My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

That night, Ji Xuanyuan went to the kitchen himself.

The soul of hot pot, chili peppers, was still far away in America at that time.

He then ordered people to find Sichuan pepper, dogwood (an important spice at the time, with a spicy flavor), ginger, garlic, and scallions, and also to find spices such as star anise, cinnamon, galangal, and cloves.

He personally directed the cooks to crush and mix local soybean paste with pickled melons and scallions, and then ferment it slightly to create a sauce similar to fermented black beans, with a salty and savory flavor, which served as an important base for hot pot broth.

The most crucial elements are the oil and the broth.

He instructed Zhang Fei to keep an eye out for oxen that had either "died for love" or "died in an accident."

During the Han Dynasty, the private slaughter of oxen was strictly prohibited, but oxen that died "naturally" were exempt from this rule.

After obtaining the butter, he instructed the cook to repeatedly boil and filter it with scallion and ginger water to remove the fishy smell and obtain clear and fragrant butter.

They then used a large amount of beef and mutton bones, along with plenty of scallions and ginger, to simmer the broth overnight, resulting in a pot of rich, milky-white, and fragrant soup.

The next day, he mixed the rendered butter and the prepared broth in the correct proportions, then added the stir-fried Sichuan peppercorns, dogwood, ginger, garlic, and various spices, as well as the special sauce.

Soon after the fire boiled, a complex and unprecedentedly strong aroma, accompanied by billowing white steam, wafted from the kitchen, assaulting everyone's sense of smell.

"It smells so good! It smells amazing!"

"General, you are truly a divine being! To be able to prepare such a delicious broth!"

"Such a harmonizing effect on the five flavors is unheard of."

"While the cooking method is similar to that of antique soup, it is much spicier and more delicious!"

The cooks in the kitchen were dumbfounded. They had never imagined that these ingredients and spices, after the general's guidance, could produce such an enchanting aroma.

The next evening, at the prefect's residence.

The charcoal fire dispelled the winter chill, and each core member had a small red clay stove in front of their desk, upon which sat a palm-sized exquisite bronze cauldron, inside which red soup bubbled and steamed.

A wide variety of ingredients are on display, including thinly sliced ​​"suicide beef" and lamb, tender fish slices, crisp cabbage, radish, winter bamboo shoots, tofu, and bean curd sheets.

This "hot pot" feast is similar in appearance to, but different from, the "antique soup" that was popular at the time, which involved cooking various ingredients together in a pot. The soup base was rich and complex, and the dipping sauces were diverse. Ji Xuanyuan also prepared sesame paste, minced garlic, coriander, etc. The delicious and stimulating flavors were far superior to those of the antique soup.

The group sat around the fire, no longer discussing the troublesome military and political affairs.

"This dish is called 'hot pot'," Ji Xuanyuan introduced with a smile, personally demonstrating by picking up a slice of mutton as thin as a cicada's wing, swishing it a few times in the boiling red broth, and then taking it out when the meat turned white. He then rolled it in a bowl of sesame sauce and put it in his mouth.

In an instant, the tenderness of the mutton, the spicy and mellow flavor of the broth, the smoothness of the sesame sauce, and the slight spiciness of the mustard all intertwine and explode in your mouth.

Although it was far from the distinct layers of hot pot in later generations, in an era of scarce seasonings, this complex flavor that combined numbing, spicy, fresh, fragrant, and salty tastes was already an astonishing delicacy.

"Mmm! Delicious!"

Dian Wei couldn't wait any longer. He copied Dian Wei, scooped up a large mouthful of meat, and stuffed it into his mouth. It was so hot he was panting, but he couldn't bear to spit it out. His eyes widened: "Delicious! Spicy! So satisfying!"

Everyone picked up their chopsticks, initially a little cautious, but after the first bite, their taste buds were conquered by the unprecedentedly strong flavor, and praises immediately arose, with chopsticks falling like rain.

Even Lu Zhi, who always paid attention to his manners, was attracted by this novel way of eating and the delicious taste. He kept putting down his chopsticks, and a little sweat appeared on his forehead.

The charcoal fire warmed the body, the fine wine soothed the stomach, and the conversation became more relaxed.

As the officers became intoxicated, they began to speak recklessly and expose each other's shortcomings.

Li Cunxiao pointed at Yang Zaixing and laughed loudly: "Zongxing, do you still remember when you were ten years old, you insisted on imitating me and competing with the bear in the back mountain, and ended up being chased up a tree and crying?"

Yang Zaixing's face darkened, and he retorted sarcastically, "How dare you talk to me like that? You used to steal wine from Tong Shizang and get so drunk that you clung to the stable post, calling for your mother!"

Ran Min chimed in, "Let me tell you, don't be fooled by Fengxian's current clamor to become a cavalry captain. The first time he rode a horse, he fell off four times."

Lu Bu's face flushed red: "Fourth Brother, when you first used that double-edged spear, did you cut your belt?"

Even the usually aloof and taciturn Xiang Yu was dragged along by Zhang Fei, yelling, "Second Brother, don't think I don't know you grind your teeth and talk in your sleep! The soldier who slept next to you during our last camping trip complained to me that it sounded like thunder!"

Xiang Yu's double pupils widened in surprise, and he looked unusually embarrassed.

The most astonishing pair was Lu Zhi and Guo Jia.

Guo Jia was already a heavy drinker, and now, with delicious food accompanying his wine, he was even more delighted.

Lu Zhi was usually serious, but historical records state that he "could drink a stone of wine without getting drunk," indicating that his capacity for alcohol was unfathomable.

After drinking two cups, Guo Jia picked up a wine jar and approached Lu Zhi's table.

"Master Lu, I have long admired your reputation as a great scholar. It is an honor to be seated here with you today!"

Lu Zhi was already slightly tipsy, and his usually stern and serious face softened considerably. He even raised his wine bowl: "Fengxiao, you are a young talent, a man of refined taste in poetry and wine. I have long heard of you. Come, let us drink together!"

This Confucian scholar, known for his seriousness and integrity, was seen drinking and exchanging toasts with Guo Jia, a "drunkard." When they got into the mood, they started playing drinking games and reciting impassioned folk poems, completely different from their usual selves.

Guo Jia was even more unrestrained, holding a wine pot in one hand and patting Lu Zhi's shoulder with the other, exclaiming, "Lord Lu is truly a man of character!" The two were more than thirty years apart in age, and he addressed Lu Zhi as "brother" and "old brother" repeatedly.

"I've always seen Lord Lu as a rigorous scholar, dignified and composed, but I never imagined he could be so...unrestrained," Tian Feng said to Ju Shou with a low voice.

Ju Shou stroked his beard and smiled, "Even when drunk, one's heart and spirit remain open; this is truly the demeanor of a renowned scholar."

Ji Xuanyuan's lips twitched. The historical records only said that Duke Lu was not good at poetry, but could drink a whole stone of wine. But they didn't say that he was like this when he was happy.

In times of chaos and ice, such moments of warmth are truly precious.

He turned his head and looked at Zhen Mi, who was sitting quietly behind a small table specially set up beside him.

There was also a small pot of clear soup in front of the little girl. She didn't eat much; most of the time, she just watched quietly.

Watching those people who are usually dignified, brave, or wise, now unload all their burdens, laughing and joking with each other, even "revealing each other's shortcomings."

Watching Guan Yu, slightly tipsy, insist on arm wrestling with Zhang Fei; watching Dian Wei, craving spicy food, turn red in the face, stick out his tongue, and gulp down water; watching Guo Jia and Lu Zhi, arm in arm, sing off-key folk songs…

This is completely different from the image of the scholar-official described in the Confucian classics she read since childhood, which included "a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen," "does not speak while eating or sleeping," and "acts with propriety in both advancement and retreat, and does not show his joy or anger on his face."

Without the constraints of rigid etiquette or insincere pleasantries, only genuine feelings flow amidst the steam and aroma of wine.

She raised her clear eyes and looked at Ji Xuanyuan beside her.

The firelight illuminated his pale profile, casting a warm glow upon him. He watched his brothers frolicking with a smile, his eyes filled with a relaxation and warmth she had never seen before.

"This place... is very different," Zhen Mi suddenly said softly.

Ji Xuanyuan withdrew his gaze and looked down at her: "How is it different?"

"The book says that a gentleman should be prudent and calm." Zhen Mi's voice was calm and undisturbed.

"But they...are happy."

Ji Xuanyuan was slightly taken aback, then understood.

He reached out and gently ruffled the little girl's hair, saying softly, "Being composed and quiet is proper conduct, while expressing true feelings is a sign of a good heart. Here, you can simply be yourself; you don't have to be like what the books say."

Zhen Mi seemed to understand, but looking at Ji Xuanyuan's gentle smile and feeling the warmth from his fingertips, she nodded slightly and turned her gaze back to the lively banquet.

Snowflakes began to fall silently again, covering the courtyard without a sound.

Inside the pavilion, the bronze cauldrons bubbled, laughter and chatter filled the air, and the aroma of wine and food mingled with the warm steam, creating a secluded little paradise.

At this moment, there were no lingering Yellow Turban threats, no court suspicions, and no worries about money or food. There was only a group of like-minded brothers, sitting around the fire, talking and warding off the cold.

The road ahead is long and turbulent, and the wind and snow are fierce.

But at least tonight, the fire is burning brightly, and people's hearts are warm.