With no post stations or inns in this area, and wanting to ensure everyone was well-rested to cross into Yuchang Prefecture the next day, Huo Shu found a flat spot near a river in the afternoon to set up camp.
This was the first time everyone had spent the night outdoors after being away from home for so long. Once they reached the sparsely populated Yuchang Prefecture, camping outside would become a regular occurrence, so it was good to get familiar with it in advance.
Everyone divided the tasks—some set up the tents, two went together to gather firewood, and others had to keep watch over the goods and livestock.
Ji Taoyu took on the responsibility of cooking dinner for everyone.
Ji Wenliang brought out the pots, pans, and utensils prepared before the trip and built a stove with stones.
"Brother Taoyu, what should we make?"
"We have a long journey tomorrow, so we must eat well tonight to keep our strength up."
Ji Taoyu took out a piece of cured smoked meat, along with some dried cabbage, radishes, and string beans, soaking them in cold water from the river.
Though the ingredients were quite varied, they were all dried or preserved. It would’ve been even better if there were fresh vegetables.
Fortunately, it was now early spring, and everything was growing—the perfect season for digging up fresh wild greens.
The area around their camp was damp, with plenty of water celery and shepherd’s purse growing.
He took a small sickle and, while waiting for those who had gone to gather firewood, dug up a good amount of fresh, tender water celery and shepherd’s purse with Ji Wenliang.
Later, the water celery would be chopped and stir-fried with fatty cured meat, while the shepherd’s purse would be used to make porridge—nothing could be more delicious.
"There’s so much water celery and shepherd’s purse here, it’s even easier to gather than in our village."
Ji Wenliang squatted by the river, cutting water celery with his sickle: "Every year when spring comes, no family’s table is without a plate of wild greens."
Wild greens were only available in spring. The wealthy and noble, with their refined tastes, sought to savor the flavors of the season.
For ordinary farming families, it was simply practical—wild greens were free, tasted unique, and could be gathered themselves, making them a rare bargain.
Because of this, wild greens always had a market in spring. They could be eaten or sold, so any woman or ger with free time would go digging for them.
They knew every hillside and hollow where wild greens could be found.
"Maybe not many people come here, so the wild greens haven’t been picked yet."
Ji Taoyu said, "Let’s gather as much as we can. If we don’t finish them today, we can take them on the road and eat them when we camp tomorrow."
"Brother Taoyu really knows how to manage things."
As they spoke, a loud splash erupted from the river, sending up a huge spray of water.
Ji Taoyu jumped in fright. When he looked over, a grass carp landed with a thud at his feet.
Huo Shu emerged from the river: "Adding another dish for the master."
Ji Wenliang grabbed the fish, which had been stunned senseless on the cobblestones and weighed at least two or three catties. He looked at Huo Shu in the river with admiration: "Brother-in-law, you’re amazing!"
Ji Taoyu wiped his face, looking at Huo Shu, who was dripping wet. "Aren’t you afraid of catching a chill?"
"Some fish soup should warm me up just fine."
Ji Taoyu said, "A two-catty fish isn’t enough for a dozen people to each get a bite. Since you’re already in the water, why not see if you can find more?"
Huo Shu didn’t respond, he simply dove back into the river.
Ji Wenliang happily cleaned the fish by the riverbank while Ji Taoyu gathered more wild greens. But the people who had gone to collect firewood still hadn’t returned.
Seeing that the tents were already set up, Ji Taoyu worried they wouldn’t be able to start a fire soon. Huo Shu, who had been fishing in the river, was soaked through, and if he didn’t dry off, he might catch a cold.
Just as he was about to send someone to look for them, they returned.
"We brought back some easy-to-burn firewood first. I’ll make another trip later. There are big logs over there that’ll burn longer and can turn into charcoal for the night."
Ji Taoyu looked at the man who had returned and asked, "Weren’t two people supposed to gather firewood? Why are you alone?"
"Tian Fu and I went together, but we ran into an old man on the way—he seemed sick, dazed and slumped by the roadside. It’s getting dark, and it seemed pitiful to leave him. He said he was from a nearby village."
"Tian Fu carried him back. Once we get close to the village, we can just call out, and the old man can make his own way home—better than leaving him out here."
Ji Taoyu nodded. It was only right for the young and strong to help the elderly and weak, especially since they weren’t in a hurry.
"Alright, then I’ll start cooking."
Ji Taoyu cooked some rice and washed the cured meat with hot water.
With fish, meat, and vegetables on hand, Ji Taoyu cut the fatty cured meat into chunks. Salted and smoked over pinewood, the meat was rich and savory—perfect for stewing or stir-frying.
The iron wok sizzled as the cured meat hit the hot surface, the fat rendering immediately, the pork turning soft and translucent, releasing a rich aroma.
Several idle men, drawn by the smell, gathered around: "The fragrance of cured meat—we rarely get to eat this even back home. We’re in for a treat today."
Ji Taoyu added chopped garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and ginger to the wok, deepening the layers of flavor. He stir-fried the soaked dried vegetables until fragrant, then added water to make a broth.
"Tonight’s meal will be simple, just a homestyle hotpot."
Once the broth boiled, Ji Taoyu added the marinated fish.
He brought over the freshly washed wild greens in a small bamboo basket and called out, "Dinner’s almost ready! Everyone, put down what you’re doing!"
The enticing aroma had already stirred everyone’s appetites.
Without needing Ji Taoyu’s urging, they grabbed their bowls and chopsticks, sitting around the fire and the pot in a circle.
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