My 1995 Small Farm

  Chapter 436 Golden Lotus

   "Your rice dumplings are still delicious. My mother and Aunt Zhong also made some. The taste is far worse than yours."

On the evening of the fourth day of the lunar new year, on the way to the old theater in the east of the village, Zhao Dahai was still eating rice dumplings as he walked, "You said that the cooking here is not as good as yours, it's understandable, what can the rice dumplings do? Isn’t it just about glutinous rice and what kind of buns are served with it?”

   "Yes, Fugui's zongzi, even if it's white rice zongzi, doesn't add anything, it's fragrant and sweet, it's so delicious."

  Xiang Wenxia and Yaya Niang also followed suit.

   This was given to Chen Ling's family when they came to listen to the play. When they came out, each of them took two and ate while walking.

  Du Juan smiled slightly upon hearing this, and said: "It is estimated that we have never made zongzi before, and the craftsmanship is relatively poor. Many of the corners of the zongzi are open."

   Whether the zongzi is well wrapped, the zongzi that is not in the pot can't be seen, but the cooked zongzi can be seen at a glance.

  The bag is not firm, the glutinous rice will easily spread the leaves from the corners, and the water in the pot will soak into the zongzi, and there will be no taste of zongzi.

  This is how the two old ladies made the dumplings. The taste of the rice dumplings is very bland, and it doesn't taste like rice dumplings.

  As for the zongzi from Chen Ling's family, they are packaged with sharp edges and corners, small and exquisite, and there are not many zongzi wrapped loosely after cooking. Each one is fresh and beautiful like a work of art.

  They didn't know that the zongzi leaves Chen Ling chose had a secret. Hearing what Du Juan said, they just thought that their zongzi were wrapped well, and they were completely intact without water, so the fragrance was strong.

   "By the way, Fugui, I think your rice tastes pretty good. I had a meal at your village secretary's house at noon. The rice was very fragrant.

   I see that you can't change paddy fields near your reservoir and Laohewan, why not plant some rice? "

   Bobcat asked.

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

Shan Mao shook his head: "Guang Gu said that he would build a house here and settle down, but he didn't ask much. Besides, if Uncle Yu Bao wants to settle here, he must buy a small piece of arable land to grow something. If he can buy it, he can buy it. Just contract it."

   "Oh, what do you mean, they want to plant fields by the river?"

Chen Ling recalled what the fourth grandfather said last year, and sighed softly: "Let's say here, rice planting had to be pushed forward for decades. It was a matter before and after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Later, the communes were unified, and the springs on Nanshan The flow stopped, and the old river bend slowly dried up. The reservoir was not what it is now. If the paddy fields were to be kept, the water was not enough, and the water carts had to be pulled by donkeys to transport the water, which was very troublesome.

  The rice here is not easy to eat, and the spring rice is even more difficult.

   It tastes good to eat, but it will suffer a lot of trouble to grow it.

  Even if the springs on Nanshan come out again, the old river bend and the reservoir can supply sufficient water, and no one is willing to switch to rice now..."

  No other reason.

   One is to get used to growing wheat and corn.

  The second is that the old people have suffered from rice farming and suffered the crime of rice farming.

  That is a painful memory.

  In the past, there was no reservoir, and there was no water in Laohewan, and the amount of water was seriously insufficient when it was time to plant rice in spring. How do you guys do it? Just dig ditches, install water trucks, or donkeys pull water trucks to transport well water.

  Women and children also participated in the battle. At that time, water was wringed almost every day.

In some families, the man simply lives in the field. When it is time to plant, the field is not well-organized, and the seedlings are not easy to plant. The redness and inflammation of the fingers are relatively mild. The soles of his feet were itchy enough to drive people crazy, it was really tormenting.

  The rice seedlings turned green, and in the rainy season, the weeds in the rice fields began to grow wildly.

   It is necessary to remove the grass in time.

   In the hot weather, steaming up and down, mosquitoes biting, leeches sucking blood, the crimes and sufferings I suffered cannot be described with words.

   After a lot of hardships, when the rice is ripe, it is not safe, because there is no rice thresher at that time, so it has to be rolled with a roller to grind most of the rice husks, and the rice has to be pounded when eating.

  In short, getting used to the existing food crops and wanting to eat the original mountain spring rice is really all kinds of troubles. No one in the villagers is willing to find a way to suffer and change back.

   "It turns out that it is so difficult for you to grow rice here. Compared with this, wheat is really a child's science."

  After listening to what Chen Ling said, they realized that farming is really not wishful thinking. They can't just rely on their heads, but also have to look at the actual situation and adapt to local conditions.

   On the way, I met two groups of reporters. After listening to them talk about these things, I followed them for a while.

After listening to it, some people were thoughtful, and some people clamored to go back and write articles. Chen Wangzhuang is so famous now that it can be made into a series. A series is not easy. It involves a lot of content. At that time, you can find an excuse to come here on business. up.

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

   It was even heard that Zhao Yubao, a great writer, is going to settle here, which is very interesting.

   With such a bunch of reasons thrown over, the leader will not say anything.

  The more they talked, the more excited they became. They also came back from watching an opera, but at this moment they were talking about this matter with Chen Ling and the others, and walked back unknowingly.

  It was only when he felt the bustle and bright lights in front of him that he realized it.

   "Oh, why are you walking back again. Brother Chen, we are going back. See you tomorrow."

"great, see you tomorrow."

  Summer nights are very lively.

  The surrounding area of ​​the old theater in the east of the village is even more brightly lit. There are many fewer people watching the theater at night than during the day, but it is still a crowded scene.

  There is a big shed on the stage, but there are not many people. It seems that the troupe has had a rest and dinner, and another new play is just about to start. The manager is still sitting on the stage drinking tea and talking.

   "The boss has a good rest. After the rest, eat and drink enough, let's sing well. It's best to sing till dawn."

  The boss of the opera troupe is also a local, smiling and bowing on the stage: "Don't worry, you are all from the villages from all over the world, so you must not fool around."

As soon as the words fell, someone from the audience shouted: "Isn't that right, the owner of this troupe is our Chen Wangzhuang's nephew, if he can't sing well, I'm sorry for his old cousin, if he doesn't sing well enough, I'm sorry for his old sister." Son…"

  Chen Ling and the others were taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

  The old and young men who came to see the play also clapped and applauded.

  The chatty woman next to her clapped her hands and curiously asked each other which family the boss was the nephew of.

  Chen Ling and the others said that they don’t really understand opera when they come to listen to opera. Even if they can sing, they can only sing a sentence or two.

   It means that a group of people have nothing to do at home after having a meal, so they take their children for a stroll, see what to eat and play here, and feel the atmosphere before the holiday.

   Immediately after the festival, I will be busy again, and my friends will be separated. This is a rare time to relax.

  It’s okay for adults, but the novelty of the little ones passed after hearing halftime, clamoring to go here and there.

  Because I saw the little children in the village holding bottle torches and walking around near the base of the wall, catching scorpions.

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

   After playing like this, they directly circled the entire village, in front of and behind the houses of each house.

  When we arrived at the village entrance reservoir, it was even more lively. The dragon boat team in the village was still practicing on the river.

   "Fugui, you have a leisurely life these days, hurry down and draw a couple of laps."

   "Haha, you should practice on your own. I'm a novice, so it's not worth it."

   "Look at what you said, brother Qingwen and Qingzhong are here too, why don't you take them to play? I heard that Fenglei Town is better than us."

  The two Wang Qingwen brothers quickly smiled and waved their hands, saying that they didn't know much about it.

  After entering May, the dragon boat team began to practice.

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

  At that time, many young and middle-aged people in the village were working away from home. Wang Laishun even asked him to join the dragon boat team.

   But he kept refusing to respond.

  Dragon boat rowing is the same as playing, but you still have to practice.

   A novice like Chen Ling can't get into the water right from the beginning, he still needs a while of hard training, and he has to find someone to match him with. How can he bear his sloppy temperament.

  The village thought about it, he is strong and strong, no one can match him, so forget it later.

  Because dragon boats do not rely on the strength of a single person to win, but rely on teamwork.

  Dragon boats have paddlers on the left and right sides. If one side has more strength, the other side must use equal strength to make the dragon boat stable.

   Just like Chen Ling, once the excitement gets up and the force is too strong, it will be a disadvantage if the boat capsizes.

   This kind of thing is what it is.

  Even without him, we haven’t held it for a few years, and when the time comes, we have to practice for a few days to get familiar with it and get used to it so that we can use it together.

   "It's okay, don't be afraid, just play."

  Old Niwai came out with a tea mug in his hand, and said with a smile: "Dragon boat rowing in our village used to be a general who always wins. I'll find two of you to practice. Even a rich old man can join the team."

  Chen Ling only said that he would try another two laps after the race tomorrow, and he would not bother them today.

   "It's not worth it, remember to get up early tomorrow, let's cut some moxa." Someone shouted on the dragon boat.

   Then someone yelled again: "I guess I can't go, Fugui can help bring my pig baby, let Zhenzhen take it."

   "Okay, got it."

  Chen Ling responded, and Wang Zhenzhen and a group of little dolls grabbed the cans full of scorpions and shouted back on the shore.

Then I took a torch made of reed poles at Lao Niwai's house, lit it and continued to run back and forth in the village. Wang Zhenzhen took Ruirui Yaya and two little nephews inside, but Ruirui was more conspicuous. He didn't run on the ground, nor held up a torch, but rode Hei Wa back and forth, left and right.

  Zhao Dahai and Shanmao heard the villagers shouting just now, and asked in a low voice: "Is this also a custom?"

"Well, let's just say that tomorrow we will cut some wormwood and calamus. The male laborers in the family will bring the little boy to do it. The man will cut the wormwood, and the little boy will cut two handfuls of cattail grass. The woman will make rice dumplings and embroider pouches at home." What…"

  Chen Ling shook his head and smiled after finishing speaking, "This year the village will build a temple, and there is such a big scene at the Dragon Boat Festival, so we must be more careful. In the past, when the farming was busy, we couldn't take care of it, that is, planting a few mugwort leaves."

  Pouch sachet, realgar cinnabar may not be available every year, but wormwood will definitely not be absent every year.

   "It sounds a bit fun, we will follow you tomorrow."

  Zhao Dahai rubbed his hands, "The old man's thatched house has been built. Even though it is not suitable for people to live in, we still have to insert some wormwood on his door frame. It is a festival."

   "Okay, I will go back and prepare the sickle and basket for you in advance."

  …

  The next day finally reached the fifth day of May.

  Just after dawn, there was a commotion outside the village.

  First, the men led the little ones out, looking for wormwood and calamus to cut in the vegetable garden, by the river, by the pond, and near the small ditches.

  The wormwood and cattail grass of this season, just like the reeds, are growing wildly, and they can be found everywhere.

  Fresh, tender green, with a unique fragrance.

  This year, Chen Ling's family also had a baby, but Chen Ling was reluctant to let him hold the sickle by himself, so he just held the little guy's hand and cut two handfuls of cattail grass to finish the job.

   That’s what it means.

   On the contrary, Ruirui liked the smell of wormwood very much. He insisted on following Chen Ling's example and hugged a few in his arms, but he choked and sneezed several times along the way.

  Zhao Dahai and the others walked around with Chen Ling and his son, and then went back to eat, hanging mugwort leaves and other things.

  Only those tourists from other places are still following the villagers everywhere, or they are carrying baskets to cut wormwood, or they go to the vegetable garden to pick vegetables, talking and laughing, very much like those urban people in later generations experiencing rural life.

  After everyone had breakfast, wormwood and calamus were planted on the gate. In addition to the smell of rice dumplings, the scent of wormwood became stronger in the village.

   Not long after, I only heard "dong dong gong" and "dong dong gong" outside the village. This is the sound of gongs and drums for dragon boat racing.

   "Hi Hi Yo", "Hi Hi Yo"...

   At this time, the chant of the dragon boat race was loudly shouted.

  At eight or nine o'clock, the sun shines hot and scorching.

  The river bank of the reservoir was already full of voices and drums.

  People from all counties and townships came, and some leaders shouted in front of the stone statue of the **** in the reservoir with big speakers and straw hats, talking about the long history and culture that the locals in Chenwangzhuang did not know.

   But in the end it was to praise Chen Wangzhuang for its outstanding people. Although the villagers couldn't understand a word, they still slapped their palms red with pride, and their faces were flushed with pride and pride.

  The reporters’ machines were placed and they didn’t know whether they were on or not, and the young men and women also kept screaming and joining in the fun.

Chen Ling's family chose a good location early, moved a few tables under a big tree on the east side of the reservoir, and let Wang Susu and a few lesbians sit down. Holding the doll, I climbed to a thick old willow tree next to it, rode on the trunk, faced the wind, and had a sweeping view in front of my eyes. It was really pleasant.

  Although they used new boats for dragon boat races this year, they were not special-made dragon boats. They were similar in style to ordinary fishing boats, but narrower and longer, with dragon patterns carved on the hull and a dragon head hanging on the bow.

  In the past, at the temple fair in the county town, there were dry boats and dragon dances, and the dragon boat races depended on the year.

  However, there will be no shortage of programs, and the leader will still be given the finishing touch every year, please Dragon God.

  There will also be special oil paints on the boat. Chen Ling doesn't understand this, but he knows that it is almost the same thing as the ones that painted **** statues. The colors seem to be different in different years.

   "A lot of people came, how many dragon boat teams are these?" Wang Qingzhong looked at the spectacular scene of the reservoir.

   "Nine, all of them are from the surrounding villages. They need to be rowed from the north bank to the south bank." Chen Ling said.

   There was a "bang" gunshot, gongs and drums blared, shouts bursts, and the paddles were raised together. The nine dragon boats rushed out of the sea like dragons, and flew forward like arrows leaving the string.

   There are waves of clear waves at the bow of the ship, and layers of ripples appear at the stern.

  Accompanied by bursts of rapid drumming, dragon boats rushed straight from north to south toward the opposite bank. The waves stirred up by the dragon boats connected each other, and the waves hit each other, like whitebaits jumping under the sunlight.

   "My god, I thought there wouldn't be many people in such a remote place. I didn't expect that the bicycles on the mountain road were all parked, and I had to walk such a long distance. I was really exhausted."

   "Old Zhou, I regret that I came out with you. It's more torture than staying in the group."

   At the wonderful time, a group of people came over from the east bank of the reservoir, among them a young woman wearing a beige sun hat and big sunglasses said out of breath.

"Don't worry, I won't let you walk this road in vain, they don't talk about anything else, just talking about so many delicious foods can make you forget all your troubles, otherwise there won't be so many people watching the dragon boat race. "

  A man with a mustache and parted hair, who looked like Iron Man, smiled and said, "But Siyi, Pan Jinlian, you are about to see another Wu Song, are you excited?"

  Wang Siyi rolled her eyes lightly: "What's the use of being excited, I can't squeeze through. I just want to go to that Wu Song's house to drink water, eat something, and take a bath. The weather is really hot to death."

   "Haha, Lao Zhou, did you notice that Siyi has lost her Wanwan accent now, and her speech is all our northern style, so she can say whatever." Another burly man wearing sunglasses said, with a sense of ridicule in his words.

  Wang Siyi fanned the wind with her hands, and said in a bad mood: "Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and open the way, and see where there is food and drink, otherwise there is no need to shoot Wu Song and tiger, I will beat you first."

   "Okay, the young lady of Wandao has lost her temper, let's squeeze forward."

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

  (end of this chapter)