"Oh, it's him." The emperor thought about it. When the report of Zheng Zhilong's death was sent to the imperial court, although he was a little shocked, it was not as heavy as receiving other bad news. After all, Zheng Zhilong was a seaman.
He was born as a bandit, and had many unexplainable connections with Frankies, red-haired people, and Japanese pirates. Although he was recruited, he was not very loyal, and seemed to follow orders but not propaganda.
Zheng Zhilong was killed in battle. Although he felt it was a pity, he was not too sad. He had long heard the report from the Jin Yiwei that Zheng Zhilong was in Fujian and seemed to be in a separate state.
Without a sense of awe, the court proposed to mobilize troops north to aid the Liao Dynasty but refused to contribute...
Given time, it would be impossible to lose the big one. The emperor was very distrustful of the military groups that had emerged in recent years. However, the country was becoming increasingly difficult and the generals who worked hard were in urgent need, so he had to indulge them more.
"He is somewhat loyal." Although he had a bad impression of the generals, at this moment he suddenly realized that on the southeast coast, only the Zheng family still had a strong maritime force.
Although they were defeated at the hands of the Kun thieves, they also forged a bloody feud with the Zheng family. He couldn't help but think of Zou Weilian, thinking that he had recruited Zheng Zhilong and quelled the pirate troubles on the ocean in Fujian. He was still a meritorious official, at least in this regard.
It is very effective in dealing with pirates.
At this time, he somewhat regretted why he had listened to the imperial proposal and dismissed Zou Weilian. If not, at least he now had a governor who understood the situation of the thief. Although he was re-recruited as Minister of War this year, he died of illness before he could take office.
died.
Thinking of this, the emperor couldn't help but become more and more annoyed, and his disgust towards Wen Tiren became even more intense.
"Your Majesty, are you ready to drive..." Seeing that he was a little stunned, the eunuch in charge asked cautiously.
Chongzhen asked: "How old is Zheng Sen?"
"Reporting to your Majesty, I heard that you are still in your prime. Not yet fifteen years old."
"In this case, someone must be assisting him."
"This..." the eunuch in charge said in a low voice, "Reporting to the emperor, this servant does not know about the matters in the local officialdom..."
The emperor sneered: "You must have benefited a lot from this tea."
The eunuch was shocked and immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "I dare not..."
Although the emperor didn't say anything and let him kowtow, his mood did not become bad. Although the servant took the money, it was a wake-up call for him.
I heard that the Zheng family still has strength and is still a major force on the southeast coast. Although Zheng Zhilong is dead, it is not a bad thing. Now the head of the Zheng family is a young man. Naturally, he will not be as unruly as his father and must rely on the court.
of grace.
"Get up." He said lightly and directly ordered: "Get off!" Looking at the frightened face of the eunuch in charge, he was quite satisfied with his "unpredictable will of God".
Chengqian Palace was originally a place he often visited, but in recent years the state affairs have become increasingly difficult. He often has to deal with government affairs until late at night, and he can't even sleep well. He is not in the mood to favor the concubine. He comes to Tian Concubine less often.
After Gao Yingxiang was captured and sent to the capital for execution, he became somewhat interested and came to Tian Guifei to relax.
Compared with Empress Zhou and other concubines, Concubine Tian is not necessarily more outstanding in appearance, but she is intelligent, versatile, considerate, and enjoys many elegant and novel foods. Coming to Chengqian Palace can make him nervous and exhausted all the time.
The mood is relaxed.
In the Chengqian Palace, preparations had been made for the emperor's arrival. The dinner that had been prepared a few hours ago had all been taken away, and twelve delicate fruit plates were rearranged on the table to accompany the wine.
Thinking that dinner time had long passed and the emperor might not have eaten, six plates of Jiangnan snacks were specially prepared.
Since Concubine Tian was born in Yangzhou, her father Tian Hongyu often sent people to the south of the Yangtze River to collect all kinds of fresh objects and fashionable styles of clothing and jewelry to send to the palace. Therefore, whether it was the palace decorations or the food in the Qian Palace,
, the food... is all the latest Jiangnan style, which is quite famous in the harem. The emperor also likes it very much.
In recent years, there have been many Australian products in the Chengqian Palace. Before Chongzhen entered the palace, he felt that the light here was different from other places. It turned out that eight "Australian oil lamps" had been lit from the corridor to the palace. Although Kun
The thieves are currently at war with the imperial court, but it does not affect the enjoyment inside and outside the imperial court. Especially Australian oil lamps and Australian wax lamps, because the light is particularly bright, they are still used by high-ranking officials and wealthy gentry households, and the palace is no exception.
It's just that oil is expensive. After the war between Guangdong and Guangxi broke out, not only the price was high, but the supply was also intermittent. Therefore, even in the palace, Australian oil lamps were mostly used only when the principal was reading and writing. They were rarely used directly like this.
For lighting.
The emperor originally thought that his beloved concubine was somewhat luxurious, but walking along the dim imperial road late at night, the brightly lit palace in front of him gave him a pleasant and comfortable feeling, so he did not say anything more.
Concubine Tian and the eunuchs and maids in the palace welcomed him into the palace. The place had been rearranged and a number of furnishings and furniture had been replaced. Originally, there were many Australian appliances in Concubine Tian's palace. However, due to the war between Guangdong and Guangxi in the past two years, they were originally frowned upon.
The Australians turned into fierce thieves and took away Guangdong and Guangxi. It became one of the major headaches for the imperial court. The eunuchs discussed that even the Donglu, which gave the emperor a headache, had not taken away the provinces of the Ming Dynasty.
, the Kun thieves actually took away two of the thirteen provinces in one fell swoop! No wonder the emperor was furious when the news came.
For this reason, many "Australian goods" in the palace were put away to prevent the emperor from being "sentimental" and triggering the wrath of thunder. Only "practical items" such as Australian lamps and Australian wax were retained.
However, there have been too many troubles in the court in the past two years. Even if the Kun bandits have climbed onto the screen of Qianqing Palace, their importance is not as important as the "rogue bandits" who are harassing everywhere and the "Eastern bandits" who are hundreds of miles away from the capital.
Since the Kun thieves captured Guangdong and Guangxi, they have ceased their activities and stopped. As a result, these objects quietly reappeared one by one - among other playthings, Australian products are more practical, especially hot water bottles and oil lamps.
, Australian wax, Australian fire, etc., once used, it is difficult to let go. However, everyone is still very careful and never mentions the word "Australia" in front of the emperor. Only "Nanyang" is used instead.
The meals laid out on the table were exquisite, but the emperor had no appetite. First, he had already eaten a few pieces of tiger eye candy because he had missed dinner, and he was not too hungry now; second, the situation these days also made him unmotivated.
Savor the delicious food in front of you.
Concubine Tian saw that Chongzhen had lost his appetite and was not interested in all kinds of meat and fish in front of him, so she quickly called for a bowl of clear soup and persuaded the emperor to take a few mouthfuls of soup to warm his stomach and appetizer.
Chongzhen had no appetite at first, but he couldn't bear to spoil his concubine's kindness, so he reluctantly nodded. As soon as the lid of the soup bowl was opened, a light fragrance filled the palace. The soup brought by Concubine Tian was as clear as water.
There were only a few small pieces of snow-white crystal tofu floating inside and some slender green vegetable leaves, but they were pea shoots.
Now is the twelfth lunar month of winter, and it is difficult for an emperor to eat fresh vegetables. Although the Dongzi goods in Fengtai can provide "off-season vegetables", they are only leeks, cucumbers and the like. Green leafy vegetables are extremely rare, let alone such fresh vegetables.
pea seedlings.
He picked up the spoon and took a sip of the soup. The soup tasted very light, with only a slight taste of salt and the fragrance of pea shoots. The umami flavor was not strong, but the aftertaste left a faint sweetness in his mouth. He scooped up another piece of tofu and put it in
In the mouth, the tofu is extremely smooth and tender, without any beany smell. You don't need to chew it, just press it lightly with your tongue and it will break into pieces.
After drinking the soup, I felt warm in my stomach and my appetite returned. I praised: "This bowl of soup is great! How do you make this tofu so delicate and smooth?"
Seeing that his face had warmed up, Mrs. Tian quickly served him food and rice, and said slowly: "This tofu was originally divided into north and south. The northern tofu is made with brine and has a rough texture, while the southern tofu is made with gypsum so it is soft and tender. Now there is a new one.
To make it, use the inner fat to make tofu. It is a hundred times softer and tenderer than the southern tofu. It is best for making soup."
This lactone in tofu is a newly developed product by Lingao Food Factory. Tofu cannot be transported long distances, so we have to sell this lactone for making tofu. It is also sold in Beijing, and there are tofu shops that specially buy it for production, because it is "
"Foreign goods", the price is higher than other tofu, and ordinary people cannot afford it.
Although the imperial court and the Kun thieves were in power, it did not prevent various "Australian products" from continuing to be popular. As for these fresh pea seedlings, they were actually produced in Fengtai using the soilless cultivation technology of the Senate. Many light industry and agricultural technologies
It spread far wider than the Senate imagined.
In fact, Concubine Tian is very clear about the relationship between bean sprouts, tofu and Kunthief. After all, the floor-to-ceiling clock in Chengqian Palace, full-length mirrors, various makeup products... many of them were brought from Guangdong by his father.
Chongzhen said with some interest: "The creations in the world are so wonderful. I have only heard of making tofu with brine, but I didn't expect that gypsum is used. Now this 'inner fat' has come out again. There is a proverb outside: 'Tofu with brine is a good thing.'
"Things come down one by one. I really wish I could find a few capable ministers and generals to kill all these bandits, Donglu, and thieves."
Concubine Tian said: "Your Majesty is the Holy Lord of Zhongxing. He is rare in ancient times and is naturally heroic. Sooner or later these three bandits will plow the court and sweep the holes!" After saying this, she added: "Your Majesty, please have a meal."
After drinking the soup, the emperor became more energetic and nodded immediately. Concubine Tian immediately asked the palace maids to bring the meal. After dinner, the palace ladies brought tea, and Chongzhen thought about Zheng Sen again. The Zheng family spent money to bribe the eunuchs in the palace to pay tribute.
Xincha must have some intention, and there must be someone pulling strings in the middle - the eunuch in charge naturally knows about it, but he is unwilling to let the eunuch "succeed". He decided to personally investigate the matter tomorrow.