Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

In the center of the main room, the familiar red clay stove was burning brightly.

The embers licked the bottom of the stove, and above them sat an exquisitely crafted copper pot.

The broth in the pot was not the usual clear broth, but rather a thick layer of red oil bubbling around.

That was Gu Yannian using butter, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise.

And the spicy hot pot base made from the red chilies he personally grew and dried.

The bubbling red oil released a pungent and overpowering aroma that filled the room, dispelling the winter chill.

Gu Yannian was wearing a faded blue cotton robe and holding long chopsticks.

Place a slice of mutton, cut as thin as a cicada's wing, into the red broth.

With just a few dips in the pan, the mutton will curl up, change color, and become covered in glossy red fat.

He couldn't wait to put the mutton into his mouth, and a strong spicy and savory flavor exploded on his tongue.

"happy!"

Gu Yannian let out a long sigh of relief, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.

In the early Ming Dynasty, when pungent seasonings were scarce, a bite of spicy food was the ultimate treat for the taste buds.

Just as Gu Yannian was preparing the second plate of mutton, a dull knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Thump, thump, thump."

The knocking was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an inexplicable sense of pressure.

Gu Yannian was slightly taken aback.

He instantly sensed what was happening outside the door.

Three men stood outside the door. Two of them had long, steady breaths and extremely light footsteps, clearly indicating that they were masters of internal martial arts with unparalleled skills.

The person being protected by the two men was a fat man with heavy breathing and unsteady steps.

Gu Yannian put down his chopsticks, stood up, and went to open the door.

The wooden door creaked open, and a gust of cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in.

Standing outside the door was a well-to-do middle-aged man dressed in a heavy white fox fur coat.

He had a round, amiable face, but his eyes were bloodshot.

His brows were furrowed with an unyielding weariness and sorrow.

Gu Yannian's eyes flashed, and he immediately recognized the person.

It was none other than the current Crown Prince, Zhu Gaochi.

Why would he come to my secluded alley in disguise?

Gu Yannian's mind raced, but he feigned ignorance and asked with his hands clasped:

"Esteemed guest, it's late and snowing heavily. May I ask what brings you to my door?"

Just as one of Zhu Gaochi's plainclothes guards was about to step forward and reprimand him, Zhu Gaochi raised his hand to stop him.

The prince sniffed, and a rare look of craving appeared on his tired face.

He had secretly left the palace incognito, hoping to relax in the quiet snowy night and relieve the immense pressure of preparing military supplies.

But when I passed by this small courtyard, I was captivated by a unique and powerful fragrance that I had never smelled before.

"You're too kind, sir."

Zhu Gaochi spoke in a gentle tone.

"My name is Huang, and I am a passing merchant. The snow is falling heavily, and I have smelled a wonderful fragrance wafting from your courtyard. I am feeling both hungry and cold. Would you mind if I could have a cup of hot tea to warm myself? I would be willing to offer ten taels of silver as a token of my gratitude."

Gu Yannian chuckled inwardly; this Crown Prince was indeed a true foodie.

He hesitated for a moment, then opened the door.

"Mr. Huang, you're too kind. Everyone has their inconveniences when traveling. Please come in. It's just simple food, please don't find it offensive."

Zhu Gaochi left two guards outside the courtyard and followed Gu Yannian into the main hall alone.

As soon as he entered the room, the spicy aroma was like an invisible hand, tightly gripping Zhu Gaochi's stomach.

He looked at the copper pot bubbling with red oil and couldn't help but swallow.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Huang. This is a way of eating that I came up with on my own, called hot pot. It uses some spices brought by Western merchants, so it's spicy. I don't know if you can get used to it."

Gu Yannian handed over a clean bowl and chopsticks.

Zhu Gaochi had no time for formalities.

He picked up a slice of mutton, dipped it in the pot like Gu Yannian, and put it in his mouth.

boom!

The spiciness that shot straight to his head instantly ignited his icy body.

Sweat suddenly poured out from his forehead, sweeping away the gloom and frustration that had been building up in his chest for days.

Holy crap!

"Phew, that was awesome! So satisfying!"

Zhu Gaochi was panting heavily, sticking out his tongue, but he couldn't stop eating with his chopsticks.

After eating piece after piece of mutton, Zhu Gaochi's face turned red and he was drenched in sweat.

This rustic and spicy food is completely different from the exquisitely crafted but bland imperial cuisine in the palace.

It was full of vibrant, down-to-earth local flavor.

"Sir, this soup base is truly heavenly!"

Zhu Gaochi picked up his teacup, took a sip of water, and looked at Gu Yannian with admiration in his eyes.

"Having traveled far and wide, I have never tasted such domineering and satisfying food. After today's meal, I feel that even the blizzard is nothing."

"Master Huang, you flatter me. There are countless troubles in this world, sometimes like the wind and snow outside. The more you try to withstand it, the colder and more piercing it becomes."

Gu Yannian slowly picked up a piece of frozen tofu and put it into the pot.

"Why not sit down and have a hot meal? Once your stomach is warm and you have the strength, you'll have to get through even the worst snowstorm step by step."

Zhu Gaochi paused slightly in his hand as he picked up some food.

He looked up at the simply dressed, calm-faced young man.

These words sound like vulgar, common language.

But to the Crown Prince, who was overwhelmed with the task of procuring provisions for his army, it seemed to have a miraculous effect, like clearing away the clouds and revealing the sun.

Yes, the provisions and pay for an army of 100,000 were a huge and overwhelming burden, making it hard for him to breathe.

But you have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time.

What's the use of being impatient?

"What you say makes sense. When your stomach is warm and you have more strength, you can overcome even the most difficult obstacles."

Zhu Gaochi laughed heartily, and most of the worry between his brows disappeared.

That night, the most esteemed crown prince of the Ming Dynasty...

In the humble abode of a minor official of the seventh rank, they ate the spiciest hot pot and sweated the most freely.

Gu Yannian simply watched all of this calmly.

It's like watching a performer on stage, working tirelessly for the sake of his family, country, and the world.

He added more firewood to make the fire burn even brighter.