Chapter 2739: Beginning

He naturally knew that in order to rescue Anshi City, Wang Ting had stationed more than two hundred thousand soldiers here, accounting for one-third of the nation’s military strength. Adding the losses in Liaodong City and Baiyan City, and deploying soldiers to rescue places like Pisha City in the hinterland, there might be less than two hundred thousand soldiers left in the entire country.

Gao Zhi was aware of this point, and hence didn’t dare to report the situation here to Wang Ting. Once Wang Ting knew of the setbacks in Anshi City, it would be one thing if he couldn’t dispatch reinforcements; he might also recall Gao Zhi to blame him.

Gao Zhi felt that among his brothers, none could replace him. If he couldn’t hold Anshi City, then no one else could, so he preferred to walk down a dark path.

As one of the leading figures, the supervisor also knew that among the princes, only the Second Prince was of substantial use. If other princes were sent, the situation in Anshi City might worsen.

Moreover, changing generals at the frontline is a major taboo.

The supervisor massaged his temples in distress, and when he left the room, his back was hunched, seemingly aging ten years.

Bai Shan and the others were arranged in a small residence. The yard was somewhat low, and one could see the situation inside the yard from the outside.

However, the courtyard walls of residences in this area were not very high.

After taking a glance, Bai Shan entered, and the guards brought in the carriage and horses.

The gold and jewels they intended to give to Gao Zhi couldn’t be presented, so Bai Shan didn’t mention it, and they dragged everything inside.

Now, they unloaded the boxes from the carriage and moved them into the house.

Bai Shan looked around the yard, smiled, and turned to the official hosting them, asking: “Is there a kitchen here?”

“There is,” The official, uncertain of the Second Prince’s attitude towards them, remained expressionless but didn’t dare to offend him, said: “At the back, does the envoy want to see it?”

Bai Shan nodded smilingly, and after touring the kitchen, he said: “I am from Shu region, and I have no other hobby in life but a love for food. I heard Anshi City’s small white pastry is extremely delicious, but it’s a shame I haven’t had any since arriving here. Could you find a chef skilled in making it for me, sir?”

The official slightly frowned.

Bai Shan then pulled out a purse and handed it to him with a smile: “It’s been a lifelong wish, and I don’t know if I’ll survive this mission to return home. Let me enjoy myself for a day, and I ask for your indulgence.”

The official touched it; it was round with several pearls inside. He hesitated for a moment before nodding, “Alright, but I can only invite the person, as for purchasing supplies…”

“I can afford that,” Bai Shan smiled, bowed, and said: “Thank you for your trouble, sir.”

The minor official then left directly, heading to the home of a head chef from a restaurant, and soon brought him over.

The head chef shivered nervously, kneeling before Bai Shan.

Before the official, Bai Shan showed little emotion and simply told the chef: “I’m a bit hungry, now that you’re here, prepare lunch first.”

He tilted his head to think and said: “It’s getting late; just make something simple. Tonight, I want small white pastry.”

The chef trembled and said: “Well, sir, there are no, no ingredients…”

The whole city is at war, and people generally don’t go out. They’ve mostly been eating plain porridge and haven’t had any vegetables for days.

Bai Shan furrowed his brow in distress, “What am I supposed to do? I’m really fond of this dish.”

The minor official frowned and kicked the chef, asking: “Can’t you buy them? Where do the Council Hall’s daily meals come from?”

The chef quickly said: “There are still some households growing or raising a few things in the city, but going out now…”

The minor official remained silent.

Bai Shan then looked at Daji.

Daji took out a gold bar and handed it to the minor official.

The minor official glanced at it without expression, stowed it away, and lowered his head: “Rest assured, envoy, I will arrange it. We’ll give him a pass so he can move around the city.”

Bai Shan finally nodded in satisfaction and turned to the chef: “Who else is in your family? Can anyone cook? Or do you know any good chefs? Bring a few more; there are quite a number of people in this yard. You will need to buy ingredients and cook; time may be tight.”

He turned to look at Daji, “Daji.”

Daji, expressionless, said: “Our young master needs to eat lunch at lunchtime, breakfast should have pastry, and there must be a bowl of millet porridge, which is good for the stomach. Additionally, there should be a bowl of sheep’s milk, boiled with tea leaves to remove the smell, and some sugar added;”

“From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., tea snacks are needed. We’ve brought five kinds of tea; generally, our young master’s morning tea uses cliff flower. This tea is limited, only for personal use, don’t use it incorrectly.”

“For snacks, make some of your specialties, preferably local Anshi City snacks; whatever is needed, just tell us, we’ll pay for it.”

Daji’s face practically inscribed a line saying, “We’re not short of money.”

After explaining the morning tea, Daji continued: “Lunch should be prepared for lunchtime; you need to prepare in advance, one cold dish, one soup, and three dishes are the basics. As always, make what you’re good at, ideally dishes our young master hasn’t tried, but there must be soup, try to make it delicate.”

“At 3 p.m., our young master will have afternoon tea, using Zisun Tea and Yangxian Tea we’ve brought. As for snacks, just start with small white pastry this afternoon, others can be decided later. If guests come, we’ll serve West Mountain White Dew and cliff flower.”

“Dinner is at 5 p.m., with the same standards as lunch. The kitchen should be active at all times, although it’s not advisable to eat at night, our young master is still growing and might get hungry unexpectedly. The kitchen should be able to provide food when called upon.”

Daji lowered his gaze to the chef, “Got it?”

The chef nodded blankly, amazed at who this person was, with such elaborate requirements, even more demanding than the supervisor he had encountered.

Even Xue Gui listening at the side was stunned, involuntarily looking at Bai Shan.

Daji wasn’t merely advising; he led the chef out immediately, opened a box, drew out five tea tins, and taught him to recognize the tea. He even took out a package of refined salt for him, “Our young master might not be used to your salt, use this for cooking.”

The chef opened it and saw fine, white salt, tasted a few grains, all salty without bitterness.

Chef: …

The minor official watched the whole time, finally confirming that this envoy must have come from riches, not one to suffer grievances.

Thus he lowered his gaze to mask his expression.

The chef quickly thought and smiled flatteringly at Daji, “Sir, my wife and son can cook, too, and they can assist me. Can I call them to help?”

Daji nodded expressionlessly, “Yes, but keep things clean. Our young master likes cleanliness and dislikes unclean people.”

“Rest assured, rest assured, they all love cleanliness.”

Minor official: … On the battlefield, what need is there for cleanliness?

However, this envoy appeared pristine, his complexion as white as dough, yet his demeanor was imposing, deterring any offense, and his official robes were fitting and clean, evidently someone who loved cleanliness.