Duan Gongshu did not know that his casual chatting words would create a super rich man in the future.
After hearing what he said, the shopkeeper started to think about it. After thinking about it for a few days, he simply closed the restaurant and ran back to Dengzhou.
Then the shopkeeper began to collect secret recipes everywhere, and then sold them to restaurants everywhere.
Because the food was really good and the prices he gave were fair, almost all restaurants started buying the secret recipes from him.
The stable market began to allow the shopkeeper to accumulate wealth, and in just five years, he became a well-known rich man in Dengzhou.
The shopkeeper grew bigger and stronger, constantly developed production methods, established a factory, and sold the secret recipe to more places.
This secret recipe may not be worth a penny in future generations. But nowadays, it means a huge amount of wealth.
The caught sea sausage is dried in the sun, crushed into powder, and added to the dishes, which can greatly enhance the freshness.
On the coast of China, only Dengzhou is rich in sea sausage, and this shopkeeper accidentally discovered the secret.
Sea sausage powder is rich in sodium glutamate, which has the same effect as later MSG.
Until the Qing Dynasty, the use of sea sausage powder in dishes to enhance the freshness was a secret kept by Shandong cuisine masters.
It can be said that before the emergence of industrially produced MSG, sea sausage powder was the best freshness-enhancing condiment.
The first meal after landing greatly satisfied the appetites of Lian Shanhai and others.
Let them look forward to the next journey even more.
Three days later, the group finally arrived in Shandong after a long journey.
However, their ship was stopped before it entered the port of Dengzhou.
"Chief of Staff, the commander-in-chief has ordered you to take your guests directly to Jinan. The commander-in-chief will receive them personally."
While the fleet was still in Jeju Island, Bai Dasheng sent a speedboat back to Shandong to report. After all, this matter was a big one and some preparations were needed in advance.
Zuo Mengeng was very happy after receiving the letter, and asked these distant guests to come directly to Jinan without disembarking in Dengzhou.
"Everyone, the commander-in-chief is very happy to hear that you are coming. He is already waiting in Jinan. How about we work harder and go directly there?"
Lian Shanhai and others were excited when they heard that Zuo Mengeng was going to receive him in person.
When they were still in Nuer Gandusi, they had often heard the legend of Zuo Mengeng.
Almost every member of the army heading north will dream of following Zuo Menggeng as a god. In their mouths, Zuo Menggeng is greater than the gods.
Over time, these primitive people also developed respect for Zuo Menggeng.
When they came here, they saw all kinds of prosperity, which made them even more vaguely worship Zuo Mengeng.
"It is a lifelong honor for us to be received by the commander-in-chief. Please also ask the chief of staff to lead the way. We want to present the most precious gift to the commander-in-chief."
So the group changed into a small boat in Dengzhou, sailed up the Daqing River, and walked for two more days before finally arriving in Shandong.
This winter is relatively warm, the Daqing River is not frozen, and boats can still be sailed, otherwise they will have more hardship.
Lian Shanhai and others had already seen Seogwipo and Deungju, and they thought they were the best in the world.
But when Jinan City appeared in front of them, their cognition was violently impacted again.
On the vast plain, there are countless houses lined up in rows with no end in sight. The wide roads are like big rivers, shuttling between the cities.
People walking on the road rub shoulders with each other, rushing forward and backward, like waves reverberating.
There are many shops on both sides of the road, and the flags and flags fluttering in the wind are so colorful that it is dazzling.
Seogwipo and Deungju are just lively, but this place truly embodies the prosperity and splendor.
Four- and five-story buildings rise from the ground, and pagodas dozens of meters high are shining golden in the sun.
Four-wheeled carriages raced on the road one after another, swiftly but not chaotically, with a certain order.
Lian Shanhai and others thought that since they came from a foreign country, they would definitely look strange when they arrived here. But looking around, there are many weirdos with blond hair, blue eyes, and skin as white as devils.
In comparison, they seem ordinary.
Zuo Mengeng attached great importance to these primitive people from the north and specially sent a carriage to welcome them.
Sitting in a stable and comfortable carriage, admiring the surrounding scenery, the road underfoot was not bumpy at all, which made Lian Shanhai and others mesmerized, as if they were in a dream.
Suddenly there was a banging sound outside, and the pungent smell of sulfur quickly filled the air.
As a soldier, Lian Shanhai jumped up and grabbed the knife beside him.
"Don't be nervous, this is setting off firecrackers."
Duan Gongshu quickly comforted him.
"Firecrackers? What kind of firecrackers are they?"
Even mountains and seas are unknown.
Speaking of this, Duan Gongshu had a look of nostalgia on his face.
"We Han Chinese New Year is coming soon, which is the most important day of the year. Whenever a festival comes, people will set off firecrackers to celebrate the New Year, drive away evil spirits, and welcome good luck in the coming year."
He opened the car window to let everyone see more clearly.
Sure enough, on both sides of the street, many people were placing palm-sized long cylinders on the ground and lighting them with incense.
The thing made a loud "bang" sound, making adults and children laugh.
Lian Shanhai recognized him at a glance.
"I never thought gunpowder could be used like this."
"This is how gunpowder was originally used, but it was later discovered that it could be used in warfare."
Lian Shanhai looked at the scene on the street curiously, and the happy and peaceful smiles of the people deeply infected him.
The carriage kept going, I don't know how long it took.
Gradually, the surrounding environment became less lively, and the number of pedestrians on the road became fewer and fewer. Wherever you looked, it seemed that the faces of people wearing military uniforms were very serious.
"Okay, the commander-in-chief has arrived."
Bai Dasheng greeted everyone to get off the bus.
After getting off the car, everyone felt that the place under their feet was completely different from the scene they had just seen.
The buildings here are more majestic and solemn, making people feel awe.
The soldiers patrolling back and forth in the surroundings, both covertly and covertly, added a bit of chill and made everyone cautious.
Just when I didn't know what I was going to face next, the golden door in front of me suddenly opened to the left and right.
A large group of people came out, and among them was a very tall young man.
This man had a casual smile on his face, but he was as imposing as a tiger and very oppressive.
What ferocious beasts have you not seen in the mountains and seas?
But as soon as I made eye contact with this person, I felt like I was being stabbed, and I quickly lowered my head in fear.
Bai Dasheng's words rang in their ears.
"Everyone, the commander-in-chief has personally come out to greet you."