Chapter 45: Raising chickens is easy, raising pigs is difficult
Gu Yuexuan added a spoonful of lard to the bottom of the hot wok. Once the oil was hot, she added the pre-chopped garlic and ginger slices and stir-fried until the aroma permeated. Next, she added the pre-cut and drained potatoes and beans, sprinkled them with a suitable amount of salt and soy sauce, and stir-fried them evenly until the crackling sound of frying could be heard from the side of the wok.
At this time, she quickly scooped up a bucket of cold water and poured it into the pot, so that the water level just covered the large pieces of potatoes and beans, and placed the golden fried pork belly on top.
Then, she covered the pot and waited for the ingredients to boil. Meanwhile, she spread out the dough she had kneaded in advance and stretched it evenly into a large pancake as thin as a towel.
As the tempting aroma wafted from the pot, she spread the large flatbread on top of all the ingredients.
Seeing this scene, Tu Suminyang suddenly clapped his hands excitedly and chuckled, "So this is what a hodgepodge is like!"
Gu Yuexuan was afraid they would get hurt by the splashing oil, so she quickly tidied up the stove and said casually, "That's about it. You all can go play somewhere else. I'll call you back to eat when the meal is ready."
She dismissed the children with a gentle wave of her hand and turned to serve the perfectly cooked rice. At this moment, the sound of footsteps behind her reminded her subconsciously, "It's hot here, don't come any closer."
Tu Subo instinctively stopped and asked, "Since you knew it was hot, why didn't you use a piece of cloth to hold it?"
Gu Yuexuan heard the sound and hurriedly turned back to warn: "Be careful!"
Tu Subo swiftly took a step forward, tightly grasped her slender wrist that was almost touching the edge of the pot, and gently pulled her away from the danger. There was a barely perceptible chill in his voice: "Why is it always you who cooks?"
Gu Yuexuan was slightly startled by his sudden cold tone. She gently rubbed her wrist which was hurt by the grip and smiled, "Second Aunt suggested to exchange with me. She went to the river to wash clothes. I'll cook."
If conditions were not limiting, she really would not want to endure meals that tasted bad.
The barely perceptible coldness in Tu Subo's eyes quietly dissipated. His gaze fell on the neatly arranged kitchen utensils and the steaming iron pot on the stove, and he asked, "Is everything ready?"
"It will be ready soon."
"Then when you come back, just clean up a little and you can have dinner."
Tu Subo washed his hands carefully, carefully brought the freshly cooked rice to the table, then turned around and walked into the spacious stable.
Tu Suting was gradually adapting to the hardships of survival. Although he was still covered in dust, his mental state had obviously improved significantly compared to the previous few days.
However, Tu Suye, who is always unique and has a frosty face, is still an exception.
The marks from the slap he received yesterday had not yet faded, and the red mark made his face look even paler and gloomier.
Despite this, except for Yu Shi, who had just returned from washing clothes by the river and looked a little worried, everyone else seemed to turn a blind eye to the scene. Even Tu Su Minyang, out of instinctive fear, avoided it from a distance, fearing that he would be the innocent victim.
The old grandfather and Tu Su Minfei spent the whole day trying it out in the backyard. When they washed their hands and prepared to eat, their gray eyebrows and eyes were filled with joy.
"The method proposed by Bo's daughter-in-law is indeed effective. It can indeed produce high-quality charcoal blocks."
The process of burning charcoal blocks requires burning the wood until it is red hot and then skillfully extinguishing the flame. Usually, sprinkling water is the most direct method, but this will cause the charcoal blocks to become damp, and the quality after drying is difficult to guarantee.
The method of covering with fine mud makes a world of difference.
When the wood is burned to perfection, cover it with fine mud. The fire will soon die down, and the charcoal blocks dug out from the mud pile are dry and complete, and they look great when sold.
Gu Yuexuan tossed finely chopped green and red peppers and garlic slices into the steaming wok. Upon hearing this, she smiled and whispered, "I'm just throwing out some ideas, but I'm grateful for your careful guidance, Grandfather."
"This little girl is really articulate and knows how to please others."
The old grandfather laughed happily, wiped the water droplets from his hands, and sat down at the table. Instantly, a fragrant aroma hit his nose, making people unable to help but be fascinated by it.
The originally bland vegetarian melon and beans, once coated with oil and skillfully stir-fried with colorful green and red pepper fragments and garlic slices, become a large plate of colorful delicacy when it comes out of the pot, and the aroma is so rich that it is irresistible.
Even the usually reserved old lady couldn't help but lick her lips and swallow her saliva.
"Vegetarian melons and beans don't have much flavor, but after you stir-fry them like this, they actually have a unique flavor."
I have to admit that Gu Yuexuan's craftsmanship is indeed extraordinary.
When Yu saw this scene, she secretly felt fortunate that she had exchanged tasks with Gu Yuexuan before.
The old lady turned her gaze and glanced at Tu Suye, who was gloomy and silent, and said in an unfathomable tone: "She is not only an excellent cook, but also a silver-tongued person. Naturally, the children are happy to be close to her and spend time with her."
"I have an idea in mind. I wonder if you could give me some advice, sir?"
The old grandfather smiled and responded calmly: "If you have any ideas, feel free to speak up."
The old lady pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly. Her tone was neither hurried nor slow, like the gentle flow of a stream. "I've observed carefully recently and found that most families in the village are raising livestock. Cattle and sheep are large and difficult to transport, and there's no extra space at home to accommodate them. However, raising chickens, ducks, and piglets is something you can try first."
The cost of feeding these piglets she mentioned is almost negligible after purchase. As long as someone diligently cuts grass for the pigs every day, these little lives can be raised.
When they grow up and mature, whether it is the accumulated eggs or the fattened pigs, they can not only meet their own needs, but also be sold in the market in exchange for silver. It can be said to be a practical way to make money.
The old lady's words were a rare instance of her making specific suggestions regarding the family's finances, and once she made her proposal, it accurately touched the grandfather's heartstrings.
The old grandfather thought for a moment, then responded, "Raising chickens is indeed not difficult, but raising pigs requires a special pigsty."
This simple thatched hut was once used to raise livestock in the early years, and an independent small stable was built next to the outer wall.
But now, the stable has been cleaned and has become the residence of Tu Subo and Gu Yuexuan.
Obviously, they couldn't just kick the couple out and put the pigs in.
The old lady originally wanted to suggest building a pigsty near the stable. After all, the original purpose of the stable was to raise livestock.
She thought to herself, if she hesitated because of the smell and endured it a little, would there be any difficulties that were insurmountable?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
