章節 16: Chapter 16 The Deliciousness of Canned Pork

 "Master Zhu, in fact, I also know that rural areas cannot be compared with the capital. I hope you don't take offense." Master Zhu gave an awkward smile. Shen Hao also decided to reciprocate and took out the previously prepared gifts. In the wooden box were a crock of sesame oil, three cans of canned pork, and two catties of rice. These gifts were all carried over by Constable Qian along the way. "Master Zhu, I come uninvited. Please forgive me. These small gifts are a token of my respect." Master Zhu looked at the earthen crock that Shen Hao took out and was slightly stunned. "Young Master Shen, what is this?" Shen Hao smiled. "This is sesame oil. Open it and take a look." In order to facilitate doing business in ancient times, Shen Hao had long changed the product packaging. Sesame oil is sold in crocks, and rice is also packed in cloth bags. Canned pork is also taken out and placed in wooden boxes. Master Zhu took the crock and opened it curiously. At first glance, it was nothing special. But at the second glance, he was shocked! He was completely stunned. "What clear sesame oil! There is not a single impurity at all. The sesame oil pressed in Zheng Yang County is full of impurities." Master Zhu couldn't wait to stretch out his hand, dip a little sesame oil and put it in his mouth. "What a fragrant smell! As expected of sesame oil from the capital. It is many times better than the sesame oil in our rural area." Master Zhu was very satisfied with the gift from Shen Hao. During the famine, not only is grain extremely expensive, but so is sesame oil. Being able to eat sesame oil during the famine years is already considered good. Not to mention it is still superior sesame oil. The sesame oil pressed in Zheng Yang County has a layer of impurities floating on it. No matter how it is filtered, there is always a strange taste. It simply cannot be compared with the sesame oil brought by Shen Hao. Master Zhu asked his maid to put away the sesame oil. He was reluctant to eat this sesame oil. In case of burns at home, it can be taken out and applied. Master Zhu then looked curiously at the two remaining packages in the box. "Young Master Shen, what are these gifts again?" Master Zhu couldn't wait to open the blind box. Young masters from the capital are indeed different. Even their gifts are more rare. Shen Hao opened the cloth bag and said, "This is white jade rice, about two catties. I give some to Master Zhu to taste." As soon as he heard it was white jade rice, Master Zhu's eyes lit up. One of the reasons why he wanted to see Shen Hao as soon as he returned was his curiosity about white jade rice! He had heard that recently, when Master Hu held a birthday banquet, white jade rice was used. It is said that on the day of the birthday banquet, as soon as the white jade rice appeared, it shocked everyone. Even those usually picky squires all gave thumbs up. This is enough to prove that white jade rice is of a high grade, not inferior to first-class rice! "White jade rice. I've only heard of it. Since Young Master Shen has given it to me, I'll accept it." Master Zhu did not refuse. He also wanted to taste what this first-class rice tasted like. Then Shen Hao opened the small box again. Inside was a dark red piece of meat. As soon as this piece of meat was exposed, a burst of meaty fragrance immediately spread. "What fragrant meat!" Master Zhu's eyes were full of expectation. He had never seen such a square piece of meat. Moreover, this piece of meat looked like a prepared delicacy. Shen Hao handed the box over. "Master Zhu, this is a specialty of my mother's family. It's called canned pork. It's made of minced meat. This kind of meat not only tastes good but also can be stored for a long time without spoiling." Upon hearing this, Master Zhu was stunned. "What? Can be stored for a long time without spoiling? How is that possible? As long as it's meat, it will surely spoil after a few days. What's the origin of this canned pork?" Shen Hao wanted to laugh but held it back. This canned pork is full of preservatives. It would be strange if it spoiled. Packed in an iron box, it can still be eaten even after three or four years. Of course, without the iron box for sealing, it can be soaked in sesame oil, which also has a sealing effect. "Master Zhu, the production method of this canned pork is confidential. In short, it tastes very good." After Shen Hao finished speaking, Master Zhu immediately pinched off a piece and put it in his mouth. The smooth minced meat immediately burst open in his mouth, and his tongue was filled with waves of meaty fragrance, salty, fresh, fragrant and smooth! Master Zhu had never eaten such delicious meat before and immediately exclaimed, "Delicious! It's really too delicious. There is such delicious food in the world!" Shen Hao's mouth curled up slightly. It's all technology and. It would be strange if it didn't taste good. Master Zhu quickly asked how to cook this canned pork. Shen Hao thought for a while and told Master Zhu that it can be eaten in any way. Boiled or fried, it tastes even better. After introducing the products, Shen Hao finally began to think about serious matters. "Master Zhu, in fact, I still have a lot of canned pork. I have too much and can't finish it. As you know, ordinary people can't afford meat at all. Can you help me ask if the wealthy households in Zheng Yang County are interested in canned pork?" Master Zhu thought of the deliciousness of canned pork and immediately patted his chest and said, "Young Master Shen, don't worry. Such a delicious food. Even if you didn't say it, I would take it to entertain distinguished guests. Before long, those wealthy households will definitely come to you to buy some canned pork to taste." Master Zhu has been conquered by the deliciousness of canned pork. After eating canned pork, eating other meats will seem tasteless. Even Master Zhu is planning to buy a box of canned pork from Shen Hao every month to satisfy his cravings. After getting Master Zhu's reply, Shen Hao was finally relieved. The maid came forward again and poured a cup of new tea for Shen Hao. Master Zhu picked up the tea cup and took a sip. Then he said, "Young Master Shen, since you are going to stay in Zheng Yang County for a longer period of time, it is necessary to hire a few bodyguards." Shen Hao nodded, knowing what Master Zhu was worried about. Recently, there are more and more disaster victims in Zheng Yang County, and the security will be even worse in the future. At this time, Constable Qian, who had been silent for a long time, said, "Master Zhu, don't worry. I will take Young Master Shen to hire some bodyguards later and also go to the slave trader to buy some servants." "Well, Constable Qian, you must help Young Master Shen check carefully. Don't let those slippery people deceive him." "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on it." After chatting for a while, Shen Hao finally took his leave from Master Zhu and followed Constable Qian to the residence of the slave trader. According to the laws of the Great Qian Kingdom, buying and selling slaves requires signing a contract of sale through the government. The so-called slave trader is just an intermediary who is responsible for finding the corresponding slaves for the buyer. While leading the way, Constable Qian told Shen Hao the rules of buying and selling slaves. There are many types of slaves. Among them, official slaves are the most expensive. Most official slaves are female relatives of official families. After the head of the family is convicted, these women will be sold cheaply in various places. Of course, some beautiful and obedient ones will be sent to the official brothels in the Jiaofang Division first. So unless you are extremely wealthy, it is best not to consider official slaves. The best slaves are those children from poor families. Of course, generally speaking, wealthy and powerful families are disdainful of buying slaves but instead raise their own family slaves. Family slaves are the most loyal servants to the family. They can even be raised as death guards and give their lives for the master at any time. As Shen Hao listened to Constable Qian's narration, he also knew that there is no so-called equality in the Great Qian Kingdom.