Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 740 739 Good Calculation

Zhang Laosan readily accepted Tang Zhitong's proposal, and even felt a little grateful. In this kind of year, who wouldn't want to have more food? As for the Chinese toon sprouts, they could just wait a little longer and eat the older ones. It didn't matter.

After all this trouble, it was already nine o'clock when Tang Zhitong got home. If there weren't for the forty kilograms of salt pressing on the bicycle frame, the front of the bicycle would probably have lifted up, because there were so many toon sprouts this time that they filled five sacks.

Although she was mentally prepared, Zhang Guifang was still a little surprised when she saw the toon sprouts because there were so many of them.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law worked very efficiently. During the time that Tang Zhitong was away, they had already cleared out the large vat containing water and cleaned it. They were just waiting for the toon sprouts to arrive before they could start working.

There is strength in numbers. The Tang family, young and old, all joined in the battle and they were almost like an assembly line.

Xiao Wang led his two sisters-in-law to wash the Chinese toon, Tang Zhitong stood in front of the stove to blanch the Chinese toon, and Zhang Guifang was responsible for squeezing the blanched Chinese toon dry and placing it on the chopping board to drain the water.

The fresh and tender toon sprouts are naturally reddish-brown in color. They will change color immediately after being blanched in boiling water, and can be picked out when they turn green.

If you want to keep the toon sprouts green for a long time, you can add some baking soda to the boiling water, but due to the current supply, Tang Zhitong chooses not to add it. The darker or lighter color will only affect people's senses but will not affect eating. In this year, it’s fine to eat whatever is available, so we are not picky.

There is no fixed method for pickling Chinese toon sprouts. Some families choose to rub them directly with salt after washing and drying, while others blanch them in water like the Tang family.

Both methods have their pros and cons. Tang Zhitong chose to blanch the sprouts before pickling because it is cleaner and more hygienic, and also because blanching can effectively compress the volume of the toon sprouts, so that the large jar that was vacated could hold the toon sprouts brought back this time.

Because there were too many Chinese toon buds and the space for drying them at home was limited, they obviously couldn't be left to dry slowly. Seeing that time was getting later, Tang Zhitong urged, "Mom, rub them with salt and start putting them in the jar."

"Will it go bad if you put it in like this?" Zhang Guifang was a little unsure.

"Some people rub the toon sprouts directly with salt without blanching them. Don't worry, they won't go bad. I know it." Tang Zhitong was full of confidence. The plug-in worked at this moment. Although he couldn't remove the remaining moisture on the toon sprouts in front of his family, he could do it after putting them in the tank!

"Okay." Zhang Guifang finally chose to listen to her son and began to rub the toon buds in one pot after another.

Although blanching the toon sprouts is a little troublesome, it saves more effort in the salt rubbing step than not blanching them. The salt particles are not easy to fall off the toon sprouts that are not completely dry.

Zhang Guifang turned around and was responsible for rubbing the toon shoots. Seeing that her mother-in-law had a heavy workload, Xiao Wang gave the job of washing the toon shoots to her two sisters-in-law and joined the ranks of rubbing the toon shoots. She also took advantage of her height and long arms to be responsible for putting them into the water tank.

The water tank was placed in the inner room of the main house. Tang Zhitong followed Xiao Wang and told her how to code it.

Tang Zhitong was watching Xiao Wang practicing. He kept bending over and the ball got bigger and then flattened. He felt a little distressed.

But he only felt sad for three seconds, because Tang Zhitong was very busy. He had to poach the water, squeeze it dry to control the water, and estimate the amount that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had rubbed. When he thought it was about right, he put down the work in his hands and went to the inner room to compact the toon buds.

Although Tang Zhitong vowed that things would not get worse, necessary precautions must still be taken.

After compacting, Tang Zhitong would secretly pick up some salt from the space, mix it with the salt he brought back, and sprinkle another layer every three or four centimeters, and at the same time squeeze out the moisture from the toon sprouts.

If there is water, it will go bad easily; if there is not enough salt, it will also go bad easily.

Generally speaking, no matter which pickling method is used, the amount of salt used in pickling toon sprouts ranges from 15% to 30% of the weight of the toon sprouts.

According to the previous agreement with Zhang Laosan, forty kilograms of salt would be enough for more than one hundred kilograms of toon sprouts, but unexpectedly he bought all of them at once, and before he left, he told his family that he would bring back forty kilograms of salt.

It is difficult to increase the quantity openly, so we can only do it secretly.

"Mom, let's do it tomorrow. There's no water at home, and Fengzhi almost fell asleep while standing." After processing two sacks, the small water tank was empty. Tang Zhitong glanced at the time. It was already early morning, and the moon and the clock at the train station had both gone off work.

"Okay, you guys go to bed too." Zhang Guifang straightened up, clenched her fists and pounded them, with a trace of fatigue on her face.

As for labor, there are few things that are not hard.

Although Tang Zhitong was still thinking about the foot buckle, he was really tired today. After returning to the room, he took off his clothes and fell asleep hugging Xiao Wang. Today, Xiao Wang smelled like Chinese toon sprouts...

The next day, June 4th, Sunday.

Tang Zhitong was woken up by classmate Xiao Wang: "Wake up, don't sleep anymore, I heard our mom got up to fetch water, you get up, go fetch it."

"Oh." Tang Zhitong rubbed his sleepy eyes, stretched, put on his clothes, and went out without even washing his face.

For those with a family, this is the only trouble. It is not convenient to fill the water tank directly with a hook. It would be much more convenient if you were an old bachelor, but Tang Zhitong did not want to be an old bachelor. It would be so nice to have the warm bed of classmate Xiao Wang. This can be considered a happy trouble.

"Mom, let me do it. You got up too early, it's not even daybreak yet." Tang Zhitong arrived at the entrance of the alley. The one-eyed Grandpa Zhu hadn't gotten up yet, and there was no running water. Zhang Guifang was holding the iron wheel handle to draw water from the well.

"I'll feel at ease if I finish the work early. The street has arranged for everyone to clean up today." Zhang Guifang gave up her seat and carried out another full bucket so that she could carry it later.

"Okay, let's do it together. I estimate it will be around nine o'clock. You go back and light the stove, and I'll fetch water." It has been several days since the instructions were given, and it is appropriate for the street to carry out the patriotic health campaign at this time.

Although they don't eat enough, most people support it. After all, with a better environment and better hygiene, people will get sick less often, which is equivalent to saving money.

After entering the door, Tang Zhitong replaced the water in the bucket. As long as he was at home, he would always pay attention to drinking water and try his best to let his family drink mountain spring water.

When Tang Zhitong went to Wuhan after the New Year, he came back and heard his classmate Xiao Wang complaining that even drinking water tasted different since he left.

Can this be a taste? If it is a taste, then wouldn't it be a waste of my work?

In response to Xiao Wang's question, Tang Zhitong fooled her by saying that she missed him so much that she had no appetite, which made Xiao Wang very happy. He also successfully tricked Xiao Wang into serving him wholeheartedly for once.

When Tang Zhitong went out to fetch water, Xiao Wang also got up, but she did not wash her face like her husband. She first washed her face with the water her husband brought, and then started to wash the toon buds.

When Tang Zhitong filled the small water tank, Fengzhi was the only one left at home who had not woken up yet.

When Fengzhi woke up, the toon sprouts were almost pickled.

"Brother, are you going to sell chickens today? Can I go with you?" Ever since there is no Xiaoshi in Baiqiao, the children nearby have lost an item of fun. They may not have noticed it before, but after there is less food, many children look forward to going to the market, hoping to come across delicious food at the market. Even if they can't eat it, it's nice to smell it.

"No. Either do your homework at home or go to the streets to work." Tang Zhitong rejected his sister without hesitation. Although he said he wanted to go to the market to sell chickens, he had no intention of really going! It took three hours to ride a bicycle to the nearest market from his home. Why bother?
"Hmph!" Feng Zhi was dissatisfied with this and muttered something to the side. However, her voice was too soft for Tang Zhitong to hear.

In order to pickle the toon sprouts quickly, Tang Zhitong wished he was Nezha with three heads and six arms riding a wind-fire wheel. How could he have time to care about his sister's feelings?

"After we finish working, I'll take you to Baiqiao to fly a kite." Classmate Wang heard his sister-in-law mumbling that her brother was a bad guy.

"Okay!" Fengzhi became happy when she heard that there was something to play.

Great effort always works miracles. Tang Zhitong felt that the toon buds he had pressed were almost clumping into a ball. However, the effect was also very obvious. At least the two hundred kilograms of toon buds were successfully placed into the large vat.

Sprinkle a final layer of salt on the surface and put the wooden lid on it. It’s perfect and you can eat it in seven days at most.

After a quick meal, the whole family took action again. First, they caught all the hens and tied them up. Then Xiao Wang took his two sisters-in-law with fly swatters, brooms, shovels and other tools to go out and participate in the street activities.

Zhang Guifang did not go out. She planned to clean up the chicken coop, then turn over the soil and plant something in it.

Tang Zhitong also went out, with two chickens hanging upside down on each handlebar.

There were quite a few people at the entrance of the alley, some sweeping the floor, some shaking out bedbugs, some emptying rat holes, doing all kinds of things.

People's tools are of various lengths and shapes. If they were placed in Sanhe, they would probably have to be painted a uniform green before use, right?

The faucet at the entrance of the alley was open, with water flowing out. From time to time, someone would carry away a bucket full of water, and the person behind would come forward to get more water, and the water would keep flowing as people walked.

In the gap between water connection, water inevitably flows onto the ground. The one-eyed Uncle Zhu sits in front of the water room door with a broom, looking like he is ready to sweep the water at any time.

"Hey, Anzi, where are you going?" With his one eye focused, Old Zhu saw the four hens on Tang Zhitong's handlebars at a glance. Each of them was so fat that it made people drool.

"The street committee went to my home a couple of days ago and told us not to allow cadres to raise chickens. I responded to the call and got rid of these chickens." Tang Zhitong paused, his voice loud, just so others could hear.

Be low-key in life and high-key in work. Tang Zhitong not only has to let others know that he has responded to the call, but also has to let others know that the street office has contributed in the process, otherwise the value of Xu Hui's trip cannot be reflected.

Xiao Wang mentioned Xu Hui's suggestion about district representatives to Tang Zhitong. Tang Zhitong shared Xiao Wang's opinion. He thought that the chickens could be sold, but forget about the district representative because he was too busy to handle it.

"Oh my~ Anzi, the chickens you raised are very fat, and you just sell them like this? The street vendor is really inhumane." The neighbor aunt who was waiting in line for water interrupted.

"Look at what you said. This chicken eats food when it's kept at home. I can eat a few more bites if I cook it. The street is also doing this for my own good, right?" This rule is inhumane. Everyone must have their own opinions, but Tang Zhitong cannot say that the street is bad in public.

The street is just an executor of the policy. Disapproving of the street's practices means disapproving of the rules from above. This hat is a bit too big, and Tang Zhitong is unwilling to wear it.

"Hey~ Eucalyptus, how much do you plan to sell one for? Why don't you see if the neighbors want to buy any and sell them here directly, saving you a trip. Anyway, the street didn't say that ordinary people are not allowed to raise them, right?" Someone nearby started to think about taking advantage of the chicken.

"Yes, yes. It's not appropriate to go out of the city on such a hot day." Someone agreed.

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd became lively.

It is spring now, and everything is full of vitality and flourishing. As long as you are diligent, you can feed a chicken by just pulling some grass outside. When the year comes to an end, you can sell the hens, and the eggs they lay during this period are pure profit.

There were many neighbors who had this idea, and they all wanted to see what price Tang Zhitong would offer.

As neighbors, everyone knew how many chickens the Tang family had.

The only old hen has been taken away by Liu Jiaming, and the remaining four are all hens of one year old. Not only are they well raised, they are also in the period when they lay eggs most diligently. This makes it much safer than buying them at the market yourself.

Tang Zhitong was speechless. He had originally just wanted to let everyone know that he had responded to the call, but he didn't expect that someone was waiting for him here.

If this happened in previous years when the market was good, the products would have been sold because the price was relatively stable and no one would have disputed it. But what kind of market is it now?
The price of a chicken in the market outside has risen to fifty yuan. If I really sell it on the spot, it would be inappropriate to sell it too high, and I would suffer a loss if I sell it too low.

What's more, if it is sold, it will be a huge income. As the old saying goes, "Customers are always with the goods, and wealth is not exposed." Even if it is to be sold, it will definitely be chosen by someone as rich as Lao Tong, who doesn't know his own background. If it is sold openly in the alley this time, Tang Zhitong can guess what will happen with his toes.

In a split second, Tang Zhitong thought of Fang Yuan's suggestion that day, so he smiled and smashed the neighbors' wishful thinking: "I really don't know whether the street allows residents to raise chickens. I don't sell these chickens. A while ago, my unit reclaimed a piece of wasteland and said that if there is any output, it will be distributed to everyone.

Everyone was very enthusiastic, those who had money contributed money, and those who had strength contributed strength. I had to go to school here, so I couldn't take care of the other side. I felt bad about eating and taking for free, and the street office didn't allow me to keep a dog, so I just sent it there. The eggs laid can be used to nourish the female colleagues in the unit who are in confinement after childbirth."

As for the reason, it's easy to find one. Just give the neighbors a tip in advance, saying that your unit will provide food, and then the family will have more to eat. That would make sense, right?

"Oh my~ I thought Anzi could be a leader, look at his awareness."

"You still don't have money? Who would believe that? How can a leader not make a hundred bucks a month?"

"Anzi, is your company still short of people? Temporary workers are fine too!"

After Tang Zhitong said this, people started to say all kinds of things, but it sounded sour anyway.

Tang Zhitong didn't bother with them. He waved his hand, smiled, and rode away on his bike.

Although the gap between the rich and the poor is not large now, and policies have been made as equal as possible and have taken care of the majority, people’s hearts are still filled with desire to compare and want more.

Faced with the various units that have shown their magical powers, such as city walls and farms, ordinary residents of Beijing still have opinions, because these are not included in the quota.

One lie had to be covered up with another lie, but this incident did serve as a reminder to Tang Zhitong that he could really get a few chickens and keep them at work.

Not only can he consolidate his own base, but he can also share the worries of Fang Yuan and Sister Chen.

Now that the supply is reduced, the union’s benefits are also declining. They can only give movie tickets and other things. Who has the mood to watch a movie when they can’t even get enough food to eat?
Tang Zhitong planned to go back and ask, so he took out two hens from the space and threw them to the unit. He would definitely tell his family that the hens at home were sold. He was deceiving his superiors and subordinates, bah, and fooling both sides. Tang Zhitong was good at it.

(End of this chapter)