Chapter 35 Grilled Lamb Kebabs "Sir, I want to eat lamb kebabs too."...
Shopkeeper Zhou rubbed his eyes and glanced at the shops across the street. They were all closed. He was getting older and couldn't sleep. He had always been one of the carpenters and stonemasons who opened early. How could someone open even earlier than him?
This young lady Wei is full of energy, unlike her nephew in the backyard who is still fast asleep and snoring loudly.
"Shopkeeper Zhou's business is booming."
Wei Jinyun spoke loudly, his eyes fixed on the neatly stacked bricks, tiles, and timber in the shop. He smiled and said, "The last time I passed by here, I saw Brother Xiao Zhang and Brother Er Niu waiting for materials. Business is booming now. I'm afraid the door has worn down quite a bit lately."
"Mrs. Wei, did you eat some fried honey this morning?"
Shopkeeper Zhou opened the shop door wide, a chuckle etched across his face as he welcomed Wei Jinyun into the shop and poured her tea. "To be honest, ever since I last cleaned up the rough materials for your shop, everyone who's seen us says our work is solid. Take the owner of the cloth shop in front of Tianqing Temple, for example. He originally planned to use old bricks, but when he saw your renovations, he came back and ordered a whole bunch of blue bricks. Wow, my brick and tile shop, tucked away in the back, is finally seeing some business."
He was an elderly businessman, thinking of opening a brick and tile shop with his nephew, a bricklayer who had come to live with him. He wanted to avoid the hassles of working for other companies and having to worry about the boss withholding their wages, or squatting under a bridge, hoping someone would notice him. After all, in the bricklaying business, the boss would always use various excuses to withhold payment, such as the client's outstanding balance or his own hardship.
Shopkeeper Zhou, a young bricklayer himself, knew the hardships of this place. He and his nephew had finally saved enough money to rent a shop, only to be fooled by the agent who said, "This location is great! Look at the north-facing position. Look at the auspicious feng shui of this land. The light shining down on it is like a golden aura coming from the east! Our land is managed by Master Guan and is also protected by the business sage Fan Li. If we buy it, we'll make a lot of money!"
The uncle and nephew were both delighted, thinking of the two gods of wealth, one civil and one military, and immediately signed a two-year lease. The light was indeed beautiful; the morning sun shone into his shop every day, bringing warmth. But others looking for repairs were unwilling to care for the shop in the innermost part, so he could only rely on a few former patrons to barely make ends meet. This year, Bendu still hadn't returned.
Damn tooth man!
Wei Jinyun took the teacup offered by Shopkeeper Zhou and drank it all in one gulp. She pulled the blueprint from her bosom and spread it on the chopping board. "I came to you this time because I'm looking to redecorate my shop and I'd like your opinion."
The repairs shown in this drawing are very realistic.
Flowers and birds would be carved under the eaves, reliefs would be painted on the walls, columns would be covered with fine linen and brushed with tung oil, the ground would be paved with a flower street of mud bricks and cobblestones, and numerous small flower beds would be built in the corners, with even more rock formations...
Good guy, really good guy.
This is about gardening.
"What do you think, Shopkeeper Zhou?"
"Who hired this construction expert? He painted it quite stylishly."
Shopkeeper Zhou took a sip of his tea and said, "This requires slow and careful work. It's all carving work, and it takes a lot of time."
"Thirty strings of cash."
Wei Jinyun said bluntly. He was exhausted after running all the way to the Changmen market and drank another bowl of tea. "Two craftsmen, one month's work, meals provided."
Shopkeeper Zhou had just taken a sip of tea when he heard the price and the tea splashed all over his beard.
"Miss Wei."
He put down the tea bowl, rubbed his hands on his clothes, and said while choking, "We are living in peaceful times now. Although life is easy, it is not like this. You are robbing in broad daylight?"
"Look at what you said."
Wei Jinyun picked up the blueprints and smiled flatteringly, "Last time, my shop was just covered with a layer of rough plaster and paved with mud. It wasn't a serious renovation. This time, the renovation is just to make it look more respectable. The walls are scraped finer, the floor is paved flatter, and a wooden railing, some stones, and some carvings are put up under the corridor... How can it be considered robbery?"
This "repeatedly" almost confused Shopkeeper Zhou. He squinted at her, "Respectable? Did you know that this hemp ash needs to be mixed with high-quality lime, and that mud bricks need to be water-ground? Just the carved mountain stones on the wall took a skilled craftsman over ten days to carve, not to mention the cobblestones that are just the right size and don't rub your feet. I know you only run a pastry shop. Xu's on Shantang Street hasn't been renovated to this level, so what other pastry shop would do this?"
"Don't worry, Manager Zhou."
Wei Jinyun stood up and poured him a cup of tea. "Although my shop was rough before, it has been cleaned up neatly by your two skilled craftsmen. The shopkeepers in front of our Tianqing Temple have all praised it. I want to convert this pastry shop into a teahouse. Once the teahouse business is good, I plan to hire some storytellers and singing ladies. The customers who come and go will all be respectable people."
She took a breath and continued, "When this customer sees this work, how can he not praise the shop's renovation? ... Then, if I mention 'Zhou Ji's materials are solid and the work is meticulous,' your orders for the second half of the year won't be filled until the twelfth lunar month. Hey, Shopkeeper Zhou, aren't you better at accounting than me? Look, this blueprint of mine is only for one floor. Later, I need to add and modify a second floor, so I'll have to keep you busy."
Shopkeeper Zhou stroked his chin. Seeing that she was several years younger than him and indeed could not stop talking, he could not help but laugh to himself. "You are such a talker. Thirty strings of cash is impossible. Thirty-seven strings of cash is better. Xiao Zhang and Er Niu need rice and vegetables every day, and meat every now and then. Otherwise, how would they have the energy to scrape bricks and plaster, and give you these wall carvings?"
"Thirty-seven strings of cash is thirty-seven strings of cash."
Wei Jinyun slammed the table, shaking the teacup next to him and saying, "Why don't we sign this contract right now and start work tomorrow!"
Shopkeeper Zhou looked at the glint in her eyes and sighed, "Never mind, just consider it as a chance to get back your kindness."
The two were signing a contract, which stated that the materials and labor would be included, meals would be provided for a month, and the deposit was fifteen strings of cash, etc. Xiao Zhang yawned, and after bringing the water and rice out from the backyard, he rubbed his eyes when he saw Wei Jinyun.
"Miss Wei!"
Xiao Zhang took two mouthfuls of rice and asked, "How come you have time to come here today?" "Well, you have work to do tomorrow. So pack up your things and pick out some good ingredients to send to Miss Wei's shop."
Shopkeeper Zhou was pressing two copies of his fingerprints when he caught a glimpse of his nephew trying hard to stroke his messy head.
"Is her shop going to be renovated again?"
"right."
"Uncle, why don't I go today?"
"Don't ask for scolding early in the morning."
After leaving Zhouji Brick and Tile Shop with the deed, Wei Jinyun felt even more relieved. She had originally expected the shopkeeper to raise the price to over 40 guan this week, but she hadn't expected it to be 37 guan. She would definitely have to speak up for him if anyone asked about his business in the future.
He is such an honest man, no wonder he was able to do business in the innermost shop.
The sun was gradually rising. When Wei Jinyun turned into Wang's Carpenter Shop while humming a tune, he ran into Carpenter Wang buried in a pile of sawdust, hunched over as he planed a piece of cypress wood. Sawdust flew everywhere, leaving only half of his head exposed.
"Shopkeeper Wang, you are here with this cornucopia."
Wei Jinyun shouted, "Just by smelling the wood, I know the work must be lining up at the end of the street these days."
Carpenter Wang's hand trembled, and the plane almost slipped on the instep of his foot. "Miss Wei, you scared me. Your voice is sharper than my saw."
He stood up and brushed off the sawdust on his body. "Come in, it's cool inside."
The curtain of the inner room was lifted, and Madam Wang came out with a bowl of porridge. The aroma of porridge wafted from the bowl. When she saw Wei Jinyun, she smiled and said, "Madam Wei, I just made some new rice porridge with pickled young ginger and shrimp paste. Would you like to sit down and have a bowl with me?"
She was very familiar with Wei Jinyun. The girl would come to her every now and then to order wicker and bamboo baskets, from small thin bamboo baskets for snacks to large round baskets for porcelain, and even chairs, and she never let her suffer a loss.
"No, Madam Wang."
Wei Jinyun smiled and waved his hand, pulling out a blueprint from his sleeve and handing it over. "Today I'm here for serious business. I need to add some more furniture to my shop. Shopkeeper Wang, please take a look."
The blueprint depicted a small window table and a flower stand. The table would be square, with patterned legs and feet, the chairs would be woven rattan, with backrests curved to create a comfortable arc, and the flower stand would have a narrow top tier to accommodate porcelain vases.
Carpenter Wang came over and pointed at the blueprint. "Let's use beech for this table. It's sturdy. The rattan chairs should also be woven more densely so they don't hurt."
Madam Wang said, "Those tables, chairs, and low bamboo stools you ordered a while ago are already ready. Would you like to have Dalang send them to your shop first?"
"No rush."
Wei Jinyun smiled with her eyes curved. "Once the shop is renovated, it will save trouble if we send these tables and chairs, rattan chairs, flower stands, and the stools we ordered last time over together."
She paused and pointed to the corner of the drawing. "Oh, by the way, the small table by the window should be shorter. It will be perfect with the rattan chair. I'll use it to place cups when I drink tea."
Carpenter Wang replied, "I've got it." Mrs. Wang went to the inner room to get an abacus. "Eight rattan chairs, a small table, and a flower stand... I'll calculate the materials."
"You can do it."
Wei Jinyun responded with a smile and waited patiently. After a while of abacus sounds, he signed the contract. "The information must be used realistically. I'll be leaving now and will come back in a few days to check on the progress."
When she left, Madam Wang politely stuffed two boiled eggs into her hands.
Carpenter Wang watched her back, watching her steps briskly, then almost leaping to her feet with a hearty laugh. He scratched his head, "This Miss Wei is really quick and decisive when it comes to getting things done."
Lady Wang laughed and punched him. "I know what's going on. Come and eat your porridge quickly. After that, go plan your wood. Don't delay the work."
Whenever Wei Jinyun went to the carpentry and stonemasonry business, he had to lighten his load. After this trip, only a small half of the money he had counted last night was left.
As the sun climbed higher, the streets of Changmen became increasingly crowded with vendors, their calls blaring. She went to a wonton stand and ate a large bowl of meat wontons with chicken. Then she noticed a new stall nearby, bustling with activity. Normally, the place was filled with the tang of fish and shrimp, and the aroma of rice and noodles for breakfast, but this one had a charcoal-roasted aroma, mixed with familiar spices, that drifted straight into her nose amid the clamor of vendors.
The small stall under the arch bridge was supported by a black rack with red charcoal fire. The rack was skewered with pieces of mutton with fat and lean meat. Oil beads were dripping down and falling into the fire, raising a small cloud of smoke, making the aroma of the meat even stronger.
The stall owner was a man with a high nose and deep eyes. He spoke Chinese with a somewhat stiff accent, which did not sound like a local accent.
“That stall.”
The old woman cooking wontons was holding a long-handled spoon in her hand. "This new guy said he came from the north. He grilled these lamb skewers. They smell delicious, but they're too tough on your teeth! I bought three skewers myself and nearly broke my teeth. I gave the remaining two to my granddaughter."
Wei Jinyun is a foodie, this is grilled lamb skewers.
Looking at the man's appearance, he seems quite authentic! Seeing that there were already two or three people lined up in front of the stall, she couldn't help but stand up and stand at the end of the line.
The man was turning the skewers, using a ponyhair brush to brush the meat with the muddy sauce and sprinkle it with salt and cumin. The charcoal fire roasted the edges of the meat, making it shiny and mouth-watering.
"Three strings for twenty coins!"
The man spoke in a loud voice, holding up a skewer of freshly grilled meat. The skewer was as long as two palms, with layers of fat and lean meat, and looked solid.
River fish is cheap in Pingjiang Prefecture, but mutton is expensive. Furthermore, the man brought his own spices, which aren't cheap in Pingjiang Prefecture. My sisters haven't tried this cumin-sprinkled grilled lamb skewers yet, so Wei Jinyun wants to buy a few for them to try. Grandmother has excellent teeth; walnuts are incredibly crunchy, so eating skewers is no problem for her.
When it was Wei Jinyun's turn, she stared at the sizzling meat skewers on the shelf and said, "Give me three."
The man deftly took a new skewer and put it on the rack. His eyes were focused as he turned it over. In just a few moments, the skewers were roasted until the skin was slightly charred, but the inside was pink. He sprinkled salt and cumin on them, and they were still hot when he handed them over.
Wei Jinyun picked up a bunch first. It was quite large, enough to make a whole plate of stir-fried lamb. She blew on it and took a tentative bite.
The aroma of charcoal fire spreads first, followed by the richness of the lamb itself. The fat is roasted to be oily but not greasy, and the lean meat is soaked in the salty, fresh and cumin aroma. There is no smell of lamb, but it is indeed tough when chewed. The more you chew, the more flavorful it becomes, and your mouth is full of fragrance.
Wei Jinyun bought six skewers, and when she turned around, she thought carefully and then slapped twenty coins in front of the man.
The wind from Changmen Wharf was damp, swaying the willow branches along the shore. There were still many ships, and sailors were conducting routine inspections of the ships entering Pingjiang Prefecture. Even though there were frequent pirate raids, it didn't affect the businessmen in the least.
This was Wei Jinyun's second visit to Changmen Wharf since she first arrived in Pingjiang Prefecture. She held a skewer of lamb in her hand and looked toward the martial arts arena.
In the open space, dozens of archers were lined up and practicing, their arrows hitting the target in the distance.
At the front of the team stood a figure wearing a red robe.
He was holding a bow in his hand, his eyes sweeping across the shooting range, his brows slightly furrowed, and his voice steady, "Raise your left arm level, and don't shake your elbow."
Wei Jinyun held up the lamb skewers in his hand and dodged through the crowd, like a bird searching for food. The lamb skewers were sizzling with oil, and the aroma of meat mixed with the aroma of cumin wafted out, attracting several children nearby to stare at the lamb skewers darting around in the crowd and drool.
"grown ups."
Jing Liulang, who was standing beside Lu Lan, had sharp eyes. He looked into the crowd and first saw the mutton skewers in the air, then the figure of Wei Jinyun. "Isn't that Miss Wei?"
Lu Lan looked over, his gaze piercing the throng of people until he caught sight of Wei Jinyun's hand, holding up the lamb skewers. He paused, but said nothing. He simply turned and continued to instruct the archers in a deep voice, "Another round, aim for the bottom edge of the bull's eye."
Wei Jinyun was not in a hurry and just stood behind the crowd waiting. After an incense stick of time, Lu Lan announced the end of the training and the archers lined up to disperse. Only then did he unfasten the bow pouch at his waist and slowly walk towards this side.
"Lord Lu!"
Wei Jinyun shouted loudly.
She held a kebab of lamb in her right hand, and her suitcase with a skewer of leftover lamb in her left hand. Before he could reach her, she ran towards him.
"You came looking for me?"
As Lu Lan spoke, he straightened his collar.
The morning sun was shining brightly, slanting down on her face. She slowed down as she approached, panting and raising her hand to smooth her wind-twisted hair. The small silver hairpin pinned to her temples shimmered in the sunlight.
"Well, are you done with your training?"
Wei Jinyun immediately went over and handed over the mutton skewers. "I just saw a new stall grilling these mutton skewers at the Changmen market. I smelled the delicious food so I bought some. Please try it."
Lu Lan lowered his eyes to look at the three skewers of mutton. The aroma of burnt meat mixed with the aroma of meat filled his face. He took a skewer and raised his eyes to ask, "New stall?"
"Yeah. He's from the north, with a high nose and deep eyes, and he speaks very authentically!"
Wei Jinyun also picked up the uneaten skewer herself. She recalled the man talking to her. His accent was just like the owner of the Xinjiang lamb skewer shop not far from her grandmother's pastry shop. He chewed and said, "It tastes quite good, and the portion is generous. Here you go."
Lu Lan took a bite, and the aroma of the burnt charcoal fire spread first, followed by the mellowness of the lamb and the aroma of cumin. It was indeed a flavor she had never tasted before.
He chewed slowly and heard Wei Jinyun say, "By the way, sir, don't let them bring me snacks from now on. My sisters' teeth hurt from eating so much honey fried food. I feel embarrassed to have so many snacks every day."
Lu Lan raised her eyes, her brows slightly furrowed, and her tone was slightly depressed. "Why, not to your taste?"
"No, no."
Wei Jinyun waved his hands quickly and laughed heartily, "It's too much trouble! You're busy with official duties, and there have been so many pirates recently, how can you keep thinking about this? Besides, my routine commendation should be over, because my reward money has also been given to me."
"That's the government's sympathy."
Lu Lan lowered her voice and looked away, "It won't be a problem to award you until the end of the year."
"I appreciate your consideration."
Wei Jinyun shook the lamb skewers in his hand and said, "My shop is newly built. I have to come to Changmen often to buy goods. I can find all kinds of fresh food at the market. Look, I found something good today. And it's not good to let lawyer Zhan be an idler all the time."
She raised her face, her eyes clear and serious. "From now on, if I see anything delicious, I'll bring it to you on the way. Just focus on your training, take care of yourself, and wipe out those pirates as soon as possible so that our waterways in Pingjiang Prefecture will be safe. That's the real thing, right?"
Lu Lan looked at the light in her eyes, which contained respect and expectation...
Asking Zhan Ziming to deliver snacks, even if it is just on the way, will definitely have an impact on her reputation in the long run.
He was silent for a moment, responded with a "OK" in his throat, finished the mutton skewers in his hand, and held the other two in his palms.
She said she would bring him snacks later.
It wasn't an exchange, it was a gift from her when she came to see him.
Summarize.
She wants to come see him.
The wind blew over the water, bringing a hint of warmth and creating ripples.
Wei Jinyun squeezed the mutton skewers she brought for her sister and grandmother tightly in her hands and said, "I'll go first, Master Lu, you're busy!"
She turned around, dragging her suitcase with her steps light, and hummed a tune again.
Lu Lan stood there, watching her back disappear in the crowd.
"Sir, I want to eat mutton kebabs too."
Zhan Wenxing's eyes were fixed on the two remaining skewers in Lu Lan's hand. "They do smell delicious. We usually stew them in clear sauce or braise them in soy sauce, so we rarely add cumin."
"Buy it yourself at lunchtime."
Lu Lan glanced at him and said, "This is mine."
He held the lamb skewers in his hand, his steps became much lighter, and his tense face relaxed. He continued to return to the open space for training.
"The adults have changed."
Zhan Wenxing held a fried apricot with honey in his mouth and said, "You bought us apricots this morning, but now you won't even give us lamb skewers."
"You're still getting ahead of yourself."
Jing Liulang snatched the bag of fried apricots with honey and said, "Give them to me if you don't want to eat them. We'll buy some lamb skewers at noon later."
"Okay, okay, I'll buy a few for my brother to try."
Wei Jinyun had just reached the shop when she heard laughter coming from her own yard. Beneath the old locust tree, her sisters were squatting beside a wooden tub, each holding a soft cloth, carefully bathing the two puppies in the tub.
Two wooden basins were placed side by side by the well. The water in the basins was just boiled and then mixed with cold water, so it was warm but not too hot.
Wei Fuqiu held a small yellow dog in her arms. The dog closed its eyes and let her wipe its wet back with a cloth. Its tail swept back and forth across the bottom of the basin, splashing a little water. Wei Fuqiu held a timid black dog in her arms. Perhaps it felt comfortable being rubbed, so it stretched out its tongue and gently licked her wrist.
"Wash slowly and don't splash water on your clothes."
Wei Fuqiu kept a straight face, but she couldn't help but poke the puppy's drooping ears with her fingertips, "So good! It doesn't move at all."
Wei Fuling was a little unconvinced and held the puppy in her arms more firmly. "Mine is more well-behaved. It even wagged its tail at me in the water."
The two puppies were served so comfortably that it really felt like they were being taken care of by officials.
Seeing Wei Jinyun coming back, the two sisters immediately dropped their towels and gathered around her. Their eyes were first caught by the mutton skewers in her hands. "Sister is back. It smells so good."
They immediately washed their hands several times with soap nuts.
"Try some grilled lamb kebabs."
Wei Jinyun picked up two skewers and handed them over. He watched them carefully take a bite before continuing, "The shop renovations have been arranged. Manager Zhou said he'll bring people in to do the renovations tomorrow, so I expect a lot of materials will be delivered today."
"Sister, you're so fast."
Wei Fuling bit into a mutton skewer and mumbled, "Sister got up earlier than the chickens at Mengge's house today."
Wang Qiulan took the two puppies out of the basin and wiped them clean with a dry cloth. "Don't tire yourself out. You'll wear out the soles of your shoes if you walk all day long."
"It's not tiring at all. I make money."
Wei Jinyun drank a bowl of tea that had been cooled for her. "I asked Shopkeeper Zhou for two craftsmen to work for a month. I agreed to provide meals, and I'll also have to trouble you, Grandma, to watch over the cooking at home... They're Brother Xiao Zhang and Brother Er Niu, you know them, Grandma."
"What's so hard about this?"
Wang Qiulan let the two puppies out. "You just take care of the things outside. I'll look after the shop. I'll cook some meat for them twice a day. I'll make sure they're well fed and have enough energy to work. These two are honest kids, so we have to make sure they have enough to eat."
The two puppies finished their bath and shook off the water, looking like two furry balls. Yuanbao lay in a rattan chair under the shade of a tree, eyes closed, not even bothering to look at them.
At lunch, the three sisters looked at the dishes on the table and were so exhausted that they asked Wang Qiulan, "Grandma, can we not have the stir-fried loofah with edamame tomorrow?"
Wei Jinyun recalled that from childhood to adulthood, every summer she would eat stir-fried loofah with edamame for the entire summer vacation. Unexpectedly, when she returned to the Song Dynasty, the same dish was still served.
Wang Qiulan chewed a piece of mutton skewer and said, "No."
Maybe Xiao Zhang and Er Niu will have to eat stir-fried loofah and edamame for a month.
After a short nap at noon, Wei Jinyun ate two pieces of watermelon and set out to her stall as usual. Her two younger sisters petted the small dog and then helped her push the cart.
"Miss Wei."
Zhang Renbai's parents were taking a lunch break, so he waited in front of his shop for a long time, calculating the time when Wei Jinyun would set up her stall.
He had known she was setting up the stall at this hour, and even after his parents went to bed, he had never spoken out. But yesterday, when he saw Lord Lu coming specifically to look for her, his heart felt like it was being scratched by sharp claws, and he tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
When Wei Jinyun came over following the sound, he took a few steps forward and asked, "What is your relationship with Lord Lu?"
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Author's words: Jinyun: I'm so happy today! The shop is about to be renovated. The mutton skewers are authentic. I'll buy a few for Lord Lu. [Rainbow fart]
Lord Lu: She wants to come see me. [Pitiful] She came to see me on her own initiative. [Pitiful] My lamb kebabs.
We're collecting puppy names now. Wife, please come up with some puppy names. I'm not good at naming, I can only name Ma Zi, Da Zui, and Bold [Clown]. There will definitely be many new characters in the future. Are there any wives willing to name them for guest appearances?
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