LGSLAW : Chapter 43 – Obstruction

Upon hearing this, Uncle Ma’s expression changed noticeably.

 

In the village, his donkey cart ran on a fixed schedule with certain designated stops. If he didn’t do business with Yang Dalang’s family, he would always have other customers to make up for it. But his wife had previously sold a batch of soybeans to the workshop for a decent price. Recently, they converted part of their vegetable garden to grow soybeans, hoping for an extra source of cash income. If the workshop stops buying soybeans in the future, how would he explain this to his wife?

 

However, on a personal level, he had enjoyed many snacks that He Ge’er casually handed him, and they were always quite delicious. Yang Dalang seldom rode his cart alone, but when he did, he had helped with loading the goods a few times. Now that they were moving to a new house and had invited him for a warming meal, Uncle Ma felt happy, thinking they had become closer. Many personal relationships are built slowly on these small matters.

 

But now, because of the workshop… Uncle Ma thought about the cause and effect and felt that this matter was truly a bit overbearing. Yes, it’s nice that they are willing to buy the soybeans people grow, but does everyone have to comply with their demands for such a small matter?

 

Looking at the bustling surroundings, Uncle Ma suddenly felt quite uneasy. They were invited to create a lively atmosphere, enjoy a free meal, but who were they really supporting? And who was being belittled?

 

“You were right earlier. If Aunt Ma finds out that I ate here today, it won’t end well. So, I think it’s better if I leave!” After pondering for a while, Uncle Ma made up his mind.

 

The person talking to Uncle Ma was stunned, “Huh? You’re leaving now!? Not staying for the meal?”

 

“There aren’t many spots here anyway. If I leave, someone else will take my place. Just pretend I was never here!”

 

Uncle Ma waved his hand and then got up to leave. Although he couldn’t spoil his wife’s plan to sell soybeans, he could at least avoid taking sides. He would not participate in either, and if he had to choose, it would be on his terms. As for Yang Dalang, he could always give them an 80% discount on cart rides in the future as compensation for this incident; that was his own willingness.

 

The young man talking to Uncle Ma watched him leave with wide eyes and then started to mutter to himself. “I thought he would end up like He Ge’er’s family and side with Mr. Miao because of the soybeans. It seems some people do see through this.”

 

This nosy young man was actually Aunt Yu’s youngest son. Aunt Yu had badmouthed the workshop quite a bit earlier, and she didn’t dare to come today, sending her youngest son instead. Her son, Miao Wa, inherited her love for gossip but was more cautious with his words and didn’t fully share his mother’s views.

 

As he was mumbling to himself, there was a sudden commotion in the crowd.

 

“A carriage!! There’s a carriage coming!!”

 

“Hey, there are several of them!! Are they Mr. Miao’s guests?”

 

“Wow!! Such a grand entrance!! It must be an official!!”

 

“Oh my, if they are befriending an official, won’t the Miao family become even more influential!?”

 

“Aren’t they already influential? With that workshop, haven’t you seen their entire household rise?”

 

“Look, the carriages are coming… but, wait, why are they leaving!?”

 

“Yeah!! Weren’t they supposed to have guests here? Did the drivers get the wrong place!?”

 

“Should we send someone to chase them? We are all here, how could they get the place wrong…?”

 

“It’s just a carriage, they’ll realize soon and come back. Just wait!”

 

“True. I hope they come soon, I skipped breakfast.”

 

“Me too!! Hey, shouldn’t they serve some snacks first?”

 

“Well, everything will be in our bellies soon anyway. Let’s go ask the servers for something…”

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Miao He and Yang Dalang had been busy preparing since Aunt Guo’s visit the previous day, and now everything was almost ready. They opened the gate at the right time, and soon a team of carriages approached from the end of the road.

 

Yang Dalang asked Miao He to wait inside while he went to greet the guests.

 

The first person to get off the carriage was Manager Jin, who cheerfully congratulated them.

 

“Yang brother, He Ge’er, how are you both!! I’m here to congratulate you on your new home!! Wow, look at this house, Li Ming really is reliable, no cutting corners, this new house is indeed grand and beautiful!! Good, good, my reputation as the introducer is saved!!”

 

After exchanging a few words, Yang Dalang said, “Thank you, Manager Jin. Sorry for the trouble this time.”

 

“No trouble at all! This is nothing!! I heard from Qu Lao that he plans to come for a meal too. If things don’t go well, it will be me in trouble!! Here, I’ve brought everything you need for the banquet, including some extra hands, so feel free to use them!!”

 

Yang Dalang gratefully cupped his hands. Miao He came over with a smile to greet Manager Jin, “Manager Jin, you’re too kind. We just wanted to borrow some tables and chairs. You didn’t have to bring extra help, don’t let it affect the teahouse business.”

 

“He Ge’er, don’t be so polite. If the young master has something, how can the whole teahouse not lend a hand? And bringing them along is a treat for them too. I haven’t forgotten about the delicious food from last time.”

 

“Then we won’t let Manager Jin down today. Be sure to eat your fill.”

 

“Of course, of course. Seeing how you’ve put on some weight, it must be because you couldn’t resist your own cooking!”

 

Miao He blushed at this remark, feeling a bit embarrassed.

 

At this moment, Yang Dalang interjected, “He’s pregnant, please bear with us.”

 

This was the first time Manager Jin heard the news, and he exclaimed with wide eyes, “Wow, that’s double happiness!! Congratulations, congratulations!! That’s truly wonderful!! With land, a house, fields, vegetables, a spouse, and now a child, your days ahead will be worry-free!!”

 

Receiving such straightforward congratulations, Yang Dalang paused for a moment and sincerely thanked him, “Thank you for your kind words.”

 

At this moment, his gaze met Miao He’s. Miao He understood and smiled back.

 

Yes, they didn’t need to follow others’ lead.

 

Living well every day is the most important thing.

 

***

 

Miao He then led the jubilant Manager Jin inside, while Yang Dalang, along with Yang Datong and Yang Dachuan, arranged the borrowed tables and chairs in the courtyard with the help of the teahouse staff. Aunt Yang had also brought her daughter-in-law to help in the kitchen today. Manager Jin, passing by, took a curious look.

 

“He Ge’er, I see there’s not much in the kitchen. Will there really be food later? Should I call the head chef from the teahouse? There’s still time to arrange it!”

 

Miao He smiled, “How could we let the guests come in vain? There will definitely be food! Don’t worry, Manager Jin, you’ll see soon enough!”

 

Of course, Manager Jin couldn’t see any food being prepared because the main dishes were already buried in the ground, being roasted.

 

Yes. Miao He hadn’t interfered much with today’s other arrangements, but he did have a say in the main dishes for the feast.

 

It was to be beggar’s chicken!

 

Beggar’s chicken, also known as mud-baked chicken, traditionally involves cleaning the chicken, coating it in mud while keeping the feathers on, and then baking it in a fire pit. Once the mud hardens, it’s broken off, taking the feathers with it, leaving a fragrant, tender chicken. Over time, many variations emerged, with stuffing the chicken with vegetables and seasonings to enhance the flavor, and wrapping it in lotus leaves before baking to add an extra fragrance.

 

Miao He considered the resources at hand. They had no shortage of chickens. Since moving in, Yang Dalang had regularly checked the traps on the mountain, and aside from the chickens they bought last time, they had caught a dozen or so wild chickens. Using them for the feast, though a bit of a heartache, would definitely be superior in quality. After all, they had been fed with the magical soil’s produce for at least half a month!

 

With the chicken meat guaranteed to be delicious, the next step was the cooking method. Beggar’s chicken, stuffed with tasty fillings and roasted in one go, not only saves a lot of effort but also serves as both meat and vegetable. Adding a few cold dishes and some fruits and snacks would make for a satisfying feast.

 

For the stuffing, Miao He used only the best vegetables from the magical soil, ensuring the guests would be delighted. Ingredients like potatoes and carrots that absorb meat juices, wild mushrooms and onions for added flavor, and even some big, round chestnuts he managed to sneak in. It was plausible enough to claim they were found on the mountain.

 

As the time for the feast approached noon, the aroma of roasted meat began to waft through the air.

 

But at this moment, Yang Dalang, Miao He, and a few others had their attention diverted by the new arrivals.

 

Miao Ping, with his Ger Chen Rong and his younger brother Miao Gao, were the first batch of guests from Miao’s village.

 

However, their expressions were not very pleasant upon arrival.

 

Miao Ping shook his head, “There are people at the workshop’s entrance, mentioning today’s feast and saying that if people don’t attend or go elsewhere, they won’t buy their soybeans in the future. Does the Miao Jue family think everyone must live by their whims?”

 

Miao Gao also scoffed, “Exactly. Even if we grew soybeans, we wouldn’t sell to such people!”

 

Yang Dalang, sensing the tension, said calmly, “No worries. A hot pot meal won’t affect anything.”

 

People worth associating with wouldn’t mind, and those not worth associating with wouldn’t matter for a single meal.

 

In the future, he would definitely seek justice from the Miao Jue family!

 

Miao Ping glanced around the new house and laughed, “But what about their fuss? Our Dalang has built a fine green brick house, living well! If those petty-minded people knew, their eyes would pop out! They’re still in mud huts, while making such a scene outside; compare the houses, I say.”

 

Miao Gao also laughed, “Just like Miao Li’s new house, he was so determined to build it bigger and better than Dalang’s. Let’s tell him our Dalang now lives in a green brick house and see if he keeps building, hahaha!”

 

With this lively chat, the outside troubles seemed less significant. Just then, another shout came from a distance.

 

“Wow, Miao Ping, you’re here earlier than us!! Unusual, aren’t you always late!?”

 

“We had to hurry, or else your brothers would have eaten everything!!”

 

“If everything’s eaten, then you can tell the person at the road they don’t need to block anymore since Dalang’s food was all eaten by the guests!!”

 

“Hahaha, true! Wow, look at that, green bricks!!”

 

This time it was Miao Dahu and his cousin Dahai, frequent hunting companions of Yang Datong. The energetic young men gathered, turning the earlier anger into light-hearted banter.

 

Even Yang Dalang, with lingering anger, gradually calmed down.

 

Next came Uncle Lin’s family, Master Lu Gang who taught Yang Datong carpentry, Aunt Qing who brought the expressionless Miao Qiang, and the hunter Liu Lao with his wife…

 

Miao He squeezed Yang Dalang’s hand and smiled, “See, those who should come, will always come.”

 

***

 

Meanwhile, at Miao Jue’s house, another commotion arose as a convoy of carriages passed by.

 

“They’re here!! Another convoy!!”

 

“Don’t tell me it’s the same one! It took so long to come back, those drivers are really…!”

 

“Hey, these look different, must be another group…”

 

“Surely it’s them!? Otherwise, why would so many carriages come to the village!?”

 

“Right!! It’s almost time to start, Miao’s guests should be here.”

 

“Exactly—hey, why are they passing by again!? Are they starting the feast or not!!”

 

---

Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! ?~(????)

---

D-day 9 !! ?o?.(??? ??)

You can also give me your suggestions for my next project (September). I’ll be happy to work on it ?