A рoаched egg, a largе bowl of knifе-shavеd nоodlеs, two рieсes of pig’s trotters, аnd a big ladlе of brоth with vegetable leaves—just enough to fill а large bоwl—werе handed tо Stеwаrd Wang.
“Stеwаrd Wаng, the mеat jellу is quitе sаltу, so I didn’t add any sаlt. If it’s not flavоrful еnоugh, yоu can add sоme sрiсу sаucе. Enjoу yоur meal!” Ziуu said cаlmlу and cоnfidеntlу.
Stеward Wang nodded inwаrdlу and, after taking a sip оf thе broth, couldn’t hеlр but spееd up his еating.
А grоup оf men not far away watched, swallowing their saliva, but none stepped forward to ask for food.
Ziyu overturned the wooden basin used for kneading dough on the ground, placed a half-bowl of noodles with an egg and a piece of pig’s trotter on top, and added a spoon.
“Xiao Luo, eat slowly!”
“Thank you, brother!”
Ziluo, no longer insisting on washing his hands, puffed out his little cheeks and blew on the steaming bowl.
Without changing her expression, Ziyu poured both the broth and noodles into a large basin, then added a ladle of water to the pot.
She boldly lifted the hem of her cotton robe, squatted by the fire, and began eating.
Steward Wang, who was still savoring the meal, shook his head with a smile and struck up a conversation with Ziyu.
“Little brother, your broth is excellent. Do you have any extra to sell to us? None of us men know how to cook, and the taste is, well, indescribable. How about you cook for us? The caravan will cover all the food and safety along the way. What do you think?”
Ziyu quickly finished the last sip of broth, wiped her mouth, and shook her head.
“Steward Wang, I can cook for one or two people, but for more, I can’t control the heat properly, and it might taste even worse. Besides, I have a little one to look after, and I can’t leave him alone. The broth is simple to make. You can buy the ingredients and simmer as much as you want. It’s very convenient when traveling.”
Ziyu scooped out a bit of wood ash to scrub the bowl, then washed it with the hot water in the pot.
“The meat jelly is easy to make. I used pork bones, chicken, and pig’s trotters. If you want it richer, add more pork skin. After removing the scum, add scallions, ginger, and white wine. Bring it to a boil, then simmer over low heat until the meat is tender. Let it sit overnight, and it’ll solidify into jelly.”
Steward Wang, afraid he might forget, repeated the instructions twice to Ziyu to confirm they were correct, then clasped his hands in gratitude.
“Little brother, I’ll remember this favor. Don’t call me Steward Wang anymore; just call me Brother Wang. If you need help driving the cart, just say the word. It’s not easy for you to take care of a child alone. Tomorrow morning, when we set off, move to the middle of the caravan. I’ll have Xiao Wu arrange it for you. If you have any questions, just ask him directly.”
Ziyu hadn’t expected a simple meat jelly to earn her such treatment. She had managed to get inside, hadn’t she?
“Thank you for your kindness, Brother Wang!”
…
The faint sound of snow falling on them melted away quickly. The caravan members gradually retreated into their tents to rest, while four night watchmen guarded the fire, keeping watch.
Ziyu added more water and firewood to the pot, tossed in the remaining eggs to boil, and took the bedpan from the cart, leading Xiao Luo to a dark spot to relieve himself.
When she returned, the water in the pot was boiling. She ladled out half a scoop of water into a small basin reserved for washing feet and wiped Xiao Luo’s face and washed his feet.
After tidying up the little one and tucking him into the carriage, Ziyu finally had time to clean up outside.
She unfolded the rain canopy at the front and covered the mule with an old quilt for warmth—a series of actions that amused the night watchmen.
By the time Ziyu finished, the eggs in the pot were cooked, and the remaining water naturally became washing water for her face and feet.
Ziyu then took out two small copper warming stoves, added charcoal and buried two pieces of wood in them, and poured half a pot of water into the pot, which still held some embers.
After tidying up the odds and ends, Ziyu leisurely boarded the mule cart with eggs and a small warming stove, casually glancing at an unseen carriage in the distance.
The howling north wind carried snowflakes, and the flapping tarpaulin crackled incessantly.
Once on the cart, Ziyu, holding the sleeping Xiao Luo, disappeared into the compartment, reappearing inside by the end of the Yin hour.
…
Before dawn broke, the group set off again. The journey was both cold and monotonous, and they arrived safely in Hegu City ten days later.
The merchant caravan planned to stay for two days to purchase local specialties for sale along the way, and Ziyu also needed to replenish supplies.
At Xiao Wu’s suggestion, Ziyu bought thirty locally abundant lambskins at the price of one tael of silver each.
A large bundle tied together, Ziyu boldly hoisted it onto her shoulder, earning an approving nod from Xiao Wu.
Local mutton was cheaper than pork, and with the cold weather preserving it well, Ziyu, who loved mutton, bought two slaughtered sheep in front of Xiao Wu.
As for her favorite offal, she wouldn’t miss it, but the vendor treated it as waste and gave her a large basin for free.
Ziyu looked at the large basin of unwashed offal and instantly felt overwhelmed—this stuff was delicious but a pain to clean!
“Hahaha, this is all fed to dogs. Who would eat that!” Xiao Wu mocked.
“Brother Xiao Wu, you’d better not eat it later!” Ziyu’s light remark immediately silenced him.
“Little brother, I was just joking!”
After ten days of traveling together, every man in the caravan admired Ziyu. Despite her young age, she knew more than these seasoned merchants.
…
“You’re in charge of the meat and offal. Take them to the inn and hire two women to help clean them. We’ll have an offal hotpot tonight.”
Xiao Wu shivered but didn’t dare refuse. A mutton hotpot on such a cold day would surely warm them up.
He knew well that not everyone could have the privilege of tasting the dishes prepared by this little brother.
Ziyu rented a donkey cart and, after watching Xiao Wu leave with the goods, led Ziluo back to the mutton stall, whispering.
“Boss, I need a hundred slaughtered sheep tomorrow morning, with the offal cleaned.”
“You want how many?”
The mutton stall owner couldn’t believe his ears. He rubbed them and glanced at the gloomy sky—no sun in sight.
“One hundred, to be traded here at the beginning of the Mao hour. Can you do it?”
“Deal. Pay ten taels as a deposit first.”
“Five taels.”
After counting out five silver nuggets, Ziyu received a receipt written by the mutton stall owner. The crooked, messy handwriting was nearly illegible without a keen eye.
Since she needed someone to clean the offal, Ziyu didn’t haggle over the mutton price. At fifteen wen per jin, it was already cheap in her eyes.
After looking around, she couldn’t find the beef she wanted. Ziyu knew all too well the importance of plow oxen in this dynasty and could only express deep regret.
…
Returning to the inn and finding the offal still not fully cleaned, Ziyu instructed the hired women to wash it twice more until she was satisfied.
The woman wore patched clothes, her thin cotton jacket clumped together, offering little protection against the cold. Her hands were red and frozen.
Shivering and hunched over, she timidly tugged at her clothes, lowering her gaze to look at Ziyu.
“Clink~ clank!”
Twenty copper coins and two misshapen silver beans fell into the woman’s clothes.
“Hurry up and leave!” Ziyu said disdainfully.
“Thank you, young master!” The woman quickly hid the silver beans in her sleeve and bowed gratefully, clutching the copper coins.
…
That evening, the inn’s kitchen wafted with the distinct aroma of mutton, tantalizing many and making their mouths water.
Fat but not gamey, fragrant and lingering on the palate, paired with a specially made dipping sauce—a single large pot on the table was simply not enough to go around.
The milky-white broth boiling over the charcoal fire, simmered with radishes and cabbage, was also a rare delicacy.
“Young man, it’s truly a shame you don’t open a tavern with skills like these!” Steward Wang praised sincerely, having eaten and drunk his fill.