Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1409 - 228, (25)

Two days later, when they arrived in the Capital city, the entire place was markedly different from before, with everyone in a state of high tension.

Lin Yuan lowered the carriage curtain and guessed that the Capital city must have already learned of the war news from Xiliang.

Upon returning to Lin Mansion, Butler Zhou briefed everyone on the situation in the Capital city, saying that Xiliang hadn’t harassed the border for a long time, but the recent widespread disturbance was truly unusual. The Imperial Court hadn’t seen war for many years, yet the soldiers had not neglected their training. Upon hearing this news, they all were filled with patriotic zeal, and every young man capable of fighting had gone to the military camps to enlist.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiguang could no longer sit still and immediately asked Lin Yi to take him to the Xia Family Army.

Before leaving, Lady Liu gave him a plethora of advice and warnings, but Liu Zhiguang was full of fighting spirit, "Aunt, rest assured, wait for my triumphant return!"

Lady Liu was both worried and proud, watching his figure for a long time, unable to be at ease.

The Imperial Court indeed entrusted the campaign to the Xia Family Army, but they did not assign Xia Yuan to command in person, nor did they send any Prince along, perhaps out of concern that the Princes might win over the soldiers’ hearts due to this affair.

Knowing that Xia Zheng had not yet departed, Lin Yuan along with Lady Liu and a few others hurried to the General Mansion. They had thought Xia Zheng would be busy with the big matter of departing, but unexpectedly, the lad was actually staring at a pile of food in the kitchen, dumbfounded.

Recalling what Xia Zheng had said to her the day he left, Lin Yuan smiled, took his hand, and said, "Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of a solution for you all."

The weather in Xiliang was different from that in Dayong, and most of the soldiers were from this side and found it difficult to adapt to the climate there, especially now in summer when Xiliang was much colder and the terrain mostly high mountains. Sometimes, if they marched too quickly, they would be left gasping for breath.

And not to mention the food there—the soldiers always struggled to get accustomed to it. In past battles, the soldiers had suffered due to this issue. Even if they eventually won, the price paid by the soldiers was just too great.

Hearing that Lin Yuan had thought of a solution, Xia Zheng was naturally very pleased.

Actually, Lin Yuan’s method was quite simple: make naan with less water in the white flour, then stuff it with pickles and salted meat. This would not only preserve the food for a long time but also suit the soldiers’ tastes.

"This is a great idea!" Xia Zheng exclaimed with joy, clapping his hands. He then quickly came up with a plan and took Lin Yuan to see Third Prince Zhao Hongde.

Sure enough, Third Prince Zhao Hongde also greatly appreciated this method. Pickles and salted meat were easy to arrange, but making naan was not something just anyone could do. He hadn’t expected Lin Yuan to be capable of it.

Letting Lin Yuan prepare some immediately, Zhao Hongde took these items to have an audience with the Emperor, who happened to be discussing the mobilization of troops with his ministers.

Many were worrying about food and provisions, and Zhao Hongde’s arrival with the food was like timely help through a harsh winter.

The Emperor was delighted and wanted to immediately reward Zhao Hongde.

The Second Prince’s supporters were naturally green with envy, but when they heard that the idea was not his, they all felt relieved—it was enough as long as the reward wasn’t for the Third Prince.

The Emperor faintly realized who had come up with the idea and couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

Zhao Hongde said, "To report to Father Emperor, it was Lin Yuan, my sworn sister, who thought of this method. Your Majesty has yet to reward her for her last contribution with the invention of movable type printing. With this addition, should she not be rewarded for both together?"

Upon hearing that it was Lin Yuan, many felt a discomfort stirring in their hearts.

Su Zhe snorted and immediately stepped forward, "Your Majesty, wasn’t Lin Yuan already rewarded with a piece of calligraphy for the last movable type printing matter? The Third Prince truly has a short memory for someone of high status."

Zhao Hongde furrowed his brow slightly, clearly not expecting Su Zhe to speak out against him. Was he also siding with the Second Prince now?

In truth, Su Zhe spoke not because of the Second Prince, but for his own daughter. Now, for Su Qiuyu, Lin Yuan had become not just a rival in love, but a veritable adversary to the entire Su family.

Although Zhao Hongsheng was envious that Zhao Hongde had the brilliant Lin Yuan on his side, he was quite pleased to see someone obstructing the praise.

Zhao Hongde pursed his lips, "Prime Minister Su, Lin Yuan’s two recent actions were no small matters. Her movable type printing has contributed greatly to the pool of talents in Dayong. And now this ’hamburger’ may look unremarkable, but it can save the lives of soldiers on the battlefield and lead to victory. Do you really think that such significant merits can be adequately rewarded with just a piece of calligraphy? Besides, Father Emperor said last time that there would be additional rewards after the calligraphy. Isn’t it appropriate to combine the rewards now?"

Su Zhe snorted, "Since the Third Prince says this invention can help our soldiers win battles, let’s wait until after the victory to bestow the rewards. Awarding honors before we’ve even departed for battle, if we were to lose..."

"Su Zhe! Are you suggesting our Xia Family Army can only face defeat?" Xia Yuan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly interrupted in a cold voice. Not only Xia Yuan but even the Emperor looked displeased. Before their troops had even set out, the words of the Prime Minister, diminishing the morale and prestige of his own side, were surely inappropriate.

At that moment, Su Zhe also realized his mistake and quickly stepped forward to apologize to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this old official misspoke in the heat of the moment; I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

The Emperor might have been advanced in years, but he was not foolish, and he was well aware of Su Zhe’s sudden disapproval of Lin Yuan receiving honors. However, between Lin Yuan and Su Qiuyu, he definitely preferred Lin Yuan, who was both intelligent and sensible, and would one day be his niece-in-law.

Seizing the opportunity, he could rightfully grant Lin Yuan a title. As for battles won or lost, it mattered little; the Xia Family Army and Xia Zheng were leading the charge. Even if not for Dayong’s citizens, just to protect Lin Yuan’s title from embarrassment in the Capital city, Xia Zheng could certainly be expected to exert every effort and utilize his resources.

"Since Prime Minister Su is aware of his slip of the tongue, let’s have no more talk on the matter." Although not a reprimand, the Emperor’s cool response left the recipient shaken.

Su Zhe silently moved aside and, indeed, said no more, though his expression was grave.

With even the Grand Prime Minister receiving a scolding from the Emperor for the matter, who else would dare to speak up?

The Emperor cast a majestic glance around at those standing below and said, "What the Third Prince just said is correct. Last time, for movable type printing, I felt I owed the young lady significantly. Today, she has thought of an even better method. Should anyone present think Lin Yuan’s method is unworthy of honor and cannot come up with something better themselves, then they are welcome to try. I assure you, I will reward them just as I would Lin Yuan."

With this statement, no one else uttered a word. Not to mention this matter of provisions, the invention of movable type printing alone was commendable enough. Even Miss Yao from Graduate Yao’s family had not managed to come up with such an idea, let alone the others.