Chapter 376: Modern-Style Inn

Feng Deshui walked down the street in Qingzhou.

He stomped his foot on the clean cement road.
“Wow, this cement road is really solid! Last time I came, it wasn’t finished yet. Now it’s all done.”

Xiao Ming smiled. Since Feng Deshui had arrived, that meant the news of the victory at Shanhai Pass had likely reached the capital, Chang’an.

After hearing about the fall of Shanhai Pass, Xiao Ming immediately sent the message through the post station to Chang’an. This was another big victory after the triumph in Jizhou.

Xiao Ming gave Feng Deshui a tour around the city. After checking out the cement roads, he took him to see the underground sewer system.

Now in Qingzhou, there was a manhole cover every few steps—these led to the connected underground pipes. All sewage flowed out of the city into a massive septic tank, where it turned into fertilizer.

“Minister Feng, I’m sure you’ll be very pleased with Wei’s Restaurant this time,” Xiao Ming said, leading him into the building.

Feng Deshui had come to Qingzhou to ask Xiao Ming to travel to Chang’an. According to him, Xiao Wenxuan wanted Xiao Ming to arrive a month before the royal wedding to help with preparations.

Since Feng Deshui had visited Qingzhou several times, he and Xiao Ming had grown close. So even though he was technically delivering a royal command, it felt more like a casual visit.

Once the message was passed on, Feng Deshui didn’t bother with any more official business.

That’s why Xiao Ming arranged for him to stay at Wei’s Restaurant, where he could relax and enjoy himself.

“Your Highness, I’m still thinking about that toilet you showed me last time. What’s the progress on that?” Feng Deshui asked with anticipation.

Xiao Ming acted mysterious. “Minister Feng, just go upstairs and see for yourself. I promise you won’t want to leave once you do.”

Then Xiao Ming led him to the best room in Wei’s Restaurant.

Even though Xiao Ming had been busy with war matters, construction in Qingzhou hadn’t stopped. Wei’s Restaurant was one of the key projects—Xiao Ming wanted it to become a city landmark.

When Feng Deshui entered the top-tier guest room, he was shocked.

A thick carpet covered the floor. In the center was a huge bed with soft brown sheets and silk blankets embroidered with beautiful patterns. It all looked very luxurious and comfortable.

But the most surprising part was a small glass-walled room inside the guest room.

Inside was a toilet, a giant ceramic sink, a large mirror on the wall, and a white ceramic basin under it with a bronze device attached.

“Your Highness, what are all these things?” Feng Deshui was stunned.

Last time, just the toilet alone had amazed him. Now, there was a whole set of strange equipment.

Even the windows had changed—no more paper windows, they were now made of clear glass!

“You’ve seen the toilet before,” Xiao Ming said proudly. “Now you’re also looking at a bathtub, a faucet, and a mirror. No need for me to explain more.”

Thanks to the help of various workshops, they now had the ability to build rooms like modern hotel suites. The only thing missing was electricity.

Otherwise, Wei’s Restaurant was already like a modern hotel—maybe even more luxurious.

They could make faucets, ceramic items, and even mirrors without much difficulty.

The bathroom also included perfume and soap. Staying here was truly a pleasure.

Feng Deshui had arrived around noon. He toured around with the Qingzhou army in the afternoon and arrived at Wei’s Restaurant by evening.

As people say, experience is everything. Xiao Ming smiled and said, “Minister Feng, I won’t disturb your rest. You have everything you need here. Stay as long as you want.”

Feng Deshui was speechless from amazement. He didn’t even hear what Xiao Ming said—he just kept nodding.

Xiao Ming laughed and left with Zhao Long and Zhao Hu.

Downstairs, he told the innkeeper, “Make sure to take good care of Minister Feng. The reputation of Wei’s Restaurant in Chang’an depends on him.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Don’t worry,” the innkeeper replied with a grin and headed upstairs with a menu.

The menu was also Xiao Ming’s invention. In the past, waiters recited dish names. Now, they handed out a menu clearly listing each dish and its ingredients.

Xiao Ming nodded. Since Feng Deshui had arrived, it was time for him to go to Chang’an. But before that, he needed to settle promotions and rewards.

He discussed titles with Pang Yukun. This was important—if rewards were not given fairly, those who had made great contributions might feel resentful.

After Xiao Ming left, the innkeeper went up to the room and said, “Minister Feng, it’s getting late. Would you like something to eat? Here’s the menu, please make your selection.”

“‘Select dishes’? Ha! Another new word from Qingzhou,” Feng Deshui chuckled, amused.

He looked at the menu, which listed many fancy dishes—some names he didn’t even recognize.

Feeling a little awkward, he coughed and said, “I like spicy food. Add plenty of dogwood berries.”

“Oh, Minister Feng, if you like spicy food, I have just the dish for you—spicy chicken! But we don’t use dogwood berries; we use chili peppers.”

“Chili peppers? What’s that?” Feng Deshui had never heard of it. In the Great Yu Empire, people used dogwood berries to add heat.

The innkeeper explained, “Chili peppers were brought from overseas by His Highness. They’re super spicy but make the food very delicious. You’ll understand once you try.”

Feng Deshui started to feel like a country bumpkin. He stopped asking to hide his ignorance.

He looked back at the menu and ordered twelve dishes, including braised pork and steamed perch. He had always eaten well in the palace, so he was used to ordering many dishes.

Soon, the first dish arrived—spicy chicken.

Feng Deshui stared at the green chilies in the dish. The spicy smell hit him right away.

He licked his lips, picked up a piece of chicken, and took a bite.

His eyes went wide. The chicken was flavorful and super spicy—it made his mouth water instantly.

The rich heat mixed with the meat flavor hit his tongue like a storm. He couldn’t stop eating.

“So spicy… so delicious!” Feng Deshui exclaimed in shock.