Father can be an enemy to the country

Nanchang City Official Ship Wharf, with loess paved roads, clean water sprinkled on the streets, loud gongs and drums, and colorful flags fluttering, looks like it is welcoming a big shot.

Today is the day when Shen Liben, the Imperial Envoy and Minister of Criminal Affairs, arrived. Xiong Qitai, the Chief Envoy of Jiangxi Province, Zeng Tai, the Inspector-General, and Wang Bi, the Commander-in-Chief, led a group of provincial and city officials to wait at the dock early to welcome the Imperial Majesty.

While the music was playing, Shen Liben, who was wearing a scarlet official robe, walked down the gangway with standard official steps, supported by Chang Sui.

"I respectfully welcome the imperial envoy." Xiong Qitai quickly led the crowd in saluting.

"Get back on your feet, everyone." Shen Liben's eyes slowly swept across the field and said in a loud voice, "It's been a long time."

After Xie Enping's death, Xiong Qitai said with an apologetic smile: "When the ministry comes back to Nanchang, all the elders in Jiangxi are overjoyed, it's like seeing their parents again."

"Haha, Uncle Xiong Mu made a serious statement. It is my honor to be able to visit my old place again." Shen Liben said with a faint smile. He was the last political minister of Pingzhang in Jiangxi Province. At that time, Xiong Qitai was a political official under him. Later, the imperial court withdrew the province and established three divisions. Shen Liben went to Beijing as an official, and Xiong Qitai became the first chief envoy to Jiangxi.

Therefore, Shen Liben was Xiong Qitai's old boss and his backer in the DPRK. This time he came as an imperial envoy. Of course, Xiong Qitai had to treat him to the highest standards.

"I'll prepare a little wine in Prince Teng's Pavilion to wash away the dust in the hall. I'd like to ask Wanwang to honor me."

"Have you broken any rules?" Shen Liben asked calmly.

"There are only four dishes and one soup, which is completely in line with the emperor's rules." Xiong Qitai said with a smile.

"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey." Shen Liben said with a smile: "But this is the only meal that I can't refuse. From now on, I will not accept banquets."

"Yes, yes, the ministry is as clear as water and as honest as a mirror. He is really a role model for us officials." Xiong Qitai and others were full of flattery.

"Please."

"please."

All the officials watched the imperial envoy get into the car, and then they went to Prince Teng's Pavilion in their own cars and horses.

~~

Tengwang Pavilion is located at the intersection of Ganjiang River and Fuhe River and is the symbol of Nanchang City. The lower part is a three-foot-high pedestal symbolizing the ancient city wall, which is divided into two levels; the main pavilion above the pedestal has seven floors, divided into three bright floors, three dark floors and the attic.

Although the building is made of Tang Dynasty style, it looks new.

Because the Tengwang Pavilion in front of us is no longer the one when Wang Bo wrote "The falling clouds and the solitary owl fly together, the autumn water is the same color as the sky".

Tengwang Pavilion was destroyed by weapons and fires several times in the past dynasties. But because of its special status in the hearts of literati, it was quickly rebuilt every time.

In fact, it can be said that this building is just the carrier of "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion". It doesn't matter what it looks like, as long as it is called Tengwang Pavilion, it is the temple in the hearts of literati.

The banquet to welcome the imperial envoy was held in the attic on the top floor of the temple, where you can view the magnificent scenery in the "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng".

After sitting down, the beautiful maid took off the dishes and the strong waiter brought the main dishes.

Shen Liben was stunned when he saw that each of the dishes was too big, and a smaller round table would be full if one was placed on it. No wonder it has to be served by a big boy.

When the oversized plate with exquisite patterns was placed on the table, Shen Liben saw that there was a cross-shaped ridge in the middle, dividing it into four non-connected fan-shaped dishes. Each fan-shaped dish holds a dish.

For example, in the first plate, there are four Nanchang famous dishes, namely 'Hongya Danjing', 'Xishan Jicui', 'Tengge Autumn Wind' and 'Zhangjiang Xiaodu'.

In the second big plate, there are 'Longsha Xizhao, Nanpu Feiyun, Tiezhu Xianzong, Supu Spring Vegetables', and four other Nanchang famous dishes.

The same is true for the other two large plates. The four dishes are different from each other, and the amount of dishes on each plate is only a lot more than a normal plate.

Even the big soup vat that was served at the end contained four different soups, 'Five Yuan Dragon and Phoenix Soup', 'Hollow Fish Ball Soup', 'Navel Orange Old Duck Soup', 'Old Ginseng and Tiger Pencil Soup'...

Nuo Da's round table was filled with these four dishes and one soup.

"What are you doing?" Shen Liben looked a little unhappy.

"Bu Tang Rong Zhen, this is the most popular dish in Jiangxi now. For example, this dish is called 'Four Scenes of Nanchang'. Just like a poem has four lines and four seasons, they are all one dish. "Xiong Qitai explained hurriedly.

Everyone below also echoed: "Yes, this is how we eat in Nanchang. I heard that there are people in Liaodong who cook it in a pot, so just follow the local customs."

"Oh, I really can't do anything about you." Shen Liben looked helpless, picked up the wine cup and said, "I won't do this next time."

"It won't be the same next time. It won't be the same next time." Everyone laughed and toasted to Shen Budang.

After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere at the banquet became warmer. Shen Liben stopped pretending to be an imperial envoy and said to Xiong Qitai: "Little Bear, I haven't seen you in a few years, and you can play with these tricks."

"Oh, sir, you know that I, Little Bear, am the most upright and heartless person." Xiong Qitai said with a bitter smile:

"But if we have a big table of more than ten people, and we strictly follow the four dishes and one soup rule, it won't even be enough to fill the gap between our teeth. Do I have any conscience to entertain the boss like that? I might as well just jump into the Gan River."

"That's right." All the officials agreed: "It's not like eating at home, how can four dishes and one soup be served on the table?"

"So, you just came up with this idea?" Shen Liben laughed and said, "It seems that there are more countermeasures than policies."

"Even if it is the emperor's will, he must do it at the right time," an official said angrily: "Just like the yellow book that Liu Lian pushed forward out of wishful thinking, which caused a lot of anger and resentment. He died. , we still have to clean up his mess!"

"What, do you have a big opinion on Huang Zhi?" Shen Liben asked expressionlessly.

"Of course, can't it be big? Clearing the land is enough to disturb the people. After creating the yellow list, they actually have to break up and reorganize the townships and villages. What kind of lijia system is there? The local gentry and clan elders , Even if you risk your life to oppose it, going to the yamen every day to make trouble, isn't this putting us on the stove to roast us?" the official said angrily.

"Hey, I'm here to help the department today. I only talk about romance and not about business." Xiong Qitai then pretended to stop talking.

"This official was angry for a moment and talked too much." The official apologized hurriedly.

"It's okay. I'm here this time not only to investigate the cause of Liu Shenzheng's death, but also to understand all aspects of the situation." Shen Liben waved his hand magnanimously and said to the official: "What's your name?"

"Go back to the ministry hall and serve as the magistrate of Nanchang, Li Da." The official hurriedly leaned over and reported back.

"It turns out to be Li Fuzun. Send me a message another day and let's have a detailed chat." Shen Liben said warmly.

"As ordered." Li Dao responded hurriedly and respectfully.

"Come on, let's have another toast." Seeing this, Xiong Qitai brought the banquet back into the warm atmosphere.

After three drinks and half of the banquet, the waiters came again, removed the "four dishes and one soup" and replaced it with another "four dishes and one soup". The rules were still the same, but the dishes had all changed.

This time Shen Liben didn't even make any pretense, and calmly enjoyed the 'simple hospitality' from Jiangxi officials.