Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Chapter 307 Mutton Skewers and Wine

Zhang Shiyi and Li Yi brought in two large plates of grilled skewers. Everyone in the restaurant stared at the lumps of meat sizzling with oil on the bamboo sticks.

Zhang Jingwei suddenly rolled out his tongue without any warning, and a series of funny noises came out of his mouth. At the same time, he muttered in a very funny accent: "Lulululul, mutton skewers, mutton skewers, authentic Xinjiang mutton skewers!" His exaggerated expression and unique tone instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Huangfu Ling, who was standing aside, was stunned at first, and then she couldn't help but burst into laughter, holding her belly, and said as she laughed: "Hahaha, your accent is exactly the same as the people in the Western Regions!" She laughed so hard that tears almost came out. She was completely amused by Zhang Jingwei's performance. Others didn't understand what she was laughing at.

Hearing Huangfu Ling's response, Zhang Jingwei became even more interested. He deliberately blinked, and then said to Huangfu Ling with a flattering look: "My beautiful girl, would you like to try my freshly baked mutton skewers?" As he said that, he did not forget to wink at Huangfu Ling.

Huangfu Ling looked at the lively Zhang Jingwei in front of him and found him very amused. He nodded quickly and said, "Yes! Of course!"

After receiving the response, Zhang Jingwei quickly picked up a skewer of golden, sizzling lamb from the grill. He carefully wrapped the end of the bamboo skewer with paper to prevent it from burning Huangfu Ling's hand. Then, he carefully handed the lamb skewer to Huangfu Ling.

Huangfu Ling took the mutton skewer and took a gentle bite. Instantly, the rich aroma of meat and the perfect flavor of the seasoning filled her mouth. Her eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "This...this is so delicious!" Then, eagerly, she began to eat with big mouthfuls, a satisfied smile on her face.

Others also began to try it.

Li Can frowned and asked in confusion: "Is this what lamb tastes like? It feels a little special." As he spoke, he leaned closer and smelled the lamb skewers in front of him.

Gao Ying shook his head and replied, "This isn't the flavor of mutton itself, but rather the flavor of fennel from the Western Regions. This spice is often used by the Western Rong people in their thick soups. I've never really liked that flavor, so it left a particularly deep impression on me."

Zhang Jingwei's eyes widened in surprise after hearing this. He said, "Western Rong? There are actually Rong people to our west?"

Gao Jiong nodded and explained, "There are indeed Rong people in the west. But now, that area is the territory of the Great Tang Empire."

Zhang Jingwei muttered thoughtfully, "The Kingdom of the Caliphate? Isn't that Arabia?"

At this time, Ma Tianmao on the side interrupted and said, "It's the Abbasid Dynasty! Oh, I didn't expect that you would think of using such expensive spices to make barbecue. You are really willing to spend money. But having said that, the taste is really great!" After that, he took a big bite of the lamb skewers in his hand with relish.

However, unlike the others who were eating with gusto, Gao Fei kept sticking out his tongue and muttering, "Shaha...you...you don't feel it's spicy?" His lips were slightly swollen and he was taking in some cool air, trying to relieve the spiciness in his mouth.

Zhang Jingwei shouted in surprise: "Hey? Brother Gao, you don't stutter anymore!" He widened his eyes and looked at Gao Fei in front of him in disbelief.

Gao Fei took a deep breath and said slowly: "Actually... actually, I have noticed this a long time ago. Siha... as long as I eat something spicy, my stuttering problem will disappear immediately! But my mouth feels like it is on fire, Siha... Siha..." As he spoke, he kept fanning himself with his hands, trying to relieve the burning sensation in his mouth.

Mu Tou, who was standing by, was extremely excited when he heard this. He danced with joy and shouted, "Hey, I finally found an organization! Finally... Siha, finally there's someone who can't eat spicy food like me!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned, shook his head, and said, "To be honest, I think your stuttering is much more difficult than just stuttering normally!"

At this time, Ma Tianmao, who had been silent the whole time, opened his mouth and suggested, "Since we have such delicious food here today, why don't we take out the fine wine from the Western Regions that I gave you and drink it together? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei's face showed a trace of confusion. He scratched his head and asked, "What kind of wine? I don't have any impression of it at all."

Zhang Liu, who was standing next to him, slapped his thigh and suddenly realized, "Hey, it's the young master's wedding! What Young Master Ma sent was wine. I thought it was a dozen jars of aged vinegar, so I just put it in the kitchen. Okay, I'll go get the wine right away!" After saying that, he hurried to the kitchen.

……

With fine wine and delicious food, everyone began to clink glasses. After three rounds of drinks, some congratulated them on their marriage, some were trying to familiarize themselves with the family marriage as soon as possible, and some were planning to write a poem.

"Fine grape wine, moonlight cup...what's the last part of this line?"

Ma Tianmao urged: "Can you please do this? I'm holding my pee just waiting for you to recite a poem!"

Zhang Jingwei jumped off the table, grabbed Ma Tianmao's sleeve, and said impatiently: "Come on, come on, you can do it, come on."

Ma Tianmao quickly evaded the question, then pointed at Gao Jiong: "This matter...must be handed over to Brother Zhaoxuan!"

Gao Jing picked up the wine glass, looked at it, smelled it, and tasted it before he spoke slowly, "This wine is made from grapes. First, look at its color. It's rich and lingering. Then, smell it. It's refreshing, with not only the aroma of wine but also the fragrance of flowers and fruits. Then, taste it. It's sour and astringent with a hint of bitterness, but the aftertaste is sweet in the throat and moisturizes the lungs!"

He suddenly opened his arms, imitating Zhang Jingwei as he stood on the table, waving his long sleeves and saying aloud, "Grape dew, amber reflecting the sunset glow. The mellow taste spreads far with the wind, the sweetness lingers in dreams. The cup is full and makes one drunk, the full moon forms a pair of shadows. This thing connects heaven and earth, and its rhyme will last through the ages!"

Zhang Jingwei clapped his hands in applause, his eyes sparkling. "Great! Excellent! We, who don't know much about poetry, thought writing poetry was just an ancient rumor. Brother Zhaoxuan, let's have a drink!"

Gao Jiong was filled with excitement. He held Zhang Jingwei's hand tightly and spoke his heart out, "When I was in Jinzhou, I also wrote some good poems. However, I was always facing a group of powerful people, which prevented me from displaying my talents. Now that I have met Brother Jingwei, I am really lucky."

Zhang Jingwei picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. Then he dragged Gao Jiong back to the table and said, "Gold is easy to come by, but a true friend is hard to find. Brother Zhaoxuan, finish this cup, and then drink three more with me."

Gao Jiong laughed heartily and said, "Haha, today I must have a drink with Brother Jingwei, and I won't go home until I'm drunk!" As he spoke, he patted his chest generously.

Zhang Jingwei smiled slightly and responded confidently: "With my alcohol tolerance, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Brother Zhaoxuan to get me drunk!" There was a hint of pride in his words.

Gao Jiong raised an eyebrow and suggested enthusiastically, "How about we play a drinking game? You and I are both from the prefectures and counties, and now we've both passed the imperial examinations. This isn't just a drinking contest, it's also a contest of talent!"

Zhang Jingwei nodded happily, expressing his agreement: "That's great! But I don't know how to play this drinking game."

A sly glint flashed in Gao Jiong's eyes, and he said with a smile, "Brother Jingwei has always been quick-witted, and the ways he creates are always unique, novel, and interesting. How about we use his creativity to create a new way to play today?"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Jingwei raised his lip and confidently replied, "Great! Since Brother Zhaoxuan is interested in competing with me in my area of ​​expertise, it wouldn't be fun for us to play alone. Why don't we call everyone over and let's 'tour the three gardens' together!"

As he said this, he picked up the chopsticks in his hand and knocked on the bowl.