Chapter 213 Eating Dumplings on the Winter Solstice
As the last batch of grain trucks departed, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
The village of Jishui was very quiet in the early morning, with only wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, gradually waking the sleeping villagers.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi arrived early and were cleaning up the debris that had fallen off during the moving process at the entrance.
The snow was falling heavier and heavier.
Just standing there for a short while has turned my hair white.
The snow underfoot was already above the top of my shoes, making a soft "crunch, crunch" sound when I stepped on it.
The once lush green grass has vanished, completely dormant in the cold winter, awaiting the spring rains of next year to awaken it.
Jiang Ling pulled her cloak tighter around herself and trudged through the deep snow to the side of the new house.
The foundation was solid and square, and the brick walls had been built up to half a person's height, making the outline of the house clearly visible.
This is a well-organized courtyard layout, with two wing rooms on each of the east and west sides. The main house is designed with three bays, with the middle bay reserved for receiving guests, one side used as a study, and the other side as her bedroom.
A loft was built above the main house, which was used for relaxing and drinking tea.
From the attic, you can see the entire shop in its entirety.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi also came over.
Jiang Ling pointed to the house, "From now on, Xiao Yi, you will live in this room. This room is for Xiao Ran. Xiao Ran can come and stay whenever she wants."
Xiao Ran looked up, her eyes widening instantly. "Really? Sister Jiang? I have my own room too?"
He had never had his own room in his life. He had always lived with his parents since he was a child. It was only after Xiao Qi was born that they built an extra room next to the yard.
Although I no longer live with my parents, I still live with my younger brother, Xiao Qi.
There aren't many rules in the village. Most children only get their own room after they get married; otherwise, they live together with their brothers and parents.
Jiang Ling nodded firmly: "Of course, I said before that I would reserve a room for you. You and Xiao Yi are both my younger brothers, so of course you both have rooms."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi immediately clapped her hands with joy, "That's great! Once the new house is built, Xiao Yi can live with her older brother and sister!"
Once the new house is built, he will finally have a home.
"Miss Jiang!"
A familiar voice came from behind her, and Jiang Ling turned around.
It turned out that Grandpa Zhao had brought about ten villagers to work.
When everyone saw Jiang Ling, they greeted her with smiles and genuine respect.
Good morning, Miss Jiang!
"It's been a long time! Miss Jiang, you've finally opened your shop!"
"Did Miss Jiang enjoy her trip to the capital?"
After exchanging pleasantries, Grandpa Zhao directed the workers to get to work.
They've been working for half a month now, and everyone knows what they're supposed to do, so no one needs to keep an eye on them.
Grandpa Zhao walked to Jiang Ling's side and took out a rough ledger bound with thread from his pocket.
“Miss Jiang, please take a look. The walls of the west wing have been built up to half a person’s height, and the timber for the main house has also been selected. It is pine wood that has just been felled from the back mountain. Once it is dried, it can be used for the beams. There are also expenses. It cost 320 wen to buy bricks and 180 wen to buy lime. Every expense for labor, materials, and food is covered here.”
Grandpa Zhao looked serious.
Jiang Ling didn't even glance at the ledger, and smiled gently:
“Uncle Zhao, what could I possibly worry about with you handling things? You can make all the decisions yourself; you don’t need to explain everything to me.”
Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust.
She understands this principle.
Grandpa Zhao stubbornly shook his head and handed the ledger forward again: "That won't do. Although Miss Jiang trusts me, each account must be accounted for separately. Everything that needs to be explained must be explained clearly. Only when the accounts are clear can I feel at ease and not betray Miss Jiang's trust."
Jiang Ling was moved, knowing that this was the old man's principle and kindness, so she no longer refused, took the account book, symbolically flipped through it, and praised it:
"You've gone to so much trouble, it couldn't have been better."
Just then, Aunt Zhao, who was in charge of the meals, came over with several nimble women carrying baskets.
"Oh my, I'm so glad to see Miss Jiang! I've been missing her for half a month!"
"That's right, this road is only worth mentioning when Miss Jiang runs a shop!"
"The weather is getting colder, Miss Jiang, you must take care to keep warm!"
Jiang Ling quickly went to greet her.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Aunt Zhao patted her basket, her face beaming with joy:
"Today is the Winter Solstice, so we thought we'd make some dumplings for everyone to celebrate the occasion!"
Jiang Ling suddenly realized what was happening and looked up at the gray sky where snow was falling.
It turns out it's already the winter solstice.
Jiang Ling looked at the ingredients they brought over; they were all simple cabbage, the flour was coarse grain flour, and there was only a small piece of pork.
In these famine years, with refugees still thronging outside the city, being able to eat a meal of dumplings with a hint of meat is already a blessing.
Although Jiang Ling had told Aunt Zhao many times that the workers' meals didn't need to be frugal, since they were all doing manual labor and needed to eat their fill, and that there had to be meat at lunchtime.
Jiang Ling gave her more money than she could afford, but Aunt Zhao always tried to save money for Jiang Ling. Perhaps she was used to being frugal her whole life and couldn't bear to spend lavishly.
Jiang Ling didn't want to blame her, but since she was back, she definitely had to help everyone improve their meals.
"Aunt Zhao, it's a holiday today, let's have a nice meal." Jiang Ling's tone was gentle yet firm as she turned and gave the order.
"Xiao Ran, go and get that piece of pork from the refrigerator."
This is ten pounds of pork that she just bought from the market.
The food was originally intended as an extra meal for the workers, so using it to make dumplings is perfect.
"Xiao Yi, go to the warehouse and bring out a bag of flour."
Xiao Ran responded and left, soon returning with a heavy load of ten pounds of pork.
These ten pounds of meat are all top-quality pork belly, originally intended for braised pork.
Xiao Yi also dragged over a bag of snow-white refined flour with a heave.
When Aunt Zhao and the women around her saw this, their eyes widened in astonishment!
"Oh my God!" Aunt Zhao slapped her thigh, gasping for breath in distress.
"This...this meat must weigh over ten pounds! And this refined white flour! Miss Jiang, this is too extravagant! How much money will this cost! You've used it all up in one meal? No, no! It's such a waste! I can use some coarse grain flour mixed with white flour, and some pork mixed with cabbage, that'll be enough for everyone!"
The women nearby chimed in:
"Yes, Miss Jiang, these days, who would dare to eat white flour dumplings like this!"
"Even a little bit of meat smells delicious. You don't earn money easily, so every little bit helps."
Jiang Ling simply smiled, her attitude remaining unwavering.
"Aunt Zhao, ladies, today is the Winter Solstice, a major festival, so it's only right to have a good meal. It's settled then, we've used all the meat and made the dough, so everyone can eat as much as they want today! There's plenty to go around!"
Looking into her clear and determined eyes, Aunt Zhao knew she couldn't persuade her otherwise, and finally gave in, though she kept muttering, "You're too kind, too kind... Girl, you're always so kind to us..."
Despite saying that, Aunt Zhao became quite efficient with her hands, directing the women to get to work:
"Quickly, boil water and knead the dough! Cuihua, wash and chop the cabbage! Chuncao, wash the meat thoroughly and chop it up too!"
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