King of Song

Chapter 22 The Counterattack of Sichuan Cuisine
Bianjing is located in the hinterland of the Central Plains, on the bank of the Yellow River, and is an ancient city with a long history of thousands of years.

In the Spring and Autumn Period, Zheng Zhuanggong built a granary city here, and named it Qifeng after the meaning of "opening up and sealing the frontier".During the Warring States Period, King Wei Hui moved his capital here and renamed it Daliang.In the Han Dynasty, in order to avoid the name of Emperor Jing Liu Qi, the name was changed to Kaifeng.

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world was in turmoil, and the emperors of the Central Plains changed like a lantern. In the Five Dynasties, Liang, Tang, Jin, Han and Zhou, four dynasties established their capitals in Bianjing.Zhao Kuangyin still used this as his capital after adding the yellow robe. Although it was rumored that he intends to move the capital to Luoyang, it's a pity that the candle shadow turned red and died for no apparent reason.Kaifeng is the place where the new emperor Zhao Er lived, so the move of the capital was permanently put on hold.

Bianjing is located on the plain of Yimapingchuan. From the perspective of military defense, it has an absolute disadvantage.But in terms of transportation, especially water and water transportation, it has unique convenience.

The Bian River, Wuzhang River (Guangji River), Cai River (Huimin River), and Jinshui River are collectively known as the Bianjing Four Canals, which are connected to the Yellow River, Huai River, and other densely populated rivers to form a huge network of canals.The money, food and wealth of the Jianghuai River were continuously sent to Bianjing through the canal.Among them, the Bianhe River is the main one. It is no exaggeration to say that the Bianhe River is the lifeline of Bianjing.

Willows are planted on both sides of the Bian River. In summer, there is a gentle breeze, and it is really beautiful to dance with the wind.When the boat was sailing on the river, suddenly there was a big bridge lying in front of it. The bridge had no pillars, and it was all framed by giant trees and decorated with dandelion, just like a flying rainbow.After Gu Yuelun saw it, she couldn't help admiring her repeatedly. Lin Zhao smiled, she was a little girl who had never been out.

Meng Ruoying introduced: "Its shape is like a rainbow, so it is called Hongqiao." When the boat passed under the bridge, Lin Zhao raised his head and looked forward. The tall city wall had already appeared in his vision, and this was the capital of the Song Dynasty.

"The outer city of Bianjing has a radius of more than forty miles, and the population in the city exceeds one million..." Meng Ruoying introduced that the boat was already approaching the east wall of Bianjing.

The Bian River passes through the city and flows out from the Dongshui Gate in the southeast corner, from which ships can enter the city directly, which is much more convenient.Of course, there are iron-wrapped windows and doors installed on the water gate across the river, so that at night or in case of war, it hangs down from the water to ensure safety.

After entering the city, there are row upon row of houses on both sides of the bank, many shops, and people coming and going.Standing at the bow of the boat, what Lin Zhao thought of was the famous painting - "A Picture of Rising the River during the Qingming Festival". Isn't it the scene in front of him?

Not far after passing the temporary bridge, the speed of the boat slowed down significantly, because the Xiangguosi Bridge in front was low and unnavigable, so most of the large ships entering the city chose to dock at the pier here.

Coming all the way by boat, I have not touched the ground for more than a month, and the feeling of going ashore is quite different.Meng Ruoying has been here many times, and she is quite familiar with this. Gu Yuelun kept rolling her eyes, looking around, and her youngest daughter's expression was fully revealed.Lin Zhao smiled lightly, and finally stepped into the center of this era...

When she was about to inquire about the address of Meng Ruoying's store, she saw a man in his fifties approaching him with a smile and a warm greeting: "Miss, this old slave has been waiting here for a long time!"

Meng's Restaurant is not too far from the pier. A letter has been delivered before, and the arrival date is no more than three to five days. Therefore, people are guarding the pier every day, so that they can be greeted as soon as possible.Today, the clerk saw it from a distance, so he notified the shopkeeper to come and greet him.

"Uncle Gao, please come here in person!"

"It should be!" Nodding and bowing while speaking, respectful and flattering.Lin Zhao thought to himself, he must have been an old servant of the Meng family for many years... It's just that he was too enthusiastic.

"Lin Zhao..." Meng Ruoying interrupted his thoughts, and introduced, "This is Gundam, Uncle Gao, the shopkeeper of Meng's restaurant!"

"Uncle Gao, be polite!" Lin Zhao agreed with a smile.

Meng Ruoying said: "This is Mr. Lin Zhaolin, the partner of the Meng family, and this is Mr. Lin's cousin, Ms. Gu!"

"I've met Mr. Lin and Ms. Gu!" Gao Gao looked respectful, but he didn't know how many muddy horses were rushing past... His news was not closed, and he knew that Lin Zhao and Gu Yuelun were just two servants of the Meng family, far inferior to him , riding on his head in a blink of an eye.And according to the gossip, the two came here this time with bad intentions...

Lin Zhao, however, was delighted. It felt good to turn himself into a slave and become the master. At least the title was improved a few grades, and the treatment naturally went without saying.

Son!Well, I like it!

Gao Da said: "Mr. Lin, the two ladies, the driver is ready, please go!"

The three of them walked out of the pier, and sure enough there were three carriages waiting by the side of the road, and the carts were all really not good horses.Lin Zhao fully understood this. The Song Dynasty lost the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, and the northwest was occupied by Xixia, so there was a serious shortage of land for raising horses.

Only the good horses are basically equipped for the cavalry, and most of the people used by the people are eliminated poor horses, or inferior horses from Sichuan and Yunnan.Such a treatment from Gundam is considered very good...

Meng Ruoying and Gu Yuelun were in the same car, so Lin Zhao naturally went with He Gaoda.Along the way, Gao Da continued to point out: "That is Zhouqiao, which is not far from Xiangguo Temple. It is a prosperous place in Bianjing. On the west side of the bridge are Jia's gourds, Sun Haoshou steamed buns, and Baokang on the west side of the street. The characters on the door tiles are all famous shops in Bianjing, if Mr. Lin is interested, you can go shopping if you have nothing to do..."

"Hmm!" Lin Zhao felt more and more that the shopkeeper Gao was a little too polite...

Gao Da continued, "Following the city wall to the east, there are mostly hotels and restaurants, where officials and merchants from the south often stay..."

After walking for a while, Gao Da smiled and said, "Here we are!"

Uh... so close?Then why bother with a carriage?Wouldn't it be better to come here on foot?Lin Zhao muttered, looking up, he happened to see the word "Ruyi Restaurant". This is the Meng family's restaurant in Bianjing!
Gao Da politely invited Meng Ruoying and Lin Zhao to enter. A group of assistants had already been waiting at the door to welcome the eldest lady...

Lin Zhao took a closer look and understood the reason why Gao Da was overly attentive.Ruyi Restaurant is not far from Bianhezhou Bridge and Xiangguo Temple. It can be said that it is in the bustling city center of Bianjing, surrounded by officials and merchants. Such a good location should be a hot business... But what I see now But there are few people, even the colorful building at the entrance to welcome guests is dilapidated, and I don't know how to clean it up. Could it be that the pots are broken?

Although Meng Ruoying knew that the restaurant's business was sluggish, she never expected it to be so serious, and she couldn't help being disappointed.At the same time, I also felt that I had lost face in front of Lin Zhao and Gu Yuelun, and my complexion became darker...

Gao Da's heart skipped a beat, the thing he was most worried about happened...

Meng Ruoying said lightly: "You all go to work, Uncle Gao, you stay!"

All the guys knew it well, and each of them disappeared in an instant as if they had been pardoned...

Gao Da smiled and led the three of them into a private room in the back house, which was the residence he had prepared for Miss Meng.

"Miss please!"

Meng Ruoying's face was cold, she walked in and sat down, Gao Da hurriedly ordered someone to serve tea, while Lin Zhao looked at the interior furnishings and prepared to read a joke!

"Uncle Gao, why has the business of the restaurant reached this point?" Meng Ruoying asked lightly, with a hint of dissatisfaction in her words.

Gundam had already expected such a day, yes!I can hide from the first day of the junior high school but not the fifteenth day, so I had to bite the bullet and say: "Miss, the old slave is not doing well, and the old slave is guilty! It's just..."

Lin Zhao smiled inwardly. It really was this rhythm. First admit your mistake, and then find a bunch of objective reasons to justify, or even prevaricate.

Gao Da hesitated: "Miss, you also know that there are so many restaurants in Bianjing, the most important thing is undoubtedly the taste of the dishes and the taste of the wine! Since Master Bai, who was hired at a high price last year, left, the taste of the dishes has been greatly reduced, and the guests don't buy it. ... As for the drinks, although they are top-grade, they are not as good as Fanlou, Rendian, and Baifanlou on Maxing Street..."

"So it is!" Meng Ruoying said, "I can't blame you for this, Lin Zhao, what do you think?"

"Ah!" Lin Zhao responded, "The location of the restaurant is excellent, but the management is not good. If the problem is only in the dishes and drinks, then it will be easy to handle!"

"What are you going to do?" Meng Ruoying asked.

Lin Zhaodao: "It's very simple, close the door for rectification, and reopen after a new decoration!"

"Uh..." Gao Da said, "Is it effective? The shopkeeper of the Alum Building came to me a few days ago to inquire about the transfer, and the price he offered was not bad. Miss, do you want to think about it?"

"Transfer?" Lin Zhao said angrily, "You want to hand over such a treasured land to someone else? What's your intention? How much did you get from the other party?"

"Uh..." Gao Da suddenly said kindly, "Miss, you know, the old slave has been in the Meng family for many years, and he is loyal!"

"Lin Zhao!" Meng Ruoying interrupted with scolding eyes, and said instead: "Uncle Gao, you already know all of this, don't worry! But don't talk about the transfer, I invited Mr. Lin and Ms. Gu here this time , in order to revive the restaurant. Lin Zhao, just say what to do!"

"Within two days, I will come up with a reform plan, just do it in an orderly manner." Lin Zhaodao: "Of course, the initial investment is indispensable. The cousin is here for the dishes, so Ms. Meng should have nothing to worry about. Right? As for the drinks, I'll think of a way... By the way, hurry up and find some more wine jars, the ones we brought will definitely not be enough..."

"En!" Meng Ruoying nodded and said, "Go ahead and do it! Uncle Gao, just listen to Mr. Lin's arrangement first!"

"Uh, okay!" Gundam was filled with displeasure, and was instantly emptied out. The visitor was really not kind!

"By the way, change the name of the restaurant! The previous one was too tacky!" Lin Zhao added temporarily.

Meng Ruoying nodded and said, "That's fine, but what should I change it to?"

Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "There are a lot of southerners here, and it is close to the Bian River. It's an important place for traveling from south to north. I just saw that there are quite a few southern restaurants on the street!"

"That's true. Sichuan rice is quite popular in Bianjing, but it's not the mainstream!" Gao Da added.

Lin Zhaodao: "It is attractive only if it has its own characteristics. If not, we mainly focus on southern food... The restaurant is called 'Jiangnan Ju'. I want to play a counterattack of Sichuan cuisine and make Sichuan cuisine popular in Bianjing!"

----------------------

PS: Sichuan rice in the Song Dynasty is not specific, but a general guide to the flavor of the country!

(End of this chapter)