My 1995 Small Farm.

Chapter 436 Golden Lotus
"Your zongzi are still the best. My mom and Aunt Zhong also made some, but they tasted nowhere near as good as yours."

On the evening of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, on the way to the old stage in the east of the village to watch a play, Zhao Dahai was still eating zongzi as he walked. "You know, it's understandable that our cooking isn't as good as yours, but what's wrong with these zongzi? It's just a matter of glutinous rice and what kind of fillings we use."

"Yes, the rice dumplings from the Fu Gui family, even just plain white rice dumplings without any additives, are so fragrant and sweet, they're so delicious."

Xiang Wenxia and her daughter Ya Ya chimed in.

These were given to the two families by Chen Ling's family when they came to watch the opera. They each took two when they came out and ate them as they walked.

Du Juan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "I guess it's because we haven't wrapped zongzi much, so our skills are not very good. Many of the zongzi we wrapped have open corners."

You can't tell if a zongzi is well-wrapped before it goes into the pot, but you can tell at a glance if it's cooked.

If the wrapping is not secure, the glutinous rice will easily push the bamboo leaves open from the corners, allowing water from the pot to seep into the rice dumplings, thus ruining their flavor.

The two elderly ladies made the same kind of rice dumplings; the flavor was very bland, and they didn't taste like the rice dumplings they should have.

The zongzi from Chen Ling's family were wrapped with distinct edges and corners, small and exquisite. After cooking, very few of the zongzi were loosely wrapped; each one was fresh and beautiful, like a work of art.

They didn't know that Chen Ling had chosen the special leaves for the zongzi. When Du Juan said that, they just assumed that their family's zongzi were wrapped well, intact and without water getting in, which made them very fragrant.

"By the way, Fugui, I think the rice here tastes pretty good too. I had lunch at your village secretary's house, and the rice was very fragrant."

I see that the area around your reservoir and the old river bend is suitable for converting into paddy fields, so why don't you plant some rice there?

The lynx then asked.

Chen Ling turned to look at the two of them: "Didn't you ask the Party Secretary?"

Lynx shook his head: "I was too busy talking about building a house and settling down here, so I didn't ask any more questions. Besides, if Uncle Yubao wants to settle down here, he'll definitely need to buy a small plot of farmland to grow some things. If he can buy it, he can; if he can't, he can lease it."

"Oh, so you mean they want to cultivate the fields along the river?"

Chen Ling recalled what his fourth grandfather had said last year and sighed softly, saying, "In our area, rice cultivation dates back several decades, around the time of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Later, the commune was unified, the springs on Nanshan Mountain dried up, and the old river bend gradually dried up. The reservoir wasn't like it is now either. If we wanted to preserve the paddy fields, there wasn't enough water, so we had to use donkeys to pull waterwheels to transport water, which was very troublesome. So we stopped cultivating rice."

Rice is not easy to come by here, and spring water rice is even harder to find.

It tastes delicious, but growing it is a lot of hard work.

Even if the springs on Nanshan Mountain start flowing again, the old river bend and the reservoir can provide enough water, so no one would want to switch to growing rice now..."

No other reason.

Firstly, they are used to growing wheat and corn.

Secondly, the elderly have experienced the hardships and suffering of rice cultivation.

Those are painful memories.

Before the reservoir, the old river bend had very little water, and there was a severe water shortage in the spring when it was time to plant rice. So what did people do? They dug ditches, installed waterwheels, or used donkeys to pull the waterwheels to transport well water.

Women and children alike pitched in, and back then they had to wring water almost every day.

In some families, the men simply live in the fields. When it's time to plant, if the fields aren't prepared properly, the seedlings are hard to plant. Red, swollen, and inflamed fingers are considered mild cases. Some people scratch their hands and arms, and the wounds ooze yellow fluid. Some people's soles itch so badly that they go crazy. It's really torturous.

As the rice seedlings turn green again, the rainy season arrives, and the weeds in the rice paddies begin to grow wildly.

Weeds also need to be removed promptly.

During the dog days of summer, the heat is intense, with mosquito bites and leeches sucking blood. The suffering and torment are indescribable.

After all the hardships, when the rice ripened, there was still no peace. Because there were no rice threshing machines at that time, they had to use a stone roller to crush the rice and remove most of the husks. When it was time to eat, they still had to pound the rice.

In short, having become accustomed to the existing grain crops, the villagers faced all sorts of troubles if they wanted to eat the same kind of spring-fed rice as before, and none of them were willing to go through the trouble of changing back.

"I didn't realize that growing rice here was so difficult. Compared to that, wheat is really child's play."

After listening to what Chen Ling said, they began to understand that farming is not something that can be done by wishful thinking alone. You can't just rely on your head to think about it; you also have to consider the actual situation and adapt to local conditions.

Halfway there, we encountered two groups of reporters, listened to their discussions, and followed them for a while.

After listening, some people seemed thoughtful, while others clamored to go back and write articles. Chenwangzhuang is so famous now, it could be made into a series. A series is not easy, as it involves a lot of content. Then they could find a legitimate excuse to come here on a business trip.

The main reason is that this place is really fun, with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and a series of mysterious events happening frequently.

I've even heard that the great writer Zhao Yubao is planning to settle here, which is quite interesting.

If you throw out a bunch of reasons, the boss won't say anything.

The group became more and more excited as they talked. They had also come back from watching a play, and as they followed Chen Ling and the others, they chattered about this matter, and before they knew it, they had come back.

It was only when I sensed the bustling activity and bright lights ahead that I realized what was happening.

"Oh dear, we've come all this way again. Brother Chen, we're heading back now. See you tomorrow."

"great, see you tomorrow."

Summer nights are very lively.

The old stage in the east of the village was brightly lit. Although there were far fewer people watching the show at night than during the day, it was still a bustling scene with crowds of people.

A large tent was set up on the stage, but there were few people. It seemed that the opera troupe had rested and eaten dinner, and a new play was about to begin. The person in charge was still sitting on the stage drinking tea and talking.

"Boss, are you rested enough? If you're rested and have eaten and drunk your fill, then sing well, preferably until dawn."

The owner of the opera troupe was also a local. He smiled and bowed on stage, saying, "Don't worry, don't worry, we're all from the surrounding area. We definitely won't cut corners."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone in the audience shouted, "That's right! The owner of this opera troupe is our Chenwangzhuang's nephew. If he doesn't sing well, he'll be letting down his cousin; if he doesn't sing with enough energy, he'll be letting down his old sister..."

Chen Ling and the others were taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

The audience, young and old, burst into applause and cheers.

The gossipy women next to them, after clapping, curiously asked each other which family the boss was a nephew of.

Chen Ling and the others said they came to listen to the opera but didn't really understand it; even if they could sing, they could only sing a line or two.

It's basically a group of people who, after having a meal, have nothing to do at home, so they bring their kids over for a stroll, to see what's available to eat and play, and to soak up the pre-holiday atmosphere.

We'll be busy again soon after the holiday, and we'll be parting ways with our friends. This is a rare chance to relax.

The adults were fine, but the kids lost interest halfway through and started clamoring to go here and there.

Because I saw the village children carrying bottles and torches, wandering around near the base of the wall, catching scorpions.

Helpless, Chen Ling and the others had no choice but to carry the child and follow.

They played like this for a long time, going around the entire village and the front and back of every house.

When you arrive at the reservoir at the village entrance, the scene becomes even more lively, with the village's dragon boat team practicing on the river.

"Fugui, you've been having a lot of free time these past few days, haven't you? Come down and paddle around a couple of times."

"Haha, you guys should practice on your own. I'm a complete beginner, it's not worth it for me."

"Look at what you're saying, Brother Qingwen and Qingzhong are here too, aren't you going to take them out to have some fun? I heard that Fenglei Town has a better time than we do."

Wang Qingwen and his brother quickly waved their hands with smiles, saying they didn't really know how.

After May, the dragon boat team started practicing.

In fact, when Zhou Weijun and his crew came here to build the boat, the dragon boat had already been launched into the water.

At the time, many of the young and middle-aged people in the village were working away from home, and Wang Laishun had approached him, asking him to join the dragon boat team as well. However, he kept declining and did not agree.

Although dragon boat racing is like playing, you still need to practice.

A novice like Chen Ling can't just jump into the water right away; he needs a period of hard training and to find a partner. How could someone with his carefree personality like him possibly handle that?

The villagers thought that he was strong and powerful, and no one could match him, so they let it go.

Because dragon boat racing is not won by the strength of a single person, but by teamwork.

There are paddlers on both sides of the dragon boat. If one side exerts more force, the other side must also use an equal amount of force for the dragon boat to remain stable.

Someone like Chen Ling, once he gets excited, he uses too much force, and if the boat capsizes, he'll suffer a great loss.

That's just how things are.

Even without him, since we haven't held this event for several years, we still need to practice for a few days as the time approaches to get familiar with each other and get used to it so that we can work together towards a common goal.

"It's okay, don't be afraid, just have some fun."

Old Niwai came out carrying a teacup and said with a smile, "Our village used to be a champion in dragon boat racing. I'll find two of you to train. Even with Fugui's sturdy build, he can still join the team."

Chen Ling simply said that he would try lapping a couple more times after the race tomorrow, and that he wouldn't bother them today.

"It's not worth it. Remember to get up early tomorrow, let's go cut some mugwort together," someone shouted from the dragon boat.

Then someone else shouted, "I guess I can't go. Fugui, can you take care of my piglet? Let Zhenzhen look after him."

"Okay, got it."

Chen Ling responded, and Wang Zhenzhen and a group of children, holding cans full of scorpions, shouted back from the shore.

Then they took torches made of reeds from Lao Niwai's house, lit them, and continued running around the village. Wang Zhenzhen was with Rui Rui, Ya Ya, and two little nephews. Rui Rui was the most conspicuous. He didn't run on the ground or hold a torch. Instead, he rode Heiwa around wildly.

Hearing the villagers' shouts, Zhao Dahai and Shanmao asked in a low voice, "Is this also a custom?"

"Well, sort of. Tomorrow we need to cut some mugwort and calamus. The men in the family will bring the kids to do it. The men will cut the mugwort, the kids will cut a couple of bunches of calamus, and the women will stay home to wrap zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), embroider sachets and other things..."

After Chen Ling finished speaking, he shook his head and smiled, "This year the village is building a temple and holding such a big event during the Dragon Boat Festival, so we have to be a bit more particular. In the past, when we were too busy with farming, we would just stick a few mugwort leaves in the ground."

Scented sachets and realgar cinnabar may not be available every year, but mugwort will definitely be present every year.

"That sounds interesting. We'll go with you tomorrow."

Zhao Dahai rubbed his hands together. "The old man's thatched house is finally finished. Although it's not habitable yet, we should put some mugwort on the door frame as a way of celebrating the festival."

"Okay, I'll go back and prepare the sickles and baskets for you in advance."

……

The next day finally arrived at the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

As soon as it was light, the area outside the village became noisy.

First, the men led the children out to search for mugwort and calamus to cut in the vegetable gardens, by the river and ponds, and near the ditches.

Artemisia and cattail, like reeds, are growing wildly this season; you can find them anywhere.

Fresh, tender green, with a unique, refreshing aroma.

This year, Chen Ling's family also had a baby, but Chen Ling couldn't bear to let him hold the sickle himself. He just held the little guy's hand and cut two handfuls of cattails, and that was it.

That's the gist of it.

Rui Rui, on the other hand, really liked the smell of mugwort and insisted on imitating Chen Ling by holding a few stalks in his arms. As a result, he choked on the smell and sneezed several times along the way.

Zhao Dahai and the others followed Chen Ling and his son for a walk, then went back to eat and hang up mugwort and other items.

Only the tourists from other places were still following the villagers around, either carrying baskets to cut mugwort or picking vegetables in the garden, chatting and laughing, giving them a feeling of experiencing rural life, much like how city dwellers in later generations experience rural life.

After everyone had breakfast, mugwort and calamus were placed on the gate, and the village was filled with the aroma of mugwort in addition to the aroma of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

Before long, the sound of drums and gongs could be heard outside the village, "dong dong qiang," "dong dong qiang," which was the sound of drums and gongs for the dragon boat race.

"Heave-ho", "Heave-ho"...

At this moment, the shouts of the dragon boat racers were deafening.

Around eight or nine o'clock, the sun was already blazing hot.

The riverbanks of the reservoir were already bustling with activity, with drums beating incessantly.

People from the county and township came, and some leaders even used megaphones and wore straw hats to speak in front of the giant turtle statue in the reservoir, talking about things like the long history and culture of Chenwangzhuang that even the locals didn't know.

However, since it was a compliment to the outstanding people and beautiful scenery of Chenwangzhuang, the villagers, though they couldn't understand a word, still clapped their hands until they were red, their faces glowing with pride and joy.

The reporters' equipment was just sitting there, and it was unclear whether it was turned on or not. Young men and women were also shouting and yelling, just randomly joining in the fun.

Chen Ling's family had chosen a good spot early on. They set up several tables under a big tree on the east side of the reservoir for Wang Susu and several other women to sit down. He and his brother Wang Qingwen, the three adults with the children, climbed up a thick old willow tree next to them, sat on the trunk, and enjoyed the wind and the unobstructed view. It was truly a pleasant experience.

Although they used new boats for the dragon boat race this year, they weren't specially made dragon boats. They were just similar in style to ordinary fishing boats, only narrower and longer, with dragon patterns carved on the hull and a dragon head hanging at the bow.

In the past, the temple fairs in the county town featured activities such as land boat races and dragon dances, with dragon boat races depending on the year's harvest.

However, the procedures will not be lacking; every year, the dragon head will still be dotted with eyes and the dragon god will be invited.

The ship was also painted with special oil paints. Chen Ling didn't understand this, but he knew it was similar to the paint used to depict deities. It seemed that the colors would vary depending on the year.

"There are so many people here. How many dragon boat teams are there?" Wang Qingzhong looked at the spectacular scene at the reservoir.

“Nine, all from the surrounding villages. They’re going to be moved from the north bank to the south bank,” Chen Ling said.

With a loud "bang," gongs and drums resounded, shouts rang out, oars were raised in unison, and the nine dragon boats sped forward like dragons emerging from the sea or arrows released from a bow.

The bow of the boat rippled with clear waves, while the stern was covered with layers of ripples.

Accompanied by rapid drumbeats, dragon boats rushed from north to south towards the opposite bank, the water splashed up by the boats creating waves that, under the sunlight, resembled leaping silver fish.

"My goodness, I thought there wouldn't be many people in such a remote place, but the mountain road was full of bicycles, and I still had to walk such a long way. I'm so tired."

"Old Zhou, I regret coming out with you guys. This journey is even more torturous than staying in the group."

At the exciting moment, a group of people walked over from the east bank of the reservoir. Among them, a young woman wearing a beige sun hat and large sunglasses spoke breathlessly.

"Don't worry, you won't have come all this way for nothing. They'll say that all the delicious food here will make you forget all your troubles. Otherwise, so many people wouldn't come to watch the dragon boat race."

A man with a small mustache and parted hair, who looked like Iron Man, laughed and said, "But Siyi, you Pan Jinlian are about to meet another Wu Song. Aren't you excited?"

Wang Siyi rolled her eyes slightly: "What's the use of me getting excited? I can't squeeze through anyway. All I want to do right now is go to Wu Song's house for a drink of water, something to eat, and a shower. This weather is so hot it's killing me."

"Haha, Lao Zhou, have you noticed? Siyi's Taiwanese accent is gone now, she speaks with a strong Northern accent, she can even say what she wants now." Another burly man wearing sunglasses said, his words carrying a teasing tone.

Wang Siyi fanned herself with her hand and said irritably, "Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and clear the way to see where we can buy food and drinks. Otherwise, we won't be able to film Wu Song fighting the tiger; I'll just beat up a few of you first."

"Alright, the spoiled princess from Taiwan is throwing a tantrum. Let's hurry up and squeeze forward."

Zhou Weijun chuckled, waved to the people behind him, and squeezed into the noisy crowd.

(End of this chapter)