HCB Chapter 156 Exquisite Culinary Skills
Chapter 156 Exquisite Culinary Skills
The city on the sand table is built to scale according to the appearance of Qingzhou, and every detail is lifelike.
The Vice Minister of Works, standing nearby, said, "His Highness Prince Jing specially led the craftsmen to build this in three days and three nights, and was able to draw exquisite plans for the Lingqu Canal so that Qingzhou could construct flood control and water conservancy projects."
"This method is indeed excellent, but I wonder how much it will cost?" said Marquis Guangde. "Qingzhou has had a difficult year of famine; if the expenses are too high, I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue will..."
"Rest assured," said the Vice Minister of Works, "His Highness Prince Jing has specifically calculated the expenses; the total cost, including labor and building materials, will not exceed nine hundred thousand taels."
Marquis Guangde frowned slightly, "This nine hundred thousand taels is not easy for Qingzhou either."
"Can't you lower the price a little more? Like 700,000 taels?"
The one who answered was His Highness Prince Jing, Gu Yuan, who had just entered the room.
His clothes were neatly arranged, quite unlike those of the official from before.
The Marquis of Guangde, along with the Vice Minister of Works, quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness Prince Jing, you have worked hard."
Before Gu Yuan could reply, he pointed to the sand table and said, "I heard this was made by His Highness Prince Jing. Would His Highness be so kind as to explain it to me?"
Gu Yuan's eyes darkened, he nodded, picked up a long pole, and began to explain methodically.
Marquis Guangde listened and nodded approvingly.
Meanwhile, the Vice Minister of Works silently wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, but was spotted by the Marquis of Guangde.
He began, "Your Excellency, the Ministry of Works has many affairs to attend to; I'm sure you're quite busy."
The Vice Minister of Works paused for a moment upon hearing this, then bowed to the Marquis of Guangde, saying, "To be honest, I do have other important matters to attend to. The Qionghua Banquet is approaching, and the necessary utensils for the banquet still need to be planned."
After saying that, he turned to Gu Yuan and said, "Since Your Highness is keeping me company, I will take my leave now."
After watching the Vice Minister of Works leave, Marquis Guangde turned to Gu Yuan and said, "Your Highness has truly gone to great lengths, exhausting yourself for the Lingqu Canal Map of Qingzhou. I, Pei, am truly impressed."
"You flatter me, Marquis Guangde," Gu Yuan said. "As a prince, I should share my father's burdens. Moreover, besides leading troops, the duties of the Ministry of Works were also specifically entrusted to me by my father, so I must do them well."
“Your Highness Prince Jing,” Marquis Guangde said earnestly, “if you can worry about the country and its people for His Majesty, you will be sharing His Majesty’s burdens.”
“Lord Guangde, there’s no need for further words,” Gu Yuan said. “Although I am not talented, I only wish to be filial to my father and have no desire to compete for anything more.”
“Your Highness Prince Jing is truly foolish,” Marquis Guangde sighed. “His Majesty now only has two sons, you and Prince Liang. If you don’t strive for success, how can you possibly be competent?”
"Forgive my bluntness, but His Highness Prince Liang is cold-hearted and acts eccentrically. He even lays hands on his own father-in-law. How can such a person be worthy of the position of Crown Prince? I think Pei Shangdao is a good minister. If His Highness Prince Jing could be brought under his wing, it would be good to make plans."
"Marquis of Guangde," Gu Yuan glanced at him, "you're dragging me into this for your own child's career?"
Marquis Guangde replied solemnly, “Your Highness is mistaken. My thoughts and words are all for the sake of the state and its people in Yanjing. Your Highness is of pure heart, and if the people could receive the protection of Prince Jing, it would be a blessing for Yanjing and a boon for His Majesty.”
“Your Highness,” Marquis Guangde retorted, “I am only stating the facts and have no bias. If Your Highness does not consider yourself, you should at least consider the Imperial Noble Consort.”
"Now that the Imperial Noble Consort has temporarily fallen out of favor, doesn't your mother think of you? Isn't she worried?"
Gu Yuan frowned. "Marquis of Guangde, please be careful with your words."
The Marquis of Guangde spoke calmly, "Your Highness is a member of the royal family; you should know far better than I how cold-hearted the royal family can be."
"I have said all I have to say. Your Highness may now carefully consider whether what I have said is correct."
He bowed to Gu Yuan, "I have witnessed all the grievances Your Highness has suffered over the years. Some things, if you don't fight for them, will never come your way."
"If Your Highness wishes to bide your time and conceal your abilities, you should take a look at me. If I were truly as incompetent as others claim, I would not have been able to hold this marquisate and serve by His Majesty's side for so many years."
Gu Yuan stared at him for a moment, then said, "The Marquis of Guangde has already seen the map of the Lingqu Canal in Qingzhou. If there is nothing else, please leave."
"Very well, very well." Marquis Guangde nodded. "Today I have made things clear with His Majesty about seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages. From now on, I will not visit His Majesty's residence again, and Your Highness need not hide from me."
Since Gu Yuan's plan failed miserably, he has been wary of the three marquises, and he dares not meet with even the Marquis of Guangde easily.
Marquis Guangde sighed.
His departing figure, bathed in sunlight, cast a long shadow that came into Gu Yuan's view.
Gu Yuan stood beside the sand table, her face expressionless. "Xiao Feng."
Xiao Feng responded, "The current situation is probably beyond our comprehension."
“Your Highness is joking,” Xiao Feng said. “What Marquis Guangde said just now was half true and half false. The only truth is that Your Highness needs to make further plans to secure your position as Crown Prince.”
Gu Yuan pouted, "Pei Shangdao."
"Why don't you investigate this person?"
Xiao Feng accepted the order and left.
-
"Xia Qi, what do you think of placing these flowers here?"
Pei Shangdao tended to the flowerbed, in a cheerful mood.
"Young Master, why are you fiddling with flowers again?" Xia Qi said. "News has come from the north that Gu Liang and his group have escaped."
“Normal.” Pei Shangdao glanced indifferently at the weeds below and said with a forced smile, “How could Moyun Ferry possibly stop them?”
Before Pei Shangdao could finish speaking, Xia Qi added, "His Highness Prince Liang is expected to return to the capital soon. Shouldn't we make some preparations?"
"What do I need to prepare?" he asked in return.
Xia Qi's voice was hoarse.
"He's coming back, and naturally people will welcome him."
He smiled, turned to Xia Qi, and waved, "Come on, let's take a look at these flowers together."
-
Noon the next day.
"What are you doing?"
A familiar voice came from behind him, and Jiang Zhi turned around.
Why are you back so early?
He glanced at the trinkets on Jiang Zhi's table and asked, "You like this style of hair ornament?"
Jiang Zhi replied, "I bought it because the style was unique."
"Your Highness, are you hungry?" Jiang Zhi asked. "Chong'an Prefecture is dry, so I asked the inn's cook to buy some sand pears and make pear soup for everyone. Why don't you come with me to the kitchen?"
Gu Liang squatted down and held her slender, white fingertips. "You can cook?"
I had always heard Doctor Han praise Jiang Zhi's maids for their superb cooking skills, but I had never heard that Jiang Zhi himself was a cook.
Jiang Zhi glanced at him sideways, "Your Highness will know once you go and take a look."
In the kitchen in the backyard of the inn, the pot on the stove was bubbling and steaming.
When the cook saw Jiang Zhi arrive, she smiled and said, "The pear soup has been cooked according to the recipe given by the princess."
Jiang Zhi nodded, looked at the rock sugar on the table and instructed: "Add the rock sugar last, and after adding it, simmer for another 15 minutes before taking it out to cool. Remember to use well water to cool it down."
The cook readily agreed.
Gu Liang smiled silently. "You mean cooking yourself?"