At that time, Empress Dowager Cixi was very particular about every meal, and Empress Dowager Cixi never wronged herself. At that time, there were more than 1000 chefs in the imperial chef of Qing Dynasty, who could cook more than 4,000 dishes every day.
Since Empress Dowager Cixi was so particular at that time, her snacks after dinner were even more particular. Cixi only eats a small bite in the middle of watermelon at a time. She can eat tens of thousands of grapes and apples every year, which can be said to be very extravagant and corrupt.
Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, once wrote such a book, "My First Half Life", in which it was written that the Qing government at that time spent huge manpower, material resources and financial resources to meet the needs of Empress Dowager Cixi. In his record, there were more than 30 dishes in one morning, which can be said to be very credible. Although there is no Cixi, it should be known that no one can enjoy it except Cixi.
Empress Dowager Cixi needs 108 dishes for every meal. Empress Dowager Cixi only eats three or four dishes at a time. When he eats, Li and his cronies will use silver chopsticks. Empress Dowager Cixi will eat them after confirming their safety, and then pack the rest of the food to the eunuchs and maids at that time.
Historians of later generations estimated that Empress Dowager Cixi needed about silver and 200 yuan for each meal, which was more than 16000 yuan when converted into RMB. It can be said that a meal of Empress Dowager Cixi is worth a meal of many people.