Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 184 The Ultimate Delight of Life [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!!"

Su Shi finally caught his breath and blurted out.

His voice, though temporarily hoarse from the spiciness, was filled with ecstasy.

All thoughts of "literary competition" and doubts about "ancient prescriptions from previous dynasties" were thrown to the winds at this moment!
He disregarded his image, grabbed his chopsticks, and this time reached without hesitation for the reddest, oiliest, and meatiest part in the center of the plate. A large piece of tofu covered in red oil and meaties was picked up, steaming hot, and he blew on it twice before eagerly stuffing it into his mouth!
"Hiss—ha! That feels good! That feels so good!"

An even stronger spicy and savory flavor exploded in his mouth, and sweat streamed down his temples, but Su Shi was completely unaware. He only felt a refreshing surge of heat rushing from his stomach to his limbs, making him feel invigorated.

He immediately shoveled a large mouthful of white rice into his mouth.

The soft, sweet rice perfectly balances the intense spiciness, further enhancing the tofu's tenderness and the rich, savory flavor of the sauce.

The aroma of rice blends with that unique and complex flavor, creating an unexpectedly wonderful reaction!
"So that's how it is! So that's how it is!" Su Shi exclaimed indistinctly as he chewed quickly, "The rice neutralizes its intensity, which brings out its rich flavor!"

Yeah, it's basically what's commonly known as "appetizing".

Immediately afterwards, he eagerly reached for the "stir-fried chicken cubes".

The chicken pieces were crispy on the outside but incredibly tender on the inside, coated in a distinct sweet, sour, salty, and spicy sauce. Paired with crunchy beans, the texture was incredibly rich with every bite. The unique "spicy lychee flavor" once again refreshed his taste perception!

For a moment, Su Shi was completely immersed in the immense impact of the food.

He ate until he was sweating profusely, his cheeks flushed, but he was completely unaware of it. His chopsticks moved back and forth between the "spicy tofu" and the "stir-fried chicken cubes," and he kept adding bowl after bowl of rice, having long forgotten that he had only originally wanted two bowls.

His focused, absorbed, and thoroughly enjoyable expression made it seem as if he were performing a sacred ritual.

"call--!"

As the last piece of chicken and the last mouthful of rice were swallowed, Su Shi let out a long, satisfied sigh, leaning back in his chair. His face was flushed with almost satiated joy, and his hair was soaked with sweat, clinging to his forehead.

"This flavor, this flavor should only exist in heaven!" He slapped the table and exclaimed sincerely, his voice loud and clear, attracting the attention of other diners in the restaurant. But when they saw his expression, they all smiled knowingly.

Su Shi was still somewhat unsatisfied. Looking at the other dishes on the menu, he no longer cared that the purpose of his trip was to "compete in literature." He was only interested in trying all the dishes on the menu.

Unfortunately, as a gourmet, after encountering delicious food, he is now so full that he can't walk and can't eat anything else.

At this moment, Lu Beigu happened to return from visiting his former teachers at the county school.

He saw a young scholar dressed in a coarse linen robe slumped in a chair in an extremely awkward posture by the table by the window.

What's even more striking is the spectacular mess of cups and plates on the table in front of him.

A plate of "Spicy Tofu" was almost reduced to a bright red broth and a few bits of minced garlic, while a plate of "Stir-fried Chicken Cubes" was reduced to a few beans and a few lonely cucumber cubes, with five empty bowls of white rice stacked next to it!

Lu Beigu paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He didn't look fat, yet he'd eaten five bowls of rice—that was incredibly impressive.

He turned his head and whispered to Feng Jinhua beside him, "Madam Feng, should we put up a sign saying 'Five bowls and you can't cross the hill' next time?"

At this point, there wasn't even a trace of "Water Margin," so Feng Jinhua naturally couldn't understand his perverse sense of humor. She simply pulled Lu Beigu aside and whispered, "He said he came to see you, but when he heard you weren't here, he ate at our shop. Tsk tsk, you didn't see it, he ate like a whirlwind! Five bowls of rice! Three dishes! He even mixed the soup with rice! Now he's so full he can't move."

Lu Beigu chuckled and shook his head, but inwardly he felt a bit of goodwill towards this unfamiliar diner who had come to "support" him.

"Brother," Lu Beigu walked to the table, cupped his hands in greeting, "Are you feeling unwell? My humble shop is simple and my hospitality may be lacking; please forgive me."

Su Shi, who was slumped in his seat, raised his head upon hearing the sound. When his gaze fell on Lu Beigu's face, especially when he saw the other's young face, he was slightly taken aback.

"Are you Lu Beigu?"

He tried to stand up suddenly, but the "stored contents" in his stomach clearly did not allow him to make such a violent movement. He had only stood up halfway when he cried out "Ouch!" and fell back down, his face contorted in pain.

"It is I, sir. May I ask your esteemed name?"

"I am Su Shi from Meizhou. I have long admired your name and have come here specifically to pay my respects."

Originally, Su Shi wanted to suggest a contest, but as the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding." Fearing that Lu Beigu would kick him out and prevent him from trying the other delicacies on the menu, Su Shi quickly changed his words and said, "I have come specifically to pay a visit."

Lu Beigu's heart skipped a beat!
—Su Shi!
The young scholar rubbing his stomach, so full from five bowls of rice, two plates of Sichuan cuisine, and a plate of vegetables that he could barely move, was none other than the literary giant Su Dongpo, who would later become famous throughout history!
Although he knew he was in the reign of Emperor Renzong and had met Su Xun and Su Zhe since his time travel, he never expected to meet Su Shi for the first time in this way at this time and place!
Seeing Su Shi's embarrassed yet forced composure, Lu Beigu suppressed his emotions and couldn't help but smile.

"So it's Brother Zizhan! I've long admired your name!"

He stepped forward and said, "Brother, you seem to have some indigestion? This shop is cramped. Why don't we move to another place? I know a good place to help you digest your food. It's quiet and elegant by the Anle Creek not far away. It's perfect for brewing tea and chatting."

Upon hearing the words "digestion aid," Su Shi was overjoyed, nodding eagerly, "Excellent! Excellent! Brother Lu's words are very good! Very good! This place is indeed a bit stuffy!"

The Anle Creek flows gently, its waters crystal clear, reflecting the trees on both banks that are gradually turning autumn colors.

A simple teahouse built with bamboo sheds by the stream, with a few wooden tables and bamboo chairs, is the perfect place to while away the afternoon. The autumn breeze, carrying moisture, is refreshing and invigorating.

Lu Beigu ordered a pot of barley tea to aid digestion; the tea was clear and bright, with a delicate aroma.

After walking for a while, Su Shi drank a cup of hot tea and then gently rubbed his stomach as he paced around the teahouse. The feeling of being so full that he felt like he was about to burst was finally relieved.

Su Shi let out a long sigh of relief, his face regaining its usual radiance, and looked eagerly at Lu Beigu.

"Brother Lu! The dishes in your private kitchen are truly exquisite! I, Su, have always prided myself on tasting all the flavors of Sichuan, but today I realize how shallow my knowledge is. That Mapo Tofu is piping hot and smooth, numbingly spicy and bone-chillingly hot, yet incredibly fragrant! That Stir-fried Chicken is a perfect blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, with layers upon layers of flavor; the chicken is crisp and tender, the beans are crunchy and fragrant—it's simply... simply..."

He was speechless for a moment, then excitedly slammed his fist on the table: "The ultimate taste!"

(End of this chapter)