The poor man grows watermelon

Needless to say, the prosperity of the capital.

Guarded by officers and soldiers, the group entered the city from Tianxuan Gate on the north side, walked along Zhuque Road, passed Tianbei Street, Tianzhong Street, and Tiannan Street, and went straight to the imperial city.

Even though the emperor's order was in hand and he couldn't stop on the road, Dong Gua deliberately asked the team to walk slowly so that they could have a look at the scenery of the capital.

The rammed loess road, the blue city bricks, the shops and residences are row upon row, and the streets are full of traffic and pedestrians.

People wear fashionable clothes and speak nice Mandarin, and it seems that they don't have to worry about their livelihood at all.

Hou An's eyes seemed to be insufficient, and he found everything novel, "My God, the capital city is so big, and the streets are so wide! Hey, look at those houses, they are all built with blue bricks!"

The rest of the people behaved similarly to him, both novel and excited.

Aunt Rao, who is as stable as Chun Jiu, couldn't help sighing: "Grandpa Tian, ​​it's really worth dying to see such a scene once in this life!"

Xiaoxia's sister-in-law was also very excited, and murmured: "Mother should also come and see, and Xiaodouzi..."

"Sister-in-law, don't worry, there will be opportunities in the future." It was not the first time Su Ya'er came to the capital, so she should be calm after all.

Su Qingzhu was riding a horse, looking at the bustling scenery around him, and there was an inexplicable thing in his chest that kept churning.

He couldn't help but think of Min Zheng's words—man, it's in such a place that he can make a big splash.

He still doesn't quite understand the meaning of "Great Exhibition", but he has seen many things that are different from Yujia Village and Bazhuo Mountain after passing through many cities along the way. Sitting in one place is really boring.

Yu Feng squeezed Su Ye's hand, and asked in a low voice, "Does Xiao Ye like the capital?"

like or not?

Su Ye has seen many ancient cities in pictures and videos, but they are far less shocking than being there.

This is a kind of grandeur different from high-rise buildings, solemn and solemn, bearing the imprint of history and culture.

Su Ye said truthfully: "It feels different from Yujia Village, each has its own advantages."

I have to say, these words greatly eased Yu Feng's heart.

"If Xiaoyezi likes it, let's bring him along when Xuewa is older."

Seeing the relaxed and doting smile on the man's face, Su Ye slightly raised her eyebrows and nodded slightly.

Hou An said abruptly: "Although Yujia Village is good, it is completely incomparable with the capital."

Yu Feng kicked him, "I think this place is good, so why don't you leave."

"I really want to!" Hou An curled his lips and slapped the man next to the pestle, "Hey, I haven't seen you smiling for a long time. What are you thinking?"

After what he said, Su Ye suddenly realized that since he entered Shaoping, the capital city, he had been extremely silent, without any signs of novelty or excitement.

"Could it be that brother Ping has been to the capital before?"

Everyone's eyes were on his face in unison.

Shao Ping coughed lightly, and said flatly: "I haven't been here before. Except that it's bigger, it's similar to Wannian County."

Hou An exaggeratedly exclaimed: "Are you blind? It's a lot worse!"

With a cold face, Shao Ping grabbed his wrist and twisted it behind his back.

Hou An let out a scream, and Yuanyuan's face wrinkled immediately, "It hurts, let go!"

"Who is blind?"

"You... ouch—killed someone, Brother Page, save me!"

Su Ye was smiling, just watching the jokes.

"Hmm... I'm desperate, Qingzhu, Ya'er... oh—"

Every time Hou An called Shuang'er's name, Shao Ping tightened his grip.

"Really, I'm going to die!" Hou An's expression changed.

Aunt Chun Jiu was really old, she smiled and persuaded, "Anzi, make a mistake with Shao Liehu."

Hou An puffed his face and said reluctantly: "I made a slip of the tongue, okay?"

Shao Ping snorted, and then let him go.

Hou An rubbed his arms and gave him a hard look, "Just kidding, why are you crazy?"

Shao Ping looked at the road ahead calmly, without saying a word.

Su Ye's eyes flashed, and he always felt that something was wrong with Shao Ping—is it really his first time in the capital?

After walking for an hour, the carriage entered the imperial city.

Winter Gua had already asked someone to rush over to deliver a letter to Huo Da. At this time, Huo Da was riding a horse and waiting in front of the city gate.

After the simple greetings, Huo Da turned his horse's head and led them to the palace.

"The small banquet on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival is arranged in Chongyuan Hall. Cousin has ordered someone to clean up the small kitchen in the back hall, and the palace servants have also made arrangements. You can prepare there."

Su Ye was taken aback, "Don't you need to go to the imperial dining room?"

"No need." Huo Da snorted, "The imperial dining room is not a good place."

Su Ye nodded approvingly.

It has to be said that such an arrangement is very thoughtful for them. It can not only avoid cumbersome rules, but also avoid many troubles virtually.

Su Ye breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously.

Huo Da seemed to see Su Ye's thoughts, and said bluntly: "You just cook well, and I will take care of the rest."

Su Ye looked at him and said sincerely, "Thank you."

Huo Da's eyes flashed, and he turned his head silently.

-

Chongyuan Hall has been specially used to receive foreign guests since the previous dynasty.

After Xiao Heng came to the throne, he was refurbished. Some extravagances were removed, and more elements that could reflect the history and culture of the country were added, making it look more grand.

Su Ye was conferred the title of "Royal Chef", which means he has a fifth-rank official status.When they arrived, a group of palace people stood outside the hall to greet them, no matter what they thought in their hearts, at least they all looked very respectful on their faces.

"The servant has seen the general, the lord—"

Huo Da introduced: "These are my cousin's people. If you have any work, you can assign them. You can use it with confidence."

Su Ye nodded and thanked again.

Huo Da waved his hand, "Go inside and have a look, if there is any shortage, ask them to prepare."

Su Ye nodded and stepped into the palace gate.

Although it is called a "small kitchen", it is actually not small at all. If the grain storage room and the firewood room are included, it fully occupies the entire back hall.

Just like what Huo Da said, Xiao Heng has already ordered people to prepare all the palace personnel, ingredients, stove and so on.

There are even guards patrolling outside the hall, headed by Huo Da's lieutenant - Sledgehammer.

Su Ye felt more at ease.

It was the first time for Aunt Chunjiu and Sister-in-law Xiaoxia to see such a formation, and they were so cramped that they didn't know where to put their hands and feet.

Especially when the palace servants knelt down towards Su Ye, they were so frightened that they almost knelt down too.

Su Ya'er was also very nervous at first, but fortunately, with Donggua beside her to comfort and remind her, she gradually calmed down.

Su Qingzhu still had that fearless look, which caused Huo Da to cast admiring glances frequently.

Su Qingzhu didn't give any face, Huo Da glanced at him, and he stared back ferociously.

Huo Da once again reflected on whether he had offended him somewhere.

As for Yu Feng, his eyes are full of his own twins, and all kinds of emotions of admiration, pride, and love are written on his face, and he doesn't care about others at all.

There are still three days before the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. If you say more or less, you will not delay things if you are quick.

Several main dishes have been ordered in advance, and the rest of Su Ye can decide on his own.

The main course of the small banquet is a tribute from Wannian County - mountain spring fish.

Since it was made for foreign guests, Su Ye vaguely guessed Xiao Heng's meaning, besides showing off, maybe he also wanted to push this "treasure" to the public.

After discussing with Yu Feng, Su Ye and Yu Feng decided to hold a "whole fish feast", which not only has many tricks, but also sounds fresh.

Of course, he is also somewhat selfish. The staple food and side dishes at the banquet, such as bean paste, steamed buns, flower rolls, spring pancakes, etc., are all labeled as Yujia Village.

What should be deep-fried, what should be pickled, what needs to be cooked on the same day, Su Ye ordered people to prepare running water in advance and keep them in the water.

There is a kind of person who is born with a convincing aura, and Su Ye is exactly like that.

Some palace people looked down on their mud-legged backgrounds at first, but after being taught by Su Yeming privately, everyone restrained their thoughts that they shouldn't have.

Once busy, the awkwardness and nervousness of Aunt Chunjiu and the others disappeared naturally, and everyone just needed to focus on the work at hand, just like in Yujia Village.

-

The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet has arrived in everyone's anticipation.

In the grand hall, the young and handsome emperor sits on the throne, next to the empress dressed in brocade clothes, dressed gracefully and luxuriously.

Behind the emperor is a mighty general standing with a sword in his hand.

Under the imperial seat, there are two rows of food tables all the way to the entrance of the hall. The west row is filled with foreign envoys in various costumes, and the east row is the prime minister, Taiwei, Yushi doctor, and other court officials.

In addition to being a courtier, Huo Da is also a relative of the country, and his position is next to Min Zheng, the last of the three princes.

The two nodded to each other and sat down one by one.

Xiao Heng had a just right smile on his face, both gentle and majestic.

Shen Jing glanced around the audience, and then said: "I am very relieved that all the envoys have come from afar, so I specially set up this small banquet to welcome you."

"Thank you Your Majesty—"

"I sent someone to prepare..."

Xiao Heng glanced at the brochure that Su Ye had just sent someone to hand over, and a trace of surprise flashed in his downcast eyes. Where the name of the dish should have been written, there were only three big characters written in official script - Quan Yu Ban.

Xiao Heng couldn't help being taken aback.

The queen called softly: "Your Majesty?"

Xiao Heng quickly came to his senses, smiled at the Queen, and said very naturally: "...All Fish Feast, please enjoy it."

This smile made the queen slightly distracted.

Behind him, Fan Ming tightened his hand holding the knife, and his armor rubbed against each other, making an extremely small sound.

Xiao Heng tilted his head slightly, his eyes flicked with concern.

Fan Ming still had a cold face and didn't even look at him.

Xiao Heng pursed his lips indiscriminately, feeling a little aggrieved.

The queen's complexion was very ugly. If it wasn't for the upbringing of the aristocratic family, she would definitely not be able to resist tearing that man to pieces.

The undercurrent at the top did not attract the attention of others, and everyone below was immersed in an atmosphere of surprise.

"Whole fish feast?!"

"What do you mean? A lot of fish?"

"Didn't you hear, 'all' fish feast—all fish!"

Not only the envoys of other countries, but even the ministers of the Yuan Dynasty were surprised.

Can you make a whole table of dishes with just fish?

Mu Taiwei snorted coldly, and said sarcastically: "To make a splash, you're overestimating your capabilities!"

Min Zheng glanced at Taiwei Mu with a half-smile, and then said to Huo Da with a smile, "Xiaoye's idea?"

Huo Da nodded, "I think so too."

Min Zheng glanced at the superior, lowered his voice, "It seems that His Majesty doesn't know about it."

Huo Da rubbed his forehead with a headache, "I haven't heard any rumors before, and it's probably a temporary decision."

Huo Da complained silently in his heart, Su Ye, Su Ye, you still dare to play tricks at the critical moment, what if you screw up!

Min Zheng was always smiling, obviously full of confidence in Su Ye.

Xiao Heng didn't seem to have heard the discussion below, and continued to save face, smiling and said: "The wild things in the country, let's talk about your feelings, today is just a banquet, not talking about state affairs, you can feel free."

Whether it is anticipation or contempt, everyone respectfully said "yes".

Xiao Heng raised his hand and ordered: "Serve the food."

The palace servants immediately sang loudly, "Serve—the dishes—"