After finishing lunch, Wu Fen cleared the dishes while the rest of the family returned to their rooms to rest for a while, preparing to head back out to the fields in the afternoon.
“Grandpa, Grandma, Father, Mother, I… I have something to tell you,” Su Tian said, biting her lip as she reached out to stop Su Dashu and the other three.
Li Hongyue touched Su Tian’s forehead, asking with concern, “Tian’er, your brow is sweating again. Are you running a fever again?” Su Tian squeezed Li Hongyue’s hand and shook her head, gesturing for them to follow her into the house.
“When I… when I was sick, I had a dream. I dreamt of an old grandfather who said he was an immortal and that he shared a predestined bond with me.” Yes, this was the solution that Su Tian had spent the entire previous night dreaming up.
Su Dashu rubbed his fingers together, his weathered, wind-swept eyes blinking a few times. “An old immortal?”
“Yes, Grandpa,” Su Tian responded timidly.
Zhang Guihua and Li Hongyue already had tear-streaked faces. The two women gripped each other’s hands tightly. “The gods have manifested… an old immortal…”
Su Dashu’s chin trembled, his voice choking up. “Did the old immortal say anything else?”
Su Tian shook her head. “In the dream, the old immortal tapped my head, and suddenly many recipes appeared in my mind. He hoped I could carry these recipes forward and bring them glory.” Su Tian wiped away her falling tears and flashed a smile at the four people crying before her. “Grandpa, Grandma, Father, Mother—there is hope for us!”
“Good child… good child. The old immortal truly favors you…” Su Wanqing patted Su Tian’s shoulder, a joyful smile spreading across his face.
Su Tian seized the opportunity to add, “Mother, do you remember yesterday when I asked you what that stuff was for feeding the chickens? The old immortal’s recipes include that ingredient; it can be used to make so many things!”
Hearing her daughter call out to her, Li Hongyue looked up and said, “Of course I remember, but how could I have ever imagined such a thing?” Su Tian gave Li Hongyue a sweet smile, then turned to Su Dashu.
“Grandpa, what should we do next?”
Su Dashu pulled out the tobacco pipe he had used for years and bit down on it, exhaling a long breath. “You and your parents go rest first. I’ll go talk to your Eldest and Second Uncles. We won’t go to the fields this afternoon; we’ll stay home and try to tinker with that thing from the old immortal’s recipes.”
Su Wanqing patted Su Tian’s head. “Alright, Father. I’ll take Hongyue and Tian’er back to the room first.”
The sound of a commotion drifted in from outside. Su Tian opened her eyes, her gaze dazed for a moment before slowly coming into focus. “Mm… it’s so noisy outside. What happened?”
Su Tian pushed open the door. The courtyard was in a state of chaotic bustle. In one spot, there were the remains of something that had been burned away. Su Wanhai and Su Wanhe stood nearby, their eyes rimmed with red tinge.
“Tian’er is out! Quick, come here and bow to the old immortal!” The Second Aunt, Wu Fen, was sharp-eyed; she spoke as she pulled Su Tian toward that spot. Su Wanhai also gave Su Tian a gratified smile. Su Tian understood—Grandpa had already told everyone.
“Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle,” Su Tian greeted them before kneeling on the ground to kowtow repeatedly—not just for the original owner of this body, but for the future of the Su family.
Zheng Chunmiao brought over a low stool to help Su Wanhai sit down. She turned to stroke Su Tian’s face, saying, “Tian’er, whatever arrangements you have, just tell your Aunt. I promise to get it done neatly and beautifully for you.”
“Exactly. Our Su family has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. We must pull together in one direction.” Wu Fen also smiled as she bent down to pull her young daughter, Su Yin, into her arms.
Su Tian squeezed her little cousin’s hand and said with a beaming smile, “This matter can’t be rushed. We’ll try something simple first, then make other plans later. I’ll have to trouble Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt to take the soybeans from our kitchen—the ones used for chicken feed—and soak them in water. They must soak for at least three shichen [1]Shichen (时辰): A traditional Chinese unit of time equal to two hours. Three shichen is six hours. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1784819_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1784819_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); before we can proceed.”
“Right away, we’re on it.”
Su Tian shouted at the retreating figures, “Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt! Don’t soak all of them! Otherwise, the chickens won’t have anything to eat!”
“Understood!” The voice drifted back from afar, scattered by the breeze.
Hearing the voices, Zhang Guihua walked out of the main house. “Tian girl, once the beans are soaking, is there nothing else that needs preparing?”
Su Tian thought for a moment and said, “Grandma, do we have a stone mill?”
“We don’t have one of those at home. If we need it, we’ll have to borrow it from the Village Chief’s house.” Zhang Guihua frowned slightly. “I’ll have your Grandpa take some eggs and vegetables to go have a chat with the Village Chief.”
“Okay.” Su Tian took Zhang Guihua’s arm. “Grandma, while it’s still early, I want to go to the county town to see if I can buy a few more supplies.”
Zhang Guihua poked Su Tian’s nose and laughed. “Go on, then. Go with your eldest brother. If there’s anything heavy to carry, let him do it; otherwise, he has all that strength with nowhere to use it.” As she spoke, she pulled out a few dozen copper coins and handed them to Su Tian.
“Heehee, I know, Grandma. I’ll go call Big Brother!”
Su Tian took the coins and ran off quickly. Su Wenzu had looked at Su Tian several times already, appearing as if he wanted to speak but was hesitating. “Big Brother, what do you want to say? If you don’t say it soon, I’m afraid you’ll suffocate yourself.” Su Tian rolled her eyes slightly.
Su Wenzu scratched his head and curled his lip. “Sister… so, this morning when you wanted to look at those two shops, it wasn’t because you were being a glutton?”
Hearing this, Su Tian’s eyes widened. She turned and gave him a flick on the forehead. “A glutton? Of course not! No wonder your eyes were looking at me so weirdly this morning. Do you think all I care about is eating?!”
“No… no, of course not.” Su Wenzu clutched his head and denied it repeatedly.
“Hmph.” Su Tian wrinkled her nose. “Big Brother, where is the pharmacy?”
Su Wenzu pulled Su Tian to a stop, his brow furrowing. “What are you asking about a pharmacy for? Are you not fully recovered yet? Where does it hurt?”
“Oh, it’s not that,” Su Tian swatted Su Wenzu’s hand away. “The ingredients written in the recipe are at the pharmacy. Why else would I ask? My illness was cured long ago. Right now, I could take down a tiger with my bare hands!”
Su Wenzu’s lip twitched. “Forget the tiger; more like a tabby cat.” He turned and started walking. “What are you dazed for? Keep up! Your brother is taking you to the pharmacy.”
“Physician, do you have any gypsum[2]Gypsum (石膏): It is used as a coagulant to make tofu. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1784819_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1784819_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); here?” Su Tian asked, glancing around.
A physician looked up from behind the counter. “Gypsum? What is that?” Su Tian’s heart tightened. Oh no, don’t tell me they don’t have gypsum here?
“Um, it’s a type of medicinal herb that is white, comes in chunks, and is specifically used to treat symptoms of heat in the lungs and stomach.”
“Oh, you mean Baihu [3]Baihu (白虎): Literally “White Tiger.” In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is often a nickname for gypsum because of its powerful cooling properties, famously used in the “White … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1784819_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1784819_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); .” Having heard Su Tian’s description, the physician took a bit from a medicine cabinet and placed it on a dish.
Su Tian stepped forward to look and sniffed it. “That’s it! This is the one!” She let out a secret sigh of relief. “Could you please weigh out ten coins’ worth for me?”
“Alright.” The physician took the copper coins, carefully wrapped the gypsum, and handed it to Su Tian. “Young lady, remember that this substance must not be used in excessive amounts.” Su Tian took the package and gave the physician a grateful smile.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Stepping out the door, Su Tian handed the package to Su Wenzu. “Let’s go. We need to buy some salt and sugar as well.”
“Buying salt again?” Su Wenzu’s face was a giant question mark.
Su Tian was so annoyed by his look that her teeth itched. “If I tell you to go, just go! You’re my big brother, why are you so fussy?”
Su Wenzu gave a silly grin. “Let’s go! Lets’s go! We’re going right now. If there’s anything else you want to buy, just tell your brother. I’ll lead the way.”
The sky was completely dark by the time Su Tian and Su Wenzu, carrying large and small bundles, rushed back to the Su family home. “You’re back.” Wu Fen opened the door and took the items from Su Wenzu’s hands. “Tian’er, I’ve checked the soybeans and they seem about ready. Come and have a look.”
Su Tian’s eyes lit up. “Great! Let’s go see!”
Entering the kitchen, the Eldest Aunt was already preparing dinner. On a table against the wall sat two large basins containing the soaking soybeans. Su Tian scooped out a few; the beans were swollen and smooth without wrinkles, and with a gentle squeeze, they split into two halves. They were perfectly soaked!
Su Tian nodded to Wu Fen. “They’re ready. Let’s have dinner first. After we eat, I’ll need to trouble Father and the others to help grind the beans.”
Because everyone wanted to see the results as soon as possible, the Su family members hurriedly stuffed a few bites of dinner down and finished. Everyone gathered in the courtyard. Zhang Guihua lit an oil lamp and placed it on the windowsill.
Su Tian cleared her throat. “Grandpa, Grandma, Uncles, Aunts, Father, Mother—since our family’s circumstances haven’t improved yet, today I am using soybeans, which cost almost nothing. The thing we’re making is called ‘soy milk.’ In a moment, I’ll need Father and Second Uncle’s help to grind the soaked soybeans using the stone mill. I’ll be watching from the side to show you exactly how to grind them.”
Su Wanqing nodded and went to the kitchen to bring out the basins of soaking soybeans. The stone mill had been cleaned that afternoon, so it was ready for use.
Su Tian grabbed a handful of soybeans and dropped them into the hole at the top of the millstone, signaling Su Wanqing to turn the mill. After several handfuls of beans and several additions of water, a pale yellow liquid finally appeared in the basin beneath the mill. Everyone crowded around, looking on in amazement.
“Is this the ‘soy milk’ Tian’er spoke of?” Li Hongyue looked at Su Tian.
Su Tian said with a giggle, “This is just the beginning. Once this basin is full, we have to filter it through gauze, then boil it in a pot. Only then can it be called soy milk.”
“Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Mother, watch closely.” Su Tian grabbed another handful of beans and scooped some water with a bowl. “One handful of beans goes with about two bowls of water. Remember how the soy milk looks now; if it’s too thin, add less water next time; if it’s too thick, add a bit more.” Zheng Chunmiao, Wu Fen, and Li Hongyue all nodded.
Su Tian stepped aside to make room for Zheng Chunmiao. “Don’t just nod. Everyone take turns and try it for yourselves.”
Nearly another hour passed before the basin was finally filled with soy milk. Su Tian clapped her hands. “Father, Second Uncle, thank you for your hard work. We’ll grind this much for now so we can taste it ourselves and get an idea of the flavor.” Having said that, she picked up the basin and headed into the kitchen.
“I’ll start the fire for you,” Li Hongyue followed her in.
Su Tian carefully filtered the soy milk through gauze, then poured it into the pot, stirring it from time to time. The soy milk gradually began to emit white steam, bubbling up with many frothy suds. Su Tian used a spoon to skim off the foam. The aroma of the beans began to drift through the air—a light, pleasant scent that perfectly whetted everyone’s appetite.
“I never would have thought that soy milk made from beans would smell this fragrant.” Li Hongyue extinguished the firewood, stood up, and looked at the pot of soy milk with a wide grin. “I dare say those people have definitely never tasted this!”
Su Tian ladled the soy milk into bowls and smiled at Li Hongyue. “Mother, you have too much confidence in me. We haven’t even tasted it yet, and you’re already boasting.”
Li Hongyue stepped forward to take a bowl. “Of course! My daughter is a person with great ability.”
The main room was already full of people; even little Su Yin was being held by Wu Fen at the table. “Come, come, everyone have a taste. You must give an objective evaluation later because this concerns our Su family’s future livelihood.” Su Tian walked in carrying a bowl as well. Su Dashu gently touched the hot wooden bowl and nodded.
“Drink. Everyone, have a good taste.”
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