Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 53

Chapter 53 Conspiracy New Year’s Eve
Sure enough, the two women were attracted by Lu Zhen’s question. They glanced at each other and then shook their heads gently. This was their first time eating hotpot, so how could they know who invented it?

“Actually, this hotpot isn’t too far from us. It was said that the hot pot was created by the Tartars during their expedition to the East and the West because of the need for battle. Think about it, the two armies need to bury the pot to make food, but Tartars don’t need to be so troublesome now. As long as you put the pot on fire and put the meat and vegetables inside, you will be able to eat a full meal. And our army in the Central Plains hasn’t cooked yet. They are hungry and have no strength. How can we fight them? “That’s why the Tartars have taken over my great country over time.”

Before Chu Yunrong could say anything, Cuimei on the other side had already blinked and nodded repeatedly, “So that’s what happened. It makes sense to think like this …”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense. He’s boasting!” However, Chu Yunrong had already recovered her senses. She snorted and even glanced at Lu Zhen with a hateful expression, “I haven’t learned anything else in the past few months, but I’ve learned to deceive others.” Even she did not realize that after a meal, her relationship with Lu Zhen seemed to be much closer.

“Why am I lying?” Lu Zhen revealed an aggrieved expression, “I’ve been asking about this from the people who have been dealing with Dazi. Not only is it this hotpot, there is also a boiled mutton with it. It was also created by Dazi, and I heard that it was invented by Kublai Khan during the war.”

Without waiting for them to ask further, Lu Zhen automatically explained, “It’s said that a great war is about to start, but Dazi hasn’t eaten yet, but time is running out.” So Kublai Khan cut the lamb into thin slices with a knife and cooked it in a pot. When he saw that this method was good, he asked the three armies to cook like this. As a result, Dazi quickly finished his meal and fought with the other party. “This is all true. How can I lie?”

“Mutton can still be eaten like this?” Although Cuimei’s stomach was already full of food, his eyes still flashed with anticipation when he heard those words. If he looked at it in the future, he would definitely be a foodie.

Lu Zhen nodded solemnly, “Of course, and this mutton instant pot is very delicious. If you want to try it, I will prepare some next time.”

“Good! Good!” Cuimei immediately clapped his hands in delight. Only after Chu Yunrong coughed did he realize his rudeness. He hurriedly stuck out his tongue and stopped talking. Truth be told, after discovering that the relationship between her young miss and her uncle had improved a lot, the happiest one was her.

However, Chu Yunrong is still taking it seriously, “Then according to your opinion, the Tartars are invincible because of this hotpot. Then why did they escape back to the grasslands after being beaten by our Great Ancestor Emperor?”

“Well …” Lu Zhen thought to himself, “Why are you acting like a child and trying to make things so clear?” However, his mind did not slow down. “This is because the hot pot was later grasped by the people of the Central Plains. Secondly, it was because Dazi and the others lost their habits after taking down the Central Plains and stopped eating hot pot. That’s why they were finally beaten back to the grasslands by our Great Ancestor Emperor!”

Seeing that he actually explained Dazi’s success and failure in such a way, Chu Yunrong was both angry and funny, but in the end, she still burst out laughing, “I’m not going to tell you anymore. I’m too full, I have to go for a walk.” As he spoke, his face flushed red again, but he remembered his loss of manners just now. He was a little embarrassed, so he could only get up and leave, in order to avoid further embarrassment.

This time, Cuimei did not leave with him. Instead, he tidied up the table. Lu Zhen saw that it was not good for a little girl to tidy herself up by herself, but she just stood by and watched, so he also helped.

When Cuimei saw this, he immediately became a little anxious, “Master, don’t do this. Just let this servant come.”

‘”It’s fine, I can help you clean it up faster,” Lu Zhen said with disapproval. As he spoke, several dishes were swiftly folded up, and his movements were even more agile than Cuimei’s.

Under Lu Zhen’s insistence, Cuimei could not persuade him, but in the end, he could only speed up, but his heart was a little strange. In the courtyard, when Chu Yunrong saw this scene, she was also greatly surprised, “Why would he do this? This fellow is truly different from before …”

After tidying up the tables, Cui Mei refused to let Lu Zhen interfere in the dishwashing work. In the end, he could only go for a walk in the courtyard to digest his food. In fact, he had eaten too much for this meal. He had just tidied up the dishes for digestion.

The effects of the hotpot appeared at this time. Although it was very cold and the north wind was blowing towards him, Lu Zhen did not feel the slightest bit of coldness. Instead, he felt rather comfortable.

However, thinking that it was New Year’s Eve, he felt that the surroundings were too quiet. Yes, it was quiet. There were only a few sporadic sounds of firecrackers. It was quite different from the lively New Year festival that he had imagined.

Previously, Lu Zhen had also asked the people in the yamen about the situation in the county during the Spring Festival. According to what they said, it was much more lively, especially the Zheng Clan. Every New Year’s Eve, they would invite a theatrical troupe to sing for several days without saying anything, and they would even set off firecrackers for several nights. But tonight, all of this had disappeared.

After thinking for a moment, he understood that Zheng Fu was still in prison, and the entire Zheng Clan probably felt panicked and uneasy. How could they celebrate like before?

“This is also good. At the very least, it will protect the environment!” Lu Zhen found a reason to comfort himself …

@ @ @ @

At this moment, the Zheng Clan’s mansion was completely different from before. Not only was it very quiet, there weren’t even a few candles lit. It looked dark and extremely oppressive.

Only in one of the side halls did a lot of candles light up, illuminating everything in the hall. This was because the old man, Zheng Hai, was sitting there, drinking tea uneasily.

He had been here for half a day and had changed his tea three or four times, but the person he was waiting for had not returned yet. This caused Zheng Hai’s heart to become more and more uneasy, and he even got up and started to walk to calm his mind.

It wasn’t until two shifts later that a housekeeper hurriedly rushed over, “Old Master.”

“How is it? Have you seen anyone?” Zheng Hai didn’t care about etiquette anymore and hurriedly asked.

“The little one waited outside the barracks for several hours before being let in after dark.” The man replied bitterly.

“Hmph, then Xiao Mo clearly saw that something was going to happen to our Zheng Clan, so he had such an attitude.” Zheng Hai said angrily, “Have you seen him?”

“Yes, I’ve also reported to President Xiao what Old Master told me to say.”

“Then what is his attitude?” Zheng Hai narrowed his eyes and asked.

“He only said that he knew …” The steward whispered, “I really can’t see what he’s thinking.”

“Hmph, this fellow has some skill in pretending, but this matter is absolutely true. I think he will definitely take it to heart and make corresponding preparations.” As the old man spoke, he coughed softly.

However, after pondering for a while, he still felt a little worried, “It seems like we can’t just rely on Xiao Mo. We have to think of other ways!” As he spoke, a strange light flashed in his eyes, as if he had thought of something even more vicious.

@ @ @ @

Compared to the loneliness of the Zheng Clan, the military camp, which had always been well-disciplined, was now in a state of uproar. As soon as they got closer, they could hear waves of shouts, the sound of wine bowls colliding, and one or two loud or small shouts from time to time.

Alcohol and gambling had always been forbidden in the army, but today was New Year’s Eve, so these bans were lifted temporarily. Therefore, the barracks were filled with drinking, gambling, and clamoring. If they did not know, they would only treat this place as a pirate’s den.

However, Xiao Mo didn’t have the mood to enjoy himself with his brothers at this time. He was frowning as he thought about what the Zheng steward had told him just now, “Then Lu Zhen actually left for Datong on the sixth day of the first year? If he took this opportunity to report this matter, I’m afraid …”

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy Xiao Ba felt in his heart. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, “In order to prevent future troubles, this is the only way! Someone, go and call Cui Liu over.”

The QinBing naturally didn’t dare to neglect President’s words. In a short moment, Cui Liu, who had been drinking until his face was completely red, staggered over to him and said, “May I know what orders you have?”

“Are you familiar with all the paths from here to Datong?” Xiao Mo looked at his most capable scout captain and asked without circling around.

“This is not a lowly boast. I remember all the paths in my mind. I know even the most remote mountain paths.” As he spoke, he burped violently.

Xiao Mo nodded his head, “Then on the fifth day of the middle school, you brought fifty people out and held onto these important roads. As long as you encounter people from the county government, you will kill them without hesitation!”

“Ah?” He hadn’t expected his boss to give such an order, causing Cui Liu to be shocked. The alcohol had already dissipated by more than half, “What are you doing, boss?”

“There’s no need to ask anything else. Just do as I say.” Xiao Mo waved his hand and ordered with a calm face.

Cui Liu didn’t dare to ask any more questions, so he could only agree in a low voice.

After sending him off, Xiao Mo heaved a long sigh of relief, “Although things might get a little troublesome, it’s better than letting him go to Datong. Also, the Zheng family has to think of a way to get rid of them, or else it will be a big disaster in the end.”

On New Year’s Eve, Lu Zhen only wanted to dispel the loneliness in his heart, but the enemies on his left and right had already started plotting against him.

However, regardless of whether it was warmth or conspiracy, this was still the last day and night of the eight years of Great Ming Orthodoxy.

As time pa. S.sed, it finally became a new day, a new year–

The first day of the first month of the ninth year of the Great Ming Orthodoxy had arrived!

@ @ @ @

Forget it’s a new Monday, so ask for a recommendation or something. . . . .