As summer arrived, digging for lotus roots became a joyous occasion in the village.
Lotus roots lie deep in the silt, tender and crisp, delicious whether stir-fried, mixed, or pickled in salt. However, in order to ensure a bountiful harvest of lotus roots, the villagers were particular about the timing of this task; it should be neither too early nor too late, and they must take care not to damage the delicate stems...
Xing Bing rolled up his sleeves, personally leading people into the pond.
A group of retainers shouted encouragement from shore, and those new to the village, having never eaten lotus roots before, found it both novel and astonishing to see the normally stern and upright Xing Bing covered in mud and as merry as a child...
"Are lotus roots really that tasty?"
"Naturally."
Some asked, others answered.
"But it's not just for the sake of eating..."
"Then for what?"
