Chapter 10: July, Year of the Rabbit

Naturally, Fu Majian and the officials desired fine wine and sumptuous meat, and the ordinary soldiers in the delegation were also to be well-fed and well-cared for

The sheep was hung on the poplar tree in the yard, with the skinned head facing downwards. Xia Dingmao used a knife to first open the abdominal cavity, pulling out the sheep's stomach, intestines, and so on, and then removed the sheep's head, which was connected to the throat, liver, and lungs.

It is not because the visitor is an official with a rank of six hundred stones

Before he could finish speaking, a loud voice was heard from the corner tower of the Hanging Spring, calling out:

That is the envoy returning from the Western Regions

The hanging spring was used to skin the sheep, a task consistently performed by Luo Xiaogou. However, he was seen making an incision with a knife on the back leg of the sheep, then inserting a wooden stick to create an airway. With one hand holding the cut sheep skin and the other gripping the sheep's leg, he began to blow air into it with his mouth

The entire process took no more than a quarter of an hour, and can be described as completed in one go

... ...

As for the sheep, it was placed on a large wooden table. Xia Dingmao moved the knife with great speed and strength, and was thoroughly familiar with the various parts and bones of the sheep. He either cut along the seams of the bones to separate them or swung a small axe down forcefully. In just a few swift motions, the sheep was completely butchered.

The millet, glutinous millet, soy sauce, vinegar, and fermented black soybeans are all complete, but these common foods can be found elsewhere. Only the various types of noodles and the dishes stir-fried in this pot can showcase the uniqueness of Xuanquan. By the way, Mr. Xia, how many chickens have been killed?

On the contrary, the large pot is thriving. On the high stove, among the four burners, there is one steamer (zèng) cooking rice, while the other two are round-bottomed pots without feet, simmering lamb that is already tender.

At Xuanquan, there is a chicken coop where dozens of chickens are raised. Generally, only eggs are consumed, but when distinguished guests arrive, Ren Hong must make a few entries in the special "Chicken Entry and Exit Ledger".

According to the recipe provided by the gentleman, it is necessary to slaughter three sheep to have enough, and this is already the last one!

At the very front of the procession was a four-horse carriage. Inside the carriage sat a dignified gentleman wearing a tall hat, sitting upright with a serious demeanor. He held an eight-foot-long pole, the end of which was adorned with a red-dyed yak tail, serving as his standard, which had a total of three layers

Upon encountering this object, both the material officials on the corner tower and Xu Fengde, who came out to greet at the Hanging Spring Station, became solemn

As the king of ceremonial vessels, the ding has a place in the court. Occasionally, when an ancient ding is excavated from the river, it is considered a great omen. Emperor Wu of Han even changed the era name to "Yuan Ding" for this reason. If this were to be placed in later generations, the era name would have to be "Yuan Guo".

After all, it is a nation of great food enthusiasts. Since the Xia Dynasty, the utensils for dining have been ceremonial vessels. The ding is used for cooking meat, while the gui is essentially a uniquely shaped rice container. As for the nine ding and eight gui of the emperor and feudal lords, and the seven ding and six gui of the vassals, they merely signify the distinction of being qualified to consume a few more containers of rice

Ren Hongcai finished inspecting the lodging and came out; over at the eastern kitchen courtyard, the sheep was almost fully skinned.

After inspecting the kitchen, Ren Hong felt relieved and said to Xia Dingmao

There are always several crossbowmen, who stand vigilantly in the two corner towers located in the northeast and southwest of the dockyard, day and night, with utmost caution and focus.

It is not because they are esteemed guests who have requested high-standard hospitality through a letter.

Do not be deceived by the fact that there is only one pot; it was specially cast by a blacksmith at a great expense several months ago in the county town of Xiaogu. Iron is precious in the border areas, and he spent considerable effort to persuade the frugal Xu Fengde.

The human body has not undergone significant changes, yet tools have continuously improved, evolving from cauldrons to pots. However, this is not the end of the evolution of cooking utensils. Pots can only be used for boiling and stewing; although the food is thoroughly cooked, it lacks a stimulating flavor. Thus, Ren Hong arrived at Xuanquan Zhi and added another cooking utensil in this small kitchen.

Although the quality cannot be compared to that of later generations, it is still acceptable for use

A large iron pot, with a wide opening and a spherical bottom, equipped with a wooden handle, occupies the largest burner, its bottom charred black from the fire.

It is not necessary to strike a fire with flint or copper every time before cooking. The two fire pits in the kitchen must always be lit. The firekeeper continuously adds small twigs and dry grass to maintain the flame. Before cooking, the chef only needs to use tongs to place a piece of charcoal onto the stove to rekindle the fire.

Lian Renhong also stood upright against the wall, his gaze lingering for a long time on the vibrant yak tail tassel.

Xuanquan Zhi is not only a relay station for past officials and Hu merchants, but also a watchtower on the Gobi Desert

To make them feel that returning to Xuanquan Zhi is like returning home, this is what is meant by being warmly welcomed.

As he spoke, Ren Hong walked into the kitchen, which had been perpetually filled with smoke and fire, leaving the walls forever darkened. On the beams of the ceiling hung various meats and poultry, including several dried and smoked chickens that had turned a deep black from the cooking fire

The envoys from the Western Regions are of little concern; what Ren Hong is thinking about is how to properly host the envoy delegation that has been traveling for over a year. Being in a remote area, facing various difficulties and dangers, and enduring hunger and cold at all times is no easy task, and they deserve to be well rewarded.

Xia Dingmao called everyone to clean up the offal. Although the tripe and intestines were filthy, they were the most commonly consumed meats among the common people, and thus should not be wasted

Ren Hong ordered only one dish: "Xia Weng will prepare it according to his specialty, but there is one thing that absolutely cannot be omitted, and that is ... ... "

It is the banner of the Han Dynasty

On July 21, from sunrise to sunset, for most of the day, more than thirty people inside and outside the Hanging Springs were busy, coming and going, each with tasks assigned by Ren Hong in hand

The tail of the yak gently flutters in the dry northwestern wind

As the convoy approached, Ren Hongcai could see clearly that there were more than thirty people in total. The procession included not only ox and horse-drawn carts but also several camels, heavily laden with goods, each step accompanied by the gentle ringing of camel bells.

Xia Dingmao said: "The old servant remembers that last time Fu Jiezai stayed at Xuanquan, he loved to eat chicken the most, so he had six killed all at once, and they have all been prepared. May I ask, gentleman, how should these chickens be cooked?"

In Dunhuang County, the Qiang and Hu people coexist, and besides the Qiang people, there are also the small Yuezhi tribes located in the southern mountains. Additionally, the cavalry of the Xiongnu frequently roams the borders. At the Hanging Springs, personnel are assigned to keep watch, monitoring the passing travelers and observing the beacon signals.

The heat from the fire pit must not be wasted, often accompanied by three-legged clay pots and four-legged clay cauldrons. The clay pot is used to boil hot water, filling one pot after another once it is ready, while the clay cauldron is cooking pork.

That is a frying pan

The soldiers who were just bustling about hurriedly set down the clutter in their hands, and those who were blocking the road silently stepped aside, standing with their heads bowed in solemnity

A convoy of carriages has arrived from the west

Whenever a convoy passes by, they will also report to the designated location

Xia Dingmao, with bloodstains all over his hands, asked the person next to him to help wipe his sweat, and smiled:

The most important feature in the kitchen is the rectangular elevated earthen stove, which is not much different from the stoves found in rural northern areas in later times

Ren Hong was washing chives and kale in the yard when he passed by the side path and said to Xia Dingmao

It sounds simple, yet it is difficult to execute. Generally, people toil for half a day without any progress, requiring not only a strong physique but also the appropriate skills

Only then can the skinning begin, making incisions on the sheep's belly and legs, along the chest and abdomen to open the skin layer, pulling apart the edges of the opened skin, and starting to tug. Due to Luo Xiaogou's great strength, he soon pulled the sheep's skin off.

Next, it is time for the performance by Xia Dingmao

This little dog has an enormous lung capacity; one can see its cheeks puffing up high. With just a few breaths, it strikes the sheep skin a few times, and soon the sheep is inflated all over, resembling a bag, with its four legs in the air, kicking straight up!

The delegation led by Fu Jiezai consisted of as many as 20 to 30 members, and there might also be accompanying envoys from the Western Regions. There was no shortage of rice and flour, but provisions of meat and vegetables could be adequately prepared

As Dai Renhong hurriedly ascended the watchtower, he followed the direction of the material officer's pointing hand and happened to see a cloud of dust rising along the Silk Road stretching straight to the west, indicating that the convoy was quite substantial

but because everyone knows what the items on the sedan chair represent

The shape of the cauldron is quite similar to the pots used for cooking soup in later generations. Compared to the three-legged tripod, it can utilize fire more effectively, saving time and fuel, which is particularly favored by both commoners and the military. At the end of the Qin dynasty, Xiang Yu employed the decisive strategy of "breaking the cauldron and sinking the boat" to win the Battle of Julu.

However, in the folk context, the ding has gradually declined, relegated to merely staying by the hearth, unable to even ascend to the stove!

Ren Hong applauded and said: "In the past, there was the butcher Ding who dismembered an ox; today, there is Elder Xia who dissects a sheep"