Kuangfu Han Dynasty

Chapter 24 What's wrong with you

Zhang Shao also poked his head inside at the door and saw that the thing in Wang Jie's hand was the garlic he was familiar with. The appearance was not much different from that after 2000. He liked it in his previous life. He always had a few cloves when making dumplings. Raw garlic is a delicious accompaniment.

However, garlic was only introduced to the Central Plains from the Western Regions by Zhang Qian. Although after hundreds of years of diffusion, northerners have begun to use it as an ingredient, but it is still a rarity in the south. The people of Wu and Chu preferred the local "Ze garlic" with a slightly smaller rhizome. ".

The garlic in the warehouse is all left over from last year. The garlic stems have long been dried and hung in braids. The garlic cloves are still usable and there are a lot of them.After leaving the warehouse, there is a freshly sown garlic field inside the wall, and green garlic seedlings have sprouted out of the ground.

When I asked the servants who led the way, they only said that they had been in this messy land since they joined the county government.Perhaps in the past hundred years, a certain Nanjun governor whose ancestral home was Guanzhong and Liangzhou loved to eat garlic and brought transplants from his hometown?

Wang Jie was very happy: "Emperor Ling liked Hu Feng, so the nobles in Luoyang also followed the emperor's example and ate Hu cakes and garlic. The prime minister also ate it. Recently, he always felt that his mouth was weak. During our stay in Jiangling, we can use garlic to eat." Adjust the cauldron and release the jade."

There was nothing to do next, so Zhang Shao ate some cold biscuits to cushion his stomach, then sat in the yard and listened to the food officials and his family chatting about the gossip of the prime minister's house.For example, Wang Jie and Shi Cao are distant relatives, so the food officer genus was placed at the front of the motorcade, and the rooms assigned to them were more spacious. The clothes genus and the mat genus were quite dissatisfied with this... It's all useless nonsense.

Seeing the sun setting in the west and the biting autumn wind blowing so hard that Zhang Shao shivered with coldness, he hurriedly put on his slightly thicker winter clothes, wondering why Cao Aman was so tired and couldn't set off yet.

After waiting for a while, Cao Cao, the servant, ran over again out of breath and said to Wang Jie: "Chief Minister, the prime minister has changed his mind. He is currently discussing matters with other servants in the government office. I'm afraid he will have to talk until dark, and tonight. I don’t know if I want to go to Cai’s house yet, so you should take the people to prepare food first.”

Finally, the waiter Cao Peng remembered something again and reminded Wang Jie: "I see that after the prime minister entered the city, he has not had any water for half an hour. Please ask the waiter to bring the wine over quickly. It is cold, so remember to keep the water warm. The wine needs to be boiled!" After saying that, he hurriedly left and told other subordinates to go.

Zhang Shao was watching the fun, but it didn't matter what he did anyway, because the water he brought was for washing hands and wiping faces, which should have been done by Huandeng, the waiter.

But Huandeng was not in the right state. He had been wilting since the afternoon. When his name was called by Wang Ge, he said with a mournful face: "Your Majesty, I must be sick, and my hands are so weak that I dare not serve the Prime Minister." ah."

Wang Jie felt a little hoarse when he heard Huandeng's voice. Considering that there was something wrong with the child, if he threw the kettle and wine vessel in front of the prime minister later, he would be derelict in his duties as a food official.

Because the waiter Cao had to give out orders for a while and had to prepare dishes in a hurry, Wang Jie was also a little anxious. In his desperation, he subconsciously nodded to Zhang Shao who was standing next to Huandeng.

"Zhang Shao, bring the wine, warm the wine stove and cups, and go quickly!"

"Huh?" Zhang Shao was stunned, and then he was overjoyed!Because according to what his attendant Cao Yu said, Cao Cao was probably having a small meeting with the secretaries of the shogunate, and Xu Shu was probably also there!
Zhang Shao has been wondering these days whether Xu Shu has any plans to cause trouble behind Cao Cao's rear. The two urgently need to establish a separate communication channel without being suspected by Cao Cao.After thinking about it for a few days, he finally came up with a clever idea.

But if this strategy is to be put into practice, it also needs a suitable opportunity, but Zhang Shao can hardly even touch Xu Shu's face along the way.

Now, didn’t this opportunity come just as it was said to come?

"Only..." Zhang Shao suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and pretended to be reluctant to take the meal from Wang Jie. But at this moment, someone jumped out to stop his good deed.

"Wait a minute!"

Zhang Shao turned around and found that it was Wu Chang Zhao of the Wuwei camp who had been hanging around him these past few days. His ghost was still lingering in Jiangling. This guy might as well join the food officer genus and become a cook!
Wu Chang Zhao was also familiar with Wang Jie, but he saw him walking up to Wang Jie and saying, "Food officer, isn't this inappropriate?"

Wang Jie didn't react: "What's wrong?"

Zhao Wuchang said: "Although this son was appointed as a page boy by the Prime Minister, in the final analysis, he is still the son of the enemy general. His motives are unpredictable. It is acceptable to hold a clean utensil, but not to hold wine. In case he looks for an opportunity to poison it. …”

Good guy!Zhang Shao was nearby, and he was stunned when he heard this. At most, he thought of spitting in the wine to disgust Cao Cao, but he never thought of poisoning him.Because no matter whether he failed or succeeded, he would lose his life afterwards. Since he and Cao Cao did not have a deep hatred, it was not worth it.

Wu Zhang Zhao's shocking words immediately scared Wang Jie into a cold sweat, and he planned to take back his life, while Zhang Shao was considering how to advance or retreat.

By coincidence, he happened to see Xiahou Ba leading a group of military guards near the kitchen. It turned out that the military guards camp had taken over the defense of the county from the tiger and leopard riders, and Xiahou Ba was ordered to inspect the inside and outside of the inner house.

Zhang Shaosui came up with a plan. He pretended to be frightened and his legs went weak. He knelt on the ground with a plop and howled loudly: "Poison...? What an injustice! I only have gratitude and admiration for Prime Minister Cao. How dare I have the thought of harming you?" !”

"Wuwuwu, I'm not, I didn't..."

As expected, he successfully attracted Xiahou Ba's attention. Seeing Zhang Shao's behavior, Xiahou Ba, who had always been protective of his shortcomings, thought his nephew was being bullied and hurried over to ask.

Before he could reach the front, he heard Zhang Shao yell again: "Besides, I'm only an eight-year-old child and I don't know how to poison. Who will teach me!?"

Just one sentence made Wu Chang Zhao stunned, the food officer Wang Ge was stunned, and Xia Houba was even more stunned.

As for Huandeng, he was so frightened by the battle that he crawled into the kitchen, only daring to huddle at the door with the food officials and others to peek.

After Xiahou Ba learned the cause of the incident from Wang Jie, his second uncle immediately became anxious and said angrily: "Zhao Youli, don't talk nonsense! Although Zhang Shao is the son of an enemy general, he is also the son of my Xiahou family. Nephew, I cannot tolerate your slander!"

This is no longer a matter of protecting one's own shortcomings. You said Zhang Shao wanted to harm the prime minister, but how could he, an eight-year-old child, do such a thing? Who gave him the poison?There must be an adult planning and instigating this, right?Who could it be?The biggest suspect is me, Xiahou!
It turns out that Zhao Wuchang, whose name is "Gong", has a courtesy name, and he is indeed an honest man. Before he could recover, he still explained to Xiahou Ba in a low voice:
"Captain Xiahou has misunderstood. You don't know something. Recently, Zhang Shao has been suffering from pain in his legs and has frequently gone to the doctor's office. I heard that the medicine is poisonous. Since there is a possibility that Zhang Shao comes into contact with the medicinal materials, I have to take precautions. This is also the responsibility of the palace, and I hope the commander of the village will take notice..."

Unexpectedly, Xiahou Ba was even more explosive. Now, it really became "Xiahou, together with the medical officer's family, assigned Zhang Shao to poison the wine." In addition to the unclear motive, the logic of the entire conspiracy was clear. Zhao Wu Zhang even joined his accomplices I've found a home for him!

Xiahou Ba subconsciously felt that this was a frame-up of his family!When he first entered the Wuwei camp, he often stayed with the Prime Minister. Although his colleagues didn't say anything openly, who knew how many people were secretly jealous of him?
However, Xiahou Yuan and his son were extremely loyal to the prime minister and could find no fault with him. Therefore, Zhang Shao became the Xiahou family's most conspicuous weakness, which led to today's slander.

How should we deal with the current situation appropriately?Xiahou Ba didn't have any haste and was still organizing words in his mind, but he felt someone tugging at the corner of his clothes. He looked down and saw his little nephew standing in front of him with tears in his eyes. "Second uncle." Zhang Shao looked like he had been greatly wronged, but tried hard to hold back his tears. He sniffed and said, "Second uncle, this basin of dirty water has been poured on Xiahou family, so we must not give in, otherwise It will be even more unclear in the future.”

That's right!Xiahou Ba was about to pat his chest and vouch for Zhang Shao and let him serve the wine.But he hesitated the next moment. What Wu Chang said actually made sense. Was he too impulsive?It's not easy to become the head of the Wuwei Camp. Is it worth risking your career on a child?

But if I endure it today, what will the military guards behind me think?The dignified village chief was helpless to a small corps commander... After this incident spread, wouldn't he become the laughing stock of the Wuwei camp and even the entire Cao army.

Xiahou Ba was still hesitating, but Zhang Shao had already thought of a perfect plan for him. He tugged at the corner of his second uncle's clothes and reminded him: "Since Wu Chang Zhao is worried, my nephew will not touch the wine pot or wine pot when he is here." Ear cup, only carry a wine-warming stove to wait on you."

Wait, then who is responsible for pouring drinks for the Prime Minister?

Zhang Shao smiled and said: "Of course my second uncle will do it for me! Is there anyone more suitable than you today, who can make everyone in the prime minister's house feel more at ease?"

yes!Xiahou Ba suddenly understood and didn't think it was a shame.Speaking of which, Xiahou Ba also served as Cao Gong's bartender when he was young, and he was called "Cao Sikong" at that time.

Xiahou Ba once again praised Zhang Shao's young intelligence and sneered: "Are the food officials and Wu Zhang satisfied with this arrangement?"

Now it was Wu Chang Zhao's turn and he didn't know how to answer, and Wang Jie didn't expect that things would get to this point, so he was still a little hesitant.

Zhang Shao half-hidden behind Xiahou Ba and said meaningfully: "If Wu Chang Zhao only suspects me, not his second uncle, let alone his uncle, or even the entire Xiahou family in Qiao County, then there is nothing wrong with this matter. ?”

This statement was very explicit. No matter how slow Wu Zhang Zhao was, he still realized it. A huge hole was dug under his feet. If Wu Zhang still dared to say no, he would really offend the Xiahou family to death, so he had no choice but to agree.

But Zhang Shao didn't let him go, and wandered to Wang Ge who was stroking his beard and weighing the pros and cons, and whispered: "Your Majesty, if I really have harmful intentions, there is nothing else like a glass of wine. I am a food official, so I am afraid it will be more convenient for me to contact you."

Wang Jie felt a thunderous sound from the sky. What Zhang Shao said was exactly the food they provided to Prime Minister Cao every day!There are many people in the kitchen, and Zhang Shao often goes back and forth with Huan Dengzuan.In the first few days, Wang Jie kept an eye on him carefully, but then he gradually became slacker. If he really wanted to poison him... Wang Jie didn't dare to think about it at all.

Wang Jie also struggled in the deep waters of the Prime Minister's Mansion for more than ten years before he reached the position of Bai Shi. He saw too much of the intrigues among various departments and petty officials in the Prime Minister's Mansion. After being reminded by Zhang Shao, At this moment, I can’t help but think deeply...

Wu Zhang Zhao seemed to be wary of Zhang Shao, but in fact he was targeting the Xiahou family behind him. Oh, he even brought Li Dangzhi, the medical officer, with him. In the end, he secretly wanted to frame even the food officer!

Killing four birds with one stone, how vicious!Whose handiwork is this?Could it be that they belong to the clothes and the mat?

Although the ministers in the prime minister's office are small, they are also divided into factions. Wang Jie is close to the ministers, and the clothes, hats and mats are promoted by his predecessor.They and Wang Jie once argued over the order of the convoys in the Prime Minister's camp, and even got into a fight!
Wang Jie's hands, which had never shaken for many years, began to tremble, as if he was alive. He had actually accepted the gold cakes bribed by Xiahou Ba. If the slander of Wu Zhang spread, he would not be able to wipe it out.

No, we must agree today to clear Zhang Shao's name so that Wang E can be on the same side as the Xiahou family.Later, Xiahou Ba was asked to think of a solution in the Wuwei camp, while he worked hard on the other side, complaining to the servant Cao Yu, and let Zhao Zhao come around every day to keep an eye on Zhang Shao, in the name of monitoring Zhang Shao, but in fact he was always looking for flaws in the food officer. Captain, get out of here!
Wang Jie thought too much in an instant. In the end, he just raised his trembling right hand and expressed his attitude with a smile: "Don't say that Mr. Zhong Quan is serving the wine in person. Even if Zhang Shao goes to handle this matter, I will not do it." I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.”

Zhao Wu was shocked when he saw Wang E pointing at his face and calling him by name: "Zhao Gong, from the beginning to the end, you are the villain who has been slandering A Shao and Zhong Quan for no reason. I'm sorry." I can see clearly!"

Wang Jie suddenly changed his position. Wu Chang Zhao was stunned. The autumn wind was biting and cold. When he looked at Zhang Shao's innocent big eyes again, he felt that this boy was really scary!In the end, Wu Chang Zhao could only run away with his tail between his legs under the gazes of the food officials and military guards.

"This person will definitely report to his immediate superior." Xiahou Ba immediately called two of his subordinates and warned, "Follow carefully and see clearly who is in charge of this matter."

Yes, Xia Houba determined that Wu Chang Zhao was just a hand on the front desk, and there must be someone behind it!Xiahou Ba vowed that he would find out that insidious villain hiding in the dark!
Although what happened today was entirely due to Wu Chang Zhao being too conscientious, Xiahou Ba had already begun to face the air energetically.

After arranging all this, Xiahou Ba ordered the rest of his men to bring the food cases, wine bottles, cups, and water bottles. Unexpectedly, several military guards turned away from each other.After witnessing what just happened, who dares to get even close to these objects?What should we do if someone accuses them of poisoning again?

"Okay, okay! I'll get it myself."

Xiahou Ba was so angry and hated the mastermind even more. He had no choice but to find a bamboo food basket with Wang Jie, put all the above things in it, and hold it in his arms.He tilted his head and called Zhang Shao to bring the wine-warming stove and follow him to the government office.

There were several ways to warm wine in this era. The only one mentioned is the "wine warming stove" that Zhang Shao carried in his hand. The whole device was made of bronze and divided into two layers: upper and lower.The lower part is used for burning charcoal fire, and the upper part is an oval copper pot. It looks like a small pot with a stove used to heat cooking in Hunan restaurants in later generations. The long zigzag handle can be held in one hand.

The wine-warming stove is also equipped with a pair of bronze goblets. This thing has an open mouth and a long body, and its mouth and bottom are in the shape of a trumpet. Zhang Shao can tell at a glance that it looks like something on a wine table in later generations...

"Isn't it just a wine divider?"

The principle of warming wine is that simple. Burn charcoal fire at the bottom of the stove to heat the water in the pot, and then transfer it to the goblet in the water, so that the cold wine inside slowly heats up without becoming too hot.Finally, pour the goblet of warm wine into the matching bronze wine...

Anyway, the whole process is done in a stylish way. In cold weather like this in autumn and winter, noble people like to put on a set and enjoy the warmth in the mouth.

At the moment, the lacquered food table, the bronze jug, the goblet and the wine flask, as well as the deformed animal-patterned teapot containing drinking water, were all in the basket in Xiahou Ba's arms, so Zhang Shao felt relaxed.

When the two of them passed through the inner house and arrived at the government office, which was even more heavily guarded, Xiahou Ba brushed his face and it turned out that the journey was smooth.

Only when entering the last door, the person in charge of the dormitory guard today was a young team leader. He was quite surprised when he saw Xiahouba hugging the food basket. He couldn't help but burst out laughing and said happily:

"Brother, could it be that you have returned to the food service as a waiter? Why are you acting like this?"

(End of this chapter)