Reborn in a small mountain village in 1991

Chapter 112 Eldest Sister's Marriage

Xu Chunsheng thanked the official for his kindness, knowing that the official was thinking of him.

There are only three wineries in the town. Not long after his winery opened, it was maliciously smeared and slandered. Although the truth has been clarified and the culprit has been found, Wang Dongcai was fined and punished. Although he has rectified the situation and reopened, his business has plummeted.

The official was worried that Xu Chunsheng might rush to launch new products and grab business, and start selling new wine before the permits were issued, or that he might mishandle the brewing process. That's why he specifically explained the risks of soaking wine and fermented wine to Xu Chunsheng.

"Okay, thank you, comrade. I will definitely wait until the formalities are completed before I start selling wine."

Seeing that Xu Chunsheng agreed, the cadre continued, "Fermented jujube wine is a fermented fruit wine, so the review process needs to be even stricter."

"In addition to submitting the source of the jujube raw materials and a complete description of the fermentation process, the County Economic Commission, together with our monopoly office, will conduct an on-site inspection of your fermentation tanks and storage sites. The workshop must have a designated separate area for fruit wine fermentation and cannot mix it with the distillation of white spirits."

"Afterwards, submit both documents to the office to apply for a change to the liquor production and sales license, adding fermented fruit wine and blended liqueur to the permitted product categories. This is the most crucial step."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chunsheng realized that he couldn't just sell fermented fruit wine whenever he wanted. It seemed he would have to build a separate facility to store the fermented fruit wine.

"Can a regular ceramic jar be used for fermentation?"

"It's best to use a glazed one, as it's acid-resistant and makes it less likely for impurities to leach out."

Xu Chunsheng folded the blank application form, put it in his pocket, nodded to indicate that he had noted it down, and prepared to leave the office.

As Xu Chunsheng stood up, the official added, "When you come to apply, don't forget to bring the samples."

Xu Chunsheng left the office only after agreeing.

In 1991, SC Province formally reviewed, approved and implemented the "SC Province Alcohol Management Regulations". Before 1994, the production and operation of alcoholic beverages in the province were uniformly governed by these regulations.

In other words, the review of individual small wineries at this time was far less stringent than the review two years later.

For products like the orange wine and jujube wine made by Xu Chunsheng, all they need to do is add the product category to their existing liquor production and sales license and complete the site hygiene verification and business scope change.

When the inspectors came to the site last time to verify, they found that Xu Chunsheng's bamboo shed for brewing wine had actually exploited a "loophole" because the bamboo shed was built on his own homestead.

If you want to brew fermented fruit wine for your own consumption, you don't need to worry about these things. But if you want to sell it, you have to set aside a separate area, and you even have to buy a new batch of glazed wine jars for fermentation.

At that time, there were no food-grade plastics, and stainless steel equipment could not be mass-produced. The most approved type of liquor for county-level approval was the thickened large earthenware jar. This type of glazed earthenware jar had a smooth inner wall without sand holes or cracks and could withstand acid corrosion, making it the first choice for fermenting fruit wine at that time.

After leaving home, Xu Chunsheng went directly to the supply and marketing cooperative, bought some more food for his family, and then ordered six glazed earthenware jars with a capacity of 100 jin each before returning home.

"Mom and Dad, let's clear out a room to store the fermentation vats. The staff at the management station told me that our fermented fruit wine needs to be stored separately from the liquor storage area."

"Why can't they be put together?"

Xu Chunsheng took the things he bought off the car and answered their questions: "It was specifically instructed by the cadres of the town's liquor monopoly station that the fermentation and storage of fruit wine and liquor must be separated."

"Our jujube and mandarin orange wines are fermented wines, so the jars can't be sealed too tightly. They need to be breathable and ventilated. Not only can the flavors easily mix in a room, but the natural sweetness of the fruit wine may also be affected."

Baijiu and fruit wine are two completely different brewing methods. Baijiu needs to be distilled and the alcohol concentration is extremely high in the aging environment, while fruit wine cannot be completely sealed during the main fermentation stage and needs to be opened or partially opened to release the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation.

The volatile aroma of baijiu (Chinese liquor) will seep into the earthenware jar, masking the natural fragrance of the jujube and mandarin orange. The resulting fruit wine will have a strong, pungent alcohol smell, losing its characteristic fruit wine flavor, making it unsellable and lowering its quality.

In addition, the tiny pores of the earthenware jar can absorb surrounding odors. If it is placed in a room for a long time, even if it is sealed and aged later, the absorbed odors will not dissipate.

Xu Chunsheng continued, "We sellers need to be even more particular about these things."

"The place where baijiu is distilled is full of all sorts of things, and the fermented fruit wine is easily contaminated with bacteria and dust. If it gets moldy, the whole vat is useless."

"If we want to sell these products, we have to do them properly. Otherwise, when the staff comes to inspect them, we won't pass the inspection and won't get the license. All the wine we brew will go to waste."

Father Xu nodded: "Then let's vacate the 'small two-room'. That room is next to the ditch, so it'll be cooler. The liquor can still be stored over by the bamboo shed, so neither side will interfere."

"Then I'll go cook. We'll start working after lunch. We'll have Sichuan soup for lunch. Eldest son, could you take two eggs from the chicken coop and bring them in?"

Xu's mother took the meat Xu Chunsheng had bought from him, intending to take it to the kitchen to cut off a piece to make soup, and then put the rest in the refrigerator.

After hearing her mother's arrangement, the eldest sister walked towards the chicken coop, repeatedly agreeing, "Then I'll take out two more, some to make Sichuan soup, and some fried pork! I'll give them to my younger sister and Xiaowei to take to school later."

After putting down what he was carrying, Xu Chunsheng and his father went to move the miscellaneous goods out of the "small room".

The "small room" served as a storage space, filled with miscellaneous items such as nylon bags for future use, woven bamboo baskets and hampers, and even some wood intended for making hoe handles.

A little while later, the eldest sister also came over to help pack. While their father went outside to get some odds and ends, Xu Chunsheng leaned close to his sister and said, "You've been busy for a while now, sister, can you go back with Teacher Tang to meet his family?"

The older sister rolled her eyes at him: "What, now that you've finished your work and don't need me for a while, you want me to get married quickly?"

"Of course not, it's just that the sooner you marry into the family, the more embarrassed I will feel to trouble Teacher Tang."

Xu Chunsheng chuckled as he spoke.

As she swept the floor, the older sister kicked Xu Chunsheng's foot away, saying, "Then I can't be in a hurry, lest you become even more bossy towards Teacher Tang."

"Oh my, she's already protecting her future husband so quickly."

Xu Chunsheng had barely finished speaking when he was hit on the head, followed by another hit.

The eldest sister's slaps fell like raindrops, but she held back her strength, so Xu Chunsheng didn't feel any pain. He just kept his head down and let his sister slap him.

At the same time, Xu Chunsheng continued, "Sister, to be honest, the reason their parents are willing to help us like this is because they value your relationship with Teacher Tang. It's not that your brother is forcing you, but if you don't want to, you should make it clear as soon as possible, so as not to keep them hanging like this."

"Where am I hanging?"

"It's not that I'm not going."

"It's just that Teacher Tang himself didn't ask, so I didn't feel comfortable bringing it up either."

Only then did the eldest sister speak her mind.

Xu Chunsheng raised his head and looked at the older woman who was already taking out the trash: "It's okay, I'll ask Teacher Tang. I've figured out his personality pretty well; he's like lukewarm water, he needs someone to give him a push."

After finishing his meal, Xu Chunsheng's family cleaned the small room while he went to school.

Before leaving, he also brought some snacks he had bought at the supply and marketing cooperative, as well as some fried pork he had made for lunch, to give to Teacher Tang, Xu Yaomei, and Xiaowei at school.

After arriving at the school, he went straight to the office and asked Teacher Tang to call Xu Yaomei over.

When Xu Yaomei arrived at the office, she was overjoyed to see Xu Chunsheng: "Second brother, what brings you to school?"

"My second brother missed you, so he came to see you."

"You're lying! It's not like I won't go back."

"I brought you something delicious, I'm not kidding you."

Xu Chunsheng grabbed a handful of candy from the red plastic bag and gave it to Xu Yaomei: "Take this and share it with Xiaowei. Come find me when you're done. I have something to talk to your teacher, Tang."

"good!"

Xu Yaomei happily accepted the large handful of candy with both hands and ate it, running outside and calling out, "Xiaowei, Xiaowei!"

"Teacher Tang, you should try some! They're all new from the supply and marketing cooperative."

Xu Chunsheng also opened the red plastic bag a little wider.

"Okay, thank you!"

Tang Changping didn't really like these things, but he couldn't refuse. He agreed verbally, took a piece of candy from the red bag, and asked Xu Chunsheng, "Chunsheng, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I just want to ask, what are your plans regarding your relationship with my sister?"

Xu Chunsheng suddenly crossed his arms and stared at Tang Changping.

Tang Changping adjusted his glasses, somewhat hesitantly, "I still respect your sister's opinion. What does she think?"

"My sister told me not to ask your family for help anymore."

"They also said it would be best to give your family some money as a token of gratitude to your father."

"Because I can't accept your kindness for nothing, after all, you may not really want to marry her."

Xu Chunsheng deliberately fabricated lies to deceive Tang Changping.

Tang Changping had already stood up, his face pale: "I never said I didn't want to marry your sister. My dad helped you because he was helping his daughter-in-law's brother!"

"Oh, I see!"

"But you never take my sister to meet your family, so naturally my sister will overthink things, and I, who have received a lot of help from your father, also feel uneasy."

Xu Chunsheng said.

Tang Changping nodded: "That's right."

After thinking it over carefully, Tang Changping turned to Xu Chunsheng and said, "Okay, after school I'll go to your house and explain things to your parents. I'll ask for their permission to take you home to meet my parents this weekend."

"Okay!"

"Then come with my youngest sister."

"I won't disturb your teaching work anymore. I'll go back and tell my sister to cook for one more person."

Xu Chunsheng got up and left the office.

"Little sister, come here!"

After Xu Chunsheng came out, he called over Xu Yaomei, who was with Xiaowei on the playground.

Xu Yaomei ran over.

Xiao Wei also ran over.

"You came back with Teacher Tang today."

"Yeah?"

"That's wonderful!"

"Then my older sister must be cooking something delicious at home again today."

1

"You little glutton!"

"snort!"

'

After returning home, Xu Chunsheng relayed Tang Changping's words to his eldest sister.

After hearing this, the older sister didn't say anything, but went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and walked towards the chicken coop.

"Sis, let me help you."

"No need, you go about your work."

"By the way, could you drive me to town tomorrow to buy some things for his parents?"

"You don't need to go. I've already prepared everything for you: rock sugar, canned goods, soy milk powder, tea, pastries, cigarettes and alcohol, and a scarf and necklace for your aunt."

"When did you buy so much stuff?"

"I buy whatever comes to mind when I go shopping, and I slowly save up."

Xu Chunsheng led his eldest sister to his room to see the things he had bought. He opened the cabinet door and said, "Look, it's all here. Your brother is so thoughtful, preparing everything for you so early."

Some of these things were prepared by Xu Chunsheng, and some were brought back by Xu's mother privately: "Erwa, I think Teacher Tang is a good person, and he's good to our family. I also approve of your sister and Teacher Tang's relationship. It's just that we don't have much at home, so when the two families meet, we should have something decent to offer, so that people won't look down on us."

After Xu's mother and Xu Chunsheng talked about it, he consciously bought some suitable things for the family.

Over time, I accumulated quite a bit.

After explaining these matters to his elder sister, Xu Chunsheng went to help decorate the "small two-room".

The house had already been cleaned thoroughly, and even the walls around it had been covered with a ring of high decorative paper to prevent moisture.

Xu Chunsheng found several thick old wooden planks and placed them on the ground. This was so that after the large glazed pottery jars were brought home, they could be propped up so that the bottoms of the jars would be suspended in the air and not in direct contact with the ground.

The humidity in the mountains is high, and if the jar is placed directly on the ground, it will easily soak the walls of the jar, which may cause the earthenware jar to become damp and leak wine. In addition, if the humidity is too high, the temperature inside the jar will be unstable, which will disrupt the fermentation of the fruit wine.

As arranged by Xu Chunsheng, the earthenware jars were then placed three on each side of the wall, away from the doorway, with a half-foot gap between them to prevent the heat generated during fermentation from affecting each other.

Make a shelf and place it near the entrance to store tools such as wooden basins, winnowing baskets, and clean gauze for washing.

The earthenware jars for jujube wine and orange wine are kept separate because the subsequent fermentation processes are different. Keeping them separate prevents interference and makes it easier to check the bubbles and seal the jars.

After doing all this, Xu Chunsheng went to his mother and said, "Mom, find some scraps of cotton cloth and make a thick door curtain to keep out the cold wind in winter."

""

After agreeing, Xu's mother asked suspiciously, "Why did your sister kill a chicken? Does she want to eat chicken? I asked her, but she wouldn't tell me."

Xu Chunsheng chuckled: "Mom, my sister is probably too embarrassed to say it, but I just went to see Teacher Tang. He said he's coming this afternoon to invite my sister and me to his house for dinner this weekend!"

"Snapped!"

Xu's mother slapped Xu Chunsheng's arm: "You little rascal, why didn't you say something so important earlier? I have to hurry and help. Tell your dad to change his clothes and look more presentable!"