Joe's Farming

The next day after the land reclamation, Gu Feng went up the mountain. But before going up the mountain this time, Qiao Yu prepared enough dry food for him for four days. There was water on the mountain, so he just needed to pack a water bag for backup.

Qiao Yu prepared pickled vegetable and meat buns, white flour pancakes, braised meat and minced meat chili sauce, and spicy cabbage made two days in advance. The buns and white flour pancakes were roasted over a fire on the mountain, and they tasted delicious.

When Gu Feng was about to leave, he forced two cucumbers and carrots into his mouth.

"It's not enough to just eat pasta and meat, you need to supplement some vitamins," said Qiao Yu.

Gu Feng didn't understand, but he knew it must be good for him, so he said, "Okay, I'll finish it."

Qiao Yu threatened him again: "Four days, not even one day more! Otherwise, I will run away from home."

Gu Feng quickly hugged him and kissed him again: "Don't leave! I will crawl back in four days."

Qiao Yu nodded with satisfaction: "Go early and come back early, and be careful."

"Yeah." Gu Feng left wearing a thick cotton coat and a cloak that could be called a quilt.

Qiao Yu looked at her husband's calm back, dressed like a bear. She wanted to laugh, but her mood was sour and bitter. She was experiencing a feeling she had never experienced before.

At this time, the sun had completely climbed out from the other side of the mountain, and the light shone on Qiao Yu. Qiao Yu took a deep breath, turned around and went back to the house to call the children and the old man to come out for breakfast.

-

In the afternoon, Wen Geer came to deliver the account book. He knew that Gu Feng had gone to the mountains to hunt foxes. He was afraid that his friend would be lonely, so he asked if he needed to stay with him at night.

Qiao Yu was also afraid that she would have wild thoughts when she was alone at night, so she agreed. After all, people tend to start thinking late at night.

"The sauerkraut we made a few days ago should be ready to eat. Let's go to the next village to see if there is anyone selling fish. I'll make sauerkraut fish for you." Qiao Yu suggested.

The village next door is close to the river, and many people in the village dig ponds to raise fish and ducks. This was told to him by the aunt selling ducks when he came back from the ox cart that day.

When Wen Geer heard that it was another new dish, how could he not agree? "Okay! Shall we go alone?"

After all, they are brothers and don’t know anyone there.

Qiao Yu guessed his thoughts at a glance: "Why don't you call your man, he can also drive the carriage for us."

Wen Geer smiled and said, "Okay! If you want me to call you, then I'll call you."

When the three children saw Qiao Yu harnessing the carriage to Lightning, they all followed him, like Qiao Yu's little tail.

Qiao Xing asked: "Little Daddy, where are you going?"

Daddy went up the mountain today. Yesterday, he told the three of them that when he was away, they must follow little daddy and help take care of him.

Seeing how nervous they were, Qiao Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Little Daddy is going to the next village to buy fish. He will come back to make pickled fish for you guys tonight."

Qiao Xing breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Xiaoxue quickly asked: "Can we go together?"

Gu Xiaoyan also nodded: "I want to go too."

Qiao Yu looked at Wen Ge'er helplessly. Wen Ge'er smiled and said softly, "Let's go together. I'll help you look after the child."

Gu Xiaoyan immediately said: "Uncle Xiaowen is the best!"

Qiao Yu could only say, "Let's go, you little followers."

Wang Jie had just rested at home for a short while. He was sitting in the yard chatting with his parents, brother and sister-in-law when he saw Wen Ge'er and Qiao Yu driving over in a carriage. The three children pulled the curtain and called him loudly.

"Uncle Wang Jie, come with us to buy fish."

Aunt Shi gently kicked her stunned son and said, "Hurry up and take them to the next village to buy fish. What are you doing standing there? You look stupid."

Wang Jie murmured "Ouch" and trotted towards the carriage.

Wang Dali said to his wife with a smile: "Why do you forget your son now that you have a husband? Your son is not your biological son."

Aunt Shi looked at her husband with disdain: "Just because he is my biological child, he is as dumb as you!"

Wang Qiang and his wife Qiuju smiled at each other and silently ate the peanuts in their hands. The relationship between their parents is still so good.

-

Qiao Yu gave up her seat to Wang Jie: "You drive, the kids and I will sit inside."

Wen Ge'er's cheeks were slightly red, he knew that Qiao Yu wanted them to sit together. Wang Jie responded and sat down next to his future husband, feeling very happy.

Inside the carriage, the three kids happily chatted with their little dad. Outside the carriage, Wang Jie and Wen Ge'er chatted casually.

Wang Jie took out a silver hairpin from his bosom. The hairpin was delicate and looked like two intertwined leaves. On the back of the leaves were written the names of Wen Ge'er and Wang Jie. He had asked a silversmith to make it for him after he was paid for helping to build a house.

Wang Jie didn't know whether it was because the carriage was too bumpy or his hands were unsteady, but he handed the hairpin to Wen Ge'er with trembling hands.

"This is for you. Take a look at it and see if you like it. If you don't like it, I..."

"I like it." Wen Ge'er took the hairpin in his hand before he finished speaking. He stroked the hairpin carefully and felt warm in his heart when he saw the name. He had learned a lot of characters because he needed to keep accounts.

"I like it very much." Wen Ge'er said again softly.

"Yeah. I'm glad I like it. Hehe." Wang Jie scratched his head. His mouth, which usually talks so much, seemed to have taken a mute drug today and he didn't know what to say.

Wen Ge'er looked at him with amusement and suddenly said, "We will be married in six days."

Wang Jie’s face immediately turned red, and he just kept smiling foolishly.

-

They successfully bought five big fish. Qiao Yu thought she could leave two for Gu Feng, so she bought a wooden barrel to put them in. In addition to the fish, she also bought ten ducks, planning to make pressed duck at home tomorrow.

Wang Jie and Wen Ge'er also decided to go there in a few days to buy fish for the wedding banquet.

After they got home, they piled all the ducks in the shed and slaughtered them the next day.

I kept two fish and placed them in a large water tank in the yard. Because I was going to raise fish, I pulled out the stopper from the bamboo tube and let the water flow continuously to ensure that there was enough oxygen in the water.

Wang Jie helped kill the fish, Wen Ge'er picked onions in the backyard, and Qiao Yu prepared sauerkraut.

Qiao Yu specially prepared a pair of long bamboo chopsticks for picking up pickled vegetables. These fermented vegetables are most afraid of being stained with oil, so a separate pair must be prepared.

One fish is used for frying, and two fish are used for cooking sauerkraut fish.

If you want to fry the fish, cut it into pieces and marinate it with salt and old wine. There should be more oil in the pan, otherwise it will stick to the pan. First put bay leaves, a handful of green onions, and shredded ginger. Fry these seasonings until they are dry, then slowly put the fish in and start frying. When it is fried, take it out and put it on a plate. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, minced garlic, and peppercorns, and pour boiling oil on it.

Pickled fish is even simpler. Qiao Yu’s recipe is made at the home of a friend from Sichuan. It is simpler than the ones in restaurants but also very delicious.

You don’t need to pour out the remaining oil from frying the fish. Instead, chop a few garlic cloves, cut dried chilies into sections, peppercorns, and ginger slices and put them into the pan to sauté until fragrant. Cut the fish into pieces in advance, wash it to remove the blood and drain the water. Once the fish is fried in the pan and fragrant, pour all the oil into the pan. The oil will fry away the fishy smell of the fish.

When both sides of the fish are fried, add water and chopped sauerkraut and cook for another quarter of an hour.

The cooked fish soup is milky white and exudes an attractive aroma. When serving, sprinkle some salt and add some coriander.

"Okay! Let's eat!"