The Beginning of Ginger
During this time, everyone is very busy and naturally has no time to think about planting ginger. Zhou Sirlang is busy all day, almost shedding a layer of skin. Every night, he still insists on sleeping in his grass shed, only to be kicked awake by Zhou Wulang every morning.
But no matter how tired he is, he still insists on guarding the ginger field. In his words, they have come this far and cannot abandon their previous efforts. This is related to his debt repayment.
Although he sleeps heavily in the grass shed, he believes that as long as he stays there, it acts as a deterrent. In truth, the ginger has not been stolen again.
He feels that people are not too busy with the autumn harvest to come and steal the ginger; rather, they are afraid of his bravery and hard work.
After harvesting the melons and beans, everyone had no time to rest before the rice matured and the weather started to change, with occasional rain.
In order to catch up with the farming season, besides Qian Shi and Man Bao, several members of the Zhou family had to go to the fields. This year, the Zhou family welcomed a new member, Zhou Xi, who worked more efficiently than before.
Bundles of rice were carried back to the yard. Even though Old Zhou was tired, he still had a smile on his face.
Due to the large amount of labor, Man Bao used all her savings to buy meat for everyone. Qian Shi was also generous with food and money, personally cooking for everyone.
After the autumn harvest, despite everyone looking thin and tired, their morale was high.
Old Zhou called his daughter over and asked her to calculate how much tax their family had to pay this year. After the autumn harvest, they would have to pay a grain tax.
Old Zhou remembered what happened to Lao Si last year and glanced at him, saying, "This year, Lao Da took Lao Er, Lao San, and Lao Wu, and Lao Si stayed at home."
Zhou Sirlang lowered his head, trying to minimize his presence.
On the day of the grain collection, Man Bao and the others were resting. She wanted to join in the fun, so she took Old Zhou's hand and said, "Dad, let Lao Si go, and we can take some fresh ginger to sell."
"Can ginger be sold?"
"Yes, it can." We can use the money to buy meat for eating.
Old Zhou was a little worried. His daughter always seemed to be thinking about food.
He patted her head and said, "With the money from the sale, let your brother pay off the family's debts, and we can use the money to build a few houses." If there's enough money, we can build one for you as well.
He had already thought it through. "You are a scholar now, and you need your own room." "When the time comes, I'll have your second brother make you a bamboo screen to use as a bedroom and a study."
Man Bao's eyes lit up. If she had her own room, she could talk to Keke for as long as she wanted.
She immediately pledged, "Dad, I'll use my share of the money to help you build the house."
Old Zhou: Why does the money from the ginger field need to be divided? Isn't it all his?
Man Bao obviously didn't know what her father was thinking. After calculating the grain tax they had to pay, she ran over to Lao Si and said, "Lao Si, fresh ginger should be sold with the leaves." The leaves can also be fried and eaten. "We don't have an iron pot at home, but families who own one will surely appreciate its value."
Lao Si blinked and asked, "How do you know that? Have you tried it?"
"I haven't, but my friend told me."
"Is it the young master from the Bai family?" Ginger leaves are delicious when fried with meat. "Tell me, so I can answer if someone asks when I'm selling."
"Or with eggs," Man Bao thought that everything would taste good when fried with meat.
Lao Si apparently agreed, so he nodded.
Keke helplessly said, "Actually, it tastes even better when stir-fried, and it can also be fried with eggs."
This was their recipe from that era. The ginger that Man Bao planted was purchased from the market and had strong reproductive capabilities. Just a small piece could produce a large amount.
The leaves were also delicious. They were still tender, and whether stir-fried or stewed, they were delicious. However, Man Bao had tried stewing them once and didn't like it, so she decided that the ginger leaves were best stir-fried.
Although she had never actually eaten stir-fried ginger leaves.
Because it was the first time selling ginger, and they didn't know the market price, Zhou Sirlang didn't dare to harvest too much. After digging a small hole, he took it to the river to clean.
Today, all six brothers of the Zhou family, including Zhou Xi, were going to the county town.
This was insisted by Man Bao. She said to her parents, "The ginger on that piece of land belongs to Big Sister." She should decide how to sell it and for how much.
She then turned to Zhou Xi and said, "Big Sister, you should hold onto your own money. This way, you can do whatever you want with it." "If you ask us to help you sell the ginger, we will take a cut."
Zhou Xi asked with a smile, "Isn't your money also used to buy meat for the family?"
"Yes, because the money is in my hands." If I want to buy meat for the family, I can. If I want to buy clothes, I can. But if the money is in Mom's hands, then I definitely won't be able to do anything." So Man Bao had known from a young age that she had to earn money and keep the money she earned.
Zhou Xi was slightly stunned, but after a moment of thought, she nodded. "Okay, I'll go with you."
Zhou Xi had also put a lot of effort into cultivating the land. As Man Bao said, the only things that truly belonged to her in this family were those two plots of land.
At first, she didn't know if the ginger would grow, so she didn't pay much attention. But once they sprouted, she took great care of them.
She fertilized, weeded, and caught insects all by herself. Even the division of the ginger, which Zhou Sirlang hadn't considered, was suggested by her and done with her help.
For the past six months, she has been taking her medicine regularly. After feeling less tired at her mother's house and eating better, her complexion had improved, and her hands and feet were no longer always cold.
As a result, she had spent almost all of her money.
Zhou Xi had wanted to support Man Bao before, but her mother had been firm, so she had given up on the idea. Since she couldn't support Man Bao and didn't want to marry, she had to prepare to establish herself as a single woman.
Her father didn't say anything, but Zhou Xi knew that because she had brought up the idea of supporting Man Bao, her father was somewhat displeased with her.
Zhou Xi said to Man Bao, "Big Sister isn't familiar with the county town. You should take her to sell the ginger, and she should give you a cut."
Man Bao's eyes lit up, and she promised, "Big Sister, don't worry." I have already found several customers in advance. But we shouldn't take too much at once, or we'll be forced to lower the price. Lao Si took a basket, so you should take one too.
Zhou Xi smiled and asked, "Who have you found as customers?"
"There are many." "You'll find out when we get to the county town."