The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

The next morning, Count Hernandez came to the hotel alone to give a thank-you gift.

"Emma told us in the letter that you saved her and escorted them safely to Coimbra. She didn't have time to pay you any compensation, and she has been thinking about it and feeling very uneasy. Since I have found her benefactor, I will pay her the reward, which can be regarded as making up for her regret." The count took out a purse and handed it to Yun Ji.

Yun Ji refused to accept it: "No need, I didn't save her for any reward, I just did what I could."

The count stuffed the purse into his hand and said, "It may be a trivial matter to you, but to us, it saved the lives of our loved ones. This kindness cannot be measured by money. But apart from money, we can't give you anything better to repay you, so please accept it."

Seeing that Yunji was unwilling to accept the money, the Earl simply put the purse on the counter and left.

Yun Ji took the money bag and told Min Xi about it. Min Xi said, "If you don't want to accept it, ask the baron to return it to him."

However, Fernando did not come to the restaurant to eat for the next three or four days. When he came again, he learned that the count had left Lisbon.

"So soon? What is the Earl here for?" Min Xi thought that the Earl was here to visit relatives. It was not easy to come here from Madrid, hundreds of kilometers away. He would have to stay for at least ten days or half a month.

Fernando said, "He is here on official business, visiting our Majesty in Lisbon on behalf of their King. The wedding gift sent by His Majesty must be good, and Philip II also gave His Majesty many gifts in return."

Yun Ji took the Earl's purse and placed it in front of the Baron: "This is what the Earl insisted on giving me. He said it was a reward for me saving his sister. Since he is your cousin, his sister is also your relative. How can I take your money? I'll give it to you. Please help me pass it on when you have a chance."

Fernando shook his head. "I don't know when I will see him next time. Since he gave you the money, just keep it. My cousin has much more money than I do. He has a fleet of at least ten ships, and the gold in his house is almost piled up into a mountain."

Min Xi was stunned when he heard this: "He is so rich! But why didn't his wife's sister bring even a guard when she went out?"

Fernando said, "Just because he is rich doesn't mean his wife's sister is rich. His father-in-law is an old nobleman in Coimbra. He has two daughters. The elder one married him, and the younger one married a count of Leiria. The count was addicted to gambling and almost lost all his family property. His wife was furious and took the children back to her parents' home. As a result, they encountered robbers on the way and almost got into trouble. Fortunately, they met you. Now they are getting a divorce."

Min Xi said: "They are both earls, why is there such a big difference?"

Fernando smiled and said, "That's right. Just take what he gives you. With his financial resources, it's no problem for him to support my sister's family. They can definitely afford this amount of compensation."

Min Xi looked at Yun Ji and said, "Seventh Brother, just accept it."

Yun Ji nodded: "Okay."

At night, when they were going to bed, Yun Ji handed a purse to Min Xi and said, "Take a look."

Min Xi took a look and asked, "The one with the Earl?" They had not planned to take it before, so neither of them looked at how much money was in it.

Yun Ji nodded.

Min Xi weighed it. It didn't look like there was much, but it was quite heavy. He poured the coins into his hand. The bright golden light almost blinded his eyes. They were all gold coins, brand new. One hand couldn't hold them all, and many of them rolled onto the bed.

Seeing this, Yun Ji quickly put his hands under his hands and said with a smile: "Are you startled?"

Min Xi poured the gold coins in his hand into Yun Ji's palm, picked up the coins on the bed and put them in his hand, picked up one and looked at it carefully. It was obvious that the pattern on it was not the Fulanji currency, but a pattern of the eastern and western hemispheres sandwiched between two pillars. The workmanship was very exquisite, better than the Fulanji currency.

Min Xi said: "This is the currency of Greater Luzon. It should be pure gold. It is heavier than the gold coins of Fulangji."

Yun Ji nodded: "Yes."

Min Xi asked: "There are so many, how many are there in total?"

Yun Ji said: "100 pieces."

"It's quite a lot. How many ounces of gold can this amount be melted into in the Ming Dynasty?"

Yun Ji said: "Six ten-liang gold ingots should be able to make it."

"How much silver is that equivalent to?"

"One tael of gold can be exchanged for about 18-20 taels of silver."

Min Xi thought about it, this is almost more than 1000 taels of silver, the earl was quite generous: "Then this must be worth at least taels, put it away quickly. We have a few more planks for our ship." He smiled.

Min Xi took the golden coin and examined it carefully under the candlelight. It must be said that the workmanship was really good. This was probably a reflection of financial strength. Spain was the most powerful country at the moment, and it could be seen in the coin minting process.

Yunji put away the gold coins and locked them in the box.

After lying down, Min Xi said, "Seventh Brother, it's almost the end of the year, how much money have we saved?"

Yun Ji thought for a moment and said, "All together, it's about 3500 reais." He made money faster than he expected. It would be great if he could sell a few more paintings next year. If he sold more paintings, Min Xi would have to cook fewer dishes.

"So much? That's pretty fast." Min Xi excitedly grabbed Yun Ji's arm and shook it vigorously. "Your contribution accounts for more than half of this. The paintings you drew alone must have cost 1000 reais!"

Yun Ji said, "It's not that much, 800 reais in total. That means the Baron and His Majesty the King gave the money."

"The gold cups that His Majesty the King gave last time also count, as well as the reward given by the Earl this time. It is true that there is a golden house in books, and it is easier for scholars to make money!" said Min Xi.

Yun Ji smiled: "You also know this."

"Of course! Otherwise, why would so many people study so hard, spending more than ten years or even dozens of years, just to pass the imperial examinations? Isn't it true that there is gold in books?" Min Xi said.

Yun Ji smiled. It was indeed so. After all, only a few people in the world study and become officials to serve the country and the people. Most of them do it for fame, wealth and power.

"Then you go back and study hard, pass the imperial examinations, and gold will come naturally." Yun Ji said.

Min Xi found that he had never given up his plan to persuade him to study and take the imperial examination, so he changed the subject: "Seventh brother, Christmas is coming soon, should we go to the countryside to collect more geese?" If he were eight years old now, he would really want to take the imperial examination, but he is eighteen years old now. If he starts studying, isn't it too late?

Yun Ji asked, "What are you collecting geese for?"

Min Xi said, "When the Frangi people celebrate Christmas, they always eat goose. I think the soy sauce is almost done. Should we make some sauce first and then stew some to sell?"

Yun Ji asked, "How many do you plan to sell?"

Min Xi thought for a moment and said, "The price of goose is probably going to rise to more than 400 riels per kilogram. A goose is at least or kilograms, and it also needs spices. The cost is there, so a roast goose should be sold for at least riels. Do you think anyone would eat it?"

Yun Ji said, "The pricing is about the same. But I think it's better to pre-sell first, and buy as many as you need, so that you don't have too much to sell out."

Min Xi added: "Should we limit the quantity? If there are too many, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it." After all, the forehead of a goose is too big. It's not like roast chicken where you can stew more than a dozen in one pot. I'm afraid that if the pot is full, you can only stew a few geese."

"Then it's limited, first come first served." Yun Ji said.

There is a sign hung at the door of the store, saying that we offer roast goose reservations.

As Christmas approaches, the festive atmosphere in Lisbon becomes stronger. Many shops have started to decorate for Christmas, erecting pine trees in front of the store doors and hanging as many small decorations as possible on them.

Min Xi also bought two small pine trees and erected them in front of the restaurant and the dim sum shop, following the local customs. Although they were not religious, the employees and guests all believed in religion, which was a sign of respect for them.

They put up a pre-sale sign for Christmas roast goose, saying that in order to give back to new and old customers for their support, the store is offering pre-sale roast goose for Christmas, at 398 Swiss francs each.