"Master Li, the weather in our northern region is dry and rainy, so the food is rough. Please forgive me."
Li Xiang looked at the food in front of him with some curiosity.
Although the capital was also in the north, due to the frequent exchanges of merchants and the canal, rice, noodles, and even many coarse grains were sold in grain stores, so the difference in diet was not very obvious.
But the huge basin in front of him made Li Xiang feel that this meal was not simple.
Because the basin was bigger than his face, the noodles inside were wide, transparent and long, and there were vegetable leaves floating in it, which looked very green and juicy.
In addition, there was a small bowl in front of him, which contained soup and water, and a faint sour and fragrant smell wafting into his nose.
Smelling the sour and appetizing aroma, Li Xiang's throat felt hot and he couldn't help swallowing.
Look at the side dishes, there are only four.
The first thing that catches your eye is the long strip of batter wrapped in it. Its golden and crispy appearance looks very tempting. I heard from the introduction that it is called crispy pork.
The second dish is stir-fried lamb with shallots, which has a slight heat; the third dish is stir-fried green beans, which has a burnt aroma; and there is another dish that looks like cold vegetables, which looks very refreshing.
Each dish is simple yet exudes a rustic feel.
Li Xiang's appetite was growing, and his disciple Kuai Wei beside him was no exception, swallowing his saliva frantically.
Zhang Jinnian was quite proud of it. His wife had eaten this noodle at a lucky restaurant when she happened to visit Qinghe Town, and she praised it highly after eating it.
After hearing this, Mr. Zhang, who was very fond of food, immediately became itchy and spent a lot of money to send his chef to Jixiang Restaurant to learn. For twenty taels of silver, the chef also learned how to make a dish called crispy pork.
Therefore, County Magistrate Zhang has been eating dipped noodles and crispy pork these days.
"This is a delicacy from Xiping County, called 'dipping water noodles'. The bowl contains noodles and the small bowl contains dipping water.
Seeing that the two men didn't look like they had heard of this dish before, Zhang Jinnian began to explain, "My wife really likes it. I think it's because it's hot today, so she specially ordered it to entertain the distinguished guests. I am just taking advantage of the two officials."
"I dare not, I dare not."
Li Xiang hurriedly bowed and replied politely, but he was very confused as to why the county magistrate was so polite.
"My lords, there's something special about eating these noodles. You have to slurp them up, otherwise the noodles will slip away."
Zhang Jinnian demonstrated it himself. He picked up a long noodle and slowly slid it into the small bowl in front of him, letting the noodle roll a few times in the dipping water.
Then he picked up the noodles tightly and put them into his mouth.
He slurped and said with satisfaction: "It's really exciting."
It was rare to see an official so unconcerned about his image. Kuai Wei could hardly believe that the county magistrate actually slurped the noodles like that.
He looked at his master, who just nodded slightly.
The two of them also learned to eat.
Li Xiang was used to going out in the wind and rain, and he had no particular manners when eating. He and his young apprentice Kuai Wei scooped up noodles, but because they had no skills, some oil spots were spilled on the front of their clothes.
The two of them ate the dishes while slurping them up. They had never eaten such fragrant and smooth noodles. The crispy pork was crispy and tender, the mutton had a hint of sweetness, and the vegetables were refreshing and refreshing.
After finishing the meal, although the two were sweating profusely, they felt more comfortable than ever before.
I saw that both of them were much more relaxed.
Zhang Jinnian asked the servant to fetch water for the three of them to wash up, and then did not lead the two to sit in the side hall for a while, but directly ordered the servant to serve tea.
The three grown men had just finished a meal in a very unpresentable manner, and their relationship suddenly became much closer.
Li Xiang drank tea with a satisfied look on his face and kept thanking County Magistrate Zhang, but Kuai Wei seemed to be still savoring the experience.
Zhang Jinnian said with a smile, "No need to thank you, but I have a question for you two gentlemen."
Since arriving here, Li Xiang had sensed the prestige of the county magistrate from the looks of the people, from his diligence in going to Qianniu Village to witness the water coming out of the underground canal, and from his words that he "wanted to report the method of the underground canal to the court"...
Li Xiang thought that it might be because he was far away from the capital.
I never thought that in the northern land thousands of miles away, there would be a good official who cared about the people. I couldn't help but feel touched, so I bowed and said respectfully, "Master Zhang, please feel free to ask."
Zhang Jinnian: "It can be seen that Master Li is a straightforward person. May I ask, Master, if I report the method used by the Shen family to dig out the secret canal to the court, will their exile be changed?"
In fact, Li Xiang had thought about this question when he first heard Lord Zhang mention it.
But he hesitated for a moment before replying seriously: "I'm afraid not."
Zhang Jinnian stared at the bailiff's eyes, and the two looked at each other for about ten seconds.
Seeing that the other party's fierce eyes had a rare clearness, without any evasion, he slowly bowed and said with a trembling heart, "Thank you for telling me."
In the capital, Prince Rui is extremely powerful and is now busy eliminating dissidents. The former Minister of Revenue of the Shen family in the capital could not save his life, let alone the Shen family, who are just peasants.
From the word "I'm afraid", Zhang Jinnian smelled a hint of danger.
Having already been here for five years, he is not afraid to stay longer.
It’s just a pity for the Shen family.
Zhang Jinnian felt a little regretful.
Thinking of the little girl's indifferent look, Master Zhang's eyes turned and he pleaded again:
"I have a humble request. The Shen family has saved my life. Could you please treat them well on the way?"
Li Xiang: “Yes!”
***
Wuyang Village.
"What did you say? The Yuehua family will be exiled."
Wu Yuehua's mother, Zhou, widened her eyes, unable to believe this fact.
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