CH-101

101 Then How Should We Settle This?

Setting sail is an auspicious occasion, and naturally, there is a sailing ceremony.

However, because this journey was not for praying for commercial success or leisure travel, but for carrying out a relief mission, the ceremony would not be celebratory in nature.

Still, there was indeed a highly anticipated communal dinner to look forward to that evening.

In fact, during the relentless travel of over half a month, lighting fires to cook meals at camp had been practically impossible.

Although everyone knew there were clergy from the Savoy Diocese in the group, they never got to eat meals prepared by them.

But tonight, on all four ships, the Savoy Diocese clergy would be in charge of the kitchens, and the unified menu would be decided by Bishop Alis of Savoy.

Rumor had it that sticking to a menu designed by Bishop Alis for just three months could make a person either grow taller or sturdier, brimming with energy, and physically healthier. Furthermore, people would become more attractive and fair-skinned than those from other dioceses.

Even though many hadn't actually visited the Savoy Diocese to see for themselves, the students at their academy came from various dioceses across the Northern Territory. The neighbors could clearly see the stark difference in the children's condition before and after enrollment.

By four in the afternoon, as the kitchen staff began preparing the meal, people were already hovering nearby, peeking in.

Shortly past five, the aroma of food began wafting from the kitchen flues, like an invisible hand gently tickling everyone's stomachs.

The very first meal aboard the ship featured meat.

Not the usual minced meat soup where you could only smell the meat, but real, substantial meat with discernible fibers you could sink your teeth into.

At that scent, everyone present swallowed hard, their gazes fixed intently in the direction of the kitchen.

They could only sit and wait for dinner to be served.

*

Shu Yue had already devised a nautical menu during the journey, planning for at least a month.

First and foremost, scurvy prevention was essential. Beyond sauerkraut and fresh fruit, they had a large stockpile of soybeans ready for sprouting, which would provide vitamin C if necessary. It was largely thanks to bean sprouts that Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Seas largely avoided scurvy outbreaks.

Secondly, ensuring adequate protein and caloric intake was necessary. This part wasn't overly difficult.

He just had to consider that people on a ship wouldn't exert as much energy as those working in the fields. Of course, after boarding and seeing the mercenaries conduct daily drills, he made slight adjustments.

Next came the challenge of preventing dietary fatigue as much as possible.

The people of the Savoy Diocese had already developed palates leaning towards Huaxia cuisine under Shu Yue's influence.

This wasn't so much about cooking methods, but rather seasoning habits.

Western cuisine tends to emphasize the ingredients themselves, with simpler seasoning, especially given the limited spices available in the medieval period. In contrast, Chinese cuisine emphasizes complex seasoning. Besides common Western ingredients like oil, black pepper, cheese, and butter, Shu Yue also liked using soy sauce, various homemade oils (such as scallion oil, chicken fat, and lard), mushroom powder, five-spice powder, and other spice blends.

Shu Yue was slightly worried they might not be accustomed to the meal format during the voyage.

However, he soon realized that their usual diet was so monotonous—often consisting of stewed beans and rye bread for two weeks straight—that he quickly abandoned most of his concerns.

The only other trouble was that everyone wanted second or third helpings at every meal.

He didn't want to dip into the supplies intended for the Duchy of Sermon, and he wanted to ensure everyone ate fresh ingredients as much as possible, so they made one stop ashore to replenish supplies.

For that first dinner, besides boosting morale with hearty dishes, he also prepared something new.

Shu Yue first had stainless steel utensils unloaded from the supplies—these had been prepared for the support personnel before departure, each set engraved with a number.

Stainless steel naturally didn't exist in the medieval period.

Common folk typically used pewter utensils containing lead, and copper cups reacted easily with acidic beverages, posing a risk of poisoning with long-term use.

However, Shu Yue knew about the existence of "chromium." Furthermore, with the academy's workshop and Finnian's ability to purify, refine, and control temperature precisely, mass-producing 18th-century style stainless steel was far easier than one might imagine.

Stainless steel resists bacterial growth, is durable and corrosion-resistant, and is easy to clean.

It was the perfect material.

From that day forward, everyone would use their own designated utensils and water cups, store them properly after use, and mixing was strictly prohibited. This would also prevent panic from spreading within the group should someone develop symptoms later on.

To further minimize cross-infection, the cooking team would boil a large pot of water before every meal. Everyone would line up to sterilize their utensils with boiling water, ensuring an extra layer of hygiene.

The next 30 days were crucial for subtly instilling these basic hygiene habits.

Beyond this, Shu Yue was also laying the groundwork for "compliance" in preparation for the critical times ahead.

Once everyone grew accustomed to this routine coordinated by Savoy's commands, he figured he wouldn't need to waste words persuading them to cooperate when they entered the epidemic zone.

"I hope they'll be more cooperative," Shu Yue said. "Everyone has different personalities and habits. It'll take some time to mesh."

Father Leighton had never considered that Shu Yue would have such concerns.

In his impression, wherever Shu Yue was, people were more agreeable, more willing to listen to advice, and there were few arguments, let alone irreconcilable conflicts.

Leighton replied, "I think, among everyone, it's just that mercenary captain who's arrogant and impossible to get along with. He won't even help with the smallest thing, and he's fierce."

Shu Yue still wanted to prevent any conflict between Leighton and Claude. That man was truly capable of killing.

Thus, Shu Yue said, "Perhaps he's occupied with other matters we don't understand? Besides, what we consider a small favor might be a principle issue for others. We all have fasting days. For mercenaries, it might be something similar."

Shu Yue continued, "We can't force everything. If we can't persuade the captain, there's still the vice-captain."

Father Leighton nodded. "Right, I won't bother with him."

Shu Yue laughed inwardly, almost afraid to imagine Claude's expression if he knew Leighton's true feelings.

Nevertheless, he decided to discreetly minimize Leighton's solo activities on the ship to avoid truly provoking the Duke.

So, after thinking for a moment, he said, "The voyage will last at least a month. Find some time tomorrow to bring over anyone with medical knowledge. I brought quite a few books this time; we can study how to handle patients if we encounter them."

Father Leighton's eyes lit up at this, joy spreading across his face. "Actually, Jekyll is here too!"

Father Jekyll was the priest who had taken the blame for Sister Rita back then, and he was Leighton's childhood friend.

Shu Yue remembered him as well.

However, under these circumstances, it was hard to say whether encountering an acquaintance was a good thing or a bad thing.

Logically, Shu Yue knew it was probably best to send the two kids back before entering the Duchy of Sermon. If he put on a stern face, they likely wouldn't dare insist on staying.

But Shu Yue had his own selfish reasons.

Besides, he also harbored the thought of riding on the protagonist's luck—what if Lesley's presence actually saved the entire Duchy of Sermon?

After much internal debate, he accepted reality.

Shu Yue then followed up on Leighton's words, saying, "If we happen to be on the same ship, we could all gather together."

"Yes," Father Leighton said happily. "Jekyll doesn't know you're here either. He'll be thrilled if he meets you. He's been wanting to see you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Finnian and Lesley, who were sitting quietly nearby helping in the kitchen, both subtly perked up their ears. Finnian glanced up almost imperceptibly at Leighton and muttered under his breath, "Wish I'd transferred to the medical school..."

Whenever Shu Yue was busy with important matters, he had no time to entertain them.

Lesley remained silent, but he had anticipated Finnian's words and quickened his work pace.

He had wanted to apply for medical school back then, and his abilities would have been well-suited for it. But Shu Yue hadn't allowed him to participate. Firstly, for fear that using his ability might affect his lifespan; secondly, because his ability was too convenient and might hinder proper pharmaceutical practice.

Lesley could never out-argue Shu Yue, so he had agreed.

But now, it was clear he harbored deep regrets.

At that moment, Finnian clenched his fist, having quickly made up his mind. "Tonight, in the room, no matter what it takes, I'll pester him until he gives in and agrees to let us help."

Lesley responded quietly, "Mm."

His tone was soft but carried a certain resolve.

The two boys' secret plan hadn't reached Shu Yue's ears yet. Dinner time had arrived.

*

The nautical menu followed a boxed-meal format: one staple, two side dishes, and one soup.

Tonight's meal was braised lamb with noodles, stir-fried shredded potatoes, stir-fried cabbage, and turnip soup.

The mercenaries held their trays, steaming and fragrant, eyes fixed eagerly, impatient to begin. But before they could eat, they saw Shu Yue and Bishop Holm at the head table, leading all the clergy and believers in prayer.

Reluctantly, knives and forks had to be set down.

Finally, when the prayer ended, everyone thought they could start eating.

Just then, the mercenary captain Claude arrived, fashionably late.

He strode slowly into the hall and tossed a wooden longsword onto the floor with a loud, cold "clang," instantly tensing the atmosphere.

"A sailing ceremony is essential. First, a sword match."

Claude's voice was as low and detached as ever.

Everyone, especially the mercenaries who usually loved a spectacle, was now bound by Shu Yue's rules: mealtime was for eating, not for watching sword fights while eating. Now, smelling the delicious aroma of meat, their mouths were watering. They stared at Claude, inwardly complaining, but no one dared to move.

Claude's cold gaze swept the room. "The Loka Diocese is rife with bandits and vagrants. The people the Church has brought along should at least possess basic self-defense skills."

His eyes landed on Lesley and Finnian. "Send one of you up here."

At these words, everyone's gaze shifted to the two youths beside Shu Yue.

Although they didn't know how the boys had ended up here too, they assumed Shu Yue had chosen them as good helpers since he was present.

Lesley had no desire to be in the spotlight and didn't want to move, pretending not to understand Claude's intention.

Claude's expression turned even colder, and he called him out directly. "The Duke of the Northern Territory could lead troops into battle at fifteen. Lesley, as the Duke's son, at fifteen you only know how to hide behind a bishop, needing protection. It's utterly laughable."

A dead silence fell over the hall.

At these words, Lesley raised his eyes, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Then if you lose, how should we settle this?"