes, aprons and sleeves rolled up.

Jia Cong pursed his lips and looked at it, but his brows were furrowed tighter and tighter, the vegetables were cut well, but can they be separated from raw and cooked?

Can the dish be washed again, there is no need to save water, and he does not charge for water...... As for the pots and pans scattered around, the spices spilled indiscriminately, and the like rubbing on the body, Jia Cong didn't see it anymore.

Waiting for the dish to be ready, Jia Cong took a look, hey, happy. Boiled tofu with cabbage, roasted tofu, fried tofu, stir-fried radish, roasted radish, scrambled eggs, steamed eggs...... There is really a grudge against cabbage, radish, tofu and eggs.

No, it's not just vegetarian dishes, there are also boiled chicken, winter melon and salted pork bone broth, fried bacon, boiled bacon and so on.

Jia Cong estimated that the former master loved vegetarian dishes and pickled products.

However, this is a special case within a special case, and other cooks can make some braised pork, fried chicken slices with chestnuts, stir-fried dried leeks, and stewed pork with cabbage......

The big pot of vegetables was ready, and someone divided it into small portions and brought it to the table in the room, Zhao Guoji and a few people ate happily, but Jia Cong was not sensitive.

However, Zhao Guoji didn't dare to let Jia Cong eat this, for fear that it would not be clean, and Jia Cong would be eaten badly, and he would not be able to explain when he returned home.

"The craftsmanship is all superior, just look at this dish, you will know. While eating, Renyazi boasted about the candidates he brought, and it was not a problem to prepare meals for twenty or thirty people, to make light soups, and to make nourishing medicinal foods.

Zhao Guoji said with a smile: "It's just a homely craft, if you want to make up your mind, you have to try the ability of the banquet before you can bargain." ”

Ren Yazi said: "The banquet is nothing more than to make it exquisite, but the materials are finer, and a few delicacies from the mountains and seas are added." ”

Jia Cong smiled secretly, really insightful.

For a while, Zhao Guoji asked Jia Cong, sent Ren Yazi 100 yuan per person to make foot money, and selected four clean and crisp cooks, so that Yazi would bring them tomorrow, buy a banquet, and then set the price.

A few people took the money, their eyes narrowed with a smile, and they knew that Zhao Guoji really wanted to buy someone, so he said: "Why wait for tomorrow, if Uncle Zhao is not too troublesome, he will leave the person, and he will be able to prepare it in the afternoon." ”

Zhao Guoji heard Aunt Zhao complain yesterday that because Mrs. Wang was a vegetarian in the past few days, the kitchen did not send meat dishes, and Aunt Zhao and Jia Huan had to accompany them to eat vegetarian.

Therefore, thinking about it, Jia Huan was only afraid of gluttonous meat.

In the afternoon, Jia Huan came from his husband and went home after dinner, so he agreed.

Although waiting for someone to come back from buying vegetables, the four cooks did not rest, took the initiative to clean up the pots and bowls, sprinkled water and swept the floor, and asked Chen Ci and others for a rag, washed the kitchen, cleaned up, and just bought the vegetables, and began to wash and chop again, and was busy.

When Jia Huan came over, he happened to send four tables of high-quality noodles with eight meat and eight vegetables, all of which were bright in color and rich in dishes.

One of the seats is very exquisite, and the middle and upper seats of Rongguo Mansion are not far behind, Jia Cong asked, only to know that this seat was renovated by the three Lou families introduced by Bai Yazi.

"Brother doesn't know, the ancestors of the three families on this floor are said to be the imperial chefs of the previous dynasty, the flying dragons in the sky can be cured, and the dragons in the sea can also be cooked, but later the war was raging, and the ancestors' skills were lost seventy or eighty. When his father arrived, he would also make some delicate snacks, all of which were passed on to this only girl. Lou San's small family grew up in the kitchen, not to mention apprenticeship, but also watched learning, less than fifteen years old, he practiced a good craft. Later, the wife of the family was asked to value it, and let her manage the small kitchen and cook for the girls in the family. Later, the old man has something bad, and the master has not yet found a good place, so what is the reason for keeping the cook?"

Zhao Guoji heard the inside story from Bai Yazi, but he also said it well.

Jia Huan rubbed his eyes, and said impatiently: "Who does it matter, you quickly bring some dishes, we have eaten, and we have to hurry back to the house." If it's too late, someone will go to my wife again. ”

Zhao Guoji hurriedly selected a few plates of delicate and edible dishes from the table, and brought a pot of ginseng and chicken soup to the small table, allowing Jia Cong and Jia Huan to eat.

Then he led the people to move the four tables out, and sent people to invite the neighbors to eat and drink.

On the morning of the second day, a few people came to ask for ideas.

Zhao Guoji was not ambiguous, only gave twenty or two people, but the three on the building, because of Bai Yazi's face and craftsmanship, Zhao Guoji added five taels and twenty-five taels.

The people were not satisfied, and said: "Not to mention that the craftsmanship is superior, even the appearance is not only this price." Uncle Zhao added more?"

Zhao Guoji doesn't know what these people mean, these girls and daughters-in-law are all lewd masters, there are not a few, as we all know in Rongguo's mansion, Jia Lian hooked up with the cook's wife and many girls.

But Zhao Guoji followed Jia Cong to do things, and was influenced by Jia Cong, and his vision was also high, how could he look at these broken flowers and willows, half-old, and snorted coldly: "It depends on the appearance, I give too much for one or two." The mother-in-law who sweeps the floor in Rongguo's mansion is more positive than these weeks. ”

Several people jumped to their feet in anger and laughed: "Uncle Zhao, I'm afraid you won't be able to succeed like this." I can't sell it for twenty taels of silver. ”

Zhao Guoji said with a smile: "I only give this price, it doesn't matter if it can't be done, I will pay for this money." If it can be done, I will seal another tael of silver and invite you to eat and drink. This is not a one-time transaction, and if you want someone again in the future, you will definitely have to bother you again. ”

Several people discussed it once, and when they saw that they were stalking, they just couldn't increase the price, so they agreed.

After writing a document at one time, Zhao Guoji weighed eighty-five taels of silver, handed it over to the people, drew a charge, and pressed the fingerprint of the handprint. Zhao Guoji counted another four taels of silver to give people Yazi to drink and pay for their feet, and everyone thanked them one after another.

Bai Yazi took the money and said with a smile: "What did I say to Uncle Zhao before...... If Uncle Zhao thinks it's good, there is no need to put it back in the silver, just weigh the silver and write the deed. ”

Zhao Guoji knew that Bai Yazi was talking about the children of Lou San's family, so he smiled and said: "No one has seen it, Aunt Bai said that the upper body deed, how can I answer?"

Even so, Zhao Guoji still weighed out eleven taels of silver and handed it over to Baiyazi.

Bai Yazi smiled: "Aunt Bai, you don't have to worry about doing things, I promise to clean up the people and send them to you." As he spoke, he wrote a deed, called the three families of Lou to come and draw a charge, and went to share the silver with the three families of Lou.

After buying a cook, Zhao Guoji also planned to buy two or three rough mothers-in-law to help the cook, but he found that he really didn't need it, and four cooks were enough.

After all, this is not Rongguo Mansion, even the meals of the subordinates in Rongguo Mansion have to be divided into three, five or six, etc., and from time to time there are face-wrenching girls who take care of things to order a small stir-fry or something, and there are fewer people, so they can't be busy at all.

Outside, Zhao Guoji doesn't pay attention to himself, what the cook does and eats, and when Jia Cong and Jia Huan are there, he asks the cook to cook two or three exquisite meals.

A few days later, Bai Yazi sent a few children from Lou San's family to come, with a girl, a scholar, a little girl, and a cook, and the house gradually became more and more prosperous.

This day is the winter solstice, early in the morning the cold wind blows, Sun Dashi came over, his cousin Sun Si Si was already waiting at the door, wearing a thin cotton clothes, shrinking his neck and hands, very pitiful.

Sun Dashi frowned, but he didn't say anything dissatisfied.

"Wash your hands here. It's hot water, so wash it and get the dishes and chopsticks. ”

Standing in front of the stone trough, Sun Dashi washed his hands, took Sun Sinian to the kitchen, pointed to the long shed next to him, and said, "There are long chairs and long tables here. ”

In front of the kitchen, it was already full of people, Sun Dashi looked at the bowls in other people's hands, and said dissatisfiedly: "Alas, today's breakfast is soy milk fritters, no steamed buns and no porridge?"

Sun Sinian smelled the fragrance, swallowed his saliva, and whispered: "It's not good to have soy milk and fritters." ”

Before the words fell, I saw Zhao Guoji coming over with someone pushing a few carts of mutton. Everyone shouted: "Steward Zhao." ”

Zhao Guoji arched his hand and smiled: "Don't be in a hurry to leave after work today." Our lord was in a good mood and told me to buy mutton, and after a while, I would bring some mutton and white noodles back, which should be a festival gift for everyone. ”

When everyone saw that there were things to lead, they were all elated, and shouted: "Zhao is righteous, and the master is really a good man." ”

And Jia Cong, who is known as the great benevolent man, is very troubled at the moment.

It turned out that after Jia Rui saw Sister Feng in Ningfu in September, he came to Rongguo Mansion every other day, wanting to find Sister Feng to ask An to talk, but it was not a coincidence, and he met Sister Feng several times to go to Ningguo Mansion.

Jia Rui couldn't find Sister Feng, and it was not good to go back directly, so he couldn't help but ask Jia Yu and Jia Zheng to say goodbye.

Originally, Jia Zheng came back from the yamen and had Qingke to accompany him to talk, and even Baoyu didn't pay much attention to it, let alone Jia Rui.

Jia Yu is the master who blindly holds his little wife Gao Le, and he has relatives here, let alone Jia Rui.

However, Jia Rui has been there too many times. No matter how confused Jia Yu is, he also understands the number of etiquette, thinking about it, he is a relative, and he has come so many times, how can he meet and say a few words.

When Jia Rui saw Jia Yu, it was naturally impossible to say that he was here for Sister Feng, so he said something about his studies.

When Jia Yu heard that Jia Cong had been sick and didn't go to school, he was furious, sent Jia Rui away, and asked someone to bring in Jia Cong, and was furious: "... What I can't do, what I don't learn is good, and I also learn to skip school with others, and there are things that my mother doesn't teach......"

Jia Cong didn't take the people of Rongguo Mansion as relatives, although he was scolded so angry, but he wanted to be scolded again, so he should pay the rent, because he suppressed his temper, and said: "I'm already sick, not to mention the second sister-in-law's wife, even the old lady knows." The old lady called me to go because I was sick, and the old lady told me to take care of me for a few more days. The old man didn't believe it, so he asked someone to ask the old lady to go. ”

Jia Cong carried Jia's mother out, Jia Yu instantly extinguished the fire, Jia's mother didn't want to see his son, and he didn't dare to go to Jia's mother.

Seeing that Jia Yu was silent, Jia Cong immediately sued Jia Rui again, saying, "I was sick, so I didn't go to school." Rui Ge'er helped the master in school, why was he not in school, but saw him come to the house every day to ask for peace. The lord didn't ask anyone to ask why. ”

Jia Yu widened his eyes, snorted, and scolded: "You know so much, bastard, you haven't left me yet." ”

Jia Cong shrugged, as if someone was rarely left, turned around and went out.

In his heart, he said that although Jia Rui sued him, he was kind-hearted, and he said to Jia Rui before Jia Yu, if Jia Yu asked Jia Rui to come in less after Jia Yu.

Did he also save Jia Rui's life?

However, on the second day of the first lunar month, Jia Cong heard that Jia Rui came in to see Sister Feng'er, and Jia Cong was immediately deflated, knowing that Jia Rui had succeeded in his death this time.

However, Jia Cong didn't take this matter too seriously, in his opinion, Jia Rui's death was mainly due to Jia Rui's own cowardice, he was sick to death, and he didn't forget to tell his finger about the fatigue, which was a stroke with his life.

Jia Cong could only pray silently for Jia Rui, Amitabha, go in peace, he will burn two hand creams for him based on sympathy.

That being said, as soon as Jia Rui's death was successful, soon the lame Taoist priest who abducted and sold children was about to come and deliver the mirror.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but feel worried, God knows, this Taoist priest will also take him away.

After being distressed for a long time, Jia Cong gritted his teeth, and said ruthlessly in his heart, what kind of immortal does he care, he is willing to cut his whole body, dare to pull the emperor off the horse, and the black dog will be bloody before speaking.

On this day, Prince Zhongshun recruited a few celebrities to enjoy the snow and eat wine together, Xiao Xiao cold bamboo, high snow platform, sheng flute playing, gongs and drums slightly sounded, there are not many colorful tents, but a few pots of flowers and stones, the cold wind is sent slowly, the bleak fragrance, the end is on the high platform, the girl is clever, the beauty is tender, it is very elegant.

Some guests applauded: "Qi Guan's voice is getting better and better." Delicate and tactful, round and jade, it is really a thousand and clever. ”

Of all the dramas in the palace, only the Qi official was in line with Prince Zhongshun's wishes, so Prince Zhongshun couldn't help but smile when he heard the guests praise Qi Guan.

Unexpectedly, the guest said: "Although Qi Guan sings smartly, he sings and sings all these familiar dramas, but he lives up to Qi Guan's voice." ”

Prince Zhongshun was originally a brother today, because he was dedicated to being an idle king, he never asked about the affairs of the court, and only thought of eating, drinking and having fun, and when he heard this, he asked: "But what wonderful new drama has happened recently?"

"It's not that it has never come out, but I have seen a few new novelty scripts, so I thought that if I made up a score, rehearsed the stage steps, and Qi Guan dressed up to sing, and the performance will come out, it is really a wonderful show. The guest took his tea and said.

"This is a good idea, on the birthday of the concubine, the prince is usually going to send the drama into the palace, if a new drama is discharged and sent to the palace, it can also show the prince's filial piety. Someone next to me also came up with an idea. All celebrities are called wonderful.

Prince Zhongshun has always been the most filial, because he heard everyone say this, he was also moved, and asked, "What kind of novel book?"

I ordered someone to find it, and I saw a few scripts, although I wrote loyal and filial sons, virtuous ministers and good generals, and beautiful people, but the narrative places were all novel and interesting, without stereotypical pedantic.

Prince Zhongshun couldn't help but praise: "It's really very novel and ingenious. It's also worth making up a few new plays, Concubine Bo smiled. ”

Suddenly, the guest was startled, and hurriedly stepped forward, stretched out his hand and snatched a book, hid it in his arms, and scolded the servant, "You are blind in the eyes of a dog......, why did you bring this book too?"

Prince Zhongshun was slightly angry: "What kind of book is this? Why don't you let this king see it?"

The guest hurriedly knelt down and pleaded: "Back to the prince's words, this book is boring and tasteless, and there is a suspicion of concealment, so I dare not stain the prince's eyes." ”

Prince Zhongshun sneered: "Take it, this king will talk about it after reading it." ”

The guest had no choice but to present the book, and said: "I heard that some people in other provinces have sued this book for discussing the imperial court in vain, and I see that although the text of this book is vulgar, it is also meritorious, and I have not heard that this book is banned, so I have not destroyed it, but who knows that the servant actually took it by mistake." I didn't mean to lose my honor in front of the prince. ”

When Prince Zhongshun heard the guest's explanation, he was a little angry, and took the book to take a look, the cover was three words, and when he opened the cover, he saw that in addition to the title of the book, there was a line of small characters printed on the upper left of the title page, written by the old man Rongguo.

Prince Zhongshun frowned slightly, only to feel that the word Rongguo was very familiar, but he didn't care much about it, and continued to read, this look was fascinated, and when he saw most of it, Prince Zhongshun suddenly slapped his palm and laughed: "Most of what is written here is a family affair of Rongguofu." The old man of Rongguo, who is less of a gentleman, is this book not written by Jia Yu? Interesting, interesting, really interesting!".