Chapter 110: The Greatest Delight in Life

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However, such doubts did not last long, for Zhou Yu thought of the likes of Guo Jia and Xun Yu by Cao Cao’s side, as well as the strategist Xi Zhitai from before. If he were to come here, he would likely be a dead weight, and Liu Xie naturally would have no chance to make a mark.

These days, Liu Xie’s life was quite pleasant. Unlike Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, he wasn’t burdened with worries. He understood that his time in Jiangdong would be a rare period of peace in his Three Kingdoms career, so he cherished every single day spent there.

A maid, drooling, entered the main hall where Liu Xie, Fu Shou, and the Qiao sisters were gathered. The hall was filled with the enticing aroma of roasted meat—an aroma she had never smelled before, even though she ate well every day in the palace.

Upon entering, she found Liu Xie was not inside the hall. The doors on both sides were wide open, and the fragrance wafted from the courtyard beyond. Following the scent, the maid discovered Liu Xie, Fu Shou, and the Qiao sisters bustling about in the courtyard, the source of the savory smell.

At that moment, Liu Xie’s face was streaked with black and white smudges, and his forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

In the past, he only sweated at night, usually from overexerting himself during exercise. But this time, in broad daylight, he was sweating from the heat of his own making.

He was busy with both hands—one fanning a handheld fan, the other carefully arranging bamboo skewers over a brazier. The skewers held pieces of lamb, medium-sized, sizzling and releasing oil as they cooked.

“You three, once the skewers are nearly done, don’t forget to add some charcoal to the brazier. Today, let the palace maids have a taste of this new delicacy, and teach them how to make it. Next time, we can enjoy it ready-made!”

Qiao Shuang was the most impatient. As soon as Liu Xie finished speaking, she hurriedly put down the half-threaded skewer in her hand, grabbed a basin of pre-prepared charcoal nearby without caring about getting dirty, and rushed over to Liu Xie.

Obviously, Liu Xie, having stayed here so long, had grown weary of Han Dynasty cuisine and began to long for the delicacies of his own era. Foremost on his mind were the lamb skewers he had craved for so long.

He first tried making lamb skewers because, firstly, their flavor was indeed excellent, and secondly, the cooking method was simple—something achievable here.

Liu Xie firmly believed a long-held saying: the finest ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods.

At this time, lamb was a premium ingredient, fed only on natural grasses and drinking mountain spring water. It would be truly strange if the meat didn’t taste delicious!

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By now, Liu Xie and his three companions had been busy for over an hour.

Although the ingredients were prepared by the maids under Liu Xie’s instructions, whether skewering, marinating, or grilling, he did everything himself. He didn’t see any shame in it; rather, he found it enjoyable. After all, if one had free time, why not use it productively?

While Liu Xie was busy, he noticed a maid outside hesitating to speak. He immediately turned and smiled, saying, “If you’re craving some, come help; I still have to serve you all, don’t I?”

His words instantly flushed the maid’s face red. She quickly stepped closer and said, “Your Majesty, Zhou Yu has arrived at the palace gate. He says there is an urgent matter to discuss with you.”

“Zhou Yu? That fellow sure knows how to pick his moments. Let him wait... no, bring him in to help me!”

Previously, when Zhou Yu came to see Liu Xie, they met quietly in the study. But this time he was led to the rear courtyard of the main hall, which puzzled him. Upon arrival, seeing Liu Xie busy with his three women, he understood the scene but still couldn’t quite grasp what they were doing.

“Your Majesty, I have been entrusted by Bo Fu with an urgent matter to discuss with you!”

Zhou Yu showed no intention of helping. After all, even he held a high status in Jiangdong. Cooking was hardly something he had witnessed, let alone done himself.

“Gongjin, people are like iron but rice is steel—nothing is more important than eating. Didn’t you smell that aroma? I’ll give you two choices: either come help me and I’ll share some skewers with you, or go back to your residence and wait until I’m done. The matter in Xiangyang is all in my heart anyway.”

As he spoke, Liu Xie did not pause his work, clearly unwilling to let the row of large meat skewers over the fire burn.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu caught the scent of the sizzling lamb, mingled with an unfamiliar spice. Simply put, he had never smelled anything like it in his life.

After a brief hesitation, Zhou Yu decisively chose the former, rolled up his sleeves, and headed toward Liu Xie.

Liu Xie handed Zhou Yu several newly threaded skewers, instructing him to place them evenly over the coals for uniform cooking.

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“Hey! These skewers in my hand should be done. Come, let’s taste them first!”

Saying this, Liu Xie passed skewers to Fu Shou and the Qiao sisters, then demonstrated by biting a piece of lamb directly from his own skewer. Chewing heartily, he said, “Lamb skewers are meant to be eaten like this. Don’t be shy; there’s no one else here. Right, Gongjin?”

Zhou Yu, slightly dazed from the smoke and charcoal, nodded repeatedly, swallowing hard as he looked at the skewers in his hand that were clearly not yet cooked.

He was certainly tempted, but as the venerable Zhou Lang, he could not lower himself just for a mere meat skewer. Besides, he trusted Liu Xie had only temporarily forgotten about him; sooner or later, he would get his share.

Although Liu Xie was not one for teasing, Zhou Yu arrived late and felt it reasonable to do more work. After all, when it came to lamb skewers, it was always most satisfying to eat what you had grilled yourself, wasn’t it?

No matter how much of a lady they were, after each having three or four large skewers, Fu Shou and the Qiao sisters held their bellies, signaling they could eat no more.

After sending them away with a few skewers, Liu Xie closed the doors of the main hall, sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, and invited Zhou Yu—who had just tasted his first skewer—to join him.

“How do you find my way of eating? The flavor?”

“Wonderful!”

“Eating my lamb skewers, have you nearly forgotten the lack of news from Guan Yu since he went to Jingzhou?”