Goldfield
Chapter 73: Surviving Quietly
Although wheat flour was replaced with coarse wheat flour, the pancake of the shepherd bag was baked until it became golden brown in the cauldron. The smell of the gosong is accompanied by the soft fragrance of the shepherd's wallet, and it feels very delicious. His family had never eaten such a meal before and was instantly defeated by its tempting taste.
Madam Liu inwardly remembered it in her heart and said with a smile, “I never thought that peanut flour and millet flour could make something so tasty even without adding wheat flour. Cao’er, is this method also something that the gods taught you? ”
Yu Xiaocao, who was eating pancakes happily, was stunned when he heard his mother's question. He immediately replied, “I don't know either, maybe? Anyway, I only knew how to do it when I woke up. It seems like someone in my dream told me that we can dig up this kind of shepherd's wallet now and cook for them. Dad, Mom, try the shepherd's wallet steamed bun. It should taste better than flat bread. ”
When he made steamed bread of the shepherd's wallet, Xiaocao also made stir-fried tofu and fried chili. He had used a teaspoon of vegetable oil less than a catty that his maternal grandmother had sent him, which infuriated Lady Liu. In addition, he also used two handfuls of wheat flour to make the outer skin of the steamed bakpao, which Mrs Liu said was a bit too extravagant.
He glanced at the bread in the steaming basket and hesitated. Then, he took one and gave it to Yu Hai and said, “I ate two pancakes and drank a large bowl of shepherd's wallet soup, so I was already full. Husband, you should give it a try and leave the rest for the kids. By the way, Xiaolian, go to town tomorrow and bring some steamed buns for your brother. When you do, take your dad's made basket to a public store in town. ”
Last time, Yu Xiaocao went to the city in a hurry with her father when she pretended to be sick before the New Year. So, when she heard that there was a chance to visit the city, she immediately volunteered, “Why don't I go to the city tomorrow with Little Shitou? Xiaolian can stay at home to work on her embroidery. ”.
Seeing her excited expression, Yu Hai couldn't bear to reject her and repeated his admonition, “You may leave, but you must be careful and don't talk to strangers, you have to take care of your sister and make sure she doesn't get lost! ”
As he spoke, he tore the steamed bun in half and gave a larger portion to his wife and said, “Let's try our daughter's cooking. If it tastes good, we can dig up more shepherd purses and make bread to sell at the docks in the future. ”
Xiaocao nodded in agreement when he heard her words. His father knows business!
It took about three hours to get to the city from Dongshan Village. So, Xiaolian, who lived in the same room as Xiaocao, had woken Xiaocao up at daybreak.
Ever since his brothers went to the city, Xiaolian woke up early to prepare breakfast to have their stomachs filled before leaving. For breakfast, there is sweet potato porridge cooked until tender and mushy. Yesterday's flat bread was also re-baked in the pot.
Xiaocao drank a bowl full of porridge and ate a piece of pancake, then wiped his mouth and said, “I'm full! Little Shitou, hurry. I won't wait for you if we're late! ”
Lady Liu wrapped the three remaining pancakes in a cloth bag so they could eat them when hungry later. After thinking about it, he took out a wallet from the bottom of the rattan box. He took twenty copper coins from her and gave them to Xiaocao, while saying, “This, take this. This is your first time going to the market. If there is anything you want to buy, buy it. ”.
Although those twenty copper coins were not many, they were extremely valuable to the Yu Family, who only had two hundred copper coins left. Twenty copper coins were enough to buy more than two kati of wheat flour, or more than four kati of coarse wheat flour. Xiaocao wanted it, but Madam Liu forced him and said, “It's okay, take it! Just give it back if you don't spend it.
After that, he turned around and got five shepherd purse steamed buns for his eldest son, Yu Hang. She wrapped everything in the same cloth bag. Xiaolian took five bags of embroidery from her own room and instructed, “Go to the Zhenlong Embroidery Workshop and pass this to Madam Boss. After that, buy me some silk thread, which costs ten copper coins. You can buy candy with money left.. ”.
Yu Xiaocao's mouth twitched a few times. He had the mentality of a woman who was almost thirty years old, so couldn't he be treated like a child?
After being repeatedly warned by their families, the siblings finally embark on their journey to the city. Shortly after leaving, they saw Madam Mao sending Qian Wen, who was carrying a small bag, out the door.
“Where are my brothers?” Yesterday, Mrs Mao used a shepherd's purse to make soup. It tasted really good, so she planned to take her children digging even more to make steamed bread for her children.
Little Shitou beamed excitedly, showing her pearly white skin. As if he was afraid that others did not know where he was going, he loudly replied, saying, “My sister and I will go to the city to bring some steamed buns for my older brother!”
Qian Wu, who stood behind Madam Mao and rubbed her sleepy eyes, instantly became energetic upon hearing her, “Mother, I want to play in the city with Little Shitou!”
“What can be played there ?! If you're not careful, you'll probably be kidnapped by kidnappers! Today, you come with me to find the shepherd's wallet, or I won't give you dinner! ” Mistress Mao pushed Qian Wu, who was on a rampage, into the courtyard and turned to talk to her eldest son, “Be careful on your way. When you come back next time, Mommy will make you some delicious food! ”
Qian Wen saw that Yu Xiaocao was not only carrying a large piece of luggage, but was also holding three small baskets in one hand and one larger basket in the other. Therefore, he came forward and took the heavy basket in his hand and said, “It's a long way to town. If you carry a lot of stuff, you may soon be tired. I'll help you hold the basket. ”
“Not necessary, not necessary! When I am tired, I can exchange with Little Shitou! ” Yu Xiaocao tightly grasped the basket and did not let go, but she was not as strong as Qian Wen. So, he finally snatched the basket from her hand. Xiacoao couldn't do anything about it, so he just thanked her.
Speaking of Yu Xiaocao, he was completely unsuitable for traveling long distances. He had originally thought that his body had become much better after being fed by the mystical stone water. He thought that he would be able to walk tens of kilometers, but he overestimated himself. The more he walked, the heavier the items in his hands. It was getting harder for him to take the next step.
Fortunately, Uncle Ma from the neighboring village had a donkey cart and was carrying some people to the city. Looking at the three children, Uncle Ma warmly greeted them, “You want a ride? I'll take the three of you for two. ”
The group of three people rode on a donkey cart and quickly arrived at the city. Qian Wen worried about the safety of her brothers and suggested in a soft voice, “Xiaocao, there are many types of people in the city. How about you guys follow me to the academy first? I'll put my things down, and then invite people to find your sister.. ”.
Yu Xiaocao politely declined, “No, thank you. My younger brother and I had been to the city before, so we were familiar with the road. We should not delay Brother Xiaowen's lesson any longer. ”
Goodbye Brother Xiaowen! Little Shitou waved at him and looked around with her big round eyes.
After Xiaocao and his younger brother said goodbye to Qian Wen, he asked directions to the general store and prepared to send a bamboo basket. The general store was located in a rather remote area. When the shopkeeper saw the siblings carrying a new woven basket, he had a troubled expression on his face and said, “Xiaolian, you sent another basket! This is not a busy season for agriculture, so bamboo is not in demand. I'm still not selling the one you delivered last time. I'm not going to make it difficult for you this time and accept the product. But. You don't need to send again next time. ”
Xiaocao did not correct the shop owner's mistake. He thanked the shopkeeper, and then calmly held his younger brother's hand as they walked down the street. He's feeling a little sad. Although his father hoped to earn money by selling bamboo crafts, money was not the most important reason for him to weave bamboo items. By weaving bamboo crafts, it seems like her father wants to prove something to her —— to prove that she is not a worthless person.
Aye! It would be nice if your feet could recover soon…
When they arrived at the Zhenlong Embroidery Workshop, the boss lady warmly greeted them, “Oh! Xiaolian, I haven't seen you for a few days, but your skin has become whiter. You also seem to be more beautiful. Girls really change with age!
Yu Xiaocao had learned that after the previous emperor ascended the throne, he had once vigorously promoted ‘equality between men and women’. Later, the policy was left erratic for various reasons. However, the status of women has increased. Women walking and shopping on the streets could be everywhere. It was not uncommon for a woman to be the boss, like the boss lady of the Zhenlong Embroidery Workshop.
Xiaocao felt rather happy to have moved into this era. In the future, it would not be strange for him to do a small business and make money to support his family.
She needs to thank her fellow transmigrants for creating a relatively relaxed environment for her. Through the rumors he had heard about the current retired emperor and emperor, Xiaocao had confirmed that they must be transmigrants, just like him. Since there are two of these people, there might as well be others.
He has no big ambition. She just wanted to secretly protect her own family and live happily as a little peasant girl. Sometimes, he can get new ideas and make money. Proverb ‘when people from the same hometown meet each other, their eyes will be filled with tears of happiness’ will not apply to all fellow transmigrants. He didn't want to be someone else's cannon fodder. Looks like he should remain humble in the future …
“Xiaolian's skills get better. You might be able to surpass your mother soon. Oh? This time, the pattern was quite unique, and the color variation was rather new. For these five bags of embroidery, I will raise the price and give you the same amount as your mother, twenty copper coins per bag. If you make more wallets like that in the future, I'll raise the price for you again! ”
In the past, Xiaolian's wallet cost fifteen copper coins each. Thus, he had obtained twenty-five more copper coins than before. In fact, Xiaocao should also take credit for this because he was the one who designed the pattern.
In his previous life, he was interested in art. If it wasn't for his parents' accident, he might have entered a special class in high school. After he took over the stewed food store, he liked to draw flowers and plants in his spare time as a hobby. He had not expected that he would be able to use this skill to make money after transmigrating.
After keeping the money safe, Xiaocao took his younger brother to the woodwork shop. In the carpentry shop, that arrogant worker from the last time was guarding the shop. He was currently sitting on a chair with his legs crossed and asleep. When he heard that the two brothers were looking for Yu Hang, he stood up reluctantly and nagged, “Searching for Yu Hang? Didn't that kid just come home a dozen days ago? How troublesome! ”
When Yu Hang came out, he wore the cotton jacket Xiaocao gave him before the New Year. It had only been two months less, but there were already a few holes in the jacket, exposing the white cotton inside. Xiaocao was aware of the fact that his elder brother was someone who valued his own clothes and belongings, and thus his new clothes would usually not change like this.