I opened a tavern in Datang/Datang: My peerless talent was exposed

"Shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, Lao Li told me that your craftsmanship was going to heaven, I still didn't quite believe it, it was only after this trial that I realized that Lao Li was not only telling the truth, but also speaking conservatively. , your craft is really amazing!"

Hahaha, Zhang Nuo cupped his hands and accepted Changsun Wuji's compliment with a smile. For a chef, being praised for his skill is the simplest but also the most precious evaluation.

However, for Zhang Nuo, a good chef must not only have excellent craftsmanship, but also a good level of storytelling. Otherwise, how did those online celebrity shops come about?

In terms of craftsmanship alone, there are many chefs with better craftsmanship, but people can package and tell stories, so this is popular.

Although Zhang Nuo is not pursuing to create an online celebrity shop at the moment, it is still necessary to establish a high-end image in front of customers, especially new customers like Lao Sun, who must be maintained.So, Zhang Nuo said with a smile,

"Old Sun, you didn't know it when you came here for the first time. Cooking is actually a kind of skill. Like other skills, it requires effort."

"Lao Tzu said in the Tao Te Ching that governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. Why do you put such important things as governing the country and cooking together? That's because the two have something in common, so don't underestimate the skills in the kitchen. craft."

Now not only Changsun Wuji listened, but even Li Shimin became more interested.

The phrase "governing a big country is like cooking small fish" is indeed from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, which emphasizes that governing a country should be done with care. Is there any other explanation?

But without waiting for Li Shimin to open his mouth, the eldest grandson Wuji, who wanted to find Zhang Nuo more than him, took the initiative to pour a glass of wine for Zhang Nuo, and asked with a smile,

"Shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, please tell our old grandson how this culinary skill has something to do with governing the country. I didn't study hard, old grandson, so I admire you as a cultural person."

Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji's appearance, and almost stared out his eyes.

Well, you eldest grandson Wuji, you minister of the official department, Zhao Guogong, you don’t even want to lose your face for the sake of clichés, and you have the nerve to say that you didn’t study hard back then?

But Zhang Nuo didn't know this. In his opinion, it's not normal for a businessman to be very interested in culture even though he is not highly educated.

If he was talking about classics and historical classics with serious scholars, Zhang Nuo would probably be blinded by a few words at the moment, but this kind of analysis of classic sentences was proposed by himself, so how could he not know.

This time, Zhang Nuo planned to talk to him thoroughly on this topic, so as to stupefy Lao Sun, a big customer, at once, and he would have another big customer in the future.

Therefore, Zhang Nuomei took a sip of wine and said leisurely,

"The so-called governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. If it is put to ordinary scholars, it means that the affairs of governing the country need to be cautious. But to me, I am both a scholar and a cook, and I am also a good cook. This sentence has three meanings!"

Both Changsun Wuji and Li Shimin were dumbfounded. As long as they are scholars, they basically know this sentence, especially the two of them, one is the emperor and the other is a high-ranking official. more familiar.

So in their view, there is only one explanation for this sentence, and that is "governing a country is like cooking small fish, you have to be careful."

But according to what Zhang Nuo said, there are actually three meanings?

Changsun Wuji was very confused at the moment, he was just self-effacing just for the sake of clichés, but after listening to Xiao Zhang's shopkeeper, why did he seem to really not study much back then?

Seeing the bewildered expressions of the two, Zhang Nuo was secretly happy.

It's right to be ignorant, if you don't talk to me, why do you two admire me?

If you don't admire my words, why throw a lot of money?

Well, it seems that the first move was done well, and we have to continue to increase the firepower!

Zhang Nuo decided that after turning Lao Li into a regular customer and admirer, the second SVIP member of the restaurant will lock on Lao Sun!

Chapter 15 Three meanings?

Zhang Nuo saw that the appetites of the two had been lifted, so he picked up the wine glass with a smile, took a sip from time to time, and said,

"The first level of meaning, you think about it for yourself, if you govern a big country, what is a small fish? Isn't it the small fish we usually eat. The most important thing for frying fish is the heat. Only when the heat is just right, you can get it out. It’s delicious food.”

"And if the fire is not in place, if it is too big or too small, what will be produced is either a piece of charcoal or lettuce, which is the same as governing a country."

Having said that, Zhang Nuo directly nodded to Lao Li and said,

"When Lao Li came here, we talked about Emperor Sui Yang. It was typical that the firepower was too fierce. Canals, imperial examinations, and the conquest of Goguryeo were all good ingredients in the hands of Emperor Sui Yang."

"But in the end, he exerted too much force, thinking of accomplishing his best in one battle, and ended up starving and resentful when doing good things. This is a typical example of too much firepower."

Li Shimin nodded seriously, indeed, such an explanation would be clear, if he was here to do it now.

Even if he knew it was a good thing, a good thing that would benefit the people and the country, he would not dare to open up and close like his emperor's cousin. That would not be courting death, it would be death.

Seeing that both of them nodded thoughtfully, Zhang Nuo couldn't help but laugh like hell, it's just a scene talk, after seeing so many experts fooling people, who hasn't learned some skills.

After the two had digested it, Zhang Nuo continued,

"The second meaning is that cooking skills are the same as medical skills, and they also pay attention to the assistance of monarchs and ministers. Just now you two tried my fried pancakes, are you satisfied?"

Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji nodded at the same time. It goes without saying that the plate of fried pancakes just now was indeed delicious.

Zhang Nuo leaned back slightly proudly, smiled and continued,

"That's it. Think about it. I said before that the main dish of this dish is nothing more than cabbage, chicken, and pancakes cooked overnight."

"I saw you two coming to the door just now, and I happened to have mutton on hand, so I cut some mutton into it, and the mutton fried pancakes that both of you are quite satisfied with were served at the end."

Changsun Wuji was stunned again. How could he talk about recipes again? What he wanted to know were the other two explanations of "governing a big country is like cooking a small fresh food".

But before he could speak, Zhang Nuo continued talking,

"Think about it, it's these common ingredients that ordinary people can eat. Under my handling, the monarch and ministers help to prepare them properly, and then they become a gourmet delicacy."

"But if Lao Li or Lao Sun come into the kitchen now and give you the same thing, can you make it taste as good as mine? Absolutely not!"

"What does this mean? It means that cooking food requires skill and the reasonable use of any single ingredient."

Zhang Nuo saw that the two listened quite seriously, and planned to release some explosive news.

Don't these two like to listen to the important affairs of the court and gossip about high-ranking officials?

Although we don't know those high-ranking officials, we were also detained by the teacher and recited the history back then, so that's not to say something exciting.

"We've hit it off today, so I'll talk to you about something profound, let me give you a specific example! Let you also see how the current emperor governs a big country like a small fish!"

Hearing this topic, Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji's eyes lit up. This is what they want to hear the most. How good it is!

This guy was so excited that he almost didn't applaud.

Seeing their expressions, Zhang Nuo knew that this topic aroused their interest.

Sure enough, even a thousand years apart, men of this age are inexplicably interested in important affairs of the court, making it seem like they are high-ranking officials of the court.

"It is said that His Majesty's Minister of the Ministry of Officials is called Changsun Wuji, then you should know that this Lord Changsun is not just the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, he is also the uncle of the dynasty!"

"But it is this eldest grandson who can especially embody the way our sage governs a big country like cooking a small fish! Can you see it?"

It's a chat, it's natural to interact, otherwise, what's the point of talking by yourself, only those who come and go can keep the heat.

But looking at the two people staring at each other, what do you mean?If you don't cooperate so much, we can't talk today.

"You two, what do you mean by this expression? You two haven't even heard of the name of the grandson, right? Then you don't care too much about the affairs of the court."

Changsun Wuji was almost in a daze, how could I not know myself?

He really didn't know how to proceed.

Li Shimin was also stunned!I use the auxiliary machine to rule a big country like cooking a small fish?

Am I so powerful?

Fortunately, Li Shimin came to his senses. Regardless of whether he had this idea at the beginning, but looking at Shopkeeper Zhang’s behavior, it seems that this approach is very good, so he can’t go wrong, just listen to what Shopkeeper Xiao Zhang said.

So Li Shimin hurriedly said,

"Hehe, shopkeeper Xiaozhang was joking. Of course we can't afford such an important official like Sun Wuji, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, but I must have heard of the name. I just didn't expect that shopkeeper Xiaozhang is going to talk about today. Such a big man."

Zhang Nuo nodded in satisfaction. This makes sense. If you are a businessman who hangs out in Chang'an, if you have never even heard of the names of Minister of the Ministry of Officials and Uncle of the Dynasty, you are too unreliable.

But it's easy to handle after hearing it, then the story can continue, otherwise if the other party doesn't know, it's really meaningless to play the piano with a cow.

"Since you two know, it's easy to talk about."

"Sir Elder Sun, not only is His Majesty's commoner acquaintance, he met His Majesty at a tender age, what's more rare is his outstanding ability, he can be said to be the most famous virtuous minister in the court."

Although Changsun Wuji repeatedly told himself that His Majesty is watching from the sidelines, keep a low profile and be serious, but his mouth is a bit out of control today, it is always easy to split, and the corners of his mouth are always running up!

But Li Shimin is a little unhappy at the moment. Didn't he want to talk about how he governs a big country like cooking a small fish? What does it mean to talk about auxiliary machines?

So he quickly filled Xiao Zhang's wine glass, and without saying a word, he just smiled at Zhang Nuo.

Zhang Nuo understands, this is a reminder to remind you to update, so why hesitate, let's continue.

"It stands to reason that there is nothing wrong with reusing such a virtuous minister, and it will not show His Majesty's means."

"But have you ever thought about it, the eldest grandson has another status, he is the uncle of the dynasty, a real relative!"

"Since the Han Dynasty, which emperor have you ever heard dared to give such a great power to a foreign relative? Even if there are talents! But only our Majesty dares to use it like this! This is vision and means!"

As soon as the word "relative" came out, Changsun Wuji's cup fell directly on the table.

These words really hit his heart.

Chapter 16 The eldest grandson Wuji will not end well?

Li Shimin's expression is very serious now!

What is a relative?Only the queen's family members are called relatives. These people have titles, relatives, and channels to blow pillows. They are the most likely to influence the emperor's thoughts.

During the Han Dynasty, the foreign relatives once became a group that could influence the change of imperial power and major court affairs. There are a lot of records about the topic of foreign relatives intervening in politics.

For example, the allusions of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's Jinwu Cangjiao, the story of Wei Qinghuo Qubing, etc., are actually closely related to the political affairs of foreign relatives.

Therefore, even if Li Shimin is already the real emperor at the moment, life and death are all within his word.

But when he heard the word foreign relative, his heart still trembled unavoidably.

But seeing that Changsun Wuji dropped his cup, Li Shimin felt relieved again. He has seen the performance of the auxiliary machine for so many years.

Needless to say, ability, although occasionally a little cautious, but most of the time it is indeed dedicated to the public.

In general, Changsun Wuji is worthy of his respect and trust.

Therefore, Li Shimin picked up the glass that Changsun Wuji dropped on the table, took the initiative to fill him with wine, and said meaningfully,

"Old grandson, shopkeeper Xiaozhang is talking about His Majesty and the eldest grandson, why are you so excited? According to shopkeeper Xiaozhang, there is a reason why His Majesty trusts and values ​​the eldest grandson so much. You can drink at ease and listen to shopkeeper Xiaozhang. Just talk."

After hearing Li Shimin's words, Changsun Wuji finally calmed down. He knew that Li Shimin's words were actually meant to calm his heart and make him stop thinking about it.

After receiving the wine poured by Li Shimin himself, Changsun Wuji said to Zhang Nuo with a wry smile,

"I'm sorry, shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, I only heard about the name of the eldest grandson before, but I didn't expect that there is such a layer of reuse of relatives, I was scared!"

Zhang Nuo was also a little confused just now, it is said that the eldest grandson Wuji is not a relative of your grandson's family, why are you so excited.

Now that the old grandson is fine, what happened just now must be put to an end!

"It's okay, then I will continue to say that your Majesty's reuse of Mr. Changsun Wuji is actually like a top chef cooking mutton!"

"We all know that mutton is good, but mutton has a smell. Only a good chef knows how to make mutton delicious without smelling."

"Your Majesty is like this. My eldest grandson is so capable. Even if he is a foreign relative, he must use his ability well and use it properly without worrying about problems."

"This is a manifestation of His Majesty governing a big country as if cooking a small dish. It's not because of his skill. A sage king with a deep chest would never dare to reuse a foreign relative like this."

Li Shimin is happy, and Changsun Wuji is also happy!

Look, this is the voice of the people, how pertinent and positive the evaluation of His Majesty and his eldest grandson Wuji is.

It's not that the two of them haven't heard people's flattery before, but they know very well that those flattery are more aimed at their identities.

Only shopkeeper Xiao Zhang is the real unintentional and sincere evaluation, which is especially rare.

However, before the two of them were happy, Zhang Nuo spoke again, and Changsun Wuji was stunned by his mouth.

I saw Zhang Nuo muttering,

"However, whether you believe it or not, I think that this eldest grandson will not die well in all likelihood!"

Bang!

This time, not only Changsun Wuji's cup, but even Li Shimin's cup fell on the table!

Zhang Nuo was stunned, what are you doing?

Have you rehearsed or what?

Talking about Changsun Wuji, why are you all so excited?

Although he did want to end with a startling statement, a memorable end to today's conversation.

But the current scene, the effect is too good!

After a while, Li Shimin kicked Changsun Wuji quietly under the table, and then said with a wry smile while packing his cup,

"Shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, don't blame me for being like this. It's really your words that are astonishing. The eldest grandson's family is in full swing, and His Majesty is not a fickle person. Why didn't he die well?"