Miao Chu

Chapter 343 Recipe (Happy New Year, updated 2.19)

Regardless of his abilities, Zhao Yu was always very diligent in governing. There were times when he was so busy with government affairs that he would be absent at the last minute and have to send someone to inform him.

Normally, Empress Dowager Yang would have simply agreed and told the emperor to take good care of his diet and rest, without saying a word.

But she summoned Song Miao to the palace early this morning. Apart from the time she ate breakfast, she would sometimes think of the golden sand steamed buns and sometimes of the pickled ham and crispy steamed buns. She was a little bit craving them. Part of the reason was that she saw Zhao Yu had sent someone early in the morning to say that he wanted to come over for lunch.

Yesterday, my son made me some steamed buns as a filial gesture. He seemed to have a hint of regret in his words, saying that according to the students, the Song family's steamed buns tasted much better when they were fresh out of the steamer than when they had been left out for a long time.

Upon hearing that he was coming to have lunch with her, Empress Dowager Yang was in high spirits and eager to play the role of a loving mother. That's why she sent an envoy out early this morning.

Now that she suddenly learned that Zhao Yu was unable to come, she nodded first, then thought for a moment and said, "Go and tell His Majesty that I have invited Miss Song, who makes steamed buns at the Imperial Academy, to the palace today. She will make steamed buns for him to eat fresh. Once they are ready at noon, I will send them to him. Although state affairs are important, he must remember to eat!"

Since they're not related by blood, they speak more subtly.

Empress Dowager Yang's statement has both explicit and implicit meanings.

Seeing the eunuch hurriedly accept the order and leave, she turned her gaze away and asked Song Miao a question with a smile.

Empress Dowager Yang was already very amiable. After Song Miao earnestly declined the gold, her attitude became even more kind and approachable. After chatting for a while, she asked Song Miao what other foods she sold besides steamed buns, how her business was doing, what her debts were like, and whether it was difficult for her to pay them off.

Song Miao then explained her situation in detail.

She neither shied away from her difficulties, nor did she dwell on them. Instead, she focused on what she had done and how others had helped her.

Neighbors, the street officials, Zhu Shi, the patrolmen, the students of the Imperial Academy, as well as Xin Feng, Du Hao Niang, and others, none of them stood idly by. Later, as the business grew, there were also eateries like Cheng Er Niang, Zhang Si Niang, Da Bing, and others, as well as a whole group of hired women.

She recounted amusing anecdotes from her time at the stall, and how, after returning from Huazhou, the imperial students referred to themselves as "Wang Songshi" and urged her to order rice noodles.

She recounted how Zhu, the wife of the village head, had sent over taro and yams, and how she had made sweet, sandy taro for Zhu at the village head's request. Zhu happily took the taro home, but it was intercepted by an acquaintance on the way. To save face, the taro was eaten up. She had initially kept it a secret, but later accidentally let it slip, and even now, Zhu still brings it up and grumbles about it every now and then.

She talked about how the stall owners in the food alley reserved a spot for her, and how a group of children had brought their saved money as soon as the stall opened, eagerly asking to share a piece or two of mung bean cake, steamed rice cake, half a tube or a tube of sweet fermented rice, and so on.

The children had solemnly discussed how to eat the food slowly after dividing it up when they bought it—their words were still ringing in our ears—but as soon as they got it, they ate it all up right at the door, leaving us just staring at each other in disbelief.

She simply delivered a mung bean cake that had accidentally broken open while frying, making it difficult to sell. She managed to make all the children laugh so hard their empty front teeth were showing. They all patted their chests and made grand promises to go out and promote Song's shop, so that their whole families would come and buy food.

Everything was already lovely, but when she spoke it, it became even more vivid, like a lively and bustling scene from the streets, truly delightful and interesting.

Although there was no direct praise, the fact that ordinary people could afford steamed buns and glutinous rice was enough to demonstrate the extent of the emperor's rule.

Empress Dowager Yang beamed with joy upon hearing this.

A young woman, all alone and without any family support, would naturally face many difficulties.

But when Song Miao talked about her difficulties, she also clearly explained how to solve them, what the current situation was, and who helped and who contributed their efforts.

According to her, there are good people and bad people in the city, but in any case, there are always more good people than bad people, and difficulties can be solved as long as we try our best and work together.

There was not a trace of her asking for help in her words, but Empress Dowager Yang, who was already quite eager to help since she hadn't been able to bestow the gold, became even more eager to do so as she listened.

People's attitudes and emotions are contagious.

Have you not seen how, when two people fall into a deep mud pit, one of them becomes too lazy to move, crossing his legs and waiting for someone to pull him up. When someone comes, he complains and lies there like a dead pig, refusing to exert any effort. Even those who were originally eager to help will give up when they see this.

But if someone like Song Miao, who has already climbed to the edge of the pit on her own and is just one step away from getting out, even if they are just passing by, will think of lending a hand and giving her extra strength to help her climb out quickly.

Empress Dowager Yang couldn't help but extend her "hand" at this moment.

Hearing about the strange things Song Ji had been experiencing lately, she couldn't help but ask, "Why would someone suddenly rush out and claim to have been injured when the car was moving so slowly?"

Song Miao said, "It was just a coincidence; the carriage was full of doctors that day."

"That Doctor Lin was highly skilled and knowledgeable, having practiced medicine all over the country. He had seen such a scam in the south—the person was faking an injury to extort money, and it was exposed right away..."

After the officials investigated, they promptly discovered the old man who had been extorting money and all the fugitives in the house. Furthermore, the Kyoto government had already intervened, so it wouldn't be long before they could uncover the truth and deal with many of the fugitives.

Empress Dowager Yang had ruled from behind the curtain for many years, and although she no longer interfered in politics, her mind was still very clear, and she immediately noticed the strangeness of the matter.

"Since he's a repeat offender, why would he act rashly? How did he end up at your restaurant with the mule cart?"

Near Zhu Zhechi, near the ink is black.

His companions were all fugitives, and he himself was involved in extortion. What kind of person could he be?
Such skilled criminals, making such a big fuss every time they strike, are unlikely to randomly stop people on the street to extort money. After all, one can do it once, twice, but not three times. If they do it two or three times, once word gets around in the capital, ordinary people will be on guard, and it won't be so easy for them to succeed.

Furthermore, as a fugitive, after arriving in Beijing, he should have restrained himself to some extent. Why would he be so blatant in committing crimes?
"I don't know. My family has an ancestral home that people have been envious of before. Recently, I've been selling things outside, and because people support me, I've gained a little fame, which has probably attracted more envy."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "The Kyoto government is still investigating thoroughly, but since it involves officials from the imperial court, I'm afraid it won't be cleared up so quickly..."

Empress Dowager Yang, who had been smiling, lost all her smile upon hearing about the fugitive's attempt to extort money from her after a car accident. Upon hearing this, her face turned truly green.

She had been thirsty, and because the car accident that hit the old man was so distressing, she had held up her teacup and forgotten to drink it for half a day. Now, in a fit of anger, she slammed the teacup down on the table and said angrily, "How can such a morally corrupt act be tolerated! And there are even officials involved. If this isn't thoroughly investigated, we won't even know if these insects have burrowed into our house!"

As she spoke, she opened her mouth to call for help. However, before she could even make a sound, Song Miao had already stood up and said, "So that Your Majesty may know, if Your Majesty gives the word, it can naturally be resolved immediately. But how could we encounter only such a troublesome matter on ordinary days? I have Your Majesty's kindness and can handle it myself. If the common people see and hear this, and think that everything can only be resolved with the Emperor's word, that may not be a good thing."

“Now there is an imperial censor from the Censorate following up on this matter, and a student from the Imperial Academy is also helping me. Although I am just an orphan girl in debt, I have built up my business to this point. My restaurant employs a dozen or twenty people, and my business has spread to the Imperial Academy and government offices. Today, I can even cook for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. With so much help, if I can’t even handle someone who is managing my family’s business, how will I be able to do business in the future?”

These words were truly sincere. Upon hearing them, Empress Dowager Yang remained silent for a few moments before asking, "Then what do you think?"

Song Miao hurriedly said, "We'll wait for the capital prefectural government and the censorate to act. When I was a child, I heard my mother tell stories. In the years when the empress dowager ruled from behind the curtain, she rarely interfered in the affairs of the court. She only told the officials to do their own thing and perform their duties. However, when my family's restaurant was closed in the afternoon, we didn't even need to close the door or lock it. Even if it was left empty, and the person in charge of the shop left for an hour or two and came back, nothing would be stolen from the store."

“I have an elder brother who used to use this as an example, saying that the ancient book’s saying ‘rule by doing nothing’ refers to the Empress’s past achievements!”

"With Your Majesty's wisdom and ability, and the diligence of your officials, I believe that no evildoers will be let off the hook, and no good people will suffer!"

Empress Dowager Yang did have a somewhat impatient temper, but upon hearing these words, most of her anger subsided.

Song Miao's words were not without reason.

When she was in power, she did govern very well, thanks to favorable timing and location, but also to her own hard work.

Empress Dowager Yang believed herself to be good at grasping the big picture and letting go of the small details. She rarely interfered in specific matters and was also very good at using people. The ministers she discovered and promoted rarely failed her, at least during their time under her.

If one can relinquish power when one is in charge, it would be inappropriate to interfere now that power has clearly been returned to the emperor. Not only would it be displeasing to the emperor, but it might also damage one's own reputation.

Empress Dowager Yang nodded and said, "Then let's do as you say and wait a while. If there is no further progress, I will inform the Emperor about this matter and ask him to personally take charge!"

After she finished speaking, she barely managed to suppress the upturned corners of her mouth, coughed, and couldn't help but ask, "Back when your family ran the restaurant, what was the state of public security and people's livelihood like in the capital? Did your elders tell you in detail?"

Even as an empress dowager, it was precisely because of her status that she had even less chance to have her past efforts and achievements recognized by the people in person—who wouldn't love to hear heartfelt praise that wasn't empty rhetoric?
Song then selected a few more old stories from the restaurants and recounted them in detail.

Empress Dowager Yang was delighted to hear this, and if she hadn't been so eager for the steamed buns, she wouldn't have even been in a hurry to eat.

Seeing that it was getting late, Song Miao took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty just said that you liked the golden sand steamed buns and the pickled ham crispy steamed buns. I'll be going to the kitchen in a bit. Putting everything else aside, it would be best to make these two first. What does Your Majesty think?"

As the two were talking, the eunuch who had brought the message earlier hurriedly returned.

He entered the hall, found Empress Dowager Yang, and hurriedly bowed. He was about to speak, his mouth was already open, but when he saw Song Miao beside him, he paused.

Seeing this, Song Miao was about to step aside when the eunuch stepped forward and began to whisper instructions.

This time, the smile on Empress Dowager Yang's face truly vanished.

Her face was grim as she asked, "How did such a thing suddenly happen? How is the imperial court responding?"

"His Majesty is making arrangements and has urgently summoned the two ministries and the Imperial Guards to the palace..." the eunuch hurriedly explained.

After listening, Empress Dowager Yang asked a few more questions about the details before she finally stopped.

After the eunuch stepped aside, she pondered for a moment, then looked up at Song Miao and said, "Miss Song, it's really unfortunate that something came up at the last minute, so I'm afraid we won't be able to eat steamed buns today."

Although Song Miao didn't know what had happened, seeing this scene, she couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment, saying, "I've heard of Your Highness's reputation since I was little, and I originally thought I'd have a chance to make some of my signature steamed buns to offer as a tribute..."

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Yang sighed and said, "Other matters would be fine, but alas..."

She paused briefly, then, without hesitation, said directly, "There's nothing I can't say. It won't be long before people outside know—the Liuta River has collapsed, causing widespread flooding. The disaster is unpredictable, and many people are currently affected. His Majesty is urgently mobilizing the local troops and dispatching the Imperial Guards to provide disaster relief and rescue. Grain, cloth, medicine, and everything else need to be allocated quickly. I really have no appetite for steamed buns right now..."

He added, "I won't keep you any longer—I found your words quite interesting today, young lady. I'll invite you to the palace another day..."

When Song Miao heard about the Liuta River, she was greatly shocked and couldn't even speak for a moment.

After a while, she finally stood up, thanked them, bowed, and took her leave.

A eunuch was already leading the way, preparing to guide her out of the palace.

Song Miao followed for a while, and saw a high threshold not far ahead. She turned around and saw Empress Dowager Yang sitting on her chair with a frown, seemingly lost in thought.

Her thoughts replayed his words in her mind. After a moment's hesitation, she finally stopped and called out to the eunuch, "My lord, please wait a moment!"

With that, she turned around, strode forward, and walked to a short distance in front of Empress Dowager Yang. She bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

When Song Miao returned, Empress Dowager Yang was taken aback and asked, "What happened?"

"The river in Chanzhou has collapsed and flooded, leaving the people trapped and displaced. Regardless of whether the imperial guards or local militias are dispatched, the most urgent supplies will likely be food and water. After all, even if people are found, they may not be able to be rescued immediately. However, ordinary grains are difficult to carry, and in flood-stricken areas, dry firewood and open spaces are hard to find, making it extremely difficult to start a fire and cook a meal..."

"My ancestors had a recipe for a kind of bean porridge cake, originally for use during long journeys. Once made and properly stored, one cake can sustain you for a day. It can be eaten dry to quench thirst or mixed with soup for drinking. I have already tried making it many times in Huazhou, and the river officials and laborers all know about it..."

"A new batch is being made at the restaurant right now. It was originally intended for the people in the Water Conservancy Bureau on the riverbank outside the city. It will be ready today, and then it can be sent to the palace for testing. If the court finds it useful, I will present this recipe to them!"

　Many thanks to Xiaoxiang Caterpillar for the sachet I received, and to Qingmei Shou for the fairy herb for Sister Zhu. ^_^
　　Thank you to Bookstore Fireworks and Freedom for the spark of inspiration you sent me, Miss Ultraman for the writing aid you gave me, and book friend 202406094724_Ea for the little gift you sent me =3=
　　Thank you to reader 20250321160216798 for the two amulets I received, and to readers 20240210102859170 and 20200923235519479 for the one each they sent me :)

　　Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance! May you enjoy good health, all the best, and a happy family life!
　　I've already asked everyone before that I need to take leave for the Chinese New Year. It's tentatively for two days, but it might be extended, hehe~ Have a great Chinese New Year, my fellow foodies!

　　(End of this chapter)