Lin Fanghe, Fang Qinyu, Xiong Yaohua, Tang Yu and Lao Yu Kuai Lin Ziren set off from Chuzhou, all the way through Chaozhou, crossed Wuhu, went to Liyang, stationed in Yixing, and arrived at Taihu Lake in a few days. In ancient times, Taihu Lake was called Zhenze and Gu District, also known as Wuhu and Kaze, spanning Anhui and Zhejiang provinces. It is bordered by Wuxi in the north, Huzhou in the south, Yixing in the west, and Suzhou in the east. There are 48 large and small islands in the lake, together with the peaks and peninsulas along the lake, known as the "72 peaks".

Five people rode horses and hats to protect themselves from the sun, and walked by the lake. As far as the eye can see, the smoke waves are vast, the water is shining to the sky, the sun is shining, and the golden scales are leaping into the waves. The blazing sun shimmered on the lake, shimmering and shattering into thousands of points of gold.

Fang Qinyu shook the folding fan and sighed: "Since the beginning of summer this year, the climate has been a little abnormal, and the heat has been scorching for days. When the next pouring rain can be in response to the occasion, the weather will be cool. ”

Lin Fanghe bowed his head slightly, and also said, "This temperature is indeed too high." But you see that the water of Taihu Lake is as flat as a mirror, alas, if there is a trace of wind blowing at this time, maybe it will not be so dull?"

Before the two could speak, Xiong Yaohua came to the horse and said, "Two adults, three miles away is Deng Weishan. On this day, the heat wave is rolling, sweat is like rain, we have walked for most of the day, all of us are tired, why not go to the roadside to eat two glasses of wine, taste the delicate and delicious white shrimp unique to Taihu Lake, how about it?"

Lin Fanghe glanced at Fang Qinyu and asked with a smile, "What do you think?"

Fang Qinyu was also sweating and anxious at this time, listening to his question, he was happy to push the boat along the river to do personal favors: "I see that everyone is tired, it's almost noon, let's find a place to rest and fill our stomachs." It's never too late to go again......"

Seeing that the two adults agreed, Xiong Yaohua took them off the official road and turned into a small town along a dirt road.

A few people came to a liquor store on the street. It was a two-story wooden building, with verdant windows and vermilion fences, and the shop was small but clean and tidy. Under the high eaves of the porch hangs a row of colored lanterns, on which are written three big characters: Delicious House. When the curtain opened, the smell of fried onions greeted you.

Fang Qinyu praised: "Well, it's so fragrant!"

The owner of the shop was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a thin body, a flat head and a straight nose, and a blue cloth coat. At first glance, he is a kind and straightforward businessman. As soon as he saw a guest entering the door, he hurriedly greeted him: "Ladies and gentlemen, please go inside." ”

A few people came to the inner room and sat down. The shopkeeper served them a pot of tea, filled each of them, and stepped aside. Lin Fanghe saw that this person was old and kind, so he asked: "Boss, your surname, how many years have you opened a hotel here?"

The shopkeeper bowed down and said, "If you return to the guest officer, my surname is Xiao, and I have been open here for two years. ”

Xiong Yaohua wiped his sweat and asked with a grin: "Then what are the delicious dishes in your store, special dishes, report them one by one——"

Boss Xiao smiled: "Since you are here, this 'drunk shrimp' dish is a must-try." In addition, there is Taihu Lake 'whitebait', the meat is delicious, can be cooked, can be fried, can be fried, can be boiled, can be stewed, can be burned, can be made into soup. Especially the white shrimp soup, if you can drink a bowl after drinking, you will feel comfortable and have an endless aftertaste......"

"I heard that the crab of Taihu Lake is blue and black, with a blue and white belly, an umbilicus under the abdomen, and a male and female group. Its back shell is concave and concave. Isn't there one in your store?" Fang Qinyu listened attentively and couldn't help but join the discussion.

"The crab of Taihu Lake is naturally the best in the world. Boss Xiao nodded and said with a smile, "But I remind you that the best time to eat crabs should be in autumn and winter." At that time, they swarm in groups and go down the river to the east, going to the shallow waters of the river and sea to breed. The net is caught, the upper drawer is steamed, and the crab roe is fat and tender when peeled off, and it is extremely delicious. ”

Xiong Yaohua smiled and patted the table: "Let you hook it, the saliva almost flows out." Don't worry, hurry up and prepare food, we still have to hurry after eating?"

Boss Xiao responded with a promise.

After a while, the food was pouring in. Steamed prawns, fried whitebait with green onions, vegetarian fried chicken, winter bamboo shoots and duck pieces, and Boss Xiao held a black lacquered porcelain jar in both hands and gently placed it in the middle of the table.

Xiong Yaohua glared: "What is this, why don't you open it? Is it wine?"

"This is our specialty 'drunk shrimp', which should be used immediately. Boss Xiao smiled all over his face.

Xiong Yaohua was anxious, stood up and reached out to tear open the seal. Boss Xiao couldn't stop him, only to listen to the swishing A crystal clear white shrimp popped out of it, and then several more swished out, landing on the table, bouncing endlessly. Xiong Yaohua exclaimed: "Boss, how is this alive? Can this living thing be eaten?"

Boss Xiao hurriedly closed the seal and turned around to introduce: "Taihu Lake drunken shrimp has undergone special processing and cultivation of various condiments. It must be eaten alive to make the taste perfect and pure. ”

After that, he brought up two jars of self-brewed "Pear Blossom Spring" wine, and then bowed down.

Everyone, you look at me, I look at you, hesitated for a long time before opening the lid of the black porcelain altar. Drunk shrimp are flying, and they are in a hurry. Don't look at these people, except for Fang Qinyu and Lao Lin, the remaining three are all practitioners, proficient in martial arts, and fighting in battle, but in order to deal with a few white shrimps, one by one they are engrossed and sweating.

A few people were full of wine and food, and their hearts were calm.

Fang Qinyu sighed and said, "I didn't expect that in a remote town, a few home-cooked dishes would be so delicious and delicious. Not only the knife work, but also the heat and ingredients are also mastered just right!"

Lin Fanghe also nodded again and again: "It's so cooked, so delicious, it's really impressive." ”

At this moment, Shopkeeper Xiao sent a large pure white porcelain basin and a few soup spoons. The inside of the basin is dissolving. Xiong Yaohua's mouth was fast, and he greeted first: "Boss, we have already eaten." ”

Shopkeeper Xiao smacked his lips and smiled: "This is the 'loofah fish head tofu soup' specially made by the little girl for you, a dish for the small shop, no money." After eating, everyone drank a few mouthfuls of soup and sweated through. That's what makes it comfortable!"

When Xiong Yaohua heard this, he picked up the soup spoon and scooped it up and put it in his mouth. I was stunned for a while: "My God, so fresh and beautiful!" and took two sips in succession.

When everyone heard this, they raised their spoons and went to serve the fish soup. In an instant, a pot of loofah fish head tofu soup has bottomed out. Everyone is still reluctant. Lin Fanghe looked at Boss Xiao and asked, "What did you say about 'little girl' just now, could it be that such a delicious meal was actually made by your daughter?"

Shopkeeper Xiao nodded: "Not bad." ”

Fang Qinyu ate happily, and also smiled and said, "Today's meal is really good, we want to reward you with a few hundred dollars." I just don't know, shopkeeper, can you enjoy the light and invite the people who cook in the back kitchen to come out and meet us?"

Shopkeeper Xiao readily agreed and turned around.

After a while, he lifted the curtain and turned back, and there was already a girl about seventeen or eighteen years old beside him, with a slender figure, although she was poorly dressed, her eyebrows and eyes were very delicate.