In a harmonious atmosphere, Zhao Wenhua began to read the imperial decree, first read the imperial decree of the sea sacrifice, the imperial decree dispatched Zhao Wenhua to preside over the sea sacrifice, cheaply, Jiangnan officials to cooperate, no error; then read the imperial decree of the inspection and supervision, the imperial decree dispatched Zhao Wenhua to inspect the defence of the Jiangnan, supervise the military affairs.
Zhao Wenhua read the decree, Zhang Jing led a group of officials to receive the decree.
After the imperial decree was read, the reception banquet began.
At the main table were Zhang Jing, Zhao Wenhua, He Zhenshou, Hu Zongxian, Duke Wei, Zhang Tiantai, and a host of other bigwigs.
Zhang Jing and Zhao Wenhua sat high on the double main seats.
Zhu Pingan sat at the neighbouring table, close enough that he could hear the wind at the main table clearly.
“Aiya, Governor Zhang also wants all the adults to be too polite, to be able to get your assistance in running errands, to be able to get to know all the pillars of the country here, it is actually enough, the reception banquet is not necessary, save the silver and use it for sea sacrifices and military affairs.”Zhao Wenhua was still unable to stop being polite inside his mouth as he took his seat.
“How can that be, not to mention that this is a thousand year old tradition, let’s just say that Lord Zhao has travelled all the way across the mountains, saddled up thousands of miles, if we don’t do a little bit of the host’s honour to receive the banquet for the Lord, how can we still have the face to see the world.”
The officials at the main table said one after another.
“Ai, there are so many of you, I can’t say anything about you, but the delicacies of the mountains and the sea are not necessary, a crude tea and rice would be fine.”
Zhao Wenhua helplessly shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Because the meal had been prepared long ago, the meal was soon on the table ……
Zhu Pingan sat in a position that was just opposite Zhao Wenhua and could see Zhao Wenhua’s facial expression.
Zhu Pingan clearly saw Zhao Wenhua’s face darken for a moment after the meal was served, before he forced a smile.
Because the table on the meal is not coarse tea, but are home cooking, braised tofu, boiled peanuts, cold three silk, cold seaweed, cold lotus root, vinegar white woad, leeks scrambled eggs, four happy balls, steamed meat, dry fried small river fish plus a large pot of spinach and egg soup, the tea is also the ordinary aged tea …….
For Zhao Wenhua, who has been on a journey of delicacies, this table of food is really a crude tea.
In fact, the Ministry of Ceremonies officials at first planned really rare delicacies, but Governor Zhang Jing dismissed it.
The last time to meet the Chinamen, too much pomp and circumstance, Zhang Jing is very disapproving, all this silver to reward the generals, buy food and grass it does not smell good? However, at that time, Zhang Jing was only the Secretary of the Ministry of War, despite disapproval there is no way.
Now different, now Zhang Jing is the governor of Jiangnan, high-powered, speak in the Jiangnan boundary almost a word, naturally change course, reduce the standard of hospitality, the money will be saved out to spend on military expenses.
“Cough cough, are some unusual rough tea and light meal, some shabby, but also please Lord Zhao considerate then a ……”The main seat of the Ministry of Ceremonies Secretary Huang Taishu before drinking face red, embarrassed cough, the bottom said.
The truth is that these meals really can not take the hand, but there is no way, this is the Governor Zhang personally explained.
“Oh, Huang adult this is not true, this meal is not rough tea and rice, eggs are also chicken, small river fish is also fish well, there are also meatballs, steamed meat, this is chicken and fish and meat, ordinary people can not afford to eat such a rough tea and rice, ordinary people can have a scrambled eggs is a festival.”Zhao Wenhua smiled and shook his head.
Huang Shangshu sniffed, his face turned even redder, eggs are also chicken, and small river fish are also fish …….Hearing it was really bashful.
The reception banquet to welcome the imperial envoy is this kind of food, if it is spread out, by the capital’s colleagues in the Ministry of Rites heard, I do not know how to ridicule it. Alas, a world of fame ah, ruined in a meal.
Huang Shangshu already thought of going to the capital to report his duties in the coming year, the scene of being made fun of.
“Huang Shangshu why need to make this appearance, I’m not joking, but the truth, this official from the capital all the way here, this way thousands of miles away, all the way to see more than the people’s plight, the small people suffering and starving, deeply touched. Especially into the boundaries of Shandong, and to Jiangnan, due to the Japanese attack, the people’s lives are more difficult. This meal is a feast that they wouldn’t dare to think of even in the New Year. So ah, this meal is not shabby at all, save the silver for the sea, for military affairs, early extermination of Japanese invaders, the people to peace, good steel is to be used on the edge of the knife is good. This is a very good, very good, received the official heart, washed to the heart of the official. A good official who thinks about the people should be like this. Later on, I will write a letter to the saint to properly praise the clean and honest Huang Shangshu for the people.”
Zhao Wenhua said with a serious face, praising Huang Shangshu greatly and vowing to write a letter to the saint praising Huang Shangshu’s cleanliness.
Huang Shangshu heard, first was surprised eyes are almost out, then overjoyed, the corners of the mouth can not stop rising up, coughed a cough, only to suppress the laughter, waving his hands, fake excuses, “cough cough, Your Excellency Zhao can sympathise with the difficulties in enough, this petition praising this official clean and honest for the people, but is greatly not necessary. Are for the saint of worry, for the people are difficult, what is enough to mention, what is enough to mention …….”
At this time, Huang Shangshu on Zhao Wenhua’s good feeling that is not a little bit, but full of almost overflowing.
Governor Zhang let us difficult, this meal to receive the dust baptism feast shabby tight, but not only did Lord Zhao did not get angry, but praised us clean and honest for the people, with Lord Zhao’s endorsement, our behaviour is not shabby, this is clean and honest for the people, the capital of the Ministry of Rites of the same colleagues can be ridiculed not old man, meet will only praise the old man.
Not bad, Lord Zhao is very good.
The more Huang Shangshu look at Zhao Wenhua the more eyes, think of Zhao Wenhua behind a person under ten thousand people Yan Ge Lao, the heart suddenly have a plan, and then speak with Zhao Wenhua, the tone of voice is even closer and warmer a lot.
“Lord Zhao can think so, really the blessing of my generation ah. Nowadays, the Japanese trouble is getting more and more serious, it is time to turn all the focus to fighting the Japanese.”Zhang Jing nodded slightly, then lifted his wine cup and brought up the first cup of wine for the reception banquet, “Come, all the lords fill this cup, congratulations for Lord Zhao, congratulations for the great plan of exterminating the Japanese.”
“Congratulations for Lord Zhao, congratulations for the Japanese extermination plan.”The crowd of officials present followed and raised their glasses together.
“Many thanks to Governor Zhang.”After finishing his drink, Zhao Wenhua raised his second cup and said aloud, “I share the same purpose with Governor Zhang and all of you, and that is to exterminate the Japanese invaders and serve His Majesty. Therefore, this cup of wine is to Governor Zhang, and all the adults, the sea sacrifice and the supervision of military affairs, but also have to thank you for your cooperation.”
“Naturally, we will definitely do our best to help ……”
The crowd of officials followed and raised their cups, voicing their support, and drank it all in one go.
In the midst of the drinking, the atmosphere of the reception banquet reached its peak, and the banquet was in harmony.
