Page 21
In the past, he always boiled meat in plain water.
It's edible, but the taste is just salty.
Now I truly understand what delicious food is.
With this ability, Chen Mu will certainly not treat himself badly.
I took out the recipes that I had heard or seen in my previous life and started to experiment with making them.
Crystal Elbow was one of his attempts.
"You will be blessed in the future."
……
After the meal, Chen Mu cleared the dishes and sat at the square table, drinking sour plum soup to help digestion.
He has been a painter at Miaohuafang for half a month.
The most obvious change was that his fee for painting had increased. It was doubled, with each portrait receiving at least twenty taels.
But the number of portraits also decreased accordingly.
In the past, I would paint three or four paintings every half month. Now, I can only paint two paintings in total.
However, customers' demand for his paintings has increased.
“Ancient version of hunger marketing?”
Miaohuafang is indeed capable, no wonder it can occupy half of Qingshan County's calligraphy and painting industry.
"In addition to the voluntary labor in the county government, I can earn 80 to 100 taels of silver per month."
This is enough to sustain his current consumption.
After eating and drinking, Chen Mu changed into a gray and white gown.
This is the standard dress for poor scholars nowadays, and it does not attract any attention when walking on the street.
To this end, he took the time to observe the dressing styles of the general public in Qingshan County.
"I also want to dress more handsomely. Unfortunately..."
If he dares to expose his wealth by wearing luxurious clothes and living a luxurious life, robbers and thieves will come to his house that night!
After packing up in front of his reflection in the basin, Chen Mu prepared to go out.
Today he is going to help the yamen runners and clerks draw a wanted poster.
Chen Mu did not stop his voluntary labor just because he joined Miaohuafang.
Although he could not get any reward for helping the county government draw wanted posters, it could bring him intangible benefits.
At least the ordinary thugs on the street don't dare to cause trouble to him openly.
With a high income and no one to bother him, Chen Mu had a very comfortable time in the past half month.
The only ones who were dissatisfied were probably the two big guys at the door.
Chen Mu pushed open the door, and saw two tall and strong men standing at his door like door gods.
This is the bodyguard arranged for him by Miaohuafang.
Chen Mu couldn't refuse. This would indeed improve his safety.
But having two people following me all day makes many things inconvenient.
For example, practicing body techniques, or purchasing secret medicines.
"Fortunately, I stockpiled some medicinal materials in advance."
Before, he was busy practicing martial arts and bought a lot of medicine at one time. Now it is barely enough.
"It will be useless one day."
"I have to think of a way to avoid these two people when purchasing medicinal materials." Chen Mu thought to himself.
……
Half a month later, Chen Mu was running all over the yard at a speed comparable to a 100-meter sprint, with almost no sound of footsteps.
A quarter of an hour later, Chen Mu stopped running and took a deep breath to calm his slightly rapid breathing.
Writing: 1342/10000/Level ;
Picture: 1079/10000/Second Order;
Throw: 2598/10000/second level;
Red Falcon Shape Training: 7231/10000/First Level;
Cooking skills: 1326/10000/level ;
After a month, Hong Jian's proficiency in the form training technique increased by more than 2,000 points.
Compared to last month, it’s eight or nine hundred less.
"This is the disadvantage of joining Miao Huafang." Chen Mu looked towards the door helplessly.
There were two big men standing outside the door, and we had to be very careful every time we practiced.
For this purpose, he also specially studied the Red Falcon's body training technique to reduce the noise produced by running.
Now it runs silently, which is a pleasant surprise.
But I didn't dare to practice too much, which did affect the process of improving my proficiency.
"The secret medicine is gone. The subsequent effects will be even worse."
In order to avoid being discovered, Chen Mu didn't mind slowing down the speed of gaining proficiency.
But if there is no secret medicine, the effect will be immediately halved, which he cannot accept.
"We must find a way to purchase medicinal materials."
Suddenly there was a voice outside the door.
Chen Mu went to open the door.
"Mr. Chen, where should I put your things?" A man in his forties with a dark face asked, standing at the door.
His clothes were patched and his hands were rough and calloused. He was a laborer who often did rough work.
At this moment, he turned his body, revealing a large bamboo basket behind him, which was filled with more than ten pounds of fresh meat.
"Old Li, help me carry it into the room." Chen Mu said with a smile.
This man was a coolie who ran errands for Xue’s warehouse in East Market.
After putting the fresh meat away, Chen Mu handed Lao Li ten copper coins.
"Thank you, sir." Old Li took it with a smile.
"I heard last time that the errand runners in your warehouse are also divided into different levels?" Chen Mu asked.
"Yes, I wear straw sandals, and above me there are copper shoes, iron shoes, gold boots and silver boots. Mr. Chen is..." Old Li looked at Chen Mu in confusion.
"I want to hire a Silver Boots. Go back and tell your boss. Ask him to arrange someone to contact us in the evening." Chen Mu said softly.
He had already inquired about it. Xue's Cargo Station mainly engaged in escort and errand freight.
Among them, the Golden Boots had the highest rank and the best confidentiality, and even participated in the escort of tax silver to the county government.
But the Golden Boot is a team service, with more than ten people deployed at a time.
Silver Boots is the second best, and its security and confidentiality are not bad. It can be hired by one or more people.
He planned to ask Xue's warehouse to help him purchase the secret medicine for the body-building technique.
"Okay! Don't worry!" Old Li was overjoyed.
As long as he tells his boss the news, he will get a high share once the contract is signed.
"Have someone come at night. I don't want too many people to know about this." Chen Mu instructed.
"Okay, don't worry." Old Li quickly assured in a low voice.
After seeing Old Li off, Chen Mu closed the door and dealt with the fresh meat.
"There's a warehouse that buys the herbs on my behalf. It's not completely confidential, but at least I'm not the one doing it myself, so I can always keep out of the public eye." Chen Mu couldn't help but glance at the door.
He didn't want Miao Huafang to know that he knew martial arts.
"And there's Captain Lu."
The other party is a local tyrant, and if I go out to purchase the drugs myself, I might be discovered.
Captain Lu knew about it, and so did Teacher Sheng Hong.
The other party usually uses the Red Falcon's body shape training as bait to earn money.
Chen Mu only went there once to start practicing the form technique, and the other party might not be willing to accept this.
If you are unwilling to do so, you might try to trip him up.
Chen Mu was willing to spend money to avoid possible trouble.
"No one knows that I practice martial arts, so I can keep it as a trump card." Chen Mu thought happily.
"I can also move my practice time to the evening."
At night, the two bodyguards at the door would leave, and he could practice as much as he wanted.
"This way no one will know that I can practice shape-shifting!" Chen Mu thought happily.
Wash the fresh pork belly, cut it into cubes, and then rub it with salt and spices to marinate.
Then use the newly prepared seasoning packet to cook it until it is 70% done, and then fry it in vegetable oil.
This operation can greatly extend the shelf life of fresh meat and make it more flavorful.
After finishing everything, it was getting dark.
He took two pieces of meat and gave them to the two guards at the gate, then sent them away early as they were delighted and thanked him.
Chen Mu also made some cold vegetables, cooked a pot of white wheat, sat at the square table and ate the freshly cooked square meat, waiting for someone from Xue’s warehouse to come.