allonlinenovel Chapter 316 Dinner Party
Chapter 316 Dinner Party
Inside the tent, the dim light made her expression look even more solemn. The matter had come to an end for the time being, but she knew in her heart that the most urgent task was to leave Donghai Island as soon as possible.
She paced back and forth in the tent, thinking about the next plan in her mind: she had to quickly find all the herbs to cure the poison in Chu Lingfeng's body. After completing this transaction, she would devote herself to investigating the case of the general's mansion being wiped out twenty years ago.
As one of the only two orphans left in the general's mansion, she is well aware of the responsibilities she shoulders. To avenge her relatives is her unshirkable mission in this life.
On the other hand, Li Yuanhong had been stranded on Donghai Island for quite some time.
He had tried everything these days, but couldn't find a way to get close to Chu Lingfeng. Watching the sunrise and sunset on the island every day, his patience gradually wore thin. Finally, he proposed to Chen Yue the idea of leaving.
Upon learning this, Chen Yue was filled with gratitude. After all, Li Yuanhong had led his men to defeat the pirates and relieve the urgent need on Donghai Island, a favor he would always cherish. To express his gratitude, Chen Yue decided to throw a lavish banquet to see Li Yuanhong off.
"Old Li, listen carefully!" In the kitchen of the military camp, the air was steaming hot and everyone was busy preparing lunch.
Chen Yue's personal guard, Li Zhong, rushed in and shouted to Chef Xie, "The General is hosting a banquet for Lord Li, Lord Chen, and Patriarch Xiang tonight. This meal is incredibly important! You must use all your best skills to prepare a table of delicious dishes that everyone will rave about. Don't embarrass the General!"
When Xie Tao heard this, his already wrinkled brows instantly twisted into the shape of the Chinese character "川".
He was muttering to himself: My cooking skills are only at the home-style level. The meals I make on weekdays can only fill people's stomachs. How can it compare with those restaurant chefs? This request from Li Qinwei is simply deliberately making things difficult for him.
Besides, Lord Li and his men came from Kyoto. What kind of place is Kyoto? It's incredibly prosperous, and they've eaten all kinds of delicacies. How could they look down on the food made in their remote village?
As Xie Tao thought about this, his discontent grew more apparent. He glanced at Li Zhong and said with a bitter face, "Master Li, you're putting me in a difficult position! With my limited skills, there's no way I could possibly cook a meal that would satisfy those distinguished guests! Please spare me! Can you please find someone else?"
Li Zhong was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, and his brows were twisted into a knot.
He knew in his heart that Lord Li was a distinguished guest from the capital, the capital of the emperor. If he was allowed to eat from the same pot as ordinary soldiers, wouldn't that be a slap in the face of the general? How would he survive in the officialdom in the future?
"Thank you, Chef. Just think of it as saving me!" Li Zhong clasped his hands together and said almost pleadingly, "This dinner is too important to the general. The general specifically ordered it. If it fails, it will be a huge loss of face. Please think of another way. I beg you!" Li Zhong's tone was sincere and eager, his eyes full of expectation.
Xie Tao sighed helplessly, his face filled with bitterness. He wiped his greasy hands with his apron and said with a wry smile, "Sir Li, I, Old Xie, have worked in the kitchen of this military camp for most of my life, making simple meals. But cooking for a noble from the capital is truly beyond my comprehension! My cooking skills are only passable here on this island. If I serve it to a noble, won't I be laughed to death?"
He waved his hands repeatedly, with a firm attitude, and was unwilling to take on this hot potato.
Li Zhong looked at the stubborn Xie Tao and turned around in circles, muttering, "What should I do? What should I do..."
This matter may seem insignificant, but if it is not handled properly, the general will blame him, and he will not be able to bear the consequences. It may also affect the general's career. This is no small matter.
On the side, Chu Lingfeng was adding firewood to the stove, the firelight reflected on his face red. He didn't want to get involved in these things. In his opinion, pleasing Lord Li had nothing to do with him as an exile. He just wanted to spend every day quietly in the kitchen of this military camp.
But fate always seems to like to play tricks on people. He doesn't want to cause trouble, but trouble comes to him.
Xie Tao lowered his head and paced back and forth in a distracted manner. When he turned around, his eyes fell on Chu Lingfeng's face.
In an instant, he seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
Yes! Chu Lingfeng was exiled from the capital. Although he is now a poor prisoner, he has lived in the capital and is definitely more knowledgeable than us, the unsophisticated people who have never seen the world.
"Xiao Chu!" Xie Tao took a few steps towards Chu Lingfeng and excitedly grabbed his shoulders with both hands. "You are from the capital, so you must know what those nobles like to eat. Quick, give us some ideas. What should we do for this dinner?"
Chu Lingfeng was startled by this sudden action and almost dropped the firewood in his hand.
He slowly raised his head, looked at Xie Tao's anxious expression, then looked at Li Zhong who was standing beside him with a face full of anticipation, and sighed inwardly.
He calmly put the firewood in his hand away, patted the dust off his hands, and then spoke slowly: "Master Li, Mr. Xie, listen to me, the capital is rich and prosperous, and Master Li is a close minister of the emperor. He usually eats delicacies from land and sea. Even if we use all our skills, the food we make may not be as good as the food in the capital."
He paused slightly, his eyes sweeping over the two of them, and continued, "But our Donghai Island has its own unique characteristics. We live by the mountains and eat the land, and by the sea. The seafood and mountain products here are all fresh and authentic."
"Instead of trying to imitate Kyoto cuisine, why not revamp our island's specialties and add a few simple side dishes unique to the military camp? This will demonstrate our sincerity and allow Lord Li to taste a different flavor."
Chu Lingfeng's words were well-reasoned. Xie Tao and Li Zhong were stunned at first, then they looked at each other and saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
Li Zhong nodded repeatedly, a pleased smile on his face. "Yeah, why didn't I think of that? You're really smart, Xiao Chu. Let's do as you say and entertain Lord Li with the specialties of our East Sea Island. I guarantee he'll be impressed!"
Xie Tao also nodded in agreement, his frown finally relaxing. "Xiao Chu, thanks to you, otherwise my old head really wouldn't be able to figure it out. Let's make our best seafood feast and pair it with a few pickled vegetables from the barracks. It will definitely be a good idea!"
Looking at the two people's excited expressions, Chu Lingfeng's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a barely perceptible smile, and continued to lower his head to add firewood to the stove, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.
But he knew in his heart that his idea might change the direction of tonight's dinner, and it might also bring unexpected changes to himself...