The Necromancer of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 113 The Crayfish Grows
The recipe for grilling locusts has been spread among the people, and many taverns have also launched this dish one after another.

Youzhou is the only place that supplies locusts.

In just over a month, Youzhou gained several times the normal grain production by selling locusts.

Looking at the accounts, Yuan Xi was astonished.

When the locust plague started, he never expected that it would become an opportunity for Youzhou to profit.

Before Yuan Xu left, he ordered Wei Qi to distribute many hybrid rice seeds to farmers in Youzhou.

A plague of locusts brought a blessing in disguise to Youzhou.

Not only did he earn a lot of money with locusts, but he also got the opportunity to grow hybrid rice.

After returning to Yecheng, Yuan Xu arrived home and was about to see Zhen Mi, when the guard reported: "Ju Cai ordered me to see you."

"Please come in." Yuan Xu ordered.

Zhen Yan came to the study and greeted Yuan Xu.

Yuan Xu asked, "Did it come for the locusts?"

Zhen Yan replied: "The locusts were launched in the market, and soon the goods were sold out. The plague of locusts in Youzhou has passed, and there is no longer enough supply of goods."

"When a certain delicacy is launched for a period of time, there will be a period of fading popularity." Yuan Xu said: "Although locusts are good, they will lose interest if they are supplied for a long time. How will we deal with the next locust plague?"

Zhen Yan was stunned: "My lord means..."

"Just stop here." Yuan Xu ordered: "All locusts are only used in the auction house. As for the folks, if anyone wants to eat them, they can find them in the wild."

Zhen Yan looked embarrassed: "I'm afraid I won't find a single locust in the wild."

"What's going on?" Yuan Xu asked.

"Since the formula was introduced to the market, many people have gone to the wild to catch it. Now it is near Ye City, I am afraid that even a small locust cannot be found."

When there was a locust plague, the first thing Yuan Xu thought of was to use people's appetite to solve the locusts.

He ignored human greed.

Locusts are delicious and expensive, so of course many people go outside the city to catch them.

After the big locusts are caught, the smaller ones will suffer as well.

"Pests that eat food..." Yuan Xu said, "I can't order that the common people should not catch them and protect them."

"That's not necessary." Zhen Yan replied, "I'm afraid that the locusts will be eaten to extinction."

"I don't think so." Yuan Xu said: "Locusts are extremely capable of breeding. As long as the heat subsides, they will reappear soon."

Without the locusts, the income would be much less. Zhen Yan was not reconciled, but there was nothing he could do.

Locusts are almost extinct, so they can't be artificially bred?
If it was spread, Yuan Xu's hostile forces would not be accused of cultivating disasters?
"When will the farm produce the first batch of crops?" Yuan Xu changed the subject.

"Tomatoes, peppers, and corns are just seedlings." Zhen Yan replied, "I've read in the heavenly scriptures that it will take at least three months before they grow."

"How about the breeding of hybrid rice?" Yuan Xu asked again.

"It is being cultivated according to the method taught by the heavenly book. As for whether it will be successful and when it will be successful, there is no guarantee."

"The main responsibility of the farm is breeding." Yuan Xu warned: "When the first batch of crops appear on the market, you still have another chance to make money."

"I understand." Zhen Yan said: "Before the new crops are fully accepted by the world, they can be planted in large quantities outside the farm. When the second crop appears on the market, they can give up planting."

"You made the fortune-gathering order, and you really did not choose the wrong person." Yuan Xu nodded in satisfaction: "Is there anything else?"

"The crayfish has grown." Zhen Yan's reply stunned Yuan Xu for a moment.

"How long has it been?" Yuan Xu asked, "How big is it?"

Zhen Yan gestured with her hand: "It's about this long."

Yuan Xu was taken aback. When the crayfish were stocked, they were still seedlings.

After just three or four months, it has grown up.

The growth rate is too fast.

"Since it has matured, you can catch some." Yuan Xu ordered: "Leave a small amount for breeding, and send the rest to the auction house every day."

"The heavenly book records the cooking method of crayfish." Zhen Yan said, "I'll let the chef figure it out."

"Cooking is successful, give me a copy first." Yuan Xu explained: "After I taste it, I will roll it out to the guests."

Zhen Yan complied, resigned and left.

That night, Yuan Xu was talking to Zhen Mi in the room, when the maid reported, "I'm waiting for the order to gather wealth, and I'm waiting in the front hall."

After going back and forth in just half a day, Yuan Xu guessed that the crayfish should be sent over.

He said to Zhen Mi: "Ma'am, wait for me for a while, I'll go get some delicious food."

"Food?" Zhen Mi wondered, "What kind of food?"

"Two or three months ago, I asked someone to stock some crayfish in the farm." Yuan Xu replied, "Now that they have grown up, Jucai Ling will meet you here. It should be cooked."

"Crayfish?" Zhen Mi was at a loss.

Yuan Xu knew that he couldn't explain clearly: "Madam will know when I bring it back."

After leaving the bedroom, Yuan Xu went straight to the front hall.

Zhen Yan waited there with an attendant.

The entourage carried a clay pot with exquisite carvings.

Zhen Yan saluted: "I have seen you, young master."

"Send the crayfish?" Yuan Xu asked.

Zhen Yan replied: "I had someone catch some, let the cook cook it first, and send it to the young master."

"Come with me." Yuan Xu walked into the front hall.

Zhen Yan and his followers followed in.

After taking his seat, Yuan Xu said, "Let me have a taste."

Zhen Yan's entourage put the clay pot in front of him.

Opening the clay pot, a unique scent of crayfish burst out.

Yuan Xu sniffed deeply: "Yes, that's the smell, but I don't know how it tastes."

Zhen Yan bowed and said, "Young Master, please taste it."

Yuan Xu took out a crayfish.

When he was peeling, Zhen Yan swallowed subconsciously.

"Haven't you tasted it yet?" He asked Zhen Yan after peeling his hand full of sauce.

"Young master wants to taste it first, how dare I eat it first." Zhen Yan replied very respectfully.

"As an order to gather wealth, how can I not taste the good things first?" Yuan Xu handed him the crayfish in his hand: "Eat this."

"How dare you bother the young master to peel the shrimp." Zhen Yan was so flattered that he dared not pick it up.

"Eat it as soon as I let you eat it, how can there be so many words?" Yuan Xu handed him the crayfish again.

Only then did Zhen Yan thank you, and stepped forward to take the peeled crayfish with both hands.

When the white meat dipped in the sauce entered his mouth, his eyes suddenly widened.

After he ate the piece of meat, Yuan Xu asked, "How does it taste?"

"Take one bite, and you will never forget it." Zhen Yan replied, "The cooking method recorded in the heavenly book is really..."

He paused, thought for a moment, and looked ashamed: "It's really poor, I can't describe it."

"Then don't describe it." Yuan Xu peeled another shrimp and ate it himself.

The seasoning is sufficient, the method is correct, and the crayfish is really good.

Zhen Yan looked at him expectantly: "Young Master, how is it?"

"It's okay." Yuan Xu said, "I'll take the rest back to my room and taste it with my wife."

He stood up holding the clay pot, and Zhen Yan followed all the way to the door before leaving.

(End of this chapter)