Chapter 116: Think It Over Before You Speak, Golden Crispy Roast Suckling Pig

From a distance, the smokestacks of the Tuanjie Brick Factory spewed thick black smoke, a clear indication of poor temperature control. When Lin Heng arrived at the brick factory, it was just past seven, and the workers were already busy.

Some were sifting earth, others mixing clay and pressing bricks. It was a small brick factory, and the owner was working alongside the employees.

Lin Heng’s arrival quickly caught the owner’s attention.

“Here to buy something this time? How did those ceramic tiles from last time work out for you?” the brick factory owner asked with a smile.

“Boss Wang, I’m here to discuss some business. Can we talk in private?” Lin Heng smiled back.

“Sure, come with me,” Wang Jie nodded and led Lin Heng to his tea-drinking area.

Pouring a cup of tea for Lin Heng, he smiled and said, “What business do you want to discuss? Just say it.”

Lin Heng took a sip of the tea and replied with a smile, “Boss Wang, your brick factory has been running for one or two years, but it’s still this small.”

Wang Jie was taken aback, unsure of Lin Heng’s intention. He nodded with a bitter smile, “Small business, not much we can do.”

Lin Heng chuckled, “With the national economy booming, especially the construction industry, skyscrapers rising from the ground, there’s a huge demand for red bricks everywhere. If you play your cards right, your business could earn you millions annually in a few years.

I heard a new town office building and school renovations are planned. Many people want to build homes now that they have the money. Opportunities are abundant.”

“I’ve heard those too, but they don’t concern me. All the lucrative deals are taken by those with connections,” Wang Jie shook his head.

“Actually, there’s another reason, which you probably realize as well. Your bricks aren’t up to the standards needed for big contracts. As a small workshop, you can only sell to ordinary folks. Am I right?” Lin Heng continued.

“Lin Heng, my young friend, what exactly are you here for today?” Wang Jie realized Lin Heng wasn’t here to buy bricks but something else.

“Do you agree that technology is a form of wealth?” Lin Heng asked.

Wang Jie nodded, “Absolutely, technology is definitely wealth. Just say what you came to say, stop beating around the bush.”

Wang Jie was starting to get impatient.

“I have a plan for brick factory management and technical adjustments here. Take a look at it first, and if you find it useful, we can talk,” Lin Heng said, handing over two pages of paper from his pocket.

This was what he had written the previous afternoon, detailing how to evolve from a small workshop to a large brick factory, how to manage talent, which techniques needed adjusting, how to secure orders, and improvements in brick-making technology.

He had identified the root problems within Wang’s brick factory, offering specific blueprint adjustments, and providing details on kiln temperature control. Other finer points were intentionally omitted.

He also laid out a grand vision: how much profits could increase after implementing these upgrades, future development, and business expansion.

Initially dismissive, Wang Jie grew increasingly engrossed, envisioning a substantial cake ready for the taking.

Lin Heng sipped his tea calmly, remaining unperturbed.

Ten minutes later, Wang Jie looked up, his previous impatience replaced with a flattering smile, “Was this really written by you?”

He found it hard to believe a young man from the countryside could draft such a plan.

Lin Heng smiled, “The author isn’t what matters. Do you think the plan is useful?”

Wang Jie nodded repeatedly, “It’s useful, very useful. But many areas are left incomplete; it only outlines the basics.”

“So, what do you think it’s worth when fully filled out?” Lin Heng asked with a smile.

Wang Jie considered the question, glanced at Lin Heng, and then smiled as he suggested, “Five hundred?”

“Hahaha, looks like Boss Wang hasn’t grasped the future trends. Opportunities won’t wait,” Lin Heng laughed, shaking his head. “Forget I was here. Maybe we’ll meet again.”

With that, he stood up and began to leave.

“Hey, hey, young man, don’t leave. We can talk about this, it’s all negotiable,” Wang Jie hurriedly tried to stop Lin Heng.

“Boss Wang, take a good look at this when you get the chance. Think it over and let me know,” Lin Heng said, shaking his head and gently removing Wang’s hand before turning to leave.

Wang Jie watched him go, feeling helpless, then returned to the documents to ponder deeply.

…

…

“How much is a bag of this lime?” Lin Heng asked at a construction supply shop.

“This is a 20-jin bag, four yuan each,” the owner said.

“Do you have thick waterproof film and 30-diameter plastic pipes?” Lin Heng asked further.

“No, if you need it, place an order and pick it up in five days,” the owner replied, shaking his head.

“Then I’ll take two bags of lime,” Lin Heng said, pulling out eight yuan as he spoke.

After buying the lime, he got a few White Rabbit milk candies for his daughter before heading home with his purchases.

Knowing some items for the fish pond weren’t available in the town, he planned to rent a tractor in a few days to buy everything needed from the city at once.

For now, just the lime would suffice; he already had measuring tools and such from building the house.

When Lin Heng returned home, the sun had just reached its zenith, and Xiulan was surprised to see him, “Why are you back so soon?”

“I missed you,” Lin Heng replied with a smile.

“Always cracking jokes,” Xiulan retorted, rolling her eyes.

“I had a discussion, but whether it works out depends on tomorrow,” Lin Heng explained, shaking his head.

Initially, Lin Heng planned to wait until the Tuanjie Brick Factory was near collapse and then take over, but he changed his strategy.

He intended to use the brick-firing technology he knew to take a stake in the factory and earn some funds.

With that money, he’d buy more Sanghuang mushrooms to stockpile, and once they were in high demand, use those profits to open a Acquisition Station, generating income to build fish ponds.

Xiulan nodded, adding, “It’s good you’re back. Take a rest, then ask your brother to help deal with the little wild boar. Its wound got worse. If we don’t take care of it, it’ll be wasted.”

“Alright,” Lin Heng agreed, setting down his things and taking the water Xiulan handed him before resting for a while.

“Is our daughter asleep?” Lin Heng wondered, noting Xiaoxia’s absence.

“Yes, I spanked her a bit this morning for playing in the river dam and she cried. Not finding her dad to complain to, she cried herself to sleep,” Xiulan laughed, recounting the incident.

Lin Heng chuckled at the thought, imagining his daughter crying and searching for him.

He stepped inside to check on his precious daughter, who slept soundly on her little bed, clutching her bedsheet with a hint of grievance lingering on her face.

Not disturbing her rest, Lin Heng guessed she played in the water probably to catch fish for the golden-striped kitten, Jinbao.

Of course, she might have just been having fun and ended up wetting her clothes.

Turning away, Lin Heng went out to the yard to inspect the piglet, noticing the wounds on its neck were indeed festering.

The forest musk deer nearby was in good condition, though, looking warily at him and spitting out the half-chewed grass.

“Xiulan, boil some water while I call for help,” Lin Heng instructed, heading out to gather his dad and brother.

During the midday break, both were resting at home and went along.

“Can’t we save it?” Father Lin asked, slightly reluctant.

“Not sure. Rather than wait for it to die, we should butcher it now to enjoy it fresh,” Lin Heng reasoned.

“Indeed, makes sense to use it early,” Brother Lin Yue concurred.

“Let’s go ahead and eat it,” Father Lin agreed.

Returning home, Lin Heng told them, “Dad, Brother, help with the butchering while I fetch something.”

With that, he dashed off with a knife, leaving Father Lin and Lin Yue to handle the task. They dragged the piglet onto a bench and bled it swiftly.

“Aw-aw!!”

With a couple of cries, the piglet breathed its last. Pig blood collected in a small basin, while Xiongba wagged its tail, licking the blood off the stone.

“Fast work!” Lin Heng observed, returning with cut bamboo to find them already scalding the pig.

“Planning to roast it by the river with a waterwheel?” Father Lin recognized his intent immediately.

“Yep, the waterwheel means no manual turning, so tonight you can taste honey crispy roast suckling pig,” Lin Heng chuckled.

“Looking forward to seeing how you do it,” Father Lin smiled.

“Never had roast suckling pig before; it’s quite a treat,” Lin Yue added, grinning.

“Rest assured, you’ll love it,” Lin Heng assured with a smile.

Setting the bamboo aside, Lin Heng went inside to get spices: cumin, peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, black pepper, peanuts, and sesame seeds, asking his wife to stir-fry and grind them for dipping sauce.

While Father Lin and Lin Yue scalded the pig, Lin Heng crafted the waterwheel—using more precise tools this time than his makeshift version in the mountains.

By the time he finished, the pig was cleaned and gutted.

“This pig isn’t small, dressed weight at thirteen jin,” Father Lin noted after weighing it with a smile.

“Young pigs don’t have much in their intestines, completely normal,” Lin Yue said, taking a sip of water before looking at Lin Heng, “Little bro, what’s next?”

“I’ll marinate it,” Lin Heng took the pig into a large basin, using a metal skewer to poke holes so the flavor penetrated.

Then, he added green onion and ginger water, white wine, soy sauce, salt, and Sichuan pepper powder, massaging the marinade into every part of the pig.

“Since it’s done, I’ll head back,” Father Lin stated once the task was completed.

“Dad, can you gather some charcoal? I’ll come get it later; we’re having crispy roast suckling pig for dinner,” Lin Heng said with a smile.

He kept his brother to help carry things later on.

After resting an hour, Lin Heng prepared oil, honey, and vinegar for grilling, strapping the marinated piglet to the waterwheel’s central shaft.

“Let’s go, brother, time to set off,” Lin Heng announced, carrying the supplies and holding a small fishing rod with a grin.

“All set,” Lin Yue grinned back, hefting the trussed pig as he joined Lin Heng to leave.

On the way, they picked up a bag of charcoal from the old house; here, every winter, families made their own charcoal, ensuring no household lacked it.

“Roasting that wild piglet you butchered?”

Passing by the Yang family, Yang Zhaotao and Li Caifeng widened their eyes.

“It was injured by the dog, couldn’t make it, so now we’re roasting it,” Lin Heng casually explained as they continued on.

“Such a feast, a roasting suckling pig,” Li Caifeng remarked as they watched them walk off, involuntarily swallowing at the thought.

With no intention to show off, Lin Heng and his brother took a side path to the river, avoiding the village center.

Reaching Shiban River, they placed the piglet down and started a fire by the riverbank, igniting the charcoal.

After positioning the wooden fork and placing the roast suckling pig on it, Lin Heng noted, “We need to redirect the water. The pig’s too heavy, calm flow can’t spin it.”

Both pulled off their shoes, diverting the water with stones, allowing most of it to flow over the waterwheel.

“Great! It’s working,” Lin Yue laughed happily.

“Indeed, now it’s turning like a charm,” Lin Heng agreed, watching the wheel spin faster. He used a bowl to brush oil onto the pig, followed by honey.

With the charcoal glowing beneath, the suckling pig roasted as they adjusted the height—now it needed only periodic oil and honey basting, eliminates constant monitoring.

“All done, I’ll head back for now; drop by for dinner later,” Lin Yue said, smiling.

“Alright,” Lin Heng nodded, baiting his hook with a worm and fishing for creek rock carp in the lower pool.

Within moments, a creek carp was caught, which he placed in a water hole to keep fresh.

Big fish weren’t biting, but creek carp were easy; the hook barely hit water before getting bites.

Last time a large watersnake and inadequate equipment were to blame, not his fishing skill.

By now, it was past three, not too sunny, with people sporadically arriving at the riverbanks to wash clothes. Lin Heng heard chatter from the fields above but paid no mind.

Before long, a few women descended to the waterside with clothes near where Lin Heng fished downstream.

Noticing their glances, Lin Heng acknowledged but continued fishing, vaguely recognizing one as Aunt Li Ping, while others were unfamiliar, and he carried on.

“Wow, Lin Heng, is that a pig you’re roasting here?”

Lin Heng remained unfazed, but the women weren’t as calm—eating meat was one thing, but seeing a whole suckling pig roasting riverside indicated significant wealth.

Enticed by the savory aroma, several gulped involuntarily.

Eyeing the gleaming pig skin, Li Ping’s eyes glistened enviously.

She had heard about Lin Heng’s recent game: a big wild boar, two piglets, and a forest musk deer—luck, it seemed, was in his favor.

“A wild piglet injured when caught, can’t keep it fresh in summer, so roasting’s the only way,” Lin Heng explained with a grin.

“Your barbeque smells so good, makes it hard to wash clothes. Why not share with us poor folk?” someone jested.

“You’re all tucking away piles of cash, hardly poor folk,” Lin Heng joked back.

Conversations died down quickly—glancing back at their tasks, they washed and left promptly, unable to endure the tantalizing scent.

Especially with none of that at home. It wasn’t just no roast—some hadn’t even tasted salted pork for weeks.

Of them, Aunt Li Ping felt it most acutely—had things been civil with Lin Heng’s family, she could’ve joined in.

She knew Lin Heng often shared his game with his third uncle, contrasting with her household then bereft of even a morsel.

Her regret intertwined with resentment, unable to fathom how Lin Heng could still indulge after buying over a thousand yuan’s worth of Sanghuang mushrooms.

Moreover, even after a month, Sanghuang hadn’t surged in price; Lin Heng’s apparent calm mystified her.

A while into fishing, Lin Heng revisited the roasting pig, brushed more oil, then returned to fish.

“Daddy!!”

Around four or five o’clock, Xiulan arrived with their daughter and Xiongba. Spotting Lin Heng, Xiaoxia called out from a distance.

“Come here, Daddy’s got you,” Lin Heng said, stretching his arms to catch her.

“Daddy, Mommy scolded me today!” she complained the moment she settled in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder, avoiding her mother’s gaze.

“Come here, you need another spanking for tattling,” Xiulan jested, feigning a spanking gesture.

“Daddy, daddy, save me, she’ll hurt me, and then…then you’ll have no daughter left.”

In fright, Xiaoxia clung to Lin Heng’s neck.

Lin Heng chuckled, shielding her, “Don’t worry, Daddy’s got you. No bad woman’s going to hit you.”

Beneath her father’s protection, Xiaoxia pointed to Xiulan, whispering, “Mommy is a bad woman if she hits, not if she doesn’t.”

Xiulan chuckled, pinching her cheek, “Mess around in water again and get wet, and you’ll get spanked.”

“Don’t spank; you’ll… you’ll break my bottom, then you won’t have a daughter,” Xiaoxia pled softly from her safe spot.

“Promise you won’t wet your clothes again, and Mommy won’t spank you,” Lin Heng negotiated to the little girl.

“Won’t do it, won’t,” Xiaoxia vehemently shook her head, protectively cupping her rear.

Glancing at their daughter, Xiulan conceded, “The moment she woke, she was off to find you—couldn’t keep her.”

“Take a break yourself; chores never end,” Lin Heng encouraged.

“Is it ready yet?” Xiulan checked on the golden-brown pig.

“Not yet, still needs an hour or two for the inside to cook. Brush it with more honey, would you?”

Lin Heng replied, explaining the pig was still sizzling with juices, requiring honey every so often.

“Alright,” Xiulan attended to the task.

“Daddy, what’s that?” Xiaoxia inquired, pointing at the roasting pig.

“That’s a piggy; we’ll eat piggy tonight,” Lin Heng replied with a smile.

“Piggy, roast piggy! I want roast piggy!” Xiaoxia waved her small hand, full of joy.

Afterwards, Lin Heng set Xiaoxia down, helping her try fishing. Seeing his success, she wanted to try.

But being too little, a rod too complex for her, and her efforts came up empty, frustrating her, leading her to a stone she tossed, “Hit you—”

Splashing the stone into the water, she laughed at the splashes she made.

Though fishing remained a mystery, she mastered the angler’s tantrum without a lesson.

“Here, have another,” Lin Heng offered another little stone to her.

Content with tossing stones, her laughter rang uninterrupted.

The family of three enjoyed their time by the riverside, attracting envious glances from passersby.

No matter his earlier reputation, people’s opinions in the village had changed unanimously, envying him for what he became.

By dusk, around seven, the suckling pig was fully roasted. Lin Heng instructed Xiulan to brush vinegar on it once more before giving it a final roast.

“Smells amazing, brother. It looks so delicious,” Caiyun offered to help carry things. Upon seeing the golden-crusted pig, she swallowed visibly.

“It’s ready, let’s take it home and dig in,” Lin Heng grinned.

“Sure!” Caiyun licked her lips, leading with the roast suckling pig while Lin Heng carried his daughter in the middle and Xiulan followed with the gear.

On the way back, they encountered many who couldn’t help but swallow, the golden crispy roast suckling pig radiating envy among the onlookers.

(End of Chapter)