Chapter 37: Lao Zhu's Lunch
The three ice thieves quickly stole a basin of ice from the Prince's Mansion.
Although Zhu Yunhuan had clearly stated that one piece was enough, the three children, eager to make a contribution, thought that since they had finally had the chance to steal, they had to steal a whole pot.
So, after witnessing the prism experiment, the children of the Omotodo also got to experience a rare coolness in advance.
After seeing the seven colors of light refracted by the prism, Qi Tai had a new understanding of the "blue sky" mentioned by Zhu Yunhuan.
He asked about a few more points of knowledge and after gaining a certain understanding of the atmosphere, he made an appointment with Zhu Yunhuan to find time to discuss it in detail after class. He then continued his teaching process, calling on students one by one to check their homework and assign new homework.
During this period, except for giving them fifteen minutes to solve physiological problems, there was basically no rest.
The morning passed quickly, and finally it was time for the students' happiest lunch.
Mr. Zhu was very considerate of his children and reserved an hour and a half for them to eat.
This allows them to not only play but also take a nap after lunch.
Zhu Yunhuan was also looking forward to the meal.
He didn't know if it was because of the time travel or if his body was just not in good condition, but he always felt very hungry.
I had already had a feast at Lao Zhu's in the morning, but I was still hungry before noon.
There is a special room in the main hall for the princes to have lunch, and the food is very rich.
Not only did each prince and grandson have a dedicated dining table, but they also thoughtfully placed a large table in the middle to hold some food, fruits, and the like.
Zhu Yunhuan was also assigned a table and a meal representing his status as the emperor's grandson.
Half a roast goose, stir-fried meat with bamboo shoots, stir-fried lamb, stir-fried leeks and several other side dishes.
There is only one bowl of rice, but there is a basin on the big table, so you can always get more if it is not enough.
Zhu Yunhuan stretched his neck to take a look at other people's meals. They were not much different from his own. Even if there was a difference, it was only in the number of side dishes. But for a main dish like roast goose, each person could basically get half a goose.
It’s just the size of the roast goose, so it’s impossible to make them the same size.
Some people get a bigger share, and some get a smaller share.
Seeing that he was not being abused, Zhu Yunhuan ate his meal in peace.
However, just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, he saw Zhu Gui waving at him.
"Nephew, come eat with Uncle Thirteen!"
The children who were eating lunch nearby all cast envious glances at him when they heard Prince Yu Zhu Gui greet Zhu Yunhuan. As for Zhu Yunwen, he was almost going crazy with jealousy.
Because Zhu Gui was a prince and had a mansion outside the palace, the meals he ate every day were all custom-made from restaurants outside the palace, and the taste was many times better than that in the palace!
As for the food in the palace, except for the imperial meals, it would be considered good if everyone else’s food could be cooked well.
Zhu Yunhuan was a man who knew how to appreciate favors. When he saw Zhu Gui calling him, he immediately stood up and sat over.
Moreover, when he passed by Zhu Zhi, he saw Zhu Zhi's face full of envy, so he mentioned it to Zhu Gui and asked him to call Zhu Zhi over as well.
Zhu Gui was very considerate and waved to Zhu Zhi.
When Zhu Zhi saw that Zhu Gui had indeed called him, he immediately came over happily. After thanking Zhu Gui, he also did not forget to thank Zhu Yunhuan.
When Zhu Gui and Zhu Yunhuan heard Zhu Zhi's thanks, they just smiled knowingly, and everything was said without words.
The reason why Zhu Yunhuan called Zhu Zhi over was mainly to help him.
Zhu Gui was about to be enfeoffed, and Zhu Zhi was the most likely competitor to become the little tyrant of the Dabentang.
Otherwise, why would he be willing to be Zhu Gui's lackey and try so hard to curry favor with Zhu Gui?
The reason why he did this was because he had the idea that "he could be replaced".
Zhu Gui also understood Zhu Zhi's thoughts, so when Zhu Yunhuan proposed it, he agreed after a little hesitation.
On the one hand, it was to give face to Zhu Yunhuan, and on the other hand, he wanted to curry favor with Zhu Zhi and let him treat his younger brother Zhu Tan well in the future.
While they were having lunch in the main hall, Lao Zhu was also preparing lunch and had invited officials from the six ministries to join him.
Being treated to a meal by the emperor is a great honor.
But they were a little confused. Today was not a festival, so why did the emperor invite them to dinner?
After the eunuch served the dishes, the six ministers stretched their necks in anticipation and looked at the emperor's lunch.
A roast goose, braised lamb head and feet, a plate of lamb tripe with salty drum mustard, lamb bones with Yuan sauce, lamb with minced pepper, kidney with spicy vinegar, lamb crystal horns, and a dozen plates of vegetarian dishes, such as green vegetables and tofu, leeks and eggs, and stir-fried bean sprouts.
To be honest, this food is considered pretty good among ordinary people. Many ordinary people may not be able to eat such good food during the Chinese New Year.
But for the six ministers, this food was even worse than the canteen in their yamen.
At the very least, the combination of meat and vegetables is unreasonable. The imperial kitchen in the palace is trying to squeeze as much out of a sheep as possible, but they are reluctant to even cook a fish?
Old Zhu picked up a bowl of fragrant rice, took a few gulps, and finished half of the bowl. Seeing that no one was eating yet, he couldn't help but urge them to eat more.
"Don't just stand there, eat quickly!"
When everyone heard what Lao Zhu said, they all started eating. But compared to Lao Zhu's wolfing down of food, their movements were much more elegant.
Moreover, unlike Lao Zhu's way of eating as if no one was around, they had to pay attention to Lao Zhu's movements and observe his facial expression while eating.
Therefore, the meal was somewhat boring and even a little depressing.
However, they soon discovered the "bright spot". They found that His Majesty the Emperor was actually picking up rice grains that fell on the table!
This is a rare opportunity to flatter the Emperor. If you do it well, it will definitely make His Majesty very happy.
Minister of Rites Zhao Mian was the first to stand up and praise.
"Your Majesty is so rich, yet This is a blessing for our Ming Dynasty and the people!"
With the Minister of Rites opening , things went much more smoothly for those who followed.
"Your Majesty is the ruler of the country, yet you are still so frugal. This really makes me ashamed..."
"Your Majesty, you don't have to be too hard on yourself. This year, our Ministry of Revenue has a lot of money in reserve, which is enough for the palace's expenses. Woo woo woo..."
"Your Majesty's act of picking up rice grains should be painted by an artist and spread to the world so that all the subjects can learn from it..."
Some play the good guy, some play the bad guy, and some cry and play the emotional card. In short, there are many types.
Old Zhu spoke only after they had finished speaking.
"My dear ministers, even the common people know that every meal should be appreciated. Every thread should be cherished."
"You are in the government, so you should always keep this in mind, so as not to disappoint the people's trust and live up to the high position we give you!"
When the ministers heard this, their eyes lit up immediately.
Every meal should be appreciated as it is not easy to come by. Every piece of silk should be appreciated as it is not easy to produce.
Good job!
Your Majesty, what you said will become a famous saying for all time!
"Your Majesty, what you said makes a lot of sense. I suggest you print it in the official newspaper so that all the people in the world can learn from it!"
"I second the motion!"
"I second this motion!"
"I have another suggestion. Your Majesty can write these words by hand and carve them into stone as a memorial in the canteens of government offices in all prefectures of Ming Dynasty to warn those who eat the emperor's salary..."
