Chapter 98 Mountain Home Hearth 98

Chapter 98: The Mountain Family's Hearth 98

Liu Guyu's stall introduced plum beverages and peach-plum beverages, both delicious. Young ladies loved buying a cup while shopping, inserting reed straws to sip and enjoy as they strolled.

The new products sold extremely well. By month's end, Liu Guyu went to Red Plum Village again to buy two baskets of plums. Later, he added plum jam and plum ginger candy, each batch sold out completely.

Time passed quickly—each autumn rain brings a chill. Withered grass stretched to the sky, red faded and green diminished. The trees and leaves on the mountains turned yellowish-brown, leaving the entire mountain looking desolate and quiet.

In November, Liu Guyu encountered the Li family's elder brother and sister-in-law setting up their stall for the first time at the East Market.

Li Anyuan's elder brother was named Li Cheng, and his sister-in-law was Xu Yingcai. Both were young, not yet thirty.

After hearing Liu Guyu's suggestion last time, they had discussed it privately with their family for a long time. After two full months of preparation, they finally pushed their stall cart to the East Market to start business today.

"Liu Geer!"

A woman in coarse linen clothes approached Liu Guyu's stall with a beaming smile, carrying a large bowl of mala tang. She greeted cheerfully:

"Liu Geer! We really owe thanks for your wonderful suggestion to our family! My husband and I came to the East Market to set up our stall today. We made you a bowl of mala tang—please try it!"

As she spoke, she placed the large bowl of mala tang in front of Liu Guyu's stall. The red soup glistened with oil, with thinly sliced tender bamboo shoots, winter melon simmered until tender and infused with flavor, plump, fresh mushroom caps, fish balls and meatballs floating in the soup, several golden, plump egg dumplings nestled together... topped with red oil and flavored with pickled radish bits. The aroma alone made one's mouth water.

This bowl was truly substantial—it would probably cost over ten copper coins if sold!

Liu Guyu expressed his thanks and glanced in the direction Xu Yingcai had come from. Several stalls away, he saw Li Cheng awkwardly assisting customers.

At first glance, the stall cart appeared newly made, the wood still fresh-looking, with two tables and stools behind it—also new.

It seemed the Li family had hesitated for a long time before finally gritting their teeth and investing in their stall venture.

"Wow! Boss Liu, what is this dish? It smells amazing!"

Niu Dawei, who had been queuing at the front, had originally come to buy fruit sweets for his daughter. The Liu Family Food Stall had introduced new flavors of soft candy, with hawthorn-apple and mint flavors selling best. His little daughter had been pestering him to get some early.

Now seeing this bowl of enticing spicy stew, he felt both intrigued and curious.

Before Liu Guyu could even respond, Xu Yingcai spoke up first.

She wasn't cold and distant like she had been that day at the Li family home anymore—now she was eloquent and pleasant to listen to.

"This is mala tang! Would you like to come try some later? Our stall is right over there! All ingredients are fresh, and you can watch us cook—absolutely clean! Vegetable skewers are one coin for two, meat skewers are one coin each. A big bowl like this only costs thirteen coins! The flavor is absolutely wonderful!"

Liu Guyu also chimed in: "Sister-in-law Li's cooking skills are truly excellent! I remember Mrs. Niu loves spicy food—Boss Niu, you should definitely go try it when you have time!"

As a regular customer, Niu Dawei was naturally willing to do Liu Guyu this favor, especially since this mala tang indeed smelled fantastic!

He said: "Ah! My wife does love spicy food! I'll go back and get her right away. Today we'll eat out, and leave our little girl with her grandmother!"

Having said this, he tossed down the copper coins for the fruit soft candies, pocketed the sweets, and hurried off, seemingly genuinely rushing to fetch his wife.

Another customer behind him also watched with craving, grinning as he said: "This mala tang must be warming to eat! Perfect for weather like this! Boss Liu, give me a tube of plum drink—I'll take it to eat at that stall over there! Sweet drink paired with mala tang—bound to be perfect!"

Xu Yingcai hadn't expected that just coming over to deliver food would bring her several customers. She was so delighted she slapped her thigh in delight.

But when she turned her head and saw her husband clumsily serving customers—stuttering through his words, scratching his head anxiously, and glancing her way frequently—she grew impatient.

"Ah! This silly man!"

She muttered under her breath and hurried back to attend to customers and manage the business.

Liu Guyu found it amusing to watch. Seeing their business was doing well, he nodded happily.

He said to Qin Banban, who was helping nearby: "Banban, you eat first. Come relieve me after you're full."

Banban nodded, quickly collected the coins from two customers ahead, then used a bamboo tube as a bowl. Holding chopsticks, she picked out vegetables to eat.

While eating, she said: "Brother Liu, this is delicious! Even better than when we ate it last time! Sister-in-law Li's cooking skills are truly excellent!"

The quality of flavor was directly reflected in business performance.

Li Cheng and Xu Yingcai started their stall business in mid-November. The first few days saw many customers—within three to five days, they had recouped all their costs spent on making the stall cart, tables and stools, and buying bowls, utensils, ingredients, and seasonings.

Afterward, business stabilized, but they still earned over a hundred coins daily, earning more than three taels per month.

This significantly improved the Li family's quality of life. The eldest couple ran the stall to earn money, the second son studied, with elderly parents and younger sister at home helping care for the youngest Yuanbao and managing household chores. The family became even more harmonious.

As New Year approached, Xu Yingcai bought fabric to make new clothes for the whole family.

It was worth noting that the Li family had many members and many mouths to feed. In previous years, they had lived frugally—only the youngest Yuanbao could wear new clothes. Even Li Anyuan, who cost the family the most money, wore mended old clothes for years.

Not only did they buy fabric for new clothes, but they also purchased plenty of New Year's goods—cakes, pastries, meat, and eggs—making many in Red Plum Village envious.

This winter seemed colder than previous years. It had already snowed twice before New Year's. Everyone in town and village bundled up in thick cotton jackets.

As the year's end approached, markets were held daily. Liu Guyu set up his stall more frequently than usual—from market-day stalls to stalls every other day.

Sweet soups and sweet tangyuan at the stall decreased, replaced by pastries, preserved fruits and jams, and soft fruit candies that customers could buy as New Year's goods—suitable for entertaining guests during celebrations or as gifts for relatives, all presentable.

Liu Guyu stayed busy until the 27th before closing shop to rest. He rested at home for two days before recovering.

Qin Rongshi also started his break on this day. According to him, he would be off until the 15th of next month—meaning he wouldn't return to academy classes until after the Lantern Festival.

The centerpiece of New Year's Eve dinner was a lamb hotpot.

Eating lamb in winter was beneficial—warming and nutritious. Liu Guyu had wanted to eat it last New Year, but lamb was expensive then. Unlike now, the family finances weren't as flexible back then, so he had to suppress the craving.

The lamb was delicious. First, slices of ginger, garlic slices, scallion bulbs, and chilies were fried in the pot until fragrant. The hot sizzling pot soon emitted the aroma of ginger, garlic, and scallions. Then Liu Guyu added the pre-prepared base seasonings, stir-fried until fragrant red oil was released. After adding water and bringing to a boil, he seasoned with salt and soy sauce before finally adding lamb bones and meat to stew.

When the time was right, he turned off the heat and served it—a large pot of fragrant lamb hotpot ready. Finally, he sprinkled a handful of tender garlic shoots on top, making everyone's mouth water.

This year's New Year's Eve dinner had more than just this one dish, but everyone's chopsticks kept reaching for the lamb hotpot until it was nearly empty shortly after.

While eating, Liu Guyu suddenly said: "We still have a leg of lamb at home. Erlang, when you go pay your New Year visit to your teacher tomorrow, bring it along."

Qin Rongshi nodded, then paused suddenly. After a moment, he said: "Next year, my teacher plans to travel for studies again. He wants to take me along with him."

Luming Academy had already found a new policy question instructor, but he wouldn't start teaching until after New Year's. So after the New Year, Lv Shiwen would be free again.

At these words, the happily eating group slowed their movements.

Cui Lanfang seemed somewhat reluctant, asking cautiously: "Travel for studies? Will it take very long?"

Qin Banban tilted her head curiously: "Second brother, what's 'travel for studies'? Does it mean going to many places?"

Liu Guyu slowly put down his bowl and chopsticks, frowning seriously: "I've long heard Head Lü enjoys traveling for studies. His willingness to take you along shows he values you as a disciple. How did you respond to him?"

Qin Rongshi nodded: "I've already agreed with my teacher. He told me to discuss it further with the family at home."

Then he continued: "My teacher enjoys traveling for studies—short trips last half a year, longer ones two or three years. But there's an examination in two years. My teacher wants me to take the exam, so we'll return by then at the latest."

"But Banban will have her *ji* ceremony next year, which is a big occasion. I've discussed it with my teacher, and we agreed to leave after May."

Hearing this, the family grew even quieter.

Cui Lanfang even put down her chopsticks directly, as if all the delicious dishes on the table didn't taste good anymore.

But she quickly comforted herself and said with a smile, "You should go. What does that book you often read say? 'Read, read ten thousand books...'"

Banban, sitting beside her, quickly chimed in and said cheerfully, "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles!"

Cui Lanfang nodded and added, "That's exactly it! Mr. Lü is a knowledgeable man. If he wants you to go, it must be for your own good. As a mother, though I’m reluctant to let you go, I can’t hold you back."

Qin Rongshi remained silent, just watching Cui Lanfang quietly as if wanting to comfort her but not knowing how to begin.

Banban also pouted, looking a bit upset.

What should have been a joyful New Year’s Eve dinner had turned somber because of one remark.

Liu Guyu took a bite of rice, glanced around at everyone, and then said cheerfully, "Educational travel is great! Many people spend their whole lives stuck in this little place without ever getting a chance to see the world!"

"When you see those majestic mountains, waterfalls, and the lonely plume of smoke over the vast desert, you have to remember to write to me about them! Better yet, draw them! You’ve always been buried in your books—I’ve never even seen you draw!"

"And all the local foods and drinks—you have to write and tell me about the delicious ones! Maybe I can learn to make them!"

"Later, you’ll be taking the imperial exams to become a scholar and then a *juren*. We won’t stay in Fushui Town forever. Consider this your mission—go ahead and scout ahead for us!"

Perhaps because Liu Guyu’s tone was so upbeat, as if he were talking about some fun adventure, the reluctance on Cui Lanfang’s face gradually faded. She happily picked up her chopsticks again and said, "Alright, it’s New Year’s—everyone, eat up! We have to finish this hot pot today—the first serving is always the freshest! We can’t let it go to waste!"

And so, the family’s lively laughter returned, with chopsticks reaching for the lamb in the hot pot. Under the table, the dog Lucky was crouched, gnawing on a lamb bone with his front paws.

Outside, the snow continued to fall—swirling like blossoms, drifting like goose feathers—turning the world into a glittering wonderland.

Inside, warm lanterns glowed, accompanied by the warmth from the heated charcoal, joyful laughter, and family togetherness.

*

When spring arrived, Liu Guyu kept his promise by teaching the villagers how to make their own fertilizer.

Every household in the village sent one or two people to learn, and among them, Old Man Miao was the most diligent.

The old man had farmed all his life, and learning this new technique in his later years excited him so much he couldn’t sleep for several nights, asking Liu Guyu questions every day.

Last year, their family’s fields were farmed by Chen Sanxi. Liu Guyu hadn’t kept his fertilizer-making method a secret from him, so Chen Sanxi also knew how to do it. This year, the two of them taught everyone together.

The village head was overjoyed and spent his days going around the village, stopping people to ask, "Has your family gone to learn fertilizer-making from Liu Geer?"

It’s worth mentioning that last year, during the autumn tax collection, the tax officials all knew that one household in Shanghe Village had produced over four hundred *jin* (about 440 pounds) of grain per mu.

This was unprecedented and even caught the attention of the higher-ups, including the County Magistrate. Everyone was waiting to see Shanghe Village’s harvest this season. If the yield was good, this fertilizer-making method could be promoted throughout the entire county, and even reported further up to be implemented across the prefecture and eventually throughout all of Dayong.

Liu Guyu had also heard this news and joked lightheartedly that Shanghe Village had become a "test village."

Almost every household in the village used the fertilizer-making method taught by Liu Guyu. Since it was their first time trying, most didn’t dare use it on all their fields. Those who were bolder used it on more than half, while families with less land set aside one or two mu for the experiment.

These days, nearly every household’s yard emitted an unbelievable peculiar smell, and people held their noses whether they were at home or outside.

After the fertilizer was composted, it was applied around the Qingming Festival, followed by planting rice.

Field after field was painted in tender green—the young seedlings swaying gently in the wind, a refreshing and pleasing sight.

The rice plants changed noticeably each month, and the villagers were thrilled, checking on their fields almost every day.

And so, by May, it was almost time for Qin Rongshi and Qin Banban’s fifteenth birthdays.

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Author’s note: Just finished writing, posting first for reading—haven’t corrected typos yet. [cheek resting on hand]