Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 43 Tofu
Tofu,

It is the most common delicacy in later generations.
It is also a rare nutritional supplement for poor people in China for thousands of years.

In He Bo's mansion, He Bo became a frequent visitor to satisfy his appetite because of its delicious taste, diverse cooking methods and simple cooking.

After all, I really can’t eat it.
Can’t we eat the fake ones?

Therefore, I can also taste such delicious food.

But when he found out that one pound of beans could make about two pounds of tofu, he was completely shocked.

In such a simple era,

Food is food.

It is sacred and cannot be increased or decreased.

As for soups and stews?

It's for drinking, not eating.

Now, He Bo told him that tofu, like soup, was made by boiling beans and water, and could be chewed with teeth, leaving the stomach with a heavy feeling. How could he not be surprised?
In particular, the production method and raw materials of tofu are relatively simple, and it is a new delicacy that ordinary people can experience with some effort.

So Xi asked He Bo to teach him how to make tofu.

He Bo naturally would not refuse.

Nowadays, everyone's taste is still bland, but He Bo doesn't mind adding a bit of flavor to the world.

Therefore, Xi was sent out by He Bo to collect some beans and soak them in water and wait for him to come back.

It’s just that beans are everywhere, but the brine and gypsum used to make tofu are somewhat scarce in Ye County.

The former needs to go out of town to buy——

Either they could sail down and go directly to the border between Qi and Wei to buy from Qi, which was rich in salt, or they could pass through Han and purchase from Hedong County, the main salt-producing area in Wei.

The Hedong Salt Lake there once provided strong economic support for the Jin State's dominance.

Moreover, at this time, brine is usually regarded as a waste product in salt refining because of its bitter and poisonous taste, and it is very convenient to buy and sell.

The plaster,
Although it is produced in the nearby mountains, it requires some mining.

but,

These kinds of suffering don’t matter much to He Bo.

After all, as long as everyone wants to eat, they will naturally think about overcoming difficulties.

When it comes to satisfying one's own appetite, He Bo believes that there is not much difference between people a thousand years ago and a thousand years later.

As for He Bo wanting tofu?

As long as he follows the Zhang River all the way to the mountains, he can easily get what he needs.

……

"But we still have to go to the mountain first."

After the soybeans were soaked, He Bo said again.

The stone mill was a bit heavy, beyond his ability to bear. When he took it out, it fell into the Zhang River. Even if the heavy water flow could not push it, it would still be an embarrassing scene.

So He Bo used his magic power to find a stone of suitable size in Tongdi Mountain. After making a stone mill, he did not bring it back and left it there.

And then you need to make a fire to cook the soy milk.

He Bo could not guarantee that the fire could burn under the water of Zhang River.

Therefore, after Xi had collected the beans with great interest, He Bo collected his soul and took it to Tongdi Mountain.

“Grinding tofu is very hard work.”

"You have to hold on."

Before placing Xidang as the oxen and horses to pull the mill, He Bo spoke to him based on his conscience.

Three major hardships in life:
Rowing, forging iron, and making tofu.

After Xi died, he not only studied but also enjoyed such hard work. He was really much luckier than others.

"I'm not afraid!"

Xi rubbed his hands together, and relying on the power bestowed by ghosts and gods, he touched the real object.

He took out the soaked soybeans and started grinding them.

He Bo was watching him pushing the millstone little by little, and couldn't help thinking, "It seems that not only money can make the devil turn the millstone, but also food can make the devil turn the millstone."

It's a pity that he didn't have a whip.

Otherwise, at this moment,

The dark mountains,
The old man panted,
The heavy and laborious millstone,
Plus a man standing next to him with a whip,

What a peaceful scene!

When Xi Xing could not finish grinding the beans, He Bo told him, "You still need to boil them."

So Xi went to collect firewood, used the utensils brought by the ghosts and gods, filled the soy milk, and lit a fire to cook.

"Keep stirring, then add brine." With the flames blazing, Xi stirred with sweat all over his head.

"Then you can do whatever you want!"

Once the marinade is done, everything else will be very simple.

Xi recalled the appearance of tofu he had eaten, so he took out the "tofu" that had gradually solidified after being marinated, put it into the mold he had prepared earlier, and then covered it with a wooden board to press it down to shape it.

"It's done!"

"It's done!"

When he saw the tofu was ready, he clapped his hands with joy.

"Aren't you tired?" He Bo asked him, seeing that he was sweating all over.

"No, I'm really not tired!"

Xi watched the pound of beans turn into more than two pounds of tofu, and his eyes narrowed with joy.

"Now, everyone will have more food to eat."

He recalled to He Bo, "My father died of starvation because there was not enough beans at home. He left all to my mother and me."

"If I could have made tofu at that time, I wouldn't have starved to death even if there was more water in my stomach."

“I’m happy when I think that I can help more people have enough food and water!”

Xi said this and became even happier.

He Bo also laughed and said, "More than just enough water?"

"I'm afraid I'll be eaten by others in the future. I don't want to eat it anymore!"

"Too much food to eat? That's something I wouldn't even dare to think about even if I died again!"

He held the tofu in his hands and exclaimed in amazement.

However, both they are gods and ghosts, and they cannot eat real food. Even if they die and become cattle and horses, this result will not fall into their mouths.

But, how can we waste all this hard work?

He Bo thought about it, packed up his things, and went to Tongdi City, to Lao Zhonglu's home.

He knocked on the door.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Lao Zhonglu opened the door a little angrily. He couldn't see who was outside at all, but he smelled a strange fragrance coming from his nose.

He smacked his lips, and couldn't help but open the door a little wider.

then,

Then I saw ghosts and gods.

"I heard you have bad teeth, so I'll give you something to eat."

He Bo remembered that when Lao Zhonglu was kneeling in the temple, he once mentioned that his teeth had become loose and he could not bite the pork that the gods and ghosts sent to him, so he finally shared it with his neighbors.

Lao Zhonglu took it with joy. For a moment, he even felt that he was worthy of the ghosts and gods personally delivering gifts to him. He must be special to the ghosts and gods.

Holding the tofu and smelling the aroma, Lao Zhonglu felt very happy.

Fortunately,

He did not see Xi's ghost,
do not know either,

After sending him off, He Bo went to disturb Ximen Bao late at night.

Ximen Bao was very shocked that ghosts did not appear in his dreams but instead came directly to his house to deliver food.

right now,

Not only did he not get a good rest in his dreams,

Even in reality, isn't he allowed to have a good rest?

He Bo said calmly, "Giving gifts is a token of one's thoughts. Do we have to choose a time?"

Ximen Bao moved his mouth and thought: Shouldn't I check the time?
He was lying on the mat with his wife!

Fortunately,

Ximen Bao's wife was sleeping soundly and was not awakened.

So Ximen Bao got up carefully, tucked the quilt for his wife, then went out and came to the yard with the still steaming tofu in his hands.

"I thought tofu was only enjoyed by ghosts and gods, but I didn't expect it could be popularized."

After He Bo told him the whole story, Ximen Bao broke the tofu and chewed it slowly.

He Bo said to him, "You're just not very hungry."

Because they usually have enough food and clothing, they forget for a moment how important it is for lowly people to be able to mix food with water to fill their stomachs.

Ximen Bao was silent for a while, then nodded, "That's right."

"I thought I had done a lot for the common people, and that it was enough for Ye County to harvest more grain this year. Now it seems that there is still a lot to do."

　Thanks to my book friends Renren Suikou, Linjiasen, Huanchong, 20181001123634671, Yang Can, Emperor Xuanqiong, Nangong Dier, Lord of Water Virtue, 20181002113452223, Yinyue Sanren, and Yuyu for their monthly tickets! (*^@^*)
　　There are also rewards from book friends Suirenshi drilling wood to make fire and Pujie Wang! *^◎^*
　　
　
(End of this chapter)