Johime Three Kingdoms

Chapter 208 Honest and Frugal
"Cao Pi, the Prime Minister's Mansion, is on an expedition to meet with Duke Bai." Cao Pi bowed to Bai Tu in the middle hall of the Chariot and Cavalry General's Mansion.

In name, Cao Pi was just an official of the Prime Minister's Office, so he would naturally salute when he saw a chariot and cavalry general, but it was not a big courtesy.

"Cao Pi...Okay, as expected, the tiger father has no dogs, take a seat." Bai Tu said with an air of dignity.

It's a pity that he is too young and doesn't have a beard to stroke.

There was already a waiter on the side, introducing Cao Pi, Sima Lang, and "Cao Bang" to their seats...

During this period, Cao Pi was a little curious - in the palace of the majestic chariot and cavalry general, people actually sat on Hu beds and used Hu tables?
In contrast, Sima Lang took it calmly, and even when he saw this "weird" layout, there was nothing unusual, while Cao Bang looked around curiously, appearing a little "unruly".

Cao Bang, whose courtesy name is Anguo, is the son of Cao De, the nephew of Cao Cao, the cousin of Cao Pi, and the younger brother of Cao Anmin who died in Wancheng before. Of course... this person is not actually Cao Bang.

It was Xia Houjuan who arranged the identity for himself after pretending to be an official of Cao Pi.

After all, Cao Pi is only 13 years old, and Xia Houjuan is only 14 years old. Even at this age, the girls appear more mature, but compared to their status, "Cao Bang" is young!
Therefore, since he is going to appear as a clerk in the prime minister's palace and an assistant to Cao Pi in the war, it is reasonable to arrange a family background of the Cao family.

Nowadays, the Cheqi General Mansion is using Hu beds and Hu tables more and more in various occasions...

Of course, there are actually some differences from the Hu bed and Hu table. The Hu bed is the prototype of the "top chair" in the Song Dynasty. The legs of the chair are crossed, but it is larger than the top chair. The chair in Bai Tu is more like the square armchair of the Ming Dynasty. .

The so-called Hu table is because the Hu people use this kind of high table, and the Han people who are used to kneeling will definitely not use such a high table and chair, so it is called so.

But in fact, Bai Tu’s table is not the result of Hu Su. In short, it is made as comfortable as possible.

When Bai Tu had just traveled through time, using these in his own home would have aroused criticism. However, now... they are displayed grandly in the middle hall, and they are used when having banquets with the officials of the Chariot and Cavalry General's Mansion, and no one will use them more. What to say, even in Jiangdong and Huainan, many officials and wealthy families are vying to imitate him.

Only the main families of the great noble families could not lose face for a while.

And...it's not just for comfort in name!
"Zihuan, the chair in Jiangdong is really high. Is this a bed? So...it's not tiring." Cao Bang said in a strange voice.

Others didn't pay attention to the voice, just thinking that Cao Bang, who looked a bit weak, was in the process of changing his voice.

But Kong Rong, who was on the side, heard Cao Bang's words. He turned around with a smile and said, "Young man, I don't know. This chair is completely different from the Hu bed. It is to embody 'the benevolent love others', that is, to put people first and care for the people." Based on the purpose of this, it is a love chair that highlights the improvement of people’s status.”

"Is...is that so?" Cao Bang looked at Kong Rong awkwardly.

In theory, Kong Wenju, who "understands Confucius best", should not talk nonsense, but... Cao Bangcong felt that this statement was strange.

"Ahem, Anguo, of course Kong Jijiu won't lie to you." Cao Pi said from the side.

When he was in Xudu, Kong Rong met Cao Pi, but Cao Pi was still a bastard at that time, and he was still young, so Kong Rong didn't have a deep impression of him.

As for Cao Anguo... I have no impression at all!
"Today is to welcome Xiao Cao's conquest, we don't talk about government affairs." Bai Tu said specifically.

At this time, Sima Lang stood up and saluted: "Mr. Bai, it is Cao Zhengshi who comes here for government affairs, and it is Cao Zihuan who performs the junior courtesy to Mr. Bai. Where is the term 'little Cao Zhengshi'?"

Bai Tu was indeed instinctive and wanted to take advantage of Cao Pi in name only. However, Sima Lang was very sensitive in this regard and his words were well-founded.

Bai Tu didn't care when he heard this, and said frankly: "Okay, I made a mistake. Today I will be supporting Xiao Cao, and tomorrow I will discuss with Cao Zhengshi about Yuan Ni's remnants."

The co-author is still "Xiao Cao"...

Sima Lang couldn't say anything else this time. After all, Bai Tu pointed out that today was not a formal occasion, and...neither humble nor arrogant, we couldn't just be "not humble". Now they were still in the enemy camp. If they were too "arrogant", they would be killed. Baitu's reputation was only damaged.

Going on a mission to the Cavalry General's Mansion was undoubtedly a crisis for Cao Pi and Sima Lang - even if it was dangerous, it was also an opportunity.

As long as they can return safely and ensure that Bai Tu will not turn against Cao Cao during this period, especially if they do not hurt Cao Cao's face, their status will be stable.

Cao Pi can basically secure his position as the heir, and can convince a large number of Cao family members, Xiahou family members, and even counselors with foreign surnames; Sima Lang can also become a "promising" and "very promising" newcomer to the Prime Minister's Palace in one fell swoop. He became one of the core counselors.

If they don't get back safely... then it will be over, so both of them take this matter very seriously.

Originally, Sima Lang was worried that the banquet would also be very particular, but he didn't expect... Although it has nothing to do with the etiquette system, what Baitu eats is the same as what they eat, so Sima Lang is not good at talking.

And...it smells so good!
Although he sat on the love chair and used the guest table, he still shared the meal system. Except for family banquets, Bai Tu really preferred to share the meal system. There is nothing wrong with it being more hygienic.

What comes up is the four most famous dishes of General Cheqi’s Mansion—white male pork, braised pork, pork ribs soup, and steamed wild goldfish!
In the previous impressions of Cao Pi, Xia Houjuan and even Sima Lang, Jiangdong and Huainan were suffering from drought. Even when it was not a drought, Jiangdong was not as prosperous as the Central Plains.

Especially... who is Bai Tu?From the time he entered Huainan, especially after entering Jiangdong, no matter how Sima Lang secretly or openly inquired about folk information, when it came to Duke Bai, no one could say anything bad about him.

It is said that when Bai Tu was in Jinling, he went out of his way to eat with the victims once a day to warn him of the suffering of the people - Sima Lang, Cao Pi, and Xia Houjuan also believed it at the time...

Believe in your evil!
None of the royal chefs who received Xu Du together with the little emperor had such skills!
How did Wang Mang manage to be such a simple person?

As long as there were floods or droughts in the Han Dynasty, he would follow the vegetarian diet, and his wife would dress like a servant when going out. When he saw the poor, they would sell their carriages to raise money... In this way, he was called "incorruptible and frugal".

According to the mainstream view of the Han Dynasty, Wang Mang was a great hypocrite, a fake righteousness, and a true treacherous person. Some people in later generations believed that Wang Mang's moral character was not fake, because after he became emperor, he supposedly achieved his wish, but he remained as simple as ever. , if the new dynasty had not died, Wang Mang could probably compete for the ranking of the simplest emperor...

Regardless of whether Wang Mang is really fake, at least he pretends to be real, but what about Bai Tu?

This guy is arrogant and licentious every day in the house, but there are millions of people outside, saying that he shares the suffering of the people and praising him?
When it comes to the word "fake", Wang Mang has fallen short, right?

Of course, no matter Cao Pi, Xia Houjuan, or even Sima Lang, although they are slanderous, they have to say that this meal... is delicious!
(End of this chapter)