Chapter Eight: Lamb Chop Claypot Rice

Wu Changlu, the Fourth Uncle, was considered the most accomplished man in the Lower Mountain Hollow. In modern terms, he was "the pride of the whole village."

In truth, amongst the hundred or so households in the hollow, over half had military ties.

From the very founding of the empire, they had followed the Emperor Taizong through campaigns north and south, earning many honors. Going back several generations, there had been minor officials such as military stewards and city gate attendants.

Wu Ning had heard from the villagers that the old village head, in his youth, had served in the army during the campaign against Goguryeo. Upon returning, he caught the eye of a noble in the capital and spent many years serving in their household.

Moreover, he was not just an ordinary servant; at least he held positions like record-keeper or chief steward, roles akin to head housekeeper.

Wu Ning, curious, had asked the old man about those days, but the elder seemed reluctant to speak of the past.

As for Fourth Uncle, ten years ago, Pei Xingjian restored the Four Garrisons of Anxi, reviving the might of the Tang dynasty.

At that time, Fourth Uncle happened to serve under Pei and distinguished himself in battle. Upon returning, he could have, like his ancestors, secured a minor official post in the capital. Unfortunately, the Tang dynasty was no longer what it once was; the status of martial men had declined, and those once-proud city attendants now found their titles reduced to mere insults.

Fourth Uncle, being a man of strong character, naturally refused to suffer such scorn. He resigned his capital post and requested to return home.

Thankfully, the Tang had not yet reached the point of dishonoring its heroes and chilling the hearts of its soldiers. Fourth Uncle was granted the rank of Commander of the Troops, overseeing the military affairs of Fangzhou.

Wu Ning compared it to modern times; it was like being the armed forces minister, responsible for the defense and training of the four districts—Fangling, Zhushan, Zhuxi, and Baokang. He supervised the militia, occasionally suppressed bandits and thieves, and gathered the military households in winter for training in martial skills.

Half official, half civilian, he was counted among the "gentry" of Fangzhou.

Wu Ning enjoyed spending time with Fourth Uncle, not because of his official status, but because Fourth Uncle was one of the few people in the hollow who had truly seen the world.

To be fair, the old village head was also worldly.

Yet, perhaps due to his years serving nobles, the old man struck Wu Ning as excessively strict. Whatever the situation, he wore a stern face and spoke of rules, earning respect but keeping others at a distance.

Fourth Uncle, however, was different; knowledgeable, yet never putting on airs. Simply put, he was "easy to talk to."

In the early years, when Wu Ning was young and newly arrived in the Tang dynasty, he was filled with curiosity about this era. His status as a fugitive made leaving the village a nerve-wracking ordeal, let alone learning about the outside world.

Whenever Fourth Uncle returned to the hollow, Wu Ning would pester him with questions, and Fourth Uncle became a window through which he glimpsed the Tang dynasty.

"Fourth Uncle!"

As Fourth Uncle entered the courtyard, Wu Ning, eyes bright with joy, rushed forward to greet him, forgetting entirely to pay respects to the old village head, Fifth Uncle, and his uncle.

Wu Changlu, holding Qiao’er in his arms, was pleased to see Wu Ning come out to welcome him. Among the children of the hollow, this ninth boy was the cleverest, and he favored him greatly.

But upon noticing his own father left ignored to the side, his expression soured. He feigned anger at Wu Ning, saying, "Foolish boy, you’re growing more unruly!"

Wu Ning understood at once, knowing it was never too late to mend his mistakes. He first gave a deep bow to the old village head, "Greetings, Grandfather!"

Next, to Fifth Uncle, "Greetings, Fifth Uncle!"

And to his uncle, "Greetings, Uncle!"

His manner was solemn, but as soon as he rose, his mischievous smile returned. "Fourth Uncle, you’ve been gone for over a month, and didn’t say a word before leaving. How is it we only now learn you’ve returned?"

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The old village head was once again treated as invisible.

The old man, whose anger had just faded, felt it rise again. He thought, This boy is hopeless!

"Military affairs aren’t for a mountain child like you to inquire about! No manners!"

Wu Ning shrank back, realizing he’d offended the old man yet again.

Wu Changlu laughed loudly, shielding Wu Ning, "Father, you’re too harsh. We’re all family here—there’s nothing that can’t be spoken."

He looked at Wu Ning, "This past month has worn your Fourth Uncle out. I’ve traveled all over Zhushan, Zhuxi, Baokang, and Fangzhou—two hundred miles around."

Wu Ning was surprised, "Patrolling or fighting bandits?"

"Neither—recruiting troops!"

"What?" Wu Ning was even more astonished. "Are we going to war again?"

Wu Changlu set Qiao’er down. "Not exactly."

"Enough already!" The old grandfather was having none of it, glaring at Wu Changlu.

He couldn’t handle Wu Ning’s unruly ways, but surely his son would listen.

"Can you discuss everything with a child?"

"Right, right," Wu Changlu chuckled, turning to Wu Ning, "Quick, bring out wine and dishes and serve us well!"

With that, he brushed aside the previous conversation.

"All right!" Wu Ning replied loudly, seizing the opportunity to dodge the old man’s wrath.

He invited the men to sit under the grape arbor in the courtyard, brought out the freshly prepared celery in vinegar, and carried in a jar of light wine.

"The meal will take a little longer. Grandfather, Uncles, Uncle—please start with a drink."

With that, he and the younger children returned to the kitchen, leaving the elders to talk in the courtyard.

At that moment, the lamb ribs were roasted to a golden hue, dripping with fat and looking delicious.

He took them off the grill, chopped them into finger-sized pieces. Wu Li was about to bring them out, but Wu Ning stopped him.

"What’s the hurry? It’s not ready yet."

Wu Li looked puzzled. "Isn’t it done?"

"It’ll go out with the rice."

Without further explanation, Wu Ning saw that the rice was cooked and took the pot from the stove.

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He put on the pot, boiled water to blanch some spinach and sliced radish, and made a bowl of okra and egg soup.

While preparing the soup, the bone broth that had been simmering for ages finally came into use.

Wu Ning added two spoonfuls of bone broth to the okra soup. Wu Li and Tiger immediately opened their eyes wide in disbelief.

The aroma—so damn fragrant!

Okra soup was one of their least favorite dishes. Even with eggs, it was hardly appetizing.

Think about it: boiling okra in plain water, no oil, no flavor, maybe a pinch of salt—what could possibly taste good?

But Wu Ning just added two spoonfuls of bone broth, and the flavor changed completely.

The real magic came next. After ladling out the soup, he simmered a pot of "sauce stew."

This time, he didn’t use a drop of plain water—just bone broth.

He melted lamb fat, added scallions and garlic, then fried soybean paste slowly, finally pouring in the bone broth and boiling it to a thick, bubbling sauce.

During all this, Wu Ning placed the chopped lamb ribs, blanched spinach, radish slices, and mushrooms from the bone broth straight into the rice pot.

"What kind of dish is this?" Wu Li was bewildered.

But you couldn’t deny it—the golden lamb ribs, green spinach, white radish, and black mushrooms were neatly arranged atop the snowy rice, and it looked rather appealing.

"Don’t rush," Wu Ning said, as he poured the gleaming, thick sauce over the rice pot.

"Oh, wow!" Wu Li was flustered.

"I’ll try it first," Tiger jumped right in.

"Smells amazing!" Qiao’er gazed with anticipation, but dared not reach like her brother.

"Move aside!"

Wu Ning slapped Tiger’s plump hand away and covered the pot.

"Dishes are served!"

Extra-large Lamb Ribs Casserole Rice…

Complete!

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