RMCF: Chapter 2

 

Chapter 2

“Why isn’t that Zhang family lad here yet?”

“Didn't Chen Si go to fetch him? He must have overslept.”

“What time is it already? Even if he overslept, he couldn't possibly have slept this late. Oversleeping is one thing, I hope he hasn't drunk himself into a stupor and fallen into the river. Just the other day, I heard of a drunkard from the neighbouring village who, returning from town after too much drink, tumbled into the river. Luckily, a passerby fished him out, or he'd have been a goner. It's freezing cold out there, that drunkard is still lying at home.”

“That Zhang lad is a wastrel too. His father was a capable man in his day. He must have left him a fair bit of silver, spoiling him rotten so he spends his days in town drinking and carousing.”

The Xu family’s courtyard had two tables set up, surrounded by a group of women and ger busy chopping greens and peeling garlic. Men sat or stood nearby, cracking dried pumpkin seeds. All were waiting for the butcher to arrive, and in the meantime, discussing the village's most notorious characters.

“Drinking? That’s nothing. He even frequents brothels, following those city lords to gambling dens—he's dabbled in every sort of thing he should and shouldn’t have.”

“What a sin! My daughter and ger must steer clear of him. That man has no decency. If he ever gets drunk and acts recklessly, it’s the young women or ger who’ll suffer misfortune.”

As soon as the words fell, the host, Xu Changren, called out loudly, “Butcher Zhang, you're finally here! The water for scalding pig bristles has boiled over several times already!”

The villagers, who had been heatedly discussing in the courtyard, fell silent at the sight of the burly, fierce young man striding in.

Zhang Fangyuan entered the courtyard to find all eyes fixed upon him. He’d overheard the lively chatter outside, but now that he’d stepped inside, the noise had died down. Who they’d been discussing was obvious enough.

The villagers’ love for idle gossip was nothing new. Back in the day, he couldn't stand hearing them constantly whispering about his parents behind his back. The bitterness in his heart drove him to the city to drink, often not returning to the village for days. Later, when the gossip about his parents died down, they started talking about his own lack of ambition and dissolute lifestyle. In short, there was never any peace.

Having lived life like a fleeting dream, now looking back he found it all rather amusing. All that fuss over idle gossip? Truly not worth it.

“Sorry, Uncle Xu, got delayed on the way. Let’s get the pig is brought out.”

Xu Changren, the head of the Xu household, didn't blame him much and quickly called the men who were to hold the pig down to bring the animal out. The pig was brute-strong, requiring four men to restrain it.

Zhang Fangyuan drew a sharp blade gleaming with a cold silver light. His gaze sharpened as his hand rose and fell. Though he hadn't practised this trade for many years, his movements remained remarkably adept.

After the pig was bled and its skin was scalded to hair removed. The men hoisted the carcass onto two long benches. The scraped white pig was then cut into smaller pieces. Villagers eager to buy meat immediately gathered round.

Whatever cut they wanted, how many jin they needed – even without a scale, Zhang Fangyuan could cut it to nearly the right weight.

No matter how much the villagers looked down on him, after witnessing his skills, some couldn't help but say, “Master Zhang's hands are truly nimble!”

Zhang Fangyuan wiped the blade. “It's all practice.”

This was his craftsmanship. Otherwise, given his temper, no one would hire him to slaughter pigs anymore.

Although Zhang Fangyuan could estimate the weight, the plump Madam Xu, Liu Xianglan, remained uneasy. After all, this animal had been painstakingly raised for over half a year. If the weight was underestimated, she'd lose copper coins. Pushing out her chest, she emerged with a scale. “All those wanting meat, come and weigh it!”

“Madam Xu, you raised this pig so well—the meat is so fatty.”

Liu Xianglan swelled with pride at the compliment. “Of course! We've been feeding it plenty of feed, two, even three meals to raise it strong and plump.”

After bustling about for over half an hour, more than half of the host's pig was sold. The pork was rich and fatty, everyone craved the greasy taste, so pork sold very well in the village. Liu Xianglan's purse grew heavier with silver coins, and she felt quite satisfied.

After the meat was sold, the women and ger took over the kitchen work. leaving the men who'd come to help with little to do. A few gathered to play dice for small stakes. With winter approaching, soon it would be the New Year, and having just enjoyed a meal of pork, everyone liked to play for a while.

“Fangyuan, want to play a couple of rounds?”

Zhang Fangyuan waved his hand. “I'm going to the outhouse. You lot carry on.”

He slipped into the house. The Xu household was considered neither rich nor poor in the village. They scraped by frugally but managed. Though not large, their ancestral home was quite spacious, its layout differing from the Zhang residence. He stepped over one threshold then another, somehow ending up beside a small room.

“Brother He, quickly put the meat on to boil and season the vegetables properly. Once that's done, go rest by the stove. You've been busy for so long—let Second Sister take over.”

Zhang Fangyuan chuckled at the soft, honeyed voice—once everything’s done, what’s there for you to take over? Hearing this, he couldn't help but turn his head to see which girl was so good with words. Looking up, he saw two young people inside; a girl and a ger.

Without needing to ask, he immediately knew who they were.

It was common knowledge that the Xu household had no sons. Their eldest child had died in infancy, leaving only a daughter and a ger. The second daughter, Xu Shaochun, fair-skinned and radiant, was renowned as the village beauty for miles around. Yet the youngest, Xu He, was sallow-faced, thin, and frail, his appearance nothing like his sister's.

Villagers often chattered idly over meals, wondering how the same parents could produce two such different children. Compared to his sister, He Ger seemed even more unremarkable.

Zhang Fangyuan saw the girl standing by the stove, hands on her hips. She was plump and graceful, her face fair, tinged with a healthy flush, her eyes dark and lively and lips like red cherries. Dressed in a charming sapphire blue winter jacket with inner padding, she looked exactly like a treasured daughter raised in a wealthy family. No wonder Chen Si drooled at the mention of her; she certainly had good looks.

In contrast, the young lad busying himself at the stove wore a patched cross-collared hemp robe that wrapped around his bony frame. His sallow face had little flesh, making his eyes appear unusually large, but they lacked spirit, with dark circles around them. His whole person seemed dull and worn, like a short, thin little monkey, truly a world apart from his sister.

“The stewed radish and offal has simmered for a stick of incense. I’ve already seasoned the broth; just need to stir-fry the vegetables now.”

The ger's tone was flat, his voice hoars from the winter cold. It wasn’t delicate like a girl’s, nor clear and charming like a typical ger's, but rather resembled the occasional caw of a wild gull foraging along the riverbank.

Tied with an apron, he bustled about with the spatula in front of the stove, swiftly adding salt and seasonings to the wok. In just a few turns, the aroma of stir-frying filled the small kitchen.

Zhang Fangyuan stroked his chin. The food smelled really good, rivalling the finest eateries in town.

“Master Zhang!”

The sudden cry startled Xu Shaochun inside the house, who hastily grabbed the nearest ingredient jar.

Zhang Fangyuan turned his head and saw Liu Xianglan rushing over in a fluster. He replied calmly, “Madam Xu, I'm looking for the outhouse.”

“It's on the left. Follow the eaves round the corner.”

“Alright.”

Zhang Fangyuan headed in the direction she indicated. Liu Xianglan waited until he was far away before slipping into the kitchen.

Xu Shaochun breathed a slight sigh of relief, set down the jar, then stepped forward to take Liu Xianglan's arm. “You gave me quite a fright, Mother.”

Liu Xianglan scolded, “You must be wary of that fellow. He spends his days in town drinking and carousing. I suspect he deliberately came over to peek at you, then made up that story about the outhouse. You're too careless, you didn't even notice.”

“Mother, if you know he has a bad character, why did you invite him to our house?”

“I didn't call him. It was your father who hired him to slaughter the pig. Since the old butcher passed away, he's the only one left in our village. If we didn't called him, we'd have to get someone from another village. Your father said it’s too much trouble, not worth the effort.”

Liu Xianglan finished speaking and glanced at Xu He, who had remained silent the whole time. “How's the cooking coming along? Oh my, it smells rather delicious.”

Seeing the conversation turn to the food, and even her mother praising it, Xu Shaochun couldn't help but say, “Meat dishes are always fragrant, aren't they? Brother He's skills are good, but the flavors are a bit too strong. Mother wants me to learn in this kitchen, but it's a pity the new clothes you had made for me in town are all soaked with the smell.”

“You silly girl! I know you dislike the smoke and fumes, but with so many guests today, we have to show them something”

The mother and daughter chatted for a good before remembering there was still someone else in the kitchen. Turning to Xu He, she said, “He Ger, once the dishes are ready, don't come out later. Setting the table and serving the food will be handled by others. Go back to your room to eat. It's not that Mother doesn't want you out, but many gossipy women from the village came today. They'll probably start comparing you and Shaochun again.”

Xu He didn't even lift his eyelids, just nodded. Whether it was another family's affair or their own, his arrangement was always the same. Village folk rarely had a decent meal all year round. Village families didn't get to eat well often throughout the year. Today, with several meat dishes, he preferred to wait until everyone went out to eat, then fill a large bowl with rice, scoop two big ladles of food, and eat in his room more comfortably.

When Zhang Fangyuan returned from the outhouse, he played a few rounds of dice with the village men. His luck was good; he won several rounds in a row. Those who lost weren't too pleased. Fortunately, the host announced dinner was ready just then, and the dice were cleared from the table.

The men began setting the table in lively chatter began once more.

“This stir-fried pig's liver is so tender—absolutely delicious.”

Chen Si, having had some wine, highly praised the scallion stir-fried liver. Hearing this, all the men at the table eagerly picked up their chopsticks.

“It really is tender. That takes skill.”

At this moment, Liu Xianglan came over upon hearing the praise. Taking the opportunity to refill the wine, she gestured with her chin towards her daughter inside the house. “The child cooked it. She's not very skilled yet. Please don't laugh at her.”

Zhang Fangyuan, who had been eating with his head down, looked up at Liu Xianglan's beaming face. The dish had clearly been cooked by Xu He in the side kitchen just now, so how had it become Xu Shaochun's work once served?

“I've long heard Xu's second daughter was lovely, didn't expect her cooking skills to be so good too. Whoever marries her will be truly blessed.”

Immediately, several women chimed in agreement. Liu Xianglan beamed, exclaiming, “You all just know how to joke.”

Zhang Fangyuan saw through it but said nothing, popping a few pieces of radish into his mouth. This Xu family was quite something. He raised his head and shamelessly called out to Liu Xianglan, “Madam Xu, on such a good day, why not call your daughter and ger out to eat? They've been busy around the stove all morning, yet here they are, still hidden away at this hour?”

“Hahahaha, only Zhang Fangyuan would say something like that straight out.”

The table of men started making fun of Zhang Fangyuan again.

Without waiting for her mother to call her, Xu Shaochun actually walked out in response to the men's banter, gracefully saying she would pour wine for the elders who came to eat. Seeing the rosy-cheeked, delicate and charming young lady walk out, the men at the table stopped their chopsticks mid-air—so filial and capable.

Zhang Fangyuan curled the corner of his mouth. Seizing this moment, he alone piled large chunks of lung slices into his bowl. The Xu family's cooking was excellent, but they were stingy. A large bowl of radish and lung soup had very few meat pieces.

By the time the men at the table tore their eyes away from Xu Shaochun, Zhang Fangyuan had polished off all the meat.

After the meal, as the butcher, Zhang Fangyuan not only received a bowl of pork soup but was also given a piece of pork as payment by the host family.

Xu Changren was quite generous, giving Zhang Fangyuan two jin of pork, half fat, half lean. After taking it, he didn't stay long and was ready to leave.

Those remaining were mostly people interested in the Xu family's second daughter. If he hadn't stumbled upon the Xu children in the side kitchen earlier, witnessing Xu Shaochun's fair complexion, coupled with her mother's boasting, he might have felt some yearning too.

He shook his head. One must observe people more carefully.

Carrying the meat, he didn't go straight home but headed first towards the village hollow.

 

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