The pork gleamed pink in the morning light, its marbled fat and lean meat clearly visible.
Su Jianjun was holding a machete and was removing the ribs one by one, the sound of the bones breaking was crisp and pleasant.
"We'll keep the bones to stew with sauerkraut."
Su Jianguo gave the order.
"Braised spare ribs, pork hindquarters for garlic-flavored pork belly, and minced pork shoulder for filling big steamed buns."
The women had split into several groups: one group was feeding blood sausage to Wang Guixiang.
One group was chopping sauerkraut on a cutting board; another group was kneading dough under a makeshift shed.
"Sister-in-law, do you think this blood sausage is okay?"
A young woman wearing a headscarf held up a freshly made blood sausage. The casing was stretched so wide that it was translucent, and the dark red blood filling inside could be vaguely seen.
Wang Guixiang glanced at it.
"Tighten it a bit more, yes, like that. Leave the rope a little longer when tying it, so it's easier to put it in the pot."
The water in the large iron pot had been boiling three times, and the skin and flesh of the pig's head were beginning to soften.
Su Jianguo used an iron hook to scoop the pig's head out and placed it on a large wooden board.
The steaming pig's head emitted a rich aroma of meat, and the two children couldn't help but come closer, staring longingly at it.
"Don't worry, you'll have something to eat in a bit."
Su Jianguo smiled and patted the child's head, then picked up a kitchen knife and began to dismantle the pig's head.
With a gentle flick of the knife, the entire piece of pork cheek meat was peeled off, revealing the snow-white skull.
"Jianguo's cooking skills are comparable to those of top chefs in the city!"
The old Party Secretary, puffing on his pipe, praised the gesture.
Su Jianguo put the dissected pig's head meat into a large earthenware pot, added scallions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns and other spices, and poured two spoonfuls of soy sauce on top.
He reached into the basin with both hands and kneaded the seasonings evenly into the meat, coating each piece with a dark brown sauce.
"Brother, the stones are ready."
Su Jianjun moved a flat, large bluestone and washed it clean in water.
Su Jianguo arranged the seasoned pig's head meat on a gauze, wrapped it into a square shape, and then pressed it down with a bluestone.
The fat from the meat was immediately squeezed out and dripped down the edge of the gauze.
"This is called braised pig's head."
Su Jianguo explained to the villagers who were watching.
"Let it sit overnight, until it's completely cooled, then slice it—that's when it's incredibly fragrant!"
Over there in the big pot, bones and sauerkraut were already stewing.
Wang Guixiang poured the finely shredded pickled cabbage into the pot, and the white pickled cabbage was immediately stained pale yellow by the bone broth.
Seeing this, Su Jianguo went over and threw in a few dried chilies and a handful of coarse salt, and the pot immediately started bubbling even bigger.
"Turn the fire down!"
Su Jianguo shouted at the young man tending the fire.
"Pickled cabbage needs to be simmered over low heat; if you rush it, it will become bitter!"
As the sun gradually set in the west, the aroma in the threshing ground grew stronger and stronger.
The blood sausage was cooked, and the dark red, glossy sausages were hung on bamboo poles to cool.
The sliced pork belly with minced garlic was cut as thin as cicada wings and neatly arranged on a blue and white porcelain plate.
The braised pork ribs have an enticing dark brown color and are sprinkled with bright green scallions.
The most eye-catching thing was the large pot of stewed sauerkraut. The milky white broth was topped with golden oil, and the meat on the large bone was stewed until it was tender and fell off the bone with a gentle touch of chopsticks.
The aroma of pickled cabbage mingled with the fragrance of meat, wafting far and wide, attracting passing villagers to stop and stare.
"Let's begin!"
At Su Jianguo's shout, the villagers took their seats.
Eight large plates were placed on each table.
Sauerkraut stewed with pork bones, garlic-flavored pork belly, braised pork ribs, stir-fried pork intestines, stir-fried pork liver, blood sausage platter, pork stew with vermicelli, and a pot of freshly cooked pork and scallion-filled buns.
Su Jianguo picked up his wine bowl and looked around.
"This meal is for two reasons: first, to thank the villagers who helped me in the city the other day; and second, because of the care my parents have received from them all these years while I, Su Jianguo, have been away. Come on, let me drink first!"
He tilted his head back and downed half a bowl of strong liquor.
The villagers raised their glasses one after another, and for a time, toasts were exchanged and laughter echoed throughout the threshing ground.
Dog Egg couldn't wait to pick up a piece of blood sausage. The dark red skin broke open with a bite, and the tender blood filling inside immediately flowed out. He quickly caught it with a steamed bun and ate it with his mouth full of oil.
"This pickled cabbage is amazing!"
The old Party Secretary picked up a piece of pickled cabbage with his chopsticks; the glistening cabbage shreds were coated with meat juice.
"It's both sour and savory, a perfect match for bone broth!"
The children's favorite dish was the garlic-flavored pork belly. The thin slices of pork were marbled with fat and lean meat, and when dipped in garlic soy sauce, they melted in their mouths.
Da Mao and Er Mao ate until their little mouths were shiny with oil, and they didn't forget to put food on their great-grandparents' plates.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Su Jianguo slowly stood up.
The bustling threshing ground immediately fell silent, and even the children stopped playing.
"Since everyone is here today, I, Su Jianguo, have something to announce."
Su Jianguo's voice wasn't loud, but every word he spoke was firm and resounding.
"My unfilial son, Su Mingqiang, cursed his elders and threatened our ancestral graves. After discussion within the family, I have decided to remove him from the Su family genealogy!"
The villagers were in an uproar; no one expected Su Jianguo to announce such a thing.
Removed from the family genealogy.
In this day and age, this is a very significant matter.
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