The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Greeley, holding the fork, asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll get it for you."

Professor Boyle looked at the three dishes on the table. Only fish was familiar to him, so he said, "Fish."

Greeley cut a piece of fish and put it on his plate: "Get whatever you want." He knew that the food in this restaurant was good, so he was happy to try it and put a little of each dish on his plate.

Boyle forked up a piece of fish and took a bite. He thought it was similar to what he usually ate, but he didn't expect that the taste was different as soon as it entered his mouth. Although they were both fish, this fish was obviously more flavorful and did not have any fishy smell, but it retained the freshness of the fish.

Greeley asked, "How is it? Doesn't it taste good?"

Boyle finished his fish in silence and forked another piece from the plate on the table.

"Don't always eat fish. Try the other two. They won't taste bad. Try them all." Grey used a serving spoon to scoop him sweet and sour pork and mushroom chicken. "When you encounter difficult math problems, you are willing to try various methods to find the answer. Why do you become so conservative when it comes to eating?"

Boyle listened to his old friend's mumbling and looked at the completely unfamiliar dishes on his plate. He couldn't help but frowned, but he still started eating. He tried the mushrooms first because he was familiar with them. The mushrooms absorbed the chicken soup and the taste was more delicious.

Greeley looked up at his reaction and said, "Well? I wasn't kidding you. Try them all."

Boyle tasted several dishes and found them delicious. He looked around and saw that even though it was noon, the restaurant was almost full, which showed that this restaurant attracted customers by strength. It was also the first time he felt that food could not only fill his stomach, but also satisfy his taste buds and bring spiritual pleasure.

After they finished their meal, they did not intend to leave, and called Gale to come and clean up the dishes. Gale asked, "Have you finished eating, sir?"

"It's finished," Greeley said.

Gail said, "Can you please give up your seat to the guests waiting outside?"

Greeley said, "There are still people waiting for tables to eat? But we have to wait for your boss to do something."

"Gentlemen, you two can sit on the chairs outside and wait. The boss will come to see you when he is done with his work," said Gail.

I don't know what happened this afternoon, but a lot of guests came, and the arrival was intermittent, or even inconsistent. Just when I finished and was about to clean up, more guests came. After three or four groups of guests came, the clock struck two a long time ago.

The two old gentlemen, Greeley and Boyle, were full and sleepy while waiting outside. They usually had the habit of taking a nap and had already gone to bed at this time.

When Yun Ji came out, he saw two old gentlemen sleeping in chairs in the corridor, looking utterly dishonorable. He couldn't help but feel a little apologetic: "Professor Boyle?"

Professor Boyle woke up with a start, and after a moment's pause, he came to his senses. He looked at Yun Ji and remembered where he was: "Are you done?"

Yun Ji said, "Sorry, I just finished my work."

Professor Boyle said, "Do you have time now?"

Greeley also woke up, and after hearing what his old friend said, he quickly made amends: "I'm sorry, young man, Boyle is just a person who doesn't understand the ways of the world, he is not arrogant."

Yun Ji smiled and said, "It's okay, gentlemen, please come in and take a seat. I will tell Mr. Boyle about the specific use of the abacus."

Two old gentlemen came in. Min Xi had just finished his work. He took off his apron and hat and sat on a chair to rest. When he saw them come in, he didn't stand up. His back and waist were sore from standing.

Greeley was not interested in mathematics, but came to Min Si and asked: "You said that His Majesty the King ate the sauce made from your wolfberries, is it true?"

"It's absolutely true. Wolf peaches were actually put in the dish that sir ate today." Min Xi said with a smile.

Greeley thought for a moment: "What about the pot-fried pork?"

Min Xi smiled and nodded: "That's right, wolfberries taste sweet and sour, and as long as they are ripe, they can be eaten raw. I usually use them to make sauces, or scrambled eggs."

Greeley said: "It seems that it is indeed edible. I will write an article later to prove that wolf peaches are non-toxic and edible. Its specific nutritional value remains to be studied."

When Min Xi heard this, he asked, "Excuse me, sir, what do you do?"

Greeley laughed. “I’m a professor of biology at the University of Coimbra.”

"What's your name, sir?" Min Xi asked hurriedly. Wasn't this something that could be obtained without any effort?

"My last name is Greeley," Greeley said.

"Hello, Professor Greeley, my name is Min Xi, and I'm a plant lover. You are a biologist, so you must have seen a lot of plants, right? I heard from Baron Fernando that Europe brought back many new species from the New World. I wonder how many you have seen?" said Min Xi.

Professor Greeley said: "I have seen some. There are quite a few planted at the University of Coimbra."

Min Xi became excited: "Then can I go and visit?"

Professor Greeley said: "If you want to go, you are certainly welcome."

Min Xi thought about it and realized that he was not free recently. He had promised the pork seller to go castrate pigs this week. If he didn't take a break next week, he would be free the week after next. "Professor, I will be free in half a month. I wonder if you will be free by then. I would like to ask you to be my guide?"

"I'll write you an address. When you are free, come see me and I'll accompany you on the tour." Professor Greeley was very easy to talk to.

"Then it's settled. Thank you, professor! Please wait for me." Min Xi quickly stood up and took out some egg tarts from the oven in the back. He packed two boxes and gave them to Greeley. "This is for you and the professor."

"I'm so embarrassed. How much is it?" Professor Greeley said with a smile.

"Don't charge, this is a gift for you. In our China, teachers like you who impart knowledge and answer questions are the most respected. It is our honor that you are willing to accept this small gift from me." Min Xi pushed the box in front of him.

Professor Greeley said, "Actually, I do have something I would like to trouble you with."

"You say!"

"I see that your wolf peaches are particularly large, but they are not fully ripe yet. Can you wait until they are ripe and leave me the largest one? I want to use it to cultivate larger varieties." said Professor Greeley.

How could Min Xi refuse such a good thing? Professionals should do professional things, which is definitely more suitable than himself: "Okay! I'll give you some chili seeds as well. I hope the professor can cultivate them into bigger and better varieties."

Professor Greeley wondered, "What is Fan La?"

"It's another plant grown on the balcony. It's also from the New World. It's a spice, but it has a spicy taste."

“Does anyone eat spicy spices?”

Min Xi nodded: "Of course, sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty are one of the five flavors in China, and they are indispensable in cooking."

"Okay, leave it to me. I'll help you cultivate it." Professor Greeley agreed.

Min Xi was almost dying of joy. Today was a huge unexpected gain. He didn't expect Yun Ji's plan to bring such benefits.

When they were chatting animatedly, Yun Ji and Professor Boyle also got along quite well, mainly because Professor Boyle was thirsty for knowledge. After all, he was a mathematician, and as long as Yun Ji explained the rules of calculation, he would understand how to calculate.

But he still pestered Yun Ji to memorize all the abacus formulas for him. After all, he not only wanted to use it himself, but also wanted to promote it to ordinary people.

So when Min Xi finished chatting, he was still memorizing the abacus formulas.

Min Xi knew that abacus might not be popularized in Europe. After all, the thinking logic of Chinese people is different from that of Europeans. Perhaps the Euclid algorithm is not as simple as abacus, but it is more logical and has a wider range of applications.

Min Xi then said to Yun Ji, "Seventh Brother, please ask the professor about the algorithm they used."

Yun Ji turned around and looked at Min Xi: "But I can't use it either."

"We can't use it, but if we take it back, someone else will need it. You scholars always talk about the strengths and weaknesses of others," said Min Xi.

Yun Ji smiled: "It is to take the other's strengths and make up for one's own weaknesses. What you said makes sense, so let me ask."

Yun Ji told Professor Boyle that he wanted to learn the existing mathematical algorithms in Europe. Professor Boyle said, "I have done some research in this area. If you are interested, I will give you a copy of my research results."

"Okay, thank you professor! I will come to your school to find you then." Yun Ji agreed hurriedly.

After listening to this, Min Xi knew that he had to ask Yun Ji to translate the mathematics professor's content before leaving Fulanji. Otherwise, if there were some parts that he didn't understand and couldn't translate, then all the work would be in vain.

Or should I try hard, show my interest, and then learn translation? After all, the mathematics I have learned is deeper than Yunji's, so it is easier for me to understand.

The meeting was obviously a pleasant one and everyone gained something.

Only Yun Ji was a little dissatisfied because neither of the two old professors, Min Xi, took a nap.

"Hurry up and go upstairs and take a nap." Yun Ji urged him to go upstairs and rest.

"It's okay. It's not a big deal to not sleep for a day occasionally. Just go to bed early at night." Min Xi said.

Yun Ji didn't give him any chance to explain and just urged him to go upstairs to sleep.

Min Xi stretched lazily: "Okay, I'll go upstairs to take a nap, remember to call me."

As soon as he went up to the second floor, he heard the sound of horse hooves outside the door, and soon someone came into the store.

"Why are you here at this time, sir? Are you here to have dinner?" It was Yun Ji's voice.

"No more eating. Captain Reis's verdict has come out, and I'm here to inform you." It was the voice of Baron Fernando.