Dashu's wife was deeply moved as she patted Chen Xiaosang's head. "We're healthy, love, there's no need for chicken."
Xiaosang always cared about her, unlike the two energetic son, Dazhu and Erzhu!
Unhappy, Chen Xiaosang pouted, "We're family. We should all share the meat."
Her two sons never said such sweet things!
Dashu's wife found it hard to say no to Chen Xiaosang. But spending thirty coins was a lot. She gently said, "All our money is handled by Mother. I'm not sure where she's off picking flowers. We doesn't have any money to give to Dalang."
" I've already told Brother Dalang that I'll return the money to him after we sell our Tianma," Chen Xiaosang said happily."
Was there any other option for Shen Dalang except to nod?
Unable to find any excuses, Dashu's wife had to accept the basket with a resigned sigh.
Once Shen Dalang left, Chen Xiaosang took out four pieces of Tianma, instructing Dashu's wife to clean and soak them in clear water. She also enlisted Erzhu and Sanzhu to help pluck the hairs from the pig's head.
The last time Old Chen came back, he had told them about the Tianma. Dashu's wife saw the Tianma as valuable as a pile of copper coins, and she smiled as she prepared the honeysuckles.
When she turned around and saw Xiaosang squatting on the ground plucking the pig's hair, her heart ached again.
Thirty coins for a tasteless pig's head and tail. Her sister-in-law didn't yet understand how hard it was to earn money.
Chen Xiaosang, Erzhu and Sanzhu understood it was hard to earn money.
They were young and energetic, but they had to sit for two hours before they could move.
Chen Xiaosang collected spices like star anise from her leftover medicine.
She asked Dashu's wife to cut the meat from the pig's head and cook it with the spices.
Dashu's wife looked at the meat sadly. She planned to take out the meat and cook it again once Xiaosang left. But Xiaosang kept watching until the smell of the meat filled the room, making her hungry.
The next morning, Old Chen soaked the hemp in the pond. He borrowed a cart from the village chief, put all the grain for the summer tax on it, and also borrowed some wheat. With Chen Wushu, he headed to town.
Seeing Chen Xiaosang on the cart with a big wooden bucket, Old Chen shook his head.
His daughter was up early and getting harder to please.
Chen Xiaosang noticed more people on the road today. They seemed to be going to pay the summer tax.
With more people, it took longer to get to town. When they reached the dock, the sky was starting to get light.
Shishu sniffed the air, curious. "What's that delicious smell?"
Chen Xiaosang lifted the cloth from the wooden bucket and handed each of her brothers a piece of succulent braised meat.
They almost swallowed their tongues, it was that delicious.
The aroma of the meat wafted around, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Their mouths watered.
A crowd started to form, slowly gathering around them.
Seeing this, the five Chen brothers quickly circled the cart, vigilantly watching everyone.
The crowd, seeing the outnumbered brothers, hesitated to approach.
Yet, the enticing fragrance kept wafting into their noses, making them swallow their saliva.
Seizing the moment, Chen Xiaosang stood on the cart and called out to the people nearby, "Braised meat here! Three pieces for just one coin!"
Everyone was already looking in their direction, and her clear voice made sure they all heard the offer.
Those carrying heavy loads at the dock, surviving on stale dry food with no luxurious oils in their diet, couldn't resist the smell of the meat. And the price seemed reasonable too, stirring their interest.
The first to approach them was a skinny young man. He gulped and asked, "How big are the pieces?"
Chen Xiaosang bent down, picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and showed him, "See, it's quite big and so fragrant. It's juicy too. Would you like to buy three pieces?"
Unable to resist, the young man snatched the meat and stuffed it into his mouth.
So flavorful! So juicy! It was delicious!
Even better than his mother's stew!
Chen Dashu quickly grabbed Chen Xiaosang and stood in front of the young man.
Old Chen swiftly scooped Chen Xiaosang into his arms. Looking around, he noticed people from not far off already rushing over.
The men of the Chen family tensed up. Dashu had already gripped the cart's handle, ready to defend.
Chen Xiaosang peeped out from Old Chen's arms, extending her hand to the young man with a bright smile, "Sir, you owe me a penny."
Without a second thought, the young man fished out two pennies and slapped them into Chen Xiaosang's palm, "Give me five more pieces!"
He'd eat the meat first and earn a couple more pennies once the day began.
Chen Xiaosang tugged at Old Chen's arm, "Dad, quickly give this gentleman five pieces of meat. Pick the biggest ones."
Old Chen was taken aback but quickly nodded. He fumbled in the dark, picked out five large pieces of meat, placed them in a bowl, and handed it to the young man. The young man grabbed the bowl and moved away to enjoy his meal.
Chen Xiaosang pushed herself up in her father's arms until she felt tall enough. Clinging to her father's neck, she shouted to the oncoming crowd, "For just one coin, you can enjoy a piece of meat! Those who want to buy, please line up."
But they didn't seem to be lining up to buy; they looked more like they were there to snatch the meat!
Dashu moved to the front, ready to defend their goods with his carrying pole. A middle-aged man at the front stopped him, grabbing his hand and slipping a copper coin into it. "I was here first, sell me three pieces first!" he urged.
The five brothers stood frozen in surprise.
"Why are you pushing from behind? I've already paid. You should sell the meat to me first!"
"Didn't you hear the little girl? She said to line up! Go to the back!"
"Stop pushing! If you knock over the meat, no one will be able to eat!"
The crowd kept growing, with people shoving each other, but no one dared to snatch.
The Chen brothers were baffled, and so was their father, Old Chen.
Chen Xiaosang slid down from her father's arms and clambered back onto the cart. Hands on her hips, she called out to the jostling crowd, "Uncles, brothers, stop pushing! We need to line up nicely."
Everyone realized that if they continued pushing, no one would get to eat. Someone stepped in to calm the crowd, reminding them that it wasn't right to lose their manners. Gradually, people started to form an orderly line.
In the blink of an eye, the queue was arranged.
The middle-aged man at the front gently nudged Dashu. "Young man, I've paid. Could I have my meat now?"
Dashu quickly complied, selecting three pieces of meat and placing them in a bowl. The man was about to leave when he was stopped by a youthful voice, "We're also selling radish bone soup. It's really tasty with dry biscuits."
The man paused, then asked, "How much?"
"One coin for a big bowl," Chen Xiaosang responded, holding up a small finger.
The man shook his head, unwilling to part with another coin, and left with his meat.
Chen Xiaosang looked at the large pot of radish bone soup, her heart sinking. She knew her soup was delicious, so why didn't the man want to buy it?
Upon reflection, she realized it made sense. Given the choice between three pieces of substantial meat and a bowl of soup, both costing one coin, people would naturally choose the meat.