Chapter 6

Li Shimin glanced at Wang Zian's small abode and immediately had a general understanding of his living conditions.

Living alone, no servants.

So, he didn’t expect to be served directly; he could only hope that the food Wang Zian prepared wouldn’t be poisonous.

Wang Zian was squatting by the well in the courtyard, washing mutton. Turning his head, he saw Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin already sitting at the table, waiting like old hands.

Hey—You guys really don’t know how to be polite!

"Hey—Old Li, don’t just sit there, go and bring out the stove from the kitchen! The sun is nice today, we’ll eat outside. Old Cheng, don’t just sit there either, come and help peel a few cloves of garlic, and wash the radishes and leafy greens—"

Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin exchanged glances.

This treatment is really something new.

Well, relying on this guy alone, who knows when we’ll get to eat. Since this guy doesn’t know our identities, let’s just do it.

The two of them split up and got to work.

"Is this the stove you mentioned? What’s burning inside? It looks somewhat like coal—no, no, it’s not coal, there’s no strange smell or toxic smoke. What is this?"

While Wang Zian was still washing the mutton, Li Shimin’s surprised voice came from the kitchen.

"That’s the one, it’s coal, but I’ve processed it. Be careful when you move it, grab the handles on both sides, don’t burn yourself."

"Got it!"

Li Shimin replied irritably. This guy was treating him like an idiot. With such a hot stove, was he an idiot to touch it with his hands...

"Go, get my hot pot—yes, the iron pot with two handles next to the stove, and wash it—"

Seeing Li Shimin, who looked like a bumpkin, circling the stove, Wang Zian was speechless. These rich people, they need to be directed to do anything.

"Ah—Ah—Okay—"

Li Shimin was completely dazed, and Wang Zian’s commands took a moment to register. He had almost leaned over the stove to confirm it was coal, and there was indeed no strange smell.

If coal can be used for cooking and heating, how many people would be saved from freezing to death each year—his eyes showed intense enthusiasm!

No, this technology must be obtained at all costs!

So, lost in thought, Li Shimin didn’t really pay attention to what Wang Zian said about the pot. After searching the kitchen for a long time, he finally came out with a wok.

"This looks somewhat like a pot, is this it—"

Wang Zian was exasperated.

"This is a wok—used for stir-frying! The one with the handles, got it?"

Li Shimin, looking embarrassed, ran back to get the right pot, muttering to himself.

"You mean this pot? But this pot is so strange, there’s a partition inside, wouldn’t that be inconvenient to use..."

"You say you have no knowledge, but you won’t admit it. This is called a hot pot, custom-made, one of a kind in the world. I’ll show you later—just wash it for now, I’ll go pick some vegetables—"

Li Shimin was about to wash the pot when he suddenly froze.

"What did you say, pick vegetables? Where are you going to pick vegetables in this season—"

Li Shimin, holding the pot, looked at him suspiciously. He had every reason to suspect that this guy was making excuses to be lazy and make him do the work.

"Where else, in the courtyard."

Wang Zian walked to the west wall of the courtyard, lifted the straw mat covering a low greenhouse, and a lush green appeared inside!

Leeks, Chinese cabbage, spinach, shepherd’s purse, lettuce, peas, water spinach, daylilies, radishes, water celery... if he wasn’t mistaken, the row of leaves just sprouting should be cucumbers!

Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin were stunned speechless.

It had been over a month into winter, and even getting a plate of green vegetables was a luxury. This guy had actually grown vegetables in his courtyard!

A whole large plot, with various vegetables!

The two of them were so envious, they felt their lives as the emperor (duke) were nothing compared to this guy’s.

Not even a hint of green on the dining table!

"You, who are you? How can you defy the laws of nature and make crops grow out of season..."

With such skills, yet willing to live in this small courtyard. Li Shimin looked at Wang Zian with intense interest. Such talent must be brought into the fold, how could it be left in the countryside!

"Stop being so surprised, it’s just a simple greenhouse. Look at your ignorant faces. Alright, alright, if you want to eat, get to work—oh, be careful, don’t step on the plants..."

Wang Zian casually reminded him, snatched the hot pot from the still stunned Li Shimin, and placed it on the stove. Without an induction cooker or gas, it was a hassle to use the stove.

However, Wang Zian particularly enjoyed this pace of life.

Slowly simmering a pot of porridge, leisurely sipping a small cup of wine, no need to rush, you can really feel alive. Unlike in his previous life, where he would rush to work when the crescent moon was high, and only return home exhausted under the starry sky. Not to mention drinking a leisurely cup of wine, he would even wish for the porridge to cool instantly.

Green onions, ginger, garlic, red dates, star anise, a piece of radish, a handful of goji berries, and a large bone with meat already stewed. One side with clear broth, the other with a bit of Sichuan pepper, the hot pot broth was complete.

Sichuan pepper’s flavor was somewhat different from chili, but with his god-like cooking skills, it was no longer a problem.

"Eating hot pot without this, it’s just not the same..."

Tofu, duck blood, and mung bean noodles, too bad there was no sweet potato, otherwise sweet potato noodles would be more to his taste. With the vegetables that Old Li and Old Cheng had just washed, all that was left was to slice the mutton and wait for the broth to boil, and they could start eating!

Just as he finished, he turned around to find that the simple-minded Cheng Yaojin had even pulled out the water celery he had grown!

"Who eats water celery in hot pot—never mind, you guys haven’t tried it..."

Cheng Yaojin looked embarrassed but was still stubborn.

"Who said you can’t eat water celery in hot pot? I like it, can’t I?"

"Fine, fine, fine, as long as you like it, you can eat whatever you want—"

These two idiots, I don’t have time for you!

He held the mutton and the cleaver, like a god of cooking.

Slice, slice, slice!

The mutton slices were uniform in size and thickness, even better than the machine-sliced ones from his previous life.

Wow, having such strength in my arms is great, slicing mutton is so satisfying, perfectly matching my current god-like cooking skills!

The essential skills for a leisurely life in the Tang Dynasty have taken the first step.

"Great knife skills!"

Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin couldn’t help but look at Wang Zian with changed eyes, especially Cheng Yaojin, whose gaze was somewhat complex.

This guy, if he weren’t so troublesome, would really be a good match for the girl!

Well, I need to observe him more.