Chapter 34: The First Bowl of Rice in Another World

After gaining the backing of the chieftain, the priest, and the elders, Zhang Fan went home to winnow the rice a few times, then gathered his soaked seeds and the ones he hadn't had time to soak, and went to the worksite to find Ba Ke Er. Having found him, he announced:

"I'm going to teach everyone how to plant rice. If you also want to learn, come together to the Tribe Center Square. The chieftain will announce this shortly; if you plan to go, first go home and prepare. Bring a wooden tub and some plump grains, and also water."

"All right, I'll go back and prepare with Fei Er," said Mo De.

Hearing Mo De agree, the others didn't want to be left behind, and they all said they'd go home to prepare as well. Ba Ke Er saw that everyone was willing to support Zhang Fan and was especially delighted—truly a good brother!

"Alright, you all go home first. Then this afternoon we won't need to build houses anymore—it's almost finished. I've already ordered the needed lumber and tiles at the tribal market; they should arrive tomorrow."

"That works; we'll head back now and meet at the center square later." Then everyone started walking toward their own homes.

Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er went home again, bringing a pottery jar, some firewood, and some broken rice that Zhang Fan had made by pounding with the mortar and pestle he normally used for grinding medicine during his idle days these past two days. He had originally planned to cook it into porridge for breakfast, but now it looks like they'll have to eat it sooner. After all, nobody has ever eaten rice-based food, so they have no idea what it tastes like; asking them to spend months planting rice on a whim is something no reasonable person would willingly do. Even if they are forced to plant it because of his status as a Divine Envoy, they might not be very willing.

While the chieftain on the square was anxiously waiting, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er finally arrived at the center square. As soon as he saw them, the chieftain couldn't wait, shifted into beast form, and roared in beast language for everyone to bring the items Zhang Fan had mentioned and gather at the center square. Upon hearing the chieftain's voice, all tribe members—beastmen, females, and youngsters alike—grabbed their things and came from all directions.

Soon the square was packed. Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er, invited by the chieftain, went up onto the stage. Then the chieftain addressed the tribe, relaying the information he had received from Zhang Fan. He also reminded everyone that Zhang Fan was a Divine Envoy. At first, when they heard they could eat their fill in the bitter cold season, they began to talk about it in amazement; but now, upon hearing the explosive news that Zhang Fan was a Divine Envoy, the crowd suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at Zhang Fan with anticipation, which inexplicably made him a bit nervous. At that moment, Ba Ke Er stepped forward and said:

"Now, Fan Fan will use rice—that is, the white part inside the husk—to make food. If anyone is interested in trying it, please line up. Later, when it's cooked, each person will get a small portion to taste."

Having said that, he added no more words; further talk would be useless. Better to let everyone see the reality for themselves.

One could see Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er start a fire on the stage. Then Zhang Fan began pouring the white rice from the animal-skin bag into a large basin to wash it, while Ba Ke Er, under Zhang Fan's guidance, poured plenty of water into the pottery jar and began heating it. Once the water boiled, Zhang Fan transferred the washed rice into the jar, covered it, and started to cook.

Not long after, waves of fresh rice aroma drifted from the jar. Everyone who smelled it—female, child, or beastman—had a look of longing. Even the chieftain and the elders, who had lived for decades, were the same. Zhang Fan lifted the lid, saw that the porridge had become quite thick, and told Ba Ke Er to put out the fire and then distribute it to the tribespeople who had voluntarily lined up in front of the stage.

Although they cooked a lot, the tribe still had many people. Those who got porridge were all excited, while those who missed out weren't disappointed, since every household now had rice; if they didn't get a share this time, they could simply go home and cook some themselves. Thus this porridge distribution also fully mobilized everyone's enthusiasm for planting rice. As the providers of the food, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er each received a portion as well. Zhang Fan tasted long-missed rice, and moreover, it was a more fresh and natural native rice than modern rice—something you couldn't buy even with money on present-day Earth—and he was so happy his eyes narrowed. Ba Ke Er also thought using it as food was quite good, and he silently resolved to help Fan Fan grow even more rice so he could eat rice every day.