Chapter 193: Instant-Boiled Mutton

Seeing everyone's confused expressions, Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily and nodded in satisfaction:

"This is a new dish I carefully designed, called Instant-Boiled Mutton, cooked in boiling water. The ingredients include meat slices, vegetables, and various seasonings; just cook them in the pot and they are ready to eat."

Zhu Ge Yu frowned, looking hesitantly at the bubbling hot water and said, "My lord, can meat really be eaten if boiled this way? Won't it get too tough?"

"Haha, don't worry, Brother Yu. The meat cooks very quickly; soaking it in boiling water for one or two minutes is enough. The key is to take it out and eat it on time, so it doesn't get tough." Jiang Jiang Mingyu patted his shoulder.

Li Goudan muttered, "This is the first time I've seen such a way of eating; I don't know how it tastes."

Saying this, he tentatively picked up a slice of meat and put it in his mouth, his eyes immediately lighting up: "Oh my, it's so delicious! The meat is smooth and tender, and the flavor is fresh and savory."

Liu Ximen smiled and said, "Good son-in-law, how do you always come up with these new tricks? You're getting more and more creative. Come, come, let me taste this magical Instant-Boiled Mutton as well."

Zhang Zhang Jiani, holding Tu Tu Kesiluo's hand, smiled and said, "A-Tu and I can't wait to try it; this Instant-Boiled Mutton looks too tempting!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded with a red face, and the two of them picked up their chopsticks without hesitation and started eating.

Everyone finished the Instant-Boiled Mutton together, sat on the chairs contentedly, and let out a burp.

Zhu Ge Yu laughed: "Master, you are too amazing. Not only do you govern the country with skill, but you can also provide such delicious food for us. You are truly our lucky star."

Li Goudan chimed in: "Yes, yes, my lord, you are truly too amazing. Your Instant-Boiled Mutton is better than anything I have ever eaten. I want to eat several more bowls of rice to fill my stomach."

Liu Ximen also sighed in admiration: "My lord, your Instant-Boiled Mutton is not only delicious but also beneficial to health. I heard that boiling water can kill bacteria, meat slices can replenish Qi and blood, and vegetables can clear heat and detoxify. Boiling them all together in one pot makes it a medicinal dish."

Tu Tu Kesiluo also cast a look of worship at Jiang Jiang Mingyu and said, "My lord, you are truly talented. Your Instant-Boiled Mutton makes our hearts bloom with joy. We all love you to death."

"Wow, this Instant-Boiled Mutton smells too good! How is it made?" Li Goudan asked while devouring the food, puzzled.

Zhu Ge Yu was also very curious: "Yes, Master, where did you learn this dish? We have never eaten it in our lives."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke vaguely: "Well... I ate dry rations for a long time in the military camp and wanted to improve everyone's fortune, so I researched and created it."

Tu Tu Kesiluo interjected: "If you ask me, this Instant-Boiled Mutton is not only delicious but can also be sold as a commodity for money. We can open a shop specifically to sell it!"

Liu Liu Yifei asked, "But Instant-Boiled Mutton is not popular in Luyang yet; everyone doesn't know what it is. How can we attract customers to eat it?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up: "It's very simple. Just send the soldiers in the camp to promote it on the streets. Let them shout that I, Jiang Mou, invite the common people to feast on this new dish, guaranteeing the people will swarm here. At that time, the deliciousness of the Instant-Boiled Mutton will naturally spread."

Liu Ximen and Liu Liu Yifei acted quickly; the next day they opened the "Xilaishun" Instant-Boiled Mutton shop on the street and hung up a huge signboard.

Tu Tu Kesiluo had people post notices on the streets inviting the common people to taste the new dish. Liu Ximen was busy purchasing ingredients and preparing pots, bowls, and chopsticks.

Early the next morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's little soldiers put on uniform red clothes, held large drums, and paraded on the streets to promote. They shouted loudly: "Fathers, elders, and fellow villagers, we have good news to tell you today! My lord Jiang specially invites you to Xilaishun to taste freshly made Instant-Boiled Mutton! This Instant-Boiled Mutton was personally researched by My Lord Jiang; it uses boiling water to cook meat slices, vegetables, and various seasonings. The aroma overflows, the taste is fresh and savory, smooth and refreshing, and rich in nutrition. It not only fills the stomach but also strengthens the body! Today, if you order one portion of Instant-Boiled Mutton at Xilaishun, you can enjoy a ten percent discount! There are more surprises waiting for you! Quickly, quickly, hurry and come!"

Hearing these words, the common people on the street were attracted. They felt curious about this novel dish, Instant-Boiled Mutton, and also felt admiration for My Lord Jiang's reputation. They followed the soldiers' steps one after another, walking towards Xilaishun.

At the entrance of Xilaishun, Liu Ximen and Liu Liu Yifei were already ready to welcome guests. They wore clean and tidy clothes, greeted the arriving common people with beaming smiles, and said, "Welcome to Xilaishun! Please come in, please come in! Today we have special Instant-Boiled Mutton available, guaranteeing you will eat to your satisfaction! Please follow me!"

The common people were infected by their enthusiasm and entered Xilaishun one after another. They saw that the interior decoration was exquisite, the tables and chairs were neat, and pots, bowls, and chopsticks were all available. On every table sat a brass stove, with steam rising and bubbles boiling inside.

After the common people sat down, Liu Ximen and Tu Tu Kesiluo began to serve them. They patiently introduced the method of eating Instant-Boiled Mutton and precautions to the common people. They said, "Fathers, elders, and fellow villagers, this is the Instant-Boiled Mutton specially prepared for you by My Lord Jiang. You just need to put the mutton slices in the pot and boil them for a while, then take them out to eat. If you feel it lacks flavor, you can add some seasonings. We have sesame paste, chili oil, minced garlic, coriander, and so on. You can mix them according to your own taste. Vegetables can also be boiled in the pot and then taken out to eat. We have Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, potatoes, radishes, and so on. You can choose freely. These ingredients are all fresh, and they were all personally selected by My Lord Jiang. Please eat with peace of mind!"

Hearing their explanation, the common people all found it very interesting. Following their instructions, they started eating Instant-Boiled Mutton. At first, they were still a bit cautious, afraid of getting scalded or not getting used to the taste. But after tasting one bite, they were immediately conquered by the deliciousness of the Instant-Boiled Mutton. They felt the meat slices were smooth, tender, and juicy; the vegetables were fragrant and refreshing; the seasonings were sweet, sour, spicy, and savory; and the boiling water could remove the greasiness. It was truly a perfect combination. The more they ate, the more flavorful it became; the more they ate, the more they lost their composure. While eating the Instant-Boiled Mutton, they praised it endlessly, saying, "This Instant-Boiled Mutton is truly too delicious! My Lord Jiang is truly too talented! We have never eaten such delicious food in our lives!"

Seeing the common people eating so happily, Liu Ximen and Liu Liu Yifei were also very happy in their hearts. They kept adding water and vegetables for the common people, letting them eat their fill. They said, "Fathers, elders, and fellow villagers, please eat with complete peace of mind! Today's Instant-Boiled Mutton is treated by My Lord Jiang! You don't need to spend a single penny! As long as you eat happily, My Lord Jiang will be satisfied!"

Hearing this, the common people were even more moved. They thanked My Lord Jiang for his grace one after another. They said, "My Lord Jiang is truly our great benefactor! Not only did he govern the prefecture city well, but he also provided us with such delicious food!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood at the entrance of Xilaishun, before him was a scene of extraordinary liveliness. Pedestrians on the street were like a woven fabric, carriages and horses shuttling back and forth, and the most eye-catching thing was the rows of common people queuing up to wait to enter the shop to taste the hot pot.

They included men and women, old and young, rich and poor, civil and military, Han and Hu. They whispered to each other with excitement or expectation, or glanced with envy or jealousy at the guests already seated and enjoying the hot pot.

Watching the satisfied and happy expressions of these people, a wave of warmth surged in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart.

He turned to look at his beautiful and charming wife, Liu Liu Yifei, beside him. She was also scanning the inside and outside of the shop with a gratified and proud gaze. She wore a pale yellow long dress embroidered with flowers, a delicate pearl hair bun on her head, and a faint smile on her face. Her eyes, bright as stars, sparkled with wisdom and perseverance.

Liu Liu Yifei also noticed Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze fixed on her. She leaned gently against him and said in a sweet and coquettish tone, "Husband, look, it's always full with no empty seats. This Instant-Boiled Mutton is truly a treasure! Not only is it delicious, but it can also make money for the army. Why don't we open a few more branch stores and expand the business opportunity?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded in agreement: "Liu Yifei, you are right. We can open a few more Xilaishun stores in Dingtao, Dongping, and other places, spreading the trend of hot pot throughout Great Feng!"

Liu Liu Yifei said excitedly: "That's right! One day, Xilaishun will become a food brand known to everyone, and our business will be very booming!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu held her hand and said softly, "You have worked hard, Liu Yifei. With you managing the business, I can go on campaign with peace of mind. But remember one point: the hot pot recipe cannot be passed out; this is the foundation of establishing our career."

Liu Liu Yifei smiled and nodded: "Rest assured about this; I will keep the secret myself and will not leak even a bit of the recipe. I will hold up the family!"