Chapter 63 Coercion 2

  In the evening, I checked the kitchen and coincidentally received a delivery of fresh river fish from the governor of Hanzhong. We prepared several large vats, and I instructed someone to take out a vat of live shrimp, which we got drunk with strong liquor until they were half-dead. Then we added Sichuan peppercorns, rock sugar, and ginger, and ate our fill for an entire afternoon. After peeling them, the shrimp were incredibly sweet and fresh. We prepared four dishes: one was skewered with a small stick and brushed with chili oil before being roasted; another was steamed with pomelo peel; another was stir-fried with sauce; and the last was served as a cold dish after being drenched in braising liquid. There were also three "flower" dishes, namely "exploding liver flower", "waist flower", and "belly flower". We also had stir-fried lotus root slices, pepper chunks, and water caltrop; pan-seared fish filaments, mutton strips, and diced chicken; and finally, a simmered soup base made with river clams over low heat, as well as a three-delicacy powder soup stewed with fresh mushrooms and bamboo shoots. This imperial cuisine can be considered complete, and it's all just ordinary home cooking.

  Then there's the staple food, which brings us to the eating habits of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the main staple in the north was "tangbing", or soup noodles, made from flour and soup. The types of tangbing were naturally numerous, including steamed buns, which could be either plain or filled with ingredients, similar to later generations' mantou (steamed buns) and baozi (stuffed buns). The cooked buns with fillings were more like giant dumplings, but in various shapes. On festive occasions, they would even make them into the shapes of animals, flowers, and birds. In the palace, they often made a type of flatbread called "hubing", which included small thin pancakes in Arabic style, as well as large Xinjiang-style flatbreads that resembled hats - or "nang". There was also something called "tangbing" that was essentially the ancestor of modern-day lamb soup with bread. As for other side dishes, they were no different from those of today. Ordinary poor households could get by on just vegetable porridge and a few pieces of flatbread, while even poorer ones would mix some grains to make a thin gruel that could fill their bellies.

  Yang Taijun was not used to eating coarse flatbread, so I specially made a thin pancake with rice paste, which has three flavors: salty, sweet and light. The salty one added egg white, baked into snow white, the sweet one added egg yolk, golden and shiny, and the light one is used to roll up meat and vegetable soup.

  Finally, there were fried dough fritters, lotus seed paste soup to dispel autumn dryness, and even a large platter of fresh seasonal fruits. That was dessert after dinner.

  With sufficient preparation, each dish was made in quantities of ten servings, with two servings set aside as usual for Xiaoyu and Meimei. The remaining portion was tasted by me before being presented to the Emperor.

  Those eunuchs were beaming with joy and excitement, brought by the gold and silver, and handled the affairs with unusual enthusiasm and efficiency, completely different from their previous flustered state. They also inquired about some previous incidents with eager curiosity, but didn't hear any unfavorable comments. The old eunuch Zhang Cheng cried for a while, but was cautious and knew the reason, and neither the emperor nor that person heard any rumors.

  It's just that Gao Lishi was clever and not present, saying he went south with Shou Wang to set up a forward station, and first arrived in Shu. The one accompanying me is the newly appointed Tingwei Si Yao En, who is now full of courtesy towards me, but his smile seems somewhat lewd.

  His predecessor, because he talked too much, suddenly contracted a severe case of fire syndrome (actually, someone had used a handkerchief soaked in spider web sap to wipe his mouth), his mouth and nose were swollen extremely high, exactly like the head of a sacrificial pig for the Three Animals Festival, the pain was so unbearable that it was hard to speak, those imperial physicians couldn't diagnose any symptoms, only saying it was heat toxin, and prescribed medicine to clear the heat and defeat the fire.

  In such a situation, even if I serve the emperor day and night, I still can't avoid being disliked by people. Even those high-ranking officials have said that it's not good for the imperial court to have me around. After the incident of the inner palace rebellion, I was dismissed from my position and sent to the rear camp to recover. Now I'm still among the sick, groaning in pain.

  Although they have been wandering and sleeping in the open for a long time, there are people who accidentally got stained with lacquer trees or stinging grass while sleeping outdoors, causing their whole body to itch strangely. Or, when they were hungry and ate strange flowers and weeds, they didn't gain any strength but instead harmed their bodies. It's not appropriate to associate these things with me. As for those internal affairs, there are many people who used to be arrogant and domineering, and there are also many people in the Northern Army who don't like them. When they were successful, no one would bother them, but now that they're down on their luck, there won't be a shortage of people who will kick them while they're down.

  Like the current Yao En, originally an inner province three Tai five bureau twenty-four Fang outside, under the Department of Horse Administration's stable manager, this steady and calm black cloud tread snow steed under my seat was recommended by him. He is still under my command as a charioteer, and he is quite clever and cautious. He handles matters clearly, has a good grasp on horse management, and has read some books. (During the Tang Dynasty, there were no regulations prohibiting eunuchs from reading books, but when selecting people, they would try to choose those who were lonely, poor, and of humble origin. Once in the palace, unless they reached a certain position, their opportunities for education would not be great.) After one of the main positions in the five bureaus of the Imperial Court became vacant, his chances were greater than others, plus a little bit of help. Although there are no shortage of people under my command at the moment, if he still allows others to have opportunities for advancement after rising to power, then he is a complete fool.

  "It's a blessing for our family to serve the General and Your Highness, just a slight order is enough, how can we not go in person?" He followed closely by his side, having just received new orders, smiling with great delight.

  I handed over a string of small silver coins, "Take it and use it to serve below", instantly he changed his face into a bitter smile, "This can't be used as a servant, this is our own duty, how can we do so, don't belittle the little ones" He hurriedly declined, and said "I have received many favors from the military commander, I really dare not accept it again". This person was quite tactful.

  I smiled and said, "The officials in the inner court have been working hard for Your Majesty, their clothes are all worn out. This is just a small token to buy some decent clothes, it's also a matter of dignity for the emperor, what's there to decline?" He then couldn't help but push it away and receive it. However, he didn't immediately put it in his sleeve, instead turned around and loudly called out, summoning the attendants like Xiao Huangmen to come over "You guys still don't hurry up and accept the favor of the master!" A chorus of loud responses and thanks followed. This person's thoughts are quite quick-witted. I added a few more points of approval.

  "In fact, adults don't need to worry, during the Kaiyuan era, the Emperor has already revised the marriage law, men at 15 and women at 13 can get married, Your Highness is just around that age." I fainted, only 13 years old, this is too young. It seems like he saw the unease on my face and hurriedly said "Of course, the relationship between the military and the palace is not ordinary, how can it be compared to those common people? If His Majesty grants a special decree, it's not impossible."

  He smiled slyly, but I was speechless. Isn't this a case of "assisting the growth by pulling up the seedlings"? These ancient people were really pitiful and cruel. They didn't care about physical appearance or tactile sensations, nor did they understand emotional nuances. If they hadn't taken precautions, they would have exhausted themselves with excessive indulgence, leading to sensory fatigue.

  He was indeed defeated by him, but it's hard to say anything about it. I thought the reputation of this arrogant person was already set in stone, but unexpectedly, this ancient person had a completely different understanding.

  He also said a few words, and that Prince Wang was also doing some chores in the inner court, apparently also a thoughtful person.

  But in some people's eyes, "It's good to raise them from a young age, but I've never seen the older and more powerful women in the imperial family of Chang'an, with their maternal background, who love and spoil the younger ones, making the household unstable. As long as they make excuses for official business, they won't return home and will keep a small public house outside." This is what was said jokingly by someone familiar with Yu Huai's group back then.

  Then someone smiled and whispered to me that there was a big surprise. When I returned to the courtyard, I saw a small yellow gate waiting for me, and the colleagues on duty were exchanging flirtatious glances with each other.

  I wouldn't have thought that among them, Wei someone would visit Yang Tai Zhen and talk about some recent interesting news. The young master is innocent and pure, liked by all, and has a deeper affection for Liang Jun than others. However, after all, he is still young and inexperienced, so it's good to just enjoy the fun and games, but other things are inevitably lacking, which makes Yang Tai Zhen smile and nod in agreement.

  That little yellow gate quietly announced, "...... to offer sacrifices to the Xie family ...... to teach etiquette and also practice new tunes." My mind buzzed with excitement, but I didn't show it on my face.

  I said "thank you". He hastily returned the courtesy, "I dare not," The little yellow gate also seemed to have received some benefits, looked around and leaned in close to whisper, "This ritual will take some time, I'm afraid the princess won't be able to come and convey the message again today." My heart was filled with a sense of understanding, knowing what to do next.

  It turns out that Xie Yuan has brought it to my doorstep, and thinking about it, she is also the most suitable person to practice new songs. At least there is a close relationship between us. The ones I know are mostly love songs, occasionally singing with Chang Bo for a smile or two, after all, there is still a difference between inside and outside. If I were to sing in front of Yang Taizhen, "You are my greatest pain" or "I love you like a mouse loves rice", who knows what would happen if the emperor had a bad day and wasn't executed by the emperor's anger?

  Suppressing the excitement and expectation in my heart, I carefully checked to close all doors and windows, making sure they couldn't be opened for a while. I then issued a strict order that no one was allowed to approach unless summoned by me personally, before finally entering the inner chamber.

  She was dressed in a purple silk skirt, her face as delicate as a flower, her skin as white as snow, and her figure as slender as a willow. The faint shadow of the setting sun danced on her face, which seemed to be shrouded in mist, exuding an otherworldly beauty that seemed to have been separated from the world for three autumns. An inexplicable turmoil surged in my chest...

  This person, towards the women around Your Majesty, does not conceal that kind of fervent and unbridled gaze, fundamentally lacking the reverence and restraint that ordinary people should have, making one feel very uncomfortable, as if being stared at by a dangerous and ferocious beast.

  Every time I see him, that piercing and unreserved admiration and the gaze that can almost burn my soul makes me dizzy. It reminds me of a cruel yet intimate animal, but I couldn't describe the taste. Since that experience was given to him,

  There are many rumors about this man, about his erudition, strange ideas and mysterious origins, as well as his rapid rise to power. He is said to be coarse, evil, cruel and ruthless, able to order the execution of unarmed refugees without hesitation, and also to intimidate and threaten high-ranking nobles. Those unruly princes and minister's sons who were conscripted into the army were disciplined until they cried out for their fathers and mothers, but most of all, people talked about his love of money and women.

  Although the girl was told that this man, although a bit absurd in his actions, is well-versed in both literature and martial arts, with a bright future ahead of him, making him a rare good match. From this point of view, she wasn't extremely disgusted or repelled by this man.

  From the moment they left, seeing those familiar palace women and female historians, clinging to the carriage and begging to go together but being killed by the Feathered Forest Army, I had this realization. At most, it's like the legend of Hong Ye flowing poetry or Han Yi hiding his beauty, a beautiful story. Most women generally hope to find a good husband to marry, rather than lingering in the palace until old age.

  The calamity of war, the princess sought someone to die in her place, but it was not an empty rumor. One of the best substitutes happened to be herself, and she had already had the awareness of sacrificing herself. However, at the last moment, the princess vetoed the idea, saying that many people in the imperial guard had seen her before, and it was impossible to guarantee that no one would recognize her. If this were to happen, it would implicate Your Majesty, which would be unforgivable. No matter what happened earlier, Yang's family sin would be borne by herself alone from now on. Don't let another innocent daughter lose her life in vain. Until that particular person burst in... From another perspective, it was also that person who unintentionally saved the princess.

  The sorrowful and mournful scene of life and death separation is still vivid in my mind. Therefore, I must maintain my dignity and not lower myself to marry down. As someone who has always been grateful for the complex relationships within the palace, I have managed to keep a clean conscience. Thanks to Yang Niangniang's protection all along, I truly have no reason to refuse.

  It's just that entrusting one's lifelong happiness to a sudden stranger, especially a man with a notorious reputation as great as his achievements, is somewhat difficult to accept and reject, and there's also the fear of an unpredictable fate.

  This month, just like the lyrics of a song: "When there's time, there's no inspiration; when there's inspiration, there's no time." Coinciding with the university entrance exams, I hastily warmed up for half a month, and now the second phase of this fresh education has begun. Writing summaries and reflections, each person is required to write at least X0000 words, and those doing political work have to double their efforts. Studying early in the morning and reporting back late at night, outside of production work, each stage requires at least 40 hours of study or more. Well..., at least now the government's propaganda methods have improved a bit, starting to promote on websites "Three Represents", "Two Unwaveringly" and "Eight Musts". That's why I've been busy updating until now, hope everyone can understand.

  Cat has joined group QQ 3500398 and 3549183, those with ideas can come and waste some saliva, cat will check every day.