Su Che was looking at the square pieces of meat in front of him, and he was stunned. The smell of the meat just now stimulated his taste buds, and now he finally saw its true form.
Maybe rich people don’t like fatty meat very much. In the market, there are also tenderloin and pure lean meat, and the price will be higher. However, pork belly like this is cheap and is usually purchased.
The people here are not in a very good economic condition. Even if they buy it back, they use the fat from the pork belly as a flavor enhancer. In the Song Dynasty, people still liked it more
Lean meat.
However, Su Shi, Su Che, and their father Su Xun were not financially well-endowed in the first place. When they came to Bianliang City, they lived in a temple and lived on a simple diet every day.
, there are rare times when you can see Xunxing. Fortunately, these three Sus are all talented. Sometimes, I just can’t bear it anymore. I rely on my literary talent and just sell one or two poems, and I can get a pot of it.
Wine, and a few dishes. However, if Fan Lou is used as a standard, the dishes they exchanged are just ordinary things.
However, it is precisely because of these dishes that the two brothers have developed a good habit of not being picky eaters and eating whatever they can get. Unlike Lu Yao, who basically never eats fatty meat in his family, the family looks at it
Lu Yao bought the pork belly with a look of surprise in his eyes.
They simply don't understand the essence of pork belly.
However, although the two brothers also eat a lot of fat, this is the first time they have seen pork belly cooked so finely.
The meat was cut into pieces. The color of the meat was a little red, but it was deep red. In addition to the oil, the meat also exuded an aroma. Su Che could smell that there was some sweetness in the aroma. Look.
Come on, a lot of sugar should have been added to this dish. Moreover, judging from the color of the meat, this dish should take a long time. Lu Yao served it to them just after they sat down.
Come up.
Unlike Su Shi, Su Che is an out-and-out foodie. Ever since the Dongpo Pork was served, his eyes have never left. How could he listen to the conversation between Lu Yao and Su Shi, and this dish?
What about Dongpo Pork?
However, Su Che still knew etiquette very well and knew that he shouldn't use chopsticks at this time and had to wait until Lu Yao finished speaking.
Finally, Lu Yao offered to let Su Che have a taste first. Su Che was not polite and said in his heart that you are finally done talking and you can eat.
So Su Che picked up a square piece of Dongpo meat and put it in his mouth.
This Dongpo pork is square and square, with distinct pieces. Each piece is cut just right. Each piece has three layers. Each piece shines red, like cut jade or carved agate. It's even more terrible.
The best thing is that these agates are still soft, waxy, elastic, and have a strong fragrance.
Of course, there are some differences between the Dongpo Pork made by Lu Yao and the Dongpo Pork actually made by Su Shi in the Song Dynasty. This Dongpo Pork can be said to be the modern version of Dongpo Pork.
In fact, the most original version of Dongpo Pork, the version of Dongpo Pork made by Su Dongpo himself, is actually very simple and crude. There is no steaming, only boiling. What is cooked may not be half-fat and half-lean pork belly, but pig heads. You
Can you imagine that the original Dongpo Pork is actually just a boiled pig head? If such Dongpo Pork were served in front of you, would you be willing to eat it? Maybe you would, but you would definitely not enjoy it as much as you would the modern version of Dongpo Pork.
The square and block-shaped Dongpo Pork really appeared in the late Qing Dynasty, and it has continued to this day.
However, I have to say that the ancestor of Dongpo Pork is Su Shi.
Su Che had a piece of meat in his stomach, so he immediately picked up the bowl of rice on the table and took a big bite.
Lu Yao smiled and asked: "How does it taste?"
"It's delicious. I thought the fatty meat would be very greasy, but I didn't expect it to be fat but not greasy. It's very soft and glutinous. When paired with white rice, it's really delicious!"
Even Su Che, who had always been a very venomous person, was full of praise for the dish made by Lu Yao. So Su Shi also sat down, picked up a piece with chopsticks, and put it in his mouth.
As expected, his expression was exactly the same as Su Che's.
"Brother Lu, how did you develop this dish? It's amazing." Su Shi said repeatedly, "I think it would be better if it was named Yao-style roast pork."
"Hey," Lu Yao waved his hands after hearing this, and said, "I made this dish specially for you, and it is also given to you, so from this point of view, this dish is called Dongpo Pork, which is not good at all.
It’s not an exaggeration, the eldest brother is the most senior, so I call it Dongpo Rou. Don’t refuse anymore.”
Su Shi was still hesitant, but Su Che said: "Brother, please don't refuse Mr. Lu's kindness."
Su Shi thought for a while and finally nodded, Dongpo Rou, this is considered to have registered the copyright of the product name.
The two brothers continued to eat. This bowl of Dongpo Pork made them each eat three bowls of white rice. The other dishes on the table looked like decorations. On the contrary, Lu Yao, because he was used to seeing Dongpo Pork,
Most of the other dishes were eaten by Lu Yao.
After drinking and eating, Su Shi asked again.
"Brother Lu, I know that your cooking skills have always been good, and you can always come up with some dishes that no one has ever seen before, but there is one thing I don't understand."
Lu Yao said: "Oh? But it doesn't matter."
Su Shi looked at the Dongpo pork that had been completely eaten on the table, with only a few pieces left, and said: "Take this Dongpo pork as an example. What gave Brother Lu the inspiration to make this dish?"
Where’s the food?”
Su Che on the side also echoed: "Yes, I have not thought about it. Logically speaking, Master Lu occupies a high position in the Lu family, and Brother Lu, you don't have to worry about money at all now. Normally, you shouldn't like it."
Only those who eat fatty meat, how did you come up with the idea of making this Dongpo Pork?"
The sharp questions from these two people surprised Lu Yao. After all, since he traveled through time, whether he is cooking or inventing, he has been helpful to the development of society. However, tomatoes, potatoes, these ingredients are all eaten by everyone.
He was happy, but he never asked where it came from. As for the emergence of movable type printing and cement, Zhao Zhen did not ask what the principle was. But like today, a Dongpo Pork has ushered in Lu Yao's time travel.
The biggest question is, where did you learn these things?
Regardless of other things, the first thing Lu Yao had to solve was the origin of Dongpo meat. He thought about it carefully and finally had an idea in his mind.
Since you asked me, I will answer you with your poems.
"Actually, this Dongpo Pork was taught to me by an old man I met when I ran away from home. However, there are some differences between what the old man made and the Dongpo Pork I make now.
.”
Hearing what Lu Yao said, this was a very interesting story, so Su Shi said: "Oh? What kind of story is it? Let's talk about it. This old man should be a powerful character too."
Lu Yao shook his head and said, "Just an ordinary old man living in the mountains and forests."
Then, Lu Yao told a story to these two people.
"You may not know that at first, when our Lu family and Han family entered into a marriage contract, I very much refused it. I even had the experience of resisting the marriage and running away from home."
Su Shi and Su Che looked at each other. Of course they would not know about this matter. For the Lu family and the Han family, they had reached a consensus since a previous misunderstanding.
Outside the family, that is, the Cao family, the Han family, and the Lu family, the twists and turns of the marriage between Lu Yao and Han Yunyu are not allowed to be mentioned to anyone else. For these people, if this matter spreads, it may become a story for others.
There are still jokes about it, so no one wants to publicize this matter to the outside world. After all, it is not a good thing.
But Lu Yao now wanted to make up a more acceptable story for Dongpo Rou, so he told what happened during that time. However, Lu Yao also believed that with the characters of Su Shi and Su Che, they would never
I will tell others about my refusal to marry.
After Su Shi heard Lu Yao talk about the reasons and consequences of his refusal to marry, he said: "This shows that Brother Lu, you and the Miss Han family are quite destined, and they finally got together."
Lu Yao nodded and said: "Having said that, at the beginning, I was indeed very resistant to this marriage. For this reason, I also found an opportunity to run away from home for a period of time. During this time, I
I learned this Dongpo pork dish.”
Su Che and Su Shi's eyes widened, both looking forward to Lu Yao continuing to speak.
"At that time, in order to stay away from my parents, I knew that as long as I was still in Bianliang City, they would not be able to understand my determination to break off the engagement, so I left the city at first light, thinking of hiding away from Bianliang City.
I wanted to go somewhere outside Liangcheng. But because the incident happened suddenly, I didn’t take much clothing or money with me when I left. After staying outside for two or three days, I was at the end of my rope. I remember that day, I came to a mountain
, suddenly I smelled a strong smell of meat coming from the mountains. I had been hungry all day, so I looked for the smell of meat. It turned out that it was a family cooking meat in the mountains. The cook was a
An old man, I still remember, while he was cooking meat, he sang a short song: "Clean the pan with less water, and the firewood will not smoke. Don't rush him until he is cooked. The fire will be enough."
It's beautiful...'"
"Although it is a poem about how to cook dishes, it sounds very smooth." Su Shi savored this short song carefully.
Lu Yao felt funny in his heart, thinking that this short song was written by Su Shi. It was when Su Shi was exiled to Huangzhou and his salary was cut off. Because he was short of money, he couldn't afford mutton, so he could only buy pork and cook it himself.
This short song is the only record of Su Dongpo cooking pork in the existing documents. It is titled "Ode to Pork" and is also called "Ode to Boiled Pig Head" in his other book "Qiu Chi Notes".
"So, you stayed at that old man's residence for a while?"
Lu Yao nodded and said, "Yes, that old man was very hospitable. That pork meal can be said to be the most delicious meat meal I have ever eaten. But he used a cooking method at that time, and it was just boiled pig heads.
, what we eat is different from what we eat now. It was through that time that I fell in love with fatty meat. However, because our family basically doesn’t eat fatty meat, I don’t often cook this dish at home. Later, I
Based on the old man's cooking, we improved it and finally made the Dongpo Pork dish you are eating now."
"It's really amazing," Su Shi repeatedly praised, "Brother Lu is indeed a person who has experienced a lot."
Finally, Lu Yao used such a bizarre story to dispel Su Shi and Su Che's doubts. If these stories were placed in today's society, many people might find fault with them, but it was different in ancient times.
Well, the reason why "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio" is so popular is because people in ancient times were willing to listen to these weird and bizarre stories, and they were willing to believe them even if they were mixed with some false elements.
Now that the meat was eaten and the story was finished, Lu Yao felt it was time to talk about some serious matters.
"Let's get down to business. I brought you here tonight just to ask how you like the commentary manuscript. I'm still a little uneasy. After all, this commentary position, after I go back and think about it, is still more important.
of."
Hearing what Lu Yao said, Su Shi and Su Che both laughed. Su Shi said, "Brother Lu, when did you become such a philistine? You specifically asked us to give you a good explanation."
Come entertain us with good wine and good food, right?"
Lu Yao nodded awkwardly.
Su Che showed displeasure and said: "Brother Lu, you just don't believe us when you say that. Since my brother and I have promised you, we will help you get the explanation done well. Otherwise, what you proposed that day
When the time comes, we won’t agree.”
"Well, I didn't think carefully enough, so I apologize to you. Come on, have a drink."
After speaking, Lu Yao raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Su Shi looked at Lu Yao and became a little worried, and said: "It's just that, Brother Lu, even we two brothers don't have time to read the commentary manuscript you gave us because we are busy with the imperial examination, and now there are still
The imperial examination is coming up in more than twenty days, I wonder why you are not in a hurry? Are you really so sure?"
Su Shi's question revealed that Lu Yao had never taken the imperial examination too seriously. After all, for him, it was almost the same as an open-book examination, and because of his relationship with Ouyang Xiu, they were almost brothers, even if it was an examination.
No matter how bad it is, it won't be any worse.
However, after listening to Su Shi's heartfelt words, Lu Yao became a little confused. Even Su Shi has basically entered a stage of studying hard day and night, and he, in the eyes of Su Shi and others, is still busy.
This Cuju competition, and there are a lot of other things to worry about, maybe in Su Shi's opinion, with the way he is now, he is probably going to give up on the imperial examination.
Isn’t it time for me to learn too?
"Brother Lu? What are you thinking about?" Su Che asked from the side.
This made Lu Yao come back to his senses and said: "Brother Su, what you said is very reasonable. It is true that I have to deal with a lot of things every day. If nothing else, I am basically responsible for this Cuju competition.
But don’t worry, I won’t delay the imperial examination, because compared to these things that I need to worry about every day, there is one more important thing that I have to do, and this matter determines that I must
Get a good grade in the imperial examination."
"What's going on?" Su Shi asked.
Lu Yao smiled slightly, and the image of that young woman appeared in his mind.
"Of course, it's my marriage. Mr. Han is the minister. If I don't get an official position in the court, or make some achievements, and get a rank in the imperial examination, it might affect my engagement.
"
Hearing what Lu Yao said, Su Shi burst out laughing.
"The so-called fair lady is a gentleman's favorite. What's more, Brother Lu, there has been such a tortuous story between you and Miss Han. I would like to have the opportunity to meet Miss Han to see what kind of woman can charm Brother Lu."
you."
"Brother Su is joking, haha," Lu Yao also laughed.
Su Che also raised his glass and said, "Come, I wish lovers will get married eventually."
Lu Yao drank another glass of wine and felt a little high. He suddenly raised his head and looked out the window, and saw a full moon on the horizon.
Looking at the incomplete moon, Lu Yao actually thought of his parents who were still in modern times. I wonder how they are doing now. Is my father's waist better? My mother's thighs will hurt so much in winter. Now
So what?
Although it had only been a few months since he traveled here, Lu Yao's longing for his relatives lasted only a day, which was comparable to a year.
After the banquet dispersed, Su Shi and Su Che were still a bit unsteady when they walked, even though they were not drunk. So Lu Yao asked the man from Jiuzhongxian to take them back to their residence.
After tonight's gathering, Lu Yao finally felt relieved about his position as a commentator. Since these two people have spoken out, they must be true to their word, and there shouldn't be any surprises.
After this night, Lu Yao also decided that after a few days, all the teams have been confirmed, and he will also arrange the work at hand. He should also start to study in seclusion for half a month. After all, he has to take the exam.
It would be better to give Han Yonghe an explanation if he achieves similar results.
Speaking of Han Yonghe, I will go to his house to visit him tomorrow.
With this thought in mind, Lu Yao returned home and fell asleep.
The next day, it was almost noon when Lu Yao woke up. Because he drank a lot the day before, his head hurt slightly. Although Lu Xu was very angry, he knew that Lu Yao was drinking and chatting with Su Shi and Su Che.
After all, it was more important and he didn't say anything else. At this time, Lu Xu and Lu Hao had already returned from the morning session.
After Lu Yao finished washing, he called Tang Xi and asked him about what happened when he went to Han's house yesterday.
Tangxi said that the Han family has found a team, but the team selected for the Royal Cuju Team has not been found yet, but they have made an appointment with Mr. Wang Da to search for it tomorrow, and it will be determined tomorrow.
"Since that's the case, I'm going to go take a look at their own team today and what kind of opponents they have found for themselves." Lu Yao said while rubbing his head.
"The manuscript has been delivered, and Han Wenyuan sent a message saying that Miss Han is very satisfied. In addition, the Han family wants to ask for some sour plum soup from the young master again," Tangxi said.
Lu Yao was stunned. He didn't expect Han Yonghe to like sour plum soup so much.
"That's okay, I just have a headache. I'll make some and drink some myself. By the way, you can go to the market later and buy two pieces of pork belly and come back. Just do it the same as before."
After saying that, Lu Yao got up and walked towards the kitchen. When passing the main hall, Lu Yao told Lu Xu that he would go home to cook in the evening. Although Lu Xu had no reaction on his face, Lu Yao could see that he was still very worried.
I was happy, after all, Lu Yao hadn't cooked for them at home for several days.
Lu Yao came to the kitchen and started making sour plum soup.
After it was done, I naturally gave a pot to my father and eldest brother, kept a pot for myself, filled it up, and got ready to go out.
"Where are you going? You're in a hurry." Lu Xu asked, seeing Lu Yao looking a little anxious.
Lu Yao turned around and said, "Go to Han Mansion. The Cuju team over there seems to have been set up. I'll go take a look."
I thought Lu Xu would snort coldly, but who knew that he just said: "Help me bring something good to Han Yonghe. By the way, I will come back early in the evening and I will wait for you to cook."
Lu Yao smiled and then walked out of the door.
Han Mansion, if you want to talk about drinking, Lu Yao and Han Yonghe originally agreed on a time of 10:30 in the morning. Unexpectedly, they drank too much last night. When they woke up this morning, it was already past 10 o'clock.
Later I made sour plum soup, and it was already half past ten when I went out.
At this time, Han Yonghe was sitting in the main hall. Sitting next to him was a man who was not too tall and thin. He was about the same age as Han Wenyuan.
"Master Zhang, please wait a moment. I don't think Mr. Lu will break the appointment." Han Yonghe on the other side said with a smile on his face.
Mr. Zhang also smiled and said, "Master Xiao Lu is busy with business, so it's okay to be a little late."
While the three of them were chatting like this, they heard the housekeeper come over and said that Lu Yao had arrived.
Within two minutes, Lu Yao appeared in the main hall. Then he immediately put the pot of sour plum soup on the table next to Han Yonghe and said, "I'm really sorry, I didn't check the time when I made the sour plum soup this morning, so
It’s late, Mr. Han, please forgive me.”
Lu Yao knew that Han Yonghe was a person who valued time very much, so he had to admit his mistake immediately to avoid making him angry.
Han Yonghe looked at the sour plum soup on the table, signaled the officials to get bowls, and poured a bowl for everyone.
After taking a sip, Han Yonghe spoke.
"It doesn't matter, you are too late to prepare this for me. Sit down."