Zhao Ziliang and Irina approached the main hall side by side and said to her: "The Palace of Herod Antipas has been the residence of the chief executive here for hundreds of years, so the decoration cannot be compared with the real palace, and the lonely king is just a talent.
I have lived here for more than a month and have not ordered anyone to repair the decoration.
It is a bit shabby.
I hope I am not neglecting Her Majesty the Queen."
Irina turned around and looked at the ornaments, architectural layout and decorations on the left and right sides, "No, this place is very good.
It is this kind of scene without special decoration that perfectly presents the architectural style of the Herod era hundreds of years ago.
The original appearance here looks so simple, and you can tell at a glance that it has been deposited by time and history.
This kind of thickness cannot be expressed by any craftsman's craftsmanship.
It is really not easy for it to be preserved so well."
Zhao Ziliang was quite surprised that Irina could say these words, "I didn't expect that Her Royal Highness the Queen has such profound research on architectural art.
It seems that Her Royal Highness is a knowledgeable woman.
This is really too much in this age of male supremacy."
It’s not easy anymore” There was a trace of joy in Irina's eyes, but she just smiled faintly: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.
I heard that His Highness conquered the world and established the Western Qin Kingdom by relying on war horses, swords, bows and arrows, but His Highness's conversation was not martial at all.
Rude, but like an elegant gentleman.”
Zhao Ziliang smiled.
While they were talking, the two men and the ministers and generals between them came to the main hall where the banquet was held.
The dwarfs were arranged neatly.
There was a passage in the middle leading to the innermost one.
The same thing happened in front of the innermost screen.
There were two low tables, all of which were filled with food and drinks.
Zhao Ziliang and Irina walked to the end, led her to the right, and then walked to the right and said to Irina: "Your Highness, please take a seat, you are welcome."
An attendant who was well versed in the interests of the East whispered to Irina: "Your Highness the Queen, in the East, the host invites guests to a banquet.
The guests must sit down first to show respect for the guests.
After the guests sit down, the host can sit down.
You must cross your legs.
Sit down and wait.
The King of Western Qin will treat you to a meal, but you cannot touch the tableware first.
You must wait for the host to take the knife or chopsticks before you can take the knife."
Irina immediately sat down cross-legged as instructed.
This posture made her feel a little awkward and uncomfortable.
While Zhao Ziliang was greeting the civil servants and generals from both sides to sit down, Irina asked the waiter in a low voice: "What are chopsticks?"
" Chopsticks are chopsticks.
You see there are two bamboo stick-like things on the table.
These are chopsticks.
Chopsticks are the name of the people in the East.
Officially, they are called chopsticks.
Orientals use chopsticks to pick up food.
But you have never used chopsticks. , maybe you don’t like to use it, you can use a knife and fork,” the waiter introduced.
Irina nodded.
She was completely unfamiliar with Eastern banquet forms and did not understand the etiquette of Eastern banquets, so she felt a little panicked.
If there was not such a waiter who was proficient in Eastern etiquette to guide her, she would really be at a loss.
At this time, the civil and military ministers from both sides were already seated at the table.
The soldiers around them were fully armored and holding weapons in their hands.
They did not move at all and had no impact on the banquet.
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From time to time, waiters came over with dishes and drinks to serve the dishes.
Zhao Ziliang called out to every waiter who was kneeling beside the table to serve: "Come, fill up the drinks for Her Majesty the Queen and all the guests."
The kneeling waiters picked up the wine bottles and filled the wine cups on the table in front of the civil and military ministers of both sides.
As soon as the wine was poured out, the aroma of wine suddenly filled the hall.
Many people couldn't help sniffing, and Xi Qin The officials and generals all looked calm, obviously they had drank this kind of wine a long time ago.
Zhao Ziliang picked up the wine glass and said to Irina: "Your Highness the Queen, the West advocates drinking wine and beer, while we in the East drink white wine.
Since Her Royal Highness the Queen and the accompanying Eastern Roman officials have come to the lonely king, the lonely king invites Your Highness and your Majesty My subordinates, please have a taste of the oriental liquor.
Please drink this glass to the full."
Irina picked up the wine glass under the guidance of the waiter.
When the other ministers and officials saw it, they also picked up the wine glass and drank it down in one gulp, imitating Zhao Ziliang.
A glass of white wine entered the throat, and the strong stimulation instantly spread from the throat like fire to the whole body.
A crimson instantly appeared on Irina's beautiful cheeks.
Zhao Ziliang saw Irina's expression and appearance and smiled: "Your Highness may feel that the irritation of liquor is too strong for the first time.
It doesn't matter.
You will get used to it after drinking it a few times.
Our Eastern and Western cultures are different.
You drink this When drinking, you should feel that the taste of the wine is mellow and strong.
We also have wine with a sweet and long-lasting taste.
Your Highness, please eat some food.
Your Highness may not be used to using chopsticks to suppress the smell of wine.
You can use a knife and fork."
After listening to Zhao Ziliang's words, Irina was a little unconvinced.
What was wrong with these two bamboo sticks?
She immediately picked up the chopsticks and imitated Zhao Ziliang's way of picking up vegetables, but she didn't expect that she couldn't pick them up, and she didn't use any strength at all. , extremely awkward.
The waiter held back his laughter and picked up another pair of chopsticks to pick up some dishes and put them on the exquisite porcelain plate in front of Irina.
He whispered: "Your Highness, you should use a knife and fork."
At this time, Zhao Ziliang saw it and said with a smile: "Your Highness, using chopsticks is a technical task.
If you are not used to it, of course you won't be able to use it.
If you keep fighting with it, you may not be able to eat more than a few bites of food at this banquet."
"Okay" Irina gave up, put down her chopsticks, picked up her knife and fork and started eating.
"Well, it tastes good.
This dish is so delicious."
Irina couldn't stop after taking a few bites.
While eating, she asked: "Your Highness, why are your chefs able to make such delicious dishes using the same raw materials?"
Zhao Ziliang said with a smile: "This has something to do with our culture.
In the East, cooks can use the same materials to make many dishes with different tastes and styles.
If you go to the East, you can eat different dishes every day, even if you repeat it for ten years, Can’t finish it” "Oh, God, it's amazing," Irina exclaimed in surprise.
An official from the Eastern Roman Empire asked: "Excuse me, Your Highness the King of Western Qin, why do you Easterners want to use bamboo for tableware and knives and forks?
Wouldn't it be better?"
Zhao Ziliang said with a smile: "This is related to the cultural differences between us.
Our Eastern dishes are made by cutting food into slices or blocks, strips, or wires.
After it is cooked, there is no need to use a knife to cut it.
As long as you are skilled Using chopsticks can easily put food into your mouth, and it is very safe to use chopsticks.
You will not accidentally cut your mouth or hands.
At a banquet, knives, forks and cutlery are excellent tools for assassination."
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These words made Irina and the ministers of the Eastern Roman Empire feel that it was indeed unsafe to use knives and forks.
They were all upper-class people who cherished their lives the most.
However, there were still officials from Eastern Rome who said: "Your Highness the King of Western Qin, why do you, a noble person like you, still use porcelain tableware when entertaining guests?
As far as I know, porcelain is only used by ordinary people.
The royal family and nobles of our Eastern Roman Empire The tableware we use is made of silver, and silver can be tested for poison.
As long as the food is poisonous, the silver tableware will change color, which can prevent people with ulterior motives from poisoning."
Zhao Ziliang smiled and said: "My lord, porcelain is widely used in our East, both by the royal family and ordinary people.
The difference lies in whether the porcelain is exquisite or rough.
For ordinary people, of course they don't have to worry about someone specifically poisoning them. , and for the royal family and nobles, we always use silver needles to test for poison before eating or directly use servants to test for poison.
In addition, the royal family and nobles also use ivory chopsticks, which can also be tested for poison."
Irina was even more surprised: "Oh God, you actually used servants to test poison."
Zhao Ziliang said calmly: "Of course, because some poisons cannot be detected by silverware and ivory."
When Irina thought about it, there were indeed some poisons that could be detected in silverware and ivory, and she also thought about waiting for the servants in the palace to prepare poison tests after returning.
Irina felt that she had never eaten such delicious food.
The food she had eaten before was simply too unpalatable compared to the delicacies on the table in front of her.
She really didn't know how she could eat such awful food.
The banquet went on for a while, and Zhao Ziliang said to Irina: "Your Highness, the Solitary King has ordered some people to prepare some programs, please His Highness and your officials and ministers to enjoy them while eating and drinking."
After listening to the translation, Irina smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.
I'm looking forward to it."
Zhao Ziliang clapped his hands, and soon saw some musicians coming in with instruments in their arms, sitting down on the stools that had been prepared, and starting to play their instruments.
These musicians were all local Jews, and they played their own national music.
To the sound of ancient music, a group of beautifully dressed Jewish girls walked in from the gate in a special formation and started dancing to the accompaniment of musical instruments.
After the Jewish girls finished dancing, a group of Persian girls entered the hall and danced Persian dance to the accompaniment of musical instruments.
Irina was very interested in Persian dance.
Jews are all over Europe.
Irina also once performed in the royal palace.
I had seen people dancing Jewish dances in Tantinoburg, but not Persian dances, so I forgot to eat while watching.
Next, a song of King Qin breaking the formation made the officials of the Eastern Roman Empire in the hall change their expressions.
They all stood up in shock, feeling like they were on the battlefield, with the lights of swords and the sounds of killing intertwined together.
Someone else played "Mountains and Flowing Waters", and everyone was mesmerized when they heard it.
Even Elena, who was in a nervous mood, felt at peace at this time and was immersed in the artistic conception of the music.
The banquet lasted until dusk in the afternoon.
Zhao Ziliang sent Elena to the palace gate, "Your Highness, the place we have prepared for you is at Herod's Palace.
I hope you like it and have a good sleep tonight.
Tomorrow If you don’t have any plans, I think I can be your guide and take you to visit many historic buildings in the city, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holy land of Christians.”
Irina quickly saluted and said: "I am not familiar with the place here, so thank you very much, Your Highness.
I will come here to see you tomorrow morning."
"Then how can it be that I go to Herod's Palace to find His Highness?"
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