Chapter 184 Dongpo Pork? Grand Tutor's Pork!
Several scholars walked in, heard the story, and said,
"Give me some grand tutor's meat too. I want to bask in Lord Wang's glory."
"Exactly. I hope Lord Wang blesses me to become the top scholar!"
Boss Wang immediately got busy. While the kitchen was preparing the dishes, he hung up the newly made signboard.
"Authentic Northeast Yunnan Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles" was officially renamed.
"Jinbang Tower!"
...
Jinbang Tower's "grand tutor's meat" appeared out of nowhere, and its spread was much faster than imagined.
The entire scholar circle in the Imperial City was like an atomic bomb had been dropped, instantly exploding.
In tea houses, taverns, and even among the girls in the Brothel, everyone was discussing this earth-shattering gossip.
"Brothers, have you heard?
That Jinbang Tower in the west of the city has a new dish called grand tutor's meat. It's quite extraordinary!
The taste..."
A scholar who had just returned from queuing at Jinbang Tower was showing off to his companions.
Another scholar said with disdain, "Listening to you, isn't it just braised meat? What's so special about it?
Let me tell you, I just ate at Juewei Tower two days ago. It's probably similar to Boss Chu's braised meat."
"You bumpkin!"
The first scholar to speak gave him a scornful look.
He lowered his voice and said mysteriously,
"How can it be the same? Jinbang Tower has a story!
This grand tutor's meat was personally created by our current Grand Tutor Wang Shushi!
Back then, when Lord Wang was demoted to Location, he cared deeply for the common people.
Seeing that pork was cheap there, he devoted himself to research, and only then did this legendary dish come into being!
Is this just eating meat?
This is eating Grand Tutor Wang's scholarly integrity!
It's the sentiment of loving the people like his own children!
It's the auspiciousness of achieving success in the imperial examinations!"
His words left his companion stunned, forgetting to put down the wine glass in his hand.
"Holy cow! There's such a story?"
"Nonsense! Hurry up, come with me to queue at Jinbang Tower. If we go late, we won't even get soup!
Let's absorb some of the immortal energy of the God of Literature. This autumn's imperial examination, maybe both of us can pass!"
...
In the Imperial Academy, backyard.
Seventh Princess Zhao Qi looked at the latest account book in her hand, her usually serene face now filled with worry.
"Sir, is it really okay for us to do this?"
She frowned slightly and asked softly.
"Last time it was Junior Grand Tutor Li, this time it's Grand Tutor Wang. Both of them are first-rank officials in the court.
If we make up stories using their names, what if Grand Tutor Wang pursues the matter..."
Shen Yulou was leisurely sipping tea, his legs crossed.
Hearing this, he just smiled faintly.
"Pursue? Does he dare?"
"His grandson is in my hands. This is a hostage... no, hostage doesn't sound good."
"This is called core asset collateral."
"If he dares to cause me trouble, I'll make his grandson empty chamber pots every day."
Zhao Qi:... She found that after spending a long time with this man, her worldview seemed to be undergoing a complete re-evaluation.
"Let's go see how Jinbang Tower's business is today."
Shen Yulou stood up and, taking Seventh Princess, headed straight for Jinbang Tower... Just as they imagined.
Before they even reached the street corner, they saw the dense crowd.
It was even more exaggerated than the last time they sold rice noodles.
The queue was so long and winding, stretching as far as the eye could see.
It was as if the food was free.
Inside Jinbang Tower, it was even more bustling, with every seat taken.
Boss Wang stood behind the counter, his voice almost hoarse from shouting, his face wrinkled with a smile like a chrysanthemum.
Seventh Princess watched, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration for Shen Yulou, which flowed like a continuous river.
As soon as the two found a private room and sat down, they heard several scholars at the next table talking loudly.
"If you ask me, it's no accident that Grand Tutor Wang became a great Confucian scholar!
Think about it, back then in a harsh place like Location, he not only didn't become disheartened.
Instead, he was able to calmly research gourmet food and benefit the local people. What kind of broad-mindedness is that?
This shows that Grand Tutor Wang had long ago understood the principle of helping the world when successful and cultivating oneself when in poverty!"
"Brother, what you said is absolutely true!
When we eat this grand tutor's meat, we are not just tasting delicious food.
We are also experiencing Grand Tutor Wang's optimistic and open-minded state of mind, even when facing adversity!
This state of mind is priceless for us scholars!"
Just then, Boss Wang came up again, carrying a plate of brightly colored, fragrant dish.
"Distinguished guests, please try our second signature dish — Husband and Wife Lung Slices!"
A diner asked curiously, "Oh? What's the story behind this dish?"
Boss Wang cleared his throat and began to tell another story.
"Speaking of Husband and Wife Lung Slices, that has an even greater origin!
It is said that when our Ministry of War Vice Minister Lord Guo was young, his family was poor, and he and his wife set up a stall on the street, earning a living by selling cold mixed beef offal.
Because of his exquisite craftsmanship and affordable prices, he was deeply loved by the common people.
Later, Lord Guo succeeded in the imperial examinations and achieved fame, but he never forgot his devoted wife, nor the craftsmanship that sustained them back then.
So this dish was named Husband and Wife Lung Slices.
It commemorates the love of the couple, who shared joys and sorrows, and supported each other through thick and thin!
What you're eating is a love stronger than gold!"
"Good! What a love stronger than gold!"
"Lord Guo is truly a role model for our generation! Boss, give us a portion too!"
For a time, the shop was filled with shouts of approval again.
In the corner, Boss Chu of Juewei Tower was completely numb.
He was unwilling today and specifically came to scout the situation.
And the result?
grand tutor's meat... isn't it just his damn braised pork cut differently?
Husband and Wife Lung Slices... isn't it just cold mixed beef offal?
How come in Boss Wang's mouth, each one became a dish related to scholarship?
Can business be done this way?
Is there any justice?
Is there any law?!
...
After hearing this news.
Wang Shushi felt like he was about to explode with anger.
This news spread faster than when he was demoted.
He had just arrived at the Hanlin Academy in the morning and was surrounded by people complimenting him, saying he was virtuous and broad-minded, praising him until he was confused.
When he finally understood the whole story, he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood on the spot.
grand tutor's meat?
When the hell did I invent this thing?!
And it commemorates me?
I'm not dead yet!
"Outrageous! This is simply outrageous!"
Wang Shushi could no longer sit still. Without even bothering to change his official robes, he furiously stormed towards Jinbang Tower, followed by several colleagues who enjoyed watching the excitement.
He wanted to expose this scam with his own hands!
He wanted that fabricating Boss Wang, and Shen Yulou behind him, to be publicly shamed!
"Bang!"
The door of Jinbang Tower was pushed open forcefully.
Wang Shushi walked in, his face ashen, full of rage.
The diners who were loudly discussing inside were startled by the commotion and all looked over.
Boss Wang was diligently telling the story of Grand Tutor Wang to the new guests.
He looked up and saw Wang Shushi's murderous face, so scared he almost sat on the ground.
"You scoundrel! How dare you fabricate stories here and ruin my reputation! Are you looking for death?!"
Wang Shushi pointed at Boss Wang, trembling with anger.
"This Official is Wang Shushi!
When This Official was in Location, I ate only plain porridge and salted vegetables. When did I ever invent any damn grand tutor's meat?!