Chapter 834: Extracting Seeds....
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan smiled when she saw so many tomatoes. She knew it would be easy to produce many seeds. She could use some of the ripe tomatoes’ seeds.
“Wow, there are so many tomatoes!” Su Wenxiu was stunned. He had to admit the garden of tomatoes looked beautiful because of the bright colors. Everyone’s mood improved when they looked at the garden.
Grandaunt Yang said, “Indeed, there are a lot. This place is on the edge of a cliff. There was no pathway leading here before, so no one knew there were wild fruits here.
“After a heavy rain, a landslide opened up this path for the villagers to discover these tomatoes. It’s just that the tomatoes are too sour and make people’s stomachs uncomfortable. That’s why people don’t pick tomatoes.”
Su Wenxiu said, “The stomach problem isn’t necessarily because of the tomatoes. If they eat the tomatoes on an empty stomach, it’ll give them a lot of gastric acid. That’s what causes the discomfort.
“That’s why people think there’s something wrong with the tomatoes.” Su Wenxiu had also studied food as a doctor. He knew what to look for when eating.
Grandaunt Yang felt enlightened, saying, “Ah, I understand now. The villagers typically eat wild fruits whenever they pick herbs. Most of them tried the tomatoes on empty stomachs.”
Su Wenxiu nodded. “So the problem isn’t the tomatoes. They’re not poisonous, so regularly eating them isn’t a problem. However, try not to eat them on an empty stomach. It’s best to cook the tomatoes. Then, it’ll make your stomach feel better instead.
Grandaunt Yang asked Su Binglan, “Miss Su, do we have to pick all of them?”
“Of course,” Su Binglan said, “Let’s pick the ripe ones first so we can get the seeds. Still, we need more people to help.”
“I’ll go find some people to help,” Doctor Yang said.
“I’ll come with you.” Grandaunt Yang smiled.
“You’ll tire yourself out if you run back and forth, Grandaunt. You stay here, and I’ll go, okay?”
Doctor Lin wanted to accompany his wife, but she said, “You should stay with Miss Su. You can help them if they need help. I’ll be back sooner than you think. ”
While Doctor Yang went to look for helpers, Su Binglan led the others in picking tomatoes. She opened one of the ripe ones and saw some seeds inside. She patiently explained to the old woman, “We can use these to cultivate tomatoes.”
The group had carried baskets on their backs when they ascended the mountain. Soon, the baskets were full and heavy, but they felt accomplished.
Doctor Yang then arrived with several villagers. It was the villagers’ first time seeing Su Binglan, but they still enthusiastically called her Miss Su. Some even felt restrained and too shy to speak to Su Binglan. Even so, they just smiled.
Su Binglan smiled when she saw everyone’s earnest expressions. “I’ll need everyone’s help in picking these tomatoes. We can use their seeds later. I’ll teach everyone how to grow tomatoes, too. There’s also a proper season to cultivate these.’
Tomatoes typically grew on the mountain because the climate was better. There even seemed to be hot spring water below. Su Binglan only discovered it when she went up the mountain to pick tomatoes.
When she saw the hot springs, she considered building a villa there to develop a tourist spot. Those who visited Yang County could soak in the hot springs. She could also make a farmhouse.
“We’ll help you with whatever we can, Miss Su.” Everyone was cheerful and helpful.
Soon, Yang Song and Yang Xiao arrived. The former was Yang Xiao’s older brother and Chief Yangs eldest son. The two siblings also brought baskets and helped to pick tomatoes.
The two worked quickly, but Yang Song did not talk much. At a glance, he was honest and reserved, while his brother was lively and talkative. The two brothers had completely different personalities.
However, it was evident Yang Song was a good worker who was efficient and diligent. Su Binglan discreetly observed him. It was late in the afternoon when everyone finished picking the tomatoes.
“Let’s go, everyone.” Su Binglan led the villagers down the mountain. “I’ll explain how to get the tomato seeds first. Then, you can prepare them at home.’
She removed a tomato and a knife from her basket and said, “Cut it in the middle and then gently dig out the seeds with a spoon. Be careful when doing this. You can also squeeze out the seeds like this. Then, we’ll use something with a net to filter it.
Su Binglan took a gauze she had brought and showed everyone what she meant. “Afterward, you can put these in water, pick out the seeds, and remove the residue. Now, the seeds are ready for planting.”
She explained everything in great detail as she demonstrated what to do. Since everyone was a skilled farmer, they quickly understood her demonstration.
“Don’t worry, Miss Su. We’ll do everything perfectly.”
Su Binglan smiled. “That’s good to hear. If there’s something you missed, please feel free to ask me about it. I might have to trouble you all to gather more seeds. I’ll then collect and distribute them to everyone.
“l want everyone to plant tomatoes so the ketchup factory will have as many as possible for production. The more ketchup we have, the more we can earn. Everyone’s bonuses will also increase.
“I will hire more villagers to work in the factory, which will be helpful to everyone.”
Everyone would be willing to help, even if Su Binglan did not say such things. If not for her, they would not have known how beneficial tomatoes were or if they could cook with them.
“We volunteered to help, Miss Su. We don’t know how else to thank you for opening factories here and teaching us about tomatoes. It’s only right that we help you gather seeds.”
“Yeah, Chief Yang even selected us to build the factory. We’ll get paid sixty coppers in just a day for helping. We know you gave us this excellent opportunity, Miss Su. We don’t know if we can ever thank you enough.”
Everyone expressed their gratitude to Su Binglan and their willingness to help with the seeds. Besides, they did not feel tired at all and worked very quickly..