Chapter 10, New Year
If it were not for those revolving lanterns, a modern soul might embarrass itself at the very first moment of visiting others, and could even offend someone without realizing it
First, I went to the old man's home in the village and presented him with some dried lamb. The old man was so delighted that his eyes nearly disappeared.
The main reason is that the yield of soybeans is not as high as that of corn and rice, and their cultivation is not widespread
After practicing like this for a few days, Xiao Qibao has also prepared all the gifts
Closing the door and having noodles with tofu, no matter how one thinks about it, it seems like a meager meal, yet it somehow allows Xiao Qibao to experience an extraordinary taste.
The master and servant checked repeatedly, confirming that no one had been overlooked, and only then did they feel somewhat relieved. They sent Xiao Qibao to purchase the gifts, while Zhang Xi stayed at home to recall the etiquette for the visit
Therefore, tofu made from soybeans was only popular among the aristocracy, consumed more for novelty than as a staple food. On the other hand, wheat rice was something only the impoverished commoners would eat; households with slightly better conditions primarily relied on corn porridge, resorting to wheat rice only when there was nothing else to eat
Although Zhang Xi had the assistance of the revolving lantern, he was still afraid of forgetting it in a moment, so he hurriedly began to review at home
In this day and age, visiting someone at their home also requires adherence to etiquette; it is not merely about dropping off a gift and engaging in casual conversation. Even dining involves a multitude of rules, all clearly stipulated in the "Book of Rites".
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, every household performs ancestral worship and does not go out
The landlord also needs to pay a visit
After all, having eaten too much corn rice, the first experience of this food brings a sensory enjoyment that is quite stimulating
Such matters certainly require the cooperation of the county magistrate
After a flurry of activity, Xiao Qibao finally managed to settle the moving arrangements before the New Year
By the time one reaches the second day of the Lunar New Year, it is necessary to go out and visit relatives and friends
Zhang Xi is the chief quartermaster, responsible for the logistics of provisions and the preparation of various camping materials
In this day and age, soybeans and wheat are directly boiled and consumed.
It is no wonder that when the family was divided, Xiao Qibao was considered Zhang Xi's only trusted confidant and was also being trained as a future steward of the branch family; his abilities and insight are beyond doubt
The gypsum used for making tofu can be purchased at a herbal medicine shop. In this day and age, gypsum is considered a type of medicinal material and is readily available.
Still the same words, Zhang Xi really does not understand Xiao Qibao, but seeing that Xiao Qibao's loyalty seems to be overflowing, this matter will not be scrutinized for the time being, and I will go directly to bed to sleep
This entire day is dedicated to honoring ancestors, and no one will go out to receive visitors, so there is no need to worry about anyone coming to visit
Being unable to go out for an entire day and being confined at home can be somewhat boring. Therefore, after settling in for quite some time, Zhang Xi secretly decided to close the doors and engage in some activities.
It is not a big deal; I am just trying to make tofu and noodles at home.
Eating corn rice every day can become somewhat monotonous and does not quite align with the tastes of a modern individual
At this moment, Zhao Yun is not in Xinye at all; it is said that he has been assigned by Lord Liu Bei to attend to some matters. It is uncertain whether he will be able to return during the New Year. Zhang Xi is still very much looking forward to meeting this General Zhao, who wields a white horse and a silver spear.
Although soybeans were included among the five grains long ago, their yield cannot truly be compared to that of corn and rice
After all, it is merely an additional processing step, grinding soybeans into soy milk with a stone mill and grinding wheat into flour with a stone mill.
Previously, a lease agreement was signed, witnessed by the village elder, and it will be filed with the government office. The absence of the landlord is not a significant issue, as it is documented in the records.
If you don't even have a home and are living in an inn, who would come to visit you
Another issue is that ordinary people in this era have no idea how to consume these two items
For example, if your host offers you a piece of fruit, after you finish eating, you must carry the pit in your pocket and cannot throw it away in front of them, as that would be considered impolite
The next day, Zhang Xi took Xiao Qibao out to pay New Year visits to people
Last year at Liu Bei's "Annual Corporate Meeting," Zhang Xi encountered honey tofu, which Liu Bei served to entertain his subordinate generals; it was considered a novelty food.
As a steward of a noble family, the most important task is to assist the master in identifying and addressing any deficiencies, which is the responsibility of Xiao Qibao
It is said that Liu An, the Prince of Huainan during the Former Han Dynasty, was a devout believer in Daoism. While experimenting with alchemy, he accidentally added gypsum to soybean milk, resulting in the creation of tofu. This is a widely circulated legend, but no one knows for certain whether it is true or not
After bidding farewell to the village elder, Zhang Xi took Xiao Qibao with him and once again visited their landlord in the village
The landlord's home is not far from the village hometown.
However, Zhang Xi still had to observe the proper etiquette, so he paid a visit to the landlord's home
As for tofu, it goes without saying that it is a delicacy reserved for the nobility. Little Seven Treasures has already regarded tofu as something that exists only in the heavens, and being able to taste it is indeed a tremendous blessing
This highlights the role of Zhang Xi's month-long revolving lantern.
Without the cooperation of the county magistrate, how can Zhang Xi go anywhere to gather grain and supplies, and how can he mobilize the people to collect materials? Is he to rely solely on his own two hands?
As for Liu Bi, the magistrate of Xinye County, this is purely to facilitate smoother progress in future work by establishing good relations in advance
At the time of signing the contract, a steward from the landlord's family handled the matters related to the agreement, stating that the owner was unavailable. As the New Year approaches, it is certainly necessary to pay a visit to express one's gratitude
Speaking of which... Zhao Yun, Zhang Xi has yet to meet you
These two methods are not actually difficult, nor are they particularly groundbreaking innovations. Compared to the process of burning sand to make glass, they are more easily accepted. Therefore, although Xiao Qibao is surprised, he does not find anything amiss.
However, this time when Zhang Xi came to visit, Mrs. Deng, as the hostess, could not avoid making an appearance
According to the village elder, the landlord was originally the spokesperson left behind by the Deng family before their southward migration during the division of the family. This role has been passed down through generations. In the current generation, due to the early passing of the spokesperson, only orphans and widows remain, which is why the current village elder has taken charge of the situation.
The process of fermenting the dough is quite troublesome, as there is no yeast powder available. Zhang Xi can only allow the dough to naturally ferment in a slightly warm place. It is uncertain what degree of fermentation is considered just right, resulting in the noodles having a somewhat peculiar texture.
Zhang Xi, an official under the command of Liu Shijun, made a special visit to the village elder during the New Year, which greatly enhanced the elder's prestige
According to the customs, visiting involves greeting, conversing, dining, and so on. After a visit, it was already noon.
Of course, while one cannot control private infidelities, this time it is possible to openly collect mutton, which has made the village elders exceedingly happy
According to the regulations of the "Book of Rites," village elders are generally not qualified to consume lamb, and may only make an exception to accept lamb as a gift during the New Year.
Excessive consumption of soybeans can lead to abdominal bloating and flatulence, while wheat cooked into porridge becomes difficult to eat
During the Han Dynasty, there were only two meals a day: one at 9 AM and another at 4 PM, with no meal served at noon. Therefore, there was no concern about visiting others during lunchtime or disturbing them while they were eating.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhang Xi set up an ancestral altar at home with Xiao Qibao. Of course, Xiao Qibao was not qualified to participate in the worship, so only Zhang Xi offered a brief prayer in front of the altar and the memorial tablet to express his sentiments.
This also explains why the house rented to Zhang Xi is an ancestral property of the Deng family, while the landlord is not an elder of the village
Most of the residents in Dengjia Village have the surname Deng, and the landlord is no exception
In this era, the staple foods are millet and rice. Generally, people in the north consume millet, while those in the south consume rice. Both are easy to cultivate and yield a high output, which is why these two types of grains are the most widely grown.
In this day and age, it is quite difficult for modern individuals to empathize with the thoughts of ordinary people
In this era, imperial authority does not extend to the countryside; many matters are not decided by the government but rather by the village elders. It is certainly necessary to maintain a good relationship with the village elders
The last few days before the New Year are holidays, during which there is no work. The master and servant are at home together, pondering whom to visit for New Year greetings to avoid being impolite.
At this time, tofu indeed existed, but it was not common. Tofu was still considered a noble food, and the main ways to consume it were by sprinkling sugar or honey on it
As for the various greetings upon meeting and the customs related to dining, there are indeed countless rules and practices
As for those who require a formal greeting card, there are even more, including Lord Liu Bei, General Guan Yu, General Zhang Fei, Jian Yong, Yi Ji, Zhao Yun, Mi Fang, Liu Yan, and so on. Even if your relationship or status is insufficient, they may not necessarily meet you, but the greeting card must still be sent; otherwise, it would be considered impolite on your part.
Therefore, these four individuals must pay a visit in person
After finishing the noodles, he actually licked the bowl clean... Zhang Xi expressed her inability to understand this
It must be said that Xiao Qibao is truly capable
Even if one knows, it is impossible to uphold justice, because in this era, it belongs to the private affairs of the family and the - Tu - Shu clan, and outsiders have no right to interfere
The reason Zhang Xi needs to finalize the moving arrangements before the New Year is also due to the requirements of the holiday.
As for the methods of preparing noodles and tofu, Zhang Xi simply explained them to Xiao Qibao, intending for Xiao Qibao to cook for him in the future. Consequently, Xiao Qibao immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Zhang Xi, crying uncontrollably and refusing to get up no matter what.
After all, who does not admire Zhao Zilong, the one known for his "white horse and silver spear, full of courage"
During the late Han period, the restrictions on women were not as strict as those in the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, a widowed mother with an orphan often found it inconvenient to appear in public, and she would generally avoid doing so whenever possible
Having settled in Dengjia Village, it is certain that the village elder will pay a visit
The village elder, the landlord, Mi Congshi, and County Magistrate Liu are definitely the four people I need to visit" Zhang Xi counted on his fingers, tallying the number of people he needed to go out and visit
Then, it was just the two of us, secretly preparing delicious food at home with Xiao Qibao
As for whether there is suspicion of the village elder taking advantage of the situation to bully the orphaned and widowed... Zhang Xi is unaware
What Zhang Xi is going to do today is to turn soybeans into tofu pudding and wheat into noodles
However, beans and wheat are relatively less cultivated because their yields do not match those of corn and rice
Thus, Zhang Xi was in a great hurry to move
As for Mi Zhu... of course, I must go. This is my direct superior, the chief administrator of the logistics system
Tofu, in fact, is not something particularly novel
Moreover, Liu Shijun is the actual ruler of Xinye at present, and since Liu Shijun's arrival, the lives of the people in Xinye have indeed improved significantly, resulting in Liu Bei's high reputation in Xinye
However, Xiao Qibao has already been astonished beyond measure
This matter is not only something that Zhang Xi needs to consider, but also something that Xiao Qibao needs to take into account