In the middle of the fourth month, the capital had already passed the period of extreme cold. Even though the Little Ice Age was approaching, it had not yet brought about the effects of a thousand miles of barren land. The warm spring breeze moistened the surroundings of the capital. From the looks of it, it seemed like this year was going to be a good year with good weather.
The Xiao family left Beijing on such a bright and warm day, heading for a scenic spot in the suburbs. Xiao Wenkui brought his four sons on horseback. His four daughters-in-law and his most favored concubines sat in two horse carriages. There were also a few ox-carts carrying some unknown equipment. Seven or eight guards and five or six maids accompanied them. In this season of hiking, a group of ten to twenty people was not very conspicuous.
After spending two days at home with Yang Caiyun, Xiao Ruxun felt that it was not a good idea for Yang Caiyun to stay at home all the time. Now that the spring sun was shining and the air was fresh, it was a good time to go for an outing. Thus, he discussed with Xiao Wenkui that the whole family should go for an outing. Xiao Wenkui clapped his hands — — Great!
However, Old Man Xiao was not satisfied with just an outing. He bought a few good bows from his collection, brought some weapons, and told his sons — — There is a holy hunting ground in the western suburbs of the capital. Many generals like to hunt there and have fun. We can't go there with the scholars. If we go to the eastern suburbs, it will be full of scholars. A sea of talented scholars and beautiful women will make us feel sour and uncomfortable.
In order to avoid conflict with the talented scholars and beautiful women, the generals brought their families to the hunting ground in the western suburbs. Many people liked to hunt there, and some even brought their chefs there. When they hunted game, they would directly ask the chefs to cook it. The whole family gathered together to eat, it was a very romantic scene.
Now was the season of spring and flowers were blooming. It was also the time when hares, pheasants, and wild boars appeared everywhere in the forest. These animals had also survived the winter and came out to look for food to fatten themselves up. The meat was very fragrant. In the past, Xiao Wenkui had come here with some good friends a few times. Later on, due to many things, he did not come here again. Now that the family rarely got together, everyone wanted to have a good time.
Xiao Ruxun thought it was a good idea. Game was also very suitable for Yang Caiyun. Yang Caiyun was pregnant, and the child in her belly needed a lot of nutrition. Therefore, Xiao Ruxun also planned to show his barbecuing skills that he had learned in Korea to his family. Back in the Korean battlefield, every time there was meat to eat, all the generals wanted to eat Xiao Ruxun's cooking. It was not only because of the glory, but also because the meat that Xiao Ruxun roasted was very good. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it was very delicious.
At this time, Beijing did not have the haze that would cover the sky a few hundred years later, nor the sandstorm that could come at any time. It was surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, and the scenery in some places was not inferior to Jiangnan. It was a place that scholars loved to visit. The deep mountains that were left for the generals to hunt were also not bad. Surrounding a deep mountain was a circle of emerald green grassland that looked very pleasing to the eyes. Not far away, there was also a small river that was so clear that one could see the bottom.
After the Xiao family chose a place, they started to set up camp and put everything away to prepare. Xiao Ruxun couldn't wait to go hunting and show off his skills. The second and third brother were also very eager. Xiao Ruxun planned to stay behind to look after Yang Caiyun and prepare the things needed for the picnic. When Xiao Rulan saw that Xiao Ruxun wasn't going, she felt that as the big brother, she shouldn't go either and stay behind to help.
Xiao Wenkui brought along Xiao Ruzhi and Xiao Ruhui, as well as three or four retainers, and rushed into the depths of the forest to hunt. Xiao Ruxun and Xiao Rulan brought along the remaining retainers and maidservants to start preparing.
They brought out the big pots, big bowls, and other kitchen utensils that were needed for roasting meat, causing Xiao Rulan and the group of womenfolk to be dumbfounded.
"Si, when did you learn to cook?"
Xiao Rulan looked at Xiao Ruxun sharpening the kitchen knife with a dumbfounded expression.
"In the past, when I was at home and in Ningxia, I didn't have any skills. Then, when I went to the battlefield in Korea, the food made by those rough men was really a bit unappetizing. During the battle, I could barely eat to fill my stomach, but after the victory, when I was about to eat to my heart's content, if the food still tasted the same, then it was really disappointing. Moreover, there were soldiers from all over the army, and everyone couldn't eat together, so it was inevitable that there would be complaints in their hearts.
I thought, it's fine if it's idle time, but marching to war is a life-threatening job, so I have to let the soldiers eat and drink well. Otherwise, if the soldiers complain and don't contribute during the battle, and don't listen to my orders, that would be bad. Therefore, I brought the cooks' army to various barracks and asked them about their preferences. Then, according to these preferences, every time the army won a battle, I would make food that matched their preferences.
Usually, we would eat normal war meals, but if we gave them more food that matched their preferences, then the soldiers would be grateful to you and work for you. During this process, I learned a lot from the old cooks of the cooks' army, and even improved the war meals. I made a type of deep-fried pancake, which is fragrant and crispy. Not only the soldiers in the north like it, but some soldiers in the south also like it. When Commander Wu stayed in Wei Nation, he even asked me for the method to make the pancake. He said it was delicious, inexpensive, and convenient. "
Xiao Ruxun smiled and explained while sharpening the kitchen knife.
Xiao Rulan sat beside Xiao Ruxun and also picked up a kitchen knife to sharpen.
"That's strange. Since the establishment of the Ming Dynasty Army, the food was the same. During good times, they would eat dry rice, and during bad times, they would eat porridge. In the beginning, they could still eat their fill, but later on, it changed. Some heartless people even fed the soldiers grass roots, tree bark, and wild vegetable porridge, so that they could eat until they were full. As for the food, it was best to have some salted vegetables and pickled vegetables.
I also heard that some evil people fed the soldiers salted rice, and the soldiers became sallow and emaciated. When the southeast was fighting against the pirates, some troops either couldn't fight, or were forced to collapse from starvation. Those military officers directly deducted the food and sold it for money. Do you think the southeast didn't fight? "
Xiao Ruxun smiled and said, "That's why it's said that food is the most important thing to the people, and the army is also the most important thing to the army. As the saying goes, before the army moves, rations and fodder must be prepared first. Without rations and fodder, the army can't fight at all, let alone win. Half of the Korean army's military expenses are used to ensure that the soldiers have enough to eat. Therefore, I dare not say that the army I brought is the one that can fight the best in Daming, but I can at least say that this army has the best food."
"Hahahaha!"
Xiao Rulan was amused by Xiao Ruxun and burst into laughter. Xiao Ruxun sharpened the kitchen knife and called for the soldiers to wash the rice. An entire jar of white rice was given to two guards to wash at the riverside, while the other two guards went to chop firewood. Xiao Ruxun called for Xiao Rulan to carry the big pot of meat soup down, and then hung it up with a bracket.
"Si, do we need such a big pot? I don't think we need so much meat soup and rice, right? The women eat very little, and the few of us men don't need to eat an entire jar of food, right? "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
