In Zhanghe Village, Lingchuan County, Jincheng City, a humble Christian couple is making their own contribution to rural revitalization. Guided by their faith and the principle of "glorifying God and serving others," they have taken root in the countryside, dedicating themselves to developing the green food industry.
Zhanghe Village, one of Lingchuan's eight scenic attractions, is known for its towering, solitary peak, which is steep, majestic, and encircled by cliffs. A narrow trail leads to the summit, offering a panoramic view of the entire village. This peak is regarded as the highest point of the northern snow mountain.
According to a report by the Jincheng Municipal TSPM, four staff members from the Jincheng Municipal CC&TSPM visited Zhanghe Village, not drawn by its towering peak or scenic views, but to explore the local efforts of a Christian family contributing to rural revitalization. Nestled among lush hills, they followed the faint aroma of soybeans to a tofu workshop run by a villager named Xiaoling.
"This is an old tradition in our village," said a local resident. "Xiaoling's tofu-making craft has been passed down through three generations. They've always used firewood for cooking and sourdough (or soybean whey) as a coagulant, giving the tofu its tender texture and fragrant aroma."
As dawn broke, the lights of "Xiaoling Tofu Shop" flickered on. The "gurgling" of the stone mill and the "crackling" of burning firewood formed the morning melody of the mountain village.
When the creaking wooden door opened, the rich scent of soybeans filled the air. Xiulan, the shop's hostess, stood before the tofu trough, gently lifting and lowering the gauze as she shaped the tofu. Her steady, rhythmic movements resembled an ancient dance in the morning light.
"Brothers and sisters, you're here!" Xiulan said with a sincere smile. "Please, have some freshly made tofu pudding." She handed over a steaming bowl of tofu pudding, rich with the aroma of soybeans. The tofu was silky and tender, carrying a subtle hint of brine. With the first spoonful, it melted in the mouth, releasing a freshness unique to the mountain air, a flavor beyond words.
Xiulan's husband, Xiaoling, recalled that handmade tofu was once costly to produce and hard to sell, and there were moments when he felt he couldn't continue. The turning point came with the implementation of rural revitalization policies. With strong support from village officials and encouragement from his sons, he began promoting the healthy, eco-friendly nature of traditional handmade tofu online, quickly attracting a large number of customers and orders.
Today, tofu from "Xiaoling Tofu Shop" is in high demand. Smiling, Xiulan said that they are committed to preserving this traditional craft, producing food with integrity, benefiting local residents, and allowing more people to enjoy natural and healthy handmade tofu.
To bring green food from the countryside to a wider market, Xiaoling's son has opened another traditional tofu shop. During the Lunar New Year, they sell more than 2,000 kilograms of tofu each day.
"Traditional craftsmanship is the root of the countryside, and green food is its soul," said Xiaoling and his wife. They plan to remain in their village, continuing to expand and strengthen the traditional tofu industry, contributing further to rural revitalization. Guided by their faith, they believe that "Xiaoling Tofu Shop" will embrace an even brighter future.
