Xiao Xun, still pondering the matter of speaking sheep, listened as Bo Tu questioned the deliciousness of mutton and explained to him, "Although it smells like this, their meat is absolutely the most delicious in the world. When making soup, sprinkle in some salt, just a little, then for those who like a strong flavor, add some black pepper. It's unparalleled."
Bo Tu was almost tempted. "Have those two… sheep been skinned yet? Bring them in as soon as they are."
Before long, two bloody sheep were carried in by two wolf cavalry soldiers and placed on the chopping block prepared by the mess hall staff.
Bo Tu looked at Xiao Xun. "Your Highness Swain, please."
"I have a humble request."
"Your Highness Swain is too polite. Just say it. If I can do it, I will. If I can't, then I can't help it."
"When I leave, I want to take a few sheep back to Saint Luroman."
Bo Tu waved his hand. "This is hardly a matter. Pick any you like."
Then he said to the mess hall staff beside him, "Watch closely how Your Highness Swain handles them. You will do the same in the future."
"Yes, General."
The process is not detailed, but after eating the mutton and drinking the lamb soup, the Orcs could not stop praising it. That day, except for the ones Xiao Xun selected, the rest were slaughtered.
From then on, when the Orcs fought against the Demon Legion, they saw them as food and killed them with more vigor than ever before.
Well-fed and drunk, Xiao Xun went to the Orcish prison and looked at these creatures as tall as himself.
"Do you recognize me?"
These sheep remained silent. Xiao Xun, with his hands behind his back, said, "From today on, you are forbidden to speak human language and forbidden to walk upright. You are only allowed to crawl on the ground. Those who disobey will perish without a burial place."
One sheep pointed at Xiao Xun. "You captured us and then ate our meat. We already have no burial place."
"Do you want your tribe to be exterminated? If not, then obey."
Xiao Xun patted the prison bars. "Now, whoever is willing to go to Saint Luroman with me, lie down. Food, lodging, and reproduction will be provided. Those who are unwilling, the two just now are examples."
The sheep did not believe him. "What you said is true?"
"I am a Duke of Saint Luroman, and I am the one who defeated the plague's soul suppression. You can question my words, but do not question my strength."
After saying this, many sheep lay down.
"General Bo Tu, besides these sheep, I want a few more things."
Bo Tu laughed in exasperation. "You come here seeking my help, I cure your illness, and you take both food and gifts. I am truly impressed. What do you want?"
"Chive blossom sauce…"
"Cough! What did I think it was? We have chive flowers all over the mountains here. You can grab a handful and mash them with some salt, and that's the chive blossom sauce you want."
Xiao Xun thought to himself: I knew about chive blossom sauce when you didn't even know where you were.
"Isn't that troublesome! I just want a bottle to take back for our Emperor to taste."
"One bottle is not enough! Take a vat and eat your fill. Your words also remind me, such delicious meat, I must present it to our Orc King. He will surely like this mutton."
Since he was bringing things, Xiao Xun could no longer use his spatial ring. Coincidentally, a Zeppelin was transporting Winter Tribe steel and was refueling there, so Xiao Xun hitched a ride.
The Zeppelin pilot was unexpectedly thrilled to be carrying such an important official, speaking incoherently. Xiao Xun asked him to describe the situation along the way, and the pilot spoke endlessly, like a torrent of water.
Although the Zeppelin was fast, it was carrying a lot of cargo, so the journey back was slow. Along the way, Xiao Xun looked at the sheep several times and found that they were very good at influencing people, almost causing the guards watching them to kill each other several times.
Only when Xiao Xun made a stern threat was this malicious incident stopped. Even so, Xiao Xun worried for a long time whether bringing the sheep back this time was the right decision.
In the interim, Xiao Xun used his spatial ring to return and attend the annual meeting. Mr. Feng indeed kept his promise and brought all the senior executives of Longtai Group to perform for the employees. Although it was not spectacular, it won bursts of applause.
None of these employees could have imagined that their immensely wealthy boss and supervisor had such an approachable side.
After this annual meeting, Mr. Feng appeared less and less in public, and even rarely in the country. However, the overall framework was established, and each department and field had its own autonomy. Mr. Feng was now more like a symbol than a direct manager.
The end of the annual meeting signaled the imminent arrival of the New Year.
After the annual meeting and attending the high-level cocktail party, Xiao Xun once again used his spatial ring to return to the Zeppelin.
This was a magical world, and everyone was accustomed to sudden appearances and disappearances.
"Your Highness Swain, where shall we take you?"
"It's alright, don't mind me. You go to your destination. When we arrive, someone will naturally pick me up."
The Zeppelin landed on a specific landing field, where Bai Yang, along with a pair of guards, was already waiting.
Xiao Xun looked at Bai Yang, wondering how to explain the things behind him.
However, Bai Yang did not know they were sheep when he saw them. The Twelve Zodiacs of Time did not have any portraits or depictions of these animals. Their names were all given by the High Priest, and they only knew to obey, never questioning why they were given such names.
After bringing all the sheep to the castle's kitchen and penning them, the head chef looked at these creatures curiously. "Your Highness, what are these?"
"Sheep. By the way, I'm setting a rule for you. Your kitchen is responsible for raising these sheep, keeping their numbers at twenty. If they decrease, let them breed. If they increase, you kill them. Their hides can be made into clothes, their meat and offal are edible, their bones can be used for soup, and their dung can be used as fuel."
The head chef said in surprise, "These things are so amazing!"
"Also, those who feed them must pay attention. Observe their changes regularly every day. If one stands up or speaks human language, kill it immediately."
"Yes!"
Xiao Xun entered the kitchen and said to the head chef, "Take a fat one to the slaughterhouse. Remember, every part of it is edible. Just skin the sheep."
The slaughterhouse was in the kitchen's basement. The process is not detailed, but Xiao Xun used this sheep to make a whole roasted lamb, which was served as the main dish for the evening.
He saved some mutton, offal, and bones. He used the bones to make a pot of soup, planning to give Saelphies an extra meal.
At dinner, the dukes and ministers were stunned by the dish that occupied a third of the table. After tasting a piece, they found it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, incredibly delicious.
Saelphies looked at the whole roasted lamb in front of her. "Call the head chef to me."
The head chef, hearing the Empress calling for him, turned to Xiao Xun. "Your Highness Swain, is there going to be trouble?"
"What trouble could there be? Go!"
This was the first time Saelphies had interrupted a meal and summoned the head chef since her ascension.
The head chef stood tremblingly to the Empress's side, stopping at a distance, and bowed.