drawing

Chapter 35: Blueprints

"I think the kerosene catapult and heavy crossbow are relatively simple. You can make these two first. As for the magic crossbow, it is a test of the blacksmith's skills. I suggest that someone with good skills try it. What do you think?" Deputy Envoy Ding responded first.

"The five of us are thinking the same thing. We used to work with weapons and consider ourselves decently skilled. We'd like to take over the production of this divine crossbow. Do you agree?"

"Okay, you guys do it first. If there's no progress after a month, we'll do it."

"Okay, let's make it this way. You guys do the other two first."

After communicating the situation, everyone started to work, wanting to show off their skills first. After all, they were all chosen by the prince, so they were confident.

This communication was meticulously documented in a letter sent back to the palace by the palace guards. Chu Huaibei was concerned that since neither side knew the other, and since they were both highly skilled fighters, some friction was normal during their initial interactions. He ordered the palace guards to monitor the situation at all times, recording any movement. If a fight broke out, they would be urged to calm the other side down first.

Technical personnel sometimes get very emotional when they encounter issues in their professional field, and it is normal for them to quarrel.

Chu Huaibei received a letter from the government soldiers and found that the two parties had a pleasant first encounter. She would not interfere with their decision as long as they could get a result.

Chu Huaibei continued drawing. She planned to reinforce her mother's carriage by sandwiching a layer of iron sheets around the carriage and embedding movable iron sheets in the windows on both sides. In case of danger, the doors and windows of the carriage could be closed, which could ensure the safety of the people in the carriage in a short time and also free up the guards to defend against the enemy.

The carriage is too heavy, so the axles must be made of all iron instead of wood. Springs should be added to the bottom of the carriage to increase the shock absorption function so that people can sit more comfortably. Chu Huaibei has wanted to modify it for a long time. This ancient horse-drawn carriage can be so shaking that people can die when it goes too fast. No wonder it was not easy for the ancients to travel. It is completely understandable that they need to rest for half a month after a long journey.

Continue to add several secret compartments in the carriage. Commonly used medicines must be prepared, and there must be a place to put food. In winter, it is too cold and you must have a stove. Now that there is a stove, you can also prepare tea sets...

After finishing the first draft, Chu Huaibei laughed at himself. Such a large vehicle could probably only be pulled by the emperor's eight-horse carriage. No, it's too ostentatious, so he had to revise it.

After some editing, Chu Huaibei estimated that four horses could pull it. Satisfied, she nodded and placed it in a wooden box beside her. She continued drawing, thinking that Hu Zhi was weak and would definitely be at a disadvantage if he encountered an enemy at close range. She planned to make him a miniature two-shot hidden dart, which he would carry with him whenever he went out, just in case.

Although his guards are very powerful, the first time they met was when he was being chased and then he pounced on her... We must prevent such incidents from happening again!

Chu Huaibei is now very satisfied with his hobbies in his previous life. He likes to watch videos of various handicraft masters making machines or weapons. Although they cannot use iron, that would require silver bracelets, but many key parts are explained and displayed. Now he relies on the knowledge accumulated in his previous life to do these. No wonder many people in his previous life called a certain site a university classroom, and it lives up to its reputation.

As September approached, Chu Huaibei specifically instructed Chen Sinong to distribute wheat seeds to the military settlements, requiring them to be the new wheat harvested that year. She wanted to domesticate wheat that could adapt to the northern climate. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to hybridize wheat, so she could only use primitive methods to slowly improve it.

This year, during the sowing season, the noble families all used plow carts. Apparently, someone had immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor regarding the abundant harvest in the military settlements, and the emperor ordered the Ministry of Works to distribute plow carts to all prefectures and counties. Her memorial arrived a month later, and in addition to describing the grain situation, it also reported on some Mongolian military deployments. She also ended with some indirect flattery of the emperor.

Writing memorials was even more painful than writing work reports. If you didn't write a good report, at most you'd miss out on your bonus. But if you didn't write a good memorial, the emperor would be displeased and punish you severely, from withholding food and rations to even the death penalty. No wonder being an official in ancient times was such a skill to navigate the world.

In mid-September, the imperial army's rations arrived as scheduled, this time escorted once again by the Imperial Censor Wei Zeng. Chu Huaibei took the list and saw the same amount as last year: one million dan. He breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, despite his narrow-mindedness, the emperor still had a clear conscience.

Wei Zeng noticed that Chu Huaibei's expression had softened somewhat compared to last time. Combined with the bumper wheat harvest in the northern border, he thought the army would have no worries about food for the next year. This time, he could accept the Zhenbei King's invitation to a dinner. The last time the King was so full of evil spirits, he probably wouldn't have been able to eat.

"You've worked so hard, Censor Wei. I'm hosting a banquet in the army tonight to welcome you. I hope you'll do me the honor of attending."

"Your Highness is too polite. I will respectfully obey your command." Wei Zeng responded with a smile.

Chu Huaibei summoned Lu Shun and asked him to call the shopkeeper Ma and take him to the camp kitchen to prepare a dinner. She wanted to welcome Wei Yushi back home. She also notified several other generals to attend the welcoming banquet tonight, which would be held in the largest conference tent.

Lu Shun took the order and left. Chu Huaibei followed Wei Zeng to the granary to make the handover. When Lu Shun saw the first grain-carrying cart entering the military camp, he sent someone to notify the Ministry of Agriculture that the court's military rations had arrived.

Although Sinong had a few new hires, everything was still well-organized. Apparently, Chen Sinong had already explained everything to them in advance. Chu Huaibei inspected over fifty more bags in front of Wei Zeng today. No matter the bags on the surface, in the middle, or at the bottom, there was nothing unusual.

Chu Huaibei suppressed the doubts in his heart. Since the spot check showed no abnormalities, the signing and sealing process had to be completed.

As night fell, the military rations were inspected and inspected, totaling one million dan, the exact amount. Chu Huaibei politely invited Wei Zeng to the meeting room, and the welcoming banquet was already prepared.

Wei Zeng first greeted several other generals, then sat down, picked up the wine glass on the table, and toasted everyone.

"Thank you, Your Highness, and all the generals, for your hospitality. I will drink first as a token of my respect."

"You're too polite, Censor Wei." Chu Huaibei raised his glass and drank with the other generals.

"Wei Yushi, please eat. We have been busy all day."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." After Wei Zeng finished speaking, he picked up his chopsticks to pick up some food. The braised pork on the table looked very appetizing. It was cut into small square pieces and turned upside down in a bowl. The color was rosy and the soup was thick. When he picked up a piece of meat, the soup dripping from it formed crystal clear threads under the candlelight.

Wei Zeng took advantage of the next drop of soup and stuffed it into his mouth at lightning speed. The meat was fat but not greasy, the skin was chewy and the lean meat was strong but not dry. Different from the salty and fragrant taste of Fengjing, this bowl of braised pork was actually sweet. He was conquered by the sweet and fresh taste the first time he ate it.

This dish must have been made by a new chef. He had never eaten this dish before when he stayed in the military camp. All the dishes were common in the North. The only big dish for dinner was roasted venison, and the venison was hunted specially for him. The military camp in the North has always been frugal, unlike the Forbidden Army camp where the food is abundant.

Today, there was another fawn, roasted whole and brought into the tent along with the charcoal brazier. As soon as we entered, we noticed the venison was even more delicious than usual. The cook took out a knife and sliced ​​the meat, placing a plate for each person. The skeleton, with only a few pieces of meat, was then drizzled with sauce and grilled over low heat over the charcoal.

Wei Zeng looked at the golden-skinned venison, picked up a piece, and put it in his mouth. The skin was crispy and sweet, the fat inside was fragrant and delicious, and the lean meat was very tender, and the chewing seemed to make delicious juices flow out. Wei Zeng had also been to the imperial banquet, but this time the venison was so delicious that by the time he came to his senses, he had already finished his plate of venison.

Seeing that Wei Zeng enjoyed the honey-glazed barbecue, Chu Huaibei recommended the remaining bones. "Censor Wei, try these charcoal-grilled bones. Paired with wine, they have a unique flavor." He then gestured to the cook to give the roasted bones to Wei Zeng.

At first, Wei Zeng didn't understand what was so delicious about the bones, but since the prince recommended it, he couldn't refuse. He picked up a piece that seemed to have more meat and took a bite. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, completely different from the tender and juicy meat before. The meat on the bones was very chewy, and the sauce had soaked into the meat. It was salty and fragrant with a hint of spiciness. He picked up the wine glass and took a sip, which was extremely refreshing.

Seeing that he was enjoying the meal, Chu Huaibei took a bone and chewed it slowly. It was a pity that there was no cumin and chili pepper, otherwise it would taste even better. The spiciness in the meat was adjusted with wild ginger juice, which was the spiciest ingredient that could be found.

Grilled chicken racks may seem less meaty, but they're more fragrant. In the past, people fried, braised, and stewed various chicken racks, making them popular with many. Northern China's fried chicken racks were especially popular. One year, due to an epidemic, the region strictly monitored the movements of infected patients. One sick man bought six chicken racks in three days. After his movements were exposed, people posted online, asking, "Are the chicken racks from these two restaurants so delicious?" The man ate six in three days. "Once the epidemic is over, I'm going to buy some too!"

The dinner was a great success for both the host and the guests. Wei Zeng thanked everyone again and took his men back to the post station to rest. He would return to Fengjing to report on his work the next day.

In the evening, he returned to the city with the deputy general. The deputy general began to stare at Chu Huaibei again. Chu Huaibei was speechless. "From now on, if you want to ask me for something, just tell me directly. There's no need to act like this. Doesn't it make your eyes cramp?"

"Your Highness, I will not be polite. The chef for tonight is someone you found, and his cooking skills are really good. I would like to invite him to come to your house to prepare a banquet today for my family to taste." The deputy general immediately smiled and said happily.

"Indeed, this is the owner of the Ma Ji Restaurant in the west of the city. Just go find him. He has already seen you today and will not refuse you."

"Is he selling his recipe? He only uses it in the mansion." The deputy general thought that everyone in his family would like the roasted venison and might want to buy the recipe, so he inquired about it in advance.

"I won't sell it. That's the recipe from my mansion. I've ordered that if anyone tries to steal it, they should go to the palace to find Xiao Feng, and he will take care of it. If your family wants it, I'll write it down for you directly, but you are not allowed to spread it to anyone else or use it in your restaurant." Chu Huaibei turned around and gave the deputy general another instruction. Her restaurant hadn't even served this dish yet.

"That certainly won't happen, Your Highness, don't worry. Your two mothers are amazing. The dishes on the table today are amazing. I almost licked the plates when I saw all the food. No, I will invite Manager Ma to prepare a banquet in my house tomorrow. It's a pity that there is no venison. I spent half a day hunting this fawn with my personal soldiers." The deputy general's words were full of longing for venison.

"It would be just as good if you used lamb. When I was tasting the food, I used lamb in my house. Piglet would be fine too, it depends on your taste."

"Hey! Then it's lamb. My family loves lamb. Thank you, Your Highness. Hehe~"