20demayo Chapter 32 Quiet Days
Chapter 32 Quiet Days
On the third day after distilling the liquor, Wang Zhi carefully carried the last jar of liquor into the cellar in the backyard.
He dug the cellar himself a few days ago, shovel by shovel. It wasn't big, only about three feet square.
The bottom of the cellar was covered with fine sand, which felt dry and soft underfoot; the surrounding earthen walls were rammed solid and flat, and thick wooden planks were placed on top, covered with a thick layer of dry straw, which provided both insulation and moisture protection.
The moment the wooden board was lifted, a cool, earthy smell mixed with a faint aroma of wine wafted out, feeling particularly refreshing.
He carefully placed the wine jar on the sand. The mouth of the jar had long been sealed with mud. A note was pasted on the jar, with simple and clear writing: "The seventh day of the fourth month of the ninth year of Zhenguan, glutinous rice paste."
There were four jars of wine in the cellar, each with its own purpose.
The first brew has the highest alcohol content, is refreshing and fragrant, and has a long-lasting aftertaste. It's meant for personal enjoyment during your leisure time.
He has always known moderation and never indulges in alcohol. He enjoys only one or two cups a day to relieve fatigue and calm the mind without harming his health.
There was another jar, which the Cheng brothers had already taken back to the Duke of Lu's mansion.
The remaining two jars also have their own significance: the second batch of wine has a mellow and mild taste with a lower alcohol content, and was specially prepared for Madam Li.
Earlier, I heard Li Zhi mention that his mother suffered from a qi ailment and could not tolerate the stimulation of strong liquor. This warm glutinous rice wine, after being heated, was perfect for warming the body, dispelling the cold, and making her feel more comfortable.
The last batch is made by mixing new rice with fermented lees, followed by secondary fermentation and distillation. It has the lowest alcohol content, a slightly sweet taste with a pleasant aftertaste, and even people who don't usually drink alcohol can enjoy a few sips without harming their spleen and stomach.
Wang Zhihuan squatted down and gently patted each of the wine jars.
These pottery jars were specially selected by him from Liu Laoyao's house at the east end of the village. The jars have thin walls, bright glaze, and a crisp sound when tapped.
Old Liu knew he wanted to brew and store wine, so he refused to accept money no matter what. In the end, he insisted on giving him two catties of fresh eggs he had just laid himself, and only then did he accept the favor.
After confirming that all the wine jars were properly placed, he covered them with wooden boards, laid back dry straw, covered the cellar entrance with old burlap, and then sealed it tightly with two blue bricks to retain the cool air inside the cellar.
I got up, brushed the sand off my knees, and looked at the small wine cellar, feeling a sense of peace and satisfaction.
This amount of wine is enough for me to enjoy slowly for more than half a year, and there's more than enough to share with relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Emerging from the cellar, the warm spring sun bathed me, its rays feeling comforting and cozy.
Ah Huang lay on the ground not far away. When he saw him come out, he just slowly wagged his tail.
Grey came closer and nuzzled against his ankle, making soft, purring sounds.
Wang Zhi bent down and scratched the kitten's ear. Huihui immediately tilted its head back, squinted its eyes, and rubbed against his palm, looking cute and adorable.
"Are you hungry?" he asked softly.
Grayy let out a crisp "meow" in response.
He looked up at the entire courtyard. The jujube tree was lush and green, its branches covered with leaves. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the stone table.
The poultry in the coop have shed their new feathers, which are glossy and plump, making them look so reassuring.
The rice seedlings in the distant fields have long since grown lush and green.
He suddenly realized that it had been quite some time since he had personally visited the fields.
Since watering the rice paddies for the second time, he has been busy brewing wine and taking care of cats and dogs, leaving all the work in the fields to Old Zhang.
Old Zhang has farmed all his life. He's steady and experienced in his work, so he's unlikely to make any mistakes. But since it's the land he's managed himself, he always has to go and see it for himself before he can feel at ease.
He changed into a pair of old cloth shoes, went out from the backyard, and slowly walked along the ridge towards the experimental field.
By the end of April, the rice seedlings had grown to waist height, and the leaves of the Champa rice were broad, thick, and lush green.
Compared to the sparse, yellowing, and wilted millet seedlings in the neighboring field, it's easy to tell at a glance which is better and which is worse.
A gentle breeze blows, and the rice seedlings sway and undulate, creating layers of green waves that stretch from our feet all the way to the foot of the mountain, a scene full of vitality.
Wang Zhihuan squatted on the edge of the field, reached out to part the rice leaves, and carefully touched the rice stalks with his fingertips.
The stalks were thick and strong, and the growth was even better than he had expected.
Looking at the branching situation is even more pleasing. I counted more than a dozen trees at random, and each tree had branched out six or seven branches, with the most vigorous ones even having nearly ten branches.
At this rate, the yield will definitely far exceed expectations when the ears of grain emerge, and the harvest will certainly be good.
Releasing my grip, the rice seedlings gently bounced back to their original positions, standing firmly in the field, exuding vigorous resilience.
Just then, footsteps came from the other side of the field. Old Zhang came over carrying a hoe. When he saw Wang Zhihuan, he immediately stopped, put the hoe on the ground, and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Master, you've arrived. I was just about to come and find you later."
"What happened in the field?" Wang Zhihuan asked, getting up.
"You instructed me to dig the drainage ditch deeper, and I dug it down half a foot as you suggested."
I watered the field last night, and when I came over this morning, there wasn't a drop of water left; it had all drained away in the ditches.
Old Zhang pointed to the ditch beside the field, his face beaming with joy, "Could you take a look and see if this depth is up to standard?"
Wang Zhihuan bent down and examined it carefully. The bottom of the canal was moist but not muddy, the edges were neatly trimmed, and the depth was just right. It could drain water and prevent flooding without damaging the rice roots. He immediately nodded in approval.
"Well done."
Before the rainy season arrives, clean the bottom of the ditch one last time to prevent silt from clogging the waterways.
"Yes, I'll remember it!" Old Zhang replied, then remembered something else and quickly said, "There's something else. Three days ago, Old Li from the east end of the village came to me and said that large patches of his millet seedlings were turning yellow and withering, and looked like they were about to die. He wanted to ask the village head if there was any way to save them."
"Is the yellowing of the leaves starting from the tips or from the roots?" Wang Zhihuan asked seriously.
"The leaves turn yellow slowly from the tips downwards, row upon row, looking withered as if they've been burned."
"The crops are lacking nutrients."
Wang Zhi patted the dirt off his hands and said confidently, "Have him collect some wood ash, spread it evenly in the field, plow the land, let it dry for two days, and then water it. In a few days, the seedlings will recover."
Old Zhang looked completely bewildered: "Nutrients? I've farmed all my life and have never heard of such a thing."
"There's no need to delve into the cause; wood ash can cure this yellowing leaf disease."
Wang Zhi was unwilling to explain further, and simply said, "Just relay my words to Li Laosan verbatim, and it will be effective if you do as I say."
Although Old Zhang was full of doubts, he still remembered the method carefully, afraid that he would forget it later.
"Master, you are truly a learned man."
Old Zhang sighed sincerely, "Ever since you moved to this village, the harvest in the fields has become promising, and the poultry in every household are all fat and strong."
You're always willing to lend a hand when someone in the village has a minor illness or ailment.
A few days ago, Widow Liu brought over the kittens, and now she praises your kindness and generosity to everyone she meets.