Chapter 31 Charcoal Selling Plan
Li was wiping the corner of Tu Su Yanting's mouth. Seeing this, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's the purpose of doing this?"
Gu Yuexuan lowered her head to pick out the fresh vegetables in the basket and answered without hesitation, "If you don't finish the meat slices in one meal, soak them in oil so they won't spoil. When you cook, just take them out of the jar and you can enjoy them anytime."
In an age without refrigerators, this was undoubtedly a clever way to extend the shelf life of food.
After hearing this, a trace of deep thought flashed in Li's eyes. She stood by the stove, silently observing Gu Yuexuan's every move.
Gu Yuexuan noticed Li's gaze and did not avoid it. Instead, she shared frankly: "When there are too many people and it is inconvenient to cook, we can make stews instead."
"When the hot oil is bubbling and simmering until just right, add the thinly sliced meat and stir-fry for a while. Then, add the pre-washed vegetables and let them dance in the pot. Next, add clean water to just cover all the ingredients in the pot. Sprinkle a light layer of salt on it and taste the soup to ensure it's salty enough."
This is a meat stew that is simple yet delicious, saving time and effort.
Li seemed to understand. When Gu Yuexuan lifted the lid of the pot on the other stove, the aroma of rice filled her nostrils. She suppressed her nervousness and asked softly, "How much water should I add to the rice? How do I control the amount?"
Gu Yuexuan extended her index finger, pointed to the second joint, and explained, "Lightly touch the rice grains with your fingertips. Add water to this height, and it will be just right."
Li silently memorized this trick in her heart, and pulled Tu Su Yanting to another place.
Tu Subo was squatting by the stove tending to the fire. Hearing this, he couldn't help but tentatively touch his fingertips with his index finger.
is that so?
"Tu Subo?"
"Um?"
He was suddenly awakened by Gu Yuexuan's voice and subconsciously raised his head.
Gu Yuexuan said with a hint of joking: "What are you thinking about? Why are you so absent-minded?"
Tu Subo smiled sheepishly and waved his hand, saying, "I'm not thinking about anything. I just had an idea suddenly."
"By the way, there are still some potatoes from yesterday. Can you help me find them?"
Potatoes added to stews not only add texture but also make the whole dish more flavorful and tasty.
Tu Subo stood up from his seat and walked towards the kitchen. His movements were natural and skillful. He picked up the kitchen knife and began to peel the potatoes.
Xi Lanfang, who was standing by, saw this, but her expression showed an indescribable embarrassment.
In traditional concepts, the work around the stove should be undertaken by women, but Tu Subo, a tall and strong man, seems happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with his wife by the stove, which makes people feel a little inconsistent.
Tu Su Minfei and Tu Su Minyang both consciously keep a distance from the kitchen. What should they do if this situation continues?
Xi Lanfang was hesitant about whether to send Tu Su Minxu to call Tu Subo away. At this moment, Yu Shi outside the door suddenly cried out in surprise: "Second Master, what's going on? Why are you in such a mess?"
Her scream instantly attracted everyone's attention, and Tu Subo, who was carefully peeling the skin, couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a silent smile.
Tu Suye walked into the room angrily with heavy steps and a sullen face. Seeing that Tu Subo had already changed his clothes, he could no longer contain his anger and his teeth chattered.
Tu Subo seemed to have just noticed his arrival. He gently placed the smooth, rounded potatoes into the basin, then said with a smile, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, you're finally back."
Tu Suting staggered and trembled as he walked in. His face was as pale as paper, but a bitter smile hung on the corner of his mouth: "Yes, we are finally back..."
Tu Subo has always been taciturn. He is always vague about the misunderstandings he has suffered and is unwilling to elaborate on the details.
Those who were forced to stay because of laziness and trickery would never easily reveal the real reason in order to preserve their shaky dignity.
Yu was uneasy and full of doubts about her family's return home so late at night. She tried to find out the reason, but was severely reprimanded by Tu Suye: "It's good that you're back. Why do you ask so many questions?"
She tugged at the corner of her clothes helplessly, her tone full of concern: "I'm worried about you, aren't I?"
"you……"
At this moment, Tu Sumin hurriedly advised: "Father is already exhausted, why don't you go take a shower, change clothes, and prepare for dinner."
There was no food provided at the brick kiln, and the only two vegetable buns in their stomachs had already been consumed by the previous hard work.
Tears welled up in Yu's eyes and she reluctantly closed her mouth. Silence fell in the house during dinner time.
After dinner, the old grandfather suddenly asked, "Bo'er, how long can your work there last?"
Tu Subo replied: "I have already asked today, and I can continue for nine days."
These nine days can pass as quickly as a shooting star across the night sky, or they can become long and unbearable, like a cup of bitter wine that is difficult to swallow.
The old grandfather glanced deeply at the dejected faces of Tu Suye and Tu Suting, and said calmly, "We still have nine days of work to do. We can devise other strategies later. Let's finish the task at hand first."
His words not only cut off the old lady's inner hesitation, but also made Yu and Li grit their teeth and be speechless.
After the meal, everyone dispersed and returned to their rooms.
Gu Yuexuan pondered, recalling the charcoal-making process she had seen before, and finally chose an open area next to the vegetable garden as the place to burn charcoal.
When the woodcutters brought bundles of firewood to the clearing, she began to instruct them: first, light the firewood, then seal all the air holes with fine soil to block the air. After the fire died down and the temperature gradually dropped, she could select the best quality charcoal briquettes one by one, pack them into bags, and prepare them for sale.
After hearing her plan, Tu Subo raised his eyebrows and pondered for a moment: "Can we find a buyer for this charcoal?"
Gu Yuexuan smiled and asked, "Why not?"
She explained: "Today, when I visited the town, I also asked about the local market demand. The demand for charcoal here in winter is very high. As long as we can produce high-quality charcoal, we will have no problem finding buyers."
Most of the time, people in the village burn firewood directly to keep warm and are not interested in charcoal, which requires additional processing.
But the residents of the town and the county are different.
Although the price of charcoal here cannot be compared with that in the capital, it can still be considered a good source of income.
After all, there are currently no other ways to make a profit.
Tu Subo had never expected that she had accomplished so many things during her time away from home. He couldn't help but chuckle, "You really are someone who can't sit still." "Look at this situation, how can I sit still?"
Gu Yuexuan raised her chin slightly and said with emotion, "If it weren't for the old man, this family would have at least three lively dramas in one day. Therefore, I must finish all the things before the old man changes his mind, otherwise I will not be able to rest in peace."
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