So, Pelmen, I've been puzzling over how to keep a unit well‑fed during a long march. What ingredient do you think can keep spirits high and stomachs full without breaking the army's budget?

Dried lentils, eh? They’re fine for a siege, but on a march you need something that doesn’t wilt under heat. I’d swap them for dried peas or split peas, then slow‑cook them with a handful of dried onions and a bit of salt. Keep the broth minimal and let the peas do the work; it’s cheap, fills stomachs, and won’t collapse the chain of command. And if you want to keep morale, toss in a pinch of something sharp – a dried pepper or a bit of citrus zest – so the taste doesn’t feel like dust.