prosperous age

Chapter 835 Chapter 924 Questions and Strategies

The capital of the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City, and Ciqing Palace.

Tonight, Queen Chen invited Concubine Li to dine with the young emperor Zhu Yijun and King Lu Zhu Yiliu. I wonder if it was because of the fright she received today.

However, the emperor was young, and his brother, King Lu Zhu Yiliu, was even younger. He was only two years old this year, so naturally he could not go to the table and was only held by the eunuch to stand aside.

Empress Chen was very kind to Emperor Longqing's other concubines, but she was completely different about Concubine Li who could leave a bloodline to the emperor, not to mention that Concubine Li was once her personal maid.

If not for this relationship, Emperor Longqing, who was still King Yu, would not have succeeded.

One drink and one peck, I'm afraid it's destiny.

Among Emperor Longqing's sons, only two of Concubine Li's princes grew up safely, while the other two died in infancy.

This can be regarded as a family banquet for the royal family. Although there are not many people, it is quite enjoyable.

Food is the most important thing for the people, and the Chinese nation has made profound research on food since ancient times.

During the Ming Dynasty, emperors represented by the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang also had their own characteristics and preferences in diet.

The cuisine of the Ming Dynasty was mainly based on Anhui flavor. The ancestral home of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang was Anhui, so many delicacies were also based on Anhui flavor.

During the Ming Dynasty, the staple food was mainly bounded by the Huaihe River. Rice was the main food to the south of the Huaihe River, and steamed buns and flatbreads were the main food to the north of the Huaihe River.

Anhui's terrain is relatively special, and its unique geographical environment has produced many unique delicacies.

The early Ming Dynasty was frugal but had no shortage of meat dishes. The new regime had just been established. At this time, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang mainly ate simple meals. Vegetarian dishes that often appeared on the dinner table included dandelions, sorghum cakes, millet cakes, beans, etc.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang advocated frugality, meat dishes were still indispensable, such as braised pig's trotters, stir-fried prawns, boiled fish, etc. These meat dishes also often appeared on the dinner table.

In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, cooking techniques became more complex. At this time, the Ming emperor's diet had been significantly improved. Chicken, duck, and fish must appear on the emperor's table almost every day.

As the treasury was full, the emperor's taste was no longer limited to steaming, cooking, stir-frying and stewing, so he introduced a large number of outstanding private chefs to produce exquisite and delicious dishes.

Each dish is processed and cooked with unique techniques, which not only retains the freshness of the original ingredients, but also gives full play to the chef's strengths and meets the emperor's needs.

Many ingredients are made by frying, grilling and other methods, and are blended with a large number of spices, such as tiger skin meat, Langya crisp candy, roast goose, etc.

Although these foods are similar to today's junk food, they have become the favorites of the Ming Dynasty emperors, and many ministers and eunuchs also followed suit and became "foodies" of the Ming Dynasty.

"Nanjing Guanglu Temple Chronicles" records the meals of several emperors in the early Ming Dynasty, from Zhu Yuanzhang to Zhu Di, all have detailed records.

Of course, each emperor had different food preferences. For example, Emperor Yongle liked to eat anchovies and "expressed" them to Beijing from Nanjing; Emperor Longqing liked to eat donkey intestines, but Emperor Chongzhen, who was said to be pursuing "frugality", preferred Eat bird's nest.

Anchovy is distributed in the East China Sea and South China Sea in my country. It is a migratory fish. It migrates to freshwater rivers in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces from April to June every year to spawn and reproduce, and returns to the sea after spawning.

Guo Pu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty wrote in "Erya Commentary": "Gan is a kind of fish in the sea. It is like a bream with large scales, plump and fishy."

Here "馦" and "Dangshao" both refer to anchovy, and "鲲" refers to fish bones. This sentence shows that anchovies have a plump belly. Although the body is spiny, the meat is delicious.

In order to satisfy his appetite, Emperor Yongle decided to build an anchovy factory in Nanjing after moving the capital to Beijing, which was an "express" station for anchovies to "express" anchovies to Beijing.

In the early Ming Dynasty, the shad factory was managed by Nanjing garrison eunuchs, who were responsible for the salvage and transportation of shad.

Since anchovies die soon after they emerge from the Yangtze River, and Nanjing and Beijing are more than a thousand miles apart and shipping takes more than a month, effective preservation measures for anchovies are extremely important.

When it came to the little emperor Zhu Yijun, he seemed to have returned to his ancestor's preferences. The little emperor also showed a liking for anchovies, instead of eating donkey intestines like his father.

As a result, Nanjing began to pay tribute to the capital in the past two years.

Today happened to be the day when the first batch of shad caught in April arrived in Beijing, so they were naturally placed in front of the little emperor Zhu Yijun.

"Your Majesty, eat slowly, be careful of the thorns."

Anchovies are delicious but have a lot of spines, so you have to be careful when eating them, otherwise you may get stung easily.

Later, Zhang Ailing said in the essay "A Nightmare in the Red Mansions" that she had three major hatreds in life: "First, I hate that begonias have no fragrance, second, I hate that shad have bones, and third, I hate that Red Mansions is not finished."

So when Queen Chen saw little Zhu Yijun eating fish and monkeys in a hurry, she hurriedly warned her.

Although Concubine Li is Zhu Yijun's biological mother, in this era, the eldest mother is the most important, so she cannot have other thoughts and can only watch happily from the side.

After all, her son had been favored by his aunt for more than a day or two. When she first gave birth to the child, Princess Chen doted on the child, and she had long been used to it.

I could only thank the Bodhisattvas and gods quietly in my heart. At that time, I hoped that Princess Chen would not give birth to a son, so that her son's status in the princess's heart would not be shaken.

Now he has got his wish, and his son has ascended to the top of the Ninth Five-Year Plan.

For the sake of my son, this is nothing.

"My dear, Eunuch Feng is outside asking to see you."

At this time, the maid from Ciqing Palace came in to report.

"What's the matter? Did you tell me?"

Empress Chen was annoyed when she saw Feng Bao. She was really frightened by his words and really didn't want to see this person.

"I don't know. I didn't say anything. He looked very anxious."

The palace maid replied.

Queen Chen and Concubine Li looked at each other and knew something must have happened, so they had no choice but to let him in.

"Mother, it's not good, it's not good."

As soon as he entered the palace, Feng Bao shouted without any discernment.

"What's the matter? You're whining like this."

Concubine Li said angrily.

After being reminded by Concubine Li, Feng Bao felt rude and hurriedly paid a visit to Empress Chen. After meeting with the Emperor and Concubine Li, he said: "I just received the news that Mr. Zhang Ge fell ill on the way back to Beijing."

"What's wrong with him?"

When she heard that Zhang Juzheng was ill, Queen Chen became anxious. Before she could speak, she heard Concubine Li next to her asking first.

Now Zhang Juzheng is not ill. If Gao Gong has second thoughts, how can they stabilize the outer court without Zhang Juzheng.

"I don't know yet, but a doctor has already looked at it and heard that it might be heatstroke.

Mr. Zhang Ge has been patrolling around the Zhaoling construction site these days. It is so hot today, so I think it is very possible. "

Feng Bao said.

Heat stroke is not a small problem. Generally, it is uncomfortable to feel chest tightness and shortness of breath. But when it reaches the point of fainting, it is a serious problem and at least requires a period of recovery.

"Where is Master Zhang? Have you returned to the capital?"

The little emperor Zhu Yijun asked at this moment, "Let the imperial doctor from the Taiyuan Hospital take a look at it and treat it carefully."

"After Mr. Zhang Ge fell ill, he was put on a carriage and went into the city back to Zhang's mansion. I immediately went to send the imperial doctor over for diagnosis and treatment."

Feng Bao stood up in a hurry and was about to go out to deliver the order.

Well, what the little emperor said is the will, otherwise it is said that the ancient emperors spoke of the Constitution of Heaven.

If you say it, it will be transmitted.

"Wait a minute, you will also report the situation in the mansion over there later. I want to know if there is another banquet there tonight, and who is being hosted?"

Queen Chen suddenly stopped Feng Bao and gave instructions.

"Yes, in honor of your Majesty's decree, I will ask you now."

Feng Bao replied hurriedly. After Feng Bao went out, Queen Chen stopped the little emperor Zhu Yijun, who was in a daze, and told him to continue eating.

The little emperor didn't know anything at this time, so he quickly transferred his energy to the sumptuous meal on the table, while Empress Chen and Concubine Li were a little uninterested and no longer in the mood to enjoy the delicious meal.

Feng Bao left Ciqing Palace and sent someone to the Imperial Hospital to find the imperial doctor, while he waited outside the palace gate.

After they arrived, they went to visit Zhang Juzheng's mansion together.

Yes, he wanted to visit Zhang Juzheng in person and ask what to do next, so that the two nobles in the palace could make up their minds to get rid of Gao Gong.

After all, women are somewhat hesitant in doing things.

After Gao Gong's repeated attacks, Feng Bao was determined to fight Gao Gong to death, and now Queen Chen was also dissatisfied with Gao Gong, which seemed to be an opportunity.

Of course, he didn't forget to inquire about the current situation in Gao Gong's house.

Dongchang does not have a special espionage system, and relies on the intelligence personnel stationed in various mansions by Jin Yiwei to spy on secrets.

However, it didn't matter. After all, it was news that the nobles in the palace wanted to inquire about, so they informed Xu Jue directly and asked him to use the Queen's name to mobilize the Jin Yiwei people to investigate.

Sitting on the carriage heading to Zhang's Mansion, Feng Bao was still thinking about this.

It would be best if Gao Gong could say something treacherous again tonight. After spying on the news through the Jin Yiwei, he reported it to the palace himself, and soon everything was done.

No matter how much the Empress cares about her old minister, she will never condone the traitor Gao Gong and continue to sit on the throne of chief minister.

At this time, in Gao Gong's mansion, Gao Gong was also making arrangements for his confidants: "Tomorrow morning, Liu Ke Yanguan will try his best to go to Huangji Gate. This matter cannot be stopped until Feng Bao is punished in the palace. .

If the palace still has not made a decision tomorrow, then I will mobilize more people in the court to report the matter and put pressure on both sides. I am not afraid that the empress will not agree."

In Gao Gong's view, forcing the palace to punish the eunuchs might make Empress Chen dissatisfied, but he also had to take action when the arrow was ready.

He had already offended the eunuch, and the eunuch was known to retaliate, so Feng Bao had to be killed at once, otherwise there would be endless troubles.

In the palace, the officials from Liu Ke Lang went to force the palace to force Empress Chen to give in, while she mobilized officials from outside the court to respond, and cooperated internally and externally, so there was no need to worry about the failure of the major event.

In the hall, Gao Gongzhi was so proud that he let his disciples drink happily.

In his opinion, although the palace did not issue an order to punish Feng Bao today, Queen Chen had been frightened by the officials and it was only a matter of time before she agreed to the conditions.

But what he didn't know was that standing outside the hall, an inconspicuous boy was pretending to be nonchalant, listening carefully to the conversation inside, and keeping these words in his heart.

"Mr. Ge suffered a mild heatstroke because the weather was sultry and he inspected the construction site under the scorching sun.

Fainting is actually caused by overexertion.

If it hadn't been for this trip, it would have only accumulated in the body, waiting for it to explode, which would not be a good thing.

Speaking of which, Mr. Zhang Ge was a blessing in disguise this time. As long as he takes good care of himself for some time, his body will recover and he will become healthier. "

Outside Zhang Juzheng's bedroom, the imperial doctor was telling the Zhang family and Feng Bao about the pulse diagnosis.

"Because I am busy with government affairs, I already have hidden illnesses. I have been running around the construction site for days. I also had a slight heat stroke, so I fainted. As long as I rest for a few days, I will be fine."

Feng Bao repeated it again according to his own understanding.

This is to report back to the palace and avoid mistakes.

"That's it. Mr. Zhang Ge only needs to rest. If he takes the prescription I wrote, he will be fine."

The imperial doctor twirled his beard and smiled.

"Butler You, ask someone to get some medicine."

Feng Bao said to the steward of the Zhang family who was accompanying him.

"Is it okay if I go in and have a few words with Mr. Zhang Ge?"

Feng Bao asked the imperial doctor again.

"It shouldn't take too long."

The imperial doctor nodded and replied.

After receiving the letter, Feng Bao naturally stepped into Zhang Juzheng's room.

At first, Feng Bao really didn't dare to set foot there without being diagnosed and treated by an imperial doctor. He was also worried that Zhang Juzheng might have contracted something unclean from Zhaoling, and that he would also get it if he went in there.

"Mr. Ge, are you feeling better?"

Feng Bao came to Zhang Juzheng's bed and called softly.

Zhang Juzheng was resting with his eyes slightly closed, but when he heard the voice of a male duck, he opened his eyes and saw that it was Feng Bao.

He knew that Feng Baolai had come to the house, and the imperial doctors had come out, so he smiled and said, "It's okay to worry about it. It's not in the way."

"The empress knew that Mr. Ge was ill and was anxious, so she asked the Za family to come and see Mr. Ge."

Feng Bao smiled.

"Thank you for your trouble, please Eunuch Feng. Please return to the palace to report. I'm in good health. I just need to rest for a few days."

Zhang Juzheng hurriedly expressed that he was fine.

After a while of greetings, Feng Bao also explained his intention.

"Mr. Zhang Ge, must you know what happened at Huangjimen today? Gao Gong showed no mercy to the Za family. Please teach me, sir."

"Haha, what did Eunuch Feng say to the nobles in the palace?"

Although Zhang Juzheng still felt uncomfortable in his chest, he still cheered up and asked.

"When Xu Jue brought your husband back the day before yesterday, the Za family seemed to understand what he meant."

At this time, Feng Bao suddenly changed his address to Zhang Juzheng from Mr. Ge to Mr. to show his respect for him.

"After what happened outside Huangji Gate today, I think I am convinced."

Zhang Juzheng forced a smile and asked.

"Queen Chen still has some concerns, but Concubine Li has already approved it."

Feng Bao replied.

"Your Majesty doesn't know?"

Zhang Juzheng frowned when he heard this.

"His Majesty was not here at the time."

"Your Majesty must know about this."

Zhang Juzheng thought about it and said, "Although His Majesty has ascended the throne, he is still young after all, so he should be very scared.

Since His Majesty is worried, I think the two empresses do not want to see His Majesty having trouble sleeping and eating. "

Having said this, Zhang Juzheng looked up at Feng Bao again and said: "Since the palace has agreed to consider this matter today, I think tomorrow Gao Gong will ask the Liuke Yanguan to go to Huangjimen to ask for the results, and even launch an external court. Hundreds of officials participated, making the momentum even greater.

Among them, it cannot be the spontaneous formation of hundreds of officials, there must be a series of connections."

Feng Bao left Zhang Juzheng's house without staying in Zhang Juzheng's house for too long, and hurried back to the palace to recover.

(End of this chapter)