Records of the Cattle and Horses of Chang'an

Food is the most important thing for people, and it plays a vital role in Chinese history.

During the Qin Dynasty, people ate two meals a day: one at nine in the morning, called breakfast, and the second at four in the afternoon, called afternoon. Breakfast was the main meal, and afternoon was the supplementary meal.

By the time of the Han Dynasty, the nobles who were unwilling to compromise their stomachs had already implemented a three-meal system, adding a night meal.

By the Sui and Tang dynasties, after the terrible food culture of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, three meals a day had become a daily routine for most people.

Especially in Chang'an, the center of the universe, there was an additional lunch between breakfast and dinner, at about twelve o'clock, which was noon.

Of course, poor people also have one meal a day, but the rich and powerful who have nothing to do with poverty, in addition to these three meals, if they are greedy or hungry, they will eat some fruits anytime and anywhere. This is called picky eating.

Fruits are actually snacks and pastries. The Japanese admired the Central Plains culture during the Tang Dynasty. Japanese writing, architecture, and even what they call wagashi today were all learned from the Tang Dynasty.

Food is the most important thing for people, and this is especially true for chefs. The first thing Jiang Shangxian did when he got to work was to tie an apron while asking his apprentices to bring the dried ducks. Yesterday, for the sake of these two ducks, the three good apprentices took turns wrapping themselves in winter sheepskin coats in the ice cellar, guarding the ice and fanning the ducks, and they were very tired.

But who made them the chefs?

Even Wang Wan was wondering how much money he would have to sell the duck for to be worthwhile after making it with so much effort.

"Master, the pulp we put on yesterday was really...really amazing!" Zhou Ying was the most cunning one. He was on the first shift yesterday, and after finishing his shift, he went back and slept until dawn. The worst off was Wang Wan, because he was the eldest brother and had to take care of his younger brothers.

He was on duty in the middle shift yesterday. Anyone who has ever stood guard overnight knows that the ones at the two ends are comfortable, but the one in the middle is the most miserable.

The little fat boy's eyes were dark at this moment, like a panda that had become a spirit: "Master, this duck is really annoying."

"After blowing it all night, the leather does look quite interesting." Jiang Shangxian was very satisfied. He reached out and pinched it, feeling the touch. It should be about right.

"Okay, let's burn the earthen cellar, take the mule or horse out for a walk, and roast it first!"

For this memorable moment, Jiang Shangxian naturally had to demonstrate it himself. He hung the two ducks in, leaving just enough space for the heat to be evenly roasted on the ducks.

Li Xueyan arrived just as dinner was about to begin. "Shopkeeper Wang, what new dishes has Aunt Jiang prepared? How come I could smell this outside Lexianlou?"

As she spoke, her nose kept twitching and sniffing, a bit like a chinchilla that smelled silkworm pupae and wanted to eat them but couldn't find any.

"Miss Li's nose, hehe, it's this!"

Shopkeeper Wang shook his head, stretched out his hand and gave a thumbs-up, pretending to be mysterious and whispering to her: "He said he was making some roast duck in the back, but don't say I didn't tell you. There are only two in total, and we can only take out one at most. If you don't hurry, it will be gone!"

It's almost noon, and diners are starting to trickle in. The aroma is almost intoxicating, but they're not allowed to ask about the food? Everyone who comes here is wealthy, so how can they just ask about the food without eating?

Li Xueyan dared not delay any longer after hearing this. She pulled the young lady beside her and said, "Mei Niang, let's go. I'll take you to eat something good!"

That's right, she didn't come alone today. After these days of hard work, she finally became friends with His Majesty's Consort Wu. Although the two hit it off, it was no joke for a concubine to leave the palace. Wu Meiniang begged His Majesty for a long time before she got such an opportunity to leave the palace.

"Hmm! It smells so good!" Wu Meiniang was young and lively by nature. She had been stuck in the palace for so long that she couldn't wait any longer. When she went out of the palace today, everything she saw was new and strange.

The two young ladies flew to the backyard as light as two butterflies. Yanxia was already used to it, but the six palace maids and guards who followed Wu Meiniang were startled and hurriedly followed them.

Shopkeeper Wang stared at their backs and couldn't help but wonder who this person was. It would have been fine if he had never seen her before, but with so many people around him, each of them looked extraordinary.

"Aunt Jiang! What are you doing? Hand it over to me quickly so I can have a taste!" Li Xueyan was a hundred times more familiar with the backyard of Lexian Building than the kitchen of the Prince Jiangxia's Mansion. Wu Meiniang took her hand and came to the outside of the small kitchen. Her face was full of curiosity, while the six people who followed her all looked extremely disgusted.

Jiang Shangxian, who was putting lotus leaf pancakes on the steamer, quickly closed the lid when he heard her loud voice, and shouted back, "Here I come! This is the first time I've ever made roast duck, and you have such a keen nose! I don't know where you smelled this, but you found it right here!"

In the past, Li Xueyan would have rushed into the kitchen long ago, but today Wu Meiniang was there, and she was afraid that the smoke and fire inside would make her feel suffocated, so she stood outside: "You are so good! You made delicious food without telling me! Just wait and see how I will deal with you!"

"Want to deal with me? Let me tell you, a man should be looked at with new eyes after three days of absence. I have learned it seriously now..." Jiang Shangxian walked out while bickering with Li Xueyan. When he reached the door, he found that there was a stranger there. He swallowed the rest of the words.

She has always been like this, lively in front of familiar people, but immediately becomes quiet and reserved when around strangers.

"Come, let me introduce you. This is the talented Wu I mentioned to you last time." Li Xueyan whispered and pulled her to introduce her. After all, she was a concubine in the palace. Even if Li Shimin allowed her to leave the palace, she could not be high-profile. Although there were only six palace servants here, there were guards outside.

If you were to ask Jiang Shangxian what she felt when she heard the words "Wu Cairen," she could only say that it was as powerful as if all the drums in Chang'an were beating simultaneously in her ears, awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching. Later generations have had different opinions on this only female emperor in history, with both praise and criticism, and numerous film and television works about her have emerged.

Without exception, these actresses who played Wu Zetian were all beauties.

The real Wu Meiniang in front of us is indeed a beauty with outstanding appearance, who conforms to the mainstream aesthetic of the Tang Dynasty.

At this moment, she did not have any imperial air or overly imposing aura. She was wearing the most popular crimson long skirt dyed with madder - the pomegranate skirt. There were also dark patterns embroidered with gold thread on the skirt, which were delicate and had a floral sheen. When she walked, it was like a rosy glow.

The upper body is a round-necked short-sleeved gown in the color of sedge, with the cuffs and neckline made of yellow ochre with different thicknesses of splicing, paired with a semi-transparent Chunchen shawl, and a Leyou reverse bun with a red curly leaf inserted diagonally on the side of the bun. This is a hairstyle that has been popular in the palace recently, named after Leyouyuan.

A crescent-shaped slanted red line is painted below the ends of the eyebrows on both sides along the front of the temples. This style began to become popular in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and was called Xiaoxia makeup. It is still a fashionable makeup for women in the Tang Dynasty.

'The makeup is divided into two parts, and the face is covered with red.'

"Three Yuefu Poems, the Second, Eighteen Rhymes of Erotic Song" by Xiao Gang of the Southern Liang Dynasty.