Li Wanting returned to their resting spot and told Zhou Zimo to go fetch Zhou Yunda.
Seeing her return, Mrs. Wang exclaimed in surprise, “Dashan’s wife actually caught a wild chicken? Amazing!”
Li Wanting set down the chicken and the basket. “Yes, Aunt Wang. And there’s even better stuff. Look at this.”
She removed the firewood covering the basket and carefully took out the eggs, revealing the taro beneath.
Mrs. Wang, surprised to see eggs in the basket, noticed the half-basket of brown, fist-sized roots underneath. Puzzled, she asked, “Dashan’s wife, what is this? It doesn’t look like sweet potatoes.”
Just then, Zhou Zimo arrived, leading Zhou Yunda.
“Dashan’s wife, what are these things?” Zhou Yunda asked, seeing the unfamiliar contents of the basket.
“Uncle, Aunt, these are taro. Similar to sweet potatoes, they’re root vegetables you can steam, boil, stew, or roast. They’re filling, with a sweet flavor. Though similar in texture to sweet potatoes, their taste is distinct. Taro is delicious—especially with sugar,” Li Wanting explained briefly.
“Really? Where did you find taro? Is there more?” Zhou Yunda was excited; if it was like sweet potatoes, it was food—precious during these times.
“Yes, plenty, Uncle! That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you. People don’t know about this yet. Since it grows underground, it’s hard to find, and even if found, most wouldn’t know how to eat it. We have the advantage. Uncle, gather everyone, and I’ll lead you to dig it!” Li Wanting explained eagerly.
“Oh, alright. But… Dashan’s wife, how did you recognize this?” Zhou Yunda asked, turning to summon the villagers but then paused. Everyone else didn’t know what it was—how did Li Wanting? He turned back, puzzled.
Li Wanting had already prepared her answer. “Uncle, remember before Dashan saved me? I couldn’t recall my memories. Since I hit my head last time, some things come back when I see them—just fragments at first.”
“Oh, I see. So your knowledge before wasn’t shallow. Have you remembered who you are or where your home is?” Zhou Yunda asked.
“Not yet,” Li Wanting admitted with a shake of her head.
“That’s fine. It doesn’t matter. When you remember, you’ll deal with it. You’re not alone—you have the two children, and we’re here for you,” Zhou Yunda reassured her.
“Yes, Uncle. Hurry and gather everyone. Bring shovels—we’ll dig underground,” Li Wanting urged.
“All right, all right,” Zhou Yunda said, heading off to fetch the gong.
Clang!
The villagers, hearing the gong, knew the chief had an announcement and turned to him.
“Dashan’s wife discovered an edible root called taro in the mountains. It’s like a sweet potato and very filling. It’s a good find. Everyone who isn’t on duty, bring shovels and baskets. Dashan’s wife will lead us to dig,” Zhou Yunda announced loudly.
“Taro?”
“What’s that? Never heard of it.”
“Doesn’t matter. If it fills you up, it’s good. Come on, grab your tools and let’s see!”
The villagers murmured, curious yet excited. Upon hearing it could stave off hunger, they eagerly grabbed baskets and shovels—those without shovels took hoes—and followed Li Wanting and the chief.
“Sister-in-law, can taro really fill you up like sweet potatoes?” Wang Lanzhi asked.
“Yes, just like this.” Li Wanting handed her a taro she had brought.
“Oh! So that’s what taro looks like. A bit like a sweet potato. I’ve never seen one before,” Wang Lanzhi said, examining it curiously.
“Big Sister Dachang, let me see!” Shuanzai hurried from behind to take a look.
“Here, take a look,” Wang Lanzhi passed it over.
Shuanzai, equally amazed, examined it. The taros passed from hand to hand, the heat forgotten in the commotion. Everyone, chatting and laughing, followed Li Wanting to the spot where she had dug them earlier.
Li Wanting demonstrated how to dig one, and everyone got to work.
She dug about ten more while helping the villagers, and the rest were quickly harvested by the others.
The fastest dug half a basket; the slower ones still managed a dozen. Everyone had some reward.
Once done, everyone returned, still excitedly discussing the taro harvest.
Since so much time had passed, it was now mid-afternoon and cooler. Zhou Yunda organized everyone to resume marching.
With taro in hand, spirits were high. People chatted happily along the way, planning to steam some for dinner. The joy made the journey feel less arduous, and their pace quickened.
It was unexpected—on a journey of famine, they had stumbled upon food. Their worries eased, hope returned.
The villagers remained excited all afternoon. When the village chief sounded the gong again, they realized the sun was setting—the day’s travel was done, and it was time for dinner and rest.
As usual, Li Wanting unhitched the cart from the ox and fed the livestock. She and her son started preparing dinner, steaming a few taros.
Soon, the fragrant aroma of taro filled the camp. Li Wanting noticed that every household was steaming taro too.
“Wow, it smells so good!”
“Yes, it smells amazing—it must be delicious.”
“I heard it’s even better with sugar.”
“Sugar? That’s heavenly! Sugar is precious.”
The villagers chatted and watched their pots excitedly, while the children licked their lips in anticipation.
The elders from the old house, humbled after yesterday’s scuffle with Li Wanting, were also quietly steaming taro. Previously, in the crowd, Li Wanting hadn’t noticed if they had helped dig.
“Hmph, good for them,” Li Wanting muttered to herself, taking a bowl, breaking three eggs into it, adding water and salt, and placing it into the pot as the taros neared readiness. Soon, the taro and egg cakes were cooked.
She let them cool briefly, then boiled water for three bowls of fried noodles. Dinner was ready.
“Mom, the taro smells amazing!” Zhou Zimeng exclaimed, coming over after feeding Hubao and Huniu.
“Yes, here—try a piece.” Li Wanting sliced the taro thinly and fed each child a piece.
“Wow, so good, Mom! I want more!” Zhou Zimeng eagerly asked.
“Mom, this taro is really delicious,” Zhou Zimo said, pleasantly surprised.
“Yes, eat more—it’s plenty,” Li Wanting said indulgently.
She then pretended to take something from the cart but secretly brought sugar from her space, letting the children dip the taro in it. Their delight was obvious.
Similar conversations occurred at every household. That night, everyone enjoyed a new food—delicious and filling—making them very excited.