Chapter 212

As it was a welcoming banquet to show respect, they slaughtered a sheep. With over thirty people inside and outside, killing a lot of poultry would have been inefficient as the chickens, ducks, and geese were better for laying eggs. A sheep, on the other hand, couldn’t be finished by a small group but was perfect for a large gathering.

Shuiqing raised a breed of meat sheep with a mild flavor and high meat yield. The meat was divided into two meals, lunch and dinner. The fatty meat from the sheep’s sides was first rendered to release the fat, then aromatic spices were added and the lean meat was stir-fried together. Once fragrant, boiling water was added, and the mixture was simmered slowly until the meat was tender. Finally, chunks of radish were added to absorb the rich, flavorful broth.

The thirty pounds of lamb cooked down significantly but, combined with the radish and broth, filled three large bowls.

The offal was cleaned thoroughly and stir-fried with pickled peppers, resulting in three large bowls of appetizing and spicy lamb offal.

Although it was not efficient to kill chickens, ducks, or geese, there were plenty of eggs.

They made chive and egg pancakes and stir-fried loofah with eggs, each dish filling three large bowls.

Potatoes were prepared in two ways: braised potato chunks, which were flavorful and tender, and stir-fried shredded potatoes with green peppers, which were crisp and refreshing.

Cold dishes included smashed cucumber and a vegetarian three-ingredient salad.

Additionally, they used whatever was available from the vegetable garden: stewed beans, steamed eggplant, and steamed edamame…

Every dish was prepared in three portions.

The banquet was set with three tables: two for the men and one for the women and children. The dishes on each table were the same in variety and quantity.

Zhou Yu, Zheng Yan, Li Dani, and the other two were in disbelief as they looked at the feast, hesitant to sit down.

“Sit down, sit down. Our table may have more people, but it’s quieter, and we don’t have to compete with the men for food,” Aunt Hu said, smiling as she waved them over.

The five knew she was the lady’s mother and greeted her, “Old madam.”

Aunt Hu shivered and felt uncomfortable, quickly correcting them, “No, no, just call me Aunt Hu. It’s more intimate!”

While she enjoyed hearing them call her daughter “madam,” being addressed as “old madam” herself made her uneasy. She probably felt that she wasn’t suited to such a grand title!

Li Dani and the others looked at Shuiqing for guidance.

Understanding her mother’s discomfort, Shuiqing laughed, “Just call her Aunt Hu as she prefers. Come, sit down, we’re about to start eating!”

The five hesitantly chose seats further down the table.

The host was kind, but they needed to be respectful and observant, maintaining proper etiquette.

Once seated, the aroma of the food became even more intense, tantalizing their senses. The five of them grasped their chopsticks, their hands trembling slightly, eyes fixed on the delicious spread, each dish looking incredibly appetizing!

There were several dishes with meat and eggs, each in generous portions.

In front of them, large bowls of glossy, white rice emitted a fragrant steam, and every person, including them, had rice.

When the meal began, they noticed that the host’s family ate slowly and savored each bite, while they, unable to contain themselves, ate rapidly, almost as if competing.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, they tried to slow their pace.

“The rice is in the wooden bucket behind you. Help yourselves to more if you’re still hungry,” Shuiqing reminded them.

Knowing that these women were used to physical labor and had big appetites, Shuiqing added, “You need to eat well to have the strength to work.”

Indeed, the five women weren’t full yet. Originally intending to put down their bowls and chopsticks, they stood up to get more rice upon hearing Shuiqing’s words.

When they lifted the lid of the wooden bucket and saw it filled to the brim with rice, they realized that the lady of the house had thought of everything and prepared thoroughly.

Meanwhile, at the men’s tables, it was a much simpler affair—it was every man for himself!

Bai Manshan led the charge, quickly shoveling food into his mouth without stopping, his eyes glued to the dishes on the table, chopsticks moving swiftly, accurately, and decisively. He didn’t even lift his head, fearing that if he were a moment late, the food would be gone.

Hu Butcher, who had been leisurely preparing to say a few words, watched as the food rapidly disappeared. Seeing the nearly empty plates, he stopped talking and sped up, deftly grabbing food with the same efficiency he used when butchering pigs.

The meal at the women and children’s table was harmonious and satisfying, while the men’s tables were a scene of heated competition—scrambling for food with fervor. Fortunately, there was plenty of food and rice for everyone, and all left the table fully satiated.

Bai Manshan stroked his round belly and let out a contented belch, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction. The simple joys of life truly soothed the weary heart. He finally felt alive again—this was how people should live!

Hong Mancang, Hong Manku, and the other men were moved to tears, unable to believe they could eat such a meal again—so much meat, so many eggs, freely available to them. This life was better than they had ever dared to imagine.

After the meal, with their bellies too full to rest immediately, Bai Manshan began distributing silver from a cloth bag. As he handed out the gleaming coins, he said, “We’ve all been through tough times together, and I owe a lot to all of you for your help along the way. This is a little token from me to help you start your new lives. Take it, no refusals!”

The recipients were stunned—twenty taels of silver? And Bai Manshan was just giving it to them?

They were about to refuse when Bai Manshan added, “We’re going to need your help transporting the potatoes over the next few days, so I won’t be paying extra for that. Are you all willing?”

“Willing!” they responded in unison, their voices booming. Only then did they realize something seemed off. They had already agreed to transport the potatoes without expecting any extra payment, so what did this have to do with the twenty taels of silver?

Bai Manshan chuckled, “Great! Then it’s settled. Mancang, Manku, come with me for a moment.”

Hong Mancang and Hong Manku followed Bai Manshan outside, thinking he was going to give instructions for the next day’s journey.

Inside, those holding the silver exchanged looks, finding it all a bit surreal. When they heard from the women that the travel rations for tomorrow would be made of fried white flour, they finally accepted that life was indeed unexpectedly good!

Mancang and Manku returned with small cloth bundles and quietly approached their father, Hong Daniu. After a brief, whispered conversation, Hong Daniu’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed, ending with a long sigh.

Bai Manshan came back, still rubbing his full belly, and told Fan Jin they should go see the broadsword. The other men, hearing about the broadsword, eagerly wanted to join.

After all, what man doesn’t love a good sword?

As for sharpening it, they were familiar with sharpening machetes back on the farm. A knife is a knife, after all, and the process should be the same.