Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Stewed vegetables in a big pot is a very hearty and simple dish. It's not fancy or fancy; all sorts of ingredients are thrown into the pot and simmered for several hours. It's simple and filling.

Whether served with rice or steamed buns, it's absolutely delicious.

"I wonder how many soldiers Zheng Quan will bring out for me tomorrow..." Shen Qing couldn't help but feel a little excited.

The more people she brings out, the faster she can complete her mission.

Just thinking about it makes me look forward to it.

One night passed.

Shen Qing slowly got up, and as soon as he stepped out of the tent, Zhang San and Li Si eagerly came to greet him.

"Madam Shen, have you rested well? What are we having for dinner today?"

"Madam Shen, are you getting ready to cook? My brother and I can help you."

The anticipation in Zhang San and Li Si's eyes was almost overflowing.

They ate the meat porridge cooked by the cook yesterday, and to be honest, it was just so-so, very so-so. It was no different from what the cooks in the Song family army made, and it didn't have that fragrant aroma at all.

Today they must try the delicious food made by Madam Shen!

Shen Qing was quite impressed with the two soldiers.

Not only because the two of them came on their own initiative, but also because they looked so silly.

"Today we're having a big pot of stew."

"The cook helps me with the cooking, so I don't need you."

"You should follow Zhou Wentong's arrangements."

A big pot of stew!!

Zhang San and Li Si's eyes shone brightly.

They often ate stewed vegetables in large pots in the military camp.

A big pot is used to cook vegetables, meat, and flatbread. The stew is tender and soft. Although the taste isn't great, it's still satisfying to eat.

However, the stew made by Madam Shen is definitely different from ordinary stew.

"Madam Shen, we can help you make a stew. General Zhou said we're not needed for the time being," Zhang Sanxing said eagerly.

Li Si echoed, "I can see it all. General Zhou dislikes us. Madam Shen, let us follow you. You can use us as cooks."

Shen Qing: "..."

Was Zhou Wentong's disdain so obvious?

"Well...you two can serve rice to everyone later."

Shen Qing thought about it for a while and realized that this was the simplest thing to do.

Starting a fire and chopping vegetables are not suitable for these two laymen; they might cause some trouble.

Serving rice is something that usually doesn't go wrong.

"The stew is forty coins a serving, you two don't need to pay, but you might have to eat it last, is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang San and Li Si nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, okay."

"Thank you so much, Madam Shen! Thank you so much, Madam Shen! We'll definitely do our best!"

Forty coins wasn't a small sum, and they were more than happy to eat for free.

Shen Qing nodded, tidied up and prepared for a while, and then began to cook the stew in a large pot.

She gathered all the cooks together to prepare the ingredients.

Tear the Chinese cabbage into large pieces by hand, separating the leaves from the stalks.

Cut the tofu into cubes, the potatoes into chunks, and the glass noodles into soft water.

Cut the pork belly into thick slices, soak the wood ear mushrooms until soft, and tear them into small pieces.

Chop some more minced meat, add some scallions, ginger, garlic, and starch, and fry it in oil to make small meatballs.

Once these preparations are complete, you can officially begin making the stew.

Heat a large pot, add oil, then add the pork belly slices and stir-fry slowly until the surface of the pork slices curls slightly, while a layer of pork fat will also be rendered at the bottom of the pot.

Now add Sichuan peppercorns and star anise to sauté until fragrant, then add scallions, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of white pepper powder, and stir-fry quickly.

Before long, the aroma of pork and the spiciness of white pepper wafted out.

Add the prepared potatoes and cabbage stalks, stir-fry with soy sauce to color them, and when they are almost done, pour in hot water, making sure the hot water completely covers the ingredients.

After 15 minutes, add the wood ear mushrooms, tofu, glass noodles, and small meatballs and continue to simmer.

When the glass noodles become translucent, add cabbage leaves, sprinkle with salt and white pepper, stir well, and cook for a little while longer until the cabbage leaves soften. Then it's ready to serve.

"It smells so good! Can we serve the rice now?" Zhang San sniffed and rubbed his hands, unable to look away.

Li Si squinted, wiping his drool incessantly: "How can there be such a fragrant stew? My God, I'm so hungry, I can't take it anymore..."

Shen Qing calmly said, "You two, one of you collect the money and the other serves the food. You can choose who collects the money and who serves the food."

"I'll serve the food!" Li Si hurriedly said.

Zhang San: "I'll serve!"

"I spoke first, so I'll do it!"

Zhang San took a step closer to Shen Qing: "Li Si is unreliable, Madam Shen, choose me! I'll serve the food!"

"Zhang Sancai is unreliable. Not only is he unreliable, but he also always comes up with crooked ideas—" Li Si retorted.

"Madam Shen, Li Si is talking nonsense. You have to believe me. I will definitely try my best to serve the rice!"

"Madam Shen, look at me!"

"..."

The two started arguing again.

Shen Qing sighed: "Why don't you two just quit..."

It would be the same to have the cook do it.

"No way!" This time, Zhang San and Li Si said in unison.

Zhang San's eyes darted around: "Let's play rock-paper-scissors, the loser gets to serve the rice."

"become!"

"I want to use a stone," Zhang San said again.

Li Si: "???"

What does that mean? Is it true or false?

Zhang San throws a stone, what should he throw? Oh no, my brain is about to explode.

Isn't this bullying?!

"Rock, paper, scissors—" Zhang San shouted suddenly, giving Li Si no time to react.

Li Si clenched his fist, still racking his brains.

Looking down, good heavens, Zhang San had chosen paper.

"I won! I'll serve the rice!!" Zhang San's excited voice rang out.

Li Si: "..."

He hasn't figured it out yet; he hasn't even submitted his application.

"A bet's a bet, otherwise none of us can help Madam Shen," Zhang San said again, this was entirely to shut Li Si up.

Li Si was already exhausted. There was nothing he could do; it was his slow mind that made him so weak.

"Hmph, I was just letting you have your way!"

As long as there's something to eat in the end, that's fine.

Seeing that Zhang San and Li Si had made their decisions using such a strange method, Shen Qing didn't say anything more.

I wonder when Li Si will realize that Zhang San originally said the loser would serve the rice.

She scooped herself a large bowlful and then handed the spoon to Zhang San.

"Today's offering is a large pot of stew, forty coins per serving," Shen Qing called out in a drawn-out voice.

In fact, the soldiers had already formed a whole circle, but no one dared to line up.

They were all waiting for the emperor.

Soon, Zhao Gou pulled the emperor out, and Zhang San also picked up a spoon, drooling as he scooped rice.

......

On the city wall, Zheng Quan was already extremely anxious.