The person who laughed was Secretary of State Seward. He stared at Huang Qiang with a joking face, half-smiling. After a moment, Seward picked up the quilt with the ice cream in front of him, shook it in front of his eyes, and said with a smile: "What's in the cup?"
It's not hot food, but cold food that can be eaten directly." As he spoke, Siward picked up a spoon and took a spoonful of ice cream and put it in his mouth, looking intoxicated.
Huang Qiang's face suddenly turned red and angry.
This American is too arrogant.
Li Zhen was very unhappy when he saw Siward laughing at Huang Qiang.
In the past, when Lin Zexu was the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, he also encountered consuls from Britain, France, the United States and other countries in Guangzhou who used ice cream to taunt Lin Zexu, but of course Lin Zexu refused to let it go and entertained the consuls of Britain, France and the United States at a banquet, using China to deliver
The dish counterattacked, causing the foreigners to suffer a big loss. Now, what happened to Lin Zexu once happened to Huang Qiang, making Li Zhen despise Siward's behavior.
Li Zhen suppressed the anger in his heart and said with a smile: "Your Excellency Siward, the name of the man next to me is Huang Qiang. He is a very powerful soldier. He only fights on the battlefield. He does not understand American eating habits and does not know how to eat.
I know how to use a knife and fork, please forgive me."
After finishing speaking, Li Zhen picked up the knife and fork and elegantly ate the steak that was served.
Li Zhen's skillful movements and the elegant posture displayed by Li Zhen made Siward's brows twitch.
Did China's great president grow up abroad?
Siward's fluent English, proficiency in using a knife and fork at this time, and the grace he showed made Siward feel incredible. Siward put down the knife and fork in his hand and asked: "President Lee, I have something in my heart."
I have a question for you, but I don’t know how to ask it.”
Li Zhen said calmly: "Please tell me."
Lincoln glanced at Seward and signaled with his eyes, telling Seward not to cause trouble to Li Zhen.
Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Jize, Huang Qiang, Rong Hong and others all became nervous, as if they saw a tense situation.
At the same time, Rong Hong was also responsible for translating for Zuo Zongtang and others.
Rong Hong's English was very good and his translation speed was extremely fast, allowing Zuo Zongtang and others to know the conversation between Li Zhen and Siward in the shortest possible time.
Siward still had a cheerful face and said unhurriedly: "President Li established China with one person's efforts. He has made outstanding and admirable achievements. He can be called the first person in China's history. However, I observed President Li's behavior.
In words and deeds, not only can you speak fluent English, but you can also skillfully use a knife and fork to eat. President Lee's elegant manner is definitely not an amateur. May I ask President Lee, which country did you grow up in?"
Li Zhen smiled and said: "I have never spent a day abroad."
"Impossible," said Siward.
Lincoln also shook his head and said: "President Lee, this joke is not funny."
Li Zhen explained: "The world is full of wonders. It is not surprising that I am familiar with some basic things about English and foreigners. Besides, it is entirely possible that I asked someone to teach me, or that I am born with it."
Lincoln, Seward and others curled their lips after hearing this.
Both of them preferred that someone should specifically teach Li Zhen, otherwise Li Zhen would not be so good.
Li Zhen changed the subject and said: "Chinese food, I'm not used to foreign food."
He put down the knife and fork in his hand and gave an order. Lincoln stopped pestering Li Zhen about English and asked the waiter to serve the dishes. The waiter immediately went to pass the message. Soon there were dishes of Chinese food on the table. These were almost all palace dishes, delicious and delicious.
Everything was ready, and it looked like the dishes were cooked by an authentic Chinese chef. After looking around, Li Zhen nodded with satisfaction and said, "Mr. President is so determined that he actually found a real chef to cook."
Lincoln smiled and said: "This is the number one chef I invited from Chinatown. He is naturally very capable. President Lee, give it a try."
Li Zhen smiled and said: "Okay, bring up the chopsticks. Of course you have to use chopsticks to eat Chinese food."
Lincoln was well prepared and asked the attendant to hand over the chopsticks. Chopsticks were placed in front of everyone. Li Zhen picked up the chopsticks and took a bite of the food. He praised it and said, "This tastes good. Let's use the chopsticks." , this is a good thing, it is rare to be able to eat authentic Chinese food outside." Li Zhen looked at Siward again, and said with a smile: "Mr. Siward, please."
Siward couldn't refuse, so he picked up his chopsticks and prepared to pick up the food.
Siward had already learned it beforehand, but he was still not used to it when he went into battle temporarily.
He picked up the vegetables. When he just lifted the chopsticks, the caught vegetables fell on the plate. However, Siward did not believe in evil and once again stretched out his chopsticks to pick up the vegetables. This time, he couldn't pick them up at all. This situation made Siward Huade's cheeks were hot. At this time, Li Zhen took the initiative to help Siward, put the vegetables into Siward's bowl, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency Siward, your inability to hold the vegetables belongs to both countries." I’m surprised, Americans are used to using knives and forks, while Chinese people are used to using chopsticks, so if they force you to eat with chopsticks, you might as well eat with a knife, fork and spoon.”
"Yes Yes."
Siward felt secretly ashamed, thinking that he shouldn't have laughed at Huang Qiang just now.
As soon as this thought came to his mind, Li Zhen continued: "Just like Huang Qiang blew ice cream with his mouth just now. He has never seen ice cream at all. How could he know that the smoke is not due to the hotness? Sir Siward, does it matter? When it comes to chopsticks, it’s because I don’t know chopsticks and I haven’t used them before. It’s the same thing.”
brush,,.
In an instant, Siward's face looked like the bottom of a pot.
Li Zhen's expression was as usual, and he didn't even look at Siward. At this moment, Siward had completely understood Li Zhen's temper. This guy was definitely not someone who could swallow a breath of bad breath. He was a master who must retaliate. Huade confronted Li Zhen twice in a row and was counterattacked by Li Zhen twice in a row. He lost his temper. He glanced at Li Zhen and calmed down the anger in his heart. He thought that if he could pull off his old face and fight against Li Zhen, Isn't this embarrassing?
Forget it, let's not argue, so as not to be embarrassed.
Siward put down his chopsticks, picked up his knife and fork and ate slowly.
Li Zhen did not pursue him fiercely, but stopped at the right time and invited Zuo Zongtang, Rong Hong, Huang Qiang and others to eat. The group of people were eating their own country's dishes, and they were extremely happy in their hearts. After the banquet, the atmosphere was not warm. After the banquet, Lincoln settled the people brought by Li Zhen, and then said to Li Zhen: "President Li, you have come all the way. Let's rest in San Francisco for two days, go shopping in Chinatown, and see the Chinese people." How about we check the situation here and then we set off to Washington."
Li Zhen smiled and said: "Mr. President, you have considered everything thoroughly, thank you."
Lincoln smiled and said: "You're welcome, I'm leaving. President Lee will go to bed early."
After speaking, Lincoln turned and left.
Not long after, Huang Qiang stepped in and said: "President, there is a man named Tang Huaide outside. He said he is the general merchant of Chinatown and wants to meet the president."