Compared with people of later generations, people in ancient times were indeed more simple. The reason may be that most people, especially people in remote areas, have very simple requirements for life. They have a house to live in, food to eat, and Clothes can be worn. As long as these basic living conditions can be met, people will feel that life is acceptable. If there are improvements in all aspects, children can go to private schools to study. As for themselves, they can occasionally go to county towns or even larger cities to see the world. , then it can be regarded as happiness.
Because of this, most of the peasant uprisings that broke out in ancient China were due to the ruling class at that time not caring about the lives of the people. People had to take risks when they were desperate. Even if they still had gruel to eat at home, they would not rebel casually. So It is said that those who go to Liangshan to gather justice are called forced to go to Liangshan.
The investigation of ordinary people's living conditions is also one of the basic tasks of the Longya organization's intelligence stations in various places.
From the reports of the Ministry of Household Affairs, I can also get a general idea of the people's livelihood situation in this dynasty. However, the reports of the government often report good news but not bad news. Starting from the county government, they are relayed layer by layer and modified layer by layer. By the time they reach the court, basically They are all reports that the situation in various places is excellent, but Longya is different. The information collected by Longya Intelligence Station is the daily life data of ordinary people, which is relatively more real.
As long as there is a Longya intelligence station along the way, I will go to see it, talk to them, and ask about the local situation. These members are not like ordinary officials who feel fear when they see the emperor. They only know that I am Longya. The founder of the headquarters, and me, the leader of the dragon's teeth, are approachable, so we talked quite happily with each other.
Although there are still many things that are not satisfactory, I am gratified that the living standards of the people have generally improved compared with previous years, and their support for the imperial court has also begun to increase.
Traveling southwest from Jiangxi Province, we reach Jinghu South Road (today's Hunan). A few days later, our group arrived at the west of Jinghu South Road, the boundary of western Hunan.
"Sir, ahead is Zhenxi Village on the border of western Hunan. After passing Zhenxi Village, going straight to the northeast is Jishou County, and to the south is the official road leading to Guangnan West Road." Wen Zhang, who had been here before, reined in his horse.
"Well, it's almost lunch time. Let's go to Zhenxi Village to rest and set off."
Not long after, the archway with the three characters "Zhenxi Village" appeared in our sight.
Wen Zhang, who was leading the way, said "Hey," as soon as he entered Zhenxi Village.
Fang Ling thought something was going on and asked hurriedly: "Wen Zhang, what? Is there anything wrong?"
Wen Zhang said: "This place seems to be different from before. It is at least twice as big."
"Are you sure?" Fang Ling didn't believe it. "It's been less than a year since you last came here. How could it have changed so much?"
Wen Zhang didn't know why, so he shook his head and said: "This is definitely Zhenxi Village. Isn't the sign in front of the door also written with the three characters "Zhenxi Village"?"
Zhang Quanyi followed: "Yes, that sign says Zhenxi Village,"
As we were talking, the commander Zhang Zijian, who had arrived here earlier, came out with four or five guards in plain clothes. After taking over our horses, Zhang Zijian saluted in a low voice: "I have met you, sir."
"Well," I saw Zhang Zijian and others' expressions were as usual, and knew that there was nothing wrong inside, so I said, "Let's go, let's talk after we go in."
"Sir, this Zhenxi Village is very large. It is a distribution center for Miao and Han people to exchange goods. According to local people, it was just expanded in October last year. Now it has become the largest market in western Hunan. It is so prosperous. Even more than Jishou County," Zhang Zijian said as he walked.
"Last October," Wen Zhang said, "that was two months after I left."
Zhang Zijian said: "I heard it is,"
Wen Zhang looked all the way and kept saying: "Here and there are newly built buildings. They are completely different. There are a lot more people in the village. It looks more lively than a small county town."
Yuan Ji said: "Well, most of the houses in Zhenxi Village are newly built, and many of the people coming and going are businessmen."
Zhang Zijian pointed to a restaurant not far away and said: "Sir, the center of Zhenxi Village is in front of you. That restaurant is the largest restaurant in the village. It's called Jieyi Restaurant. It seems to be opened by the Miao people. To the left of the restaurant is The Miao-Han Trade Management Center in Zhenxi Village is where the Jishou County government maintains order and collects taxes and fees."
"Jieyi Building," I looked at the prominent signboard in front of the restaurant and wondered if it might be related to Wen Tianxiang's sworn friendship with the Miao people.
After Wen Tianxiang came back from western Hunan, he told me in detail about the Miao people. The Miao people lived in the mountains all year round and had a backward economy, which made life difficult. Later, after Wen Tianxiang and Tian Zuiyan discussed it, they believed that the Miao village was rich in products, including fruits (kiwi fruit). , fir fungi, medicinal materials and other items are rare. If they can be traded with the outside world, the economic backwardness of the Miao people can be changed. Therefore, the Jishou County Government opened a trade center in Zhenxi Village, where Miao and Han people live together, but they did not expect the effect. It is so obvious, it seems that the Miao people's local products are still very popular with the Han people outside.
Zhang Zijian said: "Exactly, I arrived an hour earlier than the Young Master and haven't learned the meaning of this name yet. Young Master, I will have dinner here at noon."
"Okay, Zhang Zijian, you can also have dinner with us,"
"Master, I have to take care of the horses, etc., so..."
"Just let your brothers below take care of the horses. Besides, these horses are not something that ordinary people can tame."
Shen Mo knew that Zhang Zijian did not dare to have lunch with the emperor, so he smiled and said: "Brother Zhang, let's go."
"Yes, Brother Shen,"
Zhang Zijian only brought ten guards into Zhenxi Village. Some of the remaining ninety people continued to explore the way south. Most of them were scattered around Zhenxi Village. Whether the accompanying Longya guards were mixed in the crowd or around the village, I It's unknown.
Jieyi Building, located in the center of Zhenxi Village, is a two-story brand new building. The signboard in front of the door has Chinese and Miao characters. When I walked into the house, I immediately smelled a special smell. It was a very familiar smell. The smell hit my face, and I smelled it carefully again and said: "Sour soup fish, the Miao people's sour soup fish."
Fang Ling asked curiously: "Brother, what is fish in sour soup?"
"Fish in sour soup is a unique food of the Miao people. It has a delicious sour taste and whets your appetite. Ling'er, I'll tell you while eating later,"
A short waiter wearing Miao costumes saw us coming in and hurriedly came forward to greet us: "Guests, are you dining or staying in a hotel?"
Fang Ling said: "Dine,"
"Okay, seven of you, there is a private dining room for ten people upstairs, please,"
After I sat down, I asked: "Waiter, does the smell in your restaurant taste like fish in sour soup?"
"Exactly, my guest, it seems that you are a great connoisseur. The signature dish of our restaurant is Sour Fish Soup (the ancient name of hot pot),"
I ordered a large bowl of fish in sour soup and some other side dishes, and said, "Waiter, these will come first."
"Okay, distinguished guests, please sit down for a moment while I will add some coals to the fire for you."
"Brother, let's talk about this fish in sour soup first,"
"Well, the taste of fish in sour soup mainly comes from the sour soup. This sour soup is made with the tail wine after brewing. It is also made from hot rice soup after natural fermentation. Washed and cut fish are added to the sour soup. Bean sprouts, pickled bamboo shoots, sauerkraut and other side dishes, as well as cut onions, ginger, garlic and other condiments, and then add salt, vinegar, oil and other condiments. Some high-end sour soup fish also add a lot of Chinese medicine. The ingredients are heated by hot charcoal, and after boiling, they can be mixed with the dipping sauce and eaten."
Zhang Quanyi asked: "Master, have you eaten it?"
"Well, I have eaten it before, but I don't know how it tastes here, and whether MSG is added,"
I have certainly eaten fish in sour soup, but not in the Song Dynasty, but in my own time. The ingredients of fish in sour soup in later generations have slightly changed. The sour soup is brewed with boiled rice swill, and added With chili, tomatoes, chicken essence, pepper and other ingredients.
Chili peppers and tomatoes had not yet been introduced to China in the Song Dynasty. I have invented the original MSG, but I don’t know if it has been used in this remote village in western Hunan.
After a while, the waiter brought some red-hot charcoal and put it into the stove in the middle of the table. Then he placed the hot pot vessel filled with sour soup on the stove, and then put the fish pieces and other side dishes into the pot. And put a wooden lid on it.
"Dear guests, you can eat the sour soup after it boils. The vegetables on the side can be added to the pot at any time," the waiter said while handing each of us a small plate of dipping sauce.
I asked: "Xiao Er, was this fish in sour soup invented by you Miao people?"
"yes,"
Fang Lingdao: "Is there any explanation for this? Why is it called sour soup fish?"
The waiter smiled and said: "Sir, there is a legend here. If you don't mind my verbosity, I will tell you about it."
Fang Ling handed over two mosquito coins and said, "Let's talk."
The waiter in the shop took the copper coins, thanked him first, and said: "Our Miao family has passed down from generation to generation. A long time ago, there lived a girl named Ana on Miaoling Mountain. Ana was not only sweet-looking, but also good at singing and dancing. Moreover, she can also brew fine wine. The fine wine brewed by Miss Ana is as clear as a mountain spring, fragrant and famous far and near. Young men from all over the country come to court one after another. Miss Ana is not satisfied with these suitors, but she can't face them in person. He refused, so he poured bowls of homemade wine for the boys to drink, and said that people who were not his favorites would find the wine very sour after eating it. Sour, my heart suddenly turned cold, but I didn't want to leave. The unyielding young men used folk songs in front of and behind the house to call Miss Ana to come and meet her. Miss Ana had no choice but to sing across the fence, "Sour." Soup, sour man, sour man, listen to the warmth of my sister; in March, the betel nut has no fruit, in September, the orchid has no fragrance, the mountain spring with affection turns into fine wine, and the fine wine without mercy turns into sour soup. Later, our ancestors of the Miao family used it The tail wine after brewing is mixed into sour soup, and fish is the main food. This is the origin of fish in sour soup."
"There is another story," Fang Lingle said, "Brother, try it first and see if you feel the soup is sour after eating it."
"Okay, let me give it a try and see if Miss Ana likes me." I smiled, took a scoop, blew on the hot air, took a shallow taste, nodded and said, "Ling'er, don't tell me yet. This soup is really good,,,,,,”