Chapter 59 Moving into the New House: The Big Iron Pot for Cooking Smells So Good!
Yu Yan led her team to continuously adjust the existing pottery kiln, and finally rebuilt a glass firing kiln chamber connected to the pottery kiln, with the whole structure resembling a gourd.
Two kilns can be used for firing simultaneously, or only one can be used for firing.
To maintain heat, the walls of the two kiln chambers were built relatively thick, and the interiors were coated with a mixture of kaolin and sand.
If they are fired together, the residual heat of the kiln can soften the glass, saving some fuel.
Yu Yan also left an opening in the glass furnace chamber for easy observation.
The temperature inside the kiln is still not high enough to melt the glass, but it can be softened, which Yu Yan is quite satisfied with.
This means they have countless possibilities in glass molding!
Yu Yan drew out all the metal tools that might be used for thermoplastic glass, such as pliers, scissors, and cutters, and gave them to Mingyuan and the other tribes to try to make.
He also drew some designs for pottery molds, intending to have the peninsula tribes fire them, and then try applying softened glass directly to the molds to see if it would work...
Time flies when you're busy with these things, and before you know it, it's already late summer.
Yu Yan's new house was finally finished. The windows were fitted with glass, the furniture was all made, and the roof tiles were installed.
It is worth mentioning that while he was leading people to make glass, he inadvertently discovered the method of firing terracotta tiles.
He originally planned to use cement tiles, but as soon as the clay tiles were successfully fired, he immediately changed his mind.
Clay tiles are so beautiful, so colorful, and they absorb and retain heat better than cement tiles, plus they're sturdy.
If a tile breaks, it's easy to replace it with a new one.
The slightly troublesome part is that it takes about half a month from making the clay to firing the terracotta tiles.
During this time, Yu Yan prepared most of the furniture, set up the kitchen stove, and even Feng Gui sewed the curtains...
Finally, on a sunny day, the terracotta tiles were fired, and he immediately led his men to lay the tiles on the roof.
With metal tools, everyone could work much more efficiently.
The house looks very beautiful after the tiles have been laid.
The house is square, the glaze of the terracotta tiles shines brightly in the sunlight, the stone and cement walls are simple and heavy, the brown wooden window frames are inlaid with light green glass, and even the wooden door panels are decorated with different "doorplates" by Yu Yan.
The people of the Beast World couldn't read Chinese characters, so he carved patterns on the doorplates.
For example, the room he used as a consultation room had a carved medicinal herb, representing that this was a place for treating patients.
Everyone stood in front of Yu Yan's new house, speechless with amazement.
Xin Yu's gaze slid inch by inch from the rooftop to the doorplate, and she exclaimed in awe, "It's so beautiful..."
The others nodded repeatedly, their eyes filled with longing for the new house.
Senbo said, "I've already prepared the stones for building the house. I can also trade cement, glass, and other materials with the tribe. Now all I need is timber!"
Moye nodded: "So are we."
Xuefei: "I didn't know that timber was so useful before, and I didn't process it in any special way. Now, the nearby tribes can't get any of it in exchange."
Moye comforted him, "When I'm less busy, I'll go to more distant tribes to look for a place and try to build our new house this winter."
Xuefei: "Mmm."
With high hopes in mind, everyone shared the materials they had collected.
Then they discovered that Lanxiu was actually the fastest! He's almost collected them all!
Senbo punched him lightly and asked enviously, "We always hunt together, how come you're so fast!"
Lan Xiu smiled and glanced at Yu Yan.
Everyone understands. He's inseparable from Yu Yan every day, so of course he started collecting materials much earlier than the others!
Even Cangfeng clicked his tongue: "I didn't expect you to be the second person in our tribe to build a house. When are you going to start building? We'll come and help you."
Lan Xiu replied, "There's still one last thing I haven't collected yet, around the time of the Autumn Collection."
The crowd erupted: "It's not that close!"
"You get to go to the autumn harvest fair and live in a new house, congratulations!" He said this through gritted teeth because he was so envious.
"Remember to treat us to something delicious once the new house is finished!"
Lan Xiu smiled and nodded: "Definitely."
Cang Feng clapped his hands: "Alright, we can talk about that later. Let's help Yu Yan move all the furniture in first."
Everyone else agreed: "Great!"
Yu Yan beckoned, "They're all over by the ginkgo tree, everyone come with me."
The group rushed over in a flurry.
As the move approached, the thatched shed was already filled with all sorts of miscellaneous items.
Around the ginkgo tree, there were also many pottery, metal tools, stone tools, food... At first glance, there was no place to step.
The ducks and sheep that Yu Yan and the others raised have been moved to the new house, and the newly collected hay and firewood are also piled up there.
Yu Yan couldn't contain her excitement at the thought of finally moving.
He strode forward and directed everyone to move the things.
With so many people coming to help, they managed to move everything to the outside of the new house in one trip.
Yu Yan opened the door and said, "This wooden bed, wooden table, and wooden stool are in my bedroom, and that shorter table is in the living room... wait, no, the living room is over here."
"The pots and pans are all in the kitchen, yes, just open that door."
"These are the things I need for my consultations. You can leave them here for now, I'll pack them up myself in a bit."
...
People with a strong sense of direction often turn around in the small house because of their excitement.
A visitor who doesn't come often exclaimed, "Yu Yan, what did you paint on these walls? Why are they white? They're so clean!"
"Did you mix small pebbles into the cement you laid on the ground? It looks really nice!"
"What's this wooden thing called? It even has a backrest and armrests!"
Yu Yan took a moment to answer each question: "The wall is painted with whitewash mixed with lime. After it was painted, the room is much brighter, right?"
"Some small stones are mixed into the cement, and it is laid one square at a time, so that the ground is flatter and more durable."
"That furniture... you can call it a sofa! I'm going to put animal hides on it, it'll be very comfortable to sit on."
These novel things contain so many wonderful ideas.
There's so much they want to learn, like how to mix the whitewash and how to brush it so smoothly.
For example, what does it mean to lay the ground square by square? What is used to create the squares?
For example, how is this sofa armrest made?
Instantly, countless questions rang out from different directions, and Yu Yan was about to be driven crazy by the noise.
"Everyone, don't rush, ask one by one~"
People looked at each other, and finally chose Xinyu as their representative to ask questions on their behalf.
Yu Yan answered patiently, and they studied very diligently.
Finally, everything has been moved.
The hardworking people brought water and helped him wipe everything inside and out.
The window was open, and a gentle breeze blew through, causing the water stains to evaporate quickly.
In the spacious and bright house, everything seemed to be sparkling.
Everyone was stunned by its beauty, gasping and saying, "So beautiful..."
"The bed is so big, you can probably turn over however you want on it, right?"
"The cooking area is inside the house, so we don't have to worry about strong winds or heavy rain anymore."
"It's not just about cooking; people can work and sleep inside the house without being exposed to wind and rain!"
"Sigh, I've only been in the house for a little while, and I don't want to go back to my dilapidated bird's nest where I can't even stand up straight."
A faint sense of disappointment spread through the crowd.
Yu Yan smiled and encouraged them: "You already know how to build a house. Now all you need to do is gather the materials. Soon you'll all be able to build your own houses."
Everyone cheered, and Cangfeng said, "Yes, you have taught us your most precious things."
"Yu Yan, thank you." People sincerely thanked him.
Yu Yan smiled, her eyes crinkling: "You're welcome."
Yin Qing leaned closer and asked, "Yu Yan, is it okay if I build a house to the west of your house?"
Yu Yan readily replied, "Sure, this land is perfect for building houses. Everyone can come and visit, and this will become our tribe's new habitat."
Yin Qing's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes, I want to come!"
Others, not to be outdone, declared: "I want to build one here too!"
"A new habitat...how wonderful!"
Yu Yan thought of something and reminded her, "If everyone builds houses here, then we need to plan... planning means setting up a long-term development plan."
Xin Yu asked earnestly, "For example?"
Yu Yan: "For example, it's best if houses are arranged in rows, which looks more aesthetically pleasing and also makes it easier to leave room for passage."
"For example, a water channel can be built between toilets to collect the excrement into a septic tank, which will then become excellent fertilizer."
After Yu Yan started farming, the people in the tribe understood the meaning of the word "fertilizer".
As for the toilet, Yu Yan built one at the back of the house. Before the toilet was put into use, they went to visit it and all thought it was a very good way of building it.
Someone chopped down some wood on the spot and built a makeshift toilet that resembled one.
At this moment, their eyes lit up a little more with each point Yu Yan made.
"Let's do as you say. Our tribe will definitely be clean and beautiful by then!"
Yu Yan smiled and said, "There are definitely more than just these two plans. I'll discuss them with the clan leader and the others later."
This is likely to be the place where they will live for hundreds of years to come, and Yu Yan wants to plan it out as well as possible, including drainage, tree planting, lighting, activity areas, etc.
Ah, there's so much to do.
To celebrate the successful move, the tribe members gathered for a meal in the large open space in front of Yu Yan's new house.
Everyone brought over the delicious food they had saved up over this period of time, and brought firewood, cooking utensils and tableware from their homes.
Yu Yan's kitchen couldn't cook for so many people, so they lit one fire pit after another in the open space.
The beastmen chopped wood and started fires, while the sub-beastmen washed, chopped, and cooked vegetables.
The little ones weren't idle either; they went to the wild to pick grass for the sheep and ducks to eat.
Influenced by Yu Yan, the variety of dishes in the tribe has become much richer than before.
Stir-fried game meat, roasted meat, stir-fried shredded stems, tofu dishes, hot pot, fried fish, stir-fried shellfish... one fragrant and delicious dish after another is served.
In particular, Yu Yan used a newly made large iron wok, which gave the stir-fried dishes a wonderful wok aroma, making them especially fragrant.
Everyone enjoyed their favorite food, sang and danced, creating a lively atmosphere.
On a whim, Yu Yan held up a yogurt and toasted with Lan Xiu next to her.
"Celebrating the completion of my new house and successful move! Tonight, my father and I won't be sleeping near the ginkgo tree!"
Lan Xiu's eyes were full of smiles: "Congratulations."
The two of them are currently using the glass cups that Yu Yan had previously tried to make.
The cup isn't perfectly shaped, but its color is beautiful—a light red.
When the two cups clink together, they produce a crisp and pleasant sound.
They held their cups and each took a sip of yogurt.
Yu Yan found the scene so hilarious that she burst into laughter.
Lan Xiu didn't know why, but when Yu Yan smiled, he was happy too.
"What's wrong?"
"Hahaha... I was thinking, who toasts with yogurt? We might as well brew some herbal tea, hahaha!"
A type of wild jasmine grows on their tribe's territory, and it is currently in bloom.
When Yu Yan went out to collect flowers before, she specially gathered some, dried them, and prepared to soak them in water to drink slowly.
There was a lot of yogurt left over today, but he couldn't remember it at the moment.
The more he thought about it, the funnier it became. He couldn't drink anymore and laughed so hard he almost fell over.
Lan Xiu looked into his bright eyes, his expression becoming even more tender.
Yu Yan got tired and leaned on Lan Xiu's shoulder.
He looked up, squinting as he counted the stars in the night sky.
Yogurt doesn't make you drunk, but he felt a little tipsy.
"yawn……"
Lan Xiu asked in a low voice, "Shall I transform into beast form so you can lie down for a while?"
Yu Yan nuzzled his shoulder with the back of her head and said softly, "No need, this is fine."
That night, the tribespeople played until very late.
By the time Yu Yan saw them off, she was already feeling more sleepy.
Lan Xiu was the last to leave, his eyes filled with obvious reluctance.
Yu Yan understood his feelings, after all, they had been living so close to each other for the past few months.
“Yu Yan…”
“There are guest rooms in the house, why don’t you sleep here?” the two said at the same time.
Lan Xiu shook his head firmly: "No, I'm going back to sleep. I was just saying that you can call me with your whistle if you need anything."
Yu Yan smiled and said, "Okay. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Lan Xiu watched Yu Yan return to the house, where an oil lamp was lit, casting the lean figure of the sub-beastman onto the glass window.
He gazed at it intently for a moment, then turned and walked into the night.
Speaking of this oil lamp, the lamp post, lamp plate, and lamp base are all made of metal ore.
The wick was made of hemp thread that Yu Yan twisted herself. She adjusted it many times, but the current burning speed and effect are not satisfactory.
With an oil lamp at night, it was much easier to move around inside the house.
When Feng Gui came out of the kitchen, Yu Yan noticed that he had specially changed into his best clothes for the dinner party today, his hair was neatly combed, and he looked radiant.
"Have they all been sent away?" he asked.
"Um."
"There's hot water in the pot in the kitchen. Do you want to take a shower?"
Yu Yan perked up: "Yes!"
He even asked the people in the tribe to build him a large wooden barrel!
I'm just waiting for the day I can take a hot shower in my room!
There's also a large iron pot, which was forged and refined by the people of Shenhu Tribe. Today is the first time we're using it!
Feng Gui couldn't help but chuckle. Yu Yan usually gave people a very steady feeling; he could lead people to do many things, and he could treat illnesses. People trusted him from the bottom of their hearts.
But he also likes to stay in bed, and he'll shake his head and sway when he eats something delicious. Now, he's circling around me in order to take a hot bath.
At times like these, Feng Gui felt like he was a little brat.
Of course, he really enjoyed the feeling of being relied upon by his little one.
He would be even happier when his actions brought a happy smile to Yu Yan's face.
Feng Gui prepared the water for Yu Yan and then went out.
Yu Yan took a bath for a while, and her pores opened up, making her feel comfortable from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
He lathered himself with soap, thinking: After a long day of work, a thorough hot bath is the meaning of my struggle.
At night, he lay on his bed in his room, with an animal skin blanket, a straw mat, and a sheet under him, and a thin feather quilt covering him.
The quilt cover is made of kudzu cloth, both inside and out, making it lightweight, soft, and comfortable. The filling is made of his own feathers and duck feathers, giving it a familiar feel.
The room was quiet with the doors and windows closed.
Yu Yan listened carefully for a while, but there was no sound from Feng Gui's room; he must have gone to sleep.
He was overjoyed to have his own room, but now he feels a sense of loss.
He thought about how, for the past few months, he and Feng Gui had been crammed into a bird's nest, with only a straw curtain separating them on a simple bed.
Feng Gui would tuck him in; she would tiptoe around in the morning so he could stay in bed a little longer; she would mend and sew by the dim light...
Those images softened Yu Yan's heart and brought tears to her eyes.
He pulled the covers up and said quietly, "Goodnight, Father. Sweet dreams."
Whether it was the relaxing hot bath or the relief of moving house, Yu Yan slept soundly that night and didn't even notice the rain.
When I woke up the next day, the room was dark with the curtains drawn, and I lost track of time.
The sound of raindrops hitting the tiles was also quite pleasant.
He yawned, sat up in bed, and habitually didn't make the bed.
Upon opening the door, I saw several people sitting on the wooden sofas and stools in the living room.
"Chief Jiang Kuo, Chief Fan Su, Chief Shu Yu, you've all arrived?"
Everyone stood up and responded with smiles, "Yes, we've come to see your new house."
"Have you been waiting a long time?"
"No, the new house is so comfortable, we feel like time is flying by."
Yu Yan raised an eyebrow, ruffled her messy white hair, and looked at Feng Gui: "Father, what time is it now?"
Feng Gui smiled and said, "It's already past the halfway point of the morning."
Yu Yan's eyes widened in surprise: "I slept for so long! Why didn't you wake me?"
Feng Gui shrugged: "I wanted to call them, but they wouldn't let me. Now that you're awake, I'll go heat up the food."
Yu Yan: "Wait a moment while I wash my face."
The toilet was outside, so he ran there in the rain, took care of his business, and then quickly ran back home to wash his face and brush his teeth.
When it rained, the dirt road became muddy, so he thought he would bring some sand and stones over to pave it.
The straw sandals on his feet got wet as soon as they touched the water, making them a bit uncomfortable to wear. He changed into a clean pair and thought about taking out a few pairs of shoes to use as "indoor shoes".
From the kitchen came the sizzling sound of Feng Gui stir-frying vegetables, and the aroma wafted out.
Yu Yan wiped her face clean and sat down in the living room.
"It's raining really hard today."
Jiang Kuo said, "Yes, the rainy season is coming here."
Shuyu: "Fortunately, we moved into the new house before that."
Fan Su sincerely praised, "It's so comfortable here, sheltered from the wind and rain."
Yu Yan smiled and chatted with them for a while. Jiang Kuo then said, "By the way, Yu Yan, there's another matter I have to discuss with you this time."
"We found out about sorghum."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
