Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 95

Chapter 95

 

In recent years, the border has been restless. Take last year, for example, when Zhao Beichuan was conscripted for labor. Originally, he was assigned to build a tomb but ended up being dragged off to deliver provisions. Along the way, they encountered barbarians, and he nearly lost his life.

 

If it hadn’t been for Zhao Beichuan unexpectedly pulling the enemy commander off his horse, everyone might have died there.

 

Currently, while there are no major wars on the border, skirmishes occur constantly. What’s most needed in war? Aside from provisions, it’s medicine.

 

Lu Yao had a method for purifying alcohol. Once this technique reached the hands of Prince Zhenbei(basically the one who is controlling the northern army), he would quickly understand its value after a single use.

 

If they could align themselves with Prince Zhenbei through this, they would no longer need to worry about being controlled by others.

 

However, this matter required the right timing, location, and human support. Whether it succeeded would depend on fate.

 

The method for producing alcohol was simple: use distillation to refine high-concentration alcohol. To create around 75% medical-grade alcohol, a simple hydrometer could be fashioned to measure the concentration.

 

During a past epidemic, Lu Yao had made one at home. The method was straightforward: with a straw and a small screw, a simple hydrometer could be made. While there were no plastic straws in ancient times, thin bamboo tubes would work just as well. With accurate density measurements, alcohol concentrations between 70% and 78% could be achieved.

 

Without delay, Lu Yao used two vats of liquor to distill more than half a vat of alcohol.

 

Some of this alcohol was stored in sealed water pouches and sent to Captain Ge at the military camp through Zhao Beichuan. The rest was kept in reserve for emergencies.

 

When Zhao Beichuan delivered the alcohol to the military camp, he happened to catch Ge and his troops preparing to rotate to the border.

 

Rows of soldiers in armor stood in disciplined lines, marching toward the northern gate.

 

“Captain Ge!”

 

Hearing the call, Ge turned his head and saw Zhao Beichuan. Urging his horse forward, he asked, “Beichuan, what brings you here?”

 

“My husband made some wound medicine and asked me to deliver it. It’s made with strong liquor and works wonders when applied to injuries.”

 

Ge took it, nodding. “Thank you.”

 

“I hope for your safe return.”

 

Ge nodded again, turned his horse, and barked, “Move faster in the back! Don’t delay!”

 

Zhao Beichuan stepped aside, watching the long procession leave the city.

 

Suddenly remembering that the restaurant was open for business today, he worried about delaying the customers’ dishes and quickly ran back.

 

Though the restaurant had been closed for some time, Lu Yao hadn’t been idle. While Zhao Beichuan was recovering, he went to a blacksmith’s shop and had six copper pots custom-made.

 

Although the pots were heavier than expected (each weighing 20 pounds), the idea of serving hot pot was finally achievable.

 

Today marked the first day serving hot pot. Early in the morning, Lu Yao called a hawker, gave him some coins, and asked him to help spread the word in the streets.

 

The hawker, experienced in this line of work, had developed a side business ever since taking on Lu Yao’s first job advertising the restaurant’s opening.

 

“Shopkeeper Lu, what’s the announcement today?”

 

“Lu’s Restaurant has a new menu item today: copper pot hot pot, delicious and affordable!”

 

“That’s all?”

 

Lu Yao nodded. “That’s all. If business does well, there’s a bonus.”

 

The hawker grinned. Last time, Shopkeeper Lu had given him an additional 200 wen as a tip. He eagerly picked up his carrying pole and shouted as he walked, “Lu’s Restaurant, new today: copper pot hot pot, delicious and affordable—”

 

A passerby called out, “Hey, young man, what’s this copper pot hot pot?”

 

The hawker laughed, “How would I know? Sir, why don’t you go see for yourself? I’m just announcing it.”

 

Intrigued, the man decided to head toward Lu’s Restaurant.

 

Because Lu’s Restaurant already had a good reputation, business was booming today. Most of the patrons were regulars, and hearing about a new dish made them eager to try it.

 

Lu Yao quickly arranged tables. Even before noon, most of them were already occupied.

 

There were three soup bases for the hot pot: chicken broth, pickled cabbage soup, and fish soup.

 

Chicken broth was made from stewing old hens, with the grease skimmed off, leaving a slightly yellow, clear, and richly flavored soup. The pickled cabbage soup was prepared by shredding pickled cabbage and adding it to the broth, resulting in a tangy and appetizing flavor. The fish soup was made by pan-frying small carp and then simmering them into a creamy white broth.

 

The chicken broth base cost 30 wen, the pickled cabbage base 20 wen, and the fish soup base 30 wen.

 

Ingredients for the hot pot included napa cabbage hearts, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, tofu, tofu skin, pork blood, tripe, omasum, and pre-sliced fresh lamb and pork.

 

Vegetarian platters cost 20 wen each, offal platters 30 wen, pork platters 40 wen, and lamb platters 60 wen, with each platter containing around half a pound of ingredients.

 

Sauces like sesame paste, minced garlic, and chive flower paste were complimentary and available with the soup base.

 

When Master Cao arrived, the place was packed. Glancing around, he saw mostly familiar faces.

 

Someone waved him over. “Master Cao, join our table!”

 

“Master Cao, we have space here, come over!”

 

An old friend of his, Qu Tian, pulled him to his reserved table. “I knew you’d come, so I didn’t even bother sending someone to call you.”

 

Master Cao laughed heartily, clasping his hands in greeting to the surrounding tables. “Thanks, everyone! Let’s eat together next time!”

 

Soon, the staff began bringing out pots filled with soup bases.

 

Xiao Nian followed alongside, directing, “This table ordered the fish broth.” Lu Jia placed the fish broth pot down.

 

“This table ordered the chicken broth.” Lu Yi set the chicken broth pot down.

 

After serving everyone, only two tables hadn’t ordered hot pot and craned their necks to see what the fuss was about.

 

Next came the ingredient orders. Since the selection was limited and the pricing straightforward, it was quick to decide.

 

Master Cao, holding the menu, laughed and asked, “Little Shopkeeper, what would you recommend for a group of five?”

 

Xiao Nian replied, “For five people, I suggest starting with two lamb platters, two pork platters, one vegetarian platter, and one offal platter.”

 

Qu Tian, seated nearby, asked skeptically, “Offal platter? Can it taste good?”

 

“Try it out. The Little Shopkeeper’s recommendations never miss.”

 

Xiao Nian quickly jotted down their order, and the neighboring tables followed suit, ordering similarly. Smaller groups ordered fewer plates of meat, while larger groups added more.

 

As they waited for the food, Xiao Chun carried in red-hot charcoal, swiftly adding it to the bases of the pots. The broth began to boil, releasing a mouthwatering aroma.

 

The two tables that hadn’t ordered hot pots grew anxious, quickly calling over the shopkeeper to ask if they could still order one.

 

Lu Yao apologized sincerely, “I’m really sorry. We only have six pots available. If you’d like to try it next time, I’ll waive the broth charge for you.”

 

Hearing this, the customers relented. The shopkeeper was a reasonable man, so they decided they’d come back next time to give it a try.

 

Before long, the vegetable and meat dishes were brought out one after another. The ceramic plates were large, and the meat looked fresh, clearly just cut. However, no one had eaten like this before. They stared blankly at the boiling pots, unsure how to begin.

 

Carrying a pot of wine, Lu Yao walked over to Fifth Master Cao’s table. “Thank you, Fifth Master, for gracing us with your presence today. This wine is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won’t refuse it.”

 

Fifth Master Cao accepted it with a laugh. “Ah, Shopkeeper Lu, don’t go just yet. How exactly do we eat this?”

 

Lu Yao rolled up his sleeves, picked up a pair of chopsticks from the table, grabbed a slice of lamb, and placed it into the boiling broth. After a moment, the lamb changed color. He then dipped it into a sesame sauce and placed it into Fifth Master Cao’s bowl.

 

“Please, give it a try.”

 

Fifth Master Cao quickly put it into his mouth. The tender lamb, cooked in the chicken broth, was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The taste was unforgettable!

 

Nearby, someone swallowed hard. “How is it?”

 

Fifth Master Cao gave a thumbs-up. “Excellent!”

 

Everyone immediately picked up their chopsticks and mimicked Lu Yao, placing meat and vegetables into the pot to cook. Soon, they retrieved the food, dipped it in the sauce, and ate it with great satisfaction.

 

At first, everyone only ate meat. Then, Qu Tian placed a piece of tripe into the pot to cook briefly and tried a bite. “Oh wow!”

 

Someone nearby asked quickly, “What’s wrong?”

 

“This stuff is delicious! You all have to try it!”

 

At first, the others didn’t believe him, but seeing him go back for seconds and thirds, eating enthusiastically, they decided to give it a shot. They were immediately won over by the taste of the tripe and hundred-leaf tripe.

 

Qu Tian ate as he marveled aloud, “Shopkeeper Lu is truly a genius. How did he come up with this way of eating?”

 

“Exactly! I’ve lived half my life, and this is my first time cooking and eating meat like this. The flavor is incredible!”

 

The four plates of meat and one of offal weren’t nearly enough. They were soon empty, and Qu Tian hurriedly called over the young shopkeeper to order four more plates of meat and two more of offal.

 

Xiao Nian took note and rushed to the kitchen to place the additional order.

 

In the kitchen, several people were busy slicing meat. Zhao Beichuan and Xiao Chun, skilled with knives, worked the fastest and produced the most uniform slices. Lu Shiliu and Lu Ding weren’t bad either, but the others were slower. Lu Er, clumsy with his hands, even managed to cut his finger and was relegated to delivering dishes instead.

 

As plate after plate of lamb and pork was brought to the tables, everyone ate to their heart’s content.

 

In addition to Fifth Master Cao’s table, three others ordered wine as well. Good wine paired with good meat truly made for an indulgent experience!

 

The meal lasted over an hour. When Qu Tian got up to pay, his steps were unsteady. The strength of Lu’s wine was no joke; after just two cups, his head was already spinning.

 

Lu Yao gave him a small discount and only charged five hundred coins for the meal, not counting the wine.

 

Qu Tian handed over silver as he hiccupped, saying, “Shopkeeper, reserve a table for me… tomorrow, I’m coming back.”

 

Lu Yao took the money and smiled. “Alright, I’ll make a note for you.”

 

Behind him, Fifth Master Cao interjected, “Don’t bother noting it under his name. Put it on me. I’m hosting tomorrow. And don’t let me drink your wine for free anymore. After all, it’s still a business—you can’t keep giving it away.”

 

Lu Yao chuckled and nodded. “Alright, Fifth Master, take care.”

 

Once the customers had left, Lu Shiliu and the others hurried over to clean up the tables, as more diners were waiting.

 

They stayed busy until nearly nightfall before the shop finally cleared out. Almost all the diners had pre-booked their next meal, either for the following day or later in the week. Not a single person had anything bad to say about the food!

 

Lu Yao didn’t have time to count the day’s earnings just yet. He quickly poured himself a glass of water, having been too busy to even take a sip of hot water all day.

 

In the kitchen, Zhao Beichuan had cooked a big pot of noodle soup, dividing the remaining chicken from the broth among everyone.

 

Though the chicken had little flavor left, it was still a rare treat for the servants.

 

After eating their fill, everyone tidied up the shop and extinguished the stove fires.

 

Lu Yao took out five strings of coins and came over. “Thank you all for your hard work today. This is your reward.”

 

The group looked up in surprise. They were getting paid?

 

“Lu Shiliu, distribute this for me.”

 

“Alright…” Lu Shiliu took the heavy strings of coins and handed one to each person.

 

Holding the coins in their hands, they felt a mix of emotions.

 

Ever since they could remember, they’d been told, “You are slaves. Slaves have no freedom or possessions. Your only purpose is to obey your master. If you fail, the only outcome is death or being sold.”

 

Back then, Lu Shiliu had refused to accept this, convinced he was no less capable than the servants in the outer courtyard. Why could they earn monthly wages while he couldn’t? Why could they come and go freely while he couldn’t?

 

But there was no “why.” After talking back once, he’d been flogged ten times by the outer courtyard steward, who then held a grudge against him.

 

Later, he was sent to serve Lu Yao. Only now, holding this string of coins, did he realize: his new master treated them like people, not livestock, tools, or disposable property.

 

Tears welled up uncontrollably. He wiped his eyes, only to see Lu Jia also tearing up. The two exchanged a glance and nodded slightly, thinking the same thing: following this master was undoubtedly the right choice!

 

“Alright, go home and get some rest. There’s still work to do tomorrow.”

 

“Yes.” The group left but lingered outside, waiting until Lu Yao and his family had locked up and headed home before making their way back to the western market.

 

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan were unaware of the shift in their servants’ attitudes. They only felt that the group had become more considerate.

 

Back at home, Lu Yao lit the lamps and began counting the day’s earnings.

 

Xiao Nian and Xiao Chun handled the counting, while Lu Yao tied the coins into strings. String after string of copper coins piled up, and the small pieces of silver were weighed on a scale.

 

Today’s total revenue came to six taels of silver, plus eight strings and one hundred seventy coins. After deducting the cost of meat and vegetables (just over three strings), broth, and charcoal (three hundred coins), the net profit was nearly eleven taels!

 

Zhao Beichuan entered after feeding the mule and the dog. “How was business today?”

 

“A net profit of eleven taels!”

 

“This much?” Zhao Beichuan quickly came over to take a look and saw it was indeed close to eleven taels. “It seems everyone really likes this hot pot style of eating!”

 

Lu Yao said, “What day of the month is it today?”

 

“The sixth. Why?”

 

“I’m thinking we should go back to our hometown for the New Year next month.”

 

Hearing this, Xiao Nian jumped up excitedly. “Really? Brother-in-law, we’re really going back to Qiushui Town?”

 

“Do you want to?”

 

“I do, so much!”

 

“Then let’s set a date. Xiaochun, you’ll come with us and meet the people in our hometown.”

 

Xiaochun was delighted. He had never traveled far before. The furthest he had ever gone was from home to the broker’s office.

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “Alright, since we’ve decided to go back, I’ll look around to see if there are any secondhand carriages for sale. It’s too cold to travel such a long distance without one.”

 

“Alright.”

 

It was getting late, so Zhao Beichuan urged everyone to rest in their respective rooms. Xiaochun continued to sleep in the west room, and Lu Yao had prepared new bedding for him. Xiaonian and Xiaodou still shared the middle room, although Xiaodou only stayed there a few days each month.

 

Zhao Beichuan fetched a basin of hot water for Lu Yao to soak his feet. As soon as winter set in, Lu Yao’s hands and feet turned icy cold, and every night he would shove his feet into Zhao Beichuan’s trousers to warm up, leaving the latter shivering.

 

Lu Yao took off his shoes and sighed in relief as he soaked his feet. “We’ve saved up over 1,300 taels of silver now,” he said, a third of which came from selling wine recently.

 

“That’s quite a lot.”

 

“If it weren’t for the delays, we could’ve made even more.”

 

Zhao Beichuan consoled him, “As the saying goes, ‘Contentment brings happiness.’ We’re already much better off than before.”

 

“That’s true, but the shop is too small now.”

 

The restaurant had only eight tables. At most, one table could seat eight people. During busy hours, it got so crowded that even serving food became difficult.

 

Especially now with the addition of the hotpots—heavy and large, filled with soup and water—there was always the risk of spilling them on customers, creating trouble.

 

“How about finding a bigger place? That one restaurant, Elegant Court, closed down, didn’t it? If no one else rents it, we could take it over. The tables and chairs there would save us a lot of money.”

 

The thought of this gave Lu Yao a headache. “I’ve had my eye on Elegant Court too, but it’s not the right time yet. Jiang Ying might get upset if we expand too much. Last time, she even asked if I planned to rent that place. How could I dare to say yes? I’m afraid of angering her.”

 

Zhao Beichuan sighed, deflated. “The common folk can’t fight officials. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just make do for now.”

 

Two days later, Xiaodou had a day off. Zhao Beichuan and Lu Yao couldn’t make it that day, so they sent Lu Shiliu to pick him up.

 

Xiaodou, now familiar with him, asked, “Brother Shiliu, why didn’t my big brother and sister-in-law come today?”

 

Carrying his bag and holding his hand, Lu Shiliu replied, “The restaurant’s been busy these past few days with the new hotpot dishes. They really couldn’t spare the time.”

 

Hearing this, Xiaodou was immediately happy. If business was good, they could earn more money, and when his sister-in-law was in a good mood, everything was better.

 

The assassination attempt from before hadn’t been mentioned to him, fearing it would affect his studies.

 

When they arrived at the shop, only Xiaonian was sitting at the front, keeping accounts.

 

“Sis!”

 

“Xiaodou’s back!” Xiaonian set down her pen, walked over, and hugged her little brother. She took out some peanut candy from her pocket and handed it to him. “I got these just for you today. Have some.”

 

Xiaodou happily unwrapped one, feeding it to his sister first before eating the second himself.

 

“Where’s Brother Xiaochun?”

 

“They’re all busy in the back.”

 

Xiaodou ran to the back and handed a piece of peanut candy to Xiaochun.

 

“Keep it for yourself,” Xiaochun said.

 

“Try it, big bro—it’s so sweet!”

 

With both hands covered in meat juices, Xiaochun couldn’t take it, so Xiaodou stuffed it directly into his mouth.

 

“Is it sweet?”

 

Xiaochun smiled, his heart melting. “It’s really sweet!”

 

Xiaodou cheerfully went around, giving each of them a piece. By the time he was done, the candy was all gone.

 

Seeing everyone chopping ingredients, Xiaodou wanted to help too. Lu Yao, worried he might hurt himself, quickly sent him back out to play in the front.

 

Around mid-morning, customers began arriving one after another, worried that they might not get a table if they came too late. This hotpot was unlike other dishes; everyone found it novel, and a meal often stretched over an hour.

 

Lu Yao checked the broth in two pots, which were nearly ready, and asked the staff to start bringing them out.

 

But what you fear often comes to pass. As Lu Yi was serving a pot, a customer suddenly stood up behind him and accidentally bumped into him.

 

The copper pot tipped over, spilling the hot soup all over a nearby customer!

 

Lu Yi was so startled he went pale, kneeling and repeatedly apologizing, “Please forgive me, sir! I didn’t mean it!”

 

Xiaonian quickly called Lu Yao over. He helped Lu Yi up first. “You go to the back and help there.” He then asked the customers, “Are you burned anywhere?”

 

The group shook their heads, though their expressions were grim. With their clothes soaked, there was no way they could continue eating.

 

Lu Yao said, “My deepest apologies. This meal is on the house. If you don’t want to dine today, I’ll make a note, and you can come back tomorrow.”

 

Hearing this, the group left to change clothes, planning to return for the hotpot the next day.

 

The person who had bumped into Lu Yi also felt embarrassed, as it hadn’t been intentional.

 

“Master Lu, you’re earning so much silver; can’t you move to a bigger shop? The food is good, but it’s way too cramped.”

 

Lu Yao felt even worse than the customer. He forced a smile and said, “I’m sorry about this. I’ll look for a bigger place next year.”

 

In the back, Lu Yi knelt, crying with snot running down his face, thinking he had made a huge mistake.

 

When Lu Yao saw him, his anger dissipated. Handing him a rag, he said, “Wipe your face and get up. Next time you serve a pot, give a heads-up first so the customers can be more careful.”

 

Lu Yi stood up, tearfully saying, “I’m so sorry, Master. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

 

“I know. And stop kneeling to others so easily. You’re my man. If something happens, I’m here to handle it.”

 

Lu Yi nodded, finally letting out a breath of relief.

 

At that moment, he understood why Lu Shiliu cried when they received their pay. Holding that warmth in his chest, he too felt like crying.