Then, Yao Zhi dried and sliced the meat into bite-sized pieces with a cleaver before slicing the Chinese sausages diagonally into bite-sized pieces.

She also rinsed the rice and strained out all the water. Afterward, she oiled the clay pot generously before putting in the rice and adding water.

She then heated the clay pot gradually from low heat to high heat until the water boiled. While waiting, she blanched the vegetables.

When the cooks saw her using so much oil, they felt heartache. That amount of oil was enough for them to boil several large pots of soup and feed lots of soldiers.

Not knowing what they were thinking, Yao Zhi was focused on her cooking.

Once the water boiled, she asked the soldiers to help her remove the clay pot from the heat and carefully arranged the preserved meats on top of the rice in a pleasing pattern. Then, she covered the pot, returned it to the stove, turned the heat to low, and let it continue cooking.

When she smelled the aroma of roasted, caramelized rice at the bottom of the pot, she asked the soldiers to help her remove the clay pot from the stove again.

This time, she didn’t open the lid but waited around 15 to 20 minutes before opening it and adding the blanched vegetables.

Then, she scooped generous portions of tender rice, roasted crunchy rice crust, and delicious preserved meats into several bowls. To add flavor, she drizzled some sweet soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil over it.

Yao Zhi turned to the cooks and said, "It’s done! Come and have a taste!"

It took her around 90 minutes from preparation until the dish was ready since she had prepared a lot. Although it took a long time, the effort was worth it.

The Chinese sausage offered a dense, meaty bite with a concentrated, sweet, and slightly boozy flavor from Chinese rose wine.

The preserved pork belly and preserved duck added a salty, umami kick and a smoky aroma that balanced the sweetness of the sausages.

The steaming process melted the lard and oils from the cured meats directly into the rice, creating a luxurious, comforting, and deeply aromatic dish.

The crispy, golden-brown crust at the bottom of the pot provided a delightful toasted crunch. The sauces brought everything together with a sweet-and-salty depth.

Yao Zhi took a bite and nodded with satisfaction. She then scooped 2 large bowls and stored them in her shared manor. Since she cooked this dish, her husband and Ling Ershi should also have a taste of her skills.

As for the rest of the dish, she let the cooks decide how to distribute it.

After the cooks tasted the preserved meat rice, they decided to serve it to the General and high-ranking officers.

The soldiers and civilians still received the same food as before: a bowl of thick porridge, a bowl of vegetable soup, and 2 pieces of steamed cured meat.

When Yao Zhi finished her rice, she left the cooking area and went to find Ling Ershi.

But before she reached the training ground, a soldier stopped her. He cupped his fists and said, "Young Master Lei, the General heard about your visit and invited you to his tent."

Since she still had time, Yao Zhi nodded. "Brother, please lead the way."

"Young Master Lei, this way, please," the soldier gestured to her.

Yao Zhi followed him and looked around. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Unlike the cooking area, the number of patrolling guards in the area near the General’s tent was clearly higher. Thinking about the confidential documents inside the General’s tent, it was normal for him to increase the security.

It took them more than 30 minutes to reach Lu Qianxuan’s tent. Before they entered, the soldier stood outside the tent and said, "Reporting to the General, Young Master Lei is here."

"Come in, please."

After he received permission, the soldier opened the curtain and gestured for her to enter.

At first, Yao Zhi thought that there would be only Lu Qianxuan inside. Unexpectedly, there was a group of military officers present, including a young man wearing a civil official’s robe.

Seeing this, she raised her eyebrows and smiled. She walked at a leisurely pace and stood a few steps in front of Lu Qianxuan’s large desk.

Cupping her fists, she said, "Greetings, General."

Lu Qianxuan didn’t dare to be rude toward her and stood up. He returned her greeting and said, "Young Master Lei, please have a seat."

Before taking her seat, Yao Zhi greeted the rest of the military officers, but she only glanced at the young man. From his robe, this person must be the Imperial Envoy sent by the Emperor to keep an eye on the army.

When Su Hanli noticed Lei Feng’s indifferent attitude toward him, he frowned deeply.

His subordinates were only able to find out that he was the one who donated the supplies. Before he learned about this person’s real background, he didn’t want to make him an enemy.

Yao Zhi poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip. Only after she placed the cup down did she ask, "General, I wonder why you suddenly invited me to your tent?"

Lu Qianxuan smiled when he heard her words. "I heard that Young Master Lei visited the cavalry training ground and the cooking area. I was curious about your opinions after you checked the situation."

After he said this, he looked at Yao Zhi with a meaningful gaze. Just now, his attendant came to report that Lei Feng was teaching the military cooks a new dish.

From the first time he met her, he always had a feeling that something was off. He felt like he had missed important information, and it made him feel frustrated. It was as if he almost saw the truth, but after he reached out, he grabbed at nothing.

Noticing his probing tone, Yao Zhi let out a chuckle. "General, I’m just an ordinary person."