The fruits, grains, and meats needed for cooking were all prepared and placed in large basins on the ground.
Although the wooden shed was built by the river, it was actually more than ten meters away. Shen Xiaoyan had people dig a considerable pit not far behind the shed to dump any garbage.
Even though the river was flowing water, it should not be polluted.
Pan Shi and the others saw that everything was ready and started working. As they were all housewives, they were very efficient. In no time, they had picked and washed the vegetables.
The meat was hind leg meat, with more fat than lean, but people here liked it that way.
Pan Shi cut the meat into pieces and stewed it with yardlong beans and round eggplants. As soon as steam rose from the side of the pot lid, the aroma drifted to the noses of those working.
Smelling the fragrance of the meat, everyone worked with more vigor. The master paid them well and provided good meals, so they were naturally willing to work hard.
Eight large stoves were lit, cooking four dishes and one soup. One pot of steamed buns and two pots of rice were prepared. After half an hour, all the food was ready.
Shen Xiaoyan also helped out on the side. Although she knew how to cook, she wasn't skilled at cooking for such a large group. She only helped with kneading the dough and shaping the buns.
When the food was ready, Shen Xiaoyan ran to the construction site to call everyone to eat.
After washing their hands, everyone sat down in the wooden shed. Seeing the four dishes, one soup, rice, and mixed-grain buns on the table, they all swallowed. The food was good.
Then, only the sounds of ravenous eating could be heard. No one spoke until they had finished all the food on the table, then they patted their bellies and chuckled.
While these people were eating, Shen Xiaoyan also had Pan Shi and the others eat. She then took some food back to her courtyard. Shen Xiaoming was still home alone. As for Zheng Wei, he had already joined everyone at the table.
Shen Xiaoming had offered to help, but he was just a child and couldn't carry anything heavy. Shen Xiaoyan naturally wouldn't let him. She only asked him to help pick vegetables in the morning and told him that watering the vegetables every day from now on would be his responsibility.
Of course, the water was fetched and poured into large vats in the courtyard by Shen Xiaoyan or Zheng Wei. To make it convenient to water the vegetables and honeydew melons, they bought several large vats. Every day, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei would fill each vat in the morning.
When Shen Xiaoyan returned with the dishes, Pan Shi and the others were washing the bowls and chopsticks.
Shen Xiaoyan's gaze swept across the cutting board and she saw several bowls placed there, each with half a bowl of vegetables, containing hind leg meat.
After a moment's thought, Shen Xiaoyan understood. This was food for them. They had collectively saved the dishes with meat, presumably to take home for their families.
After Pan Shi and the others finished washing the dishes and tidied up the stove, Shen Xiaoyan took down the purse hanging from her body. She had brought it from home; it contained the copper coins, which were the day's wages for Pan Shi and the others.
After giving the money to each person, Shen Xiaoyan saw them smile even more happily.
This was also agreed upon beforehand: wages were paid daily, which was meant to put their minds at ease.
Pan Shi and the others took the money and the half-bowl of vegetables and left, agreeing to come at the same time tomorrow and bring back the bowls then.
After seeing them off, Shen Xiaoyan looked at the people working enthusiastically and rekindled the fire in the stove.
The pot had already been cleaned. She planned to boil some water and keep it, in case those people got thirsty later.
As expected, when the boiled water had cooled slightly, Zheng Wei walked over.
"Boil some water. Everyone will be thirsty later, and it's very hot," Zheng Wei's voice could be heard before he even entered the wooden shed.
Shen Xiaoyan replied, "Do I need you to tell me? It's already cooling."
Zheng Wei had also approached by then. Seeing the water in several pots, he smiled at Shen Xiaoyan.
They filled two kettles and then put the bowls into bamboo baskets. The two of them then headed towards the construction site.
The chosen location for the house construction was very far forward this time, with the main door of the new house aligned with the main door of the original courtyard.
Shen Xiaoyan placed the basket on the ground and poured a bowl of water for everyone who came to drink. The two teapots were already empty.
Shen Xiaoyan walked back with the empty teapots to refill them. Zheng Wei, however, had already gone back to help.
It was evident that Zheng Wei was very dedicated to the construction of the new house. He was involved in every detail and every step of the construction, doing it himself. He did not return to his courtyard in the evening and slept under the thatched shed.
Half a month later, the new house had already begun to take shape. This speed was truly not slow.
When the house foundation was almost complete, Lu Taobao had already delivered the pipes.
Shen Xiaoyan carefully examined the pipes. These pipes were made of copper, with the thickest being a foot in diameter and the thinnest as thick as Shen Xiaoyan's wrist.
Although pipes were already being produced overseas, the craftsmanship was not refined enough. However, there was nothing to complain about; it was good enough to be usable.
After Zheng Wei led people to bury the pipes, the house construction officially began.
Although the hot summer was very hot, because the weather was good, building the house went quickly.
Shen Xiaoyan was only responsible for the food for these craftsmen every day. Zheng Wei didn't let her worry about anything else.
Although their courtyard grew many varieties of vegetables, they couldn't sustain so many people eating them daily. After half a month, all the ripe ones were picked, and the new ones were not yet edible.
Shen Xiaoyan then told Pan Shi and the others that she would buy vegetables from them, or from anyone in the village who was willing to sell.
At this time, every household had a vegetable patch, and quite a substantial one. Farmers would not buy vegetables to eat; they were self-sufficient.
Even if they could exchange the vegetables they grew for money, no one would be unwilling. Therefore, Pan Shi and the others brought vegetables every day when they came, and Shen Xiaoyan paid them at market price.
Half a month later, Lu Taobao brought people to pick the honeydew melons again. This time, it was 12,000 jin, also for 180 taels of silver.
Shen Xiaoyan initially didn't want to accept the money, as she had received quite a few pipes from Lu Taobao, which were worth a lot of money.
However, Lu Taobao insisted, saying with a smile, "My elder brother and sister-in-law are building a new house and moving into a new home. As a younger brother, I naturally have to give a congratulatory gift. Consider these pipes my congratulatory gift."
Hearing him say this, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei couldn't refuse. Shen Xiaoyan thought further: there would be many opportunities for future cooperation, and this was not a big deal.
After loading the cart, Lu Taobao prepared to leave with his men. Shen Xiaoyan stopped him, "My milk fruit is ripe. Try one. If you think it's good, take some to sell and see."
Lu Taobao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he immediately said, "It seems I sent my congratulatory gift at the right time, otherwise, I'm afraid my sister-in-law wouldn't have been willing to let me try it."
Shen Xiaoyan also chuckled at this. Lu Taobao's demeanor was indeed lively. After several interactions, she felt that he was truly suited for business.
Walking to the milk fruit vine, she picked a ripe milk fruit. Shen Xiaoyan took the pre-prepared knife, cut the fruit, and handed it to Lu Taobao. After explaining how to eat it, she waited to see his reaction.
Lu Taobao smelled the aroma of the milk fruit and couldn't help but smile, "No wonder my sister-in-law calls this milk fruit. It smells so fragrant."