Chapter 167: I Tried the Qinglong Flavor During the Meal, and Woke Up in the Middle of the Night with a Delicious Taste in My Mouth
Transportation in this era was incredibly inconvenient. After Deng Shirong and his son finished their business, they found themselves without a way to return home. Originally, Deng Shirong had planned to visit the county government to discuss investing in and running a supermarket. However, upon remembering that his eldest son was still working at the tile factory and that his eldest daughter-in-law was pregnant and due to give birth in three or four months, he decided it wouldn't be appropriate to bring his eldest son to the county for development this year.
Besides, it was only 1981, which felt a bit too early. It would be much more suitable to revisit the idea next year rather than now.
One shouldn't underestimate the difference a year or two could make. At this time, the country was in the midst of its postponed opening-up reforms, and many leaders' perspectives were evolving rapidly, with significant changes occurring every month. By next year, their thinking would likely be quite different from what it was now. Therefore, discussing the matter with the leaders then would likely yield better results than doing so now.
As Deng Shirong pondered these concerns, Deng Yunheng asked, "Dad, there are no buses going back to Double Prosperity now, but there are still buses passing through Temple Lotus. Should we take a bus to Temple Lotus first and then walk back?"
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 here tonight and take the bus back tomorrow. I can buy some fresh Bobai water spinach to eat tomorrow morning."
Deng Yunheng looked puzzled. "Dad, don't we have water spinach growing at home? We can't even finish it all. Why spend money to buy more?"
Deng Shirong couldn't help but laugh. "Yunheng, you don't understand. Bobai water spinach is completely different from what we grow at home. The taste is worlds apart. You'll understand once you've tried it."
Deng Yunheng was skeptical. "Dad, isn't it all just water spinach? How can there be such a big difference?"
Deng Shirong smiled and explained, "The difference lies in the soil, fertilizer, and water conditions where Bobai water spinach is grown. These conditions are unique to the region. If you try to grow it elsewhere, it won't be the same. It thrives only in paddy fields within a radius of more than ten kilometers in the suburbs of Bobai.
Particularly, the water spinach grown in South Gate Temple, near the county government, is the most tender and crisp. Other famous production areas include Silver Horse Region, East-Tail Pond, Auspicious Temple, North Street Entrance, South Garden, and Magpie Path. Outside these areas, the taste is completely different."
Despite his father's explanation, Deng Yunheng remained unconvinced. After all, it was just water spinach—something he had been eating since childhood. How much better could it possibly be?
Deng Shirong noticed his son's skepticism but didn't press the matter. He knew that once Deng Yunheng tasted it, he would understand why Bobai water spinach was so renowned.
Bobai water spinach had a long history and had been famous overseas for over two hundred years. In ancient times, there was a saying in Yulin, Guangxi: "Luchuan pigs, Beiliu fish, and Bobai's beautiful water spinach."
Once, a poet left behind the lines, "I tried the Qinglong flavor at the banquet and woke up in the middle of the night with the fragrance still in my mouth," after tasting Bobai water spinach.
During the "9th" and "10th" National Congresses of the Central Committee, planes were even dispatched to transport Bobai water spinach to Beijing, where it was served as a delicacy. No other vegetable in the country had ever received such an honor.
According to research, Bobai water spinach is the second most popular vegetable in the world, second only to Hanoi water spinach in Vietnam.
Bobai water spinach is exceptionally fresh, green, crisp, and tender. When the stem is broken into sections, the ends split and curl up, resembling a trumpet.
Unlike most green vegetables, which quickly lose their color when cooked, Bobai water spinach retains its vibrant green hue even after being fried. It can maintain its original color and taste even if left overnight.
Because of its shape and color, the soup made with Bobai water spinach is often called "Green Dragon Crossing the Sea" or "Green Dragon Crossing the River," and is considered one of the finest vegetarian soups.
Deng Shirong hadn't eaten Bobai water spinach since his rebirth, and he was genuinely craving it.
Next, the father and son didn't rush to the guesthouse but instead wandered around the county town. The most bustling areas at the time were Main Street, Culture Road, and Prosperity Street.
As they strolled to the north side of Prosperity Street, they came across a new five-story building called the Department Store. The entrance was crowded with people, a testament to its popularity.
Deng Shirong planned to have his eldest son open a supermarket in the county town next year. This department store and the county supply and marketing cooperative would be his son's future competitors. Naturally, Deng Shirong wanted to take a closer look.
So, he and his second son entered the department store.
The department store had a total construction area of 2,040 square meters, with the first and second floors serving as business halls. While it paled in comparison to the large shopping malls of the future, in this era, it was an impressive sight. For Deng Yunheng, who had never seen anything like it, the experience was akin to Liu Laolao's first visit to the Grand View Garden.
The store was well-stocked, offering almost everything available at the supply and marketing cooperatives. The main difference was that the supply and marketing cooperatives primarily served rural customers, while the department store catered to urban residents.
Soon, Deng Shirong and his son reached the household appliances section, where they saw high-end items like televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and tape recorders. Each one was a revelation to Deng Yunheng, highlighting the stark differences between rural and urban life.
After a quick tour of the department store, Deng Shirong, who was already familiar with such places, said to his son, "Yunheng, let's go!"
"Oh!" Deng Yunheng responded, reluctantly following his father out of the store, glancing back every few steps.
Seeing his son's reluctance to leave, Deng Shirong sighed. "It's a pity our village doesn't have electricity. Otherwise, I'd buy a TV or a tape recorder for you to use."
Deng Yunheng couldn't help but complain, "I have a classmate from another village. Their village got electricity last year, but ours still doesn't have any. I don't know when we'll get it."
Deng Shirong, drawing from his past experiences, said, "Our village won't get electricity anytime soon. It'll probably take at least until the 1990s before we have a chance."
Deng Yunheng was shocked. "No way! It'll take another seven or eight years for our village to get electricity?"
"That's my guess. It'd be great if we could get it sooner."
At this point, Deng Shirong glanced at his son and added, "But this doesn't really concern you. You'll be heading to Beijing soon to study. It's the capital of our country, and they've had electricity for a long time."
Deng Yunheng thought about this and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
(End of this chapter)