xymnovel Chapter 57 Simmering a Big Fish in an Iron Pot
Chapter 57 Simmering a Big Fish in an Iron Pot
Chapter 57 Simmering a Big Fish in an Iron Pot
"Kids! Look, the big fish is coming!" Grandpa shouted from outside.
"Why is Li Changtian only coming back now?!" The second grandmother said impatiently as she got up and came out.
"Little sister, let's go see the big fish too!" The two older boys straightened up and were about to go down.
"Wait a minute!" Little Si grumbled jealously.
"Sizi, Lu Ping, Lu Ning, come out quickly!" Lu Chen had already gone out first.
"Second Uncle, if you don't come back soon, we won't be able to eat any more fish," Auntie joked with a smile.
"Good things come to those who wait. I'll prepare the fish! Look how good these two big fish are!" Second Grandpa picked up the large white bag, which was heavy. The fish were a meter long and curved in a big way.
"What a big fish! That's great!" Little Si clapped his hands.
"We haven't eaten big fish in ages!" The two little boys jumped and skipped around.
Second Grandma brought over a large bath tub, which was half-filled with water.
"Splash!" Two large fish slid out of the bag, their round bodies crashing into the water, their big tails whipping up a splash, their large scales gleaming golden in the sunlight.
"Second Grandpa, let me help you prepare the fish!" Lu Chen brought scissors and a stack of small stools, and distributed them to the three children and the second grandpa.
"Come on; Second Grandpa will stun the big fish. You all stay away." Second Grandpa picked up a big fish, and with a thud, slammed it to the ground, its head hitting the ground.
"Wow! The big fish isn't moving anymore!"
"Eat fish!"
"Grandpa's going to gut the fish!"
The three little ones gathered around, craning their necks to look.
Grandpa picked up a pair of scissors and snipped open the fish's belly, releasing a fishy smell. The fish's belly was split open, revealing its colorful intestines.
"Wow! So much stuff!" Little Sizi stared at the fish's belly with his big eyes.
"There are fish bladders in here!" Lu Ping and Lu Ning said in unison.
"Come on, look! Big fish bubbles! Sizi, do you want to touch them?" Lu Chen held up two gourd-shaped fish bubbles in his hands.
"This is so much fun!" Little Sizi stretched out her little hand and pressed the fish bubble.
"Bounce!" The little guy was delighted, his eyes practically squinting into slits.
"The fish maw is quite delicious when it's cooked."
"And there's fish roe! It's so crunchy and delicious!"
The two little boys were shouting.
"Oh, I haven't heard of any fish! What kind of fish are they?"
"This is it! It has little bits and pieces inside!"
"My mom says it's going to grow little fish!"
"Wow! The wasabi drop fish has been chopped up! So pitiful!" Little Sizi looked at the orange-red, distinct fish roe inside the fish's belly, her little eyebrows furrowed, her pink lips pouting, and her round eyes filled with genuine sympathy.
"It's okay! There are plenty in the river! We have plenty in our fishpond!" Lu Ping patted his chest to assure his little sister.
"Yes! Let's go see the tadpoles sometime! There are so many!" Lu Ning quickly added, trying to divert Xiao Si's attention.
"Oh!" Little Sizi's attention was indeed drawn to the "tadpoles," her big eyes lit up, and her previous worry was instantly replaced by anticipation. "Tadpoles! Are tadpoles small fish too?"
"No, tadpoles are the babies of frogs!"
"Oh, Wokji Island..." Little Si nodded repeatedly.
On the other side of the sky, many people began to be shocked.
At the dinner table, Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed in admiration, "Look at them! How fortunate these common people are to eat such a big fish!"
"Father, let's eat a fish this big someday and see how it compares to a small fish," Zhu Biao suggested.
"Is it alright, Chongba?" Empress Ma asked, staring at Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Alright! We'll wait until the Dragon Boat Festival!" Zhu Yuanzhang slapped his thigh.
"Let's see how they eat."
The family stared intently at the sky.
My second grandfather quickly cleaned the fish's internal organs, scraped off the shiny large scales, and then brought over a water hose to rinse the fish.
"Little guys, stay away! Lu Chen, open the sluice gate!" Second Grandpa aimed the water pipe at the big fish.
"Oh! Let's run!"
"Climb the ladder!" Eight-year-old Lu Ping and nine-year-old Lu Ning grabbed Xiao Sizi and ran.
The two older children climbed up the ladder like monkeys to the middle, then shouted from the top, "Little sister, come on up!"
"Hmm!" Little Sizi had never seen anything like this that you could climb before, so of course she wanted to go up.
The little girl gripped the ladder bar tightly with both hands and stepped up with her short legs.
"You two naughty boys! Why did you make your sister climb the ladder? Get down here!" Grandpa said sternly, his hand urging the water pipe to spray a powerful jet of water onto the big fish, splashing water everywhere.
"Hahaha! What a big drop of water!" Little Sizi stopped climbing.
"It's okay! We can't fall!"
"What's going on? Why all the noise?" Second Grandma came out to see what was happening.
"Look! These two naughty boys are teaching Little Sizi how to climb a ladder!" Second Grandfather glanced eastward.
"Oh! My little darling! Don't climb! What if you fall? You're the apple of our family's eye!" Second Grandma quickly ran over and helped the little girl up.
"Sizi, listen to your brother, you can't climb a ladder alone! Otherwise you'll fall and flatten your nose!" Lu Chen scared her.
"Oh, my package arrived~~" Little Sizi subconsciously touched her little nose.
"Come on, let your brother carry you up." Lu Chen picked up the little one and placed her in the middle of the ladder, then held her with his hand.
"How is it? How does it feel to sit up there?" Lu Chen asked with a smile.
"Okay~~ I'm going to see the outside world!" Little Si laughed heartily, saying it was much better than a palanquin!
"Sizi! We're on the roof!" The two older brothers came up with another unexpected trick.
"Brother, I want to go too!" Little Sizi was eager again.
"Okay, wait here." Lu Chen helped Xiao Sizi up the ladder, then carried Xiao Sizi in one arm and climbed onto the roof.
"Wow! It's so tall! Wow, so many houses! And a little river!" Little Sizi stared wide-eyed, looking around.
Beyond the sky.
"Oh! This is what Zhuangzi is like in modern times!"
"Rows of flat-roofed houses, one next to the other!"
"These houses are all so beautiful! And there isn't a single poor family among them!"
"Where are the poor! Didn't you see that there are no beggars in the big city, young man?"
People from all dynasties were discussing it extensively.
"If only I could have ten thousand mansions, to shelter all the poor scholars of the world and make them all happy!" Du Fu sat on a large rock in front of his thatched cottage, gazing up at the sky.
"This wish has actually come true a thousand years later!"
"Indeed, such a day has come!"
"Scholars like me will no longer have to worry about making a living."
Du Fu was moved to tears.
"The modern era is the true golden age," Li Shimin sighed.
"My daughter is so lucky! The whole family treats her so well." Empress Zhangsun's eyes were filled with panic.
"The rhinoceros wants to eat a big fish! I want to eat a big fish too!" Li Tai's eyes widened.
"Who can help pick the corn?" Grandma San brought over a large basket of green corn.
"We're here! Sizi, we're coming down the stairs." Lu Chen led the little guy down the ladder.
"Corn! Big and awesome! Little baby in green!" Sizi Dudu ran over.
"Haha! The little girl says corn looks like a baby!"
"It smells so good! That corn tassel looks like hair! Haha!"
"Cover the corn!" Little Sizi picked up a corn cob, stretched out his chubby little hands, and followed his second grandmother in imitating the foreskin.
"Let's join in!" Lu Ping and Lu Ning started wrapping up the wrappers.
Here.
Splash! Second Grandfather and Third Grandfather together poured the water from the large fish basin into the platform below.
"Alright! All cleaned up! Second Grandma, the fish are ready!" Second Grandpa put the two cleaned fish into another clean basin and shouted loudly towards the kitchen.
"Coming right away!" Second Grandma responded, hurrying out of the steaming kitchen, her hands still covered in flour. "Lu Changtian, chop the fish into pieces, I'll go prepare the seasonings. Today we're making a big stew, braised! The kids love it!"
"Alright!" Second Grandpa responded readily, picked up the sturdy cleaver, and with a few muffled "clangs," chopped the large fish into even chunks on the cutting board.
The fish head was particularly large and was placed separately. It looked like the fish head would take up a whole large wok.
Wow! That's amazing!
"My second grandfather is so strong!"
The three little ones watched intently. Lu Ping and Lu Ning clapped their hands excitedly, and Xiao Sizi imitated his brothers, clapping loudly with his little hands, his face full of admiration.
Second Grandma then began giving orders: "Eldest daughter-in-law (eldest aunt), are the scallions, ginger, and garlic all chopped? Lu Changtian, go push the stove over here and stoke the fire in the stove to make it burn brighter! Sizi's mother, have you peeled the garlic? Put it in my bowl!"
"Alright, Auntie, here you go!" Mom handed over the peeled, snow-white garlic cloves.
Grandpa pushed over a square portable stove made of galvanized iron. Firewood was already piled up inside, and the flames were glowing red.
Second Grandpa took the pot off the stove and poured the water into an empty basin.
Sizzle! The pot dried up quickly.
Second Grandma scooped up a large spoonful of oil.
"Alright! You kids, move back a bit, the oil's about to get hot!" Second Grandma took the garlic cloves, tied her apron tighter, and looked ready to get to work.
My aunt followed closely behind, and the sizzling sound of hot oil hitting the pan immediately filled the air. The rich aroma of scallions, ginger, and garlic instantly permeated the entire courtyard, forcefully wafting into everyone's noses.
"Smells good!" Little Sizi sniffed hard, his mouth watering at the tempting aroma, and he unconsciously moved closer.
"Little darling, don't come any closer! You're all frizzy!" Lu Chen reacted quickly, grabbing the curious little girl and carrying her away from the dangerous kitchen doorway.
"Look! Look!" Little Sizi twisted her little body in Lu Chen's arms, her little hand stubbornly pointing to the fragrant pot.
"Brother will carry you to see, stand a little further away." Lu Chen carried her and stood at a distance.
Lu Ping and Lu Ning also stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to watch Second Grandma throw one seasoning after another into the pot.
White smoke rose from the pot.
Grandma Er skillfully poured the chopped fish pieces into the boiling oil with a "whoosh," followed by an even louder "sizzle," as the edges of the fish quickly turned golden brown and crispy.
She quickly stir-fried the fish for a few seconds, then drizzled in soy sauce and cooking wine, sprinkled in salt, sugar, and other seasonings, added hot water to cover the fish pieces, and covered the pot with the lid.
Soon, the pot began to gurgle and boil happily, the white steam making the lid bounce gently. The rich aroma of soy sauce and fresh fish grew stronger and stronger, filling the entire courtyard and making everyone's mouth water.
Meanwhile, outside the sky:
This scene, brimming with the warmth of everyday life, filled the people from all walks of life outside the canopy with both wonder and emotion, their mouths practically watering along with the aroma.
In the Xianyang Palace of the Qin Dynasty, Meng Tian stared at the enormous chunks of fish and the bubbling broth, his Adam's apple bobbing: "Such a huge fish, cooked like this? The aroma even permeates the air! I wonder what it tastes like braised? If used to reward the army, it would surely boost morale!"
Zhao Gao stared at the orange-red fish roe, his eyes darting around: "The fish's belly contains gold (roe), and its color is so vibrant, it must be an extraordinary product!"
If only —
In the Tang Dynasty Imperial Palace: Li Shimin, watching his second wife's fluid movements and the rising steam, sighed to Empress Zhangsun, "Observing this culinary art, with its bustling smoke and harmonious atmosphere, it feels even more cozy than a palace banquet. I also long to taste that braised dish!"
Li Tai's focus, however, was on the size of the fish and the speed at which it was processed: "The size of this fish and the speed at which it was processed are beyond what is commonly seen in ordinary people."
Could these be specially raised fish? The technique for scaling and gutting them is incredibly efficient!
In Bianjing (Kaifeng): Su Shi had long since put down his pen, his mouth watering as he gazed at the bubbling fish pot on the screen. "Sizzle!" The fish sizzled in the pot, its rich aroma permeating the screen—this was the ultimate flavor! The words "braised" perfectly captured its essence! A toast is in order! Brother Shen, quickly write down these cooking steps!
Shen Kuo, however, became deeply interested in the enormous swim bladder and roe, taking notes while pondering: "The swim bladder is so huge? Its buoyancy structure—the roe clustered together, each grain distinct—this is the basis for reproduction. I wonder what it tastes like—"
Inside Yingtian Prefecture: Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the huge pot of fish and, as usual, felt a pang of regret: "Tsk tsk! Such a big fish! Enough for an ordinary family to eat several meals! And so much oil and so much seasoning (soy sauce)! Wasteful! But—it smells really good!"
Empress Ma laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "You're so stubborn! Look at that soup, so red and thick, and the children are all looking at it with such drool, isn't that wonderful! This is the taste of home."
Inside the Forbidden City: Emperor Qianlong's attention was completely drawn to the tempting orange-red fish roe: "He Shen! Look, there's a treasure hidden in the fish's belly!"
"The color is like amber, each roe like a pearl! This fish roe must be a rare and nourishing delicacy! Summon the Imperial Kitchen, I also want to try this fish belly pearl soup!"
While bowing and replying "Yes," Heshen secretly lamented: In this freezing winter, where am I going to find such a large fish and fish roe for His Majesty?
Back at Grandma San's courtyard:
The fish in the pot simmered until it became increasingly flavorful, and the broth thickened and turned a glossy red. Grandma Er lifted the lid and carefully pushed the fish pieces with a spatula. The rich aroma of the sauce, combined with the freshness of the fish, burst forth as if it were real.
"Dinner's ready! Children, wash your hands and get ready to sit down!" Grandma's command sounded like a joyful horn.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, several different aromas wafted out.
There was a sweet corn aroma and a tantalizing bean fragrance—it was the grandly launched soy milk! There was also the aroma of rice and steamed buns. "Let's go eat!" Lu Ping and Lu Ning cheered and rushed to the sink.
"Seven rice! Seven fish!" Little Sizi excitedly danced around in Lu Chen's arms, her big eyes sparkling as she stared at the direction of the kitchen, her little nose twitching as if she wanted to inhale all the aromas into her belly.
Lu Chen smiled and put her down: "Come on, let's take Sizi to wash her hands!"
The eldest aunt and the second grandmother began to quickly bring the dishes into the main room.
Besides the large, steaming, and fragrant braised fish chunks that occupy the center of the table, there are also vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, golden scrambled eggs, and glistening braised pork—the sumptuous dinner in the farmhouse courtyard is about to begin amidst laughter and joy.
"Here it is! Fresh boiled corn!" Grandma Er carried a large bowl of steaming hot green corn.