Goldfield
Chapter 79: The Head of the Pig

Xiaocao was now relieved. He nodded and smiled, “I didn't expect Uncle Steward to be a big eater either! To be honest, knowing my blood was made using a secret method to boil chicken blood. Even though it doesn't look elegant, it still tastes pretty good. ”

“Chicken's blood? I didn't even smell the blood when I ate it. Yet know it is still very smooth and tender. It's great! Great!” Steward Liu did not slow down his eating speed as he spoke. He had heard that the Jinling people used duck blood to make soup but did not expect chicken blood to be consumed as well!

When the foreman saw that Steward Liu was happily eating tofu blood, his heart regained its composure in relief. He took five copper coins and gave them to Xiaocao, “This, the rest of the money is to reward you. In the future, are you still going to sell tofu blood on the dock? ”

Xiaocao also did not act too formally. He smiled as he picked up the copper coin and said, “In the future, I will still sell meat dishes for one copper coin with my younger brother. However, I may not sell blood tofu. But foreman, don't worry. The taste of my meat cooking would be no worse than knowing my blood! ”

“Xiaocao, Your Oldest Aunt has told me that you are selling goods here, so I came to look for you.” Xiaocao's Eldest Uncle, Liu Pei, walked towards him with large strides. He asked with concern, “Have you had breakfast? Eldest Uncle got a job today, so I came to invite you and Shitou to eat a white steamed bun. ”

“Oldest Uncle, we had breakfast before coming here. You haven't eaten, have you? Oh yeah, I still have half a serving of some boiled food. Why don't you eat it with flat bread? ” Xiaocao knew that whenever Oldest Auntie came here to sell things, she would always bring food to Eldest Uncle. Therefore, he put the remaining sample of free-boiled chicken into Liu Pei's hands.

“This is what you sell? It smells so good! I can eat flat bread with pickles. Why not sell the rest? ” When Liu Pei smelled a fragrant smell, he secretly gulped his saliva. But he did not want to use his nephew.

Xiaocao did not take back the paper bag where the boiled food was located. He blinked his eyes at his Eldest Uncle, “My business is quite good today. The stewed food I brought here has all been sold out. How can I sell half a serving of a dish? I can't split a copper coin in two. Oldest Uncle go do what you need to do. I'll go to the market and look around.… .. ”

After he finished speaking, he pulled his younger brother's hand and fled.

When the foreman saw the incident, he laughed, “Brother Liu, he is your nephew! The meat dishes he sold for one copper coin tasted good. Even Steward Liu from the capital felt good. If you don't want it, then you can sell it to me. ”

All the boiled food he had bought earlier had gone into Steward Liu's stomach. He only had two bites of blood tofu. Now, he craves it.

“Ah! Foreman Sun, what are you saying? If you like it, you can take it. Why are you talking about buying or selling? ” To work on the dock, they must be checked in advance by Foreman Sun. If they had a good relationship with Foreman Sun, then it would be easier to find a job in the future.

The foreman Sun was very pleased with Liu Pei taking the right path. He ate a stewed and rich meal when he suddenly said, “Didn't your niece come with you a few days ago? Is he coming with you today? The young man looked tall and strong. He seems to have a lot of power. After he eats, let him help lower the load as well.… .. ”

The person the foreman spoke of was the son of the second branch of the Liu Family, Liu Zhiwei. Because of his young age, foremen usually do not like to hire him.

It was common knowledge that a worker could earn twenty to thirty copper coins in a day from loading and unloading goods on the dock. When Liu Pei heard what Foreman Sun said, he was overjoyed. He repeatedly said, “Thank you, Foreman Sun! My niece is also here today! Don't worry, the kid is used to doing menial work! He is very honest, and he will definitely not let you down! ”

“What are you thanking me for? In the future, make sure your nephew leaves meat dishes every day. Eating just a little bit is not very satisfying. Don't worry, I'll pay! ” Waiter Liu goes after eating and drinking until full. Foreman Sun was now happily eating and drinking and felt very satisfied with his food.

Tanggu Pier has a large market. Every 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 15th of every month as well as the New Year, people from nearby villages will come and sell their own products or buy the goods they need.

Although it is called a market, it feels more like a street than a market. On both sides of the market, there were short houses made of grass. Occasionally there will be a brick house that attracts attention. But whether it is a house made of grass or bricks, it is only open when the market is open. Usually, the doors are closed.

Today is February 16th, and today is market day. Although the market was small, there were still quite a number of people here. On the right left of the street, the houses in front had become a simple vegetable market.

Some people carry turnips and frozen cabbage for sale on their shoulders, while others carry a variety of chickens, ducks, and eggs they keep for sale. There are also street vendors selling daily necessities. All these vendors try their best to attract customers. The voices of the people selling the products, the bargaining, and even the voices of the gossipers speaking were all intertwined together and made it a lively scene. Xiaocao held his younger brother's hand and walked through the crowd. But, from time to time, they would falter from being squeezed by the crowd.

“Xiaocao? The shitou? Did you come here yourself? Is it because there is nothing to eat at home? ” What a coincidence, before they walked very far, they met again with another acquaintance. The one who had just spoken was Xiaocao's grandfather. Following behind him was his uncle, Yu Dashan, who was carrying a basket of fish.

Although Xiaocao was dissatisfied with his grandfather and uncle who were not good at speech, he did not harbor any hatred towards them. She gave them a thin smile and replied, “No, Shitou and I just came here to see her.”

After thinking about it, he turned around and took the fish basket from Dashan. He poured the remaining ten small yellow croakers that they could not sell into Xiaocao's basket. Old Yu caressed Little Shitou's head with his fishy hands and said, “Bring this fish home to eat...do you have any money? Otherwise, Grandpa can buy you what you want. ” Yu Dashan's mouth moved as he glanced at his father. But in the end, he didn't say anything. These days, without the fishing expert, Yu Hai, they catch fewer and fewer fish. In addition, the type of fish caught also shrank. They have lost quite a number of regulars in the city. Now, their business is getting worse.

Every time they brought home the money, Madam Zhang would complain that the money was too little and not enough for the family expenses. The money they earned by selling the fish this time, was the lowest amount they earned. If they also bought things for the children, he was afraid they would never hear the end when they returned home.

When he saw Xiaocao shake his head wisely and heard him say, “Grandfather, no need. We bring money with us, ”dia feel relieved. At home, his mother kept raving about money, and his wife talked too much. All this made him feel very upset.

After saying goodbye to their grandfather, Xiaocao continued walking forward. Suddenly, he was attracted to the pig stall in the distance. He pulled Little Shitou and walked over. The dark-skinned and fat butcher had a crumpled and rough beard. His eyes were enormous, which made him seem like he was glaring at people every time he saw them. He looks pretty fierce.

However, everyone who knew him knew that Butcher Wang was renowned as a good person. Every time he sold meat, he never gave customers less meat or change. He even gave his regulars some things of little value. His reputation is quite good in the nearby villages.

“Small girl, did you buy meat?” Butcher Wang knows that his appearance often scares children and makes them cry. So, when he saw the sister and brother pair, he hurriedly showed them what he believed to be a friendly smile. He also softened his voice as he called out to them. But he did not know that this kind of expression made him look even fiercer.

Little Shitou was feared by the butcher and hid behind his second brother. But after thinking about it, he stepped forward and walked in front of his sister. At home, he would boast that he protected his sister well. But from his clenched fists, trembling body, and flushed face, it was obvious that he was going to cry. Everyone can feel their fear and nervousness.

When Butcher Wang saw that his smile produced the opposite of the result he wanted, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head. But he did not forget to praise Little Shitou, “Little boy, you are so brave. You know how to protect your sister. You really are a young man! ”

From his attitude and tone, Xiaocao decided that this man was a fool who had an evil-faced but golden-hearted face. He held onto his brother's shoulder and ruffled his head, smiling as he said, “Uncle praises you, won't you immediately thank him?”

Little Shitou timidly lowered her head. In a small voice, he replied, “Thank you for your praise ..”

“Good son, what a good boy..what do you want to buy? Uncle will give you a discount! ” Butcher Wang laughed out loud, his voice was loud and clear like the roar of thunder.

Yu Xiaocao looked at the meat in the stall. He saw that there were less than two catties left with a medium size, not too fat and not too thin. There is also fatty oil, a little bit of pig bone, and a large pig head.

His line of sight was immediately drawn to the pig's head. He went on to ask, “Uncle, how is this pig head sold? Do you also sell pig liver, pig heart, pork belly, and pig colon? ”

During this period, almost all pig heads were used as offerings to the gods. Very few families in the village would eat it. The main reason why people do not eat pig heads is because they do not like the different flavors of pig heads. If the taste is not properly observed, then the oil, salt, firewood, and grains they use will be wasted on the pig's head.

But since the twelfth lunar month and the first month of the lunar year had passed, no one was interested in the head of a pig. After hearing his question, Butcher Wang asked with good intentions, “Little girl, why does your family want a pig head? What are they planning to do with it? Pig head tastes bad. Why don't you buy some pork bones and make soup with it? I can sell pig bones for a cheaper price. As for the pig's heart and pig's heart have been sold out. The pig's stomach and pig's dirty, smelly intestines have been discarded or fed to dogs. Does your family have dogs? ”

As he had guessed ..the people of this period had no method of cleaning the internal organs of dirty and smelly animals. Since they did not have a method to clean it, they did not dare to eat it. However, pork belly and pork intestines taste good after boiling. In addition, the braised pork head dish was one of the most popular boiled foods his shop had sold in his previous life!

“Uncle, I also don't know what they're going to do with those things. My dad told me to buy those things. How much does a pig head cost per catty? Also, please give me all the pork belly and pig intestines ...... ”Xiaocao pointed to the pig head with a smile, confidently asking him to sell the items to her.

Butcher Wang nodded his head and said, “There is no need to weigh a pig's head. Pig heads are usually sold after the buyer and seller reach an agreement. A pig's head usually costs eight copper coins. But since it is now deserted, I will sell it to you for six copper coins. The stomach and intestines of pigs have not been removed today. I'll give it to you for free if you want. ”

Waw! Pig heads usually weigh about seven to eight catties, but only sell for six copper coins! It was so cheap that it was almost ridiculous. Moreover, the pork belly and intestines were offered to him for free! Yu Xiaocao felt like he had gotten a lot of things for this trip!

Thinking about his long-term business, he suddenly asked, “Uncle, seeing that there is not much left in your kiosk, your business is definitely going well. How often do you kill pigs? ”

Butcher Wang laughed out loud and proudly replied, “Thank you for the blessings of the villagers, my meat shop business is going well. Almost every market is open, we kill a pig. Other times, we were busy catching pigs in the village! ”