The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Min Xi looked at the gold coin that the baron stuffed into his hand. This was the first time he had seen a gold coin. It was a gold coin slightly larger and thicker than a 1 real silver coin. It was heavy and weighed about 10 to grams. This gold coin was worth reals. The Duchess was quite generous.

Min Xi took the gold coins and said with a smile: "Express my gratitude to the Duchess for me! These are what I should do."

The baron took out a few more 1 real silver coins and gave them to Yun Ji and the others. Yun Ji got five, and the other three got one each: "This is what your grandmother gave you." In fact, Yun Ji didn't get that much. The ones that were not enough were added by him. After all, Yun Ji was also the boss. Although not as important as Min Xi, he could not be put on the same level as an employee.

Yun Ji just thanked him politely, looking unperturbed. After all, he used to give rewards to others casually.

Amanda and the others were so excited that their ears turned red. One reais was more than their monthly salary!

Baron Fernando said, "I'll let the cook pack the rest. You've worked hard today. Go back and have a rest early. We'll be busy all day tomorrow."

Min Xi said, "Wait a minute, I'll prepare the ingredients first. Tomorrow morning, you can have the carriage come to pick us up early, preferably at four o'clock, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

The baron frowned and said, "So early! Why don't you stay here tonight and rest here? There are plenty of rooms."

Min Xi and Yun Ji looked at each other and finally said, "We have something else to do and we have to go back. Let's see if the three of them are willing to stay. If they come to my store in the morning to meet up, they will have to get up even earlier."

Diego said, "I'll go back with you. I live in the store anyway."

Amanda said: "I have children at home. If I don't tell them, they will be worried. So I have to go back. I will get up early tomorrow morning."

Only Gale was willing to stay. It was the first time for this kid to come to such a high-end place. How could he not want to stay here?

The Baron said, "That's it. I'll send a car to pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Thank you!" Min Xi and Yun Ji thanked him, soaked the ingredients for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and then got in the car and left.

The carriage left the Duke's manor. Amanda hesitated for a long time before she took out the silver coin and said, "Sir, I'll give it to you."

Seeing this, Diego also wanted to pay.

Min Xi shook his head: "No need to give it to me, this is a reward from the Duchess, keep it well."

"Thank you!" Amanda then put the money in her pocket with confidence.

Min Xi said, "Amanda, where is your home? We will take you back first."

Amanda said quickly, "No, no, sir, I can go back by myself."

Min Xi said, "It's too early tomorrow morning. You can't come to the store alone to meet us. If something unexpected happens on the way, it will cause trouble to His Excellency the Duke. Do you understand?"

Amanda hesitated for a moment and nodded: "I understand."

After finding out the address of Amanda's house, Min Xi went to tell the coachman. It was quite far away, and the coachman was not very happy. He was not the coachman of the Baron's house, but the coachman of the Duke's house. He felt that he was the coachman of the Duke's house, so how could he go out of his way to send a servant? The other party was too disrespectful to him.

Min Xi frowned, "You are a coachman in the Duke's mansion, don't you have this much awareness? We are here to serve the Duke's birthday party. If you are unwilling to pick him up and drop him off, and something goes wrong and a lawsuit is filed, is this good for the Duke's reputation? Do you want to cast a shadow on his 80th birthday?"

The coachman's face changed drastically, and he quickly said, "I'll go pick it up. It's all up to you."

Amanda looked at Min Xi gratefully: "Thank you, sir!"

Min Xi waved his hand and said nothing.

Yun Ji squeezed Min Xi's hand. Min Xi turned to look at him. Yun Ji grinned at him and then shook his head. It was obvious that he had a lot to say to the coachman. Although they could complain to each other in Chinese, his upbringing prevented him from doing so.

The driver followed Min Xi's request and sent Amanda home first, even though Amanda's home was farther away than the restaurant. Not only did the driver have to know the way, but Min Xi also had to know the way. If the driver who came to pick him up tomorrow morning was not this one, he would bring the driver to pick up Amanda.

Amanda thanked him profusely and got off the car. The neighborhood where she lived was obviously run-down and dirty, and all the people living here were poor. The Duke's carriage here was like a Bugatti Veyron driving into the slums of India, and naturally attracted many people's onlookers.

Amanda came down from the alley, enjoying the jealous and envious eyes of the neighbors, her back straightened and her steps were particularly light. Since going to the Chinese restaurant, she felt that her fate seemed to have changed. Not only could she enter and leave the Duke's Mansion, but she also had the Duke's carriage sent to the entrance of the alley. Today, she also received a reward of 1 reais from the Duchess. She wanted to keep this silver coin as a lucky charm for her family.

Min Xi and Yun Ji came back to live here, on the one hand because it was convenient, they could take a shower, change clothes, and sleep more comfortably in their own beds; and on the other hand, they wanted to receive the birthday gift that Yun Ji had prepared for the Duke.

The painting of "Magu Offering Longevity" has been completed. Although Min Xi doesn't know much about painting, he can see that it is very good. The most important thing in figure painting is the expression of the eyebrows and eyes. The Magu in this painting is dignified and beautiful, with kind eyes and a slim and light figure. Even the fingers holding the longevity peach are painted beautifully, with fluttering clothes and a sika deer standing beside her. The whole painting has smooth lines and harmonious colors. Min Xi himself likes it very much.

After they finished washing up and went upstairs to sleep, Min Xi couldn't help but open the "Magu Offering Longevity Picture" and read it: "It's a really beautiful painting."

Yun Ji said, "Do you like it? I'll draw it for you later."

Min Xi thought for a moment and said, "Can you draw me?"

Yun Ji looked at him and nodded: "Yes."

Min Xi became happy: "It's a deal then, draw a picture for me later." He quite liked Chinese figure paintings. He had seen the portraits of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. If they were truly restored as they were, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty would all be handsome men. He wondered what his own painting would look like.

"Okay." Yun Ji agreed readily.

Just after four o'clock the next day, a carriage came to pick someone up. Today it was the baron's own carriage. The coachman had carried Min Si several times, so he was familiar with him and easy to talk to. When he heard that someone was going to be picked up, he drove off without saying a word.

After picking up Amanda, they drove straight to the Duke's Mansion. Because they were delayed in picking her up, it was already five o'clock when they arrived.

The chefs in the Duke's Mansion also started to get busy. Min Xi did not ask anyone from the Duke's Mansion to help because it was a dinner party and they had enough time to prepare.

He first went to stew Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Yun Ji and a few others came to help, some killing chickens and ducks, some making fires, and some cleaning pots. The chickens and ducks for the braised chicken and roast duck were not in a hurry to be slaughtered, because the temperature was a bit high and fresh meat would easily go bad if left for a long time, so they simply did it later.

They didn't start until after breakfast.

Min Xi asked the western chef about the menu. He obviously knew their menu. The ingredients they chose avoided the ingredients they chose. They were mainly seafood, and they were all very expensive and rare species. The Duke's banquet must be high-end. In comparison, the ingredients Min Xi chose were indeed too ordinary. Chicken, duck, fish and shrimp were all very common.

Of course Min Xi didn't care. After all, no matter how good the ingredients are, it would be a waste if you don't know how to cook them. It takes real skill to make the ultimate delicious food with ordinary ingredients.

Baron Fernando slept in the Duke's mansion last night. After he got up and had breakfast, he went to the kitchen to take a look and find out about Min Xi's progress. After all, he was the one who recommended Min Xi, and this was related to his face.

"How is it? You don't need anything, right?" the Baron asked Min Xi.

Min Xi said, "I haven't found anything missing yet. Your Excellency, today is your grandfather's birthday, and we have prepared a small gift for Your Excellency the Duke. Please accept it."

The baron was very surprised: "You are so polite! I thank you on behalf of my grandfather."

Yun Ji dried his hands and handed the painting of "Magu Offering Longevity" framed with silk cloth to the baron.

The baron knew it at a glance: "Yun, you drew this, right?" He took it with a look of surprise, and couldn't wait to unfold it, exclaiming: "Wow, this is so beautiful! You guys are so thoughtful."

Yun Ji said: "This picture shows Magu offering longevity. Magu is a Chinese deity who is immortal and a symbol of longevity. Peaches are also a symbol of longevity in China, and deer symbolize blessings and health. We are grateful for the care of the Baron, and we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude by painting this picture to celebrate the birthday of our respected grandfather and wish him a long and healthy life!"

The baron was so happy after hearing this: "Good! Good! Great! Thank you very much! I will give it to my grandfather right away, he will definitely like it very much."

He rolled up the painting, walked out of the kitchen lightly, and headed towards the living room where his grandfather lived.

Diego and the other two only then realized that the boss had prepared a birthday present, which was a Chinese painting. The woman in the painting was particularly beautiful, but unfortunately they didn't see it clearly before it was rolled up and taken away.

Min Xi looked at the Baron's back and said to Yun Ji with a smile, "It seems that this gift has touched my heart. It is worth the hard work of Brother Seventh who has been working day and night for this period of time."

Min Xi and Yun Ji would definitely not have thought of how much benefit this painting would bring them in the future. It was truly an unexpected success.

The baron walked out of the kitchen, through a long corridor, and into a hall covered with Persian carpets. The hall was very spacious, with a huge organ on the front wall and a huge lamp stand hanging above the hall, with hundreds of lamp holders on the lamp stand. If candles were lit, the hall would be brightly lit.

There are many oil paintings hanging on the walls on both sides of the hall, all of which are portraits of Fernando's family ancestors. After passing through the hall, you will reach the living room where the Duke and Duchess often stay.

At this moment, the living room is full of guests and friends. Many of the guests who arrived a few days ago are here to accompany the birthday celebrants.

When Baron Fernando reached the door of the living room, he held the scroll in his hand high, walked into the room full of guests, and cleared his throat: "Grandfather, what do you think I brought you?"