The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

"This, this is really good!" The county constable held the receipt, his mind racing. He'd lived for over fifty years and had never seen or even heard of such a thing. The army collecting grain from the local people and then paying them? They were lucky they hadn't robbed you clean!

"Rest assured, County Commandant, please keep it safe and don't let us make any mistakes!" Jiao Long didn't say anything more and told the soldiers to quickly move the grain, meat and vegetables inside.

These past few days everyone's been busy traveling, eating only whatever was available. Now that we're settled, it's time to treat ourselves to a good meal and show our appreciation to the soldiers!

The soldiers drove the wagons into the camp and quickly drove the empty wagons out.

"Thank you for your support, County Commandant! I won't see you off. Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, which is the middle of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), please come to my camp for a military intelligence seminar, County Commandant and those familiar with the local bandit situation." Jiao Long gave a military salute.

"Alright, alright! We'll definitely be there!" The county magistrate cupped his hands in greeting.

"Quartermaster, what's for dinner? Everyone's worked so hard these past few days, let's have something substantial."

"Instructor, I see that we've received two pork patties and three live sheep. How about I have the cooks slaughter those three sheep and make a roast lamb for dinner? We can also make braised pork with potatoes and a radish soup. Steamed buns will be our staple food, how about that?" the chubby quartermaster said with a smile.

"I think it's a good idea. I know you're skilled at roasting a whole lamb. Show off your skills today!" Jiao Long nodded.

"Instructor, they also brought dozens of jars of wine. It's freezing cold, shouldn't the soldiers have some to warm themselves up?" the quartermaster asked cautiously.

Jiao Long frowned, then relaxed his grip; "Alright! There are no combat missions tomorrow, so let the soldiers have a little drink! Two ounces each, no more."

"Thank you, Instructor!" the quartermaster said with a beaming smile. He loved this dish, and with such good food today, how could there be no wine? But the instructor was too strict; without his order, no one dared to sneak a drink.

Jiao Long began inspecting the camp. The soldiers had already started making their beds.

The old barracks already had a large communal sleeping area, and the county magistrate had replaced it with new straw mats beforehand. Everyone only needed to tidy up a bit and lay out their own blankets to move in.

The soldiers had sealed the cracks in the wall with mud, and the temperature inside the room was alright. If everyone huddled together, it shouldn't be too cold.

A makeshift kitchen had been set up, and the cooks were preparing to start the fire. The quartermaster and several soldiers were slaughtering a sheep, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Upon seeing Jiao Long approach, the soldiers straightened up.

Jiao Long glanced at it twice without saying anything, nodded, and walked away.

"What kind of things did you send over? Instructor, what are we having for dinner tonight?" As soon as Jiao Long entered the company headquarters, Company Commander Mo Biao asked.

"There's pork, there's lamb, and some wine. I've asked the quartermaster to slaughter the lamb; we'll have roast whole lamb and braised pork with potatoes tonight."

"Fine! I'm so tired of eating nothing but steamed buns while traveling every day! Hahaha!"

"Company commander, we've already done the best. We've traveled the whole way by boat; who knows how far the other companies have gotten?"

"Hahaha! Isn't that because I'm smart? I knew we were going to be out suppressing bandits, so I studied the map thoroughly long ago. I volunteered to come to Xintai County, the furthest one, and the battalion commander even praised me!" Mo Biao laughed triumphantly.

The company commander looked burly and imposing, but he was quite shrewd. This was beneficial to the entire company, so Jiao Long couldn't say anything.

As dusk approached, the sky remained a clear blue, a stark contrast to the snow that hadn't fallen for the past few days. A delicious aroma wafted through the barracks; the soldiers were already waiting for their meal. After a long journey and so much work at the camp, everyone was starving.

As soon as the bugle sounded, the soldiers lined up to get their meals. Zhang Tieniu also led his squad in queuing.

Company Commander Mo Biao and the political instructor stood expressionless to the side, watching the soldiers get their meals. According to the military regulations established by Shen Da, officers below the company level must eat and live with the soldiers, and must always be the last to get their meals.

Although everyone knew there was roast lamb, Zhang Tieniu still couldn't help but swallow hard when he saw the large piece of lamb chop in the bowl. While the food in the army was good, lamb was still a rare treat.

Especially this fragrant whole roasted lamb!

Carrying his tray, Zhang Tieniu arrived at his class's dining area. Because there weren't enough tables, the cooks had provided some wooden planks, which they placed on wooden shelves to serve as tables.

Zhang Tieniu picked up the bamboo cup and took a small sip. The wine was good, indeed, mellow and smooth. He took a bite of the lamb chop; it was fragrant but not dry. He'd heard the quartermaster could roast a whole lamb; his skills were truly excellent.

After all the soldiers had finished eating, Mo Biao and Jiao Long went over.

"Company Commander, Political Instructor, how about trying my cooking?" The quartermaster personally sliced ​​a large plate of mutton off the grill and placed it in front of the two men.

Jiao Long saw that there was still quite a bit of meat on the roasted lamb skeleton, so he remained silent. Mo Biao nodded approvingly. "Fatty Li, your family's culinary skills are really good. I'm in for a treat today!"

After Zhang Tieniu finished eating quickly, he led four soldiers to relieve the guard.

"When did they arrive?" Zhang Tieniu asked, looking at the people gathered outside the camp gate.

"Squad leader, they've been here since the cooks started preparing food. At first, there were only a few kids, but then this many gradually gathered. They didn't say a word, they just stayed outside. We chased them away for a while, and then they came back!" said a soldier on guard.

Zhang Tieniu nodded without saying anything. After arranging the new sentries, he led the relieved soldiers back.

"Report!" Zhang Tieniu stood at attention and said as he approached the company commander and political instructor.

"Tie Niu! What's the matter?" Mo Biao put down his lamb chop and took the handkerchief handed to him by the guard to wipe his hands. Jiao Long also stopped eating and looked at Zhang Tie Niu.

"Reporting to the company commander and political instructor! There are quite a few starving people outside the camp gate. Could we give them our leftover vegetable soup?"

Mo Biao didn't say anything, but glanced at Jiao Long!

"Okay! After the soldiers finish eating, the leftover soup can be given to them. But not the grain!" Jiao Long said after considering for a moment.

"Have the cooks gather everyone together and take charge of distributing the food. You take a few soldiers and keep order. Don't let anything happen!"

"Yes!" Zhang Tieniu raised his hand and saluted.

After the soldiers finished eating, the cook poured the remaining half-bucket of vegetable soup into a large iron pot and started cooking it. Then he poured in a bucket of water, and then poured the leftover bones from the swill bucket into the pot.

After the water boiled, the cook grabbed two handfuls of salt and threw them in. He then secretly took a few steamed buns, tore them into pieces, and put them in as well. Zhang Tieniu quickly turned his head away, pretending not to see.