Chapter 467

"Very well, the treasure has been retrieved; how to transport it from here is now your affair, Lord Luo. I shall not linger further and take my leave."

Having spoken, Su Qiao turned and left with Liu Rushi and the assembled Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He gave Luo Yangxing and the others no chance to speak!

Luo Yangxing and the others were somewhat stunned.

This is not right!

By all logic, should it not be you, the superior, returning to Jingcheng to escort it personally?

How has this fallen to my shoulders?

Luo Yangxing watched Su Qiao's retreating, vanishing figure, opened his mouth, and for a long time could not utter a word.

After all, the imperial decree from Zhu Youjian did not specify who would escort it.

It merely ordered Luo Yangxing to follow Su Qiao's instructions in Yangzhou.

Thus, when Su Qiao ordered him to escort it, he truly could not refuse.

Who else could he obey but the command to follow Su Qiao's arrangements?!

Even for this arduous, energy-draining task of transporting treasure, he had to obey.

So, three days after Su Qiao left Yangzhou, he could only helplessly arrange for men to begin personally escorting the treasure.

To speak of it, this batch of treasure was indeed vast and troublesome.

It directly mobilized over five thousand soldiers, plus over two thousand Embroidered Uniform Guard for the escort.

Along the route, prefectures and counties also dispatched many people to assist in the escort; only when the caravan left their jurisdiction did the local officials secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

……

This resulted in Su Qiao and Liu Rushi strolling leisurely ahead, while behind them, Luo Yangxing and the others, exhausted as if vomiting blood, trailed slowly.

Hurrying along the entire way, Su Qiao and Liu Rushi finally returned to the capital on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month.

He lifted the carriage curtain to glance at the cold walls of Beijing City.

Su Qiao quickly pulled his head back inside.

"Hiss... this weather is truly cold!"

"It is almost New Year; I heard that a heavy snow fell over Jingcheng a few days ago, and the snow on the ground has not yet fully melted."

Liu Rushi said to Su Qiao with a smile.

Su Qiao nodded. "A timely snow promises a good harvest; I estimate next year will bring a bumper crop! We have at least returned before the New Year; let us go home, prepare some hot pot, and feast to dispel the chill!"

"Hot pot? Is it the copper pot?"

Liu Rushi asked, somewhat puzzled.

This time it was Su Qiao's turn to be stunned. "More or less; you know of it?"

"Of course I know; the copper pot has existed for a long time, but it was made too mixed up and did not seem very tasty. Does my husband like it?"

Afterwards, Liu Rushi briefly explained the history of the copper pot's development to Su Qiao.

It turned out that mixed-boiling pots existed as early as the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms periods.

Various ingredients were placed into the copper pot, boiled, and then served for everyone to eat.

There were no dipping sauces; all seasonings were added directly into the pot.

But prepared this way, the taste was not good!

Su Qiao felt in his heart as if he had been kicked by a dog.

He had thought hot pot was a research product of later generations, not realizing the Laozu Sect had created it long ago.

However, since his attempt to show off failed, he could still force a display of pride.

"Rest assured, the copper pot I have improved will taste absolutely excellent; you will know when you try it!"

"Really? Then I, your concubine, shall taste it carefully when the time comes."

"Of course it is true; you will taste it tonight!"

……

Upon returning home, Su Qiao and Liu Rushi took a hot bath and rested well.

They rose to eat in the evening.

The cooks in the rear kitchen, following Su Qiao's request, specially arranged a mandarin duck pot, plus charcoal, and selected many dishes.

Mutton was sliced into paper-thin rolls, along with various green vegetables.

Especially the hot pot broth and dipping sauces: there was carefully simmered, rich bone broth, and a red broth that was spicy, savory, and numbingly fresh.

The dipping sauce was also specially prepared by Su Qiao's order.

Su Qiao and Liu Rushi sat before the pot, personally blanching food for her to eat and letting her taste it.

Although Liu Rushi had tried the copper pot before, this method of eating was her first time.

The copper pots eaten previously were like random stews; a chaotic mess of everything was stuffed into the copper pot, boiled, and then served.

One, the texture was poor; two, the taste was poor.

Now that Su Qiao had done this, Liu Rushi tried it, and her beautiful eyes immediately lit up.

Delicious!

Her chopsticks moved swiftly: picking up food, blanching in the pot, dipping in sauce; she learned it instantly!

Her small mouth was puffed out as she ate, looking like a little squirrel.

How had she not noticed before? She was also a foodie?!

Originally, upon returning, they both carried chill in their bodies; now, after one hot pot meal, they instantly felt warm, and all chill vanished!

The whole person felt comfortable.

……

After resting well at home for the entire night, the next day, Su Qiao went to the palace, full of energy.

Reporting for duty!

Zhu Youjian had previously sent him south to handle matters, and he had indeed finished handling everything.

So, upon returning, he had to come immediately to report for duty!

Moreover, he had to report his work progress to Zhu Youjian.

Hmm, apart from not needing to write a work report, everything else had to follow the proper procedures.

Taking advantage of the time when the morning court session ended, Su Qiao arrived leisurely at the palace gate in a carriage.

Jumping down from the carriage, he walked in with flair, under the surprised gazes of the palace guards.

At this moment, Zhu Youjian was eating in his sleeping quarters.

The morning court was too early to eat much; his stomach was still hungry, so he had drunk a small bowl of rice porridge.

After the court session ended, his stomach was hungry again.

The imperial chefs had prepared food long ago, just in time to eat after the court session.

When Su Qiao returned yesterday, he knew about it immediately.

Do not forget, the Embroidered Uniform Guards protecting Su Qiao, along with the Eastern Depot spies and others, were all present.

They could not hide the news of their return; they reported it directly to the ruler.

Naturally, Zhu Youjian also knew about it.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Su is outside the hall requesting an audience!" Suddenly, an inner eunuch entered to report.

323, the idea of starting a war!

Zhu Youjian's eating motion paused, and a gleam of joy flashed in his eyes.

He hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Summon him quickly!"

"Yes!"

Immediately, Su Qiao strode in boldly.

"Subject Su Qiao, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian was truly starving; although he was very happy to see Su Qiao, he did not put down the porridge bowl in his hand.

"Enough, Su Qing need not be polite; rise quickly! Someone, bring a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Immediately, a small eunuch brought a brocade cushion for Su Qiao.

Hmm, Su Qiao sat on it without any hesitation.