Chapter 132: The Decadent Ping’an City
The village head was loath to spend the silver. "Is this really necessary? Resting out in the open is just fine."
Su Chen poked his head out. "We should still rest for a night. This leg of mine needs to be looked at."
The village head had no choice but to agree. After all, this man was now his family’s creditor.
So, they went to find an inn first.
They found an unremarkable inn where a spot in the common room, without bedding, cost only ten copper coins per person. You had to draw your own water from the well.
Everyone felt like they had gotten an incredible deal. They joyfully paid their copper coins and unloaded the mules.
Su Chen had originally planned to find a better inn, but in the end, he decided to stay with the group. He did, however, request a superior room.
Gu Fei also got a room. She first boiled a few buckets of the free water and took a bath, then had a wonderful nap. Mrs. Chen wanted to go shopping, but Gu Fei refused to go. She finally had half a day to rest and just wanted to get some proper sleep.
When she woke up, Gu Fei decided to make something delicious to treat herself and everyone else.
She found an opportunity to take out a large piece of meat and had Lian’er cut it into small chunks.
Gu Erlang hadn’t gone out, so Gu Fei had him build a stove and fetch water in the backyard.
While they were busy, Mrs. Chen and the others returned. They had bought a large bundle of green vegetables and a fish.
On this entire journey, besides craving meat, the thing Gu Fei craved most was green vegetables.
Her eyes lit up as she stared at the vegetables and the fish. Gu Qing quickly said, "Chunhua, go gut the fish and let Little Fei cook it."
The women of the family all pitched in—some washed vegetables, others chopped them.
Gu Fei enjoyed the treatment of a master chef, taking charge of the cooking.
The braised pork Gu Fei made today was simmered in an earthenware pot over the fire, its fragrance wafting far and wide.
Next, she made a crucian carp and meatball soup, stir-fried bok choy with minced garlic, and then scrambled a large plate of eggs.
The inn’s shopkeeper was a good person and let them set up their meal in the main hall, since there weren’t many other guests anyway.
Once the food was set out, Gu Zhang had Gu Qing go upstairs to call Su Chen and the others down.
There were too many people to fit at one table, so they split into two: one for the men and one for the women.
Braised pork was Gu Fei’s signature dish. After having it at a classmate’s house, she had specifically learned how to make it from her classmate’s grandmother.
Little Cao’s eyes narrowed in pleasure as she ate, her greasy little mouth chewing rapidly.
Su Chen savored the braised pork, asking as if in passing, "Second Uncle Gu, which city in East Sea County is your family planning to go to?"
Gu Zhang took a sip of wine. "Ping’an City!"
Su Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I’m heading to Ping’an City as well."
A look of yearning appeared on Gu Zhang’s face. "When I was young, I heard my teacher say that Ping’an City is incredibly prosperous. The Jinshui River flows through it, and every night, the river is filled with countless flower boats and painted barges. The water the flower girls throw out after washing their faces is enough to perfume the entire river."
At the next table, Mrs. Chen’s expression changed drastically when she heard the two words "flower girls." She gripped her chopsticks tightly.
Gu Fei quickly gave a light cough, picked up a meatball with her chopsticks, and placed it in Mrs. Chen’s bowl. She raised her voice slightly, "Mom, eat your food."
Su Chen glanced in their direction and smiled faintly, pursing his lips.
Gu Zhang got his daughter’s signal. He laughed it off and changed the subject. "Sigh, I’m so worried now. Ping’an City may be prosperous, but the expenses must be high, too. I have no idea how such a big family is going to settle down."
Chewing on a piece of braised pork, Gu Fei began to ponder as well. ’That’s right, with such a large family, what will we do to survive once we get to Ping’an City?’
’Farming?’
’Land is the foundation for people in this era, so we’ll definitely have to buy some. But no matter the dynasty, farmers can only ever make enough to feed and clothe themselves. To get rich, we’ll have to find another way.’