Ang Lee confidently told them all the research and development plans for the coming year. When they heard that a machine that could communicate with people thousands of miles away would be successfully tested before the New Year, the Emperor and the ministers present were all very excited. The atmosphere in the hall reached a climax. Everyone was encouraging Ang Lee and even clearly expressed their determination to fully support Ang Lee.
Such a lively banquet naturally lasted for a long time. Although in the later stages, almost everyone had stopped eating and drinking, they did not intend to end the banquet. They all wanted to let the banquet continue for a while. In this way, they could learn more about the upcoming advanced machine. Everyone was very interested in the machine that Ang Lee had developed and wanted to know more about it. Moreover, when they went back, they could also show their knowledge in front of their family and subordinates.
Even though the ministers were full, the imperial kitchen was still serving the dishes. Regardless of whether the ministers ate or not, the dishes were still served. Most of the ministers would take a small bite to show that they had tasted the dish and knew what it tasted like. It was also a form of respect for the imperial chef who had worked hard to make the dish, and it was also a form of respect for the emperor. If they did not eat a single bite, it would seem like they were throwing a tantrum at the host, or they would feel that the host did not treat them well. Moreover, if they only took a small bite, they would not be too full.
The grouper made by telegram was served after a long time. After all, grouper was a rare delicacy. When it was made, it had to be a little more careful, so it naturally took a longer time. Therefore, it was only served in the later stages of the banquet.
This time, the grouper were extra-large treasures. Each of them was more than 100 jin. Therefore, it was naturally impossible to give one to each of the ministers. A total of three were cooked. More than 100 ministers divided the three fish. On average, each of them could only get a few tenths. However, because each fish was more than 100 jin, even if it was cleaned, it would still be more than 100 jin. In this way, there would be more than 300 jin of fish for the three groupers to eat. There were only more than 100 ministers, so on average, each minister could get close to 3 jin of fish, which was not a small amount.
No matter if it was a grouper or an ordinary fish, they all had a fish head, fish segment, fish tail, fish stomach, fish spine, fish bladder, fish roe, and so on. The taste of each part was different. The essence of the fish was always very little. For example, the fish bladder. A three-tailed grouper could only have three swim bladders. It was impossible to have one more. The meat of the fish stomach was more tender and there was not much meat. The most precious fish gill meat was even rarer and the taste was also the best. However, it was not the red hard gill that they breathed, but the good meat next to it. In addition, the soft meat inside the hard gill was also very tender and tasted very good.
Different parts of a fish had completely different tastes and different grades. Therefore, when the fish meat was distributed, it was more particular. The fattest fish meat was given to the person with the highest status. This was common knowledge. It was like this in any era. Only the less important parts would be given to the rest of the people.
However, this time, the Emperor had already arranged it. He had one for himself and asked the imperial chef to prepare one for Ang Lee. The remaining one was given to more than 100 ministers. The meaning of this was self-evident.
When Li An saw that people like Yang Guozhong and Chen Xilie could only get a little more than a catty of fish meat, while he had an entire fish in front of him, he was very surprised.
This was clearly telling all the ministers that in the Emperor's heart, Ang Lee was the most important and could enjoy the same treatment as the Emperor. The rest of the ministers were not worth mentioning compared to Ang Lee. Of course, this was also because Ang Lee had performed a meritorious service today. If it was any other day, naturally, this would not be the case.
Therefore, even if everyone was full, they still had to eat more. In addition, even if they could not finish it, the food on the table would not go to waste. Although the resources in the palace were relatively sufficient, the most basic awareness of frugality was still necessary. These delicious dishes that were not finished would eventually be eaten by the palace maids, eunuchs, and imperial chefs. Although the dishes that had been eaten by others were leftovers, a top-grade ingredient like the grouper, even if it was leftovers, was still very attractive. The palace maids and eunuchs would not care about it. Moreover, it was estimated that only high-ranking palace maids would have the opportunity to enjoy these high-end leftovers.
At the thought that the 100 jin grouper in front of him would be fought over by the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace if he could not finish it, Ang Lee sighed in his heart. At the same time, he remembered Lu Xun's words. In the dynasties of Hua Xia, the common people either wanted to be slaves but could not, or they were temporarily in a stable position as slaves. In times of chaos, it was an era of unstable slavery. In times of peace and prosperity, they could be slaves steadily. The common people's happiness would be greatly increased and they would praise the Emperor for giving them the opportunity to be slaves steadily.
This was because since ancient times, the common people pursued a stable and simple life. As long as they could live a stable life, what did it matter if they were slaves to the aristocrats? They were really willing to be slaves because once the world entered into chaos, they would not even have the opportunity to be slaves. Even their lives could not be saved. Therefore, it was really better to be slaves honestly.
At this time, the situation was the same with the leftovers that were about to be produced. This kind of top-grade oversized grouper could not be eaten by the common people. Even a small grouper of 1 jin or 2 jin was very expensive. The fishermen who caught fish by the sea were reluctant to eat it and sold it to supplement their families.
The palace maids, eunuchs, and imperial chefs who worked in the palace usually ate low-grade food or leftovers. Good ingredients were not something they could enjoy, especially top-grade delicacies, which were reserved for nobles. If they wanted to taste top-grade delicacies, they had to wait until the nobles were full before they could have a share of the remaining delicacies.
Under normal circumstances, the nobles would not have much leftovers. However, once the Emperor held a banquet for the ministers, the remaining high-end food would be very rich at the end of the banquet, at least dozens of times more than usual. Not only the high-ranking palace maids could enjoy it, but even the common palace maids could have some better leftovers.
Of course, there was an order for the palace maids to distribute the leftovers. The high-ranking palace maids would pick out the best leftovers for their own consumption first, then the middle-ranking palace maids, and finally the low-ranking palace maids.
This was naturally caused by the inequality of status. The Emperor could eat whatever he wanted. The best delicacies in the world could be eaten by the Emperor. However, the servants in the palace were not so lucky. If they were too stubborn and refused to eat the leftovers of the nobles, they could only eat some coarse food. Compared with the leftovers of the nobles, the coarse food was somewhat inferior. After all, even the leftovers were high-end. Some of them were only eaten once, but the taste and nutrition did not change much. As long as the heart did not feel uncomfortable, it could still be eaten as a delicacy.
Ang Lee had never seen such a huge grouper before. The grouper that his family usually ate was bought in the market. It was expensive and small. The biggest one was about five or six catties. The grouper that was more than a hundred catties was really unimaginable. Moreover, the species was the same as the grouper that Ang Lee usually ate.
In fact, five or six catties was already considered very big. After all, these were wild and not artificially farmed. In addition, compared to the common one or two catties of grouper in the future, the grouper in the market at this time were all big. The ancients were blessed to be able to eat more and better delicacies, but because of the large population and overfishing in the future, various natural resources were gradually depleted, and they could only eat very small game. In fact, even very small game could not be eaten, and they could only eat artificially farmed food. In many cities with a large population in the future, all the food that humans could eat was artificially farmed. Some people could not even eat a single wild food in their lifetime, and many wild animals had even become animals protected by the imperial court. If anyone dared to eat them, they would be breaking the law, and breaking the law would mean going to jail.
For example, in the Tang dynasty, tiger meat, all kinds of wild bird meat, sturgeon fish, and so on could be eaten. These were all protected animals by the imperial court. Whoever dared to eat them would be arrested. Some children were even insensible and dug out the bird's nest in front of their house. As a result, they were sentenced to ten years in prison. It was scary to think about it.
According to the standards of later generations, the wild animals that Ang Lee ate in the Tang dynasty were enough to be sentenced to death hundreds of times. According to the laws of some civilized countries, Ang Lee would be sentenced to tens of thousands of years in prison. The sentence was hundreds of times longer than Ang Lee's life, or even more.
At least, the huge wild grouper in front of Ang Lee was a national protected animal. Such a huge grouper was extremely rare and must be protected.
"Assistant Minister Li, can you finish eating more than one hundred catties of big fish?"
Yang Guozhong next to him said in a sour tone. Obviously, the Emperor valued Ang Lee so much that he gave Ang Lee a huge grouper. He was a little jealous and uncomfortable in his heart, but he didn't have any big opinions. After all, Ang Lee's ability was there, and he had made a great contribution today. It was only right to give Ang Lee special treatment. However, this still couldn't stop the jealousy in the hearts of the ministers. Many ministers were stunned when they saw the palace maid bring a huge grouper to Ang Lee.
Ang Lee smiled faintly and said, "Of course I can't finish it in one meal, but if I take it back to eat a few more meals, then there won't be any problem."
After that, Ang Lee looked at Li Longji, who was full of smiles, and said, "Your Majesty, a whole grouper is too big. I can't eat it alone. Can I take it back later and let my wife and children at home have a taste of this big grouper?"
This was just a joke. It didn't matter whether the Emperor gave it or not. It was just a big fish, not a big deal.
"What's wrong with that? I haven't eaten this grouper here yet. Someone come! Put it in a big insulated box and immediately send it to Assistant Minister Li's residence. Say that it is a reward from me. Go quickly. "
Li Longji said very generously.
Today was the day that Ang Lee had made a great contribution. Although there was nothing good to reward Ang Lee, the Emperor could still readily agree to Ang Lee's reasonable request. This also showed the Emperor's magnanimity and the attitude of rewarding those who made a contribution.
This sudden reward made Ang Lee slightly surprised. The Emperor didn't even take a bite and just gave the whole fish to his family. Although this thing wasn't particularly expensive, this was the Emperor's goodwill. Other ministers didn't have such good treatment. Only Ang Lee had such treatment.
The Emperor's great kindness immediately attracted the attention of a large group of ministers below. A total of three large groupers were cooked. Ang Lee took one for himself, and the Emperor gave one to Ang Lee's family. The rest of the ministers could only eat a pitiful fish. The difference in treatment was not ordinary. So, how could these fellows not be surprised?
Looking at the large grouper in front of him that hadn't eaten yet, Ang Lee didn't know what to do. The Emperor didn't even take a bite and gave it to his family. Each of the ministers was given a very small piece. So, if Ang Lee didn't care and ate heartily, it would seem inappropriate.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward. Then this grouper in front of me will be shared with the ministers!"
Ang Lee said.
"My dear minister, don't worry about them. This special grouper is a reward for my dear minister. Today's celebration banquet is also held for my dear minister. It's getting cold. Let's eat! If you can't finish it, bring it back. "
Li Longji said with certainty.
This statement made Ang Lee very happy. At the same time, it also made the ministers present more surprised. They all looked at each other and even smiled helplessly and shook their heads, but no one was really unhappy. They all knew that Ang Lee's importance to the Tang Empire was not something they could compare with. The huge Tang Empire could do without any of the ministers, but the Tang Empire couldn't do without Ang Lee, an important talent. Otherwise, all the convenient items they used now would not exist.
Moreover, in the future, there would not be more and better items. Although the R&D Center had been established, only Ang Lee could make it work normally. As long as Ang Lee was not in the R&D Center, the R&D Center would exist in name only. These talents who had no systematic knowledge could at most make improvements on the existing foundation. Only Ang Lee could creatively invent many incredible items to make the Tang Empire more convenient.
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