Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er wrapped their money in handkerchiefs and left it with Xu Zhichun, planning to dig konjac and pick lantern fruit first, then bring the money home later.
Xu Zhichun was willing to help them get rich, letting them earn 151 wen a day, so of course she wouldn’t be greedy for their money.
They had nothing to feel uneasy about.
Zeng Xiaoyan carried an empty basket on a shoulder pole. Liang Mingliang wore a pack basket, two hoes over one shoulder, and led the ox with his other hand.
They’d let the ox graze while they worked. It had already eaten once at dawn, and another round later would do—no risk of it going hungry.
Xu Zhichun and Aunt Zhu’er each carried a basket and a small pack basket, going to pick lantern fruit.
Because no one wanted them, digging konjac and picking lantern fruit went smoothly—there were plenty all over the mountain.
Xu Zhichun and Aunt Zhu’er thought they should pick as many as possible. The seeds of the lantern fruit could be saved, so bringing more back would be better.
The lantern fruit during this season are all leftovers from last year’s harvest. This year’s plants haven’t begun flowering yet.
Many ripe lantern fruits had already fallen to the ground. The fruit would drop with just a light touch, so the two had to be especially careful while picking.
If one was accidentally knocked off, Aunt Zhu’er would feel a pang—these were all money, after all.
Xu Zhichun also felt a pang, but thinking of the large stockpile of ice jelly powder in the harbor warehouse, he didn’t feel so bad.
Whether it was ice jelly powder or konjac powder, she would of course take some from the harbor warehouse and add it. Not adding would be a waste.
Adding it can reduce the hardship—why not do it?
“Sister Zhichun, Aunt Zhu’er!”
The two were still working. Zeng Xiaoyan waved from a distance and came hopping toward them.
“We’ve dug up one full load and more than half a basket of konjac. You’re not done yet? I’ll help you.”
Xu Zhichun saw her own basket was nearly full, and so was Aunt Zhu’er’s. She smiled and said, “We still have things to do back home. Let’s stop here and pick more tomorrow.”
“That’s true. Let’s go wash the konjac first.”
They lined the pack basket with large leaves, carefully poured in the lantern fruit, and covered it with pigweed. The three met up with Liang Mingliang, who was carrying two loads of konjac. Xu Zhichun and Aunt Zhu’er used their baskets to share the load from the pack basket, and Zeng Xiaoyan carried it on her back. They all went to a stretch of river where people usually didn’t go, to wash the konjac.
The three women were busy here, and Liang Mingliang had to go look after the ox. It was about time to drive it back.
Aunt Zhu’er smiled and said, “Liang San really is diligent.”
Zeng Xiaoyan said, “He’s certainly diligent when it comes to earning money.”
Xu Zhichun said, “We’re all the same.”
“Haha, that’s right!”
The three were talking and laughing, full of enthusiasm.
Liang Mingliang sent the ox back and simply left the ox cart in Xu Zhichun’s yard, since he’d be using it again early tomorrow.
When he came back to the river, they had almost finished washing the konjac.
After finishing up, he helped carry the shoulder poles. Xu Zhichun and the others each took a small share, and they went back together.
They ran into villagers on the road, who were all curious when they saw what they were doing.
“Whoa, what is this? Is it taro? Doesn’t look like it.”
“Huh? Konjac? Oh, ghost taro. Isn’t this thing poisonous? Even pigs can’t eat it. Why do you need so much?”
Xu Zhichun said, “Look, in the mountains, as long as a plant has any distinguishing feature, how could the villagers not know it? Even if it’s not common, just hearing the name, they know whether it’s poisonous, edible, or can be fed to chickens, ducks, cows, or pigs.”
So making excuses about finding sweet potatoes, corn, potatoes, and the like in the mountains is completely unreliable.
The villagers’ curiosity was understandable, so Xu Zhichun explained that she was trying to make some hometown snacks to sell and make a living.
After all, it’s bound to be found out. Even if vague, you still have to say something.
If you don’t say it’s for making money, someone might casually say “Save me some to try,” and it’s hard to give or not give. Even worse, they might ask how to make it, and that’s hard to answer too.
If you say directly it’s to earn money, those with some social sense won’t ask too much.
If there are a few who are shameless, there’s no need to be courteous.
She’s supporting her younger brother-in-law’s education—life is hard. It’s normal to find ways to make money, and even more normal to protect her recipe.
With the experience from yesterday, today they worked more skillfully.
After all, this wasn’t a difficult task to begin with.
With one more cheerful helper, Liang Mingliang, the efficiency improved.
Here they peeled and diced, and once they’d cut up more than half a basin, Liang Mingliang could begin grinding.
Liang Mingliang was grinding, Zeng Xiaoyan added konjac cubes with a spoon, and Xu Zhichun and Aunt Zhu’er continued peeling and dicing.
They set aside some snowy-white konjac hearts, diced and placed separately—good for making konjac knots.
Konjac as big as a bowl wasn’t hard to peel. The two of them cut quickly and steadily, and peeling thickly was fine.
Konjac juice easily harms the hands. Xu Zhichun specially bought three feet of hemp cloth today, cut it into small pieces, and wrapped her hands in three or four layers.
If you search the port warehouse, you might find rubber gloves, but they’re too advanced and can’t really be used.
They had already cut one full load, with one basket left. Xu Zhichun smiled and said, “This is enough. Let’s leave the rest for tomorrow. Even if we cut it all, we wouldn’t be able to use that much. We still need to shape and boil it tonight.”
Aunt Zhu’er smiled and agreed, then said, “I’ll come help after dinner. Our homes are nearby.”
Xu Zhichun smiled and nodded. “Alright then. After dinner, Aunt Zhu’er, come over—and bring two wooden buckets and a basin.”
“Okay. Are there enough shaping molds? I’ll check the side room for suitable wood, maybe I can make two more. If not, my husband will be back in a few days—I’ll ask him to make them.”
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, “I was just about to say that. Let’s make three more. I also want to ask Uncle Qi Tian to make a long table, so we can place basins and baskets and such.”
“No problem. When he returns, I’ll ask him to make it.”
“Can he also make buckets and basins?”
“Yes, he can!”
“That’s great. I need to add quite a few things at home. If Uncle Qi Tian’s free, I’ll ask him.”
“That’s no trouble. Just tell him, and he’ll make it quickly and nicely.”
The two of them were talking as they started peeling lantern fruit.
After peeling for a while, Xu Zhichun began adding lye water to the konjac slurry, stirring, and shaping it.
Today’s batch was large, and there were only three molds. The earlier they started shaping, the better. Even after the first round, there would still be several more to finish.
By the time Zeng Xiaoyan and her husband came inside after grinding the konjac, the first batch of shaped konjac tofu had already been cut and was soaking in the wooden tub. The second batch was being shaped.
Liang Mingliang widened his eyes in surprise. “Is this konjac tofu really made from the slurry we just ground? How is it done?”
Xu Zhichun smiled playfully and said, “That’s our secret. We can’t tell you.”
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
The Konjac Conspiracy
The kitchen smells faintly of lye and steam. Buckets line the wall like sleepy sentinels. The second batch is halfway molded. Everyone’s hands are damp, but spirits are high.
Liang Mingliang (staring at the wooden tub): “I still don’t believe this stuff came from the konjac we ground. It looks… too much like tofu.”
Zeng Xiaoyan (rolling her eyes): “You didn’t believe it was edible when you were grinding it either.”
Zhichun (laughing, handing him a piece): “Here, touch it. Or better yet, take a bite if you dare.”
Liang Mingliang (taking a step back): “I’m afraid if I bite it, my teeth will stay in the konjac.”
Aunt Zhu'er (still stirring): “Don’t worry. If your teeth fall out, my husband can make you a new set.”
Everyone: “…Is your husband a carpenter or a full-service repair shop?”
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