The cart moved swiftly, entering the city and turning onto West Street, passing under an archway before stopping at the mouth of Zhenlu Alley.
The Qiao family’s shop stood right at the intersection, its sign reading "Qiao’s Fresh Meat."
Huo Shu jumped down from the cart. A lean, pale-faced young man immediately hurried over from the shop’s steps.
"Master," he greeted Butcher Qiao respectfully before turning to Huo Shu with a hesitant nod. "Brother Huo."
This was Fang He, the other apprentice Butcher Qiao had kept. He’d learned yesterday that this stern-faced young man wasn’t from Mingxun Village—likely having traveled from his own home, though no one knew how long he’d waited.
Huo Shu nodded back in acknowledgment. While Butcher Qiao unlocked the shop, he moved to the cart, hoisting two halves of pork onto his shoulders - one on each side, and carried them inside as soon as the door opened.
"Just set them on the chopping block."
Butcher Qiao glanced at Huo Shu. Though the man always wore a solemn expression, he wasn’t arrogant. He noticed work that needed doing and did it willingly, a trait the butcher appreciated.
Turning back to organize the meat, he saw Fang He attempting to mimic Huo Shu by carrying two halves at once, only to nearly throw out his back and drop them.
Luckily, he gave up and settled for carrying half a sheep instead.
"Take your time," Butcher Qiao muttered.
If not for the fact that this kid had been the only one brave enough to wield the knife yesterday, he’d never have chosen the skinniest apprentice.
Between the three of them, the meat was all moved inside in two trips.
The Qiao family’s shop wasn’t large. Unlike many storefronts that doubled as residences, this was purely a place of business, but its prime location ensured steady foot traffic.
The interior was simple: two long chopping blocks against one wall, with numerous meat hooks hanging above.
When open for business, the butcher would carve whole sides of meat into neat cuts - ribs, belly, tenderloin, and hang them on the hooks for customers to browse.
"Usually, we start with half a carcass. Once it’s mostly sold, we open the other half to prevent spoilage. In cooler weather like this, it’s manageable, but in the heat of summer, meat turns fast. We never sell spoiled product."
Butcher Qiao wiped down the hooks while explaining, demonstrating how to break down a side of pork for his apprentices.
"Different animals might seem varied, but they’re all just heads and four legs. Learn one, and the rest follow the same logic."
"Watch closely. First, remove the tenderloin beneath the spine. Then sever at the second joint, this smaller section stays whole as the hind leg."
"Next, slice along the spine to separate the ribs. The belly becomes pork belly, cut twice, leaving the front leg. Remove the front shank, split the meat, and extract the blade bone..."
As he spoke, Butcher Qiao’s hands moved with practiced ease. In just a few sentences, half a pig was neatly portioned.
"This skill isn’t exactly simple, but it’s not overly difficult either. It’s just meat and a knife, anyone can cut it. The difference lies in speed and precision, in keeping the cuts clean and presentable."
Poor knife work could ruin good meat, making it less appealing to buyers and lowering its value. That was where true craftsmanship came in.
"Don’t expect to master this today. Just observe. Clumsy hands can improve with practice, but your eyes must learn first before your hands can follow."
Fang He was already awestruck by the butcher’s flawless technique. "Master, this level of skill must’ve taken a decade to perfect! It’s incredible."
"Save the flattery. It won’t work on me."
Butcher Qiao pierced the portioned meat. "Hang these on the hooks."
Without a word, Huo Shu arranged the pork and mutton on their respective chopping blocks.
After nearly an hour of preparation, the shop officially opened.
Butcher Qiao bellowed from the doorway: "Fresh meat! Fresh pork and mutton!"
His voice boomed louder than any breakfast vendor’s.
Fang He joined in, calling out to passersby to come browse.
Huo Shu, however, remained planted by the chopping block. He would do any task - except hawk wares. That was beyond him.
The Qiao shop had been around long enough that locals knew it well. After being closed for days, its reopening drew a steady stream of customers.
"These two lads are new faces. Hiring help, Master Qiao?"
"New apprentices. Still rough around the edges, go easy on them." The butcher grinned. "The usual? Two pounds of pork belly?"
"Ah, yes, the belly."
A woman with a basket eyed Huo Shu. "Two strapping young men, you’ve got an eye for talent, Master Qiao."
Butcher Qiao chuckled. "We’ll see if they pan out."
"Master Qiao, you’ve been closed for days!"
"Oh! You’ve got mutton today!"
"Any pork hind legs left? Pick one out for me."
Within fifteen minutes, the shop was bustling. Not all were buyers, some just came to chat or gawk. Such was the rhythm of morning markets.
Butcher Qiao was kept busy, juggling conversations and knife work.
Fang He proved quick-witted, assisting with customer service and easing the butcher’s load, though the weighing and cutting still fell to the master.
"Hey! I’ve asked three times about the mutton! Are you selling it or not?"
With two types of meat and a crowd, Butcher Qiao was stretched thin.
Pork, being cheaper, was the people’s choice. Mutton, though superior, cost more and attracted fewer buyers, so the butcher focused on the pork station.
Huo Shu stood to the side. Customers took one look at his grim demeanor and veered toward Fang He instead.
Noticing Butcher Qiao swamped with pork orders, Huo Shu moved to the mutton station. "How much do you want?"
The impatient man glanced up, and immediately lowered his eyes, clearing his throat. His tone softened considerably.
"Uh... give me half a rack of ribs."
Huo Shu retrieved an uncut side of mutton from beneath the block.
Butcher Qiao glanced over, about to say he’d handle it shortly—when Huo Shu’s blade flashed.
With one smooth motion, he severed the hind leg at the joint, then cleanly extracted the rib section.
The butcher’s eyebrows rose. This kid learned frighteningly fast.
Shutting his mouth, he turned back to his own work.
Thanks for the update!!!!!
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