Wash and soak dry peas in a bowl overnight. The next day, rinse peas and place in the crockpot. Now in a skillet cook bacon on medium heat until there is some grease in the pan but not until it is crispy. Pour this over the peas. In a glass measuring cup add a cup of water and the chicken bouillon cube, microwave for 1 1/2 minutes....now stir this until chicken bouillon cube is dissolved, pour this in the crockpot, add salt, shortening or bacon fat and chopped onion. Cover with water and cook in crockpot on high for around 4-6 hours or on low for around 6-8 hours. Serve with Cornbread (See recipe archives in sidebar for my cornbread recipe) Enjoy!