Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 658 Tour of the Capital

"That saves me a lot of trouble."

Upon learning that Emperor Xianfeng had fainted and the palace was in turmoil, Lin Dao, who was eating breakfast, immediately smiled.

"This matter must be true." Zuo Zongtang called out to the shopkeeper, "Another plate of cut cake, please!"

"There are no secrets in this capital city."

"The secrets of the palace have spread throughout the city and are known to everyone."

"There's no way around it. Even street urchins can have influence in the mansions of princes and nobles. News travels incredibly fast."

After taking a sip of sweet rice porridge, Lin Dao summarized in one sentence.

"That's just how the people are in this area."

In the northern part of China, the people who are most skilled at talking are Tianjin and this place.

Especially in the capital, people love to brag and act like big shots in front of outsiders.

With a thumbs up and a flick of the lips, one can spout off an incredible amount of nonsense.

To put it simply, there's nothing they wouldn't dare say.
"Sir~" The shopkeeper brought Zuo Zongtang some cut cake.

This is not the same as the other kind of glutinous rice cake. It is made by steaming millet flour and red dates, and has a sweet and soft texture.

Lin Dao joked, "You're only in your early forties now, and you already like eating this kind of soft food?"

Zuo Zongtang wanted to roll his eyes at these words.

He's forty years old, a proper old man, what's wrong with him being a little soft-hearted?

"Forty is the prime of life, the age to realize your ambitions," Lin Dao said with a smile, "carrying a roasted lamb leg in one hand and using a dagger to slice and stab the meat in the other, that's what you should be doing at this age."

"Sir," the shopkeeper said to Lin Dao, "would you like a bowl of douzhi? Our old Beijing douzhi is...it's amazing!"

"Stop, stop, stop, stop~" Lin Dao hurriedly waved his hand. "Don't think I don't know. You city folks don't even drink this stuff. It's a delicacy on par with West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce. I can't afford it."

Before the shopkeeper could say anything, Zuo Zongtang, standing nearby, became interested and said, "Give me a bowl to try!"

The shopkeeper happily ran to fetch the fermented mung bean juice, but Lin Dao looked over curiously and asked, "I remember you went to the capital to take the imperial examination. You've never had fermented mung bean juice before?"

"Every time I come to Beijing, I'm always busy with business," Zuo Zongtang said with a smile. "I stay at the Hunan Guild Hall and eat hometown dishes. When I visit other people's homes and attend banquets, I always go from house to house. I've never actually tried these kinds of alleyway snacks."

"Row."

Lin Dao called the shopkeeper for a bowl of tea soup, then turned to Zuo Zongtang and said, "Then I wish you the most authentic douzhi (fermented mung bean juice)."

As is widely known, there are only two people who have reached the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine.

One is Su Dongpo, who was forced to eat wherever he went, and he created West Lake Vinegar Fish with Dongpo Pork by himself. The best way to eat this dish is to sit by the window near West Lake and go directly into West Lake after the dish is served.

The other one, of course, is the douzhier, who specializes in curing all kinds of people who don't believe in superstitions.

Lin Dao expressed his appreciation for Zuo Zongtang's courage and curiosity, but said he himself would certainly not try it.

Sure enough, when the fermented mung bean juice was served, Zuo Zongtang picked up a spoon and scooped a spoonful into his mouth.

Lin Dao immediately picked up the bowl and turned to the side.

'puff! '

As expected, Zuo Zongtang spat out his soy milk as soon as he put it in his mouth. Luckily, Lin Dao ran fast, otherwise he might have been unable to resist sealing Zuo's mouth before he could spit out the soy milk.

"I've already bribed a bunch of informants."

After dinner, Zuo Zongtang strolled through the bustling streets, rinsing his mouth thoroughly, and said softly, "Have them keep an eye on the people from the Imperial Household Department."

He further explained, “The people of the Imperial Household Department have enormous power. If the Tartars want to run away, the people of the Imperial Household Department will definitely receive the news in advance and take action. From this, we can determine the Tartars’ actions.”

The Imperial Household Department was an extremely large entity with deep connections at all levels.

Even the emperor was often helpless against them.

After all, only they would dare to cheat the emperor to his face with an egg that costs one or two taels of silver.

If the Tartars decide to flee, these officials from the Imperial Household Department will inevitably take action.

"well done."

Lin Dao praised, "I have always been positive about your abilities."

A commotion and noise came from the street ahead.

The two squeezed through the crowd and stepped forward, only to find that it was the yamen runners from Shuntian Prefecture posting arrest warrants.

Coincidentally, the portraits on the wanted poster were of Lin Dao and Zuo Zongtang.

Although there are some differences, they are about 60-70% similar in appearance.

"The painting skills are not bad." Lin Dao in the crowd clicked his tongue. "It's a pity that it lacks a bit of spirit. It has the form but not the soul."

Zuo Zongtang, standing nearby, nodded repeatedly, expressing his agreement: "From these words alone, it's clear you are a master painter!"

This perfectly timed tap greatly pleased Lin Dao.

"Let's go find someone."

"Is this Zeng the Barber's residence?" Indeed, he was looking for someone. Lin Dao took the addresses of the major officials in the capital that he had bought and visited them one by one.

It wasn't a formal visit that went inside, but rather a visit that involved marking out detailed coordinates nearby.

The various princely mansions and noble mansions need no further mention.

The residences of high-ranking civil and military officials were also recorded.

Zuo Zongtang, who had been quietly following and helping to take notes, keenly noticed several differences.

Previously, the Li family mansion in Luzhou, and now this mansion where the head was shaved, were given special attention when meeting the capital, and people would even mutter a few words to themselves.

This is a privilege that many princes and nobles do not enjoy.

Without a doubt, he took it to heart.

After a busy day, I visited the residences of many high-ranking officials and measured their coordinates.

Meanwhile, the market remained relatively stable, and there was no large-scale exodus.

Lin Dao looked up at the sky and called to Zuo Zongtang, "Come on, let me treat you to roast duck!"

Besides douzhi (fermented mung bean juice), Beijing is also famous for Peking duck.

The price range is also quite large. A roast duck at a small restaurant can cost several hundred coins.

If it's a well-known restaurant, like the Ju De restaurant that Lin Dao and Zuo Zongtang entered at this moment, ordering a roast duck would start at one or two taels of silver.

After we're seated, we can't just eat roast duck; we also need to have some other dishes and drinks.

Lin Dao naturally didn't care about spending money.

They ordered two roast ducks, several other dishes, and two jugs of drinks.

While waiting, look around.

The store is doing very well; most of the seats are already occupied.

They ate, drank, chatted, and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Head of the association," Zuo Zongtang lowered his voice, "Most of these are from the banners. Don't be fooled by their glamorous appearances, carrying expensive birdcages, and having shiny lipsticks. In reality, very few of them are truly wealthy."

He had been to the capital to take the imperial examinations, so he might not know much about things in the common people, but he knew everything about things here.

"They talk a good game, always talking about having tea with princes and nobles, but in reality, they are destitute and their family members eat nothing but chaff and wild vegetables."

"When you go out, wipe your mouth with a piece of fatty pork to pretend that there is oil on your lips."

"That birdcage was the most valuable item in the house."

Lin Dao chuckled, "If that's the case, why do you still dare to eat here?"

"Even if it's just one person, it would cost at least one or two taels of silver. Where did they get the money?"

This isn't two hundred years ago; you can't eat without paying now.

"It's all debt!"

Zuo Zongtang joked, "When the fixed-income subsidies are distributed, I'll make up for the debt."

"Or they would run around and try to make some money."

"What they like most are merchants and officials from other places who don't know anything."

"Once you're tricked into buying it, you'll be eating until your mouth is greasy."

“When I first came here, I was almost scammed by these people, but luckily the people from the association intervened and drove them away.”

"Interesting," Lin Dao laughed. "Really interesting."

He carefully observed the diners in the restaurant. Apart from a few who were focused on eating, most of them were gathered together chatting and joking.

They always address someone as "Prince So-and-so" or "Beile So-and-so."

He raised his hand and said, "Tomorrow I'll do this and that..."

The greeting is something like, "Back in the day, my ancestors..."

Judging from their enthusiastic and lively demeanor, an outsider might mistake them for high-ranking military officials discussing important national affairs.

The roast duck was served quickly.

Sliced ​​duck meat, flatbread on a plate, broth from the duck carcass, and various sauces and side dishes in different bowls and plates.

The dazzling array of items looked as if it would cover the entire table.

Lin Dao didn't stand on ceremony and picked up his chopsticks to invite Zuo Zongtang to start eating.

Duck meat wrapped in pancakes, dipped in sauce, and eaten together, tastes really good.

Lin Dao nodded in satisfaction, "Indeed, it lives up to its reputation."

"You have to put your heart into your own business; only by making delicious food will you have repeat customers."

"It doesn't seem like they're just relying on their reputation to deceive people, trying to fool as many as they can."

When it comes to doing business, there's really only one standard: dedication.

Even a three-year-old can see the difference between a business done with care and one done with deception.

"AUV~~~Here comes the grandpa~~~"

A commotion arose inside the shop, and Lin Dao, who was drinking duck bone soup, looked up curiously.

A group of hangers-on escorted a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and a plump figure, who was wearing a silk gown, a melon-shaped hat inlaid with jade, one hand behind his back, the other holding a fan and a large thumb ring.

Many people in the store came forward to greet him, and various greetings such as "May you be blessed, sir" were uttered one after another.

Lin Dao narrowed his eyes, raised his hand and grabbed a passing waiter, "Which prince or nobleman is this?"

Waiter: "Sir, the shop is busy right now, manager~"

Lin Dao reached out and handed over a piece of silver.

The waiter skillfully weighed the loose silver in his hand, and after confirming its weight, he put it away with even greater ease.

He put on a smile and bowed to explain to Lin Dao.

“This gentleman is not some kind of prince or nobleman. His ancestors didn’t have anything to boast about. They were just farmers.”

Lin Dao continued listening calmly, knowing that a turning point was inevitable.

Sure enough, the waiter lowered his voice and said, "Actually, this gentleman is a treasurer in the Ministry of Revenue's silver treasury!"

At this point, Lin Dao suddenly understood.

He had actually read about this in a book!

"Everyone in the capital knows that these warehouse servants are like rats falling into an oil pot once they enter the warehouse. Every time they come out, they can make a hundred or two hundred taels of silver."

"They are really rich, so naturally they are fawned over wherever they go."

"I've also heard that a few days ago, a prince asked these stewards for money."

Lin Dao waved his hand, signaling the waiter to get to work.

"I've heard about this before," Zuo Zongtang said, leaning over to explain. "These warehouse workers spend thousands of taels of silver to buy their positions and then train in strange arts to steal silver. It's said that over the years, they've already stolen millions of taels."

Lin Dao picked up his wine glass, his gaze slightly cold.

"This mite-killing agent has completely rotted the inside and out!"

(End of this chapter)