Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 61
Zhuang Hao chuckled: "Those two geese just killed are just enough to fill the stomach."

"Oh." Zhang Nianmei was still in a daze, thinking to herself, what kind of monster is the old girl, who actually coaxed the violent little general into submission, not only that, but also made him sleep.

asleep?Zhang Nianmei immediately turned to Mr. Tian and asked in a low voice, "The little general's recent sleep..."

"It's been bad."

"Oh." Zhang Nianmei unconsciously looked at the small kitchen.

In the small kitchen, Ma Min'er patted Xiao Yue'er's small body lightly, "Yue'er...Yue'er..." until she emerged from Ma Qifeng's arms, looking at her with frightened eyes. she.

"Yue'er, do you remember the story that the second sister told you?"

Xiao Yueer was at a loss.

"Second sister once told you that the elder brother was possessed by a monster, do you remember?"

Xiaoyueer was scared before, and Ma Miner herself was scared too, but she is an adult and knows how to regulate herself, but Xiaoyueer doesn't know, in order to eliminate her fear, she talks about Journey to the West every night when she sleeps He told her the story he remembered, explaining Xia Zhen's violent behavior with the upper body of a monster.

"Then... is that monster still on him now?" Xiao Yue'er was finally able to ask questions.

"So many people, it was scared away."

"Then when will it come back?"

"Hmm..." Ma Min'er thought for a while and said, "When we are afraid of it, it will appear."

Ma Yue'er slipped into Ma Qifeng's arms again.

"Yue'er is good, my sister is also afraid."

Hearing this, Xiao Yue'er popped out of her father's arms again, raised her chin: "I'm not afraid anymore."

"Wow, Yue'er is so powerful." Ma Min'er pretended to be scared, "Then... then tonight, Xiao Yueer will accompany sister and tell her a story, okay?"

"it is good!"

"Thank you, Yueer." Ma Miner secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the conversation between the two daughters was over, Ma Qifeng asked softly, "Little General, why are they here..."

"Father, I haven't had time to ask yet!"

Seeing his daughter's tired face, Ma Qifeng couldn't bear it, "Father, go out and ask."

"Father, you should take Yue'er with you." Ma Min'er led Ma Dalang out of the small kitchen, and found Mr. Tian, ​​who was looking at the vegetable patch in the corner of the yard.

"gentlemen--"

"Little lady—" Mr. Tian smiled politely at her, "I'm sorry to bother you."

"Sir, you are..."

Mr. Tian replied: "Go hunting wild game on the hill behind, and pass by your house on the way."

"Oh." What could Ma Miner say.

Seeing the little lady frowning like an adult, Mr. Tian felt a little funny, turned his head and looked towards the entrance of the village, "Those people just now were..."

Ma Min'er replied: "Some of them are villagers who came to plant rice on credit, and some of them are my father's brothers."

"Oh!" Mr. Tian sighed lightly, for people like them, even if they killed a lot of people, they wouldn't take it seriously, who made the entire Yizhou the territory of the General Zhen Guo's mansion!
It was impossible for him to apologize to the startled peasants, and he didn't seem to intend to say sorry to the sons of the emperor's teachers who were exiled in the capital, as if they didn't think it mattered how violent his little master became.

Looking at the sky, it will be noon soon, Ma Miner asked politely: "How do you prepare for Mr. lunch?"

"Would you like to defecate at your house?" Mr. Tian was not polite, and walked over just to have lunch, although the atmosphere was not very good at the moment.

Ma Min'er glanced at the group of people and said, "My stove is too small, I'm afraid it's inconvenient."

"Oh." Mr. Tian thought for a while and said, "How about preparing meals for four?"

Having said that, how can Ma Miner refuse, nodding her head, "If Mr. doesn't dislike the simplicity, then I'll make some home-cooked dishes."

"We brought some meat."

"I'm not polite to my husband, I really need meat."

Mr. Tian wanted to laugh, but when he thought of the little general sleeping on the porch, he couldn't help it. It's really interesting to have a little lady who looks like a little adult.

At noon, Ma Min'er cooked a large iron pot of rice with freshly pounded Champa rice, and the tangy fragrance made people's stomach growl.

"I've never smelled such a fragrant rice aroma." Sitting on the small stool by the door, Mr. Tian couldn't help admiring.

Ma Qifeng hugged Xiaoyue'er and sat at the door. Hearing what he said, he smiled, "I just received it, it's fresh!"

"According to the logic, Yizhou is to the north, so the rice doesn't grow well." Mr. Tian said.

Ma Qifeng replied: "It's not rice from Jiangnan, it's upland rice from Annan."

"Is there still dry rice?"

"My daughter said that there is no agricultural book, but the merchants have spread the seeds. I believe that soon, everyone will know that there is upland rice." Ma Qifeng smiled.

"Oh, so it is!" Mr. Tian said: "If this is the case, it will solve the problem of food shortage for many people."

"That's right." Ma Qifeng nodded.

Zhang Nianmei arranged for the soldiers outside, entered the small courtyard, walked gently to Mr. Tian's side, and said quietly, "Today's rice fragrance is due to me."

"How did you get the credit?" Mr. Tian was a little surprised.

Zhang Nianmei raised her eyebrows proudly, "I won't tell you, anyway, it's my credit."

"One leather monkey." Mr. Tian scolded with a smile, and looked at Zhuang Hao who was swaying gently in the yard.

The small yard is not big, but after the severe drought, it is full of vitality. In this vitality, there are not only whole fields of green vegetables, but also orchids and wild roses beside the fence. It is full of pastoral leisure, just like Mr. Tao ( Tao Yuanming)'s "Returning to the Garden and Living in the Field" - opening up the wilderness and the south, keeping the humble and returning to the garden.

Zhuang Hao looked up again and looked at the three small wooden cabins, which contrasted with the seasonal vegetables and flower stems in the yard. It was like a small and elegant building. Sleeping under such a corridor, the wind blows the dust, it is peaceful and peaceful, beautiful, wonderful!
Ma Min'er is not in the mood to cook many dishes, so I come to a pot of Northeast stew, the main ingredients are pork belly, pork chops, side dishes such as beans, mallow, radishes, etc., and the seasoning is miso (soybean paste, nowadays, almost every family can make it. )
After the meat is cut, the vegetables must be shredded by hand, so that the dishes are easy to taste and do not destroy the nutrition of the vegetables. You can put various vegetables and meat according to your preference.

Leave a little base oil in the pot, put the onion and ginger into the frying pan, after the fragrance bursts, add miso, oil, salt, fresh soup, add meat, ribs and boil, add various vegetables, according to the cooking resistance of vegetables Put it in and stew it. It didn't take long for a large pot of northeast stew to be fragrant.

Since Xia Zhen was sleeping, Ma Min'er took the small table and table at home to the kitchen and did not disturb his rest.

Although everyone ate quietly, Xia Zhen's subordinates seemed to be accustomed to his violence and arrogance, and it didn't affect their appetite. The four of them quickly finished most of the pot of stew.

After all, the mood of Ma Min'er's family was affected, and they did not eat happily.

Zhang Nianmei is a fine person, she seemed to feel it, and after she was full, she walked to the small table of Ma's family and squatted behind Ma Min'er, "Did those people from Ma's family come for Champa rice?"

Ma Min'er put down the bowl and chopsticks, nodded, "Yeah!"

"Now that I've been whipped shamelessly by the little general, I shouldn't dare to come." Zhang Nianmei thought about it.

"You mean hitting right and wrong?" Ma Min'er asked helplessly.

Zhang Nianmei nodded, the little general is his master after all, he won't say much, this sentence is enough.

Ma Miner took a deep breath, "Thank you!"

"Don't thank me for the wrong thing, how much Champa rice did you leave for brother?" Zhang Nianmei bared her teeth and asked.

"Brother Zhang, the rice seeds belonged to you originally, and I should have given them all to you, but I have already given some of them to the villagers on credit. Look...?"

Zhang Nianmei blinked, "Why are you so serious? I'm just saying this. It doesn't matter how much it is. I mainly want to take it back to my mother so that she can grow up and play with it."

"Is five hundred catties okay?"

"Not so much, three hundred catties is enough." Zhang Nianmei smiled.

"Okay, I'm ready. When Brother Zhang returns to the county seat, I'll send someone to the barracks." Ma Min'er replied with a smile.

"Please trouble my sister."

"Brother Zhang is too polite."

Zhang Nianmei stood up and yawned, "Qiuyang is just right, I'm sleepy too, so I won't tell you, I'll go to the tent to sleep."

Afterwards, Mr. Tian and Mr. Zhuang also went to rest in the tent. Ma Min'er and his elder brother cleaned up the pots and bowls, put the dishes left for Xia Zhen on the steamer, and covered them with a lid.

In Ma's house in the town, the old lady was frightened by her son, "Meng'er, what's going on?"

"Mother, Lao Liu has a backer, and the rice seeds are gone, and the winter grain is not available." Ma Qimeng was ashamed, with a mournful look on his face.

"I knew it." Mrs. Ma sighed.

Hearing this, Ma Qimeng scolded: "Mother, you know what you want me to do."

"I'm afraid Master Yao won't send food and silver."

Ma Qimeng quickly asked: "Ah... mother... mother, what do you mean?"

"You go on the front foot, but on the back foot, Lord Yao will send you some money." Mrs. Ma replied.

"That's great, that's great." Ma Qimeng was very happy. He had food and drink, so he stopped going to Lao Liu's house to ask for food. It was terrible, really terrible, and he never dared to go again.

The old lady hurriedly grabbed her excited son, "There are not many things, you can't shout, you can't pass those bastards."

"Mother, I got it." Ma Qimeng was in a good mood immediately after the immediate matter was settled, but thinking about the future, he stood up happily, "I'm going to apply the medicine and change my clothes."

In the old house of the Luo family, a few concubines sat together, staring at each other. There was no hope for the sixth child, and they had to think of a new way out.

"It's so fucking evil, when did Lao Liu get into the Yizhou Zhenguo General's Mansion?" Ma Qiguang still couldn't figure it out.

"You ask me, who should I ask?" Ma Laojiu stroked the arm that was pulled, "Hiss...it really fucking hurts me to death."

Everyone looked at the whip wounds on their body, they didn't get any cheap ones, but it cost money to see the wounds, it was really an evil move.

The young ladies of the Ma family quietly walked back to their rooms through the corridor beside the main hall. There are more than ten houses and several families live in them.

"Cousin Jia, when did you say that Minniang got on board with the general?" Ma Rou'er asked impatiently.

Ma Jia'er replied coldly: "She's only very young, and she was picked up by Uncle Six. Have you forgotten what Uncle Six does?"

"Having become a habit of gambling?"

"Yes, maybe they met at the gambling table." Ma Jiaer said.

"Then...then isn't he a dandy?" Ma Zhier pursed her lips.

"There are few children like this in Jingli. As long as the family background is good, who doesn't get the most gracious little lady." Ma Rou'er said nonchalantly.

"seems like it."

"Hmph." Ma Rou'er disturbed the long locks of her temples, "I'm exhausted, I won't tell you, I'm going back to my room to rest." After finishing speaking, she walked into the room with her waist swayed.

Ma Jia'er and Ma Jian'er were older, and they didn't chatter like the two little cousins, but they didn't say anything, it didn't mean they didn't think about it, they looked at each other, and said politely to each other: "I'm tired , go back and rest."

As for returning to the room, what do you think psychologically, who knows?

In the afternoon, Niu Dabao and his wife took a half-day leave to go back. His home is in the west of Xiaowang Village. The village is called Niugouzi. There is a small mountain behind Niugouzi called Xiaoniu Mountain, which is also the hunting destination of Xia Zhen and others.

When others went home, their faces were full of anticipation and joy. Niu Dabao and his wife pouted their lips and puffed their cheeks when they returned home, trembling with fear. After walking for a short distance, they stopped and sighed, "Brother Dabao, if we don't, we won't go back."

"I don't want to go back either, but my father sent someone to send me a few messages. If we don't go back again, they may find the boss to come here." Niu Dabao didn't want to make trouble for the boss.

Shi Chunyue shouted nervously: "We can't let them find my boss here."

"Yeah, we can't let them come here." Niu Dabao sighed, "Let's go, we can't escape anyway."

Shi Chunyue didn't move, "How about I go back and bring Dad with me."

"Farewell, Yueniang, your father has a stubborn temper, and he can't stand my stepmother, he can get sick from her anger." Niu Dabao persuaded.

"That's true!"

The young couple sighed again, and were about to go back to the village, when someone came to ask for directions, "This big brother——"

"You are..." Niu Dabao often travels between the two villages, thinking he has never seen anyone called him.

"Brother, I heard that there is a small mountain nearby. I don't know how to get there?"

Niu Dabao turned his head and saw the hill behind his own village, "Go as soon as you see the road!"

"Hehe..." The person who asked for directions smiled awkwardly, "This big brother, brother, don't you want to avoid detours."

"If there is no detour, just go when you see the road. There is only one way into the mountain from the east." Niu Dabao is wary of strangers.

"Thank you, brother, thank you, brother!" The person who asked for directions bowed his hands in thanks.

Niu Dabao and his wife are farmers, and they always feel that although the person asking for directions is smiling, he always gives people a sense of villainy. After speaking, the young couple hurried away.

When the person who asked the way saw that they were far away, he said, "You heard me, there is only one way into the mountain from here."

"Fifth Brother, we know, this time we must let him die to avenge Big Brother."

"Yes, we must let him die to avenge the elder brother."

"Well, let's hurry up and guard."

"Yes, fifth brother."

Niu Dabao and his wife walked seventy or eighty miles away from Qibali Road. When they got home, it was already dusk, and the working farmers went home with hoes. When they met the couple, they all greeted them with smiles, " Dabao, come back!"

"Well, Uncle, what are you busy with?"

"It's okay, the whole land, as soon as the winter wheat seeds come out, they can go to the field."

"Oh."

"Dabao, Xiaowang Village is close to the town, have you heard that the seeds have arrived?"

"It seems... it's here." Niu Dabao heard from Fu Xiaoyou, but he didn't see any movement to send seeds, so he wasn't sure.

"Dabao, your boss is a rich man, let him help you find out. If the seeds don't go to the ground, there will be no food for next year."

Niu Dabao smiled awkwardly, "Okay, uncle, I'll inquire after I go back."

"Good boy, hurry back."

"Yes, Uncle."

Shi Chunyue followed behind Niu Dabao like a little daughter-in-law, without saying a word.

When they passed by, someone shook his head, "Yue Niang was such a cheerful person before, why has she become like this now?"

"Uncle Niu, let me tell you, no matter how lively a daughter-in-law comes to Niusan's house, she will become a lifeless little daughter-in-law."

"No way, could it be that she hasn't given birth to a son or a daughter for several years?"

The villagers shook their heads: "Where there is a stepmother, there is also a stepfather. Dabao, this child is suffering."

"This is..."

……

As expected, Niu Dabao and his wife had just arrived at the side of the path in front of their house, and the youngest son of the stepmother ran and shouted, "Niu Dabao brought his stone-bellied wife back..."

Niu Dabao's father, Niu Jiayou, was sitting in front of the five big mud huts. When he heard his youngest son's cry, he raised his old eyes, reached out and picked up a small stone on the ground, and threw it at his son. If you die outside, why come back..."

The stout Niu Mashi came out of the small kitchen and cursed louder and more exaggeratedly: "You little hoof, you know how to hang out with men all day long, and you don't do anything at home, why don't you die of laziness..."

The little boy who called out just now ran up to Shi Chunyue and spit in her stomach, "The rock chicken that can't give birth... spit..."

Shi Chunyue's clean patched clothes were spit up by Niu Jinsuo after a while, she lowered her head and let him spit and swallow.

All of a sudden, around the yard of Niu's family, there was endless scolding, which attracted the neighbors to stop, knock their teeth, and watch jokes.

It was getting late, and Xia Zhen didn't wake up, and no one called him. After dinner, the Ma family tidied up and got ready to go to bed, but there was an extra statue in the corridor, which made them uneasy.

Ma Min'er said softly: "Father, take your brother and brother to bed."

Ma Qifeng looked helpless, "Father is fine, but you and Xiaoyue'er are girls, outside..."

"Father, my sister and I will close the door, it's fine."

"How is this appropriate? If someone who cares knows, about your marriage..." Ma Qifeng was very worried.

"Father..." Ma Min'er interrupted him, "I know that if you were in the capital, you wouldn't be able to have foreigners in your house, but Dad, this is the countryside, so you don't pay much attention to it."

"Min'er..."

"Father—" Ma Min'er said: "Father Shi's granddaughters don't have their own houses, and some even sleep on grass on the floor of their parents' room."

"Oh..." What can Ma Qifeng do, "Then... then you take Yueer well."

Ma Yue'er kept pulling her sister's clothes with her little hands, always worried that the monster would accidentally run out of the general's body and scare her.

Ma Min'er nodded, "Okay, Dad, then I'll go to sleep."

Ma Qi sent the two daughters to the room, waited for them to close the door, stood at the door for a long time, heard the low voice of the eldest daughter telling stories, shook her head helplessly and went back to the room.

Xia Zhen slept until the next day when the rooster crowed, and when he opened his sleepy eyes, he felt that his body had never been so relaxed. Rubbing his eyes, the dawn was slightly dewed, and the light mist was lingering. Rest your elbows on the railing and look up into the distance.

The sky in the east is white, and the clouds are soaked by the sun that is slowly jumping out of the horizon, turning from light gray to purple gray, and then slowly turning red again. The morning glow is getting more and more gorgeous, and everything is gradually shrouded in red clouds. It's like a flower blooming, so magnificent!

Like this, the morning light followed the clouds bit by bit, and slowly jumped into the eyes of the waking man. The light clouds, the breeze, the clouds, and a few soft rays of sunlight fell on him, warm and unaware. In the midst of this, the violent and restless body was actually so calm and serene.

Hearing the crowing of the rooster, Ma Min'er put on her clothes, held the hair ribbon in her mouth, pushed open the wooden door, and walked towards the kitchen while wearing her bun. She had to prepare breakfast for everyone.

Probably the sound of walking startled the young man watching the morning light. He turned his head and looked at the little lady in the corridor.

Feeling eyes following her, Ma Min'er turned her head, how could she forget him, this guy has been sleeping in the corridor all afternoon and all night, so he quickly wrapped the ribbon around his hair and said hello, "Good morning , little general!" The smiling face descended in the wind like a little fairy in the blue sun.

Xia Zhen had never seen such a way of greeting, and never knew that a little lady who lived so close to her could be so calm, it seemed something wrong.

If Ma Min'er knew what he was thinking, she would definitely step over and say, Brother, I don't live here, I live there, besides this is my home, you are an intruder!

But she is not a roundworm in the other party's belly. She glanced at the sky outside the corridor. In the early morning, the sun was shining through the clouds, beautiful and magnificent, the radiance was so magnificent, it was really beautiful!
"The morning light is beautiful, take your time to appreciate it!" Ma Miner smiled mischievously, "When you finish admiring it, my breakfast will be ready."

Ma Dalang pushed open the door of his room, bowed cautiously to the general in the corridor, followed his eldest sister to the end of the veranda, stepped off the stage, and entered the kitchen.

Xia Zhen's gaze didn't come back until the little lady disappeared into the kitchen. She continued to raise her head slightly and looked towards the sky. , Looking at the distant fields, the early farmers are carrying baskets full of vegetables and walking on the ridge of the field. In the quiet countryside, chickens, ducks, and geese are heard from time to time.

Xia Zhen felt that her heart had never been so peaceful, and Yu Tianye felt her quiet existence.

Tian and Zhuang also got up, came out of the tent, and looked into the courtyard through the fence. The little general pressed his elbows on the railing and watched the morning glow, his thin face looked very calm.

"How long has it been since he slept so peacefully?" Zhuang Hao asked softly.

"Since I've known him, he hasn't slept for such a long time." Mr. Tian sighed softly.

Zhuang Hao looked towards the small kitchen. In the small wooden house, the young lady was busy on the stove. Not long after, there was a scent wafting from the kitchen, and she lowered her head and smiled.

"What are you laughing at?" Mr. Tian turned around and asked.

Zhuang Hao turned around, "It's rare to be leisurely, let's go for a walk in the field, and enjoy Tao Gong's return to the field."

Mr. Tian followed his footsteps, "You haven't answered me yet?"

"Sir, don't you think this little lady from the capital looks like a grown-up?" Zhuang Hao asked back.

"Young girl is early wisdom, my lord, it's no problem!"

"That's right!" Zhuang Hao raised his eyebrows and smiled.

The two walked and chatted, Guo Lishi, Mrs. Fu and others were working in the field. When they saw them, they were about to come up to salute, but they waved their hands to stop them, which meant that you were busy with your work.

"I heard that the new Mr. Yao won a lot of relief food for Yizhou, and even transferred a lot of winter wheat seeds. It seems that there is still hope for Yizhou next year." Mr. Tian said.

"Master Yao is only in his thirties, and he doesn't have two talents, how can he become a member of the party." Zhuang Hao replied with a smile.

Mr. Tian looked around, approached him and whispered: "The emperor is old, I heard that he was paving the way for that person, and he specially transferred the surnamed Yao from the household department. Now it seems that the emperor must feel that his vision is not bad."

Zhuang Hao followed with a smile: "The Emperor has his heart on him. Of course it's cheaper for him to adjust the grain and crops. I think the real consideration for Mr. Yao is not the present, but the taxes in Yizhou next year. If you can have money into the treasury, that's true." ability."

Mr. Tian nodded and smiled: "Xiao Zhuang is fine!"

"That's not how the master trained him well." Zhuang Hao replied with a smile.

"Ha ha……"

Ma Jian'er got up early today, but she didn't help her mother to prepare breakfast. Instead, she boasted about the small basket and was about to go out. Mrs. Ma Er asked, "Where are you going, Jian'er?"

"I see all the young ladies around are picking wild vegetables, so I will too."

Mrs. Ma Er frowned, "It's sensible, go ahead, bring Jia'er and the others together as companions, so as not to encounter unruly people, who can't even call you." After all, it is the mother, the girl gave birth The door is quite thoughtful, that's the reason.

But Ma Jian'er didn't appreciate the old lady's affection, she curled her lips and said, "Mother, there are not many wild vegetables, I'll go first."

"You child, you..."

The daughter went out quickly, ignoring her at all, and glared angrily, "Disobedient child."

As soon as Ma Jian'er turned around her house, she saw Jia'er, the daughter of the fourth uncle's family, also carrying a basket and preparing to go out, but there was a little tail behind her - Ma Rou'er from the fifth uncle's family.

"Jiangniang, this is..." Ma Jiaer asked.

"Just like you, go to the ridge to pick wild vegetables."

"Oh." Ma Jia'er pouted secretly, "Then let's go together."

The three little ladies knew by heart that they were going somewhere to pick wild vegetables.

Li Tingchang didn't sleep well last night, he got up early in the morning, wandering around the yard, his wife shouted impatiently: "Master, when are you going to do the matter I mentioned to you?"

Li Tingchang frowned and turned a deaf ear to the old wife's words, so angry that the old lady had no choice but to walk up to him, stretched out her hand and slapped him, "What is the master thinking?"

"I was wondering, should her family give her seeds or not?"

"Whose family?" Mrs. Li was baffled by the words.

Li Tingchang recovered from his contemplation and waved his hand: "If you don't know, don't ask."

"Damn old man!" Mrs. Li asked angrily, "Can you take care of the eldest grandson's marriage?"

Li Tingchang was taken aback for a moment, then frowned again: "I'm afraid the surname Ma looks down on us small local people."

Mrs. Li snorted: "I heard that the marriage of the granddaughter of the Ma family in Beijing was dismissed. It is her good fortune that my family preceptor can take a fancy to her."

Li Tingchang pondered.

"Master, are you looking for a matchmaker?"

"Okay, I got it!" Li Tingchang thought for a while and replied, "I'll do other things first."

"What matter is as important as the grandson's marriage."

"You are a woman, you don't understand." Li Tingchang said as he walked out.

"Damn old man." Mrs. Li cursed angrily.

When they arrived at the yamen, Du Yingxiong, the head catcher, immediately stepped forward and whispered, "My lord, the little general stayed at Maliu's house for one night."

"It's really covered with Ma Laoliu!"

"My lord, what do you think we should do now?"

Li Tingchang stroked his goatee and remained silent for a long time.

There were many people in the small room, so I took out the small tables and tables as usual, and because the sun came up, the small tables and tables were placed on the porch, and the three small tables were clearly separated in status and identity.

Rice porridge made from new rice, pickled vegetables such as cabbage, radish, and duck eggs, as well as fried pancakes and egg pancakes. In the countryside, this is a hearty breakfast.

Mr. Tian was beside Xia Zhen, turning his head while eating: "Little lady, why do I always think your food is delicious?"

Ma Miner was rolling an omelet, and upon hearing his words, she said, "I seldom add sauce to my dishes."

"You didn't put sauce, why is the food still so fragrant and fresh?"

Ma Min'er chuckled: "I won't tell you the secret."

Mr. Tian didn't guard against the little lady's words, he was taken aback for a moment, laughed, turned around, and in the corner of his eyes, he found the corner of the young master's mouth slightly raised.

Mr. Tian suspected that his eyes were wrong. When he looked carefully, he found that the son's face was as cold as usual. Could it be that I am getting old and my eyes are blurred.

Generally speaking, the umami taste of the ancients used miso, which is fermented from soy products, which is rich in glutamic acid, and we know that the main ingredient of monosodium glutamate is glutamic acid. Miso can enhance the umami taste of food.

But there is a downside to zooming in on the sauce. The color of the food itself is often covered by the sauce, which is a bit dull and not fresh enough.

Ma Miner is a modern person. She knows that in addition to fermented soy products, she also knows that mushrooms and kelp are also rich in glutamic acid. I haven’t seen kelp yet. A neighbor has picked mushrooms and brought them to her for coins. , she collected it, dried it, ground it into powder, made monosodium glutamate, put it in the dish, of course it is fresh and delicious.

Zhang Nianmei was a foodie and didn't find anything unusual about the young master. He said, "My sister, the dishes you cook look bland, but taste delicious and delicious."

In modern times, Chinese people's pursuit of food is not only about heavy taste, but also about nutrition and health, trying to restore the taste of the ingredients themselves. Ma Miner saw in the back kitchen of the military camp that people are paying attention to the pursuit of ingredients. The taste is heavy and the soup is thick, and a heavy miso is often added, which covers the natural taste of the ingredients and lacks a sense of authenticity.

This is the difference between her cooking and people's cooking at the moment. People who really know the taste can often understand the authentic taste, such as foodie Mr. Tian and General Zhang.

After breakfast, Zhang Nianmei had already arranged to go hunting in Calf Mountain, and she called out, "Sister, are you going?"

Ma Min'er didn't want to go.

Zhang Nianmei saw her hesitation, "Sister, do you still want to eat your cooking for lunch?"

"Then go to Xiaoniu Mountain and see if there are any wild onions and garlic to bring back." Ma Miner asked: "Bring my elder brother with you, can you?"

"Of course." Zhang Nianmei replied happily.

Ma Sanlang also wanted to go, but seeing the stern Xia Zhen on the horseback, he didn't dare to make a sound, standing beside his father's legs, rubbing his father's clothes with his two little hands.

Hunting is not only exhausting, but also dangerous. Of course, Ma Qifeng will not let the children go, but they call Min'er to go, and Dalang can only let Dalang follow.

"Min'er, be careful."

"Father, I know!" Ma Min'er went back to her room and changed into burlap and short brown, and took her elder brother to follow them into the mountain. She sat on Zhang Nianmei's horse.

Ma Dalang sat on the back of the startled horse.

To be honest, if it wasn't for the eldest brother sitting on the back of this man, Ma Min'er seemed to have never known such a person existed, and his cold appearance was worse than his master's.

When several cousins ​​of the Ma family "picked wild vegetables" picked up the road in front of the small courtyard of Ma Miner's house, they happened to meet a group of people going out. Riding away.

Several cousins ​​stood on the side of the road with their mouths puffed out. They didn't look away until the horse was out of sight, and walked back with a sleepy expression.

Ma Qifeng considered whether to invite his nieces to come in for a sit-down, and felt that he was a man, and it would be inconvenient to entertain his nieces. He was in a dilemma, but his nieces left instead. Could it be that they were sensible and left automatically when Min'er was not there?
After all, Ma Qifeng is not a fool. He thinks that it is impossible for his niece to come and make friends with his eldest daughter. Otherwise, he would not come usually, but he must come today or yesterday. He glanced at the direction the horse was going away and shook his head secretly. The heart is quite big.

It was the first time for Ma Miner to sit on a horse in this life. The feeling of speeding out of control made her afraid. If she hadn't had an adult soul, she would have screamed in shock. Fortunately, she suppressed it and said to herself, just sit Extreme roller coaster.

Since the road is not an official road, it is not very easy to walk. Zhang Nianmei and others did not ride fast. They enjoyed the horseback very much and did not notice the discomfort of Ma Miner and Ma Dalang at all.Maybe I saw it, and I didn't think so.

In autumn, the golden sunshine is warm and quiet, the autumn wind is warm and gentle, the blue sky and white clouds are elegant and melodious, walking on the winding path makes people feel distant and open, which is really good. Ignoring the discomfort on horseback, Ma Miner looks at the beautiful autumn scenery .

It is not too far to walk for more than ten miles. Of course, riding a horse is faster. After a while, I arrived at the foot of Xiaoniu Mountain. It was about nine o'clock in the morning. Due to the drought, most of the vegetation on the mountain was withered. After nearly two With the rain of the month, although the vegetation grows new green, but seeing that autumn is coming and early winter is coming, the whole hill still doesn't have much greenery.

Ma Min'er looked up, the dead branches and leaves, the depression, there will be animals, she thought to herself, even if she was afraid, she would have been hunted down by the nearby villagers, but it rained a lot, and some fungi could be found, It's a pity that the edible fungi know me, but I don't know them. Don't kill my life by picking poisonous mushrooms. I decided to pick wild vegetables honestly.

Xia Zhen frowned when she looked at Xiaoshan, but she didn't show it. She reached out to take the arrow that Jing Mo brought, and walked up the mountain.

The proposer, Zhuang Hao, rubbed his nose, and walked up the mountain. Zhang Nianmei grabbed him and winked. That means that such a dry mountain is what you want the young master to do?
Zhuang Hao didn't dare to say that he guessed that the corner of the young master's eyebrows moved. He grinned and whispered: "It's secondary to hitting things. The main reason is that I'm too tired to suppress the bandits. Let the young master come out to relax."

"Oh!" Zhang Nianmei was right after thinking about it, she turned around and waved to her sister, meaning to let her follow.

Ma Min'er and her elder brother followed together.

Although the top of the mountain is dry and silent, it is quite interesting after going deeper. There is a thick layer of dead branches and fallen leaves between the mountains and trees, which are fluffy and squeaky when stepped on. The stream is so clear that one can't help but go to the side and pick up a few handfuls to wash their face happily.

Several men scooped up water to drink directly, but Ma Min'er quickly stopped her, "Be careful, your stomach hurts after drinking raw water."

"It's okay, I often drink raw water." The big man Gu Dun said indifferently.

Zhang Nianmei only washed her face, but didn't drink the stream water. She reached for the bamboo tube at her waist and drank plain water.

Gu Dun curled his lips: "I'm not as fastidious as Zhang Tiaozi. I have to boil water to drink."

"You can't drink unboiled water until your stomach hurts, but I can't, I dare not drink it."

From this sentence, Ma Min'er guessed that Zhang Nianmei's family background should be good. In this era, only people with good family background can be "poor and particular".

Ma Min'er smiled and stopped talking. Seeing other people washing their faces and drinking water, she looked boredly at the root of the tree, where groups of ants were busily busy carrying bird droppings, It is about preparing in advance for the severe winter.

Yes, she also has to prepare for Wodong. There was no greenhouse effect in ancient times, and it was said to be very cold.

After the rest, the group continued to go up the mountain, and they reached the top of the mountain in a short while. Although the trees did not have many green leaves, they were layer upon layer, interlaced and very dense.

A group of people found a tree cover for the horse they were leading, and found a flat place suitable for camping and pitched a tent.It was almost noon when the tent was tied up. They made a simple lunch and took a rest after eating.

"My lord, let's start?" Although Zhang Nianmei smiled playfully, Ma Min'er could feel the care in his questioning and the keenness to catch the other's emotional changes.

"Hmm!" Xia Zhen replied impatiently.

After getting his affirmation, Zhang Nianmei quickly waved her hand to the back, and the soldiers behind immediately stepped forward and set off with Xia Zhen.

Zhang Nianmei took a few steps back and asked, "Sister, how about you?"

"My brother and I are looking for wild vegetables nearby, waiting for you while looking."

Zhang Nianmei nodded, "Although many animals were either hunted or starved to death in the catastrophe, it is not ruled out that there may be wild boars and other large and ferocious animals that survived, so be careful."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang, for reminding me."

"I leave two soldiers where they are."

"Brother Zhang, you are so kind."

Zhang Nianmei really has the potential to be a big brother and take good care of people, Ma Min'er thought, she has made money in this life, and there is a caring big brother at home, she cooks breakfast every morning, and his brother helps to light the stove, every day The first time I went to the field, I would always help and give a helping hand, and even drive away the wild boys in the country.

Although the autumn sun was strong at noon, it was mostly covered by trees, so it wasn't hot at all. If it wasn't for walking around, you could even feel the coolness.

The harvest was not bad. Ma Min'er dug up a lot of wild onions, wild garlic, and some shepherd's purse and Mami vegetables. The most important thing is that she only knew three kinds of fungi, and she met them all.

What about the three?

(End of this chapter)