When Old Man Xiao walked into the courtyard, Brother Liu was squatting under the tree, vividly telling the story of Guokui to the children in the neighborhood:
"The pot helmets made by the old Qin people are large in size, with thick cakes and solid porcelain. The pot helmets were not called pot helmets at first, because their shape resembled tree stumps, so they were called pier cakes. The pier cakes distributed by the Qin soldiers weighed five or six kilograms each
, as big as a breastplate, and as thick as a dish. The Qin soldiers drilled two holes in the cake, tied it with a cowhide rope, and put one on the front and back chest, like a trousers. During the battle, the cake actually started to rise.
The role of armor was eliminated. The arrows fired by the enemy were stuck in the cake, and the Qin soldiers pulled them out, turned around and shot at the enemy.
The cake became the magic weapon for the Qin army to win. Later, the Qin soldiers called the cake "Guokui" - hard-faced armor baked in a pot. "Guokui" became famous from this."
The story was told so vividly that the children burst out laughing.
"Guokui can be stored and carried for a long time. This is inseparable from the materials used in Guokui. The production of Guokui is very particular. It must use good wheat flour, stir with water, and knead it into a dough. After fermentation, use a rolling pin to roll it into a large round cake and place it.
Put it in a large flat-bottomed iron pan and slowly bake it over a slow fire until the water is dried out. The skin will be slightly browned and the flesh will be dry and fragrant. The pot helmet made in this way will not go bad even if it is left for ten and a half days in the hot summer. It is suitable as a
Dry food for soldiers, used for long-distance battles. When the old Qin people go out, they will burn pots and helmets at home and let people go out to take them with them. This custom continues to this day."
Seeing the children's smiles, Brother Liu became more excited, took a sip of wine and said:
"There is another story about Guokui. Do you want to hear it?"
"I want to hear it!" the children said in unison.
"During the Shu Han Dynasty, Prime Minister Zhuge ordered General Jiang Wei to lead his troops to recuperate and cultivate in Junle Town, Chengdu, herd horses and train troops in preparation for the Northern Expedition. During the march, they were hungry, so in order not to miss the opportunity to fight, the Shu troops ate while marching, so they put on their helmets.
Knead the dough evenly, put it on the helmet, and burn firewood under the helmet. After a while, the inside of the helmet has been baked into cakes, which are called Juntun pot helmets. What you, Uncle Liu, and I are selling are Juntun pot helmets!
In addition, the pot helmets in Nanyang are called Bowang pot helmets. They are made from fermented flour and cold noodles, kneaded, seasoned, and patterned. They taste crisp, sweet, and delicious. It is said that it is also similar to our Prime Minister Zhuge
related.
Liu Huangshu visited the thatched cottage three times to invite Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang used a plan for the first time and defeated Cao Cao's army at Bowang Slope. After the victory, he returned to Xinye and sent Guan Yu to lead troops to garrison Bowang.
At that time, there was a drought and water shortage, and it was inconvenient to drink water and cook, and the soldiers complained one after another. Guan Yu sent someone to ask Zhuge Liang for instructions, and Zhuge Liang replied: "Use more dry flour, add a little water, mix it into a hard lump, put it in a big pot, and use the food as a helmet."
"
Guan Yu ordered the soldiers to make them according to the method, and the baked cakes were indeed sweet and delicious. The soldiers were happy after eating them, and they all defended the city with peace of mind. From then on, the name Bowang Guokui got its name and spread. The surface of Bowang Guokui was burnt yellow and engraved with various patterns.
It looks good..."
Brother Liu was talking lively when he saw old man Xiao walking into Jinli with a livid face and said angrily: "I'm in such a difficult and humiliating state today that I can't help but feel sorry for myself."
Brother Zhang hurriedly sent the children home and asked Sister Zhang to prepare hot water, wine and food. After Old Man Xiao packed up, the two of them had a drink.
…
After finding where the old man stayed, the soldiers returned immediately and told Li Qian what they had witnessed in detail. After hearing this, Li Qian counted his fingers and was frightened. Worried about the retribution, he thought about it and decided to resolve the grudge. So,
He declined the evening's entertainment, took off his official uniform, put on a green hat, and followed the soldiers to Jinli. By this time, it was already dark.
The soldier entered the courtyard and announced to the master. Li Qian immediately entered the courtyard and without saying a word, he prostrated himself in front of the old man and sincerely apologized: "This low-ranking official does not know the true face of a real person, and his crime deserves death."
Old Xiao was startled: "How did you find this place? Who brought you here?" After that, he helped Li Gan up.
Li Qian paid his respects again. Seeing that the old man's expression softened, he quickly excused himself and said slowly: "I would like to ask my husband's forgiveness for my rudeness today. I also have some unavoidable reasons. According to the court etiquette, the imperial envoy travels to represent the Holy One. If
If your majesty is slightly compromised, you are worried about being blamed by the court. You are hidden among everyone. You have to have a discerning eye to recognize it, and you cannot completely blame the official. If you blame me for this, you will be harsh on us mortals. Now, I have been convicted.
, if you continue not to forgive me, it will be against the benevolence and righteousness of the saints."
When Old Man Xiao saw that Li Qian was deliberately cheating, he said with a joking smile: "The official word has two meanings. According to your statement, this matter is still my fault? Haha."
Today's events were passed over with a smile by both the host and the guest. Brother Liu reset the banquet, brought his soldiers, and the four of them drank together. After three drinks, it was already late at night, and Old Man Xiao was in a lively conversation, from cultivating himself to keeping in good health.
Immortal Taoism, chivalry, making promises and reasoning, and subtle words of righteousness. The more Li Qian listened, the more he became awed and felt that his trip was well worth it.
When talking about a certain period in the past, Mr. Xiao put down the wine cup and said: "I have a skill, let me drink for everyone to entertain you." Xin walked into the room, Brother Liu saw this and knew what he was thinking.
After a long time, Old Man Xiao came out of the house. When he came out again, he was dressed in purple clothes and had seven swords hanging on his back. He looked majestic and looked completely different from his usual rickety appearance.
Li Gan stood stunned on the spot.
I saw old man Xiao holding seven swords in both hands, dancing in the courtyard, leaping and squandering, switching with light and electricity, or horizontally as if holding silk, or spinning like quenching fire. The seven swords were like seven people wielding them at the same time, chopping, stabbing, and breaking.
Shi. Old man Xiao spins like a top, advances and retreats like the wind, and is both offensive and defensive.
When the dance reached its climax, only the light of the sword could be seen but no one could be seen. During this period, a sword passed in front of Li Gan from time to time, causing the latter to tremble.
Finally, Old Man Xiao retracted his hand, and the seven swords rushed into the sky and flew out of the courtyard. Then the Seven Swords swooped down, once again passed in front of Li Gan, and penetrated deeply into the ground, forming the shape of the Big Dipper. Old Man Xiao stood proudly with his long body.
, look down upon the world.
Li Qian once again thanked Old Man Xiao for not killing him.
Old Man Xiao sat down and said to Li Qian: "I'm just trying Mr. Li's courage. It seems to be pretty good."
Li Qian bowed again and said: "From today on, my life is given by you. Li is not talented. If I can become your teacher, I would like to resign and go into seclusion to serve you."
Old Man Xiao shook his head and said: "You have no Taoist spirit, and you are not the material to learn Taoism. I can't accept you as my disciple. Let's talk about it later if you have anything to do." After that, he bowed and turned around to enter the house.
Li Gan had no choice but to return home. He was in a trance along the way and looked as if he was sick. He thought about it, feeling scared and regretful. When he got up and looked in the mirror the next day, he found that more than an inch of his beard had been shaved off by the old man's sword.
After finishing the court errands the next day, Li Qian went to Jinli to look for Mr. Xiao, but he could not find the old man. The soldiers could no longer find the courtyard where Mr. Xiao lived.
After this incident, Li Qian fell seriously ill in Shuzhong. After recovering from his illness, he left Chengdu in anger.
During the reign of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Sheng was quite favored and was promoted to Jingzhao Yin and granted the title of Shouchungong. He became the Jingzhao Yin with the longest tenure in the Tang Dynasty.
After Tang Dezong came to the throne, Li Qian made many disguises and conspired with Liu Zhongyi, the emperor's favorite eunuch. He was accused and was demoted and exiled. During his exile, Li Qian and Liu Zhongyi usurped the crown prince. Dezong was furious and had him die in Lantian Station.
Li Qian had mixed reputations and reputations throughout his life. According to historical evaluations, he had a sinister temperament and was fond of heresy.
Many years after his death, his old subordinate Wei Yingwu, a landscape poet, passed by Li's house in Kaihuali, Chang'an. He saw foxes and mice infested in Li's house, and there was smoke and grass. Feeling that things had changed, he recited a poem: "Ning Zhifu Zhongli, the former residence
As soon as I wandered, I went down the steps to pay my respects, and when I looked at my seat, I wept with sadness. There was no grass in the abandoned well, and green moss grew in the shade. The carriages and horses were scattered in front of the door, and it was not the same as in the past."
This is something to be said later, so I won’t state it here.
.......
Back when Li Qian arrived in Chengdu, although Li Qian searched all over Chengdu, he could not find Mr. Xiao, which became a knot in his mind before he died. But the paradox is that, to the neighbors, Mr. Xiao did not go out.
He still works hard every day making wontons and serving diners from all walks of life who visit his stall...