"Do we still need to apply to the Emperor?"
Zhang Hulan didn't expect it to be so troublesome.
Minister Fu said: "Shanglin Garden is an independent department, directly under the management of the emperor. If you want to enter Shanglin Garden, of course you must get the emperor's permission."
Minister Fu thought for a moment, then said, "Well, you go back first, I'll write a petition and hand it in. If the emperor approves, I'll have someone deliver it to you."
This was the only way, so Zhang Hulan nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for your help, sir."
When Zhang Hulan returned to the village, she thought she would get news soon, but after waiting for four or five days, there was still no news.
She couldn't help but wonder in her heart, thinking that Minister Fu was just trying to get her to accept her request.
Zhang Hulan has wrongly accused Minister Fu.
After Zhang Hulan left that day, Minister Fu immediately submitted a memorial.
It’s just that Emperor Yongxing has been very busy recently and in a very bad mood, so the people below him didn’t dare to submit some unimportant memorials.
In early February, Marquis Jing'an left the capital with an army of 20,000, ostensibly for training and suppressing bandits.
It is estimated that there are about 80,000 people in Maozhou, and the 20,000 people brought by Marquis Jing'an are definitely not enough.
Emperor Yongxing gave Marquis Jing'an a transfer order, asking him to dispatch troops from the border army.
A few days before the palace examination, Wu Bangtai was sent out of the capital by Emperor Yongxing to begin investigating the pension silver case.
Wu Bangtai was responsible for investigating places outside the capital, and Yan Xiongxin was responsible for investigating the prefectures near the capital.
Marquis Jing'an, Wu Bangtai and Yan Xiongxin took action at the same time on the day of the palace examination.
The Duke of Wei also received a secret mission and disappeared from the sight of people in the capital.
From the day of the palace examination onwards, no one was allowed to enter or leave the capital city at will.
Emperor Yongxing sent imperial guards to guard the city gates, and there were also spies watching the homes of officials in the capital.
If an official needs to go out of the city for important official business, he must have special approval from Prime Minister Qin, otherwise he cannot leave the city.
The families of officials in the capital are strictly prohibited from leaving the capital.
The people in the capital were suddenly in panic. Some of them realized that something was wrong and tried every means to leave the city, but the soldiers guarding the city gate did not see the note approved by Qin Bingrong and refused to open the gate to anyone.
Entering the city is much easier. Common people and merchants who want to enter the city only need a pass.
However, the pass for civilians outside the city to enter the city must be witnessed by the head of the village and three people from the same village, and the pass is only valid for three days.
Merchants from other places who want to enter the city must register their age, gender, where they come from, and their appearance. They must also have an acquaintance or partner in the city as a guarantor.
Or let the people in the city pick up the goods at the city gate. Goods can come in and out freely, but people cannot.
Once foreign merchants enter the city, they cannot leave the city for a short period of time.
Many officials in the capital were worried, but those who had a clear conscience didn't think it was a big deal, such as Zhang Hulan.
Zhang Hulan learned the news when she returned to the city from the village that afternoon. At the same time, she also received a letter from the Ministry of Revenue. If there was nothing important in the village, she could not leave the city during this period.
If something happens in the village, someone will report it and then apply to leave the city.
Otherwise she could live in the village and return to the city after the matter was over.
Zhang Hulan was worried about her children at home. Looking at the situation, it seemed like it would not be resolved in a day or two.
These days, the grain seeds have been planted and there is basically nothing to do in the village.
Zhang Hulan decided to stay in the city.
Zhang Hulan can stay at home peacefully and take care of the restaurant business with Ye Hongyun.
The next day, Zhang Hulan went to find Ye Hongyun, and they went to see the shop together.
As soon as Ye Hongyun saw Zhang Hulan, she smiled and said, "I think you'll need to rest for a while this time."
Zhang Hulan didn't care. "I can get a salary even if I take a break. It's a good thing. I couldn't ask for more. Even if I take a break for a year or two, it's no problem."
"You are really careless." Ye Hongyun said speechlessly: "Nowadays, many people can't sleep at night. Aren't you curious about what happened?"
"Who cares? It has nothing to do with me. Why should I worry about it?"
When Zhang Hulan and Ye Hongyun arrived at the shop, it had already been vacated and craftsmen were already renovating it.
Zhang Hulan asked Ye Hongyun: "Where's the cook? Have you found one?"
"Don't worry, I found a retired imperial chef to be our head chef."
What else can Zhang Hulan say? Of course she admires him very much.
Zhang Hulan then said, "I have some kitchen utensils that need to be custom made. I will draw the blueprints in the next few days and then ask the blacksmith to make them."
Ye Hongyun nodded, "Okay. You draw the blueprint and I'll find someone to do it."
Ye Hongyun asked Zhang Hulan again: "Do you have any suggestions for the layout of the restaurant?"
Zhang Hulan said: "Our tables are all made of stone slabs, and a hole is dug in the middle of the table. The hole does not need to be too big, just enough to put a small pot.
In the future, the restaurant should have more large water vats, one in each private room."
"What the hell? You use stone slabs to make a table, and you also need to dig a hole in the stone table to put the pot?" Ye Hongyun looked at Zhang Hulan in confusion and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Making hot pot, you probably haven't tried it yet, it's a new way of eating."
Ye Hongyun didn't know what hot pot was, but she said, "It's okay to use stone slabs for the tables on the ground floor, but it's definitely not okay for the upper floors. The stone tables are too heavy, and there are so many of them. Aren't you afraid that the floor will collapse?"
Zhang Hulan was stunned.
Yes, the floors are made of wood, not reinforced concrete. One or two tables are fine, but if stone tables are placed on both floors, it might collapse.
Ye Hongyun asked: "Why do we need a stone table? Can't a wooden table be used?"
Zhang Hulan said: "Wooden tables are not safe. It would be troublesome if they caught fire."
Zhang Hulan did not explain much to Ye Hongyun. She said, "Go buy some meat and vegetables later. I will make you a hot pot tonight and you will understand the reason."
Ye Hongyun wanted to ask the specific reason, but after hearing what Zhang Hulan said, she didn't ask.
Then Zhang Hulan thought about the problem of the stone table. The stone table was too heavy, so he had to think of other solutions.
If a stone table is not available, then you can only use a wooden table, and then wrap a layer of iron sheet where the pot is placed. Also make it into the shape of a pot, and then pour some water in it.
It should be enough to put a thin stone slab underneath the stove.
There was already a carpenter in the shop, so Zhang Hulan asked Ye Hongyun, "Can you find a blacksmith right away?"
“It must be possible.”
Ye Hongyun immediately asked someone to find a blacksmith.
Zhang Hulan called a carpenter and a blacksmith together, told them about the table, copper pot, and small stove she wanted to make, and then asked, "Masters, can you make what I want today?"
The carpenter's job is simple, just a table.
The blacksmith has more work to do, but it shouldn't be a problem if we get two more people to help.
The two asked, "When does Madam want it?"
Zhang Hulan said, "Before dark."
The two nodded, "It should be no problem, then let's do it now."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
