Chapter 176

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Compared to the rest of the pig, the head is cheaper, but if you know how to cook it, it has plenty of good eating.

Because the parts it can be cut into are extremely numerous — pig ears, pig face, pig tongue, pig head skin, and also pig brain, snout lips, and that neck meat at the back — each has its own texture and flavor.

Auntie Ma's luck was excellent; not only did she have a loud voice and strong breath, her mouth was also born larger than ordinary people's, and her first bite was a chaotic grab.

The so-called chaotic grab means everything is in it.

But even with everything in it, the flavors in the mouth still have a sequence.

On the first bite, she tasted the pig face meat.

The pig face is living meat; that pig is greedy, and besides eating it has no other pastime — from morning to night, as long as there is food in the trough, it won't stop for a moment, making the meat on its face move the most.

But after all it is the face; it only moves, it doesn't bear weight, so the meat here is raised both rich and plump.

Meat too lean is tough, too fat is greasy; pig face meat sits right between the two, making it one of the most tender parts on the pig, yet it still has chew — the two cheeks of one pig together weigh only about six liang, and those who know how to eat even call it the "Golden Six Liang."

Right now this Golden Six Liang, after Song Miao's braising and soaking, when bitten, the grain is clear yet strangely tender, with a slight hard-to-get bounce — like a Grand Chancellor impeached until his head is covered in lumps, forced to retire on illness but actually reluctant to leave, eagerly waiting for the Emperor to retain him.

At this moment Auntie Ma's teeth finally played Emperor once — bite once and want to stay, bite again and don't want to stay; teeth press lightly, meat juice mixes with braising sauce — pig face meat has especially abundant juice, the braising sauce merely plays supporting role, and relying on the braised fragrance it sets off the meat aroma as incomparably rich.

After chewing two bites of pig face meat, the next bite hit pig ear.

The pig ear's cartilage carries a very slight tooth-jarring hardness; the meat is soft and glutinous; the fatty parts, because they carry fat, are a bit lip-sticking; the cartilage and skin positions are both crisp and springy, salty-fragrant without greasiness.

【18】 The pig ear's cartilage carries a very slight tooth-jarring hardness; the meat is soft and glutinous; the fatty parts, because they carry fat, are a bit lip-sticking; the cartilage and skin positions are both crisp and springy, salty-fragrant without greasiness.

Chew further, and there is pig tongue — dense, firm yet very tender; the neck is coarser but absorbs the most braising sauce; then the snout lips, chewy and crisp; and finally a tiny bit of pig brain, its fine dense glutinousness, heavy sweetness, simply indescribable.

And all of this is interspersed with the clear pungency of scallions and green onions, slightly spicy, with returning sweetness, dissolving that bit of oiliness, together with the crisp-outside-soft-inside flatbread that bears it all, carrying the wheat fragrance, turning over and over in the mouth.

Two sandwich flatbreads, an adult can eat to full satisfaction.

Auntie Ma's mouth is large, she chews fast, and she was hungry, and it was excessively delicious; while chewing she was utterly single-minded — ate one, took a coarse porcelain bowl and ladled a bowl of well water, glug glug down, then ate another, another bowl of water, and her hands became empty.

That water was cool and sweet; the morning's fatigue from work seemed to go down into the belly along with this mouthful of well water and the flatbread sandwich meat just now, digesting away the sour water in the stomach.

She ate fast, but someone in the room ate even faster; after swallowing the last bite, that person froze a little, looked left and right at others still eating; belly full but mouth hungry, seeing a basin of vinegar-pickled lettuce stem in the middle, picked up a bamboo skewer and stabbed a piece.

Lettuce stem cut into little-finger-thick segments, thoroughly pickled in white vinegar and maltose — entering the mouth, first an extremely tongue-seizing sourness, bright and clear; then the lettuce flesh mixed with maltose sweetness; and at the finish a hint of cornelian cherry spiciness — especially sour-refreshing, appetite-opening — pity the flatbreads are all eaten, so even if it opens the appetite it's useless, can only use it to relieve fatigue and gluttony.

The sour-pickled lettuce stem makes a particularly loud "Hung Hung" sound when chewed; in the mouth the five-part-sour three-part-sweet two-part-spicy juice turns heaven and earth; to others it just sounds crisp, but to oneself it's like summer pond frogs constantly clamoring by the ear.

Auntie Ma listened and listened, couldn't help but also stab a bamboo skewer in, joining the ranks of "Hung Hung Hung."

Soon the whole room had eaten seven or eight parts full, all brought along to eat the sour-pickled lettuce stem.

Some ate the lettuce stem skin and momentarily exclaimed in surprise, couldn't help but sigh: "How is this skin so delicious! Tough, chewy, squeaky — had I known earlier, I wouldn't have wasted it normally!"

"This pot was what I helped carry onto the cart this morning; at the time I asked, and Song Xiaoniangzi said this method costs white vinegar and adds maltose; this time it's because you all came to work the day before yesterday, she wanted everyone to eat refreshingly so she gritted her teeth and used it; if doing it herself, better learn the other method — take a coarse jar to pickle, once it produces sour water just pour it in, equally delicious — when it's pickled later, let us try too!"

Thus getting this excuse, the whole room filled with discussion.

This one said: "These cooks from the Capital really have different skills — how can she braise pig head meat this delicious!? Whoever learns it, later sets up a stall outside, I feel business definitely won't be bad!"

That one said: "Just now Song Xiaoniangzi said time was tight, couldn't make it fine, the flatbread had to be eaten makeshift; actually it should be even more crisp — I dare not imagine how it could be more crisp — if we could learn both the flatbread method and the braising method together — does Xiaoniangzi still lack disciples?"

Auntie Ma instantly became alert, first turned her head to glance at her little sister-in-law not far away, saw the other still smiling along, wished she could drag her out and teach her a good lesson, but on her lips said: "What disciples, you came to do work or to apprentice? Song Xiaoniangzi's skill, who knows how many people in the Capital are queuing to apprentice — look at that Little Liu the Cook, how clever, how sharp? I heard, this isn't even a true disciple yet! Where would it be the turn of us clumsy people from a village place like Hua Prefecture?"

The crowd naturally didn't know Auntie Ma's vicious heart protecting her sister-in-law's food; they just you "oh" once, me "ah" once, followed with a few sighs that famous teachers produce outstanding disciples, and because Little Liu the Cook was mentioned, everyone lost mood to discuss anything else, busy you ask me, I ask you, firing off questions.

Nothing but "Have you finished memorizing?", "Bad, heard the test is in a bit, I still have ten-odd clauses not memorized!", "How many kinds of firewood splitting are there again, I can never remember clearly!" and such words.

The one speaking most anxiously was that Xia Jiezi; she said: "Everyone memorizes this well, I'm old, brain is stupid, if I get screened out at the end, you all must help me say a few good words!"

The crowd first busily exposed their own shortcomings; seeing at the end Xia Jiezi begging everyone to help speak well, looking like she couldn't be more anxious, each surrounded forward to speak comfort, pouring out heartfelt words.

Like this you one sentence, me one sentence, the whole room buzzed; later, all were here each reciting regulations.

When Song Miao and Da Bing two entered, the crowd was like ducks grabbed by the neck, each and every one completely quiet.

Song Miao then told the matters to be tested, and asked: "Who will recite first?"

Also said: "Fifty-two clauses total; remembering forty-six counts as passing; if not, can only ask to leave."

Not a person in the room dared speak; almost every one lowered their head, didn't even dare raise eyelids, deeply afraid of meeting Song Miao's eyes.

Only Auntie Ma, though not young either, gritted her teeth, first one to step forward, said: "Let me go first!"

Actually just like that, in front of everyone, recited from start to finish.

Although a few places not very fluent, fifty-two clauses, she only missed three, counted as a good start.

Before long, that Zhang Siniang also stepped out; after all a young person, good memory, actually only missed one place.

Thus making everyone nervous.

Testing recitation like this takes time, naturally cannot waste everyone.

So Song Miao here arranged group work, and Da Bing on that side called people one by one to the side to recite.

Song Miao herself arranged everything properly, then walked to the side, stood listening for a while to everyone recite; seeing those called now each remembered the rules firmly, few stuck at forty-six, almost all forty-eight, forty-nine, even one person — precisely the one who shouted most miserably just now, the oldest Xia Jiezi — surprisingly all fifty-two clauses, not a single mistake!

For a moment even Da Bing was startled, clapped hands, couldn't help but praise: "Auntie is truly formidable, actually not a single clause missed!"

That Xia Jiezi instantly let out a big breath, but laughed: "Where is formidable, last night in my sleep I dreamed of how many times to wash vegetables, just afraid of getting it wrong, being screened out by you, Big Cook Liu!"

Da Bing instantly reddened, but didn't say anything, only told her to go back to work.

However because that Xia Jiezi just now shouted most miserably, and kept saying if she failed she'd ask everyone to help speak, so when she came to recite, others couldn't help but pinch a sweat for her, each pricked ears to listen; waiting to see her pass, before they could even rejoice, they heard Da Bing say she didn't miss a single clause, and at once everyone changed color.

Waiting for Xia Jiezi to return, continuing sweeping and washing, people at the side all had words to say.

"Xia Auntie, who said they couldn't remember! Who said they wanted us to help speak good words? Turns out you just shout loud with your mouth!"

"I missed four clauses!"

"I missed three clauses!"

"Truly older age, the act sings louder, right??"

Xia Shenzi merely grinned, putting on a foolish act, hemmed and hawed, and when she truly could not shirk it any longer, said, "Aiya, aiya, how would I know it was actually a correct line? I was just nervous inside — several lines were guessed!"

For a moment the people on both sides hissed at her in low voices.

Seeing that the crowd had already passed through three or four tenths, Song Miao thought for a bit, called Ma Shenzǐ out, and said, "Among the many people who came this time, almost every single one is good. I want you to help continue searching by this standard, find another eighty people, same conditions as before. Can Auntie find them?"

She added, "Outside they recruit laborers and give a headcount fee, but here, because it is the kitchen, there is no money to give."

Ma Shenzǐ hurriedly said, "Can find! Can find!"

She added, "What money to give! Such a good thing, I go door to door to find them, everyone owes me a favor — moreover, the young sister-in-law at home follows the Young Lady, who knows how many benefits, how much learning. Because the Young Lady does not accept disciples, they cannot bring meat and gifts to curry favor. Rare to be able to exert a bit of effort. As the sister-in-law, I am truly happy in my heart!"

She asked again, "When is it needed?"

Song Miao then said, "The faster the better. In a moment you go back to the city first. If you need anyone to help, bring them together. Today just count it as you having clocked in for a full day's work."

Ma Shenzǐ thought carefully for a bit, reported four names, and added, "All are straightforward people, with wide social circles. Because the Young Lady needs them urgently, I thought more people could recruit faster. Best if they can all be gathered by tonight, that way there is still some leeway to select."

Song Miao agreed to each one.

After watching the person return to the city, her heart only then eased slightly.

In the morning when she led the crowd out the door, outside the official post station there were already nearly forty people who had registered names. Even if fewer in the afternoon, two to three hundred a day — surely not a difficult matter. Accumulating like this, if no accident occurs, in a few days at least seven or eight hundred can be obtained.

Calculating the time Han Li Young Master Han went to Linghe Town, roughly these two days he should return too. If that side also brings back seven or eight hundred, then my twenty-six people here might not be able to handle it.

Moreover, just memorizing the many rules I require takes nearly a full day, and they still need to adapt a bit. Since there are suitable ones, I do not want to go gamble on that yamen's Kongmu's possibly nonexistent conscience.

Song Miao was here thinking of Qian Kongmu, yet Qian Zhongming was also in the yamen asking about her.

Kong Fuyang and a group of students the previous day still guarded the yamen's recruitment stall without budging a step. The next morning, one by one they made excuses of having business, dumped all matters onto the remaining Lizheng and patrol soldiers. Even a fool knows there is a problem.

Receiving a subordinate's report, Qian Zhongming naturally immediately sent people out to inquire.

Such a grand recruitment formation at the official post station gate — even without asking anyone, looking at that signboard, hearing that gong and drum beating sound, one knows what is being done.

Very quickly, a subordinate returned to make an official report.

"Looking at that formation, I fear in one day they can recruit three or four hundred people. If not stopped, with this spreading ten tells a hundred, a hundred tells a thousand, it is possible they fill the quota in one breath! Kongmu, if we let this go unchecked, down in the counties there are quite a few already arranged candidates, but it will be hard to explain!"

Qian Zhongming was however much more composed than that subordinate, and asked, "Not using the Du Shui Jian's name, but recruiting in a Young Lady's name?"

"Precisely. If it were Du Shui Jian acting, after all it is official business, we could still find an excuse to demand that roster, have the Lizheng issue a warning, tell those people to withdraw. Now it is a Young Lady recruiting herself, instead it is troublesome."

This person paused, then asked, "Kongmu, do we want to have the Lizheng of all places tally the numbers uniformly, ask who registered? Though troublesome, it can still serve as a warning..."

Qian Zhongming shook his head, and said, "You said it yourself. That woman recruits mostly from Carp Well, Maweitail, and a few places at Dahubei. Eight or nine out of ten are lowly people who scrape a living in the water and on the banks. Some haven't had work for a month or two. Sending Lizheng to ask now will definitely cause trouble. This time the higher-ups already have complaints about our conduct, plus the Du Shui Jian party is pressing hard. Once they find a handle, I'll have to clean up the mess myself."

"Then... what to do? Can't just let them recruit like this, right? Even if they don't fill the quota, even if they only snatch away those errands we originally arranged. Moreover that surnamed Han hasn't been seen for days, heard he went to Weizhou to procure grain. Calculating the time, he should have hit a wall and returned. This person's words, the Tongpan listens to very much. If he really insists on using their self-recruited people, what then?"

Qian Zhongming did not speak.

He pondered slightly, and said, "Right now the Du Shui Jian official business is not in the city. Have Xiao Ding arrange a few people, go arrest that Song-surnamed woman."

That subordinate heard this, yet hesitated somewhat, and said, "That woman is heard to be the cook's wife Du Shui Jian brought from the Capital. Arrest her, when that Wu official business, and also Han Li return, will it not cause an uproar?"

Qian Zhongming uttered a "Worthless talent," almost spraying it onto the other's face along with saliva.

That subordinate did not dare raise a hand to wipe, could only lower his head.

"Not arresting now, do we wait for him to return, and there won't be an uproar? Have Xiao Ding find a pretext — very easy to find. An out-of-town Young Lady, putting up a shed, where she puts it, does she have yamen-approved documents, does she have land deeds? Arrest the person, and see if there is — certainly there won't be. Then throw that woman into prison for a few days. Here, drive away the queuing people. Just say this place is a scam. Then spread word everywhere. Wait for Wu and Han to return, the wood is already made into a boat. Re-recruit then, naturally not easy."

"If they want to pursue responsibility — who told them not to greet the higher-ups in advance? The patrol officers only thought that woman borrowed Du Shui Jian's name to swindle people!"