Chapter 8, Delicious to the Point of Tears
Su Peisheng, upon hearing Emperor Li Shimin's command, stepped forward and said: "I shall tell Her Majesty the Empress about the interesting tales of this Young Master Fang. However, this Young Master Fang is indeed a refined gentleman, a man of great passion"
Although the eunuchs caused chaos in the government during the late Tang Dynasty, they were also one of the reasons for the eventual downfall of the Tang Dynasty. However, Fang Yiai believed that if the emperor were not incompetent and if there were reasonable systems in place, the eunuchs would not have been able to create any significant turmoil.
Then Su Peisheng recounted everything he had learned, which in fact held no secrets. The servants of the Fang residence had always had a good impression of Fang Yi'ai, which was also related to Fang Yi'ai's approachable nature. Therefore, whenever anything happened to Fang Yi'ai, the underground servants would discuss it among themselves, taking pride in having such a young master, and thus everything would inadvertently spread.
Unable to withstand the fiery gaze of His Majesty Li Er, Empress Changsun lowered her forehead. In a timid manner, she pleaded, "I humbly ask Your Majesty for mercy"
Li Shimin nodded in agreement and said, "However, this child is still young; it would not be too late to observe for a few more years."
Empress Changsun, after listening, felt both angry and amused. This Cheng Zhijie is indeed a slippery character. However, after hearing Li Shimin's words, she couldn't help but feel a bit curious: "Could it be that this hot pot was invented in the Fang Xiangfu?"
Changsun also smiled with his eyes: "If this child becomes a chef, it would be a loss."
Look at what you said, but this hot pot is indeed delicious, deserving of the评价 of being "so delicious it moves you"
Li Shimin expressed with great generosity: "No matter how Guanyin's maid is, I like her."
I did not expect that the second young master of the Fang family would be so unconcerned about his own status, pursuing questions about his past and engaging in pleasant conversation with me. Remembering Fang Yiai's bright eyes looking at me, even Su Peisheng, who had always presented a cold demeanor, could not help but let a hint of a smile escape his lips. Now in his forties, Su Peisheng could naturally distinguish between genuine feelings and false intentions. Reflecting on this, he could not help but exclaim inwardly: this child is truly remarkable.
Su Peisheng, standing nearby, observed the reactions of the two most important figures in the Tang Dynasty. Unable to suppress a hint of a smile while keeping his head lowered, he thought of how many people wished to leave an impression on His Majesty but never had the opportunity. This is what it means to be in the Emperor's heart. The innocent Fang Yiai was still unaware that he had already entered the heart of the highest ruler of the Tang Dynasty
Your Majesty, how can you speak of your trusted minister in such a manner
At the age of sixteen, Su Peisheng, faced with a large number of siblings in his family, made a decisive choice. With an elder brother already responsible for continuing the Su family line, younger brothers still in their infancy, and sisters of marriageable age lacking sufficient dowries, he resolved to serve as a eunuch under Li Shimin, who was then still the Prince of Qin. He received ten taels of settling money, effectively selling his life to the Li family. At that time, Su Peisheng was still quite young, somewhat clever, and honest and diligent. He remained by the side of the Prince of Qin.
Empress Changsun nodded and said, "Your Majesty's approach is more prudent; let us proceed according to Your Majesty's wishes."
Before anyone could ask questions, after everyone had taken their seats, Fang Yiai said loudly: "Brothers, have you heard of food that is 'so delicious it makes you cry'?"
It is indeed not surprising that Empress Changsun was somewhat lacking in etiquette. Although food was not particularly scarce during the Tang Dynasty, the lack of seasonings and the singularity of cooking methods resulted in dishes having a rather bland taste. Moreover, both Empress Changsun and Li Shimin had Xianbei ancestry, which made the hot pot lamb quite to Changsun's and the royal family's taste.
If the Guanyin maid wishes to meet, then I shall issue an edict to allow her to enter the palace
Fang Yiao couldn't help but smile. If Qin Huaiyu were someone who did not understand him, they would surely think he was very aloof. In reality, only those who are familiar with him would know that he has quite a lively personality, but he only shows this side of himself in front of those close to him
"Changsun, you are unaware that Cheng Yaojin, that old scoundrel, got into a quarrel with Xuanzheng over this hot pot." At this point, Li Shimin displayed no trace of an emperor's demeanor, and even seemed somewhat gleeful: "You know Xuanzheng has always been a refined gentleman; how could he possibly contend with that ruffian Cheng Zhijie, especially with Weichi stirring up trouble there"
Fang Yiai did not answer Qin Huaiyu's question, leading the group to his study, and simply said, "This is my study."
A desk spans the entire room, with four large bookshelves on one side filled with books, while the other side is cluttered with various small tools that are unfamiliar to most people; this is the experimental area of Fang Yiai. On the side with the bookshelves, there are also several small desks, and even a small couch. Next to the window, there is a lounge chair, allowing Fang Yiai to lie there and bask in the sun
Over a month had passed, and Fang Yiai sent a notice to his brothers, inviting them to gather at his residence for an important discussion.
Fang Yiai did not expect his hot pot to be so popular, with more than a dozen ministers sending their children and nephews to collect pots and ingredients. Naturally, Fang Yiai did not share the secret recipe for the hot pot with others. Alongside the booming popularity of the hot pot was the Eight Immortals table he designed.
This group of people immediately became unsettled, as the study is a symbol of a man's maturity and authority. Who wouldn't want to possess one? It is known that the study is exclusively for their forebears and for *books*. Moreover, this study was specifically designed by Fang Yiai.
Li Shimin looked at the woman he had loved all his life with a spirited expression: "Guanyin Maid, tonight I will let you taste a dish that is 'so delicious it will move you'"
Without hesitation, Fang Yiai summoned craftsmen to prepare for the excavation of a secret chamber in his own courtyard. Such a grand undertaking by Fang Yiai was soon noticed by Fang Xuanling, yet Fang Xuanling showed no signs of disapproval, clearly tacitly approving Fang Yiai's actions. Fang Yiai, undeterred, went on to design a study for himself, for how could a successful person be without a study? This is a hallmark of success!
Fang Yiai realized that this was his opportunity, thinking about earning his first pot of gold in life, he couldn't help but feel a bit excited
After careful planning, Fang Yiai prepared to join forces with his brothers to engage in these businesses. Firstly, they were all young men of privilege, and their monthly allowances were limited, so this would provide a source of income for each of them. Secondly, these brothers came from military and civil backgrounds, which were sufficiently strong, deterring anyone from provoking them. Thirdly, this business was bound to be substantial, allowing everyone to prosper together.
I do not know what this Fang Jun looks like, praising his own creation as 'so delicious it moves one to tears' is indeed quite a remarkable person
After a long time, it was unclear when Su Peisheng had stopped narrating, and only then did Li Shimin come to his senses from the meaning of those four lines of poetry. Li Shimin looked at Empress Changsun with a relaxed expression and said, "Guanyin Maid, what do you think of this kid Xuanling?"
Su Peisheng, holding the ingredients and precautions provided by Fang Yiai, sought instructions from Li Shimin, who was working in the Hanyuan Hall, and then hurriedly went down to attend to his duties
After dismissing the eunuchs and palace maids standing by, Li Shimin looked at Empress Changsun with eyes that seemed to blaze with fire: "Guanyin maid, having eaten and drunk enough, it is time for us to rest, isn't it"
Indeed, this matter is not urgent. Su Peisheng went to the Fang residence today, so let him tell you about Fang Jun's situation
Moreover, the eunuchs at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty held no real power; they were merely servants of the royal family. Although eunuchs were physically impaired, Fang Yiai did not look down upon them, including Su Peisheng. Fang Yiai believed that all people are equal. Furthermore, in an era that valued descendants, if a eunuch was willing to enter the palace, it was certainly because he could not continue living in his family, which led him to take such a drastic step. Therefore, Fang Yiai would not disdain these unfortunate individuals.
Upon entering the small courtyard of Fang Yiai, the pretense of civility was immediately cast aside, and one by one, they transformed into beasts.
How could I, a humble servant, dare to let Your Majesty be like this due to my own selfish desires
Evening, Ganlu Hall
After a long time, Empress Changsun touched her round belly and somewhat awkwardly said: "Your Majesty, have I been disrespectful?"
Qin Huaiyu could not help but speak first: "Jun Ge, you called us here, what exactly is the matter?"
Listening to Fang Yiai's classification of the realm of drinking, Li Shimin could not help but applaud in approval. He savored the lines, "Raising a cup to invite the bright moon, with my shadow forming three people." When he heard the phrase "strongly composing new verses," he could not help but laugh heartily with Changsun. Especially when Fang Yiai called out to Fang Xuanling, "Brother, let us drink." The thought of Fang Xuanling's expression of dismay made him laugh even more, and even Empress Changsun covered her mouth, unable to stop laughing. However, upon hearing, "Tea can also intoxicate, why need wine? Books are fragrant, why need flowers? Wine does not intoxicate, yet people are intoxicated; flowers do not confuse, yet people are confused," he could not help but fall into deep contemplation. The thought of Fang Xuanling's expression of dismay made him laugh even more, and even Empress Changsun covered her mouth, unable to stop laughing. However, upon hearing, "Tea can also intoxicate, why need wine? Books are fragrant, why need flowers? Wine does not intoxicate, yet people are intoxicated; flowers do not confuse, yet people are confused," he could not help but fall into deep contemplation.
It is, Your Majesty
Upon hearing that there was an important matter to discuss, all the young scions immediately arrived
Su Peisheng, quickly bring the hot pot here
"Guanyin Maid, come and have a taste."
Zhangsun looked at her husband, who had a childlike expression, and couldn't help but feel a bit amused. Fang Xuanling and her husband were not only ruler and subject but also friends. However, every time, Fang Xuanling would still manage to outsmart her husband in matters of state. Although her husband seemed unfazed, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it.
At this point, Li Shimin laughed exaggeratedly and said: "Indeed, this was concocted by Fang Jun, the youngest son of Xuanling. I wonder if Xuanling, who comes from a family of scholars, is upset with his own son."
Decades have passed in the blink of an eye, and he has become the chief eunuch. The Qin Wang of that time has now become His Majesty today. Although the ministers of the court show him full courtesy and great respect as an elder beside Li Shimin, due to his status as a eunuch, he has never had any close friends in his life.
Fang Yiao contemplated for a long time and decided that the first thing to do before starting a business was to find a discreet location for the brothers to hold meetings. This place should be as mysterious as the round table meetings of the Thirteen Knights. Drawing inspiration from the actions of wise figures throughout history in this regard, Fang Yiao decided to dig a secret chamber.
After the conversation, the warm red silk curtains naturally evoke countless beautiful tales
Yes, yes. It is my fault. The Guanyin maid is right; I will punish myself with a cup.
Fang Yiai disregarded the curious crowd and pressed down on an area in an unknown region. Suddenly, a section of the ground descended, and Fang Yiai was the first to enter, followed by the others. What appeared before them was a large round table that could seat more than ten people.
Seeing the dazed expressions of the crowd, Fang Yiai smiled with satisfaction
Empress Changsun responded quite cooperatively: "Your Majesty, what delicious food could possibly be worthy of such exquisite words"