At breakfast, Lin Qi noticed the commotion outside.
Strictly speaking, Peng Joe's breakfast was not all that different from the Federation's. Although the two countries had some cultural differences,
their food was not vastly different. The only possible distinction was that they had more steamed coarse grains.
Barley was the main ingredient, mixed with many kinds of beans. Some of the barley had even sprouted.
The Diplomat who had welcomed Lin Qi the previous evening was having breakfast with him that morning. When the Diplomat noticed the inquisitive look Lin Qi gave the bowl of steamed barley, he took the initiative to explain it.
"Mr. Lin Qi, you've never eaten steamed barley?" The Diplomat picked up the serving spoon and scooped himself a spoonful.
It looked thoroughly steamed, with a soft, doughy texture, rather like... steamed potatoes. Very doughy.
He picked up a small piece of bread, used it to wipe up a little of the steamed barley, and put it in his mouth.
Lin Qi shook his head. "I've eaten steamed barley, but not this kind. And I don't eat it often."
The Diplomat swallowed the food in a few mouthfuls and continued explaining with a smile. "This is actually a tradition that can be traced back fifteen hundred years."
"In ancient times, supplies were scarce. Warriors not only trained extensively but also had to fight, so they exhausted their strength very quickly."
"They needed food that was nutritious, filling, and resistant to hunger."
"We often launched wars against other countries back then, so this food also had to be easy to carry. That was how it came into being."
"It was mainly made from barley grains, mixed with other beans and minced beef, then steamed together. Once dried, it became very hard and easy to carry."
"When it