Chapter 9: The Bean Sprout Wind Shakes the Capital

"Begin, trust me, if this fails, we shall die with honor!" Qin Shou struck two pairs of bamboo sticks, and under the adoring gaze of Sophie, pointed to the black cow to start singing and attract customers

What is going on? Gathering a crowd to cause trouble? This is a rebellion, a rebellion...

Don't say anymore, little brother, hurry up, let's give it a try

Old man Nie set aside the carrying pole, and the two baskets covered with white cloth caught the hurried attention of the passing townsfolk, while He Yunling arranged the homemade stove platform made by Qin Shou.

In the blink of an eye, five days have swiftly passed. On the bustling West Market Street, under the peculiar gaze of Old Man Nie, the black cow observes Qin Shou, who is organizing an assortment of oddities.

Just say something!

bean sprouts

Wow... it smells so good

When the pot is heated to red, Qin Shou immediately adds oil. Once the oil is hot, he quickly adds a small amount of minced ginger and garlic, allowing the fragrance to waft through the air. He then adds the bean sprouts and stirs them for a few moments. When the bean sprouts begin to soften slightly, he adds an appropriate amount of scallions, ginger, garlic, and salt.

Sophie blushed, her hands clasped together, gazing adoringly at her master, feeling a profound sense of admiration. For the first time, the capable Sophie felt that her master was truly magnificent

Seeing the layers of people both inside and outside, He Yunling, who initially lacked confidence, suddenly felt a surge of warmth in her heart. In such a sea of humanity, it seemed that even if each person bought a single bean sprout, it would be more than enough!

Qin Shou took out the chicken essence he had prepared in advance and added it to the bean sprouts, enhancing their fresh and sweet flavor. In order to make the chicken essence, Qin Shou traversed mountains and valleys to find wild chicken fluff and wild mushrooms, ultimately producing a bottle of simple, non-toxic chicken essence.

Well, I still don't know if it's good to eat or not

The good event attracted layers of onlookers, surrounding the scene tightly, making it impossible for water to flow through. Some people, after hearing the strange rhythm of the song played by Qin Shou and the accompanying visuals, couldn't help but sway along. Although the sound quality of the gong and drum was not great, the uniquely bizarre beastly howls successfully piqued the curiosity of the crowd.

Such a grand spectacle startled the nearby security forces, who hurriedly arrived only to find a scene resembling a riot. They could only stand by helplessly, unable to intervene, as Li Shimin's long-standing advocacy for a policy of non-interference with the populace had deeply taken root in people's hearts

Is it toxic or not

Two bronze gongs hung in mid-air from a peculiar stand, while two leather drums were covered with rags. As the black bull bellowed "Grandfather, grandfather, grandfather, grandfather," Qin Shou struck the gongs with two bamboo sticks, creating a dynamic and uniquely rhythmic sound that attracted the attention of passersby.

There is hope! Nie Ming felt a rush of warmth in his heart, his face flushed as he shyly fidgeted with his hands, awkwardly avoiding the enthusiastic performance of the black cow, as well as the efforts of Qin Shou, who was diligently keeping the rhythm and providing backup vocals. Moreover, the bean sprouts were a new dish he had never heard of before. Nie Ming was confident that once the black cow finished its song, there would be a good chance ahead.

What is that?

Please enjoy responsibly, one person may sample one piece, and the quantity is limited, so please adhere to this guideline. If you find it to your liking, you are welcome to purchase. The quantity is limited to ten taels per person, and sales will cease once stock is exhausted

Hmm... it really smells good! I'm drooling!

Grandfather, grandfather, grandfather, grandfather... I was born not to be a little cabbage, girls often say I am a bit strange, although I look like a bean sprout, in my heart I also have my love...

The unwilling onlookers braved the cold wind, drawn in by the aroma of the dishes, staring wide-eyed and urging Qin Shou to put the food down for them to taste. As for what Qin Shou said about its effects, they treated it as mere background noise, not hearing a single word.

Shou Ge'er, are you really going to sing

Qin Shouchao, drenched in sweat from selling bean sprouts, shouted at the Nie Ming couple. Without waiting for a response from Nie Ming, he quickly ran into the chaotic crowd of common people, using the confusion to distance himself from the troublesome Cheng Yaofeng, lest she discover him and create more trouble.

Qin Shou has not yet reveled in his fantasies of a beautiful life, when suddenly, the unexpected appearance of Cheng Yaoling and her unique lion's roar nearly startled him. Truly, it is a case of favorable timing and location, but unfavorable circumstances!

"Good, good, five wen, ten taels!" After Nie Ming woke up, he cheerfully grabbed a handful that had been weighed. He Yunling carefully tied it with dry rice straw, trembling as she received the five wen and handed the bean sprouts to the middle-aged man

As the singing became increasingly smooth, the black cow, with a determined heart, gradually returned to the right pitch. With the support of Qin Shou, who supplemented the vocal source, he saw the gathered townsfolk swaying along with him, which further boosted his confidence.

Oh? What is that? Brother, brother, stop shaking, what is going on inside?

Qin Shouqi explained the benefits of bean sprouts, and upon hearing this, the curious crowd was once again stirred into a frenzy, eager to witness the miraculous bean sprouts for themselves.

Oh? Could it be poisonous?

Watching the crowd uncontrollably scramble to snatch things up, Qin Shoule couldn't help but smile, rubbing his hands together with barely concealed delight; over one hundred jin could fetch more than five hundred wen

As Sophie carefully wiped the sweat with a cloth while standing on tiptoe, Qin Shou couldn't help but shout, "Mission accomplished!"

Do not rush, I have not finished speaking. If it were not a good product, I would not promote it so enthusiastically. Bean sprouts are particularly suitable for those with night blindness, oral ulcers, indigestion, and individuals looking to lose weight, and they should be consumed regularly

What is bean sprout? My friend, do you know what it is?

The mung bean sprouts are indeed a treasure. In cases of fever leading to cough, accompanied by yellow phlegm, sore throat, reduced urination with yellow color, and constipation, one may take 500 grams of yellow mung bean sprouts and 10 to 15 grams of dried tangerine peel. Add an appropriate amount of water and boil to make a decoction to be consumed as tea. This can help clear lung heat, eliminate yellow phlegm, promote urination, and nourish the internal organs

Oh? Is there a performance inside, my friend? It sounds amazing!

My lord, do you think there is a chance?

Could it be a deception?

In the crowd of men and women, as Qin Shouyu's words fell, the atmosphere instantly erupted with disbelief and discussions. The men's skeptical voices intertwined with the women's excited murmurs.

When Qin Shou and He Yunling had a sufficiently strong fire, Su Fei took out some rags to cut and sew an apron and put on a chef's hat, attracting the astonished gazes of the onlookers. What was going on here? Dressed in a rough chef's outfit, Qin Shou picked up a spatula and demonstrated the technique of fast frying typical of a fast-food restaurant.

Go away, don't make noise

Grandfather, grandfather, grandfather, grandfather... Come and buy... Come and see... Bean sprouts, 5 cents per pound! 5 cents, really 5 cents... Oh, so delicious, once you eat it, you'll want more...

The black cow blushed, raising its throat to sing loudly, though off-key and hoarse. Despite the black cow's lack of musicality, the rhythm of Qin Shou compensated for it, and the skin drum produced a bass-like rhythmic sound, so novel that it quickly attracted the surrounding villagers to gather.

Over thirty thousand common people gathered together, making it easy to imagine the grandeur of the scene. A mix of bizarre costumes came together, with individuals of various skin tones and hair types clustering and swaying. The spectacle was increasingly vibrant, making it difficult for those who arrived later to join in.

The striking Nie Ming, after Qin Shou finished speaking, unveiled two baskets covered with white cloth. The yellow and white bean sprouts appeared particularly vibrant in the cold weather, causing the onlookers to exclaim in astonishment, asking what this could possibly be.

My knowledge is limited, and this is the first time I have heard of this and seen the literature; let us listen to what the seller has to say

I also want ten taels, don't snatch it away!

The middle-aged man remained silent for a long time, while the anxious person behind him, waiting impatiently, inquired about the superficial opinions of others. At this moment, Qin Shou felt a wave of unease, uncertain whether the bean sprouts would be widely favored or remain an unknown factor

Oh? Is there still vegetables in such winter? How strange!

The cross-era rock-style method of attracting customers by Qin Shou successfully drew over half of the population from the West Market. The citizens of the Tang Dynasty and traveling merchants, who had never heard such a powerful and dynamic song, began to move to the bizarre swaying rhythm of the black cow, dancing a square dance suitable for all ages.

The first middle-aged man, after Sophie handed him the chopsticks, took a bite of the tender, fragrant, and sweet bean sprouts, and suddenly halted his movements.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the middle-aged man, with a terrifying gleam in his eyes, shouted loudly: "Wow... so delicious! Little brother, give me ten taels!"

There is also me

With middle-aged individuals leading the way, those who follow suit are in a similar situation; however, this time, the individuals behind did not wait for this gentleman to savor the moment, but instead rushed forward eagerly

Qin Shou held the bean sprouts, which were neatly arranged in a wooden basin, under the watchful eyes of the townsfolk. Deliberately, he refrained from tasting them, waiting for Su Fei and He Yunling to come over with their chopsticks, while boasting about the numerous benefits of the bean sprouts.

Shopkeeper, what kind of bean sprouts are these, and how much do they cost

Uncle Nie, I leave this to you. Once sold, continue to transport it back. Strike while the iron is hot

Qin Shou cleared his throat and said loudly: "Ahem... Now, I am honored to introduce the number one dish of the Tang Dynasty, bean sprouts, also known as 'Ruyi vegetable.' Bean sprouts are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and chlorophyll. They have the effects of beautifying the skin and preventing diseases, making them particularly suitable for those who care about their appearance"

The opportunity for freshly stir-fried free tastings is such a good thing that the onlooking crowd enthusiastically praises it. This time, no one is willing to leave; the fresh vegetables are already enticing enough, not to mention the free tasting of their flavors. Only a fool would be willing to walk away

Homemade chicken essence is added to the pot, accompanied by a rich aroma of vegetables and a mist that wafts and disperses. It evokes a group of citizens, resembling malevolent spirits, with green light in their eyes, as they swallow hard, watching Qin Shou take out the bean sprouts that have been stir-fried to eight-tenths doneness.

My dish, my love; I am the most fragrant, I am the most delicious; my beauty, my peculiarity...

How is it? Is it delicious

Human beings experience joy and sorrow, separation and reunion, just as the moon goes through phases of brightness and darkness, fullness and emptiness. When the music ends, people must part ways. Taking advantage of this opportune moment to interrupt the elder brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles for a brief moment, I, the younger brother, dare to formally introduce the finest dish of the Tang Dynasty, bean sprouts

Good

When the music came to an end, with a loud strike of the gong by Qin Shou, the citizens who had been moving in rhythm abruptly stopped. Afterwards, the crowd that gathered to join in the commotion rarely felt their faces flush with embarrassment, shy about their earlier absurd behavior

At a critical moment, Nie Ming became shy, leaving Qin Shou no choice but to personally take charge of promoting the bean sprouts. With the phrase "limited quantity," the greedy citizens restrained themselves, but it was tragically infuriating!

As the onlookers finished watching the commotion and were about to disperse, Qin Shou seized the opportunity to promote bean sprouts, and his words once again successfully piqued the curiosity of the crowd

Wow ... really

Nie Ming felt a pang of regret as he watched Qin Shou grab several handfuls of bean sprouts, which must have weighed at least three to four jin, amounting to over a dozen wen! However, Qin Shou was the true owner of the goods; he was merely a commission seller and could only watch helplessly as Qin Shou squandered money.

Next, I will prepare a simple stir-fried bean sprout dish on site. I invite all the brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts to taste and see how it is!