Ch. 101..105: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 101-105

Chapter 101: Inquiring (1)_1 “Tatar?” Guo Huiniang covered her mouth in surprise.

Lin Changshu solemnly nodded, “Normally, Tatars only move in winter, but this year, they emerged early. In the past, they only raided border villages, but this year, they even reached Feng City, which is unusual. People are guessing whether the two countries are going to war.”

“A war?” Tears welled up in Guo Huiniang’s eyes.

Lin Zige went pale, “Brother, you and Brother Dayou aren’t going to war, are you?”

“Don’t scare them. These are just village rumors. We don’t even know what’s going on yet. Maybe the Tatars are just trying to disturb the peace.” The old man furrowed his brow and reprimanded Lin Changshu.

“Yeah, it’s just speculation. You don’t need to worry.” Wu Dayou came over to comfort Lin Zige and the others.

“No war.” Lin Yanzhi showed a frightened expression in his eyes.

“No war.” Guo Huiniang held him tighter.

“You should go back. We’ll help out here for now.” Lin Changshu said. “Grandfather, you should also go back.”

The old man nodded in agreement, knowing the presence of men at home would bring some peace of mind to the women.

So, amid the gloom and worry, Guo Huiniang and others returned home.

Lin Ziyin was also somewhat disheartened. Being new here, she had been busy finding ways to earn silver these past days and lacked understanding of the history, geography, and social customs of the Daqin Empire.

Today’s incident kept her on edge.

If the Northern Land, being a border area, posed a threat to personal safety, she would have to find ways to earn more silver, look for a safe place to live with her family, or consider other options.

With unease and concern, Lin Ziyin had a restless sleep that night.

Due to the occurrence of such a major incident in the village, the atmosphere in the village remained somber for several days.

“Sigh, how will the widows and orphans survive henceforth,” Guo Huiniang sighed while picking out bad beans.

“Either way, life must go on.” Lin Zige responded sorrowfully, “We must endure, even for the children’s sake.”

Lin Ziyin quietly listened, not participating in their conversation.

She wasn’t a saint who would randomly show kindness. Given the Lin Family’s current situation, they didn’t have the capacity to look after others.

“Ziyin, I brought over Brother Bai, Wu Dali, and the others.” Lin Changshu walked in from outside, followed by Bai Dazhuang and a few others.

The men looked happy despite their visible fatigue.

“Please sit down, gentlemen.” Lin Ziyin stood up and greeted everyone. “I presume my brother has already discussed the terms with you. If you are willing, we can sign the agreement.”

“Agreed.” Bai Dazhuang, the oldest among them, was the first to agree readily.

“Ziyin, rest assured, we are not reckless men.” Wu Dali also expressed his position.

“I know, otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you here.” Lin Ziyin said, smiling softly, “Let me get the pen and ink.”

Bai Dazhuang and the others were surprised that she could read and write, but recalled that Lin’s late father was literate, and their doubts faded.

Lin Ziyin prepared agreements according to the number of individuals and had them signed by Wu Dali and the others. By the afternoon, the oil extraction workshop was ready to start operations.

“This thing can extract oil?” Wu Erli asked, looking astonished at the machine inside the house after Lin Ziyin’s introduction.

“Yes, during this period, my brother and Brother Dayou may have to stay inside the house,” Lin Ziyin said.

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Inquiring (2)_1 Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Inquiring (2)_1 “No problem.” Wu Dayou said, slapping his chest confidently.

The villagers were extremely envious upon hearing that Wu Dali and his crew would be helping out at the Lin family.

“Twenty-five copper coins a day, that’s a lot.”

“I heard there’s also a share of the profits if you do a good job.”

…

Lin Ziyin had never personally tried the wooden oil pressing method. As a student, she had only toured an old oil mill where a master demonstrated the skill. The master held nothing back, perhaps because he reckoned this traditional craft was being phased out due to modern equipment. Therefore, he enthusiastically explained the process to the visiting students in great detail.

Hence, at the start, Lin Ziyin didn’t expect to succeed in the first go.

“Brother, spread the seed cake evenly along the venting areas. Sister-in-law, keep the fire up,” Lin Ziyin directed incessantly.

The spring weather was already quite warm, but the oil mill was steaming. Even in short sleeves, Changshu and the others were quickly soaked with sweat.

“Done,” Changshu replied.

After the seed cake was steamed, Lin Ziyin had everyone make the molds. “Brother Dayou, sort out the oilseed straw and put it into the oil ring,” she instructed.

Bai Dazhuang and the rest were pressing oil for the first time. They dared not be negligent and followed Ziyin’s instructions closely.

Thus, after a few days, the first batch of soybean oil came out smoothly and without any mishap.

“Now we just wait for the oil to settle and separate. It will be ready in a few days.” After several days of hard work, Lin Ziyin too was exhausted. “Everyone has worked hard. We’ll definitely share some from the first batch of oil for everyone to taste. Also, once business improves, wages will increase.”

“Alright, Ziyin, we’ll be waiting for your big sale,” Bai Dazhuang responded cheerfully.

“We finally did it.” Looking at the big vat of soybean oil, Wu Dali and the others couldn’t help but smile gleefully.

Being directly involved in the oil extraction process, they saw the competence of the Lin family and their faith in following the Lin family’s steps was strengthened.

Six days later, the oil was finally ready to eat. Overjoyed, Lin Ziyin gave two pounds each to Bai Dazhuang and Wu Dali’s families. She also made several dishes with the soybean oil at lunch to treat her family.

“Delicious.” The old man stated cheerfully after taking a bite.

“Indeed. It’s even more delicious than dishes fried in lard,” Zige agreed with a smile.

“Sister, what’s your plan for selling these?” asked Changshu while eating.

“Most will be sent to the temple. The rest will be sold to the big customers who come to buy tofu and bean sheets,” Ziyin responded.

“And the price?” asked Changshu.

“One hundred and fifty Wen per pound,” answered Ziyin. “One hundred pounds of soybeans only yields less than forty pounds of oil. The process is not only complicated, but it also takes effort. If we sell it cheap, we would be at a loss.”

“Wouldn’t it be hard to sell at such a high price?” Zige asked with concern.

“I’m not worried. Selling pure soy oil is tough, the buyers are certainly going to be big customers. They won’t lack this bit of money,” Ziyin was confident.

“Listen to Ziyin,” the old man chimed in.

Thus, the price was successfully set.

“Miss Lin, my young master has arrived.” As the Lin family had just finished their meal, they heard a knock on their gate.

“What’s Si Si doing here at this time?” Changshu asked in puzzled bewilderment, having no fondness at all for the ‘young master’ mentioned by Si Si.

These days, as Si Si came to get tofu every day, the people in the Lin family were quite familiar with his voice. Changting quickly went to open the gate.

“Miss Lin.” As Si Si entered and saw the displeased expression on Changshu and the others’ faces, he felt somewhat embarrassed.

However, Si Jinhan, who followed him in, paid it no mind. He wore a gentle smile as he looked at Lin Ziyin, “I came today to inquire about something.”

He seemed to have completely forgotten how he had treated Lin Ziyin at their previous meeting. Chu Suifeng, who arrived with him, stood expressionless in the courtyard, giving off an air of self-importance.

“This humble one pays his respects to the Prince.” The old man was terrified upon seeing Suifeng, whom he knew was a prince. Zige and the others were also very cautious.

Lin Ziyin frowned slightly. “Both the young master Si and the Prince have come especially for me?”

“Yes,” Si Jinhan answered with a light smile, his gaze revealing his interest in her.

Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Monk’s Welfare (1)_1 “Prince, this way, please.” The Lin Family had many rooms, and Lin Ziyin led the guests to the living room.

After observing the Lin Family’s courtyard, Chu Suifeng’s curiosity about Lin Ziyin increased. He could tell that the head of the Lin Family was Lin Ziyin, and he also knew that the reason she was able to afford such a large house was because of the silver given by the Si Family.

However, most people who come into money in rural areas would use it to buy property in the city, yet the Lin Family unexpectedly bought such a large plot of land in the country and built a grand house on it. This was completely beyond his expectation.

Lin Zige nervously served Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan boiled water, then withdrew with an anxious expression.

“Prince, please feel free to speak your mind.” Seeing them, one looking at her casually and the other inspecting the room with no expression, Lin Ziyin took the initiative to speak.

“Did you come up with this?” Si Jinhan took out a screw and asked.

Lin Ziyin nodded, “Yes.”

No denial! Lin Ziyin’s candid attitude highly satisfied Si Jinhan. “I ask you, where could this be used? Can you make anything else?”

“This is just a trifle I came up with in my spare time. I’m just a country girl, I wouldn’t have too many ideas.” Lin Ziyin answered nonchalantly.

Her words muted any follow-up questions Si Jinhan might have had.

“Initially, how did you come up with this?” Chu Suifeng asked politely, his demeanor much more pleasant than Si Jinhan’s stern expression. “Could you explain in more detail?”

“It was an accidental though. The screw could be used for fixation. If applied to ironware, it should be more sturdy and convenient than a willow nail. I think if the Prince could standardize the production of the screws with the same size – no, exactly the same size – they could be held in reserve for future use.” Lin Ziyin replied, subduing her eyelids.

Both Si Jinhan and Chu Suifeng sensed her reticence, but they couldn’t force Lin Ziyin to disclose more.

“My men will make a batch, and I’ll show it to you later. I hope you could give the craftsmen some advice.” Chu Suifeng’s tone was calm, but Lin Ziyin could still detect an undertone of coercion.

“If the Prince trusts me, I will do my best.” Lin Ziyin was not foolish and she fully understood that in this era of absolute royal power, she did not have the right to be arrogant. It was just a suggestion, and she had no problem with cooperating.

As for anything extra, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to volunteer. It’s always the nail that sticks out that gets hammered first, and she did not want to be that nail.

“I, along with the Prince, resolved some of your troubles. When is the vegetable oil you mentioned going to be ready?” Si Jinhan seemed to change the topic casually.

“Your Highness, the first batch of vegetable oil is already produced. However, it’s still in the trial phase. For mass production, it might take some time.” Lin Ziyin replied.

“So it’s ready, huh?” Si Jinhan perked up. “Go and cook some dishes for me to taste.”

He ordered brazenly, without a hint of embarrassment.

Lin Ziyin glanced at Chu Suifeng.

“Someone, give Miss Lin fifty taels of silver.” Chu Suifeng did not even raise his head, simply ordering an outside guard directly.

Soon, a guard came over and handed Lin Ziyin a silver note.

“Your Highness, Si Gongzi, please wait a moment.” Lin Ziyin politely asked.

“Go.” Si Jinhan ordered with a stern face.

“What’s going on?” Seeing Lin Ziyin come out, Lin Changshu pulled her over.

“Nothing really, just a small matter.” Lin Ziyin replied with a light smile. “The Prince and Si Gongzi wanted to taste dishes made with vegetable oil. This is a silver note. Brother, you should hurry to the village to buy some eggs and chicken.”

Chapter 104 Monk’s Welfare (2)_1 “Okay.” Lin Changshu was relieved to hear that the King just wanted to check on the vegetable oil.

Since it was already past noon, Lin Ziyin guessed they had already eaten, so she simply made a few home-cooked dishes.

“Not bad.” Confronted with dishes prepared with vegetable oil for the first time, Si Jinhan found it very interesting and Chu Suifeng was also delighted. It seemed Lin Ziyin wasn’t bragging. He could foresee the booming business of private menus with these vegetable oils.

“Keep up the good work, we’ll place an order for a hundred jin at my Residence tomorrow.” Si Jinhan said.

“I’ll need about a hundred jin at my Residence too, someone will come to collect it tomorrow.” Chu Suifeng spoke up next.

“Alright, but one jin of vegetable oil is 150 copper coins.” Lin Ziyin immediately switched to her merchant mode as money came into the picture.

“You won’t be short-changed.” Si Jinhan looked at her sideways, dissatisfied.

Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan arrived and left in a hurry, as if they had really come just for a look.

Only then did Lin Changshu relax and re-enter the oil mill with Wu Dayou.

“Brother, I have to go to the temple tomorrow, can I borrow a bullock cart from Lou Zheng’s?” After spacing out at the door for a while, Lin Ziyin said.

“Okay, but with Wu Dayou and I busy at the oil mill, I’m worried about you heading to the temple alone. Let’s have Lou Zheng and his grandfather escort you.” Lin Changshu had been frightened the last time by Si Jinhan, so he was very careful every time Lin Ziyin went out.

“It’s just a burden on Lou Zheng.” Lin Ziyin said embarrassingly.

“No bother, tomorrow is a market day. I was already planning on taking mother and father to the market anyway, so it’s no problem.” Wu Dali walked in, laughing as he spoke.

Lin Ziyin thanked him and went back to the kitchen to prepare the soybeans for the tofu she would make the next day.

The next day, the people from the king’s residence and the Si Family came to collect over two hundred jins of vegetable oil. When the people from the other households, who came to buy tofu, saw this, they began asking the Lin Family.

“What’s that?”

“It’s our newly pressed vegetable oil.” Lin Ziyin explained with a smile.

“Vegetable oil?” Everyone was surprised. The people in the Daqin Empire had been eating pork fat for years, and they had never heard of vegetable oil before.

“How much silver?”

“One hundred and fifty copper coins per jin.” Lin Ziyin answered. “Peanut oil is more expensive, but we don’t have any available right now.”

“Next time you have some, reserve fifty jin for me.”

“We want some in our Residence, too.”

All the people who came were clamoring to place an order, and Lin Ziyin agreed to all with a smile.

“Ziyin, the bullock cart is ready.” Lou Zhengs came driving the bullock cart with Mrs. Zhang sitting on it.

“Here we go.” Lin Ziyin agreed with a smile. Lin Changshu and Wu Dayou hurried out at the sound, and lifted a few jars of soy oil onto the bullock cart.

Mrs. Zhang knew how valuable this soy oil was, so she immediately made room and carefully helped with the jars, fearful of damaging them.

“Let’s go, I’m taking you two to eat something delicious.” Lin Ziyin had promised to take the two children to the market the night before.

The two children were overjoyed and climbed onto the carriage with the old man.

By the time they arrived at the market, it was almost noon. The old man went straight to the temple to deliver the goods. Soon, a few martial monks came down from the temple and carried the soy oil from the bullock cart into the temple.

“Master Host, I’m giving this jar of vegetable oil for free. Today I will make some vegetarian dishes with soybean oil for you, and offer some desserts as well.” Lin Ziyin said to the Chief Monk after seeing him.

“Excellent, excellent.” Before the Master could respond, Master Hui Lian, who couldn’t resist opening the jar and observing the yellow soy oil inside, had a cheerful expression on his face.

“Amitabha, thank you, benefactor.” The Chief Monk greeted with hands folded.

Lin Ziyin led the two children, the old man, and followed Master Hui Lian to the kitchen behind the meditation halls.

“You must learn well from Benefactor Lin today.” Master Hui Lian instructed the Firehead Monk.

“Amitabha, yes, senior brother.” The librarian knew that Lin Ziyin was here to start teaching private dishes, so he was very amiable toward her. He knew that with soybean oil, the monks’ meals in the temple could be greatly improved, and in fact, the martial monks in the temple had been looking forward to this day.

Chapter 105 Taxation (1)_1 “Master.” Lin Ziyin, unsure of what to call the Little Monk, decides to call all monks “Master”.

“Amitabha, my Dharma name is Master Wufa,” the Little Monk corrected her, his face flushing red.

“Master Wufa, please help me light the fire,” Lin Ziyin didn’t want to waste time on trivial matters. “I’ll make the dishes. How many are you eating at noon?”

“Two,” Wufa answered, his head bowed.

Lin Ziyin nodded, indicating that she understood.

“Benefactor Lin, are you going to make tofu?” Master Hui Lian asked enthusiastically.

“I’ll make a few more dishes today, some of which are new products sent by our Lin Family for free,” said Lin Ziyin with a smile.

“Thank you, benefactor,” Master Hui Lian thanked her with a grin.

Without rushing to cook, Lin Ziyin poured a considerable amount of soybean oil into the pot, then took out a half-fermented dough she brought from a basin, and started to get busy.

“What is this?” Master Hui Lian was distressed upon seeing the amount of oil she poured into the pot. But since Lin Ziyin had mentioned that the jar of oil was a gift, he thought it wasn’t his place to reprimand her.

Lin Ziyin molded the dough into elongated strips, cut them into smaller pieces, pressed two pieces together with chopsticks, and tossed them into the oil pot to fry.

In no time, a golden deep-fried stick was ready.

Lin Ziyin took the fried stick out and let it cool, continuing her frying smoothly.

“Come and try.” After some ten fried sticks were ready, she offered them to the Firehead Monk in the kitchen and Changting Yanzhi.

“Amitabha, monks are not allowed to eat privately,” the Librarian said, putting his palms together.

However, the two boys ate with great relish, making the younger monks in the kitchen drool in secret.

“This is a test tasting. After eating, you are to give feedback,” Lin Ziyin replied calmly, “If you are satisfied, I’ll show you how to make these fried sticks. In the future, the monks of the monastery can have a better diet.”

“Amitabha, benefactor is kind-hearted, we monks are grateful.” Master Hui Lian thanked her hands clasped. After exchanging a glance with the Librarian, he accepted a fried stick, as did the rest of the monks.

Delicious and crisp! Upon tasting it, Master Hui Lian’s face lit up with delight. But the sight of oil in the pot made his smile fade. “It uses too much oil.”

“The remaining oil can be used for cooking,” Lin Ziyin answered with a smile.

Then, she prepared and explained as she went along, made a pot of stir-fried vegetable dry, radish tofu, stir-fried shredded potato and leek scrambled eggs for the monastery, “Please find those who are interested in and have talent for cooking as soon as possible. I want to start training them.”

“Amitabha.” With a broad smile, Master Hui Lian agreed, “Rest assured, Benefactor Lin, we will surely find suitable candidates for you within three days.”

“I may not have time to come over every day. If possible, they can come to my house. They can have lunch at my place and learn two dishes each day. By autumn, we can start offering private home cooking,” Lin Ziyin replied.

“This?” Master Hui Lian hesitated.

“Rest assured, Master. We also use vegetarian oil at my place,” Lin Ziyin said, smiling, knowing what he was worried about.

“Then we are truly grateful, Benefactor Lin,” Master Hui Lian finally let out a sigh of relief.

The vegetarian meal was quickly delivered to the dining hall. It goes without saying that the monks were overjoyed, having tasted such a delicious vegetarian meal for the first time.

Meanwhile, Lin Ziyin, the two boys, and the old man left the mountain with a few fried sticks in hand. Uncle Lou Zheng and Mrs. Zhang were still waiting for them at the foot of the mountain.

“Uncle Lou Zheng, Auntie, have some of these to hold you over,” Lin Ziyin handed over four fried sticks to the couple.