Chapter 53 Inserting beans that can be used to make tofu!
The most important reason Yu Yan let Heng Qing and the others stay was to treat their illnesses, and at the same time, she also wanted them to learn more about the peninsula tribes so that it would be easier for them to trade with each other in the future.
In retrospect, this move has been incredibly effective.
They can harvest as much seaweed as they want, but iron ore is a different story.
There are no iron mines on the peninsula or in the nearby tribes! Yu Yan has been worried about this for a long time.
Trading iron ore for seaweed, it's easy to imagine that the peninsula tribes made a fortune.
Yu Yan asked Heng Qing for confirmation: "Are you serious?"
Heng Qing: "They were extremely serious."
Yu Yan sighed softly, feeling a sense of guilt for having bullied an honest person.
"Chief Hengqing, we do need your tribe's iron ore, but exchanging seaweed for half a mountain is just cheating you, isn't it? We really don't need that much."
Heng Qing shook his head: "It will be useful, Yu Yan. Let me explain slowly."
"First, you saved our tribe's lives; this is something no amount of resources can buy."
"Secondly, even if we keep the iron ore, we can't smelt it into tools, so it's useless to us. Seaweed, however, is different; we really need it."
"Third, we hope to make friends with the peninsula tribes through this transaction. In the future, when we transport iron ore here, you can exchange it for cloth, soap, charcoal, and other things."
Yu Yan listened attentively and understood that Heng Qing was not foolish, but rather, as the head of a clan, he thought much further ahead.
The rise of the peninsula tribes is unstoppable, and those who can befriend them will become even stronger.
In short, this is a mutually beneficial deal.
Finally, Heng Qing said, "...Please agree to our proposal."
Yu Yan looked at Cang Feng. The latter gave her a trusting look.
He turned his gaze back to Heng Qing and said, "Then let's do it your way."
Heng Qing and Cheng Liu were overjoyed, their faces suddenly brightening.
“Besides seaweed, for every batch of iron ore you bring, I will give you a batch of cloth, pottery, food, soap and cement in return. I can also teach you how to spin thread and build houses.”
The couple were overjoyed: "That's wonderful! Yu Yan, thank you so much!"
"The peninsula tribes and the highland tribes are forever good friends!"
Heng Qing cautiously asked if he could be taught how to ferment yogurt.
Yu Yan: "Teaching is possible, but success is not guaranteed."
He explained his method and then said, "Actually, it would be best to save the yogurt I made this time as a starter to ferment new yogurt. But you have a long journey, and it will all spoil by the time you take it back."
Heng Qing expressed his understanding: "Yes. Then let's not bring them. We don't know when we'll be able to hunt a suitable lactating female beast."
As for the subsequent matters, such as the specific exchange quantities, Yu Yan asked Cang Feng to discuss them with them.
He merely offered Cheng Liu a few words of advice, acting solely as a doctor.
"If anything happens, just let me know. If you can't come, I'll go to your tribe to see you. Of course, I sincerely wish you all the best from now on."
Cheng Liu nodded gratefully, "I understand. Yu Yan, on behalf of the Highland Tribe, you are always welcome to visit."
Heng Qing and the other person left with Cang Feng, looking back every few steps.
Yu Yan searched for Feng Gui and Lan Xiu and said excitedly, "Father, Lan Xiu, come and try the yogurt!"
Feng Gui had just finished feeding the ducks, while Lan Xiu had just finished milking the goats.
The two came over one after the other, and Yu Yan poured them yogurt.
Feng Gui had just taken a sip when his cheeks started twitching uncontrollably.
He said in a hoarse voice, "This is way too sour..."
"Really?" Yu Yan had been so focused on talking that she hadn't drunk any yogurt, but now she took a sip.
"Ugh! It's so sour!! How did Cheng Liu manage to finish both bowls?!"
After Yu Yan finished speaking with a "painful mask," she went to the thatched shed and found the cherry jam she had made earlier.
He added a spoonful to everyone's bowl.
This time it tasted much sweeter, and had a unique cherry flavor, which all three of them enjoyed.
After finishing the yogurt, Feng Gui asked Yu Yan about her plans for the day.
Yu Yan wiped her mouth: "It's been a long time since I went out to collect with everyone. Shall we go together this morning? We can talk about the afternoon's matters this afternoon."
Feng Gui: "Sure! We're going to pick a plant called 'Long Long Pod' today. Didn't you want to find soybeans? When the Long Long Pod is ripe, the beans inside are white."
"Long pods? White beans?" Yu Yan asked Feng Gui to describe the plant's appearance.
After hearing that, it sounds a lot like green beans.
Modern green beans are produced in large quantities, and plants in the Beast World generally grow larger. Yu Yan was full of anticipation for today's itinerary.
Lanxiu split up with them to go hunting.
After breakfast, the three of them set off.
Yin Qing and the others were pleasantly surprised to see Yu Yan and Feng Gui arrive at the altar square together.
"Yu Yan, are you with us today?"
"It feels like it's been so long since we last collected data together!"
Yu Yan smiled and said, "Yes, I'm still getting used to it. You'll have to wait for me then."
Yin Qing: "Then beg me."
Yu Yan raised her hand and patted him, and the people around her burst into laughter.
As news of his participation in the gathering spread, many more sub-orcs joined their ranks.
After counting the number of people, Feng Gui took the lead, spreading his wings and leading them to collect long pods.
The summer sky was a deep, clear blue, with low, fluffy white clouds. Bird-like beastmen flew in the sky, seemingly able to touch the blue sky if they looked up.
Below, the vegetation is lush, the river flows swiftly during the high-water season, and wild animals run freely in the forest.
Further out, the sea stretches out in a vast and magnificent expanse.
Yu Yan took a deep breath of the fresh air of the beast world, feeling as if her body and soul had been cleansed.
After flying for about half an hour, the group landed on a hillside.
After checking that there was no danger, Feng Gui took an aluminum machete and cleaved a path up the mountain through the thick grass.
Others also used metal tools to clear a path, happily saying that these things were much better than claws.
Yu Yan's iron knife was sharper than theirs.
Someone asked, "I heard our tribe is going to trade iron ore with the highland tribes, is that right?"
Yu Yan smiled and said, "Yes."
"Great! Then we can all use iron tools!"
Amidst the laughter and chatter, someone spotted a vine with long pods, from which hung clusters of green fruit.
"They've already grown so big? They're perfect to eat now, they'll get too old if we don't pick them soon."
"I have a lot here too! I could probably pick a whole basketful from just one vine."
Yu Yan also found one, and the vine was indeed bearing green beans.
He suddenly remembered the fear he felt as a child when he was dominated by this thing.
Every summer, there's always a period on the dinner table where it's all green beans, ...
He hasn't eaten them for a while now, and he's starting to miss the taste of green beans.
besides……
Beside the vines of these green beans grows another type of bean pod, shorter than the long pods, flat and round in shape, with a fuzzy surface.
Yu Yan plucked a string bean, peeled off its green outer skin, and saw that inside was a plump white soybean.
Isn't this a white kidney bean?
If I remember correctly, white kidney beans can't be used to make soy sauce, but they can be used to make tofu!
Following the image of tofu, he thought of soy milk, tofu pudding, and tofu skin... Yu Yan admitted that he was deeply tempted!
Yu Yan worked very hard because she wanted food.
He put his basket on the ground, and with both hands he started picking beans; while others picked green beans, he picked white kidney beans.
Feng Gui reminded him, "Did you pick the wrong bean? The skin of this bean is hard to eat."
Yu Yan: "That's right, this is exactly what I want! Father, you can just pick the long pods."
The green beans grew abundantly and densely, and were much larger than those of modern ones; some were tender, and some were old.
Feng Gui put the vegetables that could be cooked into one basket and the old green beans into another.
Yu Yan said she wanted to save some fully mature seeds.
Feng Gui plucked more than half a basketful of just these few vines.
Yu Yan also picked a lot of white kidney beans.
After picking two baskets of green beans, the orc companions suggested going to the nearby mountains to pick some sweet fruits to eat.
Without turning her head, Yu Yan said, "Father, you go with the others. I need to pick more white kidney beans."
Yin Qing asked curiously, "Are you going to dry them and save them for winter?"
Yu Yan: "No, I only want beans."
"How about we help you pick them?" everyone asked.
"No need, I'll pick enough in a little while. Or you can help me pick some more fruit."
"Okay! Call us when you're done picking them."
"Uh-huh."
The two groups separated, and Yu Yan filled all the baskets he had brought with white kidney beans.
When he couldn't memorize it on the way back, he flew into the sky and blew the bone whistle hanging around his neck.
A sharp whistle pierced the sky, and soon after, the roar of orcs echoed from afar.
It turns out that Lanxiu and his group were also hunting in this area today, and they finished around the same time as them.
The enormous white tiger charged straight toward him. After hearing Yu Yan's words, it carried all the baskets of white kidney beans that he had picked onto its own back.
This time, Yu Yan didn't need his invitation. After moving the white kidney beans, she sat down on his warm and sturdy back.
He smiled to himself, thinking how comfortable it is to ride in a car.
The orcs and sub-orcs returned to their tribe together and distributed the day's harvest at the altar square.
Just as they were about to go home, they heard the sound of galloping animal footsteps approaching from ahead.
Leading the group were the orcs that Yunhai had brought back to the highland tribe a few days ago.
The orcs behind him were mostly leopards, including cheetahs, leopards, and snow leopards.
Yu Yan was stunned when so many furry creatures came running towards her!
What's even more exciting is that each of them is carrying several baskets of iron ore on their backs!
"Roar~" they roared like beasts.
The roars of Heng Qing and his group immediately echoed from the peninsula tribe's habitat.
Soon, these people from the highland tribe unloaded their loads and transformed from animal form into human form.
Heng Qing and the others also arrived quickly.
"Chief!" the people of the highland tribe greeted excitedly.
Heng Qing: "Hmm, was the journey smooth?"
"Everything went smoothly! How are things going for you? How are your conditions?"
"Things have improved, and the baby in Cheng Liu's belly has regained its vitality."
"That's wonderful! The people in the tribe have started eating the seaweed we brought back."
After exchanging a few words, Heng Qing led his clansmen to greet Cang Feng and Yu Yan.
They were extremely curious about Yu Yan, the person who had saved their lives, and looked at him with affection.
Heng Qing said, "Yu Yan, these are the supplies we promised you before, the seaweed exchange. Please take a count."
Yu Yan smiled and said, "No need, I trust the iron ore you brought."
The people of the highland tribe immediately felt even more favorably toward Yu Yan.
They had all heard that Yu Yan was a smart and skilled subhuman beastman, and they were worried that he would be difficult to get along with.
At this moment, when they met Yu Yan's warm eyes, they felt genuinely fond of her.
Cangfeng stepped forward and said, "Everyone has come all the way from the highland tribes. Please come and sit in our tribe for a while."
Heng Qing: "Thank you, Clan Chief Cangfeng. Then we won't stand on ceremony."
The two chieftains have reached an agreement on the trade between the highland tribes and the peninsula tribes.
Heng Qing plans to start packing this afternoon, rest for one night, and then they will return to the Highland Tribe tomorrow.
He promised that the next batch of iron ore would arrive soon.
Yu Yan urged, "Won't you stay a little longer?"
Heng Qing smiled and said, "No, we've been out for a long time."
The newcomers were fascinated by everything in the peninsula tribe. Except for places like the charcoal kiln and pottery kiln, which they couldn't visit, they explored every place they could, constantly praising the places they visited.
Upon learning that they could also trade with the peninsula tribes, they imagined themselves wearing beautiful clothes and building big houses, their handsome faces turning red with excitement.
That evening, Yu Yan used the green beans that Feng Gui had picked that day to make them stir-fried green beans with pork, dry-fried green beans, and stewed green beans with pork ribs. Feng Gui reminded him to cook them a little longer to make sure they were thoroughly cooked, so they wouldn't get an upset stomach.
Many orcs were almost moved to tears by the aroma, clutching their earthenware bowls and howling, "We really want to stay a little longer!"
"I'll come again to deliver ore next time!"
"Don't even think about it, it won't be our turn next time."
A light rain fell during the night.
The next day, the people of the highland tribes took their supplies and reluctantly left the peninsula tribes.
Yu Yan got up early to personally see them off.
Once they disappeared from sight, Yu Yan excitedly asked Cang Feng, "Has the iron ore been delivered to the nearby tribes yet?"
Cangfeng laughed and said, "They've all been sent, with the Mingyuan tribe sending the most. Senbo is currently teaching them in their tribe, and it won't be long before they successfully forge a batch of excellent ironware."
Yu Yan said with a relaxed and happy expression, "We can't let our guard down when it comes to burning white charcoal in our tribe."
Metals, cement, and the glass he will make later all require charcoal.
Cang Feng said solemnly, "Don't worry, I've been keeping an eye on things."
Yu Yan smiled and nodded.
Cangfeng told him another interesting story: "These past few days, there have been orcs fighting every day in Mingyuan's tribes."
"Huh? Why?"
"To compete for our work," Cangfeng laughed, "I've seen orcs fight over sub-orcs, prey, and territory, but it's rare to see people fighting tooth and nail for work, hahaha."
"Oh, by the way, what are you planning to do this morning?"
Yu Yan replied, "Let's go check the fields first. The cucumbers have finished flowering and have already produced small cucumbers. The sweet potato vines and beet seedlings are probably ready to be planted."
Cangfeng: "Is cutting the seedlings the method you mentioned that can increase the number of crops?"
"right."
“Then I want to go with you! I’ll help you with the work and learn how to plant the sweet potatoes for the tribe later.”
Upon hearing this, the people around immediately chimed in, "Yu Yan, we want to go too!"
Yu Yan: "I didn't plant that many, so I don't need that many people."
Everyone immediately started arguing, with one saying they did a good job and another saying they learned quickly, and no one would give in.
Several orcs even rolled up their sleeves on the spot, saying they would settle the matter with wrestling.
This includes Cangfeng.
Yu Yan couldn't help but laugh. Who was it that was just making fun of people from other tribes?
Yu Yan prevented them from fighting. In the end, she selected a few people who were particularly willing to plant to work with her.
He told everyone to heat up their aluminum knives and then take them with them, before leading them to the field.
The tender green cucumber vines climbed high up the trellis.
The cucumbers change every day and will be ready to be picked and eaten soon.
The sweet potato vines and beet seedlings also grew vigorously.
Yu Yan led everyone to plant sweet potato vines first.
He pinched the stem and said, "Choose a thick stem like this, leave five or six leaves, and cut it diagonally with a knife."
After he finished speaking, he gave a demonstration, and everyone studied it attentively.
He placed the cut stems in the wooden bucket next to him.
“I think I can smell willow leaves,” Xin Yu said.
"Yes, this is water infused with willow branches. Soaking the stems in this water will help them sprout faster."
The willow twig extract acts as a nutrient solution.
Everyone nodded, indicating that they had remembered.
Yu Yan had them cut off the stems, soak them, and then make another mound, laying the branches flat and burying them in the soil.
“If all goes well, this one vine can grow into many sweet potato vines,” Yu Yan said.
Everyone exclaimed in admiration, "That's amazing!"
Yu Yan nodded: "It's also because the land along the riverbank is fertile. After planting a few crops, we can't do it anymore."
After planting sweet potato vines, Yu Yan then planted beets.
He planted five beets in total, and they all survived.
Fearing any mishap, he carried out the beet cuttings all by himself.
After watering, it was just past mid-morning.
Yu Yan said goodbye to everyone and flew back home.
Lan Xiu went out hunting; he's been working hard lately to gather supplies for building a house.
Feng Gui didn't go out to gather beans today. Instead, he used a knife to cut the leftover green beans into thin strips and laid them out to dry on a winnowing basket.
"Father, I'm back."
"Hmm, is everything going smoothly?"
"Successfully! Are you drying the long pods? Where are the two baskets of white kidney beans I need?"
"Behind the thatched hut."
Yu Yan walked over quickly, carried out two baskets of white kidney beans, and then moved a wooden stool to sit down and began to peel the beans and take out the beans.
He tossed the white, tender kidney beans into the ceramic basin next to him.
He shelled two baskets of white kidney beans and then emptied them into two large basins.
He washed the beans, soaked them in clean water, and then filtered out the alkaline water.
After preparing the raw materials, he called Feng Gui, along with the necessary items, and they went to the altar square together.
The large stone mill, used by the tribe, is placed in the altar square.
While Yu Yan was flying in the sky, she said to Feng Gui, "Once the first batch of ironware is forged, we can quarry stones and make smaller stone mills to use at home."
Stone tools were rare in the past. For example, the large stone mill of the tribe was made by first selecting stones of similar shape and then polishing them over many years.
With iron tools, it was no longer a dream for everyone in the tribe to own a stone mill.
Feng Gui was captivated by the wonderful life Yu Yan described.
They arrived at the altar square and put their things down. Not long after, Xuefei, Jinxia, and the others who had gone out to collect materials returned.
Seeing Yu Yan add the soaked beans into the stone mill, they offered to help.
"Yu Yan, these aren't long-podded beans, are they? Why are you thinking of grinding them into beans?"
Yu Yan smiled and said, "Yes, this is called white kidney bean. I'm going to make a new food using it."
"New food? Is it delicious?" everyone asked curiously.
Yu Yan: "I think it tastes pretty good."
This caused quite a stir; the sub-beastmen stopped distinguishing what they had gathered and all rushed over to watch the spectacle.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
