"Brother Zuo, winning or losing is a normal thing for a chef. Don't take it too seriously. But with your cooking skills, it's not easy for anyone to beat you. Are you subject to any unspoken rules?
." Li Qi comforted Zuo Boqing when he saw the look of loneliness on his face.
Zuo Boqing asked in surprise: "What are the hidden rules?"
"Oh, this is because the rankings have already been decided before the competition." Li Qishan explained.
Zuo Boqing shook his head like a rattle and said, "This is absolutely impossible. I was convinced that I lost last time. That person's cooking skills are indeed better than mine."
That's right, with his cooking skills, he must know who will win or lose. Li Qi nodded, with a serious look on his face, and said: "In that case, I have to treat it carefully."
Zuo Boqing said: "I am just afraid that you will be careless, so I am waiting for you here specially and want to tell you this. The emperor attaches great importance to this Four Nations Banquet."
I already knew this just now. Li Qi thanked him and said: "But this time the Liao Kingdom will not participate, and the Xiao Jin who replaced the Liao Kingdom are all barbarians. The cooking skills of their chefs are probably just like that, so there is nothing to worry about."
.”
Zuo Boqing also looked a little confused and said: "You may not know yet, but the emperor actually planned to cancel the Four Nations Banquet a few days ago because of the war in the north. However, he never expected that the financial sponsor sent someone to send a letter a few days ago.
, I hope to be able to participate in this Four Nations Banquet on behalf of the Liao Kingdom. They took the initiative to ask for it, so they must be somewhat confident."
"Oh? There is such a thing?"
Li Qi squinted his eyes, and suddenly his heart trembled. Could it be that the Jin Kingdom wanted to use this banquet to find out the truth about our Song Dynasty. He knew the ambitions of Jin Taizu very clearly. I am afraid that Jin Taizu has already launched an invasion.
Song's thoughts.
Thinking of this, Li Qi's face became serious.
When Zuo Boqing saw Li Qi suddenly startled, he shouted softly: "Brother Li, what are you thinking about?"
Li Qi was slightly startled and said hurriedly: "I don't think so. Brother Zuo, could you please tell me more about this Four Nations Banquet? To be honest, I know nothing about it."
Just now, Liang Shicheng gave him a rough idea, but didn't even tell him the specific rules.
Zuo Boqing nodded and told Li Qi the details of the Four Nations Banquet. In fact, the Four Nations Banquet was originally thought up by Emperor Zhezong in order to mend relations with neighboring countries. It was very political and this year was already the eighth.
, Nowadays, all countries regard this honor as very important, and every time it is bayoneted, it is red. And it is not as Li Qi imagined. The Song Dynasty is the only one. To this day, the Song Dynasty has only won the championship three times, and the Liao Dynasty has won the championship three times.
He participated in the country twice, Dali and Xixia each won once, and Zuo Boqing participated twice in total, with half the victory and the loss.
The rules of the competition are very regular. Each chef cooks three dishes. The first dish is mainly a test of knife skills, the second dish is soup, and the third main dish. Whoever wins two dishes will win the championship.
Zuo Boqing told Li Qi the details of the Four Nations Banquet, and then said: "You have to go all out this time, and you can't use tricks like the Crab Roe Banquet. They won't care about your health."
Health care? Do you think that’s all I have? Last time, I just came here not long ago, and I don’t know the chefs here yet. I proposed health care just to ensure victory. Li Qi chuckled: "Thank you, Brother Zuo, for reminding me.
I know, and I never use the same trick twice, but don’t worry, I have never lost in a cooking competition so far,”
Zuo Boqing was overjoyed and said: "Seriously?"
"Of course, I have only participated in one cooking competition, the Crab Roe Feast, don't you know?" Li Qi chuckled. In fact, he was deliberately teasing Zuo Boqing. When he won the Chinese Chef King, he was unstoppable.
After crushing him all the way, he won the crown without any suspense. When it comes to cooking skills, Li Qi really has never been afraid of anyone. This is the kind of self-confidence based on strength, and his trustworthiness is very high.
Zuo Boqing was stunned, laughed and cursed: "I'm sorry, you're kidding me again."
Li Qi laughed and said: "No, no, I am telling the truth. After all, you are now my boss. By the way, the emperor has just appointed me to be the deputy general manager of the imperial kitchen. You, the general manager, have to take a few kilograms."
Come and congratulate me with abalone and sea cucumber."
"No need to talk." Zuo Boqing hummed angrily.
"How stingy."
At this moment, a guard suddenly ran in from outside. The guard saluted and said: "Deputy Commander Ma, His Highness Prince Yun, please come over."
"where is he?"
"Just outside."
"ah?"
Li Qi was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand." Then he turned to Zuo Boqing and said, "Brother Zuo, I'll take my leave first."
Zuo Boqing hummed and suddenly reached out to shake his hand.
A gleam flashed in Li Qi's eyes, and he smiled and said, "Thank you very much."
Zuo Boqing glanced at him slightly and let's go, Your Highness won't have to wait too long."
"Um."
After bidding farewell to Zuo Boqing, Li Qi followed the guard outside. It was already dark this morning, but the torches on the wall still illuminated the emperor. Under the light of the fire, Zhao Kai, who was wearing a purple official coat,
He's so handsome that it leaves you speechless.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty." Li Qi stepped forward and bowed. This is still a palace, so basic etiquette is still required.
Zhao Kai hummed and said with a smile: "I just learned from my father that you will attend this year's Four Nations Banquet, so I expected you to be here."
Li Qi chuckled and said: "Your Highness has a wonderful plan, and my admiration for His Highness is like a torrential river."
"Okay, okay, let's get rid of your flattery."
Zhao Kai shook his head helplessly and said: "I came to take you out, but you didn't even look at the time. Now the palace door is about to close. If you don't leave, it may be difficult to get out."
"No."
Li Qi's expression tightened, and he chuckled: "But with you, the Imperial City Secretary, here, I'm afraid I won't be able to get out. You're just the doorkeeper, so let's leave quickly."
Zhao Kai glared at him angrily and said, "It makes people uncomfortable to hear such nice words coming out of your mouth. Why are you a dedicated doorkeeper?"
"Slip of the tongue, absolutely a slip of the tongue." Li Qi said with a smile.
Zhao Kai snorted, then led Li Qi towards the city gate, saying as he walked: "Li Qi, seriously, how sure are you of this Four Nations Banquet."
Li Qidao: "Ten percent."
"Okay, I knew you wouldn't lose." Zhao Kai patted his shoulder hard and said excitedly.
Revenge, this guy is obviously taking revenge on me for saying he was the janitor just now.
Li Qi grinned and rubbed his shoulders, and asked: "By the way, the Dali envoy came here this time for the four-nation banquet."
Zhao Kai shook his head and said: "He came to see my father to discuss the horse matter."
"horses?"
Li Qi had been in the Northern Song Dynasty for such a long time that he didn’t know much else, but he was deeply impressed by the horses. One word, less! It’s so pitiful! He asked, “Do they want to sell horses to us?”
Zhao Kai nodded and said: "Yes, in the past we usually bought horses from the Liao Kingdom, but now our country has broken with the Liao Kingdom, so they want us to sell their horses."
"This is a good thing." Li Qi clapped his hands excitedly.
Zhao Kai glanced at him strangely and said, "You also think this is a good thing?"
"Of course, look at what the deputy commander of my dignified bodyguard, Ma, is sitting on." Li Qi said angrily.
Zhao Kai snorted softly and said: "Forget it, if you want to ride a horse, don't mention that you are already a fourth-grade official. Even if you are not, with the money you earn now, you can't even buy a horse."
It's simple, I think you don't know how to ride a horse at all."
Sweat! This can also make you more accurate.
Li Qi's face was full of embarrassment, and he laughed and said: "By the way, Your Highness, has the Emperor agreed?"
"I don't know that either."
Zhao Kai shook his head and said: "But Wang Xiang thinks that since we are in alliance with the Jin Kingdom, we can buy horses from the Jin Kingdom in the future. The horses they have are much taller than the Dali horses."
This Wang Fu is really more successful than successful. Others in the Kingdom of Jin have begun to care about you. It's okay if he doesn't stab you in the back. How could he sell a horse to you? It's really a daydream.
Li Qi's face was full of disdain. Zhao Kai saw it and asked curiously: "What? Do you think it is inappropriate to do this?"
"No way, I am only a first- and fourth-grade official, these things are beyond my scope of consideration." Li Qi laughed and said, although he felt that if he wanted to buy horses from the Kingdom of Jin, he would undoubtedly be digging his own grave, but now he can
He is not qualified to participate in these national affairs. No matter how reasonable his words are, no one will listen to him, and he may even offend others. This kind of thankless thing can be avoided if possible.
At this moment, a group of people, about seven or eight people, suddenly came from the opposite side. The leader was the prince Zhao Huan. Next to him stood a man, about thirty years old, with bronze skin, thick eyebrows and big eyes, sharp edges, and a strong back and strong waist.
, followed by several guards holding torches.
"I will join His Majesty the Crown Prince."
"elder brother."
The middle-aged man also clasped his fists and said, "I'm sorry to see you, King Yun."
Zhao Kai tilted his head and hummed slightly. It seemed that he was quite hostile to this man.
When Zhao Huan saw that Zhao Kai was there, he was stunned for a moment, then he realized it and said with a smile: "Is it possible that the third brother is planning to send Vice Marshal Ma out of the palace?"
Zhao Kai nodded and said: "Exactly."
Zhao Heng smiled and said, "You don't mind if my brother takes up some of your time."
Zhao Kai asked doubtfully: "Brother, do you want to see me if you have something to do?"
"That's not true."
Zhao Huan looked at Li Qi and said, "I have something to do with Deputy Commander Ma."
Looking for me?
Li Qideng was filled with confusion. He and Zhao Huan had almost never interacted with each other except at the crab roe banquet last time, when Zhao Huan helped him or used him to attack Wang Fu. He wondered: "I wonder what the prince has to do with this official?
"
Zhao Huan chuckled and said, "Actually, I am also entrusted by others." As he said that, he suddenly turned towards the man beside him and said, "Actually, it is He Dianshuai who wants to find you."
How can the palace commander give me advice?
Li Qi couldn't help but glance at the man, feeling worried. Could it be that he was here to seek justice for his younger brother? This was his territory.
Zhao Kai was watching in confusion. He Guan smiled slightly and said: "Deputy Marshal Ma, I came to you this time because I want to apologize to you on behalf of my second brother. I have investigated the matter in the southern suburbs today.
I understand, the fault is all our fault, I hope Deputy Commander Ma won’t take it to heart.”
Wow! This is really rare. You, the front secretary, have always looked down on everyone, but you, the majestic commander, came here to apologize to me today. It’s really strange. What kind of medicine is being sold in this gourd?
Li Qi was wary, but he stretched out his hand not to hit the smiling man, and said with a smile: "The Commander-in-Chief said something serious. In fact, I have some faults in this matter, and I am really sorry that I asked the Commander-in-Chief to make a special trip."
Zhao Huan chuckled and said: "I have already said that Vice Admiral Ma is not a fussy person. Well, I think this is just a misunderstanding. You are all the pillars of our Song Dynasty, so you should cooperate more."
"Follow your orders," He Guan said, cupping his fists.
Li Qi also nodded in agreement, but he always felt that there was something in Zhao Huan's words.
Zhao Huan chuckled and said: "Third brother, I have finished what I want to say, so I won't delay you anymore."
Zhao Kai seemed to be still thinking about things just now. He was slightly startled and nodded: "Yes, brother, please go slowly."
After saying goodbye to Zhao Huan, Zhao Kai glanced at Li Qi suspiciously and said, "Li Qi, what happened between you and He Chong?"
"Little things."
Li Qi then briefly told Zhao Kai what happened this afternoon.
Zhao Kai narrowed his eyes, raised the corners of his mouth, and said, "It seems that my elder brother values you very much."
Li Qi frowned, glanced sideways at Zhao Kai, and suddenly said with a smile: "Your Highness is joking, I am only a fourth-grade official, and I am not a stunning beauty. How can His Highness the Crown Prince like me?"
Zhao Kai laughed, patted him on the shoulder and said, "I believe in you."