Chapter 705, New Things

Translator: Silavin

 

“Shaman, all the plants that were planted have survived, and their growth rate doesn’t differ from the other plants,” Yu Ying reported.

 

Yu Ying had gone to the agricultural fields early this morning to observe the plant growth, discovering that each one was developing quite well. There was no difference from those directly accelerated with Growth Acceleration Skill, though naturally, they were not particularly outstanding either.

 

“Continue observing for several more days. Good growth today doesn’t mean complete success. Maybe in two days, they might not grow as well.” Su Bai instructed.

 

To determine whether the Shaman Bone Tablet was truly successful, one needed to observe the growth rate over the following days.

 

Only if the growth rate in the coming days could keep up, maintaining the same pace as before, would it be considered a success.

 

It would not do if only the first day or two showed good growth, with later development becoming indistinguishable from other plants.

 

“I understand. I’ll arrange for people to monitor them these next few days,” Yu Ying nodded.

 

Yu Ying had also heard yesterday about the Taming Shaman Bone Tablet, and today had already arranged for people to observe.

 

“Shaman, what are you working on?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

Yu Ying noticed Su Bai had been tinkering with things, though they were all items she’d never seen before.

 

“I’m drawing some blueprints that will also be useful for the Tribe’s development,” Su Bai said calmly.

 

Yu Ying approached and crouched before the table, asking puzzledly, “Shaman, what kind of blueprints?”

 

Yu Ying knew the Shaman was certainly going to invent something again and wondered with anticipation what amazing things they might be this time.

 

“New products. Things that can expand the goods in the Central Market.” Su Bai explained.

 

Yu Ying found this half-understood explanation quite puzzling and said coquettishly, “Shaman, what are they?”

 

Yu Ying kept swaying her pink fox tail, her face written all over with curiosity.

 

“Actually, they’re nothing special. Just some preserved fruits and things like dried fruit.” Su Bai laughed heartily.

 

Seeing Yu Ying’s coquettish appearance was truly adorable, making him want to reach out and pinch her face.

 

Yu Ying tilted her head, asking puzzledly, “Shaman, what are preserved fruits and dried fruits?”

 

Yu Ying had suddenly heard two unfamiliar terms, only understanding the word fruit.

 

The oranges and grapes harvested from the greenhouses recently had all been classified as fruit. She had only learned this after the Shaman’s arrival. Previously, they had all uniformly called such things berries.

 

“Making preserved fruits is similar to making preserved meat. Put the fruits in containers, which creates quite a nice flavour.”

 

Su Bai paused, then continued, “Dried fruit involves drying the fruit, which gives it yet another different taste.”

 

He had been thinking that since they now had Growth Acceleration Skill, fruits would grow extremely quickly. The fruits produced also ripened rapidly, averaging one harvest per month, which meant twelve harvests per year.

 

At this rate, their fruit yield would be extremely abundant, and they certainly could not distribute them all to the people at once.

 

This would make them expect daily handouts and constantly think about getting something for nothing.

 

This was why he had conceived the idea of making preserved fruits and dried fruit. They could be stored much longer than fresh fruit.

 

“I see. What would they taste like?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

Yu Ying became interested when food was mentioned, though it was not that she particularly wanted to eat these things. She simply found it interesting to work on something hands-on.

 

“Both have different flavours, different from fresh fruit too. You’ll know once we make them,” Su Bai smiled.

 

These preserved fruits and dried fruit could not be made immediately; they needed time for fermentation and drying.

 

“Shaman, what do you need me to prepare?” Yu Ying asked eagerly.

 

“Prepare several clean ceramic jars, but they need not be particularly large, and wash the fruit clean and let it drain for use.”

 

Su Bai pondered for a moment, then continued, “Oh yes, prepare some of that cooked syrup from before as well. Preserved fruits can’t do without sugar.”

 

He could already imagine how popular the preserved fruits would be once made; new things were certainly attractive.

 

He had considered taking fresh fruit to the Central Market for trading, but those people’s eyes were surely only on perfume and ceramics. They had hardly put their minds to fruits. At most, they would glance twice before walking away.

 

If these fruits were made into preserves and dried fruit, their popularity would be vastly different.

 

Naturally, preserved fruits and dried fruit could not match the taste of fresh fruit, but without this processing, those people would not trade for them either.

 

Of course, preserved fruits did not taste bad. The sensation they gave was simply different, and people of this era might prefer processed foods even more, as it was novel.

 

“I’ll go prepare everything now,” Yu Ying immediately stood to gather these items.

 

She did not want to assign others to do it. Now, she only wanted to work hands-on herself, as that would be interesting.

 

“Grapes become raisins after drying, oranges can be used for the preserved fruit, or as orange jam, which is also good.” Su Bai squinted his eyes, continuing to mutter to himself, “Sugarcane is for boiling white sugar, other berries can be used for dried fruit…”

 

He kept his head down, writing with the quill pen, wanting to organize all the fruit the Tribe currently had.

 

To be honest, Su Bai was beginning to anticipate raisins; it had been some time since he had eaten raisins since transmigrating.

 

Raisins were regular guests in sweet-making, and their sweet-and-sour taste was quite pleasant.

 

Su Bai also planned to develop confectionery, ultimately because he wanted to eat it himself.

 

As for what could make people happy? Apart from sweet foods, there was nothing else, surely?

 

*Step step step…* Yu Ying and other maids came carrying a pile of items, placing things large and small on the table.

 

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, saying excitedly, “Shaman, I’ve prepared everything.”

 

“Rest for a moment first. Look at you, covered in sweat. You’re always so excited whenever I have you make things,” Su Bai beckoned.

 

Looking at Yu Ying now, she was like a silly roe deer, laughing with particular innocence and joy.

 

“Shaman, I’m not tired. Let’s begin making preserved fruits.” Yu Ying said somewhat impatiently.

 

“Fine. Have all the oranges been drained of moisture?” Su Bai picked up an orange to inspect, continuing, “Peel off all the skins.”

 

“Yes,” Yu Ying immediately responded.

 

“Don’t throw away the peeled skins,” Su Bai instructed.