Chapter 33

"Secret recipe to remove the gamey taste from meat, available for sale to all restaurants in the city in three days, priced at 10,000 yellow crystal coins, all major restaurants can pre-order now!"

The Purple Thorn Mercenary Group officially released the news, and both the Fuyongzhai and Cuilou simultaneously responded, confirming the news.

The entire Hongyuan City's restaurants were instantly in an uproar, all stunned by this sudden good news. Following that, the restaurants that came to their senses all rushed to the Purple Thorn Mercenary Group first. No one could care less about why Mo Hongxian was selling the recipe or why the two major restaurants agreed. Just thinking about their own restaurants becoming as bustling as Fuyongzhai and Cuilou, where it felt like money was being snatched, who could hold back?

Of course, some had other thoughts, like waiting for most of the restaurants to buy the recipe and then buying it at a lower price from them... However, thinking of Mo Hongxian's influence in Hongyuan City, they all abandoned this idea.

The news not only excited the major restaurants but also delighted some rich people and nobles, as seats at Fuyongzhai and Cuilou were always hard to come by.

The only ones unhappy were the nobles from other territories. They had come here through various connections and means, all to buy the exclusive recipe. Now that the recipe was known to everyone, even if they got it in the future, the effect would be completely different.

Thus, many nobles with strong backgrounds directly approached the Dingbei Marquis' residence.

However, when they heard the Dingbei Marquis chuckling and telling them that he was doing this to develop his own territory first and would then sell it to them, everyone was speechless.

He was developing his own territory and not excluding them; what could they do? They couldn't tell the Dingbei Marquis that he must prioritize them before developing his own territory! That would be like riding on someone's back and defecating, and even with their strong backgrounds, the Dingbei Marquis could drive them out of Hongyuan City and still be in the right!

The group looked at each other, cursing the Dingbei Marquis as a sly old fox, wishing they could kick his rugged yet deliberately gentle face. In the end, they had to leave with their heads hanging low.

The Dingbei Marquis watched the group walk away, and couldn't help but burst into laughter. He had been bothered by these people for days, and now he felt extremely relieved.

Just as this group left, a group of nobles from Hongyuan City came to the marquis' residence to report that the Third Army Corps had entered the city on horseback.

However, unlike the group's worry that something major had happened, the Dingbei Marquis merely smiled faintly and said, "They should have come. In two days, even more people will come!"

Everyone was puzzled, not understanding what was happening. The Dingbei Marquis then said, "The Third Army Corps has come from afar, and we should show them some hospitality. Let's go and visit them!"

As the Dingbei Marquis led the group out, in a large courtyard not far from the city government, the commander of the Seventh Army Corps, Wu Tianfeng, and the commander of the Third Army Corps, Chen Xuan, were looking at a soldier's arm.

The soldier's arm had a wound, stitched with crooked, worm-like animal sinew, with blood seeping through.

Frowning, Chen Xuan asked the sweating physician, "How does this method compare to your previous methods for treating wounds?"

The physician wiped the sweat from his forehead, his hands still trembling. Sewing a living person was not something he was used to, so he was nervous even in the cold winter. Hearing the commander's question, he hurriedly bowed and replied, "The effect is definitely better. This can prevent the blood from washing away the healing medicine... But there is a problem. If the wound is too deep, stitching the surface can easily cause internal bruising, which would slow down the recovery!"

Wu Tianfeng nodded and added, "So, we don't need to worry about the method being leaked. That kid can sew inside the wound, stitching both layers, which avoids this problem!"

The physician frowned, forgetting the commander's status in his field, and immediately asked, "But the animal sinew left inside the body will definitely affect the strength and may cause infection over time!"

Wu Tianfeng waved his hand, not minding, and said, "That's why I brought you here. The thread used for internal stitching can be left outside and removed later. It's a technique!"

Chen Xuan said, "If so, why not invite that person to demonstrate it on the spot?"

Wu Tianfeng smiled strangely and said, "Let's wait until everyone is here. That kid is afraid of blood. If he demonstrates too many times, I'm afraid he might die!"

"Scared of blood!" Chen Xuan's lips twitched, and he also showed a strange expression...

Meanwhile, the various territories outside Hongyuan City were in chaos. The actions of the seven army corps commanders were not hidden, and they were soon known by the nobles in their territories. After some communication, they discovered that all of them were heading straight for Hongyuan City, causing a huge stir.

"What are the seven army corps doing? Are they crazy! Several army corps commanders meeting privately is a major taboo in the empire!"

"Has there been a major war... But Hongyuan City is in the rear and doesn't border any of the kingdoms under the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Sect!"

"Could it be that the Great Emperor of the Universe has arrived in Hongyuan City and summoned them to meet..."

Speculations were endless, and some even guessed they might be plotting a rebellion! For a moment, almost everyone's attention was focused on Hongyuan City.

Over the next three days, the seven army corps commanders of the empire's external combat forces arrived in Hongyuan City one after another. The nobles who knew about this situation from the Dingbei Marquis were relatively calm, but the owners of the major pharmacies were almost driven mad with jealousy. They all knew why the seven army corps were here.

"Why not us? Heaven is too biased towards Zhao Family Pharmaceuticals, picking up such a huge benefit... If we had treated it that night..."

Doctor Cui of the Spirit Grass Hall shouted hoarsely. Such an opportunity was like a sudden rise to fame, a technology valued by the entire military. And this opportunity was so close to him!

"Bring the night shift worker from that night to me!" Doctor Cui roared, pounding the table.

"Doctor Cui! That worker is new and has already been beaten!" a subordinate said beside him.

"Then beat him again..."

This situation was not only happening in the Spirit Grass Hall! The Yellow Crane Hall and the Medicine Virtue Hall were also experiencing it, with the three night shift workers suffering repeated beatings...

In stark contrast, Zhao Family Pharmaceuticals was thriving. Inside and out, from doctors to workers, everyone was smiling and walking with their chests out and heads held high.

Zhao Zixiang was almost ecstatic. The attention from the entire military meant that Zhao Family Pharmaceuticals was no longer limited to the Seventh Army Corps and could develop even further!

Not to mention, Jiang Ling's method of stitching wounds was a revolution in traditional healing, with a significant impact. His title might even be upgraded to a second-class baron!

What made him happiest was that his wife, the Hongyuan City security officer, had returned. She had left in a fit of anger when he invested all their assets to secure the supply, but this time, she was much more gentle, giving him a sense of vindication. The comfort was even better than eating Yuan Qi food.

Zhao Danqing felt the same way. His mother's return made him indescribably happy. He had fully supported his father, offending his mother deeply!

Seeing the unexpected success, the family of three was delighted and felt that Jiang Xingchen was truly their lucky star. They both instructed Zhao Danqing to stay in touch and help with any difficulties!

The gathering of the seven army corps commanders was undoubtedly a seismic shock to the nobles of Hongyuan City. However, for the common people and ordinary rich, they saw the impact of the Purple Thorn Mercenary Group selling the recipe.

All 135 restaurants in the city bought the recipe at the same time, and the effect was astonishing.

Hongyuan City, backed by vast mountains, was already a densely populated area with a constant flow of merchants from all over.

A few days ago, when Fuyongzhai and Cuilou introduced new dishes, it was a sensation, but due to the difficulty in making reservations, many merchants from outside could not wait that long.

This time was different. After buying the recipe, all the restaurants eagerly tried it out. Soon, the entire city was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of meat, and the merchants from outside tasted the unforgettable flavor.

The effect was unprecedented. The power of word-of-mouth was strong, and before long, the reputation of Hongyuan City's cuisine spread, attracting even more people! Some even made a special trip just to eat.

Of course, these were the subsequent effects. For Jiang Xingchen, whether it was the gathering of the seven army corps or Mo Hongxian selling the recipe, he paid no attention. For three consecutive days, he was fully focused on accompanying the little girl to buy items and arrange the house.

On the third day, Mei'er stretched lazily, took a deep breath, and then looked at the bedroom with satisfaction, chuckling.

Jiang Xingchen stood beside her, with a helpless expression. The placement of the wardrobe, tables, and chairs was fine, but the curtains, mattresses, bed sheets, and quilts were all pink. The cotton fabric dyed with natural flower juice was incredibly expensive, almost comparable to silk, but the little girl didn't mind the cost, saying she liked the color and insisting on buying it.

Buying it was one thing, but the arrangement made it look like a girl's bedroom, which made him feel very uncomfortable. He had suggested letting Mei'er have her own room, but the little girl refused and even started to pout.

"Brother~ Mei'er is scared to sleep alone!" The drawn-out, cloying tone made Jiang Xingchen's skin crawl. He had never heard the little girl pout before.

Although it made him shiver, he was happy that the little girl was becoming more like a girl her age!

In the end, under the little girl's pouting, Jiang Xingchen gave in and endured the discomfort of the pink quilt.

"Alright! I agree, stop making that sound, my teeth are numb!"

He hurriedly rubbed his arms and turned to leave, saying, "Everything is tidy now. Today, brother will make you a delicious meal!"

"Ah! What is brother going to make?" The little girl's eyes lit up, and her mouth started to water, remembering the delicious hand-rolled noodles from last time.

"Ha ha, today brother will make you dumplings!" Saying that, Jiang Xingchen left and went into the kitchen.