Space Food Storage: Daily Travel

"Xiao Han, General Huo seems to be looking for you. Go ahead, we'll just take care of things here."

"okay."

Huo Dong came forward to greet him.

"Where are you going? I'll go with you."

"I'm going to the market to buy vegetables. You don't have to accompany me."

"I'll accompany you. I promised my uncle yesterday that I would take good care of you while you're in the capital."

"Oh, let's go."

Huo Dong and Liu Yuhan left.

The scholars and girls looked at their well-matched backs and sighed inwardly: So he (she) already has a lover, and one who is so outstanding. Frustration hit, leaving behind a sound of heartbreak...

Liu Yuhan went to the market to buy fish and lean pork. She wanted to fry some fish pieces and dried lean meat for Liu Lu and Yang Zhi to take to the examination room.

Because she bought a lot of fish, the fish stall gave her a wooden barrel as a gift.

"Miss, this is quite heavy. Ask your husband to carry it." The fishmonger lady kindly suggested.

"He doesn't..."

"Thank you, I'll carry it." Huo Dong gave the old fishmonger couple a tael of silver as a reward.

"Thank you so much, kind sir! You and the girl will definitely live happily together."

Huo Dong was in high spirits, picking up the barrel and heading out. Liu Yuhan, embarrassed by what the couple had said, followed Huo Dong. They bought some lean meat from the butcher's stall and returned to the courtyard. They had brought a lot of vegetables and fruits home, so they didn't need to buy anything else for now.

After returning to the courtyard, Liu Lu and Yang Zhi came out to greet Huo Dong, and then went back into the room to review their lessons.

"There are too many fish. I'll kill them for you. How do you want them cut?"

"I'll just come."

"If you can't do it in the future, ask someone else to help you. As a girl, you should do less of these tasks. I'll do it."

"Then you help me clean the fish and cut it into pieces. I'm going to fry it. Put the head and tail aside. I'll go cook first. Do you want to have lunch here?"

"Can I stay for lunch?"

"Ah."

“Is it the same with pork?”

"I'm going to cut the pork into long strips and fry it."

"Okay. You go cook, and I'll take care of these."

Huo Dong brought the water to the corner of the yard, picked up a machete and chopping board, and went to process the fish.

Liu Lu felt embarrassed to let Huo Dong do all the work, so he came over to help.

"You don't need to come out to help. Just focus on your lessons. I'll take care of these."

"Thank you, Brother Huo Dong."

"Ah."

Liu Lu and Yang Zhi returned to the room.

"Xiaolu, Sister Xiaohan and Brother Huodong are getting engaged, right?"

"You noticed it too? Yes, Brother Huo Dong should become my brother-in-law."

"What do you think?"

"That's great. I must work hard and give confidence to my family and sister in the future."

"Okay. Let's work together."

Liu Yuhan came over while cooking and took two fish heads, preparing to cook fish head tofu soup.

Seeing that Huo Dong had cleaned everything, the fish pieces and lean meat strips were cut into uniform sizes, straight and neatly arranged.

"Puchi..." Liu Yuhan couldn't help laughing out loud.

"You think they're training troops? They're arranged so neatly."

"Hehe...Is it okay?"

"Very good. Almost done? Ready for lunch."

"very soon."

"Okay, then I'll go get some soup and have lunch."

The four of them had lunch, and Liu Lu and Yang Zhi went to wash the dishes while Liu Yuhan prepared to light a fire and fry the marinated fish and lean meat.

"I'll light the fire."

"You...you should go back."

"Nothing." Huo Dong said as he helped to light the fire skillfully.

"You look very experienced. Have you ever cooked before?"

"I'm not very good at cooking. When I first joined the army, I was still young and always hungry, so I would secretly run to the wild to light a fire and roast some food. Later, my grandfather found out and punished me."

"After that, he would secretly leave steamed buns in my tent, and the older soldiers would also secretly give me food. Seven years passed in the blink of an eye."

"My grandfather is old, and I've inherited the throne at a young age. He's decided to step down. In half a decade, it will be his 71st birthday."

"Well. What does the old general want? I want to give him a gift."

"Grandfather really likes the White Tiger painting you gave me. He loved calligraphy and painting, especially pens, and he has quite a few in his study."

"Okay, then I understand."

“You don’t have to spend any money.”

"will not."

"Brother Huo Dong, what else do your soldiers do besides drill when there's no war?"

"none."

"What do you suggest? I've actually thought about whether the soldiers in the rear could grow crops and raise livestock like ordinary people. After all, the military's expenses are too high, but there are no specific regulations."

"Yes. The army is large in number, and the costs are indeed high. Also, are many of your army's supplies collected from the public or provided by the court?"

"Yes. And we have supplies from the Huo Mansion."

"I said, 'What if?' I mean, what if there's a sudden drought or locust plague someday, and the harvest is small? Wouldn't that put you in a difficult position in terms of supply? If your rear area is self-sufficient, you wouldn't be so embarrassed in such a situation."

"Xiaohan, what are your thoughts? Tell me in detail?"

"Yes. You should have assault troops and reserve troops, right? What about the militia in the rear?"

"militia?"

"Most of the army originally came from farmers, who have the foundation and experience in farming and animal husbandry. Militia members can be retired soldiers, soldiers who are not good at fighting, or soldiers' families."

"As long as we give them farms and fields, they can grow crops and raise pigs and chickens. Not only will retired soldiers have something to do, but the army will also have its own rear industries, ensuring greater supplies. Wouldn't that give soldiers greater peace of mind?"

"Uh, am I saying too much? This is just my personal opinion. It was only when I saw Uncle Lin and the others in Fulai Village that I thought of people like them. Not everyone can be as lucky as them, right?"

"No, you're right. I'm listening carefully. Your method is indeed feasible. I'll think about how to implement it. You've been a great help to me."

"Oh."

"Have you ever thought about buying a house in the capital? Liu Lu passed the examination and needs to go to school in the capital."

"I do think about it. I'll wait until I pass the exam and then I can buy a smaller yard."

Liu Yuhan was busy with the work at hand while talking to Huo Dong

"Okay. I'll keep an eye on it for you."

"Oh. Thank you then."

"Wipe the sweat off your forehead." Huo Dong took a handkerchief from his arms and wiped the sweat off her forehead naturally.

Liu Yuhan felt that the kitchen was even more stuffy and hot.

Huo Dong waited until Liu Yuhan had fried the fish and lean meat before he was ready to go back.

"Take it back and give it to Xiaobei and the others." Liu Yuhan filled a bowl with fried fish pieces and lean meat, placed them in a basket, and covered it with a clean cloth.

"Okay. You must be tired, go and rest." Huo Dong said to her gently.

"Oh."

Liu Yuhan escorted Huo Dong out of the courtyard, entered the room, closed the door, and entered the space. He picked out two pieces of the best purple and wolf hair and placed them in a wooden box. This was a birthday gift for the old general.