The first Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 37 An idea

"Brother, look, this hare is so big, I can't untie it."

At this time, Xiaohua was trying her best to untie a hare that was caught in a harness on the ground, and shouted loudly to Zhong Wen who was not far away.

"Little sister, then you take your time to explain, I will look at other things first."

Zhong Wen didn't go over because of Xiao Hua's shouting, today he had to change the position of the slings, and as for the broken ones, he had to throw them away and replace them with some good ones.

It has become a habit or routine to change positions every two or three days. If you really don’t want to change, it’s okay, but the chances of catching wild rabbits are much less.

Although there is already food in the family, who would dislike having too much meat? Of course, the more the better.

The kitchen in Zhong Wen's house was already covered with hare meat, including dried rabbit meat and cured rabbit meat. Of course, there was also a lot of fish meat hanging there.

If Zhong Wen's family ate these meats exclusively, they could have eaten them for about two months, but that's just a matter of thinking, Xiu would not be so wasteful.

Furthermore, Xiu's original intention was to bring some with her when the New Year's day came, and to go back to her mother's house so that she could eat some for her mother.

As for Zhong Wen's grandmother, she is nearly [-] years old this year. It is a little far away from Longquan Temple, but it still takes a day's journey.

Xiu's natal family belongs to a slightly larger village, but it's not much bigger than Longquan Village. There are only more than 30 households, and the population is relatively larger.

The name of the village is a bit of a joke. It is called Ercun. In fact, it has a great relationship with the Xu family, because half a day away from Ercun, there is a village that is much larger than Ercun. The families in this household belonged to the main family of the second village, and their surnames were basically Xu, so they were also called Xu Village.

The Second Village was separated from Xu Village, but not all of them had the surname Xu, and some foreign surnames were mixed in, not many, but there were about ten families.

Although the composition and structure of Longquan Village are different, they are basically peasant households, and only Xu Village, the original family, has some special presence.

Although the location of the second village is closer to Lizhou City, it suffers more oppression. Of course, the land belongs to them. In addition to paying taxes, they also have to perform corvee. Compared with Longquan Village, Everyone has their own gains and losses.

Although the villagers in Longquan Village do not need to serve corvee, taxes are unavoidable. Of course, except for the sudden statement from Daoist Li of Longquan Temple, this year’s rent will be reduced by [-]%, which will also allow the villagers to live a good life. Year.

The tenants have no land, if they have any, they can only open up wasteland by themselves, but this land reclamation does not mean that they can be opened up. The wasteland on the nearby hills belongs to Longquan Temple.

Moreover, the land after land reclamation is still owned by Longquan Temple, but only one or two percent of the rent needs to be paid, but the harvest of the newly land reclamation can be said to be extremely poor, and no one is willing to do this kind of laborious work. Unpleasant things come.

At this time, the wilderness that Zhong Wen and his sister were in was a field that had been reclaimed a long time ago, but after some unknown year or month, it began to be abandoned.

This gave Zhong Wen the opportunity to catch hares in this wilderness without taking risks in the mountains and forests.

Today, the Zhong Wen brothers and sisters didn't have much harvest, and they only had three hares, but fortunately, they had harvested, at least they could make a beggar rabbit to eat. This is what Xiao Hua would babble about every day.

"Brother, let's go home and make a beggar rabbit."

Xiao Hua, holding a small stick in her hand, looked at the hare in the basket and swallowed.

"No hurry, brother, go pick some wild vegetables first."

Zhong Wen looked at the little girl who was so slanderous, and knew that the little girl really wanted to eat Beggar Rabbit. Although she did not eat less fish porridge and fish meat in the past few days, Beggar Rabbit had been for a long time. I haven't eaten.

After picking the wild vegetables, the brothers and sisters returned home and began to deal with a hare. The fur of the hare should not be opened randomly. If the fur is damaged, it is worthless. This is clear in Zhong Wen's heart.

As for the fur of the tanning hare, Zhong Wen didn't understand, and he didn't know how, so under normal circumstances, the inside of the fur was roasted on the fire, and after it was dried, it was set aside to dry.

Of course, Zhong Mugen didn't know how to handle these things, otherwise, the price of the hare fur last time could definitely be higher.

Without knowledge, for a time traveler, it is basically the same as Zhong Wen's state at this time. If he can't eat enough to wear clothes, he travels to a farmer's house, and all the official money is useless. a joke.

Don't mention the Golden Finger system, otherwise Zhong Wen would have to quarrel with this goddamn god all day, which was also a pain in Zhong Wen's heart.

When other people come across, they are either born in the family of officials, or they are golden fingers or something, and they even bring a city, a warehouse or something.

But now, after Zhong Wen travels over, everything has to go back to the primitive society, starting from scratch. Fortunately, there are no local bullies, otherwise, Zhong Wen will definitely die with him, and it is impossible to travel again.

When Zhong Wen first came here, he still had a glimmer of expectation for this broken sky, but after such a long time, that glimmer of expectation had already been thrown into the small river and drifted away to nowhere.

"Brother, it smells so good."

Xiaohua, who was on fire, sniffed, looking at the big hare buried in the pot by many small stones, Zhong Wen was sitting beside her.

"Little sister, don't worry, it will take a long time before the Beggar Rabbit is fully familiarized. Besides, it will take a long time for Father and Mother to come back, when we finish the Beggar Rabbit. , Father, Mother, and the others should also come back."

Zhong Wen looked at the little girl beside him, and had to say that eating was her greatest wish, and at the same time, it was also the thing she was most happy with. She tried to selectively eat less of the wild vegetable porridge made by her mother. When Zhong Wen made porridge, he would definitely find it too little to even eat three bowls.

"The beggar rabbit made by my brother is delicious, and the porridge I cook is also delicious, even better than what my mother cooks."

Although Xiaohua is a bit slanderous, she also understands that delicious food cannot be monopolized, and she must wait until her parents come back before eating.

As for whether Zhong Wen's cooking tastes better than A Niang's cooking, it is estimated that she already has a measure in her heart.

"Little sister, I will cook more delicious food for you in the future. Unfortunately, it doesn't rain recently. If it rains, mushrooms will grow in the forest. At that time, I will make mushroom stewed hare for you. The taste is absolutely delicious." Don’t lose to the Beggar Rabbit.”

In fact, Zhong Wen doesn't have very good cooking skills, at most he can only fry some ordinary home-cooked dishes, but he really can't cook that kind of peerless delicacy.

But for Xiaohua, the meals made by her brother are more delicious than anything else.

"Brother, let's wait until it rains."

After listening to Zhong Wen's words, Xiao Hua felt extremely excited. She used to eat mushrooms, but she hadn't eaten hare stewed with mushrooms yet. She stared at Zhong Wen with excited and expectant eyes, which made Zhong Wen feel helpless .

Recently, the weather has gradually started to heat up. Even if it rains, it is estimated that not many mushrooms will grow. Unless it rains for several days, it is possible for some mushrooms to grow in the forest.

Mushrooms don’t like hot weather very much, they prefer humid and humid weather, such as light rain, even moderate rain, they will selectively avoid growing, of course, the temperature is actually in it, played an indelible role.

The temperature is too high, and the temperature is too low, but the most suitable temperature for mushrooms is around 25 degrees. Of course, they will grow if the temperature is higher than this, but it can’t be higher than [-] degrees. At this temperature, it is basically impossible to grow mushrooms.

As for the low temperature, Zhong Wen doesn't know how low the temperature is, and the mushrooms will stop growing, but if it is below ten degrees, it may grow less. Zhong Wen doesn't know much about these, but it is limited to what he had in his previous life. Just watched a few documentaries.

Zhong Wen somewhat hated that he majored in electromechanical in his previous life. If he had majored in animals and plants, then he would have a bright future here. Even if he has no future, he can make his family live a better life. of.

Unlike today, where food and drink are a problem, money is also a big problem, without money, there is nothing, Zhong Wen is ashamed of all the travelers.

In the evening, the family of four gathered in the kitchen again and ate the beggar rabbit made by Zhong Wen. The taste is definitely not bad, except that the meat color is a little paler, but the taste is at least quite good. not bad.

"Mother, do we want to brew some bean paste?"

While eating Zhong Wen called Huatu, looking at the pale flesh color, he remembered that soybeans can be used to make bean paste, and even soy sauce.

"Soy sauce? What is that?"

After listening to Zhong Wen's words, Xiu was a little confused, and had never heard of soybean paste.

"Aniang, bean paste is a seasoning made from soybeans. It can add color and flavor to dishes or porridge. It tastes delicious."

Zhong Wen didn't know that there was no such thing as bean paste in the Tang Dynasty. There was soy sauce, but it was rare on their side, and some were only found in the city. As for Xiu and the others, they had never heard of it .

"Oh? Then this bean paste is really as delicious as you said. If it's not difficult, we can make some when we have time. But, Xiaowen, can you make it?"

After listening to Zhong Wen's words, Zhong Mugen's heart became alive. If his son really knows how to make wine, then he can add another craft to his family, and this is a unique craft. Although he doesn't think this craft is very Powerful, but thinking about it, as long as it is a craft, it is a good thing.

"Father, mother, it shouldn't be difficult to brew this bean paste. Also, bean paste can also be used to brew some soy sauce, which is better than bean paste. The old man with a white beard once told me, but I have to It takes a while to remember.”

Zhong Wen's face began to thicken, and he once again pulled out the old man with the white beard to block trouble.

"Okay, when you think about it, our family can try it at that time, but we don't have soybeans in our family. I will go to your grandmother's house to get some someday."

After Xiu heard this, she was also very happy. As for bean paste or soy sauce, before seeing the real thing, they only had a small expectation in their hearts, and they would not be surprised by what Zhong Wen said. , excited and having trouble sleeping at night.

At night, Zhong Wen closed his eyes, lying on the thatched mat, and began to think about the method of making the bean paste and soy sauce. However, Zhong Wen is not a veteran of this kind of work, so naturally he will make a decision after making sure that there are no problems. .

Half an hour later, in Zhong Wen's mind, he kept thinking about the method of making bean paste and soy sauce. After confirming again and again, he thought that there was no problem, so he sat up and looked at the people who were busy weaving silk not far away. parents.

"Father, Auntie, I remembered. The white-bearded old man told me that bean paste and soy sauce are very easy to make. Otherwise, Auntie will go to grandma's house tomorrow to get some soybeans. Let's Let’s try it first, you don’t need a lot of soybeans, just a few dozen catties will do.”

Zhong Wen actually thought that it would be better if there were more soybeans, and he could make some tofu to eat, even some dried tofu.

"Okay, Xiaowen's brain is easy to use. I really want to thank that old man. Tomorrow, I will go to your grandmother's house with your mother and exchange some soybeans."

In fact, Zhong Mugen was interested in the bean paste or soy sauce. Although he was curious, it would not dampen his son's confidence. Moreover, in these few days, he had already seen the difference in his son. It is another miracle that the bean paste and soy sauce can be made successfully.

As for why the husband and wife went together, it was actually because they hadn't been there for a long time. Although leaving the two little children at home, he was a little worried, but Zhong Mugen was absolutely at ease with his son now, as long as he didn't go to the mountains and forests, Everything else is fine.

With Zhong Wen at home, they can definitely be tight and organized, and they will take good care of the smaller flowers. As for food, there is no need for the husband and wife to worry about it.

There was nothing to say all night, after dawn the next day, Zhong Mugen carried the burden, which contained a lot of rabbit meat and fish, and some home-cooked salt, and walked out of the mountain with Xiu.

Before leaving, the husband and wife kept telling Zhong Wen brothers and sisters what to do at home. Fortunately, Zhong Wen was thinking about tofu, bean paste and soy sauce, so he nodded and agreed that he would take good care of the younger sister. Yes, this made the husband and wife get on the road, along the path, and walked out of the mountain.

"Husband, are Xiaowen and Xiaohua really all right? We're not at home, so we don't know if we'll take good care of ourselves."

Xiu, who was on the way, started talking to Zhong Mugen, who was carrying the burden and walking in front.

"Miss, don't worry. A few days ago, during the few days I was resting, I have seen our son's ability. I used to think that Xiaowen was dull and ignorant. It seems that we didn't know each other a few years ago. That’s all, Xiaowen hunts hares, fishes, cooks salt, cooks food, which of these things is comparable to us, so put your heart in your stomach, Xiaowen will take good care of Xiaohua, we still have to hurry, When you come back tomorrow, try to be as early as possible."

Zhong Mugen felt at ease with his son, but Kexiu, as a mother, was a little worried about her children. Although it was only two days back to her natal home this time, the mother was a mother after all.

Chapter 38 Maternal Home

"Brother, is the tofu you just mentioned delicious?"

At this time, Xiao Hua, leaning against Zhong Wen, was sitting on a stone in front of the open space, talking about the tofu and bean paste that Zhong Wen had just told her.

"Brother can't say it well. Some people like to eat it, and some people don't like it, but I still want to eat it."

Zhong Wen can't eat it well, could it be that he has eaten it before?But I have never left here, and where have I eaten it? As for tofu, some people love it, and naturally some people don't.

"Brother, in a few days when Mommy and Dad come back, you can make tofu and eat it. I also want to try the tofu made by Brother."

Xiaohua basically does not refuse food. She used to be hungry and afraid, but now she wants to taste everything, even if it is not delicious, and she thinks that the meals made by her brother are absolutely delicious. The food is as delicious as the beggar rabbit.

Zhong Wen didn't directly respond to Xiao Hua's question. At this moment, he was thinking about how to make tofu, whether to use brine or gypsum to make tofu.

Although brine is easy to get, there is no place for making salt nearby, so it is naturally impossible to get it. Although gypsum is a mineral, it is easy to get it, but it is not available at home, and it is estimated that people in the village do not have it either. There should be some in the temple, so I can only go to the temple and ask for some.

Although tofu is also a food that is commonly eaten at home, as far as the current Tang Dynasty is concerned, it is not a common thing, and it is not to say that it does not exist.

"Xiaohua, let's go, let's cut some trees to make some shelves, then we can make tofu."

Zhong Wen stood up, went to the stove, took a kitchen knife, and prepared to go to the forest to find some better trees and chop them for shelves.

"Brother, my father and mother said not to go to the mountains and forests."

Looking at Zhong Wen's posture, Xiao Hua knew that her brother must be going to the forest, so she quickly dissuaded her.

"It's okay. It's broad daylight now, and there is no danger in the mountains. Besides, we don't go deep, and we are nearby."

Zhong Wen didn't care about the dangers of the mountains and forests, and in the broad daylight at present, it is estimated that any large beasts would not appear near humans, and would definitely go deep.

Xiao Hua had no choice but to follow Zhong Wen with a small stick.

When he came to the edge of the forest, he found some better trees and cut them down. The lack of power of the kitchen knife caused Zhong Wen to complain, and kept saying some unpleasant words in his mouth.

There is no good knife at home, so it is a painful thing to do any work. Just like now, it takes a long time to cut down a tree that is as thick as a calf.

An hour later, Zhong Wencai cut down the two trees, removed the branches, dragged them back and forth twice, and this was the end of the matter.

Making a pressed tofu shelf is quite simple to say, but all of this has to be based on a good knife. Zhong Wen was already on the verge of despair when he cut the tree, and at this time, he was even more desperate.

If you want to cut a tree into sections, you have to cut it into pieces, which are the same length. I made these tree trunks into flakes, but this kitchen knife seems a bit out of shape, and I don't know if my parents will chop themselves up after seeing this kitchen knife when they come back.

There is no nail, so we can only use a small bamboo to sharpen it and knock it in. There is no other way. At first, Zhong Wen wanted to make a drill bit, but the time is running out right now. After a while, he has to go Check the cover in the wilderness, you have to eat dinner.

After another hour passed, the shelf has taken shape, so it can be used anyway.

Then, I took some leftovers and made some small spoons and a cradle. Of course, they were all simple, and only the small spoons were a little more delicate.

"Brother, why did you make this shelf? Do you have to use this shelf to make tofu?"

Xiaohua has been helping to pass some things, but she still doesn't understand why Zhong Wen wants to get such a thing.

"That's right, the finished tofu flower must be packed in here to squeeze out the water to form tofu."

Zhong Wen looked at Xiao Hua with a natural expression, but he didn't know that it was just a useless effort.

Can't the baskets at home be used?It's just a small trouble that Zhong Wen's memory of his previous life has brought him to have such a four-faced appearance.

After finishing the shelf, Zhong Wenkang put it aside to dry, and it will be ready for use in a few days.

"Xiaohua, let's go and see if there are any wild rabbits. Tonight, I'll cook stuffed rabbit meat for you."

Zhong Wen, who finished his work, carried a basket, called Xiao Hua, and walked into the wilderness. Xiao Hua followed behind with a small wooden stick in his hand, and kept chanting about Zhong Wen's stuffy rabbit meat.

"Brother, how do you make the boring rabbit meat you just mentioned? Is it more delicious than the beggar rabbit?"

Walking halfway, Xiao Hua asked Zhong Wen about the taste of the stuffed rabbit meat, thinking in her heart whether it is better to eat the beggar rabbit or the stuffed rabbit meat that her brother just mentioned.

"You'll know if it tastes good in the evening, but we must have a hare first."

This matter, Zhong Wen can't say clearly, it should be said that each has its own characteristics, and everyone's preferences are different, but for Xiao Hua, what Zhong Wen said just now seems to have no idea, as for whether it is good or not Eat, can only comment after eating.

Xiao Hua stopped talking and followed Zhong Wen to the edge of the wilderness.

Inside the thorn grass, two small figures shuttled inside, sometimes squatting down, sometimes standing up, accompanied by some laughter and talking.

To the extent that some small animals around were driven to nowhere, running around in this wilderness.