1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 298 Not all dead!
Truffles grow 10-30 centimeters underground, not as deep as the grapevines that have been protected by layers of vegetation.

Once permafrost forms, they will definitely suffer!

Moreover, farmland is being cared for almost 24 hours a day with people smoking it and others keeping it warm. But who protects and takes care of the truffles that grow in the forests and mountains?
Truffles have one of the most fragile root systems among crops; otherwise, cultivating truffles would not be such a challenge.

Ronan couldn't even imagine what the situation was like in the mountains now.

Truffles, in particular, are different from grapes.

Grapes can produce a small amount of fruit in two or three years, but wild black truffles take 8-10 years from spore growth to maturity!
It will take 8-10 years!

Lucas's reaction made Ronan realize that he, like himself, had overlooked this important situation.

Even the usually composed Lucas couldn't maintain his composure this time.

He left Theo's house after saying "I just remembered I have something to do," and his manner as he went to get his car could only be described as "panicked."

Ronan was worried that it would be dangerous for him to drive in this state, so he jogged after him and leaned against the car door to comfort him:

"If things go badly, the price of truffles will immediately go up. Margaret has such a keen nose, so things might not be so bad."

Even during the severe cold wave and frost of 1956, 30% of the truffles survived.

Both he and Lucas are experienced truffle hunters, and they are unlikely to come up empty-handed in the next two months.

Supply exceeds demand, and prices are falling, just like a few months ago.

If supply can't keep up with demand, the price of truffles will immediately rise, and by an exaggerated margin.

Lucas grunted indifferently, then stepped on the gas, and the car sped off.

Theo, completely oblivious to what was happening, even turned to comfort Ronan.

"Maybe someone asked Lucas for a loan. You know, this year has been tough, but don't be as easygoing as Lucas, lending money to everyone. It'll be hard to get it back when you need it."

Ronan let out a long sigh and glanced at Theo with a complicated expression.

Theo, Theo, did all of your brains end up in Lucas's body?
“I’m going back.” Ronan turned and left.

“Take some sheep!” Theo shouted from behind.

Ronan waved his hand with his back to him:
"No, I need to go out too."

The grapevines cannot be removed now, but the truffles can be dug up at any time.

It was still early, so Ronan drove off.

He needed to check the situation; he was certain Lucas was no longer in Lourmaran at the moment.

About two weeks later, Ronan arrived in Frasier again.

Without stopping, he quickly crossed the outer edge of the forest and reached the dense woods.

Along the way, he kept observing the shape and condition of the treetops and quickly found the target tree.

As soon as he squatted down, Ronan began to frown.

It doesn't taste right.

It's true that there's a truffle smell below, but there's also a strange, strong odor that I've never smelled before.

Knowing that the truffle below was likely doomed, Ronan's movements became less gentle, and in fact, they were no longer able to be gentle.

The soil around here is much harder than in Lourmaran.

Ronan took out the tools he always carried in his bag. He had been digging for truffles for a year, and this was the first time he had used a small shovel.

After a few shovelfuls, he saw an object with a dark black surface that was whitish, and it had no luster at all.

Ronan took out the darker truffle and poked it a few times. He felt that its texture was like a dried sponge, and there was no obvious rebound after pressing it.

Upon cutting it open, the veins that should have been white marble had turned dark yellow.

“Dead as dead as can be.” Ronan threw the truffle away like trash.

After walking for a while, Ronan discovered that not only were the truffles under the soil frozen to death, but the root systems of some of the host trees were also damaged by the frost.

If the host tree's root system is injured, it can no longer form a symbiotic relationship, and it will be difficult for new mycelium to grow under this tree in the future.

"This cold wave has had a greater impact on wild black truffles than on crops." Ronan's brows furrowed deeply.

Ronan arrived in Frassie around 11:30 a.m. and left at 3:30 p.m., spending nearly 3 hours searching for truffles.

At this moment, his large bag contained only a few dozen small truffles, with a total weight of about 1 kilogram.

If this had happened before, Ronan should have been able to dig up more than 2 kilograms in 3 hours.

Based on this, it can be estimated that this cold wave killed approximately 60% of the wild truffles.

However, Ronan's mood did not completely turn somber.

There is still hope for him!!

After the cold wave began, Ronan informed all the restaurants he worked with that they would be unable to supply truffles for a long time to come, and that he would have to devote himself to the work of fighting the cold.

The people of Provence value the weather far more than people in other regions, and everyone expressed their understanding and told Ronan not to worry about them.

Ronan contacted Jacques immediately upon his return.

That day, the image of Lucas's flustered departure and Theo's silly smile kept flashing through his mind.

This generous Michelin restaurant owner might continue to buy truffles at prices higher than the current market value. Ronan planned to find out more and then introduce Lucas to him.

When Ronan contacted Mr. Jacques again after a long time, he could clearly hear the excitement and agitation in the other man's tone, something that had never happened before.

It's been so long since we last contacted each other. Do you miss me?
"You're finally done with your work." That was Jacques' opening line. "When are you going into the mountains to dig for truffles?"

So it turns out she wanted my truffles. Ronan said in a complicated tone:

“In fact, I went today, but I didn’t find any truffles with a diameter of more than 5 centimeters.” Mr. Jacques only needs premium truffles with a diameter of more than 5 centimeters, but Ronan only found small ones today.

“That was before.” Jacques’ tone was full of helplessness. “It’s very difficult to find large truffles in Provence now. The larger the individual, the closer it is to the ground, the higher the probability of it freezing to death. I collect any kind of truffle now.”

Ronan's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly:

How much do truffles cost now?

This is fantastic news! He and Lucas's regular truffles have also found a wealthy buyer!

“2500 francs per kilogram,” Mr. Jacques quoted a price.

Ronan was taken aback.

How come it's only 2500 francs?

These are truffles, and 60% of them are frozen to death. The price should at least double!

Sensing Ronan's hesitation and doubt, Mr. Jacques sighed helplessly:

"This price was set by the Carpentera Truffle Brokers Council. They were worried that the price increase would be too large and cause turmoil. You know, everyone is having a hard time right now. If the price of 'black gold' skyrockets in the short term, some people will definitely take risks and do something. The 'gatekeepers of the truffle ecosystem' have to maintain the health of this industry."

He continued in a serious tone:
"Moreover, they have recently issued many bans. Anyone who dares to disrupt the market price will be permanently banned from the truffle market in Capontra. The price of truffles will definitely continue to rise in the future, but it should stabilize around 2500 francs in the next two weeks."

Ronan thought for several seconds, and finally said apologetically:
"Can I think about it for a few minutes before getting back to you? I know you're in a difficult position. But I have a friend who really needs money right now, and I'd like to think of another way."

Jacques said gently:

“I understand, but right now in Provence, nobody really dares to disrupt prices.”

“I want to give it a try,” Ronan said firmly.

“Okay, call me anytime if you want to sell. I’ll buy as many as you have.” Jacques hung up the phone.

Ronan took a deep breath.

He still had one last glimmer of hope.

Ronan took a clean little notebook from the cabinet under the TV, opened it to a page, and pinched out an irregularly shaped, dark yellow piece of paper covered in grease and two handprints with two fingers.

If someone with life experience were present, they might be able to tell that the irregularly shaped yellow paper was used by a grocery store to wrap bread, and that it was only a corner of it.

If someone with a sensitive nose were present, they might even be able to smell a faint hint of onion on this piece of paper.

Ronan disdainfully laid it out flat, trying to decipher each number while dialing a number.

The call was quickly answered, and an impatient old man's voice filled Ronan's ears:

"No matter who you are, I will not answer work calls after 7 p.m., call me again at 10 a.m. tomorrow."

Before the man could hang up, Ronan asked rapidly:
"Mr. Alphonse, do you accept regular truffles now?"

Truffles with a diameter of 5 centimeters or more are no longer found in Provence, and the extra-large truffles that Alphonse needs are probably extinct.

Although this old man was a bit eccentric and slovenly, he was intelligent.

Knowing that after getting a good price, they ask the seller for an extra 2% is not unaware that if they don't switch tracks, they will starve to death in the next few years.

Ronan realized the phone call had moved away from Alphonse's face, as his voice grew increasingly faint.

"Yes, I'll take it, but I only take large quantities and a stable supply, and it has to be unearthed within 24 hours. If you can supply a stable 3 kilograms a day, I'll take it. But let's talk about it tomorrow, after 10 o'clock, so as not to disturb my sleep. Oh right, tomorrow won't work, I won't be home tomorrow, and I also have things to do the day after tomorrow. Never mind, call me again next week."

“If I can consistently supply 4 kilograms a day, what will your purchase price be?” Ronan asked loudly.

In the Provençal truffle ecosystem, only this old man dares to defy the 'official' authority!

This is Ronan's last hope!
The expected busy signal didn't come; Alphonse's voice became clear again:

"Four kilograms of fresh truffles are provided daily?"

“Yes, 4 kilograms a day,” Ronan said.

Alphonse chuckled twice:
"Child, have you been to the mountains recently?"

“Of course,” Ronan said calmly. “I’m going into the mountains today.”

"Then you should know what it's like outside, how can you dig up 4 kilograms a day?" Alphonse asked with a smile.

Ronan's tone was flat:
"I have two people here, and the two of us together should be about the same."

At today's pace, Ronan should be able to dig up more than 2 kilograms a day now. If Lucas can also contribute, it's not impossible.

Besides, let's talk first; it's not like we have to hand it in right now.

There was a few seconds of silence on Alphonse's end:
“I can offer 3500 francs for a daily supply of 4 kilograms of fresh truffles unearthed within 24 hours.”

“Great!” Ronan said excitedly. “I’ll go find my partner right now. Any other requests?”

This old man has such a strange personality, yet he managed to finalize the cooperation in just a few words?
Alphonse yawned:

"That's all, that's fine. Call me at 7 p.m. when you've collected them all, and I'll tell you which restaurant to send them to."

Ronan was momentarily taken aback:
"You didn't even check it before sending it to the restaurant?"

Alphonse wants fresh truffles unearthed within 24 hours. Aren't you afraid I'll 'pass off inferior goods'?
Alphonse yawned again:
"Any truffle hunter who asks me for my home phone number is someone I trust. Okay, hang up now, you're keeping me from resting!"

Ronan didn't even wait until the next day; he hung up the phone and immediately ran to Lucas's house to tell him the good news:
"Although there are fewer truffles, we got a price that's more than double what we paid. We might not only break even, but actually make a profit!"

But Lucas did not show the relief or happiness that Ronan had expected.

During the cold snap, Ronan overlooked more than just the situation with wild truffles.

He also forgot that Lucas had a 10-hectare truffle plantation.

(End of this chapter)