"Okay, I'll add a little more fine salt later." Yang Lihua immediately supported her sister-in-law and responded, "At home, we eat dumplings with soy sauce, vinegar, and mashed garlic, but we don't have those in the barracks. A little saltiness is best!"
Sure enough, Liu Dongniang was even happier and immediately went to get some fine salt.
Yang Lihua took it over, started preparing it herself, and urged her sisters-in-law to eat the dumplings while they were hot.
Others who watched envied the two sisters-in-law who got along like real sisters. However, Tai Yongsheng's wife looked at He Hua who was eating dumplings with big mouthfuls and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Lotus was as greedy as ever. It seemed as if there was a slap in her throat. She ate the dumplings one by one in one bite.
Forget about being affectionate with her sister-in-law, she'd probably be lucky not to eat all the dumplings...
Regardless of what the women were thinking, they immediately set to work after eating their dumplings. They worked until the fifth watch, and the front yard was completely silent.
Yang Lihua didn't let everyone walk home in the dark because it was too cold outside.
Fortunately, each room in the backyard had a large kang (kang), so everyone simply tidied up, covered themselves with their own thick coats, and went to sleep...
When the sky turned pale, the women had slept for two hours and finally recovered their energy. They started to pack the frozen dumplings into baskets.
The big stove in the front was also boiling, and cabbage, radish or sauerkraut was added. Everyone was given a big bowl of vegetables and meat, and ate with freshly steamed buns. After they had eaten their fill, it was time for the team to set off into the grassland.
Ever since the land was reclaimed, the villagers, young and old, have been slumped over in the village, their hearts already filled with boredom. Now that they can finally go out for a walk, everyone is happier than during Chinese New Year.
Everyone had endless energy to feed the horses, load the carts, check the cargo, cover the straw mats, and load the luggage baskets.
Tai Yonglu, Tai Yongyue and Chen Ruiyang, the three boys, originally ate and drank with everyone else, and were still making eyes at each other, trying to figure out how to ask their families for permission, as they also wanted to follow them into the grassland.
As it turned out, their luggage had already been loaded onto the car.
Tai Jiye brought three wolfskin hats and put one on each of their heads, then shouted with a smile, "Let's go to the grassland together!"
The three boys were stunned for a moment, and then they laughed like crazy.
Not having to read or write, and being able to ride horses to the grassland, this sudden surprise instantly sent them to heaven.
Unfortunately, before they could jump a few times, Yang Lihua came out of the house and stuffed a set of cashmere masks and gloves, plus two books into each of their hands!
"Wear gloves and a mask on the way, don't let your ears and fingers freeze off. If you have nothing to do, memorize the text. I'll test you when you get back. Anyone who slacks off will be spanked a hundred times!"
The three boys immediately wilted like eggplants hit by the autumn wind!
Everyone was laughing, their laughter filled with a sense of schadenfreude! Even the naughty boys in the village, whose eyes were red with envy and who were hesitating whether to roll on the ground and beg for a chance, backed off and decisively withdrew their steps...
Grandpa Tai held his fat granddaughter in his arms and wrapped her tightly in his cloak. When no one was around, he asked his children and grandchildren about the aura of their fortunes.
The fat girl did not hold back. She lay down next to her grandfather's ear and counted from the beginning in a baby voice.
"Third Uncle and Uncle Chen are the color of chrysanthemums, while Third Brother, Fourth Brother, and Brother Ruiyang are white..."
The old man listened carefully, afraid of missing any one. Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief and his expression became much better.
This time when we go into the grassland, if nothing unexpected happens, we will definitely be able to return safely.
Jiye and Chen Zhao are light yellow. Although not the red that represents good luck, it is much better than the gray that represents bad luck and the black that represents death.
The rest of the people were also in a plain white color, neither good nor bad, which meant they were free from illness and disaster.
Uncle Tai San had no idea that his elder brother was conspiring with his granddaughter before their departure. He shouted at the top of his voice, "Sixth Brother, do you have anything else to tell me? It's getting late, the convoy should leave!"
Grandpa Tai handed his granddaughter to his daughter-in-law, stepped forward and said to everyone, "When you're out and about, safety comes first. At any time, money and property are not as important as life! Remember to obey orders and follow instructions. Don't harm yourself and others!"
"I understand, Sixth Uncle!" The villagers responded one after another. It was not their first time going out, and they almost knew these sentences by heart.
But no one is annoyed, which represents the elders' concern and expectation.
Chen Zhao and Tai Jiye also saluted, and Chen Zhao responded, "Don't worry, uncle, I will definitely take good care of our family."
The old man waved his hand and said seriously, "Once you step outside this door, everyone will be under your command. You'll be the one to deal with anyone who dares to cause trouble. A family of a thousand people, with only one person in charge! Don't give in to everything just to save face, understand?"
"Got it, uncle!" Chen Zhao couldn't help but smiled and replied, "If anyone disobeys, I'll complain to you and the clan leader when I get back!"
Master Tai San also laughed when he heard it, patted his shoulder with his big hand and said, "That's right, wait and see how I deal with them!"
After some more chatting and laughing, the sun jumped out from the eastern hilltop, the sky and the earth became much brighter, and the convoy set off.
There were seventy or eighty people in the group, twenty carriages, and more than a dozen horses ready for transfer. The whole team looked so impressive that people from Liujia Village also came out to watch the fun.
When they heard that they were going back to the grassland, everyone was envious.
At the entrance of Taijia Village, everyone was reluctant to go back until the team had disappeared from sight.
Someone couldn't help but complain, "Uncle San, it's my turn to go to the grassland next time! It's too boring to stay at home. I want to go out for a walk too."
"That's right, you don't know, sitting on the grassland, looking at the stars, eating roasted lamb, and drinking kumis, it's just so wonderful!" The others also echoed, with a look of nostalgia on their faces.
Master Tai couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You guys are just used to walking. Our village is small and we can't contain you!"
After saying that, he turned around and asked like an old brother, "By the way, have you come up with anything about the ice sculpture thing you mentioned earlier? If you can work now, kick these wild boys out right away, so they don't keep nagging me!"
When everyone heard this, they immediately looked at Mr. Tai eagerly.
Old Master Tai was amused. After a moment's thought, he said, "I've already told Ji Zong to find the craftsmen and they plan to start work in three days. First, let's decorate Mr. Wu's home with a garden, and let everyone learn their craft. I think if others see this, the business will increase!"
All the villagers shouted with joy!
"Haha, we actually have work to do at home!"
"Oh, we're going into the city, we're going into the city, we can go into the city now!"
Third Master Tai was afraid that they would start arguing and something unexpected would happen, so he knocked on his pipe and warned, "Go home first. Wait until your sixth uncle and I have settled things, and then you can listen to me. Watch your mouths, or else someone will hear about it and snatch the business away first. You know, many people were jealous last year!"
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