Section 08: Bathing and Cuisine
Forget about them; who told me I was an official? Once they realize the benefits, they will thank me, watching them each soak in concentrated saltwater. Yun Ye dashed towards the riverbank, as the saltwater stung sensitive areas too painfully. That bastard Cheng Chumo had already run off.
Goodness, Cheng Chumo has completely collapsed. What kind of person is this brother of mine? He possesses treasures yet treats them like dirt, casually offering up the invaluable secret to salt production that others value more than their lives. He rummages through items worth thousands at will. The treasured sword he fancies is given away without a second thought, he drinks only fine wine and eats only gourmet food, and he flies into a rage if something is dirty. He insists that bowls and chopsticks must be boiled in water before use. This is not just a down-and-out young master; even princes and princesses do not have such high standards. Behind him follows a little horse, which is no ordinary horse but a grand horse, not only refusing to work but also having a bad temper, biting anyone who provokes it. He won't eat a pancake unless it has been fried in oil, and after eating the pancake, he must chew on some tender grass. The famous wine from the capital that Yun Ye refuses to drink is all fed to him. At night, he must sleep in a tent; while other horses sleep standing, he lies down. He won't eat a pancake unless it has been fried in oil, and after eating the pancake, he must chew on some tender grass. The famous wine from the capital that Yun Ye refuses to drink is all fed to him. At night, he must sleep in a tent; while other horses sleep standing, he lies down. I need to ask, otherwise, I won't feel at ease.
After much effort in pulling up the two women, upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, they were about to bow again. Yun Ye felt overwhelmed and quickly drove Zhang Cheng away with a few punches and kicks. He then said to the two women: "Some snacks, you just saw the lamb being cooked, it is no different from what others do, but there are some small tricks involved, so pay attention." As he spoke, he took the clean pine stick from earlier, peeled off the outer skin, casually tossed it into the meat pot, covered it, and continued cooking. Turning back, he winked at the two women: "Don't tell anyone, this is your secret, and also the secret to cooking a good pot of lamb. I won't explain the reason, as you wouldn't understand. Now, let me teach you how to make pancakes."
Yun Ye sighed and said that telling one lie requires countless others to support it. Very well, today I will speak this lie to the end and bring it to a conclusion: "In my childhood, I was ignorant and only remember growing up in the embrace of my esteemed teacher. Although we were called master and disciple, it was no different from a father-son relationship. My master often said that I was a calamity in his life; had it not been for my burden, he would have left this world years ago, achieving great freedom. He told me that life is like drifting duckweed in the rivers and lakes; we meet by fate and part when the fate ends. There is no need to attach importance to life and death; it is merely a journey. He and I are both travelers along the way, witnessing different sceneries and tasting different lives. Now that the time for parting has come, perhaps we may meet again by fate. This statement left me perplexed. My master has already passed away, and his body has been cremated according to my adherence to his will. How can there be talk of meeting again?"
The soldiers, seeing that he did not bathe and was not given food, assumed that Yun Ye was accustomed to a life of luxury and could not eat without bathing, so they had no objections. Little did they know that from his beard, hair, and collar, small creatures occasionally crawled about, which was enough to make one shudder. Eat? Yun Ye thought, how could I possibly eat? If these small creatures were allowed to run rampant, even a slight outbreak of infectious disease could lead to a significant loss of life
Cheng Chumo could never understand why Yun Ye used the priceless black glass to create small, exquisite pieces, which were even attached to a box below. The only flaw was that there were two holes on the side, the purpose of which was unknown. When he asked Yun Ye, he would not say anything, only insisting that the black glass on top should not be pried off. Inside a beautiful small box lay a stunning pearl flower, intended for women, adorned with an unknown gemstone. Yes, it was as if it was growing, with nothing wrapping it, just like a gemstone sprouting from silver. When illuminated by firelight, the gemstone sparkled as if it had come to life. Inside a beautiful small box lay a stunning pearl flower, intended for women, adorned with an unknown gemstone. Yes, it was as if it was growing, with nothing wrapping it, just like a gemstone sprouting from silver. When illuminated by firelight, the gemstone sparkled as if it had come to life.
Cheng Chumo's childish language caused Yun Ye a sharp pain in his heart. He began to truly believe in himself. At the age of sixteen or seventeen, he usually put on the appearance of a young commander for his father and subordinates, striving to act like a competent officer. He had already been on the battlefield twice, and Yun Ye believed that he was still somewhat afraid.
Yun Ye understood that the original meaning was not explained this way, but at this moment, he truly could not think of a more fitting interpretation. For the first time, he touched the spiritual world of the Tang people. Yun Ye even thought he had become a native of the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, how could his heart ache so deeply? Achievements are only to be gained on horseback; new soldiers would be stirred by this phrase, while old soldiers would not. Those fortunate enough to crawl out from the piles of corpses would never risk their lives for these illusory things; their greatest desire was simply to live and see their families.
Cheng Chumo noticed that Yun Ye's expression was not good and swallowed hard, urging everyone: "Get to work, get to work. Young Master Yun is preparing a feast to reward everyone, so let’s put in some extra effort and produce three hundred jin of salt." The soldiers chuckled and turned to get back to work.
It is evident that he is very lonely. The children of prominent families inevitably bear more responsibilities. To gain something, one must inevitably lose something else; this is equivalent. Yun Ye secretly vowed that from this moment on, he would never deceive him again. His entire background could only be known to heaven.
Yun Ye lay sprawled on the blanket, basking in the moonlight, while Cheng Chumo, full of enthusiasm, repeatedly pulled the zipper on his sleeping bag back and forth. He simply could not understand how this little thing, when tugged, would cause the two rows of small teeth to automatically interlock, and quite securely at that.
Two women, covering their faces, carried a large basket over, which contained dandelions, earth bone skin, and other wild vegetables. These are beneficial for digestion and detoxification, and are considered top-quality among wild vegetables
Yun Ye took two pieces and chewed on them, thinking that eating too much meat in a day could lead to gastrointestinal issues. Originally, tea was the best option, but since there was none, he had no choice but to eat grass. Cheng Chumo saw Yun Ye eating and naturally followed suit, so each of them grabbed a handful to eat. There was no need to explain the reason; they simply did as instructed without asking too many questions. It was evident that Cheng Chumo led the troops with just a few words and a show of strength. Wang Cai was obedient, never asking questions; upon seeing me eat grass, he came over and took two pieces from the basket to eat. There was no need to explain the reason; they simply did as instructed without asking too many questions. It was evident that Cheng Chumo led the troops with just a few words and a show of strength. Wang Cai was obedient, never asking questions; upon seeing me eat grass, he came over and took two pieces from the basket to eat. The one closest to my heart was him.
"Make some damn salt, this is for bathing. Each one of you is as dirty as a pig, covered in lice and fleas. If you haven't caught a disease, consider yourselves lucky. Listen carefully, every single one of you has been soaked in the barrel, and you must bathe by the river before you can eat."
Although I have longed to prove myself on the battlefield since childhood, having witnessed the brutality of war through various films and television works, experiencing the battlefield firsthand must be an entirely different sensation from that conveyed in books
Brothers, pay attention, this is a matter of life and death, not a frivolous act, nor is it unnecessary. There is great knowledge involved here, and I will not explain it further; this bath must be taken in this manner. Having said that, Yun Ye was the first to jump in while still dressed, and it is said that he was also talked about.
Yun Ye's engineer shovel had already been used several times by him. This peculiar weapon, which can be used for cutting, digging, sawing, and can even be folded and carried on the back, is an indispensable tool for marching troops. Its steel quality is even better than his own forged broadsword. When the two clashed, sparks flew; the shovel remained unscathed while the broadsword suffered a small chip. Cheng Chumo's eyes nearly popped out. The broadsword was a precious gift from his father on his fifteenth birthday, worth a fortune. He had always cherished it, even sleeping with it at first. It had helped him sever the weapons of countless young aristocrats in Chang'an, and a significant part of Cheng Chumo's reputation as a valiant warrior was earned through this treasured sword. Now, it was surprisingly inferior to a mere shovel. According to Yun Ye, this shovel was simply used for digging.
From the wooden barrel, the well-rested dough is pulled out, kneaded a few times, rolled out, and sprinkled with chopped green onions. It is then formed into a dough ball, rolled out again, and a green onion pancake takes shape. The large stone slab heated over the fire is smeared with mutton fat, and as the blue smoke rises, the pancake is laid on top. The slab is filled to the brim with twenty pancakes, and a rich aroma fills the air. The surroundings are quiet. Looking back, Cheng Chumo's large cow-like eyes are right behind Yun Ye, sniffing and salivating, wishing he could grab a pancake and take a bite right now. Not just him, none of these rascals are working; they all gather around.
Does your master hit you? My father often hit me; he doesn't do it much now. Sometimes I don't even want to acknowledge him
After a busy day, it seems that these fellows' energy has not been exhausted, as one or two of them are staring at the moon, lost in thought and unable to sleep
The master is a Qi refiner, but he despises the notion of ghosts and deities
"Captain, what is this for? Is it possible that the captain is also involved in salt production?"
Cheng Chumo jumped into another wooden barrel. As brothers, it's not just about jumping into a barrel; even if it means jumping into a sea of fire, I, Old Cheng, would say so. This is the essence of brotherhood.
In this era devoid of effective antibiotics, Yun Ye truly does not wish to meet an untimely demise. After discussing with Cheng Chumo, he specifically took out a wooden tub used for holding salt to bathe. However, he was rather dismissive of Yun Ye's belief that bathing could prevent disease. Out of brotherly affection, he allowed him to indulge in this folly, after all, it was just bathing, not a matter of life and death.
Yun Ye soaked inside for a full five minutes, holding his breath, then surfaced for a moment before jumping out, addressing the surrounding soldiers: "Each of you must go in and soak for the duration of a tea brew, and your hair must also be submerged. Did you hear that?"
Is your master a deity
Brother, who exactly is your esteemed teacher? You are already extraordinary, having resolved the great difficulties of Longyou with your actions. A swift horse has been dispatched to report your achievements, and I believe His Majesty will bestow generous rewards. Once enough salt is gathered, this great merit will be firmly established. Please tell me about your teacher's matters.
Cheng Chumo fell silent; he was never a talkative person. He trusted his brother and could sense his sorrow, believing that simply being there was enough.
Yun Ye wondered if he had misread the situation, as the Firehead Army, along with two women, had spent most of the day making three thousand pancakes, which had now vanished without a trace. Yun Ye could only eat two pancakes and gnaw on a piece of mutton, his stomach nearly bursting. Meanwhile, these fellows wore expressions of grievance, claiming they were still hungry, burping and holding their bellies, lamenting that there was too little food. They insisted that tomorrow they should go hunting, vowing to bring back all the sheep from Longyou. Mutton should be enjoyed this way to be flavorful. The previous mutton had all been wasted, and while this pancake was delicious, he wondered why his own wife could not make such tasty pancakes, planning to scold her when he returned.
As the sun sets in the west, the weary soldiers hurriedly rush towards the dining area, only to find six giant wooden barrels lined up in a row. Yun Ye is standing beside one of the barrels, stirring the brown solution inside with a wooden stick. Cheng Chumo, with a scallion pancake in his mouth, is pouring finely ground mineral powder into another barrel.
Yun Ye noticed that these individuals were responding half-heartedly, clearly just brushing him off, so he shouted sternly: "Do not think I am joking. Three days from now, if anyone is found with lice or fleas, for each one discovered, a whip will be applied to the offender without mercy. I have already requested a military order from the captain, so do not deceive yourselves."
Two women quietly sat beside Yun Ye. In their eyes, Yun Ye was still a half-grown child. Although he was intelligent and held an official position, the sorrow reflected in his eyes stirred their maternal instincts. They felt unqualified to comfort him, so they chose to stay close, hoping to alleviate his loneliness a little.
Disdainful of the kowtowing insects, Yun Ye believed that bending one's knees was meant for walking, not for kneeling. Zhang and the two women no longer performed the usual squatting salute; instead, they prostrated themselves on the ground, their voices choked with sobs. Zhang Cheng felt a twinge of envy and quickly responded on behalf of the two women: "The young master has a compassionate heart and cannot bear to see the suffering of the oppressed. His teachings must be of the highest caliber. On behalf of the two brothers, Zhang Cheng expresses gratitude to the young master for imparting his skills."
The oldest man stroked his weathered beard, gently humming a song. It took a long time to understand the lyrics: "In the past, the willows swayed gently; now I return, amidst the falling rain and snow." Repeating just these two lines, after years of turmoil, peace finally seems within reach. It is likely that everyone has had enough of the chaotic life; having survived countless battles, they are filled with both longing and fear for a stable life. I wonder if the friends and family from the past are still safe. When I left, it was the beautiful season of lush willows, and you held my hand, not letting me go. This year I have returned, but why is it snowing heavily?
Upon realizing this, he felt an impulse to headbutt the tree. This fellow possesses an abundance of treasures, with one long and one short dagger that can be described as cutting through iron like mud. The blade is adorned with layers of snowflake patterns, resembling blooming pear flowers. The hilt, made of an unknown precious material, appears to be jade yet is not, featuring a lotus flower growing within it. It is astonishing how such a treasure is used for cutting meat, and after use, it is casually washed with water, wiped with a cloth, and tossed into a bag. Consequently, Cheng Chumo grasped Yun Ye's neck and questioned him for a long time, only forgiving Yun Ye's extravagant behavior after taking away the larger dagger.
The scene by the river was magnificent, with three hundred men clad only in newly cut loincloths squatting by the fire, holding large bowls as they ate scallion pancakes and gnawed on lamb. The sight was striking. No one spoke; the only sounds were the slurping of soup.