There is one more thing Zhang Wangjia didn’t say.
He had been eating and drinking at Song Tan's house every day during this period. Maybe it was because there was enough oil and water, or maybe it was because the food at home was really good, so he accidentally ate a little more...
As a rural person, as long as you eat well, it is only a matter of time before you are healthy.
He now feels that his physical condition is much better than in the first half of the year. Apart from other things, it is not so tiring to carry Wu Lei, a big guy, to move things every day.
At this rate, it is unclear whether he can live another ten or twenty years.
When he was able to work, he would look after the peach garden, and when he was not able to work, he would weave straw mats for Song Tan's family... He really couldn't do anything anymore, and now he had no place to spend money, so he saved up his salary and savings, and then hired someone to serve him...
If I really can't serve you well anymore, then it's all over.
Nowadays, as long as he is willing to be open-minded, Zhang Wangjia feels that life couldn't be more comfortable.
Therefore, he looked even more relaxed.
Song Tan had no idea that his uncle Zhang, who had always been honest and simple, could now be so open-minded.
At this moment, he just rode on the tricycle: "Okay, Uncle Zhang, I'll trouble you to keep an eye on Wu Lei."
"What are you talking about?"
Zhang Wangjia laughed: "Having a young man to help me is at least easier than being alone. There's even someone to talk to."
…
When Song Tan drove the tricycle to the edge of the chestnut orchard, he heard Song Sancheng sighing inside:
"The soybeans ripened too quickly this year. I barely had the chance to eat edamame. I was hoping to eat them with wine."
Qiao Qiao opened his palm and said, "Dad, here, this pod is green. It's edamame."
Song Sancheng: …
The ground is covered with yellow leaves and bean pods, with only this one green one... How could he make a cold dish out of this one bean pod
Song Tan walked in and started laughing too.
"It's okay. We'll plant them in batches next year, dividing them into early-maturing and late-maturing varieties..."
But we only eat them at home and don't sell them. We need to find someone to pick fresh edamame, which is not as convenient as soybeans.
Looking at Song Sancheng again, he was cutting soybeans while picking up the fallen pods and exploded beans on the ground. He was really busy.
Song Tan looked at Dabao and Erbao who were surrounding him excitedly:
"Dad, don't pick it up."
"Our beans are delicious. It would be a shame to leave them here."
Song Sancheng couldn't bear to leave.
"It's okay." Song Tan patted Dabao and Erbao on the head: "Since they are here, can't you just leave some snacks for them?"
It’s no wonder that Song Sancheng felt sad when he thought of the broken beans scattered on the ground.
But when I think about the fact that my eldest and second child will eat it, I feel satisfied again instantly.
He laughed:
"Okay, our Dabao and Erbao are so obedient, the chestnut orchard looks so good! Eat, eat as much as you want!"
Well, Dabao and Erbao can understand what we say now. When we say "eat", both dogs become alert and start digging around on the ground with their noses. They can't wait to find the scattered beans - they roll them up with their tongues and chew them directly into their stomachs.
Although... this is guarding the treasure mountain without tasting a single bite, it is really touching.
Song Sancheng obviously approved.
However, Song Tan glanced at the two babies and thought: They are so skilled at eating, I guess they must have prepared some special meals for them from time to time.
As for the instigator...
She looked at Qiao Qiao, who was busy cutting soybeans in front of her without saying a word, and smiled helplessly.
…
The family of three grabbed the branches and leaves of the soybean vines with their left hands and pricked them downwards with sickles in their right hands. Soon the basket was filled with handfuls of soybean stalks, which were then poured into the tricycle.
Among them, Song Tan was the most efficient. Wherever he passed, no grass grew. Song Sancheng couldn't help but smack his lips:
"Tan Tan, when I was young, no one in the whole village could do as well as you."
"Of course not!" Song Tan also became proud: "Dad, don't you see what kind of genes I inherited?"
For a moment, the sound of laughter and the wind could be heard far away in the forest.
Before leaving, Song Tan also broke off a branch that had four or five chestnut bags hanging on it - the branch was too thin and the chestnuts were too heavy, so they were almost hanging down.
By doing this, she was able to reduce the burden on the chestnut tree.
Qiao Qiao held the branch expectantly: "Let's go! Go home and eat chestnuts!"
…
Although the chestnut plant looks very defensive, it is actually very convenient to eat.
For example, there is actually a cross-shaped weak spot on the oval chestnut bun. There are no thorns there, but it is protected by the cross-shaped thorns on both sides. When it is cooked, it will explode into four petals from this cross...
Anyway, the chestnuts are still tender now. A skilled farmer only needs to step on the other half, then use a pair of scissors to gently insert them along any vertical or horizontal trace, and then break them apart.
The round chestnut bag was split in half, revealing the soft, tender and white chestnuts inside.
At this time, the chestnuts are not yet old, so the shells are milky white and very soft. The skin inside is also moist and soft, making it very easy to peel.
Put the light yellow chestnut kernel into your mouth and take a bite, and a pool of fresh and tender moisture will come out.
It tastes sweet and is exceptionally delicious.
To be honest, it tastes a hundred times better than ripe chestnuts!
There were only a few chestnut buns, with three or four small chestnuts in them. Each person in the family got two, just like Zhu Bajie eating ginseng fruit. Qiao Qiao ate them so much that he looked eagerly in the direction of the chestnut forest:
“I want to eat more…”
"Eat!" Song Tan was particularly straightforward: "Things are planted to be eaten, but these chestnuts are still a little small. In a few days, when they grow bigger, it will be more cost-effective to eat them."
"When you feed the dog, pick some for me."
"But..." Qiao Qiao looked at Wu Lan hesitantly: "Didn't mom say that we can't eat unripe chestnuts? It's a waste."
Wu Lan was also stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "You are talking about the ancient calendar from many years ago. At that time, people were counting on the chestnuts to make money. If they ate a small chestnut bun, they would have to sell half a pound less. They would definitely not be willing to do so."
"We don't rely on this now. You can eat as much as you want. You can eat all the food in the mountain."
At that time, we had to go up the mountain every day to watch over the chestnuts before and after they matured, otherwise someone would steal them.
Nowadays, most chestnut forests in the village are left barren, and anyone who wants to eat them can pick them.
Times have changed!
…
Meanwhile, Song Sancheng spread soybeans on the open space in front of the door. Many of the pods had fallen off, but some were still attached to the stalks:
"Let it dry first, then we can knock it down later so it's easier to clean up."
The seventh cousin looked at it, then looked inside to see if there were any green ones, and picked them up directly:
"Let's fry some fresh soybeans for lunch."
Qiao Qiao came over and curiously started searching, and it took him a long time to finally find a small basin.
When you peel the unripe soybeans, they are green. After you shell them, remove the translucent membrane. Put them in a pot and simmer them, then stir-fry with some green pepper sauce, minced meat, etc. It has a unique flavor...