Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1617 The Best Barbecue
“This is called wet roasting,” Zhu Xianxi replied. “It involves brushing on the sauce several times while roasting. This is actually a technique used for making oven-roasted duck. The duck skin is very oily and crispy, so you have to be extra careful to protect it from being roasted to the point that the skin should be shiny and intact like a light bulb. This roasted meat uses a similar method, so it turns out just as tender and juicy as oven-roasted duck.”

"Senior brother, why didn't you bring out such delicious food sooner?!"

"It's too much trouble, I usually don't have time to barbecue. But today is different, today is the happiest day of my life!"

"So, Your Majesty the Holy Emperor, when are you going to have another child?!" Apollonia peeked out from behind—only to be pushed back down by Shangluo.

"Eat your meat and shut up!"

"If you really want to eat it, you don't have to wait for a good day. I can bake it for you whenever I have time. My sister loves it too."

But... but how could I do that? If I eat it before the appointed time, I feel guilty.

"Then you can have another meal after the baby is born, and there's also a 100-day celebration—you can't wait, can you? How about I teach Shangluo?"

“We can’t bake this at home.” Shangluo shook his head repeatedly. “There are fire prevention requirements in the alley; there can’t be any smoke.”

"Then there's nothing we can do about it."

Shangluo, let's move!

"Eat your meat." He shoved the meat from his plate at him. "No matter how much meat you eat, it won't shut you up."

"Actually, you can order food at Jinling Hotel," Zhu Xianxi suggested.

"But I don't see it on the menu."

“Sigh.” Zhu Xianxi shook his head. “You don’t understand this. The menu at Jinling Hotel is a recent development, only appearing in the last few decades. Before that, there was no menu at all. Customers simply specified the ingredients, and the chefs would decide how to cook them. Then, customers could order whatever they wanted. Jinling Hotel has seven kitchens; they can cook any cuisine you want. If you order something and they can’t make it, Jinling Hotel’s reputation will be ruined.”

"Ah," Shangluo remembered, "I remember ordering chicken at Jinling Hotel before. They were on high alert because I insisted on having it in a tin can. They thought I was going to challenge them."

“That’s right,” Zhu Xianxi explained. “Trying to challenge someone by offering them some dishes is something that hasn’t been done in years. If you suddenly do it, they will definitely be on high alert—but as long as you call ahead to make a reservation, they can make any dish for you.”

"So that's the correct way to use it!" Shang Luo suddenly realized. "It's not about ordering food, but about letting them make whatever you want to eat?"

“That’s right, that’s it.” Zhu Xianxi nodded. “Actually, the braised pig’s face you went upstairs to eat isn’t on every menu item. It’s just that if you want to eat it, they can make it anytime. But if you don’t order in advance, you’ll have to wait a little longer—as long as you’re willing to wait, they can definitely make it.”

“I remember now, Zhu Ling didn’t seem to look at the menu much when she ordered. She just glanced at it for inspiration and then started reciting the names of the dishes.”

"That's how we usually eat at home—except for takeout. Not every dish can be ordered for takeout. The dishes on Jinling Hotel's takeout menu are all proven to be 'quality that won't be significantly compromised by delivery,' such as stewed meat. Some dishes that require precise cooking times, like stir-fried double crisp, are absolutely not offered for takeout, otherwise it would damage their reputation. If you insist on eating it, they will suggest catering at your home. After all, Jinling Hotel's culinary skills are top-notch, and they can even make stir-fried double crisp on a home stove."

"Just learn from me~" Apollonia took a big bite of meat. "Ah, it's so good to be alive."

“Speaking of which, Miss Apollonia.”

【Ah? Your Majesty the Holy Emperor, do you need to see me?】

"Does she always talk this cheesy?" Zhu Xianxi looked at Shangluo.

"No, she only gets so mushy when she needs something from you."

“I understand.” Zhu Xianxi opened the oven, forked out another piece of wet-roasted meat, and handed it to Apollonia’s bowl.

Thank you for your *vague and incoherent ramblings*.

"You're welcome. So, I wanted to ask, what does your brother think about recent events? Does he support you?" [Ah? You mean the Amun-Zeus affair? That's hard to say. He's the kind of person who always has to have a reason for everything he does.]

"You don't know? Then could you tell me something else about your brother?"

【Huh? Isn't this a bit inappropriate?】

Zhu Xianxi was about to open the oven to add another piece for her, but then suddenly closed the oven lid again—

"I say, Miss Apollonia, do you really love eating meat?"

I only came here to eat meat!

"Actually, the meat here isn't even the best. You know we have a giant furnace, right? I actually put some meat in there; it was originally for my sister. It's a little secret between us; she especially loves the meat roasted in there. Do you want some? The meat in there is thoroughly cooked and incredibly flavorful."

[Eat! I want to eat! But...but maybe that's not a good idea?]

"Oh, it's not a bad thing. I'll bake her another one."

【Oh, well then I'll say it. Actually, he...】

Apollonia proceeded to recount the details of Amun-Zeus in great detail.

Shangluo was stunned—he never expected there to be such a method.

Zhu Xianxi nodded while silently memorizing the message.

“Apollonia, how about this?” Zhu Xianxi wrote down all the information and then said, “Why don’t you and Zhu Ling go eat together? Then we can bring the ingredients in and grill some more on the spot, as much as you like.”

"Great! Thank you, Emperor Brother!" she said happily as she walked away.

"Emperor brother." Shang Luo was stunned. In just a few words, his senior brother had become Apollonia's brother.

"Oh dear, tsk tsk tsk." Zhu Xianxi shook his head. "It seems you don't quite know how to win a younger sister's heart."

"I don't have a younger sister, so how did I manage that?"

“Tell her that you treat them differently than you treat everyone else, that’s all—oh, of course, I’m talking about how you treat your sister, not the other girls. It won’t work if you treat Zhu Ling like that.”

"Huh?" Shang Luo asked, munching on his grilled meat, "What's the difference between these two?"

"You should learn from this. Want another one?"

"Mmm." Shangluo handed over the plate. "Give me a piece of that sausage."

"I'll teach you another time when I have the chance. But I won't teach you how to cook like your brother. I'll teach you how to cook so you can be a dad."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

"what happened to you?"

"The meat was so tender it fell off the bone, I choked on it."

(End of this chapter)