As Wang Gong and Zhang Jun moved in, Zhang Chen watched the two busy themselves and joined the moving crew.
Wang Gong was very courteous to Zhang Chen, repeatedly offering words of thanks without the lofty airs of an important figure. It made Zhang Chen view him quite favorably.
"Tonight, I'll treat you to drinks as thanks for your help," Wang Gong politely invited Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
But Zhang Chen had no intention of eating for free. He could also foresee that Wang Gong would not be able to procure anything particularly tasty, so he directly sent the Five Ghosts to the supply and marketing cooperative in the County Town. Mutton, beef, braised meat, rooster—five meat dishes in all were carried back in scattered batches.
As Zhang Chen's cultivation had steadily improved these past days, the Five Ghosts' speed of travel had greatly increased as well.
Zhang Chen braised pork in red sauce, and stewed the mutton and beef alongside it. To prevent the fragrance of the meat from spreading out and drawing the attention of the people in the logging camp, he ordered the Five Ghosts to seal the aroma inside the pot.
By evening, Zhang Chen and Bai Ziling had only just finished repairing the machinery when Wang Gong and Zhang Jun called them into the west room. There, they saw a table in the center of the room, with a plate of roast chicken and a bottle of aged liquor upon it.
"Zhang Chen, Little Ling, come eat," Wang Gong called with a smile.
In this era, having roast chicken on the table was already an exceptionally grand meal.
"What a coincidence—I prepared some dishes today as well. We ought to eat together. Wang Gong, please wait while I