Chapter 389: Chapter 201: Dividing the Flesh_2
The backyard was swept with cold wind, where Lady Gu, an abused daughter-in-law, was washing intestines, but the front yard was bathed in sunshine, filled with laughter and cheerful voices.
Old Master Lian was assigning pork.
The pig’s head had to be reserved for offering to the gods, and a good portion of the meat was to be kept aside for Erlang’s wedding feast. The remaining pork, pig’s tail, trotters, liver, heart, lungs, and miscellaneous bones and scraps of meat, were having the large bones removed, as they would soon be part of the feast everyone in the family was going to enjoy, hence the bones still had some fatty and lean meat attached.
Only then would it be the turn to set aside the meat for the family’s New Year celebration.
"For Old Fourth Family’s share of meat, start cutting from the back leg," Old Master Lian had not forgotten his previous promise to divide meat for Lian Shouxin.
"Righto," Butcher Zhang agreed with a smile, "Uncle Lian, how many pounds should I cut?"
During New Year, if tenant farmers bought meat, it would only be about four or five pounds, of which some would be reserved for treating guests to a meal, and for the family to only have meat on the first day of the new year.
"Eight pounds," Old Master Lian thought for a moment, then said loudly, "Cut eight pounds for Old Fourth, let my grandsons have their fill of meat."
Xiao Qi cheered.
Lady Zhou’s face fell again, but after a moment, she regained composure and said nothing.
"Father, there’s no need for so much, four or five pounds would be enough for me," Shouxin spoke up.
"Eight pounds, I make the call," Old Master Lian said, "This year we have plenty of meat, everyone will have more than enough."
These words implied that not only was Shouxin Family’s share more generous, everyone else would also enjoy more meat than in previous years. Smiles blossomed on the faces of the Lian Family members.
Lady Zhang then brought a basin out from the house.
Lian Manman ran up to take it and went over to the table to collect the meat.
Butcher Zhang chopped a piece from the pig’s back leg and cut another piece with layers of fat and lean meat, tossing it into the large scale beside him. It weighed eight pounds and two ounces, quite heavy.
"Perfect!" Butcher Zhang called out loudly.
"Good," Old Master Lian also said.
Butcher Zhang then smiled as he placed the two large pieces of meat into the basin held by Lian Manman.
Grinning, Lian Manman carried the basin back, and Wu Lang, Lian Zhizhi, and Xiao Qi all gathered around, escorting her with the wooden basin towards the West Wing Room. Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang exchanged glances, their faces brimming with joy.
Once the meat distribution was complete, the men began to tidy up the yard. The wooden frame for hanging the pig had to be dismantled, and the dirt piles contaminated with pig blood and hair had to be cleaned away with a dustpan. These were discarded on the rubbish heap outside the Lian Family’s door, along with wood ash and other household refuse, to ferment and serve as fertilizer for the fields next year.
The women set about cooking.
A pot of fragrant sorghum rice was being stewed while another large iron pot was heated up. Oil, fermented bean paste, green onions, ginger, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns were added and fried until aromatic. Then all the pork bones, meat, trotters, and tail were tossed in, stir-fried until the fat and flavors emerged, followed by sour shredded cabbage, stir-fried together, then covered with water. The lid was placed on the pot, which was set over a high flame. After it came to a boil and the lid was opened, a support was placed inside the pot and the well-stirred, seasoned pig’s blood, contained in a basin, was set on top of the support. The lid was replaced and the fire continued.
This dish was colloquially known as the "Extended Pig Slaughter Dish." Some places would make blood sausages, but in Thirty Mile Camp, it’s common to not make sausages, opting instead for steamed "blood curd."
With such a pot of food and a pot of rice, due to the sufficient ingredients in the dish, it was already considered a feast.
However, for a festival like pig slaughtering, hospitable rural families would generally not enjoy it alone; they would invite relatives and friends to share the celebration.
Lizheng, Chunzhu’s father, brothers Wu Yuchang and Wu Yugui, as well as several other village elders who had a good relationship with Old Master Lian, were all invited over.
Womenfolk weren’t invited, but pig’s blood was already sent over in advance, and a big bowl of vegetables would undoubtedly be sent over later as well.
Because of the guests, as soon as the pot of sorghum rice was ready, it was scooped out, placed into a basin, covered tightly, and kept warm on the stove. The large iron pot was scrubbed clean and ready for frying dishes.
Quick-fried liver tips with scalded carrot slices, garlic sprouts stir-fried with meat, quick-fried kidney flowers, and Lady Zhang brought over a basin of fresh, tender bean sprouts that were also stir-fried with meat.
By this time, the pot of meat and vegetables was gradually ready, with a meaty aroma that made mouths water.
Several semi-grown children gathered around the stove one moment, ran out to frolic the next, not straying far, and soon ran back inside again.
"When will the meat be ready?" Si Lang asked with drooling anticipation.
"It’ll be ready soon. Don’t run off too far, or when it’s time to eat, no one will call you," Lady He cautioned Si Lang.
"I got it," Si Lang replied, and then ran out again. There was no need for Lady He’s reminder; before tasting the meat, not one child would run out of the yard today.
Seeing the back door slightly ajar, Manman walked over with the intention of closing it. Impulsively, she lifted the curtain and glanced into the backyard.
In the backyard, where Lady Gu was originally squatting, she now sat on a small stool, with a basin in front of her piled high with pig intestines. Two pigs’ intestines were all there. Lady Chiang, holding Niuniu and accompanied by Lian Duo, stood behind Lady Gu.
The mothers spoke softly among themselves.
Lady Chiang was very alert and seemed to hear some noise. She turned her head and saw Manman.
"Manman, I am about to finish washing the intestines. Jizu’s daughter-in-law, it’s cold here, why don’t you and Manman go back to the house first. Don’t wait to have dinner without me," Lady Gu, upon seeing Manman, said with a smile on her face.
"Manman, tell your grandma that I will finish washing the intestines soon, so she shouldn’t worry," Lady Gu added, turning her head to face Manman directly.
Tears streamed down Lady Gu’s face, which she didn’t wipe away. The tears remained on her cheeks, and as the north wind blew, a large patch of skin on her cheekbones appeared abnormal. Lady Gu looked very pitiful.
"Manman, your grandfather and grandmother both think highly of you. Could you, please, speak a word on our behalf..." Lady Chiang started hesitantly.
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Recommended completed book by Ruoyan: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles", a light-hearted combat farming story set within the vicissitudes of a large family estate.
Book Number: 1771214
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The second update, twisting for pink support.
Diving down to write, give me motivation, folks, striving for the third update. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to support by casting your recommendation votes, monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
