"Down you all!"

See? It really is a chaotic mess!

Following Zhao Huan's instructions, the imperial chef poured all the ingredients into the iron pot.

As soon as they hit the pan, they sizzled.

The aroma of spices instantly filled the kitchen.

Stir-frying already existed in the Song Dynasty, and the imperial chefs were all masters of stir-frying.

During the Song Dynasty, mustard was used as a spicy condiment.

However, mustard doesn't have much flavor when added to stir-fries, and many people don't like the taste of mustard.

But red chili peppers are different, especially fresh red chili peppers. When placed in hot oil, they can instantly release their aroma.

Although it was a bit pungent, the combination of ginger and garlic created a unique aroma that no one had ever smelled before.

The chefs' expressions changed.

Holy crap! What the hell is this?!

"Wok! Let these spices simmer."

The cook diligently followed the emperor's instructions.

"His Majesty!"

Xu Churen stood at the door and bowed.

But his tone was very reluctant.

Zhao Huan turned around and saw Xu Churen: "Grand Chancellor is here! Come in quickly, I'll show you something today!"

Xu Churen stood at the door and said, "Your Majesty, as the sage said, 'A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen.' Your Majesty should..."

Zhao Huan interrupted him forcefully, saying in a rough voice, "Come in first and we'll talk!"

Xu Churen went in reluctantly, looking disgusted.

He has come today to report to the emperor on the issue of grain, as well as the situation in the northwest and southwest.

Currently, the three most pressing problems facing the Song Dynasty are the food supply, the southwest, and the northwest.

The local nobles of Jiaozhou in the southwest have all submitted to the imperial court, but the newly enfeoffed Yue and Wei states are facing problems of population migration and military provisions. The most serious problem is that the original nobles of Jiaozhou have the intention to collude with the enfeoffed states.

Thus, the situation in the southwest was truly in complete chaos.

And what about the Northwest?

The fertile Hetao Plain has been covered in ice and snow, and grain production at the front has decreased sharply during this season. A large amount of grain needs to be transferred from Guanzhong, which has already affected the grain transport to the capital this year.

For a moment, Xu Churen felt that conquering the Xia Kingdom was a losing proposition.

The Song Dynasty needed to invest a great deal of manpower and financial resources to govern the region, and also increase its military strength to defend it.

Now, the border defense forces and regular troops in the Northwest War Zone have a total strength of more than 300,000, making it the second largest war zone in the Song Dynasty after the Yan-Yun War Zone. As a result, it has become a bottomless pit for food consumption.

Moreover, and most importantly, the barbarians on the grasslands have already begun raiding the grasslands.

That damned Yelü Dashi is asking for food and weapons again, and this time he's asking for an outrageous amount.

These questions are becoming increasingly acute. How can the Emperor still be in the mood to cook in the kitchen?

"Your Majesty, the situation at the front is urgent..."

"My pot is also in urgent need of food!" Zhao Huan interrupted Xu Churen. "Grand Tutor, you stay aside for now and watch me make you a dish that you've never tasted before!"

P.S.: Five chapters today, making up for yesterday's chapter!