Chapter 57

Sodongpa (Su Dongpo)

While treating guests to delicious food, Zhuge Qing's innocent suggestion to reconcile seemed to be received as a bit of a dilemma by her uncle.

Politics is a very complex issue, and it's not something that can be easily resolved by eating delicious food and laughing while talking.

Therefore, even her uncle, who was pleased with the good relationship between me and Zhuge Qing, cautiously and indirectly declined.

“Well, how can we let our guest, the son-in-law, into our kitchen?”

When Zhuge Qing's uncle spoke as if he were in a difficult position, my wife seemed to think that he was doubting my cooking skills and began to boast about me, albeit with some embarrassment.

“If you're worried about my husband's skills, he has received the nickname of ‘Dragon Eater’ in the martial world, so there's no need to worry, Uncle.”

The title of Dragon is only given to outstanding figures who have excelled in a particular area, so her uncle was surprised and asked in return.

“Dragon? So you mean he has an outstanding martial skill in a specific area, like Sword Dragon or Fist Dragon?”

“Recently, there hasn't been a new Dragon in the martial world, but to have a new Dragon...”

While they were talking about cooking, they didn't connect it to martial arts and dragons.

Both seemed to think I had outstanding martial skills and looked at me with surprise.

It seemed they couldn't see any characteristics of a martial artist in me.

Then, Zhuge Qing, with a broad smile, proudly announced to them.

“No, Food Dragon! That's my husband's nickname!”

‘Why do I feel embarrassed when my wife is so proud of me?’

“Food Dragon?”

“F, Food Dragon?”

The two of them looked at me and Zhuge Qing alternately, as if wondering how such a nickname could exist.

Their expressions made my face even hotter.

And Zhuge Qing, as if my embarrassment and their expressions didn't matter, continued with a very cute expression.

“Although he hasn't mastered martial arts, he has earned the nickname of ‘Food Dragon’ for his cooking skills. You can imagine how outstanding he is. He got this nickname when he prepared a dish at the Poison King's birthday banquet...”

Zhuge Qing, who wasn't even there, began to describe the events of the Poison King's birthday banquet as if she had been present.

However, when she mentioned that I had only sliced fugu, her story turned into a fantasy.

“The slices of fish were as thin as silk threads, and they were arranged to form the symbol of the Tang family. When the martial heroes saw this, they thought it was real flowers and competed to smell them.”

“Can you really slice that thin?”

“Just hearing the story is impressive.”

Zhuge Qing's story had a magnetic charm, and her uncle and aunt were completely absorbed, nodding in amazement.

“Then, if he has such outstanding skills and the nickname of Food Dragon, his friend wouldn't be able to resist the invitation. A friend who loves delicious food wouldn't be able to resist.”

When I asked if the friend her uncle mentioned was the person I was thinking of, he was surprised.

“How do you know him?”

I was taken aback by the uncle's surprise.

“Oh, I've heard of him a few times.”

I knew him from my past life, so I made up an excuse to avoid the crisis and thought about the person who was her uncle's friend.

His name is Su Shi, courtesy name Zizhan, and pen name Dongpo.

Yes, he is the famous poet, scholar, and politician of the Northern Song Dynasty, whom we often call Su Dongpo.

A legendary figure in Chinese cuisine, known for creating dishes like Dongpo Pork, Dongpo Fish, Dongpo Elbow, and Dongpo Tofu.

While I was thinking about him, Zhuge Qing's aunt said from the side.

“Oh, then the person you were worried about is the Elder of the Ministry of Rites, isn't it?”

“Yes. He has just returned to the capital after a long period in a minor post. He's very principled and doesn't bend his opinions.”

“Even though it must have been tough for him in a minor post, why don't we invite him to our home and treat him to a good meal? He hasn't had much time to talk since he returned to the capital.”

“That's a good idea. Son-in-law, can you do me a favor?”

Zhuge Qing's uncle spoke to me with a somewhat apologetic expression, and thus I was to present my cooking to this legendary figure in Chinese cuisine.

Though he is a legendary figure in Chinese cuisine, in this era, he is just a politician who loves food.

A few days later, the schedule to invite Su Dongpo was set, and I started preparing the dishes early in the morning with Zhuge Qing and the servants. I prepared a variety of dishes, including soft lamb, Mapo Tofu, Xiaolongbao, and special spring rolls made with the remaining special spring sauce.

I also prepared sashimi of carp and abalone transported from the Yellow River for Su Dongpo, who loves sashimi, and laid out a sumptuous feast.

The menu could have included new dishes, but it was chosen to be more adventurous. It reflected Zhuge Qing's desire to serve dishes she had already tasted to her uncle and aunt, and the dishes had been verified by others.

*Chirp*

“Here, take this in quickly. Noodle dishes lose their flavor when they cool, so tell him to eat it right away.”

“Yes, Sir.”

I brought in the last dish, the spring rolls, and a servant who had been carrying the food rushed in and said.

“The Elder asks you to come in.”

“I understand. Please clean up and if there's any shortage, bring more in. If there's any left, share it among yourselves.”

The servants, who had been swallowing their saliva while I was cooking, answered with joy.

“Yes?! Really? Thank you very much.”

Leaving the excited servants behind, I wiped my sweat, checked my clothes, and headed to where the meal was taking place. From a distance, I heard a voice.

“I came here out of curiosity because I heard your son-in-law recently received the title of Food Dragon in the martial world. Didn't you say we wouldn't talk about official matters today?”

It seemed that as soon as he sat down, Su Dongpo had firmly drawn a line with Zhuge Qing's uncle, probably sensing his intentions.

He seemed very strict at first.

And it seemed that her uncle had noticed his intentions.

However, Zhuge Qing's uncle, a man worthy of the name Zhuge, skillfully replied with a smile.

“I've been worried about him since he returned to the capital after a long period in a minor post.”

The two were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice me approaching.

Even when I sat down, they were still talking animatedly.

I was about to make some noise to announce my presence but decided to sit quietly.

“My mind hasn't changed at all.”

“Goodness, if you get into trouble with the government again over the Goryeo issue, what will you do?”

‘Huh? What did he say?’

A familiar name came from Zhuge Qing's uncle.

‘Goryeo, right, this is the Goryeo era...’

Goryeo, founded by King Taejo Wang Geon, was the country on the Korean Peninsula during the Northern Song Dynasty.

Hearing the name Goryeo, I felt a sudden surge of nostalgia.

However, Su Dongpo's words shattered my nostalgia and emotion.

“How can you just watch the suffering of the people? I cannot associate with those Goryeo barbarians!”

‘What?! B, barbarians!? C, calm down, Qingyun. The people of Central China often call everyone else barbarians. Calm down! Calm down.’

I felt a slight anger rising.

Even though I'm not a fervent patriot, Su Dongpo's words, which insulted my ancestors, strangely stirred my anger.

When you're away from home, even a hometown dog is welcome, and everyone becomes a fervent patriot...

It's well-known that Su Dongpo was a representative anti-Goryeo figure in the Northern Song Dynasty, so it wasn't surprising, but there's a huge difference between knowing it and hearing it directly.

It felt like my roots were being damaged.

It was like being insulted to my face.

Something inside me was burning.

Moreover, if I tolerated the insult to my ancestors, I would be a disgrace to my descendants.

I decided to punish that arrogant man.

‘If I let this man go, how can I call myself a descendant?’

I made a resolve in my heart and, taking advantage of the awkward silence after Su Dongpo's firm declaration, I asked him directly.

“Elder of the Ministry of Rites, did you enjoy today's meal?”

“Yes, I was so engrossed in the unnecessary debate that I didn't even thank you for the delicious food. It was truly excellent, every dish.”

Since we had already greeted each other when he arrived, Su Dongpo answered me warmly.

His stern face turned joyful when the topic turned to food, as expected of someone who loves cooking.

I immediately proposed to him.

“I'm glad you enjoyed it. Would you like to visit again tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow as well?”

“Yes, there's a dish I really want you to try.”

“You want me to taste it?”

“Yes, Elder of the Ministry of Rites. You won't regret it. I plan to make it especially for you.”

He seemed to like the dishes he had today and answered with a very happy smile.

“If you're going to treat me to such good food again, I wouldn't refuse. I'll definitely come tomorrow.”

Su Dongpo, unaware of what would happen tomorrow, was lured by the delicious food.

I made a resolve as I looked at him.

‘I will sternly punish this man who insulted my ancestors tomorrow!’

Tomorrow, I planned to take something important from him in return for insulting my ancestors, even after enjoying my cooking today!