The Linfeng Restaurant was the most famous restaurant in the capital. It was known as the gathering of all the delicacies in the world.
Usually, many scholars, dignitaries, and nobles would gather here, and the business was very hot.
At this moment, a loud voice sounded.
"Shopkeeper!"
Shopkeeper Liu, who was behind the counter, looked up and saw a luxuriously dressed young man walking in.
"Yo, isn't this the Duke?"
"Little Duke, have you invited me to the private room upstairs?”
Shopkeeper Liu said with a fawning expression.
This youth was the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng, Zhu Shiguo.
Zhu Shiguo glanced at Shopkeeper Liu and said,"Do you have roasted locusts here?"
"Roasted locusts?"
Shopkeeper Liu muttered in his heart. Could that thing be eaten?
"No, I haven't." Shopkeeper Liu shook his head.
"Heh heh, to think that your signboard is still known as the First Pavilion of the capital. I think it's time to remove your signboard!”
Zhu Shiguo snorted and turned to leave.
"Duke, this…"
Shopkeeper Liu was confused. Zhu Shiguo used to be a regular customer of the restaurant. What happened this time?
What shocked Shopkeeper Liu the most was that after Zhu Shiguo left, many nobles and children of officials came one after another.
They were all like Zhu Shiguo, all here to eat locusts. When they heard that there was no locust, they all turned around and left.
Shopkeeper Liu was dumbfounded!
This also made the customers in the restaurant extremely puzzled and discussed animatedly.
In the end, Shopkeeper Liu pulled Li Mao, the son of the Earl of Xiang City, and stuffed a banknote worth fifty taels into Li Mao's hand. He asked in a low voice,""Little Uncle, what's going on?”
"Shopkeeper Liu," Li Mao put away the silver notes and smiled,"you still don't know that His Majesty is hosting an Acraepoid Banquet for his ministers in his morning court today. If your Paramount doesn't even have an Acraepoid Banquet, how can you call yourself the Paramount?"”
Acraepoid Feast!
Shopkeeper Liu was slightly stunned.
……
……
The scene of Shopkeeper Liu quickly spread through the restaurants of the capital.
With the secret help of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the capital quickly spread the news that locusts were as delicious as ever, that the emperor and the dukes loved locusts, and that the emperor was feasting his ministers with locusts.
For a time, the capital was in turmoil.
Many officials and nobles invited their friends to a banquet. If there was no locust feast, they would not be able to stand on the stage and look down on others.
The locust feast also spread throughout the capital.
All the restaurants started to purchase locusts.
A catty of locusts can be sold for fifty wen.
When this news spread, many poor families near the capital took advantage of their free time to search for locusts.
The news of the locust feast in the capital quickly spread to the surrounding provinces.
……
……
Yangxin Palace Hall.
Cheng Jiming, Wu Zongda, and the others reported to Chongzhen with glowing faces.
"Your Majesty, ever since the news that locusts can be eaten spread to Shanxi, coupled with the official documents issued by the imperial court for the various governments to publicize it, the entire Shanxi is now digging locusts everywhere.”
"Today, there are even many merchants who see business opportunities and transport locusts from Shanxi to the capital to sell," Cheng Jiming said with a smile.”
"Right now, not only is the locust disaster nipped in the bud, but many people have another way to make a living!”
"Your Majesty's move is really killing two birds with one stone!”
"Shanxi Governor Hu Yun has also reported that the autumn harvest in Shanxi this year will not be affected.”Wu Zongda was also full of smiles as he congratulated,"Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
" Your Majesty," Qian Xiangkun said," the Minister of Revenue, Hou Xun, has also reported that the potato planting has begun on a larger scale. It is estimated that the capital will be the center next year, and it will be promoted to the surrounding provinces.”
"Other than that, we've also seen a harvest of sweet potatoes. The initial estimate is that the yield per mu should be between 3,000 to 4,000 catties!”
"We can also promote it nationwide next year!”
"At that time, our Great Ming's food crisis can be resolved!”
"Good!" Chong Zhen rubbed his hands excitedly.
For the past three years, nothing had gone well for him. Now, there were finally a few things that went well for him!
As long as the food problem was solved, the chaos in Shaanxi would be settled!
The Ming Dynasty can be settled!
All of this credit should be attributed to Zhu Ci!
If it weren't for Pin 'er, he would probably be tormented by these problems right now!
With my son's kindness, the Ming Dynasty will prosper!
Chongzhen suppressed his excitement and said,"Dear ministers, go and tell Hou Xun that when he spreads the sweet potatoes and potatoes to the whole country, I will personally celebrate for him!"”
"In addition, order Hou Xun to pay attention to whether there are any other crops with higher yield than rice and wheat when promoting them!”
"Sweet potatoes and potatoes have always been in Ming, but no one has ever reported these things to the imperial court. Tell them that if they find high-yield crops, We will reward them heavily!”
"Your Majesty is wise!" Cheng Jiming, Wu Zongda, and Qian Xiangkun repeatedly agreed.
However, Qiao Yunsheng hesitated.
"Qiao Aiqing, do you have anything to say?" Chongzhen asked.”
Qiao Yunsheng bowed slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said,""Your Majesty, I don't know if I should say something.”
"Beloved Minister, you're blunt!" Chong Zhen said straightforwardly.
Qiao Yunsheng deliberated for a moment, then slowly asked,""May I ask Your Majesty, did Your Majesty really come up with the idea of eating locusts?”
Cheng Jiming and Qian Xiangkun were slightly stunned. They were also suspicious.
They knew Chongzhen quite well. This didn't seem like Chongzhen's handwriting.
Whether it was the case of Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren, or the matter of potatoes and sweet potatoes, it didn't seem like something Chongzhen could do.
However, they did not dare to ask. This was undoubtedly questioning Chongzhen's ability.
When Chong Zhen heard this, not only was he not angry, he even said proudly,""My dear minister, you are indeed meticulous. That's right, this matter of eating locusts was indeed not Zhen's idea, but someone else!”
Cheng Ji Ming and the others trembled slightly. It was indeed someone else!
Qiao Yunsheng took a deep breath and said," Your Majesty, this person has such wisdom. He must be a talented person. May I ask which colleague is Your Majesty?"”
"Minister Qiao, that person is not a court official!”Chong Zhen said with a smile.
"No!"
Qiao Yunsheng was even more curious and asked,""Then why don't Your Majesty bring this person into the court to serve the country?”
"Then according to my dear minister, what position does this person hold?”Chong Zhen continued to ask.
Qiao Yunsheng thought about it and said concisely,""You can enter the pavilion!"
This was not Qiao Yunsheng deliberately exaggerating. Whether it was potatoes or sweet potatoes, or eating locusts, they could all be said to be great contributions. It was definitely not too much to directly enter the cabinet to do things!
Moreover, the person behind Chongzhen might even help Chongzhen get rid of the two corrupt officials, Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren!
All these contributions were enough to prove how powerful the person behind Chongzhen was.
Entering the pavilion wasn't overboard at all!
"Haha!"
"What a good one!"
Chong Zhen laughed happily. Qiao Yunsheng's words undoubtedly gave Zhu Cishi a very high evaluation!
Zhu Ci Xin was his son, so he was naturally happy about this!
"However, that person's identity should not be exposed now. If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely recommend him to the ministers!”Chong Zhen laughed.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]