Chapter 10 Chapter Ten Mourning

Titiao Shanggong's birthday is approaching.According to the usual practice, every Shanggong in the imperial dining room had to offer a kind of precious food, and the most noble palace decided to prepare a mixed platter.The condition of the most noble palace is getting worse day by day, and now it is even difficult to stand up.The doctor said that it was not arthritis caused by old age, but a kidney deficiency.So the problem is quite serious, and it cannot be cured after a few days of rest.A maid will be expelled from the palace after she is ill. If she is young, her parents, brothers and sisters will welcome her home, but for an old maid who has spent most of her life in the palace, the so-called home is just a tomb for her to rest in peace. That's all.

And for the most noble palace, the current period is very important, she must not shrink back, she cannot hand over the entire imperial dining room to the Cui family who are colluding with Titiao Shanggong. It happened that Jang Jin couldn't do any hard work, so Han Shanggong asked her to help the Supreme Palace all the time.In order to alleviate the pain of the highest palace, Jang Geum spared no expense on his body. On the day of Shang Gong's birthday party, there was a long line of gift giving in front of the tent in the courtyard of Shang Gong's residence from early in the morning.

The needle shop Shanggong used the finest silk and satin to make clothes. Cui Shanggong not only had ginseng and lean meat, but also sent a jewelry box, and even the Hu Cao judge also sent matsutake mushrooms.Up to Wu Jianhu, down to the main hall, Biejian Mojie, anyone who wanted to win a relationship, all brought generous gifts.Lian Sheng actually asked, why did those court ministers give gifts to Tiao Shanggong's birthday? "I don't know either, you can ask the crows flying in the sky." This seemed to be more than just a joke. After finishing speaking, a bitter smile appeared on the face of the most noble palace.

The problem is the assortment of mixed chowder presented by the most noble palace. Titiao Shanggong sternly shouted just after taking a sip. "Will you let me eat this now?" In an instant, the arena was as silent as cold water sweeping the ground.The most noble palace is confident and confident, she seems to have foreseen that the promotion of Shanggong will be nitpicking. From that day on, Titiao Shanggong, Wu Jianhu, and the Cui family used the excuse that the cooking skills of the most noble palace in the imperial dining room were getting worse and worse, and launched their fierce conspiracy.

Jang Geum also has a new trouble.The symptoms of general paralysis disappeared, but the sense of taste did not return.The paralyzed tongue cannot distinguish the taste of sugar, salt, vinegar and soy sauce.Sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, all tastes are indistinguishable. At first I thought it would be fine soon.Although he didn't care too much, when he found that his sense of taste had not recovered, Jang Geum went to see the doctor Shi Ran.Shi Ran said that Jang Geum took too much, so the subtle sensations in the tongue were numb, and it will naturally get better after a while.Before that, she would give Jang Geum acupuncture every day and would not let others know about it.For this, Jang Geum is deeply grateful.During acupuncture, the food is completely prepared by itself, and there is no other way.

As time passed, Jang Geum began to worry.The people in the imperial dining room lost their sense of taste, just like the general lost his legs.Shi Ran advised her to wait a few more days to see, but Jang Geum couldn't wait any longer and was very anxious. She decided to ask Zheng Hao for help again.Thinking that he would only go to Zheng Hao when he was helpless, Jang Geum felt extremely guilty, but thinking about it carefully, if he didn't need help, he wouldn't dare to go to him at all. Zheng Hao's face was gloomy, he always put on a smile, but today he was full of worry.

"My lord, do you have any troubles..." "No. I don't know why you borrowed medical books. I heard that you cured Yuanzi's illness?" "I didn't expect it to be resolved so easily." "And I also heard that you did the experiment yourself?" "I can't think of anything else but that. Oh, my lord, I want to borrow another medical book." "what book……" "It's best to write down the patient's symptoms and prescription in detail." Zheng Hao asked Jang Geum to wait outside, went in to find a book by himself, and disappeared into the school book pavilion after speaking.The voice is not as loud as before, and the answer is not very happy.

Several wives walked past Jang Geum, their eyes flicked in this direction.Jang Geum didn't know where to look, he found a yellow chrysanthemum in a hurry.Along the back wall of Xiaoshu Pavilion, several chrysanthemums are quietly blooming.Jang Geum thought it was a mountain chrysanthemum, but the dense fluff behind the leaves seemed to be Naoxiang chrysanthemum.It's amazing that I still don't shrink back after going through the frost, and still show my self tenaciously. "It's cute, isn't it?" Before she knew it, Zheng Hao had already stood behind her. "It is said that Qu Yuan in the Warring States Period drank the dew from the magnolia flowers every morning and ate the fallen chrysanthemums in the evening."

"I heard that eating chrysanthemums often can eliminate dizziness and improve eyesight and heart." "...Neiren Xu is a high-ranking person in the imperial dining room. Qu Yuan is a poet who uses chrysanthemums to praise the difficult life and noble qualities. For Neiren Xu, chrysanthemums are just a cooking material." "...don't dare to take it." "This is "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and "Synopsis of the Golden Cabinet". I don't know what you are looking for, so let's take a look at these first. There are several books in total."

"Thank you again." Jang Geum didn't have the courage to look into Zheng Hao's eyes that had lost his smile, and turned around with his head down.When she took two or three steps, she heard Zheng Hao's voice behind her. "No matter how important it is, never use your own body as an experiment again." For some reason, this sentence almost brought her to tears.Jang Jin didn't turn his head and continued walking. The condition of the most noble palace is getting worse day by day.One day, Titiao Shang Gong made a dose of medicine and sent an attendant Shang Gong to bring it over.On the surface, the most noble palace accepted it gratefully. After the servant Shang Gong left, she thought about it for a long time.

On the second day, the most noble palace spent a long time and a lot of thought on getting dressed, which she hadn't done for a long time, and combed her hair more carefully than usual.The most noble palace prepared the breakfast by itself and went to the main hall. The servants of Changfan, Titiao Shanggong, Cui Shanggong, Han Shanggong and others were all there. As usual, the royal dining table was not rich.Compared with the style, it pays more attention to the convenience of eating; compared to the color, it pays more attention to the practicality.Humility and health preservation are the consistent food philosophy of the Joseon Dynasty. Even the royal food of the king is only within the reach of the arm.Convenience and nutrition are also fully considered in the placement of dishes. The sauce dish is placed in front of the rice, which makes it more convenient to eat. Hot food and fresh food are also placed in front of them, so that they can be eaten first.Foods with high nutritional value are placed on the right side where the sight and chopsticks are easy to reach; foods that can be eaten or not are always placed on the left. Looking at the familiar scene in front of him, Gao Shanggong's throat choked up.Cui Shanggong sat in front of the small round pan, and Han Shanggong sat in front of the chowder. Shanggong finished inspecting the food, and the king was about to stretch out his chopsticks. Suddenly, Zhongzong discovered the most noble palace, and his face immediately beamed with joy. "The widow asked you to come often, why haven't you come for so long?" "Your Highness, I'm sorry, but now the slave is getting old and lazy, it seems that it's time to retire." Titiao Shanggong and Cui Shanggong exchanged glances in a panic, as if to see what tricks she wanted to play in front of the king.Han Shanggong also stopped the hand that was cooking the chowder, and looked up at the most noble palace worriedly. "Are you in poor health? The widow will see a medical officer for you." "No, Your Highness, if you don't have enough strength, it will be difficult to make delicious food. Please consider it." "The widow doesn't think there is any difference. Besides, you are not bedridden, even if it is for the widow, you can stay for a while. In the past ten years, the widow has been used to listening to Ding Shanggong and eating meals made by Ding Shanggong." "But Your Highness, when this aging body will turn into something, I dare not say anything. After the seat of the most noble palace was vacated last time, it was very difficult to be promoted to the noble palace." "Really?" "Yes, Your Highness. This servant has the guts to beg Your Highness for one thing!" "Begging? Tell me." "Right now, there are two outstanding imperial servants in the imperial dining room." "Really? Who are they?" "One is Cui Shanggong, who comes from a family that specializes in cultivating the most noble palaces. He has learned superhuman cooking skills since he was a child. The other is Han Shanggong. Han Shanggong is talented and good at distinguishing the original taste of food. Before the servants retire, I want them both Let's play a game together, I don't know what the king wants?" "Contest?" Zhongzong seemed to be very interested, and his eyes shone with brilliance.The three Shang Gong showed surprise at the same time. "Through the competition, you can urge everyone to work hard to improve their skills. And after they compete fairly, I can retire cleanly and leave behind a good tradition, don't you think?" "Hehe, this is quite interesting. Does the widow only need to lend you a mouth and choose talented people?" "But, Your Highness..." Just as Titiao Shanggong was about to interject, the long waiter exaggeratedly agreed and blocked Titiao Shanggong's mouth. "Sure enough, it's a good idea. It's best to use it when choosing other ministers." "Okay, let's do it like this. Even so, Ding Shanggong, you don't want to hold the competition as soon as possible so that you can leave the widow as soon as possible, you understand?" "Yes, Your Highness, I will encourage them to be fully prepared and strive to do their best." "Okay, that's it. I'll just wait and see." After leaving the inner hall, the Supreme Palace called Han Shanggong to express his thoughts. "Food cannot be used for any purpose other than food. I have to correct this before leaving the palace. This is my only wish before I die." The voice of the most noble palace began to tremble.Han Shanggong felt his throat was warm.In terms of doing things, she is her own master; in terms of emotions, she is her own mother.Such an important person, now old and sick, had to consider retirement. Before she left, she packed up her long and difficult life, but entrusted her final wish to herself. "I believe that you can fulfill my wish. But I won't treat you in vain just because I believe in you. If so, wouldn't we be no different from the Cui family? I don't know that you have had a relationship with them before. What entanglements, I only hope that you can win the competition in an open and honest manner by virtue of your strength and sincerity in cooking." I don't know why, but this sounds a bit like a last word. Back in the room, Han Shanggong called Jang Geum.She conveyed the meaning of the highest palace to Jang Geum, and revealed her thoughts and decisions.She goes on to say that since Min-yi left, there is a feeling of frustration that has never left, which makes her extremely ashamed.After the sincere confession, Han Shanggong spoke his mind. "I have confirmed that you are the insider of the restaurant. From now on, I will pass on my unique skills to you." Jang Geum was surprised, but said nothing. "Why don't you answer me?" "I don't have this ability!" "Can not afford to?" "yes." Jang Jin said it clearly, but Han Shanggong still couldn't believe his ears.Although Jang Geum's work is often unexpected, most of the time she is still satisfactory. This time she must have unspeakable difficulties. "You're not the kind of kid who doesn't like to do things or is afraid of doing things, what's the matter?" "I've lost my sense of taste. It's been like this ever since I was paralyzed by eating ginseng and nutmeg. The chowder at the birthday party of Aunt Titiao Shanggong was made by me. I thought it was just right, but it ended up like that. I've made it The most noble palace maid has suffered a great humiliation. I really don't have the ability." "Let's go find the doctor!" "I've already looked for it. She said that the numbness will gradually disappear, and asked me to wait for a while before giving me acupuncture treatment, but many days have passed. Under such circumstances, how can I fulfill the wish of the most noble palace? ?” "Didn't the doctor tell you to wait? Since she told you to wait, you should wait. Why did you think it would be impossible in the first place?" "I know the mind of the most noble palace very well, so I am even more incompetent this time." "Why did you give up so quickly, isn't it like you? If you don't help me, no one can help me anymore. Although you have lost your sense of taste, you are better than those children who have taste. Believe it. Besides, the sense of taste will return soon." "But, if you can't recover..." "Shut up! Now that I know, I won't stand by. I'm going to ask the Supreme Palace to leave the palace, you go back first." The next morning, Jang Jin was dragged out of the palace by Han Shanggong.They changed into common people's clothes, passed the bazaar and walked a long way into a dark alley, where they saw a pharmacy. "You suffer from dysgeusia and dysgeusia. People with dysgeusia perceive white sugar as salty or meat as sweet. Is that true for you?" The doctor took Jang Geum's pulse seriously and asked. "no." "Gastasis, as the name suggests, is the loss of taste. You have to eat a lot of sugar to feel the sweetness. In severe cases, you can't even feel any taste." Jang Geum's symptoms are like this.The doctor said that there are two things that can lead to loss of taste. One is eating too little, and the health status is poor after suffering from an infectious disease;The second condition is very difficult to treat. To restore the sense of taste, it will take at least ten years or even twenty years, which is unpredictable. After leaving, Han Shanggong still did not give up, and insisted on asking all the pharmacies to find a doctor with better medical skills.All the people shook their heads and sighed, and when the doctor they visited by boat with their last hope also shook his head, the only remaining hope in Han Shanggong's heart was shattered. Sitting on the returning boat, Han Shanggong and Jang Jin tried their best to avoid each other's sight.They are far away from each other, one sits on the left and the other sits on the right, their eyes are fixed on something, but they don't see anything.The wind shook the boat, and the boat skimmed the waves, moving slowly.Jang Geum still focused his eyes on the water surface and asked. "All the doctors said in unison that they don't know whether to wait ten years or twenty years." "So, maybe it will recover tomorrow." "Mommy, you must win!" "I can't win without you!" "You cannot violate the wish of the Most Noble Palace because of me." "With you here, I won't go against her wish." Maybe everything Jang Geum said flew away with the wind, maybe Han Shanggong misunderstood Jang Geum's meaning, she was always stubborn. "Mommy! No matter what, please give up on me." "I told you, I need you!" Han Shanggong yelled loudly, and his body shook violently, even the boat shook.Jang Jin was silent, but there were thousands of words rushing and surging deep in her heart.Confronting Cui Sanggong and Jinying with a tongue that has lost its sense of taste is like measuring the sky with a bamboo pole and lighting a bonfire to shine on the stars. When the boat got off, Han Shanggong walked ahead silently.The fisherman was unloading the fish cabinet, the merchants were bargaining, the pier was in chaos, and the strong fishy smell came out. "Who do you want to deceive? Do you dare to take out the fish you caught for a day?" A merchant threw aside the fish he was holding, and it turned out to be a blind man.Staring blankly at this scene, Han Shanggong and Jang Geum were both unhappy.On the noisy pier, there were only these two women and a fish that fell on the ground, with their eyes open with no interest. "Pick me two fresh herrings." "Hey, Mother Han Shanggong, why are you listless today?" Just by hearing the voice, the businessman knew that the speaker was Han Shanggong.In fact, it is no wonder that he can keenly guess the time when the fish comes out of the water just by touching it with his hand. Jang Geum kept his eyes on the lively fish all the time.A life without limbs can only jump around using the body as a fulcrum, unable to grasp anything, unable to struggle or escape, and can only jump in place until the moment of death.Jang Geum suddenly felt that he who had lost his sense of taste was actually a fish out of water. Thinking of this, he felt faintly sad for this dying fish. The Supreme Palace called Han Shanggong and Cui Shanggong and told them that each of them could choose a caterer to assist them in their work during the competition.Cui Shanggong chose Jinying without hesitation, Han Shanggong hesitated for a moment, and finally said "Xu Changjin". After the news spread, everyone in the imperial dining room was eager to talk about the topic of the competition.Although the Imperial Dining Room has never had a day of calm, it has never had such an exciting event.The competition is certainly eye-catching, but the news that Jang Geum and Jin Ying, who just finished the insider ceremony, became the insiders of Shangcui, is the focus of everyone's discussion.I don't know why, but Ling Lu and Tiao Fang can't get used to each other, and have been slandering each other all the time.Chang Yi and Lian Sheng also fell out. Jang Geum was the most surprised person after hearing the news.She quickly flipped through the book she borrowed from Zheng Hao, but unexpectedly couldn't read a single line, so she turned it over and over and finally threw it aside.Unable to control the depression in his heart, Jang Jin ran into Night Breeze alone.The night wind was blowing towards her face, but it still couldn't cool down her burning heart. Panting, Jang Jin ran up to the back mountain outside the palace where he often came to pick wild vegetables before becoming a wife.When she was young and it was still difficult to count to one hundred, Han Shanggong asked her to gather a hundred kinds of wild vegetables within a hundred days. After picking wild vegetables, they were either boiled, dried, fried or fried, and sometimes eaten raw .She really wanted to taste the bitter taste of the green wild vegetables that filled her mouth again, and the fishy smell of wild vegetables that still lingered after vomiting, and now she couldn't help but miss it. Jang Geum wanted to escape.The loss of taste means the end of the career of the royal kitchen maid, and at the same time means the shattering of both the mother's dream and her own.If that's all it is, she seems to be able to make it through.Jang Geum was afraid that if he participated in the competition without his sense of taste, he would also lose Han Shanggong and Gao Shanggong.No, she was afraid that she had broken their faith and courage.Sooner or later loss brings grief, and sooner or later grief brings "belief." If you are kicked out of the palace, you can go to Dejiu's house to steam distiller's grains to make wine, spend the rest of your life, and then meet a man and drink a glass of Jinghuashui with him* (well water picked in the morning, used to express mind or boil medicine——Translator's Note), forge a marriage bond.The maid was expelled from the palace, and she was still the king's woman, but she could escape to a far away place to hide like her parents did.A court lady who has lost her sense of taste is like an old shoe, useless.However, women from ordinary families are completely different. Foods such as miso soup can be cooked with eyes closed, and men need more than just cooking? It's fine to spend your life like this, but what's the difference between cooking for your man and cooking for the king?If you have children, the mere joy of raising them can make life feel short.Isn't the mother the same way?When she was expelled from the palace, she was surrounded by a sense of loss, how dare she hope for future happiness.Although she was very young at the time, she still remembers that her mother was always happily snuggled up beside her father... From this point of view, the mother and daughter walked the same path.Entering the palace from a young age, with great ambitions, wanted to become the most noble palace, but was kicked out of the palace in the end, met an officer of the inner guard... met an officer of the inner guard... Chang Jin grabbed a handful of grass and put it in his mouth Chew lightly.Meeting an officer of the Internal Guard... She would rather have nothing in her mind, just like her tongue now, without feeling anything. He is a son of a noble family.Even if she can leave the palace and live the life of an ordinary woman, she still cannot become his wife. Spitting out the grass that was chewed in his mouth, Chang Jin couldn't help crying bitterly.She vomited and vomited vigorously, but the sadness pressed against her heart and oppressed her trachea, no matter how hard you tried, she couldn't vomit it out. Back in the imperial dining room, Jang Jin grabbed a handful of salt and stuffed it into his mouth, then swallowed vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil, and then chewed schisandra, motherwort, and herring sauce.There is still no taste in the mouth, only an explosion-like pain in the chest. Jang Geum started to boil hot water.If you pour hot water on your heavy and dull tongue, it might cheer you up.He hurriedly poured a ladle of hot water, but it only burned his innocent hands, so Jang Geum simply stuck his tongue into the boiling hot water. Han Shanggong, who witnessed all this outside the imperial dining room, ran in and stopped Jang Jin. Jang Geum shook off Han Shanggong's hand and began to vent his anger. "Why do you always make me feel so much pressure? Nurse, please give up on me, please give up on me!" "If you want to be coquettish, take off this dress first. You are so cowardly, what use is this underwear to you?" "If you feel sorry for me..." "Shut up! I'm not one to screw things up for personal reasons!" "I can't taste the taste, the taste..." "Your sense of taste will definitely come back!" "But when will that wait? Ten years? Or twenty years?" "I said it will recover, why are you still like this? Besides, you are the one who creates the taste, not the one who tastes it!" "I can't tell the taste at all, how can I make delicious food?" "Even if your sense of taste never returns, you still have two abilities! The first is the art of seasoning. Some people are born with this art, and some people make good taste through hard work. You have both Innate craftsmanship, but also willing to put in hard work." "But, if you can't taste it..." "Even an old lady who is old and frail and has lost her sense of taste can still make miso soup that her son likes." "..." "Also, you have an ability that Cui Shanggong, Jinying, and I don't have. This ability is more important than the sense of taste!" Jang Geum stopped crying and stared blankly at Han Shanggong.It is impossible to have such an ability in the world that cannot be matched by anyone, and is even more important than the sense of taste. "It's your ability to describe deliciousness, Jang Geum, think about it carefully!" There's no need to think about it, Jang Geum doesn't even understand what this sentence means. What an ability to describe deliciousness! "You know that Chinese cabbage can be used to make dumpling wrappers, you know that mineral water is best for making cold noodle soup, you know that charcoal can remove the smell of soy sauce, did you know it through tasting? No. These are abilities beyond experience, All this can only be done by someone who has the ability to describe deliciousness!" "Even if I have the ability, that's when I can taste everything, isn't it?" "I said no! Have you ever tasted charcoal before putting it in soy sauce? Have you ever eaten cold noodles made of mineral water and radish kimchi soup before?" "It's not like that, but..." "Don't talk too much, start training tomorrow morning, and come over at dawn!" Han Shanggong gave the order sternly, and then left.The voice was cold, just like when he saw her for the first time before becoming a wife, Jang Jin suddenly felt like an abandoned person, and he couldn't think of anything in his mind.Later, her mind couldn't feel anything like her tongue. It was just dawn, and Jang Geum went to the cooking kitchen of the Empress Dowager's Palace.Han Shanggong has prepared the stove, cutting board, and various seasonings.The two prawns on the dish looked very fresh, so Han Shanggong asked Jang Geum to make steamed prawns no matter what.Jang Geum repeatedly explained that he had never made this kind of food, but to no avail.The purpose of Han Shanggong is to let Jang Geum draw a picture of steamed prawns, and then look for materials that match it. Jang Jin dawdled to bring bamboo shoots, then found cucumbers and beef tendon and put them on the plate.Han Shanggong ordered to start immediately, and Jang Geum felt that it was very difficult. Han Shanggong guarded the door like a door god, and Jang Geum couldn't escape even if he wanted to.Chang Jin carefully picked up the kitchen knife while crying. While waiting for the meat to be cooked, she cut the cucumber and bamboo shoots into small slices, then sprinkled a little salt in the cucumber, and steamed the shrimp in the steamer.All the ingredients are placed on a deep plate, the prawns and meat slices are placed, and sprinkled with salt and pepper.Chang Jin subconsciously grabbed a piece of cucumber that had been preliminarily seasoned and put it in his mouth. Han Shanggong saw it and shouted loudly. "Don't taste it! You must never taste it in the future!" "How do you cook food without tasting it?" "You mess up food because of the taste, you think about the feel of your fingertips." "But……" "Jang Geum, you have to believe in yourself. If you can't believe in yourself, you have to believe in me. I believe in you, don't you believe in me?" "..." "If it really doesn't work, I can only give up on you. Do you think that you will be the only one who will be sad?" Jang Geum picked up the kitchen knife again, and this time she took a deep breath to stabilize her thoughts.Jang Jin pushed aside the pre-seasoned plate, pulled a small plate, and put pine nut powder, salt, white pepper, sesame oil, etc. in it.She seemed to feel that the pine nut sauce was a bit hard, so she took a spoonful of water.Han Shanggong raised his eyebrows.Jang Geum shook his head, poured out the water without hesitation, and scooped up a spoonful of broth.After a while, she also poured out the broth, and took the bowl containing the shrimp skins.There are only shrimp heads and shrimp skins in the bowl.Jang Jin tilted the bowl slightly and poured out three or four drops of soup.Chang Jin scooped it out again with a spoon, dripped it into the pine nut sauce, stirred evenly, and finally poured it on the ingredients just prepared, and put shrimp heads and tails as decorations.On the face of it, a plate of impeccable steamed prawns is done. Han Shanggong took a bite with his chopsticks, tasted it, and put down the chopsticks with a "poof". "Now, you make tofu chowder!" Jang Geum felt incredible and didn't even have the courage to ask.Mung beans, radishes, shiitake mushrooms, celery, shallots, etc., no matter what it is, grab it and put it on the dish.Sprinkle salt on top of the tofu to remove water, dip it in starch and fry it in a frying pan.Minced beef is soaked slightly, and a thin layer is spread on the fried tofu, and another piece of tofu is placed on top, and tied with celery, the shape is calculated.After matching the colors of vegetables and meat, spread them on the bottom of the frying pan, add tofu, add soup and cook. Jang Geum wanted to taste it very much, his fingers itched from anxiety.Even though the food was just for Han Shanggong, she was crazy to know how it tasted.Han Shanggong seemed to have seen through Jang Geum's mind, and immediately stepped forward when he heard the boiling.Opening the lid, Han Shanggong scooped up a spoonful of soup, and put it to his mouth when the soup was a little cooler.Han Shanggong's expression was more nervous than Jang Geum who was watching from the side. One spoonful seemed not enough, so Han Shanggong took another spoonful.As soon as his tongue touched the spoon, a thick teardrop suddenly fell from Han Shanggong's eyes. "Look, I said you can do it?" "Could it be...you mean...is it delicious?" “Delicious, really delicious!” "I do not believe." "Your tongue has lost its sense of taste. I have no problem with my tongue. You can think of adding shrimp soup to food that has never been cooked before. How can I give up on you. Cui Shanggong used it when cooking steamed prawns. Broth, but I have always insisted on using the original shrimp soup. Until now, Cui Shanggong didn’t know about it. That’s why His Highness likes to eat the steamed prawns I made.” "Mommy, I might be lucky this time..." "Don't say that! You put seasoned beef between two pieces of fried tofu! That's something no one thought of, and I can't think of it. So, didn't I say that? You know how to describe food !" Han Shanggong cried and laughed, yelling like crazy.Until then, Jang Geum felt that everything was real. "I saw blind fishmongers picking fish to perfection, so I gained confidence from it. Just like a fishmonger trusts his fingers, all you have to do is trust your fingers!" If you can really believe it, Jang Geum would rather believe it a hundred times or a thousand times.Although she was still not sure, she was willing to believe in that gaze, Han Shanggong's trusting gaze... Apart from this gaze, there was nothing else in the world that she could rely on. Soon, another unbelievable thing happened.The sauce in the sauce library has changed its taste.The sauces marinated according to different tastes, including soybean paste, yellow sauce, clear sauce, thick sauce, etc., all changed as if they had been agreed in advance.From the new sauce marinated this year to the old sauce for decades, there is no exception. It can be seen from the homophony of "jiang" and "jiang", that "jiang" at that time was the top of all flavors.What's more, in the royal palace, this is not only the most basic food material for more than a thousand people, but also an important item that heralds the good and bad luck of the country. It is for this reason that marinades must be chosen on auspicious days.People are convinced that the sauce will not produce maggots only on Bingyin, Dingmao, Zhujishen's day, rainy day of the first month, Lidong day, zodiac day, and dog days.Horse day and rainy day are also considered auspicious days. Since Jiang has been endowed with such an important meaning, it is not surprising that the palace reacted to this incident.The Imperial Dining Room, Si Dao Temple, Si Dian Yuan, and even the Yi government were all in a mess. In order to discuss emergency countermeasures, Sidaosi Titiao, Changfan Neishi, Titiao Shanggong, Gao Shanggong, Jiangkushanggong and others gathered in the executive room of the Neishifu.Si Dao Si was furious, and Shang Gong looked like an ant on a hot pot in front of him.Sidaosi Titiao ordered Titiao Shanggong to immediately find out the cause of the change of taste and quickly restore it to its original state. There are only a few Shang Gong left.Titiao Shanggong blamed the incompetence of the most noble palace, but the most noble palace seemed to have heard nothing, and asked Jiang Kushanggong sharply. "Shouldn't it be raining?" "how could be?" "Is it not in the sun?" "Absolutely not. When you were in the sauce store, ma'am, I was always by your side. You know me better than anyone else! When have I ever been lazy?" "Then why does it only change this year?" Jiang Kushangong sighed, as if to say, "I'm also wondering about this question."I haven't been drenched in the rain, and I haven't missed the opportunity to bask in the sun because of laziness. It is impossible for a good sauce to change its taste overnight.The soy sauce warehouse in the palace was surrounded by walls and the door was locked, so it was impossible for anyone to put anything in it. "You are busy planning big plans behind the scenes every day. How can you have time to manage the imperial dining room? The sauce in ordinary people's homes has changed, and those who pickle the sauce will be punished. I will report this to the Queen Mother, yours." Responsibility must be pursued!" Titiao Shanggong's first concern didn't seem to be Jiang's problem, she was more eager to blame Gao Shanggong.No matter what Ti Tiao Shang Gong said, the highest palace seemed to have expected it a long time ago, and the person who only took solving the problem as the primary task, found out the cause of the change of taste and came up with countermeasures, was the winner of the first round of competition. Han Shanggong and Jang Jin first went to Qinglong Temple where the sauce was made.The old monk who makes sauce cubes for the sauce library every year waved his hands and said, my spirit this year is better than any other year, and I feel very satisfied. Why do you suddenly say such a thing.This year's soybean harvest is bumper, not only the quality of the material is good, but also the ventilation and temperature are near perfect.No matter from his years of hard work or his manner of speaking, there must be no problem with the sauce. After leaving Qinglong Temple, the second place they were going to was Porcelain Village.Passing by the village entrance, they heard an old man scolding a young man. "Bastard! Don't sell it if you don't have enough time. You actually brought this kind of thing out?" "Father, I was wrong, I was too anxious..." "Bastard! Get the hell out of here, you bastard!" The old man raised the square wooden bowl filled with water and poured it on his son.The people watching couldn't help curling up their bodies, but the old man's son stood there motionless.Even though the glaze was splashed all over his body, he didn't intend to wipe it off. He just lowered his head and finally knelt down. "Father! Please forgive me this time!" "No need, get out! Get out, bastard!" The son begged bitterly, but the old man was still angry and went home and locked the door.Han Shanggong muttered with embarrassment, and finally stepped forward cautiously to ask. "What big mistake did you make, that your father scolded you so much?" "Because I didn't make a good Korean glaze." "North Korean glaze?" "It is a glaze made by mixing pine leaf powder, bean pod skin and high-quality medicinal soil. Apply this glaze to porcelain, and the fired vat is like a human being, and it also breathes." "Then what mistake did you make?" "It should have been fermented and precipitated for more than two months. I took out the glaze that had been fermented for less than two months." "Oh! You should know your father's character best. Why are you in such a hurry?" "The government is pressing hard. If the deadline is not met, my father will be punished." "Then your father still scolded you for not waiting two months?" "yes." Han Shanggong nodded heavily, and left without saying a word.Jang Jin hurriedly caught up with Han Shanggong. "Didn't you say you want to see if there is any problem with the tank?" "Don't you understand? He would rather take a big stick than deal with it. How can there be problems with the tank made by such a person?" It does sound reasonable. Neither the sauce block nor the sauce jar found any problems, so Han Shanggong couldn't help but quicken his pace.No clues were found, and night had slowly fallen. Coming out of Porcelain Village, and walking for more than half an hour, a slightly bulky mountain tree stood in front of him.This is a pine tree that is more than five hundred years old, and people gather around it to worship.Under the tree are filled with vats of various sizes and shapes, too many to count.It seems to be holding a "soy sauce festival", and all the vats in the village have gathered here. The atmosphere was quite serious, and it seemed that we could only approach him to talk to him after the worship service was over.The event is long and very grand.萧瑟的秋风中，孤傲的青松矗立在黑暗之中，比黑暗更加黑暗。面对造物的严酷考验，永不变节而勇气百倍的大概也只有松树了。 结束了祭拜活动，人们开始三三两两地散去。韩尚宫快步上前，跟一位看着很厚道的妇女搭起讪来。 “我是从宫里来的，想问一下，你们为什么把所有的酱缸都搬到这儿举行酱祭呢？” “我也不知道为什么。只知道这个地方对酱最有好处。” “全村只有这个地方最好吗？” “韩参判家里也很好，但那是贵族人家，谁敢往那儿放酱缸啊。倒是有几个人往后院的栗谷家里放。” “那你知道那儿为什么适合放酱缸吗？” “不知道。我们这些人啊，只要酱的味道好就行了。总之，我们村子里最好的地方就是这里、那边，还有那边，就只有这三处。” 又打听了几个人，回答如出一辙。他们只知道适合放酱缸的位置，却不知道理由，看来也不想知道。 "let's go!" “您要亲自去吗？” “这三个地方一定有共同点。如果找到这个共同点，说不定就能找出解决第一个课题的线索。” “可是天黑了，看不清楚。” “是啊，看不清。” 在这偏僻的村庄里，韩尚宫已经忘了天黑这码事了，她重重地吁了口气。无奈之下，当天夜里她们只好住宿在附近的旅馆，天一亮就跑去韩参判家。站在远处，还是看不出他们家的酱缸台有什么特别之处。酱缸台后面有三棵红通通的红松，下面是一排大大小小的酱缸。 栗谷家的酱缸只是种类更多而已，也没有什么特别之处。酱缸台与灌木丛相连，灌木丛后面就是山脚，那里有很多栗子树，栗谷的名称可能就是这么得来的。 这时候，通往酱缸台的门正好开了，一个女人拿着碟子出来。韩尚宫顾不得失礼了，提高嗓音冲着围墙对面说道。 “听说您家的酱味道特别好吃，所以特地前来拜访。可以让我尝一尝吗？” “请吧。” 女人的面容美丽而文静，说起话来嗓门有点粗，她舀起满满一勺酱递出墙外。韩尚宫用手指蘸了一下放进嘴里，表情顿时大变。 “味道很像以前酱库里的酱。” “这么说，它们之间肯定有共同点。” 长今尝不到酱的味道，焦急地直咂嘴。她们又回到山神树下，发现酱缸盖子上放着几个碟子，不知道是没来得及收拾，还是故意放在那儿的。韩尚宫尝了一口，味道很好，几乎和栗谷家的一样。 尝不出味道的长今，心急如火，百无聊赖中便把头向后仰去，想要深深地吸一口气。密匝匝的树梢和深邃的天空映入眼帘，让她感到一阵眩晕。仿佛被古木的悲凉气氛所感染，长今竟有些头晕起来。长今突然醒悟过来，村庄里的树木数量其多，而且大都枝繁叶茂。韩参判家的红松和栗谷家的栗子树，尤其粗壮而繁茂。 “树……树……” "What did you say?" “树？” “你到底嘟哝什么呀？” “嬷嬷！我们赶快回宫！” 韩尚宫困惑地抬起眼睛。长今沉默无语，走在前面。韩尚宫也二话不说便迈开了大步。她不是一个描绘美味的孩子吗？既然如此兴高采烈地走在前面，她的脑子里肯定是在描绘着某个图景。 崔尚宫和今英前一天就回宫了。她们禀告提调尚宫说，盐已经检查过了，用料都是最好的。供应王宫食盐的是崔判述，问题并非没有，但是很久之前就使用同样的盐，酱的变味应该不是盐的问题。 尽管没有找出酱变味的原因，崔尚宫却带回了宫中未曾腌制过的奇妙大酱，为此兴奋不已。她就以带回宫来的大酱做成大酱汤，为大王做早膳。恰好吴兼护也来到了大殿。 “四山频繁发生山火，濬川沙请求增援消防兵，预防首都火灾。” 濬川沙是管理首都河川和山林的官厅，四山是指汉阳周围的四座山，即北部的百岳山、南部的木觅山、东部的骆山、西部的仁旺山。 大王正要喝杂烩汤，听到这里便放下了汤勺。 “什么？四山火灾频繁？” “可能是因为天气连日干燥。” 善于察言观色的提调尚宫插嘴说道。 “酱库的酱都变了味，所以总有不祥之事发生。” “这么说是因为酱才发生火灾？” “百姓中间不是有这样的风俗吗？所以崔尚宫特地带回了好酱，请大王品尝。” 原来，他们的最终目的就为说出这句话。吴兼护也在一旁帮腔，最高尚宫无言地目睹他们施展自己的诡计。 “是啊，味道很好。” 大王放下筷子，随口说道。听完这话，提调尚宫、崔尚宫、吴兼护不约而同地露出喜悦的神色。 “不过，不如原来的味道好。” 三个人顿时沮丧起来。 长今一回来就把王宫翻了个底朝天。不久之后，大概是找到了要找的东西，长今面露喜色朝韩尚宫跑来。韩尚宫听到这个消息，赶紧拿起碟子和勺子跟在长今身后。那里的酱果然还是原来的味道。 “嬷嬷，您赶快炖大酱汤给殿下吧。” “你说什么？应该由你来炖！” 原本因喜悦而手舞足蹈的长今听韩尚宫这么说，立刻就没了精神。 “嬷嬷！这可是为殿下做的大酱汤啊？” “所以就更应该由你来做了！” “可是，我现在还……” “闭嘴！你是我的上馔内人。拌蔬菜和炖汤之类的事应该由上馔内人来做！炖大酱汤就是你的第一个任务！” “在第一轮比赛中获胜，难道不重要吗？” “直到现在你仍然没有信心吗？” “……不是的，我来做。” 当长今把煮好的大酱汤送往大殿时，提调尚宫和所有御膳房尚宫全都聚集在那里。大王轮流享用蟹壳丸子汤、清蒸鱼鳔、萝卜炒牛肉、炸海带扣，对于大酱汤看都不看，汤匙一直放在鲷鱼粉条那边。崔尚宫的大酱汤是早晨做的，现在再吃应该不算勉强。最高尚宫和韩尚宫都没有劝大王，而是耐心等候。不知道大王是否感觉到了她们焦急而恳切的等待，最后终于舀了一勺浓浓的大酱汤。尚宫们的视线一齐聚集到大王的嘴唇上。 “提调尚宫你过虑了，这味道不还是原来的味道吗？看来并非所有的酱都变了味嘛。” 大王无意中说了一句。然而就是这无意中的一句话却决出了第一轮比赛的胜利者，同时也对失去味觉的长今给予了高度的评价。此时，丁尚宫开口说道。 “殿下，其实并非如此，是韩尚宫千心万苦找出了酱变味的原因。” “哦，是吗？说来听听。” 大王表示出浓厚的兴趣，从餐桌旁边退开，听完最高尚宫的解释，又把吴兼护和御医叫了进来。 “这么说来，酱库里的酱之所以变味，都是因为酱库旁边的树木被砍伐了？司饔院提调听见了吗？” “是，殿下，有人说树叶总往酱缸里落，所以今年年初就把所有树木都砍掉了。” “花粉还能增加酱的美味啊……怎么样？寡人想听听御医的意见。” “小人对饮食方面的知识不太了解，不过我知道花粉是一种有效的酶。中国的医书上说，花粉具有杀虫和消毒等作用，是重要的医用药材。” “是吗，那应该告知老百姓才对啊。既能让味道甜美，又有利于健康，还有比这更好的东西吗？” “小人明白。” “到底还是丁尚宫的饮食故事启发了寡人。你是说韩尚宫吗？” 大王点到了韩尚宫。韩尚宫突然间被大王点名，惊慌不已。 "Yes, Your Highness." “你很了不起！” 真是彻底的胜利。出了大殿，大家聚集在司饔院提调的执务室里，最高尚宫又趁机指出一条。 “御膳房领的盐跟其他烧厨房的盐质量不一样。” 顿时，吴兼护和崔尚宫紧张地望着最高尚宫。 "yes?" “饼果房和生果房也是为殿下和宗室料理饮食的地方……” “知道了，我会看着办的。” 吴兼护打断了最高尚宫的话，最高尚宫依旧是不依不饶。 “所以，尚酝令监，希望您能允许我临时负责验收分配给烧厨房的物品。” “你的身体不太好，事情这么多能行吗？” “酱库的事情已经让我吃了不少苦头，现在哪怕事情再琐碎我也不敢草率了。” “我明白了，那就这样吧。” 长番内侍痛快应允了，提调尚宫开口想提反对意见，不料吴兼护这边却递来了眼色，示意提调尚宫不要轻举妄动。因为长番内侍不会轻易改变自己的决定，而且种种迹象表明，现时机尚未成熟。 崔尚宫脸色铁青。