Chapter Forty-Seven: Zhao Zheng Takes to the Kitchen!

“Is it tasty?”
“Tasty!” Yang Zhaodi nodded emphatically. “Sour and sweet, really appetizing.”
She handed over the candied hawthorn skewer. “Father-in-law, have some too.”
Zhao Zheng didn’t refuse, biting into one. “Not bad.”
“Father-in-law, have mine!” Zhang Xiao’e quickly caught on and offered her skewer as well.
Zhao Zheng smiled, took another bite, and then reached beneath the bamboo basket to pull out some wild hawthorns.
“This is enough for you two to make ten skewers. If you get a craving, use rock sugar to boil the syrup—don’t be stingy.”
“By the way, after eating candied hawthorn, don’t go eating canned persimmons. It’s hard to digest and might upset your stomach, understand?” Zhao Zheng reminded them.
The two women nodded earnestly, treating his words as gospel. “Understood, Father-in-law.”
Zhao Zheng rolled up his sleeves. “Well, it’s getting late. I’ll season the iron pot with pigskin first. I’ll cook dinner tonight.”
Yang Zhaodi hurriedly said, “Father-in-law, let me do it.”
Zhao Zheng waved her off. “Don’t argue. The dishes I cook, you can’t replicate.”
Zhang Xiao’e chimed in, “I’ll tend the firewood.”
“Go play somewhere else. I’ll handle it,” Yang Zhaodi said, patting her sister-in-law’s head. “Better guard the door—I’m afraid the aroma of the meat will attract others.”
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I’ll keep watch at the door and won’t let anyone in,” Zhang Xiao’e assured, patting her chest.
The iron pot Zhao Zheng bought was not large—too big would draw attention. When not in use, it had to be stored in the cellar.
He set the pot on the fire pit’s opening; the size was just right.
He then took out a bamboo brush—something commonly used in the countryside.
Once the pot was heated, Zhao Zheng took a piece of pigskin and rubbed it over the surface.
Seasoning the pot with pork fat prevents food from sticking.
Ironware was regulated, and farmers found it hard to obtain.
Cast iron cost eighty wen per jin, which most couldn’t afford.
Now, the price had surged to one hundred twenty wen per jin, making it even less accessible for common folk.
Zhao Zheng wasn’t sure if Da Kang had stir-fried dishes, but in Fugui Township, people mostly stewed or boiled food. Without proper seasonings, meals tended to be bland and tasteless.
Yang Zhaodi watched the fire and memorized every step her father-in-law took.
“All set!” Zhao Zheng poured out the water from the pot and placed it on the stove. “Zhaodi, lower the heat a bit.”
“Okay.”
Zhao Zheng sliced half of the pork belly into thin pieces and cut the other half into chunks.
He planned to make twice-cooked pork and braised pork belly.
Though twice-cooked pork made from belly wouldn’t match the quality of the best cuts, it would taste better than stew.
Chop, chop!
Before nightfall, Zhao Zheng prepared all the ingredients.
Then he poured oil into the pot.
Sizzle!
A rich aroma instantly filled the kitchen.
At the door, Zhang Xiao’e was overwhelmed by the scent, leaning against the frame and thinking, “What’s father-in-law cooking? It smells even better than sister-in-law’s cooking!”
Yang Zhaodi was astonished.
Since marrying into the Zhao family, she had never seen Zhao Zheng cook before. She hadn’t expected he would actually be skilled.
Judging by his demeanor, he was quite practiced.
What she didn’t know was that the previous Zhao Zheng indeed couldn’t cook, but this Zhao Zheng was a well-rounded man, excelling in virtue, intelligence, physical ability, and aesthetics.
He sautéed the oil until fragrant, then added broad bean paste, ginger, and garlic, finishing with a touch of Sichuan peppercorns to explain the spicy flavor. The twice-cooked pork was ready!
Next, Zhao Zheng boiled water to blanch the meat and used large chunks of rock sugar to deepen the broth’s color.
The pork belly went into the pot, coated thoroughly with sugar, releasing a mouthwatering aroma.
Zhao Zheng added the pre-prepared spices and water, simmering for over twenty minutes before turning up the heat to reduce the sauce.
“Xiao’e, wash your hands; dinner’s ready.”
Zhang Xiao’e quickly closed the door and lit the oil lamp.
Looking at the steaming dishes on the low table, her mouth watered uncontrollably.
Zhao Zheng washed the pot and stored it in the cellar, then told Yang Zhaodi, “When not in use, keep it in the cellar to avoid neighbors getting jealous. It’s best to stick to stews mostly. If you really crave stir-fry, we can sneak a little at night.”
Yang Zhaodi nodded. Iron was expensive—a pot this size probably cost two or three hundred wen at least.
It wasn’t thieves she feared, but covetous eyes. The pot must never be seen by others.
Zhang Xiao’e scooped three bowls of rice and exclaimed upon inspection, “The rice is so shiny and beautiful! Why does it look so good?”
“Oh, this is pearl rice. It’s said that high officials love to eat it. I just bought some to try,” Zhao Zheng explained.
“Father-in-law, this rice must be expensive, right?” Though happy, she reminded herself they still had a long road ahead and needed to be frugal. “We should just eat regular rice—or millet...”
“Occasionally having something special isn’t a problem,” Zhao Zheng said, sitting cross-legged on the kang. “Besides, I made some money at the market today.”
He pulled a silver ingot from his pocket and placed it on the low table.
The two women were stunned.
“Father-in-law, this is... a silver ingot?” Yang Zhaodi asked in disbelief.
“Correct. This one liang is what I earned today. And if nothing unexpected happens, I can make this much every few days. Making three to five liang a month won’t be a problem.”
Zhang Xiao’e was amazed. “What kind of business is so profitable?”
“Buying and selling pelts,” Zhao Zheng explained his plan. “You know I used to love gambling, right? Well, I happened to meet a local fur trader who collects pelts and wild goods in the countryside. But he’s moving to the county town and doesn’t want to give up business here, so he entrusted me to collect pelts for him and I make a little commission.”
“So, father-in-law is a businessman now?”
Zhao Zheng nodded. “You can say that. So, our family’s life will get better and better. Pearl rice is just the start; soon you’ll be eating tribute rice every day!”
Zhang Xiao’e was ecstatic, and Yang Zhaodi was pleased too. Father-in-law was impressive, and their future looked promising.
“Enough talk, eat before the food gets cold,” Zhao Zheng urged, helping them onto the kang and piling their bowls high with food.
Zhang Xiao’e, already hungry, took a bite of the twice-cooked pork and exclaimed, “This is really delicious!”
Though their home had meat and oil these days, stew was still no match for stir-fry.
Yang Zhaodi was frugal and reluctant to use much oil, so Zhao Zheng often didn’t enjoy her cooking as much.
His stir-fry was rich and sweet with heavy oil.
Yang Zhaodi started eating and was amazed.
“This is unbelievably delicious!”
She couldn’t understand how the same dishes could taste so different.
Her cooking was passable, but it couldn’t compare to father-in-law’s stir-fry.
She felt shocked and somewhat downhearted.
“I’m not even as good as father-in-law...”
It wasn’t jealousy but discouragement, a feeling of uselessness.
Zhao Zheng comforted her, “Stewing and stir-frying are different. If you want to learn, I’ll teach you. You’re smart—you’ll get it quickly and soon surpass me. Besides, I really like your stews too!”
Hearing this, Yang Zhaodi brightened.
Just as the three of them were enjoying their meal, the courtyard gate suddenly rang out at an inopportune moment!