Mother, I have returned to the throne.

Chapter 213 Comparing people with each other makes people angry

Under Song Yuan's personal supervision, the prototype of the forging bed took shape in just one afternoon.

Although it looks like a thatched hut from a distance, the furnishings inside were all designed by Song Yuan himself.

What matters is a simple appearance but maximum practicality.

In Song Yuan's opinion, it doesn't matter if the conditions are a little difficult. As long as the job can be done, and the previous orders can be completed, speed is the top priority!

It was almost dark.

Zheng He's efficiency was much faster than he had promised before. He had already sent his men to escort a thousand sets of armor to Song Yuan's camp.

In order to prevent the loss of armor, Song Yuan specially arranged a team of 100 people, led by Zhang Tao.

Under his leadership, everyone rushed from Mohai City to Nan Daying, exhausted, complaining as they walked.

"It's almost dinner time, and we were just about to have a good meal. Now, by the time we get back, those beasts might not have left a single hair behind!"

"Oh, forget it. Life in the army is hard. You only get one meal of meat a week. Who would want to be burdened with such a hardship?"

"What's that smell? Do you smell it?"

Just as everyone was complaining, a thin guy in the crowd turned up his nose and looked into the distance.

Hearing his reminder, the others followed suit, and a moment later, an exclamation was heard from the team.

"This smell... damn, it's clearly meat! Looks like the brothers in the South Camp are living a good life!"

"This smells so good! Damn! Soldiers farming on the land can even eat meat. Is this even fair?"

"Tell me, when we meet that prince, can we find a way to stay here and have a meal?"

The rich aroma of meat made everyone drool.

Even for regular troops like them, meat is still a precious commodity.

According to the rules of Piaoxue City, there is only one meat meal per week. Every time this day comes, everyone stares at it eagerly!

I wish I could eat two more pieces of meat, as if I had gotten a great deal.

But even so, in the end each person only got two pieces of meat, and with a smacking of lips, the meat disappeared.

It’s not enough to fill the gaps between my teeth!

Even then, it was snatched away by the crowd. If you went too late, there would not even be any meat left.

The smell at this moment tempted everyone to eat it, and the leader Zhang Tao patted his chest and spoke.

"Brothers, follow me first. When we get to the camp, see how I perform. I'll definitely treat you all to a good meal!"

As they were talking, the group had already arrived at the military camp. Huo Jianchuan had been waiting for a long time and showed up on his own initiative, and was about to send someone to receive the armor.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Tao raised his hand to stop him: "Our general said when he came here that these armors can only be handed over to the prince in person. Apart from the prince, no one else can do it!"

"Is it that serious? It's just a few sets of armor. Do I have to trouble Your Highness?" Huo Jianchuan couldn't help but curl his lips when he heard such a request.

Zheng He is really a loser. It's no wonder that Your Highness said he was petty.

"There's nothing I can do, Commander. We are just running errands for others. These are all arranged by the general, and I dare not neglect them!" Seeing Huo Jianchuan's angry expression, Zhang Tao hurriedly explained with a smile.

In fact, this guy had his own plans in mind.

I'll stay here for a while longer, and when it gets dark, it wouldn't be too much to ask for a meal from you, right?

My buddy has come all the way here to deliver supplies to you. Logically speaking, we are all brothers. If I eat a piece of your meat, we can be considered acquaintances from now on!

Huo Jianchuan naturally didn't know about this idea, but thinking of what Song Yuan said before, he finally chose to give in.

"Never mind, never mind. Only your general is so particular!"

After complaining, Huo Jianchuan turned around and instructed his men to inform Song Yuan about the matter as soon as possible.

A moment later, Song Yuan and Situ Jing arrived at the scene.

"Greetings to the prince and princess!"

Zhang Tao was smart. Seeing that the two men were dressed differently, he bowed without saying a word.

Song Yuan smiled and waved his hand: "Okay, get up!"

As he spoke, Song Yuan had already walked forward and checked all the armors. Although these armors had been exposed to wind and rain, at least they were still qualified.

Song Yuan waved his hand and was about to put these armors into the warehouse.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Tao actually made a request with a flattering face: "Your Highness, you can't touch this armor for the time being. When you came here, our general specifically ordered that you write an IOU..."

"What does your general mean?"

Situ Jing, standing by, couldn't help but complain, "You're so petty! Are you afraid that we won't be able to return the armor after borrowing it?"

"Princess, you're overthinking it!"

Sensing Situ Jing's anger, Zhang Tao quickly explained, "Princess, you may not know that the army has very strict control over these armors. Every once in a while, even General Wei has to send people to check the quantity!"

"My general wants this IOU simply so he can explain himself later. I hope the prince and princess can be kind and understanding!"

Seeing Zhang Tao clasping his hands together and bowing repeatedly at the end, Song Yuan simply waved his hands and happily agreed to the other party's request.

"Alright, since you sound so pitiful, I'll go write you a receipt right now!"

As he spoke, Song Yuan turned and walked towards the tent.

When he reappeared, he was holding a promissory note in his hand, which was stamped with Song Yuan's seal.

After Zhang Tao took it, he saw that the IOU was so complete and there was no difference in the contents.

His face lit up with joy and he happily handed over the armor.

"that……"

Seeing that Song Yuan's men immediately gathered the money and hurriedly moved the armor away, Zhang Tao rubbed his hands and was about to find an excuse to see if he could stay here and have a meal.

But just as the words were on the tip of his tongue, Song Yuan took the initiative to look over and said with a smile: "I think it's getting dark. If you go back again, I'm afraid you will inevitably be hungry!"

"You all look tired after the long journey. How about staying here for a meal?"

If you say this, I won’t be sleepy anymore!

Zhang Tao's face lit up when he heard the invitation, but for the sake of face, he hesitated and waved his hand: "No, no, thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. We must return to report to the general immediately!"

"It won't take long to have a meal. If your general dares to give you trouble, just say I made you stay!"

"Then... then thank you very much, Your Majesty!"

This time Zhang Tao readily agreed, fearing that he was just being polite and would end up doing something real.

Song Yuan waved his hand, and someone immediately came forward to take Zhang Tao and others to rest and prepare dinner.

Watching the group's backs as they walked away, Song Yuan calmly waved to Huo Jianchuan standing beside him, "When we have dinner later, be careful to disrupt their positions and try to mix them with our people!"

"Okay, Your Highness!" Huo Jianchuan raised his eyebrows, already understanding Song Yuan's meaning, and nodded with a smile.

Situ Jing, who was standing by, covered her mouth and snickered. She couldn't help but pat Song Yuan on the shoulder: "If you stare at me, I'll be in big trouble. You're such a mean person!"

With Song Yuan's plan, after a meal, and with the encouragement of the soldiers, Zheng He's subordinates would probably be envious of the treatment here.

When I return to the barracks, just thinking about the life here will probably make my heart feel like it’s being scratched by a cat!

It is like planting a thorn in your heart, which may never be removed!

After a while, dinner finally began.

The men in the army naturally don't have so many rules when it comes to dining. They usually gather together with a dozen people and a large iron basin is placed in the middle.

The iron basin is filled with vegetables, which can be eaten with steamed buns and porridge to fill the stomach!

If it were in Mohai City, the iron basin would contain pickles and salted vegetables, which are easy to eat with rice.

But now, Zhang Tao stretched his head and looked at the iron basin, his eyes instantly lit up.

meat!

So much meat!

There was actually meat in the iron basin!

Unlike the treatment in Mohai City, the meat in the iron basin is in large chunks.

In the eyes of Zhang Tao and others, such treatment was much better than during the Chinese New Year.

Accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, Zhang Tao could no longer hold back. With a clear goal in mind, he picked up the chopsticks and put the meat into the bowl.

As for the steamed buns and porridge in his hand, Zhang Tao had long forgotten about them.

People are more infuriating than people.

Damn, I’m a regular soldier, but I can’t even see a scrap of meat in Mohai City.

This is the treatment we receive here. How great would it be if I could eat meat every day?

Zhang Tao's mouth was full of oil while he was eating, and he was secretly resentful in his heart.

It was not until someone reminded Zhang Tao that he came to his senses.

"Eat slowly, brother, don't grab it!"

"The prince said, there's plenty of meat, don't worry, no one will compete with you!"

"I'm sorry..." Zhang Tao felt a little embarrassed after being told this. He looked at the others and saw that they were looking at him with a look of condescension in their eyes.

Zhang Tao was even more indignant. He picked up a steamed bun, took a bite, and his eyes widened.

"This...this steamed bun is made of white flour?"

"Brother, I can tell you're not from here, right? We have these white flour buns every day, they're not something rare."

Seeing Zhang Tao's surprised look, others immediately started to explain.

When he learned the other party's identity, Zhang Tao's eyes were filled with anger.

A soldier who was farming actually ate better than a regular soldier like me!

Is there any justice in tnd?

"Brother, take your time and eat. There's no rush. I'm afraid you've suffered a lot in Mohai City. But the prince has a rule: you can eat as much meat as you want, but you can't leave any porridge or steamed buns in your bowl!"

"Whoever is left behind will be punished!"

Is there anything else to say?

Zhang Tao's eyes flickered with surprise when he heard this, and then he asked, "Brother, how often can we have meals like this?"

"How long? Brother, how hard is it for you in Mohai City? How often will it happen?"

"The prince said that one of the three meals a day will definitely include meat, but we must not waste food. Tell me, where else can you find such good treatment?"

Three meals a day...one of them must be meat!

This food!

Zhang Tao felt jealous just thinking about it.

"Also, the prince also said that he wouldn't be stingy with this condition on a normal day, but if it comes to war, anyone who dares to talk nonsense will not be forgiven!"

"Is this how you usually treat me?"

The more Zhang Tao talked, the more sad and angry he felt. How come the people farming in front of him looked more like regular soldiers than he did?

If this treatment were to spread to Mohai City, I wonder how many people would be jealous.

While the two were talking, they could see logistics officers coming and going, constantly putting food into the bowl.

If you want to eat meat, there’s plenty of it!