Linxia

Chapter 178, Scorching Heat

We will not talk about the sensation caused by Fang Lin's letter sent back to Xiaohe Village.

In Huai'an Prefecture City, the enthusiasm for the second part of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" gradually subsided; Fang Chuanhui followed the fleet and went overseas; a few days later, Dong Zugao also took up his post in the capital.

After the hustle and bustle, the prosperity fades away and returns to normal.

After Dong Zugao left, Fang Lin ate and drank, and often went to look for Xu Kuolao, but this guy was a drunkard and would not let him go until he was drunk.

At Xuan Mo Zhai, Manager Liu would often go over to sit down, and Fang Lin would drink tea and chat with him, take walks in the morning and evening, and occasionally visit Prefect Pu to maintain the relationship.

Fang He was the only one left in the branch, and Duoyou called him over for dinner.

Every day, Fang Lin would go to the store or return to the alley to accompany Tian Xuan as she waited for the birth of her baby. The peaceful days passed like this.

……

As time went by and summer arrived, the weather became hotter. This year it seemed to be particularly hot. In the rainy area of ​​Huai'an, it hadn't rained for nearly ten days or half a month.

In the alley, the leaves of the big willow tree were curled up sadly, and the bluestone slabs on the ground were shining brightly and dazzlingly.

That day, Xin Jiasha Xiaoyun came over with two sets of baby clothes. These were made in advance for Tian Xuan's unborn baby by Fang's mother. Xin Yaer also had them with her, in the pocket of her clothes in front of her.

Fang's mother and Tian Xuan are making shoes for children.

Seeing Sha Xiaoyun coming, Fang's mother stood up enthusiastically, pressed down Tian Xuan who had also remembered, and walked into the kitchen, opened the lid of the stove, and the water boiled in a moment. She placed the ceramic teacups on the tea cabinet, put in the tea leaves, poured boiling water, and added beans and sesame seeds. She took the ginger sand bowl, ground the ginger for a few times, poured the tea in the teacups into the ginger sand bowl, and then poured it back. She did this three times and handed it to Sha Xiaoyun.

All these made her sweat in just a cup of tea.

"Sorry, auntie."

Sha Xiaoyun thanked him and praised him, "Everyone says your tea is good. I think so too. It has plenty of sesame seeds, beans, and tea leaves."

The tea served to guests by the people in the hutong is indeed the best by the Fang family, because they are most generous with the ingredients. However, Fang Linfeng was appointed as a fifth-rank Jinyiwei pacification officer, and the threshold for entry is high, so it is difficult for many families to take advantage of him.

"The tea is good, Xiaoyun, just eat more." Fang's mother said happily.

According to the local custom, when guests come, we have to make sesame bean tea. This is a sign of virtue. It is a very honorable thing if the guests praise the tea.

Tian Xuan looked up and saw Sha Xiaoyun using her fingers to put the beans and sesame seeds from her bowl into Xin Yaer's mouth. She sighed and said, "Sister Xiaoyun, just eat some beans and sesame seeds yourself. They are very delicious when you chew them. We just ran out of snacks at home two days ago. It's hot and I have no appetite so I didn't buy more. I can only give you these beans to satisfy your appetite. After you finish this bowl, I'll make you another bowl."

Speaking of the Xin family, Xin Laoguan and Xin You worked as laborers at the dock and earned a lot of money. Sha Xiaoyun made clothes for others and was focused on making money, so she did make a lot of money. However, she was thinking about Yaer and making plans for her daughter's future, so she was usually very stingy and most of the eggs in the house were exchanged for other eggs.

Because she was stingy, liked to steal cloth when making clothes, and was only focused on making money, she had no time to take care of her home, which was a mess. There was chicken shit everywhere on the floor, chairs, stove, and bedside board. There was not even a place to step... Over time, almost no one visited the Xin family, and many neighbors said behind her back that Xiaoyun was not virtuous.

At this time, Fang Lin came back and heard this and advised: "Sister Xiaoyun, you really don't have to be so miserable. You are not alone now, and you have a baby in your belly. Eat well, and the baby in your belly will be fine."

Sha Xiaoyun lowered his head, not knowing whether he heard it or not.

"Linzi, what is this?" asked Fang's mother.

Tian Xuan also looked over.

It turned out that Fang Lin did not come back alone. There were several people behind him, each holding a mahogany box with a large mouth and a small bottom, in the shape of a square bucket. It was very beautiful, and there were various complex patterns and textures on the outside.

"This is an ice container, with ice cubes in it. It was introduced by Brother Xu."

Fang Lin thanked him and asked the people sent by Xu Kuo Lao to help carry the food back. He said, "The weather has been hot recently. Sister Xuan has a poor appetite, right? I was thinking of finding some ice to get rid of the heat... There is a layer of tin inside this ice jar, which prevents the ice from melting easily and can be preserved for a long time."

After hearing this, Sha Xiaoyun's first reaction was how much so much ice would cost, and he secretly sighed at the Fang family's generosity.

Fang's mother and Tian Xuan had been "corrupted" by Fang Lin a long time ago, and their consumption concepts had changed greatly. They didn't think about what they were spending money on, they were just surprised, and then suddenly realized.

Unlike Xiaohe Village, teahouses, restaurants, and streets in Fucheng all sell "ice and snow cold water". The so-called "ice and snow cold water" is not ordinary ice water, but actually cold drinks. Moreover, the variety of cold drinks in this era is jaw-dropping: sugar mung beans, pear pulp, papaya juice, brine plum water, black tea water, coconut wine, ginger honey water, basil drink, lychee paste water, plum wine, agarwood water, golden silk party plum...

The vendors selling "ice and snow cold water" shouted out their wares in a long string that sounded like a crosstalk. These were not too expensive, only a dozen or so coins would buy them, and the greedy children in the alleys would pester their parents to buy them for them.

Just like Lu Dingding from the Lu family, he got a stomach upset two days ago because of drinking "ice and cold water", which damaged his spleen and stomach, and he had diarrhea and had to see a doctor.

There are people selling 'ice and snow cold water', and naturally there are people selling ice, so it is not surprising to see this ice container.

"I ordered ice and it will be delivered every day. With it, we can make our own 'ice and snow cold water' and chill fruits. It's really hot. Open the ice jar, fan it, and bring a hint of cool air..." Fang Lin said how to use the ice jar.

"Brother Lin, you are so nice!" Tian Xuan listened and felt Fang Lin's intentions, and her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

"My son has considered it carefully!"

Fang's mother also said this, pulling Sha Xiaoyun, who was embarrassed to take advantage and wanted to go back, and said: "Xiaoyun, sit down for a while to cool down, and don't feel any burden. The ice will melt if you stay here, and the ice will still melt if you are not inside."

The room quickly cooled down, Fang Lin brought in the newly bought snacks and fruits, Fang's mother and Tian Xuan also had a tacit understanding, letting Sha Xiaoyun eat more, this kind of care made her lower her head and her eyes red. ...

After a while, Fang's mother and Tian Xuan urged Sha Xiaoyun to take over the work.

Fang Lin couldn't get a word in what the three women were talking about, so he didn't stay at home for long. After thinking for a while, he went to the Ou family holding an ice jar.

When I walked over, I looked at the open space in Xiaowu Mountain, but there was no one there - although the big willow tree provided shade, it was very hot outside and everyone in the alley was staying at home!
At the Ou family's home, the door was closed to keep out the heat. Mr. Ou was sitting on a rattan chair in the main room, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. His face was flushed and he was breathing heavily.

Because the weather was too hot and he was too old to handle it, he gave the students a holiday.

Fang Lin knocked on the door and went in, putting down the ice jar, and the room quickly became cool.

Master Ou sighed, "It's cold in winter, and I hate this ice so much, but now it's summer, and it's so nice."

"Yes, in this hot summer, it is really nice to look at the cold ice."

Fang Lin said, "I have reserved some ice. I will give one of the ice jars to you. Please don't refuse. You are old and getting sick from the heat is no joke. Please don't talk about money. I have made a lot of money writing books and I am not short of money. I regard you as an elder, so just consider it as my own gift."

"If you feel bad, please teach me more," he joked.

"Fang Lin, it's you!"

Master Ou smiled and pointed at Fang Lin, but he didn't refuse. He was not a hypocritical person, and after hearing Fang Lin's words, he became interested in talking: "If you want to talk about using ice in winter and summer, people have been thinking about it for a long time. How early was it? It can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty."

"Western Zhou Dynasty?" Fang Lin was indeed shocked when he heard it.

“It’s the Western Zhou Dynasty.”

Master Ou said: "In the Book of Songs, there is a saying in July, 'On the second day, the ice is cut, on the third day, it is stored in the shade. On the fourth day, early in the morning, lambs are offered as sacrifices. In the ninth month, frost is severe, and in the tenth month, the fields are cleaned. Friends are entertained by killing lambs.'

What does this mean? In December, people are busy chipping ice, and in January, the ice is brought to Lingyin. In early February, ancestor worship begins, offering leeks and lambs. In September, frost begins to fall, and in October, the threshing floor is cleaned. After all this, lambs are slaughtered and guests are treated to a feast with fine wine.

Among them, the so-called "Lingyin" refers to the ice cellar. It is not difficult to see that as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, people had already started to use ice in winter and in summer. Later, a special official position was set up, called Lingren, who was responsible for ice cutting and ice storage.

Fang Lin listened and felt that his eyes were opened. He really should not underestimate the ancients. After thinking for a while, he asked a question: "It must have been very difficult to cut and store ice in those days. The so-called 'Lingyin', I think, was not that easy to build either."

“It is indeed very difficult.”

Master Ou nodded: "During the Zhou, Qin and Han dynasties, Lingyin was built underground. It was divided into two layers, compacted on all sides, and paved with stones. The ice was moved into the second underground layer, sealed, and then covered with grass leaves. Before sealing the ice, black livestock were used to sacrifice to the water god. After the sacrifice, a peach wood bow and thorn arrows were hung inside to pray for a good omen, similar to offering sacrifices to the sky for good weather...

In short, this set of procedures can be described as cumbersome. Even so, due to the limitations of the means at the time, 70% to 80% of the ice stored in Lingyin had to be melted and drained to the outside through the internal drainage holes.

Because ice was so precious at that time, in summer, there was a procedure in the palace called "awarding ice", that is, the emperor would award ice to reward ministers. There was also a set of ceremonies for this purpose, just like a court meeting, summoning civil and military officials, and rewarding ice cubes according to their official positions and merits... Those who received the ice were all excited, and the size and quantity were even more worthy of showing off, because this was no longer a matter of a piece of ice, but an honor and the emperor's affirmation.

Ice will melt. Tell me, how can such an important thing be allowed to disappear in vain? After those ministers left the palace, they would definitely run all the way to the palace gate and then take the ice back at full speed..."

Fang Lin listened and found it very interesting. In that era, the princes, nobles, and dignitaries would be very proud of a piece of ice in the summer. Moreover, because the ice would melt, after the "ice award", they would rush to the palace gate holding the ice like a race in the hot summer... This scene is very funny just thinking about it.

"In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms you wrote, there is the Bronze Sparrow Tower. Cao Cao was a man who knew how to enjoy himself. In addition to the Bronze Sparrow Tower, he also built the Golden Tiger Tower and the Ice Well Tower. The Bronze Sparrow Tower is the most famous, and it is a place for discussing state affairs and gathering for drinking. The Ice Well Tower was built for private use. There are several dry wells underneath it, each 15 meters deep, with a large amount of ice. In the summer, the cold air from the wells keeps rising. Sitting on the tower, it is as cool as autumn, and it is really pleasant."

Master Ou continued, "In the Tang Dynasty, the means of storing ice developed, but the court stipulated that common people were not allowed to build ice cellars privately, and it was still controlled by the court. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, Yang Yuhuan's brother Yang Guozhong, in order to enjoy himself, built an ice room with ice in the hot summer. He drank in it during the dog days of summer and wore a thin cotton jacket. How willful do you think he was?"

"Yes, once something is monopolized, it is easy to breed corruption. Just look at the Tang Dynasty's control over ice, which led to such a ridiculous thing. A single example can tell the whole story. There is a reason why the Xuanzong period was prosperous and then declined."

Fang Lin sighed and asked, "Then it was during the Song Dynasty that people were able to enjoy ice cream in the summer, I guess?"

"Yes."

Master Ou stroked his beard and said, "Since the Song Dynasty, storing ice in summer has gradually become popular among the people. The "Dongjing Menghualu" records: 'In the middle of June, there is no other season, and there are often snow-covered ice trays, floating melons and plums in pavilions and waterside pavilions, tall buildings... Not only snow-covered ice trays, floating melons and plums, but also ice and cold water are sold in teahouses and restaurants.'"

"After all, 'Dreams of Splendor in the Capital' describes the capital of the Song Dynasty, and it only describes elegant places such as teahouses and restaurants. For example, in Daxia, the capital, and Yingtian, our Huai'an city not only has teahouses and taverns, but 'ice and cold water' is also available in the streets and alleys..." Fang Lin sighed.

"Yes, our Great Xia has gone one step further. In terms of the prosperity of all dynasties throughout history, our Great Xia is the most prosperous."

Master Ou said with a proud look on his face: "In Daxia, the construction of ice cellars is open to the public, and there are regulations that the tax on low-lying fields near rivers and lakes is lighter than that on ordinary fields, so many people are eyeing this business. When I was young, I went to the capital, a place where dignitaries gathered. How much ice was needed in summer? There are 24 ice cellars at the north gate alone.

There are also many ice cellars in Huai'an. The ice cellar owners will rent out the fields. When winter comes, they will store water in the fields. Once the fields freeze, they will hire people to dig ice and store it. Therefore, every coldest day of winter, a strange scene is formed: a large number of people, led by the ice cellar owners, rush to the fields, and the sound of digging ice continues from day to night. In May every year, the ice cellars are opened to take out ice...

It is in this context that the city vendors buy ice from the ice cellar owners at a relatively low price, and make various kinds of "ice and snow cold water" that ordinary people can afford. However, it is only "ice and snow cold water", which requires large pieces of ice, and ordinary people still cannot enjoy it..."

As we were chatting, the summer was scorching outside, with cicadas chirping and insects buzzing, while the house was cool as autumn, with mottled light and shadows.

……

(End of this chapter)