The first Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty

But in this wasteland, there are two types of things that are the most, one is the hare, and the other is the mouse.

For Zhong Wen, rat meat is edible, but he can't eat it, let alone hares, who would choose rats, if there is no other way, he will choose rat meat.

It's a pity that Zhong Wen's family doesn't have a dog. Otherwise, Zhong Wen would like to get a hunting dog and train it well. Maybe the dog can catch the rabbits, which can save a lot of money. time to do other things.

Although Zhong Wen usually didn't have much to do, he still wanted to study the piece of Taoism carefully, at least to organize it well, so that it would be easy to sell and exchange for money.

"Brother, it's gone, we seem to have finished checking."

After Xiao Hua and Zhong Wen checked the last sling, although there were already five hares lying in the basket, Zhong Wen was actually dissatisfied with this harvest.

From the movement when they entered this wilderness just now, they knew that there were almost too many hares in this wilderness to count.

Maybe it's because these days, the hares in the wilderness have learned to avoid the slings, otherwise, they would not have gained so much.

"Little sister, let's go and pick some tender bamboo shoots back."

Zhong Wen caressed the basket and walked behind, while Xiao Hua held a small stick in his hand and beat everywhere, so as to scare away the nearby snakes and insects.

After that, I picked some young bamboo shoots by the small river, as well as some wild vegetables, wild onions, ginger and garlic, which are essential things.

After returning home, Zhong Wen started to deal with the five hares, and Xiao Hua helped with the small bamboo shoots.

"Brother, why do you use tender bamboo shoots to make boring rabbit meat?"

While handling the tender bamboo shoots, Xiao Hua started asking Zhong Wen, the curiosity in her heart was always in her little head.

"Stuffy rabbit meat, with some other things, the taste will be better, and I like to eat tender bamboo shoots."

While Zhong Wen was busy with the things in hand, he responded to Xiao Hua. Zhong Wen has always liked the taste of bamboo shoots, but there is no bamboo forest nearby, and there are only these small tender bamboo shoots.

However, it is also possible to solve the slander. In addition, there are many places where thorns and vines grow. As long as you are willing to eat them, they can be found all year round.

For these young bamboo shoots, Xiaohua doesn't like it very much, maybe because she always drank porridge with wild vegetables in the past, unlike the meat that she always eats recently.

After this period of time, Xiaohua's thin and thin body also began to grow flesh gradually, although it was not too long, but her little face gradually became rosy, and it was no longer as disheveled as before.

In the evening, the brothers and sisters ate alone for the second time. Each of them held a bowl. There were quite a few pieces of rabbit meat in the bowl. Although the color was still white, the taste was definitely not inferior to that of the beggar rabbit, and it could save time. Down a lot.

"Brother, this boring rabbit meat is also delicious."

Xiaohua's face is covered with soup, she doesn't like to use chopsticks, she has already abandoned the chopsticks, and stuffed them into her mouth with her hands. If Xiu saw this scene, she would definitely say something to her.

"There's still something in the pot, it's all yours."

Zhong Wen basically picks up those tender bamboo shoots to eat, leaving most of the rabbit meat for Xiaohua to eat. It's not that he doesn't like rabbit meat, but he prefers to let his little sister eat more.

After the meal, everything was packed, and the sky began to gradually darken. Afterwards, Zhong Wen closed the door of the stove and put a stick to prevent any animals from breaking in in the middle of the night and stealing the food hanging in the stove. Rabbit cured fish or something.

After entering the house, he closed the door tightly again, held the two wooden sticks beside the door against the door, and then lay down on the thatched mat with Xiao Hua.

In the night of Heitian, it is basically the time to sleep, not to mention when Xiao Hua has just eaten and fell asleep not long after lying down, but Zhong Wen is thinking about how his parents are doing now?Have you reached Ercun?Is it safe?Is there a full meal?

It is said that Zhong Mugen and his wife have already arrived at the Second Village after a day's journey. At this moment, they have just finished dinner and are sitting at their mother's house to rest, and talk about some common things by the way.

"Xiu, these rabbits you brought today were hunted by Xiaowen? How can it sound unreal to me? How old is Xiaowen? How could he hunt wild rabbits? Also, you salt Don't bring it to your mother anymore, it's a precious item, so you should pay close attention to your family's expenses first."

Mrs. Xu was sitting in the living room of her home at this time, talking to Xiu, although she still seemed to be talking about the taste of tonight's Latu, but she didn't believe what Zhong Mugen and his wife said.

"Mother, this is really what Xiaowen thought of. There are still some at home. I thought I would send them to mother during the New Year's Eve, but there are no soybeans at home, so I thought I would come here to ask for some soybeans. The salt family There are not many, I can only bring a few bowls."

Xiu listened to her mother's words, and hurriedly responded, although she knew that her mother was concerned about her family's situation, it was much better now, so she naturally needed to bring some things to her mother's family.

"Mother has some soybeans here. Let your brother get some for you tomorrow so that you can take them home. Anyway, these soybeans can't be sold for a lot of copper coins. However, there are wax rabbits and fish. Don't give them to mother next time." It's here, please stay tighter with your family, your family is also in a difficult situation, and my mother can't help much."

Xu knows that her daughter's family conditions are not very good, but suddenly listening to her daughter and son-in-law, it is very strange that her grandson can hunt so many hares, but her daughter is for her family. I gave a lot, for my mother, I am very happy.

"Mother, there are still a lot at home, and we can't finish them anyway. If there are still some at home, my daughter will bring some over next time. Xiaowen can hunt a few hares every day, and he can also catch them when fishing." Quite a few came."

For her own son, Xiu really had to boast. She really swelled a lot when she came to her mother's house this time. Of course, this is just what she thinks in her heart, so she dare not say it.

"Sister, is my nephew really that good? How many hares can he hunt in a day? This method is really so good, it must be kept well, and no one can learn it."

Xiu's elder brother, Xu Lisheng, sat and listened, very curious. It's not like he's never seen this nephew before. He's timid and afraid to talk, and he doesn't like to talk. Why is he so powerful all of a sudden? Several hares, if this is the case, have changed their temperament and become completely two people.

"Brother, when you come to my house, I will definitely show you. This method of hunting hares must not be told to others. This is Xiaowen's skill."

Zhong Mugen began to speak at this time, his son's ability is also his pride, no one can take it away, and he has personally witnessed and experienced it, so can it be fake?

"Sister, why did you come here to get soybeans this time? Is there anything else to say here?"

Xu Lisheng's wife, Wang Shi'e, was sitting next to Xu Lisheng. Not far away were three of their children, the eldest daughter, the second son and the third daughter. When I went back, I was a little curious. There was no livestock or anything in this family. Could it be that there is some secret in getting soybeans back?

"Speaking of this, I don't know what to say. Didn't Xiaowen meet an old man from outside? And that old man taught Xiaowen better skills. The method of hunting hares is that old man. I taught Xiaowen, as for the soybeans, Xiaowen said what kind of tofu, bean paste, soy sauce, etc., we don’t understand, but thinking that there are no soybeans at home, this is just to find my mother.”

Xiu listened to Wang E's words, and happily told everyone the reason. Although her mother's family didn't know what she was talking about, they knew the general meaning when they heard the bean paste, although they had never tasted it. , but I think it must be a good thing.

Chapter 39 Tofu Bean Paste Soy Sauce

When the people from my natal family heard it, they were confused. What about tofu, bean paste and soy sauce? Although they know that soybeans can be used to make sauce, it seems that only some skilled people can make it, and they still keep it secret. Yes, this Xiaowen can teach so many things after meeting an old man. It sounds a bit unreliable.

However, with the background of those bacon and fish, it can still be a little bit convincing. As for how much, it's hard to say.

"Xiu, mother doesn't understand what you're talking about. As long as you live well, that's a good thing. There are still some in Dou's family. Let's get some and see if it doesn't work, then stop messing around."

Mrs. Xu listened and felt that something was wrong. Perhaps in the eyes of her elders, it was better to follow the old people's ideas and be flexible. For them, it was something unreliable.

"Mom, we're doing pretty well now, as long as we put in some effort, we can still fill our stomachs."

After Xiu heard her mother's release, she was very happy. Although the family has been unhappy for the past few years, it can be avoided. The same is true at her mother's side. She will not come to her mother's house unless it is absolutely necessary. Borrow food, of course, soybeans are also a kind of food.

"Auntie, when can I visit your place?"

At this time, among the three children who were sitting and listening to the adults chatting, the second child, Xu Shuangma, asked Xiu.

"Shuangma, if you are free, you can go play with aunt at home tomorrow."

Aunt Xiu naturally agreed. Anyway, there are usually only her two children at home, and this nephew will not be left out in the cold. Moreover, the family is okay now, and he will not be hungry.

"It's a child's family. You can't go on such a long journey. Stay at home."

Wang Shi'e didn't blame her nine-year-old son when she arrived, but she must be worried because she couldn't see her son going far away, and her son was not around, so she stopped her.

"It's better for Shuangma not to go to your aunt's house, and let your father take you to see it during the New Year's Eve."

Xu didn't have any objections at all, but he had only one grandson in his family, so he had to watch carefully. A few days ago, a child was lost in the village. No one knows, the minds of the old people naturally don't want such a thing to happen, especially the parents.

The family and Zhong Mugen and his wife sat in the hall and chatted. Gradually, the night began to get dark, and then they went to sleep.

Another night passed and the sky was bright. Only then did Zhong Wen's brother and sister get up, doing the gymnastics they did every day, and doing some push-ups to increase their strength.

Xiaohua is just learning how to do push-ups. After doing a few times, she finds it difficult and stops doing them.

But Zhong Wen insisted on doing it all the time, and set a small goal today, earning him [-] million.

No, it should be 21 for him, and [-] tomorrow, so as to increase your strength exercises.

Maybe within the next year, I might be able to practice and do a hundred push-ups. As for whether I can do it, at least I have to persist.

To survive in this world, if you don't have a good physique, maybe one day a wild beast will come out of the mountains and forests. It is the fear of those who travel through.

After finishing the early morning exercise, Zhong Wen took Xiao Hua to the Longquan temple on the mountain, and went to the temple to see Li Daochang, hoping that Li Daochang could give him some plaster.

"Hello Daochang Li." Zhong Wen came to the house where Daochang Li lived, and saluted Daochang Li who was sitting by the door.

"Oh, little boy of the Zhong family, I haven't been here for a while, is there something wrong?"

Li Daochang was curious, this little boy of the Zhong family behaved well, and he also acted in a disciplined manner. After the last time he came, he seldom came to the temple to have a look, and he didn't even come to help repair the side hall.

"Li Daochang, I want to ask you for some gypsum, and I want to make some tofu. When it's ready, I can give Li Daochang a taste."

Zhong Wen politely told Daoist Li why he came here, although he was a little embarrassed, after all, he came to ask for help, and he didn't bring a gift or anything, and he didn't know if Daoist Li would give him some plaster.

"Oh? Your family makes tofu? It seems that Zhong Mugen doesn't know how to make tofu? Your mother doesn't seem to know how to make tofu either. Could it be that you are the one who makes tofu?"

Li Daochang became even more curious after hearing this. Although he knew about this tofu, few people here eat it, and few people know how to make it. As far as he knows, this Tang Dynasty can make tofu. Although there are some, it is absolutely not. It would be someone from Lizhou City, because I have never seen anyone selling tofu in Lizhou City.

"Li Daochang, you are so predictable. My parents and the others went to my grandmother's house in the second village to get some beans. The boy is not talented, but he knows how to make this tofu, so I thought about getting some soybeans and trying it. , the boy must give Li Daochang a taste as soon as possible."

Zhong Wen spoke to Li Daochang in a neither humble nor overbearing manner. Although he didn't know if the plaster was a precious item, and whether Li Daochang would give some plaster, he still had to say good things.

"Okay, little boy of the Zhong family, wait for me here for a while, I'll get you some plaster, if you make this tofu, give me a good taste."

Li Daochang nodded secretly after hearing this, and looked at the little Zhong family baby in front of him. Although he was young, his calm appearance looked like a little adult.

After a while, Li Daochang came out with a small basket.

"Here, take these two pieces of plaster and use them first, but, Zhong's little boy, if you really want to make tofu, you must send me some to give me a taste. If you really can't make it, these plasters will be my I'm sending you off."

Li Daochang seems to be very polite, but the meaning of these words is so familiar to Zhong Wen's ears. It seems to be saying, I will lend you the money and return it to me after you earn it. If you lose money, As if I lost it.

"Thank you Daochang Li, don't worry, I will send you the tofu as soon as it is made, so that you can have a taste of my craft."

Zhong Wen took the small basket, and there were two large pieces of gypsum lying in it, and the color was not bad, and he didn't know what Guanli used these gypsums for.

If Zhong Wen understands Chinese medicine, he must know that gypsum is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine. If Zhong Wen understands Taoism, he must also know that it is a commonly used substance in alchemy.

Zhong Wen, carrying a small basket, bid farewell to Li Daochang and left, then called Xiao Hua down the mountain to go home, and had to make breakfast later.

But Li Daochang was sitting by the door, stroking his gray beard, thinking about the Zhong family kid.

The little girl from the Zhong family who I saw before was dull and seldom spoke, but now the little baby from the Zhong family was as calm as a mountain in front of him, and she spoke appropriately, and she began to feel a little curious.

At noon, Zhong Wen took the long gun in his hand and took Xiaohua with him, and walked towards the path. This time he went a little farther, and sat on the side of the path, waiting for his parents to come back.

"Brother, why haven't Mom and Dad come back?"

Xiao Hua, who was sitting side by side with Zhong Wen on the side of the path, kept looking at the end of the path with her head stretched out. This is the 11th time that Xiao Hua No. [-] asked Zhong Wen.

"Little sister, don't worry. At this time, Mommy and Dad must be on their way. In about an hour, we will see Mommy and Dad."

Zhong Wen took the trouble to explain to the little girl, although this was her No. 11 questioning, but Zhong Wen didn't find the little girl's question annoying.

Sitting next to each other like this, the siblings seemed a little bored, but the hope in their eyes never diminished.

Xiao Hua hoped that her father and mother would return safely, while Zhong Wen preferred that his parents could bring back more soybeans from his grandmother's house, even a hundred catties would be good.

The sun began to move towards the top of the mountain, and the brother and sister were a little sleepy after waiting. It was really boring to wait for several hours.

At this time, Zhong Mugen and his wife, each carrying a burden, were heading towards Longquan Village along the path.

"Brother, brother, it's Dad and Mom."

Xiao Hua kept her eyes open and looked at the end of the trail, although her head was nodding and she seemed to be in a state of sleep, but Zhong Wen kept his eyes closed and was studying the passage in his mind.

Zhong Wen opened his eyes and found that at the end of the path, his parents were walking towards them with a load. It seemed that there were a lot of soybeans.

"Xiaowen, Xiaohua, you have come here to wait for us, let's go home quickly."

Zhong Mugen and his wife walked over with their burdens, and saw their little baby waiting for them on the trail. Although there is no danger here, after all, there are mountains and forests not far away.

"Father, mother, you have worked hard, how much soybeans did grandma give?"

Zhong Wen took Xiao Hua to the side of the trail and said something to his parents, but he was more concerned about the quantity of soybeans.

"Your grandmother, as well as your uncle and aunt, heard that the beans you asked for were given 120 catties directly. Let's go home first."

Seeing the safety of her son and daughter in front of her, Xiu felt relieved for the past two days.

After the family of four returned home, they rested for a while, Xiu talked about some things about her natal family, and what Zhong Wen, his grandmother and the others explained, and then they were going to make dinner. However, before making dinner, Zhong Wen It was to ask my father to get out fifty catties of soybeans, put them in a ceramic jar, filled with a lot of water, and started to soak them.

"Xiaowen, the soybeans soaked in water, but they boiled, and then they will rot."

Although Zhong Mugen listened to his son's instructions, although he had many doubts in his heart, he only said some things that he thought were problematic.

"Father, soybeans need to be soaked in water. Tomorrow morning, our family will make tofu with [-] catties of beans first. I have prepared the shelves. It will take a few days before we know that the remaining [-] catties of beans are made of soybeans." Sauce or soy sauce."

Zhong Wen knew what his father was worried about. He was afraid that the beans would go bad if he didn't eat them after soaking them in water. However, there was really no way to make tofu without soaking them, so he had to explain some problems to his father.

One night passed, and the next morning, the soybeans in the pottery vat had been soaked overnight, and they had already soaked. They only needed to be ground into a slurry, and then filtered with a cloth to remove the bean curd residue, and then they could be poured into a pot and boiled. Made tofu.

"Father and mother, you don't have to work in the fields today. Today we have to make tofu first. If you get a small half of soybeans, you still need to grind them into soymilk water. Also, you need to use the big pot as an excuse. , otherwise there is no pot to cook these soy milk water."

Zhong Wen called to his parents who were about to go to work in the fields. Making tofu by himself was too much for a child, and besides, he could only move his mouth. These were all physical labor.

"Okay, let's listen to Xiaowen today."

After Zhong Mugen heard this, he didn't have any objection. Although it was the first time to make tofu with soybeans, it really could only be done by the two adults.

Afterwards, I got half of the soaked soybeans, went to the mill in the village, and began to grind soybean milk. Zhong Wen was on the sidelines directing how much water to add, or helping to beat others.

After the two large barrels of soybean milk were ground, Zhong Mugen went to the village again, borrowed a big pot and came back, took a piece of coarse cloth to clean it, and began to filter the soybean dregs. Fortunately, Zhong Wen made a cradle yesterday. Otherwise, today would be another troublesome matter.

Pour the soymilk water into the big pot and start to boil. According to some theories, Zhong Wen started to grind the gypsum again. As long as the beans are cooked, use [-] to [-] to [-] gypsum water to make tofu flower.

"Father, put all the boiled soybean milk into this earthenware jar, I'm going to make gypsum water now."