Chapter 164: “All-Fish Feast”

By evening, the villagers had drawn water from the river and started cooking by burying their pots in the ground.

A few constables sipped the bland, flavorless chrysanthemum tea handed to them by Yan Lao’er, clicking their tongues in surprise.

“This method of burying pots is exactly the same as in the military. Who taught you this?”

Yan Lao’er thought of his older brother but changed his words at the last moment. “Passed down from the elders, who knows from whom exactly.”

An older constable remarked, “This method works fine in warm weather, but when the ground freezes, you won’t even be able to dig into the soil.”

The constables laughed heartily, as if they’d heard the funniest joke.

Yan Lao’er: …

We’re not that foolish.

“The land measurement will take another full day. We’ll head to Xiqiao Town to rest for the night,” one constable said.

Yan Lao’er tried to persuade them to stay. “Lunch was just something to make do with. At least have a proper dinner here.”

But the constables smiled, shook their heads, and firmly declined.

A group of disaster victims living off relief rations—how could they bring themselves to impose on their hosts for a meal?

“Yan Lao’er, are you going to use bricks and stone for your house?”

Yan Lao’er: “Yeah! I was just worrying about how to get them. Got any tips, big brother?”

“Haha, you asked the right person. Without an introduction, you wouldn’t be able to buy from Tiger’s Quarry. The magistrate has been keeping a close eye on the six forts these past few years, reinforcing their perimeter walls. Every slab of stone that comes out is immediately taken—there’s no extra supply.

But while whole slabs are unavailable, broken-off scraps can still be purchased privately. They actually turn out cheaper than bricks. There’s also a brickyard near Xiqiao, but they don’t produce much. If you want to place an order, you should go early and give them a heads-up.”

“Got it. I’ll head there first thing in the morning,” Yan Lao’er said.

“Just tell them Old Li from the Quick Squad sent you.”

“Thanks, big brother.”

The constables gave him directions to the quarry and brickyard before riding off on horseback.

Yan Lao’er saw them off and hurried back to cook dinner.

He had genuinely wanted the constables to stay for a meal, but they wouldn’t accept.

All the fish that Qi Si had helped catch from the river had already been cleaned by Qi Da’s wife.

Well then, might as well make an “All-Fish Feast” tonight.

Two fish for braising, one for steaming, and one for soup.

As the fragrant rice was being cooked, the delicious aroma made stomachs growl.

Steamed river fish was the quickest to prepare. He scored the fish, salted it for fifteen minutes, stuffed wild ginger slices into its belly, and topped it with some withered wild scallions. Once the water boiled, he steamed it for half an hour.

The wild ginger inside the fish belly shouldn’t go to waste, so he shredded it and sprinkled it over the fish.

Since he only had soy sauce on hand, he drizzled a little over the fish before pouring sizzling hot oil over the scallions and ginger.

For the braised fish, he scored them, rubbed them with salt, and pan-fried them one by one.

Again, wild ginger and wild scallions made their appearance.

What disappointed Yan Lao’er was that he didn’t have any garlic—an unfortunate absence for the braised fish.

Once he poured in soy sauce and vinegar, the fish took on a beautiful color. The pungent aroma of vinegar spread far and wide, making neighbors glance over curiously.

He added water until it just covered the fish, then brought it to a boil.

Yan Lao’er didn’t lower the heat, letting it boil down rapidly.

He had no choice—his brother, sister-in-law, and their three children were already sitting eagerly around the small square table, waiting.

Meanwhile, the last fish, seasoned with salt and pepper, had finished marinating. He rinsed it clean and set it aside to dry.

While waiting, he sprinkled salt over the braised fish, quickly flipped them to let the sauce soak in evenly. Soon, the two fragrant braised fish were ready and plated.

He poured the thick sauce over them.

Together with the steamed fish, they were placed on the Yan family’s small dining table.

Yan Yu served everyone a bowl of rice.

Then they waited obediently.

Yan Lao’er had already washed and wiped the pan clean and started pan-frying the last fish.

Once both sides turned golden brown, he reduced the heat to a simmer.

The fish soup could take its time—slow cooking would bring out the flavor.

By the time Yan Lao’er squeezed into his seat at the table, Old Yan finally spoke.

“Eat.”

The family had been starving. Yan Yu buried her face in her bowl, her chopsticks darting between the steamed and braised fish.

She favored the latter more.

She served rice for her uncle, her father, her mother…

All this busywork, and she even managed to get herself a second helping.

Her older brother and Big Sister Ya didn’t need her help; they refilled their own bowls.

Time passed quickly while eating. Before long, the fish soup was ready.

The milky-white broth filled the last empty spaces in their stomachs.

Devouring four fish in one meal—what a luxury.

Small Dog scooted forward, sniffing desperately.

Madam Cui narrowed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. The Big dog quickly yanked its embarrassing younger sibling back.

Nearby, Doctor Cui slowly chewed his dried meat, sipped his porridge, and nodded thoughtfully.

Madam Cui assumed he was enjoying his meal, but when she got closer, she heard him muttering:

“The fish soup is good. That rascal Yan Lao’er can really cook.”

She thought about Yan Lao’er—always grinning, seemingly careless, yet he took such good care of his wife, always finding ways to make her good food.

But Madam Cui misunderstood. She thought Doctor Cui was complaining about her simple meal.

“You got dried meat, and you’re still not satisfied? You think you’re some kind of king!”

She snatched the remaining dried meat from his hand and shoved it into her mouth, chewing stubbornly. Even though it was tough, she refused to spit it out, puffing her cheeks until she finally swallowed.

Doctor Cui: …

What did I do this time?!

Despite her sharp tongue, Madam Cui had a soft heart. After dinner, she shamelessly brought some dried meat over to Yan Lao’er to barter for fish soup.

Yan Lao’er laughed. “No need for that—there’s still half a pot left. We’re like family, no need to trade. Just take it, Sis.”

After some back-and-forth, Yan Lao’er won and poured a big bowl for the Cui family.

He also shared the rest with their neighbors, the Qi and Luo families.

Later, Madam Cui sent back a piece of ginger in return.

The next day, Qi Da’s wife slipped two wild duck eggs—found in the reeds by the river—to Li Xuemei.

…

Yan Lao’er checked with the others, and aside from his own family, everyone planned to save money by building temporary mud houses for the winter.

Though they could afford brick houses, spending several taels of silver at once felt too extravagant for their frugal minds.

Unexpectedly, the Qi family—who had always struggled—chose to follow Yan Lao’er’s lead and build with bricks and stone.

The three Qi brothers quickly made a decision.

Their mother remained silent, watching her three “foolish” sons use the simplest logic to reach the quickest conclusion.

Qi Da said, “Yan Lao’er says we should start growing vegetables soon.”

Qi Wu added, “We need good wood to frame the house. Yan Lao’er’s house will need some too.”

Qi Si thought seriously, then said, “It’ll take days to make mud bricks. If we’re busy with that, we won’t have time for other things. Better to build the house quickly so we can focus on working with Yan Lao’er.”

Qi Da and Qi Wu found his words convincing.

They could make mud bricks anytime, but they couldn’t afford to miss opportunities with Yan Lao’er.

The three brothers made up their minds and asked their mother for money.

Madam Qi was pleased.

If her three “foolish” sons kept following Yan Lao’er’s lead, she would have nothing to worry about.

She could die in peace, smiling.