Wei Xiaobao nodded to the brothers, got on the sedan and sat down. Gao Yanchao wrapped his clothes and hats and put them in the sedan.
A brother from the meeting walked up to the sedan, got into the sedan, and said in a low voice: "Master Wei Xiang, I'd better ask you to go to the kitchen of Shangshan Supervisor early tomorrow morning."
Wei Xiaobao asked: "What are you looking at?"
The man said: "It's nothing." After saying that, he backed away.
Wei Xiaobao couldn't remember his name. He had a pair of moustaches and was very cunning. He was the most common peddler in the market. When he arrived at Yangliu Hu, he didn't follow him. He always thought he was a clerk in a drugstore.
I was thinking that he asked me to come to the kitchen tomorrow to have a look. I wonder what his purpose is?
Anyway, it was his duty to inspect the kitchen, so he went there the next morning. As soon as his immediate boss arrived, everyone in the kitchen, from the eunuch on duty to the eunuch on duty, was very busy. Famous teas were ordered and the prices were paid.
Wei Xiaobao ate a few pieces of dim sum and said, "The dim sum you make here is pretty good, but it's best to learn from the chefs in Yangzhou."
The eunuch in charge said hurriedly: "Yes, yes. If it weren't for Eunuch Wei's guidance, we would really not understand."
Wei Xiaobao saw that there was nothing unusual in the kitchen and was about to go back when he saw the purchasing eunuch coming back from the market, followed by a person holding a large scale in his hand. He nodded with a smile and said: "Yes, yes, yes, what do you say, father-in-law?"
, just do whatever you want, I guarantee you won’t make a mistake.”
Wei Xiaobao was surprised when he saw this person. He was the person who asked him to come to the kitchen yesterday to have a look. The purchasing eunuch rushed to Wei Xiaobao and asked him how he was.
Wei Xiaobao pointed at the man and asked, "Who is this man?"
The purchasing eunuch smiled and said: "This man is the boss of Qian Xinglong Meat Shop in Beicheng. He is very flattering today and personally escorted more than a dozen pigs to the palace."
Turning to Boss Qian, he said: "Old Qian, you are really lucky today. This Eunuch Gui is our Head of Shangshan and the most popular person in front of the Emperor today.
We are errands in the palace, so we never get to see him. You must have knocked through the wooden fish in your previous life, and happened to meet Eunuch Gui."
Boss Qian knelt down, kowtowed to Wei Xiaobao a few times, and said, "This father-in-law is the bread and butter of Xiaobao. I just have the chance to meet him today. It's true that our ancestor named Qian has accumulated great virtue."
Wei Xiaobao said: "No need to be too polite."
Wei Xiaobao pondered: "What does he want to do when he sneaks into the palace? Why didn't he tell me in advance?"
The money boss stood up, with a smile on his face, and said: "The father-in-law in the palace has a trumpet business. The price of the trumpet is very low. It can be said that there is no profit. But slaughtering pigs for the emperor and the Belles is a big deal."
face.
Others heard that even the emperor ate the meat offered by Xiao Hao. The pork of Xiao Hao was naturally the best in the world, and no one else could compare with it. Therefore, when Xinglong was offering the meat to the palace for more than a year, his business was really growing.
Many times, all thanks to the cultivation of my father-in-law." As he said this, he extended his greetings again and again.
Wei Xiaobao nodded and said with a smile: "Then you must be quite rich!"
The man said: "Thanks to the great blessing from my father-in-law."
Shopkeeper Qian took out two banknotes from his pocket and said with a smile: "It's just a small thing, but it's not a sign of respect. Please keep it as a reward, father-in-law!" He handed it to Wei Xiaobao with both hands.
Wei Xiaobao took it and saw that each bank note was five hundred taels, totaling one thousand taels of silver. It was exactly what he had distributed to Gao Yanchao and the others the day before yesterday. He was slightly startled, and saw Boss Qian's mouth moving towards the purchase. Wei Xiaobao had already understood
Its meaning.
Wei Xiaobao smiled and said: "Boss Qian is so polite!"
Wei Xiaobao then handed over the two banknotes to the eunuch who was in charge, and said with a smile: "Boss Qian's respectful brothers, just go and share them, you don't need to share them with me."
When all the eunuchs saw that it was a thousand taels of silver, they were all overjoyed. Merchants who offered pigs, beef, chickens, fish, and vegetables to the palace usually gave kickbacks.
Five hundred taels, of which the eunuch and the eunuch from the Shangshan Room first divided half of it.
Seeing that there was a lot of money, Wei Xiaobao said he didn't want it. If everyone shared it, wouldn't it be a small windfall?
But the eunuch on duty thought that when Gui Gonggong said he didn't want it, he was just showing off in front of outsiders. He is the boss, so how could he really save it? When the division is divided later, he must still give him the largest share.
Keep it.
Boss Qian said: "Eunuch Gui, it's really rare for you to be so considerate and considerate to our father-in-laws. If you refuse to accept the gift, I will feel uneasy. After all, the small house can only raise two poria and flowered eagle pigs, which are extremely valuable. Wait.
I will go and kill it, one bite to honor the Queen Mother and the Emperor, and the other one will be carried to Gui Gong's room, and ask the father-in-law to taste it carefully."
Wei Xiaobao said: "What's Poria cocos and carved pig? It has a weird name, I've never heard of it."
Boss Qian said: "This is the secret method passed down from Xiaoxiao's ancestors. After weaning pigs from well-bred pigs, they feed them poria, dangshen, wolfberry and other tonics. Except for the tonics, the feed is just eggs, and they drink it."
Huadiao wine…”
Before he finished speaking, all the eunuchs started laughing and said, "How can there be such a way to feed pigs? Doesn't it cost hundreds of taels to fatten up a pig?"
Boss Qian said: "The capital is certainly not small, but the most difficult thing is the hard work and effort."
Wei Xiaobao said: "Okay, you must try this kind of strange pig."
Boss Qian said: "I wonder when Eunuch Gui will be free this afternoon. I will deliver it on time."
Wei Xiaobao thought that when he came down from the study room, it was already noon, so he said: "It's not the beginning of the afternoon, you can send it here!"
Boss Qian kept saying, "Yes, yes!" and invited a few more Ans out.
The eunuch on duty said with a smile: "Eunuch Gui, when we meet with the emperor later, we should not mention this matter."
Wei Xiaobao asked: "Why?"
The eunuch on duty said again: "Your Majesty is young and curious. He heard that there are such strange poria and flower-carved pigs. If you order them to be tasted, it will be very important for us to be slaves."
Besides, pigs that have been fed with so much painstaking effort are not often available. If the emperor satisfies his appetite and issues an imperial decree ordering the imperial kitchen to serve them every day, everyone will have no choice but to hang themselves."
Wei Xiaobao laughed heartily and said, "You are very thoughtful."
The eunuch in charge said: "This is just a rule passed down from time to time in the Shangshan Room. Dishes prepared by the Queen Mother and the Emperor, as well as all fresh fruits and vegetables, cannot be served."
Wei Xiaobao asked curiously: "If we can't offer fresh vegetables in season, why should we only offer outdated and out-of-date fruits and vegetables?"
Although he has been the leader of Shangshan for several months, he has never paid attention to the affairs of the royal family.
The eunuch on duty laughed and said: "We would never dare to offer vegetables that are out of date. However, we cannot offer some fruits and vegetables that are only available in one or two months of the year. If the emperor eats delicious food, he will have to eat it in summer.
Winter bamboo shoots and fresh broad beans are needed in winter, so everyone has to hang themselves."
Wei Xiaobao smiled and said: "Empress Dowager, the emperor is extremely sage, how can such a thing happen?"
The eunuch on duty shuddered and said hurriedly: "Yes, yes. The Queen Mother and the Emperor Shengming will definitely not do that. I heard that it was a rule passed down from the Ming Palace. When we came to the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor was reasonable, and we slaves
It will be much easier to get things done." I was secretly surprised and regretted my previous words.
Wei Xiaobao came down from serving Kangxi in the study room, and then went to the imperial dining room. Not long after, Boss Qian and four waiters arrived, carrying two big fat pigs that had been washed cleanly. Each mouthful of clean meat was worth about three hundred dollars.
catty.
Boss Qian said to Wei Xiaobao: "Eunuch Gui, if you get up early in the morning, it will be most beneficial to eat this poria and flowered carved pig. It is best if it is freshly cut and roasted. I will send a bite of the pig to your old man's room. Tomorrow morning, you will
The old man can cut it and roast it and eat it. If he can't finish it, he can order the kitchen to make bacon."
Wei Xiaobao knew that he must have a deep meaning, so he said: "You are thoughtful. Then come with me."
Boss Qian left one naked pig in the kitchen and carried the other to Wei Xiaobao's house. The eunuch in charge of Shang Shan lived close to the imperial kitchen. After the fat pig was carried into the room, Wei Xiaobao ordered the eunuch to lead the man who carried the pig to the kitchen.
Wait, and after the three of them left, they closed the door.
Boss Qian whispered: "Master Wei Xiang, is there no one else in the house?"
Wei Xiaobao shook his head. Boss Qian leaned over and gently turned the bare pig over. He saw that there were several strips of pig skin across the pig belly, sealing the slits.
Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "There must be some weird thing hidden in this fat pig's belly. Is it a weapon or something like that? Would the world want to kill people and make a fuss in the palace?" He couldn't help but his heart was pounding.
As expected, Boss Qian tore off the pig skin, pulled open the belly of the pig with both hands, and gently took out a ball of something. Wei Xiaobao exclaimed "Huh" and saw that what he took out was actually a person. Boss Qian pushed the person in.
Underground.
I saw that this person was thin and had long hair, but she was a girl of fourteen or fifteen years old. She was wearing a thin singlet, her eyes were closed, and she was motionless, except for her chest rising and falling slightly.
Wei Xiaobao was surprised and asked in a low voice: "Who is this little one? Why did you bring her here?"
Boss Qian said: "This is the princess of Prince Mu's Mansion."
Wei Xiaobao was even more surprised. He opened his eyes wide and said, "The princess of Prince Mu's Mansion?"
Boss Qian said: "She is the direct sister of the Young Master of Prince Mu's Mansion. They kidnapped Third Brother Xu, so we captured the princess and used it as collateral to teach them not to touch Third Brother Xu."
Wei Xiaobao was surprised and happy, and said: "Brilliant plan, brilliant plan! How did you catch him?"
Boss Qian said: "Yesterday, Brother Xu Tianchuan and Brother Xu were kidnapped. Master Wei Xiang and all the brothers went to Yangliu Hutong for the second time to judge. His subordinates went out to inquire about the news. They wanted to know who the people in Prince Mu's Mansion were, except Yangliu Hutong.
Besides, is there another place to stay? Is Brother Xu Sange imprisoned there?
We want to know who else they have in the capital. If we really want to take action, we must first have a foundation in our hearts. Hey, there are quite a lot of people coming to Prince Mu's Mansion for this inquiry. The young prince of the Mu family took the lead.
There are a lot of talented people in the palace."
Wei Xiaobao frowned and said: "Damn it! How many people does our Qingmu Hall have in Beijing? Can we beat one of them out of ten?"
Boss Qian said: "Master Wei Xiang, don't worry. Prince Mu's visit this time is not to fight with our Heaven and Earth Society. It turns out that Wu Yingxiong, the eldest son of the traitor Wu Sangui, has come to the capital."
Wei Xiaobao nodded and said: "Prince Mu's palace wants to assassinate this little traitor named Wu?"
Boss Qian said: "That's right. Master Wei Xiang is very good at everything. The big traitors and the little traitors can't touch them in Yunnan. Once they leave Yunnan, they can take advantage of them."
But this little traitor is naturally well-guarded and protected by many martial arts masters. It is not easy to kill him. As expected, those people in Prince Mu's Mansion have another place to live.
The subordinates went over to check and found that those people were not at home, but there was no trace of Brother Xu in the house. Only this little girl and the two women who served her were left in the house. That was a rare opportunity..."