Civilian Edition Traveling Farming Diary

We went back to sleep after dinner last night. The journey was really exhausting. When I woke up this morning, I felt refreshed. I felt quite young and recovered quickly.

When we wake up, we are faced with a problem, what should we eat!

We just moved in yesterday, and we ate the last pancakes last night. We were super hungry this morning, but we didn’t have a single grain of rice at home!

We looked at each other with big eyes and listened to each other's bellies. I suddenly thought that there was a canteen in the workshop, so I took a small basin to have a look.Chen Xiang was still a little sleepy, and he couldn't let go, so he stayed at home and made quilts.

This is the first time I've taken a close look at our new home.

Although our small yard has been tidied up, it can be seen that it has been a few years. It is okay to live temporarily, but it is not my ideal home (although I am poor, but I still want to have one), and the weeds in the small yard have been cleaned up. Yes, the yard is full of fine soil, exuding a light and earthy fragrance.

On one side of the yard is a sundry shed, similar to the one in our previous village, where we can put some firewood and agricultural tools. There are also two living rooms, one is the bedroom we sleep in now, and the other is empty with a table A stool feels like a study, the kitchen is at the back, and the toilet is also in the yard.

Going out of the courtyard door all the way to...uh...up north, down south, left west, right east...

Cough, turn right when you go out and walk all the way to the backyard of the workshop, which is the place where the workers eat and sleep we saw before. In fact, our small courtyard is also enclosed within the scope of the backyard of the workshop. What you see before you go out is There is a wall and the road is very narrow, which makes me feel very uncomfortable. Anyone who wants to go out will be blocked!

There are a few hibiscus flowers on the side of the road, which are sparse and grow freely. It is not in the flowering period yet, and there is not even a flower bud.

I like this road, it has a rustic feel, but it ends after a few steps, and there is a large open space in front of me, with a simple hut, a rope in the yard, and a few clothes on it to dry.

A few workers in burlap clothes were squatting on the steps in the yard drinking porridge or something like that, and they looked at me curiously when they saw them.

There was a relatively large hut, and I saw a pot in it, so I knew it was the cafeteria.

I went in and saw two large pots, one filled with multigrain noodle porridge, and the other filled with pancakes steamed with bean noodles.

Behind the pot, a strong elder sister is busy peeling onions, I guess she is preparing the lunch at noon.

I yelled, and the eldest sister raised her head, snorted, and asked who I was looking for.

I said I'm new here, I just came here yesterday, and I'll be working here from now on, and she said, "Are you the one in that small courtyard?"

I said yes.

She said: "I heard that there is a newcomer in the small courtyard. It was brought back from the north by the owner. Do you want to eat?"

I said yes, I just moved in yesterday, and I haven't had time to buy rice noodles.

She smiled and said, "You can just eat here, why buy rice and noodles alone, and spend so much money." Then she filled the bowl with porridge, and cut a piece of bean flour pancake for me.

I said one piece was not enough, and there was one more at home.

She snorted and said, "I still have a family with me. There are some old men here. Finally, there is a woman. You let her come to me for help when she has nothing to do. We can also talk, otherwise we will stay here all day long." The house is boring."

I smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, his name is Ah Xiang. He is a little brother, not a girl. I'll tell him to ask him to help you. He's quick at work."

As soon as she heard this, she moved the cutter in and cut a bigger pancake. I think she's a nice person, really.

I chatted with that woman. The woman's man's surname is Zhu, and everyone calls her Mrs. Zhu. From her mouth, I know that the workers here eat here at noon, and she is usually busy alone.There are three meals a day in the canteen. In the morning, there are multigrain porridge and bean flour pancakes. At noon, there are mixed noodles steamed buns or brown rice. In the evening, there is porridge.

It seems that the food is not very good, but Mrs. Zhu said that it is already very good. The owner said that noon is enough, and there are limited quantities in many workshops, so I don’t want to eat it.

She was also wearing clothes made of rough fabric, with a small patch on it. It seems that the life of the poor is poor everywhere. There are more glamorous and beautiful things on the street, and there are more rich people. The gap between the rich and the poor here should not be small. .

I’m a man who knows how to live haha, so I asked the price of rice noodles, and then I decided to eat in the cafeteria every day, it’s so expensive, my tens of pennies are not enough for Ah Xiang and me to eat for two days.

I remember when I first came here, half a liter of rice could be bought for a penny in the refugee village, and it quadrupled in Fengzhou City!Not to mention eggs and meat, they are extremely expensive!

It seems that making money is really imminent.

Moreover, I communicated with my host on the road before, and they said that they would set my wages based on the benefits brought by the poetry club. Before that, let me bear with it.

I knew this was a test for me, so I agreed. It’s nothing. People won’t respect me and give me a lot of money just because I put forward one or two ideas. I don’t care, because of the poetry conference I am determined to win, there is nothing a big man can't bear, let alone free food and accommodation.

I brought back multigrain porridge and bean flour pancakes. Chen Xiang ate very deliciously. He is not picky eater at all. Although he has been raised by my refined rice and fine noodles in my house for so long, he still has a heart of awe for food and cherishes it very much. He ate his share of breakfast.

The taste of bean flour pancakes is really not very good, and the miscellaneous grain porridge is not good, but I see that he eats so deliciously, I also feel that what I am eating is some kind of delicacy, and I am satisfied with it.

I conveyed Mrs. Zhu's words to him. He was a little hesitant. After all, he hadn't been in contact with outsiders for a long time, and he was a little unaccustomed to it. But in the end he took the first step bravely and asked me to take him there.

I took him to the cafeteria. Mrs. Zhu was very enthusiastic when she saw Chen Xiang. She asked him how old he was and what he would do. Chen Xiang was a little shy at first, so Mrs. Zhu didn't ask too many questions, and talked about Fengzhou Chen Xiang likes to listen to all kinds of things, and interesting stories about the workshop. At this time, someone called me outside, and Cui Changyu came, so I ran out and asked Mrs. Zhu to help take care of Chen Xiang. Mrs. Zhu just let me rest assured .

Cui Changyu brought a servant named A Dong, and the two called me at the door, and the workers who saw him stood up respectfully and called Young Master.

I ran over, and Cui Changyu asked me how I had a good rest yesterday, I answered wonderfully, Cui Changyu winked at me with a look that any man can understand, I think this guy did not torment his little concubine last night.

Well, I'm an experienced person now, and I get it.

Cui Changyu first took me to visit the workshop, he gave me a long cloth towel, I was very puzzled, and then saw him wrap the cloth towel around his face, saying that the air inside was not good and there was a lot of dust.

It turned out to be a giant mask?I also covered my face, and so did A-Dong... It felt like we were three robbers. Fortunately, the people in the workshop could recognize that it was their young boss.

Some of the workers in the workshop were covered with cloth towels, and some were not. They just started working at this moment, and everyone was busy. Some of them did it directly with their shirts off. It seemed that the work was quite tiring.

The workshop is divided into many areas, roughly according to the grade of paper products and raw materials. Each area is very large. Some use bamboo as raw materials, some use bark as raw materials, and the last one uses straw as raw materials.

There are a lot of raw materials accumulated in each area. Some workers clean and sort these raw materials, and then take them to bleach, boil, steam, and then make thin paper. It takes many steps. I counted them in detail. Ordinary Paper requires more than 100 steps, and the finest jade satin Xuan has to go through nearly [-] steps to make the paper more delicate, whiter and stronger.

It is a very cumbersome process, each process and each step has a unique way, Cui Changyu said that these workers are old workers for many years, the craftsmanship is very good, and they are very meticulous, a workshop can produce [-] sheets of paper per day , is very efficient.

I felt dizzy walking all the way down, and the high-temperature cooking work area and drying room made me sweat a lot. No wonder they were shirtless.I asked him which step printing should be added, he said it was the last step, but there are still some technical problems.

Cui Changyu took me to a workshop with a slightly better environment, where several workers were concentrating on cutting the dried paper into papers of different sizes, putting them in stacks, and inside there was a small The workshop, where there is a set of printing equipment.

Cui Changyu said: "We now have the process of printing on paper, but they are all simple lines, made into the inside pages of books."

I took a piece of paper and figured it out, he was talking about borders and vertical lines, but no patterns.

I said, "So the technical problem now is engraving."

Cui Changyu nodded: "That's right, this version is not easy to sculpt, and there are some technical things that cannot be solved with one version."

I can't help him here, but I know that if you want to propose a poetry meeting to the magistrate, the premise is to be able to mass-produce these patterned papers, otherwise the poetry meeting will be meaningless, so this technical problem crucial.

At this time A-Dong came in with a little old man, who bent slightly towards Cui Changyu and called him Young Master.

Cui Changyu introduced: "This is Mr. Zhang. My father brought it back from Luzhou. Mr. Zhang has a lot of research in the paper business. Mr. Zhang, this is Master Hu. He is the manager of our workshop and also a printing manager. the expert."

The little old man is probably in his 60s. He looks dry but he looks tough. I said hello to Mr. Hu, and he nodded to me.

Cui Changyu told Master Hu about the pattern printing, and Master Hu thought about it while stroking his horned beard, and said, "It's not easy to do, but it sounds interesting, so you can try it."

Cui Changyu said: "Master Hu, this matter is not as simple as trying. We want to complete all technical links before March and print this kind of paper in large quantities."

Master Hu rolled his eyes at him and said, "It's so easy!"

Cui Changyu: "My father said, if this technical difficulty is overcome, we will find a special cook to cook chicken for you every day in the cafeteria."

I:"……"

Master Hu's eyes lit up, and his heart moved.

I really...

Finally, they agreed that Cui Changyu and Master Hu would live and eat in the workshop during this time, and put all their energy into researching printing technology. We can't go to the magistrate empty-handed.

This is not easy for me, I have to study hard.

A-Dong went to clean up Cui Changyu's temporary living room. There was a hut next to this room, with a single bed, a table and a chair. It was very simple. Cui Changyu didn't seem to mind living in such a place for ten years. For a few days, I admired him a lot. Although he looked a bit dandy, when the critical moment came, he was able to bear hardships and throw himself on his career. Amazing!

Cui Changyu took out six samples, my God, why are there six, didn't they agree on plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum?

I looked at those six pieces of paper, and I couldn't help but admire the Cui family again. Four of them were plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, but they were not the ones I had seen before, but more unique and beautiful colorful patterns, which were obviously made after repeated experiments. After pondering and modifying, the patterns are placed in the upper left corner and lower right corner to allow more space for writing, and the vertical lines are also used in lighter colors, making the whole paper look more elegant.

There are two pictures that I have never seen before, one is painted with light pink lotus and light green lotus leaves, and the other is full of flower petals.Cui Changyu proudly said that this was drawn by his concubine Qingping last night.

I marveled at how beautiful it is, it's the girl's delicate and gentle way, this Qingping really has two brushes, no wonder Cui Changyu will redeem her home, it seems that you have to be talented in everything you do these days.

Cui Changyu said: "Mr. Zhang said that there is no limit to men and women in poetry. I thought that girls understand girls better, so I asked Qingping to draw two."

I agreed: "It's simply too beautiful, Young Master, I think these two may sell better."

"why?"

"Because boudoir girls rarely have the opportunity to participate in such a grand event, they will be more excited and more likely to make impulse purchases."

Cui Changyu poked me: "How can it be called impulse shopping, our things are good."

I laughed: "Indeed, there is only one copy. When it comes to this, I want to say that before these papers are actually printed, no news should be leaked and let others know."

Master Hu said with a stern face: "Boy, there are only three of us here, what are you worried about!"

Cui Changyu and I both laughed. Cui Changyu told me that Master Hu has a bad temper, but he loves chicken very much.

I laughed, of course I know this is a joke, a workshop manager and a skilled master who can overcome technical difficulties, in this era, no, in any era is a treasure-level existence, worthy of respect and admiration .

Cui Changyu asked someone to take some paper, pen and paint for me to take back. This is the tool I used to draw the design.

Time is tight, there is no time to talk nonsense or stay, I hurried back with the paper, Cui Changyu and Master Hu also quickly started working, we don't have much time, we must race against time.

I'm stuck in a difficult situation. Damn, I don't know how to draw traditional Chinese painting. The most proud achievement in painting in my life is that I won the second prize in the children's painting competition organized by the community in elementary school. It's really difficult for me to draw design drawings. I'm done, I still need to use a brush...

I tried it, and it really didn’t work. I first wrote it stroke by stroke in the calligraphy, and I could barely recognize what was written. It was really hard to draw a picture.

So I ran to the cafeteria to see if I could get some burnt twigs to use as charcoal sticks, and as soon as I entered the cafeteria, I heard Mrs. Zhu shouting loudly: "Zhang Fulang, there are not enough cabbages, please help me kill two more! "

I:"……"

Cabbage is also killed!

When I entered the door, I happened to see Ah Xiang running over with two cabbages in his arms, and saw me laughing, "Why are you here?"

When he shouted, Mrs. Zhu also saw me, and called me with a smile: "Mr. Zhang is here, alas, the cabbage delivery person came late today, but I was too busy. Fortunately, your husband is here, otherwise I would be so busy." It’s not sure whether the rice is cooked or not.”

I rubbed Ah Xiang's hair, Ah Xiang stuck out his tongue and ran away. He looked in a good mood and was very happy in the cafeteria.

I said, "Sister-in-law Zhu, I'm here to ask you for a favor."

Mrs. Zhu waved a big spoon: "Say it!"

"Do you have any charcoal left over from the fire? I'll use it as a pen."

Mrs. Zhu said, "Do you want to use it to write and draw?"

"Correct."

"You can't use burnt ones, they're all ashes and they fall apart when you touch them. Go outside and get some willow branches, peel them and give them to me. I'll suffocate them for you after the fire is over."

It turns out that you can't use burnt branches, you have to use stuffy ones. I think it's right, isn't charcoal just made from incomplete burning of wood?

I ran out and picked a few branches that were about the same thickness as a pencil from the willow tree on the roadside, and broke them off. I found scissors in the kitchen and cut them into sections. Opinion.

I have nothing to do now, so I went to help Chen Xiang, and I asked him: "Do you need me to do something, do you want to kill cabbage?"

Chen Xiang burst out laughing, and said, "Why do you talk like that?"

I rolled up my sleeves and said, "Do as the Romans do!"

I helped Chen Xiang cut the cabbage and asked him how he felt while cutting.

With a smile in his words, he said: "Sister-in-law Zhu is very kind, she told me a lot of interesting things, I have never felt so happy."

I said, "Just as long as you are happy, the purpose of our move is to make you happy."

He blushed, pursed his lips and smiled.

Mrs. Zhu yelled from the pot next to her, "The young couple are so loving!"

Chen Xiang was even more embarrassed, I laughed and said, "We are new here, so I have to ask my sister-in-law to take care of Ah Xiang for me."

Mrs. Zhu smiled heartily: "Where is this? Zhang Fulang is diligent and docile. I will be much happier if I come twice more. Otherwise, it would be so boring to guard such stinky men all day long! Hey——I didn't say you are stinky!" man ha-"

I smiled: "Okay, our family Ah Xiang's cooking skills are also good, let him add a dish to the cafeteria another day."

Mrs. Zhu said, "That's a good thing."

While chatting, the dishes were cooked very quickly. There are more than 200 people in this workshop. Mrs. Zhu needs three huge pots to fry at the same time to prepare meals for so many people by herself. It's not easy to be exhausted to death, but at this time, people can do it and endure hardships, so they did it like this.

At noon today, the vegetarian dish is stewed vermicelli with cabbage, the meat dish is stewed pork head meat, and the staple food is multigrain pancakes.The cabbage is no longer tasty at this time, but it is still the main vegetable until the new green vegetables come in large numbers.

The big pot of rice made by so many people must taste very rough, but it also has a unique flavor. Mrs. Zhu served us a pot of vegetables and meat, and cut two pieces of multi-grain pancakes for us to take home to eat. She said that we will have dinner in the yard later The squat is full of big shirtless men, not suitable for gentle people like us.

I reminded her that the young master was also there, and she said it doesn't matter, the young master is picky and definitely won't eat the food in the cafeteria, if he eats well, Manager Hu will follow suit.

I don't have much experience with small stoves, but rice in a big pot has the taste of rice in a big pot.

We thanked Mrs. Zhu and left with the rice bowl. Mrs. Zhu said that she would fix the willow branches for me and just come and get the rice bowl when it was delivered.

Chen Xiang and I had dinner when we got home. Chen Xiang asked me what I did in the morning. I told him what I saw and heard, and he also told me the trivial and interesting things Mrs. Zhu told him. Eat with relish, don't have fun.

In the afternoon, Chen Xiang went to return the rice bowl, and when he came back, he took back the burnt charcoal sticks. Mrs. Zhu not only made willow stick charcoal sticks for me, but also made some wood sticks, which were a little thicker but not hard.

Chen Xiang stayed at home in the afternoon to clean up the house, wash clothes, tidy up the yard, and then watched me draw.

I conceived the general layout first, and then started to write. Charcoal pens are much easier to use than brushes.

My preliminary plan is to need a large open-air field. The field must have trees, flowers, grass, and water, but it cannot be a big river. I don't want to leave such a safety hazard.

I plan to set up a flower arch to cater to the bustling theme. There should be a long dessert table inside, put some drinks and pastries, and there should also be an area for bands. The most important thing is to have a place for literati to write and draw. Of course not It’s as simple as a desk, I set up some screens and rockeries, and prepared a long signature wall.

Every time I think of a place, I draw a circle to mark the general location. I adjusted it several times in the afternoon, but I am not satisfied. The draft paper is thrown all over the floor. I don’t know when Chen Xiang came in and tidied it up. I was so absorbed that I didn’t notice it.

I didn't finish my painting satisfactorily all afternoon, my back hurt, and I couldn't see the paper clearly, only to realize that it was already evening.

Chen Xiang went to the cafeteria to make a pot of porridge and came back. The workers don’t have to work at night, and the workshop will not serve hard vegetables. Today is millet porridge, and each person is served with an egg. Compared with other workshops, it is a high match. up.

Eggs, no matter where they are, are luxury goods for the poor.

After the meal, Chen Xiang cleaned the tableware and said that he would just bring it to Mrs. Zhu in the morning. I asked him if he would like to help in the cafeteria tomorrow, and he said yes. He hadn't chatted with anyone for a long time.

That sentence almost brought tears out of my eyes.

He said that he wanted to try some mixed vegetables tomorrow. We took out the dried radish and washed them together. I believe Ah Xiang's mixed vegetables will definitely be very popular.

I boiled hot water and took a bath. Chen Xiang pressed my shoulders for me. The little hands were soft and comfortable. I felt that my waist was not sore anymore. I could even do some exercises that required waist effort, such as...

Make Ah Xiang cry?

After a busy day, our new life has just begun.

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The author has something to say:

Please do not imitate the act of breaking wicker, everyone is responsible for caring for flowers and plants.

The papermaking process and charcoal making process are just superficial and can't stand the attention, so don't be more serious~~~

I really want to eat big pot dishes today!