Chapter 189: Miao's Kitchen Chapter 191: Passing a Message

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Making braised bones, one naturally has to fry sugar color.

White granulated sugar is expensive; the construction site meals could never afford it no matter what, so Song Miao switched to maltose — although it isn't as cleanly sweet as the former, it fortunately has another kind of pleasant fragrance.

It's just that maltose is inherently sticky in texture and more prone to burning, so frying it requires even greater care.

Two large woks, medium-low heat, a bit of oil, the wok spatula repeatedly drawing circles on the wok bottom, watching that maltose slowly melt, big bubbles gradually turning into fish-eye bubbles, then turning into even finer sesame-seed bubbles, waiting for it to turn from pale yellow to reddish-brown, then transition to dark brown — in that instant not a moment can be delayed, the pork spine bones must be thrown in immediately.

The pork spine bones had already been prepped beforehand; they had just come off the butcher's chopping block, extremely fresh, soaked to remove the blood water, briefly blanched in cold water with cooking wine, scallion segments, and ginger slices, then washed clean with warm water and set aside to dry.

Going into the woks now, the two wok bottoms were laid full to the brim, just looking at them could give rise to a sense of abundance, truly a mountain of meat, so charming.

After going into the woks, they were repeatedly stir-fried, letting every large bone get coated as evenly as possible with the sugar color.

At this time another wok was started, hot wok cold oil, first the ginger slices, scallion segments, and spring onions were fried until the surface was slightly dry and hard, then soaked star anise, cinnamon bark, bay leaves, Sichuan pepper, and evodia were added and fried fragrant, among which one cracked-open black cardamom also had to be added.

Black cardamom not only is especially good at removing fishiness and enhancing fragrance, it is itself a medicine, able to dispel phlegm, stop malaria, and harmonize the spleen and stomach, very suitable for use when the weather is hot.

When the spices were done frying, yellow bean sauce, sweet flour sauce, and soy sauce were added in succession, fried over high heat until the sauce fragrance came out, then this fried brine sauce was strained into the big-bone woks.

Then boiling water was added again, and the strained-out spices were put into a gauze bag and thrown in, the lids covered, letting it slowly cook on its own, and also having someone boil a hundred or so eggs in water, peel off the shells, preparing to wait until the time was about right before putting them in to braise together.

Although there were only two large woks, when frying the sugar color, a burnt-sweet fragrance had already wafted through half the room; now with the fried sauce added, after not much stirring, even such a large room had every corner completely occupied by brine fragrance and sauce fragrance, drawing the workers to inevitably find a gap, some standing up, some on tiptoe to look.

Once the bones started braising, one only had to watch the fire, occasionally stir once to prevent sticking, no need to keep staring at it constantly.

Inside the wok it went gurgle-gurgle, the meat bones rolling and rolling, rich fragrance rushing out from the lid seams, that fragrance truly hooked the heart, and being so close, smelling it for a long time yet unable to eat — even Song Miao, this halfway-into-the-profession cook, found it a bit unbearable.

She gave an instruction, slipped out to wash her hands, and when she came back, the others had already done the things that should be prepared in advance about seven or eight parts out of ten.

Right now was the gap between two meal shifts; the cooks weren't staying in the kitchen either, but had all gone to a side room, leaving only a few to watch the stoves.

That room was specially arranged by Song Miao for everyone to rest; inside were several armchairs, and also meditation cushions.

In the past everyone in there would chat and laugh, the atmosphere very relaxed, but today they were all whispering to each other, voices fine and fragmented, every expression grave.

In the morning several groups of people came, all gathered in the storeroom, and then four chickens were also seized, each coming in proud and spirited, going out so listless they couldn't even lift their heads, their crowing turning into clucks, unable to even cluck twice, and Zhang Siniang even went to sweep the wood ash from the stove to clean up the chicken droppings all over the courtyard.

Where could everyone not see that there was definitely something going on; naturally they were nervous.

Song Miao knew that some things, the more you hide them, the easier it is to make people suspicious and paranoid.

The kitchen staff are all trustworthy, so she simply called Auntie Tian over, gathered everyone, and explained in detail the matter of someone secretly putting croton beans in the morning.

As soon as her words fell, the room instantly exploded like a boiling pot; some cursed that person for being vicious, some hated the yamen for inaction, and some rejoiced that it was discovered in time.

Song Miao added: "Right now the yamen has already gone to arrest people; we don't yet know what can be interrogated out, but no matter how this person confesses, the kitchen must stay alert — starting today, everything must be checked and rechecked three times over."

She pointed at several people not far away and said: "If it weren't for Fourth Lady and Auntie Feng being sharp and alert this morning, that villain might have succeeded; at that time the consequences I could not bear, you all losing your jobs would be one thing, but if lives were lost — we eat and drink alongside the river works day after day, on the river course there are many who are our friends and relatives, old acquaintances, are you not afraid?"

Immediately someone responded: "Young Lady, rest assured, we all understand!"

"My husband at home and my two maternal brothers are all on the river course, that goes without saying, and there's my own life — even if Young Lady didn't instruct us, we'd definitely be on full alert!"

"My eldest son is also doing labor, today was the early shift, what a close call!"

"Who knows who is so vicious; eating croton beans improperly can kill!"

But there were also those who thought further, unable to help asking: "Song Xiaoniangzi, out of nowhere, who would run over to poison, there must be someone instigating from behind, right?"

As soon as these words came out, someone chimed in: "Could it be Qian Dachong? He never wanted us to come work in the first place; I heard it said, the batch of kitchen hands he recruited for Young Lady before were all idlers — and now everyone is still spreading word, saying this river work ought to have been corvée labor, but because a meal is provided, you have to pay money to get a turn!"

"I heard that too; if you pay more money, you can even pick those easy jobs!"

The room slowly quieted down, everyone looking at Song Miao.

All native locals born and raised here, who doesn't know the Qian family's domineering arrogance better than Song Miao?

No matter how poor or bitter, who doesn't have a third aunt's eighth uncle's son's cousin's sister-in-law's neighbor working as a runner in the yamen?

With the intent to inquire, and mutual spreading, by now practically everyone can list out three parts of the river dike and yamen affairs — just afraid something might go wrong, affecting the hard-won jobs they found.

Only now did Song Miao learn that Qian Zhongming actually also had the nickname "Qian Dachong".

This so-called behind-the-scenes instigator is truly a louse on a bald head — a blatantly obvious matter.

But she hesitated a moment, still said: "Wait until the person is caught and interrogated clearly before we can know."

"If that person really was sent by Qian Dachong, letting the yamen interrogate — that's just them investigating themselves! Where would any truth come out!" someone hurriedly reminded.

Song Miao then said: "Inside the yamen there are naturally people following up; just apart from the kitchen, everyone these days should also be careful yourselves, especially in the morning — those coming to the official post station by mule cart should come in groups, those going on your own should also go in groups, best not to be alone."

She instructed for a good while more, nothing beyond kitchen matters and also paying attention to your own safety and so on.

Finally, she suddenly named Zhang Siniang and that Auntie Feng, plus two other aunties' names, in front of everyone gave the first two who handled the discovery one string of cash each, the latter two who participated in the discovery half a string each, and said: "You four have rendered great merit this time; this is reward money."

A room full of people, every single one envious beyond measure.

Even someone couldn't help muttering: "How come such good luck! Song Xiaoniangzi explained everything, even carried those fifty-two rules, as long as you follow them anyone could spot something wrong — how come today I wasn't the one going to the storeroom to collect supplies!"

"Cough cough, though this shouldn't be said — just hoping another poisoner comes along, let me catch him, and give me a string of reward silver too!"

"Oh my, my eyes are burning hot, won't I get eye-envy sickness! When will it be my turn to pick up money for free!"

These words were naturally all jokes, but in that joking there was a few parts more genuine feeling — a whole string of cash, who wouldn't look with red-hot envy?

Song Miao handed out the money, encouraged a few more sentences, then someone came in from outside to pass a message — it turned out Han Li had arrived.

She brought people through the storeroom once over, and carefully explained the course of events once more, finally saying: "I don't know what Fang Quan's intention ultimately is; if the yamen cannot interrogate clearly and handle it properly, the kitchen will have no peaceful days in the future — although this time we prevented it, after all the person is in the dark, I am in the light, too passive, still have to trouble Young Master to help ask about the follow-up, so we can also have some preparation."

And Han Li, learning the kitchen had someone poisoning, naturally was worried, came hurrying all the way; but entering the door, he only saw Song Miao calm and composed, having long since handled the matter properly, not to mention all the young ladies and aunties were fully appeased, rewards already distributed, and still planning to pull the firewood from under the cauldron.

Although he had long been mentally prepared, seeing such a scene, he still felt some surprise.

Seeing the kitchen matters all settled, people all settled, and this one before him even more so complete in every respect, not suffering any major impact, Han Li's heart relaxed, and he said: "Stall Owner Song, rest assured, this matter I will have people follow closely; even if the yamen cannot give a proper answer, I will investigate myself."

He also said: "Just the kitchen from now on must be even more vigilant, people must be even more alert."

The two chatted a few more sentences, but only about kitchen and river course matters; because each had their own affairs, they didn't dare delay too long, bid farewell to each other, and each went off to busy themselves with their own tasks.

After seeing that Han Li out the door, Song Miao then returned to the courtyard.

She had just stepped in with her front foot when she saw a man standing by a water bucket, left hand akimbo, right hand holding a bowl of water, head tilted back, neck stretched, just finishing that bowl of water in one go.

After drinking, he shook a handkerchief from his sleeve, wetted it with water, slapped it onto his face, wiped haphazardly a couple of times, yet his mouth couldn't help but praise: "Refreshing!"

It was precisely Kong Fuyang.

And that Kong Fuyang, hearing the movement, turned to look, saw it was Song Miao, hurriedly called out "Song Xiaoniangzi" first, then said: "I was truly thirsty, scooped a mouthful of water to drink."

Song Miao hurriedly said: "Did Young Master bring a water bladder? Fill some purple perilla boiled water before leaving?"

Kong Fuyang patted the water bladder at his waist, said: "It's here, just now I ran into your cart delivering water out, so having the advantage of proximity, I was the first to fill it full."

Then asked: "Have Zheng Yan and them left or not?"

Learning they had just left, he hurriedly put that bowl back on the ground, hastily washed it with water, was just about to go chase, chased halfway, but hurriedly turned back, specially fished out a purse from his bosom, handed it to Song Miao, said: "Song Xiaoniangzi, inside here are a few horn of broken silver, purity very good, you hold it in hand, ordinarily if there is need, can try poison!"

Also said: "Though can only test a few kinds of poison, having is better than not having!"

Others' such kindness, Song Miao naturally couldn't refuse, had to accept, opened and counted on the spot, then re-tied it properly, said: "Wait until this Hua Prefecture matter is finished, I'll return to Young Master Kong."

Kong Fuyang hurriedly said: "No matter, you record it in the account, I heard last time Zheng Yan speaking with you, seemed he has much money hanging with you, this counts as mine, you also start a page with my name, later when I eat, deduct from inside!"

Speaking, he dry coughed once more, clearly cleared his throat, that voice instead turned somewhat weak, said: "Another matter — if Stall Owner Song has spare time to make side dishes some day, must have someone notify, otherwise I'll miss out again!"

In the tone, full of regret.

Originally since this river channel construction manpower increases day by day, Song Miao naturally busy with proper work more, returning to the official post house sky already dark, only eat Cook Zhang's rice and dishes together with everyone, rarely cook, only the previous two days got spare time and made a batch of shrimp jujube meat and egg soup, but that day Kong Fuyang actually slept in the shed together with Han Li, missed again.

Next day learning, he truly suffered extremely, hated not being able to drill back to previous day evening, no matter how tired, crawl also must crawl back to official post house, afterward consecutive several days already brought out to say to Song Miao again and again at least five six seven eight times.

Song Miao before only verbally agreed, this time rarely replied: "Starting today noon rest one and a half hours, I ought to return a trip to official post house, just right to do some preparation, see if can add a dish for evening, Young Master if free, can return to eat."

Kong Fuyang's face *Mo Ca* brightened at once, hurriedly nodded repeatedly, also said: "Truthfully, this construction site food, eat full can eat full, but seems always eat not enough, I whole day run here run there, evening still have to write calculate things, without a bit of Song Xiaoniangzi's made food, truly hold up uncomfortably."

This person so good at speaking, instead made Song Miao suddenly remember a matter, hurriedly called him back, hurriedly returned to that room just now, took out two bundles.

Bundles both not large, only a foot long, palm wide.

Song Miao handed over, said: "Indigo blue this one is for Young Master Han, additionally this gray one is for Young Master Kong you, just now Young Master Han came hurriedly, I then also forgot to give — was previous two days squeezed time to make snack foods, besides pork jerky, beef jerky, also have walnuts."

"I remember before Young Master said don't like sweet nuts, your this bag of walnuts is pepper salt, Young Master Han that bag inside also has amber sugar walnuts, must not take wrong."

"Official post house inside others all received, only you two divine dragon see head not see tail, they all dare not help carry, left at my place several days already."

Kong Fuyang delighted eyebrows open eyes smile, thanked again and again, hugged those two bags into bosom, hurriedly bid farewell left.

He went to the front, sure enough people all assembled, only waiting for himself, hurriedly apologized, boarded mule cart.

Moment got off cart, others left first, but he specially pulled Han Li once, pointed at own bosom bundles, low voice repeated Song Miao's instructions once, finally said: "You whole day run outside run around, carry a purse pack a bit close to body is fine, rest leave at my place, I help you keep, how about it?"

This speech just finished, he then felt eyes a blur, then bosom a lightness, lowered head a look, that indigo blue bundle was however taken away by that opposite person relying on own hands long, one grab took away.

"Not how about it." Han Li glanced him one eye, firmly holding that bundle, one leap down mule cart, then turned head said, "You me hurry, Wu Guiren place many things waiting need, moment also explain each team notify noon reward add meal matter, additionally afternoon re-mark lines, further delay then won't make it in time."

Kong Fuyang hurriedly hugging own bundle chased up, mouth calling: "Then you that amber sugar walnut give me taste one mouth, I before only casually said, said is others made sweet nuts eat not used to, not Song Stall Owner made, just now not good clarify, you let me eat one mouth — hey, you don't walk so fast ah!"

Seeing still an hour until meal time, Wang Silang planted the shovel in hand, one buttock sat on ground, said: "Like this ba, can't work anymore!"

Beside is his father and Big Brother two, naturally incessantly urge him, also say: "Don't dawdle, yesterday Patrol Team just said neighboring group progress fast, we here slow two points, dug also not neat enough."

"Since is river channel, neat or not neat what relation, water one flood, anything also can't see, according to me see, just grinding people! Almost got it! Money given also not much, Father, Big Brother, you all just too serious!"

Just speaking, but see side that Patrol Team standing on river channel edge, blowing whistle gathering all nearby people, center passed a message, only say starting today, every day work done best that group next day has reward prize money issued, wrapped that meal also additionally add meat.

Finished speaking, read out once that first time has prize money, get add meat small groups all.

Wang Silang listened half day, didn't hear own group name, but heard own Second Brother Third Brother that group's.