The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

"Okay, okay. In the future, we will need your help and efforts to regain the north of the Yellow River. But today, I want to treat all of you gentlemen to a banquet. Zu Ti stood up as he spoke, and said to Zu Gai:"The small town of Yongqiu where we are stationed has only one decent wine shop." It's called 'Homesickness Building', I'll entertain everyone there. Brother, you and Huan'er should contact the owner of the wine shop in advance to see if it's convenient. Zu Gai and Zu Huan went to the homesickness building, and Zu Ti sat down and continued talking to the squires. Zu Ti asked,"How are the lives of the villagers?" Can I be fed and clothed?"

An old man stood up and said:"In the past few years, our hometown has been occupied by Jiehu, and our life has plummeted. What little food I had in my hand was snatched away by them. Being able to survive without being killed by Jiehu's fierce soldiers is already pretty good. Now that Jiehu has been beaten away, he can eat the harvested food by himself. This is all thanks to the governor!"

"yes! yes!"The squires praised Zu Ti in unison.

Half of themAfter Chen, Zu Gai and Zu Huan came back. Zu Ti asked:"Is there a place?"

"Yes, let’s go there! Zu Gai said. Zu Ti stood up and said,"Let's go!""

When they arrived at the homesickness building, Zu Ti and the others saw some people gathered downstairs. When these people saw Master Zu Ti coming, they started beating gongs and drums to welcome Zu Ti's arrival. When they came to the Yongqiu folks, Zu Ti The adults bowed their hands and saluted. Zu Ti said:"Thank you very much, folks!"

The boss of Sixianglou in the gong and drum team walked over, saluted Zu Ti and said,"Master Zu, welcome you, the adults of the government office, and the squires to come, my place is full of glory!"

"Sorry to bother you!"Zu Ti said politely, and was led by the restaurant owner to the restaurant. Zu Ti came inside and saw that the restaurant was empty. The restaurant owner said:"Guests, please sit down in your original seats. Master Zu, please go to the second floor!"

Only then did Zu Ti and others realize that all the guests of the restaurant had joined the welcoming team.

The owner of the restaurant was in front, and Zu Ti and others then walked up the wooden stairs to the second floor. The second floor was very spacious, with six large There is a round table and dozens of seats. The restaurant owner pointed to the seats to the north and said:"Please take a seat, Lord Governor!" All gentlemen and gentlemen, please take your seats! Zu Ti said:"

Today we don't distinguish between each other, regardless of age, we just sit around the round table casually." Each round table can seat eight people, so our three round tables are enough!"

Zu Ti said and called the squires to take their seats. After being polite for a while, the squires took their seats one after another. Zu Ti and the six squires sat at a round table, and Zu Gai and Zu Huan both had seven. The restaurant owner and the three waiters who followed him Said:"You are ready to serve tea, the best tea!"

The three waiters went down, and soon everyone came up with tea trays. They put down the tea trays, took out the teapots and tea bowls, and the three waiters poured the tea and stood aside.

"Please invite Master Zu, other adults, and the squires to taste it. This is the best Maojian catechu we have here!"The restaurant owner said. Zu Ti saw him standing, so he said,"Boss, it's hard work too, so just sit here with me. Let's all talk together."

The restaurant owner bowed his hands and saluted, and sat down opposite Zu Ti. After everyone drank a few cups of tea, the restaurant owner asked:"Master Zu, when do you think the food will be served? Zu

Ti looked at the people around him, and then said:"Now the food can be served!""

After the three waiters went down, the steaming dishes were served in a short time. On each wooden tray, there were four red pottery plates and the necessary chopsticks. After putting them down, the three waiters went down again After a while, everyone brought four more dishes.

After putting them down, the three waiters went down again. When they came back, everyone put a jar of wine in their trays. Putting down the wine, the three waiters opened He started pouring wine for everyone, and then stood aside. Suddenly, the entire second floor was filled with the mellow aroma of wine. Together with the eight mouth-watering dishes, people's appetites suddenly came up.

Zu Ti picked up the wine bottle Said:"Brothers and gentlemen, I am very happy that you can appreciate me today. Come, let’s raise a toast together and hope our days will get better and better!"

Putting down the wine bottles, people started to pick up the dishes. The squires kept praising the delicious dishes. Zu Ti asked:"Boss, how long have you been running this restaurant? Are you also a cook?

The restaurant owner nodded and said,"I am from Jinyang, Bingzhou. I have been here for six years." I originally ran a large restaurant in Jinyang, but unfortunately, Shi Le, a Jie man, besieged Jinyang City. Although Master Liu Kun tried every means to defend Jinyang and defeated Jiehu many times. But he was still afraid that Shi Le would destroy the city, so he brought his family and came here from Jinyang."

Zu Ti nodded, and saw the words"Sixiang Chun" on the wine jar, so he asked:"Your restaurant is called 'Si Xiang Chun', and the wine is also called 'Si Xiang Chun'. Most of these dishes are also from Jinyang. It is evident that you are nostalgic for your hometown and miss your hometown!"

"Everyone is poor and has a hard time leaving his family and his homeland. In this era of war and chaos, being able to stay alive with your family is already very good. It is a blessing for all of us to be able to go about our own business without worries under the rule of adults! No matter how much homesickness you feel, you can't keep up with the practical actions to contribute your modest strength to the cause of the Northern Expedition!"When the restaurant owner said this, he stood up and raised his wine bottle and said,"Your hard work has paid off, and every countryman and villager can see it clearly. On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Mr. Zu!"

After saying that, the restaurant owner drank all the wine in one gulp. The waiter filled up the wine for the restaurant owner, and Zu Ti asked:"The Governor Liu Kun was killed by Duan Pizhen. Do you know about this?"

"Know know. After I found out about this, I was very sad. So one morning, my friends and I bought some sacrifices and went to the south bank of the Yellow River to offer sacrifices to Master Liu Kun from afar."The restaurant owner said with emotion:"The story of Mr. Zu and Mr. Liu Kun dancing after hearing the chicken, and the story of you hitting the chicken are all familiar to the villagers. However, you are somewhat alone. It would be great if Master Liu Kun was not killed and you two responded from the north to the south!"

"Waiter, go down and get another wine bottle! Zu Ti said. The waiter who poured wine for Zu Ti and the others went down, and soon took a wine bottle and put it on the table, then filled it with wine. Zu Ti picked up the glass of wine and came to the north window. Zu Gai The others and the squires didn't know what Zu Ti meant, so they all stood up and followed Zu Ti. Zu Ti raised his wine bottle high and said very sadly:"Brother Liu Kun, you and I have known each other for decades, but I didn't expect you." Because of accidental death. I hope your heroic spirit will protect us in regaining our northern homeland!"