Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 451: Oil Press

All credit to original author: Yi Yi Lan Xi

“Hey! Don’t stand here, getting in the way? Haven’t you seen an oil press before? What’s so interesting? Just go buy oil in that shop over there.”

Their presence was too obvious and a tall, thin man in his early forties wearing a brown robe came over to scold them impatiently.

This was the manager of the oil mill, Manager Zhou.

Lian Fang Zhou quickly smiled: “How much soybeans do you receive here? How much for a pound?”

Manger Zhou glanced at her: “Two copper coins a pound.
How much do you have to sell?”

This was a really low price, so Lian Fang Zhou asked: “What about last year?”

“Last year?” Manager Zhou sneered with disdain and casually said: “This year can’t be compared to last year’s poor harvest, so the price is naturally a little lower.
With this year’s bumper harvest, you can only sell it at this price, don’t bother asking around!”

“Oh.” Lian Fang Zhou laughed.
From this point of view, the price gap should not be small.
Smiling, she asked: “How much oil do you make from 100 catties of soybeans here?”

If it was any other question, Manager Zhou would have been too impatient to answer.
But this question happened to hit his sweet spot and his face suddenly looked very proud.
With a lively expression, he said: “Who doesn’t know that our oil is pressed by Zhou Ji? The oil production of our mill is the highest! An average of 100 catties can yield ten catties of oil, sometimes even up to 11 and a half!”

“That is indeed not low!” Lian Fang Zhou nodded sincerely.

The oil mill was completely open and Lian Fang Zhou had a panoramic view of everything at a glance.

Before pressing, the soybeans ere fried in a large iron pan until all of the water evaporated and the soybeans were dry.
Only then could the oil be extracted.

This was the common method of this era and it was indeed impressive to be able to produce ten catties of oil.
In truth, Manager Zhou was exaggerating a bit but since they were under Zhou Ji, nine to eight catties was not unreasonable.

As far as Lian Fang Zhou could remember, the fried soybeans could also be powered and pressed into bean cakes by using iron molds after they were pressed for oil.

Manager Zhou was a little unhappy with Lian Fang Zhou’s tone.
Thinking to himself, why was he talking to this bitch, it would be a surprise if she could really understand!

A little impatiently, he rolled his eyes and said: “I only came to see if you were buying oil or selling soybeans.
If you have something to say, hurry up! This is not a place for recreation, get lost if you have nothing to do.”

“…” When Manager Zhou stated to scold them, Ah Jian pulled Lian Fang Zhou behind him and said: “We just came to inquire first and come back later.” He dragged Lian Fang Zhou away.

“That stinky mouth! That Zhou Ji has such a manager will come back to bite him.
Don’t pay attention to him!” Ah Jian comforted her.

Lian Fan Zhou laughed: “Where did you see me get angry? It’s stupid to be angry with such a person.”

Ah Jian smiled: “It’s fine if you aren’t angry! Did you get any ideas?”

“I haven’t made up my mind yet.” She said, “I’ll ask Steward Qin and Steward Su to ask about around and discuss it.
However, I do want to try it out!”

“If you think you can do it, do it!” Ah Jian praised, “That man is so nasty, it will be good to teach him a lesson!”

She let out a puff of laughter: “You believe in me just like that?”

“Naturally!” The two shared a smile.

When they got home, it was already sunset so they took a break from unpacking and made dinner.
Their house was full of a sense of intimacy and the small family were often laughing and chatting as they ate and cleaned up.

After they finished unpacked and sat down for a cup of tea, they suddenly heard Lian Hai’s friendly and upright voice from the door: “Fang Zhou, Ah Ze, are you back?”

Third Aunt immediately started complaining.
Lian Fang Zhou smiled slightly and called out in a loud voice, greeting him with a polite but distant tone.

In the past, Third Aunt had always had a very good impression of Lian Hai.
But after seeing him for such a long time, guessing whether he was sincere or full of calculations would make her heart feel unhappy.

“Cousin, is there something you need?” Lian Fang Zhou asked, inviting him into the room with a smile.

Lian Hai didn’t stop to greet Third Aunt and the others, he just nodded politely at them before asking Lian Fang Zhou: “I heard you went to the Su family’s house and stayed for a long time!”

Lian Fang Zhou smiled: “Cousin kindly invited us, so we stayed for a few more days.”

He laughed: “The Su family is really approachable and has no air, they are very willing to take care of their relatives! When I go to take the county exam next year and pass through Shuangliu county, I will definitely visit!”

“Oh.” Lian Fang Zhou smiled faintly.

Lian Hai meant for Lian Fang Zhou to help introduce him but her reaction disappointed him.
On second thought, no matter how smart she was, she had never studied.
How could she understand his hints? He just needed to make it clear to her before he left!

Thinking of this, Lian Hai put aside this matter and smiled apologetically to Lian Fang Zhou.
Sighing, he said: “I came especially to apologize to you! My mother was really too much that day, I’m sorry.
She just has that temperament, don’t take it to heart! I wanted to apologize on that day but who would have thought you would immediately leave.
This matter has been weighing on my heart these past few days and now you are finally back.
Since that day, my mother hasn’t said those words outside, don’t worry!”

Lian Fang Zhou understood Lian Hai very well.
This private apology was very slippery and no outsiders have seen or heard it.
Otherwise, knowing that he is this type of person, he would be able to say such things to save his life!

If he did say it, it would only be to those big types of people.

Lian Fang Zhou was so tired of it.
She thought she could avoid listening to these words but who would have guessed he would be so persistent.

“It’s good to talk about it.
Cousin, please don’t take it to your heart! These words really make people feel chills, ah! Cousin, don’t blame me for being angry at that time.” Lian Fang Zhou sighed.

Lian Hai knew that she was a blunt and unforgiving person.
After several times experiencing this, he had never thought she would say such generous words here.
Although he did actually feel a little bit of blame for her making such a fuss, his face was full of smiles: “It’s not strange, it’s a normal reaction! I don’t blame you, just as you said.”

Lian Fang Zhou smiled: “As my cousin says.”

“That’s right,” Lian Hai said, suddenly changing topics: “A few days ago, when I went to visit Che’er, I found that he had been going to Sun Ming every day to get advice.
Why don’t you ask Che’er to come to me? I can also give advice!” Lian Hai smiled.
“I am his cousin and our families are closer, isn’t it more convenient? I will teach him very attentively, after all we are our own people.
That child is so stubborn, though! I told him not to go to Sun Ming’s place and go to mine, but he said he would only listen to you! Fang Zhou, send him to my house tomorrow night.”