Your Majesty, I believe we should implement imperial examinations to select talented scholars!
Fang Xuanling said.
Your Majesty, I believe we can combine recommendations with imperial examinations.
Du Ruhui also stepped forward.
In that case, it shall be handled by Duke Fang and Duke Du together.
Li Er concluded.
But in his heart, he was willing to hold the imperial examinations.
Through the path of recommendation, most of the individuals who ascended were still from the scions of aristocratic families.
Li Er was eager to avoid such people!
But now that Wei Zheng had brought it up, he couldn't directly refute it.
The rules of centuries were not so easily broken.
Three days later, after intense discussions by the Department of Affairs of the State.
The Grand Court Assembly was set for the first day of the ninth month.
And the imperial examinations were scheduled for the ninth day of the ninth month, the Double Ninth Festival.
This symbolizes ascending heights to gaze afar, yearning for Yu and Shun!
These matters were left for those below to handle.
Li Er was very interested in Fang Er's new gun that could shoot two hundred paces.
So, together with Empress Changsun, accompanied by guards, he ventured again to Fang Family Village.
Fang Manor.
Fang Er was eating hot pot.
For this, he had specifically slaughtered a sheep.
A table had a hole dug in the middle.
Inside the hole was a clay stove, with red-hot charcoal within.
A twin-pot sat on top.
One was original flavored mushroom soup, and the other was spicy.
Xiao Qing and Xiao Huan watched the bubbling soup in the pot with eager eyes, their mouths watering.
Hua Niang and Xiao Mi were slicing lamb rolls beside them.
Next to the stove, platters of vegetables were also placed.
These were grown by Old Ma Tou.
They had already grown quite large.
They were just right for eating.
Young Master, is eating like this really appropriate?
Xiao Huan asked.
In the early Tang dynasty, meals were still served separately.
Fang Er inviting Xiao Qing and Xiao Huan to eat at the table at home was already considered outlandish by outsiders.
But to scoop food from the same pot...
Didn't that feel somewhat presumptuous?
This is how hot pot should be eaten. It will be even more comfortable when the weather gets colder.
Fang Er placed the sliced lamb into the pot, stirred it a couple of times with his chopsticks, and spread the lamb apart.
Oh, what delicious thing is this?
Li Er's voice carried in from outside.
Hua Niang and the maids' faces immediately became flustered.
They quickly got up and knelt in the courtyard.
Li Er had visited a few times, and they already knew his identity.
Get up, everyone. This is not the palace, there's no need for such formality.
Empress Changsun said.
Fang Er also rose from his chair.
Your Majesty, how could you...?
Before he could finish speaking.
Li Er unceremoniously sat down on the chair.
What, I can't come to see you, the little hero who killed Liang Shidu with a single shot? He was the ruler of a nation. How did it feel to kill an emperor?
Li Er's expression was full of teasing.
Your Majesty, how am I supposed to respond when you say that?
Fang Er spread his hands with a wry smile and glanced at Xiao Qing and Xiao Huan.
The two maids quickly retreated to the back courtyard.
Alright, don't make it difficult for Captain Fang. Are you expecting him to say that killing an emperor feels good?
Empress Changsun gave Li Er a look, then said to Fang Er.
His Majesty is happy. As there is nothing else to do today, he came to visit you and also to see that new gun of yours, the one that shoots two hundred paces.
Hearing this, Fang Er understood.
So, they were here to gain some experience.
Alright!
Since Your Majesty wishes to see it, there is certainly no problem. Please eat first. After eating, I will take you to see it. What do you say?
What's wrong with that? I'm also a bit hungry. What is in this pot? It smells quite fragrant. I've long heard that the food at Fang An's household is delicious. I'll try it today.
Li Er picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a bright red chili.
Your Majesty, that's not...!
Before Fang Er could finish speaking.
Li Er had already put the chili into his mouth and chewed it a couple of times.
Then!
Ptooey!
Water! Water! Fetch water quickly!
Li Er spat out the chili, stuck out his tongue, and yelled loudly at Fang Er.
Empress Changsun was startled.
Your Majesty, what's wrong?
Fang Er quickly poured a cup of cool boiled water and handed it to Li Er.
Li Er took the cup and drank heartily.
After drinking a cup of water, he felt some of the discomfort in his mouth subside.
Your Majesty! This is chili! It's hundreds of times spicier than the dogwood we usually eat! You are truly amazing!
What else could Fang Er say?
He could only flatter him.
Hahaha! You deserve it for being greedy.
Empress Changsun had been worried earlier, thinking he had eaten something poisonous.
Upon hearing Fang Er's words, she burst into laughter.
Li Er felt a bit embarrassed.
He had intended to show his cordiality towards Fang Er.
But it turned out...
He had embarrassed himself.
He picked up his chopsticks and stirred the pot a few more times.
In the red broth, besides chili, there were peppercorns, or segments of ginger and scallions.
There was nothing else.
The mushroom broth was the same.
On the side of the pot were several plates of green leafy vegetables.
They looked very strange, unlike anything he had ever seen.
An Zhi, why have I never seen the chilies in this pot or these vegetables on the plates?
These are grown by me. I obtained the seeds by chance.
Hua Niang, quickly bring the sliced meat.
Hua Niang stood by, not daring to speak.
Upon hearing Fang Er's command, she quickly brought over several plates of sliced lamb.
Your Majesty, this is the prepared broth base in the pot. Put the meat in and cook it before eating. You've already tasted the red broth; it's spicy. The white broth is mushroom soup.
After Fang Er finished speaking, he picked up a slice of lamb.
He dipped it in the spicy pot a few times, then dipped it in the sauce dish and brought it to his mouth.
The sauce dish contained seasoned sesame paste.
As the lamb entered his mouth, the fresh, fragrant, and spicy taste made a thin layer of sweat appear on Fang Er's forehead.
The meat was very tender.
This was a lamb that was only a month old.
There was no hint of gaminess, and the texture was excellent!
Your Majesty, Empress, would you like to try?
Fang Er picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Empress Changsun, then stood aside.
No need, sit down and eat together.
Li Er waved his hand, then, like Fang Er, began to cook the lamb.
He still used the spicy pot.
In his opinion, this was the taste that a man should eat!
It was exciting enough!
Empress Changsun, however, used the mushroom broth.
Li Er ate heartily, sweating profusely, and exclaimed with satisfaction.
Fang Er didn't hold back either. This was unbelievable!
He had worked hard for half the day, and he wouldn't be satisfied if he didn't eat his fill!
Wine! Wine! Bring wine!
Li Er ate with increasing gusto!
He had never eaten so heartily before.
Spiciness is not a taste, but a pain.
It is a special ability that chilies evolved to protect their seeds.
When eating chili, the tongue will feel a burning sensation.
The brain's consciousness will perceive it as damage, thus stimulating the body to secrete endorphins to alleviate the pain.
Endorphins can lead to addiction.
Therefore, after the spiciness subsides, people will feel a sense of exhilaration.