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In the current situation, all four legs of the wild boar were trapped in the pit.
The half-person deep pit with steep walls acted like a barrel, tightly restraining the boar’s legs, rendering it unable to move despite its grunting and struggling.
The wild boar seemed to be attempting to use its snout to push against the pit’s edge, but with its legs firmly caught and its neck too short, its snout couldn’t reach the edge effectively. Even if it managed to touch it slightly, it was futile.
“I caught a big wild boar!” Song Jingyun excitedly circled around the trapped animal.
Sun Ergou beside him was equally astonished.
In the surrounding villages, many ventured into the mountains and hunted, but mostly for smaller game like rabbits and pheasants. While wild boars were not unheard of, they were relatively rare catches.
The last time news of a wild boar capture circulated was half a year ago, and it was nowhere near the size of the one before them.
“Brother-in-law is really amazing,” Sun Ergou praised Song Jingyun, then curiously observed the struggling and weakened wild boar. “But on another note, how did this wild boar fall in?”
‘Thank you, it seems like even the wild boar is curious.’ Song Jingyun thought
Jiang Mixia crossed her arms, furrowing her brow.
Truly uncanny.
It was baffling how a seemingly harmless trap could catch a wild boar, especially in such a peculiar manner. Jiang Mixia couldn’t help but wonder if the boar had some intention behind its actions.
Was it intentional, or was her Husban’s luck truly beyond belief?
Moreover, bringing back such a large boar would completely derail her plans to break the streak of good luck in their household and her husbands’s fortunes.
After much contemplation and inner turmoil, Jiang Mixia’s tense expression softened.
It didn’t matter. Their family was just ordinary commoners now, proving that their supposedly good luck wasn’t all that remarkable. Perhaps only the villagers in Jiang’s village perceived them as fortunate; in a different setting, their luck might not even be noticed.
Furthermore, having good luck wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
At least others perceive their family as having good luck, which deters unwelcome trouble.
Everything is a double-edged sword, with both advantages and disadvantages. It’s essential to consider the positive aspects, rather than dwelling solely on the negatives. Besides, if any misfortune does arise, it can always be resolved later.
Furthermore, if her husband’s luck is indeed so good, perhaps no misfortune will come knocking in the future?
Hmm, logically speaking, it should be that way…
Breaking free from her inner turmoil, Jiang Mixia felt a great sense of relief and began planning how to transport the wild boar back.
With her strength, carrying it back wouldn’t be an issue; the challenge lay in figuring out how. They hadn’t anticipated hunting on their way here, so they lacked suitable tools. Not even enough hemp rope.
Surveying the surrounding vines, Jiang Mixia instructed Song Jingyun and Sun Ergou to cut some down with the shovels and spades. After a simple process, they twisted the vines into sturdy ropes and fashioned a makeshift net to securely contain the wild boar.
Dealing with the struggling boar, Jiang Mixia didn’t hesitate. With a swift punch to render it unconscious, she then hoisted the boar onto her back and headed out of the mountains.
The trio made their way back to Jiang’s village with the wild boar in tow.
From the village entrance to their doorstep, almost everyone in the village knew that Jiang Mixia and her companions had successfully hunted a large wild boar.
A sighting of such a large wild boar was rare, especially by individuals who were not professional hunters like Jiang Mixia’s group.
“Wow, this is incredible, a big wild boar!”
“What amazing luck to catch such a big wild boar.”
“Exactly, it’s not just about luck. Even with good fortune, you need the skill to handle it. If the heavens send a wild boar your way, it also depends on whether you can handle it.”
“Yeah, if this were a fierce wild boar, I might end up being the one hunted…”
Listening to the discussions of the onlookers along the way, Jiang Mixia felt reassured that their praise wasn’t blind worship but a recognition of both skill and luck. When they arrived home, she discussed with her family how to handle the wild boar.
Given the wild boar’s larger size and thicker meat compared to domestic pigs, they decided to invite Jiang Liushun, a skilled butcher in the village, to slaughter the animal. They then prepared a feast with the wild boar meat, stewing it with plenty of seasonings for a delicious meal.
After the discussions, they decided to invite Jiang Liushun, who often slaughtered pigs and sheep in the village, to come over and butcher the pig. The meat from the wild boar was stewed in two large pots, and the villagers from the bamboo workshop and pottery kiln were invited to partake in the feast.
The front shoulder meat, along with the front trotters, was sent to the main house and Jiang Zhengxin’s family. The hind leg meat was cured to make ham.
The ribs and large bones were kept to simmer slowly for meaty soups over the next few days.
The pig offal was given to Jiang Liushun, who assisted in butchering the pig.
As for the pig’s head, after cleaning it thoroughly, it was reverently taken to the ancestral hall for ancestral worship.
The large pig’s head, obtained during the hunt, was deemed auspicious, especially since the first day of the month was approaching in a couple of days, making it an appropriate time for such offerings.
The large wild boar was swiftly and securely arranged.
The aroma of stewing meat lingered over Jiang Mixia’s home and the workshop for several days.
The pottery kiln produced teacups as needed by Zhao Ji’s establishment and the first batch of tea canisters for the tea garden, all of excellent quality. Due to the high-quality and cost-effective nature of the ceramics produced at the kiln, other shops began to inquire and purchase from there as well.
After a thorough examination, the pottery kiln established two additional wholesale buyers.
The two additional wholesale buyers were Hanji from Qingshi Town and Caoji from Sanlihe Town.
Under Zhu Yongwu’s management, the apprentices at the pottery kiln were gradually becoming proficient. Some were capable of basic tasks, while others could independently complete certain stages of production.
With everyone fulfilling their roles and responsibilities, the pottery kiln was well-organized under Zhu Yongwu’s guidance.
Jiang Mixia and Zhu Yongwu discussed selling some of the ceramics, like bowls and plates, produced during regular firings to the village at cost price. The village then resold them to the villagers at a lower price. The slight profit made from this arrangement was considered village income and contributed to the ancestral hall.
For the villagers of Jiang’s village, acquiring affordable ceramics for daily use was convenient, and they held a growing respect and friendliness towards Zhu Yongwu and his son, Zhu Guangtai.
Especially upon learning about Zhu Yongwu’s past, having lost his wife years ago and raising his child alone, some villagers developed additional admiration and sympathy towards him.