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!"
The head chef of the Imperial Kitchen gasped, he had thought of preserved meat before, but the Emperor's question was about food for military campaigns on the frontier.
Ten thousand soldiers, each with preserved meat, how much would that cost?
So the head chef had dismissed the idea of preserved meat outright.
But now, with Xiao Yunzhou's words, he opened up a new line of thinking for the head chef.
Using the method of making preserved meat... extending it to soup, dishes, rice and noodles?
This opened up a new perspective for the head chef, who was used to cooking exquisite dishes for the court.
With eighteen skills in culinary arts, they immediately came up with condensed chicken and mutton soup blocks... as well as steamed, fried dough for noodles and buns...
In the cold winter of the capital, once placed outside, the chicken and pork fats quickly solidified into blocks.
Soon, the kitchen served up concentrated mutton soup 'instant' packets, chicken soup 'instant noodles', 'instant rice balls'...
In Wei Zhenghuai's arms, Xiao Chuchu's sleepy eyes went wide, especially when she saw the plate the head chef was holding—it contained three stacks of soup packets, preserved meat bits, and noodle buns.
"Your Majesty, apart from dried vegetables that we didn't have time for today, everything else can be tried."
[Holy shit, ancient version of instant noodles... oh, I can't eat the roast duck, but I can drink the noodle soup~]
Xiao Chuchu was delighted.
[Every time I smell instant noodles, I go crazy with cravings, if I don't eat them for a while, I get restless~]
[I wonder what the ancient imperial chefs' version of instant noodles will be like.]
Xiao Chuchu's mouth was watering as she became fully awake.
Also wide awake and no longer feeling pain in his legs or back was the Duke of Dingguo!
He watched as the imperial chef added a small seasoning packet and oil packet to the dried noodle bun, then poured in boiling water. In a short while, a rich aroma wafted through the imperial garden and into his nose.
The Duke of Dingguo's eyes widened as he rushed to the imperial chef's side.
"This... can be eaten right after heating? How long until it's ready!?"
"Just boil water and pour it in?"
He hadn't heard the imperial chef's answer yet when he saw the solid soup block in the golden bowl gradually dissolving in the boiling water.
The dried noodle bun slowly softened, changing from a lump into loose, distinct strands...
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, it had become a steaming bowl of preserved meat noodles in chicken soup!
The Duke of Dingguo took a deep breath, not even waiting for Xiao Yunzhou's invitation as he eagerly picked up his chopsticks and took a big mouthful.
He gasped, his mouth scalded by the heat.
But soon, the salty, rich, and mellow flavor of the chicken soup, mixed with the golden aroma of the preserved meat bits in hot oil, barged straight onto his taste buds.
The deliciousness made the Duke of Dingguo unwilling to spit it out. He gasped for air, then slurped down the scorching mouthful of noodles.
In that instant, his eyes widened.
These noodles were surprisingly chewy, bouncing between his teeth, yet smooth as silk.
Combined with the savory flavors of the chicken soup and preserved meat, it was bite after irresistible bite.
This aroma, after standing in the imperial garden all day, tasted even more delectable, dispelling the winter chill and fatigue from his body.
"Hmm... the proportion of dough and salt packets is light, it would indeed work to transport to the military camps!" The Duke of Dingguo said excitedly after finishing the whole bowl.
"We don't need chicken soup for everyone, but as long as there's some salt and these tiny preserved meat bits to add flavor for our soldiers, that's enough!"
The Duke of Dingguo knew that chicken soup was expensive and couldn't be provided to everyone.
But these preserved meat bits in the noodles were diced so small and thin.
When he ate them, his teeth didn't even detect them, only a lingering salty aroma and meaty taste on his tongue remained.
Not satisfying, but sufficient for military campaigns, without being picky!
"Your Majesty, I agree that Concubine Liu should be made a formal lady-in-waiting."
This time, the Duke of Dingguo truly appreciated Concubine Liu.
How did she think of preserved meat?
Making it even smaller than pebbles on the street... quite good, a practical idea!
"Your Majesty, winter clothes belong to winter, but this instant hot noodle dish is an entirely different matter," the Duke of Dingguo said, looking towards the Emperor. "When will you promote Concubine Liu? She has already given two suggestions to the army!"
"..."
Xiao Yunzhou's brow twitched.
Those in the army were always like this, protective of their own and unreasonable.
They accumulated military merits but never spoke of vanity!
Concubine Liu felt embarrassed, "I didn't do anything, how can I take credit?"
This time, she had merely run her mouth, and made no real contribution.
The Duke of Dingguo waved his hand, full of vigor. "Tomorrow, I shall submit a memorial. The matter of female officials must be settled soon, and proper regulations must be established."
"Determine their ranks, salaries, and future promotions..."
"Your Majesty, do you agree?" he asked.
Xiao Yunzhou coughed lightly.
"Oh, of course, Your Majesty has also made no small contribution this time," the Duke of Dingguo finally gave Xiao Yunzhou an approving look.
"This old minister is truly gratified. On behalf of thousands of soldiers, I thank Your Majesty."
A smile finally appeared on Xiao Yunzhou's face. "Once the weather clears in a few days, Duke of Dingguo, accompany me to the military camps outside the capital to comfort the soldiers. We shall bring them the new winter clothes and these instant hot meals. What do you think?"
The Duke of Dingguo beamed and nodded repeatedly. "Your Majesty is considerate. This old minister will definitely go."
Even though he knew that the Emperor was inviting him to borrow his prestige in the army to win over the soldiers' hearts, the Duke of Dingguo was willing this time.
But soon, Xiao Yunzhou frowned.
Little Princess Xiao Chuchu rudely stuck her little finger into the golden bowl in front of Wei Zhenghuai, then put it into her own mouth, directly tasting the broth of the instant noodles.
[Woo~ This familiar flavor, though slightly different, but... I'm alive again! Hahaha!]
Xiao Chuchu was overjoyed and rushed towards the Duke of Dingguo.
The Duke of Dingguo was about to have his second bowl of instant noodles.
She wanted to sneak a bite~
Since she had no teeth, she could sip it~
But just as she grabbed the Duke of Dingguo's robe and made him chuckle, her grape-like eyes suddenly froze.
[Huh, I can see the Duke of Dingguo's combat power!]
[73 (in declining state)!]
[95 at his peak!]
[Damn, an old injury on his right knee, lung disease, chronic stomach problems.]
[Woah, the Duke of Dingguo has eaten too much greasy food today and was exposed to the cold at the training grounds. His stomach and knee ailments are about to flare up! His combat power will soon drop below 60, irreversibly!]
Xiao Yunzhou glared in shock.
Concubine Liu held her breath.
