The slaughterhouse district of Qinghe County was located in the far west of the city, downwind of the residential areas. Even so, the cloying, metallic scent of blood and the stench of offal permeated the air.
Lin Wanshan walked through the muddy streets, stepping over puddles of unknown origin. Tiezhu followed close behind, his hand resting warily on the hilt of his sword. Even the battle-hardened soldier wrinkled his nose at the sights and smells.
"Boss," Tiezhu grumbled. "Why are we here? We have cattle. We have pigs. Why come to this... hellhole?"
"Because we need a miracle, Tiezhu," Lin Wanshan said, his eyes scanning the pens. "And miracles are often found in the places people discard."
The Governor was coming. A man of high rank, accustomed to the delicacies of the capital. A simple piece of pork or a tough mutton leg would not impress him. Lin Wanshan needed to introduce beef, but he couldn't sacrifice his breeding stock. He needed a large quantity of meat, and he needed it now.
They stopped at the largest pen in the district. A burly man with a leather apron stained dark red was sharpening a massive cleaver. This was Butcher Zhang, the man who dealt with the county's "problem" animals.
"Scholar Lin," Zhang sneered, not looking up from his blade. "Come to gawk? Or did you finally realize that ranch of yours is a fool's errand?"
"I'm here to buy, Zhang," Lin Wanshan said calmly. "I heard you have a 'monster' in the back."
Butcher Zhang paused. He looked at Lin Wanshan with surprise. "The Grandpa Ox? You want that beast?"
"Show me."
Zhang led them to a reinforced pen at the very back. Inside stood a creature that defied the typical image of a docile draft ox.
It was a massive beast, scarred and ancient. Its horns were chipped, its coat patchy and grey. It stood nearly six feet at the shoulder, its frame immense. It was a 'Yellow Plains Bull,' a breed known for strength, but this one was old. Very old. It had spent fifteen years pulling stone carts for the city walls.
"The construction crew retired him yesterday," Zhang explained. "He collapsed under a load of bricks. Too old to work. Too tough to eat. The meat will be like chewing on leather boots. I was going to kill him for dog food and glue."
"How much?" Lin Wanshan asked.
"Five taels," Zhang laughed. "For the hide. The meat is worthless."
"I'll give you four," Lin Wanshan countered. "And you throw in the transport to the Westland."
"Deal! Take the monster. But don't come crying when you break your teeth on the steak."
Lin Wanshan paid the man. He walked up to the fence. The old bull looked at him. There was no fear in its eyes, only a weary resignation. It had worked its whole life. Now, it waited for the end.
"Don't worry, old man," Lin Wanshan whispered, patting the scarred snout. "Your final contribution will be legendary. You will be remembered not as a laborer, but as a feast."
***
Getting the "Grandpa Ox" back to the Westland was a spectacle.
The massive animal was slow, limping slightly on its bad leg. Lin Wanshan walked beside it, not riding his horse. He showed the beast respect. Tiezhu drove the cart carrying the butchering tools Lin Wanshan had purchased.
By the time they reached the ranch, the sun was high. The workers gathered, confused.
"Brother!" Lin Wen ran up. "Why did you buy that ancient beast? It looks like it's about to die!"
"That's the point," Lin Wanshan said. "Wen, clear the tables. Liu Mei, start the fire. A *big* fire. We need the pit to be smoking hot by tonight."
He turned to Tiezhu. "Get the block and tackle. We're doing this here."
The slaughter was quick and professional. Lin Wanshan didn't let the animal suffer. With a precise, heavy strike, the old bull fell.
The butchering process was an anatomy lesson. As Lin Wanshan carved through the massive carcass, the system highlighted the muscle groups.
**[Subject: Old Bull. Meat Quality: F (Extremely Tough). Warning: High connective tissue density.]**
"Tiezhu, look at this," Lin Wanshan said, pointing to the deep red muscle. "See all that white webbing? That's collagen. That's gristle. If you fry this, it's rubber. But if you cook it slow... low and slow... that collagen melts into gelatin. It becomes butter."
"I don't understand," Tiezhu admitted, watching Lin Wanshan separate the brisket—a massive, thick cut from the chest. "But I trust your madness."
Lin Wanshan took the brisket. It was huge, weighing nearly thirty pounds. He prepared a rub—coarse salt, crushed peppercorn, wild garlic powder, and a special addition: dried chili flakes he had found in the market.
He rubbed the meat until it was black with spice.
Then, he went to the Spirit Spring water source. He didn't use the serum—it was too valuable for live breeding stock. Instead, he soaked a cloth in the Spirit Spring water and wrapped the meat, letting the energy seep into the fibers. It wouldn't change the genetics, but it would purify the meat and begin breaking down the toughness.
"Now," Lin Wanshan said, carrying the massive cut to the pit, "we wait. We smoke it overnight. This is the 'Texas Crutch' method."
He placed the meat on the grate, opposite the hot coals. He wanted smoke, not direct heat. He covered the pit with a metal sheet he had bought, leaving only a small vent for the smoke to escape.
"Tonight, we sleep in shifts," Lin Wanshan announced. "Someone has to watch the fire. It must never go out. The temperature must be steady."
***
**The Next Morning**
The smell that hung over the Westland was intoxicating. It wasn't just cooking meat; it was a heavy, rich, smoky perfume that seemed to cling to the clothes and hair of everyone in the valley.
Lin Wanshan stood by the pit, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. He had watched the fire all night, feeding it with fruit wood.
"It's done," he whispered.
He pulled the meat off the grate. It was dark, almost black on the outside—a "bark" formed by the smoke and spice. It felt soft, like a pillow.
"Everyone, gather round."
The workers—Tiezhu, Lin Wen, Liu Mei, Old Man Chen, and even the new one-legged worker Tiezhu had brought in—formed a circle.
Lin Wanshan took his carving knife. He didn't saw at the meat. He simply let the knife glide.
It cut like butter.
Inside, the meat was a perfect pink smoke ring, surrounded by tender, juicy grey flesh. The fat had rendered completely, turning into a savory jelly.
He sliced a piece and popped it into his mouth.
The flavor exploded. The toughness was gone. The age of the animal had given it a deep, beefy flavor that young veal lacked. The smoke had penetrated every fiber. It was sweet, savory, spicy, and rich.
"Oh my..." Liu Mei covered her mouth, her eyes wide.
Tiezhu took a piece. He chewed. He stopped. He looked at the meat, then at Lin Wanshan.
"Boss," Tiezhu said solemnly. "I have eaten hardtack and boiled cabbage for twenty years. I did not know food could taste like this. This is... this is the taste of victory."
"Tomorrow," Lin Wanshan said, slicing more for the group. "I present this to the Governor. But tonight... we feast. This is the taste of the Westland. Remember it. Because soon, the whole Dynasty will be lining up for it."
He looked at the empty pit. He had done it. He had turned a "worthless" glue-ox into a delicacy.
*[System Alert: New Recipe Unlocked: Smoked Brisket (Method: Low & Slow).]*
*[Ranch Reputation: Local Legend (Level 1).]*
"Pack the rest," Lin Wanshan ordered, wiping his mouth. "We ride to the Magistrate's manor at dawn. The Governor has a date with destiny."