Chapter 861 Private Stash

In Northwest China, it is customary to have a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, followed by dumplings later in the night, and then stay up all night to welcome the new year.

"It's difficult to make a refined meal in a large pot, but you must ensure that it tastes good."

Since Lin Yuesha took over part of the military supplies, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of taels of silver were spent like water after each purchase, and she always lamented how expensive the war was.

To ensure the soldiers had a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, Lin Yuesha racked her brains. The ingredients were still the same, but she could change the way they were prepared.

Instant noodles can be eaten without soaking; instead, they can be stir-fried.

Instead of cooking plain white rice, they add diced meat, cabbage, and other ingredients to make fried rice. Similarly, they stir-fry vermicelli and call it "ants climbing a tree." The same ingredients, different cooking methods, naturally result in different tastes, at least giving the soldiers a sense of novelty.

Qi Heng listened attentively. When it came to culinary expertise, everyone he knew combined couldn't match Lin Yuesha; the little girl always managed to come up with a lot of ideas.

Although preparing a lavish meal requires more manpower and financial resources, for the soldiers in the Northwest, it was only a once-a-year celebration, so spending more money was justified.

"I'm afraid that the people of Helian City will cause trouble during the New Year."

It wasn't that Lin Yuesha was being paranoid; she had stayed in Helian Cheng's mansion and even impersonated Miaoyin, so she knew that Helian Cheng had several cunning advisors around him who were constantly coming up with bad ideas and causing trouble.

Is it a normal person's idea to give Yuwen Kun a drug to have sex with, find a woman to have his child with, and then use her as a hostage later?

"It would be fine if he didn't come, but it would be best if he did."

Qi Heng squinted, ignoring the other side's provocations and insults, but his side refused to fight, preferring to enjoy the New Year in peace and make Helian Cheng so angry that he vomited blood.

"If you put it that way, I have another idea."

Lin Yuesha rubbed her hands together, she was so disgusted by Helian Cheng that she couldn't even eat meat, and she desperately wanted to retaliate.

"What idea?"

Qi Heng affectionately patted Lin Yuesha's head. His woman was like him, seemingly innocent, but actually coming up with one bad idea after another.

However, only in this way can Helian Cheng be restrained.

“Look, there are only a few days left until the New Year. Besides eating and drinking on New Year’s Eve, we should have some fun activities.”

In modern times, people celebrate Lunar New Year's Eve not only by putting up couplets and setting off firecrackers, but also by having all sorts of parties and activities, making it a lively and festive occasion.

Lin Yuesha thought that since there were many talented soldiers in the Great Qi army, why not gather some skilled people to perform on stage and put on a gala?

On the battlefield, bonfires are lit, and thousands of people gather in a group to take turns performing.

"Xiao Qiuyue always wanted to do something for the soldiers, so she led the Qiuyue Class of about a hundred people to the border. New Year's Eve is a good opportunity."

The Qiuyue Troupe came for the soldiers of the Great Qi, and it would be a waste of their talents to keep them performing in Wucheng.

"Since the soldiers are taking the stage to perform, shouldn't the young general's wife, who is said to be a lucky charm in her lifetime, also do something?"

Qi Heng readily agreed, then casually tossed Lin Yuesha a difficult problem.

"I?"

Lin Yuesha pointed to her nose, shook her head and smiled bitterly, "I'll pass."

It's not that she's belittling herself, but besides cooking, Lin Yuesha has no other talents, except for lip-syncing.

"How about we put on a comedy act?"

Lin Yuesha touched her face. If she acted too strangely, it would damage her image as a lucky charm.

It's all Xu Da's fault for bragging, making her sound so high up that now Lin Yuesha can't come down and has to keep floating.

"I was just saying."

Qi Heng denied it. He said that he spread the name of Lin Yuesha as a living koi fish to make the soldiers respect Lin Yuesha. Now they do have respect, but it's gone too far.

When he returned, he found that someone had obtained a portrait of Lin Yuesha and was burning incense and bowing to it three times a day. He couldn't very well issue a formal prohibition as part of military discipline.

The soldiers said it was a matter of personal belief.

Of course, Lin Yuesha knew nothing about any of this.

Soldiers who defend their country are the most admirable people, and we should do more meaningful things for them.

"I once heard a little tune that was quite nice. Why don't we teach it to the soldiers and have them sing it together on New Year's Eve?"

Lin Yuesha thought of a song called "Good Days". Although there are many songs that are appropriate for the occasion, this is the only one that she can find the right melody for. It is too deeply rooted in people's hearts.

While the two were discussing, the coachman stopped the carriage at the carriage shop.

Qi Heng got off the carriage first and then stood by the door.

Surrounded by a crowd, he opened his arms, ready to embrace Lin Yuesha at any moment.

Lin Yuesha blushed, jumped off the carriage and was caught by someone; it felt so good to feel at ease.

"It's getting late, let's grab the pork first."

Lin Yuesha spotted the pork stall on one side. There weren't many people around, and her favorite spare ribs, especially the big bones, were going unnoticed.

During the Chinese New Year, fatty pork and pork belly sell the best because they are oily and flavorful. Other lean meats are a bit dry if not cooked properly, and they are also cheaper than fatty meats.

"There are few pig farmers in the border area, and pork is more expensive than mutton. Unless you really like it, you won't buy it."

Compared to the bustling mutton stalls next door, the pork stalls were rather deserted.

"Let's buy it while we're at it and have someone deliver it to the yard."

Lin Yuesha went to the pork stall. The pork looked good, and it seemed to be from a pig that had just been slaughtered that morning.

"Young lady, how about a piece of pork? Look at this pork belly, three layers of fat and lean meat. It'll be perfect for braised pork for New Year's Eve dinner, it'll melt in your mouth, the taste is amazing..."

After the stall owner finished speaking, he sucked in his saliva, as if there really was a plate of braised pork in front of him.

He had been setting up his stall for an hour, and seeing that the stall next to him had only sold half of its mutton, he was getting anxious.

A few days ago, rumors circulated that the commander-in-chief of the Great Qi had been captured by a foreign tribe, and that they would once again become slaves of a conquered nation. Everyone was afraid that grain prices would skyrocket again, so he slaughtered his pigs in advance to sell them for silver to buy grain.

Unexpectedly, it was all the work of spies left in the city by the foreign tribes. Grain prices remained stable, and the people did not lack food or clothing.

"Stadium owner, give me this half rack of spare ribs, the big bones, the pig's trotters, and I'll also take this set of offal."

Lin Yuesha selected several pieces of pork belly, and in total, she bought half a pig.

"Okay!"

The stall owner waited for an hour and finally welcomed a big customer. He was overjoyed and offered to deliver the goods to his door.

“These big bones aren’t worth much. I’ll chop them up for you so you can make a broth and nourish yourself.”

With business in hand, the stall owner no longer slack off, but quickly follows Lin Yuesha's instructions to chop ribs and then put them into a burlap sack and tie it up.

Qi Heng offered to pay, but felt uncomfortable under Lin Yuesha's gaze. He touched his face and asked, "Is there something on my face?"

"without."

When they were in the capital, Qi Heng went to the mansion to propose marriage, bringing a large dowry, saying that it was all his wealth.

Lin Yuesha naively believed it and was even very moved by it.

The two went to the market, and Lin Yuesha brought some silver with her, fearing that Qi Heng would not have any money in his purse. Unexpectedly, she found that there was still a lot of silver in it, and even some gold.