Chapter 101: Beggar’s Chicken

Although it felt somewhat inappropriate, Shabi ultimately yielded to Bruno's overwhelming authority.

Eat it? Fine!But... where's the chicken?

Staring at the large lump of mud that Bruno had just pulled out of the charcoal fire, Shabi looked utterly bewildered.

Earlier, when the cook was preparing the whole chicken, Shabi wasn't present.

So now, he had no idea what his lord was trying to do. Was he really expected to... eat mud?

Just the thought sent a shiver down his spine. He hadn't done anything wrong lately… had he?

After some time baking in the hot charcoal, the mud crust around the Beggar's Chicken had begun to crack, looking hard and dry.

Bruno, having somehow found a knife, swiftly smacked the back of it against the hardened mud shell.

The outermost layer of mud instantly shattered, revealing the chicken within now charred black as coal.

Burnt!Looking at the now carbonized Beggar's Chicken, Bruno's mouth twitched slightly.

As expected… making Beggar's Chicken successfully as a novice was not easy.

Fortunately, he had the foresight to ask the cook to prepare several chickens, each roasted under different levels of heat.

Hopefully, at least one of the other ones turned out right…

Meanwhile, Shabi sat dumbfounded, staring blankly at the thing emerging from the cracked mud. It was completely blackened its shape resembled a chicken, but… was it really?

He must have somehow offended Earl Bruno!

Otherwise, why would Bruno force him to eat something like this?

After all, his Earl was a master of fine cuisine every dish created under Bruno's guidance was always exquisitely delicious.

But today…

Tears welled up in Shabi's eyes. Never mind, if Bruno told him to eat, then he would eat!

With trembling hands, he picked up a piece of the burnt-black mass. Steeling himself, he shut his eyes tight and reluctantly opened his mouth…

"What are you doing?"

Just as Shabi was about to take a bite, Bruno's shocked voice interrupted him.

Bruno knew that, by this world's standards, Beggar's Chicken was indeed a delicacy. But… was a chicken burnt to a crisp really that enticing?

Hearing his lord's words, Shabi hesitated, then cautiously asked, "My lord, didn't you ask me to eat the chicken?"

"Throw that thing away. It's burnt to a crisp how could anyone eat it?" Bruno laughed at Shabi's cluelessness.

This kid… maybe he had been dealing with waste collection for too long—he seemed to be getting dumber by the day…

After all, when he wasn't collecting waste, he was processing it. If he wasn't distributing it, he was on his way to distribute it…

On the other hand, Lister, who had once been just as simple minded, had changed completely after becoming the Director of the Idar Immigration Bureau. Though still somewhat rigid, he had become much more competent than before.

But poor Shabi was still stuck handling waste day in and day out…

Bruno shook his head. Enough thinking if he kept going, even the Beggar's Chicken in front of him would lose its appeal.

Once again, he dug into another section of the charcoal fire, retrieving another mud-wrapped Beggar's Chicken. A gentle tap with the back of the knife, and the hardened mud casing cracked apart.

This time, a faint, mouthwatering aroma wafted out from within.

Success!

Peeling away the glossy, oil-soaked lotus leaves, Bruno revealed the golden, tender chicken beneath.

Carefully, he tore off a glistening drumstick. Though still piping hot, the irresistible fragrance made it impossible to wait.

After blowing on it a few times to cool it slightly, he eagerly took a bite.

The tender chicken, infused with the rich flavors of honey and seasoning, filled his mouth with an irresistible umami taste. The gentle crispness of the roasted skin combined with the juicy flesh, creating a perfect balance of texture and flavor.

The light, herbal aroma of the lotus leaves wasn't overpowering but subtly enhanced the dish, making it all the more addictive.

Watching Bruno savoring the chicken, Shabi's Adam's apple bobbed. So fragrant…

So it wasn't that Earl Bruno was punishing him it was that the cook had something against him!

Although Shabi desperately wanted to eat, he restrained himself. Watching Bruno enjoy his meal, he swallowed hard and held back.

How could he compete with his Earl for food?

In the end, it was Bruno who noticed and took pity on him. He personally tore off a drumstick and handed it to Shabi a small reward for his diligent work in waste management.

After all, Bruno believed that occasional rewards for his subordinates were a good way to maintain loyalty.

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Shabi carefully accepted the drumstick with both hands. The aroma was simply intoxicating…

Taking a bite full of anticipation, he was immediately struck by the tender, juicy meat and the delicate fragrance of the lotus leaves. Delicious!

This was far better than the dark, unappetizing black pudding he had been given before!

He devoured the chicken ravenously, even accidentally swallowing some of the softened bones in his eagerness. This… this is what happiness feels like…

"My lord…"

After swallowing the last bite, Shabi finally asked, "Earl, once the pesticide is successfully produced, how should it be distributed?"

"First, distribute it for free to our own tenant farmers. After all, most of their harvest belongs to me."

"As for the rest of the commoners… we won't charge them too much. Each household that owns farmland should pay five copper coins per season. However, if their farmland exceeds a certain limit, they'll have to pay extra. Work out the specific details and draft a proposal for me to review."

Bruno pondered for a moment before giving his instructions.

"Understood, my lord."