The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

The happiest person was the old man Tao Hong. After retiring, he taught at home, which was considered a way to make use of his remaining energy. Unexpectedly, his disciple was so capable. Min Xi only studied with him for a few years, but he actually passed the imperial examination. This was a great honor for him.

The old man had higher expectations for Min Xi: "You just came back, you should have a good rest for a few days, but the Spring Examination is coming soon, so you should come back to class tomorrow."

Min Xi couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed: "Grandfather, my seventh brother and I are planning to climb Mount Tai."

Tao Hong looked at Min Xi and disagreed: "When can we not go to Mount Tai? Why do we have to go at this critical moment? You two should both prepare well for the Spring Examination and strive to pass the imperial examination."

Yun Ji said, "Grandfather, this is what we agreed upon at the beginning of the year. After the provincial examination, no matter whether the result is good or bad, we must go to climb Mount Tai."

Tao Hong looked at his grandson and glared: "You two don't want to take the exam seriously, right?"

Min Xi smiled and said, "Grandfather, we have to participate in the Spring Examination, but it's only three or four months away. No matter how hard we try, we won't be able to improve much. Didn't you always tell us that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles? We have traveled a lot overseas, but not much in our Ming Dynasty. We want to take this opportunity to go out and travel. If everything goes well, we will be back in about a month, so it won't take too much time."

Tao Yuan took the opportunity to say, "Grandfather, I also want to go to Mount Tai with you. I didn't go last time when my brothers went to Suzhou for study. I can go this time, right?"

The more Tao Hong listened, the angrier he got. These bastards were outrageous. Instead of helping to persuade them, they wanted to follow them.

Tao Lizhi suddenly said, "Dad, Mount Tai is not far away, let them go. Preparing for the Spring Examination will not take more than one or two months."

When Tao Hong heard what his eldest son said, he became very angry, but he no longer insisted on his own opinion.

Min Xi and Yun Ji were surprised that Tao Lizhi would speak up for them. After dinner, Tao Lizhi called the two of them to his study to talk alone: ​​"When do you plan to leave for Mount Tai?"

Yun Ji said, "We plan to leave right after the teacher appreciation banquet, and try to leave early and come back early."

Tao Lizhi said: "Before you set off, the Prime Minister wants to see you."

Min Xi and Yun Ji looked at each other, somewhat confused. What did Zhang Juzheng want them to do?

Yun Ji asked: "Uncle, what important matter does the Prime Minister want to talk to us about?"

"That's not clear. The Prime Minister has his own intentions." Tao Lizhi said.

Min Xi and Yun Ji nodded: "Okay, we got it."

So after they held a thank-you banquet for their teachers at Yunxiang Restaurant, they were invited by Zhang Juzheng to his residence.

Zhang Juzheng saw them and said: "You did well in the provincial examination, both passed it on the first try."

The two of them quickly said modestly: "That's because the students are lucky."

Zhang Juzheng said: "Good luck is also a kind of strength. I heard that you two are planning to climb Mount Tai?"

"Yes."

Zhang Juzheng tapped his fingers on the table: "I suggest you change your destination."

Yun Ji heard this and asked quickly, "Where does the master want us to go?"

"Hengshan, the Northern Peak."

Min Xi and Yun Ji were both very confused. Min Xi asked carefully, "Does the master have something for you to do?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded with a smile: "You are indeed a smart man. To be honest, your Majesty wants to go on a tour incognito, and I would like to entrust your Majesty to the two of you."

Min Xi and Yun Ji were horrified when they heard this. Min Xi hurriedly said, "Sir, this is absolutely not allowed!"

Zhang Juzheng looked at Min Xi and asked, "Why not?"

Min Xi bowed and said, "Your Excellency, we cannot go to Hengshan in this season. It is too cold there. Your Majesty is worth a million gold and is extremely precious. His safety is related to the Ming Dynasty. We must not take risks."

Zhang Juzheng was very surprised by Min Xi's answer. He thought that the reason for his refusal was that he was unwilling to travel with Wanli.

"Is it just because of the weather?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

"Yes." Min Xi nodded. "Hengshan is located outside the Great Wall. It is winter there now. I am afraid it has already snowed and the climate is extremely cold. Not to mention Your Majesty, even we dare not take risks in this season."

Emperor Wanli took the initiative to ask Zhang Juzheng to climb Mount Tai with Min Xiyunji. Zhang Juzheng's first reaction was to refuse. Since ancient times, many emperors have climbed Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, but no matter whether it was Qin Shihuang, Emperor Wu of Han, or Emperor Guangwu of Han, they were all emperors with outstanding achievements. However, in the Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhenzong of Song, who had no achievements in both domestic and foreign affairs, also went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods. Since then, no emperor has ever gone to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, because they were ashamed to be associated with Emperor Zhenzong of Song.

It was not right for Wanli, an emperor who had not yet taken power, to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods. If he did not offer sacrifices to the gods but went to Mount Tai, wouldn't it mean that he would achieve nothing in the future? It was not auspicious no matter how you looked at it.

But Zhang Juzheng did not intend to refuse his request to go on a secret tour, so he thought of a way to go to Hengshan instead. The capital was about the same distance from Hengshan and Taishan. Now that the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and the Tatars had eased, there was no war in the northern border, and with Qi Jiguang in charge, there was no need to worry about foreign enemies and it was relatively safe.

But he had never been to a place further north than Beijing, so he underestimated the climate outside the Great Wall. He thought that it should be possible to go back and forth within a month at this time. But Min Xi said that it snowed there in this season, so if that was the case, it would be unsuitable to go there.

Yun Ji asked, "Sir, can't His Majesty go to Mount Tai?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "Mount Tai is the highest of the Five Sacred Mountains. Emperors can only go there for Fengshan. Your Majesty is young, so it is not appropriate."

Min Xi thought for a moment and said, "Why not go to Zhongyue Songshan? Although it is a little far, the road to the Central Plains is flat and it will take more than a month to go back and forth. The longer journey will allow Your Majesty to see more of the local customs and people along the way and understand the real people's livelihood."

Zhang Juzheng looked at Min Xi and found that he was thinking the same thing as himself: "I heard from your majesty that Yun Ji's skills are no worse than Lord Zhao's. Can you two guarantee your majesty's safety?"

Yun Ji said: "The student union will do my best to ensure the safety of your majesty."

Yun Ji knew that when the emperor went on a secret tour, the palace would definitely arrange for experts to accompany him, so the emperor's safety should not come from external threats, but may be internal, such as acclimatization, physical health, etc.

Min Xi was looking forward to the emperor accompanying them on their incognito tour. He wanted to take the little emperor to experience the sufferings of the world, and he could also give him some guidance at the right time. Perhaps he could change some of the emperor's ideas. In the future, he might not be so violent and kill all of Zhang Juzheng's faction, killing all the officials who could do practical work in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Juzheng nodded upon hearing this: "You two brothers are rare young talents, and His Majesty trusts you, so I entrusted His Majesty to you. In addition to ensuring His Majesty's safety, you must also appease His Majesty and not let him act as willfully as he did in the palace."

Min Xi asked again: "Your Majesty has been away for so long, and is not attending court, is there any problem?"

Zhang Juzheng said, "I have already discussed the countermeasures with the Empress Dowager. It won't be a big problem if we don't attend the court for a short period of time. This matter is settled. You can go to the palace tomorrow and see the Empress Dowager. She also has something to say to you."

"Yes!"

"You two only need to know that His Majesty is going on a secret tour, and you must not tell anyone else." Zhang Juzheng warned.

“Students know!”

When the two of them returned home from Zhang's house and were alone, Yun Ji said, "Master Zhang is too bold. Isn't he afraid that something bad will happen if His Majesty follows us?"

"It's really bold." Min Xi also felt that this was magical. He told Zhang Juzheng about his dream, and he actually believed it.

Perhaps it was because of the love affair that Zhang Juzheng was controversial in the court. He was trying his best to gain the emperor's understanding and support. He wanted Wanli to go to the people to see that he had reasons not to be in mourning. I just don't know how he convinced the Empress Dowager Li. I will know when I meet the Empress Dowager tomorrow.

Min Xi asked Yun Ji: "Seventh Brother, are you under a lot of pressure?"

Yun Ji thought for a moment and said, "A little bit. But I believe that Lord Zhang will make good arrangements. He can't just leave His Majesty to us. But we also have to make some preparations."

The two of them planned the whole night, taking into account all the details that needed attention.

The next morning, a carriage came from the palace to pick them up, and it was Eunuch Yao who came.

The two went to see Empress Dowager Li first. Empress Dowager Li looked at them and said, "I heard that you both passed the imperial examination this year. Congratulations!"

"It was all luck, thank you, Your Majesty!" The two men thanked her respectfully.

Empress Dowager Li said: "It shows that you are indeed talented. His Majesty often praises you to me, saying that you are both civil and military, and that you are a blessing to the Ming Dynasty. I am very pleased!"

"Serving the Ming Dynasty is a student's duty," said Min Xi.

Empress Dowager Li nodded: "I asked you to come here today, so I think you know why."

"I met Mr. Zhang yesterday and heard what he said." Yun Ji said.

"Your Majesty is young and playful, and insisted on going on a tour incognito. I disagreed, but Lord Zhang advised me, saying that Taizu came from a humble background and knew the ups and downs of the world and the sufferings of the people, so he could pacify the country, stabilize the universe, and create a prosperous era. Your Majesty is studying hard in this deep palace, and still feels that life is hard and is full of complaints. It would be better to let him see the real people's livelihood, and perhaps he can understand Lord Zhang's good intentions." Empress Dowager Li sighed here.

Min Xi said: "Your Majesty is righteous!"

Queen Mother Li continued, "But your Majesty is my son after all. The farthest place he has ever been is to offer sacrifices to the gods outside the city. He has been noble since childhood and has never suffered. He has been away from me for such a long time. It is inconvenient and full of unknown dangers. I am really worried about him. I called you here today because I want to hear your promise with me that you can take good care of your Majesty."

Yun Ji said: "Students will definitely do their best to protect your majesty's safety."

Min Xi said: "I will do my best to take care of your Majesty's food and daily life."

Empress Dowager Li also asked about some details of their daily life when they were away from home. After all, they both had rich outdoor experience.

Min Xi and Yun Ji's answers slowly calmed Empress Dowager Li's uneasy heart. Perhaps it would be safe for the emperor to follow them. As long as they did not encounter particularly bad local evil forces, the danger could still be controlled.

After chatting for an unknown amount of time, Empress Dowager Li waved at them and said, "Go meet His Majesty. I'm sure he is looking forward to meeting you too."