The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 105: Smoked Fish

Chapter 105: Smoked Fish

Strapped for cash, Wang Yinzhi rented a modest house in the southwest quarter of Xiangping Prefecture, nestled in a densely populated neighborhood of ordinary folk. The homes were humble courtyard dwellings, packed closely together, radiating a strong sense of daily life.

Just two days prior, a heavy snow had fallen. Though the streets had been cleared, piles of snow lingered in the corners, slowly melting.

The narrow alleys buzzed with vendors selling street food and daily necessities. Locals, bundled in thick cotton coats, bustled about, haggling and chatting. The air was thick with the scent of fried sugar cakes, steaming mini wontons, and freshly baked vegetable buns.

The carriage halted outside Wang Yinzhi’s home. Bai Quan, the driver, stepped forward and knocked on the wooden gate. Qiu Huanian and the others disembarked as well.

It was Qiu Huanian’s first visit to Wang’s residence. He glanced up and noticed the low courtyard walls and weathered gate, which had two calligraphic artworks affixed to it—each brushstroke bearing Wang Yinzhi’s signature flair.

Before Bai Quan could knock again, a clear, energetic voice rang out from within. The gate swung open with a creak, revealing a young woman in her twenties, her apron dusted with flour, hair pinned with a thorny hairpin. A little boy with a topknot clung to her side.

She blinked in surprise. “Who are you?”

Before Qiu Huanian could respond, she turned and called out, “Dazhi! Hurry! We have guests—important ones!”

Wang Yinzhi appeared within moments, his steps hurried.

“Yunse? Township Lord? What brings you here in such cold weather?”

“Congratulations on your new home.”

Wang quickly ushered them inside. “This is my wife, Deng Die, and our son, Wang Sui’an.”

From the kitchen emerged a sprightly older woman in her fifties.

“And this is my mother.”

Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian greeted them warmly. Upon learning that their visitors were the top scholar and the famed Township Lord of the Qiu’s Six Staples, Deng Die and the old lady grew visibly flustered.

The rental house was small—one main room, two side rooms, a narrow outhouse, and a modest courtyard. Bai Quan had to leave the carriage outside. With four guests and the four members of Wang’s household, the space quickly became cramped.

In the main room, Deng Die brought out her best tea set and served freshly brewed tea.

Qiu Huanian instructed Xing Mi and Bai Quan to bring in the gifts they had prepared: bolts of cloth, rice, flour, oil, meat, and a separate cart of charcoal now stationed by the door.

“Yunse told me your family had moved here, so I prepared some winter essentials. I hope they’ll be of use.”

Wang Yinzhi stood quickly. “This is too generous. You really didn’t need to.”

Deng Die’s eyes flickered at the soft, vibrantly colored cotton, though she held back from reaching for it.

Qiu Huanian smiled gently. “You’re new in town—it’s only right we look after you. These are simple things, not worth much. Please accept them. They’ll help your family stay warm through winter.”

Wang hesitated. If they had brought silk, satin, or gold, he would have refused without a second thought. But these were practical necessities, modestly priced yet thoughtfully chosen. Refusing would seem ungracious; accepting felt burdensome. Yet how could he let his wife, child, and elderly mother suffer?

At that moment, Du Yunse interjected, “We were classmates, passing the exam together. Next spring we’ll head to the capital for the metropolitan exam. Our bond is special—we’ll journey far together. Don’t let pride get in the way of goodwill.”

Understanding the sentiment, Wang Yinzhi relented.

“Then thank you both. You’re right—we’ll have many years ahead. Die’er, go fetch the gifts.”

Deng Die quickly wiped her hands and collected the cloth. Wang’s mother took the rice, flour, oil, and meat to the kitchen.

Though Bai Quan and Xing Mi offered to help, the women managed swiftly on their own. The charcoal was stacked neatly in the corner.

Returning to the room, Deng Die beamed. “This is enough for two sets of winter clothes for the family!”

She glanced admiringly at Du Yunse and lingered longer on Qiu Huanian. “No wonder people say the new top scholar and Lady Qishu are like immortals—clever, kind, and generous. How does heaven create such people?”

Qiu Huanian blushed slightly at the candid praise.

“Die’er!” Wang whispered under his breath.

But she paid him no mind. Clapping her hands, she grinned, “Since we have such distinguished guests today, stay a while—I’ll show you what I can cook!”

Qiu Huanian asked with interest, “Sister Die, do you run a street stall?”

Deng Die nodded, growing more relaxed under his friendly gaze.

“I didn’t want to move to Xiangping at first—everything here is expensive. But Dazhi insisted.”

“After arriving, it was exactly as I expected. This tiny place costs one and a half taels a month. Even using the toilet costs money. How can anyone bear it?”

“Since Dazhi is preparing for the capital exams, I decided to sell snacks to help out.”

Wang, as a provincial graduate, wasn’t bound by strict scholar’s codes. His wife could sell snacks without harming his reputation.

He added with a sigh, “After the exam results came out, I saved up some money. I wanted to rent a bigger place and buy the family new clothes…”

But Deng Die had scolded him and taken the savings.

“I manage the household—you don’t know how expensive everything is. You’re not an official yet. As long as we’re clothed and fed, it’s enough. Save the rest for your studies,” she insisted.

“Don’t you agree, Township Lord?”

Qiu Huanian stifled a chuckle. “Sister Die is absolutely right. Spend wisely, save where you can.”

He glanced at Du Yunse, who subtly nodded his agreement.

Deng Die lifted her chin triumphantly. Wang Yinzhi could only smile wryly.

“Sister Die, what exactly do you sell?”

“Sugar cakes, fried twists, veggie buns—simple things I make with my mother-in-law. I also sell smoked fish—a family recipe my mother passed down. But the ingredients are pricey, so I don’t make it often.”

Seeing Qiu Huanian’s interest, she called for her son to fetch some smoked fish from the side kitchen.

He returned with a dish of vertically sliced fish, each piece half an inch thick, dark brown and glistening, perfumed with soy sauce and spice.

Deng Die explained that her mother’s family had fled from Songjiang to Liaozhou, bringing the southern recipe with them. Due to the cost, she only recently began making it, and few locals could afford it.

Qiu Huanian took a piece. Though made from a bony carp, the large bones had been removed, and the rest crisped in oil. The exterior crunched while the inside remained juicy and flavorful.

He finished a piece without realizing it—its flavor reminiscent of a braised fish he’d once tasted in Shanghai.

Seeing his enjoyment, Deng Die invited the others to try.

Even little Wang Sui’an, watching with wide eyes, swallowed eagerly. Qiu Huanian offered him a piece. The boy looked to his mother, who nodded, and then happily dug in.

An idea bloomed in Qiu Huanian’s mind—this smoked fish could be the next big item at the Qiu’s Six Staples.

“Aunt Die, would you be willing to sell the recipe?”

She was startled. “Lord Qiu, if you like it, I’ll gladly teach you. No need for payment.”

He shook his head with a smile. “I’d like to add it to our shop’s snack offerings. I can’t take advantage of your kindness.”

Deng Die had visited the shop before but only bought a few small items, skeptical of its luxury.

“My smoked fish isn’t worthy of such a place…”

“It’s delicious, keeps well, and the flavor is new to the region. It fits perfectly.”

“You really think it’ll sell?”

“Truly,” he said. “How about twenty taels for the recipe?”

She looked to Wang Yinzhi. He said gently, “It’s your recipe, Die’er. The choice is yours.”

Relieved, she agreed. “Alright, I’ll write it down for you.”

“There’s no rush. I’ll send someone to learn it properly.”

Later, Qiu Huanian sent old lady Jin and Mumian to Wang’s home to learn the process. Upon returning, they made a batch at the manor.

The preparation began with choosing a large carp, cleaning it thoroughly, removing bones, and slicing it vertically into thick strips. These were air-dried briefly.

Meanwhile, a marinade was made—scallions and ginger fried in oil, then simmered with water, rock sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, chili, star anise, and bay leaves until thickened, then cooled.

The fish was deep-fried multiple times until golden and crisp, then soaked in the cold marinade. The contrast locked in the aroma and flavor.

After five minutes, the smoked fish was ready—crispy, fragrant, and tender.

Even before it was done, Meng Yuanling lingered outside the kitchen. The family gathered eagerly as Mumian and old lady Jin prepared a large pot, enough for everyone.

Meng Yuanling ate several pieces and saved some to taste cold later. He and Qiu Huanian sat down to discuss business.

“Winter sales are down. Popcorn’s improved slightly, but menthol oil’s dead, and we can’t make flower essence anymore. The smoked fish helps, but it won’t fill the gap.”

The smoked fish sold at the same price as popcorn—one hundred wen per package. While costly, Qiu’s Six Staples’ reputation made it viable.

“Back in summer, we cleared nearly three hundred taels in profit monthly. Now we’re barely past one hundred, and mostly thanks to oyster sauce. Lord Qiu, we need a new flagship product.”

Though one hundred taels was no small sum, Meng Yuanling had tasted prosperity and wanted it back. He now considered Qiu’s business his own career.

Qiu Huanian raised his pay to ten taels a month. The once-reluctant steward had become a tireless workaholic—so much so that Yun Cheng sometimes had to pry the ledger from his hands.

“I need a new idea…” Qiu Huanian mused.

They had nearly eighteen hundred taels saved—much of it from selling cotton and store profits. It was a solid sum, but if Du Yunse became an official in the capital next year, they’d face new expenses: a house, gifts, social obligations…

They still needed a stronger financial base.

The Qiu’s Six Staples had always thrived on products no one else could replicate. Now, with summer’s hits fading, they needed something new—something that could only come from them.

Just then, Xing Mi entered to clear away the fish. A faint fragrance drifted in.

“What’s that lovely scent? The flowers all withered weeks ago.”

Uncle Mumian smacked his forehead. “Brother Li from the village brought it this morning. Said the early red plums are blooming—invited you to see them. I left them in the flower hall and forgot.”

Qiu Huanian rushed to the flower hall and found a branch of red plum blossoms in a plain vase, burning crimson against the grey winter light, filling the room with their subtle perfume.

“The plum grove’s blooming already?” he murmured, gazing at the blossoms.

Excitement overtook him. He dashed to the study.

“Yunse! Let’s visit the village tomorrow to see the plum blossoms!”

Author’s note:

Let me talk about the issue of the price of the smoked fish recipe—

The red fermented tofu recipe cost a lot because Huang Daniang and Du Yunse did marketing at the Hundred Flavors Trial. All the important people in the prefecture knew about it, and a bunch of literati wrote poems about it. They were selling the recipe along with its popularity and sales potential. Moreover, many people, including the Zhu family, were willing to buy it at a high price, partly because they valued Du Yunse’s status as the top scholar in the academy, and they could negotiate a profit-sharing agreement, and also because they had befriended Zhu Jingwei in advance.

Deng Die’s recipe doesn’t have these prerequisites. She even made smoked fish herself but couldn’t sell it. It relies on the reputation of Qiu’s Six Staples to sell. The recipe isn’t only known to her. If Hua Nian hadn’t wanted to help her, considering only whether it was cost-effective, he could have bought a smoked fish recipe from someone else at a price one or two times lower than twenty taels of silver.

Is it because Qiu Qiu’s raking in so much cash now that you think twenty taels is peanuts? Think about how hard it was to save money at the beginning…”