The Little Officials of the Song Dynasty Chapter 79: Bao Zheng’s mysterious age

In the Zhenzong Dynasty of the Northern Song Dynasty, after many wars between Song and Liao, the two countries concluded the alliance of Chanyuan, and the Song Dynasty gave Liao a year of coins every year, which opened a peaceful mode and started economic and trade exchanges. During the period when Liu Hou was in power, he also faithfully fulfilled the covenant.

It was after this that the exchanges between the two countries increased, so there was a relatively complete and standardized diplomatic etiquette. Compared with each other, the permanent envoys are Zhengdan envoys and birthday envoys. The former congratulates New Year's Day and the latter congratulates the emperor's birthday.

Because the two countries are adjacent to each other, and the Liao Kingdom's combat effectiveness is outstanding, their treatment in the Song Dynasty is relatively high. After they come, they will have an imperial banquet to eat, and other countries will be arranged by the Privy Council.

When various countries entered the Song Dynasty after a long journey, the imperial court would send escorts to accompany them to Bianjing along the way to ensure that there would be no accidents on the road. After entering Beijing, there was an ambassador from the embassy to accompany the itinerary in Bianjing.

These companions are officials from the Privy Council or Honglu Temple. They accompany them all the way from a few days before New Year's Day to Beijing until the fifth day of the first lunar month. National borders, in short, to ensure the rigor of the entire process, and no mistakes.

Since it is necessary to conduct reception, the foreign language must not be poor. Both departments require officials to learn foreign languages. It is said that the most powerful ones can master five or six languages.

When Zheng Ling was forced to learn Khitan language, he almost went crazy.

Now Honglu Temple lacks people and is very busy, but they also know that Zheng Ling is basically a person from the Picture Academy. They are afraid that he will pretend to be dead if he is called on too much, so they send him to the Kaifeng House to deal with the banquet dishes. .

In this banquet for the reception of the envoys, the dishes must be confirmed by all departments.

It is already November, and envoys from various countries will arrive at the end of December. There is not much time, and there are still many things for everyone. Now we are arranging craftsmen to supervise the repairs.

This inn is actually inspected twice a year, but it can't handle the unexpected.

On Zheng Ling's side, everyone knew that he had an acquaintance in Kaifeng Mansion. He had a closer relationship with the Zheng family, and also knew that they were actually his relatives. Anyway, every time there is a new dish in Kaifeng Mansion, this guy can definitely eat it right away.

So, instead of watching him cry every day at Honglu Temple, it's better to send him to the Kaifeng Mansion.

Zheng Ling felt that he was freed from purgatory at once, and went back to Yun Yan with a smile on his face.

Yunyan is also very happy to return. The Privy Council sent a foodie here. It's okay to say that now I'm afraid that the people from Honglu Temple will be a problem. That's it!

Zheng Ling is basically what Brother Yan said, he is "good", and the foodie in the Privy Council is very sincere. This person is about 30 years old. He is also a scholar. His surname is Gao Mingcheng. At the time, Yun Yanhui hadn't decided on the recipe yet, so he told him apologetically that it would take a few more days.

Gao Mingcheng said with a smile: "It's okay, you are busy with your work, I'm here mainly to eat food from your cafeteria."

Yunyan replied: "..."

Gao Mingcheng also told Yun Yanhui with a mysterious look: "You don't know, the ceremony room almost fought for this place!"

"..." Yun Yan wiped away her sweat, "Well, I'll ask the kitchen to bring the barbecued pork... This one has already been made."

Gao Mingcheng actually knew about Char Siu, probably heard from his colleague, but he didn't understand the sarcasm behind it, so he happily tried the Char Siu.

Yunyan called back to the kitchen to make two BBQ pork dishes, one with honey sauce and one with crispy skin.

Although they are both barbecued pork, the taste is very different.

The "meatiness" of the honey sauce char siu is relatively heavy, fat and thin, smooth and sweet, and the flavor is excellent. The crispy char siew is crunchy when you bite down, and it has a melt-in-your-mouth feeling.

The pork used for this char siu is even bought from the Zhu Zhuyuan of the Daxiangguo Temple. They raise pigs and eat meat all year round, and the meat quality is excellent. However, if it wasn't for Yun Yanhui's own people, they wouldn't be able to buy pork. They farmed on a small scale.

At this time, there were not many ways to eat pork, or the "scholar" class seldom eats pork. However, after making barbecued pork, it is really refreshing. Not only is it extremely delicious, it is in line with the taste of Tokyo people, and its color Golden yellow, fragrant and dripping, it sells very well.

Gao Mingcheng is a native of Bianjing, and he eats with smiling eyes.

Zheng Ling also had it for the first time, and it felt very good.

Yun Yan introduced back: "One is Honey Sauce BBQ Pork and the other is Crispy BBQ Pork. I don't know if I should choose one of them, or should I put both dishes on the menu? If I put them both, will it be too much? Repeat?"

Gao Mingcheng nodded, "That's right, it's not good if you add two pieces of pork. I think this crispy char siew has a more unique flavor and is very distinctive, so it's better to choose this one."

"Well, okay." Yun Yan wrote back.

Gao Mingcheng took a mouthful of the sour and spicy bracken, and said with a bowl, "Yun Xiaolang, I'm very worried now."

Yunyan replied: "...what are you worried about?"

Gao Mingcheng: "At that time, the envoys of the Liao Kingdom ate the imperial banquet, and the other envoys ate the dishes of Kaifeng Prefecture. What if the envoys of the Liao Kingdom thought that other people would eat better... This will affect the two diplomatic relations!"

Yunyan replied: "..."

Yun Yanhui immediately felt a little ashamed. Isn't this the idea of ​​your Privy Council?

Gao Mingcheng took another bite of the barbecued pork and said vaguely: "No, I'm going to warn the royal chef to prepare the dishes."

Zheng Ling said quietly from the side: "It's useless. Every year, the imperial banquets are of similar specifications. Even if you do a little better, you won't be able to turn the flowers. In fact, everyone's craftsmanship is not much different. Even the Royal Kitchen is better, the point is that Kaifeng House can innovate in specifications, and the Royal Kitchen has more restrictions.”

"That makes sense..." Gao Mingcheng glanced at Yun Yan regretfully, "I will report to Shangguan when I go back, and I have to control the number of new dishes."

Yun Yanhui didn't expect to give him a barbecued pork to reduce the workload, and touched his head, "Just be happy if you are happy."

He's never seen one in a hurry to reduce the workload for others.

But think about it, reducing his workload now is just for less trouble later. Although people in Liao Dynasty like the taste of Kaifeng Mansion canteen or not, it is still a matter of opinion, but this possibility must be avoided.

……

The affairs of Kaifeng House are complicated, the affairs of Kaifeng House are complicated, the affairs of Kaifeng House are complicated, and important things are said three times.

Therefore, as winter gradually approaches, it is necessary to prepare not only the reception work of the diplomatic mission in Beijing, but also the social relief work.

It can be said that the Great Song Dynasty had many disasters and disasters, almost every year. Moreover, according to Yun Yanhui's historical knowledge, the Song Dynasty at this time was entering the third cold period in history. There was news earlier that there were no plum trees growing in the northern part of the country, let alone crops.

Almost every year, there are people who freeze to death, not only the poor, but even families who can feed themselves are at risk of freezing to death and frostbite.

But I have to say that the social welfare of Song Dynasty is still very good, in addition to various government-run and private-run relief homes - such as the Salesian where Zheng Ping once stayed, the court will distribute materials every winter, and the system Very complete.

As for the arrangements in the Gyeonggi region, there is no doubt that the Kaifeng government is in charge.

This year, due to Yun Yanhui's plan to increase income and reduce expenditure, Kaifeng House has achieved a bumper harvest. Given the determination at the beginning of the restructuring, there is no objection that part of the proceeds will also be donated to help the poor people.

This kind of relief activity is often united with local tyrants.

——Note that local tyrants usually refer to local monks and Taoists.

The monks have a broad base, and the Taoists are pushed by the imperial court, and all of them are very wealthy.

Of course, the government generally insists they are volunteers on the surface...

Because Yunyan hangs back at Tianqing Temple, and is familiar with various temples in Beijing, and has been an apprentice of the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple, he has to do two jobs, one is the menu planning of the envoy's reception banquet, and the other is One is to join in the activities of connecting local tyrants to carry out relief.

This job, Yun Yanhui had also been in contact with in Daxiangguo Temple before, so he was familiar with the road, and the contacts were all acquaintances. Even if not, the other party would definitely know him.

It is no exaggeration to say that Yun Yanhui is now basically a legendary figure in the religious circles of Bianjing. Although he has not become a monk, he is recognized as his own.

The fruits and vegetables harvested in Kaifeng Mansion were also divided into batches and sent to various relief agencies. Among them, some prime minister fried dough sticks were prepared more intimately. Although the prime minister fried dough sticks have now flown into ordinary people, everyone acquiesced that Kaifeng House The product is the most authentic.

Yun Yanhui was used to being on the front line, so they distributed supplies together at the scene. After the court's distribution, they sent out the Kaifeng government's private money, and next to the staff of the Daxiangguo Temple, they could chat from time to time.

The poor people who came to receive the supplies were very grateful. They didn't expect to receive the prime minister's fried dough sticks from Kaifeng House. This was a surprise to them. Even if the secret recipe was spread, they were still unable to buy the raw materials due to their poverty. maded.

An old woman even knelt down and saluted in the direction of Kaifeng Mansion. Yun Yanhui hurriedly went to help her and heard her chanting, "Thank you, Mr. Bao, who is not old in spring and autumn, has many children and many grandchildren..."

Yunyan replied: "??"

Yunyan replied: "Mother-in-law! Fuzun Bao is not married yet!"

The old woman opened her turbid eyes with a look of surprise, and then said sadly: "Ah? Bao Xianggong is a good person, but he didn't get married. He must have been delayed by political affairs!" She asked with concern, "Is there a reason? No clan adoptive child for Lord Bao?"

The people next to him also came to ask with concern when they heard Bao Zheng's name.

"Bao Xianggong loves the people like a son, but he has no descendants?"

"Little brother, is Bao Xianggong in good health?"

"...Wait," Yun Yanhui suddenly felt a little dizzy and couldn't help but stop, "Have you misunderstood something, our Fu Zun is only in his twenties now!"

Old woman: "Nonsense!"

Yunyan replied: "..."