Chapter 208 Change
The sky darkened completely, and the streetlights lit up one by one. Although not as dazzling as the neon lights of the big cities in my past life, the warm yellow lights still exuded a sense of warmth.
It was the dinner rush hour, and groups of busy raven deliverymen were flying in the sky. The aroma of food wafted through the air - sweet baked bread and pastries, the slightly sweet aroma of soy sauce, and the spicy aroma of peppercorns and chilies after being stir-fried over high heat... Just the smell made people feel a spontaneous sense of happiness.
Of course, takeaway is no longer the only dining option for people in Eston West City.
After passing the wealthy district, Jiangyou arrived at the area where the common people gathered. Here, the houses were low-rise, and the atmosphere of life was more intense. Many families simply set up stoves outside their doors. These crooked stoves usually had two pots on top, one bubbling with water, the other likely simmering a delicious soup.
There was a family like this standing at the door of the hut next to Jiang You. She couldn't help but stop and watch. She saw a woman wrapped in a peasant's headscarf throwing a few balls of dried noodles into a pot of boiling water at the small stove at the door.
Long chopsticks were inserted into the water, quickly stirring the noodles. After a moment, the noodles were cooked, scooped out with thin bamboo sieves, and plopped into a large bowl.
A woman scooped out the thick, milky white soup from the pot beside her with a large spoon and poured it generously into the bowl of noodles. A burly man stood beside her, his head bent, slicing meat piece by piece on the chopping board.
A few minutes later, the thick slices of braised pork were neatly arranged on the noodles. The noodle soup was lightly scented with oil, and the green chopped green onions rustled on the noodles, which looked very tempting.
The young couple whispered to each other with bright smiles on their faces, arguing modestly about whose bowl of noodles should have more slices of meat. Happiness overflowed naturally, and even Jiang You, who was passing by, could smell the rich sweet fragrance of soul fire.
"That's how it should be." Jiang You chuckled, "Everyone should be able to afford to eat! Yeah, noodles are fine too!"
As the sale of noodles spread throughout Eston West and even throughout the Principality of Huntington, residents gradually learned to cook their own noodles. Boiling water, scooping noodles, adding broth, and toppings... cooking a bowl of noodles is about as difficult as making a pot of oatmeal, yet it's twice as delicious.
The toppings for soup noodles are the easiest to prepare: a handful of blanched green fresh vegetables, a poached egg nestled in the noodles... If conditions permit, some cut meat will be enough.
Bacon and sausage are very popular in Huntington and almost every household prepares some. They are also very suitable for noodles. Just cut some for each meal, boil them in noodle soup, or stir-fry them in hot oil, and put them in noodles for a delicious meal.
Those with more money can naturally buy prepared food from the food court. Whether it's tofu, braised food, or roast meat, taking one home and pairing it with a staple food is enough for the whole family to enjoy.
Even the most financially strapped could afford a small bag of dried noodles and a small bottle of noodle sauce for a few nickels. Drain the noodles, add a little sauce, and stir, and you've got a satisfying meal. It's infinitely more satisfying than slurping up dry, tasteless black bread with your saliva and then grinding it down with your teeth.
With the tongue soothed by delicious food and the belly full and warm, one has the motivation to continue working hard and living a good life. Even the most difficult days seem to be something that can be endured with a little grit.
Jiangyou strolled leisurely towards the brewing workshop.
Along the way, people kept recognizing her, taking off their hats to greet her. Her skeleton appearance didn't frighten them; instead, they excitedly came up to her and asked for handshakes and autographs. There were even cheerful children who insisted that Jiangyou take a ball of their soul fire, then ran away happily, "Mom! The lich ate my soul fire!"
After being forced to bear a soul fire, Jiang You said: "..." Wait, does this make sense?!
She walked a little further and came to a newly opened hospital. It was called a hospital, but it was actually a small clinic, a three-story stone building with a separate courtyard.
Although it was already night, the hospital was still brightly lit and the gates were wide open. Jiang You sneaked through the gate and peeked in from over the wall. He saw several familiar veterans lined up, waiting for Dr. Bird's Beak to examine them.
"Doctor, can my leg be cured?" asked the old soldier who was receiving treatment without hope.
"Well, you have to be mentally prepared," Doctor Birdbeak said in a deep voice. "This injury is over ten years old. The bone has long been crooked. To treat it, the bone must be broken cleanly and reconnected with magic, and then supplemented with the latest and greatest potions to promote bone and muscle healing... To achieve this, you have to pay a very high price!... I mean, it costs as much as three gold coins every month, and it will take several months until your leg grows back."
"What?!" the veteran exclaimed, "Three gold coins every month?!"
"Yes, it's too expensive, isn't it? If you want to give up treatment, I can understand..."
"No, no, what I mean is, with only three gold coins a month, can I walk like a normal person? Do I still have a chance to return to the battlefield?!"
"Well... it's hard to say whether you can go to the battlefield. It depends on your subsequent recovery and rehabilitation. But as for getting you to walk like a normal person... I think there's still hope!" Doctor Bird's Beak tilted his head: "No, can you afford the three gold coins per month for treatment?"
"Thank you, Boss You! Thank you, Lord Andre! I can actually afford it now!" The veteran's eyes filled with tears as he fished out three gold coins from his pocket. "This is my salary for this month! As long as it allows me to walk again, I can afford this price!"
Jiangyou grinned outside the courtyard wall.
It is said that problems that can be solved with money are not problems. Paying veterans more wages can not only reward these heroes who have sacrificed their health and happiness for the safety of the country, but also make them wholeheartedly keep the secrets of various formulas and processes for Jiangyou and Andre; most importantly, the high salary of three gold coins a month is not enough to make this city have a few more rich people, but it can allow this city to have many more veterans who have money to treat illnesses and even regain their health.
These are all valuable combat power and labor!
Of course, the wool comes from the sheep, and all of Jiangyou's businesses are very profitable. The better the veterans are, the more work they can do and the greater the value they create. The money they earn far exceeds this salary.
If workers who toiled and worked themselves to death knew their bosses were raking in millions daily, while they could only earn a few silver coins or even a few copper coins a month, they would inevitably cause trouble. People are all made of flesh and blood, and no matter how loyal they are, if they are not valued and treated well, they will eventually be unable to suppress their anger.
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