Chapter 22: Livestock Shed

Chapter 22: The Livestock Shed

On the way into the city, Lin Su observed the vendors on both sides of the street.

Most were indifferent, some gossiped about how they had offended the officials, others feared being implicated and tried to stay far away, while a few noodle vendors gloated openly.

These noodle stalls competed with his food stand — when his business thrived, theirs suffered. Lin Su didn’t come every day, but every time he did, he noticed their resentful stares.

But they had little interaction with those two officials on a daily basis, so it couldn’t be them who had acted.

From the officials’ attitude, the person behind this was likely well-connected. However, since they only drove them away without further action, it seemed the instigator didn’t want to make a public scene.

That was in their favor.

The dock was in the south of the county. After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, Lin Su and the others rented a stall on Tonghua Street in the western part of the county, for a short term of five days, so they could leave easily if trouble arose again.

Xu Lei set up the food cart. It was a four-wheeled cart that didn’t wobble when used as a counter, very stable. Boards could be extended on both sides to hold seasonings.

Five stoves were embedded in the center, each topped with a wide-bellied pot. Beneath the front board was a storage compartment for ingredients.

Once the stoves were lit and the bone broth vermicelli boiled, its fragrance spread for miles.

The uniquely designed cart had already drawn a crowd. Now, with the aroma wafting, the onlookers’ appetites were stirred.

It was just past the hour of Si (9–11 AM). Those heading to work had already eaten breakfast, and lunch was still far off, but some late-rising women followed the scent.

“Young man, how much is this dish? Give me two servings.”

Qin Niangzi was the owner of a clothing shop on Tonghua Street.

She had been rushing to finish a batch of garments and delivered them yesterday, receiving payment. Today she slept in until the sun was high, her stomach growling with hunger, when a bold fragrance caught her attention.

Following the scent, she found an oddly shaped food cart. Five earthenware pots on the cart bubbled with steam, red and white, glistening with oil, making her mouth water.

“Tofu vermicelli hot pot, made with pork bone broth. Our special spicy sauce. Large portion eight wen, small portion six wen. Add meatballs, braised pork, or braised eggs at five wen each,” Lin Su introduced.

At the dock, workers had big appetites, so Lin Su had given generous portions. Now that he had moved, he reduced the portions and lowered the price, but added a few kinds of toppings to attract customers.

He had also found leaves as big as plantain leaves. After boiling and drying, they were tough and water-resistant. Cut into shape, they could be used as disposable bags. He placed the vermicelli in a bowl, wrapped it with the leaf, tied it with twine from the bottom to the top, forming a bundle that could be carried without breaking even after a day or two.

One leaf held exactly one large portion of the hot pot, eliminating the need for dine-in service and saving the trouble of washing dishes.

“Give me those two with braised pork and a braised egg each.”

“Alright, that’ll be thirty-six wen in total. Here you go.”

Qin Niangzi took the bundle suspended by twine and examined it with curiosity: “What an interesting packaging. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lin Su explained with a smile, “I stumbled upon it by chance. Don’t worry, it won’t break even after a day. When eating, just use a bowl or a bamboo basket to hold it — no grease, very clean.”

After paying, hungry and enticed by the fragrance, Qin Niangzi hurried into her shop and sat at the stone table by the door, eating heartily.

The vermicelli was soft and smooth, the tofu soaked with broth, the toppings flavorful and chewy. What made it even better was the spicy, savory kick—just to her taste.

She had been busy for days, too exhausted to eat properly, losing ten pounds and looking gaunt.

Now, this spicy, savory bowl of vermicelli revived her palate, awakening her from tongue to stomach. She finished the large bowl in no time.

She felt a bit unsatisfied but looked at the remaining portion. Before she could act, her husband returned from a delivery.

Qin Niangzi patted her full stomach and thought, “Never mind, I’ll eat it at lunch.” To her husband, she said, “You’re back. I bought you some food—still hot. Eat quickly.”

Qin Zhanggui had been busy since morning, the light snack he had earlier was gone. Without a word, he sat down to eat some more. “Oh? Vermicelli hot pot? Did you go to the dock?”

He was a bit surprised. He often made deliveries to the dock, and last month a vermicelli stall had opened there that was quite tasty. But his wife had been off her appetite lately and didn’t want to hear about it, so he didn’t bring it up.

He hadn’t seen the stall owner for two days and had regretted not being able to eat it. Now, back at the shop, he found it.

“No, I didn’t go. Since you were there, why would I go to the dock?” Qin Niangzi said, baffled.

“Then where did you buy this vermicelli? This stall was famous at the dock, but I haven’t seen it there these last few days. So the owner moved.”

Qin Zhanggui slurped a big mouthful. “This is the authentic spicy taste! Definitely from the dock.”

“Well, it’s right at the end of our street. This vermicelli is really good. I actually finished the whole large portion. I plan to have it for lunch too.”

The couple agreed. When noon finally came, they went to the spot—and were dumbfounded.

The food cart? The owner?

All gone!

-

They had just moved and it was still far from noon. Aside from the first customer, hardly anyone came.

Lin Su took Fu Yun for a stroll while Xu Lei watched the stand. They planned to return before noon.

Two streets away from Tonghua Street was a livestock shed, the most comprehensive in Yucheng County for all kinds of animals.

Inside the shed was a pen for piglets, lambs, and newly hatched, fluffy chicks and ducklings.

“So cute, little ones!”

Fu Yun couldn’t move once he saw them. He crouched by the fence, watching with fascination, occasionally petting those that came close.

Lin Su was at the horse pen. There was only one chestnut mare—young, strong, tall and handsome, with large black eyes full of calm intelligence.

A martial artist couldn’t help but love horses. Lin Su admired it and asked the owner the price.

“Fifty taels of silver.”

Very expensive!

“This horse is reserved by a noble and is temporarily kept here,” said the owner, sizing up Lin Su for a few seconds. “In our dynasty, horses are costly. Only high-ranking officials and nobles can afford them.”

The owner’s gaze was clear, without mockery or contempt. Lin Su understood it was a kindly warning. Without a certain official rank or reputation, flaunting a horse might invite trouble.

In ancient times, without power or prestige, everything was restricted.

Lin Su nodded in thanks and went to find Fu Yun.

“Brother, can we buy them?” Fu Yun had gathered a pile of cubs, encircling them.

Lin Su took a look: two pink piglets, one chubby lamb, two chicks, and four ducklings, all jostling within Fu Yun’s arm span.