Chapter 710 The Grand Hospitality at the Military Camp
The kitchen in the capital camp was located at the very back. Because the tents were prone to catching fire, the kitchen was a simple building constructed of adobe bricks.
They also set up a special place for eating, with hundreds of simple wooden tables. It was mealtime, and there were young soldiers everywhere.
As soon as Cheng Wanwan arrived, the bustling dining hall quieted down.
"Greetings, General! Greetings, Lady Sui!"
The soldiers present shouted in unison, their salutes were very irregular, but it was clear that they were genuinely welcoming Cheng Wanwan's arrival.
He Xiao pressed his hand down: "Sui Shuren doesn't care about those formalities, so don't be too reserved. Just be yourself."
Cheng Wanwan said with a smile, "Everyone must be hungry after training all morning. Hurry up and sit down to eat."
Zhang Jinbao pointed to the topmost spot: "Auntie, sit there and eat. It's warmer over there against the back wall, near the stove."
She was a woman in her thirties, not as healthy as a teenager, and without any hesitation, she sat down in the warmest spot.
As soon as she sat down, Old Yang, the head chef, came out with a large bowl: "The pork knuckle delivered this morning is so fresh. I stewed it on the stove for more than an hour until it's tender and soft. Sui Shuren, hurry up and have a taste."
Cheng Wanwan turned around and said, "Thank you, Master Yang."
"Sui Shuren, don't be so polite. We should be the ones saying thank you." Old Yang lifted up his apron, then two layers of linen outer shirts, revealing the cotton-padded clothes underneath. "These clothes are really warm. I feel cold all day long in the kitchen, let alone the children in the barracks. The cotton-padded clothes and quilts that Sui Shuren sent have saved the lives of countless children."
Cheng Wanwan was a little embarrassed.
I never expected that a casual action I took two years ago would be remembered by someone until now. It feels really good.
"General Zhaoyong, would you like to have a few drinks with Lady Sui today?" Old Yang pointed to the rows of wine jars that had just been placed in the corner. "I had them specially delivered. Everyone should have a drink and make it more lively."
Zhang Jinbao led a few soldiers to move wine jars, filled the wine bowls on the table with wine, gave each soldier a bowl, and then raised their bowls to Cheng Wanwan at the same time.
"We don't know how to thank Sui Shuren enough. All we can say is that Sui Shuren is like a savior in our hearts!"
"If Sui Shuren ever needs our help in the future, just let us know, and we'll go through fire and water for her!"
"Enough with the small talk, let's raise a glass to Lady Sui!"
The army stationed in the capital numbered over 30,000. Meals were served in shifts. Originally, there were only five or six thousand soldiers, but because of Cheng Wanwan's arrival, many soldiers who weren't on duty came to join in the fun. The mess hall was packed with people, probably around 10,000. Each person had a bowl of wine, and some shared a bowl with another person, all drinking it down with great gusto.
Caught up in the atmosphere, Cheng Wanwan finished the wine in her bowl in one gulp.
This is probably the cheapest cloudy sake. The taste isn't very mellow, but the sake is extraordinary. Drinking it makes you feel refreshed.
After drinking the wine, we officially started eating.
She lowered her head to carefully savor the only pork knuckle Old Yang had prepared for her. She took just one bite, and was overwhelmed by the greasiness—it was just too oily…
Old Yang looked at her expectantly: "How is it? Doesn't it taste good?"
Cheng Wanwan swallowed a mouthful of meat with difficulty and nodded in reply, "It's very tender and delicious. Thank you for your hard work, Chef Yang."
"Hehehe, it's no trouble at all!" Old Yang patted his head contentedly. "If Sui Shu stays in the military camp a little longer, I'll cook her a few more of my signature dishes tonight."
"No, no need to trouble yourself." Cheng Wanwan said, feeling embarrassed. "Master Yang, you should go eat too, don't worry about me."
Old Yang went back to the kitchen with a chuckle, and you could still faintly hear him bragging to the other chefs about how he made braised pork knuckle for Sui Shuren...
"San Niu, you must be tired. Eat more." Cheng Wanwan cut the pork knuckle in half and put it at the bottom of his bowl, giving the other half to Cheng Bing. "You've been working hard following San Niu, so eat something good."
Cheng Bing was moved to tears: "Thank you, Ms. Shu."
After saying that, he lowered his head and ate the pork knuckle in a few bites.
Cheng Wanwan sighed. The food in the military camp wasn't very good. The children were exhausted every day, but they could hardly eat any meat. It was heartbreaking for the old mother.
But she knew that since she had chosen this path, she had to persevere and not give up just because the food was bad.
After eating about half full, she asked, "How many days off are there for the Lunar New Year?"
Zhao Sanniu held up ten fingers to indicate ten days, and said, "The year before last, I spent the New Year with my older cousin Zheng Ge. Last year, Lord Shen invited us to the Shen family for the New Year. This year, I can finally spend the New Year with my mother. I'm so happy!"
“That’s great…” Zhang Jinbao’s face was full of envy. “I haven’t been home for Chinese New Year for four or five years. I’ve almost forgotten what my parents look like.”
Cheng Wanwan immediately said, "We're going to my aunt's house for Chinese New Year this year. My aunt will cook you something delicious. Do you want to come?"
Zhang Jinbao jumped for joy: "Go away, thank you, Auntie! I'm so happy!"
He was so smug that a group of soldiers around him immediately cast envious glances at him, each one extremely envious.
Cheng Wanwan knew that these children were all San Niu's men, so she said, "During the New Year, those who can go home should go home. Those who can't go home can go back to Auntie's house like Jinbao. Let's get together and celebrate the New Year together, it'll be lively, okay?"
The soldiers standing nearby asked in disbelief, "Can...can we go to Sui Shu's house to celebrate the New Year?"
Zhang Jinbao saved San Niu and became a confidant of General Zhao Yong. It's normal for Sui Shuren to invite Zhang Jinbao to spend the New Year with her, but these people...
"Of course you can go." Cheng Wanwan smiled gently. "Just tell Sanniu what you like to eat, and I guarantee that everyone will be able to eat what they want on New Year's Day."
The children in the canteen immediately cheered. Some jumped three feet high, some spun around on the spot, and some were so excited that they punched the wall...
At this moment, a group of people passed by not far from the dining hall. They were the top commander of the Beijing garrison, the General of the Cavalry.
Hearing cheers coming from the direction of the mess hall, the General of the Cavalry frowned: "What's going on over there?"
One of his soldiers immediately went to inquire about the news and returned shortly afterward: "Reporting to the general, it is Sui Shuren who has arrived. The soldiers in the camp are thanking Sui Shuren for the winter clothes and blankets she sent two years ago, and they are all toasting her."
"A woman actually caused such a commotion in the military camp."
The General of the Cavalry changed direction and headed towards the dining hall.
He walked to the door, but couldn't squeeze in. He could only vaguely see Cheng Wanwan surrounded by many soldiers, all of whom looked at him with gratitude and admiration.
If Hoseo were a man, and dared to gather a crowd in the military camp, he would have a hundred reasons to make Hoseo suffer the consequences.
However, Sui Shuren was a woman, and a woman without real power. Even if she won the hearts of everyone in the military camp, he couldn't convict her...
"Wow, Lady Sui is so young!" A pale-faced soldier behind the General of the Cavalry couldn't help but exclaim. "I can't see clearly from this distance, let me go in and take a look."
He finished speaking and squeezed in.
The General of the Cavalry's face darkened: "I told you not to run around..."
"Oh, I'll just take a look and then leave."
The pale-faced soldier squeezed through the crowd of men like an eel.
The General of the Cavalry's face turned completely black, and he quickly ordered two trusted confidants behind him to follow and protect him.
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