The Eighth Year of Xuanhe, New Year's Eve.

Nightfall descended, an endless darkness swallowed the earth like a giant beast, the twinkling stars in the sky seemed like eyes peeking down.

In the military camp, several large pots were set up, Hu Qiang, Cui Shuang, and others with their personal soldiers were distributing dumplings.

Hu Qiang held an iron ladle, looking at the steaming heat in the pot, he glanced around at the soldiers: "Line up properly, there's enough for everyone, eat to your fill."

The soldiers of the Three Guards queued up, holding their eating utensils, rubbed their hands together, blew into their palms, their eyes fixed eagerly on the pot, swallowing their saliva.

Nowadays in the three armies, it's actually a mix of various fish and dragons, including the Celestial Master Army, Qingzhou Army, Yu State Army, and various defense forces, peasant armies from different places. Compared to when they followed other leaders, the treatment was nowhere near as good.

Three meals a day of solid food, plus a meat dish.

If you're an officer, it's three meat dishes.

There's also a high monthly salary, now the worst-treated Xianzhen Guard among the Four Guards still receives eight hundred cents per person monthly.

Apart from the monthly salary, there are rewards during festive occasions.

Now being able to eat dumplings during the New Year, this is even better than being at home, people's hearts are made of flesh, comparing hearts and minds, now whenever anyone talks about Chen Mo in the army, those nearby will definitely give a thumbs-up.

And they've also heard that next year they can wear cotton clothes.

Cotton clothes, not the layered fabric with willow fluff and leaves filling like their current winter clothing, it's said that those cotton clothes are incredibly warm.

"Everyone, listen carefully." Cui Shuang cleared his throat, saying: "Some of the dumplings you're eating were personally wrapped by the Marquis and the ladies, with a copper coin inside, whoever finds one can take it to the Government Office to claim ten thousand coins and a jar of fine wine.

Of course, everyone should not play tricks, like putting your own copper coin into the dumplings, the Marquis has said he marked the copper coins, if anyone uses their own coin to falsely claim the reward, not only will they not receive anything, but they will also face punishment."

This was a little game Chen Mo had arranged for the New Year, also to liven up the atmosphere.

A total of ten copper coins were placed in the dumplings, and even if all were distributed, it's just one hundred coins, a harmless sum.

With these words, the soldiers cheered and then began to eat slowly and carefully, afraid they might swallow the copper coin inside the dumpling.

Soon, the first lucky winner emerged.

"I… I found a copper coin." A man took the coin from his mouth, raising it high, with a trace of shock on his face.

The man was already in his thirties, not a young lad anymore, he was formerly from the Yu State Army, having witnessed a lot of worldly affairs, he believed this copper coin game surely had some insider manipulation, and the ones who would get the coins were definitely those generals, not someone like him, a mere soldier.

Yet he truly got one.

"What's your name?" Cui Shuang walked over, after a simple inspection of the coin to confirm it was genuine, he took out a small notebook from his pocket and recorded it with a charcoal pencil.

"General, my name is Ma Jieshi." The man said excitedly and with slight tension.

"Okay, holding this coin, you can go to the Government Office to claim your reward." Cui Shuang returned the coin to Ma Jieshi.

"Thank you, General." Ma Jieshi exclaimed with excitement.

"You should thank the Marquis, not me." Cui Shuang replied.

"Thank the Marquis, and thank you too, General." Ma Jieshi was a smart man.

The surrounding soldiers showed envy, boosting the atmosphere to a peak.

Soon, the second and third lucky winners appeared, eliciting envy and jealousy from those around them, intensifying the festive spirit.

Some lucky winners were generous, immediately inviting the brothers they played with, saying, "Tomorrow I'll treat you to drinks."

The military camp, immersed in a bustling joy, forgetting the winter chill.

...

In Longmen County, the lights in various households also shone brightly, the sounds of children cheering, as for the children, every time this moment arrives, it's their happiest time, able to eat delicious food, it's what they yearn for all year round.

From the kitchens of each house, the noise, shouting, and the clatter of pots, bowls, and pans clashing was transmitted.

The festive and joyful celebration of the New Year dispelled the tranquility of the night, imprinting a touch of liveliness onto the vast darkness.

In the large hall of the Government Office's backyard.

On the table rested a mandarin duck pot crafted by Chen Mo, underneath it a small charcoal stove, surrounded by stacks of prepared side dishes.

There were slices of lamb, beef, pork belly, venison.

And bear paw, tiger paw, tiger meat.

Of course, mandatory hotpot ingredients like tripe, pig blood, and cabbage were indispensable.

In the mandarin duck pot, bone broth was already boiling, Chen Mo placed date slices, ginseng, astragalus in the clear soup side.

Soon, a rich aroma of meat spread throughout the area.

Neither servants nor Han Anniang and the others knew what a hotpot was, not wanting to cause trouble for Chen Mo, it was only Chen Mo bustling around the large hall, the servants assisted him, Song Min wiped tables and grabbed chopsticks.

Han Anniang and the others, in their own rooms, had early taken baths, changed into new clothes, and done their makeup, appearing most beautifully at the New Year's dinner.

Chen Mo prepared the broth ready to be added at any time, then wiped his hands with a cloth and smiled at Song Min: "Min'Er, it's almost ready, you can call Sister Han and the others to come over for dinner."

"Okay." Song Min ran off to inform them.

Soon, a few well-dressed women arrived, supporting each other.

To make a distinct impression and showcase their styles, the women wore jackets and skirts in different colors, even the Xia Sisters were strikingly black and white.

The most dazzling were Xia Zhiqing and Liang Xue.

The elegant demeanor of a noble lady was evident, their cloud-like hairstyles lofty and beautiful, displaying a regal and gorgeous temperament. Their stunning faces, under the flickering candlelight, were flawlessly white, especially Liang Xue's rosy lips, with a hint of charm, like a violet flower.

Xia Zhining's situation was a bit less impressive. She no longer had that air of a distinguished lady; following Chen Mo, she had been wind-blown and sunburned in the army for a long time, becoming a bit boisterous, gaining some heroic spirit, but losing some femininity.

Yi Shiyin, with her lively and cute personality, even though dressed more maturely now, still had the vibe of a girl next door, a little youthful.

Han Anniang's skin had become much fairer and softer, but after all, she was a village woman, lacking the cultivated demeanor. However, her figure was overly striking, attracting admiration.

Han Anniang, Yi Shiyin, and Liang Xue stood together, Liang Xue embracing Han Anniang's arm, looking like a pair of good sisters, walking gracefully towards them.

"Erlang." Han Anniang's tender voice rang out, she pursed her lips.

"Husband."

"Mo Lang."

Yi Shiyin and Liang Xue greeted Chen Mo in turn, bowing slightly.

Then it was the Xia Sisters.

Xia Zhining wore a pearl necklace and gold ring given by Chen Mo, along with the Jade Hairpin she got from her sister, giving her an added touch of brilliance.

Because it was the Chinese New Year, Xia Zhining also called out, "Mo Lang."

"Mo Lang, is this the hotpot you mentioned?" Xia Zhiqing asked as she looked at the steaming iron pot on the table.

Chen Mo nodded.

Han Anniang walked over to inspect the ingredients that were prepared, slightly surprised: "Erlang, why are these vegetables raw?"

"How do you eat raw vegetables for a New Year's Eve dinner?" Yi Shiyin's eyes sparkled.

"You'll see once you watch me eat."

Saying this, Chen Mo picked up the pre-made hotpot base, looked at Xia Zhining, and joked, "Zhining, do you remember what you told me a few days ago?"

Xia Zhining looked at the red "oil block" in Chen Mo's hand, with chili solidified on the surface, she couldn't believe this would taste good. She lifted her proud swan-like neck and said, "Of course I remember."

"Then just wait."

Chen Mo cut a piece of the hotpot base and put it into the right side of the divided pot. The bone broth had already come to a boil, and in no time, the hotpot base had melted.

A large square table big enough for more than ten people, the divided hotpot exuded steaming heat, the white vapors intertwined, transforming into a giant fragrant aroma.

"Smells so good." Song Min swallowed her saliva.

"Is it supposed to be soup?" Han Anniang was slightly stunned, but it really did smell good.

"Watch closely." Chen Mo used chopsticks to pick up a slice of lamb, dipped it into the spicy pot, swished it around a few times, then placed it in the prepared seasoning bowl, stirred it a few times, and ate it while it was hot. After chewing a few bites, he gave a thumbs up: "Delicious."

Chen Mo cut it very thin, it could be described as paper-thin, like cicada wings, ensuring it was cooked thoroughly without losing texture.

The women were all intrigued by this novel way of eating.

Yi Shiyin stared at the segmented pot, her eyes slightly glazed, already gulping now and then.

Chen Mo swished a piece of lamb for Yi Shiyin, personally feeding it to her mouth, saying: "Xiaolu, give it a try."

"Mm-hmm." Yi Shiyin opened her mouth and bit down.

Soon, her lively large eyes slightly gleamed, the scorching oil blossomed in her mouth, followed by the hotpot base's spiciness, numbness, and aroma, the lamb's freshness and tenderness, along with the seasoning's spicy fragrance... These flavors alternated and danced on her tastebuds, the rich oil making every cell in her body cheer and dance.

It might not have been the best thing she had ever tasted, but it was definitely unforgettable.

Seeing Yi Shiyin not saying a word, Han Anniang couldn't help but mutter: "Does swishing it a few times cook it?"

Just as she finished speaking, Yi Shiyin hastily said: "Sister Han, it's delicious, spicy, numb, and fragrant, you have to try it."

After speaking, Yi Shiyin started helping herself, imitating Chen Mo's steps, and began swishing.

Seeing Yi Shiyin seemed genuine, Han Anniang also joined in.

Then, so did Song Min, Liang Xue, and Xia Zhiqing.

This novel experience, with its spicy, numb, and fragrant taste, received high praise from the women.

Xia Zhiqing ate more elegantly, worried about splattering oil on herself, and exclaimed: "I never thought lamb could be eaten this way, Zhining, you must try it too, it's really good."

Actually, when Yi Shiyin and Han Anniang praised how good it was, Xia Zhining was tempted to try it. But Chen Mo kept smiling while looking at her, making it hard for her to put on a brave face, yet the enticing aroma of the hotpot continuously tantalized her tastebuds.

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