Chapter 426: The running water is not rotten, and the household pivot is not beetle
The Shuntian government officials were talkative, and since the emperor came with Zhu Ying, who was visiting with great enthusiasm, Zhang Chuan and Song Tuiguan could still try to cover it up, but there was news that the man Zhang Shou and Ah Liu brought over was in the trial hall.
, but it could not be suppressed, and no one bothered to suppress it. Therefore, the news had spread throughout the capital before evening.
In addition to the major events decided by the emperor at the court meeting this morning, there have been many turmoils throughout the day. I don’t know how many people are gloating about the misfortune, how many people are sighing, how many people are complaining, and how many people are worrying...
…This is because most people don’t know that the emperor went out of the palace specifically for a small frame-up!
However, although the emperor often went out of the palace for walks, after the series of news announced at today's court meeting, many people were still particularly concerned about his whereabouts. So it was logical to find out that the emperor, as Zhu Ying's cousin, suddenly suddenly
Come to Shuntian Mansion. Soon, the story of a certain wooden man was circulated in high-level circles, and the idea of witchcraft and nightmare town was very popular.
But people's speculation only lasted until the court meeting on the second day. Because the emperor directly brought the wooden figure to the main hall and solved the theft case in Qianqing Palace. Now, it seemed calm at first, but in fact it was already heated.
It was as if a ladle of cold water had been poured into the boiling oil, and the officials burst into flames.
Even the cabinet, the six ministries, and many other officials who initially complained about the emperor's inspection of Guanglu Temple were all mute at this moment. The emperor took out a detailed and clear account of the imperial dining room.
The so-called imperial chef's qualifications range from bribery to nepotism to the entanglement of fellow masters and apprentices... none of them are squeezed in through connections.
After hearing what the emperor said next, the remaining potential opponents were speechless. "Since the reign of Taizu, the six cabinet ministries and the temple supervisors have always had public kitchens to provide three meals a day.
But how does it taste? Just like when a person drinks water and knows whether it is warm or cold, ask yourselves, how many people eat three meals a day from that big kitchen?"
"And the large kitchens of these yamen, as well as the Siyi Pavilion that receives envoys from various countries, etc., are all under the control of Guanglu Temple. If Guanglu Temple had not been corrupted from officials to officials, how could the major yamen be allowed to do so?
The public kitchen was in vain, and most officials had to spend extra money to go out to get meals, and the large amount of money and food invested by the court was wasted?"
Seeing that there was a sudden silence in the court hall, the emperor said calmly: "From now on, all the large kitchens in all major yamen will be abolished. The original meal expenses will be distributed from Guanglu Temple to all officials in the form of subsidies. The specific amount
, will be re-examined and calculated by Guanglu Temple. However, I believe that even if I only subsidize your monthly meal expenses of one hundred and two hundred yuan, it will be better than the pig food from the public kitchen before!"
Originally, the emperor's words should have shocked the officials of Guanglu Temple to tremble, but these guys had no chance to tremble. Because just yesterday evening, the person who was directly taken into the Dali Temple prison, Cong Guanglu Qing, was young.
Most of the ministers, ministers, and officials from various departments also went in. The officials locked up a bunch of people, and the only ones left were two or three kittens and puppies.
As for those who were temporarily transferred to maintain daily operations, except for the few students from Jiuzhangtang who came to check the accounts, they were the capable personnel sent by Chu Kuan to take over the stall. It can be said that Guanglu Temple was swept away from top to bottom.
Not an exaggeration.
Today, Zhang Shou, who personally led the team to Guanglu Temple to receive the accounts, walked past the several warehouses of Guanglu Temple where tribute ingredients and fine wines from various countries were stored. He smelled a smell that could not be described as fragrant or smelly, and inspected them one by one.
He couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of his heart at those items that were either rotten or in bad condition, but only appeared to be passable.
It is not unreasonable for the emperor to choose to start from Guanglu Temple. Food is the most important thing for the people, and the emperor and high-ranking officials are also inseparable from food. It is simply intolerable to take advantage of the food they eat!
When several students followed him out, he saw that everyone's faces were full of indignation. He knew that they were obviously angry at those greedy silverfish who were derelict in their duties. However, everyone can be angry, but when they actually sit in this seat
Afterwards, when faced with all kinds of temptations, they may not make the same mistakes again. What's more, Guanglu Temple's accumulated shortcomings are no longer something that happened overnight.
But this was undoubtedly not the time to pour cold water on the students, so he nodded and said: "You are all veterans who have worked as accountants in the past. Several of you have also gone to Xuanda Governor Wang Zongxian for experience.
I don’t want to say much else, I just want to warn you, be bold but also cautious, check the accounts clearly, and don’t betray the emperor’s trust.”
"But the most important thing is, don't make mistakes. As for the new account, use the Longmen account method I taught you before. This way, no matter who takes over the accounts of Guanglu Temple in the future, it will be more difficult to do anything.
Much more.”
After receiving a loud and unanimous response as an answer, Zhang Shou turned and left.
As the only yamen built in the outer imperial city among many yamen, Guanglu Temple was originally the private residence of the royal family. Zhang Shou left Guanglu Temple and walked a short distance north, and he could see the
Donghua Gate can see Dong'an Gate from one end. Since there were relatively few foreign ministers who could enter the palace, he stopped here for a while, but he saw no one except the imperial guards and internal servants.
Ah Liu, who was originally waiting to meet him at the gate of Guanglu Temple, remained silent until he saw Zhang Shou finally stopped looking around, turned around and walked towards Dong'an Gate. It was obvious that he wanted to leave the palace, rather than rely on his ability to see the emperor at any time.
When Privilege went to Qianqing Palace, he followed him. After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but said: "The next step is to taste the dishes and select the imperial chef?"
Zhang Shou almost stumbled, but when he stopped, he glared at Ah Liu: "Everything has its own priorities, so just eat!"
"But tasting dishes according to the order is also a very important business." Ah Liu muttered in a low voice, and then said frankly, "Master, if you think it is not good to taste the dishes alone, why don't you call Grand Master Ge and
Miss, are you going together?"
As expected of Ah Liu, this idea is really brilliant...
Zhang Shou couldn't help laughing, but he had to admit that this was indeed a good idea. Moreover, he happened to have something to discuss with Ge Yong, so he nodded and said: "In that case, let's go to Ge Mansion. As for Yingying, forget it, we will invite you later.
She comes out."
"Oh." Ah Liu nodded very naturally and said matter-of-factly, "It's inconvenient for you two with Mrs. Ge here."
He didn't expect that one day he would be ridiculed by Ah Liu. Although Zhang Shou felt that this kid was becoming more and more humane, he still almost died of anger. He snorted with a straight face: "It doesn't hurt to stand and talk! I'll wait until I turn around."
After I find you a beautiful wife, you will know what is convenient and what is inconvenient!"
Seeing Ah Liu blinking but not speaking, as if he didn't react at all to the teasing about asking for a wife, Zhang Shou was too lazy to continue bickering with the boy, and hurried to Ge Mansion after leaving Dong'an Gate. But when Na was deaf,
When the mute Menzi took him and Ah Liu to the study without informing him, he heard that in addition to Ge Yong's powerful voice, there were two equally vaguely familiar voices inside.
"Old man Ge, have you had enough? I heard you exaggerating your birthday as soon as I came here. It's a pity that you don't have a granddaughter. If you have a granddaughter, it's Zhu Jing's turn! Oh, no, it can't be a granddaughter. Then the seniority will be messed up. You have to be
It will be better to have another daughter when you are older!"
"Hmph, you are jealous! Do you think I don't know that you also want to accept Zhang Shou as your student? But who was the one who was stumped by that question in the first place?"
"Lao Chu thinks you are partial. In all the years we have known each other, I have never seen you praise your children and grandchildren. Now it's good that you only praise your students."
Hearing such a conversation, Zhang Shou had no choice but to cough heavily to indicate his presence in order to avoid barging in and embarrassing the three elders inside. Sure enough, after this cough, the door curtain was immediately lifted.
She stood up and revealed Chu Ying's face. There was still a critical and scrutinizing expression on her face, but when she looked at him, it immediately turned into a smile.
"Hey, say Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here! Old man Ge, you, a closed disciple, are here to see you as a teacher!"
Ge Yong was a little embarrassed when he said good things about Zhang Shou behind his back but was overheard by his master. However, when Zhang Shou came in to greet everyone with a smile, and then bluntly stated the task entrusted by the emperor yesterday, he was a little embarrassed at first.
It turned into nothing, and he readily agreed as soon as he patted the handrail.
"Your Majesty, you have entrusted this matter to the right person. If you let others choose, you will consider all the insignificant details. Isn't it easy to choose an imperial chef? Look at the skills first, and then check the parentage and character. It's not like some people.
It’s just a matter of competing to see who has the richest background! This is easy, I’ll go with you! But we are not short of money, so we don’t need to do it in the name of trying the dishes, we can eat them as a family!”
Zhang Shou smiled when he saw Qi Jingshan, but Chu Ying tugged on the rat's beard with twinkling eyes. He said with a bright smile: "If Mr. Qi and Mr. Chu are free, can we go together? I can agree on it alone.
That may not be accurate yet, but you all agreed that it will definitely be selected. Besides, I still have something to ask the teacher and the two gentlemen."
"It's enough to ask my old people for advice. Why ask them?"
Although he was complaining like this, Ge Yong still glanced sideways at the two of them and said: "How about it, Lao Qi, Lao Chu, and Zhang Shou have already spoken, will you give me this face?"
If you don't give me face, I will accompany the closed disciples to eat and drink alone!
Qi Jingshan felt that Ge Yong's eyes seemed to reveal such a meaning, and he couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Chu Ying clearing her throat and seeming to retort, he said first: "Since it's Xiaoyou Zhang who invites us, let's go with him."
When Zhang Shou saw Chu Ying humming in agreement, he smiled and thanked her. When he invited these three people to go out, he changed his mind and said with a smile: "Famous chefs in the inner city would like to come to the teacher and
Mr. Qi and Mr. Chu have tried it, why don’t we go to the outer city guild hall and taste the different flavors from different places?"
Before the three of them could say whether it was good or not, he said sincerely: "Flowing water will not rot, and door hinges will not be beetrooted. In my opinion, since the local officials have to be rotated, it makes no sense for the imperial chef to continue to work alone for a long time."
.Unless the craftsmanship is so exquisite that the boss personally agrees to keep it, otherwise, it would be better to rotate a few new people every year or two to change the taste."
He paused for a moment, then said meaningfully: "Furthermore, as long as the chefs who were released from the imperial kitchen are not poor in skills and have the so-called reputation of being released with money, they will not only not lose their reputation, but they can also fight for it."
If I continue to be their chef under the name of Imperial Chef, I can also make a fortune, isn't it killing two birds with one stone?"
"Money, money, money... You have such a good talent in math, but you actually remember Ah Duwu all day long!" Chu Ying scolded with some annoyance. Seeing Ge Yong immediately squinting at him, he said angrily, "But
If they are rotated with ordinary government officials, this can be regarded as a way to prevent long-term ills. As the saying goes, a solid camp is a soldier with flowing water."
Qi Jingshan felt fresh about Zhang Shou's statement. You must know that if any household hires a good cook these days, it must be kept for a long time. Even the apprentices learn from the master's methods, and at most they are
A few improvements may be made, or a few new dishes may be created, but it will generally not jump out of the category of cuisine.
Zhang Shou clearly meant to recommend a few famous chefs from various provincial guild halls. This was not enough, and he would change the batch every year or so so that the emperor could change his taste frequently!
So, a group of people went out of Chongwen Gate in the inner city and arrived at the guild hall area in the outer city. Zhang Shou took everyone directly to the Suzhou guild hall first. The two boys had seen shopkeeper Hua bring Zhang Shou to the meeting before, and now they were surprised and happy to welcome him.
Then I heard a special request.
"We are a total of four guests. Choose your specialty dishes or snacks, and serve eight dishes. However, when ordering these eight dishes, they are divided one by one and served to the four of me. The amount does not need to be large, as long as each person has one mouthful."
"As for the extra..." Zhang Shou paused and pointed directly at Ah Liu, who was standing beside him, "Place the extra dishes one by one and give them to him."
Although Qi Jingshan and Chu Ying were a few years younger than Ge Yong, that was limited. When they heard Zhang Shou made such a request, they were stunned for a moment, but then they both felt that it was very appropriate. At their age, eating is just a matter of time.
Taste the taste. If you really want too much, it will be a burden. It is a waste but it is a pity. This sharing system was also common in literary and poetry societies in previous years.
When they heard that all the remaining dishes were given to Ah Liu, they couldn't help but turn their heads to look at the young man who looked silent and honest. Ge Yong also looked at him and said with a smile: "In this way,
Maybe we can eat at a few more places, that’s it!”
The two boys were stunned for a moment and then hurriedly agreed to go to the kitchen and give the orders. At this time, the shopkeeper also hurriedly came up to serve tea and water. When he heard Zhang Shou's name, he was surprised and regretful at the same time. Hua Si
Master Ye and Shopkeeper Hua actually went out today!
The eight dishes were changed into small plates one by one, and they were served in four-by-four portions. For Zhang Shou, it was just a taste, but for Ge Yong and San Lao, they were already half full - thanks to the cooking staff who put them on the plates.
When I was eating, I listened to the little boy’s reminder and really only took a small mouthful. As for the taste of these Subang dishes and Subang dim sum, everyone’s taste is different.
However, when the three elders got up with Zhang Shou, they saw Ah Liu going straight to the meeting tent. On the other table, eight large plates were clean, and it was clear that not a single bit was left after being eaten by someone in the wind.
, the three of them were still amazed.
After following the law and eating six courses at the Yangzhou Guild Hall and four more at the Shandong Guild Hall, the three old people couldn't bear it. Even Chu Ying, who had just teased her that it was a good job, couldn't help but let out a loud belch.
He smiled bitterly and said, "I think I'll just have to live a simple life for the next three to five days. Zhang Shou, you must remember that there must be someone in the imperial dining room who is good at making healthy porridge and rice!"