Although the two of them had not known each other for a long time, they had become sworn friends and were familiar with each other. Qin Qiong naturally knew the thoughts of Muchuan, a "big foodie", and immediately ordered people to prepare wine and food for Muchuan to fill his stomach.
In the time it takes to burn an incense stick, you can see roasted lamb legs, fried pork, boiled vegetable leaves, etc. placed on the low table in the military tent.
The dishes are simple and far inferior to what Muchuan eats at his own residence, but there is nothing he can do about it, after all, this is a military camp.
But while eating, Muchuan remembered that the soldiers outside were still training. It had been six hours since early morning, and he didn't know how well these soldiers were training.
Halfway through the meal, Muchuan planned to go out and take a look.
On the sandy ground of the military camp, with the scorching sun in the sky, five hundred Guards soldiers were doing "plank support". They were dripping with sweat and their faces were painful. It could be seen that they were training very seriously and did not show any signs of slacking off.
"How's it going, Master Mu?"
"Very good! They have strict military discipline and resolute character. They are worthy of being soldiers under General Qin's command! I believe that when they are sent to the battlefield in the future, they will be able to serve the motherland and make contributions."
"Haha, this general thinks so too."
Qin Qiong smiled boldly, with pride that could not be concealed on his face.
However, training is training, and it is not good for the body to train exclusively. You have to pay attention to the balance between work and rest.
Muchuan ordered a soldier to beat the drum to summon everyone. After the five hundred soldiers gathered in the center of the battlefield, Muchuan announced: "This morning's training is over. There is no need to train more for the unfinished items.
Let’s all rest for half an hour. Dinner will be served in half an hour!”
"yes!"
The Imperial Guards answered in unison, and then dispersed one by one and returned to the rest camp.
Muchuan and Qin Qiong returned to the commander's tent. After sitting down, Qin Qiong asked in confusion: "Brother Mu, why do you have to eat after half an hour?"
There is no fixed meal time in the military camp. As long as they take a break, the soldiers will take noodle bags and steamed buns to eat. After eating, they will continue to train and perform military duties.
However, Muchuan asked the soldiers to gather in the wooden house of the Northern Army Camp half an hour later and said they would have meals there. This naturally made Qin Qiong feel strange.
At this time, there were only two army commanders, so Muchuan called him affectionately: "Brother Qin, have you ever heard of the saying that people are like iron rice or steel?"
"I've never heard of it... I wonder what this sentence means?"
"The general idea is that if soldiers want to go into battle and be motivated to fight, they must first eat well."
Muchuan planned to call Temujin Dali from Shangshu's residence, and also some cooks from Chang'an City's teahouse, and ask the cooks to prepare some delicious food for the brothers of the Imperial Guard.
When Qin Qiong heard this, he felt something was wrong: "I can understand Brother Mu's good intentions, but doing this will make the soldiers arrogant and extravagant."
In the ancient Tang Dynasty, the common people did not even have enough to eat, so how could they possibly eat well?
The Imperial Guards of the Tang Dynasty, as an army that protects the Li family and the order of Chang'an City, naturally have to dare to take the lead and take the lead, but they cannot be better fed and clothed than the common people.
At this time, Qin Qiong explained the truth that "when heaven is about to entrust great responsibilities to this people, they must first work hard and work hard for their muscles and bones" and began to teach him earnestly.
Of course Muchuan can understand the principle of "asceticism and hatred", but human beings are not robots after all, and even robots have to be fed engine oil.
"Brother Qin, please listen to me. If the soldiers continue to suffer, I am afraid that resentment will arise and morale will be affected."
"I understand. Since you said so, brother Mu, I will listen to you."
Half an hour later, Temujin Dali rushed over. According to Muchuan's instructions, Dali and a group of cooks started cooking very quickly.
Half an hour later, there is a large wooden house in the military camp with a vast space, and nearly five hundred soldiers are sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Temujin Dali and a dozen soldiers began to share the meal, making a "big pot rice", Mapo tofu rice bowl!
Because there were no tables and chairs here, the soldiers had to sit cross-legged on the ground to eat. However, when they saw the Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl, their eyes visibly flashed, and they were particularly surprised.
"What is this soft thing?
Pure white and flawless, could it be tofu?"
"It smells spicy, and it tastes delicious when paired with minced meat..."
"I can't bear it anymore, my saliva keeps flowing."
The soldiers all looked salivating, but they hadn't eaten it yet. After all, they had never seen "Ma Po Tofu". Although it smelled delicious, they didn't know if it would be okay to eat it.
No wonder the soldiers were so vigilant, because there was no such dish as "Ma Po Tofu" in the Tang Dynasty.
Tofu originated in the Western Han Dynasty. Soldiers recognized tofu, but they did not recognize the pure white and red tofu. Moreover, they could smell a spicy taste. No wonder they did not dare to eat it.
In fact, spicy, numbing and other tastes are caused by "chili peppers". However, chili peppers have not been introduced to the Tang Dynasty until now. They had to wait until the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century for chili peppers to be introduced from the Americas.
Of course, because of the appearance of the time traveler Muchuan, chili peppers have actually appeared in the palace of Chang'an City, but these chili peppers are only supplied to the royal family and important ministers.
Low-level commoners and landowners only hear the name of chili but don’t know what it looks like.
Muchuan explained at this time: "Everyone, this dish is called Mapo Tofu. It is made from a mixture of tofu and a seasoning called chili."
The soldiers were horrified to hear that there was actually chili pepper in Mapo Tofu.
"It's chili pepper. I know chili pepper! It's very popular in the palace, and only the adults can enjoy it."
"There are such precious ingredients in this Mapo Tofu, and we can actually enjoy it?"
"No wonder it smells so special. It must taste good."
The soldiers all had their eyes widened, their faces full of expectation and joy.
Seeing everyone like this, Muchuan waved his hand and shouted: "Everyone, let's start eating!"
With a sound, five hundred soldiers started eating with wooden spoons in unison. They devoured the food with great movements and gulped and breathed while eating. They were obviously poisoned by the spicy food.
But strangely enough, eating this Mapo Tofu was spicy and made me sweat, but the more I ate it, the more enjoyable it became, so I could see most of the soldiers eating it with pain on their faces but also with great joy.
Qin Qiong next to her had already eaten half of the Mapo Tofu and couldn't help but exclaimed: "It's delicious, it's so delicious!"
"Haha, if Brother Qin likes it, how about I give you the recipe for this Mapo Tofu?
As for the chili and other ingredients, I will send a servant to deliver them to the mansion."
"Okay, okay, thank you Brother Mu!"
After a moment of burning incense, you can see the soldiers lying on the floor in a mess, with satisfied faces and sweat soaked shirts.
