Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Fang Zheng strode quickly to Emperor Jing's side: "Your Majesty, I have been impolite."

As he spoke, he picked up a chopstick of shredded potatoes and stuffed it into his mouth.

Chewing, he said, "This dish is not poisonous, just too spicy. This kind of spiciness is different from the usual spiciness of evodia and pepper."

Li Yuanzhao, with quick eyes and hands, followed suit and took a bite, saying, "Father, it's fine! I've had this at Lao Fang's before!"

Emperor Jing waved his hand calmly: "I know, don't make such a fuss."

Guo Tianyang stood awkwardly in place.

What special spiciness is this? A new seasoning? Is Taoyuan County up to its old tricks again?

The way you guys are acting, you're making me look like a clueless bumpkin.

"Your Majesty, this servant tastes... it seems like there's beef in here."

"Your Majesty! There is indeed beef in these dishes, but this cow unfortunately died during the cannon testing in Taoyuan County yesterday, and today it is being used as an ingredient in the new dishes for everyone to taste," Fang Zheng quickly explained.

Emperor Jing nodded and raised his hand: "Well, everyone, start eating, esteemed ministers, there's no need to be so reserved. Would Fang Qing harm me? Eat."

With that, he picked up his chopsticks and first took a piece of potato, placing it in his mouth to chew slowly.

After savoring it for a while, he exclaimed in praise: "Good flavor! This dish is wonderful, it has a kind of marvelous taste that I have never experienced before."

His Majesty, who is so knowledgeable and experienced, actually gave such a high evaluation?

Now that all doubts were dispelled, everyone no longer hesitated and began to eat heartily.

The banquet still adhered to the extravagant style of Taoyuan County, with each main dish being rich in color and flavor, all substance and no fluff.

The braised beef with tomatoes was cooked to perfection, and with a single touch of the chopsticks.

The tender and succulent beef blossomed between the chopsticks, with rich gravy dripping down.

Stuffing both the soup and meat into one's mouth, in addition to the overflowing aroma of meat, there was also the fragrance of tomatoes, which greatly stimulated the appetite.

Li Yuanzhao had always been one to disregard appearances, and he swung his arms and devoured the food.

Emperor Jing didn't stand on ceremony either, and in high spirits, he tried several new dishes, exclaiming in delight in his heart.

Especially after tasting the spicy dishes, he liked them even more.

The spiciness was not strong, but the slight stimulating taste undoubtedly elevated the appetite to another level.

Others also showed similar expressions, eating heartily and exchanging toasts.

Occasionally, they would discuss the taste of the dishes.

Someone asked Fang Zheng what ingredients these were, and Fang Zheng would wave his hand and smile without answering.

He didn't have time to answer now, he was busy picking food for his future father-in-law!

After three rounds of wine and five courses, the atmosphere was still lively.

Everyone present slowed down their eating speed, occasionally taking a bite, with a faint sense of satisfaction on their faces.

Fang Zheng stood up at the right time and said loudly: "Is everyone satisfied with this meal?"

"Satisfied," many people responded.

Listening to novel tunes, eating novel dishes, plus the novel weapons from before.

Every day was a brand new experience, what was there to be dissatisfied with?

With this experience, no one would dare to believe it even if you bragged about it!

"Lord Fang, many people have asked you what we are eating today, shouldn't it be revealed now?"

"Could it be a specialty of Taoyuan County?"

Fang Zheng laughed: "Alright, since everyone has eaten well, then I won't hide it anymore."

"There are three kinds of ingredients that everyone ate today that cannot be found on the market, the first is called potato, which is stewed with beef."

"The second is called tomato, which tastes like fruit."

"The third is called chili pepper, I don't need to explain this, right?"

"These three crops were all obtained from Prince Wu. At first, no one knew the use of these crops. It was not until Taoyuan County planted and matured a batch that they were able to figure it out."

"What I want to talk about today is the first one, potato! This thing was also obtained by Prince Wu from the West. After being cultivated, it was discovered that this thing also yields more than a thousand catties per mu, not weaker than sweet potatoes. Moreover, as a staple food, it can completely replace the main crops of our Great Jing!"

A thousand catties per mu! ! ?

Emperor Jing's eyes suddenly burst out with two bright lights. He looked at the potatoes in front of him and quickly grabbed another chopstick.

The ministers also began to pick up their chopsticks and rummage for potatoes in the leftovers.

"Fang Qing, is what you said true?" Emperor Jing asked in disbelief, poking the potato pieces in the plate twice with his chopsticks.

With this ordinary appearance, it was hard to imagine that it was another super high-yield crop after sweet potatoes!

"This minister dare not utter half a lie. These potatoes have been carefully cultivated in the greenhouses of Taoyuan County. It's just that the time is still short and the harvest is not much, so I can't take Your Majesty and colleagues to visit the fields, but eating a meal is no problem," Fang Zheng said, then took out raw potatoes from his sleeve: "You see, these potatoes have many characteristics similar to sweet potatoes in terms of appearance and planting methods, but the taste is completely different."

"Potatoes can not only be used as a staple food but also for brewing wine!"

Sweet potatoes can actually be used to make wine, and the thing that is brewed is the legendary sweet potato liquor.

However, that thing is really hard to drink, so hard to drink that it's on another level!

Therefore, only the bottom-level people in the folk, when there is surplus grain, will make some sweet potato liquor.

These upper-class nobles, and even the vast majority of people, have never tasted what it is like, only heard that it is very difficult to drink.

Everyone looked at the potatoes in Fang Zheng's hand, and for a while, they lost their minds, and the air gradually froze.

Li Yansong stood up tremblingly, his face flushed, and his eyes were a little moist. He cupped his hands to Emperor Jing and said: "Your Majesty, our Great Jing has gained another product with a yield of thousands of catties per mu. If what Lord Fang said is true... then in the future, our Great Jing will be forever free from the suffering of famine! This is an unprecedented achievement, this old minister congratulates Your Majesty!"

"Although sweet potatoes have a high yield, long-term consumption can easily cause abdominal discomfort. Potatoes do not have a distinct taste. According to this, the two complement each other. In the future, wouldn't the people of our Great Jing be able to have three meals a day, or even four? This is a realm that even the sage's rule cannot achieve!"

"...."

Emperor Jing's face was rosy.

He picked up the potatoes in the plate and stuffed them into his mouth, closing his eyes to savor them.

This subtle taste, coupled with the moving sound in his ears, vaguely brought Emperor Jing into a floating realm...

"Sweet potatoes yield thousands of catties per mu! Potatoes yield thousands of catties per mu! Does the West have so many magical crops? Then what is their population? Wouldn't they have long been free from the worries of famine?" Suddenly an discordant voice came.

The monarchs and ministers who were immersed in joy were also suddenly awakened.

Yeah? Great Jing is picking up the leftovers from others and still happy as can be.

What would the local places have developed into?

Fang Zheng was about to explain, but he didn't expect these guys to react so quickly.

He actually added extra drama to himself!

But fortunately, everything was on the right track. Fang Zheng got up and said: "That's right! Since everyone is aware of this problem, then I will say it directly!"

"The reason why I brought you all to eat this meal is to let everyone know some overseas news within my power."

"Not only potatoes, but there is also a crop overseas called corn, which also yields more than a thousand catties per mu!"

"I once saw a book on Prince Wu's ship..."

The ministers were speechless.

What book did you see again? How much did you read? Can't you squeeze it all out at once? Bit by bit!

"This book is called The Travels of Marco Polo! Marco Polo is an adventurer from an island country who accidentally fell into the West. He once recorded in the book that the land of the Western world flows with milk and honey, there are mines and treasures everywhere, marble palaces, and beauties like clouds."

......