Joe's Farming

Qiao Yu and Gu Feng had lunch at the teahouse, and then went to find Zhu the butcher. This time they were luckier, as they bought not only pig intestines and pig stomachs, but also spare ribs and a whole pig head.

Qiao Yu also bought two pounds of meat for his own consumption, and some pork fat to take back to make lard, which could be used for cooking and making soap.

All of these cost a total of one hundred and fifty coins. The main reason was that pork ribs and pork heads were not the favorites of people of that era and were sold cheaply. On the contrary, the fattier the meat, the more expensive it was and the more popular it was.

Qiao Yu agreed with Zhu the butcher that he would set up a stall tomorrow. If business was good, a man named Lin Da would come to pick up the meat every morning, and he would just give it to him. After the agreement was made, he gave a deposit of one or two taels. Zhu the butcher was also very happy and cut an extra pound of meat for him.

Because they didn't expect today's shopping to end so early, Qiao Yu and Gu Feng's subsequent shopping process was very slow, as if they were just strolling around the town again.

Yunpian cake, candied haws and rock sugar are must-buys. I went to the grocery store again and bought some soybeans and mung beans, which can be sprouted and eaten. I also bought some broad bean seeds. After all, there is no bean paste in the entire Dayan Dynasty. Qiao Yu still wanted to try it, just in case.

Then Qiao Yu took Gu Feng to the bookstore. The clerk saw that the two had extraordinary temperaments and never thought that they were country people. He introduced the best-selling books to them very patiently.

Qiao Yu was dumbfounded that a book could easily cost one or two taels of silver. The bookstore also sold the four treasures of the study. The cheapest brush cost fifteen wen, and the cheapest paper cost two hundred wen.

There are also inkstones and ink, all of which shocked Qiao Yu's three views. Studying here is so expensive, no wonder all the people in the store are dressed like gentlemen, and at worst they are wearing a long gown made of good material.

Gu Feng didn't think it was expensive. He was a local and knew the current prices. Secondly, he was willing to spend money on what his husband wanted.

In the end, Qiao Yu still pulled him aside and bought him an enlightenment book of this dynasty, and also bought two stacks of the cheapest paper. As for the brushes and other things, he himself didn't know how to use them, so he didn't waste them.

Qiao Yu also went to the blacksmith shop to customize a wire mesh plate and a kettle, and went to the ceramic shop to buy two kettles, one for boiled water and the other for various teas.

Finally, he went to the grain store and bought another 20 kilograms of rice. The previous rice had not been eaten yet. Qiao Yu was essentially a superficial person who loved to hoard food.

Before the 3:00 p.m., the two men arrived at the agreed location outside the town with their bags. Seeing that they were making large purchases, Brother Lin knew that today's opening business must be good. He stepped forward to congratulate them while moving the goods onto the ox cart.

After getting in the car, Qiao Yu told Lin Da what he had agreed with Zhu the Butcher and they would wait and see the result tomorrow.

Lin Da: "Zhu the Butcher? I know. I'll wait for Mr. Gu to make the arrangements tomorrow. My brother and I will have no problem with that."

Qiao Yu: "Okay, the errand fee will be calculated separately then."

Lin Da: "Brother Gu, you are so lucky to have this husband." Lin Da gave a thumbs up.

Gu Feng didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly. In fact, he was very proud that such a capable husband was his.

-

When Lin Da and Lin Er sent the people home, Wen Ge'er was already waiting in the yard. Gu Feng and Qiao Yu packed up their things first, and then Gu Feng went to pick up the children and brought back the soy products that Qiao Yu ordered. Qiao Yu and Wen Ge'er started to wash the vegetables.

Wen Ge'er took the initiative to take on the job of washing the sewage. His face did not change color at all even though it was smoked. Qiao Ge'er had paid him wages, so he had to do his job well.

Qiao Yu took stock of the vegetables Wen Ge'er had collected today, picked out the ones he would use tomorrow, put them aside to wash, and cook them tomorrow morning. The meat had to be cooked today.

After Wen Ge'er cleaned the meat, Qiao Yu prepared the marinade. After the marinade was boiled, the pig's head, pig's stomach, pig intestines, and spareribs were added in turn.

Brother Wen: "Brother Qiao, it smells so good. It will definitely sell very well tomorrow."

Qiao Yu nodded: "I am confident, but I didn't expect to be so lucky today and buy a pig's head, and it's cheaper than I thought."

Wen Ge'er: "Well, a pig's head is so heavy, and it's all bones, not much meat."

Qiao Yu said: "In fact, the taste of meat in each part is different. For example, the pig nose is very elastic and gelatinous, and it tastes springy. Although there is less meat in the ribs, the meat is not dry and fragrant. The pork belly is a bit fishy, ​​but it is most delicious when it is braised or grilled. The pig intestines and pig stomach are very delicious when they are washed and stewed or stir-fried."

Brother Wen: "Brother Qiao is amazing, I never knew there were so many differences in pork. My mother eats meat and always stir-fries it to make various dishes out of the oil, hahaha. I used to think it was the most delicious meat."

Qiao Yu: "Your mother's cooking should be delicious too. If you are interested in the future, you can learn from me, and then go home and cook different methods for your mother."

Wen Ge'er took Qiao Yu's hand and said, "Qiao Yu, you are so nice."

"Hey, we are brothers. Let's talk about this. You can eat later and then come back. I will provide meals for you when you stay here." Seeing that Wen Ge'er was about to refuse, Qiao Yu added, "I am the boss, I have the final say."

Wen Ge'er had no choice but to nod.

The braised meat will be ready in two hours. Qiao Yu reserved a can of old braising soup and poured out the rest to heat up with the vegetables tomorrow morning. Thanks to Gu Feng for bringing back enough clay pots last time, Qiao Yu plans to put different parts of the meat in different clay pots after cutting them tomorrow, and then bring the small table from the kitchen tomorrow. Put a clean bamboo mat on it and you can start selling.

While the two brothers were busy, Gu Feng went to the back mountain to cut traps, cut a lot of firewood, and fetch water. The water at home was becoming less and less. The two children took the initiative to take on the task of feeding the chickens, so Qiao Yu never had to worry about it.

Before the sun set, Qiao Yu fried Chinese cabbage with oil residue, minced meat and tofu, steamed rice, and cooked pumpkin soup for everyone.

Although Wen Ge'er had eaten meals cooked by Qiao Yu before, he was still amazed by these two home-cooked dishes. However, he didn't dare to eat too much and kept eating the pumpkin.

Qiao Yu: "There are no other rules for eating in our family, except that we can't be picky about food and we have to eat enough."

Gu Xiaoyan and Gu Xiaoxue said in unison: "I know, Mom."

Wen Ge'er's face turned red and he started to eat happily, finishing two full bowls of rice.

Qiao Yu: "Brother Wen, do you have anything to do tomorrow morning? I want you to go to town with me to set up a stall."

Wen Ge'er said quickly, "It's okay. I'll go with you."

When Gu Feng heard this, he wondered why her husband didn't want to accompany her anymore?

When Qiao Yu saw Gu Feng's expression change, she quickly comforted him, "Brother Gu, help me pick the pears in the backyard tomorrow, and wait for me to come back to make autumn pear paste."

Gu Feng finally felt relieved. He just went for a walk in the mountain after picking the pears. His husband liked chestnuts, so he could pick some more.

Gu Xiaoxue: "Mom, what are Xiaoyan and I doing?"

Qiao Yu thought for a moment and said, "I'll teach you and Yan Bao how to read after dinner. You should write well at home tomorrow. I'll check it when I get back."

Gu Xiaoxue's mood suddenly became bad, but Gu Xiaoyan was very much looking forward to it.

-

After Wen Ge'er left, Qiao Yu went to the kitchen to burn some twigs, and asked Gu Feng to sharpen them with a knife to make simple charcoal pencils.

Then I started teaching the two children to read. I didn’t make things difficult for them on the first day and taught them their own names.

After washing up, Qiao Yu sat on the bed and excitedly called Gu Feng to count the money together.

Today I sold thirty-six jars of autumn pear paste for two thousand eight hundred and eighty coins, two hares for eighty coins, and two pheasants for one hundred and sixty coins. The total income was three thousand one hundred and twenty coins.

It cost four cents to enter the city today. Lin Da hired a car for twenty cents, and spent one hundred and thirty cents on lunch. The purchase of other ingredients and sundries cost a total of one thousand eight hundred and eighty cents. He also gave one or two taels of silver to Zhu the butcher.

Even if we include the deposit paid to Zhu the butcher today, the money earned today actually completely covered today's expenses, with eighty-six cents left.