The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Tao Shu and Tao Yu were determined to go out and study, and this decision shocked the women in the family. They thought that instead of studying hard, they would go out and suffer. This was a typical example of forcing oneself to suffer.

The key point is that it's not safe outside. If you encounter bandits or robbers, you might lose your gold and silver at best, or your life at worst. Why take the risk?

Tao Hong and his son Tao Jingzhi agreed with their approach and planned a route for them, asking them to return to their hometown Suzhou by land. Instead of taking a carriage, they could just ride a donkey and bring a skilled servant with them to take care of them. If they came across any scenic spots on the way, they would go and see them to cultivate their sentiments, and by the way, observe the local customs and folkways along the way, and see how the people in various places lived and how they lived.

As for bandits robbing, there is no need to worry, because scholars are in the category of ten things not to be robbed, so they are usually safe. What you need to worry about is getting sick from the sun and rain. After all, getting sick on the road and lacking medical care and medicine is the most terrible thing.

It is October now, and the weather is cold, which is not suitable for sleeping outdoors, so the study tour is scheduled for March next year, when the spring comes and the flowers bloom. By then, the weather will be getting warmer and the spring farming season will come, so they can experience what the real life of ordinary people is like.

Min Xi didn't expect that he could persuade the two brothers with just one sentence. In fact, the reason was not him, but that the two brothers just lacked an excuse and opportunity. Min Xi happened to give them this opportunity, so they climbed up the ladder. The key point is that the elders of the Tao family accepted the challenge and supported it, so Min Xi couldn't be blamed.

But for a long time, Min Xi was very afraid to see his aunts, fearing that they would blame him for kidnapping their sons and forcing him to suffer instead of enjoying a good life. So he always avoided them, and even went to pay respects to his grandmother less often, because he would always run into the women there.

The brothers Tao Shu and Tao Yu were very excited about the study tour and showed great enthusiasm. Before they even left, they began to imagine all the new things they would encounter during the tour and often looked for Min Xi to discuss various aspects of life in the south.

Yun Ji also advised him to relax: "You just made a suggestion. It's up to them to make the decision. Besides, there are grandfathers and uncles to check. If anything goes wrong, it can't be blamed on you."

"If anything really happens, it will definitely be blamed on me," said Min Xi.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen." Yun Ji said.

Min Xi's behavior of avoiding his aunts continued until the Chinese New Year, when he had to go to his maternal grandparents' home to pay New Year's greetings, and he could no longer avoid his two aunts.

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Min Xi followed the Yun Ji brothers to the Tao Mansion. They anxiously greeted their grandparents, and then went to their eldest and second uncles' courtyards to greet the elders. Every time they visited a house, they would stay and chat. The topic naturally turned to Tao Shu and Tao Yu, and they couldn't help but talk about their study tours after the New Year. The aunts couldn't help but express their concerns.

Yun Ji said: "Tao Shu (Yu) is a scholar, and his body is too weak, which is indeed not suitable for long journeys, so I suggested that they strengthen their bodies early on to cope with the upcoming long journey. The reason why I was able to stay at sea until rescued is because I have practiced martial arts since I was a child and have a strong physique."

Tao Shu and Tao Yu were both laughing foolishly. They were typical weak scholars. The greatest hardship they had ever experienced in their lives was taking a boat back to Suzhou for the exam and spending two or three days in the examination room.

Yun Ji heard his cousins ​​laughing foolishly, so he glared at them: "How dare you laugh! Etiquette, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics, the six arts of a gentleman, how many of them have you mastered?"

Tao Shu counted on his fingers: "I can't shoot or drive."

Tao Yu looked at Min Xi: "Will Brother Jiu know how to do it?"

Min Xi said: "I don't know all of them either. I don't know music."

Yun Ji said: "He can ride a horse and drive a car. Although he can't shoot arrows, he can fire cannons and guns. The key is that his physique is much better than yours. He doesn't get out of breath easily and rarely gets sick."

Tao Shu suddenly remembered something and scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "Is it too late for me to start exercising now?"

"Of course it's not too late. It's never too late to start." Min Xi said.

Yun Ji acted like an elder brother: "I will draw up a training plan for you. If you follow my plan, you will see significant results within three months. When you leave for Suzhou, you don't have to ride a donkey. You can walk there by yourself, and it won't be too hard."

"Then Brother Ji, please help me draw up a plan, and we will definitely do it." Tao Yu responded readily.

Tao Yuan interrupted: "I want to go on a study tour with you too!"

Yun Ji looked at him and said, "We can train together, but forget about studying abroad. Just focus on preparing for your provincial examination. It's only a few months away."

Min Xi knew that Yun Ji was trying to help him save face. Everyone agreed to study abroad, and if any accidents happened during the trip, it would be due to their own poor physical fitness, and they could not blame him for making the suggestion.

During lunch, Tao Lizhi said to Min Xi and Yun Ji, "Are you two free on the fourth day of the New Year?"

Yun Ji glanced at Min Xi and said, "We have nothing else to do."

"Then come over early and I'll take you somewhere." Tao Lizhi said.

"Okay." Yun Ji nodded, "Uncle, where are we going?"

"You'll know once you go there."

"Do you need us to prepare any gifts?" It's New Year's Day, we can't just come empty-handed.

Tao Lizhi thought for a moment and said, "If you have any good tea, bring some here."

"it is good."

Early in the morning on the fourth day of the New Year, Min Xi and Yun Ji took Yun Lin to the Tao Mansion. They originally wanted to leave Yun Lin at the Tao's house, but Tao Lizhi looked at them and said, "Take Lin Er with you, and let him go with you to broaden his horizons."

Min Xi was very curious. Where could they go to broaden their horizons? The three of them got on the carriage and followed the Tao family's carriage for a long distance before the carriage finally stopped moving.

Min Xi lifted the curtain and saw that there was a long line of carriages in front of him. The traffic was blocked: "Where is this? Why is there still a traffic jam?"

Tao Lizhi got off the car in front, straightened his clothes, and said to Yun Ji: "You guys should get off too. The road is blocked and we can only walk through it."

The three of them got off the carriage, and Min Xi asked, "Uncle, where are we?"

Tao Lizhi said: "Zhang Mansion, the Prime Minister wants to see you."

No wonder there is a traffic jam in front of the gate. Now in the Ming Dynasty court, the most powerful official is Zhang Juzheng. It is not an exaggeration to say that he has the power to cover the sky with one hand.

Although the entrance to Zhang's house was blocked, not many people could get in. Most of them were blocked outside the door. Only those whom Zhang Juzheng wanted to see were allowed in.

As Tao Lizhi walked along the way, he actually met quite a few acquaintances, and everyone greeted him awkwardly.

Walking through the convoy and the crowd, Tao Lizhi handed over his business card. The Zhang family's doorman looked at it and said, "Sir Tao, please come in." It was obvious that he had given a greeting.

Tao Lizhi led his three nephews in, and a servant led them to the side hall and said, "My master is receiving guests now. Please wait a moment."

Tao Lizhi asked: "May I ask which Lord Zhang is meeting now?"

The servant said, "It's General Qi."

"General Qi is back from the northern border?" Tao Lizhi asked in surprise.

The servant nodded: "Yes, sir, please be patient. Please have some tea!" He poured tea for the four of them, looked at the lovely Yun Lin, and said: "If you are bored here, I will take you to the yard to play. There are many children of your age in the mansion."

Yun Ji looked at Yun Lin: "Do you want to go?"

Yunlin wanted to go, but was also a little scared.

Min Xi said, "My brother is timid and a little shy. Will the children in the mansion bully strangers?"

"No, everyone here is a guest. There are special maids to take care of them, so you can rest assured." The servant said with a smile.

Min Xi said to Yun Lin: "Then Lin'er, go play with everyone and let the nanny follow you."

Yunlin nodded vigorously, jumped off the chair, and followed the servant.

Only the uncle and nephew were left in the room. Min Xi asked quietly, "Uncle, is General Qi the famous general who fought against the Japanese invaders?"

"Yes!" Tao Lizhi said, "But he is guarding the northern border now."

Min Xi was excited. He knew that Zhang Juzheng and Qi Jiguang were contemporaries and had a good relationship. He didn't expect this.

Min Xi suppressed his inner excitement and began to look at the furnishings in the side hall. Zhang Juzheng was a powerful official of the time, so the furnishings in this small side hall of his house, including tables, chairs and coffee tables, were all made of rosewood, and all the utensils and supplies were also made of precious wood, many of which were made of mother-of-pearl, carved lacquer and hidden flower crafts, which were exquisite and extremely luxurious at first glance.

After about a cup of tea, a servant came over and said, "My master asked me to invite the three of you over."

The three of them then put down their teacups, stood up and went to see Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng had already finished talking about old times and business with Qi Jiguang, so Tao Lizhi led the two of them in to pay their respects: "This humble official (student) greets Lord Zhang and General Qi!"

Zhang Juzheng said in a friendly manner: "Nice to meet again. We are old acquaintances. There is no need to be so formal. Please sit down." His gaze lingered on Min Xi and Yun Ji for a little longer, his eyes full of admiration.

Min Xi didn't dare to look around, even though he knew that the famous anti-Japanese warrior Qi Jiguang was right next to him, he was almost dying of curiosity.

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile: "My two nephews have already entered school. The last time I saw them, they were still poor. This shows that they are both promising talents."

Tao Lizhi said: "Your Excellency is too kind. They both remembered your teachings and worked hard, and passed the examination and became scholars in one fell swoop."

"Not bad, not bad!" Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and nodded.

Qi Jiguang asked, "Are these the two sons of Lord Tao?"

Zhang Juzheng waved his hand and said, "No, they are Lord Tao's nephews. Lord Tao's son is now a juren. These two came back from Europe, and they were the ones who presented the galleons to the navy."

Qi Jiguang suddenly realized: "So it's them. I've heard of your names for a long time. At such a young age, they have such foresight and broad-mindedness. It's really admirable! Qi, on behalf of my fellow naval officers, would like to express my gratitude to the two of you."

As he spoke, he stood up and bowed to Min Xi and Yun Ji, which frightened Min Xi and Yun Ji so much that they quickly stood up to return the greeting. Min Xi then noticed that Qi Jiguang was a tall man, and the image of a Shandong man was immediately embodied, no wonder he was so brave.

Min Xi suppressed his inner excitement. He met two famous historical figures at once. He felt that his life was worth it!

"General Qi, please don't embarrass me. It is an honor for my two brothers to be able to contribute to the Ming Navy!" Yun Ji said politely.