"Okay, let's go. The dark clouds are already drifting over there. Let's run faster."
After Lu Chuan finished speaking, he picked up his two sons and Xu Han took the basket from Lu Chuan's hands. The family of four quickly walked home.
Fortunately, Lu Chuan brought back two children with him; otherwise, it would have definitely rained if he had walked slowly.
No sooner had the group arrived home than a torrential downpour began, just as they were taking a sip of tea and catching their breath.
Those working outside saw that the weather was not right and immediately ran back, but those who were slower still got their clothes wet to some extent.
Seeing everyone's wet clothes, Xu Han said, "You should go take a shower and change your clothes first. Although it's still summer, the temperature is low because of the rain. Don't get sick."
After you change your clothes, make some ginger tea to drink and get rid of the cold.
Upon hearing this, the others immediately returned to the backyard. Zhu Chunmei and Zhu Chunchan, the two young girls, had returned early and hadn't gotten wet in the rain. They then went to the kitchen to make ginger tea for everyone.
After everyone changed into clean clothes and came back, the ginger tea was ready. Everyone gathered in the kitchen to drink the ginger tea, each with a bowl.
The place we live in now is indeed too small for so many people. On rainy days, there isn't even a place to stand.
The crowd stood together, packed tightly in the kitchen and hallway, making it difficult even to turn around.
Fortunately, the rain didn't last long; it stopped completely in about half an hour.
For dinner, we ate communal meals as usual. With so many people, cooking other dishes would be too much trouble, so cooking everything in one pot was much more convenient.
After dinner, Xu Han, Lu Chuan, and the others gathered in the courtyard to chat and laugh. Watching the four children running around in the courtyard, everyone squatted or sat in the courtyard, making it quite lively.
The Taoist priest spoke first, saying, "Judging from the weather, it will probably continue to rain for a while. If it rains tonight, there will be enough rainwater, and we can go to the mountains to pick mushrooms tomorrow."
Upon hearing about picking mushrooms, the servants' eyes widened. Everyone knew that mushrooms could kill people and should not be eaten indiscriminately.
Granny Zhao said, "Madam, I've heard older people say that you can't just eat any mushrooms, because many of them are poisonous and can kill you."
Furthermore, I've heard that the more vibrant the color and the more attractive the mushroom, the more poisonous it is.
Xu Han smiled and said, "That's right. You can't eat mushrooms you don't recognize. But the mushrooms we picked are all ones we recognize. Although some of them are poisonous, the mushrooms that people know how to prepare them are delicious and non-poisonous."
The same mushrooms, if not properly prepared or cooked, cannot be eaten and can easily cause poisoning.
Not only should you eat mushrooms you recognize, but you should also know how to cook them; otherwise, you shouldn't eat them indiscriminately.
Otherwise, mild poisoning might cause diarrhea and hallucinations, but severe poisoning can be fatal.
The older Zhou said, "In previous years, we would also go up the mountain to pick common mushrooms, dry them, and take them to the county town to exchange for money."
Mushrooms are quite expensive. They are rare and therefore cost a lot, and wealthy people love to eat them.
However, we only picked wood ear mushrooms or common fungi like shiitake mushrooms.
I don't recognize the others and dare not pick them; it would be troublesome if I accidentally picked a poisonous mushroom.
Zhu Qiang also said, "Haha, I remember that in previous years, when it was rainy in the summer, my family would go up the mountain every day, thinking of picking more mushrooms to dry and sell, so that we could buy some meat for the children."
Wang Lin chimed in, "When I was little, my family was the same. Everyone looked forward to rain so we could pick mushrooms to sell and supplement our income."
Grandpa Zhao smiled and said, "We live deep in these mountains. We don't have much else, but there are plenty of mushrooms every time it rains."
Okay, let's all go mushroom picking together tomorrow.
Then he called Xu Han and the others and continued, "Tomorrow, we'll take them to the mountains and teach them to recognize some common mushrooms. We'll pick a lot and dry them into mushroom chips. If we can't finish them, we'll take them to the county town to exchange for money."
This way, not only can we supplement our household income, but we also avoid wasting the mushrooms that grow by not harvesting them.
The Taoist priest was the first to agree, saying, "I think it's a good idea. There are many of us, and we can pick quite a few mushrooms in a day. When the whole courtyard is covered with mushrooms to dry, the scene will be absolutely spectacular."
Xu Han laughed and said, "Haha, I have no objection either. We haven't really picked mushrooms properly this year. If we don't go mushroom picking soon, the season will be over, and then we won't be able to eat them anymore."
Let's gather more mushrooms tomorrow, then dry some to make stews with meat in the winter. We'll also make some mushroom sauce; it'll be delicious with noodles or rice.
Seeing that everyone was happy, Lu Chuan naturally had no objections and said, "There are many of us, so the baskets at home might not be enough."
"Since there's still plenty of time, let's hurry up and weave a few baskets. The materials are all there, so it'll be quick."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chunfeng and Zhu Chunsheng immediately got up and went outside the yard to carry bamboo.
They are all people who are used to farm work, so weaving baskets is a piece of cake for them. Almost all farmers can weave baskets and carrying baskets.
After all, the materials for making these things are readily available everywhere, and no one wants to spend money to buy them, so they all learn to make them themselves, mainly to save as much as possible.
Although many people's woven baskets and carrying racks aren't very attractive, they don't hinder their functionality at all. For ordinary people, anything that's usable and free is a good thing.
The group worked together, some cutting bamboo, others weaving baskets, each busy with their own tasks in an orderly fashion.
The courtyard was bustling with activity, and with everyone's continuous efforts, the first basket was completed in no time.
Xu Han held the first basket Zhu Qiang had made in her hand, looking at it from left to right, and kept praising it, "This basket is really well made. Look at the density, it's so sturdy."
"I must say, the old craftsmanship is still the best; this basket is so much better woven than the ones we used to have."
Looking at Xu Han's smug smile, the Taoist priest said irritably, "I don't know who said that as long as things don't fall out, it's a good basket."
How come you've changed your mind so quickly?
Xu Han chuckled, "Daoist Master, don't be angry. I didn't say your basket was bad. There's still room for improvement, isn't there?"
Besides, look at the basket you wove and the basket Uncle Zhu wove, do I even need to say anything? Anyone can tell at a glance which one is better.”
The Taoist priest retorted without any politeness, "You have the nerve to talk back to me? Look at what you made up. What else can you pretend to be besides pretending to be a stone that won't fall off?"
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