Chapter 104

Chapter 104

The next morning, before dawn, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan got up and carried the beans they had soaked the night before to the restaurant.

Last night, the two of them had spent half the night studying recipes. Today, the Northern Pacification King was coming, and they had to pull out all the stops to make sure he enjoyed his meal.

Lu Yao suggested preparing a hot pot along with eight signature dishes. Two tables placed together should be enough to accommodate everything.

Grinding the tofu, setting it, and pressing it, this block of tofu was the most serious one Lu Yao had ever made, fearing that the texture would not be good.

As dawn approached, Zhao Beichuan drove the mule cart to West Market, buying a freshly slaughtered lamb and fresh pork offal. He also bought a variety of vegetables, as it was early May, and many vegetables were in season, perfect for the hot pot.

After buying the vegetables, he went to the ice house. Since it would be hot at noon, Zhao Beichuan bought ten blocks of ice to see if they could be used.

When the mule cart arrived at the door, Lu Miao and Xiaochun hurried over to help unload.

Lu Yao, wearing an apron, came over to take a look. "You bought ice? I was just thinking about getting some later."

"I was afraid the hot pot would make the king too hot."

Lu Yao gave his husband a thumbs up, impressed by his thoughtfulness!

After moving everything inside, Zhao Beichuan took the cart home, and Lu Yao started preparing the lamb meat. To ensure the best texture, he first placed the lamb on ice to chill it until it was half-frozen, allowing him to slice it thinner.

He also washed the tripe and beef tripe repeatedly with ash water until the water ran clear and odorless. The vegetables were picked one by one, selecting the best shapes and sizes for plating.

Lu Yao brought out the set of porcelain dishes given to him by Mr. Xu in Qiushui Town. He had always been reluctant to use them, but now they came in handy. Using them instantly elevated the presentation, far surpassing earthenware plates and bowls!

The eight signature dishes were braised fish, sweet and sour pork ribs, minced meat tofu, Beijing-style shredded pork, sesame seed eggs, cold noodles, mixed three-thread salad, and a lamb soup.

The broth for the hot pot was a fresh mushroom chicken soup simmered overnight. In the morning, he skimmed off the floating oil, leaving only the golden, clear original broth. Customers always said this chicken soup was the best for hot pots, preserving the freshness of the lamb.

By the time it was almost the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), everything was prepared, ready to cook as soon as the guests arrived. Lu Yao sent Xiaonian, Xiaochun, and Lu Miao home, telling them not to disturb the distinguished guest.

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan sat in the main hall, waiting anxiously, their fingers tingling with nervousness. Lu Yao held his husband's hand and asked, "Did the king say when he would arrive?"

"He didn't. If he doesn't come at noon, he should definitely be here by evening."

"Then did we prepare too early?" He was worried that the vegetables would lose their freshness if left too long.

Zhao Beichuan rubbed his shoulder. "Better early than late. With the ice, it should be fine."

"I'm just afraid I might offend the king and ruin everything..."

"Don't worry. You have more knowledge and ability than me. If you can't do it, no one else can. Believe in yourself."

Lu Yao took a deep breath to calm down. His husband was right. Having lived another life, he had seen so much; he couldn't afford to falter in such a situation.

Even if he couldn't win the favor of the Northern Pacification King, he would find a way to establish himself in Prefecture City. He shouldn't put too much pressure on himself.

Life is like the passing of grass and trees, fleeting and ephemeral. The more one worries, the more likely one is to make mistakes. He should treat the reception as if it were for an ordinary customer, doing his best.

Just before noon, a group of soldiers suddenly appeared at the restaurant's entrance, about fifty of them, surrounding the place tightly. Ten men in soft armor entered first to inspect, thoroughly checking both the front and the kitchen, even the well, to ensure the restaurant was safe and free of assassins before sending word to the king.

The Northern Pacification King was indeed cautious. In recent years, spies at the border had increased, and as the commander of the largest army in Wu Dynasty, the Northern Army, any mishap could shake the foundations of the state, so he had to be careful.

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan stood nervously at the door, waiting. Soon, a sedan chair stopped at the entrance, and someone lifted the curtain. Inside sat the Northern Pacification King, Yang Ye!

He wore a dark robe, was tall and robust, with a square face and a short mustache, looking dignified and upright.

Zhao Beichuan pulled Lu Yao, and they both knelt to greet him.

"Your humble subjects pay our respects to the king!"

"Rise." The Northern Pacification King walked straight in, hands behind his back, circling the main hall. Behind him were General Liang, the military doctor, and Commanders Ge and Liang.

Zhao Beichuan stood up and said, "I will go prepare the food for the king."

The Northern Pacification King nodded and gestured for Lu Yao to stay. "Do you still have that alcohol?"

"Your Highness, there is still half a jar."

They had taken it out last night. Lu Yao retrieved it from behind the counter, and the military doctor eagerly opened it, sniffed it, and tasted a bit on his fingertip.

"It's alcohol!"

The Northern Pacification King sat down and asked, "How is this made?"

"Your Highness, this was an accidental discovery during my wine-making process. It was too strong to drink, so I stored it. When my husband was injured, I used this alcohol, and it worked exceptionally well." Lu Yao paused. "Coincidentally, Commander Ge was transferred last year, and he had helped us. I thought of sending him a flask of this alcohol, which might come in handy."

The Northern Pacification King nodded, then asked, "How much grain is needed to produce this jar of alcohol?"

Lu Yao estimated in his mind. One pound of wine could yield about four ounces of alcohol, but he couldn't report this yet because he wasn't proficient in making alcohol, and the result might not be accurate.

"I haven't tested this yet, Your Highness, but a jar of alcohol, about ten pounds, would require at least two shi of sorghum."

The military doctor's eyes lit up upon hearing this. Two shi of sorghum could produce so much alcohol? How many lives could it save!

"The king requires five hundred pounds of alcohol, to be produced within three months."

Five hundred pounds of alcohol would mean about twelve hundred pounds of wine. It was certainly possible to produce, but Lu Yao feigned difficulty. "Your Highness, I can produce it, but..."

General Liang, gently, said, "Speak freely about any difficulties."

Lu Yao took a deep breath. "I own a winery, but it is not solely mine. The Prefect's wife owns seventy percent of it, and the wine produced must first supply her taverns..."

The Northern Pacification King understood immediately and waved his hand. "I will have someone speak with the Prefect. From now on, priority will be given to producing alcohol for the military. You don't need to worry about that anymore."

Lu Yao was delighted and quickly knelt to thank him. "Thank you, Your Highness! I will do my utmost to produce the alcohol without delaying its use in the military!"

The Northern Pacification King's impression of this young couple improved even more, but it was a pity that he was a boy; if he were a man, perhaps he could be promoted to serve under him.

Speaking of this interesting young couple, the husband had great strength but was timid, while the young boy looked delicate but spoke clearly and confidently, not at all intimidated by his imposing presence.

"Stand up. I've heard your cooking is excellent; prepare a few signature dishes for this king to taste."

"This is an honor for me!" Lu Yao hurriedly retreated to the kitchen, and soon after, Zhao Beichuan brought out a copper pot.

Everyone watched curiously at this object, unsure how to use it.

Zhao Beichuan poured chicken broth into the copper pot and placed silver charcoal underneath. Soon, the broth in the pot began to boil, filling the room with its aroma.

Lu Yao brought out plates of sliced lamb, each piece cut uniformly thin and arranged in the shape of petals, with crushed ice beneath them.

General Liang called out to him, "Hey, don't leave yet, how do we eat this?"

Lu Yao picked up a pair of clean communal chopsticks, dipped a slice of lamb into the copper pot, and the lamb, being very tender, curled and cooked through after just a few swishes.

"Forgive my presumption, but you can eat the lamb after dipping it in sesame sauce."

A servant took the chopsticks to try it first, ensuring there were no issues, before the king personally picked a slice from the pot and ate it.

He had grown up in the palace and had tasted countless delicacies, but he was still surprised by the flavor of the hotpot lamb, which was truly delicious!

The unique freshness of the lamb, paired with the rich chicken broth and sesame sauce, instantly captivated his taste buds.

"Xiao Liang, Doctor Chen, come, come, sit down and eat together!"

Liang Chuang, who was used to eating with the Northern Pacification King in the military camp, didn't hesitate to pull a stool and sit down. Doctor Chen, enticed by the aroma, also gathered the courage to sit down and try a few bites.

Both were thoroughly impressed by the flavor; this young couple indeed had skills!

Lu Yao took out wine to pour for everyone, but the Northern Pacification King waved his hand, "No need for wine, drinking can lead to mistakes."

"Yes." Lu Yao quickly put it away.

As the hotpot heated up, the room gradually became warm. Zhao Beichuan brought out several ice basins to cool things down. Seeing that the lamb on the table was nearly finished, he started bringing out other dishes.

One dish after another was served, and everyone couldn't help but nod in admiration after tasting each one, truly remarkable craftsmanship!

Liang Chuang even thought about taking Zhao Beichuan to the military camp as a cook.

But then he reconsidered; during battles, there was no time for such refined cuisine; being well-fed for combat was enough.

This meal was thoroughly enjoyable, even the Northern Pacification King, who usually didn't care much about food, was full. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "The food was excellent. If there's another chance, this king will come again."

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan knelt down in gratitude.

After the meal, the Northern Pacification King left first, while General Liang Chuang, Liang Zhong, and Ge Changbao stayed behind to discuss the alcohol matter.

Liang Chuang bowed to thank Lu Yao for the bag of alcohol.

Given his status as a third-rank general, Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan dared not accept his gesture.

They quickly returned the bow, "If it helps, that's all we ask. It was also thanks to Captain Liang's assistance beforehand."

Beside them, Liang Zhong smiled widely, patting his younger brother's shoulder, "See, your big brother isn't useless after all."

"Big brother has always been capable!" His younger brother was a brother-lover, striving these past years to ensure his two brothers lived comfortably. Now, his second brother's business was thriving, and his elder brother had established himself in the military; no one dared to say he had relied on connections to get in.

Ge Changbao said, "By the way, Brother Lu, you mentioned earlier that the winery is related to the Prefect's wife. What exactly is going on?"

"This is a long story. Let me brew a pot of tea first, and we'll talk slowly."

*

Three days later, Jiang Ying visited personally.

When she arrived, Lu Yao was reviewing accounts with Xiaonian. Hearing the noise outside, he looked up and saw Jiang Ying enter, supported by a maid.

Lu Yao quickly stood up, "Madam Jiang, please come in. Xiaonian, go to the back and boil some water for tea."

Jiang Ying smiled, "No need to trouble yourself. I'll only stay for a moment."

Lu Yao didn't dare to be impolite and quickly pulled out a chair for her to sit down.

"Little Brother Lu, why didn't you tell me earlier that you knew the Northern Pacification King and the Liang family?"

Lu Yao was taken aback; in just a few days, the way she addressed him had changed?

He immediately realized that the Northern Pacification King must have sent someone to inform her, "We're merely acquaintances; I wouldn't dare to claim any connection."

Jiang Ying patted his arm affectionately, "Since the king will be using our winery, there's no need to send the wine to the Gold and Jade Building anymore. Prioritize supplying the military camp."

"Yes."

"Do you have enough raw materials? I've had another hundred shi of sorghum delivered."

"It's enough, more than enough."

"Don't be formal with me. If you need anything, just let your sister know. In the future, I'll rely on Little Brother Lu to speak well of us to the king."

Sweat trickled down Lu Yao's forehead. He wasn't sure if her words were sincere or mocking, but he could only nod stiffly.

Jiang Ying stayed for a while and then left. Lu Yao remembered the two hundred taels of silver he had received from her and hurried to return it.

"Little Brother Lu, keep the money for now. If you need more, just let me know."

Lu Yao watched her retreating figure, his smile gradually fading. Indeed, having a powerful patron was beneficial; even the Prefect's wife had to show respect to the Northern Pacification King.

From then on, Jiang Ying never inquired about the winery's business again. The Quanfu Restaurant, which had previously shown interest in Lu's winery, also ceased all inquiries about the brewing formula once they learned it was connected to the military. They no longer dared to send people to investigate.

In mid-July, Lu Yao sealed one thousand pounds of alcohol and sent word to the army.

Liang Chuang came personally to collect it, and the amount of alcohol Lu Yao had prepared was twice what the Prince had requested!

"Why did you make so much?"

Lu Yao clasped his hands and replied, "I haven't brewed much alcohol before, so I reported a more conservative estimate out of caution. During the brewing process, I found that the yield was higher than expected, so I decided to make more to send over. This alcohol won't spoil if sealed properly and stored for a few years, so it's better to have some extra just in case."

Liang Chuang patted his shoulder and said, "Good!" He suddenly remembered that Lu Yao was a young man and felt it wasn't quite appropriate, so he quickly withdrew his hand and scratched his head awkwardly, "Mr. Lu, your sense of duty is commendable. I will report this to the Prince truthfully!"

"Thank you, General Liang."

In fact, the amount of alcohol Lu Yao had made far exceeded this. Besides the one thousand pounds of alcohol, there were over three thousand pounds of wine stored in the distillery, and he hadn't yet found a market for it.

The restaurant sold wine, but only a few pounds a day, which was limited. He also didn't want to sell the wine to the Gold and Jade Building and compete with himself. At this rate, it would take ages to sell all the wine.

When luck comes, it can't be stopped. Liang Yong, the second son of the Liang family, approached Lu Yao on his own initiative, asking if he was willing to cooperate.

Liang Yong was a royal merchant, dealing in salt and tea. The supplies he donated to the army each year almost equaled the military funds allocated by the national treasury.

That's why the Northern Pacification King treated Liang Chuang like a favorite, ensuring that as long as the young General was around, the Northern Pacification Army would never lack funds.

This time, it was a stroke of luck. Last time, Zhao Beichuan had given a jar of wine to Ge Changbao and Liang Zhong each. Since drinking was forbidden during military campaigns, Liang Zhong sent the jar to his younger brother.

Liang Yong had only recently remembered it and tried it once, finding it to be divine nectar!

He immediately asked his brother where the wine came from. Coincidentally, Liang Chuang was at home, and the two brothers recounted how the Lu family had saved their lives by sending alcohol.

After hearing this, Liang Yong thought Lu Yao was a talented person. With such an excellent brewing formula, why not make good use of it? Both of them could benefit!

Not long after, he contacted Lu Yao and visited him personally to inquire if he was willing to cooperate, offering to buy the remaining wine from the distillery at market price. With his connections and financial resources, Liang Yong believed he could package the wine and sell it at a high price in Shang Jing.

Lu Yao was just worrying about this issue, and here was a solution. Without hesitation, he signed a contract with Liang Yong, agreeing to supply him with five thousand pounds of wine annually. To ensure Lu Yao had sufficient working capital, Liang Yong even paid him a deposit of one thousand taels of silver.

With money and connections in hand, Lu Yao's thoughts began to stir again.

Since last year, no one had rented the premises of Yazhaiju after it closed. With the current favorable conditions, he planned to find time to inquire about the rent and move the Lu family restaurant there!