Li Qinzai and Li Sujie squatted in the backyard, looking at each other.
In front of them lay a cow, a living cow.
Li Sujie's hands and feet were trembling, and she looked embarrassed: "Sir, isn't this bad?"
Li Qinzai was moved and said: "There's nothing wrong with it. Don't you always say that if something happens, I'll do my duty? Now, let's work."
Li Sujie said with an ugly face: "But this matter... I really don't dare to take action."
Li Qinzai said contemptuously: "You have gone to Baekje with me and participated in the battle to destroy the Japanese country. You have seen so many dead people that you don't even dare to kill a cow?"
"Sir, cattle are used to plow the land..."
"But I have money."
"Sir, if the imperial censor finds out, this disciple will be scolded by his father."
"You just accidentally injured the cow, it's not a big deal."
"Sir, the gentleman is far away from the kitchen..."
"In order to eat beef, we don't have to be gentlemen. It's okay to be a butcher occasionally. Say it with conscience, don't you want to eat beef?"
Li Sujie hesitated to speak, then sighed heavily: "...I want to."
"What are you waiting for?"
Li Sujie hesitated for a long time, gritted her teeth, picked up a small wooden stick at hand, closed her eyes and gently knocked on the cow's head...
Wave!
Li Qinzai was overjoyed and turned around and shouted: "The fourth prince has injured our cow. Report it to the government quickly. Our family will have to pay a fine! Someone will take the cow out and kill it!"
Liu Asi rushed in like a group of tribesmen, picked up the cow and left without saying a word. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared. His movements were crisp and neat, coming and going without a trace, as if he had rehearsed hundreds of times in advance.
Not only did Li Sujie look dull, but the cow that was led out was also confused.
Li Sujie looked at all this blankly and said: "Is this...injuring the cow?"
Li Qinzai said solemnly: "He's injured, very seriously. Obviously he can't plow the land, so he can only be killed for meat."
"Sir, is this a bit of a joke?" Li Sujie said with difficulty.
"It's no joke, everything is reasonable and legal. Our family is a law-abiding citizen, and the fine we should pay to the government will not be less."
Li Sujie sighed and murmured: "What a sin..."
"Wait a minute, you will be able to eat fragrant beef today, well-cooked beef brisket, tripe that can be used in hot pot, cooked tripe with cold dishes, beef louvers, and a big stick of bone marrow that fills your mouth with fragrance, tsk,
My mouth is watering." Li Qinzai looked longingly.
Unable to wait any longer, I got up and walked to the kitchen.
Today is another busy day, both mentally and physically full.
…………
There is a banquet in the other courtyard today, an all-ox banquet.
Starting in the afternoon, the kitchen got busy. The slaughtered cows were cut into various pieces. Li Qinzai personally supervised the work. Even the offal, which was never eaten by the people of the Tang Dynasty, was not allowed to be thrown away.
The big bone sticks were stewed for three hours, from noon to evening. The soup was mixed with various spices and became thick and thick, and the aroma filled the entire courtyard.
Shred the beef tendon and stir-fry the beef.
Beef tenderloin steaks, steaks that you have eaten in your previous life must also be arranged.
Beef tripe and beef louver are cooked and served cold, mixed with wild vegetables and seasonings, and drizzled with sesame oil. It is refreshing and appetizing.
The frantic Li Qinzai didn't even spare the beef whip and eggs. He kept this for himself and ate it secretly. He also sprinkled cumin on the barbecue and it was equally delicious.
In the afternoon, I don't know who leaked the news. The students gathered in the backyard, like a group of beggars, squatting on the ground pitifully, looking longingly at Li Qinzai who was busy in the kitchen.
Until the sun tilted, the heat was finally enough.
Li Qinzai scooped out large pieces of cooked beef, beef bone sticks, and baked cakes from a large pot. A group of students squatted on the ground impatiently, holding bowls the size of basins, and ate them one by one. Got to sweat profusely.
After sending the students away, Li Qinzai ordered his servants to bring various kinds of beef into the front hall.
In the front hall, Cui Jie and Jin Xiang looked curiously at the plates of beef cooked in various ways.
Cui Jie said awkwardly: "Husband, eating beef...isn't it good?"
Li Qinzai laughed and said: "The cow has died and the meat has been made into vegetables. Is it possible that I bury the cooked meat in the soil and give it a grand burial?"
Cui Jie rolled her eyes at him and said angrily: "In order to eat beef, my husband has gone to great lengths."
Li Qinzai glanced at Jin Xiang and said seriously: "Don't talk nonsense, it's purely a coincidence. Li Sujie accidentally injured the cow. I reluctantly killed it and ate its meat. Our family is a law-abiding citizen and has never done anything illegal." "
"Since I've known you, I've rarely seen you do anything law-abiding." Cui Jie said angrily.
"Madam, have you never eaten beef before?" Li Qinzai asked curiously.
Cui Jie hesitated for a moment and said: "I have eaten it a few times, but the cattle from my own farm were injured..."
Then Cui Jie added in a more serious tone: "I was really injured. I slipped and broke my leg while crossing a ditch, so I had to kill him to eat meat..."
"Like me, do you endure pain to kill or eat meat?"
Cui Jie chuckled, and even Jin Xiang raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
"Okay, the meat is on the table. It would be pretentious not to eat it any more."
Cui Jie and Jin Xiang looked at each other and hesitantly lowered their chopsticks.
At the beginning, the two women looked uncomfortable and unaccustomed. After the first bite of beef entered their mouths, the two women's eyes lit up and they gradually picked up the vegetables faster.
In the end, I simply let myself go, released my true nature, and became less and less particular about food and fortune.
Li Qinzai looked at them with a smile and asked: "Is it delicious?"
Cui Jie nodded and said vaguely: "It's delicious. My husband's cooking is really good."
Jin Xiang didn't say anything, maintaining his aloof persona in front of him, but he was extremely enthusiastic about the beef in front of him.
The three of them were having a hearty meal when a servant hurried into the hall and said, "Fifth Young Master, His Royal Highness Prince Teng has arrived."
Li Qinzai was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at Jin Xiang with doubts in his eyes.
Is your father here to collect debt?
Jin Xiang was also a little surprised, and his beautiful eyes showed a bit of confusion.
Li Qinzai raised his chin towards Jinxiang and said loudly: "Just say I'm not here!"
Cui Jie was surprised and said: "Husband,... His Highness Prince Teng is the father of the county lord. He has been friends with my family for many years. How can you avoid seeing me?"
Li Qinzai said vaguely: "When I was in Bingzhou, I had a little friction with Prince Teng..."
Jin Xiang snorted: "It's more than just a small friction."
Cui Jie became more and more shocked: "Did your husband offend King Teng when he was in Bingzhou?"
Li Qinzai laughed dryly: "Actually, it's a misunderstanding. I don't have time to explain. I'll avoid it first."
Jin Xiang sighed, stood up and walked out, saying, "I'm going to greet my father."
Seeing that Li Qinzai was panicking and planning to run away, Jin Xiang couldn't help but said: "Uncle Li, my father is already here. You can't escape him, so you should think about how to deal with him."
Li Qinzai tentatively asked: "How about... ordering Buqu to drive your father out?"
Jinxiang's eyes widened: "How dare you!"
Cui Jie on the side looked at Li Qinzai and then at Jinxiang.