Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 33 Dining out

Zhang Xiao didn't know yet that he was being targeted again. At this time, he was still discussing business matters with Shopkeeper Ding.

"Shopkeeper Ding, although this illustration costs money, it definitely can't save money, especially the Aztec costumes, the Franco costumes, the weapons inside, the appliances inside, and the Aztec costumes. Everyone must want to see what a pyramid that defeats people looks like," Zhang Xiao said.

"How many pictures do you need to draw?" Shopkeeper Ding said a little distressed.

"You don't have to draw a lot of pictures, but you must draw a few classic pictures." Zhang Xiao insisted.

"This painting is easy to talk about, but I really don't understand the artistic conception you are talking about, Mr. Zhang. Our illustrators usually just draw characters in books. Now you want to draw pyramids. Where can I find such a good painter for you?" "Seriously, why don't Mr. Zhang find it himself? Since ancient times, calligraphy and painting have not been divided into different families. With so many great talents in the Hanlin Academy, there must be someone who can draw." Shopkeeper Ding said.

"Okay, but if I ask my colleagues to paint, the cost is hard to say." Zhang Xiao took a shot. He had already thought about who he wanted to invite, but he didn't know if he could invite him.

"If you can hire Mr. Hanlin to paint, I will accept the price." Shopkeeper Ding said proudly.

"Okay, then you need to prepare the tools and personnel first, especially find a carver with good enough skills, otherwise the painting will be good but the carving will be bad," Zhang Xiao reminded.

"Of course, Mr. Zhang, if you are free today, Ding would like to treat you to a restaurant. I feel ashamed to say that I have known Mr. Zhang for so long, but I have not treated Mr. Zhang to a meal." Shopkeeper Ding sent a message to Zhang Xiao invite.

"I'm free these days. Since shopkeeper Ding sincerely invites me, Zhang will definitely go." Zhang Xiao agreed.

"How about we stay at Juxianzhai now? It's not far from the store." Shopkeeper Ding suggested.

"Okay, then I'll ask Shopkeeper Ding to lead the way." Zhang Xiao responded.

The restaurant is filled with mist, exuding the alluring aroma of mutton.

"Mr. Zhang, although this shop doesn't look that spectacular in appearance, it can be considered a time-honored brand in the capital. The mutton inside is all freshly slaughtered from high-quality sheep. The mutton hot pot is also warm to eat. The other wines and dishes in their shop are also good." Shopkeeper Ding said.

"Okay, then I'll take a bite. Well, yes, it will taste more exciting if there are chili peppers as seasoning." Zhang Xiao praised.

"When I saw those animals and plants in "The Conquest of Mexico", I just imagined what these things looked like in my head. I really don't know what they taste like," Shopkeeper Ding said.

"It's okay, Shopkeeper Ding, you will see the true appearance of these things." Zhang Xiao said.

The two of them were eating happily when they saw a noise downstairs. "Dear guests, today it is Mr. Sun who continues to tell the story of the Buddhist expedition to the west. Everyone listens well and cheers. May you be promoted and prosperous."

Before the words were spoken, a storyteller stood in front of the table and began to tell.

"Continuing from the previous chapter. But Koch heard that there was a huge city in the American continent, and it was full of gold. He wanted to explore the path, and he had to pass through the territory of the Tlaxcans. The Tlaxcans were Aztecs. The people had been oppressed for a long time and were driven into the mountains by the Aztecs. Not only could they not eat fish or meat, but they could even eat salt. This was a life-and-death feud with the Aztecs. Koch wanted to borrow from the Tlaxcans. Although the chief of Tlaxcala did not agree to the human realm, he thought that the Francois were going to unite with the Aztecs, so he set up heavy troops to destroy Koch and his party."

Cortez led his army halfway when he was suddenly ambushed on all sides, and the chief of Tlaxcala led his army to surround him. Koch was not afraid at all and ordered his men to line up and fire volleys of fire cannons. The tribal warriors of Tlaxcala were unarmored. Although they rushed fast, the fire cannon projectiles were faster and they fell down all of a sudden. The remaining people rushed up and fought with Koch's army. However, Koch's people were well-equipped and had strong armor, and the battle formation was not disrupted at all. When the battle was in turmoil, Koch's cavalry came out. The Tlaxcans had never seen horses. When they saw people riding horses, they thought they were some big monsters and fled away one after another. When the chief of the Tlaxca people saw that his men were in chaos, he shouted out his pain and turned away. But the chief was richly dressed, and Koch's cavalry soon discovered him, captured him, and presented him to Cortés. "

"Although the chief was captured, he was still unconvinced and kept yelling at the Francois. Koch didn't know the American dialect, so he simply took his new wife Marina with him on this march. Marina is talented and intelligent. Most of the languages ​​in Mexico are spoken, and Cochrane taught me the French language, so he volunteered to be the translator."

"With an interpreter, Koch finally understood what the chief who was yelling and shouting and being very excited was saying and what he wanted to do. He ordered the chief to be released. The chief originally thought that he would die, but he was shouting excitedly and yelling, but he was released. Then he was released. I heard a woman's croaking voice. The woman said, our leader of Koch said that we have no intention of being hostile to your tribe. We are here to bring you peace and truth under the order of the King of Franji Kingdom... …”

The storyteller was still talking, and Zhang Xiao was also listening with interest. However, the table next to me has already begun to discuss the plot.

"This native American looks worse than Meng Huo in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. At least he still has the Tengjia Army. Although he has few horses, he can still pull out the elephant. The weapons of this native American are also terrible."

"That's right. It's hard for Koch to defeat such a native. He has to be sent away. Is it possible that he really imitated Zhuge Kongming's Seven Captures and Seven Congs?"

"What you said is wrong. Are you belittling Cortez too much? Maybe it's Cortez who is too powerful, rather than the natives being too weak. Think about how many people were killed and injured when Qin Shihuang captured Baiyue. The army sent at one time returned with a disastrous defeat, and almost the entire army was wiped out. Later, Ren Xiao and Zhao Tuo led hundreds of thousands of troops, and they were able to capture the land of Baiyue. Sun Quan sent a fleet to land on Yizhou, which was also After losing his troops and generals, Sun Quan was so angry that he wanted to execute the commander. If you were asked to go to America, you would probably die at sea before you could find the American continent. If you really went ashore, would you be able to find the right direction?" A voice next to him retorted. The sound started.

"That's right. For the merits that Keshi has made, if he is placed in the imperial court, even if he cannot be granted a public title, he will at least be a marquis."

"If you ask me, Koch's wife is very talented. She can speak so many languages ​​​​at once, and she can accurately translate Koch's meaning."

"I think Koch's eloquence is great. He was originally a robber who robbed all the way, but he was told that he was doing something righteous and awe-inspiring, and he also brought peace and truth. Did he think he was Confucius?"

Zhang Xiao looked over and saw that they were a group of young scholars. Zhang Xiao laughed softly, and then ate and drank with shopkeeper Ding.

However, the pleasant days did not last long. Zhang Xiao was enjoying his meal when he heard the eunuch's sharp voice coming from downstairs: "Zhang Shidu is here. Come down soon. There is something urgent."

(End of this chapter)