Chapter 76: Fried Sophora japonica flower cakes. Pin a few strands of Sophora japonica flowers on the ends of your hair. ...
After another ten days, the late spring and early summer in Hangzhou and Beijing slowly unfolded like a picture scroll.
Willows sway along the streets, while the tender green leaves of the locust trees, layered one upon another, are dotted with tiny, white, fragrant flowers.
The common people passing by were surprised to find that the number of soldiers in black armor at the city gate suddenly increased.
"Tell me your identities, places of origin, and itinerary one by one. Every word must be true!"
The soldiers all wore solemn expressions, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning sun. Their spears pointed skyward, signaling the city's high alert.
Even the most oblivious common people could sense the tension and severity of the situation. It seemed as if an unknown event was about to unfold in this land.
"We won't investigate those leaving Beijing, only those entering." People were whispering, "I heard that building the riverbank was completely useless. Qingye Prefecture was flooded."
"They're probably afraid that the refugees fleeing famine will go south and offend the dignitaries in the capital," someone said.
Guiji Braised Food Shop is open today.
Guests came in one after another, and the newly vacated seats were instantly filled by new guests.
Guizhier noticed that the girl with ponytail was quite interested in pasta, so she planned to teach her how to make a simple spring locust flower cake.
The two people gently pinched the roots with their fingertips to remove the stems of the locust flowers.
Sometimes when I come across a few tangled branches and leaves, I remain calm and patiently sort them out one by one.
As the action is repeated, the locust flowers become purer, the petals embrace each other tightly, and sparkle with a warm luster under the sunlight.
"Wash it clean and drain it thoroughly," Guizhier instructed patiently. "Then we'll use the eggs to make the dough."
"Okay." The girl with ponytail looked focused, watching and learning.
A coarse earthenware bowl sat on the stove. The girl took a small, round egg and gently tapped it against the edge of the bowl. With a crisp "click," the eggshell cracked, and golden liquid slowly poured into the bowl.
She then used a wooden spoon to scoop up the flour from the bamboo basket and threw it down.
The bamboo chopsticks moved back and forth in the bowl, making a soft "tick-tick" sound, and the flour and egg liquid were intertwined.
After sprinkling in the Sophora japonica flowers, the aroma of wheat and eggs instantly fades away. The aroma of Sophora japonica flowers is rich yet fresh, like a blend of mountain spring water and nectar.
"Preheat the stove to low heat and add a little oil." Guizhier nodded with satisfaction. "Take a spoonful and spread them into small pancakes, then fry them slowly."
The evenly thick locust flower cake undergoes a transformation under the gentle wrapping of warm oil.
A golden circle first appears on the edge of the cake, which quickly spreads to the center, shining with an attractive luster.
In the golden color, there are occasionally a few burnt spots.
It is not burnt black, but a rich dark brown, which adds a unique flavor and charm to the locust flower cake.
"Out of the pot!" Guizhier smiled approvingly.
The kitchen was peaceful, but a conflict broke out in the private room.
On the Eight Immortals Table, the dishes were licked until they were shiny. Not to mention the meat, even a trace of vegetable juice could not be found.
On the plate where the roast duck was originally placed, only a clean skeleton remained, shining with oil.
The guests in this box were dressed in silk and satin, and one could tell at a glance that they were either rich or noble.
The middle-aged man had sharp facial lines, revealing an inhuman harshness. The woman had a raised chin, looking domineering.
"Sir, this table of yours will cost ten taels of silver." The bean sprout boy looked at the strange banknotes handed to him in embarrassment.
The six characters "Daliang Chengshuo Baochao" are printed horizontally on the top of the banknote.
In the center is a horizontal row of silver coins, with the amount marked. Below it are printed the words "Interchangeable with copper coins, accepted on all roads" and "Counterfeiters will be beheaded."
The banknotes are stamped with official seals to prevent counterfeiting, and are decorated with dragon and sea patterns around the edges.
"Chengshuo Treasure Notes were issued by the emperor. How dare you, a small shop like yours, disobey the imperial edict?" Pei Chen, the chief of the Dali Temple, curled his lips impatiently.
"That's right. My father is the chief judge of Dali Temple. How could he lie to you?" The little boy of Pei family, who had eaten and drunk his fill, had a rosy face and patted his round belly gently.
The scientific expedition was finally over, and he could finally enjoy himself.
The bean sprout boy felt uneasy and panicked under the threat.
But he was really at a loss.
I have seen scholars paying bills with copper coins, wealthy merchants needing change after spending gold, and I have also seen silver bills from money houses in the north and south.
I have never seen this "Chengshuo Baochao".
It’s no wonder that the lower-class people are unaware.
This currency change policy came hastily. In response to the situation where the national treasury was in deficit, the current emperor decided to issue a large amount of currency to alleviate the dilemma.
The new paper currency, which was hastily produced overnight, was used to pay officials' salaries and to pay river workers' wages.
"Ten taels of silver turned into a piece of paper, how can it be useful?" The Dali Temple official who had just received his salary muttered to himself while hiding in his quilt at night.
It gets late and the clock stops, the candlelight flickers.
"Husband, didn't our little treasure insist on going to the newly opened Guiji Braised Food Shop to try some new food?" The woman lay sideways on the couch, under the quilt, her tone sarcastic, "Just so..."
The two looked at each other and nodded.
The treasure notes may turn into a piece of waste paper at any time, so it is safer to keep the gold, silver and jewelry in your own hands.
Hence the current embarrassing situation.
"It is a great honor for you to visit our humble inn." Hearing the argument, Guizhier pushed open the door of the box and bowed gracefully and elegantly.
She has a lithe figure and her black hair falls softly on both sides of her shoulders like a waterfall.
She was wearing a moon-white silk dress, with a faint fragrance filling her sleeves, and a few strands of locust flowers pinned to the ends of her hair, which further highlighted the whiteness of her face.
"Your Excellency seems to be in high spirits today, so why didn't you attend the court meeting?" Guizhier asked with a bright smile.
Dali Temple Chief Pei Chen snorted coldly.
The young woman's words were soft but pointed. The title of Dali Temple Chief sounded impressive, but in reality, unless he was reporting on a major case, it would not be his turn to attend the morning court in the Golden Throne Hall.
But the younger son of the Pei family was not as good as his father and could not understand the hidden meaning.
He saw Guizhi'er, who was graceful and elegant, like a fairy from heaven, and he just stared at her.
"I've heard for a long time that the young lady is an excellent cook. Now that I see her, I can see that she is truly as pretty as a fairy!" The Pei family's little boy's eyes were narrowed by the fat.
His eyes wandered around wantonly, unable to conceal the greed that was revealed in them.
When the results of the Spring Examination are announced tomorrow and he becomes a Jinshi, he will take her into his house as a concubine.
"Well, don't be ungrateful. Settle this account quickly without any delay." Dali Temple Chief Pei Chen was very disappointed when he saw the boy's foolish behavior.
Guizhier raised her eyebrows and her eyes fell on the Chengshuo treasure note.
Military funds have been in short supply for years, and no one knows where the money in the treasury has gone.
Since the new emperor ascended the throne, Daliang has suffered many disasters, from plague to floods, and now it seems that it has really run out of tricks.
The essence of "currency change" is to make the people suffer.
The consequences of inflation will inevitably be self-destruction!
Before Guizhier could come up with a reason to refuse, there was another commotion in the front hall.
Dozens of young men, looking like scholars, filed in, wearing long gowns and square scarves on their heads. Some of them looked skeptical, while others looked angry.
"Where did you get the information, Brother Li? Is it reliable?" The sound of a chair moving was heard.
"It's guaranteed to be reliable. It's spread from the Hanlin Academy to major literary societies." Yang'an student Li Mi unconsciously clenched his fists.
He took a deep breath, as if trying hard to control the turbulent emotions in his heart.
"The chief examiner of this imperial examination, Grand Secretary Lu, died during the morning court session in order to expose the fraud," Li Mi said, raising his voice unconsciously. "He banged his head against a pillar in the Golden Throne Hall."
"Wow!" The students who came to the braised food restaurant for dinner were in an uproar.
There were whispers everywhere.
"What did you say? Who allowed you to confuse right and wrong here?" Upon hearing this, Pei Chen, the chief judge of the Dali Temple, was shocked and strode forward.
The anger in his eyes seemed to be about to burst out, and his teeth were chattering.
Didn’t the Sir guarantee that nothing would go wrong? How could this happen?
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