Chapter 273: Miao's Kitchen Chapter 295: Solid / Steady / Firm

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

The overnight torrential rain did not stop.

The next day before daybreak, Song Miao and Cheng Erniang both got up.

Hearing the sound of rain outside too loud, the two finished washing up, one holding an umbrella, one holding a lamp, carefully leading each other to first look around in the back courtyard, then went out the main gate.

At the end of Suanzao Alley there is a small slope, making Song Ji's terrain relatively high, and coupled with the back courtyard drainage being cleaned regularly, it was not affected too badly.

But walking further out of the alley, overnight, many places on the road already had standing water; shallow spots covered the foot tops, deep ones even reached the calves.

Even holding up a lamp, the two still walked out one foot deep, one foot shallow.

Cheng Erniang felt some relief, saying: "With such heavy rain, fortunately Young Lady said a few days ago not to buy more pork and cuttlefish to make dried goods; otherwise with no sun, by now they'd be half-dried, roasting wouldn't catch up either, not to mention wasting firewood, they'd likely spoil and be ruined!"

She added: "When I was at home I also learned some sky-reading from elders, but could only tell tomorrow's weather; to avoid rain during grain-drying and sowing, sometimes accurate sometimes not; how can Young Lady predict so far ahead, and so accurately?"

Song Miao said: "It's not always accurate either; I was also taught by family elders, originally just for fun; now seeing it useful, I hurriedly recalled what I heard before and relearned it; can't compare to the technical officials in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau."

"Wait until you read those few mathematics books you picked up again in a year or two, we'll learn together; we do business, even knowing just a bit of weather is very useful!"

The two shared one large umbrella, arms linked, walked a circle outside the alley to check the water situation, then leaned close together walking back, chatting as they walked.

Because Song Miao asked how elders taught Cheng Erniang at home, the latter recited what she remembered, such as how to look at a ring around the moon — a yellow halo means heavy rain tomorrow; if the moon is bright and stars many at night, tomorrow can be very clear, and so on.

Song Miao laughed: "Books also have similar sayings — proving books are human words!"

Hearing a few special sayings, she added: "This one differs from what's written in the 'Ling Jing'; another day I'll go borrow the book from Chen Laoxiansheng to copy, and we'll verify together!"

Turns out so-called 'star observation' isn't that abstruse and mysterious after all.

Cheng Erniang immediately looked forward to the future 'we'll learn together', and racked her brains, continuously pulling out from her mind all experiences related to stars, moon, night sky for predicting next day's weather.

She chattered on, voice deep and resonant, very strong breath support; even with heavy wind and rain, it couldn't be drowned out.

Outside, rain pattered on the umbrella surface, sliding off the edges forming a curtain-like heavy water sheet, and Cheng Erniang's voice by the ear.

Sky very dark, oil lamp only a star-fire point, still blown flickering by wind; if one person walked alone in this pitch-black alley, heart would mostly grow a bit tense; but the two relied on each other, chatting idly walking home; clearly encountering such bad weather with heavy rain, inconvenient to set up stall, hard to deliver, business hard to do, Song Miao's heart still felt very solid.

Rain will stop eventually, sky will brighten, sky will also clear.

Business following the direction she wants, step by step managed; she has helpers, gained friends, and more and more.

She has always been very patient, not anxious for quick results.

Even walking in this rainy night alley, all the way walking, her footsteps could also all the way tread more solidly.

Not long after the two returned to the food shop, just put the glutinous rice on to steam, Wang Sanlang arrived with a cart bringing people and many fresh ingredients purchased.

Today is Taixue's rare rest day, Nanlu Academy's dog hole already blocked, and people patrolling constantly; students able to climb over the wall are very few — because they must climb the wall, even food not easy to bring, buy not much either; plus such heavy rain; plus starting the day before yesterday, Taixue Canteen increased steamed bun quantity again, and several other places added new customers, all needing to purchase steamed buns and glutinous rice; Song Miao simply didn't set up stall, only rushed to make them.

Everyone finished making each family's ordered food, about to deliver out; Song Miao instructed: "Today heavy rain, orders many, walk slower on the road, call two more carts to help deliver together, safety first."

Also told Cheng Erniang: "Most likely Liu Guanren's banquet can't be held; when returning, no need to purchase more, just buy what we ourselves eat."

Cheng Erniang, Zhang Siniang and husband and the rest all agreed.

By the time sky brightened, sure enough a servant from Liu Hanlin's family came to report, directly saying rain too heavy, that gathering already postponed; wait until date fixed then come ask if she has time.

Result: Liu family people just left not long, but then Du Haoniang came.

Seeing the person wearing straw sandals, clothes and trousers all soaked, put umbrella outside door, didn't enter, just shook off clothes; Song Miao hurriedly welcomed her in, saying: "Such heavy wind and rain, how come Sister-in-law still braved the rain to come over!"

Du Haoniang laughed: "Yesterday all agreed with you; because knew you today going out to do banquet, taking advantage of this morning's free time, let's go look at that house! I already had someone give notice!"

"Rain too heavy, that banquet can't be done today, no rush for this moment." Song Miao stepped back, slightly estimated Du Haoniang's figure, "Sister-in-law soaked all over, careful of catching cold; change clothes then go — Er Niangzi gives birth next month, I just had someone make her a new set of clothes, haven't had time to send it out, just right you two about same build."

Du Haoniang hesitated a moment, then said: "Forget it; outside rain heavy, I originally came by cart; result alley entrance blocked by people with sandbags, cart couldn't enter either; in a while we still have to walk out, even if changed clothes still all wet!"

Also said: "Besides if I wear it, you still have to make another for Cheng Erniang."

Song Miao laughed: "I wondered what it was; giving birth is end of next month, not urgent; besides Sister-in-law just gave me good cloth, making new clothes from that cloth makes people even happier!"

Then said: "I have raincoats here; Sister-in-law don't mind ugly, wear together, guaranteed rain won't wet clothes."

Speaking, led the person to the back courtyard.

Du Haoniang said a couple polite words, no longer declined, changed into that new set of clothes, actually fit quite well, except sleeves a bit long; at that time sew in two fen and it'll be enough; asked how much money spent, prepared to pay.

Song Miao teased: "When Sister-in-law gave me such good cloth, did I say I'd give you money? What relationship do our two families have?"

Du Haoniang no longer wordy, fastened belt, also laughed: "My mouth owes! Slap mouth!"

Exchanged a word with Dabing and the others, the two went out the door together.

At this time sky fully bright, could see more clearly than morning; walking in the alley, saw that sky like a leak, wind extremely strong, rain pouring like ladles; even wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas, Song Miao still felt wind carrying water vapor, wrapping rain threads blowing in from the front; not long, the unshielded face already had dampness.

Walked to alley entrance, indeed many neighbors gathered here piling sandbags, and each family at their own doorway also blocking with boards those blocking with boards, piling sandbags those piling sandbags.

Crowd seeing Song Miao, one person "aiya" exclaimed: "Xiao Song, here blocked, your family's mule cart going in and out how to manage?"

Another said: "Really no way; seeing this rain coming so fierce, just afraid like two months ago, won't stop at all; by then outside water accumulates, flooding street not counted, entering house then troublesome!"

Song Miao has seen water flooding houses; although during worst flooding she went to Hua Prefecture, after returning, heard Cheng Erniang talk about alley families' losses no less; she said: "Everyone don't worry about my end; if this sandbag slope low, mule cart just use a board as slope pad to enter; even if later piled more, slope high, we can also from inside take handcart to push out."

"Besides if rain doesn't stop, continues falling like this, ground standing water too deep, business same can't be done, also no need to care about any carts entering or exiting."

Seeing her not mince words, crowd also each breathed a sigh of relief, couldn't help each complaining.

"Stifled for ten-odd days, these few days simply like a steamer basket; I knew this heaven would make trouble! Didn't expect rain once coming would be this heavy!"

"Yesterday also stifling hot, I mixed a tofu saying leave for youngest to eat when he returns; result not placed two hours, one bite, turned sour! Alas, hope not like spring flood time, come another round, shop also hard to open, business no way to do, days can't be lived!"

"Still talking! My family's man agreed today to go West Main Street to help someone raise beam; walked all the way to Xin Gate; unprepared for ground having a big pit; water inside couldn't see; fell a big tumble; smashed head bleeding; arm also broken; fortunately medical hall beside; still don't know how long to recover!"

"Alas, how so careless! Spring flood that time front street Old Tang also fell?"

"That happened; he injured waist; recovered two-three months, now still can't do heavy work."

Crowd talked a while, then someone came to ask Song Miao: "Xiao Song, that dried meat I ordered last time when will it be ready?"

Song Miao then said: "Er Niangzi and the others are delivering them now. Because they left too early, afraid of disturbing the nearby guests' sleep, I reckon they'll be back and deliver them to the door in a bit."

That Xu Bo hurriedly said: "Then that's good. I was only afraid I wouldn't make it in time, anxious in my heart, so I came to ask you one more sentence."

People nearby had curious ones, asking: "Old Xu, perfectly fine, why are you buying meat jerky?"

Xu Bo sighed a breath, saying: "Ai, better not mention it. Bought it for my family's eldest."

These words came out, the people on both sides all looked over.

"Didn't he go to the Liu Ta He?"

"I remember it too! When they set out last time, several high officials were outside Yu Jie cheering them on — I even saw your son in the formation!"

"He's back already?"

"When did he come back? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Back my ass!" Xu Bo couldn't help cursing another dirty word. "At the time everyone thought it was some good post, people scrambled to go. The academy selected and selected again. He exerted all his strength to perform, only then got his name on the list. Before departure, seeing so many officials cheering, I thought it was rare. Who knew once they got there, none of it was like that at all."

"The day before yesterday, someone sent a letter back, only saying they couldn't even eat their fill of rice. Salted vegetables weren't given more sparingly. Steamed buns didn't even have filling — that was fine — but they were years-old stale flour, seemed mixed with bran, ground coarse too. Eating them scraped the throat, not to mention a mouthful of chaff taste. Working day and night without rest. The superiors urged everything. Didn't even give enough sleep. Didn't treat people like humans at all. If they were truly beasts of burden it would be better — at least they could kick back!"

Seeing his many complaints, someone said: "If it really won't do, can't he resign and come back?"

"The superiors say, if he wants to resign, he needs ten-odd officials above to each approve, then send the resignation letter back to the Capital for the Political Affairs Hall's Li Xianggong to also approve, then have the teacher and academy review it, sign and approve, only then can he leave. Isn't this making things difficult?! Never mind Li Xianggong — how many officials above know who my family's eldest is?!"

"The one who brought the letter back told me, that kid has gotten so thin his face has caved in. Looking at him is truly pitiful. His mother feared it wouldn't do. Just then a merchant caravan was heading to Chan Prefecture, so she thought to send some food along. Couldn't help with anything else, so could only send some food, clothing, and necessities over, telling him to endure a bit."

"Originally wanted to send dried fish and dried birds and such. The caravan said with bottles and jars they feared breakage. We two or three bites of calculation — simply came to find Song Xiaoniangzi here to buy meat jerky."

This person spoke like this, bystanders naturally sighed, could only pick nice words to comfort him: "It's just this month or so. I heard news, the Liu Ta He will soon be open. Once the river water connects, your family's eldest can come back!"

"Doing things always requires eating some bitterness. Think on the good side — this is establishing great merit!"

"No matter. Bring some meat jerky along. At least it's meat. This thing is easy to carry. Put in rice bran inside, can store for a month or so. Left and right neighbors all watch Xiao Song make it. What ingredients she uses, how clean it is, whether it tastes good or bad — everyone knows!"

Another person asked Song Miao: "You went to Hua Prefecture the month before last. Was the food on the riverway also this bitter?"

Song Miao hadn't answered yet, when nearby an old woman rushed to say: "That definitely can't be! Song Xiaoniangzi manages the food. With her skill, how could she let people eat chaff and swallow vegetables?"

"Also have to see if the yamen is willing to give silver money, right? Old saying isn't it said, even a clever housewife can't cook without rice?"

"Hua Prefecture eats well! You don't know. A few days ago I met a guest buying pickled vegetables. Said he came to the Capital to seek relatives. Originally also worked on the Hua Prefecture riverway. Just when someone mentioned the Liu Ta He, he inserted a sentence, saying it's far worse than Hua Prefecture."

"Hua Prefecture includes room and board. He worked a month or so, even saved several hundred coins for travel expenses. Said as long as you do well, daily someone gives rankings. Those ranked in front even get meat to eat — he ate a large bone once, sucked the marrow until it was fragrant! Said the kitchen is managed by a young lady surnamed Song. Everyone praises her!"

This old woman finished speaking, turned her head toward Song Miao: "That young lady surnamed Song, is it Xiao Song you?"

Song Miao smiled: "Most likely."

This person instantly rejoiced, saying: "I said it was! I told him, he still didn't believe it!"

Also said: "That that large bone, was it also made by your kitchen, Xiao Song?"

Song Miao answered yes.

Old woman hurriedly said: "Your food shop didn't just find a carpenter to measure dimensions? When will it open? If it opens, put that large bone on the menu too — I heard him describe it as top-top delicious, all want to try the taste!"

Song Miao smilingly answered: "Wait a bit. Since Granny you mentioned it, definitely will put it on the menu. This period much thanks to everyone's care. Wait until opening day, invite everyone to eat large bones!"

"That can't be eating yours for free! Must bring congratulatory gifts to the door!"

Old woman saying this, neighbors all agreed.

Song Miao smilingly thanked them, only saying she had matters, hurriedly bid farewell together with Du Haoniang.

The two walked, while still hearing the people under the eaves behind discussing Hua Prefecture water affairs.

These days Chan Prefecture often sends back various news — there they recruit vagrants as labor. Not two months, thousands fled. Naturally some returned to the Capital, cursing the Liu Ta He managers again and again.

Also those from Hua Prefecture heading north, preparing to save money to return home. These people first worked two months in Hua Prefecture, got benefits. There the river affairs finished. On the road heard Chan Prefecture also needed people. Thought it was six of one, half dozen of the other. So they responded in droves, carrying their valuables and rushed there.

Who knew arriving at Liu Ta He, not working long, they fled like broken legs, just short of crying. Clamoring for Hua Prefecture's Han Xiu Cai to go to Liu Ta He to manage the river connection, also calling for Song Xiaoniangzi to manage the kitchen, also wanting that Wu Gong to go inspect the riverway, calling Cen Tongpan to pay out money!

Because what was heard was mostly bad words, few good words, making Capital commoners also follow along pinching a handful of sweat. Even so, everyone still hopes the Liu Ta He affair succeeds, so that during flood season the several large rivers passing through the Capital have a flood discharge place, avoiding another water disaster, affecting their own livelihoods.

?? Thank you Mao Li Xiao Lang for personally sending me Left and Right Jade Rings, adding up to exactly one whole Great Harmony Bi. Thank you dear, spent a lot~

? Thank you Mai Dou Ai Xiao Du for personally sending me a Large Peach Blossom Fan, mikewei for personally sending me a Sachet, Yellow Scorpion Palace for buying Zhu Jie'er a Roasted Pigeon Flavored Sachet, Zao Huahua, Book Friend, Book Friend three dears each sending me a Peace Talisman, everyone must be safe and sound~

? Many thanks Book City Girl E for personally sending me a Codeword Tool, Small Gift two pieces, my family cat called Egg Egg for personally sending me a Codeword Tool:)

? Thank you Book City Shi Ba Huan Meng Ou, Wai Wai Cat, Time_Space_ae for personally sending me Small Gift one each ^_^

? Thank you everyone's Monthly Tickets, Xiaoxiang Tickets, Recommendation Tickets, various tickets and messages, comments, chapter says. They are my coding big big big motivation. Although couldn't reply one by one, every line was read seriously (#^. ^#)