CHAPTER XIX

"The Imperial Garden Makes People Sorrowful and Tastes the Delicacies in the General's Mansion"

In the Xixia Martial Temple, a figure turned over the high wall and stepped into the courtyard full of barren grass.

This temple was originally a place of incense, but a few years ago there was an epidemic of plague. All the people in the temple died, and many people thought that this place was a bad omen, so over time the temple fell into depression. In the ruins, the statue of the martial god was also covered with dust.

The figure probed carefully to make sure that there was no one around, and then hurried to the idol.

I saw that the person pressed the floor tiles in front of the idol, and the base of the idol suddenly moved, and turned to the side to reveal a small square entrance, and if you looked closely, there was also a staircase candlelight. It turns out that there is a secret hidden under this statue, and there is a secret passage.

Following the figure into the secret passage, the idol slowly turned back to its original position. It was as if nothing had ever come, and it was still so silent.

And the underground of this martial temple is the base camp of the Xixia Assassin Hall, and that figure is the Assassin Hall Master Red Makeup who returned from the prince's mansion. In order to preserve the lifeblood of the Assassin Hall, this point of contact, except for Li Shi himself, even the Western Xia Emperor did not know, let alone the little prince Li Xiaoquan.

It seems that there is also an undercurrent surging in the back of this Western Xia, and it is not very peaceful.

The red makeup passed through the path and opened the stone gate mechanism, revealing a unique appearance.

It was a hollowed-out cave that had been turned into the office hall of the Assassin's Hall. Everything was busy with people dressed in black, and in the center was a huge stone table, and many people in black seemed to be discussing something.

Seeing the red makeup coming, everyone knelt down and saluted. The leader asked, "Hall Master, what are the instructions from the little prince?" ”

Red Makeup glanced at some information on the stone table, and replied coldly: "Master Li's long-planned plan has been a mess by him. I thought that he could win the favor of the king of Western Xia, but it was really not enough to succeed and more than to lose. ”

"In my opinion, hall master. It's better to send a few highly skilled brothers to sneak into Jiangnan and make Su Hua. ”

"No, Su Hua has two masters by his side, Xuan Jizi and Duan Sandao. None of us can match it, and this trip to Jiangnan I learned that Su Hua's skills are not low, and if he sneaks in, he will definitely startle the snake. ”

"The hinterland of the Jiangnan Tang people is also our meal. If Su painting is not removed, the organization's plan cannot be advanced. ”

"There has been news from Master Li's side that the Lord has changed his goal to sneak into the capital. As long as the king of Western Xia dies and helps Li Xiaoquan to ascend to the throne, the organization's plan is still feasible, it is only a matter of time, what we have to do is to continue to collect information about the Tang Dynasty and plan for the future. ”

In the words of red makeup, an extremely large organization is revealed. And the black hands behind the scenes, not only Xixia and Datang, what kind of plan they have, we don't know for the time being.

The world is like chess, and the world is like a child.

At this time, the Tang Palace, in the Imperial Garden.

Ren Zongzheng is playing against the Prime Minister Huangfu Shu, and behind him is still the head of the dress standing with his hands in his hands. In the early days of the dynasty today, although Yue Wei's words escaped the words of the ministers, Renzong had a grudge.

Not to mention that Su Hua is considering the dragon body, it is already a crime of deception to expand the team by concealing information. Now that Zhao Chunxin is in charge of the military alone, and the Jiangnan Heavy Land has reorganized the army, Renzong has always had a trace of dissatisfaction in his heart.

Renzong pondered for a long time, dropped the white son, and then said slowly: "What Jiangnan Taishou said, can he be elegant?" ”

Huangfu Shu thought about how to move next, and then replied: "The news from Qingyuwei is not a lie. Jiangnan was indeed attacked by a small group of Western Xia Longmen, and Su Yunjin did have a meritorious role in protecting the city. ”

Qing Yuwei is a secret agent of the Tang Dynasty, and his nature is too different from that of a Western Xia spy. Only obeyed the orders of the current son and lurked among the cities, the purpose was for Renzong to supervise the forces of one side. If there is any trouble, he can also receive the news as soon as possible.

"I still wronged him."

"But this crime of deception is a trivial matter in North Africa." Huangfushu stroked his beard and dropped another son.

In private, Renzong still respects his old father-in-law very much, whether in terms of governing the country or diplomacy, Huangfushu is all liver and brain, and he is loyal to the Tang Dynasty.

"Then according to the opinion of the national ruler, how to decide on this matter?"

"It is a great crime to deceive the king, and the crime of concealing military information is one degree. Su Yunjin did not report his intention to rebel as a whole army...."

"Rebellion? Hahaha! The prime minister's words are too serious. ”

A chuckle came from the courtyard, followed by the sound of armor clashing. The one who came was dressed in armor and held a long sword at his waist. can enter the palace with weapons and dare to interrupt the prime minister's words, there is only Zhao Chunxin, the general of Tiance, today.

However, Zhao Chunxin has been transferred to guard the Jizhou area to prevent Chang Bin's different party from regenerating trouble. This Jizhou is thousands of miles away from Kyoto, even if it is fast, it will take three days to arrive, one does not see the paperwork, and the other is at such a time, the silver armor broke into the imperial garden, and his heart does not know.

"Uncle Huang!"

Renzong got up and greeted, this is the palace, and Zhao Chunxin is his own uncle, even if he has bad intentions, this etiquette is still indispensable. The Zhao royal family attaches great importance to etiquette, and if Renzong can't follow it, Zhao Chunxin still has the right to remove him.

"Meet General Tiance." Huangfu Shu also stood up and saluted.

Zhao Chunxin sat on the stool with a nonchalant face, completely ignoring the greetings of Renzong and Huangfu Shu, and picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Hmm~ Good tea, better than Jizhou." With a cup of tea, Zhao Chunxin's tiredness from days of running around gradually faded.

Renzong must not be embarrassed when he sees this, his imperial uncle is still arrogant and conceited. gave the old man a look, and then sat down.

"If Uncle Huang likes it, I'll send someone to the treasury to get some later."

Zhao Chunxin waved his hand: "That's it, a gentleman doesn't take people's love." ”

Renzong smacked his lips, and could only open the topic: "What did Uncle Huang say just now?" ”

"Your Majesty, when the minister was in Jizhou, he met a returning refugee. I heard people say that Su Yunjin's deeds of fighting thieves and protecting the people of Jiangnan are really the tigers of the gate and the pillars of my Tang Dynasty. I expected that someone would not tolerate it, so I hurried to the palace overnight. I hope that Your Majesty, you will not be convicted of a crime by someone's mouth. ”

Zhao Chunxin is a mouthful, and everyone knows it. Renzong felt that his face had nothing to do with it, and it was no longer a secret that the emperor's uncle and the prime minister did not agree. Glancing at the old man, Huangfushu took a sip of tea lightly, and seemed to have not listened to Zhao Chunxin's words.

"Uncle Huang, but this Su Yunjin is guilty of bullying the king?"

"The minister is also far away in Jizhou, and he broke into the imperial garden without a pass, is this also a bully? Your Majesty? ”

Zhao Chunxin looked at Renzong unforgivingly, as if he had come this time to be a lobbyist for Su Hua. However, he had never met and was not familiar with Su Hua, so why it was unusual, Renzong was puzzled.

"Uncle Huang is serious, you are a member of the royal family, how can you bully the king."

"Your Majesty, the minister is a martial artist who doesn't understand the bite of the literati, and he doesn't understand the laws of the Tang Dynasty." When it came to chewing words, he didn't forget to glance at the Huangfu book, and when he saw his calm face, he continued: "Su Yunjin is far away in Jiangnan, and it takes three days for the messenger to be fast. The war is changing rapidly, and if everything has to be reported to the court, then he will not be able to defend Jiangnan. The election was also the Prime Minister that day, and now it is also the Prime Minister who is doing it, what? Uncontrollable situation? The dog jumped off the wall in a hurry? ”

As soon as the words fell, Huangfu Shu was not in a hurry, but the guards behind him were in a hurry.

"Presumptuous! Insulting the prime minister should be punished! ”

drew a knife and slashed at Zhao Chunxin, but to speak, Huangfushu's guards were quite loyal, and even the emperor's uncle dared to talk back. But he did one thing wrong, and that was to confront his own family in front of the Son of Heaven.

I expected it to be wrong, Zhao Chunxin's ability.

I saw that the knife was just a finger away from Zhao Chunxin, and it was bounced away by his protective qi. Immediately after a flash of cold light, as soon as Zhao Chunxin's sword came out, his sword passed by the Huangfu book, and the guards fell to the ground in response.

The sword returned to its scabbard, but Huangfu Shu still had a calm face. The teacup in his hand was also slowly placed on the table, and it seemed that what had just happened seemed insignificant.

And Xiangde, who had always closed his eyes and remained silent, opened his eyes at the moment when Zhao Chunxin took out his sword. Quick sword, Zhao Chunxin has reached the ultimate realm. Then he closed his eyes again, and it seemed as if nothing had happened.

The follow-up of the Imperial Garden is unknown.

Looking back, Su Hua, who had just lost his head, had already prepared the dishes and served them on the table.

Huanxi is picking fish bones for the little girl, and the little girl who doesn't like to eat on weekdays has already eaten two bowls of rice tonight.

When Chu Wanqiu tasted braised pork for the first time, he couldn't help but be surprised. Fat but not greasy, melts in the mouth.

It tasted like nothing she had ever tasted before, and she had never thought that pork could be so delicious. How to say that she is also a famous chef, I didn't expect this Su Hua's cooking skills to be even higher than her. How can it be said that Su Hua has a cooking book in her head, with the essence of thousands of years of culture, how can she compare with Chu Wanqiu.

There is also this dish called sweet and sour carp, which is sweet and tender, especially the juice that makes her taste buds wonder if it is a heavenly delicacy. These dishes with strange names but delicious dishes were made by a teenager, and her understanding of Su painting for many years collapsed at this moment.

The people were shocked when they knew that tonight's dinner was made by the young general, and they praised it better than Lian Laohei, which made Lian Laohei so ashamed that he wanted to find a hole to get into, he had never heard such praise after cooking in the general's mansion for so many years, but after trying it himself, he found that he was wrong, the food cooked by the young master was indeed better than his own. Why is there such a big gap between people and people?

A man who has never cooked can cook better than he has been cooking for 40 years? He secretly decided that he must worship Su Hua as a teacher!

"Brother, this sweet and sour carp is delicious. Linglong has never eaten such a delicious fish, and you have to make it for me tomorrow. The little girl was full of oil and didn't forget tomorrow's food, and Su Hua sandwiched some vegetables for her.

"Okay, my brother will make it for you tomorrow. Don't just eat meat, eat more vegetables, so that the nutrition is balanced. ”

"Okay, Sister Huanxi, I want to eat vegetables."

Su Hua turned his head to look at Chu Wanqiu again: "Miss Chu doesn't feel like it's in place?" ”

"It's delicious, and it's not an exaggeration to say it's heavenly food." Chu Wanqiu took out a handkerchief and wiped her mouth, if it weren't for the woman's face, she would be able to eat three bowls. It's just that in front of the man she likes, she still tries her best to be dignified.

"I'm playing with a big knife in front of late autumn, and Miss Chu is still good at cooking."

"I have never eaten such a delicacy in late autumn, dare to ask how the young general cooks it?" Chu Wanqiu wanted to steal the teacher, but out of psychological curiosity.

Su Hua talked about his cooking skills again, and when he said that if he could use soy sauce to taste it, Chu Wanqiu questioned.

Su Hua could only tell a lie, saying that when he was young, he followed his father on the march and passed by a small village, where the villagers used condiments brewed from beans, wheat and bran, which had a unique sauce and delicious taste. If you cook it with soy sauce, the food has an extra umami flavor. When the brewing is completed, Su Hua also plans to develop some condiments.

"Thank you, Major General, for your doubts."

"Say thank you and see the outside, if you feel that it is a good mouth, it doesn't hurt to come to the house to eat in the future."

"Lest it be disturbed."

"Multiple people with more pairs of chopsticks, why bother."

"That's right, Sister Chu. If you like it, come here, there are still many games that Linglong hasn't played with you? ”

Unable to bear the warm invitation of the Su Hua brothers and sisters, Chu Wanqiu nodded and said, "That's disrespectful." ”

After the meal, Su Hua talked with Chu Wanqiu for a while, just send someone from Su Linglong to Pear Flower Academy tomorrow, she has already taken care of it. The time was not early, and Su Hua sent Chu Wanqiu out of the house again, and then went back to the house to take a bath.

"Miss, are you going home?" The palanquin man asked.

"Go to the restaurant, there are still some things to deal with."

And Chu Wanqiu said that she was going to deal with things, but she was actually going to eat. There was no way to keep the image of a lady, so she took a few bites, and cheekily asked Su Hua how to make braised pork, so she didn't rush back to the restaurant and decided to cook and experiment with it herself.

Chu Wanqiu was busy in the kitchen for a while before she got the braised pork ready, and after tasting it, her appetite was immediately aroused. This cooking method is really unusual, and the girl Xingyu is salivating when she smells the fragrance.

Xingyu swallowed her saliva and stared at Chu Wanqiu taking a plate of braised pork, "Miss, this dish smells so good." It must be delicious. ”

"Go get the dishes and chopsticks, and clip them yourself." Chu Wanqiu glanced at the little girl, and as soon as the words fell, the little girl took out the dishes and chopsticks directly behind her. grinning at Chu Wanqiu, she couldn't help but say that she took a bite of braised pork and put it in her mouth.

"It's really delicious, miss, I've never seen you make this dish, is it a newly developed dish in the restaurant?" All the braised pork in the apricot rain bowl was full of sweetness, and Chu Wanqiu couldn't help but feel ashamed.

"Eat slowly, no one will rob you, I learned this dish from the major general." Chu Wanqiu didn't reply to the little girl with a word on her lips.

"Taught by the Major General? The major general still knows how to cook? ”

"I know a lot, he cooks it himself in the evening. What other sweet and sour carp, meat sandwich bun, this dish I have never heard of before. ”

"Sweet and sour carp? Sounds delicious, miss, have you asked the major general to teach you, let's make it and taste it now? The little maid looked at Chu Wanqiu with bright eyes.

"Not really."

"Alas!" The little maid sighed heavily, with a sad look, and sent another mouthful of braised pork to her mouth; and unspeakable satisfaction.

"Xingyu, I'll go home with a little bit in the lunch box later, there are still a lot of them in the pot."

Chu Wanqiu is very filial, and she has to bring a little bit of good things to her parents. In fact, he also has a little selfishness in his heart, that is, he wants to bring this dish into the Zhuangyuan Building. When the time comes, it will definitely set off a trend, and the temptation of this food is too great. It was getting late, and Chu Wanqiu was not thinking nonsense, and a braised pork storm fell.

In the early morning of the next day, Fu Bo led Su Linglong to Pear Blossom Academy to enroll, and by the way, he went to pick up Xing Dahu's sister, and Su Hua had taken care of this matter.

Before leaving, he deliberately instructed Fu Bo not to tell the person in charge of Pear Blossom Academy not to reveal that Su Linglong was from the General's Mansion, and not to send too many people to pick up and drop off in the future, so as to treat Su Linglong as a child of ordinary people.

Fu Bo also understood what Su Hua meant, and warned the little girl not to be naughty when she arrived at the academy to listen to the teacher's words, Su Hua also promised her that she would continue to cook food for her in the evening, and the little girl nodded heavily.

After dealing with these Su paintings, he put on his coat and was ready to go out, and the next person just came to report that Xiang Yuan was already waiting at the door.

Today, he also has to take Xiang Yuan to familiarize himself with the workshop and explain how he used to publicize the general's brewing method in Liangzhou, in addition to weapons, the most profitable thing in these years is wine.

When he was about to go out, he was stopped by Huanxi.

"Young master, Miss is not at home, and I don't know what to do, so you can take me with you."

Huanxi shook Su Hua's hand and said coquettishly.

"It's dusty along the way, and you can't stand it. Besides, it's a group of bare-chested old men, what are you doing with a girl's family? Stay at home honestly. Su Hua broke free of the girl's hand and looked at her helplessly.

"That's better than me being bored at home, young master, you can take someone to see it."

There is no way that Su Hua can't resist the girl's coquettish methods after all, so she can only be caught obediently.

But there is a saying in advance, if you don't get used to it, you have to go home immediately, Huanxi happily agreed.

When he walked to the door, Xiang Yuan was already waiting with his horse, Su Hua greeted Xiang Yuan, and then turned his head to ask Huanxi if he could ride a horse. He got the expected answer, Huanxi shook his head, how could that girl ride a horse.

Well, now Su Hua has a reason to reject himself. As soon as she thought of this, the little girl felt a grievance in her heart. She hated herself, why didn't she go and learn to ride a horse sooner.

Su Hua turned over and got on the horse and looked at Huanxi with a sad face.

He knew what the little maid was thinking, so he handed his hand to Huanxi, "Come up, just ride a horse with me." Teach you slowly, and later you will be able to ride a horse. ”

Hearing this, the little girl was overjoyed, and hurriedly grabbed Su Hua's hand, and Su Hua stepped on the ring and got on the horse. It was like being hugged into his arms, and his face was flushed.

It was also the first time she had such intimate contact with a man, and she could clearly feel Su Hua's hot chest. Su Hua didn't care about this, after all, Huanxi was just a sister in his eyes.

Huanxi was relatively small and did not block Su Hua's sight, picked up the reins and said, "Hold on to the reins, don't be too nervous." Keep your feet on the pedals tightly to prevent injuries from falling off the horse on bumpy roads. The legs should be clamped between the horse's belly, and the waist should be straight. You ready? ”

Huanxi did everything according to Su Hua's instructions, and replied worriedly: "Young master, I'm ready." ”

"Then let's go, drive~" With Su Hua's order, the white hoof under his crotch also understood.

Huanxi only felt that her center of gravity was unstable, and her whole body floated up, and she was almost about to be thrown down by inertia, but fortunately, Su Hua quickly hugged her.

"Don't panic, the more scared you are, the more you won't be able to ride a horse."

Leaning on Su Hua's chest, Huanxi's heart began to slowly relax. began to teach her what Su Hua taught her, and practiced them one by one. Dusting away on the streets, she gradually got used to such bumps, and thought to herself; It turns out that horseback riding is quite easy.

Riding horses all the way, the three of them also came to the workshop.

"When you want to stop moving, you just need to pull the reins back. Wait until the horse has completely stopped, before choosing to dismount. After Su Hua finished speaking, he grabbed the reins, and the old black hissed a few times and came with a heavy gasp, and then slowly stopped. Su Hua then sent off the reins and jumped over, and took Huanxi again. handed over the horses to the subordinates and took them to the stable, and led Xiang Yuan to the workshop.

Huanxi and Xiang Yuan are both first-time visitors to the workshop, and the residential buildings are scattered. Engraving field, iron smelting field, ceramics field... All these new things overwhelmed the two, and Su Hua also explained the role of the workshop and what the workers were doing.

All the workers are busy with their own affairs in an orderly manner, and Su Hua also said that he is only busy with the things at hand in the workshop, and he does not need to salute when he sees himself. Seeing Su Hua coming, he just raised his hand to say hello, and Su Hua also nodded in return.

"Take you to the winery. Brother Xiang, haven't you always been suspicious, what do I use to control the economy of Liangzhou? I'll take you to know it today. ”

Su Hua led the two to the winery, and before leaving yesterday, Su Hua took the alcohol and blended it, although the alcohol is not top-notch, but the taste will not be too different.

The old building was working in the distillery, and when he saw Su Hua coming, his excited expression was revealed, and he ran quickly to Su Hua: "Young master, good news!" ”

"What's so happy about the old building?"

"The flammability of the alcohol obtained by distillation and purification has met our requirements."

Su Hua couldn't help but get excited: "When is it?" ”

"Last night, when I was ugly, I tested more than 100 barrels with Old Man Feng, and finally found 132 barrels of alcohol with super flammability. Depending on the workers reaching the stove and the fire control, the distillery can now produce two hundred barrels of pure alcohol per day. In the middle of last night, I had mixed with a few more workers, and the dusty vat had been put into the cellar, and I believe that our general's brew would be ready to come out. Lao Lou had dark circles under his eyes, but he was full of energy when he spoke, and after so many busy days, they finally got the result they wanted the most.

The gratitude was beyond words, and Su Hua could only hold Lao Lou's hand tightly and say, "Hard work, Lao Lou." ”

"Young master, where are these words, you are as kind to us as a mountain. Come with me and take a look, Old Man Feng, they are planning to open a jar to taste it. ”

took Su Hua and others to the backyard of the winery, and this group of masters were all gathered together.

Looking at the wine that the workers had just taken out of the cellar, I couldn't wait to taste it. Especially the old man Feng, his eyes were staring straight at him, if Su Hua hadn't come, it was estimated that he would have tasted it with his mouth first.

Looking at the eager eyes of everyone, Su Hua ordered the altar to be opened and tasted. The worker cut the thick rope that was wrapped around it and uncovered the cloth. Suddenly, a unique aroma of wine came into everyone's noses, a faint rice fragrance. Old man Feng subconsciously licked his lips and looked at Su Hua.

"Master Feng, you can taste it if you want, why are you looking at me, I see what you are gluttony."

Su Hua quipped, and everyone laughed.

The old man Feng couldn't take care of much, so he hurriedly picked up the bamboo bucket and scooped it into the wine jar and scooped it up. The wine is pale and has some impurities, and it does not have a complete arrival time, so it is not a transparent wine. The old man put the bamboo bucket to the tip of his nose and sniffed it, "The wine is not enough, but the taste is unique." It seems that we are still in a hurry, and we will have to keep it in the cellar for at least three days. With that, he drank it all.

"Old man Feng, how do you feel?"

I saw that after the old man finished drinking, he was like the old monk in meditation, closing his eyes and not saying a word.

Wang Kaizhi urged: "What taste?" Come on, I'm dying. ”

Lao Lou didn't bother to urge the old man to directly snatch the spoon in his hand and taste it himself.

The originally closed brow stretched, "Good, good, good!" ”

Lao Lou even said three good words, "The taste is mellow, the entrance is sweet, and the throat is spicy." This jar of wine has only been in the cellar for less than a day, and it has such a taste. If it is really opened in three days, then our general's brewing is a well-deserved wine. ”

As soon as Lao Lou's voice fell, the old man Feng, who was speechless, sighed: "Good wine!" What a good wine! The old man has been drinking wine all his life, but he didn't expect that what he drank before could only be called water, and I think the elixir and jade liquid are nothing more than that. Young master, how about leaving this altar to the old man? At the beginning, you could have promised the old man in person, as long as the wine was brewed, it didn't hurt for the old man to drink freely. ”

Old Man Feng hugged the wine jar into his arms, for fear that others would rob him of his treasure.

Su Hua was also amused by Old Man Feng's actions, "Okay, good, I won't rob you." Open another jar, and we'll taste it. ”

The workers went down to the cellar and brought out a jar, and all the masters tasted it for themselves.

They all praised that the taste was really good, and Su Hua handed the bamboo bucket to Xiang Yuan, who was eager to try it.

"Young Master, I finally know why I am so sure of controlling the economy of Liangzhou."

He was still suspicious of Su Hua's ability, but after tasting this wine, all doubts were dispelled. Just with this general's brew, it is enough to shake half of Liangzhou's lifeline.

Huanxi tugged at the corner of Su Hua's clothes and said softly, "Young master, I want to taste it too." ”

Su Hua was speechless for a while, this little girl has to taste everything.

I could only ask the worker to take a new bamboo bucket and hand it to her, "This is wine, not water, children can taste a little." ”

Huanxi was also very obedient and just scooped a small spoonful, the wine was not good, but there was still a degree. The little girl was choked directly after drinking it, and her face was flushed.

Su Hua hurriedly helped her beat her back and blamed, "I said that children should not drink, but it doesn't work, now I know." ”

Huanxi finally got his way, and stuck out his tongue with some humility: "Hey, hey, but this wine is really delicious, but it's a little choking." ”