After soaking in the hot spring for a while, Mr. Fang felt that every joint in his body was relaxed and he was full of energy. He had a good sleep at night.
For breakfast, Lu Qingyang cooked some glutinous rice porridge, served with homemade pickled radish and leftover snacks from yesterday. It was simple but very appetizing.
Just after putting down the bowl, Shen Mo suggested with a smile: "Grandpa, the weather is good today and there is no wind. I will take you to our team's pigpen for a walk? You can see the 'new tricks' that Qingyang and the others have come up with?"
When Mr. Fang heard the word "pigsty", he frowned. What's so good about a pigsty in the countryside? It's just a few skinny pigs that smell and grunt...
But remembering that they talked about slaughtering pigs yesterday, he decided to go and have a look:
"Okay, let's go and have a look! It's good to stretch your muscles."
Lu Qingyang went to the brick kiln to watch the firing of a new batch of bricks, and Shen Mo and Wang Shun, who came specially, accompanied the old man to the pigpen.
Grandpa Shen said happily that he would go to the greenhouse to see his precious seedlings.
The pigpen was built on a leeward slope at the back of the village.
It was some distance from the residential area, but surprisingly, the expected strong stench did not appear as we got closer.
There's even a faint scent of...herbs in the air?
"We clean the pig pens regularly here and sprinkle raw ash and mixed herbal powder on them, so the smell isn't strong." Wang Shun saw the old man's confusion and explained with a smile.
As he got closer, Mr. Fang was even more surprised.
This pigsty was completely different from what he imagined!
There are no low and dim mud huts, but several rows of tall and spacious pens built with thick logs and thick boards.
The roof is covered with thick thatch, which looks sturdy and warm.
There are wide passages between the pens, which are kept clean.
"Grandpa, this way." Shen Mo led the way with a familiar look and steady steps.
Wang Shun introduced: "Look, old man, these pens are full of improved hybrid pigs. They are fat and strong. We are counting on them by the end of the year!"
Mr. Fang listened and nodded, thinking: Well, they look stronger than ordinary pigs and are managed more cleanly. Qingyang must have some skills in production.
At this time, Shen Mo led them around a row of pens and came to an area closest to the feet, which was surrounded by the thickest logs.
This area was obviously larger, the fence was taller and stronger, and one could even see deep...claw marks and bite marks on the logs?
"Grandpa, look at these." Shen Mo pointed inside the pen, with a barely perceptible excitement in her voice.
Mr. Fang followed her finger and looked inside——
Wow!
He gasped, his eyes instantly widened, and he subconsciously took a half step back, almost bumping into Wang Shun behind him!
Where are the ordinary pigs in the pen? !
There were more than a dozen huge guys with extremely strong bodies, high shoulders and broad backs, standing or lying in the circle.
Their fur is a mix of colors, dark brown, black, and even with stripes, and their fur is as rough and hard as steel needles.
The look in their eyes was different from the docility or dullness of domestic pigs. Even though they were kept in captivity, they could still faintly reveal the fierce aura of a forest overlord.
This is clearly a group of wild boars! And they look like adult wild boars in their prime!
"Why do you raise so many pigs?"
For an average production team, raising ten pigs is considered pretty good.
"Looks pretty fierce."
"Grandpa, don't be nervous! They may look fierce, but they are actually very obedient in front of us!"
"늀놆늀놆!" Wang Shunxiao explained quickly with pride on his face.
"Old man, please let them go! The captain led us to capture these wild boars alive with traps. They were very fierce at first, but they couldn't stand the good food here! I don't know what secret recipe Brother Qingyang used to make the feed, it's very fragrant! It's also mixed with good herbs from our rear! They are addicted to it, and then give them some fresh water from our hot springs, hey! They are so docile! Look."
As Wang Shun spoke, he picked up a feed bucket next to him and knocked on the pen with a wooden spoon.
"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
The wild boars that were lazily or cautiously watching just now suddenly rushed to the fence as if they heard the charge!
There was even a largest wild boar that tried to rub Wang Shun's hand with its rough nose, making a "woohoo" sound like a spoiled child.
"Look, they are now human! They know who gives them food."
Chen Mo smiled and added, "And, Grandpa, do you know? This hybrid wild boar meat is firm and chewy, and is perfect for stewing or braising! The fat is especially fragrant! Qingyang said that he will wait until this batch is fatter and kill it at the end of the year, and send you the best pork belly and hind legs to taste! No, he seemed to have asked me to kill two pigs yesterday."
As she spoke, Shen Mo decided to pick two pigs.
"Uncle Wang Shun, please inform everyone in the production team that we are going to kill pigs and eat meat today!"
"What?! Kill the pig? Now?"
Originally he thought there were only a few pigs in the team, but now there are so many, killing one or two really won't make a difference.
"Yes, Grandpa. Qingyang told me yesterday that your visit is a big event and we must treat you well. We must let you taste the best meat we have here! This hybrid wild boar meat is the best!"
As she spoke, her eyes had already begun to wander among the pigs, "Uncle Wang Shun, look at the biggest boar that rubbed your hand, and the big-boned, sturdy-looking pig next to it! Look at the two of you!"
He turned and ran, shouting at the top of his lungs in the direction of the village. His resonant voice echoed across the hillside:
"Killing pigs! The production team is killing wild boars! Come and help!"
This shout was like lighting a fuse. The originally quiet Liuxi Brigade instantly became excited!
I saw dozens of people pouring out from the village houses, the ridges of the fields, the greenhouses...!
There were men, women, young and old, some carrying shoulder poles, some carrying large wooden basins, some holding thick hemp ropes, and some even carrying steaming pots! They all gathered towards the pigpen at a rapid pace.
"Oh my! Finally it's time to slaughter the pig!"
"Hurry, hurry! If you go too late, you won't be able to get into the water!"
"Zhu Zi! Bring us the biggest basin in our house! Collect the pig's blood!"
"Erya! Go ask your mother to boil some water! Boil a few more pots!"
The place was bustling with people and full of enthusiasm.
As he was speaking, Wang Shun had already brought seven or eight men, armed with specially made thick hemp ropes with buckles and wooden bars as thick as arms, and opened the gate of the pen.
They did not rush in all at once, but cooperated tacitly to form a loose encirclement, shouting deep and powerfully, and approached the two chosen targets step by step.
Originally, these tasks were all done by Shen Mo, but now she is pregnant, so it is really inconvenient.
Not long after, the pig was slaughtered.
"Grandpa, look at how beautiful this pork belly is! The layers are distinct! The hind leg meat is firm! And this lard, it is the most fragrant when boiled into lard! These,"
She pointed at the pile of offal, "Pork liver, pork belly, and this pig intestine, they are all good stuff! I'll have Qingyang cook for you some of his signature dishes later! The rest will be distributed to everyone in the team. Today in our Liuxi Brigade, every household will have the aroma of meat in their pots!"
She paused, as if remembering something, and said to an aunt who was helping her, "Aunt, please clean up the pig's bladder and blow it up so the kids can use it as a ball! And clean up the pig's tail and keep it for me!"
Mr. Fang listened to Shen Mo's orderly arrangements.
Every villager got a share of meat and carried it home happily.
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