Chapter 374 - Third Uncle’s Livelihood
Chapter 374: Third Uncle’s Livelihood
Translator: Lonelytree
In the countryside, after the peanuts were harvested, they were either used for oil extraction or made into snacks. There were many kinds of snacks that could be made with peanuts. However, in the countryside, the most common method was to stir-fry, deep-fry, and boil them.
Stir-fry peanuts were very special because one had to use sand, the kind of sand at the bottom of the river. The sand could be smooth or coarse. Some liked the sand to be coarse, and others liked them smooth.
After washing and drying the sand, the sand was placed inside an iron pot. The sand was stirred, and when it was hot, the peanuts were placed inside the pots.
Then, the peanuts were continuously stir-fried. The peanuts would be fried through the heat in the sand. It was hard to tell when the peanuts were done unless one had a wealth of experience. The experts could tell from the surface of the shells. To the others, the shells would look clean and white, but
when they cracked the peanuts open, the peanuts inside would be a little yellow. The nuts had a fabulous crunch. They were crisp and fragrant. This was very technical work.
In the countryside, many villagers used stir-fried peanuts to entertain their guests. Stir-fried peanuts were an indispensable snack.
Deep-fried peanuts were a common snack in both the city and countryside. The peanuts were peeled and then deep-fried in oil. After that, they were seasoned with sugar or salt.
To deep-fry peanuts, the oil had to be relatively cold so that the nuts wouldn’t blacken so easily. Of course, everything also depended on the skill of the cook.
The last method to prepare peanuts was to boil them in salt. After the peanuts were harvested, they would be cooked in water without sunning. The cook would add the seasonings like salt, spices, chili, and so on. Freshly-picked peanuts were the best for boiling. They would take on the flavors of the
seasoning easily.
Therefore, whenever it was harvest season for peanuts, most households would boil peanuts. Boiled peanuts were also a favorite snack for rural children.
The other variation was to boil the peanuts after they were dried. The cooking method was similar. However, the peanuts were prepared after they were dried. Because of that, the cooking time would be longer.
After the peanuts were cooked, they would be laid under the sun to dry again.
After they were dried, they would be put away. They were the perfect snacks.
“These fried peanuts are so fragrant.”
That night, there were many people in the courtyard of the Xiao Family. Of course, they were all members of the Xiao family.
Xiao Mingyang and Fourth Aunt Xiao also came back from the city.
The business in the county town was mostly about the high-end vegetables. Other than the vegetables supplied to the Gu Family Hotel, the store sold around 500 catties of high-end vegetables daily.
Once the university entrance examination was over, the business at the store lightened. Previously, business was good because many people heard about the good benefits of vegetables.
As the entrance exam approached, many students became anxious. They couldn’t eat or sleep. However, after they ate the vegetables at the shop, they could sleep and eat better.
So for the sake of their children, the parents spent a lot of money buying special vegetables. Even though the price was high, they would grit their teeth and buy them.
Now that the exam was over, the parents wouldn’t be buying the special vegetables anymore. The farm didn’t have any more common strawberries and vegetables. They were in the transition period. Therefore, the shop only had high-end vegetables for sale. Regardless, the 500 catties of high-end
vegetables were normally sold out in one morning, Fourth Uncle Xiao and Fourth Aunt Xiao would come back to the village to help out after they closed the shop.
On the stone table, there were all kinds of peanuts. Stir-fried peanuts, deep-fried peanuts, and boiled peanuts were all there.
“These peanuts are amazing.”
“The flavorings of the boiled peanuts are spot on.”
“Are these peanuts?” They ate the peanuts with relish.
“Hey, don’t just focus on the peanuts. Try the roasted soybeans. It’s fragrant and crisp. They are delicious.”
Roasted soybeans were made by stir-frying dry soybeans in a wok without oil. Xiao Lingyu missed the taste of this childhood snack, so she asked her mom to make some.
Xiao Lingyu ate the soybeans alone, making a crunching sound.
It was really delicious, crisp, and fragrant.
Hearing the praise, the others grabbed a handful of soybeans and put them into their mouths.
Sure enough, the soybeans were also so delicious.
Xiao Lingy felt like she had eaten too much, so she drank a cup of water.
“Third uncle, third aunt, we just harvested over 2000 catties of soybeans. I plan to make them into tofu. I intend to ask you to help me with the tofu business. What do you think?”
Xiao Lingyu had discussed this in passing with her parents before. But now that all the family members were there, she decided to bring it up again.
Third Uncle and Third Aunt Xiao were eating with relish. When they heard Xiao Lingyu’s words, they were stunned and did not react for a moment.
The others were also stunned, except for Father and Mother Xiao.
At this moment, Father Xiao explained, “Leyang, Shuo ‘Er will attend high school soon, right? He’ll have to move to attend high school. You have bought a house in the county town. You’ll have to pay the loan every month, so naturally, you’ll have to find a job in the county town, right?
“Yu Er had already told us this earlier. She wanted you to help her with the tofu business. I know making tofu is hard and tiring. However, if you do a good job, you won’t have any problems making a living.
“I wonder if that’s okay with you?”
The four brothers of the Xiao family were united. They had always loved and understood one another. However, certain things had to be clarified. Father Xiao had to explain the reason why he had given the tofu business to his third brother so as to avoid suspicion from the other brothers.
Xiao Leyang and his wife looked at each other, and then their faces became excited, “Yes. Second Brother, of course, we’re willing. In the past two years, our family had experienced all kinds of hardships when we were out of town. Moreover, making tofu now isn’t as hard as it used to be.”
Grandpa Xiao and Grandma Xiao felt comforted when they heard this arrangement.
Grandpa Xiao said, “Yes. It’s a little tough to make tofu, but at least it’s an honest way to make a living. Plus, this means that you can be close to Shuo ‘Er when he attends the high school.”
Xiao Leyang nodded and said, “Yes, dad, we understand.”
His son’s grades were not bad. At his level, it was definitely not a problem for him to get into university, even if he might not get into Imperial University.
The children’s future was the most important. They knew very well what decision was best for the children.
The tofu business was a little tough, but as long as the tofu sold well, there was still some profit to be made.
Xiao Lingyu said, “Third uncle, third aunt, our family will only use our own beans in the tofu business. I believe the tofu will be extraordinary.”
“Ah?” The others were a little puzzled.
“Yu’Er, you mean we’ll only use the beans we harvested a few days ago?” Grandma Xiao said with some doubt.
“Yes.” Xiao Lingyu nodded.
“But there aren’t that many beans. It’s only about 2000 catties.” Grandma Xiao said with doubt, “I heard that even a small tofu stall would need at least 1000 catties of soybeans per month. Using our current soybeans, your third uncle’s business can only last for one or two months. What about the future?”
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Grandma, don’t be anxious. Hear me out First.”
Then, Xiao Lingyu asked, “Grandma, what’s the difference between our soybeans and the normal soybeans?”
“If there’s a difference, it’s that our beans are too delicious,” Grandma Xiao answered without thinking.
“That’s right,” Xiao Lingyu said, “The soybeans are delicious, and the tofu made from them will be delicious too. Grandma, you know that I have a shop in the county, right? Are the vegetables in my shop expensive?”
“Expensive, very expensive,” Grandma Xiao replied with a smile.
Grandma Xiao had to admit that the vegetables in Xiao Lingyu’s shop were really expensive.
A catty of cabbage was sold for three RMB at the shop when it was only sold for several cents at the market. However, despite the price, many people fought to buy them. The business was extremely good.
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “That’s right. We don’t sell that many things, but the things we sell are of the highest quality. We still have a good business, right?”
The others immediately understood what she meant.
Third Uncle Xiao asked excitedly, “So, Yu ‘Er, do you mean that we can do the same with tofu?”
Xiao Lingyu nodded, “Of course. As long as the tofu is delicious, it’s easy to sell. No matter how expensive it is, there will be people who buy it. I believe the tofu made from our beans will have an extraordinary taste, just like our vegetables.” At this moment, Third Aunt Xiao suddenly said, “Lingyu, other
than making tofu for sale, can we make tofu pudding and soybean milk?”
Xiao Lingyu was slightly stunned and asked, “Third aunt, do you mean you want to open a breakfast shop?”
Third Aunt Xiao shook her head and said, “No, not a breakfast shop. I just want to open a tofu product shop that sells tofu, tofu pudding, and soybean milk. I think that selling only tofu is a little too simple.” After saying this, she thought for a moment and said, “I want to rent a shop in the county town to
sell these tofu products.”
Xiao Lingyu thought for a moment and said, “Third aunt, if that’s really the case, I don’t think 2000 catties of soybeans will be enough.”
Third Aunt Xiao shook her head and said, “No, like what you said, we will sell them in limited quantities. If we ration these 2000 catties of soybeans, we should be able to sustain the business until the next harvest season.”
At this time, Xiao Lingyu said with a serious expression, “Third aunt, you will only use our own soybeans, right?”
Although she understood her third aunt’s character, Xiao Lingyu still had to remind her.
Third Aunt Xiao nodded and said, “Yes.” At this point, she suddenly understood something and immediately explained, “Yer, don’t misunderstand. Third aunt won’t use outside beans to make up the difference. I… merely wish to stabilize the new market. This is in preparation for the next harvest.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded. “Yes, third aunt, I understand. Alright, I’l leave this to you and third uncle. Whether you want to sell tofu or soy milk, it’s up to you.”
“Yes, thank you, Yu ‘Er.” Third Uncle Xiao and his wife were really grateful.
They had no intention of leaving after coming back this time.
Now that Xiao Lingyu had made plans for their family, they were very grateful.
At this moment, fourth aunt Xiao suddenly asked, “Third brother, third sister-in-law, do you know how to make tofu? Have you made tofu before?”
Third uncle and third aunt Xiao’s expression froze.
They had actually forgotten about this question.
They really didn’t know how to make tofu. They only knew how to eat tofu.
Fourth Aunt Xiao chuckled and said, “Hehe, if you don’t know how to make tofu, you can learn it now. Qiuying knows how to make tofu. Why don’t you learn from her?”
“speaking of, Qiuying, is there anything that you don’t know? Cooking, brewing wine, making tofu, you know everything, Even though I’m the eldest sister-in-law, Im ashamed of being compared to you.”
Chen Qiuying smiled and said, “Haha. But I’m not a master at any of them.”
Then, she said to third uncle and third aunt, “Third brother and third sister, you can come to learn how to make tofu tomorrow. We’ll taste the products and decide the price.”
“You’re right. We definitely need to have a taste test first to decide the price.” Fourth Uncle Xiao smiled and said, “am looking forward to the tofu made from these beans.”
Then, he grabbed a handful of soybeans from the plate and put them into his mouth.
He also liked to eat tofu.
In fact, many people liked to eat tofu.
Everyone present was looking forward to the tofu banquet tomorrow.
“Leyang, if you need money to rent a shop, do tell us,” Xiao Zhengyang said, “We’re blood brothers.”
Xiao Leyang nodded and said, “Okay, I got it, second brother. We’ll go to the county tomorrow to see how the shops are and then make plans. If we really need to borrow money, we’ll ask second brother for help.”
Among the four brothers, Xiao Zhengyang was the richest.
However, it was not right to take the money for granted just because his brother was rich.
This was something that the Xiao Family knew very well.
Brothers should help each other, but one mustn’t take advantage of each other.
Otherwise, even brothers would turn into enemies..