Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is essentially glutamic acid. It was first extracted and isolated from wheat gluten by German scientists, but it was the Japanese who discovered its value as a flavor enhancer. In 1908, Kikunae Ikeda found a crystalline substance in evaporated kelp broth that tasted exceptionally savory. After six months of research, he identified MSG, applied for a patent, and began selling it. Thus, MSG officially entered the pages of culinary history.
MSG can be extracted from many foods, such as wheat gluten, starch, molasses from sugar beets, and more. It can also be synthesized chemically. Of course, the simplest method is extraction from kelp. However, ten kilograms of kelp yield only 0.2 grams of MSG, so in later generations, MSG was mainly produced by purifying other substances or through chemical synthesis. But all these production methods require specialized equipment, which was currently unavailable, so the MSG that Wei Wei had in mind was, naturally, not MSG in the traditional sense.
It would be more accurate to say she was looking for ingredients with umami-enhancing effects.
As a former internet user, Wei Wei has absorbed a wide array of knowledge online. She had long known that MSG was often believed to be harmful to health. Many people avoided it, while others who appreciated its flavor-enhancing properties tried to make their own "healthier and safer" versions—though whether those were truly safer was debatable. After all, the idea that MSG is harmful largely stems from improper cooking methods leading to trace toxicity. So she flipped through her encyclopedias and, sure enough, found several homemade methods for creating MSG alternatives. These methods were simple, requiring no tools—just raw ingredients and sealed glass jars.
As for real MSG, she'd have to ask a few alchemists to try extracting it.
Acting on her idea, she sent the research institute both data on MSG and a list of raw materials that could yield glutamic acid, asking interested alchemists to study them. She then turned to her notes, planning to create some flavor-enhancing substitutes first.
She finally settled on using shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, and dried shrimp—three ingredients known for their excellent umami-boosting effects. Though none of them contained glutamic acid, they were no less flavorful than MSG and far more natural and harmless. Even when added directly to food, they significantly improved taste, making them ideal alternatives.
Moreover, these three ingredients were easy to obtain.
The Mediterranean was not rich in fish resources, but seaweed—a type of algae common in most oceans—was also found there. Coastal communities were already accustomed to eating seaweed, though under different names. Once Wei Wei described what it looked like, locals quickly helped her gather plenty. The same went for shrimp.
Although shiitake mushrooms weren't yet cultivated artificially—Wei Wei made a note of this, thinking that perhaps she could try introducing mushroom farming to give Sardinson a new industry—all mushrooms were still wild. They typically appeared after rain and were foraged in the forest, with yield depending entirely on luck.
But since the request came from the Countess herself, once word got out, people were quick to go mushroom hunting on her behalf.
Sure enough, soon after the castle spread the word, some residents delivered freshly foraged mushrooms from the forest. Though they weren't the shiitake she'd hoped for, they were white button mushrooms—also known as champignons—which were just as effective.
Making seaweed-based "MSG" was incredibly simple. It required virtually no processing—just drying the seaweed and grinding it into powder, which could then be used as a seasoning. Mushrooms needed to be washed and dried first, while dried shrimp required washing and soaking before drying. All of them were eventually ground into fine powder.
Aside from the manual grinding process—since they had no milling machine and had to use small stone grinders—none of the steps were particularly difficult.
Of course, Wei Wei, as the lady of the house, didn't have to do the grinding herself. She simply informed the kitchen, and there was no shortage of people eager to serve her.
In the end, Wei Wei ended up with three small bottles of powders, each reflecting the color of its base ingredient. These were just test batches, so she hadn't made much—each small glass bottle, cork-stoppered, held only about fifty grams. But for seasoning, that was already quite a bit.
Using the three types of seasoning, each with subtly different flavors, Wei Wei made three variations of instant noodles.
The noodles themselves were made using a noodle-making machine. It had to be said: that the working class was impressively creative. This hand-cranked noodle machine wasn't Wei Wei's invention—it was first devised by a few workers in the pasta factory. Made of iron, it closely resembled household noodle machines from later times. It featured a small inclined ramp like a slide, several rollers, and a slotted cutter. There was a crank handle on the side; by pouring the mixed flour into the ramp and cranking the handle, the dough would be pressed into flat sheets. After several rounds, you'd get evenly thin dough, which could then be fed into the cutter for uniformly sized noodles.
At first, the workers only built a wooden prototype, which had many flaws. But when Wei Wei saw it, she immediately rewarded the inventors and sent the machine to the blacksmith, along with her improved design blueprints. Soon, a new iron version was forged. Though it was prone to rust, in the absence of stainless steel, they simply had to maintain it well.
The initial iron noodle machine wasn't very large—only about 30 centimeters wide—so Wei Wei took it back to the castle kitchen. Later, the blacksmiths produced a batch twice that size for the pasta factory. Thanks to these machines, production at the pasta factory significantly improved, and the workers saved a lot of labor.
Of course, the noodles from this machine were straight, quite unlike the wavy look of typical instant noodles. But curving the noodles was simply a matter of adjusting the cutter slots—not a big issue, and something to consider for later.
The finished noodles were steamed in a steamer, and then deep-fried in oil. Once cooled, they became the familiar instant noodle bricks.
After that, it was time to make the actual "instant" meal. Wei Wei made the instant noodles right in front of Felix. She poured boiling water into a bowl holding the noodle brick, then covered it with a larger plate as a lid. After a few minutes, she uncovered it—the golden noodles had softened nicely. She added salt and "MSG," stirred to dissolve the seasonings, and pushed a bowl toward Felix.
"Try it. What do you think of the flavor?"
Felix had only seen Wei Wei pour hot water over the noodle brick; he had no idea how many steps she had taken to make it. So, when faced with noodles that had seemingly just soaked in hot water for a few minutes, he was skeptical about whether they were fully cooked. But out of trust for his wife, he picked up a fork and twirled some noodles out of the bowl.
The noodles lifted easily and were distinct from each other, not the sticky lump he had expected. As soon as he took a bite, his eyes lit up. Though the flavor was light—just a hint of salt and an indescribable savory note—the texture was excellent. It was different from the pasta or noodle soups he usually ate: slightly soft and mushy, yet still chewy and smooth. Despite the lack of rich seasoning, it wasn't bland at all.
He immediately realized the advantage of this kind of food.
Each bowl didn't hold much—just two or three bites. With a single twirl, Felix had nearly emptied the bowl, leaving only a bit of oily broth. A subtle aroma lingered in the steam rising from it, and without hesitation, he drank the soup too. This time, he could taste the mushroom flavor in it.
After wiping his mouth, Felix said, "This kind of food is perfect for eating while on the campaign. Though it could use a bit more flavor."
"It's meant for situations where cooking is inconvenient," Wei Wei replied, used to Felix's habit of associating everything with military applications. After all, he was a knight, one with many past accomplishments. Even after inheriting the title, he had never given up his training, so it was only natural that he had a soldier's instincts. "The key to instant noodles is the seasoning. I haven't finished blending the right mix yet—this was just a test batch. But that broth tasted pretty rich, right?"
She ate the shrimp-flavored one, focusing primarily on the broth. She had only added a small amount of dried shrimp, but the umami-boosting effect was remarkable.
"It's called instant noodles? That's quite an apt name," Felix praised. With just a bit of hot water, the noodles were ready to eat—and the taste was nearly on par with freshly cooked food. He would gladly eat it when on the road or in difficult conditions.
He even finished the remaining seaweed-flavored one and then, still not satisfied, asked, "Are there more of these noodles? Let's have this for dinner today, with all the seasonings added."
Seeing that he liked it, Wei Wei nodded. "I'll make you a boiled version later—it tastes even better. But for now, let's talk business. What do you think of converting the pasta factory in Melk Town into an instant noodle factory? We could mass-produce both the noodles and seasoning packets. Even though the coastline near Melk isn't great for sailing, it should still be possible to cultivate seaweed in designated areas. If we can scale up production, we'd have a whole new industry."
Seaweed, whether used in seasonings or sold directly as dried goods, had plenty of market potential. And since no one had begun farming it yet, if they could pull it off, it would be another valuable technique and source of revenue.
"Absolutely," Felix agreed. "I can guarantee that even without seasoning packets, many people would still buy these instant noodles. They're just that convenient—perfect for travelers, much better than those tough meat pies."
From Felix's perspective, seasoning packets weren't essential. People who traveled frequently usually carried their spices. As long as the noodles could be rehydrated with hot water, they could just add whatever flavoring they had and enjoy a satisfying meal. Who would say no to something that easy?
But after tasting Wei Wei's upgraded version of instant noodles, he quietly scrapped that idea.
The seasoning was based on modern instant noodle flavor packets, adjusted by Wei Wei. The main components were oil, "MSG," salt, sugar (brown sugar), and a few spices. Since dehydrated vegetables and jerky weren't available, she used fresh vegetables and chopped smoked meat instead. The resulting broth had a different flavor from the instant noodles of the future, but it was no less delicious.
Felix finished the entire bowl—including the broth—using one of their large soup bowls. The others enjoyed it too; although they didn't eat as much as him, they still had bigger appetites than usual.
With instant noodles receiving universal praise, Wei Wei moved forward with her plan to convert the factory. Since she couldn't travel far herself, she sent for the new factory director in Melk and had him bring a team of core staff to the castle to learn how to make instant noodles. The noodle cutter hadn't been modified yet, so the noodles were still straight. But Wei Wei instructed them to coil the noodles into circles by hand—it didn't need to be precise, just a casual loop—since straight noodles were too brittle and prone to breaking during frying.
There wasn't much to teach about making the noodles themselves—just one demonstration and anyone could do it. Wei Wei's main focus was training them in seasoning preparation. To reduce costs, she removed some of the more expensive spices from the formula and replaced them with cheaper alternatives. She finalized a seaweed-flavored seasoning mix that was tasty and cost-effective. Despite Felix's assurances that the factory staff were trustworthy, given the previous incident with the pasta factory, Wei Wei remained cautious. She kept the exact spice blend a secret. In the future, that part of the seasoning would be premixed into powder at the meat sauce factory and delivered to the noodle factory for use.
The new factory director and his team had no objections. They had feared the factory would shut down for good and that they'd lose their jobs, but now not only was the factory reopening but some of them had been promoted as well. They were overjoyed and deeply grateful to the Count and Countess, eager to prove their loyalty through hard work.
Once the team learned how to make instant noodles and got the simplified seasoning formula, they rushed back to gather the workers and resume production. It wasn't long before the factory was buzzing with activity again—but this time, they weren't making pasta. They were producing instant noodles.
Seaweed farming was still just an idea, so for now, all the seasoning ingredients—except salt—had to be bought from merchants. The new director had already negotiated the purchases himself. But given the previous director's mistakes nearly led to a shutdown, he was initially too cautious to sign the contracts alone. He brought them to the castle for Felix and Wei Wei to review first. Once they confirmed everything was in order, they sent the contracts back for him to sign.
Soon after, word spread among the merchants traveling to Sardinson County: only one of the three pasta factories was still producing pasta. One of the others, located in Melk, had switched to a new product—"instant noodles"—a type of noodle that could be eaten after just a few minutes of soaking in hot water. The simplicity of preparation made them an instant hit. And when paired with the factory's specially-made seasoning blends, the flavor was top-tier.
The seasoning packets, which came pre-mixed in glass bottles and could be stored for a long time, became popular in their own right. Each bottle lasted through many meals. Even when not used with instant noodles, the seasonings could be added to regular dishes to improve their taste. And the price wasn't too high—affordable for anyone with a bit of spare money. It was a far better deal than buying expensive spices and trying to cook something tasty with them.
As a result, not just the noodles, but the seasoning packets became hot-selling items. Demand for the seasonings even outpaced that of the noodles. Even ordinary townsfolk began buying bottles to keep in their kitchens.
With that, the Melk factory had undergone a full transformation and was thriving once again. The workers no longer had to worry about their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the pasta factory in Uke Town hadn't resumed production, unlike the other two. This left the workers anxious. Since no new director had been appointed—which also worried the townspeople—many of them started visiting the town mayor, hoping to get some news.
But the mayor didn't know anything either. His son and daughter-in-law had both worked at the factory, with his son even in a supervisory role. They had lost their jobs in the shake-up, and now sat around at home, worried. The mayor himself was anxious. If he had any news to share, of course he would have.
In the end, worn down by constant pressure, the mayor of Uke bit the bullet and took a carriage to Sardinson Castle to request an audience with the Count.
Felix was busy at the time. When the butler told him the mayor had come to ask about the pasta factory, he sent him to see Wei Wei instead.
"The pasta factory is currently under Madam's management. When you meet her, mind your manners. Don't say anything that might startle her or the young master," Butler Barton warned sternly. In his eyes, there was no one in the castle more precious than little Anthony. As Wei Wei was always by Anthony's side, she too had been elevated in his regard—perhaps even surpassing Felix himself.
So whenever a stranger requested an audience with Wei Wei, Barton always reminded them to behave, lest they frighten the little one.
To Barton, the mayor of Uke—with his balding head, round face, and constant look of worry—looked anything but friendly and was therefore a potential threat to the young master. He repeated his warnings several times on the way.
The mayor of the Uke was a respected figure in his town, used to being treated with deference. But inside the castle, he no longer had that dignity. Though Barton gave him the cold shoulder, he didn't take offense—he was too worried. He took Barton's attitude as a sign of how the Count himself felt about him. And that perception made him even more afraid.
What if the Count was holding him responsible for the pasta factory?
After all, the former director had been his relative, appointed through his connections. Not just because of a generous gift, but also because the mayor's own son was too young to command respect. The former director had promised to promote the boy and eventually pass the factory director position on to him. That's why the mayor had used his influence to push for the appointment.
Could it be the Count had found out about that and was now punishing him through the butler?
The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became. By the time he reached Wei Wei, his legs nearly gave out beneath him.
Wei Wei had no idea about his guilty conscience. When the butler explained who he was, she assumed the poor man was just overweight and tired from walking. She kindly invited him to sit down.
"What brings you here to see me?"
The butler had only told her that the mayor of Uke Town was here and that Felix couldn't meet him due to other guests. He hadn't said why the man had come.
From the castle gate to her presence, the mayor had been scaring himself silly. Now, seeing Wei Wei's calm smile, he thought it looked like a cold smirk. Wiping his sweat, he stammered out his request.
"You're asking about the pasta factory?" Wei Wei was a bit surprised. Though the factory was in Uke Town, it shouldn't concern the mayor directly, should it?
Seeing him sweating profusely, Wei Wei had a maid bring him a glass of cold tea. It was summer, and the castle always had some prepared for when people got thirsty or overheated.
After drinking a warm cup of herbal tea, the mayor finally calmed down a bit and could speak more clearly. "The townspeople can't find anyone in charge, so they all came to me. Besides, both my son and daughter-in-law worked at the factory…"
So he was also worried about their employment.
Wei Wei nodded in understanding. "We've already been preparing to reopen the factory. However, it won't be making pasta anymore, so we're replacing some equipment. And since the raw materials aren't ready yet, we were planning to notify you later. But since you're already here, you can help me inform the townspeople: they don't need to worry about their jobs. Once the new equipment is in place, the factory will contact them to return to work."
The mayor didn't think that explanation would satisfy the townspeople. Bracing himself, he asked, "Countess, do you mean our factory will also start producing those instant noodles like in Melk?"
The three pasta factories had shut down for the same reason, and he had kept an eye on the others. Melk's factory had resumed production, which made the people of Uke anxious. So yes, he had heard of instant noodles—and even bought some to try.
He had to admit, they were delicious—better than his wife's usual cooking. Even her terrible soup became surprisingly tasty after adding the seasoning.
Wei Wei shook her head. "No, not instant noodles. I plan to have them make something else."
The mayor was good at reading people. At first, he had mistaken her calm for disdain, but after a few minutes, he realized she was quite approachable. Gathering his courage, he asked, "Madam, could you share a little of the plan? Otherwise, I'll have nothing to report when I return."
He thought about the disgruntled townsfolk who'd been visiting his home daily with harsh words and short tempers and instinctively shrank back.
Seeing how pitiful and anxious he looked, Wei Wei relented. "It's related to the tomatoes we planted near a Uke Town. We're planning to turn the pasta factory there into a tomato paste factory."