Chapter 35: Tribute Envoy
The next day, Zhao Yan, Yan Quan and other officials from the provincial governor's office, along with the arriving tribute envoys, stood in Meizhou Bay. The waters in this bay are wide and it is an important shipping center and port in Quanzhou.
Zhao Yan stood at the front, listening to Yan Quan explaining to the delegations the scenic spots and historical sites of Quanzhou, the people's livelihood exchanges in the port, and the taxes and labor service of the people.
It was already hot in the summer, and everyone was wearing heavy official uniforms.
Yan Quan said, "The banquet is already prepared at Baoxianglou in front. Thank you for your hard work, envoys. Please enjoy some drinks and try our Quanzhou delicacies."
Everyone felt happy at this moment. Although they were all here for official business of various countries, no one wanted to be exposed to the sun.
Today's banquet was different from the previous ones. It concerned the local reputation. Even if Zhao Yan didn't like it, he could only suppress his displeasure and drank several glasses of wine in succession.
Yan Quan brought Wang Zhubu and He Dianshi to show the local characteristics in a unique way. Finally, when they had drunk more than thirty glasses of wine, they clapped their hands. A group of dancers and singers came in with lotus steps easily. The eyes of the tribute envoys at several tables changed immediately.
Some even started fighting.
Zhao Yan didn't mind these social events in the past, but today he felt extremely tired, without a trace of a smile on his face.
Yan Quan had a few drinks and was a little tipsy. He sang a few lines of the tune and wanted to fill Zhao Yan's glass.
Zhao Yan held up his hand to stop them, "That's all for today."
Seeing that he hadn't eaten anything, Yan Quan thought it was because of the hot weather that he had lost his appetite, so he suggested, "Your Excellency eats very little, why don't you try our spring roll dish? Although the name is not nice, it tastes good."
Zhao Yan nodded, and soon, a plate of unremarkable pancakes was brought out from the kitchen.
He picked up one and put it in his mouth. He felt that the taste of the cake was very familiar, as if he had eaten it before.
He wasn't sure how many more he ate.
Seeing him like this, Yan Quan introduced, "This is made by wrapping shredded carrots, bean sprouts, and dried tofu in thin dough. It tastes refreshing. It's considered a family food, and because it has the effect of strengthening the body, families usually prepare this dish in the summer or when people are sick."
After listening to Yan Quan's story, he remembered that he was in the Ministry of Works at that time and she came to deliver medicine, including this cake.
She said something else when she left.
He tried hard to think for a long time, but he could not remember anything. He only remembered that he had finished eating the bread that day.
That night, he once again finished a plate of pancakes.
Seeing that he looked dull, Yan Quan didn't dare to disturb him. He just told the kitchen to serve some more local specialties.
When the banquet ended and we returned to the courtyard, it was already the second watch.
Anfu was preparing hot water, and Anyuan was chopping firewood outside the yard.
When Anfu finished everything, he found that his son was still looking at the house diagonally opposite.
That house is Miss Yu's residence.
Anfu broke the silence, "I wonder how Miss Yu is doing in Fuzhou. It's so hot now, I guess it's hard for her to walk."
Zhao Yan didn't respond and asked, "Do you remember who made the cakes that my wife sent to me at the Ministry of Works?"
An Fu thought for a moment. This was such a long time ago that he had indeed forgotten a little. "Young Master, are you talking about the time when the third wife came to see you?"
"Um."
"The cake was made by the former wife herself. She must have gotten up very early. When I went to call her, she had just come from the kitchen. Although I didn't look closely, she seemed a little tired that day."
"You got up very early and brought it here after finishing it, right?" Zhao Yan asked softly.
"It should be. I remember it was still steaming. Why do you think of asking this, sir? If you want to eat anything, I will go buy it tomorrow."
He watched the moonlight slowly move towards the trees and said, "How should a person make amends for what he has done wrong?"
An Fu was puzzled. "Sir, are you talking about being exiled? Actually, don't worry, sir. We all believe that you will definitely be able to return to the capital. The master also said that going out for training is a good thing."
Zhao Yan didn't answer. An Fu thought he had said something wrong. "Is that what you wanted to ask, sir?"
"Next time Miss Yu comes back, ask her which specialties are worth trying."
Anfu felt even more puzzled. Why should he ask Miss Yu? Couldn't someone else do the same?
When did you become so concerned about the pleasures of the tongue?
But he didn't dare to disobey, "Yes."
For several days, Zhao Yan led the tribute delegation to visit various places. When it came time for the final banquet today, he asked Yan Quan to lead the reception and returned to the government office alone.
The competition will be held on the terrace in Heyuan Street in two days. He wanted to check whether the lanterns and equipment for the competition were ready, although he was not required to do so.
But he just wanted to be close to her, as long as there was something related to her, he wanted to understand everything.
As Grandpa Ji drove along, he regretted the lantern that Madam Qiaodeng had given her last time.
Seeing that he was very reluctant to leave, Zhao Yan asked, "You can just buy another one later, why are you so worried?"
Uncle Ji said, "Your Excellency may not know that these exquisite lanterns are quite expensive, but the clever lantern lady was kind enough to sell them to us at a low price. Most people wouldn't use such exquisite lanterns, and at most would use simpler ones."
"It's my fault for being so careless that I broke it. I wonder if Lady Qiaodeng has returned today. I'd like to ask her to fix it."
Zhao Yan's expression changed. "Are you saying that Miss Yu hasn't come back today?"
"Yes, I heard that the competition will be held the day after tomorrow. Coincidentally, Madam Deng hasn't come back yet. I'm afraid Master Baili took her far away and had a great time, so she won't be back until tomorrow."
Zhao Yan didn't respond, and the car was silent.
When the carriage reached the center of Heyuan Street, Zhao Yan got off and happened to see a group of people building a terrace, and some people were carrying bamboo strips next to them. There were also various paintings on some of the carriages.
An Fu followed Zhao Yan and said, "Looking at the situation, it should be completed today. Why bother coming to see it in person, young master?"
After walking for a while, Zhao Yan saw many elderly men in their fifties and sixties busy making lanterns. Some of the designs were simple, so he asked, "How much are these simple ones?"
The old man turned around and said, "One penny each, take your pick."
Zhao Yan squatted down and selected one, asking, "These lanterns require a lot of effort, but they're sold so cheaply. Can I make back my investment?"
The old man said, "There's nothing I can do. Our Quanzhou lanterns aren't very famous yet. I don't know where to sell them, so this is the only price I can offer."
"Those exquisitely made ones are only for the rich and powerful, so they are expensive."
Zhao Yan held the lamp and asked, "Hasn't the government ever thought about helping you find a market for your products?"
The old man laughed, "Where did this official come from? I may not be able to see him."
Anfu sighed, "Young Master..."
Zhao Yan spoke, not knowing to whom he was addressing, "After this tribute mission leaves, you'll have a market."
Anfu was about to ask when someone spoke up, "Sir, take a look at this. Is my drawing correct? And the lamp handle itself, I feel like it lacks strength and the range isn't beautiful."
He carefully identified the voice and felt certain in his heart. He walked past the willow tree and saw that she was sitting at the table talking to an old man.
The houses here are very quaint, and she is particularly dazzling in her lake blue chiffon dress.
So, this is the skirt Baili bought for her?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
