It had been more than ten days since Li Er returned from the Lantian Manor. The news of the locust plague was like a fishbone stuck in his throat, making him unable to sleep at night.
Li Er ordered them to strictly keep the news of the locust plague a secret. They must not reveal it to the people and cause unnecessary unrest.
Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, Li Jing, and the others were all sent out by his secret edict to collect food. At the same time, he also found people to pray that the weather would be good this year and that the people would have a bumper harvest.
Cheng Yaojin and the others kept sending back the news of the grain conscription. Everything was going smoothly. They also actively counted the granaries left behind by the Sui Dynasty and secretly transported them to Chang 'an.
The potatoes that he had bought from the warehouse of the Lantian Manor were already planted in the high-quality farmland. After a few days of growth, many potato seedlings had already sprouted tender leaves.
Not only food, but the nets used to catch locusts were also requisitioned. However, no matter how many measures were taken, Li Er's worry did not decrease at all.
In Ming De Hall, Li Er looked at the memorial and his thoughts could not help but drift to how to deal with the locust plague.
Outside Ming De Hall, a boy and a girl looked at the food boxes that the official had brought out.
"Has Father not eaten yet?" the boy asked Gao Shichang.”
Gao Shichang bowed and said," Your Highness, Your Majesty has not eaten. Your Majesty has been working hard day and night. If this continues, your dinosaur body will be sick."”
If it was anyone else who said this, the Crown Prince Li Chengqian would dare to punish them for being disrespectful. But facing Gao Shichang, Li Chengqian did not have such courage.
Gao Shichang was Second Emperor Li's personal eunuch and spent all day with the Emperor. Who would dare to offend such a person?
Moreover, Li Chengqian also knew that Gao Shichang was reminding him. Although he could not help with the locust plague, he could still advise Li Er to take care of his dragon body.
"Thank you for your advice, Eunuch Gao." Li Chengqian cupped his fists.”
Li Chengqian brought Li Lizhi into Ming De Hall.
Li Chengqian used a voice that still carried some tenderness as he said,""Imperial Father, your son heard that you work hard day and night and don't think about eating or drinking. You must take care of your health.”
Li Lizhi also blinked her big eyes and said with a sweet smile,"That's right, Imperial Father. If this imperial food isn't tasty, then let's go to Brother Qin Feng's place to eat stir-fried vegetables.”
Li Er rubbed his sore eyes and looked at the pair of children. A warm feeling welled up in his heart and he said,"Haha, Chengqian, Lizhi, you're so thoughtful.”
These few days, Li Er had been dealing with government affairs day and night. During this period, he was also mixed with how to deal with the locust plague. He was already in a terrible state and had affected his appetite.
Hearing Li Lizhi talk about stir-fried vegetables, he suddenly felt hungry. He had to admit that the taste of stir-fried vegetables was far better than imperial food.
He patted Li Lizhi's head affectionately and said gently,""Alright, then let's go to Uncle Lan Tian's place and eat the dishes he personally cooked.”
……
In the residence of Count Lantian, Qi Siyong took the opportunity to report the situation of the ice shop to find Qin Feng for a free meal.
Looking at Qin Feng's busy figure, Qi Siyong was furious. Why was his daughter so indifferent to such an outstanding person? Why did she have to fall for a poet she had never met?
No matter how powerful a poet was, he was still a poet. Qin Feng was deeply doted on by the Emperor, and many of the officials in the court were also very close to him. Such a man could not be found even if one held a lantern.
In a fit of anger, Qi Siyong continued to confine Qi Ruowei and strictly ordered his servants not to tell her about the news outside.
Unfortunately, Qi Siyong had never known that the poet Qi Ruowei was referring to was Qin Feng. Otherwise, he would not have spent so much effort.
Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard footsteps. Qi Siyong thought that it was a servant of the Count's Residence, so he casually glanced at it. However, it was this glance that immediately made him tremble in fear.
Time did not allow Qi Siyong to think about why the Emperor would come to the Lantian Estate to look for Qin Feng. He ran up to him and bowed,""I am Qi Siyong. Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Princess.”
Li Er didn't expect anyone else to be here. He said,"Rise, what are you doing here?”
Qi Siyong immediately felt that his entire body was drenched in sweat. He said shakily,"Your Majesty, I will report to Uncle Lan Tian about the daily business of the ice shop.”
When Li Eryi heard about the ice shop, he remembered that he hadn't asked about the business of the ice shop for a long time. He casually asked,"Oh? The ice shop had been open for a month, how much was the income?”
Qi Siyong replied," The ice shops have been open for twenty-nine days. The ten ice shops have a total of 450,000 yuan, and it's still increasing.”
"Hiss!"
Li Er was also shocked by this figure. He had asked on the day of opening, and the income was 8,500 strings. In other words, for the next 28 days, it would be at least 10,000 strings per day?
This ice-making business was indeed profitable. This hot weather would continue for nearly two months, which meant that they could earn at least 600,000 strings of money this summer.
This was only the ice-making business. The initial investment in the salt-making business was basically over, and the official production of salt was about to begin. That would be a more profitable business than ice-making. Most importantly, it would be bought all year round.
A conservative estimate for salt production was that it would cost one million strings of strings
This was one of the few good news in the past few days. Li Er was in a good mood. When he saw Qin Feng coming out of the kitchen, he smiled and said,"Qin Feng, give me another serving of stir-fried vegetables like last time.”
Qin Feng looked at Li Er with the two children and knew that he had been captured again. He had to cook a few more dishes.
Qi Siyong wiped the sweat off his forehead and said nervously,""Your Majesty, I will take my leave first.”
Perhaps the news just now made Second Emperor Li happy. He said,"It's fine. You can stay here.”
Qi Siyong couldn't believe his ears. Second Emperor Li actually asked him to stay. A banquet of this level was no different from rewarding imperial food. Could he be using this to forgive his crime of dereliction of duty?
Regardless of what he was thinking, Qi Siyong quickly said,"Yes."
However, Qi Siyong was in a dilemma again. He stood beside Li Er and did not dare to say anything, afraid that something would go wrong again and all his efforts during this period of time would go to waste.
Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi didn't have so many misgivings. After informing Second Emperor Li, they ran to the kitchen to " help ".
She said she was helping, but in fact, she just wanted to eat more.
Li Lizhi blinked her big eyes and tugged at Qin Feng's sleeve.""Brother Qin Feng, can you make more of the sweet and sour pork and braised pork from last time?”
Li Lizhi was born from Emperor Li Er and Empress Zhangsun. She was a virtuous person who was born in the imperial court and taught in the court.……As bright as the night moon shines on the forest, as bright as the morning glow reflects the pearl pond.”
It was clear that the princess was as beautiful as her name suggested. In the second year of Zhenguan, which was next year, the eight-year-old Li Lizhi would be granted the title of Princess of Changle County and 3,000 households of food.
Facing such a loli beauty, how could Qin Feng bear to reject her? He patted her head and said,"Don't worry, I'll make sure you're full!”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]