Upon leaving Land Officer Yang’s home, she proceeded to Uncle Old Gen’s house. Knowing that Rad Officer Yang was always efficient in his dealings and assured him that the deed would be ready by evening or at the latest, the next day. As soon as she got the deed, she could recruit people to help even out the homestead. Following that, ground leveling, and purchasing materials were yet to be done, hence she needed to start assembling people right away.
Uncle Old Gen, was not really old, just a year or two younger than Dachuan, villagers often called him Old Gen. Given his reassuring name Old Gen, the younger villagers would either refer to him as Uncle or Old Brother.
Old Gen was a brick mason, the son of village elders, who would assist people with their house constructions during his free time. Since recently his foreman didn’t procure any work, he was idle at home.
He was delighted when Yang Chuxia sought him out. It never occurred to him at first to ask for silver. After all, they were from the same village, not even distantly related, he just considered it as helping out, providing him meals for service, and also saving food supplies at his home.
Unexpectedly, Yang Chuxia asked him to recruit more masons and promised higher wages than when they normally did construction work. Most notably, she insisted that if he was only willing to help without receiving payments, she would feel uncomfortable employing him free of charge and in turn would seek workers from the town.
After some thought, Uncle Old Gen agreed.
When she came back from Old Gen’s house, Dachuan still had not returned from the town. After giving it a thought, she soaked the broad beans she bought from the county town yesterday. Once soaked, the outer skin had to be peeled and then properly cooked, to prepare the bean paste sauce with addition of chillis and other ingredients.
Once the bean paste sauce was ready, it could be used not only as a condiment for cooking, but it also served as a side dish. Especially her numbing and spicy shrimp paste, together with bean paste, were markedly different in taste.
With this new ingredient in her arsenal, she wouldn’t have to worry about others trying to replicate her shrimp paste. Because the bean paste sauce played a dual role in enhancing the taste of shrimp paste and protecting its unique recipe.
But as she was soaking the beans, she noticed Ms.Luo was peeking through the half-opened door with a contemplative look on her face.
Yang Chuxia found her very annoying. Among Old Lady Hua’s three daughters-in-law, Ms.Luo was the craftiest, the very definition of a scheming woman.
It was necessary to keep a wary eye on such people. Hence Yang Chuxia picked up a shoe and lobbed at the door, followed by a yelp from Ms.Luo.
The broad beans had to be soaked for several hours, so they were not immediately ready to be cooked yet.
Having free time, Yang Chuxia remembered she had only made two mini crossbows, and she had yet to start on the sleeve arrows.
Since Ms. Wang didn’t require her assistance much in the kitchen, and after the incident in which Ms. Liu had tried to poison the food, Wang was more scrupulous about the kitchen affairs. So, she didn’t need to worry and started working on the wooden arrows.
She had to admit, she had a great talent for things . She had only seen the design of the sleeve arrows and hadn’t made any herself until now. Surprisingly, it turned out very well on her first attempt.
Compared to the mini crossbows she had made before, it was much better. Besides being lightweight, it was portable, and could shoot six arrows at once, enough to guard oneself in this countryside.
Once done, she tested it a few times, feeling contented and decided to give it to Brother An when he came over in the evening.