novellhall Chapter 200 Someone Wants to Cut in Line
Chapter 200 Someone Wants to Cut in Line
He didn't consider himself a gluttonous person, but for some reason, he kept swallowing his saliva ever since the dishes were served.
"This is a dish of bamboo shoots with cured pork, braised winter mushrooms and bamboo shoots, dried shrimp and winter melon, stir-fried sweet potato leaves with dried scallops, and seafood porridge that I made. It contains shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, greens and oysters."
Wu Yingguo picked up his chopsticks, first taking a piece of bamboo shoot. It was crisp and crunchy, just like fresh bamboo shoots.
He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is this made from the dried vegetables you brought back? It's almost indistinguishable from fresh ones."
"There are also mushrooms and sweet potato leaves, all of which are freeze-dried vegetables. Don't be fooled by how light those ten bags look; if you soak them in water, they'll weigh several hundred pounds of vegetables," Qiao An explained.
"Unbelievable! Has the technology in the South become this advanced?"
Qiao An's eyes darted around, and she started rambling further south.
"Actually, it's not the technology from Guangyun City; they got it from Gangcheng."
Wu Yingguo suddenly realized that if it was from Hong Kong, then it would make sense.
Although he had never been there, everyone knows that the port city is developed.
"Great, with these vegetables, the soldiers can finally have a change of pace."
"Go to the cafeteria tomorrow. You don't need to do it yourself. Just tell them how to handle the seafood. Our chefs are all from inland cities and don't know how to cook it."
"Sure, of course no problem," Qiao An readily agreed.
"I have another favor to ask," Wu Yingguo said, swallowing the mushroom in his mouth. "If the Northwest Army needs these supplies in the future, could you perhaps help us procure some more?"
This was exactly what Qiao An wanted. With the Northwest Army backing him, many things in his space could be transported to the Northwest via military trains through official channels.
"Of course, but Commander Wu, could I have a portion of this military train car?"
Wu Yingguo instantly realized that Qiao An wanted to use the note he had approved to smuggle her own things.
"Can."
"Besides the Northwest, could you grant me special permission to transport some of it to Yuncheng in Zhongchuan Province? I know that military train will pass through Yuncheng."
For Wu Yingguo, something that happened along the way was nothing special.
"That's also acceptable."
"Thank you, Commander Wu."
Qiao An poured him a drink and then poured Huo Jiyun a glass as well.
"Please raise a toast to Commander Wu on my behalf."
Wu Yingguo ate his fill at Qiao An's house, chatted for a while afterward, and then left.
As he walked out of the Huo family's gate, he licked his lips, still savoring the experience.
Qiao An's cooking is really delicious, even better than the chefs at the Pingjing Grand Hotel.
He was even a little envious of Huo Jiyun.
The next day, accompanied by Huo Jiyun, Qiao An arrived at the camp's canteen and personally instructed the chefs on how to process freeze-dried vegetables.
They initially thought the little girl didn't know anything, but when they saw the vegetables gradually coming back to life in the water, their eyes widened in surprise.
They've eaten dried wood ear mushrooms and dried shiitake mushrooms, but they've never seen dried leafy greens before.
That's amazing.
Then, Joan taught them how to cook seafood.
The chefs gathered around, and soon a plate of oysters stir-fried with chives was served. They each took a bite.
"Wow! So fresh! So delicious!"
"I never would have guessed that dry stuff could taste so good when stir-fried!"
"The oysters taste really good. Is this meat from the sea? Apart from being a little small, there's nothing wrong with them."
The cafeteria was in an uproar at noon today.
The soldiers, who hadn't eaten any other dishes in a long time, were almost in tears.
Many soldiers whose hometowns were coastal cities were moved to tears by the meal.
This is the taste of home, the taste of mom.
Wu Yingguo even personally came to the canteen to inspect it at noon.
Seeing the young soldiers' eyes gleaming with hunger, he felt a little comforted.
These soldiers are stationed in the northwest, where living conditions are already worse than inland, and they have been fighting with the Wolman Kingdom for the past few years.
They're still just kids.
Wu Yingguo sighed. All he could do now was make sure these young people ate well.
In the afternoon, a military light truck drove into the military compound.
Li Shaoyun had already heard from Qi Yunsheng that Qiao An had brought back a lot of good things, which the troops would bring to the compound to sell in the afternoon.
She took leave from the hospital specifically to come back so that she could buy more vegetables and dried goods.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the women in the compound received the message, and they carried nets and basins and headed to the square.
Many people know that Qiao An went to the south to buy fertilizer, but only a few people know that she also bought these ingredients.
Wang Baohua then put her arm around Qiao An's arm and said, "Tell me what's good to eat? I'll buy more of it."
"Yes, yes, we'll listen to you," Yue Na said with a smile.
Le Guyu frowned. "Qiao An, could you please take some time to teach us how to make dried seafood? We've never eaten that stuff before, and it would be a waste if we didn't do it right."
Qiao An looked around and said, "Okay, the dried seafood I bought are all quick and easy ingredients for dishes. Besides, seafood doesn't require much complicated processing."
She remembered a sentence she had heard in her past life.
"High-end ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods."
"You're quite the talker," Wang Baohua nudged her shoulder.
They soon arrived at the square.
Everyone lined up in an orderly fashion.
There was still plenty of time, so no one was in a hurry. Those in front took their time choosing, while those in the back gathered together to chat.
Qiao An had plenty of ingredients in her space, so she didn't buy any. She just stood in line and talked to Wang Baohua and the others, chatting about Guangyun City.
Many people had never been there before, and soon more and more people gathered around to listen.
Guo Caifeng was sleeping at home, while Xia Xiaoyun went to the supply and marketing cooperative in the city to buy things.
By the time Guo Caifeng heard someone say that vegetables were being sold in the square, it was already past four o'clock.
She cursed under her breath, "Damn it, I have to go to the supply and marketing cooperative today, and I have to go buy groceries."
Despite the complaints, the groceries still need to be bought.
When Guo Caifeng arrived at the square carrying the basin, she saw a long queue in front of her.
Looking again, it seemed there wasn't much left in the truck.
Without a second thought, Guo Caifeng ran straight to the front, determined to be the first one.
"Hey! What are you doing? Why are you cutting in line? Go to the back of the line!"
Le Guyu was the next person to buy groceries. After waiting in line for so long, she was naturally unhappy that someone cut in line.
Guo Caifeng glanced at her sideways. "How old am I? Can't you be a little more considerate of me? If we're in line, will there still be food left when it's my turn?"
"Then why didn't you come sooner?" Le Guyu didn't let him in.
"I'm old and have trouble walking, please move aside and let me buy first." Guo Caifeng still tried to squeeze in.
Actually, if we talk things out properly, since we all live in the same courtyard, it's not a big deal to be a little considerate.
But she's so unreasonable, and her words are so annoying.
"I won't allow it! Either don't buy it, or you can go to the back of the line!" Le Guyu also had a fiery temper and refused to back down.
"How dare you talk to me like that, you little wench! I'm your elder! My son is a regimental commander, and your husband is just a battalion commander. How dare you yell at me like that!"
Lin Wan was a little behind in line. She coughed lightly, knowing this was the perfect opportunity to make a name for herself.