Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Old Jia's death was just an interlude in the courtyard; those who survived had to continue living their lives.

A few days later, Jia Zhangshi still came out with a smile to chat with her neighbors, while her hands were busy sewing shoe soles.

To be fair, Jia Zhangshi's skill in sewing shoe soles was quite remarkable.

It's fair to say that everyone in the entire courtyard would ask her to make a few pairs of shoes.

Li Jiuzhou was no exception; he and his younger brother were both growing, and their shoes would be too small to wear after only a few months.

So the only option left was to turn to Jia Zhangshi.

"Auntie, could you make me a few pairs of shoes?"

When business came to her door, Jia Zhangshi beamed with a bright smile:

"Hey, Kyushu, you two brothers have grown taller again."

"No problem, your auntie is free. I'll measure you two in a bit. I'm telling you, this time I've made it a little longer, leaving some room so you don't have to change your shoes all the time."

"Thank you, Auntie. Two pairs each will be enough for my brother and me," Li Jiuzhou said gratefully.

Jia Zhangshi really didn't cheat him; many people make shoes for their children a little longer.

Because you don't need to change them too often, you can save some money.

If you sit for a long time, you can put on an extra pair of insoles so they won't feel uncomfortable.

Besides, it's good enough to have shoes at all; why the hell are you complaining about them?

Jia Zhangshi could earn more income by making shoe soles.

The neighbors would also go to her for help, and we have to thank Yi Zhonghai for that.

If he hadn't been telling his neighbors to take better care of orphans and widows, many people wouldn't have asked Jia Zhangshi to make shoe soles.

Now, Jia Dongxu goes to work at the steel rolling mill with Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong every day.

The factory asked Yi Zhonghai to help mentor Jia Dongxu, but Yi Zhonghai is still considering taking him on as an apprentice.

Time flew by and it was winter of 1948. The Liaoshen Campaign ended, and President Chiang Kai-shek suffered a major defeat.

At this time, Beiping was also in a state of high alert, with frequent gunfights.

Martial law has been imposed, and soldiers are conducting daily checks on the streets.

Many street vendors are afraid to set up their stalls anymore, fearing they might be shot dead.

The Red Army had already begun its offensive at this point.

After a year of working in the kitchen, Li Jiuzhou's culinary skills improved again, and he was promoted to the second stove.

As Beiping was about to be besieged, Li Jiuzhou did not sit idle; he wanted to stockpile some supplies.

Otherwise, prices would be too high after the city was besieged, and he would feel bad about spending the money.

So he and He Yuzhu secretly bought a lot of grain and meat to store.

I bought about 200 jin of rice and more than 200 jin of wheat flour.

The meat weighs over 80 jin (40 kg), and usually half of it is used to make cured pork, which is then frozen so it won't spoil in winter.

He Daqing saw that his nephew had bought a lot of grain after he started stockpiling it.

Of course, their things would be seen by the neighbors, and they would start moving things on their own without even being asked.

There's a war going on outside, what else can we buy if not food?

Get moving now, or you'll miss out!

The deaf old woman in the backyard found Li Jiuzhou and asked him to help buy grain.

The old lady held Li Jiuzhou's hand anxiously and gave him instructions:

"Sun bastard, it's okay if there's a little less grain, but we can't skimp on meat!"

"Not having meat to eat is going to kill me!"

Li Jiuzhou was speechless.

"Grandma, what time is it? Why are you still eating meat? Isn't rice and wheat flour more delicious?"

The old lady rolled her eyes at him: "Smells good, my foot! I can't live without meat."

"Get back to your business! What do you care about what I eat? I'd rather starve than eat a single grain of your rice!"

"Hey..."

Hearing this, Li Jiuzhou got excited too.

"How can you say that? You won't eat a single grain of rice from my house?"

"Do you keep your word?"

The old lady tapped her cane and gave a meaningful smile:

"What I said is my word, my wife."

"Okay, I'll get on it right away!"

Li Jiuzhou carried out his wife's instructions and gave her 50 jin of flour and 100 jin of meat.

Even so, a lot of favors were involved.

Of course, Li Jiuzhou didn't lose out either; there were benefits to frequently helping the old lady with chores.

Li Jiuzhou took many of the jars and pots from her room.

I've already taken several small yellow croakers.

This is the errand fee, and Li Jiuzhou is happy to do it.

The two were willing to cooperate and win each other out; it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

He Daqing was aware of the shady dealings between his nephew and the old lady in the backyard, but he didn't ask and pretended not to know.

Why did you ask? The old lady bought meat that her own son and daughter have eaten plenty of.

He would occasionally make one or two and bring them to the backyard.

After some time, tensions rose in Beiping, as the Red Army besieged the city.

Food has become the most scarce resource at present.

They can't get out or get in, no one is doing business, and all the restaurants have closed down.

The factory has shut down; everyone's gone home to sleep...

He Daqing was incredibly bold; relying on his large stockpile of flour, he actually went out to sell steamed buns on the street.

Li Jiuzhou was extremely impressed with him.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold; he made quite a bit of money selling for ten days to half a month.

He also wanted Li Jiuzhou to make some to sell on the street, so as not to run out of money, but Li Jiuzhou refused.

He Yuzhu is now a beast of burden. He Daqing says he makes and sells steamed buns, but it's He Yuzhu who does all the work.

Every day before dawn, I would knead dough and make steamed buns, then go to the street to sell them, making trip after trip.

Li Jiuzhou felt heartbroken seeing this.

Of course, he also got the nickname "Silly Pillar".

He Yuzhu was cheated and took a bunch of counterfeit money home, where he was given a good beating by He Daqing.

Thus, the He family's steamed bun business was declared bankrupt.

He Yuzhu also earned the nickname "Silly Zhu".

Inside the courtyard, although each family had stockpiled grain and meat, no one dared to eat to their heart's content.

Because who knows how long this will last?

Even the Spring Festival in 1949 was dull and uninteresting.

However, on the third day of the Lunar New Year, which was January 31, 1949, Beiping was liberated.

The bright red flag of our Party was planted all over the city walls of Beiping.

The people flocked out to welcome the army into the city.

Li Jiuzhou went there to witness these awe-inspiring scenes.

Without the smoke of war, the people of Beiping were all beaming with happiness.

People in old Beijing no longer greet each other with the same "manly" address, but rather with "comrade".

Everyone seemed to become more polite.

They address each other as "Comrade He," "Comrade Li," or "Comrade Yi" when there's nothing wrong; that's quite a characteristic of theirs.

Fengzeyuan has not started construction yet. Manager Luan said that if the employees have any difficulties in a while, they can just come to him directly.

He stayed in Fengzeyuan, living there and guarding his property.

With a change of leadership, the rules naturally need to change as well, and Manager Luan understands this.

Li Jiuzhou participated in the construction of Beiping City and helped deal with the mountains of garbage.

It stank horribly, but since I was already there, I didn't complain. It was just a small effort.

Li Jiuzhou felt that he was only doing his bit for the country, nothing special.

Those who serve in the military and fight are the real heroes, risking their lives and shedding their blood for the country.

About ten days after the army entered the city, the instructor arrived in Beiping. Seeing that no one dared to come out to do business, he gave an order.

Those who want to do business should continue doing business, and factories should continue operating.

As a result, all walks of life responded, and Beiping City quickly returned to its former hustle and bustle.