Chapter 115: Making Tofu

When Chen Xiao Cai came back from the camp, he heard the news that Chen Xiao Mi was pregnant.

"Big Brother, are you pregnant again?" Chen Xiao Cai asked excitedly.

Lu Lin nodded, "Yes, he is!"

Chen Xiao Cai had an old head on young shoulders, but when he heard the great news that his brother was pregnant again, he jumped happily like a child.

Chen Xiao Cai said excitedly, "Great, I'm about to have another nephew."

Lu Lin smiled. People in this era didn't care about sound child rearing, they believed in the more children and the more blessings. Even the poor would choose to have more children.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Cai and there was a hint of ridicule in his eyes, "You and Shen Chi will have babies too."

Chen Xiao Cai scratched his head and smiled shyly.

Although Chen Xiao Cai and Shen Chi were engaged early and got married early, Chen Xiao Mi suggested them they should slow down. Chen Xiao Cai listened to Chen Xiao Mi and hadn't tasted the forbidden fruit.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Cai and thought to himself, 'Did I just say the wrong thing? Mi once has asked them to slow down, I'm not sure whether they have done it or not.'

Chen Xiao Cai looked at Lu Lin and guessed what Lu Lin was thinking. He lowered his head in embarrassment.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Cai's expression and thought to himself, 'Don't worry, Cai, soon.'

Lu Lin and his group moved into the newly renovated house after they had ventilated all the rooms.

The renovation was done a bit hastily. Compared to the house Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi lived in when they were in Forest Town, it was a little less exquisite, but it was so spacious.

"There isn't even a chair in the Prefecture Yamen," Lu Lin shook his head and thought that in a few days, he needed to find a carpenter and order a few chairs.

Chen Xiao Mi said helplessly, "Maybe they had nice chairs, but they were stolen."

Lu Lin nodded and said, "Probably." Lu Lin thought to himself, 'Everyone said that being a government official is good but being a government official in this county is pretty trying! The people here don't particularly respect me or anything, but since we've chosen this path, we better proceed without hesitation.'

......

Chen Xiao Mi looked at Lu Lin's sketches said, "This stone millstone is so big!"

Lu Lin nodded and said, "Only big stone millstones can produce fine powder, and the tofu made by it will be delicious. Small and light millstones won't do."

In this era, a stone millstone was not a novelty. People used stone millstone to grind coarse food grain, otherwise they would be rather unpalatable. Take coarse glutinous millet for an example, it was hard to swallow unless they were ground into fine powder.

As far as Lu Lin knew, there were a few millstones in Sha County. Basically, there was one millstone at the entrance to every village. If anyone wanted to use them, they could just go to the entrance to the village and waited for their turn. Lu Lin wanted to have access to the millstone anytime he wanted, so he ordered one from a stonemason with two taels of silver.

"When can I eat the tofu thing you mentioned?" asked Chen Xiao Mi, smacking his lips.

Chen Xiao Mi's appetite recently had been quite hard to predict. He didn't have any cravings for meat. Lu Lin finally bought meat and bones and stewed a hearty soup with them. Chen Xiao Mi frowned on smelling the soup, he wasn't able to even try the soup.

Hearing Lu Lin showering praise on something called tofu, he couldn't help but feel curious.

"Soon, I promise you. When the stone millstones are done, I will make them for you," Lu Lin said.

Chen Xiao Mi said with disappointment, "It takes a lot of effort to make this stone millstone! It's been days since you talked about this tofu."

"It's going to be soon I promise."

"Lin Ge, the stone millstone is here," Qin Ming walked in and said excitedly.

Lu Lin nodded and said happily, "Okay."

Chen Xiao Mi stood up and said delightedly, "We were just talking about it. What a coincidence, let's go take a look."

Several people at home joined forces and carried the stone millstone into the courtyard. The residence area behind the county yamen was very large, and it was nothing for them to hold a stone millstone.

The stone millstone was very heavy, so it took a lot of effort to put it in the designated position.

Chen Xiao Mi could hardly sit still and itched to help the guys to carry the heavy stone millstone, but Lu Lin pulled him aside.

Qin Ming said excitedly, "Lin Ge, can we start making tofu now?" Qin Ming had heard Chen Xiao Mai say that Lu Lin had promised him that he would make something delicious as soon as he got the stone millstone, so he had been looking forward to having the stone millstone at home.

Qin Lang glanced at Qin Ming and shook his head, "Ming, why are you still like a child?"

Qin Ming said sullenly, "Big Brother, don't act like you don't want to try some tofu."

Qin Lang glared at Qin Ming and said to himself, 'Ming, come on, I was just trying to throw some airs as your big brother, and of course I want to try some tofu!'

Lu Lin nodded and said, "Yes, boys, we can finally start making tofu now that we have the millstone." As far as Lu Lin knew, tofu had already appeared in this time and space, but it had not been fully popularized yet. Moreover, the cooking methods of tofu in this place was rather poor.

......

Qin Ming was very curious about this thing called stone millstone. He was amazed when Lu Lin demonstrated the way to use it, he just ground the soybeans into powder then he said he could make tofu using the powder.

Qin Ming took the initiative to grind the mill, but Chen Xiao Mai was not convinced. He fought Qin Ming for the opportunity to take the lead.

Lu Lin was speechless as he watched how the boys at home got overexcited over this millstone, 'This is beyond me, grinding such a heavy mill seems to be a fun sport for them. I need to come up with some more fun activities to keep the boys occupied, they deserve some actual fun, not fighting for doing heavy work.'

"Heyo, let's go," Chen Xiao Mai waved his hand and let out a laugh.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Mai who was circling around the millstone with a bright smile and thought to himself, 'Oh Mai, finally there's ample scope for your strength.'

Lu Lin coagulated some tofu with plaster and boiled some soy milk.

"Daddy, it's so yummy," Yuan Bao said excitedly.

The soy milk with sugar tasted rich and sweet, and Yuan Bao beamed with smiles. Chen Xiao Mai and Shen Chi were very satisfied with the taste of the soy milk as well.

After making tofu, Lu Lin showed Yun Niang how to make mapo tofu. Yun Niang mastered it quickly. (T/N: Mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐) is one of the most popular classic Sichuan dishes. It has a spicy, pungent, and appetizing flavor that goes perfectly with steamed rice.)

"Lin Ge, I didn't expect soybeans can turn into such delicious food," Qin Ming exclaimed at the dining table.

Lu Lin smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it, there's more in the pot if you want more."

Lu Lin thought to himself, 'It is winter soon, and then there will be less food in bitter winter. I can make tofu pudding, strong-smelling preserved bean curd, frozen bean curd, thin sheets of bean curd to diversify our dinner.'

The cost of tofu wasn't high, and it was much more accessible than meat. They filled people up without overloading people with calories.

Chen Xiao Mi took a bite of mapo tofu and a touch of excitement flashed across his eyes, "It's so delicious."

Lu Lin smiled and said, "I'm really glad you like it, Mi."

Chen Xiao Mi said excitedly, "I used to frown on seeing the soybeans, never have I expect beans can turn into something so delicious. Is there any other way to cook tofu, Lin?"

"Yes! I'll make tofu and fish soup for you tomorrow."

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "Sounds great."

......

The millstone placed in the courtyard and became the new 'pet' of the boys at home.

Chen Xiao Mai followed behind Chen Xiao Cai and said excitedly, "Second Brother, Second Brother, it's my turn now. It's my turn."

Chen Xiao Cai glanced at Chen Xiao Mai and said, "Mai, hold on your horses, I've barely touched the millstone yet!"

Chen Xiao Mai stamped his foot and complained, "Second Brother, that's not fair. It's my turn, you've promised me, it's my turn..."

Chen Xiao Cai said helplessly, "Alright, I'll give it to you now."

Chen Xiao Mai took the crank from Chen Xiao Cai and got to work.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Mai who worked the millstone like a toy, he once again exclaimed in the heart that Mai would make a great hunter if they still lived in the village.

Yuan Bao sat beside Lu Lin and watched Chen Xiao Mai grinding the millstone. His eyes were shining and it was obvious that he was anxious to have a go. He was too young for that job though. He wasn't even as tall as the millstone, it was tantalizingly out of reach for him.

When Chen Xiao Mi came out, he saw Lu Lin sitting aside watching the boys pushing the millstones.

Chen Xiao Mi looked at Lu Lin and said, "Don't you want to give it a go?"

Lu Lin shook his head, "Do I look I'm that bored?"

Chen Xiao Mi said, "But it seems to be really fun, look at Mai go..."

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Mi and thought to himself, 'I hope it's not a 3-minute passion, I would really appreciate it if they can still be so enthusiastic in a few days.'

As expected, the boys soon lost interest, the only one who still spent his day grinding the mill was Chen Xiao Mai, and he no longer needed to wait for his turn. However, Lu Lin had a hunch that Chen Xiao Mai was about to lose interest as well.

Lu Lin showed a snicker and thought to himself, 'Kids, they change their mind constantly, I think this turns out to be more of an endurance test than a pleasure. When we first got the millstone, I could hear the kids fighting to have a go at it at midnight, but look at them now... ...'

......

Qin Lang walked in from outside and greeted Lu Lin, cupping his hands.

Lu Lin glanced at Qin Lang and said, "You're back. Have you found the carpenter and blacksmith?"

Qin Lang nodded and said, "Yes."

"Find a time and bring them over."

"Why are you looking for carpenter and blacksmith?" asked Chen Xiao Mi.

Lu Lin smiled and said, "I'm now an official. I think it's necessary to contribute a bit to the progress of the time." Lu Lin had been busy building his own business since he transmigrated here, and now he thought it was high time that he should do his part to help others.

Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Lu Lin with a confused look. He had no idea what Lu Lin was talking about.

Lu Lin took out a sketch and said, "Look at this."

Chen Xiao Mi looked at the sketch and asked, "What is this?"

"This is called Curved Iron Plough, but I don't think I've done a good job capturing the beauty of it," Lu Lin said.

Chen Xiao Mi looked at the sketch and said, "Oh wow, with this thing, the farmers can spend less time and energy in the field!"

Lu Lin nodded, "Yeah!"

"This thing looks quite complicated though. It should take a lot of effort to create it," Chen Xiao Mi said.

Lu Lin nodded, " It might be too pricy for the regular farmers, but it doesn't matter. Let's make one and see how it goes."

Lu Lin still had a lot of savings, he didn't mind some trial and error as long as there was hope to produce some advanced tools for the people.

Although his salary as a county magistrate wasn't much compared to when he had his own store, he could afford a carefree life.

......

Luo Wen held two pieces of tofu and rushed home.

During this period of time, Luo Wen had been running errands for the Prefecture Yamen. Sometimes, Lu Lin would invite Luo Wen to stay for dinner. There were a lot of people in the Lu family, Lu Lin didn't care adding one more person.

Although Luo Wen was a bit embarrassed to stay for dinner, he sometimes had to stay because there was no food at home.

Lu Lin also knew about Luo Wen's situation, but he never acted like he was doing charity by inviting Luo Wen.

"Wen, you're back!" A neighbor greeted Luo Wen.

Luo Wen nodded, "Yeah, granny, how are you!"

"I heard you are working for the County Magistrate now! You need to watch out for yourself," said the granny with a worried face.

Luo Wen smiled and said, "Thank you, granny."

Luo Wen thought to himself, 'The previous officials of Sha County are not good. Granny must have thought Lu Lin was a bird of the same feather.'

Luo Wen was a little worried before he worked for Lu Lin, but the more he got to know Lu Lin, the more he was convinced that Lu Lin was very different from the previous officials.

When Luo Wen returned home, Mother Luo greeted him happily.

"Mother, I brought some tofu for you."

Mother Luo was confused. "What is tofu?"

"It's a type of food that the county magistrate made. It's delicious with some soy sauce," Luo Wen said.

Mother Luo said worriedly, "How can you take things from the county magistrate? Do you have any idea what might become of you if you offend an official?"

Luo Wen said calmly, "Mom, it is the magistrate who thinks that I'm doing a good job rewards me with this. In other words, I earned this. So don't worry."

"Good boy, Wen. Just behave yourself in the official's presence, remember?"

Luo Wen nodded, "Thank you for reminding me, mom."