Chapter 193: Hot Pot Lamb

Seeing the crowd's confused expressions, Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter and nodded approvingly.

"This is a new dish I designed myself, called hot pot lamb. It's cooked in boiling water. Ingredients include sliced meat, vegetables, and various seasonings—all you do is boil them in the pot until ready to eat."

Zhuge Yu frowned, hesitantly staring at the bubbling water: "My lord, is it really safe to eat meat cooked this way? Won't it become too tough?"

"Haha, don't worry, Brother Yu—the meat cooks quickly. Just dip it in boiling water for a minute, then fish it out. The key is timing—don't overcook it." Jiang Mingyu patted his shoulder.

Li Goudan muttered: "I've never seen this way of eating before. I wonder how it tastes."

He cautiously picked up a slice of meat and put it in his mouth—his eyes instantly lit up: "Wow! This is amazing! The meat is tender and flavorful!"

Liu Ximen chuckled: "Good son-in-law, how do you always come up with these new ideas? You're becoming more creative by the day. Come, let me try this miraculous hot pot lamb."

Zhang Jiani, holding Tu Kesiluo's arm, smiled: "I and Ah Tu can't wait to try it—this hot pot lamb looks so tempting!"

Tu Keshiluo blushed and nodded; both immediately picked up their chopsticks and began eating.

After finishing the hot pot lamb, everyone sat contentedly in their chairs, letting out satisfied burps.

Zhuge Yu laughed: "Master, you're incredible! Not only do you govern wisely, but you've also brought us such delicious food—you're truly our blessing!"

Li Goudan chimed in: "Yes, yes! My lord, you're amazing! Your hot pot lamb is better than anything I've ever eaten. I'm going to eat several extra bowls of rice to fill my belly!"

Liu Ximen also praised: "My lord, your hot pot lamb isn't just delicious—it's also healthy. I've heard boiling water kills bacteria, sliced meat replenishes qi and blood, and vegetables clear heat and detoxify. This one-pot dish is practically medicinal cuisine!"

Tu Keshiluo looked at Jiang Mingyu with admiration and said: "My lord, you're so talented! Your hot pot lamb has made us all ecstatic. We all adore you!"

"Damn, this hot pot lamb is so fragrant! How did you make it?" Li Goudan asked, mouth full as he devoured.

Zhuge Yu was equally curious: "Yes, Master, where did you learn this dish? We've never tasted anything like it in our lives."

Jiang Mingyu evaded: "Well… I spent a long time eating dried rations in camp, so I figured out a way to improve everyone's meals."

Tu Keshiluo interjected: "I say this hot pot lamb isn't just tasty—it can be sold for profit. We could open a shop specializing in it!"

Liu Yifei asked: "But hot pot lamb isn't popular in Luyang yet—people don't even know what it is. How will you attract customers?"

Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up: "Simple. Send soldiers to the streets to spread the word. Have them shout: 'Jiang Mou invites all citizens to feast on this new dish!'—the people will flock here. Once they taste it, the reputation will spread on its own."

Liu Ximen and Liu Yifei acted swiftly; the next day, they opened "Xilai Shun" Hot Pot Lamb Shop and hung up a massive sign.

Tu Keshiluo dispatched people to post notices inviting the public to try the new dish. Liu Ximen busily procured ingredients and prepared pots, bowls, and chopsticks.

Early the next morning, Jiang Mingyu's soldiers donned uniform red garments, carried large drums, and paraded through the streets, shouting: "Fellow townspeople, good news today! Commander Jiang invites you to Xilai Shun to taste freshly prepared hot pot lamb! This dish was personally developed by Commander Jiang—boiling sliced meat, vegetables, and seasonings in boiling water, filling the air with aroma, delivering tender, flavorful, refreshing bites, rich in nutrition—it fills your belly and strengthens your body! Today, order one serving of hot pot lamb at Xilai Shun and enjoy a 10% discount! More surprises await! Hurry, hurry, come quickly!"

The townspeople, drawn by the noise, gathered around. Curious about this novel dish and impressed by Commander Jiang's reputation, they followed the soldiers toward Xilai Shun.

At the entrance of Xilai Shun, Liu Ximen and Liu Yifei stood ready to greet guests. Dressed in clean, neat attire, they smiled warmly and welcomed the crowd: "Welcome to Xilai Shun! Please come in! Today we offer special hot pot lamb—guaranteed to satisfy you! Follow us!"

The townspeople, swept up by their enthusiasm, entered the shop. Inside, they saw elegant decor, neatly arranged tables and chairs, and all necessary cookware and utensils. Each table held a polished copper stove, bubbling with steam.

As the townspeople sat down, Liu Ximen and Tu Keshiluo began serving them, patiently explaining how to eat hot pot lamb: "Fellow townspeople, this is the hot pot lamb specially prepared for you by Commander Jiang. Simply dip the lamb slices into the pot for a moment, then lift them out to eat. If you want more flavor, add seasonings—we have sesame paste, chili oil, minced garlic, cilantro, and more. Mix them to your taste. Vegetables can also be boiled briefly, then lifted out—we have cabbage, bean sprouts, potatoes, radishes—choose freely. All ingredients are fresh, personally selected by Commander Jiang. Eat without worry!"

The townspeople found the explanation fascinating. Following instructions, they began eating. At first, they were cautious, fearing burns or unfamiliar flavors—but the moment they tasted it, they were conquered. The meat was tender and juicy, the vegetables fresh and crisp, the seasonings tangy, spicy, sweet, and savory, while the boiling water cut through grease—perfect harmony. The more they ate, the more they loved it, losing all restraint. As they devoured the hot pot lamb, they exclaimed: "This hot pot lamb is incredible! Commander Jiang is a genius! We've never tasted anything like this in our lives!"

Liu Ximen and Liu Yifei, seeing the townspeople so delighted, were overjoyed. They kept refilling pots and adding ingredients, urging them to eat their fill: "Fellow townspeople, eat your fill! Today's hot pot lamb is a gift from Commander Jiang! You don't pay a single coin! As long as you enjoy yourselves, Commander Jiang is satisfied!"

Hearing this, the townspeople were deeply moved. They thanked Commander Jiang's benevolence: "Commander Jiang is truly our savior! He not only governs our prefecture well, but has given us such delicious food!"

Jiang Mingyu stood at the entrance of Xilai Shun, before him a scene of bustling activity: the streets teemed with pedestrians and carriages, but the most striking sight was the long lines of townspeople waiting to enter and taste the hot pot.

Men and women, old and young, rich and poor, scholarly and martial, Han and Hu—they whispered excitedly or hopefully, or glanced enviously at those already seated, feasting on the hot pot.

Watching their satisfied, happy faces, Jiang Mingyu felt a warm glow in his chest.

He turned to his beautiful, radiant wife, Liu Yifei. She, too, scanned the interior and exterior of the shop with a look of pride and contentment. Dressed in a pale yellow embroidered long dress, her hair adorned with an exquisite pearl hairpin, she wore a faint smile. Her bright, starlike eyes shimmered with wisdom and resolve.

Liu Yifei sensed Jiang Mingyu's gaze upon her. She leaned gently against him and said sweetly, playfully: "Husband, look—every table is full. This hot pot lamb is a treasure! Not only delicious, but profitable for the army. Why not open a few more branches and expand the business?"

Jiang Mingyu nodded in agreement: "Yifei, you're right. We can open more Xilai Shun shops in Dingtao, Dongping, and spread the hot pot trend throughout Da Feng!"

Liu Yifei exclaimed excitedly: "Exactly! One day, Xilai Shun will become a household name, and our business will thrive!"

Jiang Mingyu held her hand and whispered softly: "You've worked hard, Yifei. With you managing the business, I can campaign with peace of mind. But remember one thing—the hot pot recipe must never be revealed. It's the foundation of our enterprise."

Liu Yifei smiled and nodded: "Rest assured—I'll guard the secret closely. Not a single ingredient will leak. I've got the home covered!"