Chapter 462 She's not afraid of being praised to death.
Dozens of women served the dishes together, and the aroma of the food kept wafting into people's noses.
Manager Yan stood on a high ground and began loudly reciting the menu. Since they were all simple and easy-to-cook dishes, Cheng Wanwan came up with this idea.
Each dish was given a name with an auspicious meaning. Among the many officials present, the meaning was highly valued.
"Soaring ambitions like a swan reaching for the sky!"
It's actually just a whole pigeon stewed in soup with red dates and some medicinal herbs.
May everything go smoothly like a fish in water!
This is a sour soup with fresh fish balls, which is very appetizing.
"Competing for brilliance, bathed in the glow of the sunset!"
These are pastries made from lotus flowers, and they are arranged on a plate with lotus flowers for an elegant presentation.
"Galloping forward with great momentum."
This is hand-pulled pig's trotters, cooked with spices, and very flavorful.
There were also some stir-fried vegetarian dishes, each with a meaningful name. As the dishes were served one by one, the table was quickly filled to the brim.
"The people of Sui'an are truly intelligent and kind-hearted!" Eunuch Ming was amazed. "Even the imperial cuisine in the palace doesn't have such elegant names."
A simple vegetable dish is named "Thousands of Layers of Emerald Water and Yellow Clouds," and yet there's nothing wrong with it. In this world, perhaps only people from Sui'an have such skill.
Cheng Wanwan coughed and said, "You flatter me, Father-in-law. It is precisely because the dishes are not as good as the imperial cuisine that I racked my brains to come up with an elegant name. I was just afraid that the country-style dishes would not meet the standards of you and other officials."
"The book says, 'Don't laugh at the farmer's homemade wine,'" Lord Wu said. "Since I came to Dahe Village, I've been eating farm-style dishes every day and I've become addicted to them. To be honest, they really have a unique flavor. Why don't you try some, Eunuch Ming?"
Although Eunuch Ming has no official rank or title, he is a person from the capital city and a trusted person of the emperor. Therefore, he is considered to be the highest-ranking person here.
After he picked up his chopsticks, everyone else did too, and the meal officially began.
Ming Gonggong was very interested in the lotus flower pastry. He took the first bite and his eyes lit up: "It's soft, sweet, and delicious. This is the Emperor's favorite flavor."
Cheng Wanwan replied, "I will have someone write down the preparation process, and then I will ask the imperial chef to make it for the Emperor to taste."
"Speaking of which, His Majesty's birthday is coming soon." Eunuch Ming laughed. "I was just wondering what birthday gift to prepare for His Majesty this year, but now I have an idea. People of Sui'an, I'll shamelessly ask for a few orders, which I guarantee will only be used in the Imperial Kitchen and will never be leaked to outsiders, so as not to affect your business."
"You're too kind, Eunuch Ming. I would gladly die for His Majesty if it could help him," Cheng Wanwan said, fully expressing her loyalty. "I will present the list shortly."
"The people of Sui'an are indeed heroines among women, with a magnanimity that no one can match." Eunuch Ming took a sip of wine and sighed, "Originally, the Emperor intended to confer a fifth-rank title upon the people of Sui'an, but many senior officials in the court objected... After all, the people of Sui'an have no family background. A mere peasant woman, rising three ranks in a year has already made countless people envious. The senior officials believed that promoting her to the fifth rank would be a detrimental act of flattery, so in the end, it was decided to promote her to the sixth rank."
Cheng Wanwan silently complained, but actually, she wasn't afraid of being praised to death.
In this era where rank is everything, only those with high status can live a free life.
Moreover, she would not live in the capital. No matter how high her official rank was, it would not affect the status of the noblewomen and officials in the capital. The factionalism, intrigue, and partisan strife in the court would not affect her.
If she is loyal to the people, the country, and the emperor, then her position will remain secure.
Ming Gonggong said regretfully, "If Sui'an people were fifth-rank officials, they could have participated in the Emperor's Birthday Festival in December. It's such a pity that they missed it, as it only happens once every ten years."
His Majesty's birthday is a major event every year. At other times, the royal family holds a banquet, inviting only imperial relatives and some first and second-rank officials. On every round number, a grand birthday celebration is held, in which officials of the fifth rank and above can participate and celebrate with the heavens.
Hearing this, Cheng Wanwan felt fortunate again. If she had really become a fifth-rank official, she would have had to go to the capital, which was a long journey, and she might have died on the way.
"No regrets, no regrets," she said with a smile. "Although I am far away in a small village in Huzhou, I will still send my blessings from afar, wishing His Majesty a long life."
"Actually, His Majesty really wants to meet Sui'an Ren." After drinking a few cups of wine, Eunuch Ming became more talkative. "And Her Majesty the Empress is very curious about who Sui'an Ren is and how she can have so many ingenious ideas. Sui'an Ren, you should research more things that benefit the country and the people so that you can be promoted again. Then His Majesty can summon Sui'an Ren."
Cheng Wanwan quickly replied, "Uncle Ming, you may not know this, but people in the countryside are busy all year round. In spring, they sow seeds; in summer, they fertilize the fields; in autumn, they harvest; and in winter, they turn the soil. As a simple peasant woman, I would naturally love to meet the Emperor, but I simply cannot leave."
She really didn't want to go to the capital; it was far, far away. It was said that even by fast horse, it would take six or seven days, and by carriage, at least half a month. She absolutely couldn't give Eunuch Ming any impression that she wanted to go to the capital.
"I've heard that the people of Sui'an seem to be researching a new crop?" Lord Wu asked. "They seem to have planted over a hundred acres of it, but I wonder what it is?"
This piqued everyone's interest.
They still vividly remember last year's ratooning rice. This year, the imperial court has ordered its promotion. Once a large-scale bumper harvest is achieved, countless poor people will be spared from hunger.
If something can be planted on more than 100 mu (approximately 6.7 hectares) by the people of Sui'an, then its importance must be no less than that of ratooning rice, and it may even increase grain production again.
“It’s not grain.” Cheng Wanwan’s words shattered everyone’s illusions. She continued, “As the saying goes, food, clothing, shelter and transportation are the most important. Food comes first, and clothing comes second. This crop is related to clothing, but it’s not ripe for harvest yet. No matter how much I say, it’s useless.”
Ming Gonggong's eyes immediately lit up: "The people of Sui'an should stay in Dahe Village and study this crop carefully. Record the whole process in detail. If it really works, we must report it to the imperial court as soon as possible!"
Cheng Wanwan nodded: "Of course."
Now that she is a sixth-rank Lady An, a court lady who enjoys a government salary, she naturally has to do something for the country and its people, and cannot be unworthy of this status.
The people at the main table were discussing national affairs and people's livelihood, while the women over there were talking about glycerin skincare products, and the young ladies were chatting about interesting stories from their private lives. The atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant.
At Shen Zheng and Cheng Zhao's table, a group of young masters and gentlemen were chatting happily and started drinking. They finished a pot of Pear Blossom Spring wine in no time.
So everyone asked Shen Zheng to go and get more wine.
Shen Zheng was Cheng Wanwan's godson. As a half-host, he did not refuse and got up to go to the temporary storeroom in the backyard where the wine was stored.
As soon as he arrived, he heard a familiar voice coming from behind the courtyard wall.
It sounds like Zheng Wangfeng is the one speaking...
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