Chapter 270: Mysterious Person
Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion has been extremely quiet recently.
Zhou Wangshu leaves early and returns late, busy with his official duties in the Imperial Court, and has not noticed the unusual situation in Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion.
However, Su Yaoguang has noticed.
Although Su Yaoguang is often busy at Peach Blossom Workshop, she spends more time in Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion than Zhou Wangshu does, so even a slight disturbance would still catch her attention.
“Do you have any way to sneak into the Main Courtyard and inquire about the news from there?”
“Young Madam, rest assured, leave it to us.”
Su Yaoguang waited in the room for news from the people she sent out.
Not long after, they returned.
“Cheng’an Marchioness is no different from usual, but something is strange on the Second Young Master’s side.”
“How is it strange?”
“It’s too quiet over there.”
Su Yaoguang was pensive.
That evil ghost Xia Zhen makes a fuss every day, and many people have died by his hand; suddenly becoming so quiet is indeed somewhat off.
However, it was no longer easy to inquire about more news. Both the Main Courtyard and Xia Zhen’s courtyard were filled with their own trusted subordinates.
At night, when Zhou Wangshu returned, Su Yaoguang mentioned the oddity that happened today.
Zhou Wangshu said while wiping her hair, “This matter is indeed somewhat suspicious. I’ll send someone to inquire about it.”
The people Zhou Wangshu sent out soon had a response. Zhou Wangshu spoke with that person under the eaves outside for a while, then quickly returned.
“How is it?”
“Tang Shi recently found a mysterious doctor from somewhere, claiming he can cure the injuries on Xia Zhen’s body. They’ve been so quiet this time because they are undergoing treatment. That mysterious person stays with Xia Zhen in the secret chamber every day, so naturally it’s quiet over there.”
“Aren’t we going to stop it?”
“No.” Zhou Wangshu said, “That person can cure Xia Zhen’s external injuries, but can he also cure his brain?”
Su Yaoguang had to admit that what Zhou Wangshu said hit the nail on the head.
Xia Zhen’s injuries are not that easy to cure, and Zhou Wangshu really doesn’t need to pay attention to him; what he needs to focus on now is Xiao Yanci.
Xiao Yanci has recently been promoted by Prime Minister Wang, rising several ranks in a row. Even if the Emperor originally didn’t have a good impression of him, he has become increasingly satisfied with his performance lately, and his impression of him has improved as well.
Su Yaoguang heard about these things and knew that Xiao Yanci was using memories from his previous life.
“Husband…” Su Yaoguang sat in Zhou Wangshu’s arms, hugging his neck, and said, “Recently, an insect plague will appear outside the city.”
Zhou Wangshu said in surprise, “How do you know about this?”
Today in the Imperial Court, “Xiao Ci” also mentioned this matter. His Majesty is very satisfied with his plan and has already sent him to handle it.
“But, as far as I know, that is not a real insect plague.” Su Yaoguang said, “Those insects are edible. If we rally the people to capture them and fry them, they can become a delicious food, and the crops can also be spared from harm.”
“Xiao Ci proposed using drugs to exterminate them.” Zhou Wangshu said, “He said a famous doctor in his hand has developed a drug that can effectively kill the pests.”
“Drugs can indeed exterminate them, but the crops will also be completely unusable, which is a disaster for the people. We not only need to solve the insect problem but also minimize the people’s losses. Xiao Ci only knows how to solve the problem but hasn’t considered its root.”
The most important thing in this matter is that the people have lost their crops; not only will they be unable to pay taxes next, but they will also go hungry.
In her previous life, Xiao Yanci also used drugs to kill the crops, then ignored the people’s life and death. He sat high above, completely ignoring the people’s needs. But at that time, she who had purchased several manors went to the village and saw the despair of the people after losing their crops, and many who couldn’t hold on ended up with the whole family drinking poison to commit suicide.
It was precisely because she saw these misfortunes that she paid attention to the pest issue. Then she discovered that those pests weren’t really pests at all, but something edible.
“His Majesty has already believed his words. If I rashly voice a opposing opinion, I’m afraid it will make His Majesty think I’m jealous of him. I need to go to the countryside, find the pests from there, and let His Majesty see with his own eyes. Madam, can you personally make a delicious food with the pests at that time?”
“Of course. Have your people capture more and bring them back.” Su Yaoguang said, “I’ll set up a stall at the doorway of Peach Blossom Workshop, make the pests into delicious food in front of all the people in the city, let everyone taste it, and they’ll know these pests aren’t scary.”
Zhou Wangshu held Su Yaoguang and kissed her again and again.
Su Yaoguang saw he was being improper, got out of his arms, and urged him to attend to proper business.
Zhou Wangshu also knew that attending to proper business was urgent. Solving this matter early could prevent it in advance; resolving it before the insect plague expands would let the people suffer less harm.
Zhou Wangshu moved very quickly. Two hours later, his people carried more than a dozen buckets of strange insects with two pincers to Peach Blossom Workshop.
Su Yaoguang had already set up pots and stoves at the doorway of Peach Blossom Workshop, then stir-fried the strange insects with a large amount of green onions and garlic in front of the passersby.
“I know this strange insect; recently it’s been harming the crops in the fields, and many crops have been killed by it.”
“It smells quite fragrant. Can this thing really be eaten?”
Su Yaoguang cracked open a stir-fried strange insect and ate one in front of everyone, saying, “Those with guts can try it.”
Su Yaoguang, a woman, dared to eat it, and she was completely fine after eating; when others heard her say those with guts can try, many big men couldn’t stand her provocation and took the strange insects to eat like her.
“The taste is pretty good, very delicious.”
“It’s really delicious.”
“So this strange insect can really be eaten, and it’s so delicious when stir-fried.”
Su Yaoguang said to everyone, “Besides stir-frying it this way, you can also boil it directly in water, then dip it in some sauce to eat. Actually, this strange insect isn’t scary at all. See, like this, grab its shell and don’t touch its pincers.”
“If we all catch them to eat, wouldn’t there be no insect plague?”
“This thing is only that small, and it can still scare us people? Let’s see whether they reproduce faster or we eat faster.” Su Yaoguang said, “This thing is more nutritious than meat; eating it is perfect for nourishing the body. This way, we’re also eliminating harm for the crops.”
In the Imperial Palace. Su Rende sat at the desk next to the Emperor, holding a strange insect in his hand and eating it.
The Emperor hesitated beside him.
“Have I been too indulgent with you usually? Even though you once saved my life, with your arrogant behavior over these years, if I wanted to chop you, your head would have been chopped off several times by now. Now, you’ve even dared to bring things from outside the palace to fool around in front of me.”
“Your Majesty, I’m just bringing something my own daughter filialed to me for you to see. I didn’t ask you to eat it; you’re just watching me eat, which shouldn’t violate Palace Rules, right?”
The Emperor: “…”
His gaze lingered on those strange insects.
“What is this thing? So ugly and strange-looking, like a scorpion but not a scorpion; aren’t you afraid of being poisoned?”
“This is the pest that’s recently plaguing the fields outside the city; it’s this thing that’s caused the people to lose many crops. My daughter said eating it is getting revenge for the crops, which also makes up for the people’s losses.” Su Rende said, “And you know, my daughter’s skills are really good; this thing has eaten so many crops, yet its meat is so fresh and tender.”
The Emperor saw a pile of shells in front of him, and the palace was filled with a rich aroma.
He reached out, grabbed one, cracked it open like Su Rende, and ate it.
“The taste is indeed good.”
“Don’t eat it; you’re the Emperor, you can’t eat things from outside the palace.”
“Who says I can’t eat things from outside the palace? Besides, what I’m eating is made by your daughter herself; if there’s a problem, it’ll just exterminate your Su family nine clans. But I still believe you.” The Emperor said, “Don’t say, the more I eat, the more addicted I get; it’s really good.”
“My daughter has already organized the people to catch them themselves to eat. She’s willing to buy them at five copper coins per catty; if the people can’t finish eating, they can catch them to sell to her. This thing can both fill the stomach and earn money; even children would be willing to go to the fields to catch them. No matter how fast it reproduces, it can’t withstand so many people capturing it. Previously, that Lord Xiao proposed using drugs to poison them; those drugs are toxic, and once used, not only will the crops die, but the fields will also be polluted, unable to grow crops for at least three years. Your Majesty, please retract your decree and stop Lord Xiao from using drugs for pest control.”
The Emperor stopped his actions, deep thought flashing in his eyes.
“You’ve been tempting me here for half a day just for this.” He reached out to the old eunuch beside him.
The old eunuch brought a towel to wipe the grease from his hands.
“I’m not a muddle-headed ruler who doesn’t eat grains; how could I not know what crops mean to the people? Since there’s a better way to eliminate the insect plague, of course use the better way. Someone, convey my imperial decree: the pest matter outside the city is handed to Lord Zhou Wangshu to handle.”
Xiao Yanci had just come out of the Imperial Hospital, holding the pest control formula written by the Imperial Hospital, heading to the Ministry of Revenue to apply for pest control funds.
He had just entered the Ministry of Revenue when he saw the Minister of Revenue hurrying out.
“Minister, this official has received His Majesty’s decree to be in charge of this pest control matter and needs to apply to you for pest control funds.”
The Minister of Revenue frowned, looked at Xiao Yanci, and said, “Lord Xiao, haven’t you seen the people from the palace yet?”
“People from the palace have come? Is His Majesty urging tightly? As long as the Minister hurries to allocate the pest control funds, this official will immediately arrange manpower to handle it and ensure all crops are free from insect harm within half a month as much as possible.”
“Lord Xiao, no need for so much trouble.” The Minister of Revenue said, “His Majesty has already issued an imperial decree; this matter has been fully handed to Lord Zhou Wangshu to handle, you don’t need to worry about it anymore. Of course, no need to apply for those pest control funds either.”
“His Majesty clearly assigned it to this official…”
“Lord Xiao, are you saying His Majesty goes back on his word?”
“This official doesn’t mean that.”
“In any case, the news I’ve received here is that the pest control matter has been handed to Lord Zhou Wangshu. Up to now, Lord Zhou Wangshu has not applied to the Ministry of Revenue for pest control funds; he even sent word that he wants us Ministry of Revenue to record an account, to give us Ministry of Revenue an extra income.”
As the Imperial Court’s money bag, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue have it hard! All departments come to the Ministry of Revenue for silver, and the Ministry of Revenue watches the silver flow out like water, with the national treasury getting poorer; these Ministry of Revenue officials are so worried their hair is turning white. Now an official says they don’t need to spend money and can even help them earn money; how could the Ministry of Revenue officials not be excited?
Not to mention he has His Majesty’s imperial decree; even without it, these Ministry of Revenue officials would want to support him and say a few good words for him in front of His Majesty.
Whoever doesn’t ask them for money is a good person.
Don’t think the taxes handed up every year are a lot; it’s still not enough to spend.
Xiao Yanci’s face looked unpleasant.
It’s Zhou Wangshu again.
He finally had a chance to make merits, and Zhou Wangshu came to snatch his opportunity again.
Xiao Yanci had just come out of the Imperial Hospital and didn’t know what happened outside. After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, he immediately sent people to investigate and only then learned that Zhou Wangshu had his people capture those pests and eat them.
“How is it possible to catch them all?” Xiao Yanci said, “I’ve seen the fields outside the capital; it’s already a disaster there, densely packed with these strange insects. Besides using drugs, I can’t think of a faster way to exterminate insects. They actually believe Zhou Wangshu’s method. In less than a day, they’ll be crying and admitting their whimsical idea was wrong.”
“My lord, what do we do now?” the subordinate asked.
“Since His Majesty’s imperial decree is like this, we can only wait and see their performance. When they can’t control it, they’ll know my method is the fastest and best.”
While Xiao Yanci returned to the mansion to wait for the “good news,” the fields outside the city were joyful, even more festive than New Year’s in previous years.
“One catty is five copper coins; there are so many in our field, probably adding up to twenty catties, that’s one hundred copper coins. I remember there are also in the wasteland over there; after catching from our own, we’ll go catch from those wastelands.”
“Our family has too few; it would be good if there were more.”
“Husband, I have an idea: let’s keep one plot of field to specially raise these strange insects!” a woman said, “Since this strange insect is so delicious, those nobles in the city must like eating it. After a while when these strange insects are caught up, we’ll still have so many in our field, and we can sell them for a good price then.”
“Wife, your idea is good; we can try it. Anyway, just keep the smallest plot; even if we harvest a bit less crops, it won’t matter much.”
Such clever crop farmers were not just one household; several households had the same idea.
Earlier everyone was worried about the existence of the strange insects; in just a few hours, when the strange insects in the fields were mostly caught and few remained, they instead regretted that their quantity was too small.
“Eldest daughter Su was right; no matter how powerful the strange insects are, can they be more powerful than people? With so many of us, if we take these strange insects to boil and eat them, isn’t that just eliminating them? If we encounter pests in the future, we can use this method too.”
“While it’s still early, let’s hurry into the city to sell the strange insects.”
“Old Li Family has many sons, many daughters-in-law, many grandsons; the whole family went to the fields and caught one hundred catties, really making me envious to death.”
