Chapter 412 Xie Qin Family Banquet
Those whom Xunyang Prince Li Xian and Governor Wang Lengran had not invited were brought out by Xie Shi.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the Xie family's direct descendant, aunt and niece, in front of him.
For a fleeting moment, a feeling of utter unfamiliarity arose in my mind.
However, this feeling was fleeting.
Below, a delicate hand quietly reached out and grasped his hand beneath his sleeve; it was the soft, warm touch of jade.
Ouyang Rong came to his senses.
Xie Lingjiang, standing beside him, held his hand tightly and looked at him with concern and gentle eyes.
The beautiful woman in front of him, adorned with hairpins, held her head high with an air of arrogance, glancing sideways at his expression and reaction out of the corner of her eye.
In an instant, the unfamiliar turned into the extremely familiar.
"What's wrong, Senior Brother? Is something wrong with your body?" Xie Lingjiang asked cautiously.
"It's nothing, I was just a little surprised to hear about it."
Ouyang Rong patted the back of her hand.
He suddenly realized that the power of the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families, or the powerful clans and aristocratic families, was still very strong and deeply rooted in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The Guanzhong gentry, the northern gentry, and the Jiangnan gentry were all enormous entities, and the aristocratic scholar-officials they cultivated were potential representatives of the local landlord groups.
Because of his own experience, he used to think that the path to advancement was not blocked and was relatively open.
But upon closer reflection, how many impoverished scholars in the Great Zhou Dynasty could be like him?
Regardless of the cauldron and sword, the love of the five women, and his status as a groom in the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
The number of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in each list was only twenty or thirty, and not all of them could be appointed as officials by the Ministry of Personnel.
Not to mention the other scholars with no connections who, like him, were sent to remote and impoverished places like Longcheng County.
Of those who passed the imperial examinations in each cycle, how many were actually able to stay in the capital to serve as officials? And even among those who held high-ranking positions like him at the prefectural level, how many were truly able to achieve this?
No wonder that when a poor but talented scholar like Ouyang Rong declined a sixth-rank official position in the capital, it caused such a great public reaction in Luoyang.
Having said all that, who were the people who occupied all those official positions and high posts in the imperial court?
Well, let's exclude ordinary people first.
The Daqian and Dazhou dynasties initially used the imperial examination system to curb the power of aristocratic families, but the effect was not as good as expected, because it was not about destroying and then rebuilding, but rather about supporting a third party.
In conclusion, the Great Zhou Dynasty was still an aristocratic political system. No matter how powerful Qin Jingzhen was, he was still born into a noble family and could not escape the limitations of his own class. This is why the private banquet between the Xie and Qin families took place tomorrow night.
The identity of Xie's son-in-law was even more impressive than he had imagined.
Perhaps they obtained an admission ticket that countless poor scholars dream of.
Ouyang Rong's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Xie Xue'e glanced at her and asked, "What's wrong? You don't seem happy?"
After speaking, she glanced at Xie Lingjiang and Ouyang Rong's hands, which were tightly clasped together under their sleeves.
He shook his head: "No, I'm thinking about how to thank my aunt."
Regardless of anything else, true strong people do not complain about their environment or the times. Instead, they can achieve something in any environment or era. Even if they come from a pure land and have a perspective that is a thousand years ahead of their time, their vision is constantly telling them that this is hell.
Ouyang Rong's heart was as clear as a mirror, and he felt that the gentle beauty and the woman with the hair ornaments beside him were becoming more and more familiar and intimate, as they were all flesh-and-blood beings.
Why thank me?
Xie Xue'e pressed down on her lips and waved her hand:
"If you want to thank someone, thank Seventeenth Sister. I arrived in Xunyang yesterday and have been with her for almost two days. You haven't come to see her even once. What kind of senior brother are you? Your teacher isn't around, so you don't even care about or look after your junior sister, do you?"
"Aunt, Senior Brother is busy." Xie Lingjiang said with a straight face, "Uncle Qin is here. These past two days, the main hall of Jiangzhou has been holding meetings to discuss the allocation of military supplies..."
Xie Xue'e couldn't help but say, "You're so possessive of your food now. Where did your nagging during the day go?"
Xie Lingjiang glared at her: "Auntie is talking nonsense."
Ouyang Rong gripped Xie Lingjiang's delicate hand tightly beneath his sleeve and said directly:
"Thank you for the arrangements, Aunt. To be honest, this banquet is a lifesaver and a real help in my time of need. My junior sister and I will be there on time tomorrow."
He paused for a moment:
"This is my first time attending a family banquet like this. I'm not familiar with the customs and etiquette of Yangzhou and Nanjing. Is there anything I should be aware of, Aunt?"
"There aren't many formalities for this private family dinner. It's just a simple meal for Uncle Qin and his granddaughter, nothing fancy. However, if you want to know something, Uncle Qin is a well-known gourmet in Yangzhou, having sampled all the delicacies of Jiangnan. Could you perhaps find some local specialties in Xunyang…?"
At this point, Xie Xue'e shook her head, recounting the details as if they were her own treasures:
"It's alright if you don't have any. I'll prepare the dishes for the family dinner. Your uncle sent some pickled crabs from Yangzhou, Guanghan cakes made with osmanthus from Qiantang in autumn, and hairy crabs from Dongting Lake..."
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow slightly:
"A gourmand?"
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Ouyang Rong shook his head, thought for a moment, and then tried to ask:
"How has Uncle Su been lately?"
Xie Xue'e's husband was Su Youwei, the governor of Yangzhou. Due to official business, they were both from one of the four regions that commissioned the creation of Buddhist statues. Ouyang Rong was quite familiar with Governor Su's deeds, but they only had official correspondence and did not know each other in private.
However, because of her junior sister's relationship with the Xie family of Chenjun, once they get engaged, her uncle will benefit from the marriage.
Xie Xue'e pouted: "He's just like that, dull-witted."
Ouyang Rong chuckled. How could someone who could be the governor of the most prosperous and wealthy prefecture in Jiangnan be truly foolish?
Xie Xue'e glanced at him: "You still need to make some preparations for the family dinner tomorrow night, mainly... in terms of how you treat people."
Ouyang Rong nodded, understanding.
In a sense, this family dinner was an opportunity for him to strike up a conversation with Qin Jingzhen. Xie Xue'e acted as the matchmaker, giving him a platform to showcase his abilities.
This doesn't mean any transfer of benefits, but rather establishing connections and finding out Qin Jingzhen's attitude towards the Xunyang Prince's Mansion and the Wei family.
If given the opportunity, one could also try to gain favor and sympathy for the Prince of Xunyang's mansion.
The main reason is that the position of Grand General of the Jiangnan Road Army is too important. If it is occupied by someone who is close to the Wei clan, the situation of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion will be even worse. We need to make plans as soon as possible.
Therefore, it is important to find out Qin Jingzhen's attitude.
This is also why Wang Lengran and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion went to great lengths to pick up people at Xunyang Ferry not long ago, and were caught in a fierce competition.
Ouyang Rong's trip was also to find out the truth.
...
The following day, in the evening.
A family banquet was quietly held in the private garden of the Xie family of Chenjun, located in Xiushuifang, Xunyang City.
A carriage slowly pulled up at the gate. Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang got out of the carriage hand in hand and went to the banquet together. Xie Lingjiang was also carrying a food box in her hand.
In the center of Xie Family Garden, there is a pool of clear water, and a tall building with a rooftop platform offers a wide view.
Tonight's family dinner will be held on this rooftop platform, where there is no roof to block the view, making it convenient to enjoy the moon while eating.
The two entered the garden and found that they were a little early. Xie Xue'e was still sending her maids around, running between the kitchen and the waterside pavilion, busy preparing the delicacies to be served later.
With the help of the noblewoman Xie, Ouyang Rong ascended to the high platform of the waterside pavilion and saw a feast laid out with delicacies and wines, accompanied by music and dance.
This was the most elegant and sophisticated private banquet that Ouyang Rong had ever attended.
It can be considered the pomp and ceremony of a prominent family.
Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang took their seats and waited for a while. Then, a group of guards surged in from below the high platform and waterside pavilion, occupying all the sentry posts in the round forest and putting them on high alert. However, they did not approach the waterside pavilion where the banquet was being held.
After the guards finished their preparations, a tall, elderly man and a slightly plump woman walked over leisurely and took their seats on the stage.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the slightly plump female Taoist behind Qin Jingzhen, who should be Qin Jingzhen's granddaughter, Qin Ying.
Unexpectedly, Qin Ying also turned her gaze over, seemingly glancing at Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang, who were sitting close together.
Ouyang Rong smiled politely, but Qin Ying had already looked away.
Everyone took their seats, and the banquet began.
Even though everyone already knew each other, Xie Xue'e, as the hostess, still formally introduced them one by one.
Facing someone he had dealt with during the daytime business dealings in the Jiangzhou main hall, Qin Jingzhen showed no embarrassment whatsoever.
In private, his expression softened, losing the sternness of his daytime demeanor. Seeing the familiar delicacies on the table—pickled crab, carved dragon and phoenix crab, and Guanghan cake—Qin Jingzhen showed no surprise, even making a few lighthearted remarks:
"Madam Xie does remember my preferences, eh? Better than Ying'er. She doesn't care about such things and always eats my food."
Qin Ying stared wide-eyed and exclaimed softly, "Grandpa!"
Xie Xue'e and Xie Lingjiang burst into laughter.
It seems that the Qin and Xie families have a good relationship in private.
Ouyang Rong thought to himself.
What dish is this?
Qin Jingzhen noticed Xie Lingjiang bringing out a plate of steaming hot cooked meat from her own insulated food container and asked her a question out of curiosity.
"This was made by my eldest brother himself; he worked on it all day."
"Is it... pork?"
Xie Xue'e sniffed.
"That's right."
Xie Xue'e frowned slightly and looked at Qin Jingzhen's expression.
In the Jiangnan region, pork is relatively cheap, and the wealthy look down on it, regarding it as a commoner's food, while mutton, hairy crabs, and other meats are symbols of status.
Xie Lingjiang's eyes sparkled as she explained in a clear voice:
"This was made with care by my eldest brother using the method from his hometown... He got up early to buy a large piece of pork, added water to cover the meat, and put only one large piece of firewood in the stove to simmer it over a low flame all day long, from morning till night, until just before he left home, when it was finally tender enough to bring two bowls of it..."
Xie Xue'e, who had been frowning, noticed out of the corner of her eye that Qin Jingzhen looked quite interested, and after listening, he even asked with a smile:
"I've never seen this cooking method before. I don't eat much pork, but it sounds quite interesting. Miss Xie, what is this dish called?"
"My senior brother said it's a local dish called Dongpo Pork."
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow slightly. His junior sister was indeed worthy of being his mouth double; she could remember even the things she casually said during the day.
"Dongpo? What place is this?" Qin Jingzhen curiously picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of Dongpo pork, and put it in his mouth... The more he chewed, the calmer his expression became.
Qin Ying hadn't said much since she came in, appearing rather quiet. She hesitated for a moment, then picked up her chopsticks, tasted the food, and her eyes lit up.
"It's delicious!"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Ouyang Rong.
Qin Jingzhen praised, "It has a tender and smooth texture, and is rich but not greasy. It's absolutely delicious."
Xie Xue'e, who was silently preparing to salvage the situation, stopped talking and looked at Ouyang Rong as if to ask a question.
Qin Jingzhen nodded with emotion:
"I've never seen pork cooked so deliciously before. It's truly an eye-opener. I was so ignorant before. I really need to travel more and taste the delicacies from all over the country..."
"Lianghan, you've put a lot of thought into this. It seems you have a keen eye for food."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
"In my humble opinion, ingredients are not inherently expensive or cheap; good ingredients are the foundation of deliciousness, like the tender meat from a pig's neck or the two plump claws of a crab before the autumn frost... These are all premium ingredients."
"Secondly, the right cooking method can enhance the flavor of the ingredients. For example, clams should be eaten with wine when they are half-cooked, while crabs should be steamed with wine lees and enjoyed slightly raw..."
Qin Jingzhen smiled and interjected, "For example, you simmer pork neck over low heat until it's tender?"
“Exactly.” Ouyang Rong nodded.
Qin Jingzhen's eyes lit up slightly as he looked at Ouyang Rong, as if a gourmand had found a kindred spirit, and he immediately began to talk animatedly.
Ouyang Rong responded with composure and clarity, his words articulating his views.
The two chatted amiably, and after several rounds of drinks, the tall, elderly man suddenly stopped and asked:
"Actually, when I heard from Madam Xie that you were coming, I thought you would bring me some paintings to admire. I didn't expect you to bring me a dish of delicacies, Dongpo pork, is that the name?"
“Yes, just some local dishes.” Ouyang Rong nodded, then added, “I’m short on money and have no paintings to offer, so I can only show off my cooking skills.”
"I heard that Lianghan declined the position of Chief Secretary of the Army Camp. Does he not want to work with me? Does he think I am difficult to serve?"
No.
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "Does Uncle Qin want to hear the truth or a lie?"
"First, tell a lie."
He said sincerely, "The truth is that I am not capable enough, I lack the energy, and I am not qualified for this position."
Qin Jingzhen smiled and said, "Then what about the truth?"
"The truth is, leading troops into battle is like a chef preparing ingredients. Faced with the same ingredients, different chefs have different methods, and the dishes they make will definitely taste different, but they are all delicious."
"For example, the Great Zhou army still has the core of the Weifu soldiers. This is the best ingredient in the eyes of a chef. Whether it is Qin Bo or me, we can cook it in our own way."
“But now, Uncle Qin, you are the chef in this grand feast in the Southwest, so why should I, the chef, force my way in and become an assistant? This would make us both uncomfortable, and we might easily become bossy and even turn the tables, creating unnecessary conflict.”
"Hahaha, that's an interesting remark." Qin Jingzhen clapped his hands and laughed.
Qin Jingzhen showed no unease about Ouyang Rong's veiled reference to being a cook, or comparing himself to Ouyang Rong, and instead asked with interest:
"So, you're a chef too?"
"I am not talented," Ouyang Rong said, sitting up straight. "Indeed."
The women around them, including Xie Lingjiang, Qin Ying, and Xie Xue'e, couldn't help but look at the young man in the fox-fur coat who spoke calmly and exuded confidence.
He instantly became the focus of the gathering.
Even Xie Lingjiang, who was very familiar with Ouyang Rong, rarely saw her senior brother so unrestrained and flamboyant... It seems that tonight is indeed important, and he will no longer hide his talents.
Qin Jingzhen narrowed his eyes:
"What does Lianghan think of Li Zhengyan's restoration army? If Lianghan were to be appointed as the commander-in-chief to quell the rebellion, what would be the reason?"
The room fell silent.
Ouyang Rong, with his eyes downcast and his mind focused, knew that the real test had arrived tonight...
Sorry, it's a bit short...or2
(End of this chapter)
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