According to Bi Zhengxiang, this place never uses modern kitchenware for cooking, but rather all traditional earthen stoves. Not only that, but they don't even use MSG.
"Why is that?" I asked.
Bi Zhengxiang said, "This emphasizes original flavor. Only in this way can one taste the most authentic imperial cuisine."
The Fatty interjected, "Exactly... MSG was invented by those sneaky Japanese pirates, it's an imported good. Why would we Chinese eat that stuff?"
This was the first time I'd heard of such a thing. I didn't expect this fatso to know so much about food.
I said, "If you don't use MSG, what do you use for seasoning?"
Bi Zhengxiang chuckled, "In ancient times, they used rich broths for seasoning. Broth seasoning is far more delicious than MSG, but the cost is too high."
I nodded, "I see."
The Fatty said, "Let me tell you, ancient people's cooking was extraordinary. They'd think of any method to achieve the right flavor."
I glanced at him. The Fatty was speaking with great animation, "Master Xiang, you must know Fu Ankang, right?"
I pondered for a moment, "You mean the favored minister of Qianlong?"
"Yes, yes, that's him."
"Why do you bring him up?" I was a bit confused.
The Fatty said, "You wouldn't know this, but Fu Ankang was a huge foodie. Once, when he was on tour, he stopped at a post station. The cook there, hearing that Fu Ankang was coming, quickly prepared a dish of thinly sliced pork, his favorite. But halfway through, the cook suddenly exclaimed that he forgot to buy saltpeter!"
"Without saltpeter, the pork wouldn't cook properly, and un-tendered sliced pork would definitely not taste good."
The Fatty paused for dramatic effect, "What do you think happened next?"
"What happened?" I asked.
"At this critical moment, a man suddenly jumped out, without a word, unbuckled his belt, and peed into the big pot."
I was taken aback, then understood, "Urine contains saltpeter!"
"Exactly! Because the urine contained saltpeter, when the pot of sliced pork was served, Fu Ankang ate it and praised the cook's excellent skill, even rewarding the cook with a bolt of silk!"
As he finished speaking, our dishes were served. The first dish was a Yan Jing smoked meat, and my appetite immediately vanished.
This damn fatty, telling such a disgusting story while we were eating. Was he doing it on purpose?
Bi Zhengxiang seemed unfazed, his face still holding a faint smile.
After all the dishes were served, he gestured for us to help ourselves.
I resisted thinking about the Fatty's story and used my chopsticks to eat some braised abalone. I found that the dishes seasoned with rich broth were indeed not bad.
During the meal, the Fatty ate incessantly, never stopping.
I ate a few bites and put down my chopsticks, looking at Bi Zhengxiang, "Old Master Bi, you didn't invite us here today just to have a simple meal, did you?"
He looked at me thoughtfully, "Young Master Xiang, why are you so fond of the Qin Mirror?"
"Just curious, wanting to see it," I replied with a smile.
"Is that so?" He smiled meaningfully, "Young Master Xiang, at such a young age, you took over An Yuan Tang in Guangling, and I also heard that Bai Zhujing of Yi Pin Zhai was outsmarted by you..."
He stopped there.
I was slightly surprised. I didn't expect the old man had already thoroughly investigated my background. No wonder he invited me to dinner.
However, these things weren't something to hide. Since he knew my background, it would make the conversation easier.
"An Yuan Tang? What's that?" The Fatty stopped eating and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Bi Zhengxiang chuckled, "An Yuan Tang is the second largest antique shop in Guangling, known throughout the city. As far as I know, An Yuan Tang has quite a collection."
The Fatty looked at me with shocked eyes, "Master Xiang, you're a master yourself?"
"What? This Fatty friend doesn't know?" Bi Zhengxiang asked with a smile.
The Fatty slurped some soup and chuckled awkwardly, "I met Master Xiang in Yan Jing. I've only been to Guangling twice..."
I said, "Old Master Bi has uncovered my background, but I know nothing about you. That doesn't seem quite right, does it?"
Bi Zhengxiang smiled, "I'm just a player who enjoys collecting."
"You don't seem like an ordinary player." I glanced at the thumb ring on his hand, "If I'm not mistaken, that's a white jade thumb ring from the Qianlong era you're wearing?"
In fact, I had noticed the thumb ring on his hand earlier. Its color was lustrous, and the outer wall was shallowly carved with flowers, the lines clear.
This was clearly an artifact from the Qianlong period.
Qianlong had a special fondness for jade thumb rings, having written over fifty imperial poems about them alone.
Especially white jade thumb rings. In the painting "Qianlong's Grand Review," Qianlong is depicted wearing a white jade thumb ring.
I just didn't expect to see this particular thumb ring here.
Anyone who habitually wears an item used by an emperor is no ordinary person.
From this, it could be seen that even as a collector, Bi Zhengxiang was one of the top collectors in the country.
Having his thumb ring exposed, Bi Zhengxiang smiled slightly, "As expected of the owner of An Yuan Tang, your eyesight is excellent."
I smiled, "You flatter me. We who deal in antiques rely on this discerning eye to make a living."
"I don't intentionally want to hide anything from you, Young Master Xiang, but I am indeed just a pure collector."
Bi Zhengxiang paused and then said, "If Young Master Xiang can tell me why you are interested in the Qin Mirror, I wouldn't mind showing it to you."
From his words, could it be that this Qin Mirror was extraordinary?
I thought for a moment, "I am very interested in legendary artifacts. I usually enjoy unusual and peculiar things. I wonder if this reason will satisfy Old Master Bi?"
As soon as I finished, the Fatty nodded, "Yes, yes... Master Xiang has this hobby. Earlier, he bought a Floating Immortals Pillow from me, and then he found the tomb of Shen Wansan..."
"What?!" Bi Zhengxiang exclaimed, "You found Shen Wansan's tomb?"
I glared at the Fatty. This guy's mouth really couldn't keep anything under wraps.
I smiled, "Not a tomb, just a secret chamber. And it's not certain it was built by Shen Wansan."
Bi Zhengxiang mused for a moment, took a deep breath, "Do you know where that place is?"
I smiled and did not answer the question.
Seeing my silence, Bi Zhengxiang gave a wry smile, "I was presumptuous. Since Young Master Xiang is interested in the Qin Mirror, why not come to my residence, and we can discuss it together?"
Hearing him, how could I refuse? I cupped my hands, "Respectfully, I accept your kind invitation. Then I can only trouble Old Master Bi."
"Not at all. It is my fortune to meet a brilliant talent like Young Master Xiang," Bi Zhengxiang said courteously.