The rise of the poor

Chapter 2069: Zhao Wenhua’s Temptation (Part )

As they chatted, it was time for dinner. Seeing that Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian had no intention of leaving, Zhu Ping'an had to prepare meals.

"Oh, Zihou, look at you. But don't be extravagant. Three dishes and one soup are enough for the three of us."

Zhao Wenhua was polite.

Zhao Wenhua sat at the chief seat, facing north and south. Zhu Ping'an and Hu Zongxian sat opposite each other. There were six dishes, a soup and a pot of tea on the table.

"Look at you, Zihou. Didn't I just tell you that three dishes and a soup would be fine? But you insisted on having six dishes and one soup. This won't happen again. This won't happen again." Zhao Wenhua complained at the dinner table, but his face showed great satisfaction.

"Thank you, Lord Zhu, for your hospitality. I will do my best to show my respect." Hu Zongxian smiled and clasped his fists to thank Zhu Ping'an.

Zhao Wenhua picked up the chopsticks first, picked up a piece of food and put it in his mouth. As soon as he chewed, his eyes suddenly widened.

"What's going on? Is the food poisonous?" Hu Zongxian was so scared when he saw Zhao Wenhua's expression that he stopped his chopsticks from reaching for the food and didn't even dare to pick up any food.

"Merlin, try it quickly. This dish is so delicious. It tastes better than the imperial meal and is not worse than the chef at the cabinet."

Zhao Wenhua asked Hu Zongxian to taste the food quickly.

Hu Zongxian took a bite and found it delicious. As for whether it was better than the imperial meal, he could not tell because he had never eaten the imperial meal, nor had he eaten the imperial meal at Yan Ge Lao's house. He had never even been to Yan Ge Lao's house, let alone eat at him.

"Master Zhao, you are too kind. I have had the honor of tasting the imperial meal and also eaten at the banquet of Lord Yan's family. The taste is far better than that of my family."

Zhu Ping'an shook his head. What he said was true. Although the food in his home was really delicious, it would be an exaggeration to say that it was better than the imperial food or the food at Yan Song's home. Not only had he seen pigs run, he had also eaten pork.

"Alas, the taste is different. The imperial cuisine is extremely grand and is not suitable for the stomachs of ordinary people like us. The banquets at the cabinet minister's house are famous for their luxury, uniqueness, preciousness and delicacy. At first glance, they are highly praised, but after eating too much, they are just like that and don't go well with rice. Otherwise, why would the cabinet minister visit Liubiju once in a while? Otherwise, why would Donglou often hold banquets outside? It is just to change the taste. Zihou, your family is different. Yours is both exquisite and down-to-earth, and goes well with rice. This is the real delicacy."

Zhao Wenhua commented very experiencedly.

"Indeed, Lord Zhu, although I have never eaten the imperial meal or the banquet at the cabinet minister's house, this meal is indeed the most delicious meal I have had since I came to Jiangnan. Especially the pickled vegetables served with the meal, which are so crisp and refreshing, and make people salivate and whet their appetite." Hu Zongxian echoed, his chopsticks flying as he spoke.

"Well, yes, Merlin is right. Since I came to Jiangnan, I have had banquets almost every day, but this is the best meal I have ever had, no doubt about it." Zhao Wenhua gave a thumbs up and said in agreement.

"Haha, if it tastes good, eat more." Zhu Ping'an smiled.

Zhao Wenhua did eat a lot, he had two bowls of rice, and Hu Zongxian did the same, also two bowls.

"How about it, Zihou? Can you give up your love and transfer the cook job to me? I will give you ten fine horses that can run a thousand miles a day."

Zhao Wenhua was full and said this half jokingly and half seriously.

"I'm sorry to disappoint Master Zhao. My wife loves the chef's cooking skills and can't live without him for every meal. If I transfer the chef's job to Master Zhao, I will never have peace in my harem." Zhu Ping'an smiled and shook his head, replying half jokingly and half seriously.

"Hahahaha, it's true that even a hero can be tempted by beauty. Since she's the one my niece-in-law loves, I, as a gentleman, won't take away someone else's love."

Zhao Wenhua laughed, waved his hand, and gave up asking for a cook.

"Speaking of eating, we have to talk about our life. It is rare for a person to live to 70. How many people can live as long as my adoptive father, Lord Yan? In these short 70 years, there are 10 years of youth and 10 years of old age, which leaves only 50 years. These 50 years have to be divided into half day and half night, which leaves only 25 years. Add to that the wind and rain, the three disasters and six diseases, and running around. You can calculate how many years of good days we can enjoy properly. It's short, and it makes people anxious. So, Zihou, Meilin, life is short, enjoy it while you can, whether it's the desire for food or the pursuit of fame, it's all enjoyment, and helping the world won't affect our enjoyment, right?"

While drinking tea after dinner, Zhao Wenhua held the teacup, gently scraped the tea with the tea lid, and spoke to Zhu Pingan and Hu Zongxian like a life mentor.

Zhu Ping'an curled the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a polite smile, and kept the complaints in his stomach.

"Mr. Zhao's words make sense. He has the world in his heart and it doesn't affect my own good. I make decisions for the people and plead for the people. I can't stop eating meat and drinking wine just because the common people have to eat coarse food and vegetables." Hu Zongxian agreed with Zhao Wenhua's words.

"If we want to benefit the world and enjoy life, we must have harmony. As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth."

Zhao Wenhua continued with a smile.

"So, Zihou, I really admire you. To be honest, Donglou asked me to deal with you when I came here, but you also saw that I reported your first achievement in the great victory of the Sea Sacrifice, including Merlin, and I also reported your merits to the emperor for your repeated merits. And I did my best to solve the difficulties you mentioned just now. Why, why didn't I listen to Donglou's words, not only did I not embarrass you, but I also supported you, all for the word 'harmony'."

Zhao Wenhua became more and more excited as he spoke, and even told Yan Shifan the secret instructions he had given him before he left Beijing.

Hu Zongxian was a little surprised to hear Zhao Wenhua mention Yan Shifan's secret instructions, but given his understanding of Zhao Wenhua, he knew that Zhao Wenhua's words must have a profound meaning, so he did not say anything to stop him or remind him, for fear of being too clever and ruining Zhao Wenhua's good deeds.

Zhu Ping'an was not surprised to hear Zhao Wenhua mention that Yan Shifan had asked Zhao Wenhua to deal with him before leaving Beijing. Even if Zhao Wenhua didn't say it, Zhu Ping'an knew that Yan Shifan and Yan Song would definitely ask Zhao Wenhua to come to Jiangnan to offer sacrifices to the sea and deal with him at the same time.

The reason why he left Beijing was because he helped Yang Jisheng impeach Yan Song and offended Yan's party. It would be strange if Yan's party didn't deal with him.

Zhao Wenhua, a senior member of the Yan Party, came to Jiangnan from the capital. It would be strange if Yan Song and Yan Shifan did not order Zhao Wenhua to deal with them.

As for the victory at Ji Hai, Zhao Wenhua claimed the credit for it. Of course, it was not as Zhao Wenhua said. The victory at Ji Hai was the result of his own efforts to turn the tide. So many officials and generals were witnesses, and so many ordinary people saw it with their own eyes. He also had the power to submit secret memorials to the emperor, so it would be difficult for Zhao Wenhua not to claim the credit for it.

What's more, Zhao Wenhua reported the great victory at Ji Hai, saying that he used himself as bait to lure the Japanese deeper into the enemy's territory. That's bullshit. He noticed it in advance, took precautions in advance, and turned the tide. Zhao Wenhua knew nothing about it in advance. He only found out about it when the Japanese pirates came to his door. He could report that he used himself as bait to lure the Japanese deeper into the enemy's territory. That was just flattering himself, and we had to cooperate with him. How could he not report his own victory?

As for his resolution of the difficulties today, it was just an exchange of interests for him to claim credit for the great victory in northern Zhejiang.