The craftsmen and villagers were all sitting in the largest open space in the village, which was the only open space that could accommodate so many people. The smarter ones directly occupied the position under the tree, holding fans to cool off. They had worked hard all morning,
It was time for lunch now. Everyone couldn't help but start discussing.
"I wonder what the Yuan family will prepare for lunch."
"Why don't you prepare porridge? I hope the porridge can be thicker. If it is all water, I will be hungry quickly in the afternoon."
"I'm more curious about what kind of meat and vegetables they sent. How many kilograms of meat does a pot of meat have to have?" In that case, everyone can get one or two pieces of meat. They don't know how long it has been since they tasted it.
The taste of meat is gone.
Suddenly, a short villager sniffed his nose and showed an expression of surprise, "I seem to smell the smell of meat. It's so rich and fragrant."
The others also sniffed, with expressions of sincere joy. With such a strong meaty aroma, maybe the Yuan family had prepared more than ten kilograms of meat?
Many people swallowed involuntarily, so that they could give some to their children.
Soon, they saw many women coming over carrying big pots.
The leader, Zhang Li, shouted at the top of her lungs: "It's time to eat! Everyone, please line up. If you don't line up, there will be no distinction between rice and meat."
"Don't worry about not being able to eat if you're at the back of the queue. Don't worry, Su Yueling has prepared a lot. It's enough."
Although everyone felt that queuing was too troublesome, the smell of meat was too tempting. Attracted by the smell of meat, they still lined up obediently. The ones at the front were naturally the craftsmen, after all, they were the main force.
Because there were not so many bowls and chopsticks, Yuan Suifeng had already asked them to bring their own plates, bowls and chopsticks.
Ten large buckets were placed on the ground, and the first six were all filled with freshly cooked white rice. The crystal-clear rice exuded a charming color in the sunlight.
Everyone was shocked. Lu Tong said blankly: "It's actually white rice, not porridge, and not whole grains..."
In their eyes, white rice like this is a fine grain, and they are reluctant to eat it at ordinary times. At most, they eat it during the Chinese New Year. Originally, they thought it would be good if the Yuan family could prepare thick porridge.
Next, the lids of several large barrels were opened one after another.
The seventh vat is the largest, containing loofah and egg soup, and the egg droplets in it are not much less than loofah.
The eighth bucket contains fried courgettes, and the ninth bucket contains fried radish with soy sauce.
coming!
Everyone was in high spirits. The tenth bucket exuded a meaty aroma that could not be ignored, and it was also what everyone was looking forward to the most.
Mrs. Zhang Li personally opened the lid, and the bucket was filled with braised duck legs. The duck legs were very large and very delicious. The aroma of sauce mixed with the aroma of meat was dizzying.
Many people were a little unsteady because it was a big duck leg! Such a big duck leg looked like it weighed half a catty each!
Oh my God, is the Yuan family still doing charity?
"These duck legs are really for us? One for each of us?"
Mrs. Zhang Li nodded, "Yes, everyone has it, don't worry." Those who help out also have the same food. Even those wealthy families in the city who hire people to work will not provide such good food.
.
She added, "Yue Ling ordered someone to buy these duck legs. She thought the meat and vegetables she originally prepared were too little, and she felt it was a loss of face."
Su Yueling is really not an ordinary open and bright person.
Everyone was moved. For such a meal, each person would have to eat an average of more than ten cents. At the end of the day, alas, this is worth their wages.
Because the rice had been cooked a lot, Mrs. Zhang Li was also very practical when serving it to them. She scooped out three big spoons with the big spoon and pressed them tightly. There were two liang in each spoonful. But what everyone paid most attention to was
Big duck legs are available to everyone, no need to grab them.
Everyone looked at their bowls full of food, and their hearts were filled with joy and gratitude.
Many people were reluctant to eat it all, and since they were all in the village, they took the food home and shared it with their families. They really couldn't eat such a big duck leg if they were allowed to eat it by themselves.
At the same time, they also made up their minds to work harder in the afternoon. If a person prepares such a good meal and cuts corners, it would be a loss of conscience.
After the Yuan family's meal spread in the village, other villagers who had not yet had their turn became more and more looking forward to it. When they work, they can also have a full meal and eat big duck legs.
In the past, Su Yueling was generous, and while everyone envied her, they would also say sourly that she didn't know how to live, and was too wasteful. However, when this generosity was used on them, they only felt that Su Yueling had a kind heart and was a good person.
For Su Yueling, the total cost of this lunch was only two taels of silver, but it kept increasing her virtuous points, so it was not a loss.
Besides, money is something you can earn as long as you make it. Even if it takes two months to build the house, it only costs five hundred taels of food and processing money, but it can make these people pay more attention to her house and not cut corners.
At first, the villagers were worried that only the first meal would be richer. After a few days, they found that the food provided at every meal was the same, and the quality was not compromised at all. Those who were thoughtful calculated the expenses and couldn't help but ache for Su Yueling's meat.
How much will it cost her?
If they continue to work, I am afraid that in two months, they will all gain weight. It is no wonder that Yuan Baoshu, who used to be slender and slender, now has a round face. I am afraid it is not because of eating meat every day.
In order for Su Yueling to spend less money, these villagers who had not had their turn simply went up the mountain to help search for good wood and stone in their free time. When they found suitable ones that could build houses, they pulled them down the mountain.
There are also people who take the initiative to help keep an eye on the workers to see if they are lazy. Although the weather is hot now, everyone's hearts are burning.
Don't tell me, it's quite efficient if you do it this way.
…
August 14th.
Zhang Chengwang paced back and forth in the inn a little anxiously.
Today is the time for the results of the college examination. As long as he can pass the exam, he can become a scholar respected by everyone. If he can rank in the top three, he can also become a junior student and receive four taels of silver every year.
It's just that in the past few months, he has been entangled in mundane matters, which resulted in him not being able to study well. During the exam, he was obviously affected. The college exam, which was originally a sure shot, was not so sure either.
He wanted to go see the announcement in person, but now there was a sea of people there, and he couldn't squeeze through, so he had to pay the waiter to see it for him while he waited at the door.
For him, this waiting time can be said to be like a year.
I don’t know how long it took, but a familiar figure rushed into the inn. Zhang Chengwang recognized that it was the waiter of his inn - the results of the college examination are out?
The waiter saw Zhang Chengwang at a glance and congratulated with a smile, "Congratulations Zhang Xiucai!"
When he heard the words Zhang Xiucai, Zhang Chengwang's heart relaxed and he couldn't help but express his joy. Han Chuang had studied hard for many years, and he finally became a scholar!
He suddenly remembered something and asked: "Where am I?"
The waiter rolled his eyes and said, "Master Xiucai, you are ranked 26th."
26 people?
Guangning County’s admission quota for scholars is basically around 20 every year.
Zhang Chengwang had a bad feeling, "How many talents will be admitted this time?"
The waiter's voice became even lower, "There are exactly 26 people. Everyone says you are lucky."
I just happened to be admitted with my tail hanging, and this luck is really enviable to others.