Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 13

Since tasting the sour and spicy pork offal, Lu’s meat stall stops selling all other offal. After all, this item is cheap and hard to sell, so it’s better to take it home to satisfy the family’s cravings.

Recently, Lu Xiuyu has tried many ways to cook pig offal, all of which are well received. With such a good appetite, the Lu family gained weight, their faces turned rosy, and they felt more energetic than before.

Because complexion cannot lie, Lu Jiafu cannot pretend to be sick and stay home during this time. However, he cannot bear to eat less of the delicious pig offal, so he lives a painful yet happy life.

Today, Old Butcher Lu brings home three pieces of pig offal because many families in Yuyang County hold weddings during this period, resulting in the slaughter of three pigs. In the past, the meat stall’s business was not as good, and it’s normal to consume a pig every two days. The productivity and consumption in ancient times remain low. In modern times, when only two butcher shops are allowed to operate in a county, half a pig may not be enough for a village’s daily consumption.

Originally, Lu Xiuyu wants to expand the pig offal business, but after observing for a while, she realizes her naivety. There is not enough pig offal at home for her to sell. Even considering the output of the meat stall in the north of the county, one or two pig offals a day is the limit.

For places farther away, round-trip transportation is a hassle. Now that the weather is getting colder, the pig offal can be kept for a few more days. But when the weather gets hotter, the pig offal may spoil on the way before it is delivered.

So this business can only serve as a stepping stone to open up the market, but expanding it will be difficult.

“Grandma, I want to make some pig offal and sell it on the official road.” After reworking her entrepreneurial plan, Liu Xiuyu approaches Lu Miao to share her idea. “There are so many caravans coming and going at our stall every day. I see many aunts selling cakes and meals there, and the business is quite prosperous. I think the pork offal I make is not worse than what they sell. I should be able to set up a stall.”

“How much capital do you have? The offal is cheap, but sugar, salt, and oil are not. If you want vegetables, you also need rice, and the rice at home isn’t just yours,” Lu Miao says, looking at her granddaughter, who is not much shorter than her, and gradually changes her mindset, beginning to treat her as an adult.

There are many small food stalls that cater to traveling merchants. Setting up such a stall doesn’t cost much. Typically, there are two or three large pottery jars for meat and vegetable dishes or soups, along with a jar for rice. People can choose what they want to eat, and the price is calculated based on the meat and vegetables. This model is a simplified version of fast food.

Although the selection is limited, it is convenient, and most traveling merchants, accustomed to eating cold and hard dry food, find that a mouthful of hot food is refreshing.

“I don’t have money for the time being, so let’s just say I’m borrowing from the family. I’ll pay it back when I make money.”

Lu Xiuyu still has some confidence in herself, especially since she has a trump card that she hasn’t used yet.

“Okay, but I’ll explain first. This is your own business. If you want your family to help, they must be willing. There is also a family rule that anyone who hasn’t divided the family must hand over 40% of their earnings.” Lu Miao thinks for a moment and adds, “You can ask your mother. Our family has always done things this way.”

The old lady is not lying. Not only the Lu family but almost all families in the village that have not divided the family follow this rule. Some families are even more demanding, requiring 60% of private earnings.

Lu Xiuyu nods. She has prepared for this long before the old lady speaks. This rule isn’t just for her. From what Lu Xiuyu knows, the main branch of the family has quite a bit of private money, most of which her father saved up by building houses for others during the farming off-season.

Her third uncle’s family likely has private funds as well, while her second uncle’s family…Lu Xiuyu rifles through the memories of her original body. That lazy and greedy man seems glued to his bed during the off-season; when does he ever go out to work as a laborer? She suspects the second uncle’s family has pockets emptier than an empty rice jar.

“A-choo—”

While his wife is busy in the kitchen, Lu Jiafu stands on the edge of the kang and stretches to grab a gray cloth bag from the beam above.

“I hope it won’t be discovered this time.”

Lu Jiafu rubs his itchy nose. He hides his private money in a loose brick on the kang bed, but it was discovered by the little cotton-padded jacket with holes (Lu Baobao) at home. He has to part with two copper coins and has to use yellow peach honey to save the rest of his savings.

These are all earned by him through persistent flattery and hard work during the farming off-season, with each copper coin representing his effort and sacrifice.

After carefully counting his private savings, Lu Jiafu satisfies himself by putting it back in its original place. It’s so high up that the family’s little tattered cotton-padded jacket shouldn’t be able to reach it now.

Lu Xiuyu, unaware of this little incident in the second branch of the family, returns to the kitchen after discussing her plans with her grandmother, confidently preparing to showcase her skills.

******

“Why aren’t there any pig entrails prepared for dinner today? Didn’t Dad bring home three portions?”

Eating has become the most anticipated event for the Lu family, but today, when they excitedly run to the main room, they find no familiar delicacy on the table.

Could it be that it hasn’t been served yet?

“The eldest girl asked for those three portions of pig offal. She has already cooked it and taken it to the stall to sell,” Lu Miao says calmly while serving rice for herself and the old man.

After the old lady finishes speaking, everyone realizes that the eldest girl, who has been helping the old lady, isn’t in the room today. Looking around, they also notice that the spoiled child of the second branch is missing.

“Such a big decision! Why doesn’t the eldest girl discuss it with everyone?” Liu Lanhua is very unhappy. Pig offal is the family’s common property. Is it reasonable for the eldest girl to use the family’s resources for her own business?

“Put away your little thoughts. The rules of our family will not be undermined. I have made it clear to the eldest girl that she will not give less money to the family. Even if this business incurs losses in the future, she will repay the family for what she owes.” Lu Miao glances at her third daughter-in-law, knowing full well what her little thoughts are.

“Mother, that’s not what I mean,” Liu Lanhua replies, sitting down sulkily. 

Liu Lanhua can already feel the sharp gaze of her sister-in-law on her, which feels like a knife.  Ever since she said some unkind words when the eldest girl was injured, their relationship hasn’t been the same since.

In the past, the two could sit together and criticize the lazy people in the second branch, but now her sister-in-law only gives her cold smiles when she sees her, clearly holding a grudge.

Liu Lanhua also feels wronged. Back then, the eldest girl looked as if she was on the brink of death; she was just afraid of the family spending so much silver on her treatment, only for it to be in vain.

After Liu Lanhua’s outburst is suppressed, Lu Jiahou also finds it difficult to speak up.

The pig offal made by the eldest girl is so delicious that anyone who tastes it is sure to love it. This business will not incur losses. After deducting the capital and the 40% to be handed over to the family, the eldest girl can still earn a lot of money.

Lu Jiahou feels a bit upset about the situation. Why is the eldest brother so lucky? Not only does he inherit the family’s business skills, but his daughter also seems to have divine guidance, making money for the family. He fears that even if he is given a few more decades, he still won’t be able to catch up with his eldest brother.

They are brothers, so why is there such a huge gap? Lu Jiahou feels genuinely upset about it.

In comparison to the third branch, the couple from the second branch is much more at ease. They are not picky eaters. While the pig offal is indeed delicious, other dishes are not unpalatable. As others lose interest in eating, the couple quickly fills their bowls with scrambled eggs and green vegetables, along with the few pieces of pork mixed into the eggplant.

Just now, their daughter is called away by the eldest girl. She seems mysterious and doesn’t reveal where she is going. Before leaving, the eldest girl mentions that their precious child won’t be home for lunch today.

What does this mean? It means the eldest girl will take care of Lu Baobao’s lunch. With all the delicious food she brought to the stall, Lu Baobao’s lunch will certainly not be lacking.

Lu Jiafu and Xu Jiaoniang chew the fragrant rice in big mouthfuls, thinking that it would be great if their daughter could save a few bites of braised large intestine for them. The rich aroma and soft, delicious taste are truly nostalgic.

******

Lu Xiuyu pushes the cart to the stall. The meat from Lu’s stall has sold out early today, leaving the empty stall just for her. She unloads two large jars from the cart. As she lifts the lids, steam rises and quickly disperses into the air, flexibly drilling into everyone’s nose.

The two jars are filled with sour and spicy pork offal and braised large intestine, respectively. Lu Xiuyu spends a lot of money this time; the sauce needed for the braised large intestine alone costs her over 100 coins. In comparison, the pig’s large intestine, which only costs a few coins, feels incredibly cheap.

After arranging the two dishes, Lu Xiuyu takes down a bucket of rice and a dough kneaded in a wooden basin from the cart. After moving everything to the table, she lights the stove she brought, fills it with well water, and waits for it to boil.

“What is that? It smells so good?”

At the official road, more than a dozen cargo wagons are parked, and the bodyguards resting in the shade of the trees seem to catch a whiff of something delicious as they approach from a distance.

“This… seems to be offal…”

The leading escort looks into the bucket. The pig offal is cut into pieces, but its specific appearance is still recognizable. The escort, being knowledgeable, identifies the raw materials at once. Some customers, tempted, quickly retreat. Pig offal is not particularly delicious; perhaps the two dishes in front of them only smell good.

“It is pig offal. I washed it more than ten times to ensure it’s clean,” Lu Xiuyu explains as she serves a bowl of rice, then pours a spoonful of sour and spicy pork offal and a spoonful of braised large intestine over the rice.

The escort thought it was meant for him and is about to wave his hand to say he needs to think about it, but Lu Xiuyu doesn’t even glance his way; she directly hands it to Lu Baobao.

“Go sit there and eat.” Lu Xiuyu points to the small round stool next to the stall, urging Lu Baobao to sit there and eat slowly.

“Hmm, hmm.” Baby Lu nods eagerly. She has been smelling the fragrance wafting from the earthenware jar the whole way, and her mouth waters at the thought of finally getting to eat. “But shouldn’t I help my big cousin first?”

As soon as she sits down, Baby Lu realizes she is there to help with the work, not just to eat and drink for free. She struggles to take her eyes off the fragrant rice and prepares to work hard to be a lovable little helper so her eldest cousin will like her more.

“No, you’re helping me by sitting there and eating,” Lu Xiuyu smiles and shakes her head. Look at her good baby; how sensible!

Lu Baobao hasn’t quite figured out how sitting and eating helps her cousin, but her greed wins out. After her eldest cousin turns down her offer of help, her weak willpower crumbles. Holding the bowl, she dashes to the designated spot and begins to eat heartily.

The escorts, who have been staring at the two jars of pig offal, finally notice the little girl who was previously hidden by the table. As a foodie, eating is an art form. Lu Baobao scoops a spoonful of rice from her bowl, half of which is covered in the sauce of the braised large intestines. Then, she picks up a piece of large intestine with her chopsticks and places it on the spoon.

“Awoo.” She stuffs the full spoon into her mouth, savoring the sensation of satisfaction and fullness that comes with eating rice topped with flavorful dishes. 

Fragrant! It’s so fragrant!

Watching Lu Baobao enjoy her meal, everyone around can’t help but swallow their saliva. Lu Baobao is already delicate and cute; every action she performs seems to enhance her charm. Perhaps she doesn’t even realize how powerful the satisfaction and happiness radiate from her as she tastes delicious food.

“Give me one portion.” One of the escorts speaks up, clearly enticed. The little girl eats so heartily that it must be delicious.

“Sour and spicy pork offal rice is six cents a bowl, braised large intestine rice is ten cents a bowl, and a combination is nine cents.”

This price is neither too expensive nor too cheap.

“I’ll take a combination.” The escort ponders for a moment, feeling that the price is reasonable, though he isn’t quite sure what a combination means. Does it include both dishes?

With the escort taking the lead, business becomes easier.

“Oh, this is pig offal? It can taste this good? Give me another portion; this time I want braised large intestine.”

“I want another portion too! Make sure to add more soup; this goes perfectly with rice.”

Anyone who has tasted it has nothing bad to say. The escorts have big appetites, and many of them order another serving after sampling the food. However, the three portions of pig offal sell out quickly.

“Want some noodles? Noodles cooked in sour soup and marinade. Just four cents a bowl.” Lu Xiuyu takes out the dough she has kneaded in advance. The water on the stove has already boiled. The remaining sour soup and marinade in the earthenware pot are also delightful, perfect for cooking noodles.

The merchants who have been waiting too long without buying rice with toppings exchange bewildered glances.

“Lu Baobao, come here. Have another mouthful of noodles and drink some soup.” Lu Xiuyu takes a small bowl and serves Lu Baobao a few mouthfuls of noodles cooked in sour and spicy pork soup. The portion is modest; she doesn’t dare to let Lu Baobao eat too much.

“Hmm.” Lu Baobao takes the bowl and slurps the noodles into her mouth, then pats her round belly, which resembles a ripe little watermelon. She licks her lips, feeling she could eat a few more mouthfuls. 

Unfortunately, Lu Xiuyu touches her belly and refuses to serve her any more.

It seems that the noodles are also delicious; otherwise, the little girl wouldn’t be so greedy.

So, business at the stall resumes once again. 

Lu Baobao tilts her head, watching her cousin’s flourishing business, realizing a bit late that she seems to have become a marketing tool for her cousin.