Bei took the blueprint and found Tong Li. He explained in detail the purpose of the slightly larger than A3 size pine wood open box and the wide edge inverted cover. He showed him the 6 cm long bee entrance with an adjustable lever between the base plate and the side plates. Knowing that he roughly understood the structure of the beehive, he then explained the two partitions with nails on the inside of the box and the artificial nest base placed on them.
The nest base was just a row of simple rectangular wooden frames, with a strip of bamboo twine added at two-thirds of the length, hanging at intervals of five to eight centimeters on the partitions. It was not difficult to make, but in order for him to fully understand the principles of artificial beekeeping and be able to develop beekeeping with his family in the future, Bei tirelessly drew diagrams and explained until Tong Li and the family around him all understood. Then he stopped, looking at this group of people who were marveling and eager to try, infecting him with such a simple and harmonious atmosphere. Bei couldn't suppress the genuine smile and anticipation for tomorrow from within.
Everyone enthusiastically crowded around Tong Li and went to the carpentry workshop, lifting, carrying, shaving, and planing. When the first sample was produced, it was exactly the same as the beekeeping knowledge videos on modern networks. Bei couldn't help but marvel at the ancient people's hands-on abilities. After taking the new sample out, he lit a small pile of firewood, took a match, and smoked the brand new pine wood box inside and out. It was placed by the bonfire and slowly roasted. At this time, the second and third ones were already in production.
Bei found Aunt Li, pulled Jing Jing, who was shouting and playing with the boys, and left for the sewing room to find some coarse gauze with larger mesh to make gloves, face masks, and bee-catching cages. Ready for the task, they only needed to wait until tomorrow evening to split the bee colonies.
The spring sunshine in the mountains is warm and cozy. Birds chirp, awakening the quiet forest after a night's rest. Bei's residence, a small building positioned near the mountain peak in the middle of this cluster of houses, consists of two floors. The first floor, with a ceiling height of only one and a half to two meters, is not suitable for habitation; it's used to store random items, mainly to separate the cold and dampness seeping through the ground. The waking mountains let the sweet morning mist in through the window frames with a gentle breeze, moistening Bei's half-awake mood. Starting today, the things she needs to do might raise suspicions among this family due to her whimsical ideas, but she must do it. She is determined to bring change to this tranquil mountain home on behalf of Tong Xiaomei.
Stretching lazily, Bei opens the door and stands in the corridor, observing the small streams of spring water seeping out of the mountains from various places, some closer, others farther away. The water flows over irises, orchids, and through fragrant grass and ferns, forming a lush green pond in the meadow at the foot of the mountain. Long-tailed birds flutter around the water's edge. Bei smiles and runs downstairs to the water's edge. Using her consciousness, she transfers some small fish and creek shrimp into the water from the oasis, and she moves two families of ducks with fluffy offspring and several nests of mountain chickens to the water's edge bushes. Let them accompany her in settling down in this new home.
Returning to the upstairs bedroom, Bei enters the space. She first rinses her mouth with saltwater by the hot spring, cleans her hands and face, and then performs a set of Tai Chi to stretch her body. Going to the source of the soda spring, she notices a pomegranate tree with fully bloomed red fruits. A delightful find! Rich in Vitamin C and with vibrant red juice – she can't resist. Without waiting, she picks eight large ones and releases them outside. Then, she picks numerous brightly colored and fragrant wild chrysanthemums, mountain orchids, and rose petals, along with some alkali and a bit of sulfur.