Chapter 89 Pig Farming
After a long while, Xia Zhenzhen came in carrying a large clay pot of noodle soup. It contained vegetables, soup, and minced meat, and smelled quite delicious.
"I'm not very good at cooking, but since it's a rare occasion for everyone to get together today, I made my specialty, hot and sour noodle soup. I put half a pound of meat in it. After we finish this bowl, there's still some left in the pot. I don't have much flour myself, so I can't make dumplings. Please make do with this!"
Her words made many people feel extremely ashamed.
Because I was afraid of using the best ingredients, I used the cooking oil sparingly today.
They live together, so everyone knows each other. Life isn't easy for anyone, so it's normal to be a little stingy. Shen Yuzhu is living such a good life, so why is she so stingy?
They were all educated youth sent to the countryside, and she was clearly looking down on them!
Sensing the unfriendly gazes of others, Shen Yuzhu didn't say a word. She took a spoonful of the porridge she had brought over and slowly let it flow down the spoon, little by little.
Even in the dim light, you could tell that the soft and sticky porridge was made from rice and millet. Anyone who got close could see that there was a lot of minced meat, and the aroma was irresistible. Sesame oil had been added to it.
"My sister simmered this meat porridge all morning. It was slow-cooked over low heat all afternoon, and she added wild vegetables, eggs, lard, and sesame oil. If you're not interested, I'll take it with me."
"No, we didn't mean that. This porridge looks delicious. Don't worry about it, Shen Zhiqing. Nobody had that thought."
Wang Jinxing quickly tried to smooth things over.
Since things have already come to this, we can't afford to start arguing when we finally get together, can we?
"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. Let's say a few words before we start eating."
Shen Yuzhu didn't plan to eat anything. She had steak, dessert, and a baked Australian lobster at home, and had a glass of red wine before bringing over the porridge. She only drank a couple of sips of soup before she couldn't eat anything else.
While Wang Jinxing was talking, she leaned close to Wang Liping's ear and said, "I made pig's trotter soup for lunch. Have Feng Zhiqing help you come over and have a bowl. Wang Shu and Man Xiu, come over too. Don't refuse. I have something to discuss with you."
Wang Liping nodded and turned to whisper with Feng Zhengyang.
Xia Zhenzhen felt uneasy and quickly lowered her head. The female educated youth next to her had always been on good terms with her and had come down in the same batch as Wang Liping. She was strong-willed and loved to meddle, but she wasn't good-looking.
She had long resented Wang Liping's marriage to Feng Zhengyang and the large dowry she received.
"Hey, hey, hey, Wang Zhiqing is speaking. What are you talking about? This isn't your own home. Even if you're married, you should be mindful of your image when you're out. Don't act like you're at home everywhere you go."
Zhu Qiangying gave the two of them a stern look.
When Feng Zhengyang looked up, his expression wasn't good. He glared at Zhu Qiangying, who almost jumped up.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, Wang Zhiqing, please continue."
His good attitude in admitting his mistake and giving Wang Jinxing face left Zhu Qiangying with a burning anger that lingered for a long time.
"Okay, okay, what I mean is that we are all educated youth from all over the country. We should actively participate in labor, try our best to perform well, and strive to get the commune cadres to notice us. In the future, when the quota for the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University is allocated, outstanding educated youth will be given priority. At the same time, don't forget to help each other and work together."
Let's give them a round of applause!
After clapping their hands for a while, they finally started eating properly. Shen Yuzhu's porridge was very popular, and Xia Zhenzhen's hot and sour noodle soup was also good. They were all filling and had meat, so everyone ate with great relish.
Qiao Wangshu's pickled cabbage and pork belly dish was also very popular, not to mention the braised pork and stir-fried pork with potatoes prepared by the male educated youth.
It's true that they prepared a lot, and it's also true that they ate the most.
The table was a mess of cups and bowls after the meal. In the end, most of the leftovers were naturally wild vegetables and mushrooms, which people were tired of eating. There were only two snacks that Yuan Mingcui had prepared, and not many of them were actually eaten. It was only when the dishes were being cleared that someone grabbed some and stuffed them into their pocket, intending to eat them later, that the plate was finally empty.
After dinner.
Shen Yuzhu led several people home. The pork hock soup was still simmering on the stove. She served each person a large bowl and a pork hock. Qiao Wangshu, Liang Manxiu, and Feng Zhengyang each had a small dish with dipping sauce.
Wang Liping's drink was empty, but she drank it with relish, finding it very delicious.
The pig's trotter soup contained kidney beans and kelp. Shen Yuzhu served herself a small bowl, took some of Qiao Wangshu's dipping sauce and put it in her own bowl, and ate it with great relish.
"Eat more, Feng Qing. If you eat well, you'll have the strength to take care of Liping. There's still one left in the pot. Have you finished eating?"
"No, no, thank you, Chen Zhiqing. I'm full. I'm only able to eat such a good meal today because of Liping. Thank you, thank you!"
Wang Liping shushed him, and the two looked at each other and laughed.
"Yuzhu, you said you wanted to see us about something. What is it?"
Shen Yuzhu took the last sip of her drink, put down the bowl, and then said, "Here's the thing. I was thinking that we can't generate income by just farming. The commune allocates pig-raising quotas every year. Our production team doesn't raise many pigs, but we can take on some ourselves. What do you think? Do you want to raise some?"
The group of people looked at each other, bowl in hand. They were all starving, so what were they going to feed the pigs they had raised?
“There’s an oil press in the county town. The soybean cake there is cheap and can be mixed with pig feed to fatten them up. I’m planning to have my sister start raising pigs next year. She has a lot of children and needs money everywhere. If she raises four pigs, two of them will be assigned as part of the quota, and she can keep two for herself. I think it’s a good deal, so I’m asking for your opinion.”
Feng Zhengyang pondered for a moment and then looked at Wang Liping.
Now they are no longer just a couple; they are about to start raising a child. The Feng family is well-off, but life in the city is not easy, and he can't keep asking his family for money.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright, Shen Zhiqing, you're capable of this, but we can't afford to buy these bean cakes!"
"Just let the production team help us buy it. We'll pay for it ourselves. It's just that the production team will take the credit. Team Leader Lü will help. Every year he goes door to door begging people to raise pigs. If we bring it up ourselves, he'll be happy."
While Qiao Wangshu was still thinking, Liang Manxiu had already raised her hands, and she would definitely follow Shen Yuzhu's suggestion immediately.
"Okay, okay, Wangshu, let's apply for two rooms to be built next spring, then we can live separately. We can build a pigsty behind the house and raise some chickens and ducks. Wouldn't that be better than the life we have in the educated youth camp now?"
That makes sense.
Life is something you have to live, and whether you can make it beautiful depends on yourself.
My sister is working hard in the army, earning her own place in the world. There's nothing she can't do. As long as she lives a comfortable life, she can always rest assured!
"Okay, I'll do it too!"
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