Eighteenth Trick: Oil-Splashing Noodles

  The camp was bustling in the late afternoon, and at this time, people only ate two meals a day, having breakfast at 10 am and dinner at 4 pm. Because of the military's late dinner, it didn't start cooking until after setting up camp, so the soldiers were already starving, drooling while watching the fire head cook, Tang Shi's cooking was really simple, with only one method for any ingredient - throwing it into the pot to boil, adding a handful of salt, and then it was done.

  The commander's food was slightly better, and he could see one or two pieces of meat. Of course, the meat was also boiled, without any seasonings, and could only be eaten with sauce.

  The sauce had long since turned yellowish-black, emitting a stench that made one want to vomit, and its appearance was enough to drive one mad; eating it would make one want to kill the cook and his whole family.

  After thinking that the cook was playing a trick on him and beating up the chubby cook, he found out that all the generals in the army were eating this stuff with gusto, while the ordinary soldiers didn't even have the qualifications to eat it. He grabbed his personal soldier and ordered him to finish everything, but the idiot didn't say a word and swept the plate clean with a clatter, still savoring the last bit of sauce with his finger and licking his mouth.

  Looking at him like that, Yun Ye knew that the chef had been wronged and was going to apologize to the chef. However, Cheng Chu Mu stopped him and advised Yun Ye that while it's okay to make mistakes, apologizing is not an option, and making amends is out of the question. The chef wouldn't be able to accept it, and Yun Ye's status doesn't allow him to lower himself to apologize, unless it was between nobles.

  He threw ten cents to the cook, saying it was for medicine money, so that others wouldn't say he bullied him. The meal was so unpalatable that getting a beating was a light punishment; if he didn't improve in the future, see how he'd be dealt with.

  Yun Yan thought that the cook should be furious, with his hair standing on end, holding two kitchen knives and fighting to the death. But unexpectedly, this guy smiled and picked up the copper coins, without even wiping the blood off his nose, and gave a courtesy to the two of them, saying "Thank you, Lord, for your reward."

  Damn, the aristocratic temperament is indeed brought out by you guys. Yun Ye thought to himself. The common people of his past life had nothing left but their dignity. If an official's second generation were to beat him up and then throw a hundred bucks at him for medical expenses, that official's second generation would probably be more severely injured than he was, maybe even dead. As for the consequences, who cares?

  The feudal society has a strict hierarchy, with the nobility holding great power and the common people only able to obey their rule. This system has been passed down from the Warring States period to the present day, permeating every aspect of life. Just look at the soldiers around us laughing and saying that the cook is lucky to have gotten ten cents, which shows that they really think the cook is lucky.

  Yun Yan secretly congratulated himself on being a nobleman now, otherwise with his temper he would have been buried in the ground long ago.

  The sky gradually darkened, and Old Cheng finally finished patrolling the campsite wearing sunglasses and walked into the large tent.

  Yun Yan saw that Old Cheng was walking like a blind man, one foot deep and one foot shallow, and knew he didn't want to take off his sunglasses. Now he's still showing off and doesn't dare mention returning the glasses, so he can only advise.

  "Uncle Cheng, you wear sunglasses during the day to protect your eyes from the sun, but at night, you shouldn't wear them or you won't be able to see the road and will fall. If that happens, I'll be done for."

  "Never mind, I was having trouble with my red and swollen eyes anyway. With these shades on, I feel much cooler. This is really a good thing. I'll hold onto it for you for now and return it to you when we get back to Chang'an."

  Yun Yan had long known this would be the outcome, and it would be strange if he could get back what was in the mouth of the Pi Xiu. Old Cheng carefully removed his glasses, wrapped them in silk cloth, and placed them in a red wooden box on the table before having time to size up Yun Yan. He saw that Yun Yan was wearing a clean hemp garment with a very unusual style, so he asked: "You young man are also a person of status, why do you dress so carelessly? This may be acceptable in the military camp, but in Chang'an, it will lead to impeachment by officials. You should remember that following the crowd is the way to survive. Your master is a transcendent being who does not follow worldly etiquette, and naturally seeks to be carefree. I observe that you are open-minded and unbound by worldly etiquette, which is not good. Your master is out of this world, but you have entered it. Since you have entered it, you should understand the human emotions and worldly affairs. I have seen many talented people who are arrogant and look down on others, and there are only two outcomes: either they fall into darkness or become ordinary people. Do you understand?"

  Yun Ye only felt that there was something stuck in his chest, Old Cheng was teaching him the way of the world, if he wasn't a close person, he wouldn't say these words.

  "Uncle's words are golden, nephew will remember them in his heart," he said, bowing deeply to Old Cheng. Old Cheng Yun heard his own words and didn't say anything more, this young man was cleverer than others, once was enough.

  Yun Ye turned around and walked out of the tent, but soon returned with a large wooden tray, on which was placed an enormous bowl, almost as big as a human head.

  There were several small dishes and a few small bowls on the edge of the bowl, with some wild vegetables in the plates, garlic paste, vinegar, and a red sauce that smelled pungent. Yun Ye didn't say anything and put the wooden plate in front of Old Cheng, pouring the wild vegetables from the small butterfly into the large bowl. The inch-wide noodles in the large bowl were covered with green vegetables, white and green, very beautiful. Yun Ye then poured the garlic paste, scallions, simmered vinegar, and red chili oil from the small bowls into the large bowl. Finally, a small bowl of boiling hot vegetable oil was poured into the large bowl, and for a moment, the big account was filled with fragrance.

  Lao Cheng's throat kept twitching, his eyes staring straight at the big bowl, his hands itching to grab the bowl and devour it quickly. Yun Ye slowly and steadily stirred the noodles with a pair of chopsticks, and a bowl of authentic Liangpi was placed in front of Lao Cheng.

  Lao Cheng picked up the big bowl and took a deep breath, seemingly intoxicated, picked up a pair of chopsticks and put the noodles in his mouth. His eyes lit up instantly, and the speed at which he ate the noodles was beyond description. A huge bowl of noodles, weighing three catties, Lao Cheng swallowed into his belly within the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Not satisfied, he slammed the bowl on the table: "Bring another bowl."

  Yun Ye almost fell over when he heard this, but didn't dare to give it to him to eat, fearing that it would harm his spleen and stomach. He hastily brought up a bowl of noodle soup, saying "the original soup dissolves the original food". Old Cheng gulped down half a bowl of noodle soup, and only then was he satisfied, wiping his mouth and letting out a heartfelt sigh:

  "This is what it means to eat, I've been eating pig food for most of my life. This is your son's exclusive secret, just based on this bowl of noodles, I'm sure you can walk horizontally in Chang'an. A superior being from the world outside, I don't know what kind of demeanor this gentleman had when he was alive, but the people of the Cheng family can't compare to him. All we can hope for is that you brothers will support each other and take good care of your own path. Even if I die, I'll be smiling in my grave."

  "Uncle, why say such things? Although my cousin and I are not biological brothers, after spending time together, his character, behavior, and personality have all earned my utmost admiration. Our relationship is now even closer than that of biological brothers, we help and love each other naturally, no need for you to worry."

  Lao Cheng burst out laughing after hearing Le's words: "My Lao Cheng family is blessed, the few brothers I've met are all loyal and true-hearted, and in my interactions with others, no one isn't sincere. Now it's Niu's turn to have good fortune, and my luck is still flourishing - how can I not live a few more years to see where you brothers will end up?"

  Lao Cheng savored the noodles in his bowl, tasting the deep affection of Yun Yan towards him. This was a kind of spontaneous respect and admiration from a junior to a senior, far more reliable than any words that could be spoken. How could Lao Cheng not be overjoyed? All along, he had been worried about Cheng Chu's future. Now that the Emperor had explicitly stated his intention to marry off the princess and form an alliance with their family, it was already an honor beyond measure. Like a raging fire or a blooming flower, who could guarantee that their own family would prosper for generations to come, free from worries and disasters?

  Guanyun Ruo, this kid is a super slick talker, but he's also got feelings and righteousness. By mistake, he became sworn brothers with my son. With such an intelligent and resourceful young man as his sworn brother, Cheng Chumo, you're truly blessed!