Chapter 8: Curing and Drying Tobacco

Zhang Lei patted his own head and said softly, "Fortunately, I don't remember much else; at least there were no detours on the way home"

The creaking sound echoed as the closed door was opened once more. Zhang Baosheng stood outside with a group of villagers, startling Zhang Lei. Zhang Baosheng said, "You speak, what should we do?"

Zhang Lei thought to himself, as long as a tobacco curing room is built, it would be fine. However, the words were swallowed back down before they could escape his lips; wasn't this just a great opportunity sent by heaven for him?

At this moment, Zhang Baosheng finally raised his head to look at his elegantly dressed son and said, "And then?"

Yes, yes, yes, since you have returned, there is no need to mention the past. If Father knew you were back, he would be very happy. You have always been so clever, and over the years, you have helped him a lot at the dock. He has been in a terrible mood lately, and today he can finally enjoy a good meal. Unfortunately, I burned the food. At first, he was all excited, but as he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a bit down.

"You must hurry back; if your father sees you return, he will surely be very happy," said Li the carpenter

Just now, my younger brother told me that he also smelled the scent of tobacco, Zhang Lei replied honestly

That is not possible; a group of people blocks his doorstep every day. How can he not be anxious? He hopes every day that someone can help him resolve this issue. He would probably be willing to be treated like a grandson.

Under his intentional or unintentional probing, it became clear that tobacco was introduced in the mid-16th century. However, at that time, the tobacco was still sun-dried, maturing in the summer and relying on ample sunlight for drying and processing. Unfortunately, Qin Luofeng's tobacco was harvested at the end of summer, when the sunlight was no longer sufficient. As time passed and autumn brought frost, the situation worsened. The villagers, having worked hard all year, found themselves unable to sell their products, and naturally directed their grievances towards Qin Luofeng, causing daily disturbances at his doorstep. This is the reason for the commotion outside.

I planted over ten acres, and to be honest, the harvest looks quite good. However, it's the processing here that... Hey, bro, you actually know how to do this? I really can't tell if this is true or not?" Zhang Chen asked a series of questions in one breath.

As soon as he stepped into the Xu family camp, he noticed a coffin shop at the entrance that had already opened. Upon seeing Zhang Lei walking over, the carpenter Li, who was in his forties or fifties and was planing a wooden board, straightened up. After confirming that he had not mistaken the person, he warmly gestured towards the half-finished coffin and said: "Xiao Leizi, come in and have a seat"

Zhang Baosheng then formally took a good look at Zhang Lei and said, "You have grown a lot during this period; you are like a different person from before"

Zhang Lei said: "I also heard it from others. Whether it works or not, let's try it first and see. Alas, this was truly a miscalculation. I should have experimented on my own first. If this father goes out and talks about it and I can't produce results, wouldn't that be a huge embarrassment"

He washed up, changed his clothes, and sat down to eat together. There was no conversation; Zhang Chen seemed somewhat intimidated by him and no longer dared to speak as freely as before, focusing solely on eating.

Brother, the tobacco must be dried in the bright sun, right? You say it's already winter; where can we still dry tobacco? If it can't be dried and is left for a whole winter, can it still be used? In my opinion, it's probably that Qin blind man is too greedy, wanting to grow tobacco twice a year. He deserves to fail! This Qin Luofeng acts reclusively in the village and is not well-liked by everyone. Since he is having a hard time, Zhang Chen naturally feels a bit of schadenfreude.

Zhang Lei was taken aback, almost believing that Zhang Baosheng had discerned his identity as a time traveler. He comforted himself for quite a while before calming down and said: "I have indeed encountered quite a few things during this period; the outside world is very fascinating. However, this is not the time to discuss that. Now that the tobacco has been harvested, we should process it early and sell it for profit."

Zhang Chen chuckled twice, grabbed a piece of osmanthus cake, and stuffed it into his mouth haphazardly, nearly choking and rolling his eyes. After hurriedly chewing a few times, he finally felt better. Observing his awkward appearance, Zhang Lei suddenly felt a small warmth deep within; this is his family, and even in another world, he is not alone.

Zhang Chen opened the package and immediately exclaimed in an exaggerated manner: "Wow, this is the pastry from Cui Yuge. Mmm, it smells so good. I've been craving this osmanthus cake for several years now and really wanted to try it, but it was just too expensive for me to afford. Brother, how did you come into such money"

"Younger brother." It has been some time since he came into this world, and Zhang Lei is also able to quickly adapt to his role. "Where is father?"

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Zhang Lei's eyes lit up. Tobacco? This is indeed a valuable item

"Younger brother, the radish you are stewing is almost out of water," Zhang Lei suddenly smelled a strange odor and immediately reminded him after taking a look.

Zhang Chen smiled and comforted, "Brother, you have been so intelligent since childhood, and your words are always well-founded. This time will not be baseless either; I have high hopes for you."

Upon suddenly seeing his long-missing elder brother, Zhang Chen felt extremely happy, as if he had just seen a cherished picture. When he heard Zhang Lei ask about him, he cheerfully replied, "Oh, he is working at the dock and will be back soon." He couldn't care less about the fire he was tending to for cooking; his hands, covered in wood ash, were quickly rinsed in a nearby bucket before he rushed over to examine Zhang Lei from head to toe, saying, "Brother, look at you! After not seeing you for a while, you have become even more handsome."

Why can't this tobacco be used?

Zhang Lei patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, saying, "Hey, since everything is in the past, there's no need to bring it up. Look at me, I'm back and doing well. Let's just let the past be the past."

"Younger brother, do you think Qin is very anxious?" Having made up his mind, Zhang Lei felt much better and couldn't help but start playing charades with Zhang Chen

Zhang Lei was about to speak when a loud commotion came from outside, growing closer. Zhang Chen frowned and said, "Here it comes again"

After a flurry of activity, Zhang Chen finally managed to bring the dishes to the table. He invited Zhang Lei in and chatted for a while. Suddenly, Zhang Chen said, "Brother, I never expected that my first time going out to sea with Blind Jiang would lead to such an incident. According to what they said, it was because a big fish shook the sailboat, and you happened to be by the side of the boat and fell in. The crew wanted to rescue you, but they were afraid of that big fish, so they had no choice but to..."

Ah, is this that kid from Zhangjia?

What are you asking these for

Father, you have returned. Zhang Chen approached and said: Look, brother is back, and he is still alive

Zhang Chen said: "Who knows what that guy is thinking? He has been wandering at sea for half his life, lost a leg and blinded an eye, yet he still cannot settle down. The villagers have advised him to stay home and farm, but after just a couple of years of idleness and reading, he went back to sea again. Look, he brought back some so-called good tobacco seeds, probably losing all his capital in the process. I think he truly deserves it."

Zhang Baosheng said: "Go find Qin Luofeng"

Didn’t we just say this? It was when you went out to sea with Qin the Blind last time. I don’t know where that guy got the tobacco seeds from, but he claimed that it could be used as medicine and was also a fine leisure item for the upper class. He thought he could make a fortune by planting and selling it. Qin the Blind bet his entire life’s savings on it, but unexpectedly, while the plants did grow, he couldn’t process them into something usable. Everyone is clamoring for him to compensate them.

The person nodded and said, "Understood"

How?

Zhang Lei said, "During this period, I have seen some foreigners outside, and they possess the technology to process this tobacco into finished products"

Ah... my lunch..." Zhang Chen let out a cry of despair, disregarding any conversation with Zhang Lei. He turned around, climbed over a half-height fence, and rushed to the stove, directly picking up a basin of clear water beside him and pouring it into the firebox to extinguish the flames.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Zhang Lei couldn't help but feel a bit confused. In his impression, tobacco leaves should be dried in a curing barn. When he was a child, there were several such small houses in the village, and he had never heard of tobacco leaves being directly sun-dried.

As they were speaking, the tightly shut door was pushed open, and bright light flooded in, illuminating the entire hall significantly. A short, thin middle-aged man walked in, wearing worn-out straw sandals. His pant legs were rolled up, filled with wood shavings, and his clothes were tattered, with an open collar revealing a bronze-colored chest. His large hands were also marked with cracks. Although his appearance was not impressive, his gaze was exceptionally sharp. When he glanced over at Zhang Lei, it immediately sent a chill down Zhang Lei's spine.

Zhang Lei said, "Our family must have grown tobacco as well; I smelled it when I just entered the house"

Zhang Lei gave him a light punch on the head and jokingly scolded, "With so much food for you, why all the nonsense"

What is going on? Tell me about it. Zhang Lei pondered for a moment and suddenly developed a strong interest, eagerly leaning over the dilapidated Eight Immortals table and asking with great curiosity.

Speaking of this, Zhang Baosheng frowned and then said, "Alright." He stood up, turned around, and walked outside. Zhang Chen asked, "Where are you going, Father? Let's eat first."

Zhang Lei took out a package and said, "You only know how to tease me. I was born looking like this; how could I be handsome? Here, this is food I bought for you."

He did not dare to claim that he could do it, so he casually found a reason and brought up foreigners. Since the tobacco seeds of Qin Luofeng came from overseas, it was only natural that there would be someone abroad to process them

Zhang Lei couldn't help but shiver and quickly declined, saying: "No, no, I still have to hurry back home, maybe next time. Come over to my place for tea when you have time."

After passing through several narrow alleys, I arrived in front of a small courtyard. The yard is not large, surrounded by a low fence, and planted with some seasonal vegetables, which are well tended. A young man, about the same age as him, is skillfully stewing radishes on a stove made of several bricks. He turned his head inadvertently and, upon seeing Zhang Lei, was startled and exclaimed: "Brother!"

Zhang Lei couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated; this guy was just too taciturn. He slapped his forehead and said to Zhang Chen, "Brother, how much tobacco do we have at home?"

smoke? sunbathe?