In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 453 Celebration

"What does it smell like? It smells so good!"

Fang Yong sat up in bed in the dormitory and glanced at the sky outside the window before realizing that it was already dinnertime.

Is today a day to eat meat?

Guo Tai stuck out his tongue and licked the corner of his mouth. Eating meat was a common thing for soldiers like them, but Guo Tai still couldn't resist the aroma of meat. Every time he smelled such a smell, he would feel hungry and his mouth would water.

Wu Gang walked to the window, looked down, and said with a bright look in his eyes, "There's a chef down there preparing meat. We're in for a treat tonight!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go downstairs right now!"

Chen Jiajun's dormitory building was a three-story building, and Fang Yong and others happened to be on the third floor.

Smelling the aroma of meat, they quickly put on their shoes, socks, and clothes and rushed downstairs.

Soon, the four arrived at the training ground below. At the same time, the men of the Chen family army came out of the dormitory building, gazing longingly at the large pot that was emitting a delicious aroma of meat.

"It smells so good! What did you make today?"

"I don't know! But there's definitely meat in it!"

"Of course! You can tell there's meat just by the smell!"

"Smells, it smells so good!"

"..."

The men of Chen's army could hardly move as they smelled the aroma of meat in the air. Although meat was no longer a particularly luxurious food for them, their love for it was still so deep that their saliva would start to flow wildly at the mere smell of it.

"You're in for a treat today!"

Chen laughed and said to the men coming downstairs, "To celebrate your victory, Brother Dao specially had the farm send over some chickens and ducks. Tonight, everyone can eat as much meat as they want!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Mr. Chen is so kind to us!"

"Of course! They even specially prepared chicken and duck for us!"

"Mr. Chen is truly exceptional to us."

"They have both chickens and ducks! The landlord's family probably doesn't eat as well as we do!"

"..."

When Chen Dao was mentioned, the soldiers all stood in solemn respect, their faces filled with reverence.

For them, Chen Dao is like a second parent. Without Chen Dao, how could they eat meat and live a prosperous life?

Moreover, they could feel Chen Dao's respect for them. Although Chen Dao rarely appeared at the training ground, he never lacked concern for them. To say nothing of anything else, this meal of meat was a testament to Chen Dao's care for them.

Just as everyone was marveling at Chen Dao's kindness to them, a figure silently appeared on the high platform of the training ground.

Chen Da noticed Chen Dao's arrival immediately and shouted, "Everyone, assemble!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Yong and the other soldiers immediately reflexively assembled and lined up. Before long, they were in a queue in front of the platform and saw Chen Dao on the platform.

Mr. Chen actually came in person!

Many soldiers' eyes flashed with excitement, both thrilled and delighted by Chen Dao's arrival.

Chen Dao stood on the high platform, looking down at the soldiers whose demeanor had changed drastically, and nodded secretly.

Before the great battle in Ding'an County, these soldiers, though all martial artists and physically strong, ultimately lacked a sense of ruthlessness and killing intent.

After experiencing the baptism of war, the soldiers of the Chen family army underwent a tremendous change in temperament. Just standing there, they gave people a feeling of murderous intent.

After surveying the soldiers below the stage, Chen Dao slowly said, "You did not disappoint me during this trip to Ding'an County. You did a great job!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the audience straightened their backs, thoroughly enjoying Chen Dao's praise!

Chen Dao continued, "Your military merits from this trip to Ding'an County have been recorded. Once the verification is complete, the merits will be issued, and you can use them to exchange for all the resources available to Chenjia Village, including silver, food, and cultivation resources!"

Very good!

The soldiers were overjoyed; with Chen Dao's words, their military achievements were practically guaranteed.

"All right!"

After a brief exchange, Chen Dao finally said, "You must be hungry too, so I won't keep you from eating any longer. You can all go and enjoy your victory celebration."

As soon as the words were spoken, the soldiers, who were already starving, immediately dispersed and rushed to the table that had been set up nearby.

Soon, the soldiers took their seats in an orderly manner, and the cooks, along with their assistants, began serving the food to everyone.

Today's meal was quite sumptuous, including boiled yellow-feathered chicken, stewed duck with cabbage, and stir-fried chicken and duck eggs with a golden hue.

As for the staple food, it is steamed buns, which are very common in Chenjia Village.

Looking at the fragrant meat dishes on the table, Fang Yong and the other soldiers couldn't help but swallow. Back in Ding'an County, Li Qingyun had treated them quite well, always providing them with the best food.

however……

In those days, even the county magistrate's family didn't have surplus grain. Even Li Qingyun could only provide the people with staple food and some vegetables. This was the best food Li Qingyun could offer, so the people didn't complain about the food he provided.

But who would refuse better food?

After eating dry rations and staple foods for several days, the soldiers of Chen's army had their eyes light up when they saw the meat on the table. They picked up their chopsticks and began to wolf it down.

Not to be outdone, Fang Yong picked up a piece of duck meat and put it in his mouth. The duck meat must have been stewed for a long time, as it was very tender. With a gentle bite, the sweet meat juice and rich oil flavor burst in his mouth.

Fang Yong couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly, savoring the rich flavor in his mouth.

"Your name is Fang Yong, right?"

Just then, a figure sat down next to Fang Yong.

Fang Yong turned his head and was immediately stunned. He stammered, "Yes, Mr. Chen... Mr. Chen, my name is Fang Yong."

Not only Fang Yong behaved this way, but his roommates at the same table also quickly stopped wolfing down their food and sat up straight.

"Don't be nervous!"

Chen Dao smiled and waved his hand, signaling everyone to relax, and then asked, "How was the food?"

"delicious."

Fang Yong replied without hesitation, "The duck meat is delicious, but I haven't tried the chicken yet."

"If it tastes good, eat more."

Chen Dao patted Fang Yong on the shoulder, took a chopstick, and picked up a piece of duck meat from the plate.

Looking at Chen Dao, who ate the same food as them without any reservations, Fang Yong and the other three were deeply moved.

Throughout history, showing respect and humility to the virtuous has been the highest form of courtesy that superiors show to those of lower status. In the eyes of Fang Yong and others, Chen Dao was an extremely important figure, yet this very person was willing to sit at the same table with them for a meal and even shared a dish with them without any psychological barriers.