Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Chen Rong, You’re Amazing

“Stone pot stewed goose—is that like chicken stewed with yam?”

“Pretty much.”

Just a few words were enough to spark everyone’s inner foodie. They all started asking Chang Xia what they could do to help.

Chang Xia pointed to the largest stone pot next to the beast den and said, “He Yun Amu, could you please help wash that big stone pot? I want to use it to stew the goose later.”

These stone pots had been specially crafted by Chen Rong at Chang Xia’s request.

The stone was collected by Ya Dong and Kun, who took time out to gather rocks from the upper reaches of the White River’s stony banks. Chen Rong had polished seven or eight pots of various sizes.

The small ones were just right for Chang Xia and Chen Rong.

With more people, they could just pick a pot that suited the group. With these stone pots, Chang Xia no longer had to worry about cooking. Her old clay pots were fine for stewing, but she was always afraid they’d crack or explode if she tried frying or sautéing in them.

“Who polished this stone pot?” He Yun asked as she hauled it out, clearly delighted. Unlike the ones in the tribe’s plaza, Chen Rong’s pots were finely finished, every edge and corner smoothed until they felt like warm jade—absolutely top quality.

Chang Xia said proudly, “Chen Rong—he made them for me.”

“He’s so meticulous. This pot is beautifully done,” He Yun praised.

Her eyes swept over the other pots, clicking her tongue in admiration. The more she looked, the more she liked them. She was already planning to have Yun Dong pick out some stones from the stony banks once they decided where to build the kiln back in the tribe.

“These stone pots look even nicer than clay ones!”

“I want one too!”

In an instant, all the nearby women chimed in. Clearly, they were all taken by the pots’ appearance. Everyone in the tribe knew clay pots were prone to cracking and exploding, while stone pots were much more durable.

They just hadn’t realized before that stone pots could be polished so thin and fine.

“Polishing stone pots is easy. Why don’t you let Chen Rong explain—” Chang Xia hesitated, then suggested.

He Yun waved her off. “No rush. Let’s eat lunch first, then we can talk.”

Soon, He Yun and two others had washed the big stone pot clean.

They built a stove, set the pot on top, and started a fire to heat it up.

Gen, seeing there wasn’t much else to do, called a few people over to grind white nuts at the table. Chang Xia had gone through a lot of white nuts lately—the once-full clay jars were now empty. Even without opening the lids, Gen could guess from the fine powder in the sifter.

Everyone worked quickly and efficiently.

No need for Chang Xia to say a word—He Yun and the others just got on with things.

They chatted as they worked, talking about everything from building the kiln cave to how to make beggar’s chicken. The area above the beast den was never quiet, and the questions kept coming—when would Chang Xia move house?

“I’ll move once Nan Feng’s kiln cave is finished in the spring,” Chang Xia said. “It’s pretty empty inside, so I want to make some furniture—tables, chairs, stools…”

There was a kang bed in the cave, so a wooden bed wasn’t really necessary.

If she made one, it would go in the spare room; if not, she could just sleep on the kang. But wardrobes and cabinets were a must—without them, there was nowhere to put things. She also wanted to make a few shelves.

“These tables and chairs are really well made.”

“Ironwood is best—sturdy and tough.”

Their opinions matched Mu Qin’s—they all agreed that ironwood made the best-looking furniture. As for rosewood, they thought it was impractical.

That’s right—the beast tribe’s taste was simple and down-to-earth.

Practicality came first.

When they visited Chang Xia’s kiln cave and saw the ironwood doors and windows, they all gave high praise. In their eyes, ironwood doors and windows could withstand any wild beast attack—nothing could be safer.

“I think bowls, chopsticks, tables, chairs—everything should be made from ironwood. Furniture too,” Mu Qin agreed. She shot Chang Xia a look, blaming her for not appreciating good materials.

Unfortunately, Su Ye agreed with Chang Xia about using rosewood for furniture.

Otherwise, Mu Qin would probably have had more to say.

What’s so great about those weird patterns?

No matter how pretty, can they beat sturdy and tough?

“Amu, don’t bother trying to persuade her. Chang Xia will never agree to use ironwood for tables and chairs—she thinks it’s ugly,” Nan Feng laughed.

Chang Xia just shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

If the Heluo tribe were better suited for building wooden houses, she’d rather use rosewood to build one. As she thought about it, Chang Xia glanced up at the kiln cave’s roof—maybe she could build a small wooden house up there someday?

Of course, that was something to consider when she had more free time.

“I just don’t get you young people’s taste—”

Mu Qin and the others shook their heads, but didn’t argue. After building their own kiln caves, most of them would probably choose ironwood for their furniture anyway. Beastfolk were tough and rowdy—ironwood furniture could stand up to anything.

As they chatted, all the ingredients for lunch were ready.

They just waited for Chang Xia’s signal to start cooking.

“Nan Feng, you take care of the beggar’s chicken.”

“For the roast meat, have Chen Rong help with the marinating and roasting.”

“Mu Qin Amu, you’re in charge of stir-frying.”

Chang Xia assigned everyone their tasks, then took the cleaned goose, chopped it into pieces, and blanched it in cold water to remove the blood. She drained it, set aside the ginger and garlic, heated oil in the stone pot, and started stir-frying the goose pieces. Once they changed color, she added seasonings and kept frying until the aroma filled the air.

You can now add fresh water to the stone pot, along with a bit of sour fruit pulp and some onions. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and let it simmer slowly.

During the busy days of the long summer,

After the clan members finished their work, they would stand nearby, secretly watching and learning.

The smooth, practiced movements of Changxia left them silent in awe. They realized that cooking was truly an art; without Changxia’s guidance, it would be hard for them to master it.

“Stone-pot stewed goose—the key is in the stewing. The longer you stew it, the more fragrant and delicious the goose becomes. It’s just like making bone broth,” Changxia said with a smile.

Without soy sauce or cooking wine to remove the gamey taste, she could only use sour fruit pulp and onions. Fortunately, these two ingredients worked quite well. Finally, she added a pinch of shrimp powder, making the dish just as tasty, tender, and flavorful.

The goose meat wasn’t fully cooked or infused with flavor yet, but just the aroma told everyone that this stone-pot stewed goose would taste amazing. Soon, the smell of roasted meat from Shenrong’s side wafted over—a different, rich, fatty fragrance that made everyone’s mouth water.

For a moment,

Everyone felt like their noses weren’t enough to take in all the delicious scents.

“Shenrong, we don’t have enough tables and chairs,” Changxia said quietly.

There were forty or fifty people gathered at the beast den, but there were only enough tables and chairs for about twenty.

This meant that half the people would have to stand or squat to eat.

Shenrong turned his head toward Changxia, catching a faint whiff of the food scent on her, and replied, “Don’t worry. I’ve sent Yadong and Kongshan back to the tribe to fetch some wood. They’ll make two more long tables and bring them over.”

Hearing this,

Changxia’s face lit up with joy.

She gave Shenrong a thumbs-up and praised, “Shenrong, you’re amazing!”

No wonder she had her eye on this male—he was always so thoughtful and meticulous. To be honest, if it weren’t almost mealtime, Changxia wouldn’t have noticed the shortage of tables.

The same went for things like bowls and chopsticks.

“Bowls and chopsticks—the chief has already taken care of those!” Shenrong seemed to read Changxia’s mind. Just as she was about to speak, Shenrong nodded toward Gen, smiling.