The Ji family treated Huo Shu much as they had when he first arrived in the village, though now with far more familiarity and less formality.
Since he was no outsider, Ji Yangzong continued the discussion: "Huo-lang’s willingness to escort the grain with me certainly adds a layer of security. But bandits are vicious—after all, two fists can’t fight off four hands. Relying solely on the village’s able-bodied men still carries great risk."
"If the yamen can’t send men to assist with transporting the grain, the village will have to find its own solution. If anything happens to the grain on the road, the farmers will bear the blame. Taxes have risen year after year, yet harvests haven’t improved. Collecting this year’s taxes was hard enough, if they’re lost, making up the difference will be impossible."
Huo Shu said, "If the bandits are active within the prefecture, the government can only suppress the news for so long. Sooner or later, every village under Tongzhou will face the same threat."
"If the prefecture’s manpower is insufficient, why not have neighboring villages assist each other? Gather the able-bodied men from several villages and take turns escorting the grain into the city."
"That’s an excellent idea! I’ll privately discuss it with the heads of the nearby villages."
Ji Yangzong’s eyes lit up, and Huang Yinsheng also nodded approvingly, stroking his beard: "Then let’s wait for now. Don’t rush to send the grain out, being scolded for a delay is better than losing the shipment."
"The village must also stay vigilant. Tell the families near the entrance to keep an eye out for strangers. If anything seems amiss, they should report it immediately."
Seeing that Huo Shu had arrived, Ji Taoyu and Huang Manjing went into the kitchen to prepare the meal, leaving the three men to continue their discussion.
With a plan in place, Ji Yangzong and Huang Yinsheng’s tones grew lighter. After settling the matter, they circled back to the You family affair, taking the opportunity to express their gratitude to Huo Shu.
"I truly never expected the You family to be so petty. Calling off the engagement was a mutual decision, not one family unilaterally breaking the betrothal. Yet they still tried to harm Xiao Taozi, using the situation to suppress the Ji family. Their methods are truly disgraceful."
"If it weren't for Huo-lang's help, we might have been at a loss, letting the You family have their way. The debt our Ji family owes Huo-lang is beyond repayment."
Ji Yangzong spoke as he poured Huo Shu another cup of tea.
Huo Shu was not the kind to demand repayment for favors. From the start, he hadn’t acted to curry favor with the Ji family or gain anything, he had simply done it to protect those he wanted to protect.
Even if the Ji family had promised Ji Taoyu to someone else, he would have done the same.
"Neighbors in the same village ought to help each other. The village head need not feel uneasy."
Hearing this, Ji Yangzong felt relieved. Seeing that Huo Shu didn’t use this matter to bring up Ji Taoyu made his impression of Huo Shu rise even higher.
As they spoke, the aroma of stir-fried meat wafted from the kitchen. Ji Yangzong and Huang Yinsheng dropped the unpleasant topic and invited Huo Shu into the main hall for dinner.
They shifted the conversation to ask how Huo Shu had been faring learning his craft under Butcher Qiao these days and which family had slaughtered pigs that day, and so on.
Before long, a table full of dishes was brought out one after another: vermicelli stewed with black-bone chicken, ginger-shredded stir-fried duck, steamed cured meats, radish stewed with pig’s trotters… Large and small dishes covered the table, steaming hot and fragrant, the spread almost as lavish as a New Year’s feast.
"These prawns were bought fresh from the village pond today. Dip them in Sifufang’s aged vinegar, they’re sweet and fragrant. Huo-lang, have a few more."
Ji Taoyu sat beside Huang Manjing, one seat away from Huo Shu. Hearing his father’s words, he nodded eagerly in agreement:
"This batch of prawns is plump, they must be sweet."
Huang Yinsheng noticed Ji Taoyu's eyes lighting up at the sight of the bright red prawns and chuckled. "No need for formalities among familiar faces. Let’s start eating."
To express his gratitude, Ji Yangzong even brought out a jar of his treasured liquor.
Huo Shu wasn’t one for drinking games, he simply drank when poured. Seeing his straightforwardness, Ji Yangzong grew even more enthusiastic.
Ji Taoyu, watching his family fall back into their endless drinking routine, quietly picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to the richly stewed chicken wings, then the tender spicy duck.
The cured meats were rare treats too - smoked pork liver and heart, organs that wealthier families might scorn. But salted, cured with cypress smoke, washed clean, steamed, and thinly sliced, they weren’t the least bit gamey, instead full of flavor.
Their family only prepared such cured meats during the New Year pig slaughter. Salt was expensive, and cured meats were costly, so they weren’t often served to guests.
There were also chewy fresh pig’s trotters, not a single dish on the table failed to tempt him. Though he looked slender, Ji Taoyu had a voracious appetite, eating everything yet never seeming to gain weight.
Huo Shu also found the good food and drink quite satisfying.
Especially when he saw Ji Taoyu, in the comfort of his family, casting aside formalities, rolling up his sleeves slightly.
Holding two large prawns, he deftly twisted off the heads, peeled the shells, and dipped the plump meat in vinegar before popping it into his mouth, cheeks puffing with satisfaction—a sight that brought a faint smile to Huo Shu’s eyes.
Huo Shu ate well this meal, after all, opportunities to enjoy the Ji family’s cooking were rare. So far, he’d only eaten it twice.
Just as the family was enjoying this harmonious moment, an unwelcome guest arrived.
"Right at mealtime,she sure knows how to pick her timing. Is she here to freeload?"
Thanks for the update!!!
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