Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 85
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 85: Crab Roe Sauce
The group set off in a light carriage, stopping intermittently only until midday.
It was the first day of the journey, so everyone refrained from eating dry food and instead indulged in meat dishes as much as possible. They carried meat-filled pastries with them, knowing that once they reached the official road, dry food would be their only option if there were no resting posts nearby.
Someone set up a pot to boil water, and Lin Cheng, noticing Xie Xun take out a sandwich, approached his side. "Is this what your wife prepared for you?" he asked curiously.
Xie Xun nodded.
Lin Cheng didn't speak anymore. He ordered two cups of hot tea and sat down next to Xie Xun again.
Lin Cheng took a bite of the pancake he had brought. Though it had been baked early in the morning, it had already grown a bit dry. He picked up a teacup, took a sip, and glanced over at Xie Xun.
Xie Xun had unwrapped the oil paper in his hand, revealing what looked like steamed buns. The outer layer was white and soft, and the filling inside consisted of green vegetables and crimson patties, a combination that seemed somewhat unusual.
Lin Cheng watched as Xie Xun took a bite, and sure enough, the outer layer was soft and moist—nothing like the dry, hard texture of the pancake he had.
Was it a bun? But steamed buns will also dry out.
Xie Xun ate a few bites of sandwiches and felt Lin Cheng's gaze. As his gaze swept around, he felt itchy on his face. He said helplessly, "You eat. Why are you looking at me? Hurry up."
Lin Cheng nodded and nibbled the pancake and said vaguely, "I’m eating, I’m eating."
"Kacha" He took a bite of the cake and chewed vigorously, staring straight at the sandwich in Xie Xun's hand. His expression looked a bit hideous.
He ate one more bite, but this bite is even drier. It is very hard to chew, and even his eyebrows are being used to bite through it. His expression is even more hideous, as if he will come over to take a bite in the next second.
Xie Xun, whose scalp was numb when Lin Cheng is staring at him: ...Can anyone eat like this?
He looked around helplessly and surreptitiously opened his baggage. He took out a bamboo box inside and whispered, "There are some unfilled ones here. My wife said that as long as it is sealed, it will not dry out and can be preserved longer." He planned to save it later, but it can't be helped.
He unwrapped the oil paper from the bamboo box, revealing two pieces of toast. He handed them to Lin Cheng with a quiet warning, "Don't let them see." It wasn’t that he was being stingy, but with so many people around, if he gave one piece to each person, his box would be empty in no time.
Lin Cheng nodded and slipped into the bushes by the side of the road.
The toast was sliced evenly, and Lin Cheng brought it close to his nose. The rich scent of milk wafted up, filling his senses. The fragrance of the freshly baked bread had an unmistakable warmth to it, and the sweetness lingered long after the first bite, creating an almost nostalgic sense of comfort.
Lin Cheng took a bite, and as expected, the toast was soft, its inner layer moist with a delicate milky fragrance. It wasn’t dry at all, unlike the pancakes that required tea to help swallow. He chewed slowly, savoring the rich wheat and milk flavors that lingered on his tongue, the scent following him with every bite. After swallowing, the sweet aftertaste stayed with him, an indulgent reminder of the secret treat.
Lin Cheng continued eating in secret, then squatted in the grass for a while, waiting for the sweet fragrance to fade from his mouth. He feared being caught, knowing that once the others found out, the special food Xie Xun had given him would no longer be a secret, and he’d have to share with everyone.
Brothers, I'm sorry. We share the blessing and the difficulties, except for food.
He squatted behind the grass, and someone was passing by. He felt strange and shouted, "Lin Cheng, what are you doing? Squatting in the grass for so long?"
Someone dragged the caller away, "Stop talking. He must be doing his business. How embarrassing that you have to shout."
Lin Cheng: ...
Just rushing all the way, on the third day, the toast was completely eaten. Xie Xun's stock only had a few tubes of sauce left.
After three days of travel, the group decided to rest for the night at an inn, eager for a good night's sleep. At the inn, they no longer had to gnaw on dry buns. After everyone bathed, they ordered a few hearty dishes from the kitchen, ready to indulge in a proper meal.
Despite their distinguished backgrounds, none of them were particularly picky. After three days of eating dry food, anything warm was a treat. Yet, as they dug in, the chefs at the inn, lacking the skills to stir-fry, could only boil and stew their dishes. They served boiled meats and stews, and while the food initially satisfied their hunger, the group soon realized that it wasn’t as delicious as they had hoped. The initial enjoyment faded as their hunger subsided, and they found themselves longing for a taste more refined.
Xie Xun struggled a bit, but he took out the sauce and asked the cook for a bowl of plain noodles without salt.
Everyone was still eating stew with steamed buns. Hearing what he said, it was inevitable that they were curious. They all turned their eyes to Xie Xun.
Soon the plain noodles were brought up. Xie Xun opened a bamboo tube containing the crab paste and picked out a spoonful with his chopsticks.
To be honest, everyone was a little disappointed when they saw him take out a small bamboo tube. After all, they had seen Xie Xun brought a different kind of food box every day, went to his house to freeload the hot pot, and went to the street food market to eat the food clean. However, now Xie Xun only took out a small bamboo tube.
When they were thinking about it, they saw Xie Xun using his chopsticks to pick up a large piece of yellow-orange and oily crab roe sauce.
The crab roe sauce was delicate, its vibrant orange hue deceiving, as it appeared devoid of any solid meat. When drizzled over the noodles, the rich crab oil seeped into them, transforming the once plain, white strands into a light yellow, almost golden shade.
The key ingredient of the sauce was fresh crab, and as it melded with the hot noodles, the pungent aroma of crab roe flooded the senses—its rich and mellow fragrance instantly captivating. The noodles were enveloped in the luxurious crab paste, and the moment it touched the tongue, the profound taste of crab permeated, coloring the lips and cheeks with its warmth. Because it was paired with simple, unadorned noodles, the full essence of the crab remained pure, untainted. Soft and silky, each bite deepened the flavor, making it increasingly irresistible—the more one chewed, the more fragrant and indulgent it became, so delightful that it was almost painful to swallow.
Just the sight of the noodles was enough to make anyone's mouth water, and the colleagues sitting next to Xie Xun found themselves suddenly disenchanted with the meat in their hands. Usually, at lunchtime, they might have felt somewhat guilty for asking for a bite of his food, but now, with the meal they had being less than appetizing, and seeing that Xie Xun only had a small tube of sauce made by his wife, they felt even more hesitant to ask for a spoonful.
All they could do was watch as Xie Xun stirred his noodles, his movements slow and deliberate. They watched as the noodles wound their way onto his chopsticks and were lifted to his lips, and they couldn’t help but stare as he chewed, the rich aroma of the crab roe sauce seemingly wafting from his bowl, making the stews in their own bowls taste even more bland by comparison.
Xie Xun couldn’t stand the stares any longer. When he glanced up, everyone quickly turned their eyes away, avoiding his gaze.
He wasn’t one to cook, but recalling Jiang Shuyao’s instructions about the sauces being versatile—good for both rice and noodles—he figured it wouldn’t hurt to try dressing up a dish. After a brief moment of thought, he pulled out the mushroom sauce and spoke up, "My wife said that this sauce is the most pungent in flavor. If you don’t mind, I could try mixing it with this plate of stew?"
Everyone didn’t fully understand the magic behind the over-rice sauce, but they had an unshakable trust in Jiang Shuyao’s culinary skills. They nodded eagerly, waiting to see what would happen.
Xie Xun picked up a few generous scoops of mushroom paste with his chopsticks, stirring it gently into the stew. The soup, already thick in texture, immediately turned a rich reddish-brown color as the paste blended in. The once faintly seasoned stew took on a whole new salty and fresh flavor, as the savory aroma filled the air.
No sooner had Xie Xun pulled back his hand than a pair of chopsticks, eager and swift, shot toward the stew. A chunk of meat was grabbed with urgency and pulled away, ready to be tasted.
The stew became tender and melted effortlessly in the mouth. The mushroom sauce, rich with umami, lifted the meat’s flavor, banishing any fishiness and leaving behind only the pure essence of the meat. The chopped mushrooms, firm and distinct, added a satisfying chewiness. As they mingled with the stew, they absorbed the salty richness, becoming even more delightful with every bite.
The meal, which had seemed mundane just moments ago, was now transformed into something exceptional. The sauce worked wonders not just with the meat, but also with vegetables, noodles, and rice. Even when dipped with steamed buns, every bite was a revelation.
It became clear that no lavish ingredients were needed—just a simple tube of sauce could elevate the meal into something truly satisfying.
Xie Xun observed the group of people, who, in the past few days, had appeared like withered eggplants—worn and weary from the long journey. He harbored no selfish intentions, but as they ate the same simple vegetables every day, he watched them eagerly take a tube of sauce and spoon out generous portions to enhance their meals. Soon, they stopped asking for rice or noodles altogether and instead reached for steamed buns, which paired perfectly with the sauce.
By the time they reached their destination, everyone had indulged in Xie Xun’s sauce throughout the journey. Though it may have been a bit improper, they couldn’t resist the allure of the flavor, their tongues unable to deny the temptation.
The embezzlement case regarding the river embankment was of great consequence, prompting the emperor to dispatch the crown prince to handle the matter. The local officials, eager to curry favor with the prince, were nonetheless wary of his reaction. They feared he might not approve of their actions, particularly since the common people would be observing their movements during the river embankment patrol. The more exhausted and beleaguered the officials appeared, the more it would reflect their concern for the people. Even if they had to feign weariness and dishevelment, they had to portray the emperor’s deep concern for the welfare of his subjects.
As the local officials awaited the prince’s arrival from a distance, they observed him and his entourage. To their surprise, they did not appear as fatigued as they had anticipated. They had heard rumors of Prince Wu’s visit to the locust plague-affected region, where he had been so affected by the conditions that he could hardly eat or drink. Yet, in the span of just a month, the entire group had visibly lost weight. Was this merely for show, they wondered?
However, when the crown prince arrived, it was clear that he and his entourage had been treated to fine food and drink along the way, just as they would under normal circumstances. It seemed that their preoccupation with appearances was no longer necessary.
Yet, the prince was not as refined as they had imagined. His dedication surpassed theirs by far. While inspecting the embankment, he and his group waded through the muck, their trousers held up as their feet sunk deep into the mud. They paid no mind to the discomfort and were fully engrossed in their duties.
Young and resilient, the prince's entourage could endure such hardships, but the older officials found it a different story. They had hoped for a moment of respite with the prince’s arrival, but instead, they were subjected to even greater fatigue.
The workers who had been tasked with repairing the river embankment saw the crown prince and his officials laboring with such vigor that they too felt deeply moved. Even when night fell, the prince and his party stayed behind to guard the embankment, setting an example of dedication. Their tireless efforts sparked a renewed sense of purpose among the workers, and together they made remarkable progress in strengthening the embankment.
The sly officials who had hoped to avoid hard work found themselves enduring the same exhausting routine as the prince and his entourage. The relentless physical labor took its toll on them, and their only sustenance was the simple steamed bun. After a few days of such meager fare, they felt weak, their legs unsteady, and their hunger gnawing at them.
In contrast, the officials accompanying the prince remained full of energy. Though their clothes were smeared with dirt from the work, there was no sign that they were ready to falter. Their determination remained unwavering.
When they reached the restaurant at midday, the local officials cast longing glances at the large bamboo cage filled with steamed buns. The sight of it nearly took their breath away, their stomachs grumbling in anticipation of what they had been deprived of for so long.
However, the prince and his party had no complaints. They lined up obediently to clean their hands, and one by one, they took two big buns and left happily.
Xie Xun took out the bamboo tube and said solemnly, "There is not much left."
The crown prince said, "At this point, everyone should save a little bit. Whoever does the most things today can eat an extra spoonful."
The others nodded and looked serious.
"Reduce the amount. We still have a long way back."
"Yes, don't be greedy."
The common people watched from a distance, seeing the nobles covered in dirt, holding white steamed buns in their hands, and deeply engrossed in serious discussion. At first glance, it appeared they were concerned about the deteriorating condition of the riverbank. When the crown prince had first arrived, the people harbored disdain for the corrupt officials. Whether greedy or not, most officials treated the common folk as less than human, and the people voiced their frustrations with loud complaints and protests. However, as they observed His Royal Highness and the future court officials, the people began to realize that not all were alike. Some officials still had a conscience, and not all had abandoned their duty to the people.
They remembered that the river embankment was broken by the flood last night. The people who were strengthening the river embankment looked like they were about to be washed away. However, two nobles with martial arts rushed to rescue them quickly. The people felt that if they were a member of the court in the future, they had hope for a wonderful life.
The crown prince and his group do not know the thoughts of the people.
As the highest-ranking person, the crown prince assumed the responsibility of dividing the sauce.
"Yesterday, Boyuan and Lin Cheng rescued five people. They deserve to get two spoons of crab roe sauce. Does any official have objections?"
"No," everyone replied in unison.
Lin Cheng twisted his wrist yesterday, but his action of stretching his steamed buns did not stop at all, "Yes."
A spoonful of plump yellow-orange crab roe sauce was applied on the big white steamed bun, and Lin Cheng couldn't wait to put it in his mouth. The delicious-to-the-extreme crab scent gave him a satisfied look. It was so fresh and fragrant that he couldn't bear to chew it. It was wonderful when the crab paste was slowly dissolved in his mouth.
The local officials who were sneaking at the back looked at Lin Cheng's expression and looked at the buns in their hands.
Are you serious? The Lin family is wealthy, and these East Palace bureaucrats are the future emperor's close ministers. What delicious food hasn't been eaten before? You actually show that look when you are eating a steamed bun? That is a steamed bun, right?
As the prince divided the sauce, the group formed a large circle, contentedly gnawing on their buns.
But then, an unexpected event unfolded. An assassin, disguised as a common peasant, suddenly approached. Pretending to bow in gratitude, he dropped to his knees and struck his head against the ground. In one swift motion, he drew a sword hidden in his cuff and lunged toward the prince. The guards, stationed a little farther away, were too far to react in time. The first responders were the officials from the East Palace, who had formed a protective ring around the prince.
These people were all noble sons who had been trained since childhood. They responded quickly and turned around to deal with the assassins.
They were caught off guard, unarmed and without heavy weapons, leaving them at a disadvantage. Thankfully, someone in the group carried a sword, and with that, the tide of the battle began to turn. One by one, the assassins fell.
A skilled martial artist rushed forward, while his partner, who had never trained in combat, stood guard by the prince. Just as the remaining assassins were being subdued, a sword suddenly lunged from behind. The weaker companion was momentarily stunned. As he regained his bearings, he saw that the blade was aimed directly at the crown prince.
In a flash of panic, he instinctively threw what he was holding.
The tube of minced meat sauce flew through the air in a perfect arc, its contents spraying everywhere. The hot, spicy oil splashed directly into the assassin's face, an unexpected but effective assault. The pain of the oil searing into his eyes was excruciating, as though his very sight was being ripped away. The assassin cried out, instinctively covering his eyes, bending over in agony, and wailing uncontrollably.
Xie Xun and the others took swift action, rushing forward to subdue the assailant.
The weaker companion cried out, "It's over!"
Everyone followed the weak companion’s gaze, their eyes fixed on the bamboo tube lying pitifully on the ground, the last remnants of the minced meat sauce spilling out onto the dirt.
Shock and disbelief spread through the group.
"We have to rely on this sauce for half a month! How could you lose it?" one of the officials exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.
"Which one was lost?! Is it the crab roe sauce?" another asked, their tone equally anxious.
"Let me see... No, not the crab roe sauce."
"What's the matter with you?! How could you lose the sauce? Didn’t you hold it properly when it was handed over to you?"
The person who threw the sauce tube: "Uuuuu."
Meanwhile, the assassin, whose back was firmly pinned under a guard’s boot, felt his eyes still stinging from the spicy oil. His pain intensified as he overheard the conversation, his frustration bubbling up. Can’t they show some respect for an assassin? he seethed inwardly. This is a daunting, dangerous profession!
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