My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 802 The Navy’s Perfect Match

Zhu Zhanhe made four dishes and one soup, among which the two dishes and one soup made with tomatoes were the most popular. Chang Sining, Sun Ruowei and Helen all praised it.

But for the two dishes made with chili peppers, except for Helen who took a few bites and then gave up because of the spicy food, only Chang Sining took a few bites and then did not dare to eat them again. As for Sun Ruowei, she had a psychological shadow on the chili peppers. , and would not try it anyway.

In the end, Zhu Zhanhe had no choice but to eat all the two chili dishes by himself. Although he was sweating profusely and his lips were red from the spicy food, he was still very satisfied.

The first batch of tomatoes and peppers were ripe and harvested. In addition to saving seeds and eating them himself, Zhu Zhanhe sent the remaining tomatoes to the palace for Zhu Gaogao and Queen Wei to try.

As for chili peppers, the initial acceptance is still not high, but it doesn’t matter. The hot weather here in Dahan affects people’s appetite. Chili peppers have an appetizing effect. I believe it won’t be long before chili peppers will be accepted by more people.

So Zhu Zhanhe asked people to make chili sauce from the remaining chili peppers, put them into glass bottles, and sent some to some relatives and friends. He also told them that this was a new condiment and let them try it.

What Zhu Zhanhe didn't expect was that not long after he sent the chili sauce out, Zhang Zhong suddenly returned to Xijing from Beizhenggang, went to him directly and said, "Zhanhe, that chili sauce of yours is still good." How many are there and can they be supplied on a large scale?”

After Zhang Zhong accompanied Zhu Yong to conquer Egypt last time, he left part of the navy to guard Egypt, and then he led most of the navy back. After all, as the naval governor, Zhang Zhong's main task was to guard the coast of the Han Dynasty.

"Supply on a large scale? Brother Zhang, even if you like the taste of chili, you can't eat that much, right?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked in surprise when he heard this.

As a good friend of Zhu Zhanhe, Zhang Zhong naturally received several bottles of chili sauce from him.

"Of course I can't eat it. Then I have tens of thousands of navy officers under my command, and they are all waiting for the chili sauce to be eaten!"

Zhang Zhong clapped his hands and said eagerly again.

"Isn't that right? I only gave you a few bottles of chili sauce. How come the entire navy knows about it?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked in confusion after hearing this.

"Zhan Heyou doesn't know that you gave me ten bottles of chili sauce. I tasted it and thought it tasted good, so except for two bottles, I gave the rest to a few of my soldiers. As a result, these soldiers tasted After that, they all liked it very much and asked me where they could buy it, but it’s impossible to buy it on the market!”

At the end of Zhang Zhong's speech, he spread his hands with helplessness on his face.

"Admirals actually like chili peppers?"

Zhu Zhanhe was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then he came to his senses.

The treatment of the current navy is far inferior to that of later generations. Among other things, there are no refrigerators on the current ships, and many foods cannot be stored for a long time. In addition, after going to sea, there is rarely even time to make a fire for cooking, so most of them Most of the navy, including those maritime merchants, could only eat dry food to satisfy their hunger.

After the navy goes to sea, it usually takes as little as half a month, sometimes even several months, to enter the river mouth to rest and recuperate. It takes several months to eat dry food. Just thinking about it is terrifying.

Now there is chili sauce, which is very stimulating to people's taste buds and has a strong appetizing effect. Even if it is applied to dry food, it can make people appetite. Even if the food has spoiled, chili sauce can cover up the spoilage. The taste can make people eat it. After all, after going to sea, it is good to fill the stomach. Not to mention the food has spoiled, sometimes even some rancid food has to be swallowed.

Therefore, chili sauce is a perfect match for the navy. They need this pungent condiment so much. “This is an oversight on my part, the navy’s food options are still too limited!”

Zhu Zhanhe sighed and said to himself.

He was too preoccupied with asking his men to study steam engines and new gunpowder, which had a huge impact on social change, but he forgot to study some new inventions that were more common and could even be used both military and civilian.

"Zhanhe, don't just be in a daze. How much of this chili sauce do you still have? Can you give it all to our navy?"

Zhang Zhong saw Zhu Zhanhe lowered his head and said nothing, so he asked again.

Their navy was no better than their army, and they had too little food to eat after going to sea. Therefore, he did not hesitate to come to Zhu Zhanhe in person to ask for this chili sauce.

"Brother Zhang, you don't know something. This kind of pepper is a specialty of the Americas. My third uncle sent people to the Americas before, and I cut off the seeds he brought back. I just planted a batch of peppers this year, and the yield is very limited, and most of them are They are all left to be used as seeds.”

Zhu Zhanhe explained helplessly.

In fact, the yield of pepper is quite high, and after a pepper grows, it will continue to bloom and bear fruit. Especially in the hot climate of Tianzhu, the yield is amazing, but the main reason is because the seeds are limited, so we have to wait until next year. can be planted on a large scale.

"It turns out it's something from America. No wonder I've never eaten it before!"

Zhang Zhong was also greatly surprised when he heard this. He was one of the first people to know about America, and he was in charge of the navy. He had also thought about sending people to explore America, but unfortunately it was too far away. Zhu Zhanhe gave Zhu Zhanqi two The boats were also transferred from the navy.

"Well, I still have dozens of bottles of chili sauce in my hand. You can take them back later and let the navy generals have a taste first. Next year, I will have people grow chili peppers on a large scale and supply them to your navy first!"

Zhu Zhanhe finally assured that the navy was the foundation of the Han Dynasty. Except for the hardship of eating, other treatment was better than that of the army. Only the artillerymen in the army could compare with the treatment of the navy.

"Great, then I'll let them endure it for another year!"

Zhang Zhong immediately agreed. After all, he could understand Zhu Zhanhe's difficulties. Without chili peppers, he couldn't make chili sauce out of thin air.

"Not just chili sauce, I will ask people to study the storage of food next, and try to store the food for a longer period of time. By then, even if you go to sea for a few months, you will be able to eat fruits and delicious dishes."

Zhu Zhanhe laughed and said again.

The combat effectiveness of the army is not only reflected in weapons and equipment. Logistics supplies are also one of the guarantees of the military's combat effectiveness.

"How many months can you still eat fruit after being at sea? Zhanhe, are you kidding me?"

Zhang Zhong asked with suspicion after hearing this. Although he had always believed in Zhu Zhanhe's talent, these words were too outrageous. It's not that their navy has never thought of ways to preserve food, but even dry food can only be stored for several months. Mold grows, and only some pickles and bacon can be preserved for a long time, but the taste is really hard to describe.

(End of this chapter)