Chapter Ninety-Five: Does It Suit Your Taste?

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The creator of Dongpo pork, Su Shi, was a renowned ci poet of the Song Dynasty, and his achievements in literature established him as a towering master of the art. At the same time, he was accomplished in other fields as well. However, aside from being forced to memorize his ci poems as a child, what Jiang Wen cared about most was this great foodie! After retiring from official life, Su Shi began to let himself go and became a gourmand. "Dongpo pork." It was a famous delicacy.

Lifting the lid of the clay pot, a puff of white steam rose into the air. The Dongpo pork within had already taken on a fine color—braised to a glossy red, the sauce coating its surface glistening like crystal. Though the layers of fat and lean were clearly distinct, each ridge gleamed with a bright, enticing sheen. The aroma of meat was intermingled with the scent of star anise.

This was a dish Jiang Wen loved. In the past, enmeshed in the official world and常年 campaigning with the army, he had never had the energy to pursue such things. Now that he had become a local land god, he finally had time to settle down and become a "great glutton." The sauce at the bottom of the pot was still bubbling. Although Su Dongpo's braised meat had completely absorbed the sauce, Jiang Wen felt that leaving a little behind for dipping would enhance the flavor even more!

Niu Yi twitched his nose, and Er Gouzi beside him also twitched his own. "What's that smell?" "Big brother, it smells amazing!"

Diao Chan wrapped herself in cloth; a beauty fresh from her bath was most alluring. Soaking in warm water was addictive—once you sank in, you never wanted to get up, your whole body immersed in that skin-tingling, relaxing warmth. But what had made Diao Chan rise so quickly was not boredom with her bath, but a fragrant aroma she had caught. She couldn't help feeling a little hungry. "Xiao Shu, is the mistress cooking again? Xiao Shu?"

Diao Chan's skin was as fragrant as jade, her long black hair soft and silky. After changing into fresh clothes, she stepped out of her room. A lamp was lit in the kitchen, and Xiao Shu was crouching by the window, peeking inside. Diao Chan walked up behind Xiao Shu and suddenly patted her on the shoulder. Xiao Shu's body gave a start, and she turned to see Diao Chan, pouting as she said, "Miss!" "Is the mistress cooking something delicious?" Diao Chan smiled radiantly, her smile like a bright moon—pure, gentle, and exceptionally immaculate. Xiao Shu puffed out her lips, while Diao Chan peered inside through a hole in the window screen.

Dongpo pork was a great challenge for those who couldn't eat fatty meat, but it was truly fatty without being greasy. When the fat entered your mouth and blended with the lean meat, it created an entirely different texture. Paired with the sweet and salty richness of the meat jus, every bite made one's mouth water.

Jiang Wen picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the Dongpo pork. The meat was incredibly tender, perfectly sealing the juices within. The moment you bit down, the liquid burst forth, giving his tongue a moment of pure bliss! The flavor of the meat spread across his tongue—rich, fragrant, and utterly delightful!

As Jiang Wen enjoyed his meal, the two outside the house could only swallow their saliva again and again, staring dryly, looking utterly pitiful... "Miss, the dish the master made seems really delicious. Have you ever seen it, miss?" "No, but this rich aroma of meat—I've never smelled anything like it..." In the roaring stove there was still boiling water. Jiang Wen took out some plain noodles from the side, added a few pinches of salt and some scallions into a bowl, and made a simple bowl of plain noodles. "If you two are so tempted, why not come in and eat?" Jiang Wen said with a smile, looking toward the window. Diao Chan immediately turned away, while Xiao Shu grinned and said, "Master, do I get some too?" Jiang Wen said, "Of course. There's so much here and only me to eat it—I couldn't finish it all even if I wanted to." Xiao Shu's eyes lit up with joy and she went straight inside, finding bowls and chopsticks with practiced ease. Diao Chan bent her willow-like waist slightly, her delicate cheeks flushed red, lowering her head shyly. Her eyes were sparkling and moist, almost bewitching, as she awkwardly bowed and said, "This concubine greets the master." "Since you're craving it, come in and join me. I happened to cook a lot," Jiang Wen said softly. "Thank you, master," Diao Chan said gratefully, then followed behind Jiang Wen. Xiao Shu quickly handed a pair of chopsticks and a bowl to Diao Chan. Although Jiang Wen had told her to eat, she still observed the rules of a servant, knowing she must not start before the master.

"Come, have a taste." Jiang Wen picked up a piece of Dongpo pork from the clay pot and placed it in Diao Chan's bowl. Diao Chan hesitated as she looked at the pork. Though its aroma was excellent, the appearance made her somewhat reluctant to lift her chopsticks. It looked a bit greasy. But glancing at Jiang Wen beside her, Diao Chan knew she had to eat it no matter what. The moment it touched her lips, she only took a small, delicate bite, her rosy lips enchanting. An exquisite flavor spread across her tongue. Such an exceptional taste immediately stirred Diao Chan's beautiful eyes. "Master, what meat is this?" "Pork." "Pork?!" Xiao Shu's chopsticks froze in midair, and suddenly she found it a little hard to swallow.

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Diao Chan had impeccable table manners—always taking small, gentle bites, reserved and elegant. After finishing one piece, she looked at Jiang Wen with hope in her eyes. "Master, I..." "Eat if you want to. Delicious food is only wasted if no one appreciates it." Diao Chan's smile spread lightly. She reached out with a hand as fair as lotus root, her eyes wandering over the clay pot as if searching for the most satisfying piece.

Pork was an extremely humble food, cheap in price. Xiao Shu could only recall having eaten pork once as a child. After that, she had never eaten it again. Many aristocratic scions had never even laid eyes on pork. But Xiao Shu knew that if her mistress was displeased with a dish, she would not touch her chopsticks again after a single bite. Yet now, although her mistress appeared reserved, the craving in her heart was unmistakable. The tantalizing aroma in the air kept stirring Xiao Shu's own appetite, and in the end she could not resist. She reached out with her chopsticks, picked up a piece, and placed it in her own bowl. Xiao Shu also took an experimental bite—and was immediately won over...

Diao Chan deliberated for a long while, then picked up a piece of Dongpo pork from her bowl. Her fair, jade-like arm trembled slightly, and there was a hint of shyness in her eyes. "This concubine will feed the master..." Jiang Wen was slightly taken aback. A beauty in her shyness—he felt only tenderness in his heart. He opened his mouth and ate the delicacy Diao Chan offered. Their eyes met, and a subtle affection began to grow between them. Xiao Shu crouched down, quietly snatched a few more pieces, went over to the pot to scoop a bowl of noodles, and then headed straight outside. By now it was dark, and outside was pitch black—so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Leaning against the kitchen, relying on the faint lamplight, Xiao Shu ate happily by herself.

Niu Yi and Er Gouzi gazed toward the house, standing by the roadside. Niu Yi's envy of the county magistrate grew ever stronger—food with such fragrant aroma, and a woman of such breathtaking beauty! It made him all the more impatient. "Have you gotten in touch with Zi Xiao?" Niu Yi said with a gloomy face. "It's all arranged. As soon as you give the word, big brother, Zi Xiao will definitely help you get rid of this magistrate!" Niu Yi nodded. Zi Xiao was a wandering swordsman who had once killed a village bully and fled. When he arrived in Fuchun County, Niu Yi and his father took him in. To repay that kindness, he had done some shady deeds for Niu Yi.

Tao'er was feeling a bit sulky today, sitting off to the side in low spirits, her delicate, lovely little face written all over with displeasure. Jiang Wen was beside her, chuckling as he tried to comfort her. "Young master invited sister, so why didn't you invite me?" "I came back late, and it just so happened that Diao Chan and Xiao Shu caught me while I was cooking. By then you were already asleep, and I didn't want to disturb you." Tao'er turned to face Jiang Wen directly, her eyes glistening, and said softly, "Then I want the young master to reward me!" Jiang Wen leaned in close to Tao'er, gently embracing her soft, delicate waist. Her sweet features and dainty nose kept drawing nearer. A fragrant tongue entered his mouth, and after a long moment they parted. Tao'er's face flushed crimson, her breath as gentle as orchid, leaning against Jiang Wen, too shy to speak. "Master, Li Er is back!" Jiang Wen lightly tapped Tao'er's dainty nose. "It must be time for us to go to Fuchun. Go get ready." At the door, Li Er was riding a carriage, with another one following behind. "Master, the mansion was half-cleaned yesterday but is already livable. Also, Yang Wu has followed your instructions and brought the land registers from all the regions." "Good work," Jiang Wen said. "Go call Lady Diao and Lady Tao out." "Yes!"

In Xiangyang, at Zhou Yu's residence, there was a lady of elegant bearing, composed and refined, with a smile gracing her face, while a handsome man with gentle features sat playing the zither together with Le Yao. As the final notes faded, Le Yao spoke: "Zhou Lang, your zither today carried a note of unease." "Today is the day the Son of Heaven leaves the city to go hunting at Xiangshui River. As a minister, it is only natural to worry," Zhou Yu said with a faint smile. Le Yao nodded. "Since Zhou Lang is unwilling to speak, Le Yao dares not press further." "Du!" The horn of the grand ceremony sounded. Rows of soldiers in full armor stood in orderly formation outside the city gates—a hundred thousand strong. Atop the city gate, Liu Xie and a group of elder Han ministers had been invited by Sun Ce to review the troops. Sun Ce stood at the gate, gazing upon the formation of a hundred thousand soldiers, his heart swelling with pride. Clad in armor, he drew the sword at his side and shouted, "Long live the Son of Heaven!" "Long live the Son of Heaven!!"

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"Long live the Son of Heaven!!" Every shout sent a tremor of fear through Liu Xie's heart, while the faces of the elder ministers darkened. Sun Ce laughed heartily and said, "Your Majesty, what do you think of my troops?" Liu Xie smiled and replied, "Their morale is mighty and their discipline is strict. That the armies of our Great Han can be like this is a testament to the Chancellor's excellent governance." Dong Cheng bowed to Sun Ce and said, "Chancellor, His Majesty has decreed that all rewards be kept simple. And since the Chancellor is still in mourning for the Marquis of Guanwu... is it truly appropriate to bring a hundred thousand troops?" "General of the Guards need not worry. Today I merely wished to let His Majesty witness the might of our brave army that will campaign against Yuan Shu. I also want His Majesty to know that rewards must not be limited to me alone!" "Is that not so, my soldiers?" "We dare not contend with the Chancellor for merit!" "We dare not contend with the Chancellor for merit!" "Hahaha, truly my fine soldiers!" Gan Ning stood off to the side with a sneer, occasionally sizing up Liu Xie and the elder ministers nearby. Wang Zifu's scalp tingled slightly—the gaze of that general was truly somewhat terrifying. "Your Majesty, the review of the troops has concluded. Would you be willing to attend the banquet?" Liu Xie nodded. "Then please go on ahead, my dear minister. General Dong will guide me—I shall follow shortly!" Sun Ce narrowed his eyes with a smile, made a bow, and said, "Then I beg Your Majesty's pardon for departing first!" Sun Ce turned and descended from the city gate, with Gan Ning and Zhou Tai following behind.

The Xiangshui River was a scenic sight—waterfalls and flowing springs, verdant pines and cypresses, dappled shade, thick green grass, and strange rocks scattered throughout the forest. The clear cascade splashed down upon the stones, leaving a thunderous roar in its wake. A rainbow of seven colors arched like a bridge of light. Setting aside the pleasant temperature that lifted one's spirits, the sheer beauty of the scenery was enough to make one linger and forget to leave. Beasts and birds drank lightly at the riverbank, then fled to other places once startled by the great army. The party arrived at a stretch of flat ground. Because the occasion was meant to be simple, not many officials had accompanied them—most were simply soldiers. This spot offered a panoramic view of the mountain scenery, with the grandeur of the waterfall in full display—a rare and precious viewpoint. Soldiers cleared away the weeds, swiftly preparing an open area, then laid down hemp cloth.

"Chancellor, not long ago a villager spotted an auspicious beast here. Legend says it has the head of a lion, the antlers of a deer, the eyes of a tiger, the body of a milu deer, the scales of a dragon, and the tail of an ox—the appearance of the legendary qilin!" "It is said that a qilin appeared before the birth of Confucius the Sage. The common folk also sing of it often—'When the qilin walks the world, a hundred calamities vanish from the earth.' Now that the realm upholds Confucian learning, does that not also reflect the blessings of the qilin?" Sun Ce smiled and said, "The qilin is an auspicious beast that wards off a hundred disasters and cures a hundred ailments. If I could encounter one, that would truly be a blessing from heaven." Dong Cheng said slowly, "The qilin cures all maladies. This time, I also hope that His Majesty might encounter the qilin, so that it might cure his lingering ailment at the root." "I wonder what illness the Son of Heaven suffers from, that General Dong is so preoccupied with it." "In these times, rebels rise one after another across the realm. The Son of Heaven frets daily and has been unable to set his mind at ease of late. I wonder if the qilin might help His Majesty pacify this chaotic age—then His Majesty's ailment would be cured." Sun Ce pondered for a moment, then said, "His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, a child of the heavens above. Even without the qilin's protection, I believe that with the aid of capable ministers, His Majesty can pacify this troubled world even without the qilin!" Dong Cheng nodded appreciatively and said, "The Chancellor speaks most wisely. His Majesty is the supreme sovereign, naturally bearing the aspect of a divine dragon. Though the qilin's appearance this time does not favor His Majesty, there must be someone else it favors. I have observed countless able men throughout the court, but the one who can truly restore the Han for His Majesty is the Chancellor alone!" Dong Cheng secretly signaled to a soldier behind him. The soldier had been patrolling, but now he silently slipped away into the mountain forest nearby. Not far off, Gan Ning was cooling himself in the shade. He stretched lazily and noticed the soldier vanish into the dense woods, but he paid it no heed—merely continuing to gnaw on a leg of lamb. Zhou Tai stayed close to Sun Ce, warily keeping watch over their surroundings. Dong Cheng offered Sun Ce a cup of wine. After drinking it, Sun Ce narrowed his eyes and said, "Since the Son of Heaven established this victory feast, yet he still has not appeared, I wonder what business occupies His Majesty?" "The Son of Heaven is the supreme sovereign. He need not account for his actions to the Chancellor. Will the Chancellor drink more?" Dong Cheng leaned slightly forward, sitting straight and upright, and quietly took hold of the sword placed beside him. "At a time like this, plain wine and roasted meat don't quite appeal to me. Something feels missing," Sun Ce said with a smile. "I wonder if the General has something more to my taste to offer?" Rustling sounds began to emanate from the surrounding underbrush. Figures clad in black appeared, more and more of them, until they quickly surrounded the area. "Who are you? This man is the Chancellor of Han—stand down at once!" The soldiers accompanying Sun Ce drew their weapons, wary of these ill-intentioned intruders. "Chancellor, I wonder if this banquet now suits your taste?"

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