TPITWOHEF

Chapter 101

The Duke of Dingguo did not return home that day.

He waited in the Imperial Kitchen until nightfall, finally waiting for the thirteen imperial chefs to muster all their strength and attempt to make the dishes that the Emperor described as 'cook and serve' with rice, noodles, and vegetables...

Dry rice crackers, rations...

The Duke of Dingguo tried each one, with a strange expression on his face.

Not very tasty.

But it didn't matter for military campaigns, it would do.

Some were just like the rations they prepared themselves, nothing special, just a bit better in taste... it would do.

The Duke of Dingguo spent the whole day trying these 'cook and serve' dishes, going from initial enthusiasm to a blank expression and gradual disappointment.

"Your Majesty, let the Imperial Kitchen experiment further, I shall return home first."

The Duke of Dingguo was tired.

He had truly believed the Emperor's idea would work!

After all this fuss for a day, nothing came of it.

The Duke of Dingguo decided not to hold too much hope, to avoid greater disappointment. At his age, he couldn't withstand such emotional swings.

"Hmm... Duke of Dingguo, when you were on military campaigns before, you wanted some oil in your stomach, chefs, have you thought about oil?"

Xiao Yunzhou was still 'inspiring' the chefs of the Imperial Kitchen.

The Duke of Dingguo was touched, the Emperor was still a good man, remembering his words.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late, you should rest too."

The Duke of Dingguo was not in a rush.

But Xiao Yunzhou was impatient.

These people in the Imperial Kitchen, no matter how much he guided them, they just couldn't think of instant noodles!

The dough could be fried, and then boiled in hot water.

Then add salt seasoning packets and solid oil packets, dried vegetables and dried meat bits!

Alas.

Xiao Yunzhou finally understood the praise Concubine Liu had given to Liu Runnian before.

It's not just anyone who could grasp an idea with the slightest hint.

It really made him anxious.

Concubine Liu stood by, seeing the Emperor's determined look that he wouldn't give up until he figured this out, and she too grew anxious.

Little Princess was already yawning in Wei Zhenghuai's arms.

She took a deep breath, "Your Majesty, this servant has an idea. I used to help my mother make preserved meat when I was home."

"Once the preserved meat is cured, baked, and dried, it can be stored for a long time. Next year, you only need to heat it up with rice, or add it to noodles to eat. It has both flavor and oil. A small piece is enough to make a meal tasty and nourishing."

Ah! This is it!

Xiao Yunzhou's eyes lit up as he looked at Concubine Liu.

As expected of the clever Concubine Liu!

"Yes, yes, did you all hear that? Can you think of something based on the method of making preserved meat?"

"Preserved meat can be air-dried, and used directly after heating next year. What about... vegetables, hot soup, rice and noodles!"