blogombal Page 423
Page 423
Chapter 497 A Feast That Conferred Godhood—Huang Rong, the Goddess of Food
"Master!"
Her soft, sweet cries, and her beautiful face, radiant with a rosy glow, were breathtakingly beautiful.
Having transformed from a young girl into a woman, Li Qinglu, nestled in Zhang Xiaoshan's heart, was filled with happiness; at least for this moment, she was happy.
"Get up, you lazybones!"
Before Li Qinglu could even gasp, Zhang Xiaoshan had already picked up the petite Li Qinglu.
At this moment, Hongxiao and Jiangxue came in to help Zhang Xiaoshan and Li Qinglu wash up and get dressed.
This morning, Li Qinglu had to serve tea to Huang Rong, the eldest daughter-in-law, even though she was a princess. Then she went to the Zhang residence to serve tea to Zhang Yuan!
After learning the process, Li Qinglu didn't delay any longer.
As for Manager Feng, she was already a big sister, and even Huang Rong wouldn't dare to drink the tea offered by her.
After completing the entire process, Zhang Xiaoshan and Li Qinglu had lunch at the Zhang residence before returning to their villa.
As for Li Qinglu's maid?
Zhang Xiaoshan then placed him in the reception building as a supervisor.
After all, the courtyard was full of Zhang family women, and even the maids were top-notch martial arts geniuses.
Although he is old, it's not too late for the Zhang family's resources and the profound mysteries of the Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter.
Moreover, these maids were all servants who had grown up in the palace.
Even the Western Xia court had its own court etiquette, making the person in charge the most suitable, and the salary started at ten taels of silver.
"Alright, Qinglu, next I will teach you a set of Nine Yin Divine Skill."
This martial art originally had twelve levels. I will teach you nine levels first. Mastering the ninth level is the ultimate realm, and the tenth level is the Grandmaster realm. But we'll talk about those when you reach the ninth level.
Moreover, yours is not excellent, so it requires a lot of resources.
I will arrange some treasures to enhance your cultivation and accelerate your progress, so you can pass the time by cultivating.
"Thank you, husband!"
Upon hearing this, Princess Yinchuan couldn't help but show a hint of emotion.
Moreover, he was even more shocked by the unfathomable depth of the Nine Yin Divine Skill. The ninth level was the peerless realm, the tenth level was the grandmaster realm, and there were two unknown realms above that.
While Zhang Xiaoshan was passing on his skills, people outside started discussing it.
They were even more shocked when they learned that Zhang Xiaoshan had married a princess of Western Xia.
Even though the Western Xia dynasty was coming to an end, she was still a princess of a nation. Her marriage was so sudden and incredibly low-key.
Many aristocratic families believed this to be a marriage alliance between the Western Xia royal family and the Western Xia.
Although Zhang Xiaoshan's actions in the Liao Dynasty were ostensibly the work of the Western Xia, those with some inside information knew that it was Zhang Xiaoshan's doing.
If Zhang Xiaoshan were to launch such an attack on Western Xia, Western Xia would definitely perish.
Another highlight was the lavish feast prepared by the Zhang family at their family banquet – the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces!
The marriage of Zhang Xiaoshan to Princess Yinchuan undoubtedly carries even greater significance.
As for the price, the Great Harmony Banquet of Kyushu requires a thousand gold coins to reserve, which immediately deterred many curious people.
However, more than a dozen tables were booked that noon.
After all, this is the capital city, and it is not lacking in wealthy families. They are also curious about the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces.
A unified China?
This name is anything but arrogant.
···
"This humble subject greets Your Majesty, Princess, and all esteemed officials!"
Although Emperor Wu was traveling incognito, Princess Taiping did not conceal her identity. In addition, with the peerless master Juexin by Zhang Yuan's side, Emperor Wu's identity was exposed as soon as he entered the grand restaurant.
Shangguan Wan'er, Prime Minister Di Gong, and high-ranking members of the Wu clan who accompanied the group all returned the greeting.
The Zhang family may seem like insignificant merchants, but the higher up you go, the more you know how terrifying they are.
In the Wu Tang Dynasty, where powerful families abound, the Zhang family is definitely among the top three, not even counting the Zhang family's hidden strength.
And no one dared to underestimate this seemingly kind, fat man.
"You're too kind, Patriarch Zhang. Tonight, we're just here to sample the Zhang family's latest offering, the Great Harmony of the Nine Provinces. Are you ready, Patriarch Zhang?"
"The Zhang family will certainly not neglect the reserved banquet, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Yuan personally led everyone to the top floor, while introducing the ingredients for the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces.
In terms of ingredients, the bear paws from Changbai Mountain, a one-pound abalone from the East China Sea, and mushrooms from the deep mountains of Miao territory are all the finest ingredients from all over Kyushu.
If the Zhang family wants to create the ultimate Kyushu Grand Feast, they naturally need to use ingredients from all over Kyushu.
Even Emperor Wu couldn't help but nod. The ingredients alone for this Great Feast of the Nine Provinces were truly worthy of its reputation.
"If His Majesty is coming, the princess should let him know next time."
This Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces is just a small banquet. Last time, the Zhang family prepared a grand banquet, a true feast prepared for the imperial court.
"Oh, what is a grand banquet?"
Even Emperor Wu and the others looked at Zhang Yuan with curiosity, not expecting that the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces would have different levels of importance.
"The small banquet uses ingredients from all over Kyushu, while the grand banquet uses ingredients from the ends of the earth."
There are abalone weighing three pounds and lobsters weighing ten pounds from the South China Sea; crabs weighing ten pounds and bear paws measuring fourteen or fifteen feet long from the North Sea; black-boned chickens from the South Seas, morel mushrooms from the West, and top-quality beef from the grasslands…
Hiss...
Upon hearing Zhang Yuan's introduction, even Emperor Wu was somewhat incredulous.
For no other reason than the ingredients themselves, most of them had never heard of them, and those who had heard of them were not cheap products.
Moreover, the Zhang family's ability to gather ingredients from all corners of the world goes far beyond the scope of the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces. It is no longer just about eating, but about status and position!
"Oh, how long will it take to prepare for this grand banquet?"
Emperor Wu looked at Zhang Yuan, his eyes gleaming.
At this moment, Emperor Wu was also curious: Did these things really exist?
"Three days!"
"Very well, three days from now, the Imperial Guards will announce the banquet. I will personally taste this Grand Feast of the Nine Provinces!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Yuan couldn't help but smile slightly. It was done.
How to maximize the profits of those local specialties, create a unique Zhang Family Empire Building, and firmly occupy a place in Kyushu.
The Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces was Zhang Xiaoshan's scheme.
The unification of the nine provinces held profound significance for emperors.
Moreover, the difference between the Grand Banquet of the Nine Provinces and the Small Banquet of the Nine Provinces is even more likely to arouse the curiosity of most people.
In addition, Zhang Xiaoshan divided the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces into—
A full banquet consists of 108 dishes, a ceremonial banquet consists of 36 dishes, and a small banquet consists of 18 or 12 dishes.
A grand banquet is naturally a large-scale event, a gathering of top aristocratic families or royalty; while ceremonial banquets are divided into four types—the Qionglin Banquet, the Martial Arts Banquet, the Wedding Banquet, and the Birthday Banquet; smaller banquets are for gatherings of ordinary friends, such as a private meeting and chat among a few officials, or a gathering of scions of noble families…
As the grand banquet began, everyone was amazed by the sumptuous feast before them.
As expected, the Zhang family is still the same Zhang family.
"What a wonderful feast! How did Patriarch Zhang come up with such a brilliant idea?"
The grand banquets in the palace were not fixed, after all, due to the changing seasons and the distance traveled. Many delicacies were only tasted by Emperor Wu after the Zhang family arrived.
"The son is full of clever ideas, and his wife Rong'er is a master chef."
The two of them worked together, drawing on the essence of hundreds of culinary traditions, to create these 108 famous dishes!
"Is it?"
Upon hearing that this cuisine was actually created by Huang Rong, even Emperor Wu couldn't help but recall her title of "God of Cookery".
However, due to his special status, not many people knew about him in the past; only the gourmets of Jiangnan and some well-informed families in the capital knew.
With this grand banquet of the Great Harmony of the Nine Provinces, the title of God of Food has been fully established.
"I heard that Young Master Zhang married Princess Yinchuan of Western Xia yesterday. I haven't congratulated Princess Zhang yet, Wan'er!"
Upon hearing Emperor Wu's instructions, Shangguan Wan'er quickly produced a gift, which turned out to be a pair of top-quality dragon and phoenix jade pendants.
Approaching the level of a spiritual jade, and crafted by a master craftsman, a pair would be worth a fortune.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Yuan solemnly accepted the jade disc. He knew that Zhang Xiaoshan didn't think much of it, but he would give one to his grandson. It would be even better if he could also give one to his granddaughter.
"In fact, calling it a marriage alliance is less accurate than calling it entrusting an orphan to someone else."
My son said that the Empress Dowager of Western Xia was a highly accomplished Taoist master who was nearly a hundred years old and whose time was drawing to a close.
Given the recent situation in Western Xia, Princess Yinchuan will lose her support regardless of whether her country is destroyed or her ancestors are nearing their end. Therefore, Princess Yinchuan is entrusted to my son.
His Majesty is aware of the grave mistake my son has made and feels remorseful, therefore he did not refuse.
Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised to find that there was such a twist in the story.
The fact that the Western Xia Empress Dowager was a hundred-year-old Taoist master was particularly unbelievable to everyone.
However, Princess Taiping curled her lip. Entrusting the orphan?
This is like sending a lamb to the slaughter!
"I see. Young Master Zhang, you must not neglect Princess Yinchuan."
"I wouldn't dare! (Good Li Hao)"
The feast was so lavish that even Emperor Wu, after tasting each dish, couldn't help but nod in approval.
I wonder how the God of Cookery will fare?
But even for this one grand feast, the culinary skills were absolutely no less than those of the imperial chefs in her palace.
Moreover, the selection of ingredients was exquisite, more than enough for a royal New Year's Eve banquet, not to mention the grand banquet of the Nine Provinces, which Emperor Wu was even more looking forward to.
On the third day, without the Zhang family's promotion, Emperor Wu's praise for the Nine Provinces Feast spread throughout the entire capital.
Those who booked the banquet were all wealthy and influential, and the event received overwhelmingly positive reviews.
In an instant, the news of the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces spread throughout the entire Nine Provinces at the speed of a hurricane.
In particular, there is a distinction between grand banquets and small banquets. A grand banquet is worth tens of thousands of gold coins, and only three banquets can be booked per month. The lowest social status required is that of a powerful family.
This setting directly elevates the Empire State Building's status to the highest level.
Even for a small banquet, ordering a full banquet requires an extremely high status; it must be at least a grand gathering of a prominent family to be able to order the Kyushu Datong (Small) Banquet at the Empire State Building.
Huang Rong, who refined and created the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces, was even deified in one fell swoop—
God of Cookery!
Although many people knew that Huang Rong was an excellent cook, given her status, who else, except for acquaintances visiting her, was qualified to eat at this banquet?
Now, the Great Harmony Banquet of the Nine Provinces is famous throughout the Nine Provinces. As its representative work, it can naturally be considered a legendary banquet.
Chapter 498 Gathering of Heroes: The Divine Capital Food God Competition
"The Grand Feast of the Nine Provinces!"
Zhao Gao, is the news true?
In the Forbidden Palace of the Later Zhou Empire, Qin Shi Huang, one of the supreme rulers of the land, stared at Zhao Gao below with eyes as sharp as swords.
"Your Majesty, the grand banquet has indeed been confirmed as true!"
Most of the ingredients are found nowhere in Kyushu: crabs the size of a washbasin, abalone the size of a plate, four-foot-long red prawns... as well as black-boned chickens from near India, morel mushrooms and caviar from Persia, and giant tuna from the East China Sea...