Miao Chu

Chapter 189 Stealing Masters
At this time, farmers can't plant, axes and hatchets can't be used, and fishermen can't cast their nets. If they could suddenly get an extra reward, who wouldn't be happy?

Fortunately, the prize money was not much; the first prize was thirty coins per person, and the second prize was only twenty coins per person.

Wang Silang consoled himself, dodged his father and brothers' scolding and disdain, and that was the end of it.

However, when it was time to serve lunch, they immediately started handing out rewards.

A table was placed at the front, next to a large bamboo basket filled with copper coins.

Today, the patrol team stood at the front. One person called out names, another counted the coins on the spot, and the third distributed them. The copper coins were tapped on the table, making a jingling sound. After distributing the money, they were given a bamboo token. With the token, they could get their food. Those who received first-class food received an extra large bone and a braised egg, while those who received second-class food received an extra braised egg.

Seeing the people in the line who were just like him a moment ago, holding their bowls and waiting for their food, he was suddenly called out by name.

They jogged forward, then happily returned with the money and wooden plaques, stuffing them into their pockets or tucking them into their clothes. Some, however, were quite ostentatious, relying on their thin belts and not caring about looking bad. They simply untied their belts and wrapped them around their waists, instantly transforming themselves into "big spenders" with thirty coins around their waists.

"What's with the attitude! It's only thirty coins, not three hundred!"

Seeing that others were rich, Wang Silang still maintained a tough exterior, but he was already feeling a little envious inside.

When it was his turn, he saw the lunch menu: stir-fried pork blood with chives, dried tofu with dogwood, and mixed bean and grain rice. Normally, this would have been a pleasant surprise, but today he just couldn't muster any enthusiasm for it.

Wang Silang handed over the bowl, saying in a friendly tone, "Sister, could you give me a little more pig's blood?"

The auntie said, "It's all the same, all the same. Three pieces of pig's blood each. I'm very steady on my feet, I won't shortchange you a single bit!"

As he spoke, he indeed put a spoonful of stir-fried chives and pig's blood into his bowl.

Wang Silang counted them carefully and found three pieces. He thanked them, but couldn't help sniffing the air and glancing uncontrollably at the large pot next to him.

I could smell it while I was queuing, and now that I'm closer, the fragrance is even more unmistakable.

The braising sauce, made with a variety of spices, is simmered slowly with meat bones and eggs for half a day, infusing the sauce with the rich aroma of bones, as well as the sweet and spicy flavors of cinnamon, the cool and spicy flavors of cardamom, the warm and spicy flavors of star anise, the refreshing flavors of bay leaves, the spicy aromas of Sichuan peppercorns, and the warm and spicy flavors of dogwood.

The main seasonings are soy sauce and bean paste. Beans are naturally very flavorful, and when they are thoroughly incorporated into the meat and bones, the resulting natural flavor boldly enters Wang Silang's nose.

Wang Silang only regretted that his lungs were not big enough or strong enough to inhale more of that irresistible aroma of braised pork and bones in one breath.

The pot was extremely deep, filled with a very thick, dark brown broth, and on top of it floated large, continuous sheets of oil. These were not ordinary specks of oil, but rather the oil that had seeped out of the pork ribs themselves after long braising.

Because there was still a low flame underneath, the pot was half-boiling, slowly but steadily bubbling, causing the few pieces of braised pork bones and braised eggs piled on top to play hide-and-seek, occasionally peeking out halfway.

The meat, somewhere between dark brown and reddish-brown, is attached to the bone. Even from several steps away, you can still clearly see the texture on it with the naked eye. One piece has fallen over, revealing the horizontal part underneath, with a white bone marrow connected to the fascia inside. You can imagine what it tastes like just by looking at it, without even eating it.

After a morning of work, even if you're slacking off, you're still tired. Who could resist such a big piece of meat and bone?
As he glanced at it, Wang Silang couldn't help but swallow hard.

The sound was so loud that he was a little stunned—was my throat really that loud?
When he turned around, he found that he wasn't the only one. Everyone in the queue was staring at the big pot, swallowing their saliva. Although the sound wasn't loud, no one spoke, and when they were all gathered together, it was quite noticeable.

Wang Silang was not even qualified to eat braised pork ribs, let alone braised eggs, so he could only walk away, looking back every few steps.

When we arrived at our usual dining spot, there was already a group of people squatting, standing, or sitting down eating.

Seeing his family gathered in a corner, he hurriedly followed them. As soon as he got closer, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Second brother, third brother, you've separated the meat and eggs?!"

Old Man Wang glared at him, handed him a chopstick, and said, "Eat up, what are you babbling about!"

Wang Silang knew he hadn't done anything, and feeling guilty, he didn't dare to pick up any more meat. Instead, he grabbed the ribcage that had been dissected and put it in his bowl.

He lowered his head and hurriedly ate two mouthfuls of rice, one of which was mixed with the piece of meat he had just eaten.

The moment the meat entered his mouth, Wang Silang couldn't help but exclaim inwardly—"He really is my father!"
The outside of this piece of meat is lean, but the part closest to the bone is connected to the tendons and a little bit of fat. If you eat it carefully, the lean meat is a bit dry, but because it has been braised for a long time, it is already extremely tender and soft, coated with the braising sauce, and there is also a little bit of fat and collagen from the fat and tendons.

When all four are mixed together, the meat flavor is extremely rich, the braising flavor is extremely strong, and the aroma is extremely mellow, making even the most gruff and rough-tongued person find it incredibly delicious.

At this moment, even if knives were falling from the sky, he wouldn't bother to look up and dodge; he had to swallow this mouthful of meat with rice in it first.

Having tasted the meat, Wang Silang lost all interest in eating anything else and hurriedly grabbed the half-bone and stuffed it into his mouth.

The meat was removed in chunks, but since it was the spine, there were always some parts in the nooks and crannies, and in the crevices between the bones, that were difficult to separate.

He first sucked on the bone, tasting the salty and savory flavor of the braising sauce mixed with meat juices and oil. He was standing, but he plopped down on the ground, feeling that he couldn't muster any more strength to stand. He wanted to focus all his energy on carefully eating the bone.

The closer to the bone, the more fragrant the meat. It has more tendons and fascia, and a good balance of fat and lean meat. Because of its many grooves, it can hold a lot of braising liquid. Once you take a bite, the aroma of meat, oil, and braising liquid will fill your mouth.

Eating it involves using your hands, mouth, and chopsticks. Especially when you break it open and eat the small white bone marrow inside the bone cone, your mouth is full of oil, smooth, delicate, rich, and fragrant, with the salty aroma of the braising sauce and a hint of spiciness. That kind of taste is something even an emperor wouldn't want to experience!

There's no emperor to be found on either side!

I was tired and hungry, I was craving food, and I've always been a lazy person who loves to eat. When I have food, I never care about anything else.

Wang Silang ate a piece of braised pork rib with such gusto that he seemed oblivious to everyone else, as if he and the rib were the only things left in the world. He ate it all up, and then slowly chewed on the small piece of braised egg.

The egg white was reddish-brown on the outside, and perhaps because it had been braised for too long, it was even slightly wrinkled. The yolk inside also had a hint of braised color. When eating the egg white, it was very firm, even with a slightly chewy texture. When eating the yolk, it was delicate, powdery, and slightly grainy. Although it was a little dry, that dryness made it even more delicious at the back of the tongue. After finishing all the food, Wang Silang finally let out a sigh of relief, licking the grease and braising sauce off his lips with satisfaction. He felt that life was wonderful; taking a little break, enjoying a good meal, and occasionally having some meat was truly blissful!
When he went back to work in the afternoon, his father and brothers repeatedly urged him, but Wang Silang remained lazy.

Old Man Wang said, "The meat and eggs you ate at noon were worse than what a dog would eat. If you're so greedy, why don't you do your part and we three can have some meat tomorrow? Wouldn't that be better?"

Wang Silang thought about the taste of meat at noon, then looked at the yellow mud, gravel, and large rocks in front of him. He felt his hands go weak and he was tired. He said with a fawning face, "Dad, wasn't I born prematurely? I've been sickly since I was little and can't do hard work. You and my eldest brother can bear with me. Tomorrow we'll eat with my second and third brothers again, that'll be great!"

Old Man Wang picked up his shovel to hit him, but Wang Silang dropped his hoe and ran away. He squatted in the outhouse for a long time before slowly shuffling back.

He thought the matter had been over for so long, but when he came back, it was almost time to finish work. Before he could even feel happy, he heard his father say, "Fourth brother, I told the team leader that you need to hand in your number plate later."

Wang Silang was taken aback, realizing he hadn't understood, and asked, "What number plate?"

Wang Dalang said, "Sanlang is getting married at the end of the year. The Zhang family is good, and Zhang Si Niang is also very magnanimous. She only asked for twenty-four gifts as a betrothal gift and didn't press us for anything else. But it is a happy occasion after all. We can't just take advantage of the good nature of the new bride's family and not give anything in return, can we?"

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, my father, my second brother, and I are going to earn a little more money, just to save up for Sanlang's wife. You don't have to do any work, but don't hold us back!"

Wang Silang was both anxious and ashamed, and couldn't help but ask, "How can I possibly save up twenty or thirty coins a day?"

"You're really talking big! Twenty or thirty coins a day, if you could get that every day, that would be a little over a string of cash a month. The four of us could get four strings of cash, we wouldn't even dare to dream of such a good thing!"

Old Man Wang also said, "If we sell our labor for a month or two, we can buy some materials and build two more rooms. One room can be given to the second son and the other to the third son, so they won't be cramped!"

Wang Silang could hardly believe that his father and brother had planned everything behind his back. He hurriedly said, "Then! You didn't have to ask me to quit my job! If I quit, who will take my place? What will I do then?"

"The second son of the Hu family is here to pick you up. His father is sick and he is short of money. He is eager to earn thirty coins a day, but none of his colleagues are hardworking. Since we can't switch jobs right now, you will all have to quit and re-enroll."

"What if I'm assigned to a group where no one works hard and we don't finish the work? Won't I get my pay docked?"

"You know you're not hardworking???" Old Wang wanted to slap his son. "I'm over forty and still working hard here. You're so young, how can you expect an old man like me and a few other guys to take care of you? When you get married, will you expect your wife to serve you?"

"Take it or leave it, I'd rather starve!"

Old Man Wang was so angry that he was about to kick you, cursing, "I'll beat you to death, you lazybones! I'll send you to meet your great-grandfather in the underworld!"

Before the kick could land properly, Wang Dalang quickly stopped him and frantically winked at his younger brother opposite him, saying, "Fourth brother, stop arguing here and hurry up and quit your job!"

Wang Silang was afraid of being beaten and also afraid of actually quitting his job. He thought of Hu Lao Er's group. Although they were all acquaintances, they knew each other's backgrounds better because they were all lazy and good-for-nothing.

If you put the three of them in a group, and everyone slacks off, who will do the work? Forget about bonuses, they probably won't even get their wages!

Thinking back to how kind and caring his third brother had been to him, and how the whole family was now saving money for his wedding, he realized that he was already so old. If he didn't contribute anything, how could he face his new sister-in-law in the future? He was afraid he wouldn't even dare to look his third brother in the eye.

With such a large frame, if I hadn't dragged my family down, everyone would definitely be healthy. Although we wouldn't be able to eat meat to our hearts' content, we'd have money and such good meat—it'll only be a month or so anyway, I can grit my teeth and get through it...

After much deliberation, Wang Silang turned back to his family's construction site, shamelessly calling out "Dad" and then "Big Brother," finally saying, "Give me another chance! I'll definitely do my best tomorrow and not hold you back—I also want to save money for Third Brother's wife!"

***
In a construction site with thousands of workers, there are hardworking people and lazy ones. People like Wang Silang are not uncommon. They used to be assigned to the same group, and everyone, out of consideration for face, would swallow their pride and bear it even if they suffered in silence. Although they would make a few noises, they would ultimately endure it.

Now that they have meat and money, everyone's attitude has changed, and many people want to regroup.

After a series of changes, those who worked hard and used every method to get into the same group were inexplicably assigned to the same group as the lazy ones. Some changed their attitude and worked diligently, while others failed the inspections every time and were eventually dismissed.

On the river, it seemed that only a small amount of money was paid, along with some meat and vegetables, and the number of people was not increased. Yet, the daily progress was almost 30% faster, and the quality of the work was also improved considerably. As for when Wu Gongshi came, he no longer complained about the uneven surface of the newly dug road, making it difficult for him to work.

That's a story for another time, so I won't go into it now.

Everything on the river was proceeding according to schedule. That afternoon, Song Miao and her group of cooks finished up the kitchen affairs early. Since it was the beginning of summer, a day for celebration, even though there was an unexpected incident, they still followed the original plan without delay and arranged for everyone to return to the city quickly so that they could reunite with their families and friends.

She had already heard the news that a fight had almost broken out on the river, and there was also the matter of the croton in the kitchen. She knew that Han Li and the others must be extremely busy, so she sent someone to ask. Sure enough, they all said they would not be able to return until later.

The person who replied said, "Originally, Wu Gongshi and Han Lingtou were going to sleep in the shed tonight, but when they heard that the young lady had sent someone to ask, they immediately changed their minds and said they wanted to go back to the official post station."

Song Miao knew that everyone had been busy lately. She had finally become more familiar with things and thought she could finally relax, but then two more things happened.

Although she was still a little shaken, she thought about how it was a rare and auspicious day of the Beginning of Summer, and she didn't want these messy things to spoil her mood. She planned to cook a good meal for everyone, including herself, to soothe their stomachs.

As soon as she returned to the official post station and entered the kitchen, the cook and his nephew greeted her and Dabing immediately, teasingly complaining, "Finally, I see you! Last time you asked me to help take care of your shrimp. I thought it would only be for two or three days, so I readily agreed. But you've been gone for so many days without a trace. I don't see you in the morning or evening. When we do meet, we don't even have time to exchange a few words. Every day on my way here, I have to think about where to catch some duckweed and water insects to bring back!"

The nephew apprentice also laughed and said, "Young lady, you're not being kind. You've made me dig for earthworms for days on end. I'm afraid you've gotten thin from being fed so much!"

Hearing the two joking around, Song Miao hurriedly went to look at the large bucket in the corner. Sure enough, the shrimp that Zhang Si Niang had sent last time were still alive and well. They were not only baring their claws, but they also seemed to have grown quite a bit, though she didn't know if it was just her imagination.

She smiled and curtsied, saying, "Thank you both so much for taking care of me. You've worked so hard to feed me. I really want to try a bite of what I've made tonight before I go home!"

"You don't need to tell me!" Chef Zhang laughed. "Today is the Beginning of Summer, and I just bought some new shrimp, the same variety as your bucket. Last time you mentioned making 'exploded head shrimp,' but I've never heard of that method before. If you're not afraid of having your recipe copied, the two of us can help you out."

Song Miao smiled and replied, "This is such a simple dish, why bother learning a recipe? Chef Zhang can figure it out with just one look and one bite!"

(End of this chapter)