When Li Long got home, he found the courtyard already bustling. Besides the people Li Jianguo had invited, others had come to help without being asked. There were almost as many people as at the pig-slaughter feast the other day. There were plenty of children, too, and Li Qiang had already begun begging Li Long to get the pig's bladder out and blow it up for him to play with as soon as possible.
Li Long naturally had no objection and readily agreed.
Water was heating on the stoves in both the East Room and the West Room. The two wild boars lay separately in the courtyard. Since Li Long had already gutted them, all that remained was to skin them, chop up the meat, and clean the innards. Not one of the helpers slacked off; everyone worked eagerly.
Only by doing a good job could they tuck into the meat later without feeling ashamed. There weren't many chances throughout the year to eat meat to their hearts' content. Everyone had enjoyed themselves the last time the Li family butchered a wild boar, so quite a few had come with high hopes this time. Laughter and chatter filled the lively courtyard.
Li Long found a pig's bladder in the washbasin holding the innards, blew it up, tied it off, and handed it to Li Qiang. Then he fetched fresh warm water and poured it over the intestines Wang the Miser was holding as he cleaned the offal.
Wang the Miser's real name was Wang Dalu. His frugality and fixation on money had earned him the nickname.
"Xiao Long, don't be fooled by all that fat on the meat. These intestines are actually the tastiest part. Stir-fry them right, and that flavor-tsk!"
Wang the Miser turned the intestines inside out as