The cooking color is delicious, general, don't bite me

Chapter 128
It was night, and a shrill scream resounded throughout Lingyun Village. Most of the villagers who had just laid down heard the sound and ran out to see what happened.

The next day, the news of Old Man Cheng's death spread throughout the village. He died at his own house.

Because Mrs. Xu captured Zhu's family and Cheng Jiabao that day, and then sent people to take away the Cheng family's house. The homeless old man Cheng had no choice but to hide outside the door with the 100 taels of silver in his pocket that night.

Unexpectedly, he would be stoned to death, and all the silver was gone except for the one ingot that was tightly held in his hand.

Therefore, the villagers all thought that someone murdered someone for money. Indeed, on the surface it looked like murder for money, but who was the murderer?
There must be many people in the village who are jealous of old man Cheng's 100 taels of silver, but not long after old man Cheng screamed, the villagers ran out. Who could run away without a trace in such a short time?
You know, Mr. Sun also organized the villagers to search the village, but he couldn't find any clues. He didn't send people to report to the officials until dawn, and nothing happened in the end.

And there was someone in Meng Fuling's family who was having a hard time, and this person was Mrs. Xue. When she heard the news of Old Man Cheng's death, she felt very disturbed, because she thought she had something to do with Meng Fuling, and she was afraid that Meng Fuling would be found out.

Meng Fuling didn't explain anything to Mrs. Xue afterwards. Recently, she spent most of her time in the restaurant. A few days later, Steward Lu received a letter from his son saying that Hulu would enter the palace the next day after arriving in Beijing. Leaving the palace, apart from discussing the matter of Nanman, he was also tied down by other matters.

Hulu clearly promised her that he would write to her when he arrived in Beijing, but now he has not seen his letter, so Meng Fuling is even more worried.

Today, she didn't go to the restaurant, but housekeeper Lu came to the door in person and told her a news that had worried her for a long time.

"Is there really going to be a war?" Although Meng Fuling had already expected it, she still couldn't help exclaiming.

Butler Lu nodded, "After the Nanman plundered the people's property, they also massacred the people. The emperor decided to send troops to exterminate them."

Massacres of captives are common, and massacres of cities are not uncommon, and all of these are explicitly prohibited in modern international wars, so Meng Fuling was still terrified after hearing this.

Nanman is just a small country, and it has been stable for many years. It is because the newly enthroned Nanman king is fierce and warlike, and the big Chu country, which is envious of the richness, dares to challenge the big Chu country because of the dangerous territory of Nanman and thinks that the gourd is missing.

"Is the gourd in command?" Meng Fuling didn't realize that her voice was trembling, but felt that her mind was a little blank.

"It's the general, Ma'am, don't worry, the general has never been defeated, and the mere Nanman is nothing to fear." Steward Lu saw Meng Fuling's face turned pale, and his heart softened. However, his words were not just to comfort Meng Fuling, but It is a great confidence in Hulu.

Later, Meng Fuling could no longer hear what Steward Lu was saying, and her heart was occupied by deep worries.

Xue Shi was even more exaggerated. Hearing that there was going to be a fight, he fainted directly.

The news that Hulu personally took command of the expedition quickly spread throughout the court. In addition to Hulu, two generals were also assembled under his command.

With Calabash in command, the common people felt that this battle must be won, and the Nanman would be wiped out soon.

However, Meng Fuling was still very worried. If she hadn't cared about Xiaodonggua, she would have liked to go with Hulu.

But on this day, a handsome and neutral woman rode to Lingyun Village and brought a letter from Hulu, which completely calmed Meng Fuling's anxious heart.

******
It took nearly a year for the Great Chu Kingdom to win the battle with the Nanman, and the Nanman sued for peace.

The reason is that the Nanman people learned that the Gourd was in command of the Great Chu State, and before he reached the southern border, they captured many people and imprisoned them in Nanman as prisoners.

In the deep forests and dense ravines in the Nanman territory, there are miasma everywhere, poisonous insects, gourds take care of innocent people, so this battle is very difficult to fight.

When Meng Fuling received the news that I had won the court, the big stone in her heart finally fell.Hulu sent a female guard named Wuwu to protect her before the battle, and wrote to appease her.At first, she was indeed at ease because of his letter, but as the war continued, she became more and more anxious.

In order not to let her daydreams run amok, during this year, she opened restaurants in several neighboring counties, and opened a gourmet shop in the city. The food sold in the gourmet shop is all modern, such as cakes, hot dry noodles and the like.

Meng Fuling's business is getting bigger and more prosperous, and everyone knows the restaurants and food shops under the 'Tianyuan'.

When the business is getting bigger, it will naturally hinder the interests of some people. There are many people who are provoking troubles in the open and playing tricks in the dark. Fortunately, Lu Steward, who is now the chief shopkeeper, is extremely resourceful, and will use the power of the General's Mansion when necessary , but no one can do anything.

After Meng Fuling received the news that Hulu would return to Beijing soon, she began to arrange the restaurant and restaurant.I haven't seen him for so long, she really misses him, and can't wait for him to come to her, so she plans to go to Beijing to see him.

Jingdu City is not a short distance from Qishan County, and Steward Lu has not returned to Beijing for more than a year. This time, he will go to Jingdu City with her. Therefore, many things have to be arranged properly.

However, Meng Fuling did not expect that a few days before entering Beijing, the emperor would send an envoy to Qishan County to issue an order, naming her to participate in the annual food competition in Beijing.

The emperor is a veritable foodie. Every year, a food competition is held in the city of Kyoto, with the participation of culinary experts from all over the country.

Meng Fuling had heard of the gourmet competition before. It is said that the top three can enter the palace to serve the emperor's food, and those who enter the final will also be rewarded generously. I have great confidence in my cooking skills, and most people dare not participate.

Last year's food competition was shelved because of the Nanban War. This year, the war has ended, and the emperor reopened the competition.

But Meng Fuling couldn't figure it out that the gourd was victorious and the team was about to return to Beijing. At this juncture, shouldn't the army be rewarded for meritorious deeds?Why does the emperor still have the mind to engage in a food contest?To put it bluntly, the soldiers threw their heads and blood on the battlefield, and you, as the king of a country, held a food competition for your own appetite, wouldn't it chill the hearts of the soldiers?
On this day, Meng Fuling invited Han Hualin to the restaurant. He had a different view on this issue, thinking that the emperor might let the winner host the celebration banquet for the soldiers this time.

If this is the case, the emperor's intention in doing so is, firstly, it is a great honor for the winner, better than any reward, and secondly, it is to show the importance he attaches to the soldiers.

"Then why did the emperor ask me to participate by name?" Meng Fuling asked.

Nowadays, there are quite a few people who know her good cooking skills, but she is not so conceited that she thinks that even the emperor will know about it, so she was asked to participate by name. You must know that there are many people with good cooking skills in the world. Is it because of the gourd?
Han Hualin didn't know about this issue either. At this moment, Steward Lu walked in with a letter in his hand. He just heard Meng Fuling's words and said, "Ma'am, it is the Second Prince who recommended you to the Emperor."

"Shang Qihao!" Meng Fuling frowned. Since Shang Qihao woke up, he hadn't done anything in the past year. He didn't expect that he would recommend her to participate in the food competition this time. There must be some conspiracy brewing.

"This matter has spread throughout the entire capital city. Everyone wants to see your face, madam. There are even rumors that you have a close relationship with the second prince, so you can be personally recommended by him." Steward Lu handed over the letter he had just received. Meng Fuling.

Han Hualin's expression was not good when he heard this, and he was speculating on Shang Qihao's intentions like Meng Fuling. He wanted to say that it was inappropriate to accompany Meng Fuling to Beijing, but he thought it was inappropriate. she.

While they were talking, Little Winter Melon ran in from outside.

The three-year-old Little Winter Gua looks as delicate as a porcelain doll, and her speech is clearer and smarter than children of the same age.

He raised his head and looked at Meng Fuling expectantly, "Mother, when are we going to Beijing?"

"In two days." Meng Fuling cut off the small fleshy face of the little wax gourd lightly with her hand, and said with a smile.

Ever since Xiaodonggua knew that Meng Fuling would bring him to Beijing, she asked him when he would come to Beijing from time to time. She pretended that he had never been to the capital and was in a hurry to play, but she didn't care.

******
Mrs. Xue did not plan to go to Beijing with Meng Fuling and the others, but the night before her departure, Mrs. Xue called Meng Fuling into her room and told her a shocking truth.

The one who knew the truth was Meng Qiuchan. When Meng Qiuchan and Shan Daguan came to ask for money for the first time, Meng Qiuchan threatened Xue with this matter.

Later, Meng Fuling asked Meng Qiuchan, but Meng Qiuchan refused to tell her anything without Xue's consent, so she had to give up. Unexpectedly, after a lapse of time, Xue told her the truth because she was going to Beijing.

It can be said that Meng Fuling came to Beijing with Xue's hope.

Because a lot of people came to Beijing to participate in the food competition from all over the country, and the traffic along the way was either blocked or the inns were full.

As a result, the journey slowed down a bit, and it took nearly [-] days to reach the capital. The little winter melon sat on Meng Fuling's lap all day, watching the scenery with the little chicken wings, and the two little guys were chattering. , seemed very excited.

The scenery along the way was a bit tired and crooked. Now that I heard that it was coming soon, Little Winter Melon was so excited that he opened the curtain from afar to see it. Little Chicken Wing also cheered excitedly.

Meng Fuling also looked out with them, this is the second time she has been to Beijing, and the first time is to save Xiaodonggua.

At that time, I came and went in a hurry, and I didn't look at the capital city much. This time I came to take a good look at this ancient imperial capital.

The goal of entering is the towering city wall, some moss is crawling on the blue-gray wall, and people can still be vaguely seen shaking on the top of the city wall.

After looking at it for a while, Meng Fuling felt a little boring. The so-called imperial capital is not much different from other cities, the only difference is the height of the city walls, the width of the city gates, and the amount of people entering and leaving the city.

When the carriage enters the city, in addition to paying the city tax, the soldiers who have to accept the inspection of the city gate will really enter the city gate, and everything will be different.

There are people coming and going on the street, and the shops on both sides are next to each other, and the noise is so loud that it is dizzying.

To Meng Fuling's surprise, Xiao Donggua, who was extremely excited along the way, suddenly became silent after entering the city, pursing her mouth and looking unhappy.

"Little Winter Melon, what's the matter with you? Didn't you really want to come to the capital to play? Why are you unhappy?" Meng Fuling pinched Little Winter Melon's face in confusion and asked.

"I'm so good-looking, why don't the girls on the street look at me?" Xiao Donggua lowered her head, and was dissatisfied when she heard Meng Fuling's words.

Meng Fuling almost choked on the saliva. Xiao Donggua knew how to attract attention at a young age, because he was pink and cute, and he was very eye-catching when he came to the street.However, when he saw a beautiful woman, his mouth was very sweet, and he often received gadgets from those women.

Everyone has a love of beauty, which is normal, but Meng Fuling is worried that her precious son will become a flirt when he grows up. If he is merciful, it will be bad.

I really don't know who Xiaodonggua's real father is, did Xiaodonggua follow his real father?Meng Fuling sighed secretly, and said helplessly, "You have chicken wings, isn't it good?"

"Little Chicken Wing is my elder sister." Xiao Donggua looked like a grown-up, imitating Meng Fuling, and sighed.

"Is it my sister that I can't see you?" Meng Fuling laughed and said, Xiao Donggua also knew that her sister was different from other girls.

Xiaodonggua buried her head in Meng Fuling's arms, stopped talking, and suppressed the strange look in her eyes from an angle that Meng Fuling didn't see.

Meng Fuling wanted to say something, but Steward Lu said outside, "Ma'am, a carriage is coming up ahead, blocking the road."

"Let's make way for a while." Meng Fuling thought that this is the imperial capital, even if he walks on the street, he may meet a noble person at any time, so it's better to keep a low profile.

She thought it was okay to just give way, but Steward Lu said, "That's the driver of the second prince's residence."

When Meng Fuling heard that it was Shang Qihao, she felt that the meeting on the road must not have happened by chance. He must have known her whereabouts and came to stop her on purpose.

"Is he in the carriage?" Meng Fuling asked, paused, and then said, "Let's take a detour."

She can't afford to provoke, can't she hide?As soon as this thought came out, before Steward Lu could answer, another strange voice sounded outside, "Is Miss Meng inside? My Highness has invited Miss Meng to come over to talk about it."

(End of this chapter)