Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 257 A high-level Eight Banners internal strife! [Added an additional chapter for leader Carl Sagan’s dragon! 】

Seeing the militiamen disperse, they were ready to shoot at any time.

The people who were watching the excitement immediately dispersed in a hurry, so as not to suffer the consequences of Chi Yu.

The people of Suzhou City now know that the power of muskets is no joke. A small projectile can punch someone through.

The streets suddenly became deserted.

"Wait a minute."

Liu Qian walked out of the restaurant, approached the militia deputy captain and muttered something.

"Close the team and leave."

Yang Yuchun looked at the backs of these soldiers and breathed a sigh of relief. He held his hands in gratitude and said:

"My dear benefactor, I haven't asked you your name yet?"

"I dare not hide it from my benefactor, but I risked my life to get it from the Laojun Mountain Salt Cave in Jiangyou County, Long'an Prefecture, Sichuan."

Liu Qian dipped a little with his hand and put it in his mouth. A spiciness hit his forehead, and then he smiled and said:

Liu Qianruo nodded thoughtfully:
"Being an official is the right path. But it's not peaceful now, and the military attache is afraid it's in danger."

"Saltpeter is an essential raw material for making gunpowder, and it is in short supply. Where did Brother Yang get it?"

"My benefactor actually recognized this thing."

Liu Qian poured him a bowl:
"Borrow flowers to offer to Buddha and taste this wine."

"No, no, this restaurant may be small, but it cooks good food. You will know after you try it."

"What are Brother Yang's future plans?"

"Brother Yang has come all this way to do business, right?"

After three rounds of drinking,

Liu Qian asked falsely:

"My benefactor's words are wrong. When the world is not peaceful, martial arts talents have a chance to stand out. The more chaotic the world is, the more valuable martial arts talents are."

"After I save enough money, I will go back to my hometown and buy a green camp military attache. I will learn civil and military skills and sell them to the emperor's family."

"Brother Yang, can you take me to join the gang? Don't worry, I'll build a big boat and we'll split the money 50-50."

Yang Yuchun took a big sip and frowned:

He also took the initiative to clink glasses with Liu Qian and had a pleasant cooperation.

"Okay."

Yang Yuchun was quite embarrassed and said:

Yang Yuchun lowered his voice and said:

Liu Qian was playing into his heart, so how could he refuse?

"My benefactor was afraid of being short of money, so he deliberately chose this small appearance."

"Come on, you two, please use it."

……

In fact, the tavern is the property of the Intelligence Agency.

Since ancient times, military generals have always been big eaters. To maintain a huge body, they need to consume more nutrients than ordinary people.

"Hahaha, drink and drink."

……

"Then, which one do you think is more capable of fighting, the Wu army from the south of the Yangtze River or the official army from the north?"

Yang Yuchun's appetite is three times that of ordinary people. The amount of alcohol was also amazing, and I drank one bowl after another.

This sub is available! Very useful!

"Hey, why do we need to know each other before when we meet?"

"Then I'll invite my benefactor to drink. Don't refuse."

"Fine saltpeter?"

If Yang Yuchun was too alert and unable to form words, he wouldn't be able to get out today.

"I'm still not used to drinking Jiangnan rice wine. The taste is not as mellow and refreshing as Sichuan wine."

Liu Qian nodded in surprise. Such honest people are rare nowadays.

Seeing that the wine had reached the bottom, Liu Qian shouted:
"Shopkeeper, please come to the altar to make Shaoxing aged rice wine and add plums."

Yang Yuchun didn't seem to be wary and agreed immediately.

"I dare not hide it from my benefactor, but this is it." Yang Yuchun took out a small bag of crystals.

I walked through the streets and found a secluded and remote tavern.

……

Yang Yuchun was stunned and looked around.

He whispered:

"Is this also something that can be discussed?"

"What comes out of your mouth reaches my ears. No one else can hear it, so why not?"

"Wu Jun's weapons are sharp but he lives in a small corner. Sooner or later he will be crushed to death by the imperial court."

"Appreciate further details."

"The territory of our Qing Dynasty is too big. We can't use up countless grains and countless soldiers." Yang Yuchun frowned and took a sip of plum rice wine. "The officers and soldiers can be defeated 100 times, but as long as they win once, they will win them all." Even if King Wu's army wins 1 times, it only needs to lose once."

Liu Qian's eyes became sharp:
"Brother Yang has unique insights, but I don't know who can give him guidance?"

"Isn't Jinchuan the best example? Aren't Jinchuan soldiers tough? Aren't the watchtowers majestic? Aren't the geographical advantages unique?" Yang Yuchun seemed to be deeply moved. "During the Jinchuan campaign, tens of thousands of people visited the Laojun Mountain Salt Cave every day. Working day and night, boiling saltpeter and transporting it to the front line to make gunpowder to supply the army. My benefactor, you have never seen such a grand occasion. The war potential of the imperial court is formidable."

"What about the current Laojun Mountain Saltwater Cave?"

"Since Jinchuan was pacified, the scale of cooking saltpeter has not been as high as before. The two largest caves were blocked by the army with rocks. However, there are more than hundreds of saltwater caves in Laojun Mountain. I just started from a hole that no one noticed. I fell in, stole the saltpeter, and then slowly boiled it, saving it for several months."

……

"Brother Yang, what kind of military attache can you buy when you go back?"

"The seventh-grade commander, a real leader of troops."

"too small."

"My dear benefactor, we are not bannermen, so the general military position is not small."

"Will you stay? I will recommend you to be a higher official."

"Huh?" Yang Yuchun was dumbfounded. He suddenly realized the ugly benefactor in front of him~
Liu Qian nodded and claimed his identity.

"His Royal Highness King Wu and I have an old relationship, and I can recommend you to join the army. With your martial arts and saltpeter intelligence, you will definitely have a bright future. How about it?"

As he spoke, the people around him silently gathered around him.

After all, Yang Yuchun was only 16. He panicked, turned around and ran away, knocking over two men who were intercepting him, and jumped onto the wall.

Then, the person froze.

Liu Qian smiled and said:

"Pour, pour, pour."

With a thud, Yang Yuchun fell softly from the wall and fell onto the dirt ground.

……

"Director."

"What happened to your Mongolian sweat medicine?"

"Director, the weight I gave is enough. This black man is too capable of carrying it."

"Remember from now on, you have to be extra cautious when meeting a fat person. This is common sense!"

The crippled Yang Yuchun became the trophy of the Intelligence Agency.

Liu Qian's favorite prey would not let him escape.

What about falcons? Slowly become a house bird. It would be a shame if this guy didn't join the camp.

By the way, he sent someone to go to the saltpeter cave in Laojun Mountain, Sichuan that he described to find out.

This piece of information is too valuable. If a stable source of saltpeter can be solved, the prince's army can launch many large-scale battles.

Not to mention it was far away, but the Qing court would be very uncomfortable if the troops pushed to Jiujiang.

North-south transportation is not smooth. To transport money and food resources from several southeastern provinces to the capital, they must take a detour of more than 3 miles. This distance is simply a nightmare.

"Director, what should we do with this person?"

"Don't torture him. Give him food and don't let him sleep. Cook the eagle."

"As ordered."

After settling this matter, Liu Qian handled several more official matters.

Jiangbei's meticulous work sent a piece of information every 10 days.

There are more and more soldiers in the Jiangbei camp, and the newly built civilian ships in Huai'an Prefecture stretch for 10 miles.

……

Nothing is difficult in the world, I'm afraid I just don't dare to take it seriously!
The chief envoy Qian Feng insisted on papering up the mess of Lianghuai Salt Service, which was leaking everywhere, and made it look decent.

He is like a sniffer dog that can smell money wherever it is found.

Countless salt lords and petty officials were imprisoned under his orders, and countless lost salt taxes were remitted to the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Even the Salt Patrol Censor, who had a great background, was forcibly impeached, causing an uproar in the Huaiyang officialdom.

Even the four major salt merchants in Yangzhou, who were unruly and had great hands and eyes, were squeezed repeatedly by Qian Feng until they lost their temper and "voluntarily" donated millions of taels of cash.

Coupled with the more than 300 million taels of silver collected from the Lianghuai salt tax, it can be said that Jiangbei Daying is currently extremely wealthy.

This information made Liu Qian's face become serious, Qian Feng could not stay!

"Come here, prepare a boat to go to Jiangning."...

At this time, Yangzhou government office.

Qian Feng had just finished a bowl of meat porridge and felt so comfortable in his stomach that he didn't even miss the last grain of rice.

Regardless of his position, he admires Huaiyang cuisine very much, with its exquisite ingredients, long simmering time, and rich flavor.

Very friendly to him who has stomach problems.

In fact, there are certain reasons why Huaiyang cuisine has been at the top of official cuisine and palace banquets for hundreds of years.

The pursuit of original taste, freshness and peace, elegant style, and beautiful shape and texture almost eliminates the involvement of spices and seasonings.

Frying, deep-frying, and stir-frying are rarely done, but stewing is the main method, and it is simmered over a gentle fire.

Take the most critical step of preparing the soup stock for Crab Meat Lion Head as an example:

2-year-old free-range chicken, 1-year-old white goose, served with Jinhua ham and Liaodong sea cucumber, carefully stewed for 12 hours until the bones and flesh are separated and the meat melts.

After letting it sit for an hour, scoop out the top layer of soup base and pour it away.

Use the middle part as the soup base and reserve it for later use.

There are too many impurities at the bottom, so discard it.

In this way, the soup will be clear.

It has the fragrance of chicken, the strong fragrance of goose, the fresh fragrance of sea cucumber, and the salty fragrance of ham.

There are no disadvantages except the high cost.

……

Skillful!

The gentlemen who can eat official and palace dishes lack everything except money.

Moreover, the gentlemen are already very old, and their teeth and digestive abilities have greatly deteriorated. Naturally, they are full of praise for Huaiyang cuisine, which melts in the mouth and is easy to digest.

The contradiction between growing personal wealth and declining physical condition is head-scratching.

The emergence of Huaiyang cuisine can just make up for this huge gap.

You can taste all the delicacies in the world with just one small dish.

In addition, the cooking process of Huaiyang cuisine is in line with the essence of Confucianism, and it is known as literati cuisine.

Every pampered man in the Qing Dynasty would fall in love with Huaiyang cuisine.

As we all know, high-end food culture is top-down.

Since Huaiyang cuisine is sought after by officials ranging from the royal family to Liangjiang officials, many merchants and gentry will definitely follow suit.

Even people who rarely eat river fresh food unless it is spicy, once they enter the high-end circle, they will hold ivory chopsticks, taste the steamed anchovy in small bites, and drink it with a glass of Huadiao wine, shaking their heads and exclaiming: wonderful!
……

Qian Feng's bowl of meat soup can barely be regarded as a beggar's version of Huaiyang cuisine.

Boil a plate of Yangzhou lion's head left over from last night's banquet with half a bowl of new rice, and blanch a handful of green vegetables for a while before taking it out of the pot.

As the chief envoy, eating like this is the most luxurious choice he can make to live up to the title of "honest official".

After thinking about it, he stood up and poured some water to rinse the oil star in the bowl and drink it.

Bang, the door was pushed open.

The subordinate officer said hurriedly:

"Fantai, something happened."

"Governor Li, Lord Chong and the others are here."

Qian Feng was stunned for a moment, then stood up, straightened his uniform, and walked out of the office quickly.

Dozens of people, as embarrassed as beggars, stood at the entrance of the government office, and the atmosphere was very strange.

Standing on the left are Li Shiyao, Yu Yunhe and several close associates.

Standing on the right are Chongdao, Helin, several close associates, and Qiu Ba (Duo Long).

Fu Changan stood awkwardly in the middle, not leaning to the left or right.

……

"Qian Feng, the lower official, pays homage to Mr. Taiwan Maker."

"Qian Feng, you don't have to worship him. He, the governor, bears the greatest responsibility for the fall of Jiangning." Chongdao cursed loudly.

"Let's put it down. Jiangning City has held on for two months under extremely difficult circumstances. This governor is unable to hold on alone." Li Shiyao immediately defended.

After a while, more and more people watched the excitement on both sides of the alley.

Qian Feng secretly complained and said quickly:
"Everyone, we can discuss this in the back hall. It is a matter of honor for the court and should not be discussed here."

Wuyangyang was a group of people, their casual clothes were in tatters, their clothes were dusty, their hair was disheveled, and it was obvious that their escape was very embarrassing.

There were hundreds of people who originally escaped from Jiangning.

Along the way, they encountered hunger, an accidental fall off a cliff, deserters, and pursuit by unknown rebel forces. In the end, only these 40 people were left.

Although he is embarrassed, his identity is here.

When they arrived at the back hall of the Yangzhou magistrate, the two sides were still cursing each other.

Qian Feng finally understood the grudges here.

If it weren't for Fu Changan's intimidation, Li Shiyao and Chongdao would have fought each other long ago, and at most one of them would have made it to Yangzhou alive.

……

After scolding for a long time, Duolong couldn't bear it anymore and asked:

"Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes, yes."

Hu Zuoyou, the prefect of Yangzhou, immediately went to the kitchen to organize the dishes and urged the cooks to not only cook the food carefully but also to prepare the dishes quickly.

Fortunately, these cooks in the government office are not ordinary people.
Dare to cook official cuisine in this bustling place. The Governor, River Governor, Cao Governor, Chief Envoy, and Salt Transport Envoy were all accustomed to serving high officials. Even the imperial chariot had served him three times!

In terms of knowledge, these cooks are as good as half the officials in the capital.

In a word:

Although we are a cook, we have seen many important people. The prefect is nothing! We nodded and accepted your instructions, and then my nephew lit the lantern - as usual.

The chefs' expressions were as usual, they were neither impatient nor impetuous, and their knives were as good as flying, cooking a pot of heaven and earth.

The neurotic Magistrate Hu kept mumbling all kinds of contradictory and contradictory words.

Half an hour later, the head cook shouted: "Cooking."

Suddenly,

Chefs from all walks of life filed out with their own special dishes, their expressions calm and confident.

A clerk stood at the door and announced the name of the dish loudly:
“Stewed crab meat and lion’s head, large boiled dried shreds, white-robed shrimps, casserole wild duck, crystal meat, fresh bamboo shoot anchovy, Liangxi crispy eel, Zhuqiao soft-shell turtle soup~”

The group of people were probably really hungry, so they stopped blaming each other and started eating like crazy.

……

Li Shiyao gnawed the duck crazily, and Chongdao swallowed the lion's head.

As a close confidant of Chongdao, Duolong also had the opportunity to serve. He picked up a plate of white-robed shrimp and poured it directly into his mouth.

Three bites, a plate of shrimp.

Feeling the taste of fresh shrimps from Hongze Lake, I felt even more hungry.

So he pierced 10 pieces of meat with a chopstick, brought it to his mouth and pulled it, as if eating candied haws.

Yangzhou cooks who never panic are really panicking today.

The nobles are so miserable and they are not rewarded with silver coins. This script is wrong.

Qian Feng coughed awkwardly and waved his hand to retreat.

I also left silently~
He knows the sufferings of the people and what it feels like to be hungry, so he can understand their embarrassment.

This man is so hungry that he has no airs, education, or shame.

After going out, he told the cook:

"Serve some rice in a big bowl."

……

The cook was stunned for a moment, and then nodded solemnly, abandoning the usual small colorful enamel bowl and replacing it with a large white porcelain bowl that was more effective.

Li Shiyao took the rice bowl and silently started to eat.

At the same time, the chopsticks reached towards the plate of Liangxi crispy eel~the boneless eel strips were soaked in the soup, crystal clear, and it looked very delicious at first sight.

Snap, the two pairs of chopsticks collided together.

Li Shiyao raised his head and his eyes collided with Chongdao's.

"Li Shiyao, you colluded with the traitor chiefs and betrayed the Qing Dynasty."

"Chongdao, you are an unreliable and shameless piece of shit. You just want to shirk the responsibility for losing the city and pass the blame."

"Naizu, do you know how to write about integrity? You are the grandson of the second official appointed by the emperor!"

……

Li Shiyao was angered and his ancestors should not be insulted.

Throwing the rice bowl in his hand hard, it hit Chongdao right on the bridge of his nose.

Chongdao had a nosebleed and shouted:
"Dolon, fuck him."

Doron quickly poured the food in the bowl into his mouth, stretched his hands under the table, and lifted it.

The entire Eight Immortals table turned over, and Li Shiyao on the opposite side was pressed under the table, struggling like a turtle.

Qian Feng heard the noise and rushed over. He was stunned and yelled:
"Haidu Tong!"

(End of this chapter)