Chapter 124 The Five Sages of Lorraine
Chapter 124 The Five Sages of Lorraine
The Eight Treasures Pavilion has limited seating; even including the small courtyard on the first floor, there are only two or three tables available.
Fortunately, beforehand, Old Master Weng, along with Duan Wuheng and Old Master Qu, had arranged the usable terrain outside the Eight Treasures Pavilion in a way that suited the local conditions.
Some of them are even quite unique!
For example, a large rock can be placed in the middle as a table, and fallen trees around it can be used as stools.
It is a natural, original seat.
Of course, some are not so convenient.
But those who live in the martial world are not bound by formalities; as long as they can sit, that's fine.
The space at Bazhenlou was already limited, and now so many more spaces have appeared out of nowhere, something that would have been unthinkable before.
Even so, adding up these unused seats, plus the original three tables at Bazhenlou, there are only eight or nine seats in total.
Many people who usually go alone, or those who come in groups of two or three, simply sit together at a table.
Even so, many people still have to wait until the next round.
Although some people are even willing to eat standing up, it doesn't matter where they stand.
Even if Bazhenlou doesn't close and stays open all night, there aren't enough ingredients.
Fortunately, there are contingency plans for all of these.
Grandpa Weng had even planned out how to arrange tables independently and how to enter the venue in order by drawing lots.
Those who draw a number can sit down first. Those who don't draw a number can leave or wait for the next round. Once the ingredients are gone, the business will be closed for the day.
The noisy waiting scene was also due to the fair rules, which made everyone willing to cooperate and wait.
Duan Wuheng wrote them all down in his little notebook.
The first group of diners were led in, and Old Master Weng went to light the lamps.
Bai Cen and Duan Wuheng each played their part in taking on the role of the old man.
The service to the old man was barbaric, meaning there was no attitude involved. If the food was ordered too slowly, the old man would be unhappy; if the food was ordered too much, the old man would be unhappy; if the food wasn't ordered at all, the old man would also be unhappy.
In the end, the two tables that the old man served were all very nervous. They said they would eat whatever Bazhenlou had on hand, and asked for the old man's recommendation.
OK!
The old man scribbled a few lines on the menu and then called out, "Grasshopper, pour the tea."
Floating on the grass?
The entire Bazhenlou restaurant, both upstairs and downstairs, was shocked.
Yes, is that the kind of floating grass they're thinking of?
Where does it float on the grass?
In the kitchen, Wang Sumo, Zhao Tong, and Jiang Yutang were already used to it. From the first day Duan Wuheng arrived at Bazhenlou, that's what the old man called him.
For the old man, "Grass on the Float" was just a name, something he was more comfortable calling out than a name like "Duan Wuheng."
"Okay, just a moment~" With Duan Wuheng's voice, everyone craned their necks, ah?!
This little brat!
Floating on the grass?
Isn't it always rumored in the martial arts world that Grasshopper is a senior figure in the martial arts world?
Many martial arts practitioners have witnessed his flowing white hair and elegant figure...
There shouldn't be any mistake, or was the person we saw before not the real Grasshopper?
The Eight Treasures Pavilion is indeed one of the most mysterious places in the martial arts world. In just a short time, I was already amazed by the accountant, who was the former Zhenhu Si Guijianchou, and the waiter, who was Caoshangpiao.
In particular, Duan Wuheng was ordering food at this table.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy in front of them, his face beaming with joy. He was even more excited than they had been, having queued for so long and finally won a lottery to get a table to enjoy the delicacies of Bazhenlou.
"How about one lucky golden chicken, one braised beef, and any vegetables you like?" Duan Wuheng confirmed the menu.
The people at the table nodded hurriedly.
They didn't dare to utter a sound.
"Why don't you try the stewed lamb chops? Look, it's stewing in that pot over there. I just checked on it, and it smelled amazing." He even gave a recommendation.
"Then, one order is fine." The person opposite replied politely.
"Alright!" Duan Wuheng said happily, "Please wait a moment, I'll bring you tea after you order."
"Oh, okay." Everyone at the table looked at him in surprise.
Duan Wuheng had already gone to the second table, which was the same as the first table. But at the second table was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, also dressed in the attire of a wandering swordsman. She was generous and lively, with a pair of bright black eyes that looked at him curiously: "They said you're Grasshopper?"
Duan Wuheng was able to move freely on the grass because others didn't believe him. They thought that a child must have cheated or played a prank to be able to do so so easily. No matter how he explained, it was no use, and no one believed him.
In a fit of anger, he put on a fake beard and a white wig to look like an old man and jumped around on the grass. As a result, when people saw his white hair flowing, they assumed he was a seasoned veteran of the martial arts world and believed him just by looking at him from afar!
Then the name "Grasshopper" spread throughout the martial arts world.
Therefore, Grass-Floating became the senior.
No one has ever been able to clear his name, and even if they could, no one would believe it.
Who knew that when the old man casually called out at Bazhenlou Restaurant, everyone's attention would be drawn to him.
Of course, most people found it hard to believe, but some were curious and asked the question.
Duan Wuheng took a deep breath and, for the first time openly and honestly, said, "Yes, I am Grass-Floating."
Haha!
The surrounding crowd gasped in astonishment; it was indeed true.
The little girl continued with a smile and asked, "Then why does everyone say that Grasshopper is a senior?"
Duan Wuheng shrugged: "They don't believe it. Who would believe that a child is so skilled in light industry?"
That hit the nail on the head, and many people immediately recognized the person in them. Indeed, if it weren't for the old man's words earlier, no one would have believed that the young man in front of them was Grasshopper.
Talented people emerge in every generation, truly heroes are born in youth!
Nothing is a better endorsement than Bazhenlou!
Duan Wuheng finished ordering the food for this table.
Then he took Bai Cen, the old man, and the six menus he was holding to the kitchen: "The menus are here!"
Jiang Yutang accepted it.
Everyone else was helping out outside, while Wang Sumo and Zhao Tong were busy in the kitchen. Jiang Yutang temporarily took on the task of scheduling and assigning tasks.
A chef doesn't care about table numbers; all they need to know is how many dishes are served and what dietary restrictions apply to each dish.
Jiang Yutang announced the quantity of each dish, and Zhao Tong served out a sufficient number of clear stewed lamb chops, then sliced braised beef and arranged it on a plate.
Wang Sumo heated the chicken broth and scallop sauce in the pot and poured it over the ingredients. She then ladled out the old duck stew into a bowl and prepared stir-fried vegetables and side dishes.
Everything was neatly and orderly piled on the table.
Jiang Yutang confirmed each dish, crossed out a dish from the menu, and made sure nothing was missed.
There are nine tables outside. The first batch of menus was just brought in. Right now, the old man and Bai Cen are busy taking orders for the last few tables, while Duan Wuheng is going to deliver tea to each table.
The hot tea had been brewed beforehand, with cups provided for each person at each table, and Duan Wuheng carried a teapot to serve the tea. By this time, no one doubted that the young man before them was indeed Grasshopper.
Her movements were fluid and graceful, elegant and poised, with not a single unnecessary step. Her steps were light and nimble, as if she were walking on clouds or riding the waves, and she arranged the tea for each table in a very short time.
There was no delay or disturbance, and they served us with a smile.
Of all these trips, Duan Wuheng was the most efficient and also the most polite.
Good heavens!
They actually encountered Ghost-Seeing Sorrow, Grass-Floating, and Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Severing Hand at the Eight Treasures Pavilion! Most importantly, it was Grass-Floating who poured tea at every table.
Just for these three reasons, this meal is worth it no matter how it turns out!
When Bai Cen lifted the curtain to deliver the last three tables' orders, Jiang Yutang had just finished counting the dishes that had already been plated, so there was no need to ring the bell.
"Wow, it's much faster than before!" Bai Cen couldn't help but exclaim.
Jiang Yutang smiled, a rare occurrence for her.
She was usually rather aloof, and today was the first time she had seen Bazhenlou open for business, so she was quite happy to be busy running around.
"Don't take too much," Wang Sumo reminded him from behind, "You'll have to make a couple more trips."
"Okay!" Bai Cen obeyed.
A moment later, the old man also lifted the curtain and went inside. He had just seen Bai Cen serving the dishes, which meant the dishes were being prepared in bulk. The old man was one of the first to arrive at Bazhenlou, so he had that much flexibility.
Finally, Duan Wuheng arrived.
Pouring tea takes time. He poured tea for all the tables upstairs and downstairs, and around the Bazhenlou restaurant, before finally serving the dishes. He then refilled the teapot, added tea leaves, and waited until everything was settled before bringing out the dishes.
This time, Jiang Yutang added, "Don't take too much, make two extra trips."
Duan Wuheng had really wanted to take five or six plates by himself, but after Sister Yutang said that, he withdrew his hands.
Just make a couple of extra trips to the left and right, but be extra careful.
Duan Wuheng obediently took out two plates.
Wang Sumo smiled. Jiang Yutang was becoming more and more like someone who could control the pace of serving dishes.
"Stir-fried vegetables, vegetable soup..." Jiang Yutang categorized the dishes to be prepared and passed them on to Zhao Tong and Wang Sumo.
Wang Sumo was in charge of stir-frying, while Zhao Tong was in charge of soup and cold dishes. With the head chef and sous chef sharing the work, the process was much faster.
Wang Sumo indeed felt that although Bazhenlou had expanded by several tables this time, the pace was actually better than before.
Moreover, with the help of Zhao Tong, Jiang Yutang, and Bai Cen, she became much more adept at her work, even managing to prepare several more elaborate dishes.
"Mmm! These golden threads are crispy and delicious, the chicken is tender and smooth, and the broth is rich and flavorful. It's simply delicious! I could eat several bowls of rice with this sauce!"
Foodies have already started tasting the auspicious golden chicken. Although they don't know that it's made with scallop shreds and call it golden shreds, it's not wrong.
Isn't this crispy, caramelized, and melt-in-your-mouth scallop shredded food just golden threads?
Immediately, everyone at the table who had this dish on the table started picking up their chopsticks after this exclamation!
"Wow! This braised beef is so chewy and flavorful! After wandering the world for so long, I've never tasted this level of braised beef at Bazhenlou!"
"I've been to Northwest China before, and this stewed lamb ribs taste just like this. It's not gamey, it has the flavor of lamb, and it's not overly seasoned. It's just the natural flavor of the lamb! It's so authentic!"
"The lamb stew is so tender and falls off the bone, it's delicious!!! I'd like another plate!"
"The duck meat in this stew is so chewy and satisfying, haha!"
Those who had already started eating exclaimed how satisfying it was, while those still waiting outside could only watch anxiously.
Isn't that how the martial arts world is?
At the slightest sound of movement, everyone would flock to the scene.
If a few more martial arts masters were to have a duel, the surrounding area would be completely blocked.
This is the world of martial arts; wherever there are people, there is martial arts. People need to eat, and in the world of martial arts, there is the Eight Treasures Restaurant.
"The Lucky Golden Chicken is gone!" Duan Wuheng shouted as he brought out the last two plates.
That's it?
Those waiting outside had just heard that the Lucky Golden Chicken was delicious, but it was already sold out before they even got a chance to go, so it was hard not to feel disappointed.
"Change it to braised beef!"
When you're out in the world, who can't eat a few servings of braised beef?
Wang Sumo had prepared enough beef shank, because the two old men at Bazhenlou, as well as Bai Cen and Zhao Tong, all loved to eat it, so there would never be enough, only not leftovers.
So they have all kinds of beef shank!
Although the old man was not very happy, he patiently brought the dishes out of the kitchen again and again, put them on the table, added more dishes and soup, and then went back to the kitchen.
Seeing the girl and the people around him happy, he seemed indifferent to whether he was happy or not.
When things get busy, even the old man comes to lend a hand.
The old man felt much more at ease.
Before long, the first table started paying their bill!
Those who roam the martial arts world know that Bazhenlou is a rare find, and they're prepared for a meal there to be expensive. While other restaurants have clearly marked prices, Bazhenlou doesn't, because the name "Bazhenlou" alone is worth a fortune.
But how many times in a lifetime can one encounter the Eight Treasures Pavilion?
Just like how often in the martial arts world can you meet a master swordsman to duel?
This money was well spent.
Yesterday, in Meizi Town, Grandpa Weng set up an abacus.
Although he didn't need an abacus to calculate the amount of money, he could figure it out with just a thought. But for an accountant, having an abacus in front of them would make the person coming to settle the bill feel much more at ease!
Grandpa Weng symbolically made a few moves on the abacus, quickly finished the calculation, glanced at the other person's shoes and smile, and lightly tapped the abacus, saying, "Thirty coins."
Three, thirty coins?
The other person was clearly surprised, pulling out their money while expressing astonishment. Thirty coins wouldn't even get them this good at the nearby inn, yet this meal was so lavish...
Grandpa Weng reached out and took the money bag, weighed it gently in his hand, and whispered, "Seven years ago, when Pangdong was flooded, the Five Sages of Luolin went to help plug the breach in the dam. Of the five who went, three came back: one with a leg injury, one with an arm injury, and the other with a head injury..."
At this point, Old Master Weng looked at the simple-minded man beside him who only knew how to smile foolishly, yet was well taken care of by the two of them.
The other party immediately understood.
Old Master Weng continued, "Logically speaking, this meal shouldn't be charged, but if we don't, you won't accept it. Since Bazhenlou hired me as their accountant, I naturally have the final say."
After finishing his sentence, Grandpa Weng smiled and asked, "Have you finished eating?"
The other person's eyes were misty: "I ate well, I ate a very satisfying meal."
"Wuheng, settle the bill for one table and bring out dessert!" Old Master Weng called out.
Duan Wuheng replied with a "okay," then broke the plate and came out of the kitchen. The plate contained several candied hawthorns: "They've been soaked in cold water, so they won't stick to your teeth!"
The simpleton among the three was the first to brighten up: "We want to eat! We want to eat! We want to eat!"
Duan Wuheng paused, then subconsciously looked at Old Master Weng, only to see that Old Master Weng was calm. Duan Wuheng understood: "There's more! Take more if it's not enough!"
The fool flashed his eight front teeth: "I want three! And one for my fourth and fifth brothers, I'll eat them all for them! I'll finish them all!"
Grandpa Weng understood that the fourth and fifth of the Five Sages of Lorraine had not returned.
Grandpa Weng nodded, and Duan Wuheng understood: "There's plenty, plenty, wait a bit, don't rush!"
Duan Wuheng was efficient and decisive.
The eldest of the Five Sages of Lorraine, who was also the one with a limp, looked at Old Master Weng and said, "Thank you, sir."
"Here it comes! Here you go." Duan Wuheng said enthusiastically.
"Are you really a grass-walker?" the fool asked.
Duan Wuheng paused for a moment, then said, "Otherwise what?"
The fool grinned and said, "Grasshopper is a good person; he gave me three gourds!"
The fool is happy.
Duan Wuheng also looked at Old Master Weng and the other two.
"Let's go, everyone, we'll meet again someday." The eldest of the Five Sages of Lorraine cupped his hands in greeting, while the second eldest, who hadn't said much, also cupped his hands with one arm, despite having a broken arm.
As for the fools, they can just honestly follow along and learn.
"We'll meet again someday." After Old Master Weng finished speaking, Duan Wuheng echoed, "We'll meet again someday!"
Watching the departing figures of a cripple, a man with a missing arm, and a madman, Duan Wuheng heard Old Master Weng say that those were the Five Sages of Luolin. A few years ago, when Pangdong was flooded, they went to help plug the breach in the dam, and only three of them returned.
Duan Wuheng finally understood.
As the sun was almost completely below the mountaintop, the people waiting outside also stood up and bowed to the three of them in farewell.
We've only met by chance, so there's no need for formalities.
Duan Wuheng felt that the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) atmosphere in Bazhenlou was just right!
[Author's Note]
There's another big update today! I recommend my friend Song Bupo's novel; it's absolutely thrilling to read. He's a prolific writer, updating like crazy, and his commitment to quality is guaranteed. You'll find it very enjoyable—"The Daily Life of Farming for the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty (Livestreaming My Farming Experience)."
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Others' time travel—
He was Qin Shi Huang's brother, Emperor Wu of Han's father, and Emperor Taizong of Tang's grandfather.
Li Xi's Time Travel —
To be the emperor's younger brother, the crown prince's uncle, and the crown prince's grandson's ancestor, becoming the highest-ranking ancestor in the Tang Dynasty royal family, and enjoying the grueling 996 work schedule early on.
This is absolutely outrageous!
In today's era of time travel, Li Xi also traveled through time, from the apocalypse to the Tang Dynasty, becoming the most famous young prince in Chang'an.
The emperor doted on him, and the crown prince loved him. For a time, he became a model for the imperial family of the Tang Dynasty, an example of brotherly love and respect, a tool for the emperor to gain favor, and a protagonist praised by literati.
His rise to fame as a star in the Tang Dynasty was met with disillusionment from a group of high-ranking officials, who had witnessed the true thoughts beneath his glamorous exterior – a truly shocking and disastrous situation.
[It's one thing for the mascot, Tiao Lang, to attend court, but why do I have to attend too? I want some milk tea to wake me up.]
Crown Prince Li Shi: What? In your eyes, I'm just a mascot? ???
[Even Guo Ziyi, a seventy-year-old man, still has to go to work. Our Tang Dynasty really treats people like cattle and cattle like livestock. The hot pot mutton is quite delicious.]
Guo Ziyi, a pillar of the Tang Dynasty: ...I'm still going strong in my old age!
Stealing your brother's vegetables isn't stealing; it's tasting poison for your imperial brother.
Emperor Li Yu of the Tang Dynasty: So you ate the cucumbers grown in the greenhouse? And you still gave them to me...
The emperor was furious and banished the garrisoned person to the Western Regions.
The courtiers thought to themselves, "Finally, the court is quiet."
Thinking about it again, the young prince should have learned his lesson this time.
Just as the courtiers thought the young prince would be begging for mercy, a sudden sound rang in their minds—
【Wohoho, yay yay yay, here I come with baked buns, big plate chicken, and lamb skewers!】
woman dressed as a man
Infrastructure Flow
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