Xia Huohua pulled the cart, while Xia Chunmei and Xia Mingshi pushed it from behind.
As she walked, Xia Mingshi shouted loudly, "Selling grass carp! Big grass carp! Ten-pound grass carp!"
If you don't shout it out loud, who in the surrounding villages will know you're a fishmonger?
Xia Chunmei was initially hesitant to hawk her wares, but after others set an example, she tried opening her mouth and shouting loudly: "Big grass carp with lots of meat and few bones! Fresh grass carp! Selling cheap!"
"Fishmonger, do you have any crucian carp? My daughter-in-law just gave birth to her grandson and needs crucian carp to help with lactation." As soon as we entered Xiaowang Village, an old woman came up to us and asked.
"Grandma, we don't have crucian carp here, only grass carp weighing over ten pounds each. They're meaty with few bones, and they're all freshly caught," Xia Chunmei said with a smile.
The old lady came closer to take a look and found that the cart was indeed full of big grass carp!
"This...this...how did you arrest me?"
"Hehe, I'm so lucky, so lucky! Every single one I get is fresh, with lots of meat and few bones, even better than crucian carp," Xia Chunmei told the old lady.
Xia Ming continued to shout: "Grass carp, big grass carp! Big grass carp with lots of meat and few bones! Ten-pound grass carp!"
At this shout, other villagers also came over one after another.
Seeing so many large grass carp, everyone was amazed.
"Wow, that's amazing! You caught so many big grass carp!"
How much is this fish?
"Eight coins a pound, or you can exchange it for oil, salt, grain and eggs of equal value."
"One fish is quite a lot, I can't afford it."
A fish costs eighty coins; ordinary people wouldn't dare eat that unless it's a holiday or festival.
Upon hearing this, Xia Chunmei immediately said, "Auntie, if you think it's too big, you can share it with others. If two people share one fish, it will only weigh five jin. I can tell from your face that you are a blessed person with many children and grandchildren. Five jin of fish is not much for your whole family."
In this era, everyone admires the idea that having many children brings many blessings, so Xia Chunmei's words immediately made the old lady beam with joy.
"You have a sweet tongue, girl."
"I'm not just being sweet-talking, I'm just telling the truth." Xia Chunmei's great-grandfather lived to be 120 years old and was an expert in the I Ching and metaphysics. As for her, she didn't learn anything else, but when it came to physiognomy and fortune telling, she was absolutely a master.
The old lady had a full and smooth face, clear black and white pupils, smooth and shiny tear troughs under her eyes without being sunken, and a prominent and long philtrum. She looked like someone who would have many children and grandchildren.
Xia Chunmei continued, "Such large grass carp are rare. If I went to Yuncheng, I could sell them for ten coins a pound."
The old lady hesitated for a moment, then asked the people around her, "Who wants it? I'll share it with you, half for each of us."
"Then I'll split it with you."
Upon hearing this, Xia Huohua quickly started catching and weighing fish for them.
Xia Mingshi quickly called out again: "Grass carp, big grass carp! Big grass carp with lots of meat and few bones, ten-pound grass carp!"
More and more people gathered, surrounding their fish stall.
People like to join in the fun when buying things; if one person buys something, others will follow suit.
Seeing that the two people bought one together, others immediately formed a group to buy it, and four were sold in one go!
However, they didn't give her money, but food, which is exactly what Xia Chunmei needs most right now.
"The village chief is here," someone said.
Hearing the voice, Xia Chunmei looked up and saw a ruddy-faced old man walking over.
She has the original owner's memories, so she knows that it is Wang Dagui, the village chief of Xiaowang Village!
Wang Dagui is not just a village chief; he's also a landlord. He owns about forty acres of land in Xiaowang Village and runs a business. He's a wealthy man.
Grandma He said this person loves to eat fish.
Thinking of this, Xia Chunmei quickly introduced, "Uncle, this big grass carp is quite rare. Grass carp has few bones and a delicious flavor. It's excellent for making braised fish chunks, pickled fish, fish balls, fish cakes, or grilled fish. How about a couple?"
"There are so many ways to eat fish!" The villagers watching the commotion exclaimed in surprise. They usually cut fish into pieces and boiled it, adding at most some ginger and perilla to remove the fishy smell.
"Of course! There are several ways to make braised dishes alone," Xia Chunmei explained.
In this era, dishes are mainly prepared by steaming or boiling.
It's not that ordinary people are stupid, but rather that their inherent conditions are too poor, which makes them lack the awareness and courage to innovate and change.
For example, if you can't afford an iron pot or oil and salt, would you even think about frying or salt-baking your food?
"So, you're really good at cooking fish!" Wang Dagui said.
Xia Chunmei nodded, quite confidently saying, "It's alright."
Wang Dagui sized up Xia Chunmei, his face clearly showing disbelief.
Xia Chunmei said, "Although I am poor, I don't brag."
"Hehe." Wang Dagui laughed, "Then cook all the dishes you just mentioned and let me try them. If they're delicious, I'll buy all the fish."
Is this really true?
"Of course it's true!"
Xia Chunmei immediately waved to Xia Huohua: "Uncle, let's go, take the fish to Village Chief Wang's house."
It's just cooking fish, is that difficult for her?
All those certificates in her cabinet weren't bought!
Xia Huohua and her son were a little confused, and then, without really understanding what was going on, they took the fish to Wang Dagui's house.
"Chunmei, do you really know how to do what you've said?" Xia Mingshi asked in a low voice.
"Don't worry, Grandma, you'll help me out in a bit."
Xia Mingshi was still unsure.
Landlords are indeed landlords; this house they built is truly magnificent! The kitchen is also very spacious. Upon entering the Wang family's kitchen, Xia Chunmei first checked the necessary materials.
"Little girl, just ask Aunt Li to prepare whatever you need," Wang Dagui said. "If it's not cooked well and the fish is wasted, I won't pay for it."
"If you don't like it, I'll give you the fish."
"Alright, I'll wait then. Aunt Li, you should cooperate with her." After saying that, Wang Dagui put his hands behind his back and leisurely left.
Aunt Li was a servant in the Wang family who was responsible for washing clothes and cooking. She made delicious fish soup, which is why she was bought in the first place.
Aunt Li didn't believe Xia Chunmei could be a good cook. In her eyes, how could Xia Chunmei, a poor girl who never had enough to eat, possibly be a good cook?
As soon as Wang Dagui left, Aunt Li's expression changed; she became quite condescending and looked down on people.
Xia Chunmei guessed what Aunt Li was thinking. She didn't say anything, but walked around the kitchen and then said, "Could you please prepare some pickled cabbage?"
Aunt Li truly disliked Xia Chunmei, but she dared not disobey for fear of angering Wang Dagui.
Aunt Li quickly brought over the pickled cabbage. Xia Chunmei smelled and tasted it, and found that the pickled cabbage was really well made.
The sauerkraut fish soup base needs to be made with bone broth. Fortunately, the Wang family had large bones in their kitchen. She first cleaned the pork bones, then blanched them with scallions and ginger, and then simmered them to make soup.
Xia Mingshi and Xia Huohua were a little confused. Weren't they making fish? Why were they making bone broth instead?
They never blanch the meat before making soup, for fear of wasting it.
"Aunt Li, could you please light the fire and make the soup? Thank you."
How dare a little brat order me around?
Aunt Li was unhappy, but she didn't move, pretending not to hear.
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