Chapter 55: Killings
"This taste is ordinary!"
"It's not even as good as the cooking skills of my kitchen helper at home."
Zhu Xizhong ate and complained at the same time.
After Jiang Qingzhi had a banquet at Lu's, he wanted to change the chef.
But I couldn't find a good cook at the moment, so I had to make do with it for now.
And Fucheng’s advice is to stay put for now.
Chefs in wealthy families are generally not replaced easily, even if their cooking skills are mediocre.
That bastard Zhu Xizhong grabbed Jiang Qingzhi and forced him to drink. Jiang Qingzhi was so drunk that he found an excuse to change clothes and came out to relax.
Fu Cheng followed him, "Sir, illness comes from the mouth!"
Ha ha!
"Poison also enters the body through the mouth, right!" Jiang Qingzhi burped.
"Yes."
Jiang Qingzhi thought of the chef of the Jia family in Dream of the Red Chamber, whose meals were complicated and greasy, and the taste was not outstanding, but the old ancestor kept silent, and no one dared to ask for a change of chef.
Why doesn’t Lady Jia change?
Nostalgic feelings?
Jiang Qingzhi thought it was fear of death.
Change the cook, God knows who he is.
The palace was a place where poisonous insects were raised. From concubines to the most ordinary palace servants, all were locked up in that small world and had no freedom.
In order to get ahead, they will do anything.
"Old Fu, that's thoughtful." Jiang Qingzhi patted Fucheng's shoulder.
Fu Cheng thought of the nobleman he served in the past, who scolded and punished him whenever he disagreed with someone. Then he looked at the young master who patted his shoulder and didn't treat him as an outsider at all, and his eyes couldn't help but warm.
He lowered his head and muttered, "This wind is so strong."
Jiang Qingzhi turned around, his eyes clear.
Although he has no children and cannot learn the ruthlessness of Liu Bei in throwing A Dou, he can still impress an old man like Fu Cheng by changing his tactics.
A scholar dies for a confidant!
Fucheng was furious when he thought about the cook's usual cheating and went straight to the kitchen.
The kitchen maid was grumbling.
"With the way our family is doing, in a few years, we might have five or six cooks. Chef Liu, I'm afraid your cooking skills are not up to par."
If the cook is replaced, the kitchen helper will also be in trouble.
Chef Liu said calmly, "Why are you in such a hurry? I still have some cooking skills that I haven't used yet."
The maid sneered, "How does it compare to your cooking skills?"
Jiang Qingzhi went into the kitchen several times, and the meals he cooked were amazing every time.
Chef Liu sneered, "I used to be a cook in a noble mansion, so I've seen a lot of this. Besides, you cook, and I'll learn from you. Got it?"
The maid was startled, "You did it on purpose."
"I came up with this idea after you cooked for the first time," Chef Liu said proudly, "It's easy to learn, but it's tiring to ask for favors. Now not only are we not tired, we can also learn from them. If the Earl's Mansion falls into poverty in the future, we are people in the palace, so we can bribe the stewards with some benefits and move to a rich place, and we will still be happy...hahahaha!"
The maid hesitated, "But the mansion looks rich..."
"Young Master has offended the Jinyiwei and Yan Song. He has become too proud of himself." Cook Liu sighed, "I have seen too many powerful people come and go. I am afraid that Young Master's limelight will not last for a few years."
"Then what should we do?"
"dawdle!"
Outside, Fucheng was hunched over, with his hands behind his back and a fierce look in his eyes, ready to go in.
At this moment, someone outside said, "Someone is coming from the palace."
Fucheng suppressed his anger and hurried to receive them. Cook Liu and the servant heard the noise and came out. When they saw Fucheng, their faces changed drastically.
The person who came turned out to be the eunuch beside Emperor Jiajing, followed by three fat-looking white men.
"This is..." Fucheng bowed with a smile.
Cook Liu and the maid were behind. The maid was worried, "I'm afraid that old ghost Fucheng will hear what we just said. The master will definitely kick us out of the house."
Cook Liu said calmly: "It is common for servants to talk about their masters. We are just saying a few words casually."
"But it's hard to hear after all."
"The noble is afraid of death, so he dare not easily change the cook. The young master has no foundation in the capital, how can he find a reliable cook to use? Don't worry, he won't."
The eunuch smiled and said, "Your Majesty has said so."
Fucheng habitually tried to stand up straight.
The cook and the maid prepared to go back.
The eunuch was very satisfied with Fu Cheng's respectfulness. "I heard that the cook in Qing's house was not satisfactory. This shows what kind of person he is! Without a woman to tidy up the house, it would be a mess."
Fucheng's face turned red, thinking it was his own fault.
"His Majesty has ordered that a few cooks be selected from the palace and sent to Lord Bo. Hey! Wait over here."
Three cooks came over and saluted.
"We'll take two back later."
The eunuch said with a smile.
Fucheng understood.
I want to come here to learn skills.
What he didn't know was that after eating at Jiang's house, Emperor Jiajing became annoyed with the food in the palace. His two sons also complained about it, so Emperor Jiajing learned from his mistakes and sent people to Jiang's house to learn from him.
But it’s not right for an emperor to take advantage of others for no reason, right?
Then give a cook to my cousin.
"No problem." Fucheng agreed on behalf of his master.
Once the emperor opened his mouth, there was no room for refusal. As for safety, if Emperor Jiajing really wanted to kill this family, there was no need to poison the food. He could just find a crime and do it.
Fucheng asked the three of them to rest first and wait until the young master finished drinking before going to see him.
"Butler, it was his idea!"
A desperate voice came from behind.
Fu Cheng turned around and saw the maid kneeling on the ground, pointing at the pale-faced chef Liu and saying, "He fooled the young master!"
They were all slaves, and Jiang Qingzhi was trusted by Emperor Jiajing, so it was not a big deal for him to have a few servants.
Jiang Qingzhi was dealing with Zhu Xizhong. Zhu Xizhong drank and asked, "Qingzhi, what do you think of my future?"
Jiang Qingzhi burped and shook his head, pretending to be drunk, "Old Zhu, Duke..."
"Call me Lao Zhu." The old playboy poured Jiang Qingzhi another glass of wine.
Jiang Qingzhi looked at him with drunken eyes, "Old Zhu... do you want to be rich and prosperous forever?"
That's not true!
Zhu Xizhong sighed. He seemed to be free and easy, but serving the emperor was like serving a tiger.
Moreover, the influence of Duke Chengguo's faction in the military has been declining, which makes him extremely anxious.
"belch!"
Jiang Qingzhi burped, and Zhu Xizhong said, "Now the generals in the army seem to be respectful to me, but deep down they look down on me. Qingzhi, if this continues, the Chengguo family will probably be in decline."
If Jiang Qingzhi wants to suppress Qiu Luan, he must rely on Zhu Xizhong's power. But he cannot mention this matter at this moment, otherwise it will be mutually exploited.
Jiang Qingzhi put his arm around Zhu Xizhong's shoulders and poured the old playboy a glass of wine.
"Do you think those so-called great generals are talented generals?"
Zhu Xizhong shook his head. "The Ming Dynasty can only maintain a defensive position now. Most of the generals are mediocre. But whether they are mediocre or talented, commanding a large army is the best way to go!"
Now that the Chengguo Duke faction is no longer in charge of the army, they have no confidence, just like a staff officer without a chief, whose farts are silent.
"Want to earn military merit?"
"I do." Zhu Xizhong smiled bitterly, "Brother, I won't hide it from you. My brother's ability to kill the enemy is just mediocre. Forget about your ability to command troops. Even our ancestors would cry if they saw it."
Jiang Qingzhi laughed loudly, and Zhu Xizhong was embarrassed and annoyed, "Do you have any idea?"
"Damn it, Old Zhu, do you know where I got the title of Lord Wei?"
"Son."
Please see Fucheng outside the door.
"You drink first."
Jiang Qingzhi went out.
The staff came in.
"The Duke."
"Yeah." Zhu Xizhong was pondering Jiang Qingzhi's words and was also troubled by his own predicament.
"Yesterday I ran into an acquaintance from the Ministry of War."
"Get to the point!" Zhu Xizhong said impatiently.
"Yes." The staff member said, "That person said that he heard that the Duke and Lord Changwei are on good terms, which shows that the Duke has a keen eye! Outsiders say that the Duke's Mansion is living off its past, but the Duke actually has such a keen eye for talent. The day when the Duke's Mansion will rise again is not far away."
"What do you mean?" Zhu Xizhong felt very comfortable after being flattered.
The staff member bowed his head. "That man said that Long Wilbur's military achievements in the south were genuine."
"Hmm!" Zhu Xizhong was startled. "Didn't those old brothers say... most of the time, Your Majesty was trying to flatter his cousin so that he could be given a title?"
The staff sighed, "That person said that someone wanted to cause trouble for His Majesty, so he sent someone to the south to investigate. The report was only received the day before yesterday.
Chang Wei Bo was escorted to Taizhou Prefecture. On the way, they encountered Japanese pirates slaughtering the village. The accompanying soldiers were frightened and wanted to escape. It was Chang Wei Bo who persuaded them to set up an empty city plan.
Then, Chang Wei Bo went forward alone to intimidate the Japanese pirates, and ordered people to pretend to have a huge army in the rear...
The Japanese pirates fled, and Chang Wei Bo turned the tables and ordered everyone to chase and kill them, killing more than 20 real Japanese pirates.
Zhu Xizhong let out a light exclamation and sat up straight.
"The local commander arrived late, and Chang Wei Bo persuaded the commander again to set a trap, luring the main force of the Japanese pirates ashore. Then the ambushes were sent out... and the Japanese pirates were defeated."
The aide looked up and found that his boss had froze in place.
"Oh my god, my brother is really good at both literature and martial arts." Zhu Xizhong wiped his beard, "I said I've been having sweet dreams recently, this is a great pleasure for our ancestors!"
The staff laughed and said, "Duke, Chang Wei Bo has made such military achievements but never shows off. This is either because he is humble or..."
"Or they think such military achievements are not worth mentioning." Zhu Xizhong's eyes were shining.
"Duke, you must treat him with sincerity!" the staff reminded him, "If you approach such a great man by means of interests, I am worried that he will gradually become alienated."
Zhu Xizhong rubbed his face with his hands. "At most, I will treat him as my own brother. Whatever I have, he will have."
"That's how it should be."
At this time, footsteps came from outside.
"...Sir, that chef Liu..."
"His heart is not pure, he cannot be used, send him back to the palace."
"Yes. In addition, the palace has sent people to learn skills. I am bold and think that you should hold back."
Zhu Xizhong nodded, thinking that Fucheng was a steady person and would be valued even in the Duke's Mansion.
The young man's clear voice sounded disdainful.
"Old Fu, don't be short-sighted."
Gee!
When teaching apprentices, one must always keep some tricks up one's sleeve and make plans for the future. You, my little brother, are taking Fucheng's kindness for granted.
Just as Zhu Xizhong was about to speak, he heard his younger brother say calmly, "Cooking is just for fun... Tsk! Look at your shocked face. If I show you all my skills, wouldn't you be scared to death?"
You are quite arrogant, little brother!
Zhu Xizhong became more and more expectant, but also half-believing and half-doubting.
Jiang Qingzhi walked in.
Zhu Xizhong said seriously: "Please teach me, Qingzhi."
Jiang Qingzhi was surprised to find that he had only been out for a while, and Zhu Xizhong's attitude changed drastically.
First time!
For the first time, Jiang Qingzhi saw sincerity in Zhu Xizhong's eyes.
He chuckled.
"Isn't it just to earn military merit?"
"Qingzhi, do you have any idea?"
Jiang Qingzhi looked at him and said calmly, "I came to the capital without any intention of enjoying a comfortable life of wealth and luxury."
"What are Qingzhi's ambitions?" Zhu Xizhong asked.
"Kill people everywhere." Jiang Qing said one word at a time, "Let the foreign races hear my name and lose their courage!"
(End of this chapter)
