In the second year of Zhenguan, after the incident at Xuanwu Gate, coupled with the sudden locust plague in the early spring of this year, Chang 'an seemed to be very depressed, no longer as prosperous as it was during the Sui Dynasty!
Most of the farmlands outside Chang 'an City were barren. Crops that had been eaten by locusts could be seen everywhere until there was no green at all.
In Anping County, which was about ten miles away from Chang 'an, the villagers were actively catching locusts in the fields.
"Wu He, go and ask what's going on. Why are the villagers of Anping County working so hard to catch locusts?”Li Yuan, who had witnessed everything in the carriage, ordered the guard beside him.
Originally, he was accompanying his beloved consort to visit her family today, so his good son "Li Er" would let him out of the palace. Even so, he still arranged for dozens of guards to "protect" him.
It was not easy to come out once, but who would have thought that the locust plague would be so ruthless that not a single blade of grass would grow in the farmland.
Most of the people were in awe of the locusts. Therefore, when the locust plague occurred, the people were often at a loss. They thought that the locust plague was a punishment from the heavens, so they did not dare to catch the locusts.
However, the people of Anping County were very abnormal, which surprised Li Yuan.
"Yes, Retired Emperor."
Wu He stopped an old man who was carrying a sack of locusts and asked him about it. He finally understood the whole story.。
"Reporting to Retired Emperor, the commoners are capturing locusts to go to the county's Lu Village to exchange for food.”Wu He said.
"Can locusts be exchanged for food?" Li Yuan was stunned.
"It's said that Lu Xiu of Anping County's Lu Village has the immortal technique to turn rot into magic and turn everything into food. He also exchanged a catty of locusts for a catty of food for the people. That was why the people of the county were so active in catching locusts.”When he first heard it, Wu He was also skeptical. If there was really an immortal technique that could conjure food, no one in the world would starve.
"Wu He, send someone to catch more than ten catties of locusts. This old man plans to follow and see what's going on.”Li Yuan said. Li Yuan was very curious about such a strange person.
Outside the Lu manor, thousands of people could be seen lining up in an orderly manner. Each of them was carrying several kilograms of locusts. They could also see many commoners happily coming out with all kinds of food.
Wu He was about to disperse the commoners blocking the way and clear a path for Retired Emperor Li Yuan.
"Idiot! This old man rarely leaves the palace, how can I disturb the people? Go and buy the position of the commoners in front of you with a dozen or so rewards.”Li Yuan said.
"Yes, Retired Emperor."
Although the price of grain in the Great Tang had been rising, a dozen coins could buy several catties of grain. The people were naturally willing to give up their seats, so Li Yuan easily took the front seat.
In the Lu Villa, Li Yuan finally saw the owner of the Lu Villa. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old and was sitting on a chair that could be gently swayed. His " calm and composed " attitude was no different from that of the profligate sons in the capital!!
"It looks like they used their own money to buy food to help the hungry.”At the same time, Li Yuan came to a conclusion. He also felt that he was ridiculous. He actually believed that there was an immortal technique.
But the next moment, Li Yuan was stunned.
The sturdy pine tree trunk was about 20 centimeters in diameter, but he easily cut a piece of it with a kitchen knife.
Most importantly, under everyone's watchful eyes, the wooden block had actually turned into a piece of steak that weighed two to three pounds. It emitted waves of meaty fragrance, and just looking at it was already very appetizing!
"How is that possible? My eyes must be playing tricks on me.”Li Yuan, who had witnessed everything with his own eyes, widened his eyes like copper bells.
"Old man, how many kilograms of locusts did you catch? What kind of food do you want to exchange for? Looking at your clothes, you don't look like you're hungry.”
"Impudent! Do you know who is in front of you? How dare you speak so disrespectfully?”
"Wu He, back off."
Li Yuan's face darkened.
Lu Xiu chuckled.”
"Hehe, he's a little hot-tempered. Don't mind him. Right, can I exchange for any food?”Li Yuan smiled.
"As long as I've seen or eaten them, most of them are fine.”Lu Xiu said.
"In that case, I wonder if I can exchange a few catties of wine for it.”
Logically speaking, due to the lack of food and the prohibition of alcohol in the Great Tang, it was not easy to obtain alcohol. Even in their Imperial Palace, it was usually very difficult for them to get along.
"Wine? Sure, but two catties of locusts can only be exchanged for one catty of wine. Li Ergou, go get me a bucket of water."”
"Alright, Young Master."
Upon hearing Lu Xiu's instructions, the honest young man who was sorting out the locusts in the courtyard took a wooden ladle and a large bucket from the water tank in the courtyard and placed it in front of Lu Xiu.
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