socalfunplaces Chapter 84 The Martial Saint Manifests His Power, and the Divine Weapon Shines Brightly!
Chapter 84 The Martial Saint Manifests His Power, and the Divine Weapon Shines Brightly!
Chapter 84 The Martial Saint Manifests His Power, and the Divine Weapon Shines Brightly!
Tongming Hall, Yanli Pavilion.
Liu Dinghuan set up the dining table, which was set with more than a dozen dishes, a hot pot, and a grill. Liu Qingci kept sniffing, his mouth watering.
Liu Dinghuan laughed and said, "Qingci! I heard that Minister Xu made some delicious food for you. It's really unfortunate that you can't eat right now. It's wrong to waste food."
"I am the emperor, and I must set an example myself. I will taste these dishes for you. You can come and have dinner again when you have learned those etiquette rules!"
As he spoke, Liu Dinghuan picked up a piece of pickled cabbage and pork belly with his chopsticks. He wrapped the pickled cabbage in the pork belly, dipped it in Xu Qingya's secret sauce, blew on it to cool it down, and put it into his cherry-like mouth, chewing it with great satisfaction.
The old-fashioned official from the Ministry of Rites looked at Xu Qingya.
Xu Qingya was fiddling with the copper hot pot.
Seeing the old man looking over, Xu Qingya, like a waiter serving dishes in a restaurant, gave a fluent explanation.
"When it comes to hot pot, let's start with the copper stove!"
This is an authentic copper-coated hot pot that I found in the imperial kitchen. It has a large firebox that can hold more charcoal, so the soup is always boiling from start to finish.
What's this called? This is called "prosperous"!
There's a trick to making charcoal. I went to the Imperial Garden to collect some fruitwood, then used my inner energy to heat it. The fire was strong, burned for a long time, and had a pleasant aroma of fruitwood.
The hot pot broth is just water, with some scallions and ginger slices added, so you can enjoy the natural flavor of the food.
Your Majesty, let's make a bet: after you finish your hot pot, the broth will still be clear and bright.
As for the dipping sauce, this is called "two-eight sauce"!
Eight parts sesame paste, two parts peanut butter, plus a little fermented bean curd sauce, a little chive blossom sauce, and the most essential ingredient is this: freshly fried chili oil.
When you pour in the chili oil, the condiment bowl is still sizzling. Take advantage of this moment, swirl the sliced meat in it, and quickly put it in your mouth!
Finally, the finishing touch.
Eating meat without garlic diminishes its aroma by half!
This is the pickled garlic I prepared for you.
Take a bite of meat first, chew gently, and when the aroma of the meat fills your mouth, drop in the pickled garlic.
This taste—even the gods wouldn't trade it for this!
Let's talk about the barbecue.
There are specific techniques to grilling meat.
This plate contains shank meat, with no fat at all, cut into coin-thick slices. This plate contains rib meat, which is slightly thinner than the shank meat. This plate contains chuck, which needs to be thickly sliced, about the size of half a banknote.
First, grill the shank meat. Shank meat has less fat, a more chewy texture, and a better taste. This is a secret dipping sauce that I prepared for Your Majesty. I'll dip it for you!
Next up is the rib meat. The rib meat has a higher fat content. In addition to the secret dipping sauce, it also needs to be paired with garlic slices and chili sauce. After grilling the meat, serve it with all the dipping sauces and wrap it in leafy greens to eat.
The oil is rich and flavorful, the greens are crisp and refreshing, and the garlic slices add aroma!
Finally, there's the chuck, which must be grilled in large slices, then cut open after it's cooked to lock in the juices.
The sirloin doesn't need any dipping sauce; just add a little salt and a pinch of spices. Too much sauce will affect its natural flavor.
Finally, place the grilled meat on a baking tray, add seasonal vegetables, and make a grilled meat bibimbap, blending all the essence of the grilled meat into the topping.
Before Xu Qingya could even utter the word "rice," Liu Qingci pounced on him like a tiger, snatched the roasted meat rice that Xu Qingya had just prepared, picked up the large soup ladle, scooped up more than half a ladle, took a bite, and felt completely refreshed, as if even his seven orifices were clear.
Liu Qingci glared fiercely at Liu Dinghuan, who was deliberately trying to tempt her, and Xu Qingya, her "accomplice," as she ate her bibimbap in large mouthfuls, chewing with a crunching sound. Despite this impolite behavior, the old man did not object.
It wasn't that he didn't want to object, but he was also tempted.
As an official of the Ministry of Rites, Xu Qingya could afford to eat barbecue and hot pot. However, being able to afford it was one thing, but how someone interpreted it was another. Xu Qingya managed to describe the most ordinary dishes as delicacies from land and sea.
What a true connoisseur!
Xu Qingya is no gourmand!
However, my senior apprentice runs a restaurant!
Eloquence is a natural gift for people from Liaodong; they can talk about anything and make it sound incredibly eloquent.
As for the explanations of the dishes, they weren't made up by Xu Qingya, nor were they based on actual knowledge. Rather, he had recently met a seasoned food connoisseur and learned everything from him!
If I have said anything incorrect, and His Majesty wishes to punish me for deceiving the emperor, I shall be exiled three thousand miles away. You may go to Zhao Banshan; I, Xu, will not be held responsible!
Xu Qingya brought over another dish.
"Your Majesty, please look, this is the dish that my senior master is best at making, a famous dish from Liaodong, Guo Bao Rou (Sweet and Sour Pork)!"
This is not sweet and sour pork!
First, look at the appearance. The key to good sweet and sour pork is to eat the sauce but not see the sauce. When you take the first bite, there will be a pungent smell that makes you want to sneeze.
Xu Qingya spoke eloquently and fluently.
Liu Qingci chewed with gusto, as if he were a glutton.
Liu Dinghuan ate with elegance, swallowing small bites.
The old man couldn't help but swallow repeatedly.
One person was giving a spiel, while the other was eating with gusto. How could the old-fashioned man resist?
Liu Dinghuan smiled and said, "Minister Yang, you've worked very hard these past few days training in etiquette. Minister Xu's cooking includes some dishes for you; these are for you!"
"Thank you Lord for your kindness!"
The old-fashioned man picked up his bowl and chopsticks as quickly as possible.
Logically, since the emperor was bestowing food upon him, it should be packed up and taken home to reheat. However, Liu Dinghuan waved his hand, indicating that the food wouldn't taste good if it got cold, and that he should eat it right there. He told Liu to go back and rest after he finished eating, and that there was nothing more for him to do here.
The old-fashioned man ate while admiring Xu Qingya.
Yin Susu's judgment was absolutely correct.
Even if Xu Qingya didn't know martial arts or had eloquent speech, he could still find a job as a waiter in a big restaurant based solely on his looks and eloquence. He could serve noble ladies while they ate, and in two months at most, he could earn enough tips to buy a house in the capital and live a peaceful and prosperous life thereafter.
Of course, there's another possibility!
Within three days, he caught the eye of a very wealthy woman and began to frequent various wealthy women. Eventually, he was chosen by Shan Yuru, the leader of the Heavenly Mandate Sect, and became the sect's holy son.
Uh—that doesn't seem like a "possibility"!
This is a fact that has already occurred.
Xu Qingya has been in the industry for less than two months, but she has already been noticed by wealthy women from both the underworld and the government, and is now living off the sweet and soft lives of several older women.
"Hiccup~~"
Liu Qingci let out a satisfied burp and patted Xu Qingya on the shoulder: "Little Xu, well done! You don't need to be a guard anymore, just be my cook!"
Liu Dinghuan said gently, "Qingci! Minister Xu is a successor of the Martial Saint and a pillar of the nation. I'm bestowing two imperial chefs upon you, so don't covet Minister Xu!"
Liu Qingci complained, "Pah! The imperial chef's dishes are indeed delicious, but there's no atmosphere! With Qingya explaining things to me, I could eat three more bowls of rice."
Liu Dinghuan laughed and said, "I think you should eat less to avoid gaining weight. Save these three bowls of rice! Tomorrow during the sacrificial ceremony, you and Minister Xu will guard me. You keep a close eye on Minister Xu, and imitate whatever he does!"
Xu Qingya exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, isn't this somewhat inappropriate? Won't we be impeached by the censors?"
Liu Dinghuan shook his head: "No! During the sacrificial ceremony, Qingci's identity is not that of a prince, but rather a descendant of the Five Tigers. You are also a descendant of the Five Tigers; you two are equals and should naturally be by my side!"
Liu Qingci blurted out, "Stand by your side? Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger! What if he eats me alive?"
Liu Dinghuan's gaze sharpened slightly: "Qingci, do you want to copy the Analects or the Spring and Autumn Annals? My requirements aren't high; copying it three times will suffice!"
Liu Qingci retreated meekly.
You're the older sister, everything you say is right!
Xu Qingya pointed to himself: "Your Majesty, may I go home? There are people waiting for me at home!"
Liu Dinghuan said, "Minister Xu, I have already sent someone to inform Yang Yan that you will be staying at the palace tonight."
"Where do I reside?"
"Hengwu Garden!"
"Could we go somewhere else?"
"The Eastern Depot's prison!"
"Your Majesty, I will go to Hengwu Garden immediately!"
Xu Qingya ran away in a flash.
This time I know the way well, I can go by myself!
Liu Qingci looked at Liu Dinghuan with a puzzled expression and unusually sharp eyes. Liu Dinghuan felt an itch down his spine, as if Liu Qingci had grabbed his tail.
Liu Qingci asked, "Sister, even if Qingya is a descendant of the Five Tigers, is this really necessary?"
Liu Dinghuan retorted, "Qingci, the Five Tigers are not all the same; he is a successor of the Martial Saint!"
Liu Qingci narrowed her eyes and sneered, "Could it be that you're feeling lonely and want to find the Empress? Hengwu Garden was where you lived when you were a child. I wasn't even qualified to stay there when I spent the night in the palace, so why should he?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Dinghuan flew into a rage: "Whenever you spend the night in the palace, don't you always sleep on the dragon bed! I allow you to go! Just so someone won't steal my blankets!"
Liu Qingci smiled and said, "I'll go right away!"
Liu Dinghuan angrily said, "Come back! We're going to worship our ancestors tomorrow, so we must bathe and burn incense tonight!"
Liu Qingci shrugged: "Sister, other people need to fast for three days before offering sacrifices to their ancestors! The meat we ate tonight must have weighed at least ten pounds, right?"
Liu Dinghuan sneered, "Don't count me in! I ate less than half a pound; the rest you ate!"
"We're sisters, it's all the same who eats it!"
"Does she only remember I'm the older sister now?"
"You'll always be my sister—I'm sleeping with you tonight, tell me a few stories!"
"If you keep acting up, I'll send you to the cold palace!"
"Wasn't the Cold Palace damaged? The national treasury has never had enough money for repairs, so now it's being turned into the Imperial Tree Garden!"
"Liu! Qing! Resign!"
When the emperor is angered, family law will be enforced!
Liu Qingci was like a feline being grabbed by the scruff of the neck, powerless and trembling, letting his sister do as she pleased, copying the Spring and Autumn Annals with a worried expression!
The night was quiet and peaceful.
The sacrificial ceremony officially began the following morning.
Liu Dinghuan, dressed in full regalia, was flanked by Xu Qingya and Liu Qingci, both clad in armor and wielding spears. Civil and military officials followed behind the imperial carriage, making their way to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The etiquette along the way was extremely complicated and intricate.
Xu Qingya was drowsy, but she had to stay awake. Liu Qingci glanced at Xu Qingya and followed her every move exactly.
After an unknown amount of time, the convoy entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The main hall enshrines Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, with Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, and Emperor Zhaolie of Han, Liu Bei, on the left and right sides. Behind them are the civil and military officials who founded the Han Dynasty three times. On the left are the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai, and on the right are the Five Tiger Generals and Four Ministers.
Drums and music played loudly, and bells and drums resounded together.
The civil and military officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
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Liu Dinghuan first offered incense to his three ancestors, then took out the sacrificial text. Logically, the one who should recite the sacrificial text should be the crown prince or the Grand Tutor, but Liu Dinghuan had no crown prince and the Grand Tutor was recuperating in Jiangling. Liu Dinghuan looked around and handed the sacrificial text to Xu Qingya, asking Xu Qingya to recite it.
Xu Qingya didn't understand its meaning, but at this moment he absolutely couldn't back down. He reached out and took the sacrificial text, quickly scanned it, and found that there were no unfamiliar characters, he recognized all the characters, and it even thoughtfully marked the punctuation.
"Your subject, Xu Qingya, will act as Grand Tutor and submit this proposal."
First, I thank Your Majesty for being a wise and sagacious ruler for all ages.
Educating the common people and governing the prefectures and counties:
To make peace with the barbarians and secure the borders;
Develop water conservancy and prioritize agriculture and sericulture;
They should cultivate and settle land to accumulate grain.
Public and private granaries are full, and the people are prosperous!
We humbly acknowledge the signs of Heaven: our ancestors opened up new territories; Emperor Gaozu wielded his three-foot sword to establish the Han dynasty in the Central Plains; Emperor Guangwu turned the tide of the Milky Way to continue the flames of the Han dynasty; and Emperor Zhaolie, with his benevolent heart, restored the glory of the Han dynasty.
Three great undertakings have been established, and their spirit will be awe-inspiring for a thousand autumns.
Now that the throne has been passed down, we must be vigilant day and night.
Fortunately, Heaven and Earth showed mercy, and all the civil and military officials worked together, and a small merit was achieved that reached the ears of Heaven. This small contribution is presented to our ancestors:
Thanks to the Heavenly Temple, the treasures of Liancheng reappeared in the world, relieving the depleted national treasury and gradually clearing away the evil spirits in the martial world;
The two officials are loyal and righteous, the successor of the Martial Saint has appeared in the world, the flame of loyalty and righteousness has been passed on, the tiger general and the unicorn bow still sing, the divine weapon has recognized its master again, the light of the stars of Yuntai will not be extinguished, the souls of the five tigers and four ministers will live on forever. Now we take the successor of the Martial Saint as our sword and the legacy of Zhaolie as our banner, to protect our mountains and rivers and to forever guard the Nine Tripods.
I pray three times for favorable weather and abundant harvests, for clear governance and the disappearance of villains, for peace and tranquility in the rivers and lakes, for the return of the imperial power to its rightful place, and for the enduring prosperity of the nation.
The illustrious Gaozu Emperor, who overthrew the tyrannical Qin Dynasty and established the dynasty based on the virtue of the earth;
The majestic Emperor Guangwu, who saved the day from collapse and inherited the destiny of fire;
Their illustrious deeds and glorious achievements continue the legacy of the Han Dynasty, moving even the gods and spirits to tears!
Now, my great-grandson Huan, having traversed frost and ice to restore order and discipline, and having gathered treasures to fill the granaries, I humbly pray that the divine weapons will shine once more, to vanquish the wicked and reveal the Way of Heaven. I also pray that the Azure Dragon will be reborn to protect all living beings and ensure lasting peace! With the Xuanjia armor now prepared, I humbly offer this sacrifice!
Sacrifice the ancestors! "
After reading the eulogy, Xu Qingya burned the memorial tablet and prayed.
The civil and military officials followed suit and bowed.
Xu Qingya also bowed down, but secretly glanced at the surrounding statues. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the statue of Guan Yu, and felt something, releasing a trace of the Spring and Autumn Blade Intent.
Originally, it was just to express gratitude to the Martial Saint for passing on his wonderful techniques, much like a junior showing off his skills to the founding patriarch.
Unexpectedly, in that instant, an unparalleled power swept over them, and in a flash, the wind rose and the clouds surged, with countless rays of light and auspicious colors appearing.
A green dragon soared through the clouds and swooped down towards Xu Qingya. Upon closer inspection, it was no true dragon or phoenix, but clearly a sharp blade of light. Xu Qingya took a half step back, bent over, and drew his sword.
As guards, they are entitled to wear armor and carry swords.
Spring and Autumn Sword Technique - Martial Blessing!
To stop killing with killing is the greatest act of benevolence.
With a single strike, the fighting ceased.
This was, after all, the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so Xu Qingya dared not use any large-scale destructive moves. Instead, he used a strategy of waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out and then launching a counterattack to stabilize the blade's edge. However, when the blade's edge fell, it was also the Spring and Autumn Blade Technique.
Spring and Autumn Sword Technique: Righteous Virtue!
Where righteousness lies, there is no equal throughout the ages!
A loyal heart will never betray its principles; a devoted heart will never fear death!
Even with Xu Qingya's understanding of the Spring and Autumn Blade Technique, he couldn't execute this move. Under heaven, there's no one who can currently imagine performing this strike.
Because this strike did not originate from the present.
This strike comes from the past!
Guan Yu fought his entire life with the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, becoming one with it, his lifelong martial arts experience fully integrated into the blade.
The statues of the Five Tigers and Four Ministers are accompanied by divine weapons, or the divine weapons are bestowed upon their respective successors. However, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade is nowhere to be found. Today, when Xu Qingya was worshipping his ancestors, he revealed the Spring and Autumn Blade Intent and accidentally triggered the Blade Intent left behind by Guan Yu, which unleashed the Green Dragon Blade Light.
"Assassin! Assassin!"
The civil and military officials shouted loudly!
What was just a solemn and respectful sacrificial ceremony turned into a chaotic mess in an instant.
Liu Qingci angrily shouted, "Silence! You are all important officials of the court, yet you panic and run around like wolves at such a trivial matter. What kind of decorum is this? Where is your etiquette, your dignity, and your honor as subjects?"
This loud shout was like a lion's roar, and the civil and military officials quickly quieted down. It wasn't that they lacked composure, but rather that most of them had experienced the great chaos of the previous emperor's reign and were often assassinated by wandering knights.
Liu Dinghuan, who was not skilled in martial arts, spoke softly. She muttered to herself, while Liu Qingci acted as a megaphone: "This is not an assassination attempt, but a manifestation of the Martial Saint. The Martial Saint is testing his successor. Auspicious omens have descended from the heavens to protect the Han Dynasty!"
You shall all follow His Majesty in praying to our ancestors!
Anyone who misbehaves will be severely punished!
In mid-air, Xu Qingya and Chunqiu Daoyi had reached a fever pitch. No matter how powerful their moves were, or how profound their martial arts were, even after hundreds of years, they were exhausted and only had a trace of power left.
The two sides were not fighting, but teaching each other.
Guan Yu did not leave behind any divine weapon because he felt that the Green Dragon Crescent Blade might not be suitable for his successor.
The successors of the Spring and Autumn Sword Technique should forge their own path; Guan Yu left behind a "seed"!
Of course, Guan Yu was not a stingy person. In order to leave a ladder for his successor to improve, as long as the successor passed the test of sword intent, he would receive the Radiant Martial Fragment!
The fragment of the radiant weapon that was incorporated into the Azure Dragon Blade!
After a thousand years, the Martial Saint has returned.
Spring and Autumn Sword Technique VS Spring and Autumn Sword Technique!
Xu Qingya's blood was boiling, and his fighting spirit was surging!
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