Chapter 206
206 Xu Erlang:I don’t have a family_1
In consideration of the oil and smoke problem, the kitchen of the official ship was set on the upper level of the cabin to facilitate the release of oil and smoke. The walls and floor of the kitchen were painted with a fire-resistant red paint. The main material of this paint was a kind of resin called ” insect-eating tree “, which was waterproof and fire-resistant.
As such, the Ministry of Works had promoted the planting of this tree on a large scale and used it in the field of construction.
In the kitchen, a few cooks were preparing lunch, and they were sweating in the winter. There was a large pot of fish soup in the pot. The steam gurgled as it covered the pot, and a rich fragrance filled the air.
Xu Qi ‘an sniffed the aroma and came to the kitchen. He opened the pot and asked, “”Is the fish soup ready?”
“I’ll be done in a minute!”
The cooks were surprised that a Lord would personally enter this foul-smelling kitchen.
Xu Qi ‘an stared at the fish soup, which had a light brown color due to the soy sauce. He sniffed the aroma and said, “”Give me the spoon.”
A cook obediently handed a spoon to Xu Qi ‘an. Xu Qi’ an scooped up a little of the soup and tasted it.”The smell of earth is very light.”
Limited by seasoning and cooking level, most of the river fish in this world had a muddy smell that couldn’t be removed. Of course, this was with the exception of the best restaurants, such as the Osmanthus moon restaurant, where the chefs were highly skilled.
When the cook heard this, he said proudly,”Sir, we float on the water and usually eat fish. When it comes to eating fish, no one in the world knows more than us.” How to get rid of the earthy smell, hehe … We have a secret technique.”
He even hid it and deliberately didn’t say it.
heh, ” Xu Qi ‘an said. I also have a secret recipe that can improve the freshness of this pot of fish soup by several times.
The cook didn’t believe it, but he didn’t refute it because he didn’t dare to. However, he didn’t hide the disapproval in his eyes.
Xu Qi ‘an took out the porcelain bottle containing the chicken essence.
“Your, Your Excellency …”
The cooks were shocked. They had served on official ships for many years and had received many officials. She was naturally sensitive when it came to food.
If the officials on the ship were poisoned to death, they would also be buried with them.
“What are you afraid of? you can just test the poison later.” Xu Qi consoled.
The cooks were not comforted at all. Instead, they were even more worried.
Xu Qi ‘an poured a little into the pot first. He took a sip to taste it. When he felt that it was not enough, he added more and tasted it again. After repeating it a few times, he nodded in satisfaction.
“Come, have a taste!” He scooped a small spoonful of fish soup and handed it to the cook who had spoken.
Xu Qi ‘an’s taste gave him courage. The cook hesitated for a moment, then took the spoon and took a sip. His eyes widened in an instant.
The fragrant fish soup soaked his taste buds. gulp … As his Adam’s apple rolled uncontrollably, it flowed into his abdomen.
The lingering fragrance lingered between his lips and teeth.
“It’s, it’s too good …” The cook became excited, ” my Lord, this, what recipe is this? what kind of magical recipe is this? please teach me.
Xu Qi ‘an chuckled.
…..
Provincial governor Zhang sat on the couch and held his forehead, enduring the shaking of the ship. He felt much more comfortable after taking the pill given by the white-robed sorcerer.
“Master, once we cross the capital’s boundary, the wind on the river will be less violent. You won’t have a headache then.” The attendant brought over a cup of hot tea.
Governor Zhang nodded and took a sip of the tea.
“It’s time for lunch, this little one will help you get it.” The attendant said.
“No need,” Governor Zhang waved his hand and pinched the space between his brows,”I’m dizzy and have no appetite …”
“What’s that smell?” his nose twitched as he finished his sentence.
From the open window, the river Wind blew in with a fresh fragrance, tempting Governor Zhang’s gluttonous appetite and causing his saliva to secrete faster.
“Gulp …” The attendant swallowed his saliva, and his gaze drifted out of the room. His mind was no longer there.
Governor Zhang pondered for a moment,”it’s fine. Even if I don’t have an appetite, I can’t compete with my body. Just help me get some food …” Well, although the fish soup has an unbearable fishy smell, I can’t just hold it. I have to share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers.”
The attendant responded happily and jogged out of the room, thinking to himself,”Sir is indeed a scholar, even shameless words can be so pleasant to hear.”
Xu Qi ‘an and his colleagues sat in the spacious hall, eating and chatting.
this fish soup is amazing. I’ve never had such a strong soup in my life.
“Yeah, even that little bit of fishy smell is fragrant.”
“If I can drink this kind of fish soup every day, I’d be happy to stay on the ship for the rest of my life.”
The night watchmen were sweating profusely as they ate, enjoying the surprising fish soup.
Jiang Luzhong occupied a table by himself. With his eyes closed, he savored the unforgettable fresh fragrance on his tongue. He called the cook over and asked curiously, ” the taste of this fish soup is extraordinary. I’ve never had it before. How did you make it? ”
There should be a secret recipe … Jiang Lu thought.
He wasn’t trying to steal the secret recipe. He was just curious about how this amazing fish soup was made.
The cook immediately looked at Xu Qi ‘an. it’s the secret recipe of that master. It has nothing to do with me.
The group of night watchmen immediately looked over.
What are you looking at me for? this is the secret recipe of the Directorate of Celestials. I don’t have much of it myself. Xu Qi ‘an said immediately.
He knew that this group of shameless night watchmen, especially Jiang Luzhong, would definitely come up with a different way to ask him for it.
Everyone turned to look at the three white-robed warlocks in the corner. The young white-robed Warlock said, “”What are you looking at us for? the secret recipe of the Directorate of Celestials was taught by young master Xu.”
‘Damn, these warlocks are just trying to bicker …’ Xu Qian cursed in his heart.
At this time, a group of guards in armor came in from the cabin door. They sniffed the alluring smell of fish soup while silently receiving their own simple meals.
For this trip to Yunzhou, there were twenty bronze gongs, six silver gongs, one golden gongs, three of provincial governor Zhang’s subordinates, and a hundred Tiger guards.
In addition to Governor Zhang, there were a total of 131 people.
These Huben guards lived in a small and dark cabin, and their food was not as good as the night watchman’s, so they naturally did not get a share of the fish soup.
The lean men twitched their noses silently and swallowed their saliva quietly. They looked at the fish soup longingly.
Xu Qi ‘an thought for a while and called the cook over.”Are there any more fish in the boat? If you don’t have any, go to the net and cook a pot of fish soup for the soldiers. Make sure that everyone can drink it. ”
As he spoke, he handed the porcelain bottle to the cook.”If it’s not enough, you can ask me for more.”
The eyes of the guards of the Huben Tiger immediately lit up. They unconsciously straightened their backs and said in unison, “”Thank you, my Lord.”
‘I’m always too soft-hearted, too soft-hearted, and I take all the problems on my own …’ “My surname is Xu,” Xu Qi ‘an nodded.
“Thank you, Lord Xu.”
At this moment, Governor Zhang’s personal attendant walked in and announced in a clear voice,”Do you still have fish soup? my Lord wants more.”
Everyone laughed, and the cabin was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
…..
Beijing, before dusk.
Xu Xinian returned to the capital. He was going to go home to get some clothes to change into, as well as rice, noodles, and silver.
The students studying at Yun Lu Academy had to hand in a bundle of cultivation every three months. At the same time, they had to bring their own rice and noodles, and the Academy didn’t include accommodation and food.
Therefore, Xu Erlang would return home regularly to take the dirty clothes that he didn’t have time to wash and throw them to the servants. He would also bring enough money and food for three months.
“Phew …”
He reined in his horse outside the Xu residence and was surprised to find that the main door was locked.
This was not a small matter. There were servants in the residence. Even if the master was not at home and the door was closed, the door was locked from the inside. A padlock on the outside often meant that there was no one in the residence.
Xu Erlang’s heart sank and he had a bad feeling.
He got off his horse and went to the wall. He took a deep breath and said, “”Flying eaves and wall running!”
After he finished reading, he silently took a few steps back and felt a surge of power filling his limbs. With the help of the sprint, he jumped over the three-meter-high wall and landed steadily.
The residence was quiet and there was not a single person.
Xu niannian walked from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard. He pushed open the doors of his sister’s room, his parents. room, the servants. room … There was no one.
The most important thing was that everything in the house had been moved away. Only the bed was left in the room, but there was no quilt.
Where’s my home? I have such a big family … Oh, it’s still here, but where’s my family? Xu Erlang stood in the courtyard, lost in thought.
the door is only locked and not sealed, which means that big brother didn’t commit another crime … Everything in the house has been moved away, but there’s no dust on the ground. It’s very clean, which means that it wasn’t ransacked …”
Xu Erlang used his wisdom as a high scholar to deduce the result, “They had moved.
Why didn’t anyone inform me of the move? Had they forgotten that there was still a second son in the Yun Lu Academy? Xu niannian was so angry that he wanted to curse.
‘This is terrible …’ Immediately after, his expression changed and he quickly gave himself a buff. He climbed over the wall and got on a horse, planning to leave the capital before the city gate closed.
At this moment, the faint sound of drums could be heard from afar. This was the sound of the drums before the city gate closed.
……
The new house.
Second uncle Xu was on night duty today and had to leave after dinner.
“By right, Erlang should be back by now. He didn’t bring much money with him last time,” her aunt looked at her husband and said doubtfully.
As a mother, she naturally cared about her son and constantly estimated when her son would return home.
“Probably in the next few days.” Second uncle Xu said indifferently.
“Eldest brother … Did you write him a letter?” His aunt asked.
“I don’t know,”
“What do you mean by” don’t know “?” His aunt raised her eyebrows.
“I didn’t ask.” Second uncle Xu replied. After finishing the last bite of his meal, he hung his knife on the back of his waist and put on his helmet.
“I’m going out. Watch the bell at night and don’t let her go to the well again. Also, don’t be so suspicious all day. The house is not haunted.”
With that, second uncle Xu went out.
That night, he led a team of royal sword guards to patrol the outer city. When he passed by the ancestral house, he saw a figure squatting at the door of the house, hugging his knees and burying his face in his arms, shivering in the cold wind.
There was also a horse beside him, neighing listlessly and scratching its hooves.
There was no curfew in the outer city, so the people could go out without any restrictions. However, the Imperial saber guards had the right to check and question people. When they saw someone squatting in front of their house, second uncle immediately led his men to welcome him.
Just as he was about to ask, the light of the torch illuminated the man’s Confucian robe, and he suddenly felt that he looked familiar.
Second uncle Xu was stunned. He thought to himself, ” no way …
“Erlang?” He said with uncertainty.
The scholar in the Confucian robe slowly raised his head. He was extremely handsome and looked Haggard. He was Xu Erlang.
The father and son looked at each other in silence for a long time. Second uncle Xu’s scalp went numb.”Why don’t you go to the inn?”
The wretched Xu ningyan actually didn’t write a letter to his younger brother.
“I’m out of silver.”
“Why don’t you rest in the residence?”
“The horses will be stolen.”
Why not go back to the Academy? ”
“The city gates are closed.”
“…. I forgot to tell you that my family has moved to the inner city. En, it’s curfew time in the inner city, so I’ll take you to the inn.”
Xu Erlang slowly turned his face away and said in an empty voice, “”Sir, I don’t have any family.”
Second uncle Xu was speechless.
…..
At night, the lonemoon hung high in the sky.
There was a limited number of rooms on the official ship. Xu Qi ‘an, who had only one Gong, did not have a separate room. He shared a room with song tingfeng and Zhu guangxiao.
It was the kind of bed that was arranged side by side.
He turned his head to the left and saw song tingfeng facing him. He looked to the right and saw Zhu guangxiao facing him.
Xu Qi ‘an suddenly thought of a joke. If you were to sleep between a man and a woman, would you face your butt to the man or the woman?
If my butt is facing a woman, I’ll be regarded as gay, and if it’s facing a man, there’s a risk of being raped. In my case, I choose to sleep while lying down … Xu Qian complained in his heart. Then, there was a knock on the door.
The voice of Governor Zhang’s attendant came from outside the door,”Lord Xu, my master would like to see you.”
[ PS: I don’t have a stockpile. Once I’m stuck, it’ll delay the update time. ]