The north wind is bleak.
The people who came to Dahe Village all had their shoulders hunched, and their clothes clung to their bodies, completely unable to block the biting cold wind.
Cheng Wanwan walked over wrapped in a cloak. Before she could speak, I don't know who was taking the lead. The group of people suddenly knelt down and saluted.
"Greetings to the people of Sui'an!"
Cheng Wanwan suddenly became ashamed and said repeatedly: "Hurry up, it's cold, let's make a long story short, don't waste time."
Everyone then got up from the ground. Because there were so many people and there was no place to sit, they just stood and talked.
She took a breath and said loudly: "You can see the dry pond in front of you. I asked everyone to come here because I want everyone to dig lotus roots in the pond. You can't understand it just by talking about it. Dashan, you go down and demonstrate."
Zhao Dashan immediately took off his shoes and socks, rolled up his trouser legs, and stepped into the water barefoot.
This is how it is these days. To do this kind of work in winter is to touch the biting winter water with bare feet. There is no other way, otherwise the lotus root starch will not become a treasure that only the empress in the palace can use.
He stepped in the mud with his feet, and after determining the approximate location of the lotus roots, he began to dig a hole with a shovel, and then scooped water into the mud pit on the side. After finishing this, he started to dig out the lotus roots, which usually took about half a meter. The lotus root can only be seen at a depth of one meter. Once you touch the lotus root, you cannot use a shovel. You must use your hands to dig out the lotus root bit by bit. People with good skills can dig out a complete root. When I first started doing this As for the people who work, it would be great if they can dig them out, but you can’t ask for too much.
Zhao Dashan dug out a complete lotus root, washed it with water, held it up, looked at everyone and said: "This is the main lotus root, and next to it are the sub-lotus roots. If you encounter it, just dig up the main lotus root and leave the sub-lotus roots." It’s a good idea…”
He explained in detail, and everyone nodded in understanding.
Cheng Wanwan said: "That's what this job is about. If you think you can do it, you can stay. If you think it's too tiring, you can leave now. But if you figure it out in the future, you can come back. Dahe Village welcomes everyone at any time."
She gave everyone the choice.
The people present didn't know how to make a decision for a moment, mainly because the water under their bare feet always felt very cold, and if they were frozen, the gain would outweigh the loss.
At this time, Zhao Dashan climbed up from the water and said: "It was indeed very cold when I first entered the water, but after my feet stepped into the mud, I didn't feel the cold anymore, and even felt a little warm. The main thing is to wear warm clothes on the upper body." A few, otherwise you’ll catch a cold easily.”
Someone tried it on site, and surprisingly, after stepping into it, my feet felt warmer than wearing shoes, and my upper body seemed even colder.
"Those who are willing to stay and work can come and register." Cheng Wanwan looked at everyone, "Those who sign to be able to work for ten days can now receive a set of winter clothes, and those who sign to be able to work for twenty days can now receive a six-month coat. A heavy winter quilt, but if you sign but fail to do so, you will not only have to return the winter coat and quilt, but your wages may also be deducted, of course, except for special circumstances."
As soon as these words came out, some homeless people immediately rushed forward to sign. They had a roof over their heads. If they were lucky, they would find a shelter in the ruined temple. If they were not lucky, they would find a sheltered alley, and then look for hay sacks everywhere. I spent the whole night on the ground, shivering with cold. If I had a quilt, I wouldn't have to worry about the cold no matter where I slept at night.
A large group of homeless people couldn't wait to sign, and then shopkeeper Yan took them to the warehouse to receive winter clothes and quilts.
The winter clothes were a complete set, including a short-breasted cotton jacket and a pair of thick cotton trousers, which felt very thick. The homeless people put them on immediately and felt warm instantly. Each of them also received a thick quilt, one meter wide. You can also choose to pay for a wider and thicker quilt, and the money will be deducted from your wages.
Seeing those ragged homeless people sign and put on new clothes, the people present immediately did not hesitate and signed one after another. They all started at least ten days. In other words, everyone present had a winter coat.
At this time, many people came to Dahe Village to inquire about the news. Seeing this scene, they had nothing to think about and signed directly.
Cheng Wanwan laughed. There were nearly two hundred people coming down now. From the looks of it, there would be a steady stream of people coming, and two major things were solved for her at once.
She clapped her hands and asked everyone to quiet down: "The market in the village has just been built and has not been rented out yet. People who don't have a place to live can temporarily make do with the houses in the market. If they don't want to make do with it, they can go to the village market." The Dahe Inn sleeps in the Datong Bunk, where men and women are separated. I've already said hello there. As long as the lotus root diggers come over, it's two cents a night."
As soon as he said this, the homeless man cheered.
It was difficult for them to find run-down temples in the city, so they often had to sleep on the street. Unexpectedly, when they came to Dahe Village, they could sleep in a decent house. The people of Sui'an were really the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sent by God to save them.
The storyteller also said that the people of Sui'an were very fierce. How could this be so cruel?
Those who have families in the city naturally don't want to spend the night crowded with homeless people. Going to an inn to sleep in a Datong bunk is the best choice. For two cents a night, it is actually acceptable.
"We will officially start working tomorrow. Let's go back and rest first."
Cheng Wanwan asked shopkeeper Yan to lead everyone to the market.
It was already winter after the market was expanded, and there was no time to attract business, so only a few scattered shops were rented out. Most of them were vacant, with a lot of dry straw placed inside. The homeless people could just find an empty house to live in, but they were not allowed to live in it. Fight over territory, otherwise they will be kicked out directly.
Of course, these shops were not free for Cheng Wanwan to use. She paid the rent and rented them temporarily for a month. They were empty anyway, and Li Zheng was happy to see the results.
In the morning of the next day, a large number of people came to Dahe Village. Most of them were from Fenghuang County, Hekou County. After registering one by one, they were taken directly to the lotus pond to work. The strong men were in charge. When digging lotus roots, some women are responsible for washing the lotus roots, while some poor children are responsible for transporting the lotus roots to designated warehouses for storage.
People in Cheng Wanwan’s yard are not idle either. Although the lotus roots are durable in winter, there are too many of them. If they are not dealt with as soon as possible, they will easily go bad.
Dahe Banquet launched a new dish in December, stewed pork ribs with jade bamboo shoots. Some of the lotus roots were reserved for Dahe Banquet, and some were used in the canteen of Lao Zhao's family. Cheng Wanwan planned to make lotus root powder for all the remaining lotus roots. Firstly, lotus root powder has high nutritional value and high market price. Secondly, only when it is made into lotus root powder can it be stored for a long time.
Madam Ma can make lotus root starch and direct everyone in the yard to work.
First, peel the lotus root and cut it along the lotus root hole. Because the workers who dug the lotus root are not skilled, there are many broken lotus roots. The lotus root hole is full of soil. After cutting, wash it carefully and put it in clean water. Soak for about half an hour.
The next step is to grind the slurry. Put the diced lotus root into a stone mill, add water, grind it into crumbs, and slowly become lotus root pulp...
While everyone was busy in the yard, Mrs. Qi walked in with Zhao Shagen: "This young man said that he had something very important that he wanted to hand over to An Ren."
Zhao Shagen bowed as soon as he came in, and then handed over a money bag in his hand.
