The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Residences

Chapter 238: The Curved-Handle Plow (Minor Revision)

Shen Ning went out to feed the pigs. He had barely left with the feed bucket when he hurried back. “Sister-in-law, Huzi and his family have returned.”

Huzi.

The Lu family’s main branch?

Yes, Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang had been away for two months to fetch them.

Sang Luo looked up. “Are they all back?”

Shen Ning nodded. “Yes, they’re all back.”

Wang Chunniang had passed away, a fact Shen Ning had known for two years. When he said “all back,” he meant the remaining members of Lu’s main branch.

Sang Luo nodded in response. “That’s good.”

No more, and no less.

Sang Luo continued working on her drawing with a carbon pencil.

It was a sketch of the “curved-handle plow.”

Having lived in the mountains for several years, she had not paid much attention to farming tools the first year. The fields were small, and they managed with whatever tools they had. There was no need for a plow.

After moving to the village, Sang Luo no longer needed to manage the farming. Shen Lie, Shen An, and Shen Jin took care of everything.

Now that they were out of the mountains and in the current spring plowing season, they had found the plow that the Wang family had left behind in the village’s tool shed. Sang Luo went outside to see Shen Lie and the others working.

They were using a human-powered plow.

Yes, they were using people like oxen.

The village only had one ox, which was shared among the households, with Shen Lie and his family using it later in the day to save energy for Zhao Dalang and Zhao Silang.

There were nine households in the village. The weakest were Shen Jin and his brothers. The ox was used at Shen Jin’s home every day. Zhao Silang had taught them how to use the plow, and Shen Jin and Shen An learned together.

Sang Luo saw that besides Shen Jin, everyone else in the fields was using human power to pull the plow. For someone used to modern machinery, the sight was jarring.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed the plow was different.

The straight-handle plow.

Her knowledge from studying was clear in her mind: heavy, laborious, and difficult to steer.

But what exactly was the curved-handle plow like? To be honest, the textbook images had faded, and her memory of it was hazy from her time in the mountains, where high-tech tools were scarce. She had seen older people using oxen and plows and had some vague recollection.

She was trying hard to reconstruct what she remembered.

It was challenging, but having learned some principles in school and seen real examples, she could sketch out a general idea. However, the finer details still needed confirmation.

Sang Luo put down her pencil and said to Shen Ning, “An Ning, tell your eldest brother to bring back one of the plows used at home for me to examine when he comes back for lunch.”

Shen Ning knew his sister-in-law had been pondering plow tools all morning. Although he didn’t understand why she needed the plow, he agreed readily. He glanced at the incomplete sketch and noticed it looked different from the usual plows. It seemed… better?

Shen Ning couldn’t tell much more and asked what Sang Luo wanted for lunch. Not wanting to disturb her further, he went to inform his eldest brother.

—

When Shen Lie returned at noon, he brought back the plow he had used in the morning. Knowing Sang Luo wanted to see it, he had cleaned the yellow mud off it with water from the ditch.

Sang Luo, who had already set aside other tasks and was drawing a floor plan for their house, perked up when she heard the noise and saw the straight-handle plow. She compared it with the curved-handle plow sketch, made a few adjustments, and handed the revised drawing to Shen Lie. “Try making one out of wood based on this. If it’s too laborious, start with a smaller version.”

Shen Lie, looking at the blueprint, finally understood why Sang Luo wanted the plow brought back. He examined it for a while but couldn’t immediately see the difference beyond the aesthetic improvements.

“What’s the difference between this and the one we’re using?”

Sang Luo explained the key functions and differences. Shen Lie didn’t fully grasp it at first but gradually understood the benefits. He decided not to wait for dinner and immediately took Shen An to fetch some wood.

Instead of making a smaller model to save time, they made a full-sized plow based on Sang Luo’s drawing, tailored to the average height of most people. Shen Lie noticed it might not be perfect on the first try and might require adjustments.

Shen Lie was unconcerned. “It’s no trouble. It needs to be the right size for testing.”

Especially since Sang Luo wanted to improve on ease of use and functionality.

Not wanting to delay the farming work, they worked on it during their free time. By nightfall, after lighting a fire behind the house, the first plow was completed by the end of the night.

Although it was already late, Shen Lie and Shen An were too excited to feel tired. Taking advantage of the moonlight, they carried the wooden plow to their field for a trial run.

After a while of plowing the fields, Shen An remarked in surprise, “Brother, this plow is much easier to use!”

“It’s easier for me to pull as well. If we switch to an iron plow blade, it should be even better.”

The brothers were quite excited. Thinking about Sang Luo’s comment on easier steering, they kept working, testing the plow’s steering capabilities. By late at night, they were laughing in the field. Fortunately, their laughter wasn’t loud enough to disturb the nearby Chen family’s house, which was some distance away.

“This is great, the steering is so convenient!”

Shen An was astonished. “How did sister-in-law come up with this?”

Shen Lie was also curious. It seemed like Sang Luo had endless creativity.

“Let’s try deep plowing.”

They made some adjustments to the plow and tested deep plowing. Satisfied with the results, they finally headed home.

Covered in mud, they cleaned up and went to bed in the early hours. The next morning, Shen Lie showed the finished product to Sang Luo and told her that they had already tested it with Shen An.

Sang Luo: …

She looked at Shen Lie in surprise. “When did you two go to bed last night?”

It was the middle of the night, possibly close to dawn.

Was this something to talk about?

Seeing Shen Lie clear his throat, she roughly guessed what time they had slept and didn’t ask further. Instead, she turned her attention to the wooden plow.

It looked very much like her memory of it.

After examining it a few times, she said to Shen Lie, “You and Xiao An go plow the field again for me to see.”

The brothers, eager to test it further, skipped breakfast and carried the plow to the field. Shen Ning, who was making porridge, turned down the fire and followed behind his sister-in-law.

As dawn broke, the fields were still empty, but all the households in the village were awake. The Shen family’s fields were located at the far end. Shen Lie carried the plow into the field, and others assumed they were just diligent.

The brothers were already familiar with using the plow and demonstrated its effectiveness in deep and shallow plowing and steering.

Shen Lie said, “Switching to an iron blade would make it even easier.”

Sang Luo observed for a while but still felt something was off. Her gaze fell on the overturned soil, and she realized that the plow was not quite right.

Previously, when watching neighbors plow in the mountains, the soil was turned to the sides. Her current design did not do this.

She asked Shen Lie to bring the plow back and thought for a while. She remembered that there should be a sort of board above the plow blade to direct the turned soil to the sides.

Sang Luo had forgotten the exact name of this component but described it to Shen Lie. He took the plow and went back to make the necessary changes.

While Shen Lie modified the plow, Sang Luo stood by and asked him to make the blade more pointed.

They tested it again in the field. Shen Lie and Shen An were delighted to find that the improvements made the plow even easier to use.

Sang Luo was pleased as well, seeing that the results matched her memory.

“We’ll head into the city soon and see if the blacksmith can make the iron blade and board according to this design.”

As for the iron, it would come from the old plow’s blade.

Shen Lie and Shen An brought both the new plow and an old one to the city. The disassembly was quick. Although Shen Lie originally planned to go alone, Sang Luo insisted on joining.

She wanted to see the old doctor again for another check-up.

Last time, the old doctor had been uncertain and suggested returning in ten days for a follow-up.

While it wasn’t urgent, as she hadn’t had her period for a while, Sang Luo wasn’t planning on making another trip for a check-up. However, the baby’s movements had been unusually quiet, and she was concerned. She wanted to be reassured.

During these days, the family had avoided heavy meat dishes for her benefit.

This was her first time being pregnant. When symptoms were strong, there was concern, but a lack of symptoms was worrying too. Sang Luo was still anxious and wanted to feel more secure with a city visit.

—

As Shen Lie and Sang Luo queued to enter the city, many villagers from outside were also coming in with baskets.

Sang Luo noticed that most women entering the city carried baskets. Some had freshly harvested vegetables, indicating they were from around the same time as her, and the leafy greens they grew could now be sold in the city for some money or rice.

Others carried small baskets with six or seven eggs, likely wild chicken eggs.

A woman approached, recognizing Sang Luo. “Mrs. Sang, Master Shen, you’re heading into the city so early?”

Sang Luo didn’t recognize her but smiled and nodded. “You’re up early too.”

“Yes, very early.” The woman was very friendly. “I’m bringing some eggs to exchange for money.”

She handed two wild eggs to Sang Luo, saying, “Take these and enjoy them.”

Sang Luo had been given food by strangers in the mountains, so she was surprised to encounter the same kind gesture at the city gate. She stepped back and declined. “Thank you, but you keep them. We also have wild chickens and eggs at home.”

Shen Lie was anxious, worried that Sang Luo might be jostled, and subtly helped to block the way.

Fortunately, although the woman tried to give Sang Luo something, she did not insist too hard. With Shen Lie’s intervention, she smiled and said, “You’re too polite.”

Not knowing how else to offer, the woman was left unsure.

Shen Lie remembered her as one of the second batch of mountain people, and he smiled. “There’s no need for that, Auntie. You can keep them for yourself and maybe exchange them for more money in the city.”

The couple’s warm conversation made the woman happy. “Oh, okay. What are you two doing in the city so early?”

The topic shifted.

The city gate guards looked on with curiosity.

Is it common to give away eggs like that these days?

—

Meanwhile, at the back gate of the governor’s residence in the city, Concubine Fan and her two personal maids were out for a stroll, accompanied by a cook who managed kitchen purchases.

The old woman led her two maids, each carrying a basket, and advised Concubine Fan, “Madam, the East Market is quite chaotic. It’s not a good place for you to go.”

Concubine Fan smiled dismissively. “If we don’t go there, how can we see the lives of the people of Shezhou?”

“In that case, at least get a carriage.”

“Look from a carriage? What can you see from that? Let’s go.”

At the same time, Sang Luo and Shen Lie entered the city.

With the restoration of order and the return of the population, the streets of Shezhou were much livelier than they had been a year ago. The number of shops was noticeably higher; there were at least seven or eight more compared to before, all opening for business.

“The blacksmith’s shop is just ahead.”

Sang Luo looked up and saw the blacksmith’s shop. She also noticed another group of people passing by. At the head of the group was a young woman with a graceful and natural demeanor. Her face resembled the young woman who had lifted the curtain of her carriage during the governor’s entry into the city a few days ago.

Could this be the governor’s wife?

The daughter of the Fan family from Chenjun, she was not traveling with a carriage or a retinue but had only a few maids. This governor’s wife certainly was different from others.

As they approached, Sang Luo couldn’t help but stop and look at Fan’s group as they passed by.

Concubine Fan noticed someone observing her and glanced over. Seeing a young couple— the man tall and handsome, the woman beautiful with particularly crystal-clear eyes—she sensed a kind of gentle purity.

It seemed like this woman had been the one looking at her.

Sensing some goodwill, Concubine Fan smiled at Sang Luo and gave a slight nod before turning her attention away.

“Is that the governor’s wife?”

“It should be,” Sang Luo said with a smile. “Let’s head to the blacksmith’s shop.”

—

The East Market.

Concubine Fan and her maids wandered around, exploring the stalls. There were only six or seven shops, mostly selling grains and miscellaneous goods, but there were plenty of small stalls, many run by women with baskets of varying sizes. Although the goods were few, the market was bustling with activity.

For Concubine Fan, browsing the market was a novel experience. She examined each stall, and when she saw something she liked, she signaled to her maids to buy it.

As an affluent lady, her presence at the market was quite different from that of ordinary people. The group of six, dressed in luxurious attire, especially the young woman at the front, had an imposing presence that made others reluctant to stare directly.

Residents of Shezhou, who had come to buy vegetables, instinctively made way for the Fan party.

The vendors, noticing that Concubine Fan’s group appeared to be significant buyers, became quite enthusiastic. However, when they approached, they became nervous and awkward, unsure of how to behave. Their voices were hesitant and low.

“Wild chicken eggs, would you like to buy some?”

“Home-dried winter bamboo shoots, would you like some?”

“Freshly picked greens, would you like to buy some?”

“Konjac tofu, homemade konjac tofu, take a look.”

Konjac tofu was unfamiliar to Concubine Fan, so she stopped at that stall.

The vendor, an elderly woman nearing fifty, was excited to see a big customer at her stall. She fumbled with her words, “Would you like to buy some konjac tofu?”

“Konjac tofu?”

The elderly woman nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes.”

Concubine Fan examined the gray tofu, which resembled the food she had seen in the mountains, though it looked somewhat dirty. She asked the vendor, “Is this made from beans?”

The vendor shook her head quickly. “No, no, it’s made from wild yam.”

“Wild yam? Then why is it called tofu?”

“I’m not sure,” the elderly woman said nervously, fearing disapproval. “We learned how to make it from others when we were in the mountains. They said it was taught by a kind woman named Sang. We just call it konjac tofu because that’s what she called it.”

“Sang?” Concubine Fan remembered the local who taught about growing yam and raised an eyebrow. “Which Sang?”

The vendor shook her head. “I don’t know her personally. We only learned the recipe from word of mouth in the mountains. We were told to teach it to other mountain people once we learned it.”

Concubine Fan’s eyes moved slightly. “Did she also teach you how to grow yams?”

The vendor’s eyes brightened. “Yes, she did. She also taught us to recognize and grow yams. They said it was the same Sang Luo.”

The vendor smiled broadly. “You know Sang? She’s a good person.”

Concubine Fan smiled. “I haven’t met her yet, but I’ve heard of her. Please pack six pieces of the konjac tofu for us.”

The vendor quickly wrapped the tofu in dried leaves. Concubine Fan’s maid paid for it, and they asked how to prepare it before leaving the stall.

—

There was a new dish served at lunch, and it was unfamiliar to San Lang.

“What is this? Konjac tofu? Why is it gray?”

“It’s konjac tofu, bought from the East Market today. I heard it was taught to the mountain people by a fellow townsman of mine,” Concubine Fan explained, sharing her observations from the market. “I’m not sure about Shen Lie, but I really want to meet this Sang Luo. If there’s an opportunity, we should visit Daxing Village.”

Concubine Fan had no idea that she would meet Sang Luo so soon, and not by her own initiative, but because Sang Luo was coming to the governor’s office.