Chapter 155

In Renming Hall, the lights are dim.

Zhao Huan and Zhu Lian were sitting at the two ends of the rectangular dining table, each with a set of bowls and chopsticks in front of them. In the center was a graceful large Song Dynasty blue and white porcelain vase with a bunch of bright red peach blossoms in the middle.

Not far away, veteran imperial chef Li Qi was meticulously preparing dinner for the two, while music star Zhao Yuannu was playing the guqin nearby. The piece of music he was playing was "When You Are Old" that Zhao Huan had brought over a few days ago.

Money talks, and Zhao Yuannu, a money-grubber, naturally hit it off. Ultimately, Zhao Huan offered Zhao Yuannu the exclusive rights to "When You're Old" in exchange for fifty musical performances a year.

"It feels a bit like a candlelight dinner in a Western restaurant in the future. It's a long-lost world for the two of us."

Zhao Huan nodded secretly and decided to eat oysters first.

In the Song Dynasty, oysters were not as well known as they were in later generations, but were a well-known tonic - with bullets.

Thanks to the poem "Eating Oysters" by Su Dongpo, a top star in the Song Dynasty, oysters have occupied a place in the top society of the Song Dynasty. The reason why it is the top society is that seafood is rare because the distance is too far.

Su Dongpo said that delicious food must be good. As we all know, you can doubt Su Shi's political wisdom, but you cannot doubt his culinary appreciation.

Eat oysters

Two days before the winter solstice in the year of Ji Mao, the sea barbarians presented me with oysters. I cut them open and yielded several liters. The meat and pulp were added to water and cooked with wine. They were incredibly delicious, something I'd never seen before. I took the larger ones, roasted them, and ate them right away. They were also delicious, and the ones I cooked were even better.

How can a sea country be so tired of eating crabs, snails, and eight-legged fish? I always warn my son not to tell anyone about this, for fear that the gentlemen in the north will hear of it and try to imitate Dongpo and ask to be exiled to Hainan to share this beauty with me!

Yesterday, Li Qi sent someone to deliver the news that the tribute of oysters from the governor of Guangnan West Road had arrived. Li Qi suddenly became excited and started to sing about the serfs' liberation.

"Grilled oysters are here!"

Li Qi's young apprentice Liuzi is a sunny boy with a lively personality. He always has a bright smile on his face, which is very contagious.

“Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!”

Steaming oysters were brought to the table, with five served to Zhao Huan and Zhu Lian respectively. The tender white oyster meat was topped with fragrant garlic sauce and green onions, which was extremely tempting.

"My dear, try this dish that even Dongpo praised so highly. Fresh oysters from Qiongzhou, unleashed at full speed, paired with Chef Li Qi's extraordinary cooking skills. How many times in this world can you taste this?"

Zhu Lian gave Zhao Huan a worried look and said, "A horse gallops through the dusty streets, and the concubine smiles. No one knows it's the oysters coming. Your Majesty, please don't do this again, or you'll be gossiped about again."

Zhao Huan shamelessly said, "These are all arrangements left by the Emperor. What does this have to do with me? Besides, these oysters are not only delicious, but also a medicinal herb that nourishes the kidneys."

"My dear husband, please eat more." Zhu Lian suddenly spoke in a delicate voice, picked up three oysters from her plate and put them in front of Zhao Huan, without mentioning a word about the matter of working hard for the people's livelihood and making money.

"Oh, my lady is very confident in herself." Zhao Huan put a mouthful of oyster meat into his mouth. It was fat but not greasy, smooth and chewy, and full of freshness and fragrance.

"My lady, please try it, it tastes great."

"Liuzi, how does Master Li make this grilled oyster? Please tell me quickly." Zhu Lian asked, thinking that he must learn how to cook oysters and not get tired of eating them.

"My Lady, this dish is called Grilled Oysters. It's quite simple to prepare, but the main thing is that the ingredients are fresh."

"Wash the oysters to remove any dirt or sand from the surface. Use the back of a thick knife to carefully pry open the front of the shell. Remove the half of the shell without the oyster meat. Rinse the other half with the oyster meat in the shell with clean water and drain well."

"Wash and chop the dogwood and chives, then add salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice and mix well to make the sauce."

"Put the oysters in their shells directly on the grill. As the temperature changes, the oysters will gradually release their juices. When the liquid on the surface of the oysters begins to dry up, pour the seasoning sauce on them and continue grilling for about 2 minutes."

"Finally, use tongs to remove the oysters from the heat and place them on a plate."

Liuzi explained the steps of grilling oysters step by step, and added at the end: "For grilling oysters, the carbon is also very important. It is best to use charcoal made from fruit wood that is more than ten years old."

"Do you feel anything?" Zhu Lian looked at Zhao Huan expectantly.

Zhao Huan flexed his biceps and said, "I feel full of strength. Accept the punishment."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

As he spoke, seven grilled oysters went into Zhao Huan's stomach.

"Liuzi, come and serve the food."

"Okay, Master, I'll be there soon."

A moment later, Liuzi came back with two casseroles still simmering on a low fire, the rich aroma of meat wafting in the air.

"Finally, it's here! This is the highlight of today. I've ordered two pounds of dog meat." Zhao Huan said quickly, "And get me some of the refined liquor."

"Your Majesty, is dog meat also a delicacy? Why have I never seen Chef Li cook it before?" Zhu Lian asked curiously.

Song Dynasty, but there is no dog that is really cute, why should we eat enough hypocritical arguments.

"Dog meat isn't served at banquets, so those who know the food eat it privately. This dog meat is no worse than oysters."

"It's documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine that dog meat, with its warm nature and salty taste, can nourish the middle and replenish qi, warm the kidneys and boost yang."

Zhao Huan explained to Zhu Lian in detail, "Dog meat is good. If you boil dog meat three times, even a god wouldn't be able to stand still. There are many rules to follow when eating dog meat. One yellow, two black, three spotted, and four white. Small dogs nourish the kidneys, medium dogs replenish the blood, and large dogs can cure rheumatism."

"Could it be, this is it?"

"Yes, it's the little yellow dog."

Gunpowder lamb kidneys, roasted leeks, steamed sea bass, silkworm pupae, all kinds of weird things were served on the table, and without exception, they were for kidney nourishment.

"Why are there bugs in it? This dish looks so scary." Zhu Lian pointed at the silkworm pupae brought by Liuzi and shook his head in disgust.

“My lady, you may not know that silkworm pupae are extremely rich in protein, fat, and vitamins. They are a traditional delicacy. Those who have finished prematurely should eat them regularly, and the effect is obvious.

"How do you know so much?"

Zhao Huan pointed at Zhu Lian angrily and said, "It's all your fault. You're too good at playing. I have to make up for it.

…

After a good meal and a good drink, I want to do something.

Zhao Huan and Zhu Lian held hands and walked in the Bian Jing Palace to digest their food, making countless people envious along the way.

"Husband, let's go back to sleep." Zhu Lian whispered in Zhao Huan's ear.

"My lady has given orders, and I shall obey them."

Zhao Huan suddenly picked up Zhu Lian by the waist. When passing by the garden, Zhao Huan had an idea and slowed down his pace.

"My dear, the scenery here is unique, why don't you..."

The stars are shining tonight, where are you being romantic?

That night, peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the fragrance filled the yard.