The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Min Xi didn't know that a beggar's chicken almost caused a fight between two nobles. When Fernando came down from upstairs, he angrily said to Min Xi: "Don't sell beggar's chicken to Simao Merlo in the future!"

Min Xi didn't know the reason and said, "I didn't plan to sell beggar's chicken. Without banana leaves, I couldn't find anything to wrap the chicken."

"Whether it's for sale or not, don't make it for him! That kid eats too wastefully. At least half of the meat is lost. It makes me angry just looking at it." Fernando said.

Min Xi smiled and said, "Okay, I won't cook for him. You can take this chicken to His Majesty. I also packed a box of egg tarts and a box of baked buns for him."

Fernando said, "Okay. I'll leave first. All the bills for today will be in Simao's name."

Min Xi smiled and said, "Your Majesty doesn't need it, he has already paid in advance. Go quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

"I can go there quickly on horseback." Fernando left with the food for the king.

In the evening, after all the guests had left, Min Xi took out the last beggar's chicken. The fire in the stove had long gone out, but the chicken was still warm. Min Xi removed the outer layer of soil, shook off the dust, cut the twine, and peeled off the banana leaves that wrapped the chicken layer by layer.

This beggar's chicken is cooked to perfection, and the residual heat has made the meat crispy.

Min Xi washed his hands, put the chicken on a plate, and said to the people who were still cleaning up, "Stop busying yourself, come and eat the chicken! Go wash your hands."

He tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Yun Ji: "Seventh Brother, this is for you."

Yun Ji glanced at Min Xi and said with a smile, "Give the chicken leg to Diego."

Min Xi raised his chin: "I did it, I'll give it to whoever I say it to, Diego will definitely not have any objections."

Diego swallowed his saliva and shook his head vigorously: "I have no objection, I can eat any piece." This is a dish specially made by the host for His Majesty the King. Thanks to His Majesty, he has the opportunity to eat such a magical dish. He would be satisfied even if he had to eat a chicken bone. How could he be picky?

Yun Ji had no choice but to take it.

Min Xi tore off two chicken wings and gave them to the two boys, kept a chicken drumstick for himself, and gave the rest to Amanda: "Amanda, the rest are all yours."

"So much!" Amanda was flattered.

Min Xi said, "It's okay. Take it home and let each of the children at home have a taste. The onions and mushrooms in it are delicious too."

"Thank you, boss!" Amanda bowed deeply to Min Xi.

Min Xi said, "Take all the plates back and remember to bring them back tomorrow."

"Okay! Thank you, boss!" Amanda raised her hand to wipe away her tears, took a bite of the beggar's chicken given to her, and kept the rest to take back for the children. The boss understood that it was not easy for her to raise the children alone, and always thought of her when he had good things. He was really the kindest boss she had ever met.

Diego and Gael licked their fingers while eating: "Boss, I think this mud chicken is as delicious as the braised chicken."

"Yeah, it will be hard to eat it in the future, so let's savor it more." Min Xi said with a smile.

Yun Ji said: "It would be nice if there were lotus leaves, so more people could eat it."

Min Xi said, "Actually, taro leaves would be fine too. I wonder if there are any taro plants here."

Yunji is from the north and has never seen taro leaves before: "Are taro leaves also big?"

"Yes, it's similar to lotus leaves, a little smaller, but a few more pieces can be wrapped up." Min Xi said.

"Let's look for it in the suburbs later." Yun Ji said.

Gail listened for a while and said, "Boss, do you want big leaves?"

"Yes, do you have those plants with big leaves that are edible?" Min Xi asked.

Gail nodded. "I have it in my hometown. It has oblong leaves and tubers that grow in the soil. It's edible, but it doesn't taste good. It's hard to cook and it makes your mouth numb."

Min Xi said, "That's right, it should be taro. It seems that taro can also be found in Europe. Let's go to the suburbs to look for it when we have time."

Fernando carried the food and rode all the way to the palace. Riding a horse was much faster than riding a carriage, and he arrived at the palace in more than half an hour.

It was already past eight o'clock, long past Sebastian I's dinner time, but he hadn't eaten yet today because Fernando had gone to bring him a roast chicken. If he hadn't, he would have come back to let me know.

His courtiers tried to persuade him to eat a little, but Sebastian I said, "I already said I don't want to eat. Wait until Pedro comes."

The courtier hesitated to speak, as it was not yet known whether the baron would come or not.

Just then, someone came to report that Baron Fernando had arrived.

Sebastian I was delighted: "I told you he would come."

Fernando was led to the restaurant: "Greetings, Your Majesty. I am late and have kept Your Majesty waiting."

"Did you bring me any delicious food?" Sebastian I looked at Fernando eagerly.

Fernando placed the basket on the table and took out two wooden boxes first: "This is the staple food and snacks that Min sent to your majesty, as well as the chicken that your majesty wanted. There is no braised chicken because there is not enough time, so I made a very special beggar's chicken."

"Beggar's chicken? Bring it to me and let me try it." said Sebastian I.

Fernando imitated Yunji and performed the process of smashing the dirt to get the chicken on the spot, which made the courtiers beside him drop their eyes and jaws. The baron was too bold to actually give the emperor a piece of dirt to eat!

Sebastian I was quite surprised that the Chinese were very creative in their eating habits.

Fernando took the chicken out of the banana leaf, put it on a clean plate, and placed the whole chicken in front of the king: "Your Majesty, please enjoy it."

Sebastian I held a knife and fork, looking at the whole fragrant chicken: "It smells really good. But you're giving it to me like this? A whole chicken, not even cutting it?"

Fernando said, "Your Majesty, the essence of eating this chicken is to tear it with your hands. I have already tested it for your Majesty. It is more authentic and tastier to eat it this way. Would you like to try it?"

"Interesting!" Sebastian I put down his knife and fork and said to his courtier, "Bring me some water so I can wash my hands."

The servants were so upset that they wanted to cry. How could Your Majesty eat food with his hands like a barbarian? This was simply too rebellious.

After washing his hands, Sebastian I looked at the whole chicken, hesitating to start, and looked at Fernando. Fernando gestured, and he reached out, grabbed a leg and tore it off. Because the chicken had been stewed for a long time, it was already soft and rotten, so it was easy to tear off, and you could see the juice flowing out, making the hungry man swallow his saliva.

Sebastian I opened his mouth to eat, but was stopped by the courtier: "Your Majesty! Let your servant try it for you first."

Fernando smiled and said, "Your Majesty, let me taste the food for you." He washed his hands, tore off a wing, and started to eat it with relish. This chicken was better cooked and tasted better.

When Sebastian I saw him eating, he no longer hesitated, stuffed the chicken leg into his mouth, and took a big bite: "Mm, it tastes great! It's no worse than roast chicken."

Fernando joked, "Your Majesty, do you still need me to help you taste the food?"

Sebastian I waved his hand and said, "No, I can eat a cow now. How can a chicken be enough for me?"

Fernando smiled and went to wash his hands, then sat down and took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands clean.

Sebastian I finished two chicken legs and a chicken wing, half of a chicken, and finally caught his breath. He took a sip of wine and said, "It's delicious. Min is really a genius in eating. Reward him for me."

Fernando said, "Min said that His Majesty had already paid for the meal in advance."

Sebastian I said: "Isn't he happy with my reward?"

"Then I will thank Your Majesty on his behalf," Fernando said with a smile.

Sebastian I turned to his courtier and said, "Go and get me two sets of tableware."

Fernando asked, "Will Your Majesty reward him with silverware?"

"Yes."

After a while, the servant went to get two sets of pure silver tableware. In addition to knives, forks and spoons, there were also silver plates, silver bowls and silver wine glasses, all of which were exquisitely made.

"Your Majesty, you are very generous," said Fernando.

"I am pleased!" said Sebastian I. "What reward do you want for running errands for me?"

"No, no, no, your Majesty has already given me enough rewards." Fernando did not dare to ask for rewards casually.

The next morning, Min Xi and Yun Ji got up early. They would not open the store today as they were going to see Captain Reiss. They had posted a notice last night saying that they had to close the store for a day due to some urgent matters.

Yun Ji went to the market to buy meat, and Min Xi wanted to make some dried meat for Captain Reis. He stayed in the store to make pot cakes for Captain Reis, and it was difficult to bring other things, so he could only bring some dry food.

When Fernando arrived, Min Xi had not finished his work. He looked at the things that had been packed, a bag of clothes, a bag of shoes, and two bags of food.

"How did you take so much? Can he carry so much?" said Fernando.

"Two bags of food, one bag is for the prison guards. Please ask them to take good care of Captain Reis." Min Xi said.

"You might as well just give him the money," said Fernando.

"I have money too. The food is a token of my appreciation. After all, I run a restaurant." Min Xi said with a smile.

Fernando shrugged: "It's up to you. By the way, this is for you. His Majesty is very satisfied with the beggar's chicken, so he gave it to you as a reward." He carried a wooden box down from the carriage. It was much larger than the one he gave as a reward when he went to the palace last time.

Min Xi looked at the box and said, "Why did His Majesty give me something again? It's too expensive for him."

Yun Ji took it and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"

Fernando said, "Why don't you open it and take a look?"

Yun Ji opened the box and saw the glittering silverware inside. He brought it to Min Xi, who was dazzled. "This is too valuable. Thank His Majesty for us."