Zhangsun Wugou knew that there was beef in the residence, so she did not say anything. She nodded and said, "Sure, you can make the arrangements."
Du Qi asked someone to pack the rice, chicken soup, and beef. Then, he handed them to Zhangsun Wugou and said, "Take care, Princess!"
Zhangsun Wugou left with the food box and went straight to Li Shimin's study. Li Shimin was a workaholic. Sometimes, when he was busy, he would even forget about lunch and ignore the servants who reminded him to eat. Therefore, Zhangsun Wugou would often go and urge him.
When Zhangsun Wugou arrived, Li Shimin was still dealing with government affairs.
Many of them were local affairs.
Some were major issues that were debated in the court.
The world had just been settled, and there were many things waiting to be done. Although many things in the Tang dynasty followed the Sui dynasty, the world was different now. But now, the world was different, so some adjustments had to be made. This was something that was controversial and needed to be dealt with.
Zhangsun Wugou entered with the food box and took out the beef with dried bamboo shoots, chicken soup, and rice. The moment the dishes were taken out, a rich aroma filled the air.
Li Shimin was focused on dealing with matters.
Now, he came back to his senses.
He looked up and saw Zhangsun Wugou. He smiled and said, "Guanyin Maid, why are you here?"
Guanyin Maid was Zhangsun Wugou's nickname.
Zhangsun Wugou looked at Li Shimin and said, "Your Highness, even if you're busy, you still have to eat. There's a bowl of mushroom chicken soup and a portion of beef with dried bamboo shoots. They were all made by Erlang. You haven't eaten yet, so eat! "
"I'll eat now, I'll eat now!"
Li Shimin picked up the bowl and chopsticks and said with a smile, "You don't say, I'm really hungry."
He smelled the fragrance and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. His stomach was also growling. The dishes made by Du Qi tasted really good and made his mouth salivate.
Li Shimin ate a piece of beef. The taste was rich and not dry at all. Instead, it felt smooth and soft.
Li Shimin was intoxicated by the taste.
Li Shimin ate a mouthful of rice and said with emotion, "Guanyin Maid, this Erlang does business and makes money. He has the ability to turn stone into gold. I didn't expect his culinary skills to be so outstanding. He had eaten beef before, but it had never tasted so good. It was really delicious! Unfortunately, we can only eat some when we encounter sick cows or dead cows. "
Zhangsun Wugou said, "Your Highness, plowing cattle is an important matter for the country, and it concerns the people's livelihood. As for this concubine, our Duke of Qin's Mansion can eat beef all year round. "
Li Shimin immediately laughed and said, "Guanyin servant is right. I have indulged in the desire for good food."
As he spoke, he picked up another piece of dried bamboo shoot.
The taste of the dried bamboo shoots was very crisp, and there wasn't the slightest bit of bitterness in the mouth.
With the rich taste of beef, the dried bamboo shoots were not only fragrant, but also filled with the taste of beef. The two complemented each other and complemented each other. It was a perfect match.
Li Shimin sighed with emotion again, "In the past, the Mansion's kitchen also used dried bamboo shoots to cook. However, this taste is truly a world of difference. The disparity between the two is simply too great. "
Zhangsun Wugou smiled and said, "My husband is filled with many emotions today!"
Li Shimin said, "Ah, it seems so."
He shook his head and scooped up a mouthful of chicken soup with a spoon. With the smell of shiitake mushrooms, the chicken soup was even more delicious. As the mouthful of chicken soup entered his mouth, Li Shimin drank a few more mouthfuls.
He stopped talking and ate in big mouthfuls.
The bowl of rice was quickly emptied.
As for the soup of the beef with dried bamboo shoots, it was all soaked in rice by Li Shimin. In the end, after a few more mouthfuls of chicken soup, Li Shimin was already leaning lazily on the stool. He sighed with emotion, "If there is such delicious food every day, I'm afraid that in less than a month, I will grow fat all over my body. Such delicious food is really hard to find. Erlang's culinary skills are unparalleled in the world. "
Zhangsun Wugou smiled and said, "My husband is so busy, how can you have time to grow fat? Since my husband likes it, after tonight's banquet, I will arrange for the chef to go to the Du Family and ask Erlang to teach him culinary skills. "
Li Shimin said, "That's how it should be!"
His eyes revealed a look of anticipation. The current Li Shimin was looking forward to tonight's banquet even more.
Thinking of this, Li Shimin asked, "Maid Guanyin went to the kitchen. How is the kitchen doing now? Erlang is in charge of tonight's banquet. I'm a little curious about how the preparations are going. "
Zhangsun Wugou said, "My husband, the kitchen is full of fragrances now. All kinds of fragrances are assailing our nostrils. It is indeed not simple. Tonight's banquet will definitely amaze everyone in the Duke of Qin's Mansion. "
"Hahaha …"
Li Shimin laughed and said, "That's true."
Zhangsun Wugou's beautiful face revealed a look of curiosity. She said, "I'm a little curious. Erlang is Du Keming's son. Why is he in charge of the banquet in the Duke of Qin's Mansion's kitchen? Could it be that this was arranged by her husband? If it's my husband's arrangement, then this is very inappropriate. After all, Erlang is Du Keming's son. In any case, he is the young master of the Du Family. This may hurt the Du Family's reputation. "
Li Shimin said, "Maid Guanyin, you are overthinking."
Zhangsun Wugou said, "Then, what is going on?"
Li Shimin smiled and explained, "This is actually Erlang's own recommendation. He came to the Duke of Qin's Mansion himself to be in charge of tonight's banquet."
Zhangsun Wugou said, "Really?"
Li Shimin said, "Of course."
After Zhangsun Wugou heard this, she paused for a moment and then said, "I've heard that Du Keming is extremely strict with his sons. Will Du Keming agree to this Erlang coming to the Duke of Qin's Mansion to be a chef? "
Li Shimin explained, "The current Erlang is no longer the honest Erlang of the past. Ever since this kid fell into the water and fainted, he seemed to be a different person when he woke up. He is very slippery, but he is indeed talented. At his age, no one in the younger generation can compare to him. Moreover, although Du Keming is strict with his sons, I'm afraid he can't control Erlang now. "
After a pause, Li Shimin continued, "However, Maid Guanyin, don't think that Erlang is some kind person. This kid is very cunning. He won't come to the temple for no reason. Now that he is hosting tonight's banquet on behalf of this Prince, there are conditions. "
Zhangsun Wugou said, "What conditions?"
Li Shimin said, "This time, Erlang extorted five words from this Prince — The Best Dish in the World. Now, he is preparing to open a restaurant, so he extorted five words to have tonight's banquet. You may think that he is a kind person, but this kid is not. "
Zhangsun Wugou laughed and said, "I didn't expect Erlang to be so unscrupulous at such a young age."
Li Shimin's expression became serious, which was rare. He said, "It is not appropriate to say that Erlang is unscrupulous. This is because this Best Dish in the World restaurant that he is about to open will recruit a large number of retired soldiers, so that these soldiers will have something to do. Just this point alone, countless businessmen in the world cannot compare to Erlang. "
Zhangsun Wugou said, "Now that my husband has said this, my impression of Erlang has become a little vague. This kid is really not a simple person. After listening to your words, I feel that this kid is not like a twelve or thirteen year old kid, but a scheming and astute person. "
Li Shimin smiled and said, "As I said, he is a little fox."
Zhangsun Wugou said, "It is precisely this kind of person that can escape from His Majesty's questioning. I remember that last month, my husband said that Erlang was summoned into the palace by His Majesty. My husband was also summoned and was almost questioned. However, because of Erlang's words, His Majesty did not punish the Du father and son, nor did he punish my husband. Instead, he asked Yin Changqing to come and offer a humble apology. "
Li Shimin said, "That is indeed the case!"
Zhangsun Wugou changed the topic and spoke with Li Shimin for a while, then said, "My husband still has government affairs to deal with, so I will not disturb you any longer."
Li Shimin nodded and also collected his thoughts.
After Zhangsun Wugou left, Li Shimin thought of Du Qi and shook his head with a smile. He then buried his head and continued to deal with government affairs. To Li Shimin, he liked good food, but he would not delay the government affairs in his hands.
Time passed by little by little.
In the evening, when it was close to Youshi, Li Shimin was no longer dealing with government affairs. He returned to the backyard and changed into a casual robe, then chatted with Zhangsun Wugou in the backyard.
Night came and the banquet was about to begin. Therefore, Li Shimin was waiting for the people who came. When a servant came to report that Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Zhangsun Wuji had come together, Li Shimin left the backyard and went to the front hall.
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