Chapter 22 The counterattack of Sichuan cuisine
Located in the hinterland of the Central Plains, on the shore of the Yellow River, Bianjing is a thousand-year-old city with a long history.
In the Spring and Autumn Period, Zheng Zhuang Gong built a granary city here, taking the meaning of "opening up the territory", and named it Kaifeng. During the Warring States Period, King Wei Hui moved his capital here and renamed it Daliang. In the Han Dynasty, in order to avoid the name of Emperor Jing Liu Qi, he changed his name to Kaifeng.
At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world was in turmoil, the Central Plains Emperor changed in a marquee, and there were four dynasties in Bianjing, including the Liang, Tang, Jin, Han and Zhou. After Zhao Kuangyin's yellow robe was added, he still took it as the capital, although it was rumored in the middle that he intended to move the capital to Luoyang, but unfortunately the candle shadow shook red and died in vain. Kaifeng is the place of the new emperor Zhao Er's Longxing, and the matter of moving the capital has been permanently shelved.
Bianjing is located on the plains of the Yima Pingchuan River, and from the perspective of military defense, it has an absolute disadvantage. However, in terms of transportation, especially waterway transportation, it has unique convenience.
The Bianhe River, the Wuzhang River (Guangji River), the Cai River (Huimin River) and the Jinshui River are also called the four canals of Bianjing, which are connected with the Yellow River, the Huaishui River, and the dense rivers of various water systems to form a huge canal network. Jianghuai's money and grain wealth were continuously sent to Bianjing through the canal. Among them, the Bianhe River is the mainstay, and it is no exaggeration to say that the Bianhe River is the lifeline of Bianjing.
Willows are planted on both sides of the Bianhe River, in the summer, the breeze is gentle, and it is beautiful to dance with the wind. On the river, I suddenly saw a bridge in front of me, and its bridge had no pillars, all of which were framed by a giant wooden void and decorated with a red tree, just like a flying rainbow. After Gu Yuelun saw it, she couldn't help but praise it repeatedly, Lin Zhao smiled, she was a little girl who had never been out.
Meng Ruoying introduced: "Its shape is like a rainbow, so it is called Hongqiao. The ship passed under the bridge, Lin Zhao looked up, and the tall city wall had already appeared in view, this was the capital of the Great Song Dynasty.
"The outer city of Bianjing is more than 40 miles in radius, and the population in the city is more than one million......," Meng Ruoying said, as the ship approached the east wall of Bianjing.
The Bianhe River passes through the city and flows out from the East Water Gate in the southeast corner, so boats can also enter the city directly, which is much more convenient. Of course, there are iron-clad windows installed on the cross-river water gate, which hangs down to the surface of the water at night or in the event of a war to ensure safety.
After entering the city, both sides of the river are lined with rows of houses, shops, and people. Standing at the bow of the boat, Lin Zhao remembered the famous painting - "Qingming Riverside Picture", isn't it exactly the vision?
Not far after crossing the bridge, the speed of the ship slowed down significantly, because the Xiangguoji Bridge in front was low and flat, and it was not navigable, so the big ships entering the city mostly chose to dock at the pier here.
All the way by boat, it has been more than a month without touching the ground, and the feeling of going ashore is very different. Meng Ruoying has been here many times and is quite familiar with this, Gu Yuelun's eyes kept rolling, looking around, and her little daughter's attitude was fully revealed. Lin Zhao smiled lightly, and finally stepped into the center of this era......
When he was about to ask for the address of Meng Ruoying's shop, he saw a man in his fifties greet him with a smile and greeted him warmly: "Miss, the old slave has been waiting here for a long time!" ”
Mengjia Restaurant is not too far from the wharf, and the letter has been delivered before, and the arrival date is nothing more than these three or five days, so there are people guarding the wharf every day in order to greet it as soon as possible. Now the man saw it from afar, and told the shopkeeper to come and greet him.
"Uncle Gao, you are here in person!"
"As it should be!" He nodded his head as he spoke, respectfully and a little flattering. Lin Zhao thought to himself, it is estimated that he is an old slave of the Meng family for many years...... It's just that it's too enthusiastic, and it's nothing to be courteous, either annihilation or theft!
"Lin Zhao ......" Meng Ruoying interrupted his thoughts and introduced: "This is Gundam, Uncle Gao, the shopkeeper of the Meng Family Restaurant!" ”
"Uncle Gao, be polite!" Lin Zhao agreed with a smile.
Meng Ruoying said: "This is Lin Zhaolin's son, the partner of the Meng family, and this is Lin Gongzi's cousin, Miss Gu!" ”
"I've seen Gongzi Lin and Miss Gu!" Gundam seemed respectful, but he didn't know how many grass and mud horses were galloping by...... His news was not closed, knowing that Lin Zhao and Gu Yuelun were just two servants of the Meng family, far inferior to himself, and rode on his head in a blink of an eye. And according to the grapevine, the two of them are not good at coming this time......
Lin Zhao was overjoyed, the feeling of turning over as a slave and being the master was cool, at least the title was a few grades, and the treatment was naturally needless to say.
Son! Well, I love it!
Gao Dao said: "Lin Gongzi, two young ladies, the car is ready, please!" ”
The three of them walked out of the dock, and sure enough, there were already three carriages waiting on the side of the road, and the ones pulling the carts were really good horses. Lin Zhao fully understood that the Song Dynasty lost the sixteen states of Youyun, and the northwest was occupied by the Western Xia, and there was a serious lack of land for raising horses.
Only the good horses are basically all equipped with cavalry, and most of the horses used by the people are eliminated horses, or inferior horses from Sichuan and Yunnan. Gundam's treatment is already very good......
Meng Ruoying and Gu Yuelun were in the same car, and Lin Zhao naturally walked with He Gundam. Along the way, Gao Gao kept pointing and said: "That is the state bridge, not far from Xiangguo Temple, and it is a prosperous place in Bianjing." On the west side of the bridge is Jiajia gourd, Sun Haoshou steamed buns, and the west of the street and the Baokangmen tile character, all of which are famous shops in Bianjing, if Lin Gongzi is interested, you can go shopping if you have nothing to do......"
"Hmm!" Lin Zhao felt more and more that this shopkeeper was a little too attentive......
Gundam continued; "Along the inner city wall to the east, there are mostly inns and restaurants, where officials and merchants from the south often stay......"
After a few moments, Gundam smiled and said, "It's here!" ”
Belch...... So close? So why bother with a horse-drawn carriage? Wouldn't it be better to come by foot? Lin Zhao muttered, and when he looked up, he happened to see the four words Ruyi Restaurant, this is the Meng family's restaurant in Bianjing!
Gundam politely invited Meng Ruoying and Lin Zhao in, and a group of guys were already waiting at the door to greet the eldest lady......
Lin Zhao looked at it a little and understood the reason why Gouda was overly attentive. Ruyi Restaurant is not far from Bianhe Zhou Bridge and Xiangguo Temple, it can be said that it is in the bustling city center of Bianjing, and there are officials and businessmen living around...... But what I see now is that there are many doors, and even the colorful building that welcomes guests at the door is dilapidated, and I don't know how to clean it up.
Although Meng Ruoying knew that the business of the restaurant was cold, she didn't expect it to be so serious, and she couldn't help but be disappointed. At the same time, he also felt that he had lost face in front of Lin Zhao and Gu Yuelun, and his face couldn't help but be much gloomy......
Gundam chuckled in his heart, fearing that something had happened......
Meng Ruoying said lightly: "You all go and get busy, Uncle Gao, you stay!" ”
Everyone knew that one by one they were amnesty, and they disappeared in an instant......
Gouda smiled and led the three of them into a private room in the back house, which was the residence he had prepared for Miss Meng.
"Miss, please!"
Meng Ruoying's face was cold, she entered the door and sat down, Gao Da hurriedly ordered someone to serve tea, and Lin Zhao was looking at the indoor furnishings while preparing to see the joke!
"Uncle Gao, why did the restaurant's business come to this point?" Meng Ruoying asked lightly, with a hint of dissatisfaction between her words.
Gundam expected such a day, gotcha! I couldn't hide from the first day of junior high school, so I had to bite the bullet and say: "Miss, the old slave is not well managed, and the old slave is guilty!" Just ......"
Lin Zhao smiled in his heart, it was really this rhythm, first admit his mistakes, and then find a bunch of objective reasons to justify, or even prevaricate.
Gao Gao swallowed and said: "Miss, you also know that there are many restaurants in Bianjing, and the most important thing is undoubtedly the taste of the dishes and the wine!" Since the departure of Chef Bai, who was invited at a high price last year, the taste of the dishes has been greatly reduced, and the customers do not buy it...... As for the wine, although it is also of the highest quality, it is still inferior to Fan Lou, Rendian, and Bailu Building on Mahang Street......"
"I see!" Meng Ruoying said: "I can't blame you for that, Lin Zhao, what do you think?" ”
"Ahh Lin Zhao responded: "The location of the restaurant is excellent, but the management is not good, if the problem is only in the dishes and drinks, then it will be easy to do!" ”
"What are you going to do?" Meng Ruoying asked.
Lin Zhao said: "It's very simple, close the door for rectification, reopen after the decoration!" ”
"Uh......" Gundam said, "Does it work?" The shopkeeper of Bailulou came to me a few days ago to ask about the transfer, and the price was not bad, should the lady think about it? ”
"Transfer?" Lin Zhao said angrily: "Such a feng shui treasure is to be given to others? What is your heart? How much better did you receive from each other? ”
"Uh......" Gao Da suddenly became gracious and said, "Miss, you know, the old slave has been in the Meng family for many years and is loyal!" ”
"Lin Zhao!" Meng Ruoying interrupted with a reprimand, and then said, "Uncle Gao, these are all known, don't worry!" But don't say anything about the transfer, I invited Lin Gongzi and Miss Gu to come this time, in order to revitalize the restaurant. Lin Zhao, just say, what should I do! ”
"Within two days, I will come up with a reform plan, and I will do it in an orderly manner." Lin Zhao said: "Of course, the initial investment is essential, and the matter of the dishes is with my cousin, Miss Meng shouldn't be worried, right?" As for the drinks, I'll think about it...... By the way, hurry up and find a way to find more wine jars, we will definitely not have enough of those ......"
"Hmm!" Meng Ruoying nodded and said, "You can do it!" Uncle Gao, just listen to Lin Gongzi's arrangement first! ”
"Uh, okay!" Gundam's heart was full of taste, and he was instantly hollowed out, and it was really not good!
"By the way, let's change the name of the restaurant! The previous one was too cheesy! Lin Zhao added temporarily.
Meng Ruoying nodded and said, "It's okay, but what to change?" ”
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and said: "There are many southerners here, and it is close to the Bianhe River, which is a key place for the south to the north, and I just saw that there are many southern restaurants on the street!" ”
"That's true, Sichuan rice is also quite popular in Bianjing, but it's not mainstream!" Gundam added.
Lin Zhao said: "Only with characteristics can it be attractive, but if it is so, we will focus on southern food...... The restaurant is called 'Jiangnanju', I want to play a counterattack of Sichuan cuisine, so that Sichuan flavor is popular in Bianjing! ”
——————————————————————
ps: The Sichuan rice of the Song Dynasty is not a specific reference, but a pan-guide flavor!