freenovelworld Chapter 276 Making Tofu (1)
Chapter 276 Making Tofu (1)
At dawn, the morning light streamed through the window lattice, and Zhu Qingqing awoke from her sleep. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, quickly got up, dressed, and washed, then rushed to the kitchen to check if the soybeans she had carefully selected yesterday were properly soaked. Today was a big day for her—she was going to grind the beans herself and make delicious tofu!
Meanwhile, the other members of the Zhu family had already gone to the East City house as planned and began to busily clean up and plan it. After all, opening a shop was imminent, and moving to East City would make things much more convenient.
At that moment, the vast Qingfeng Residence seemed exceptionally peaceful. Besides Zhu Qingqing, only Dingxiang and Qiangwei remained by her side. Furthermore, Zhu Qingqing had already made plans: to take Dingxiang and Qiangwei as her apprentices and teach them various skills. Even the art of making tofu was something she would teach them without reservation.
So today, Zhu Qingqing not only had to complete the task of making tofu, but also had to explain and demonstrate the entire process in detail to Dingxiang and Qiangwei so that they could quickly grasp the tricks. Once everything was done, she would quickly set off to help in East City.
Speaking of yesterday's lively hot pot feast, Zhu Qingqing didn't actually serve her own tofu. However, during the meal, she did mention it to the Second Madam, saying she would personally teach her how to make tofu today. She also suggested that the Yang family open a shop specializing in tofu, and that the Second Madam send some trusted staff to learn from them.
When the Second Lady heard this, her eyes instantly sparkled, her face filled with excitement, and she nodded in agreement without hesitation. Born into a merchant family, she had been rigorously trained in the ways of business since childhood. Now, with such an unprecedented opportunity before her, how could she let it go? Although she had never seen what "tofu" actually looked like before, with years of experience and a keen business sense, the Second Lady firmly believed that as long as she seized this opportunity, she would surely be a huge success! Furthermore, her husband had said that everything Master Zhu could offer was good stuff, so she must not miss it.
So, after dinner, the second wife immediately selected two cooks who were clever and agile, and asked them to follow Master Zhu to learn the skills and methods of making tofu.
There are great rewards for learning well.
It will be reused in the future.
Soon after breakfast, the Second Lady hurried over with her men. Clearly, she was filled with curiosity and anticipation as to how ordinary soybeans could be magically transformed into the pure white and tender tofu Yang Wu had described.
Zhu Qingqing has always admired people who are straightforward and efficient. Seeing the second wife leading the cook over, she did not hesitate and immediately got ready and started to make various preparations.
Zhu Qingqing greeted the Second Madam with a warm smile, "Second Madam, you've arrived just in time! Now that everyone's gathered here, let's get started." She pointed to a stone mill beneath the kitchen corridor and instructed, "Come, come, both of you, come and push the millstones to grind these soaked beans into fine soy milk for later use."
As he said this, he scooped a spoonful of soaked soybeans and put them into the grinding hole.
Upon hearing the order, the two cooks nodded without hesitation. They quickly walked over to the millstone, rolled up their sleeves, gripped the handles tightly with both hands, and began to push the heavy millstone in unison. With their rhythmic push, plump, round beans fell into the millstones one by one. Under the millstones' pressure, they gradually transformed into a thick, milky white soy milk, which flowed slowly down the grooves into a bamboo bucket below.
At the same time, Zhu Qingqing turned to look at Dingxiang and Qiangwei standing nearby and continued giving instructions: "Dingxiang, Qiangwei, it's your turn now. Please scoop out an appropriate amount of beans and carefully pour them into the grinding hole. Be careful not to pour too much or too little."
Lilac and Rose responded in unison, "Okay!" Then they quickly took action, one holding a wooden spoon and the other holding a basin full of beans, and they cooperated tacitly to complete their respective tasks.