Zhang Wei finally selected seven or eight kinds of ingredients as products for sale.
One of them was salt essence.
The characteristic of this type of ingredient was that the gap between perfect grade and ordinary grade was not large, and the optimization range was very small. The repeated storage was mainly reflected in the larger quantity.
Taking salt essence as an example, its purity had reached the perfect grade, and its taste was not mixed with any impurities. However, without a super strong sense of taste, one could not distinguish the difference.
As a result, Zhang Wei could earn more than 80 million yuan per day from selling ingredients.
"It's edible but not sellable... too difficult!"
"We must find a way to monetize these ingredients!"
"What if... we build a food city along the way? Students would have a place for practical operation, the Food Bank would gain a large amount of income, and ingredients would have a place to be consumed."
"With the grade of these ingredients, the taste of the dishes in the food city would definitely far exceed that of other places!"
"The construction speed must be increased!"
"We also need a lot of laborers..."
He summoned Xifeng.
Zhang Wei took out the ingredients he had accumulated during this period that could be sold. The accumulation over about two to three months was worth about five billion yuan, which was also a huge sum.
Xifeng looked at the large pile of ingredients that suddenly appeared in the warehouse and was stunned for a moment.
"What stage is the construction at now?"
"Exploration is complete, and we are laying foundations, transporting materials, and assembling..."
The Ice Hell Plains were too cold to mix concrete. Many tasks had to be done in warm sheds and then assembled.
Zhang Wei said, "I've seen the design drawings, and there are some flaws in the construction of the academy..."
Xifeng was startled and asked, "Where?"
"Small."
"Small?"
"That's right. In terms of scale and layout, it's too small, like a small village in the countryside. But our future is far from limited to this!"
Xifeng exclaimed, "But... but we are completely following the highest human architectural standards, and the quality design is top-notch. With the same budget, it will naturally be much smaller."
"Money is not a problem."
He glanced at the full warehouse of building materials. "Alright... how much do you think we should increase it by? How about a 25% expansion?"
"Still too small."
"Then... 35%?"
Zhang Wei unfolded a scroll, on which was drawn a castle-like structure.
According to the markings on the scroll, it was at least ten times larger than Xifeng's blueprints!
Xifeng was horrified. "This is already a noble-class school that can accommodate thousands of students and teachers. According to yours... this place is so large, what is it for!"
"Food City!"
Zhang Wei explained his idea.
Xifeng nodded in agreement.
But then he smiled bitterly. "Mr. Zhang Wei, do you know how much this will cost?"
"Money is not a problem," Zhang Wei repeated.
Construction in the Ice Hell Plains was extremely difficult!
The transportation of building materials would increase the price tenfold. However, with the assistance of Zhang Wei's Treasure Hall, the cost in this area could be ignored.
Secondly, the construction grade. To resist the severe cold, the wall thickness and material grade were the highest, and the material consumption for the same volume was several times higher!
The construction workers were all cell awakened ones, and their food, accommodation, and wages were all at a very high price. The most important point was that Zhang Wei's academy was a luxurious noble-style one, with a large per capita area.
"We must build these as quickly as possible, and we cannot neglect the acquisition and trading of ingredients. With the existence of salt essence, I think many people will not refuse our transactions."
Xifeng gritted his teeth. "Alright, everything will be done as you say. I also hope that an epic castle will stand on the ice field! I need laborers now, a large number of laborers with cell levels who can work in the wind and snow!"
Zhang Wei pondered for a moment.
"Where did the ordinary laborers from the Great Glacier come from before?"
"Slaves, indentured servants, criminals..."
"Remove the criminals. Use the same channels to recruit 100,000 ordinary laborers for you within a week!"
"Ten days!"
"Agreed!"
Coincidentally, Zhang Wei also needed to make some preparations.
His sense of taste and smell had both recovered and were even better than before. Zhang Wei had been itching to get his hands on cooking!
After thinking about it, Zhang Wei summoned a large batch of perfect and semi-perfect grade ingredients. There were no ingredients above level 50, worth about twenty billion yuan.
This was about Zhang Wei's inventory for ten days.
Zhang Wei said, "This batch of goods are top-grade ingredients with excellent appearance and huge volume. I need you to sell them secretly. A small amount of them will be stored in the Food Bank, and it cannot be exposed that we are the sellers."
As long as the quantity was small, it would not attract too much covetousness.
Moreover, Zhang Wei was only selling ingredients below level 50. He hoped this would curb some people's greed.
Half a month later.
Warm Port was still traveling in the northern regions, as if drawing grid lines on the map with mist. Recently, it had been moving towards the west coast across the ocean.
Once the water in its body ran out, it would teleport back to find Zhang Wei for refilling.
With the support of a hundred silver apples, Warm Port rarely worried about stamina. After half a month of running around, it only used 3% of its energy reserves. Silver apples were indeed top-grade ingredients that even the divine realm valued!
Even among ingredients of the same level 90, it was rare to find such perfect ingredients!
Zhang Wei made several trips during his free time, transporting a massive amount of building materials and filling several warm storage rooms.
He took the time to hold three classes, imparting some knowledge and his latest insights to the more than 200 disciples who were still holding on.
These people would be precious teaching resources in the future, and Zhang Wei had to train them carefully.
For the remaining time, Zhang Wei was busy fighting with mountains of ingredients.
Zhang Wei took half of the Food Bank's inventory for storage. Even half of it amounted to tens of millions of kilograms!
Even with Zhang Wei's top-notch skills and energy, he felt daunted by these ingredients.
It could be said that he was tired but happy.
Zhang Wei even had to store the ingredients in his Treasure Hall and use the tenfold acceleration to speed up the process.
If the left side hall were not empty and without any cooking utensils, Zhang Wei would have even gone to the left side hall!
After half a month of hard work, the number of perfect-grade ingredients in Zhang Wei's hands became more and more exaggerated, and the daily output value increased sharply!
These ingredients were the foundation for the future Chef Academy and Food City, and their quantity must be sufficient!
If these ingredients were processed with superb culinary skills, their value would double.
"Mr. Zhang Wei, Mr. Langtu has arrived."
"Langtu?"
He walked out of the house.
Langgu Yibing's armor was bright.
But without corresponding cold protection, he looked quite embarrassed.
He quickly sent Langtu into the warm storage, and a group of iron-clad strong men were warming themselves by the fire inside.
"Langtu, why are you here?"
Langtu Terry smiled. "After all, I've invested, so of course I have to see my investment."
"Bringing an army? Planning to rob?"
This time, Langtu did not come alone. He was accompanied by five thousand Langgu Yibing!
This was more than the number of troops in the Cloud Country operation!
Langtu said, "These kids are all new recruits who lack experience. They say the extreme cold is the best place to temper willpower and physique, so I brought them here to see. However, I'm very busy, so I'll leave them in your care."
He's here to send manpower...
These five thousand people seemed to be hunters from Langgu.
This was a great favor!
Just as Zhang Wei was about to say a few pleasantries, Langtu waved his hand. "There's too much going on in Langgu, so I won't disturb you any longer. We'll meet again."
"Aren't you staying for dinner?"
Langtu's footsteps froze. "That's fine too~"
At this moment, a messenger walked into the house. "Lord Xifeng sent a message that the ten thousand new laborers have arrived and are being arranged for accommodation."
Zhang Wei clapped his hands. "Good!"
"Langtu, stay here for a few days. It's a good chance for you to witness my new creation!"
The next morning.
A group of people came to meet Zhang Wei.
These people were all injured and looked quite miserable.
"Who are you..."
"Chef Zhang, we are the chieftains of the Transverse Mountains!"
"Oh, oh, oh, I have always remembered the favor of selling you the flying dragons. If you need anything, just say it."
The few people collectively fell to the ground and wept loudly.
One of them said, "Chef Zhang!"
"We finally understand the value of the metal you gave us back then. You didn't take advantage of us. Such a divine item used to exchange for mere flying beasts was simply a blessing to our tribe!"
"You flatter me. It was just a transaction."
The man continued to cry, "We originally planned to forge it into a divine weapon as an heirloom, but... the news leaked out, and a group of bandits attacked our camp, killing many of our compatriots, and stealing that metal..."
Zhang Wei was shocked! This was indeed his oversight.
Zhang Wei had overlooked the temptation of such top-grade metal to high-level cells!
Many powerful individuals had no habit of saving money. When they saw something they liked, stealing it was their only option.
"Did you suffer any losses?"
"Hundreds of our sons died, and more than a thousand excellent hunters were seriously injured..."
Zhang Wei said, "Don't worry, I will compensate your tribe for its losses with some ingredients, and I will deal with those villains for you. When the metal is recovered, I will send them back to your tribe."
The man trembled. "Great Chef, it is already a great kindness for you to avenge us. How dare we ask for your money?"
"As a northerner, it is normal for me to provide some humanitarian assistance."
"Thank you, Great Chef Zhang!"
"Who are the villains? Do you have any information about their whereabouts?"
"Don't worry, our tribe has unique tracking methods... Unfortunately, we are no match for him."
Zhang Wei nodded.
"That's good. My new dish will be completed today. You should stay and share the banquet with us. Don't worry, the villains won't get far in half a day."
Asking a chef to stop cooking and go out to fight was indeed a bit too much.
The few people exchanged glances. Although they were eager, they managed to hold back.
In the past half month, seven or eight more warm storage rooms had been built. According to Zhang Wei's instructions, the newly built warm storage rooms were generally buried underground, greatly reducing the difficulty of construction and increasing their resistance to cold and wind. Therefore, the new warm storage rooms were built to be taller.
The inner and outer walls were covered with insulation materials made of sponge and animal skins, and the gaps were thickened. The overall thermal insulation capacity was stronger than before.
If a fire was lit inside, the temperature could be maintained at five degrees, and the fuel consumption would be reduced by 20%.
At this moment, the warm storage rooms were crowded with people. More than 200 chefs were preparing ingredients under Zhang Wei's guidance.
"Everyone, today is the third dish of my life's cuisine, and also the largest-scale dish. It is also the first time I will use assistant chefs for a life's cuisine!"
"This dish represents the expansion of my culinary thinking and a step forward in my life's menu!"
The first dish was "Formless!"
It possessed an aroma and taste that transcended space and penetrated the soul.
It could dispel resentment and alleviate displeasure, and had once caused hundreds of thousands of troops on the battlefield of the Cloud Country to lay down their arms and abandon all hatred.
It magnified the longing for peace in people's hearts, making them calm and unburdened.
The second dish was "Sweet Lover!"
Its taste was as sweet as first love and unforgettable, and it could stimulate people's deep desire and passion for love.
It fully opened people's hearts, released all emotions, and thus triggered the special effect of inner fire. Inner fire was not only a manifestation of emotion and spirit, but could also become a good skill for offense, reinforcement, and defense.
And today was the third dish!
Zhang Wei said, "The third dish is 'Hundred Flavors Noodles,' which I also call 'The First Taste'!"
"Serve the main course!"
With that, more than 200 chefs, as instructed earlier, served the processed ingredients onto plates.
Everyone looked and saw that they were indeed noodles!
Besides the noodles, there wasn't even a shred of side dish, making them look quite meager.
These noodles came in up to a hundred different colors, with variations in color, thickness, and aroma. The small bowls they were served in were not large, and could only hold about two mouthfuls of noodles.
Each small bowl could be easily held in one hand, only slightly larger than a teacup.
Some had broth poured over them, and some had a sprinkle of seasoning, which was a slight difference.
"This 'First Taste' has one hundred and eleven methods of preparation, and eating it is quite particular."
"I will place these noodles on one hundred and eleven tables, sorted by category. Then everyone will line up to eat. You will need to walk around the tables first, and then start eating on the second round."
"The method of eating is very simple. After walking the second round, take a small bowl of whatever you like. You can only choose one type of noodle per round, but there is no limit to the number of rounds you walk. You can eat as many bowls as you want!"
"If you wish, you can eat one hundred and eleven bowls on the first round! However, I highly recommend following your heart's guidance when eating."
"And, everyone must eat until they are full, until they can't eat anymore! Use all your stomach capacity!"
To prevent misunderstandings, Zhang Wei even found someone to demonstrate. If the rules were violated, they would be disqualified from eating tonight.
Zhang Wei's reputation in the northern regions was like thunder. The exquisite dishes he prepared, although seemingly ordinary, must be incredibly delicious. Once disqualified, it would be a great loss.
Everyone nodded and kept the rules in mind!
Zhang Wei estimated the amount of ingredients and the number of people, and urged the more than 200 chefs to continue working hard and speed up!
"Alright, I now declare the banquet officially open!"
"Everyone, line up and enter the venue in batches to dine!"