Chapter 92: Eating Stir-fried Drunken Shrimp The shrimps kept in the bamboo baskets were alive and kicking. ...
Suddenly, several sharp whistles pierced through.
The whistle sounded three high and one low. Everyone, who had been as tense as a bow with a fully drawn string, suddenly relaxed when they heard the sound.
After receiving the secret signal, Xie Yuan, holding a yellowed parchment map, slowly walked out from behind the bushes.
His shirt hems and cuffs were stained with a little dirt and grass, but it didn't diminish his refined demeanor. The boatman, dressed like a humble farmer, followed closely behind him. "I bought some food in the county town. Let's share it."
His eyes flickered as he spoke, and Young Master Xie looked as if he had just woken up from a sweet nap in the forest, lazy and charming.
Although it was just simple vegetable steamed buns and flatbreads, everyone's eyes were shining green.
I'm really hungry!
All under heaven belongs to the king. Once the wanted order was issued, dozens of fugitives were already conspicuous and could only escape through small paths in the deserted mountains and ridges.
Not to mention making a fire and cooking.
Only Xie Yuan and the boat captain, who were not on the wanted list, were able to sneak into the city from time to time to find out something.
"Is there any new news about the inn?" Guizhier poked her head out of the cave.
A letter was pushed before his eyes.
Opening the plain white rice paper, the ink marks are quite different. The beginning of each character is hidden and the end is protected. Although it looks good, it also has a certain roundness.
Guizhier raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"It is said that the sender of the letter is Ma Lu, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue." Xie Yuan was also confused.
How could such a minor official have the means to seek refuge in the North?
Guizhi'er and Luan Shuangbai smiled knowingly and immediately understood each other.
The former Zhenbei prefect Ma Lu saw that his successor was rebelling and that he would be unable to escape responsibility if the case was investigated, so he probably turned against his successor completely.
The letter sent by Ma Lu was quite interesting, detailing the recent developments in the capital.
Guiji Braised Food Shop hung a wooden sign that read "Summer Break".
In order to satisfy their appetites, the dignitaries had to settle for the next best thing and return to Cuiyuan Tower.
It was midsummer, and the shrimps kept in bamboo baskets in the lake on the outskirts of the city were jumping around lively.
"Dear guests, the stir-fried and drunken shrimps in our Cuiyuan Tower are a must-try. I guarantee you'll want to come back again after trying them!" The host bowed to welcome the guests.
Guizhier can also make this dish.
First, trim the shrimps and clean them, mix them with chopped Sichuan peppercorns and ginger, and then pour in half a cup of shochu.
There are not many ingredients, and the food is fresh and lively!
The imperial examination cheating case in the capital caused a sensation. The test papers of the young boy from the Pei family, the chief judge of the Dali Temple, were flying all over the place, and he was completely humiliated.
But as long as the emperor doesn't give any order, there may be a chance for improvement.
After being confined for half a month, the bloated Pei family boy could no longer sit still.
He begged his mother to allow him to go out for some fresh air.
A bunch of friends gathered in Cuiyuan Tower.
"Bring me three plates of the stir-fried drunken shrimp first!"
He generously threw out a few Chengshuo treasure notes. The notes were worthless, so it would be a waste not to spend them.
The waiter agreed with a wry smile.
Slightly open the edge of the bowl and pick it up with chopsticks.
The drunken shrimps were limp and weak, and were easily thrown into the bowl of sauce and dipped in a little vinegar or soy sauce.
When it was brought to his mouth, the Pei family child bit it with his upper and lower teeth, and then spit out the shrimp shell flexibly.
The tip of the tongue first feels the spicy stimulation of the wine, and then tastes the sweet and lingering taste of the shrimp meat.
Wonderful, wonderful!
"Brother Pei, are you still in the mood to eat?" The pointed-faced dandy sat crookedly on the carved sandalwood chair.
The collar of his brocade robe was wide open, and his narrow eyes flashed with a sinister light.
"Aren't you afraid that the emperor will be furious and convict you of deceiving the emperor?"
The Pei family's child chuckled and continued to suck out the sweet shrimps as if he were cracking melon seeds.
The firm shrimp meat is still jumping and juicy.
"Stop talking nonsense!" He waved his hand.
What are you afraid of? The Pei family has presented gold, silver and jewelry, and has already gotten the word from the Lord.
The imperial examination case involves so many people that His Majesty will not investigate it to the end.
As for how to explain to the people——
The "rebels in the north" instigating scholars to rebel is the most appropriate excuse.
Any candidate whose registered residence is in Zhenbei can be used as a scapegoat.
How can such a simple and crude approach silence the public's criticism?
The dandy with a pointed chin and monkey cheeks rolled his eyes. He was uneducated, but he was not stupid.
The imperial court will certainly arrest a few more main culprits to serve as a warning to others and to demonstrate its majesty.
I just don't know who will be the unlucky one.
Just as I was thinking, there was a loud "bang!"
The door of the box was suddenly pushed open, and the imperial guards with long swords on their waists entered like a black tide.
"The criminal Pei Mingrui is suspected of cheating in the imperial examination and has been imprisoned for trial."
"Come with us."
The Pei family's child was stunned.
The live shrimp that had just been put into my mouth, perhaps because it had sobered up, jumped up and poked into my throat.
"Crack." In fear, his eyes widened and the fat on his face twisted in pain.
The Pei family's child frantically scratched his neck with his hands, his face flushed red, trying to dig out the live shrimp.
The chair creaked as he rocked it.
In the end, he almost died.
The scene described in the letter by Ma Lu, the Minister of Revenue, was vivid, as if he was lying under the table and eavesdropping.
Guizhier picks out some interesting content for everyone to read.
When it comes to the crux of the matter, everyone is very anxious.
They didn't even put the wild vegetable steamed buns into their mouths. They leaned forward with their necks stretched out.
"Humph, that idiot cheated, he deserved it." Someone cursed angrily, "I just wonder whose papers were swapped."
"It's a pity that there will probably be no follow-up to this Spring Examination." A sigh.
Three years after three years, how many three years can be wasted for these passionate scholars?
Wang Pu picked up the pancake, bit off a corner and chewed it slowly, his movements slow.
He frowned, and although it was fleeting, one could still see the loneliness in his heart.
"Alright, don't be sad." Gui Zhier waved her hand, "Since Young Master Xie has found out that the area is safe for now, I'll add another dish."
I just make do with one bite every day, and there is really no taste in my mouth.
The two apprentices stood up consciously and followed Gui Zhier into the depths of the dense forest.
Mushrooms, wild fruits, mountain delicacies and river seafood... In summer, nature has infinite gifts waiting for people to pick them.
The journey was long, and dozens of "fugitives" gradually developed a tacit understanding.
Young Master Xie led the way, and taking advantage of the mountainous terrain, the group sometimes fled separately and sometimes advanced together.
Luan Shuangbai and the boat captain were responsible for keeping watch and ensuring the safety of the team.
At night, sitting around a small campfire, Guizhier took a sip of light bamboo leaf tea and talked about guerrilla tactics.
The next day, the imperial troops followed the footprints into the valley.
The valley was unusually quiet. A moment later, with the rumbling sound of boulders rolling down, the retreat route was instantly blocked.
After being teased several times, the pursuers were exhausted and their morale was low.
"These thieves can just run away. We might as well just pretend we never saw them." The local military commander was helpless.
After all, compared to the reward, your life is more important.
What's more, I heard that Hangzhou and Beijing no longer circulate real gold and silver, and only rely on printing paper money to fool people.
Prices have skyrocketed.
"Forget about sending troops to suppress the rebels in the north. It would be good if there is no chaos in the capital." The local military commander muttered to himself.
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