3: The key to improving the process

Lu Chuan's mind raced, constantly comparing the pros and cons of the two processing techniques.

Ten minutes later, he finally settled on a plan.

Considering the tight schedule, he still had to start with modern techniques, but ancient methods couldn't be abandoned either.

The most perfect approach was to combine their strengths.

Using the strengths of ancient methods to compensate for the weaknesses of modern techniques.

And using the robustness of modern techniques to overcome the dullness of ancient methods.

To achieve this, the ratio of the stinky brine was a crucial step.

"Modern techniques forgo the natural fermentation step of ancient methods, directly using chemical additives."

"Some unscrupulous merchants even soak the stinky tofu in feces to replicate that unique stench, completely disregarding consumers' health, which is truly despicable."

Lu Chuan dipped his finger in water and drew on the mottled ground.

"But to make truly memorable stinky tofu, that special stench is indispensable."

His eyes stared blankly at the ground, but his brain was actually working at high speed.

"How can I replicate it without natural fermentation and without using harmful chemical agents?"

After a moment, a light suddenly flashed in Lu Chuan's eyes, and an excited expression appeared on his face.

He slapped his palm and jumped up joyfully.

"I've got it! In recent years, modern food science has also been researching and tackling this problem, trying to preserve traditional flavors in industrialization."

"Those scientists proposed two lines of thought: one is controlled fermentation technology, and the other is the substitution with natural additives."

Lu Chuan paced back and forth in the small workshop, his speech quickening.

"I could probably figure out controlled fermentation technology given some time, but this is barely a workshop, let alone a small factory, so it's not practical. Time is short and the task is urgent, so I have to go with natural additives."

With the plan decided, Lu Chuan's mind suddenly felt clear.

He quickly knelt down among the pile of Chinese herbal medicines he had purchased, grabbing herbs and constantly distinguishing them.

After a while, he had picked out over a dozen herbs, then carefully selected and pondered their ratios.

But after several attempts, he sighed.

"I always feel like something is still missing..."

Lu Chuan rubbed his slightly throbbing temples, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Perhaps it was a stroke of genius, or a sudden inspiration, but he quickly had a new idea.

"That's right, Yinhua Mountain has many plant species I've never seen before. Why not try my luck?"

Lu Chuan saw that it was already past noon.

Although this time was not suitable for going up the mountain, as it was easy to encounter danger.

But the ratio of natural additives was too important, and he didn't have much time to waste on it, so he had to brave it.

"Grandma, Mom, Dad, please bless me."

Lu Chuan bowed to the ancestral tablet, then shouldered his bamboo basket and left again.

At the village entrance, he once again encountered Lu Deyang, idly basking in the sun.

"Uncle De Yang."

Lu Chuan was always very grateful to this elder who had always looked after him.

Lu Deyang looked at the bamboo basket on Lu Chuan's back with a puzzled expression and hesitantly said:

"Chuan Wa Zi, are you going hunting in the mountains?"

Lu Chuan nodded, but seeing Lu Deyang's brows furrow, he quickly shook his head again.

"Uncle, I'll just wander around the foot of the mountain, not go into the mountain itself. I'll be back soon."

Hearing Lu Chuan say this, Lu Deyang's expression softened, but he still didn't forget to give a few warnings.

"Chuan Wa Zi, don't think that just because you've hunted in the mountains for a few years, you're experienced. There are fierce beasts and venomous snakes in those mountains, especially after the sun sets, it gets even more dangerous! You're the only one left in your family, so be careful about your safety!"

Lu Chuan felt the genuine concern in Lu Deyang's words, and his heart warmed. He quickly nodded and said:

"I know, thank you, Uncle."

Bidding farewell to Lu Deyang, Lu Chuan continued on his way.

After walking a few more kilometers, he reached the foot of Yinhua Mountain.

He crossed a small stream and passed through a few sparse patches of woods.

Lu Chuan looked at the somewhat dark entrance under the shade of the trees, swallowed, and then bravely walked in.

The tree canopy broke the sunlight into mottled patterns, evenly spread over Lu Chuan.

Along the way, he occasionally looked up at the strangely shaped trees on both sides, and then looked down at the lush flowers and plants beneath them.

Occasionally, he would squat down to pick some plant branches and leaves to sniff.

The brine for stinky tofu shouldn't just be stinky; it also needs to contain an indescribable charm.

And it was this charm that made it a delicacy that diners raved about.

Lu Chuan wanted to create his own natural additive, which had to be non-toxic, harmless, and result in a mellow, delicious product.

Relying solely on the Chinese herbal medicines available on the market wouldn't be enough.

After all, those could only serve as 'ministers'.

He still needed one or more dominant herbs to play the role of 'sovereign'.

The principle of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy was no different here.

As he walked deeper into the mountain, Lu Chuan saw more and more plant species.

So many, in fact, that he began to wonder if these unfamiliar plants were indeed 'new species'.

It was a pity, however, that despite the abundance of plant species, he still hadn't found the one herb he needed.

As the sky grew darker, Lu Chuan's anxiety began to rise.

This trip into the mountains was a choice made purely out of desperation.

Originally, Lu Chuan thought that with so many plant species on Yinhua Mountain, even if he couldn't find exactly what he wanted, he could at least find a few herbs with similar properties that could serve as substitutes.

But he hadn't expected it to be so difficult.

He looked up through the dense canopy at the setting sun, his heart torn.

A gentle breeze swept through the mountain forest, bringing with it the faint sounds of insects and birds in the distance.

It also carried a faint, almost imperceptible, foul smell.

Lu Chuan knew that in less than an hour, visibility in the mountains would become extremely poor.

The predators lurking in the shadows would also begin to emerge, unleashing a frenzy of evolutionary changes in the food chain.

He didn't have much time left.

"Just a little longer, if I still can't find it..."

Lu Chuan gritted his teeth.

"Then I'll retreat."