A tragic journey through ancient times, trying to make money

Zhang Cheng quickly made way to let Zhang Yunyue in. Zhang Yunyue carried the meat to the big kitchen, then put down the basket and took out the lard can and pork.

Zhang Yunyue called over two aunties who had just finished making a pot of chili oil, and asked them to help cut the lean meat into shreds, and peel the pork belly and cut it into the thickness of a little finger.

Because there was a lot of meat, the two aunts and Zhang Yunyue took a full three quarters of an hour to cut it.

Zhang Yunyue gave the shredded pork to Aunt Mu and Chen Yu, and asked them to put it in the chili oil later. Zhang Yunyue explained the steps of putting the shredded pork to them and left it alone. After all, everyone had become very skilled in the process over the past few days.

After explaining the matter of pork oil and chili oil to Aunt Mu and Chen Yu, Zhang Yunyue prepared to make crispy sirloins with the two aunts who had just cut the meat.

Zhang Yunyue poured the chopped pork belly and ginger slices into the pot, asked one of the aunties to watch and simmer it slowly, and asked another to watch the heat and learn from her.

Then take out the thirteen-spice seasoning packet, put it in a small bowl, add salt, soy sauce, and sweet rice wine into the small bowl, and set it aside for later use.

When the pork belly is cooked until golden brown, remove the excess oil from the pot, then pour all the water used to soak the thirteen-spice bag into the pot, and simmer over low heat.

When the water was almost boiled away, Zhang Yunyue scooped up the pork belly from the pot, shook it a few times on the spatula, and repeated this several times until she heard a crisp sound. Only then did Zhang Yunyue ask the aunt to scoop out the crispy whistle from the pot.

Ten pounds of pork belly produced about four pounds of crispy meat, but there was still some lard on the side.

At the same time as the crispy whistle was ready, Aunt Mu and Chen Yu’s pork chili oil dish was also ready.

Zhang Yunyue tasted it and found it was indeed crispy, with the aroma of thirteen spices. The pork oil and chili added another flavor than before. The shredded pork inside had been fried dry. Zhang Yunyue scooped out some with one or two small bowls and let Grandpa Zhang, his second uncle Zhang Cheng and the workers in the workshop taste it.

Grandpa Zhang: "This crispy whistle is not suitable for people with weak teeth, but it tastes good when chewed dry. The fried shredded pork with chili oil is much more fragrant than before."

Uncle Zhang Cheng: "Well, I found that this crispy whistle seems to be good with wine, delicious, this fried chili with shredded pork is also good, next time I eat noodles, I will just put a spoonful of this fried chili with shredded pork, it will definitely be good."

"Yueyue, is this the new food you are going to make in the workshop? It's delicious."

"Yueyue, what is this? Hmm, it feels like meat when you chew it," asked Zhang Xingzhong.

"Yes, cousin Zhong, this is a crispy whistle made of pork belly."

"Yes, I think the people in the town will like it too."

Zhang Yunyue: "Both of these are suitable for adding a spoonful to noodles. They will be very fragrant and crispy. They can also be used to stir-fry some vegetables or make soup."

Second uncle Zhang Cheng: "Yueyue, I think we can take it to the town to try it out first and see if the people like it."

"Yeah, I thought so too. I'll pack them all back home and take them to town tomorrow to try them out."

At 5 p.m., the workshop workers got off work, and Zhang Yunyue and Grandpa Zhang went home with crispy whistles, chili oil with shredded pork, and the chilies and fried peanuts needed for the stall the next day.

A lot of pottery jars were also placed in the backpack. Now, Lao Zhang's family uses pottery jars to store chili oil instead of bamboo tubes.

When I got home, the food was already set out in the yard.

Zhang Yunyue took out two bowls from the kitchen, filled with some crispy whistles and pork chili oil, and placed them on the dining table.

"Grandma, mother, second aunt, father, and eldest brother, please try the new food I made today and give your opinions on whether you like the taste."

After hearing what Zhang Yunyue said, everyone took out a steamed bun, broke it into two halves, and then smeared it with the chili oil that Zhang Yunyue brought back. They picked up a piece of meat with chopsticks and found that there was quite a lot of meat inside. The chili oil added a meaty aroma, and everyone nodded as they ate.

Then everyone tasted the crispy whistle, which was also delicious with its crispy and fragrant taste.

"Yueyue, you can try to sell these two in town. I think they are both pretty good."

"I feel so too."

"It's mainly noodles. If you put both in it, the noodles will definitely taste better than the noodles sold in town."

"Then let's go to town and try it tomorrow."

After dinner.

Zhang Yunyue was sitting in the yard enjoying the cool breeze when she suddenly thought of clothes: "Oh, mother, is Xiaofeng's gown ready?"

Zhang's mother smiled and said, "Do I need you to remind me? We'll have it ready after you go to the workshop this afternoon. We'll also let Xiaofeng try it on. We'll make it a little bigger so that Xiaofeng can still wear it next year. We'll also sew a schoolbag for him."

"That's good."

Early the next morning.

Because he had to go to school today, Zhang Xingfeng went to bed early last night. At dawn today, he woke up while Zhu was still making breakfast. He jumped around in the yard by himself, very excited.

After breakfast, Zhang Xingfeng put on the schoolbag that his mother had made yesterday and put books, pens, ink, paper and inkstone in the bag.

Father Zhang pulled the cow out and harnessed it to the ox cart. Everyone helped to load everything onto the cart, including the crispy whistles and pork chili oil made yesterday.

When they arrived in the town, Zhang's father drove the ox cart to the stall. After quickly helping to unload the things on the cart, he let Zhang's mother and Zhang Xingyun work at the stall for a while.

Zhang's father and Zhang Yunyue took Zhang Xingfeng to Gongchong Private School.

"Dad, the alley in front is Osmanthus Alley." Zhang Yunyue pointed the way to Zhang's father. The main reason was that Zhang's father had to come to pick up Zhang Xingfeng in the afternoon, so he had to explain the way clearly now.

The three of them walked into Guihua Lane and soon arrived at Gongchong Private School. It was the time when the students were attending the private school, so there were many family members at the door sending their children to school.

"This private school is pretty good. It's in a quiet location amidst the hustle and bustle, right in the middle of East and West Streets, so it's convenient to get around." Zhang's father praised.

Zhang Yunyue nodded: "Yeah, I felt the same way when I came here yesterday."

The aunt from yesterday was now standing at the door talking to the families who were sending their children to school. When she saw Zhang Yunyue and Zhang Xingfeng coming, she came forward to say hello.

"Miss Zhang, you are here. What's this?" The old lady looked at Zhang's father, then glanced at Zhang Yunyue and gestured.

Zhang Yunyue introduced: "Auntie, this is my father. We are here today to send my younger brother to school."

"Oh, hello, then you all come in."

After the old lady finished speaking, she took the three of them into the private school.

Master Zheng and Master Li were talking in the main room at the moment. When they saw the three people coming in, they stopped talking.

Mr. Zhang and his two companions paid their respects to the two masters in the main hall, and Zhang Yunyue gave the tuition and meal money to Master Zheng.

"Teacher, this is my tuition and meal money. From now on, I will ask you two gentlemen to teach me."

"Greetings to the two teachers." Zhang Xingfeng bowed.