Chapter 231: Fatal Crisis

In summer, people want to eat stimulating and spicy food to refresh themselves and whet their appetite, yet also wish to drink cool and sweet beverages to lower their temperature and relieve the heat. Hot pot and smoothies are the perfect pairing.

Hot pot allows people to feel the local customs and food culture of Zangzhou, while smoothies let people experience the exotic customs and creative cuisine of the south.

As he spoke, he unconsciously licked the corner of his mouth, wearing an expression of longing.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei enjoying hot pot and smoothies together, tasting the delicacies while chatting and smiling at each other. He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei walking out of the manor together, riding in a carriage together, and heading to Lanzhou together.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei arriving in Lanzhou together, opening new markets together, creating new wealth together, and witnessing new miracles together.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei returning to Zangzhou together, welcoming the triumphant salutes together, walking into the great hall together, and receiving the admiration and blessings of the crowd together.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei returning home together, entering the bedroom together, lying on the bed together, and enjoying the sweetest moments together.

In summer, people want to eat stimulating and spicy food to refresh themselves and whet their appetite, yet also wish to drink cool and sweet beverages to lower their temperature and relieve the heat. Hot pot and smoothies are the perfect pairing.

Hot pot allows people to feel the local customs and food culture of Zangzhou, while smoothies let people experience the exotic customs and creative cuisine of the south.

As he spoke, he unconsciously licked the corner of his mouth, wearing an expression of longing.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei enjoying hot pot and smoothies together, tasting the delicacies while chatting and smiling at each other. He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei walking out of the manor together, riding in a carriage together, and heading to Lanzhou together.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei arriving in Lanzhou together, opening new markets together, creating new wealth together, and witnessing new miracles together.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei returning to Zangzhou together, welcoming the triumphant salutes together, walking into the great hall together, and receiving the admiration and blessings of the crowd together.

He imagined himself and Liu Liu Yifei returning home together, entering the bedroom together, lying on the bed together, and enjoying the sweetest moments together.

Liu Liu Yifei's eyes lit up; she had never thought that hot pot and smoothies could be combined into a unique delicacy.

"Yes, such an interesting idea, how did I not think of it?" she said excitedly. "I guarantee that those wealthy people who love pleasure will surely fall in love with this delicacy."

As she spoke, she raised her head to look at Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Seeing her joyful appearance, Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled. He loved this girl deeply; she was the best thing in his life.

"Liu Yifei, wealthy people like hot pot and smoothies, but do you know what I like most?" he asked gently.

Before Liu Liu Yifei could speak, he suddenly lowered his head and fiercely kissed Liu Liu Yifei's red lips.

Liu Liu Yifei's small face suddenly flushed red; she struggled lightly a few times, then fell softly into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's arms.

In that instant, time seemed to have frozen. They had only each other in this world filled with war and blood.

After a long while, looking at Liu Liu Yifei's shy eyes, Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke softly.

"Liu Yifei, after I defeat Fei Hou, I will marry you into the family with great honor."

"Just as I said that day, you, Liu Liu Yifei, are the only woman in my, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's, life."

Immediately, he spoke again.

"How about this? Since both of us are traveling far, let us call everyone over tonight and have a good celebration."

Having finished speaking, he picked up a pen and paper and wrote several lines on it:

Notice:

All soldiers in this camp must assemble at the dining hall promptly at 7 o'clock tonight.

This official has important matters to announce and invites everyone to share dinner.

The dinner consists of specially made hot pot smoothies; please do not miss it.

At the same time, please collect as much ice as possible and deliver it to the dining hall.

This official will grant rewards according to weight.

Respectfully, Jiang Jiang Mingyu

In less than a quarter of an hour, the news of Jiang Jiang Mingyu collecting ice and inviting friends, family, and soldiers to dinner spread out.

Upon hearing this news, the soldiers were extremely excited. They all knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was a generous person, and his cuisine was also famous. They rushed to search for ice everywhere, wanting to taste what this hot pot smoothie actually looked like.

However, they did not know that this hot pot smoothie was actually the last meal of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Liu Liu Yifei.

In a very hidden room, Tang Xing Youli spoke to the veiled woman.

"Master, Jiang Jiang Mingyu has returned."

Returned?

In the veiled woman's calm eyes, immense hatred suddenly surged.

She was Fei Hou's confidant and also his lover. She had once deeply loved Fei Hou, but Fei Hou died because of Jiang Jiang Mingyu. She vowed to avenge Fei Hou, so she had been secretly tracking Jiang Jiang Mingyu, waiting for an opportunity.

"After waiting so long, he has finally returned. Speak in detail." she said coldly.

Immediately, Tang Xing Youli recounted the matter of Jiang Jiang Mingyu preparing to treat everyone to a meal, exactly as it was.

The woman's veil moved slightly, as if she were smiling.

"Good, heaven truly aids me. You and I shall act now; tonight is his doom." she said gloomily.

She already had a plan, a plan that would send Jiang Jiang Mingyu and his lover to hell together.

Inside the Zangzhou government office, lights were bright and fragrance filled the air. Jiang Jiang Mingyu hosted a grand banquet to celebrate the merit of conquering Yingchang.

Zhu Ge Yu, Tu Tu Kesiluo, and other generals in the army, Liu Liu Yifei and her father, as well as Zhang Zhang Junhao and his wife, all attended.

The banquet was filled with various delicacies and fine wines, the most special of which was a novel delicacy named hot pot smoothie.

This was created jointly by Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Liu Liu Yifei, capable of bringing a cool and refreshing feeling during the scorching summer days.

To make this delicacy, Jiang Jiang Mingyu specially collected ice from the entire city, crushed it, and put it into wine.

When the wine and smoothie mixed, a wonderful chemical reaction occurred, making the wine become icy and sweet.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his wine cup and looked at these people who had followed him through fire and water, sharing weal and woe since Shangmu.

His heart was filled with gratitude. "Everyone, my achievements today are entirely due to your strong assistance." he said sincerely. "We are all one family, so I will not speak polite words. For the first cup, I toast everyone." Just as he was about to drink the wine in one gulp, he saw a red shadow suddenly burst in.

It was Zhang Zhang Jiaqi.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Liu Liu Yifei smiling at each other, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's heart was filled with jealousy and unwillingness.

She said coldly, "Wait." Jiang Jiang Mingyu was slightly stunned, then smiled. "Zhang Jiaqi, why are you so late? In conquering Yingchang, you made great contributions."

He said politely, "Hurry and take your seat; later, Liu Yifei and I must have a few good drinks with you." Zhang Zhang Jiaqi had no intention of taking her seat; she waved her hand at Jiang Jiang Mingyu and asked.

"Brother Jiang, I heard that tomorrow we attack Yizhou; you do not want me to accompany the army, is this true?" Although she had been caring for her younger sister Zhang Zhang Jiani, who suffered from a severe illness, she had long heard such "momentous" news.

Because of the emotions in her heart, at this moment she did not even want to leave Jiang Jiang Mingyu's side for a step. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's campaign against Yizhou was to fight Chen Tang and Hu Bo to the death; perhaps something would happen?

If she did not follow, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi felt she could not even sleep soundly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled.

"Zhang Jiaqi, after this period of warfare, you are also tired; is it not better to stay in the city and accompany your sister?" He said gently, "Do not worry, I will return safely."

Seeing Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's indignant look, Liu Liu Yifei quickly held a cup of wine and stepped forward to advise her.

"Zhang Jiaqi, Jiang Lang also means well." Before she could finish speaking, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi suddenly raised her palm. "Do not speak first." She said impulsively.

Zhang Zhang Junhao immediately became displeased; he reprimanded. "Zhang Jiaqi, Liu Yifei advised you with kind words; how can you speak like this?" He said sternly.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi paid no attention at all; instead, she took the wine cup from Liu Liu Yifei's hand and gently smelled it. Immediately, her face changed.

"This wine is wrong!" she exclaimed.

Wrong? Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but ask. "What does this mean?" he asked in confusion.