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

Chapter 249: Relying on the Mountain

Chu Qichang observed the expressions of the guests at the two tables. The ordinary wealthy individuals were simply curious about the unfamiliar dish, but Lord Wang Liu, several young men from the Lin family, and a few others from affluent families clearly recognized it.

Chu Qichang noticed that Lord Wang Liu also displayed some surprise and curiosity. Having interacted with Daxing Village frequently, Chu Qichang knew that Xu, the manager of the Dongfu Restaurant in Qiyang County, was familiar with the establishment, including the recent renovations of the Dongfu Restaurant in Shezhou, which seemed to be looking for a chef and was on the verge of reopening.

So, did the Wang family not know that the Shen family could make this specialty?

Indeed, the Wang family did not know. When Sang Luo made tofu in the past, the quantities were small, and since Qiyang was not close to Shezhou, supplying it was difficult. Most importantly, Shopkeeper Xu was unaware of the special significance of tofu.

The guests of the Zheng family were not the sort of people that Shopkeeper Xu, a mere restaurant manager, would deal with, so Shopkeeper Xu himself did not know the background of the two-wen tofu he found in Qiyang County.

Considering the difficulties of long-distance supply and the chaos of the times, Shopkeeper Xu, who helped Sang Luo purchase grain, knew that Sang Luo came from a humble background—a young woman managing her household with her sister-in-law and brother-in-law. She had several recipes and was running a small business selling inexpensive items. Shopkeeper Xu, not wanting to create trouble for Sang Luo, chose not to report it to Shezhou.

Thus, the Wang family was genuinely unaware.

When Shen Lie returned to the banquet, a fellow student asked with a smile, “Shen, do you have a good relationship with the Zheng family?”

Shen Lie did not immediately understand. “Which Zheng family?”

The student glanced at the table and said with a smile, “Given that the tofu is here, which Zheng family do you think we’re talking about?”

Chu Qichang quickly added, “You may not know, but this has nothing to do with the Zheng family. This is something the Shen family makes themselves. The esteemed Sang Luo, who received praise from the Emperor, does not come from a lowly background. She is from the Sang family of Dongjun, which is actually from the same region as our esteemed lady.”

He then briefly explained that tofu was a specialty known only to the Zheng family in the Shezhou area.

Having studied in the state academy for several months, Shen Lie was quite familiar with the local situation and was aware of the Zheng family. However, he never thought his family would be connected to them. Now, hearing Chu Qichang’s explanation, he understood the reason behind his classmate’s question. He remained calm, showing neither surprise nor satisfaction, and simply said with a smile, “Really? That’s a coincidence. You should try it while it’s still warm, as it tastes better.”

He then seated himself, invited everyone to start the meal, and mentioned that due to the current scarcity of grain, they had been unable to purchase wine. He apologized for the lack of proper refreshments and asked everyone to bear with it.

His composed manner earned Shen Lie a higher regard from his classmates. Additionally, the information revealed by Chu Qichang was quite thought-provoking.

They had previously known that the Sang family was honored by the Emperor, but they hadn’t realized the Sang family’s significant background, especially since Chu Qichang mentioned that Sang Luo was from the same region as the esteemed lady. It was evident that the Sang family’s relationship with the esteemed lady was quite good.

Some observant classmates noticed that the walls in Shen Lie’s house were different from those they had seen before—particularly white and smooth, which stood out compared to the unique recipe known to the Wang and Lin families.

Who holds the most recipes in the world?

The aristocratic families.

Because the transmission of such knowledge relies on written texts and books, which are mostly collected by aristocratic families. Ordinary people seldom have access to books, let alone the chance to read.

At this relocation banquet, Shen Lie’s classmates reassessed Shen Lie, his family, and Sang Luo, who was now highly regarded.

After the guests had been sent off, Shen Lie shared the matter with Sang Luo.

Sang Luo was unperturbed. She had known that tofu recipes were held by some aristocratic families. For large aristocratic families, they had countless similar small recipes—be it for tofu, pastries, rouge, fragrances, and more. Such things were not crucial to them; they merely added color to their lives and depth to their family’s heritage. The major aristocratic families wouldn’t place much importance on these small recipes, especially something as inexpensive as tofu. If common people made tofu, the aristocrats wouldn’t be concerned.

However, Sang Luo was somewhat surprised that an aristocratic family in Shezhou had a tofu recipe.

Shen Ning knew that her sister-in-law planned to resume tofu production after the autumn soybean harvest, as they had a large quantity of soybeans planted with fruit trees on their mountain land. She asked, “Will selling tofu cause trouble with the Zheng family?”

The young girl was beginning to understand aristocratic and noble families.

Shen Lie said, “We’ll see the Zheng family’s reaction in a few days and decide what to do then.”

Shen Ning did not fully understand, so Shen An explained, “Today’s guests include some who are genuinely close to elder brother, some who came out of routine courtesy, and some who are just acquaintances.”

The main point was that the Sang family’s reputation in Shezhou had been quite prominent recently.

Shen Ning realized, her eyes widening, “Elder brother means that someone might report this to the Zheng family?”

“Yes, but the Zheng family may not necessarily react.”

Seeing Shen Lie’s confidence, Sang Luo glanced at him.

Shen Lie did not keep her guessing. “Firstly, your reputation in Shezhou is very high, so the Zheng family won’t dare to make a big fuss. The imperial plaque wasn’t set up for nothing, and the decree is still in the house. Secondly, do you know who the former Governor Zeng was?”

Sang Luo raised her eyebrows. “Was it a member of the Zheng family?”

“Exactly. The Zheng family’s old master was the one. With the support of former state academy officials, and the fact that the Zheng family was reluctant to share their scholarly achievements, I heard that the Zheng old master had been sidelined several times by the former state academy officials, which led to the appointment of the Lin family’s elder.”

Sang Luo recalled what Concubine Fan had said earlier and understood more clearly. She quickly asked Shen Lie, “So, are there currently no members of the Zheng family serving in the government?”

Any aristocratic family with members serving in the court would never dare to openly oppose the court’s edicts. Since the Zheng family had already clashed with the former Governor Zeng, and while he was in office in Shezhou, it would be very difficult for Zheng family members to enter officialdom.

Shen Lie smiled and said, “Exactly. Currently, official appointments are either made by the Emperor, through recommendations by high officials or provincial governors, or through the imperial examinations. Even for the examinations, one needs to be recommended by a provincial governor to take the exam in the capital. The Zheng family had already burned their bridges by rejecting such opportunities, so as long as the imperial authority remains stable, the Zheng family won’t dare to offend the Emperor.”

So it wasn’t just a matter of waiting for the former Governor Zeng to leave to make a comeback.

…

Shen Lie’s prediction came true.

However, the next day, someone deliberately or accidentally leaked the news to the Zheng family. The tofu recipe was brought into the Zheng family as part of the dowry of Zheng Old Lady. She had always been proud of these recipes and was naturally displeased to hear that Sang Luo, who was becoming quite famous in Shezhou, also had a recipe for Li Qi.

“Dongjun’s Sang family, is their background so impressive? They’re just like the Wang and Lin families.”

Feeling frustrated, Zheng Old Lady was eager to find a way to trouble Sang Luo.

After decades of marriage, Zheng Old Master knew exactly what his wife was brooding over. Even when his servant was massaging his legs and fanning him, he remained indifferent to her frustration. “Calm down. Sang Luo isn’t someone you can simply confront. Moreover, there are only a few families in the empire that make Li Qi. Can you handle all of them?”

“But it can’t be that a nobody can make it. If you hadn’t refused the Governor Zeng back then, would our sons be in this predicament now? Why can’t they get positions like chief official, deputy governor, or county magistrate? Why did the Lin family’s young master end up as county magistrate?”

This remark hit a nerve. Zheng Old Master knew that the matter of the paper-making recipe that Sang Luo was unaware of was a sensitive topic. He realized that his previous decision was a mistake.

But what good was clarity now? Could he undo the past missteps and make things right?

Zheng Old Master’s face darkened as he slammed a string of Buddhist beads on the nearby table. The beads scattered across the stone floor, clattering like raindrops.

Zheng Old Lady was startled, and her normally composed demeanor faltered. Even though she had grievances with her husband, she dared not provoke him further and quickly advised Zheng Old Lady, “Mother, let it go. After all, it’s just another family making Li Qi. It’s not a big deal. Sang Luo has the Emperor’s favor, and we shouldn’t make an issue of it now.”

The eldest daughter-in-law’s words were overly optimistic. Sang Luo would not confine the tofu, a valuable and nutritious food, to just the Zheng family in Shezhou.

The day after the relocation banquet, the old nanny mentioned by Concubine Fan arrived at the Shen household. Sang Luo didn’t wait for the Zheng family’s reaction but instead entrusted the old nanny with a letter, seeking Concubine Fan’s advice.

The real purpose was to find a reliable ally.

The letter read: “Is it true that common folks can’t enjoy something the Zheng family can make? A rare, affordable, and nutritious item—who says it’s only for the Zheng family in Shezhou? Concubine Fan, if we open this shop after the soybean harvest, the Zheng family wouldn’t dare to make trouble for us, would they?”

Concubine Fan was delighted upon reading this and did not reply in writing. Instead, she instructed her trusted old nanny, “Zhong Nanny, tell Sang Luo to go ahead and open the shop. Not only should it open, but it should also be done under the name of Daxing Village. She doesn’t have to wait for the soybean harvest. I’ll send her ten carts of soybeans to use immediately. Let her open it as soon as possible.”

After her mood improved, Concubine Fan also made arrangements to get two capable guards from the Zeng family.

The purpose of the guards was to prevent any covert trouble from the Zheng family. She instructed, “The Zheng family doesn’t seem too smart. It’s better to be cautious. Send the two guards to Daxing Village.”

Zeng Sanlang laughed, seeing his wife’s concern. With no one around, he shook his head and said, “No need to send people there. Don’t worry; it’s very safe.”

Concubine Fan raised an eyebrow and asked, “What do you mean?”

Zeng Sanlang, with a hint of a smile, replied, “The Zheng family wouldn’t dare. If they were truly foolish enough to send someone, their bones would be crushed and thrown back to the Zheng family’s mansion.”

Concubine Fan’s eyes widened, then blinked. She looked at Zeng Sanlang and pointed upwards with her index finger, “That person?”

Zeng Sanlang smiled but said nothing. The meaning in his eyes was clear.

A person who could devise both the curved plow and the paper-making recipe—how could the Emperor not be protective? Even Shen Lie, before leaving the capital, received special instructions to ensure he could be sent to the capital after three years of study, as he was a valuable asset. For now, he was laying low.

Concubine Fan was in high spirits. She had an extra bowl of rice at lunch and sent a reply to Sang Luo, saying she could open the shop whenever she wanted. The rest was of no concern; her safety was assured!

Accompanying the letter was a message from Zhong Nanny, informing Sang Luo that ten carts of soybeans would be sent to her, and to hand over the shop keys to Zhong Nanny. The soybeans would be delivered to the storage room behind the shop.

Sang Luo was delighted. “No need to send them. I’ll consider it a loan and return them after the harvest. However, I do have one request for Concubine Fan.”

After Zhong Nanny left with the keys, Sang Luo headed to the Chen family, supporting her waist as she walked.