«Sacrificing One’s Own Interests for the Greater Good»
Huiling Prefecture? She’d heard that name again today. Tao Qinghe’s mind raced, and she asked, “If I’ve already encountered someone like Manager Chen right here in the county seat, what if I were to go to Huiling Prefecture…”
Tan Yuewan understood the implication in the young woman’s words and immediately replied, “Young lady, there’s no need to worry. The prefect of Huailing Prefecture is upright and incorruptible; something like what happened today would never occur there.”
“My pastries are just simple country delicacies. Will the people in the prefectural city really be able to stomach them?” Tao Qinghe was already tempted, yet she couldn’t help but feel hesitant.
Seeing the young woman’s hesitation, Tan Yuewan couldn’t help but step forward and take her hand. “Your pastries have a unique flavor—with them, you’re sure to make a living in the prefectural city!”
Hearing such certainty in her voice, Tao Qinghe couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing. Still, she needed to return home to discuss it with her family; there was no need to rush into a decision just yet.
The two chatted for a few more minutes. After saying goodbye, Tao Qinghe clutched the cloth bag in her hand, her thoughts in turmoil. Although she had lost the business opportunity in the county town, she had gained a tael of silver for nothing, and with today’s profits, the money bag now seemed full to the brim.
She glanced up at the sun; since she hadn’t closed any deals earlier, it was still early. Figuring the butcher’s stall hadn’t packed up yet, she turned on her heel without a word and headed back to buy some meat.
She arrived shortly afterward. Sure enough, there was still plenty of meat left at the stall. Tao Qinghe strode up and asked, “What’s the price of meat here today?”
The owner was standing behind the meat stall, carefully swatting away flies, when he suddenly heard someone speak. He quickly stopped what he was doing and replied, “Regular pork is twelve copper coins per pound. If you want the leaner cuts with some fat, it’ll cost fourteen. And if you’re making lard, it’s two more coins. Which kind would you like?”
Tao Qinghe thought to herself that the prices were about the same as before, so she asked, “If I buy two catties, can you give me a discount?”
The burly man shook his head. “It’s a small business; I really can’t offer much of a discount.” He then pointed to the pork shanks on the stall and added, “But I’ll throw in two shanks for you as a bonus—that’s worth two cash on its own.”
Tao Qinghe glanced at the shank bones. Wow! They were shaved almost as clean as the man’s own beard, but since they were a free gift, there was no need to quibble.
She nodded and said, “ “I’ll take a pound of meat that’s three parts fat to seven parts lean, and another pound that’s evenly balanced. Please pack them separately.” After speaking, she pointed to the ribs and added, “And please chop these bones up for me.”
The butcher agreed without hesitation. After cutting the exact two pounds of meat, he bundled the ribs, tied them securely with straw rope, and handed them over.
Tao Qinghe took the meat and paid the full amount; half of today’s profits were gone in an instant. She placed the meat in her shoulder basket, turned, and headed back toward the city gate. Along the way, she encountered several street vendors and bought a few more eggs to take home with her.
With her mind preoccupied, Tao Qinghe walked quickly all the way. Before long, she arrived home.
Zhao Liniang was busy working inside with Tao Qingmiao when she suddenly heard footsteps and gave a start. Before she could get up to go out, she saw a figure walking in.
“You’re back so early today?” Seeing it was Tao Qinghe, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Tao Qingmiao hurriedly poured a bowl of water and took the basket from her. The basket felt heavy, as if it were filled with something. She quickly lifted the cloth covering it. Oh! There were two large pieces of pork! And so many eggs!
“Big Sister bought meat!” she exclaimed, looking up with a face full of surprise and delight.
Hearing this, Zhao Liniang also looked at the basket and couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment, “Why did you buy such expensive food?”
Having finished her water, Tao Qinghe had now caught her breath and slowly began to recount everything that had happened that day.
“That pastry shop owner is so wicked! Even worse than my uncle and aunt!” Tao Qingmiao exclaimed angrily.
“Why would the shop owner do such a thing?” Zhao Liniang felt as if the sky were falling after hearing the story. She had thought they could make a living selling pastries, but now this had happened!
“The Zhou Family Pastry Shop dares to act this way because they have the county magistrate’s office backing them. I’m afraid we won’t be able to go to the county town to sell our pastries anymore,” Tao Qinghe said honestly, looking at the two of them.
“But… if we can’t go to the county town, won’t we be unable to run our food business at all?”
“From what that young lady said, Huiling Prefecture should be a better place for this food business than the county town,” Tao Qinghe replied, then asked, “Do you know anything about that place, Mother?”
Zhao Liniang furrowed her brow. “Your father went there a few years ago, but I don’t know much about it.” After saying this, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated that she couldn’t be of any help!
Come to think of it, Zhao Liniang had only been to the county seat a few times herself, let alone the prefectural capital. Tao Qinghe pondered this for a moment, then glanced at the basket slung over her shoulder and continued, “Since we earned a tael of silver for nothing today, I bought two catties of pork. I plan to take one catty to the Chen family as a thank-you gift, and keep the other for us to try. Do you think that’s a good idea, Mother?”
She was supposed to be the one repaying the favor, but now that the eldest daughter was handling it, what was there for her to complain about? Zhao Liniang nodded quickly. “Of course, let’s do as you say.”
While the sun was still high, Tao Qinghe went up the mountain to pick some flowers. The three of them bustled about and baked a fresh batch of pastries.
Figuring it was past the usual nap time, the three of them set out with the pork, pastries, and twelve eggs, heading straight for the Chen family’s residence.
As they approached the Chen family compound, Tao Qinghe finally understood her younger sister’s exclamation from a few days earlier. The courtyard walls, seemingly built of blue bricks, stood tall, enclosing a vast expanse of land. Compared to the simple farmhouses she’d seen in the village, it was nothing short of magnificent!
Sure enough, even in ancient times, having money meant you could live a good life. She couldn’t help but daydream about when she might be able to build a courtyard like this herself, until the sound of a knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
The man who opened the door was about forty years old. Zhao Liniang spoke first: “Brother Chen, are we disturbing you?”
The man waved his hand and replied, “Not at all. Have you come to fetch water?” After speaking, he looked at the two sisters and beckoned for them to come inside.
After just a few steps, the three of them were inside the house. Not wanting to look around too much, Tao Qinghe merely glanced briefly before speaking up: “Uncle Chen, I heard from the villagers that Brother Chen has returned these past few days?”
Upon hearing the question, Chen Dashun froze for a moment. “He only came back yesterday, but he left again this morning. Is there something you need from him?”
Realizing her question had been abrupt, Tao Qinghe hurried to explain, “Ever since my father’s funeral, so many things have happened at home that I simply haven’t had a chance to come over and thank you properly. I heard yesterday that Brother Chen was home, so I came over, but I didn’t expect to miss him.”
Zhao Liniang chimed in from the side, “It’s all thanks to Manfu for bringing Da Lang back. Such a great favor naturally calls for a visit.” With that, she motioned for Qingmiao to hand over the basket.
Only then did Chen Dashun notice that the three had brought gifts with them. He hurriedly stood up and called into the house, “ “Manfu’s mother, come out quickly—someone from the Tao family is here.” He then turned to face the trio, his expression now filled with unease. “Why must you worry yourselves so much? You’ve brought all these things for nothing!”
“Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!” As he spoke, a series of coughs echoed through the room. The three turned toward the sound and saw a frail, sickly-looking woman slowly making her way out.
Seeing how laboriously she was walking, Chen Dashun hurried forward to support her and said, “Someone from Tao Dalang’s family has come; they’re looking for Manfu.”
Wang Chunniang listened but didn’t speak right away. She coughed a few more times, as if struggling to catch her breath, and after a long pause, she said, “Why be so formal? Anyone would lend a hand in such a situation.”
Zhao Liniang shook her head and replied, “That’s not quite right. Though we’re just simple villagers, we still believe in repaying kindness.” With that, she took the basket from her shoulder, emptied its contents one by one, and placed them on the table.
Seeing this, Chen Dashun grew flustered again. “Why did you buy so much?”
“They’re just some ordinary food. Please don’t look down on them. It’s just a shame that little Manfu isn’t home—I won’t be able to have a few words with him. Brother and Sister Chen, you simply must accept these,” Zhao Liniang replied.
Seeing how sincere the mother and her two daughters were, the Chen couple realized they had come with genuine intentions to express their gratitude. They stopped refusing and accepted the items.
Seeing that the Chens were fairly friendly, Tao Qinghe took the opportunity to speak up. “Uncle Chen, do you know the way to the prefectural city?”
Chen Dashun thought for a long time before replying, “Follow the road from our village toward the county town. The first fork you come to is the road to the prefectural city.” He looked at Tao Qinghe and added, “Is there something you need to do? To go to the prefectural city, you’ll have to get a travel permit first—it’s quite a hassle.”
“I won’t hide it from you, Uncle Chen. We don’t have much coming in at home, so I thought I’d try my hand at my father’s trade.”
Chen Dashun understood. Tao Dalang was gone; surely the family had to find some way to make a living?
With that in mind, he added, “If Manfu were home, it would be best to have him take you there.”
“Ahem! Ahem!” Wang Chunniang coughed again. Once she’d stopped, she said, “Manfu only left yesterday. Who knows when he’ll be back? I’m afraid it might delay things.”
Tao Qinghe quickly replied, “ “There’s no need to trouble Brother Manfu over such a small matter. I know the shortcut Uncle mentioned; once I’ve walked it myself, I’ll remember it just fine.”
Hearing her say this, Chen Dashun merely nodded and said no more. After asking a few more details and chatting about family matters for a while, it was nearly time for the evening meal, so the three of them rose to take their leave and head home.
On the way back, they happened to gather some wild greens. Once home, Tao Qinghe started a fire to remove the hair from the pork and blanch it.
“Big Sister, are we eating the pork today?” Tao Qingmiao watched her sister’s movements with eager eyes.
“Since we bought it today, we’ll eat it today. If we want more later, we’ll buy some then!”
Hearing the affirmative answer, Tao Qingmiao was even happier. Her hands moved faster as she sorted through the wild chives.
“Mother, since we bought pork today, why don’t we steam some rice to go with it?” Tao Qinghe asked.
Zhao Liniang hesitated, thinking of their dwindling grain supply, but seeing the sisters both looking at her with pleading eyes, she gritted her teeth and said, “Steam it! Let’s have a nice meal.”
With that, the sisters worked even faster, their anticipation for the meal growing by the minute.
Once the rice was steamed, Tao Qinghe added the thinly sliced pork to the pot. As the slices hit the sizzling hot surface, a loud “sizzle” filled the air, releasing waves of aroma. After rendering off the excess fat, she tossed in the chopped wild greens, gave them a quick stir, and seasoned them lightly. The stir-fried wild chives—with more meat than greens—were then served onto a plate.
She washed the clay pot, scooped out some of the rendered fat, and quickly stir-fried another batch of wild greens. A simple yet hearty farmhouse dinner was ready.
Tao Qingmiao, who had been waiting nearby for quite some time, had long since been ravenous. Seeing her older sister come over after washing her hands, she hurriedly handed her a bowl. All three had taken their seats; there was no need for formalities at a country meal. After savoring the rich flavor of the fat mixed with rice, no one had anything more to say—they simply ate with even greater gusto.