The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

Guo Pu nodded, looked at the dishes on the table in front of him carefully, and said sincerely: "Fried small swimming fish, braised herring fillet, fried fish balls, salted white shrimp, scallion crab, pan-fried horn fish, steamed anchovy, and stir-fried small silver fish. Wow, eight dishes are either fish or shrimps and crabs. Lord Shen, this is the first time I have eaten so many fish, shrimps and crabs!"

"As the saying goes, live by the mountain, eat by the mountain; live by the water, eat by the water. To the north of our Wuxing is Zhenze (Taihu) Lake, which is dozens of miles in radius. There are dozens of hundreds of fish and shrimps in the lake. Crab. As early as the Wu-Yue hegemony period, King Helu of Wu had built a fish city on Sanshan Island in the lake. Now there are so many fish in the lake, we have to thank King Helu of Wu back then! ”

“That’s right, but King Helu of Wu is also very pitiful. Eight hundred years ago, King Helu of Wu conquered the Kingdom of Yue and captured King Goujian of Yue. Who would have thought that Helu, who did not kill Goujian, would be destroyed by Goujian, who endured humiliation and endured hardships, and ended up with a tragic end of his country being destroyed and his body being killed.” Guo Pu couldn’t help but sigh.

“So, it’s not wrong for ordinary people to pay attention to kindness, benevolence and morality in their lives. But for monarchs and emperors and generals, there must be no womanly kindness.” Shen Chong said.

Guo Pu suddenly thought of something and said, "King Helu of Wu not only built a fish city on Sanshan Island, but also built a palace for the King of Wu on the west side of Zhenze Lake and dug a well. This well was later called 'Helü Well' or 'King of Wu Well' by the locals. I wonder if this well still exists? Can it still be used now?"

"Although Helu Well is more than 800 years old, it is well preserved. The tragic king is gone, but the people of Wu still miss him." Shen Chong said.

"To be honest with you, Lord Shen, when I passed by Tangqi a few days ago, because of the severe drought in the area, the villagers dug several wells but no water came out. I found a place for the villagers of Tangqi to dig a well. I guess water has come out now." Guo Pu said with a smile. Shen Chong praised: "Mr. Guo is not only a world-famous Feng Shui master, but also cares so much about the people!"

While the two were talking, the maids had already poured the wine. Shen Chong picked up the wine jar and said: "Thank you, Mr. Guo, for visiting my humble home. I am very happy. Come, Mr. Guo, all the subordinates, let's drink for the great cause of our great general!"

Guo Pu, Shen Chong, as well as Wu Ru, Gu Yang, Qian Ju and others picked up the wine jar and drank it all. Little Shen Jin looked at this and that, with innocence and smile on his face. Putting down the wine jar, Shen Chong said: "Please ask Mr. Guo and everyone to taste these dishes."

When little Shen Jin heard his father asking him to eat, he picked up the chopsticks and started to pick up the dishes while listening to the adults talking. Guo Pu first picked up a piece of steamed mullet and put it in his mouth to chew. Putting down his chopsticks, Guo Pu said: "This anchovy is delicious. It is said that anchovy is warm in nature, sweet in taste, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi, relieving fatigue, nourishing the body, and strengthening the body."

"Since Lord Guo said so, I'll eat more. This anchovy is not only delicious, but also has several nice names.It is also called anchovies, rainbow fish, knife fish, etc. "Shen Chong said.

Guo Pu picked up the wine jar and said: "Since leaving Wuchang to come to Lord Shen, I can't say that I have been hungry and thirsty, but I have suffered a lot on the road. I can't eat well and sleep well. I am very grateful for Lord Shen's hospitality. I toast to Shen Nei Shi!"

After speaking, Guo Pu drank the wine in the wine jar in one breath. Shen Chong was also very generous and drank it all. Wu Ru, Gu Yang, Qian Ju, all three of them drank a cup with Guo Pu. The maids filled everyone's glasses with wine and stood aside. Shen Chong said: "Everyone, eat! ”

Everyone was picking up food, and the main hall became quiet. Little Shen Jin couldn't drink, so he ate the food in different ways. A maid brought a bowl of boiled water and placed it in front of Shen Jin.

The two people brought by Guo Pu, Chongyi, a personal soldier, and the coachman, were not qualified to talk, so they just drank there. Shen Chong watched Guo Pu pick up another fried small swimming fish, and asked with a smile: "Master Guo, how does this fried small swimming fish feel to eat? How does it taste?"

"Really good! It tastes delicious, crispy and delicious, not burnt, refreshing and pleasant, and not greasy." Guo Pu praised. Shen Chong smiled and said: "Then eat a few more. ”

The banquet lasted for two hours. Except for little Shen Jin, everyone was blushing. Shen Chong saw that everyone had almost finished drinking, so he waved his hand and several maids went down. Not long after, eight maids filed in, each holding a bowl of soup. The maids put down the soup bowl in front of each person, and Shen Chong said, "A bowl of hot and sour carp soup, please taste it."

After drinking the fish soup, the maids brought tea. Guo Pu took a sip of tea, put down the teacup and said, "Today, my trip is really worthwhile! I enjoyed the folk dance of Wuxing, ate so many fish, shrimps and crabs from Zhenze Lake, drank Wuxing wine, and tasted Mogan Huangya tea. ”

"Mogan Mountain in the southwest is really a Feng Shui treasure land. Although Mogan Mountain is not high, it is surrounded by peaks and towering bamboos and trees. Moreover, the mountain springs are gurgling and the flowers and plants are lush. A long time ago, Buddhist monks built temples on the mountain and reclaimed land to grow tea. In terms of quality, the tender Maojian before Qingming is the best. Now that the New Year is coming, we are drinking autumn's small spring tea. "Shen Chong explained. Guo Pu finished a cup of tea, put down the teacup and said: "The tea after autumn is still so clear and transparent, refreshing. The tea before Qingming in spring is even better."

"Of course, no matter what kind of tea, the spring tea before Qingming is the best. Since Lord Guo has come to Wudi, stay for a few days. When I leave, I will give Lord Guo a pound of Moganshan Huangya tea. When I go to Wuchang next year, I will give Lord Guo another pound of spring tea." Shen Chong said politely. Guo Pu bowed and said: "Thank you Lord Shen for your kindness!"

"Come, let's drink another cup! "Shen Chong raised the wine bottle and said. Everyone finished drinking, and the maids quickly filled their glasses. No one expected that little Shen Jin would come to Guo Pu with his own boiled water. Shen Jin smiled and said, "I want to drink a glass with Lord Guo too!"

Seeing this, Guo Pu, Shen Chong and others all laughedGuo Pu smiled and drank the wine in the wine bottle, and Shen Jin also "gulped" down his boiled water. Shen Jin wanted to return to his seat, Guo Pu said: "Mr. Shen, come and stay with me for a while."

Shen Jin put the pottery bowl on the table and came to Guo Pu obediently. Guo Pu pulled Shen Jin to his chest and asked with concern: "How old are you, Mr. Shen? What do you like to do?"

"I like to practice martial arts. My father made me a wooden sword and a wooden knife. He also made me a small bow and arrow with bamboo. The arrow stalk and arrowhead are also made of bamboo. I also like to read books, especially military books." Shen Jin said. Guo Pu smiled and nodded, then asked: "If you encounter a word you don't know or a problem you don't understand, what will you do?"

"This is not difficult for me. If my father is at home, I will ask my father. If my father is not at home, I will ask other people in the mansion until I figure it out." Shen Jin said.

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