Xuande

Chapter 779 The Old Subordinates Are Back
After Liu Hui left, Liu Bei leaned on the cushion and closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest for a while.

Rinan County is the western Han Dynasty and also the southern border of the Eastern Han Empire.

General Fubo Lu Bode of the Western Han Dynasty conquered Baiyue in the south and set up Rinan County. Later, General Fubo Ma Yuan of the Eastern Han Dynasty conquered Jiaozhi to quell the local Erzheng Uprising, and then erected a bronze pillar in Xianglin County of Rinan County, implying "for the Han Dynasty" Extreme also].

However, because the mountains were high and the emperor was far away, and the traffic was blocked, the ruling power of the Han Empire over Rinan County, Jiuzhen County and other places was relatively weak, and the power of the local aborigines was not that weak.

Coupled with the cultural and custom conflicts between the Han Chinese and the local aborigines, as well as the government's brutal policies, the local aborigines often rebel against the government's rule in groups, rebelling once or twice every few years.

The Han people of this era did not have a positive evaluation of the natives in the land of Jiuzhen County in Rinan County.

Later, Xue Zong, a famous Confucianist in the state of Wu, took refuge in Jiaozhou when he was young. He commented on Rinan County: , with the head pierced to the left lapel, and the establishment of the chief official, although there is nothing.... Men and women in Ninan County are not ashamed of their bodies, and from this, they can be called insects].

Judging from the description, Nichinan County was a land of miasma and wild land at that time, and the local aborigines were also despised as insects.

This name was used by Liu Bei to call the enemy, and the natives of Rinan County were also called this way, which shows that the Han people despise these people.

But for the Han Empire, Rinan County is a treasure that should not be lost.

Nichinan County produces various tropical specialties such as famous pearls, fragrant medicines, ivory, rhino horn, tortoise shell, coral, glass, parrots, jadeite, peacocks, etc. It can be called a luxury supplier for the imperial family.

More importantly, since the Western Han Dynasty, this place has been an important foreign trade center of the Han Dynasty. Naturally, a large part of these tropical specialties came from the Maritime Silk Road, and the maritime trade route directly to Nichinan County was the predecessor of the famous Guangzhou Tonghaiyi Road.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the central government’s control over the Western Regions was not as strong as that of the Western Han Dynasty, resulting in three links and three unique links. In the case of relatively unstable land Silk Road, the role of the Maritime Silk Road became more prominent.

Moreover, during this period, the navigation technology was not developed enough, and the technology for identifying directions at sea was not enough. There were no sharp-bottomed ships that could withstand wind and waves.

Therefore, ships at that time generally sailed close to the coast, and were not easy to lose their bearings or be capsized by wind and waves. Therefore, Rinan County, the southernmost tip of the Han Empire, naturally became a window area for trade.

Merchants and exchange envoys from Southeast Asia, India, and even the Roman Empire often arrived at Rinan County along the coastline, then landed from Rinan County, followed the official road all the way north, and went to the Guanzhong area, the core of the empire, while doing business and exchanges. achieve various purposes.

Not only Rinan County, but also Hepu County and Xuwen County in Hepu County, and Panyu County in Nanhai County are all important foreign trading windows in the southern part of the Han Empire. Some Han business teams will also set off from here to Rinan County. Nanjun traded with foreign merchants.

It can be said that although it is a barren land, the infrastructure is not very good, but the local commerce and trade are really prosperous.

However, the Central Plains scholars at the core of the empire’s rule are limited by traffic and stereotypes, so they know little about it. where the interests lie.

The bureaucrats in the Jiaozhou area also don’t want the central government to intervene in this interest, so they close their doors and engage in east and west. Unless they are official foreign envoys, they will let them go north. If it is a foreign businessman, it will be miserable.

Local officials are often corrupt and wantonly harvest foreign businessmen who come to Nichinan County for trade, asking them to pay more than [-]% of the benefits, otherwise they will be oppressed, so "all countries suffer from it".

Of course, the local people in Rinan County are also exploited by these corrupt officials. The contradictions between Han and barbarians and the government and the people are more prominent, and the negative status is full of bonuses. If Rinan County can stabilize, it will be a ghost.

Previously, Liu Bei had no interest in Jiaozhou, he could not control Jiaozhou, but with his ascension to the throne and the gradual establishment of foreign aggressive policies, he believed that Jiaozhou would become an area that he had to control.

Especially the foreign trade in the Jiaozhou area is the key point that he must control.

After the ordering of the matter, the first year of Zhenguan will arrive. This time, the annual festival is more political than festive.

In the past, as long as he was not on the battlefield, Liu Bei would call his subordinates to hold a banquet, and cook some delicious food for them to exchange feelings. If he was on the battlefield, there would be no other way.

But this year is different.

Today is the first New Year's Day after he ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, and because of the implementation of various systems, many old subordinates were working as officials in other places and could not come back to attend his enthronement ceremony, so this New Year's Day is more like a A serious enthronement ceremony.

He will hold a coronation ceremony for those old subordinates who have been with him for a long time, and make everything lively, so that the Han Empire will usher in the first year of Zhenguan and the arrival of the Third Empire of the Han Dynasty in joy and joy. .

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Qianzhao, Jian Yong, Xun You, Cheng Yu, Jia Xu and other core old subordinates all had the important responsibility of stabilizing the local area and preventing it from causing chaos in the previous incidents, so they didn't have time to participate in Liu Bei's campaign. enthronement ceremony.

This time they came to Luoyang on the grounds of returning to Beijing to report on their duties, mainly to meet Liu Bei, congratulate Liu Bei on his enthronement and proclaim the emperor, and talk about the emotions accumulated over a long period of time.

After the arrangements for the events after leaving were made at the localities, the old subordinates in these places set off one after another. Those who were closer to Luoyang started later, and those who were farther away from Luoyang set off earlier.

Guan Yu, for example, set off from Jingzhou in early December and went north all the way to buy some local specialties in Jingzhou and Yangzhou.

Guan Yu knew that Liu Bei didn't like extravagant things, but Liu Bei liked to eat, so he chose some local agricultural products from Jingzhou and Yangzhou, and brought some famous cooks from Jingzhou and Yangzhou to Luoyang to cook for Liu Bei. .

Although the economy and culture of Jingzhou and Yangzhou are not as good as those in the Central Plains, they still have some local specialties. They are very good at making aquatic products, and they are also good at making some mountain delicacies. Guan Yu tasted it and thought it tasted good, so he decided to share it with Liu Bei.

He knew that Liu Bei would be happy if he did this.

Of course, Guan Yu is not the only one who thinks this way. People who are close to Liu Bei know that Liu Bei doesn't like extravagant things, and because he doesn't want the people below to mess around, Liu Bei never reveals his preferences to the outside world.

Even the closest subordinates only know that Liu Bei is a senior gourmet. The reason why he gives the impression of a simple life is because he is not interested in the traditional cuisine of the current Han Empire, and he will make things for himself.

A long time ago, Liu Bei's eating habits were slightly different from the big guys.

For example, I like to eat rice and rice, and I also toss and fry things like fried food. I am obviously a foodie, but I am not a traditional foodie. I like new things.

So the subordinates unanimously searched for the best cooks from the local area and brought them to Luoyang, so that Liu Bei could experience a new feeling of boats that he had never experienced before.

Liu Bei is very willing to accept and is very happy with the wishes of his subordinates, but the special craftsmanship brought by the so-called local great chefs, as well as the special delicacies they make may not meet Liu Bei's taste.

The fresh fish soup made by the cook Guan Yu brought was quite interesting, and Liu Bei liked the thick and fragrant soup.

The chef Liu Sheng and Xun You brought in from Sichuan and Shu who can cook local specialties can also make good stews, and the stews in one pot taste pretty good.

But it was a bit embarrassing for Jia Xu to get the cook who was good at making fish cakes from Xuzhou. That guy actually made fish cakes with fish from the Yellow River.

Although he said that he removed all the fishbone, and Jia Xu also praised him for his skill in removing the fishbone with one hand, which is rare in the world.

"In the local area, if you want to eat the fish meat made by him, you have to order at least half a month in advance before you can eat it. This time I brought him to Luoyang, and I don't know how many people in Xuzhou will be fond of him. Yes, hahahaha!"

Jia Xu was still very proud, and told Liu Bei that the Chen family, a well-known local wealthy family in Xuzhou, admired this cook very much. Fish sticks.

This cook was also recommended to Jia Xu by Chen Deng, and he was definitely out of love.

Liu Bei believed in this, but for this raw fish, Liu Bei felt that he was really not blessed to enjoy it.

In order to look good, he ate a piece symbolically.

Indeed, the taste is very bright, I don't know what method was used, maybe it's because of the sauce, the fishy smell of the river fish is also well covered, but Liu Bei is really not used to this food.

In order not to hurt Jia Xu's face, Liu Bei told Jia Xu privately after the banquet that he should never eat this food again. There are worms in this food, which can reproduce and grow in the human body. If you eat too much, it will easily eat.

Jia Xu was shocked by this, and said that this fish meat is a very famous delicacy in the local area, and the luxurious family flocks to it. I have never heard of anyone who ate it wrong. murderer?
"Sea fish is okay, but river fish is not good. Xuzhou is close to the sea. People may not eat all river fish, so there may not be any problems. But if you stare at river fish, something will happen sooner or later. Wenhe, you can eat some sea fish, and you should get rid of other things." Eat it cooked, never eat it raw."

Jia Xu was a little puzzled about this at first, but when he thought that Liu Bei said it, he believed it immediately, so he decided not to eat this raw fish anymore.

In addition to this small episode, the few Xianbei chefs who are good at making dairy products and barbecue brought by Zhaozhao from the grassland also made Liu Bei quite uncomfortable.

That fishy.

Liu Bei thought to himself that as a Youzhou native, he did not eat less raw roast lamb when he was young, so he was quite strong in accepting the fishy smell, and even liked the smell of mutton.

However, this time, it is estimated that there is too much good food, and I am a little overwhelmed by the too original roasted lamb and dairy products.

Not to mention Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Jia Xu and Cheng Yu, everyone looked like they wanted to vomit after eating, but they didn't dare to vomit to save face, which was very funny.

What's more, the boy Qianzhao actually tasted delicious.

Liu Bei managed to swallow a piece of cheese, resisting Yue's urge, and looked at Qianzhao with a look of enjoyment.

"Zijing, is it delicious?"

"Delicious, so delicious."

Qianzhao said with a smile: "At first I was not used to eating it, but the more I eat it, the more delicious it becomes. I am not used to not eating it now, hahahaha! If you want to say that these Xianbei people are not very good at fighting, It’s really good at making food.”

Guan Yu, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but move his seat to the side as he watched Qianzhao gulping down the cheese, as if he didn't really want to have too much interaction with this guy.

This guy, it hasn't been long since he guarded Youzhou, how come he has become a Hu Feng so quickly?

But generally speaking, everyone ate happily. A group of old brothers ate and drank, and then congratulated Liu Bei for becoming the emperor.

Finally, no one can stop what Liu Bei wants to accomplish.

And they can also let go of their affairs, and no longer have to worry about any strange remarks from the ruling and opposition parties that will catch them off guard.

Now, who else dares to gossip about Liu Bei?
At the banquet, everyone ate, drank, played and had fun, doing everything they could to rejoice.

After the banquet, Liu Bei left behind four people, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Jian Yong and Qianzhao, and invited them to drink and chat in his favorite kiosk, recalling together some interesting or thrilling things that everyone experienced back then.

The four of them were Liu Bei's earliest team members, and they were the first old men who mixed with Liu Bei to fight "Jiangshan". The emotions between them are slightly different from those of other subordinates.

Everyone recalled while drinking, recalling and recalling, and recalled many interesting things.

For example, Jian Yong laughed at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who fought with Liu Bei for the first time.

The two of them were self-sufficient and strong. When they fought with Liu Bei, they stood out from the queue and wanted to show their bravery. After overthrowing a few people on the other side, they were surrounded by more people and punched and kicked. The two people labeled as Zhutou San were rescued.

At that time, Jian Yong was also fighting with Liu Bei in the queue, and witnessed the scene where Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were beaten into three pigs.

He is specially in charge of sneak attacks. Liu Bei assigned a lot of detailed tasks to the younger brothers who did the battles. Who is responsible for frontal resistance, who is responsible for outflanking, and who is responsible for sneak attacks. There is a clear division of labor, so the winning rate is very high in battle high.

Everyone obeyed Liu Bei's command, but these two guys wanted to express themselves, and they became the biggest eyeballs in the whole team. They were ridiculed for many days and almost died in the team.

"Back then, you two thought you were fierce, and you would hit ten times when you rushed up, but the one who was beaten couldn't get up in bed for three days! Hahahahaha! Now I think it's funny!"

Jian Yong drank some wine, and laughed at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei mercilessly, his face turned red and then black when they laughed at them.

Zhang Fei couldn't get angry, he pointed at Jian Yong and scolded him.

"Old Jane! Don't laugh at me either! Just in the battle with Li Changdao, the leader of the east of the city, the kid led a sneak attack, but he was surrounded by others, and his nose was bruised and his face was swollen. Who brought people to rescue you? Me! You still have the nerve to laugh at me?"

Guan Yu also stared at Jian Yong.

"Xianhe, don't talk about us. We have no experience in fighting for the first time. You are an old man. Didn't you brag that you were the first to fight with your elder brother? Why do I remember that you, an old boy, can't get up in bed? The most times?"

(End of this chapter)