The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

After receiving the reward, everyone was in high spirits and worked with great enthusiasm. No one was trying to make excuses or to be slacking off.

The further north you go, the lower the latitude and the higher the temperature. When you see the tropical rainforest in northern Australia, you will feel a sense of déjà vu. Could it be that we have arrived in Southeast Asia?

Only Min Xi knew that their journey was indeed coming to an end. After passing the northern part of Australia, they would reach the place where they first landed. This was the starting point of their voyage. After reuniting with everyone, it would be time to set off back to Ming Dynasty.

But he didn't tell anyone this, after all, he couldn't explain why he knew this.

Finally one day, the navigator standing on the observation deck of the Xingyun shouted loudly: "Sir, we are here! We have reached Jinshan!"

The gold mountain he mentioned was the first gold mine they found after they first landed on this continent. The navigator's words instantly ignited everyone's passion. They were finally back, which meant that they were getting closer and closer to home!

They set out from the northwest of Australia in the summer, and when they returned here, it was already the beginning of the next spring, which took a full nine months. Of course, this was because they spent too much time on the way to find gold mines. If they only sailed around the continent, it would only take about three or four months.

But the trip was not in vain. They drew a sailing route around the Australian continent and learned about the climate, distribution of products, customs and local conditions in various parts of the Australian continent. More importantly, they discovered several gold, iron and coal mines, laying the foundation for the future development of the Australian continent.

Although the Australian continent is wild and backward, it is rich in resources. There are only a small number of primitive indigenous peoples on such a large land, and there is no country at all. If the Ming Dynasty wanted to take it for itself, it could occupy such a territory overseas like Zheng He Island, encourage the people of the Ming Dynasty to immigrate here, and establish an overseas province here.

As for the indigenous people, we can use the advanced Ming culture, education, system, production methods, etc. to educate them, make them identify with Ming culture, and transform them into overseas subjects of the Ming Dynasty. I believe it will not be difficult.

The reason why the navigator was able to determine the location so quickly was not because he was familiar with the terrain, but because he had a better reference, which was several Ming warships and merchant ships docked at the mouth of the river.

With so many warships and merchant ships docked here, it means that those merchant ships returning to Ming Dynasty have returned safely. It seems that they can return to Ming Dynasty together this time.

As soon as their ship docked, they received a warm welcome because the people on the shore also discovered them. Everyone was very surprised and delighted to see them return safely, and they also admired them very much that everyone was able to return safely without any injuries.

Everyone gathered together, hugged each other warmly, talked and laughed loudly, and were extremely happy.

When they calmed down, they found that there had been a huge change here. When they left, there were only two houses they had built at the river mouth wharf. When they came back this time, there were already more than a dozen houses, all built with mud bricks. Those houses were built by merchants who had shares in the gold mine and used it as a base.

Not only did they build a lot of houses, they also reclaimed a large area of ​​wasteland on the grassland to grow vegetables and food. So the first meal they had on shore was the staple food - hot corn steamed bread. This meal made everyone shed tears. They had it so hard!

Min Xi grabbed the third corn steamed bun, without putting anything else in it, and took a bite. Half of the steamed bun was gone, and his mouth was filled with cornmeal. He closed his eyes in satisfaction: "The staple food is still delicious. It feels like I've returned to the human world!"

Yun Ji couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Why don't you put some meat in it?"

"No need to eat meat. I've been hurt by eating meat in the past few months. Now I want to eat vegetarian food." Min Xi shook his head and stuffed the remaining half of the steamed bread into his mouth.

Yun Ji served him a bowl of soup: "Eat slowly, be careful not to choke."

Min Xi waited until he had swallowed the food in his mouth before taking a sip of soup: "The corn steamed bread is so delicious!"

Yun Ji handed him another peeled sweet potato: "Don't just eat that, eat something else."

"Thank you, Seventh Brother!" Min Xi narrowed his eyes and smiled, "You can eat it yourself!"

Yun Ji nodded, picked up a boiled sweet potato, and bit into it without even peeling the skin. To be honest, it is not something most people can endure to have only meat and no staple food. It is more satisfying to have staple food in your stomach.

Fortunately, today they have achieved freedom of staple food. After they left, those who stayed behind could not go mining and metallurgy. In order to kill time, they put all their energy into clearing wasteland and planting land, of course, to make themselves eat better. The stomach that came from the farming civilization could not adapt to the diet of nomadic peoples at all.

Although the climate here has distinct dry and rainy seasons, the good thing is that the temperature is never low. They harvested corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes, sowed and harvested, and then harvested a lot of food, finally achieving food freedom, and also led the two indigenous tribes to start farming. Now half of the food of the two tribes no longer needs to be obtained through hunting.

The ships returning from the Ming Dynasty brought more grain seeds, not only rice but also wheat. The climate here has very distinct rainy and dry seasons, so everyone decided to plant rice in the rainy season and wheat in the dry season.

The wheat that had been planted were still just seedlings, and the rice had not been planted yet. Min Xi would not be able to eat white flour buns and rice for the time being, but it didn't matter, they would be able to go back soon, and when they got back they would be able to eat whatever they wanted.

In addition to food, the ships returning from the Ming Dynasty also brought a lot of vegetable, fruit and melon seeds, so not only did they have staple food to eat, but they could also have vegetables and fruits to eat freely.

In addition, they brought a lot of animal seedlings, including chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, cows, sheep, horses and pigs. It looked like a zoo and was very lively. A ship was specially arranged to take care of these animals. It really took a lot of thought.

After dinner, Min Xi and Yun Ji went for a thorough tour. The animals were all kept in captivity and looked after by dedicated personnel. The vegetables, fruits and grains were also grown in the same place and after the harvest, they were all sent to the kitchen. Each merchant sent someone to help take care of the animals.

Here, everyone eats in the same canteen, which is somewhat similar to the communist distribution model based on needs. In the current living environment, the most correct way is to concentrate resources to accomplish major tasks.

Min Xi was relieved when he saw the situation here: "If this continues, we can get supplies from here if we want to go to the New World in the future."

Yun Ji tilted his head and looked at him: "Do you still want to go to the New World?"

Min Xi nodded: "I want to. But I don't know if I will have the chance to come out again in the future."