TTTQF Chapter 30

Eliminating Crime

The school matters are settled, so the promised “three-way lamb feast” for Manager Wang has to be scheduled next

After he finishes selling out his buns, Jiang Miao goes to the meat market, where he buys a large piece of lamb and lamb ribs. There are many ways to cook lamb, but Jiang Miao’s favorite method is braising. This method results in tender and flavorful lamb, and the broth is delicious. Eating a few pieces of meat and drinking a bowl of the broth in winter ensures that the whole body is warmed up. Another favorite of his is grilled lamb skewers. When the spicy, cumin-seasoned lamb is grilled over the fire, its aroma fills the air, making the world a more vibrant place.

The best way to cook lamb ribs is in hot pot, but unfortunately, Jiang Miao doesn’t have a copper pot for table hot pot. So, he decides to make braised lamb ribs, which also tastes very good.

Because the shop’s accountant has taken a leave today, Manager Wang has to fill in himself. He can’t leave the shop for long, so after Jiang Miao gathers all the ingredients, he goes straight to the backyard of Manager Wang’s shop. There is a small kitchen in the backyard where an old lady is hired to cook lunch for the shop’s staff every day to save them from running back and forth, which could delay business.

While Jiang Miao is blanching the lamb and the lamb ribs, Manager Wang comes in. Smelling the strong, gamey odor, he quickly covers his nose and says in a muffled voice, “Brother Jiang, you’re not planning to serve me this, are you?” The smell is obviously worse than the mutton restaurant.

Jiang Miao adds a few drops of white vinegar to the pot to remove the smell and says casually, “Of course not, I’m still processing them. If you want the lamb to taste good, this step is essential.”

Manager Wang is skeptical, but in the end, his trust in Jiang Miao prevails. However, the smell is indeed unpleasant, so he quickly says, “I’ll come back when it’s done,” before rushing back to the front shop while covering his nose.

While blanching the meat, Jiang Miao takes the cleaned piece of lamb and cuts it into one-centimeter cubes, then marinates them with spices and skewers them.

Once the lamb is marinated, the blanching is almost done. Jiang Miao methodically takes them out, washes and separates them, then cooks them using different methods. While waiting for the lamb and lamb ribs to stew, he even takes some charcoal, places the lamb skewers on top, and grills them.

The cumin powder mixed with lamb fat drips onto the charcoal, where the flames consume it, releasing an overwhelmingly delicious aroma. Before long, the smell wafts from the backyard to the front of the shop. Whether it’s customers inside buying goods or the shop assistants, they can’t help but sniff the air.

Some regular customers joke with Manager Wang, asking what delicious food is being cooked inside and why not bring some out for everyone to try.

Manager Wang, who frequently glances towards the back, freezes instantly. Seeing everyone looking at him expectantly, he forces a couple of fake laughs, “It’s probably not ready yet.”

“That’s fine, Erzi, go inside and check. If it’s done, bring some out for everyone to taste,” says Manager Chen, an old friend of Manager Wang. The two often go out looking for food together. As the saying goes, “those who see it have a share.” With such a delicious aroma, how could Old Wang enjoy it alone? He has often shared his own food, after all.

The clerk named Erzi glances at his boss. Seeing him nod, he quickly rushes to the backyard. Before long, he returns with a bunch of lamb skewers.

The glistening, red, oily skewers, sprinkled with fragrant spices, are incredibly tempting, especially in a time when the local cuisine isn’t very developed.

Manager Wang, feeling a pang of regret, hands out a skewer to everyone in the shop. When the meat enters his mouth, he regrets it even more. Such delicious meat should have been kept for himself!

After finally sending off the still-wanting food enthusiasts, Manager Wang immediately prepares to head to the backyard. But to his surprise, Manager Chen, who has pretended to leave with the others, comes back again.

“Good old Wang, how unkind of you! Trying to enjoy this alone?” Manager Chen gives him a sideways look, ready to cut ties if he dares to admit it.

Manager Wang sighs, knowing the remaining delicacies can’t be kept secret, “You old fox, come on in!”

Manager Chen immediately smiles and follows him inside.

When the two of them walk to the outside of the kitchen, they smell a rich aroma of meat. Unlike the smoky scent from the fruitwood charcoal earlier, this is the aroma of something fried in a thick, oily sauce. Just the smell makes their stomachs growl with hunger, and they can’t wait to dig in.

Manager Chen takes a deep breath, “That’s the smell! I smelled something else when I was eating the skewers earlier.”

“Your nose is too sharp!” Manager Wang retorts, then asks, “Brother Jiang, is it ready yet?” His impatient tone shows he no longer has any doubts about Jiang Miao’s cooking skills.

“It’s ready!” Jiang Miao replies. He takes out the braised lamb ribs from the pot and sprinkles some chopped scallions on top for garnish.

Manager Wang and Manager Chen have already served themselves rice and are waiting nearby. As soon as the dish is placed on the table, they start eating without even looking up. When they encounter tough pieces, they use their hands directly. It’s only after they finish eating the two or three pounds of lamb ribs on the table that they finally raise their heads with satisfaction.

“Brother Jiang, your cooking skills are amazing!” Manager Wang exclaims. “If that mutton restaurant let you be the head chef, their business would definitely be booming.”

“Indeed, I only thought your buns were delicious, but I didn’t expect your main dishes to be this good! You truly deserve to be a head chef!” Manager Chen, who has also bought Jiang Miao’s buns before, adds. He is a pure meat lover, often eating meat-heavy dishes for breakfast.

“Haha, I can’t be a head chef. Running my own small business suits me better. Working in someone else’s restaurant would be too restrictive.” Jiang Miao had worked as a head chef in a hotel before, but no one expected that even in a kitchen of just over twenty people, there would be three factions constantly vying for power. Jiang Miao, the newcomer, nearly became a pawn in their conflicts. Fortunately, he quit after just three months.

“True,” Manager Wang nods. Being your own boss is definitely better than being an employee. “Wait, didn’t you say there were three ways to cook the lamb? What’s the third one?”

When Manager Chen hears this, he immediately becomes excited. Just a moment ago, the three of them shared that portion of lamb ribs, and he still hasn’t had enough.

“Here it is,” Jiang Miao says as he uncovers a jar, releasing a fresh, fragrant aroma. He ladles out a few bowls of lamb soup and hands them to the two men for tasting.

Manager Wang takes a sip, his eyebrows twitching with delight. The soup looks plain, almost flavorless, but its true taste is revealed upon drinking. Even Manager Chen, who usually prefers rich, oily dishes, finds it delicious.

Jiang Miao also holds a bowl of soup, sipping it slowly. He thinks about buying some more lamb to take home for Xiao Shitou to try. The child has recently become obsessed with practicing calligraphy and refuses to go out

…

On the other side, Pei Che is also eating lamb with his younger brother. This is a dish of braised lamb, made from the freshest and most tender piece of meat cut from a newly purchased lamb by the inn’s chef, specially prepared for these two gentlemen to taste.

Pei Che takes a bite and finds the taste acceptable, so he has Wen Jing give some to Pei Mu as well. Sitting in his chair, Pei Mu opens his mouth as the spoon approaches. He chews twice, frowning slightly, but still swallows it.

Seeing him eat, Wen Jing adds another piece of lamb to his rice and brings it to his mouth. Pei Mu stares at the spoon for a moment before opening his mouth and eating it, chewing quickly and swallowing it down.

“Young master seems to like lamb very much,” says Chan Yi, noting that he hasn’t seen Pei Mu eat so quickly in the past few days.

Pei Che gently encourages, “Mu’er, even if you like it, eat slowly. There’s plenty, and it’s all for you.”

Wen Jing gives him another piece, this one with some skin on it. Pei Mu can’t chew it properly and struggles to swallow. Suddenly, Pei Mu’s face changes, and he vomits up everything he had just eaten.

“Mu’er, what’s wrong? Chan Yi, quickly get a doctor!” Pei Che jumps up and grabs Pei Mu. His brother has never vomited before while eating. Could there be something wrong with the lamb? Realizing that he had only eaten one piece while his brother had eaten several, Pei Che’s face darkens.

“Wen Jing, have the guards secure the front and back doors of the inn. Don’t let anyone leave,” he orders, a hint of fierceness in his eyes.

“Yes!” Wen Jing, also frightened with tears welling up in her eyes, hurries out to give the order.

“The doctor is here!” Chan Yi calls out. The inn has a resident doctor to deal with any potential health issues of visiting officials.

The doctor rushes in and has Pei Che lay Pei Mu flat. He then carefully examines Pei Mu using various diagnostic methods.

“Doctor, what’s wrong with my brother? Is there something wrong with the lamb?” Pei Che immediately asks, seeing that the doctor seems to have reached a conclusion but is hesitant to speak.

“Well… it seems the young master just doesn’t like the taste of lamb and had a strong reaction to it. It doesn’t appear to be a problem with the meat. You might want to give him something else to eat to avoid this happening again.” Lamb has a gamey taste that some people love, but others can’t stand it at all.

“…” The conclusion is unexpected by everyone, and the atmosphere becomes a bit awkward for a while.

Pei Che recalls that lamb is rarely served at home. His grandmother dislikes lamb, so the kitchen seldom buys it. When others want to eat lamb, they go to restaurants. Since Mu’er has never eaten out before, it’s natural for him to react badly to the taste.

Pei Che feels a bit sad. Looking at Pei Mu lying quietly on the bed, he softly apologizes, “Mu’er, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you don’t like eating lamb. Next time, if you come across something you don’t like to eat, could you tell me… or just shake your head, that’s fine too.”

Pei Mu looks at him, just as before, without any reaction.

Pei Che sighs and carries him to the table, instructing Wen Jing to continue feeding him, but this time without any lamb. Pei Che himself then sets aside the food after just one bite and slowly walks out of the door.

“Master, there’s news from the front that Lord Feng’s carriage is only a few miles away!” The guard returns promptly to report.

“Grandfather is back?” Joy surges in Pei Che’s heart, clearing away the earlier gloom. But then, he remembers his grandmother’s instructions. He always feels as if he has come here with some specific purpose in mind. Such conflicted emotions make him feel ashamed to face his loving grandfather.

“Instruct the others to gather at the gate and wait together,” he says calmly, masking his turbulent emotions.

…

The news of Lord Feng’s return to the capital quickly becomes the topic of constant discussion in the city of Liangjing.

For nearly a year now, he has been wielding the Imperial Sword, touring the realm on behalf of the heavens. During this time, officials throughout Great Liang are in a state of nervous anticipation. Everyone knows he is a veteran of three dynasties, always upholding strict integrity and justice. Many corrupt officials have met their end under his hand, yet he also promotes diligent and capable officials who become pillars of their regions.

Now in his advanced years, this tour is likely his final one. Hence, his actions are particularly severe, aimed at setting an example for other officials. It is expected that for years to come, none will dare to openly engage in corrupt practices.

Jiang Miao has heard many stories about this elderly official and deeply admires him. Although there is a saying, “If officials don’t act in the people’s interest, they might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes,” there is also the saying, “If the entrance of the Yamen faces south, even if you have a legitimate case, if you don’t have money, don’t come in.” In ancient times, corrupt officials were far more numerous and their behavior more brazen. Phrases like “ruin a family like a county magistrate, exterminate a household like a prefect” could only spread if someone has suffered deeply from them.

Jiang Miao feels fortunate that his arrival in the imperial city places him beneath the watchful eye of the people, even if their actions are less than noble. With this uncompromising figure like Lord Feng returning, not just officials but even ordinary ruffians and bullies will have to lie low for a while.

When it comes to “cracking down on crime and eliminating evil,” Lord Feng practically embodies it. Who among those who have done wrong deeds wouldn’t be afraid?

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