Yamafu Military Affairs

Chapter 299 The banquet begins
Boom!

A thunderous shout resounded through the heavens and the earth. Qin Huai walked out of the cabin with a kitchen knife in his hand, and his eyes were cast at the hornless dragon head that was more than ten meters long in the river.

"If you want to enjoy the feast, be quiet. If such noise disturbs the peace of the spiritual kitchen, he will quit cooking tonight. Can I use you as a scapegoat?"

Seeing Qin Huai being rude to this crocodile demon with two thousand years of Taoist practice (Baji), the head of the guards couldn't help but sweat in his heart, and his big hands silently clenched the golden tiger-head knife at his waist.

"Wu Dalang, even if you don't want to eat, I do! Qiantang is not like your Dongting Lake. There are chefs in the Jishan Palace who can cook anytime. I, Old Li, haven't had a feast for more than ten years. If you ruin my good fortune this time, I will find your king and ask him to treat me to a feast!"

Before the black alligator in Qujiang could speak, the Red Carp Dragon Li Yu, who had transformed into a dragon-headed man, was so anxious that he spoke first. Soft guns and hard sticks popped out of his mouth like popping beans, reminding the alligator not to cause trouble without reason.

【Crocodile General】

Category: Monster

Comprehensive evaluation: Baji (2,300 years of practice)
The crocodile deputy general who serves under the command of the crocodile general Tuo Mo of Dongting Water Palace has a fierce and stubborn personality, the ability to call the wind and rain, and an indestructible body.

"You are such a jerk, you only know how to eat. Don't you think about how a spiritual chef can prepare a feast?"

Tuwu snorted coldly, shook his head and turned into a half-human, half-demon, but he was an angry and fierce general with no dragon horns on his forehead, curled lips and sparse beard, a black face, and wearing black armor.

"Who cares about the spiritual chefs and unicorn chefs? As long as there's food to eat, it's fine. Besides, how can you keep this hunter by your side without any skills? He's a master archer and he's not blind."

Li Yu pulled over the arrogant Tuwu and deliberately emphasized the tone of the words "Di Yi Hunter".

"Him? He is not a Celestial Being."

Tuwu glanced at Qin Huai, and also failed to sense the unique aura of the [Heavenly Man] realm. But after all, he had served in the Dongting Water Palace, which was strong in military power and rich in resources, for many years, and he had repeatedly fought against evil monsters with his own king, so he had developed a sharp eye.

Combined with the dangerous feeling Qin Huai was emitting at this moment, he put away his contempt and made some guesses: "Then he can only be a [Xing Gang] warrior (Nine Yao Peak) who is proficient in bow and sword and has powerful supernatural powers."

"This Wu Dalang has a good eye. I wonder if Lord Dragon has seen Young Master Yunmeng during his return to his hometown?"

Qin Huai saw that the crocodile was sensible and took the initiative to retract its monster body. He did not hold on to it and turned to talk to the [Red Carp Dragon].

"What Dragon Lord? That's nonsense. Tiger-headed God can just call me Li Yu."

[Red Carp Dragon] laughed, and out of the corner of his eye he saw a large table and eight stools on the deck, and he picked one and sat down.

"Old Li brought the children back home a little late this time. I don't know how those evil beasts got wind of it, and they left the house long ago."

Li Yu sighed and just picked up the teapot to pour water, but found that there were only tea leaves but no boiling water in the pot.

"and then."

Qin Huai waved to the White Tiger Guards, and a soup pot filled with boiling water was brought to the table.

"Of course, we will respectfully welcome the young master and the princess and take care of the affairs of the Water Palace again."

Li Yu prepared three cups of tea with skillful techniques and invited Qin Huai and Tu Wu to drink tea. "In the past few days, Wu Dalang and I have led our carp soldiers and tu soldiers to search Qiantang. We are following the young master's order to find the evil dragon's trail. We also informed the four prefectures of the reward for the five fresh fruits to remove any obstacles that might stand in the way of the dragon's transformation."

"Princess? But is she Ao Ling Ao from the Jade Dragon Palace in the East China Sea?"

Qin Huai's eyes moved, and he asked casually.

"It is my fourth young lady. As a hunting officer, could it be that you have a past relationship with my young lady?"

The crocodile, who had kept silent all this time, was greatly surprised to see Qin Huai could actually call out Ao Ling's name, and hurriedly asked.

"I have met Ao Xiaoniang in the Mountain and Sea Realm before. I wonder if the half of the Longjing Green that she picked can be of great help to you, Young Master."

Qin Huai spoke frankly and told a story from the past.

"【Longjing Green】? I heard that this banquet only uses five fresh ingredients and no other ingredients."

Li Yu turned his head to look at Tu Wu, trying to see something from his charcoal-black face.

"Miss specializes in treating beetles, and rarely uses the five fresh aquatic foods, namely river fresh, lake fresh, well fresh, and seafood, in her dishes."

Tuwu knew more than Liyu. He frowned and continued, "The king should know the secret better. In my humble opinion, I can only guess that the prince chose the unknown Jiuzhou Water Officer for the young master from the dishes presented by the young lady and the Luofu Mountain man."

"Why don't you use your own family members, but use outsiders?"

Qin Huai wanted to ask a few more questions, but Tuwu had already picked up the teacup, concentrating on sipping tea, and not paying attention to what was happening outside the window. Li Yu also knew nothing about anything and couldn't explain anything, so he had to give up and chat with the two of them about random things.

Huhuhu~
The wind was blowing wildly and the air was filled with ghostly aura. Qin Huai narrowed his eyes, but before he could stand up, a three-meter-tall, ferocious ghost with ragged clothes, a green face and fangs appeared on the round table chair.

【Jiang Chen’s Complaint】

Category: Ghost

Comprehensive evaluation: Baji (two thousand years of Taoism)
He was originally a scholar who went to Beijing to take an imperial examination. Later he was killed in a boat fire and drowned in Wenyan Qujiang. He was filled with great resentment.

Sixty years ago, after harming countless people, he achieved great success in cultivation and unconsciously attracted a group of [Water of the Abyss] that seeped out from the [Darkness] rift, and gained considerable combat power.

Note: The gate of hell is locked tightly, and the bones of immortals are cold in the abyss.

"coming!"

Qin Huai felt a chill in his heart, knowing that the most difficult and probably the most picky guest at this banquet might have arrived.

[Jiang Changyuan] did not say anything, but just stared at Qin Huai, as if he was a piece of fat and delicious pork belly.

If an ordinary person was stared at by such an evil ghost that had eaten many living people, he would not only lose control of his genitals, but also sweat profusely. But Qin Huai remained calm and just winked at the tiger. This white-browed tiger, whose intelligence was no less than that of a human, walked to the side of [Jiang Qianyuan] and silently used its vigorous blood energy that far exceeded that of a human to neutralize the cold and damp environment.

"This kind of coldness that seeps into the bones is really disgusting."

Li Yu stretched his muscles but did not leave the table. He just moved a little further away from Jiang Changyuan. Apparently he also knew the rule that one cannot leave the table during a banquet.

"Old Qin, are all the people here?"

Cha Xiaodao's shout came from the cabin. Qin Huai glanced at the fish, turtles, shrimps and crabs arrayed on both sides of the warship, riding the waves, and the countless black shadows surging under the river in the distance, then turned back to look at the four empty seats on the table.

"No, there should be one more person missing."

Just as he finished speaking, a vast singing voice was heard coming from afar, diluting the cold and eerie aura that filled the deck.

".Spring is full of joy, autumn waves are bright, open sleeves are full of blessings, straw sandals are loose and energetic."

The warship slowly approached the [Dead Heart Whirlpool]. Many large and small whirlpools and rapids had appeared on the river surface. In the pouring rain in the distance, there was a gray figure walking slowly and leisurely towards Qinhuai. No one was seen, but his vast Buddhist songs could be heard echoing everywhere, which were exceptionally clear in the twilight.

Qin Huai raised his hand, signaling the White Tiger Guards not to bother with it.

After waiting for a while, the figure finally climbed onto the deck, allowing everyone to see his appearance clearly. He had big ears, a square face, broad shoulders, bare feet, and a big belly. No matter how you looked at him, he looked like a fat monk who didn't abstain from eating at regular times.

"Maitreya Buddha~ All donors, do you want to eat melon?"

The monk was carrying a cloth bag with two big melons in it. After jumping off the railing, he clapped his hands and greeted Qin Huai and the others with a smile.

Qin Huai looked down and saw the two-foot-tall little monk beside his feet, and couldn't help but laugh.

Name: Little monk with cloth bag
Category: Mountain Spirit

Threat Level: Deep Red (Eight Pole)
Note: It was originally a strange baby-shaped stone next to the Longhua tree in the Xuedou Temple in Yangzhou. It was enlightened by the sun and the moon and influenced by the Buddhist scriptures, and thus became a spirit.

He is well versed in many strange stories and tricks, and he likes to appreciate the world's treasures. He enjoys traveling and has no desire to meditate.

Note: Raw or ripe melon, which melon do you want to eat?

"Little monk, is your melon ripe?"

“It’s ripe and sweet, and it quenches your thirst~”

The little monk with the cloth bag was afraid that Qin Huai would not believe him, so he immediately split a large melon about a foot long, broke it into two halves and handed it to him.

"Don't rush to eat, don't rush to eat, little monk, please take a seat first."

"You are welcome."

Qin Huai looked at the red melon flesh and with one hand, the little monk holding a cloth bag jumped onto the round stool. He and Qin Huai sandwiched [Jiang Qianyuan] in between.

"Just now I was annoyed that the tea was not enough to quench my thirst, but now there is a melon delivered to my door, I should try it."

[Red Carp Dragon] Seeing that it was still early and there was nothing on the round table except a pot of tea, he set his sights on the red melon flesh.

"Sweet, really sweet. Little Fatty Monk, where did you get this melon? Could it be a strange fruit from the Mountain and Sea Realm?"

“Ha~ha~ha, although the [Mountain and Sea Realm] is mysterious, it cannot produce such a Buddha fruit.”

The little monk with the bag chanted a Buddhist name with one hand, patted the remaining big melon on his back, and said leisurely: "This is what I planted with my own hands in the melon field under the waterfall courtyard. It ripens once every three years and can relieve the suffering of all living beings. Let it be the fruit gift for tonight's feast."

"Be particular about it."

Qin Huai glanced at the other three guys who wanted to eat for free, turned his head and shouted to the cabin: "Daozi, everyone is here, serve the food!"

"Got it!"

Cha Xiaodao estimated the time and felt that it was about time, so he took out the meat porridge, wine and liquor that he had prepared earlier, put them into a hundred small bowls, and moved them to both sides of the deck on several large trays, leaving only a narrow passage for one person to pass through.

The air was filled with mist and fragrance. After Cha Xiaodao had arranged the first round of dishes for Jiang's minions, he rushed back to the cabin stove, smashed the cucumber with a kitchen knife, and took out the fried and cooled peanuts and blanched bean sprouts, and added various seasonings.

Minced garlic, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, chili oil
Soon, three cold appetizers were served on the round table.

"This feast is just [ordinary] home-cooked food. If you are dissatisfied, I hope you will forgive me."

After seeing the three White Tiger Guards presenting bowls and chopsticks to everyone and everyone taking their seats, Qin Huai cleared his throat and set the tone for today's banquet.

"【Eight Large Bowls】welcome guests from all directions and gather blessings from all directions. This banquet has a total of 16 main dishes, with delicacies from land and sea gathered together, for a total of eight people to enjoy."

"Everyone, please start eating."

Unlike the few people who were leisurely eating and drinking on the deck, Cha Xiaodao, who was busy in front of the stove, wished he could have three heads and six arms to assist him in multi-tasking.

But, don't be impatient.

The success of tonight's banquet is directly related to the final evaluation of the Yanfu incident. Even if it is slow, the sixteen main dishes must be completed one by one steadily.

Cha Xiaodao tied his hair tightly, forced himself to be strong, washed his hands, and took out the fragrant wine that he had prepared a few days ago, the washed and torn soaked black fungus, and the carrot slices of appropriate size and thickness.
Gududu~
Bring half a pot of water to a boil, add the fungus and carrot slices and blanch them. After about ten breaths, remove from the water and drain for later use.

The large pot of clean water on the second stove was just boiling at this time. As the flames weakened, he used a small knife to spread out the marinated fish fillets one by one and put them into the water. After all of them were put in, he used a large spoon to gently push the fish fillets. After they floated, he drained the water and set aside.

Turn on high heat on the stove and add broth to the pot.

Use a knife to stir appropriate amounts of white pepper, salt, sugar and fragrant lees wine into the soup, then add the fungus, carrot slices and fish fillets in turn, stir gently and bring to a boil, then slowly pour in water starch to thicken.

Shake the wok weighing more than ten pounds, mix it thoroughly, then drizzle it with secret oil and serve it in a celadon bowl and a large white porcelain plate.

"The first dish, [Fish Slices in Braised Sauce], is an appetizer."

Cha Xiaodao presented the celadon bowl, said a few words, and turned back to the cabin.

The eight people at the table smelled the special aroma brought by the fragrant malt wine, and unconsciously shifted their attention to the bowl of brightly colored [Fish Slices in Malt Wine].

The jade-white fish fillets look like they are wrapped in a layer of gauze, vague and hazy, with a unique beauty.

The fungus underneath is pure black, small and delicate, just like a bunch of pure black magnolia flowers. The collision with the pieces of white jade fish meat lying on it adds a bit of gorgeous color.

“But this home-cooked dish contains the principles of yin and yang. It’s wonderful, wonderful.”

The little monk Budai fiddled with the rosary in his hand, completely ignoring the precept of not eating meat, and picked up the fish fillet and fungus and put them into his mouth very naturally.

"I don't know where the black fish is raised, but its scales taste so good."

Li Yu was holding a piece of fish fillet about an inch long. The edge was much darker in color, which was different from the other soft and jade-like parts. It seemed to have a slight flaw in the perfect jade.

Qin Huai touched his nose and would not say that this was a little thought he had left when he was cutting the mound.

Seeing that everyone was enjoying the meal, even Jiang Changyuan scooped a large spoonful and put it on the plate in front of him, absorbing the essence of the grains and the flavor of the fish.

Qin Huai also reached out his hand, picked up a chopstick and put it into his mouth.

Fragrant! Fragrant! Fragrant osmanthus!

As soon as you take a sip, a rich floral fragrance explodes on your tongue. It is the taste of osmanthus, mixed with the aroma of fermented wine, which is rich, intoxicating and unforgettable.

“The tender and juicy fish meat is really best eaten with the chewy and smooth fish skin.”

Qin Huai nodded, and at the same time paid attention to the group of ghosts who were fighting for food around them.

This group of intangible ghosts tasted dishes in the same way as Jiang Changyuan. It would be more accurate to say that they were consuming air rather than eating food.

Yes, eat the air, smell it, taste it, and absorb it like eating incense.

(End of this chapter)