Li Shimin felt the bitterness in his mouth.
Damn it, the grasshopper's leg had pricked his tongue.
It hurt.
But upon hearing Fang Er question Wei Zheng, his mood instantly improved.
He looked at Wei Zheng with amusement, eager to hear his response.
Wei Zheng's mouth twitched.
He didn't know how to answer.
After issuing the Edict of Self-Criticism, the locust plague had become even more severe.
Could he say that?
Fang Er's anger began to rise.
He stepped forward, pointing directly at Wei Zheng's nose.
Issuing an Edict of Self-Criticism shifted all the blame onto the Emperor.
Receiving the ruler's salary means being loyal to the ruler!
What were officials like you, who only knew how to spout empty words, doing?
You were forcing the Emperor to admit to unfounded mistakes!
At the same time, you wasted the best period for locust control, making the plague even worse!
What about our Duke Wei? Is what this young man said correct?
Therefore! This young man has to ask, who should be blamed for this self-criticism?
Fang Er's voice grew louder with each sentence.
The moment "Duke Wei" was uttered, Li Shimin couldn't help but smile.
Was this kid doing it on purpose, or was it just a slip of the tongue?
The title "Duke of Wei" had become "Duke Wei" in his mouth.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were also amused by Fang Er's sudden slip of the tongue, finding it both funny and awkward.
Their shoulders twitched.
Wei Zheng's face turned red. Fang Er's words left him speechless!
He could only retort.
I am a newly enfeoffed Duke by the Emperor, how did I become Duke Wei here!
You are insulting me! Your Majesty, I request that the Marquis of Liaodong be punished for disrespect!
Fang Er immediately turned his head to look at Li Shimin, saying with a smile.
Your Majesty, it was just a slip of the tongue, a mere slip of the tongue.
Li Shimin waved his hand.
Pay attention next time.
Wei Zheng's expression was unpleasant.
This was clearly taking sides and making a spectacle of him.
Suddenly, he turned to Fang Er and said.
Since the Marquis of Liaodong claims the Edict of Self-Criticism is useless, then please, Marquis of Liaodong, propose a method to control the locusts!
Fang Er's eyes lit up.
Your Majesty, I request an imperial decree to announce to the people.
I am willing to purchase locusts at ten coins per jin.
At the end of the locust plague, I will reward the commoner who captured the most locusts in each commandery with one hundred taels of silver!
Fang Xuanling's eyes brightened!
Indeed, the effectiveness of past disaster relief efforts was limited, partly because the common people were not very enthusiastic.
Furthermore, after suffering from disasters, the common people also received relief from the imperial court, so they had choices.
However, Fang Er's proposal for purchasing them was different!
Ten coins per jin, plus a reward of one hundred taels, the common people would likely go mad with joy!
Would they then be catching locusts everywhere?
He quickly stepped forward and said.
Your Majesty, this plan is feasible!
Li Shimin's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this.
His gaze towards Fang Er became even more affectionate.
Is this young man spending his own money to do things for the country?
What a fine young man.
Speaking of which, although they were engaged, they weren't married yet, were they?
Should he try to intercept Chai Shao?
In that case, I shall grant it. Duke Fang, please draft the decree.
Marquis of Liaodong, if this matter succeeds, I will reward you again!
Li Shimin had no idea.
After seeing his approval, Fang Er was inwardly overjoyed.
These locusts are excellent animal-source protein.
Dried and powdered, they would be superior feed!
Raising chickens with this stuff would make them grow like balloons!
As soon as he returned to Fang Family Manor, Fang Er gave the order.
The eighteen riders scattered, spreading the news in nearby towns and villages.
Fang Family Manor is buying grasshoppers for ten coins per jin!
This price made the villagers and farmers immensely tempted.
What could ten coins buy?
It was enough to feed a whole family for a day!
It was just a matter of going out to catch one jin of grasshoppers.
And so,
Starting the next day, people began arriving with bags.
At this point, it was only the beginning of the locust plague, so the villagers didn't catch many.
Yet, Fang Er still had Xiao Qing settle accounts with them for the full weight, no matter how little.
Even if it was just one copper coin, it was settled on the spot.
After the first villager returned with five coins for selling grasshoppers,
More and more people joined the catching brigade.
Liu Si'er watched the fresh grasshoppers delivered daily and directly moved the grain from the Ministry of Revenue into his own warehouse.
Wasn't this stuff better for feeding chickens than grain?
The surplus grasshoppers were drowned in buckets of water, then taken out to be dried.
They were sent to the workshop, ground into powder by a pulverizer, and packed into sacks for storage.
Fang Er himself sat in the courtyard of his home.
In front of him was a barbecue grill, with skewers of grasshoppers roasted to a golden brown.
In a bucket beside him was saltpeter and water.
Inside the bucket was a small tin can containing "Duo Ming Da Wu Su," a beer with its label removed.
A skewer of grasshoppers, a sip of beer.
The taste was.
Simply superb.
Xiao Qing, Xiao Huan, Xiao Mi, and Chen Xuelian, the four maids, watched with longing eyes.
The aroma was so fragrant.
They wanted to eat, but they were also afraid.
Those were grasshoppers!
How could young master dare to eat them? Wasn't it said that eating grasshoppers would incur the wrath of the locust god?
But why was young master eating them so deliciously?
Xiao Qing, bravely, picked up a skewer.
She took a cautious bite.
Hmm?
Her large eyes instantly lit up.
Crispy, chicken flavor!
Delicious!
Fang Er smiled at her expression.
Then, he poured her a cup of beer.
Try this.
Xiao Qing licked the oil from the corner of her mouth and picked up the cup, sniffing it.
Hmm? This smell is so strange.
She tried taking a sip.
A refreshing coolness spread through her.
She felt completely comfortable!
Ah~~~~!
Xuelian sister, Huan'er, Xiao Mi, you should try it too. Young master's cooking is too delicious!
And this beer, it's not spicy at all, and it's very refreshing. After drinking it, my mouth feels fragrant.
A mischievous smile appeared on Fang Er's face.
Really fragrant?
Xiao Qing nodded affirmatively.
Fang Er pretended to savor the taste in his mouth.
No, how about you come here, let young master have a smell.
Xiao Qing's face flushed.
Young master, you're so naughty.
Fang Er put on a stern face.
Alright, dare to lie to your young master?
Xiao Qing timidly moved closer, her face as red as a ripe peach.
It looked as if a gentle squeeze would make it burst with juice.
Fang Er, with a roguish smile, hooked Xiao Qing's chin with his hand.
He leaned in.
Xiao Huan, on the other hand, loved to watch the excitement and couldn't stop laughing.
Xiao Mi and Chen Junlian were older and understood matters of men and women.
Therefore, they were both so shy that their faces flushed, and they turned their heads away.
Then, a "pop" was heard.
Following that, Fang Er smacked his lips and said with a solemn expression.
Hmm! Not bad, it's indeed quite fragrant. Who else wants some beer?
Hurry, there's only this much left, and it will be gone after you finish it.
After you finish drinking, remember to let young master taste if it's fragrant or not.
After saying this, he held up the beer bottle and swayed it towards the other three maids.