Border Cook

This was one of the political achievements made by Zhang Heming, the prefect in Changzhou City. Zhang Heming felt at ease and relieved because of it, but he also did not forget Xia Mingyue, the great contributor.

Needless to say, Zhang Heming provided Xia Mingyue with food and clothing on a daily basis. Even in the report on the government affairs of Changzhou Prefecture submitted to the higher-ups, he spared no effort in writing a lot and described Xia Mingyue's contributions clearly.

Although doing so would not help Xia Mingyue, as a woman, obtain certain official positions and honors, but it would be a welcome thing to be recognized by the Emperor or the Empress again and let Xia Mingyue's good name live on forever.

Zhang Heming thought so.

As for Xia Mingyue, seeing that the Wufu Workshop was on the right track and everything was proceeding in an orderly manner according to the established rules and regulations, she discussed with Zhang Heming about saying goodbye and returning home.

Zhang Heming naturally did not try to stop him, but he also said tactfully, "If Madam Xia has time, you should come here more often."

Although the Wufu Workshop does not need Xia Mingyue to keep an eye on it all the time in terms of technology and processes, Xia Mingyue is the backbone of the Wufu Workshop and the source of their faith.

If Xia Mingyue could come here more often, the spirit of the Wufu workshop would naturally be different.

"Definitely." Xia Mingyue agreed with a smile, "Let's not talk about Wufu Workshop for now. I'm also thinking about Xia's place. Changzhou Prefecture and Jinqiu County are close, so it's convenient to travel back and forth. I can't help but come here often."

"That's good, that's good." Zhang Heming felt relieved, but he did not forget to remind her, "But Madam Xia, you don't need to squeeze out time deliberately, just come when you are free, so as to avoid the hard work along the way, which will make Madam Xia even more busy and tired."

"Of course, Master Zhang, don't worry."

After this was settled, Xia Mingyue stayed at the Wufu workshop every day for the next few days, from morning till night.

Firstly, to check for omissions and make up for any shortcomings, and before she leaves for a short time, to rectify as many unreasonable aspects as possible in the Wufu Workshop.

Secondly, Xia Mingyue is the spiritual pillar of Wufu Workshop, and for Xia Mingyue, Wufu Workshop is also an achievement in her heart, so when it comes to Wufu Workshop, she also has a full sense of honor and wants to stay in Wufu Workshop as much as possible.

But as for the fact that she was going back to Jinqiu County, she did not tell others about it in a big way. Zhang Heming and Manager Wu also understood and did not publicize it too much. They only went to see Xia Mingyue off in person on the day of her departure.

This was not a permanent separation, and reunion was not out of reach, so the people who came to see her off did not show too much sadness. They only wished Xia Mingyue a safe journey and urged her to come to Changzhou City more often.

Xia Mingyue responded with a smile and chatted with everyone for a long time. When the sun was high in the sky, she officially set off for Jinqiu County.

Those who returned to Jinqiu County were still the people who came to Changzhou Prefecture together. They either rode horses or took carriages, and they chatted and laughed while enjoying the picturesque late autumn scenery on both sides of the official road.

At noon, when we passed by a food stall on the official road, we stopped and had a simple lunch.

The food stall was at the entrance of the village, next to the official road. There were a few tables set up in a simple thatched shed. Xia Mingyue and her group were quite large in number, and they almost filled all the tables at the snack stall.

When the shop owner saw that a big business had come in, he was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He greeted the customers warmly, served them hot tea, and asked what they wanted to eat.

It was a simple food stall with not many choices. After Xia Mingyue asked briefly, she asked the store owner to cook two or three of their specialties for each table, and a bowl of noodles for each person. "Okay." Seeing that everyone was very easy to talk to, the store owner was even happier and said, "Our stir-fried green bean sprouts are delicious, and we'll also have some stir-fried meat. The tofu is even more delicious. We use tofu from the Wufu Workshop in Changzhou Prefecture. Let's make a homemade tofu dish as well."

"Okay." Xia Mingyue agreed with a smile. When she heard that the tofu was from Wufu Workshop, she asked with a smile, "Do you sell tofu from Wufu Workshop here?"

This place is located almost in the middle of Changzhou Prefecture and Jinqiu County. It takes nearly two hours to get here by horse carriage. If it is taken by ox cart or on foot, it will take even longer.

In a place like this, there was actually tofu from Wufu Workshop for sale, which was truly beyond Xia Mingyue's understanding.

"Yes." The shopkeeper straightened his back. "We buy the goods before daybreak. Don't worry, sir. The tofu we sell here is guaranteed to be from Wufu Workshop. It is absolutely delicious and we will never cheat you!"

"If that's the case, then we must try it. Thank you for your help, owner."

"You are welcome, sir." The shopkeeper smiled. "Please wait for a moment, the dishes will be served immediately."

Then, he went into the kitchen and asked his wife to help him get busy.

All kinds of ingredients were prepared. One was cooking vegetables while the other was boiling noodles. The couple worked in perfect harmony and in a short time, all the food was served.

The stir-fried bean sprouts look fresh, the leeks are emerald green, the eggs are tender yellow, and the stir-fried pork is stir-fried with sauce, with alternating fat and lean meat, bright colors, and just the right amount of saltiness.

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The most eye-catching thing is the home-made tofu mentioned by the store owner. It is a home-made tofu cooked with scallions. It requires some skill in tossing the wok. The tofu slices are intact, the surface is covered with batter, and finally a little sesame oil is drizzled on it. It looks very bright and fresh. When you take a bite, it is tender and delicious, and your mouth is full of fragrance.

Xia Mingyue ate a piece of tofu and couldn't help nodding repeatedly, "Yes, it is indeed the tofu from Wufu Workshop. The shop owner's craftsmanship is good and it tastes good."

What a cook likes to hear most is when diners praise his cooking skills. When the shop owner hears this, he smiles so much that his eyes disappear and he thanks them repeatedly. He then quickly serves a few bowls of noodle soup so that everyone can have a sip of hot noodle soup after finishing their meal, which not only relieves the greasiness but also makes them feel comfortable.

Xia Mingyue and her group had been traveling for half a day and were feeling bored and hungry. It was very comfortable for them to have a proper lunch. They could also take this opportunity to rest and stretch their legs.

While we were eating, new customers came to the food stall.

There were four people in the group, two middle-aged men who looked like a couple, and two little girls, the older one was fourteen or fifteen, and the younger one was eleven or twelve. They had some similarities in their eyes and eyebrows, so they seemed to be sisters.

The three women were carrying small bags on their backs, while the middle-aged man was carrying a shoulder pole with bamboo baskets hanging on both ends, which seemed to contain various luggage items.

Judging from the appearance, it looks like a family of four is on a journey.

The four of them obviously wanted to eat here, but seeing that Xia Mingyue and her group had basically occupied most of the tables and chairs on the food stall, with no extra tables left, they decided to leave. (End of this chapter)