Chapter 123: Stewed Lamb

Han Li was still contemplating whether to ask Qi Zhaodi for help when Yun Yingying spoke up, a beat behind the conversation.

"You actually hunted a wild goat? Doesn't that mean we can have mutton stew, organ soup, and even mutton hot pot when the weather turns truly cold?"

Yun Jingjing found herself increasingly speechless regarding her younger sister; whenever Han Li was involved, she always seemed a step slower to react.

Han Li laughed and said, "Red-braised, stir-fried, boiled, or hot pot—we can eat it however we want. Since it’s not too cold yet, this meat won't keep for long. We should finish it up quickly, and when the deep winter sets in, I’ll go hunt another one."

Yun Yingying wrinkled her nose and replied, "Then we’ll set up the pot ahead of time. But the way you talk makes it sound as if wild goats are just waiting there for you to catch them."

"As long as you want to eat one, I would scour the deepest mountains to bring you one."

Yun Jingjing coughed. "Ahem, well, I have to mention something. I can cook mutton, but I can't guarantee it will taste good. I never learned how to prepare it properly because I couldn't stand the gamey smell that would cling to me afterward."

Yun Yingying suggested, "He Mi knows how to cook mutton; I can ask her for advice. Remember the dried mutton she treated everyone to when we first arrived at Shanghe Village? She mentioned she made it herself, and it tasted quite good."

Han Li nodded. "Let's call both He Mi and Qi Zhaodi over. You can learn the mutton recipes from He Mi. Sichuan-style pickles are famous; they say Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms period ate a bowl every day. As for Qi Zhaodi, everyone knows her situation at home—if she didn't do things well, she’d be starved or scolded—so she must be very skilled at making pickles. Let’s ask for her help with our winter preserved vegetables."

With the plan set, Yun Jingjing began cleaning the hazel grouse while Yun Yingying went to fetch He Mi. Han Li wiped down his crossbow and quiver, stowed them away, and checked the time. "You all get started; I’m going to properly dress the wild goat and bring it back."

"Be careful on your way," they said.

"I will."

Han Li picked up his basket and headed out, leaving the village to reach a secluded riverbank. Once there, he butchered the wild goat, washing the blood from the head and hooves before placing them at the bottom of his basket. The hide was rinsed and placed on top, followed by large chunks of mutton, which were also washed and dried. The offal—heart, liver, lungs, and the rest—was easy enough to handle with a quick rinse. However, the stomach and intestines required meticulous cleaning, a difficult task.

But Han Li was no longer the novice he had been; after thoroughly breaking down a wild boar in the past, this was a simple matter. He easily removed the fat and debris from the stomach and intestines. The only thing he had to do himself was turn the intestines inside out, or he wouldn't be able to explain how they were so clean back home.

After finishing, Han Li lay by the river, watching the sun dip below the horizon and the sky erupt in brilliant sunset hues. It was a beautiful sight, though the air was growing chilly and he lacked a companion to share the view. Still, the initial distance between them had faded. Moving closer to the sisters might be difficult, but surely, through daily hugs and affection, crossing that final threshold would eventually happen naturally.

By the time Han Li returned, Yun Yingying had already brought He Mi and Qi Zhaodi over. Under Qi Zhaodi's guidance, they began washing and draining the vegetables. Their neighbors, Hao Hongmin and Yang Xiuying, had just woken up after sleeping until now; had they not been starving, they would have stayed in bed until the next day. Hearing the commotion, they wandered over.

Yang Xiuying asked, "Are you starting to pickle vegetables already? I thought we were waiting for the Napa cabbage and radishes to be harvested."

Yun Yingying explained, "The cabbage is for sauerkraut. If we want pickled long beans or eggplants, we’ll have to trade with the villagers later. Hongmin, why don't we start trading for vegetables to pickle tomorrow?"

"Why wait for tomorrow? Let’s go find the villagers now. It won't be worth it once all the other educated youth start trading. But I don't know how to do it—what should I do?"

Qi Zhaodi offered, "My method is a bit spicy, but if you don't mind, I can help."

"Spicy is good for the appetite! Zhaodi, we'll come find you once we've gathered our vegetables."

Shortly after they left, Han Li returned. Yun Jingjing and He Mi took the basket to the room to handle the mutton, while Han Li watched the others pickle vegetables. Qi Zhaodi used two methods: one for long-term storage, which they called "Deep-Water Pickles." The brine from these could also be used to soak chicken feet, pig ears, and tripe. She emphasized keeping the brine clean so it could become a "mother brine" for next year, which would make the pickles even tastier. The other method was "Quick-Bath Pickles," suitable for the peak harvest season as they could be eaten after just a few days. Regardless of the method, Qi Zhaodi insisted on scalding the jars and chopsticks with boiling water to ensure no oil remained, sealing the jars tightly, and strictly warning them to always use scalded chopsticks to retrieve the food.

By the time the pickling was done, He Mi and Yun Jingjing were nearly finished in the kitchen. A large pot contained chunks of mutton, heart, liver, and lungs, simmering over a low flame. As they were about to finish, they added the stomach and intestines, blanching them briefly to ensure the meat would last longer. The bones would be boiled tomorrow to extract the marrow, which would then be used as the base for mutton soup.

To make the evening meal easier, He Mi had traded for some sauerkraut, creating a delicious sour-soup mutton dish that paired perfectly with corn cakes. The four of them ate until they were stuffed. Leaning against the cabinet, Yun Yingying asked, "Han Li, didn't you say you'd take us badger hunting after the autumn harvest? When are we going?"

"If the weather is good tomorrow, we can take a walk, but I can't promise we'll catch anything."

Yun Jingjing interrupted, "Little sister, we have no time tomorrow. Give up on that idea. We have to wash our clothes, air out the bedding while it's sunny, and help Hao Hongmin with her pickling. Do you really have time to go out?"

"Ah, I see. Alright then."

Han Li smiled silently. He Mi, observing the three, said nothing either. Qi Zhaodi let out a bashful, satisfied burp. She felt incredibly happy; she had expected life here to be impossible, yet so many people were helping and caring for her. He Mi had let her move into her new house, giving her a place to store her gathered goods. When she was sick, Han Li had taken her to the hospital and paid her bills, later even helping her get cotton so she wouldn't have to worry about the winter. She felt a sense of belonging she had never known before, and she realized she had even gained some weight. If she could, she would gladly stay with them forever.

Han Li turned to He Mi. "By the way, who did you ask to tan your hides last time? I have this goat skin I’d like to have tanned for the cold weather."

He Mi replied, "Auntie Zhao Liu did it for me, but it’s not the best time for a goat skin to appear. Why don't you give it to me? I'll take it to her; we work in the same group and get along well."

"No rush. Let's not draw attention to ourselves. I can find someone to tan it when we go to the county seat later."

As they chatted, the feeling of fullness began to fade, and they started clearing the dishes. Han Li scooped out a portion of meat and broth for He Mi and Qi Zhaodi, then set the bones to boil for tomorrow's soup. Yun Jingjing helped him skim the foam before heading home, leaving Yun Yingying behind.

Han Li began testing the waters with a slightly suggestive joke, preparing for the future. By the time Yun Yingying left, her ears were bright red—whether from the joke or Han Li's wandering hands, it was unclear.

That night, Han Li gathered his dirty laundry, knowing Yun Yingying would come to take it away the next morning.

The following day, after his morning exercise and chores, Han Li sat on the kang, reading and studying. Since there was no field work, the Yun sisters would take care of the cooking—a major benefit of having a partner, as it freed him from the mundane tasks of laundry and cooking.

Once the three had eaten, Yun Yingying took his clothes home, and Yun Jingjing went to help Hao Hongmin. Han Li sat at the door in the sun with a small stool. Before long, Tie Dan and a group of children walked by, carrying shovels, pickaxes, baskets, and sacks, followed by two dogs heading toward the outskirts of the village.

"Brother Han!"

"Tie Dan, where are you all headed?"

"We're going to dig for mouse holes. If we're lucky, we can find thirty or forty catties of grain in a single nest. Brother Han, want to come? I can tell you all my secrets."

"Haha, you kids go ahead. I'll join some others in a little while."