Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 277 Honeyed Buns with Rice Cakes

The 28th day of the 12th month of the first year of the Jiayou era.

As the New Year approaches, another snowfall has occurred.

Yesterday's light snow didn't accumulate too thickly, leaving only patches of white on the rooftops, treetops, and corners of courtyards, making Tokyo's winter feel rather chilly.

The sky was somewhat overcast, and the north wind was like a knife, swirling the remaining snowflakes as if they were dancing on the bluestone road.

Lu Beigu tightened his silk robe and once again stood before the familiar vermilion gate of the Song residence.

The gatekeeper was already familiar with this student of Master Song who arrived on time every day. Without saying much, he led him into the mansion.

Song Xiang held the official titles of Grand Academician of the Guanwen Hall and Minister of War. Logically speaking, it was only a matter of an imperial edict from the emperor before he was appointed prime minister for the third time or became the Privy Councilor for the third time.

Therefore, when I first returned to Beijing, the area in front of my house was quite lively.

However, more than half a year has passed, and apart from attending court with the regalia and treatment of a prime minister and following the order of the Secretariat, Song Xiang has not received any appointment.

Even though Jia Changchao had returned from Daming Prefecture to serve as the Privy Councilor, Song Xiang still hadn't made any moves, and no one walked around the gate anymore.

With the New Year fast approaching, the Song residence was deserted, looking far too shabby compared to the other high-ranking officials in the same neighborhood.

Of course, the main reason was that Song Xiang and Wen Yanbo had a long-standing feud; otherwise, there would definitely have been some interaction between them.

Previously, there was a very subtle signal: Wen Yanbo, as a Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Hall, was theoretically the "Prime Minister," but he only concurrently served as the translator and editor of scriptures. However, Liu Hang, as the "Second Prime Minister," was assigned the task of supervising the compilation of the national history. This broke with the long-standing court practice.

Therefore, many people see this as a sign that the government does not fully trust Wen Yanbo.

In addition, given Wen Yanbo's previous sycophancy towards Consort Zhang, many people were skeptical about whether he could remain in the position of "Prime Minister" for long.

Now that Liu Hang has been dismissed as prime minister, Wen Yanbo, despite his mishap in the Liutahe incident, has still been appointed to oversee the compilation of the national history, which makes people feel that his position is secure.

With Wen Yanbo's position as "Prime Minister" unshakeable, Song Xiang naturally received no support.

In this situation, most people would probably choose to distance themselves from Song Xiang.

But Lu Beigu wouldn't.

On the one hand, his principle of life is "to repay kindness with kindness and to avenge wrongs with wrongs." Song Xiang was of such high status and profound learning, yet he unreservedly taught him, a candidate from another place, the knowledge of the imperial examination, helping him to pass the exam with flying colors. This was an unforgettable kindness. On the other hand, as a time traveler who was well-versed in history, Lu Beigu had a "heavenly eye" that others did not have.

Only Lu Beigu knew that this situation, where even dogs wouldn't come to the Song family's door, would continue unbearably for a whole year.

But by the third year of the Jiayou era, the situation would be completely different.

In the turbulent court struggles of the Jiayou era, Wen Yanbo, who briefly reached the pinnacle of power, will be dismissed by Emperor Renzong. Privy Councilor Han Qi will be promoted to the Council of State Affairs and become prime minister. In order to maintain factional balance, Emperor Renzong will choose Song Xiang to become Privy Councilor with the title of "Tong Ping Zhang Shi", which is the so-called "Privy Councilor", and will hold the highest military power over the million-strong army of the Song Dynasty.

After passing through several courtyards, it was still the same corridor leading to the study.

The copper bells hanging under the eaves made a soft, clear sound in the wind, just like always.

At the very first quarter of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), not a fraction of a second off.

Lu Beigu walked steadily up the stone steps of the pavilion and pushed open the door to enter.

The familiar warmth, mixed with the scent of pine soot and ink, wafted over, instantly dispelling the chill around me.

Inside the study, the charcoal brazier was still burning brightly, emitting a soft crackling sound.

Song Xiang was already sitting upright behind his desk, his white beard and hair looking very old in the warm light of the charcoal fire.

On the desk was a newly arrived official gazette, which Song Xiang was reading, but his eyesight was failing, so he was holding it rather close. "Sir."

Lu Beigu bowed deeply, his voice as respectful as ever.

Song Xiang nodded slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment on Lu Beigu's hands, which were carrying something.

"The New Year is approaching, and my elder sister made some snacks to bring to my husband as a 'New Year's gift.' This is a custom in Sichuan. At the end of the year, people invite each other for food and drink, which is called 'bidding farewell to the old year'; exchanging plates and boxes is called 'gifting the New Year'."

"Oh?"

Song Xiang smiled, looking very happy.

He wouldn't care for or accept gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, or calligraphy and paintings from others, but he would appreciate homemade food.

Song Xiang took the food box, placed it on his desk, and opened it himself.

The food box has three layers. The first layer contains glutinous rice balls, which are ring-shaped honey-flavored pastries, somewhat similar to fried dough twists.

"The Songs of Chu says, 'There are rice cakes and honeyed pastries, and rice dumplings.' Is this what it is?"

“Yes, sir, you are very knowledgeable.” Lu Beigu smiled. “In Liu Yuxi’s ‘Ode to Chu’, it says, ‘Throwing rice dumplings to beat the oars, raising sturgeon and bream as sacrifices.’ However, rice dumplings are no longer limited to the Chu region. In the Shu region, every household makes them as a New Year’s snack.”

Song Xiang had no reservations and picked one up with his fingers to taste it. Although his eyesight was a little blurry, his teeth were still in good condition, so it was crunchy when he chewed it.

The second layer is rice cake, which is made by slicing steamed and pounded glutinous rice cakes and baking them over a fire. It is soft, chewy, and elastic, but not sticky.

If you really want to find something similar in modern food, it's something like "Erkuai," which you can find when you travel to cities in Yunnan like Dali.

The third layer is red wax, which refers to animals cured with Sichuan pepper and well salt. Wealthy families would give a whole "cured pig shoulder", while commoners would give sausages or cured rabbits. Rabbit meat near Kaifeng was not chewy enough, so sausages were made instead.

"Very well, I'll accept it."

After tasting each item, Song Xiang accepted the New Year's gifts brought by Lu Beigu. He then called over the steward and asked him to go to the warehouse and get some things for Lu Beigu to take with him before he left.

"By the way, why is your older sister in Kaifeng? Isn't she in Sichuan?"

Lu Beigu said casually, "My family used to live in Kaifeng. My father died early, and I was young at the time, so I went back to Sichuan with my elder brother. My elder sister had already married and moved to Kaifeng, so we were separated. We only met again not long ago."

Song Xiang nodded and did not ask any further questions.

At his age, he had long seen through and become indifferent to worldly affairs. If Lu Beigu had any needs, he could ask him for help, and Song Xiang would certainly decide whether to help depending on the situation. But if Lu Beigu didn't ask, he wouldn't bring it up either.

After all, their relationship was still quite simple.

One teaches and the other learns.

Apart from that, there are no other connections at the moment. Or rather, the difference in status is too great to have any other connections.

Song Xiang taught Lu Beigu to take the imperial examination partly out of respect for his younger brother, and partly because he was bored out of his mind at home.

"Sit down. There are only a few days left until the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites. Today's homework is to review the current affairs policy."

Song Xiang pushed the gazette he had just finished reading over to her.

Lu Beigu sat down as instructed, took the official gazette, and read it intently.

(End of this chapter)