https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-166-The-Value-of-a-Peking-University-Degree/12849297/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-168-The-Village-s-First-College-Student-is-Born-/12849299/
Chapter 167: A Taste of the Green Dragon, Lingering Flavor at Midnight
Chapter 167: A Taste of the Green Dragon, Lingering Flavor at Midnight
Transportation in this era was indeed quite inconvenient. After Deng Shirong and his son finished their business, there were no more buses back to Shuangwang Village.
Initially, Deng Shirong had planned to visit the county government to discuss investment opportunities for a supermarket. However, he reconsidered, thinking about his eldest son still working at the pottery factory and his pregnant daughter-in-law, who was due in three to four months. It wouldn't be ideal to have his eldest son move to the county for development this year.
Moreover, it was only 1981, and the timing was a bit premature. Waiting until next year would be more appropriate. A year or two could make a significant difference. The country was in the midst of rapid reforms and opening up, and the leaders' mindsets were evolving every day, with substantial changes each month. By then, the leaders' perspectives would be vastly different from now.
Thus, it would be much better to discuss the plans next year.
While Deng Shirong was lost in thought, Deng Yunheng asked, "Dad, there are no more buses back to Shuangwang, but there are still buses to Tanlian. Should we take one to Tanlian and walk back from there?"
Deng Shirong shook his head. "There's no need to rush. It's rare for us to come to the county town, so let's stay overnight and head back tomorrow. I can also buy some fresh Bo Bai water spinach in the morning for us to enjoy."
Deng Yunheng was puzzled. "Dad, we grow water spinach at home. We have more than enough; why would we need to spend money to buy it?"
Deng Shirong couldn't help but laugh. "Yunheng, you don't understand. The Bo Bai water spinach is entirely different from what we grow at home. The taste is worlds apart. You'll see once you try it."
Deng Yunheng was surprised. "Dad, it's all just water spinach. How can there be such a big difference?"
Deng Shirong explained, "The Bo Bai water spinach is grown in specific soil, fertilizer, and water conditions. If you try to grow it elsewhere, it will mutate significantly. It can only grow in the water fields within a few kilometers of Bo Bai city.
Especially the water spinach grown in the Nanmen Pond in front of the county government is the most crisp and tender. Other famous growing areas include Yinma River, Dongwei Pond, Jixin Pond, Beijie Entrance, Nanyuan, and Zhelugu. The taste is completely different outside these areas."
Despite his father's explanation, Deng Yunheng remained skeptical. After all, it was just water spinach, something he had eaten all his life. How good could it really be?
Seeing his second son's reaction, Deng Shirong knew he wasn't convinced. He didn't press the matter, knowing that once Yunheng tasted it, he would understand why Bo Bai water spinach was so renowned.
The history of Bo Bai water spinach is very long, dating back over two hundred years. In ancient times, Guangxi Yulin had a saying: "Lu Chuan pigs, Beiliu fish, and Bo Bai's exquisite water spinach."
A poet once wrote after tasting Bo Bai water spinach, "A taste of the Green Dragon at the table, and even at midnight, the flavor lingers on the lips."
During the Ninth and Tenth National Congresses, the central government even had Bo Bai water spinach air-freighted to Beijing for the grand banquets. It was a rare honor for a simple vegetable, and perhaps no other vegetable in the country could claim such prestige.
Bo Bai water spinach is known to be second only to the water spinach from Hanoi, Vietnam, among similar vegetables worldwide.
Bo Bai water spinach is exceptionally fresh, green, and crisp. When the stems are broken, the ends curl like trumpets.
Because of its shape and color, soups made with Bobo water spinach are often called "Green Dragon Crossing the Sea" or "Green Dragon Crossing the River," making it one of the best vegetarian soups.
Deng Shirong hadn’t tasted Bobo water spinach since he was reborn, and he was really starting to crave it.
Instead of rushing to the guesthouse, Deng Shirong and his son took a leisurely stroll around the county town.
In this era, the most bustling areas in the county town were undoubtedly the main street, Culture Road, and Prosperity Street.
When Deng Shirong and his son wandered to the north side of Prosperity Street, they saw a five-story new building called the Department Store. The entrance was bustling with people, showing its popularity.
Deng Shirong planned to have his eldest son open a supermarket in the county town next year. The Department Store and the County Supply and Marketing Cooperative would be his future competitors. Since they were already there, it made sense to go inside and check it out.
So, Deng Shirong led his second son into the Department Store.
The total floor area of the Department Store was 20,400 square feet. While it paled in comparison to the large malls of the future, it was still a very impressive building for its time. Deng Yunheng, who had never seen such a place before, was completely awestruck, much like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden.
The store had a wide variety of goods, and almost everything sold by the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was available here.
If one had to differentiate between the Department Store and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, the Cooperative mainly catered to rural customers, while the Department Store targeted urban residents.
Soon, Deng Shirong and his son reached the home appliances section, where they saw televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and tape recorders. Each item left Deng Yunheng wide-eyed, deeply feeling the gap between rural and urban life.
After a quick tour of the Department Store, Deng Shirong, who had a clear idea of what he was looking for, said to his second son, "Yunheng, let’s go!"
"Okay!" Deng Yunheng replied, but he kept looking back as he followed his father out of the store.
Seeing his son’s reluctant expression, Deng Shirong sighed, "It’s a pity that our village doesn’t have electricity yet. Otherwise, I could buy a television or a tape recorder for you to use."
Deng Yunheng couldn’t help but complain, "I have a classmate from a nearby village, and they got electricity last year. Our village hasn’t even started the process. I don’t know when we’ll be able to use electricity like other places."
Deng Shirong, who had lived through it, said, "Our village won’t get electricity that quickly. It’s unlikely to happen in the next few years. We’ll probably have to wait until at least 1990."
Deng Yunheng was surprised, "Really? Our village is still seven or eight years away from getting electricity?"
"That’s my guess. It would be better if it happens sooner."
Deng Shirong glanced at his second son, "But this doesn’t really concern you much. You’ll be going to Beijing for your studies soon, and the capital definitely has electricity."
Deng Yunheng thought about it and couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.
(End of Chapter)
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