Prince of Song Dynasty

Chapter 1095 The Refuge Appears

So, after they came down, they asked Teng Fengping carefully about eating locusts. After some research, the two of them believed that the meat of locusts belonged to what Ye Chen wrote in "Biological Exploration" when Xiangfu College was founded. Protein with the highest nutritional value, and they knew that the main ingredient of eggs is protein. The two finally concluded that locusts looked disgusting, but the effect of eating them should be similar to eggs, and Teng Fengping insisted that locusts were better than eggs.

The audience was in an uproar again, Ma Mengru was stunned for a moment, looked at Han Zixiu and said, "You said those disgusting locusts can be eaten?"

Han Zixiu said confidently: "That's right, and the locusts are roasted and fried, and they taste pretty good."

Including Ma Mengru, a lot of people beside him gagged their mouths with disgusted faces.Ma Mengru pointed at Han Zixiu with an incredulous expression on his face and said, "Han Zixiu! You won't humiliate yourself like this just to win me in a bet!"

Han Zixiu sneered, and said, "Just tell me if you dare to bet!"

Ma Mengru stared at Han Zixiu for a long time, and said: "Just because you ate locusts is not enough, if you can make locusts become the common people's dinner, I will admit defeat, and you will be the leader of the four princes in the future."

Han Zixiu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay, a gentleman."

Ma Mengru said, "It's hard to chase a four-horse horse."

……

……

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, people have believed that locust plagues are the punishment of heaven for not cultivating virtue. Your Majesty is a wise king through the ages, and all the people support him. However, they are afraid of spies sent by Song and Liao, or traitors such as Yufeng, Li Mingxuan, and Cui Xi. Secretly spreading rumors and causing trouble, so I think I have to guard against it." After inspecting Longzhou, Ye Chen had just returned to Xiajing, and Ye Chen brought Han Xizai, Ma Wentao, and Jia Xian to the Imperial Study Room, and sent people to arrest Shangguan Bingyun, Li Junhao, and Yang Jiye. He, Xu Xuan and other important officials were recruited into the palace to further discuss how to deal with the drought, locust plague and refugees from the Song Dynasty.After everyone arrived, Han Xizai was the first to tell the story.

Before Ye Chen could say anything, Ma Wentao next to him also said solemnly: "Your Majesty, according to historical records, the great locust plague swept the Guanzhong Plain in the third year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty. The mouth of locusts, the entire Guanzhong Plain is thousands of miles away. At that time, there were rumors among the people that this was God’s punishment for Tang Taizong’s killing of brothers and brothers. The edict of swallowing locusts said: If I am guilty, I will let the locusts eat my heart and liver. Punishment is enough for me alone. Don't eat my people's food. Your majesty's wisdom has surpassed Tang Taizong in my eyes, but this kind of thing is really indisputable. I also thought I had to guard against it.”

Ye Chen naturally wouldn't believe the nonsense of 'locust plagues are God's punishment for the emperor's failure to cultivate virtue', but the so-called human words are terrible, and even educated prime ministers like Han Xizai and Ma Wentao were full of panic about these words, It is full of fear to go to heaven, let alone the people of the world.Thinking about it this way, Ye Chen finally nodded and said: "The Ministry of Security is responsible for the prevention of this matter, and the Ministry of Zhongshu has sent orders to local governments to cooperate."

Shangguan Bingyun immediately said respectfully: "Slaves will obey His Majesty's will." The Ministry of Security is special. Although it was controlled by Hu Sanguang before, it was regarded as a close minister of His Majesty, but it was still a normal court minister.However, now that Shangguan Bingyun has taken control, in the eyes of the entire court, it is even more special.Those who know some inside information know that Shangguan Bingyun is like a servant of His Majesty, but those who don't know can easily think of Shangguan Bingyun as His Majesty's woman.After all, Shangguan Bingyun is an extremely charming beauty.

Ye Chen picked up the Journal of Xiangfu Academy that was just released today on the table, and suddenly said to Han Xizai: "Mr. Han, you gave birth to a good grandson!"

Han Xizai's face changed slightly, and he wondered if it was his grandson Han Zizhu, known as one of the four great dandies, who secretly plotted last time to let Ma Wentao's grandson Ma Mengshi lead people to collide with His Majesty in Mingxuan Pavilion of Qingfenglou.

Thinking of this, Han Xizai hurried out of the shift and said, "Your Majesty, my family is not strict, please punish me."

Ye Chen was stunned for a moment, and said with a smile: "Han Xianggong misunderstood, your eldest grandson Han Zixiu made a great contribution this time, and I was thinking about how to reward him afterwards."

This time it was Han Xizai's turn to be dazed, but no matter what this kid Zixiu did to impress His Majesty, it was always a good thing: "I thank Your Majesty on behalf of Zixiu."

Ye Chen had a serious look on his face at this time, and said: "There are many locusts, but my people also have nearly tens of millions. Locusts can eat people's crops, why can't people eat locusts? According to my will, where the locusts When they have just hatched and have not yet grown wings, the whole people catch locusts and sell them to the imperial court, and the price is one penny for ten catties of locusts."

Wen Tiren, the new Minister of Rites, stood up in panic and said, "Your Majesty, let's not talk about whether locusts can be eaten. If the imperial court buys locusts with such a big fanfare, if it provokes the wrath of the heavens..."

But before Wen Tiren finished speaking, Ye Chen interrupted him with a cold snort, and said, "Nonsense, what's the matter with the little locust closing the sky?"

In order to make his own words convincing, and to completely dispel the scruples of the officials, Ye Chen told another lie: "Before I was born, I ate locusts with my master, of course they were grilled, fried, and braised locusts. The taste is actually very good. Even my fairy-like master called locusts the heavenly chicken." When Ye Chen said these words, he actually remembered a dish that he had heard others say in later generations. It is called Tianji Shrimp Plate, and the Tianji here are naturally locusts.

Wen Tiren's face turned red, but he didn't dare to say any more, and backed away.At this time, under the influence of Ye Chen, Han Xizai, Ma Wentao, Jia Xian and others, who were becoming more and more pragmatic, had begun to have great interest in the acquisition of locusts that His Majesty said.

At this time, Han Xizai finally remembered what his eldest grandson Han Zixiu had done to be praised by His Majesty, and he took the lead in saying: "Your Majesty is wise, making the locusts that harm the people into food can kill three birds with one stone. It can reduce the number of locusts caught by the people , and can solve the problem of food and clothing for the people, and at the same time, the theory of natural punishment for locust plagues has naturally become a big joke."

Ye Chen nodded slightly, expressing his appreciation for what Han Xizai said. After a little thought, he remembered some information about locusts, and said: "Boil the locusts in boiling water, then dry them, and then crush them or put them in a millstone to make them into pieces." Powder, drink with water, very nutritious, similar to egg soup. In addition, this kind of locust powder can also be used as a kind of medicine. Regular consumption can prevent wind disease, cure asthma, and calm blood vessels. Children use locust powder and rice paste Taking it together can treat convulsions, convulsions and night crying in children. Most importantly, locust powder can also treat night blindness.”

The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty couldn't help being stunned for a while. If these words hadn't come from their emperor, few people would believe them, and even thought it was ridiculous.

Ye Chen paused for a moment, and then said: "I have sorted out what I just said, together with the way I said locusts can be grilled, fried, braised, etc., in the new issue of "Xiangfu News" and "Xia Jing Express" published it, indicating that it is what I said."

Han Xizai and Ma Wentao said in unison respectfully: "I will follow His Majesty's will."

Almost in a day, the already turbulent Da Song became precarious!
For a whole summer, whether it is Yongxingjun Road, Qinfeng Road, or Hedong Road in Guanzhong of the Song State, or the six states of Longzhou and Yanzhou in Xiangfu State close to the Song State, the sun always shines overhead. It hardly ever rained.After the drought, the plague of locusts really appeared.

Since Li Mingxuan woke up today, his right eyelid has been twitching non-stop. As soon as he walked into the courtyard of the Jinzhong Political Hall early in the morning, Lu Yuqing greeted him anxiously, "Li Xianggong, all states of Hedong, Yongxingjun Road, and Qinfeng Road are urgent. According to the official document, since this year, there has not been a drop of rain in the states on the four roads, there is no food in the Changping warehouse, and refugees have begun to appear on the roads!"

Li Mingxuan's face turned pale immediately, and he glanced at Lu Yuqing sullenly, the latter looked at a loss, while the officials of the Political Affairs Hall, no matter how big or small, became abnormally silent for a while.

"A bunch of trash." Li Mingxuan cursed secretly, his face gradually returning to normal.

Drought is nothing. In the past few months, whether it is the weather in Kaifeng or reports from various places, it shows that the drought has already occurred.And what makes people even more frightened are the locusts!Most people think that locusts are God's punishment for the court and the emperor's lack of morality!According to the usual practice, as the prime minister who is the head of all the officials, he, Li Mingxuan, would request to resign in response to the astronomical phenomenon.And this is what Li Mingxuan cares most about.

Before Li Mingxuan had time to speak, another official rushed into the yard with three documents: "There have been locust plagues on Hedong Road, Yongxingjun Road, and Qinfeng Road one after another!"

When Lu Yuqing heard this, he couldn't help but tremble, although he was extremely dissatisfied with Li Mingxuan controlling the government these days, and Li Siyan controlling the emperor's thoughts as a queen.However, the current serious disaster is by no means a good opportunity to attack Li Mingxuan. You must know that this kind of catastrophe that has spread to more than 20 states in three directions, if it is not handled properly and stirs up civil uprisings, in the past, it could shake the Song Dynasty Country-based, but now the Song Dynasty, which is surrounded by enemies on all sides, may become the main cause of the imperial court's downfall!The most important thing is that there is no food in the Pingcang of the prefecture and county magistrates of the Four Routes, and Guanzhong is not far from Kaifeng. According to the common people's thinking, they must come to the capital, and Kaifeng has not rained for several months.If the refugees are going to make trouble in the capital... Lu Yuqing shudders when he thinks of the consequences.

Xiangfu Kingdom, three years, July [-]th.

Locust plagues appeared almost simultaneously on Qinfeng Road, Yongxingjun Road, Hedong Road, and Hebei Road.

(End of this chapter)