Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 257 Fried locusts, pick them up, can this really be eaten?

After seeing a group of chickens pecking at locusts in the field, Yu Yu lazily basked in the sun nearby.

Her eyes lit up, and she suddenly ran to Li Shimin and said crisply, "Your Majesty, these locusts can be fried and eaten!"

Li Shimin was surprised when he heard this: "Can I really eat this?"

Xiaoyu hurried forward and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I dare not lie to you. Although these locusts are a disaster, they have a unique flavor after being fried, and they can also satisfy hunger."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and thought it was worth a try, so he ordered: "Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaidao, you two lead your followers to help pick up the locusts. I and Yuyu's family will also come to pick up the locusts."

Everyone took the order and bent down to work in the fields.

Yuyu happily picked up the locusts and said to Li Shimin excitedly, "Your Majesty, don't underestimate these small locusts. They are very delicious when fried until crispy. Some people ate them during famines in the past."

Li Shimin asked curiously, "How do you know all this, little girl?"

Yuyu blinked and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, I once heard the elders in the village say that when they were young, there was a disaster and they had no choice but to try eating locusts. They found that as long as they were prepared properly, they tasted pretty good. And eating locusts also reduced their number, otherwise they would have eaten up all the crops."

Li Hao also echoed, "Your Majesty, Yuyu is right. These locusts are everywhere. It would be great if they could be turned into food."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, but he had other considerations in his mind.

He was well aware of the suffering of the people. If locusts could really become edible, it would be of great help in alleviating the disaster and comforting the people.

As Cheng Chumo picked up the locusts, he said to Qin Huaidao, "Do you think fried locusts are really edible? I've never tried it."

Qin Huaidao shrugged: "Who knows, but since His Majesty has agreed, let's pick it up first. Maybe we can really discover a new world."

Xiaoyu watched everyone busying around, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. She said to Li Shimin, "Your Majesty, this locust plague has caused untold suffering to the people. If we can make use of the locusts, the people will have another way to survive."

Li Shimin's expression was solemn. "I know this too. However, since ancient times, locusts have been considered a symbol of natural disasters. I'm worried that the people will find it difficult to accept this."

Yuyu seemed to see Li Shimin's worry and said, "Your Majesty, as long as you take the lead in eating, the people will definitely be willing to try it. You are the Son of Heaven, and your every move affects the people."

After hearing this, Li Shimin felt something in his heart. He felt that although the little girl's words were straightforward, they did make some sense.

After a while, everyone picked up several bags full of locusts.

Li Shimin brought everyone back to Zuixianlou and ordered people to clean the locusts and prepare to fry them according to the method described by Yu Yu's family.

In the kitchen, Yuyu volunteered to direct the chefs: "Soak the locusts in salt water for a while, that way they'll be better. Then drain the water and fry them in a pan. Don't use too high a heat, just fry them slowly until they're golden and crispy."

Chef Mi followed Yu Yu's method with some doubt.

In the hall of Zuixianlou, Li Shimin, Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaidao and others discussed how to deal with the follow-up issues of the locust plague.

Li Shimin said, "If fried locusts are truly successful this time, I intend to promote it in the affected areas and encourage the people to follow suit. However, changing people's mindsets will take some effort."

Cheng Chumo said, "Your Majesty, I think we can first let some officials take the lead in trying it out, and then promote it to the people."

Qin Huaidao also nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty, you can also post notices to explain to the people why locusts are edible and allay their concerns."

As he was speaking, a fragrant aroma wafted out from the kitchen. Yuyu came in with a plate of fried locusts and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, the locusts are fried. Please try some."

Everyone's eyes were focused on the plate of fried locusts. The locusts were fried until golden and crispy, emitting an enticing aroma.

Li Shimin took the lead and picked up a locust. He put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly. A look of surprise appeared on his face: "This... tastes unexpectedly good."

Seeing this, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao also picked up the locusts and tasted them.

Cheng Chumo gave a thumbs up: "These fried locusts are crispy and delicious, really good."

Qin Huaidao also praised: "I didn't expect that this little locust could become such a delicacy."

Xiaoyu's family looked at everyone's reactions and felt relieved.

Yuyu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, since it's delicious, let's quickly tell the people so they can also enjoy this delicacy and get through this difficult time."

Li Shimin put down the locusts in his hand and said solemnly, "Okay. I will immediately order the promotion of fried locusts in all the affected areas. At the same time, I will also personally explain to the people that although locusts are a disaster, they can also be eaten."

Afterwards, Li Shimin ordered people to draft a notice, which detailed the method of frying locusts and the benefits of edible locusts.

After the notice was posted, it caused an uproar in the disaster-stricken areas.

The people were initially skeptical about eating locusts, but when they saw the emperor personally taking the lead and the officials demonstrating, gradually, some people began to try it.

In a small village, an old man looked at the notice and after hesitating for a long time, decided to try the method on the notice.

He and his family picked up some locusts in the fields and fry them when they got home.

When the first fried locust entered his mouth, the old man's eyes were filled with surprise: "This... this is really edible and quite delicious."

After the news spread, more and more people began to follow suit, and people could be seen picking locusts everywhere in the fields.

In the palace, Li Shimin summoned Xiaoyu and his family again.

Li Shimin said to Xiaoyu, "Your family's invention of deep-frying locusts has alleviated the people's urgent need. Your contribution is invaluable. I wish to reward you. What do you desire?"

Xiaoyu quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, my family and I do not ask for any reward. We only hope that Your Majesty can quell the disaster as soon as possible so that the people can live and work in peace."

Li Shimin helped Xiaoyu up and said with emotion: "You are very understanding of justice. I will not let you down."

Yuyu said from the side: "Your Majesty, when you have time, you must come to Zuixianlou more often. We will treat you to many delicious foods."

Li Shimin smiled and nodded: "Okay, I will definitely go."

Yu Yu and his family returned to Zuixianlou from the palace with great satisfaction.

Along the way, we didn't see many locusts. The locusts that once covered the sky are now hard to find.

Smiles gradually appeared on the faces of the people, no longer as sad and desperate as before: "These locusts are gone, how great!"

Back at Zuixianlou, the restaurant was bustling with activity, the diners' laughter and chatter intertwined. Yuyu skipped ahead, "Let's hear what's interesting. They'll probably talk about locusts and the like."