The water in the pond was like jade, steaming in the sun. Everyone was panicking. Last night, the stars were sparse and the moon was bright. An order was issued to the winged cavalry to travel together.
For the sake of his brothers and sisters, Zhang Xiaobao temporarily put aside other things and ordered people to carry a basket of cicadas back to make snacks.
He cut out the meat, soaked it in hot water, and then steamed it in a pot. After steaming for a while, he changed the pot. There were different things in the water in each pot. After steaming, he didn't put them in the sun or roasted them. He put them in a cool place and blew them with a fan. When they were half dry, he stir-fried them.
After working until midnight, he finally finished making snacks for the cicadas. He asked people to send them to Xiaobei and the others so that they could eat them early the next morning.
"You're really my sister. I counted. You put in a total of 42 kinds of seasonings, including walnuts, fruit pulp, abalone, raisins, and so on. After taking them out of the pot, you picked out everything else and only left the cicadas. Are you tired?"
Wang Juan was reading a book while Zhang Xiaobao was making snacks. When she saw Zhang Xiaobao wiping his sweat, she said, "It's okay.
It's late. Let's sleep. " Zhang Xiaobao was indeed exhausted. That was five kilograms of meat. He didn't want to use a big pot to cook it, so he only used a small spoon and a small pot. He steamed it back and forth many times because the temperature of the small pot was easy to control.
Wang Juan closed the book. "You're done. It's time to talk about business. What about Li Linfu? Should we let him stay for another day? "
"Yes. If we don't, it will be inconvenient for Zhang Shuo to make a move. Li Linfu is not an ordinary person. Cui Ri knows that he can't beat him. If we delay him for another day, it will probably be done over there."
As Zhang Xiaobao spoke, he passed a plate of cicadas to Wang Juan.
Wang Juan took one and threw it into her mouth. She tasted it carefully and said, "It's really good. It seems that you can achieve a breakthrough by using your skills on your brothers and sisters. Where are you going? Let's take a bath."
*****
It was late. Li Linfu, who couldn't sleep, pushed open the window in the courtyard of Fengwu Pavilion. He looked at the moon that was almost full outside and was still thinking about what he saw during the day.
It would be a lie to say that he wasn't touched..
What was the purpose of being an official? Some wanted to use their abilities so that they wouldn't be buried, some wanted to make money, and even more wanted to be recognized by the people and the imperial court.
Local officials were recognized by the people, and that was also recognized by the imperial court.
In the past, he had always heard that when Zhang Zhong left his post, the common people would empty the streets and send him off in tears. He had never seen such a scene before. Today, he finally saw it with his own eyes. It was enough to be an official.
I wonder how Feng Changgong is doing in Xin Cai County. I hope they are smart enough to not go against Cui Rizhi.
Li Linfu thought as he reached for the teapot beside him. He poured himself a cup of water and drank it. He frowned, thinking that it was not as good as the tea served at the local yamen. He forced himself to swallow it, then turned around and held the proposal Zhang Xiaobao had given him in his hand. He read it under the flickering light.
When the clock struck again, it was already one in the morning. He pushed open the door and ordered, "Men, return to Xin Cai County tonight. Stop anyone who tries to approach Feng Changgong's room."
Someone in the opposite room responded. By the time Li Linfu turned around and closed the door, someone had already left.
"Feng Changgong, oh Feng Changgong, you've gotten me into trouble. I really want you to see this' incomplete 'proposal so that you know who you've offended."
Li Linfu flipped to the last page of the proposal and memorized it. He lay on the couch and looked at the moon as he muttered to himself.
The person who had just left the room came to the stable and found his horse. He flipped onto the horse and held the reins in his hand. He clamped his legs together and leaped out.
Anxious, he was preparing to rush back to Xin Cai County at night when there was no one on the streets. Who would have thought that after running for a hundred steps, he would hear someone shouting in front of him, "Who is riding a horse at night? Men, take him down. "
Following the voice, torches lit up in front of him. Looking over, he saw a row of yamen runners holding water and fire sticks blocking the way.
"I am Lord Li's subordinate from Xin Cai County. I have urgent matters to attend to in the county. Please make way." Weiwei slowed down and shouted at the yamen runners.
"Do you think I am just because you say so? I can also say that you're a criminal. Come down first and then we'll talk. Trip the horse. " The yamen runner didn't seem to have any intention of bending the rules. He shouted and someone pulled the rope from behind.
Seeing this, the person on the horse sighed helplessly and stopped the horse. He flipped over and wanted the yamen runner to see his face clearly. Who would have thought that as soon as he landed, someone would cover his head with a sack. Then, someone used a rope to choke his mouth.
"Catch the criminal. Bring him back for interrogation." After the yamen runner said this, Li Linfu was tied up and carried away. The horse was also taken away.
*****
At dawn the next day, Li Linfu, who thought that nothing would happen in Xin Cai County for a day or two, got up and washed up. He hurriedly ate breakfast and was about to go to the yamen to find Zhang Xiaobao when Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan arrived first.
"Lord Li, were you comfortable in your new place last night?" Zhang Xiaobao asked with a smile as soon as he saw Li Linfu.
Li Linfu also smiled. "Not bad. The Fengwu Pavilion is really good. I heard that Registrar Zhang's sister was injured and was about to visit when Registrar Zhang came personally. It was really abrupt."
"Children can't stay still. They only behave when they cause trouble. It's no big deal. It's just a small injury. Don't worry about it. It'll be good for them to remember." Zhang Xiaobao, who had been busy with his younger siblings until midnight last night, didn't seem to care at all.
Li Linfu wanted to give him some money but suddenly remembered that he only had less than a hundred copper coins on him. He couldn't take it out and could only say awkwardly, "I came in a hurry and didn't bring a gift. I'll make it up next time. I'll definitely make it up."
"It's just a small matter. Lord Li, please take a look. This is the proposal for the cooperation between the two counties. If there are any omissions, I hope Lord Li can fill in a little."
Zhang Xiaobao didn't expect Li Linfu to give him anything good. If he only gave some money, it wouldn't be as good as the cicadas the children gave him yesterday. He signaled Wang Juan to take out the proposal and handed it to Li Linfu for him to read.
Li Linfu had been waiting for the proposal. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed. He happily received the proposal and read it one by one.
After reading a few proposals, he suddenly stopped and asked Zhang Xiaobao, "Why do you want people to plant three rows of willow trees by the river? Do you want to use the willow trees to make furniture? Three rows of willow trees will take up a lot of land, even if it's by the river. "
What Li Linfu meant was to make sofas, tea tables, and other things. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang family's furniture was famous for being good.
"There are additions at the back. First, protect the dike. If there is a rainy season, in order to prevent the flood from destroying the dike, plant more weeping willow trees to strengthen the dike. Secondly, it will allow the cicadas to find more places to live. Cicadas are not only delicious and nutritious, but can also be used to make medicine. Last night, when I made snacks for Xiaobei and the others, I felt that the cicadas were delicious. Cuckoo, please let Lord Li have a taste."
Zhang Xiaobao explained this proposal. In fact, it was at the back of the proposal, but Li Linfu hadn't seen it yet.
Wang Juan took out a paper bag from her bag and opened it for Li Linfu to eat.
The translucent meat of the cicada looked very pleasing to the eye. Li Linfu picked one up and put it in his mouth. He smacked his lips twice and grabbed a few more. He kept eating, thinking that he couldn't blame He Yiwei and the two people from Shangniu Village for eating until they were full. This Zhang Xiaobao's cooking was indeed extraordinary.
The taste was fresh but not fishy, supple but not salty, tough but not bitter, sweet but not greasy. After eating one, he wanted to eat a second one. To be able to make this kind of food for Xiaobei, he must have put in a lot of effort. Just like this, his indifferent appearance just now was exposed.
Li Linfu didn't say anything. Seeing that Wang Juan was still holding the paper bag, he took it all. "I'll eat it myself. Zhang Xiaobao, I didn't expect that your method is really not simple. I see cicadas everywhere. Don't tell me you want to plant more trees for them?"
Zhang Xiaobao saw that Li Linfu had snatched the bag away and disdained him. He said, "Times have changed. Today, cicadas are caught by children to eat. Adults usually don't eat them, just like silkworms. But in the future, there will be a special way to make cicadas. When that time comes, everyone will catch cicadas and every household will eat them.
Not stopping for one year, not stopping for two years, not stopping for three to five years, not stopping for generations. Huh? Henceforth, the descendants can only learn about it from books. Their ancestors had a food that was delicious and could be used to make medicine. It was known. Today, no one knows about it, but it can be seen in paintings. "
"This official has learned." Li Linfu understood. Zhang Xiaobao was afraid that the method to make cicadas would be spread out. When the time came, everyone would go and catch them. If all the cicadas were caught, the descendants wouldn't be able to see it. They would only know about it from paintings and books.
Even if this was over, they should plant more cicadas and provide them with a place to live.
Then he looked down and asked humbly if there was anything he didn't understand.
Zhang Xiaobao's two sets of plans were not a lie. He didn't want to use a fake plan to deal with Li Linfu. That would be sacrificing the interests of the people. He couldn't do it.
Wang Juan didn't say anything. She took out a small bag of cicadas and started to chew.
When the plan was finished, it was almost noon. Li Linfu invited, "Why don't Registrar Zhang and Deputy Wang eat here?"
"That won't do. Xiao Bei is still waiting to eat. I have to go back. Official Li should go back with the two of us. After taking care of Xiao Bei, we can talk about it while eating. What do you think?"
Zhang Xiaobao very straightforwardly refused.
"Great." Li Linfu agreed.
The three of them walked to the yamen together. Li Linfu had finished his cicadas. Looking at Wang Juan eating there, he wanted to ask for more but was too embarrassed to ask. He could only swallow his saliva secretly.
The three of them arrived at the back of the yamen. Before they entered, the door was opened. When the servant of the Zhang family saw Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, he was stunned at first. Then he said happily, "Little Young Master, Little Miss, you two came back at the right time. There is an official in the capital on a fast horse. He said that he wants you two to go to the capital immediately."
"Do you know when?" Zhang Xiaobao was puzzled. Why did he and Wang Juan want to go to the capital at this time? Moreover, they took the official route. Did something happen to his family?
"Replying to Little Young Master, I have asked. He said that the Emperor is going to travel and wants you two to discuss it." The servant replied.
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