Chapter 597: The Taste of Home
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Luo Jin’an remembered Su Teng Village’s appearance when he moved there last year. The village was small and honest, and the villagers were good. They helped each other with whatever they needed. Those who could not afford to eat would receive food from their neighbors.
However, everyone in the village was poor back then. Many families could only afford to eat two meals a day—most of the time, it was porridge. Even if they had vegetables, they could not bear to add oil, salt, or eggs.
The Su family was in a similar situation. Moreover, most of the older villagers were not as healthy as now. People walking around used to look sickly and wore patched clothes.
Now that things had improved, every household could have at least three daily meals and plenty of food choices. Many people could afford things like down jackets and duvets for winter.
The villagers could also buy more nutritious foods to improve their diets. Everyone looked much better, and those constantly sick recovered fully.
Some of the older villagers even became physically stronger. Their vision was no longer blurry, and their hearing improved. They also walked around energetically.
The Su Teng villagers were wealthier than people from other villages because
Su Binglan prioritized them when she first started hiring workers. The Su Teng villagers received monthly salaries and bonuses, and their lives improved.
They were only willing to buy things like eggs because they had more money. Eggs were the most precious thing, but the villagers could not bear to eat them in the past.
However, many adults allowed their children to eat eggs even if they could not afford to now.
Su Binglan recalled the changes in Su Teng Village and surrounding villages, feeling rather emotional. She said, “Su Teng Village and our family have undergone exceptional changes.”
She recalled her family’s happy expressions and felt that everything she had done was meaningful. Although the war had ended, she and Luo Jin’an helped Lan Ruozhu deal with some follow-up matters.
Afterward, the young couple prepared to return to Su Teng Village to get ready for the Meanwhile, Lan Ruozhu could not stay in Su Teng Village forever and had to return to the prefecture since he was King.
That way, it would be easier for him to deal with most things. Furthermore, the prefecture was Dingzhou!s stronghold. It would be safer if he stayed in the prefecture.
Still, Lan Ruozhu wanted to visit Su Teng Village to spend the New Year with his sister and godparents. He yearned to feel the holiday atmosphere and looked forward to it.
Of course, he had to prioritize handling Dingzhou’s matters so that he could stay with the Su family for a few more days during New Year celebrations. Also, he had to make time to peacefully claim the lands from Dingzhou to the border and make it his territory.
He knew he could let his sister plan and arrange how to develop their new lands because he knew she excelled in development. Lan Ruozhu also believed his sister would surprise him.
Along Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an’s journey back to Su Teng Village, they saw the faces of the commoners beaming with smiles. Many people were out selling things and shopping, chatting occasionally.
“Dingzhou is the best place to live because it’s safe and stable.”
“You’re right. I heard there are still wars happening elsewhere. People tried attacking Dingzhou, but our king’s forces were formidable. The enemies failed to conquer us and retreated.”
“It’s safer now. The administrator has sent news that we no longer have to be afraid and continue with our lives.’
“We were hiding in our homes and refused to come out. I thought we were done for, but we’re safe now.”
“The streets seemed so deserted when the war occurred. The shops I usually buy from were closed.
“We’re doing well now. I heard the price of food elsewhere is much more expensive than here. Most people’s supplies were stolen, and they can’t afford food.’
“Dingzhou is the best. I heard King Lan Ruozhu issued a rule that the price of grain cannot rise. If any merchant dares to raise their prices on grain, government officials will arrest them. However, we ordinary people can’t buy too much either.’
“l also heard that foreigners can’t buy our food and resell it elsewhere, and locals can’t do such a thing either. They will also get arrested and even thrown out of Dingzhou. We can get rewarded if we report anyone who breaks the rules.’
“We’ll live well here. The war won’t reach us, so we’re safe, too.’
“Yes, we can have a lovely
Su Binglan smiled when she heard the commoners’ discussions.
The commoners did not care much about who was in charge. They were more concerned about whether or not the war would reoccur and if they could continue eating well and wearing proper clothes.
Along the way, Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an passed a few cities in Dingzhou and saw Su l s Cured Meats store.
“That should be Uncle Fengchen and Aunt Zhizhi’s store!” Su Binglan’s eyes lit up when she saw her uncle and aunt’s food store. She missed her loved ones since she had been away for a long time.
Luo Jin’an looked at his wife and asked gently, “Are you hungry?”
Su Binglan nodded. “Hmm, I bet their food will taste like home.”
Luo Jin’an dismounted his horse and said, “Let’s go inside. We’ll get something and eat at the dumpling shop next door.”
Su Binglan followed suit, saying, “That’s a good idea.”
Although the cured meat store was small, plenty of products were inside.
People were already queueing up before the young couple when they arrived. Luo Jin’an and Su Binglan tied their horses to the side and joined the queue.
“Madam Wang, please give me two pounds of pigs head meat and some cured sausages.”
Madam Wang, who was in charge of Su l s Cured Meats, smiled and began preparing the customer’s order. After weighing the pig meat, she took a few cured sausages and mentioned the price.
The young man paid and took his order. He smiled and said, “Thank you,
Madam Wang, but you gave me too much of the pigs head meat.”
“That’s okay. You’re a regular customer, so you deserve more.”
“Thanks again. My wife will enjoy it.” The young man learned jewelry-making from his mentor. Since he was adequately skilled, he earned a decent living and was willing to buy such things to bring home.
Then the next customer told Madam Wang her order, “Hello, may I have two cured sausages, please?”
The customer wore patched clothes and looked plain. Her face was dark, and she had wrapped her copper coins in a small cloth. She carefully took some out and handed them to Madam Wang.
The woman was usually reluctant to buy such food, but she wanted them for New Year’s this time. Madam Wang looked at the woman’s appearance and felt sorry for her. Then she decided to undercharge the woman.
Many others were similar to the customer. They could not afford much, only enough to celebrate the New Year.
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