I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

(Because many readers are saying that locusts will be poisonous and cannot be eaten after a disaster. I don’t know much about this, but as there are more people, I pay more attention to it. So I spent money to read a paper. After a locust disaster, the body will secrete a Plant cyanide of phenylacetonitrile and quickly convert it into hydrocyanic acid. Hydrogen cyanide is poisonous, but the content in locusts is very small. I also found a biology university lecturer, and he told me that locust plagues are poisonous, but locusts are hydrogen cyanide. The content of cyanic acid may not necessarily cause death, but it can be eaten after being cooked at high temperatures such as frying. Hydrocyanic acid decomposes naturally above 65 degrees. It just may not taste very good. So after reading You can question whether locust plague can be controlled by eating. But don't consider the issue of toxins. Voiceover: I was also questioned about my academic qualifications. They said that I studied chemistry in junior high school. But why didn't I have any impression? I felt like he was lying to me. .)

Li Shen, who came back from the court, left the palace at noon. When I arrived at Jingjing Pavilion, I told Wang Hongfu my thoughts in the court.

Wang Hongfu said in confusion, "Your Majesty, where should we take it back and put it? The main thing is where to bury it."

"Bury it. Why bury it? Such a good thing is buried. You are such a prodigal, I will bury you."

"How will the prince deal with it if he doesn't bury it?"

"ate"

"Eat?" Wang Hongfu opened his mouth wide. Are these insects edible?

"Look at how you have never seen the world. Go to Huangzhuang to find someone. Go to the affected area to buy locusts. Pay two cents per pound and tell them if the people are far away from the county. Tell the farmers to wash them with clean water and remove the wings. Add a small amount of salt. Pickle and store it, so we can give you an extra penny. We will handle it ourselves when we come back. We will renovate the restaurant we bought next to the Boutique Pavilion and prepare it for opening. The chef will go back to the palace and ask for two from your majesty in a while. The guy will come from Huangzhuang. Look for it. If there are no men, any free young lady will do. I want to open the business in three days. The restaurant is called Flavor Restaurant. Go quickly. Time is money." After Li Shen finished speaking, he began to urge Wang Hongfu.

Wang Hongfu did not dare to delay Li Shen's affairs. He went to Huangzhuang to do business without stopping. Li Shen, on the other hand, returned to the palace and went to the Ganlu Hall. After Wang De reported it, he asked Li Shen to go in.

"I've seen Aye."

"Well, what's the matter?" Li Shimin knew that Li Shen had just left the palace.

"Aye. Is there any elderly chef in the Shangshi Bureau who is leaving the palace? Give me two." Li Shen asked directly.

"Why do you want the imperial chef? Do you still want to open a restaurant outside?" Li Shimin knew Li Shen too well. Just to make money.

"Ah Ye, Gao Jian, it's true. I'm preparing to open a restaurant outside the palace in three days. There is no chef. Aye is not going to cut off the people in the palace this year. So I asked the Shangshi Bureau if anyone is going to leave the palace. "Li Shen knew that Li Shimin wanted to save money. The number of eunuchs and maidens in the palace dropped again and again.

"Wang De, is there any royal chef who wants to leave the palace?" Li Shimin asked if Li Shen accepted it. It can be regarded as finding a way out for these people.

"Back to everyone. There are five royal chefs in Shangshi Bureau, all around fifty. Due to physical reasons, they need to leave the palace this year." Wang De is the manager of the harem. This is what he did. He has the final say who leaves the palace and who stays.

"Then I want them all. Pack them up. I'll take them out of the palace in three days. I'll talk to them about their wages when the time comes." Li Shen originally thought that two would be good. I didn’t expect there to be five

"Well, Wang De will arrange this later. Li Shen, I know that you paid for the locusts personally for the sake of the court. I understand in my heart, but I have to do what I can. The money in your hand should also be Not much more," Li Shimin estimated. Li Shen only had less than [-] guan in hand. There are only [-] dans of grain. The rest was either spent on mountains and land, or donated to Li Mengjiang.

"Aye, it's okay. I still have some money. And the winery has been producing. And maybe I can make a profit."

"Oh? Then what are you going to do with the locusts you bought?" Li Shimin was curious.

"Didn't I tell you that I opened a flavor restaurant?" Li Shen replied

"Flavor Pavilion. Are you going to eat the locusts???" Li Shimin almost dropped his jaw in shock

"Yes. Locusts are very nutritious. They can strengthen the spleen and stomach, relieve coughs and asthma. They are also highly nutritious. Eating them regularly can strengthen your body." Li Shen saw that Li Shimin was so ignorant and explained to him.

"Are these written in your ancient book? No one has eaten this locust since ancient times. Can it be eaten?" Li Shimin mentioned the ancient book again. All Li Shen's things come from an ancient book that cannot be found.

"Of course. And it's delicious. Mainly because it's very tonic. And think about it. They all say disasters come from heaven. Some say local officials are unethical. Some say the court. But if we eat it. Do you think no one will spread rumors in the future?" Li Shen explained

After hearing this, Li Shimin thought for a while and asked, "Can it really be eaten?"

"It's really edible. And it's delicious."

"Okay. Then we will hold a locust feast in front of Zhuque Gate, and all civil and military officials will participate. Let the people of Chang'an come to watch. Now the people of Chang'an are panicking and are grabbing food. I'm afraid it will cause a food shortage. The Ministry of Household Affairs has already From the warehouse, we began to transport grain to Chang'an. If the people know that this locust is not a scourge, it will calm the people's hearts. You go and prepare. There will be a locust feast in three days." Li Shimin was a shrewd and capable emperor. After listening to Li Shen's words, I knew how to maximize the benefits. Li Shen How much influence can a small restaurant have? How could it be more influential than the imperial court?

"Then I'll prepare the materials. I'll start teaching those five people how to do it tomorrow. I'll ask Wang Hongfu to hurry up and get some back." Tongzhou, the nearest disaster area to Chang'an, can be reached by horseback in less than half a day. There was plenty of time, but the main reason was that the capture was difficult. You have to let them make a net when you get back.

Li Shen didn't bring more. Followed Wang De to Shangshi Bureau. Spices could be used as money in the Tang Dynasty. All kinds of things are sold on the basis of two, one, two, seven, eight, or so. There aren’t many spices in the palace either. Li Shen searched for a long time and finally found cumin, also called Parthian fennel, and pepper. Li Shen ordered people to grind the cumin and pepper into powder. It tastes fast and saves a bit of money. too expensive. Too bad there was no chilli. The rest is there.

At noon the next day, Wang Hongfu sent a truckload of locusts, all of which were caught with nets overnight. Still alive. Li Shen asked someone to bring it back to Shangshi Bureau. Li Shen first took out a part and prepared to test it. He had eaten a lot in his previous life. Know how to do it. But it was also the first time I actually started doing it. Locust Li Shen prepares four ways of cooking: cold salad, charcoal grilling, stir-frying, and deep-frying. There is no other material.

So one afternoon Li Shen began to instruct the five royal chefs to start experiments, and these were the materials. The main thing is to experiment with the heat. The royal chef is the royal chef. After listening to Li Shen's theoretical knowledge, I started to think about it and try it. It was finally successful until the evening. Actually it is very simple. Tell you the steps of cooking. All that's left is to do. As long as the material is enough. If you try hard, you will always succeed. Not to mention the royal chef.

On the morning of the third day, the people of Chang'an already knew the news. Your Majesty and the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs are going to prepare a locust feast in front of the Suzaku Gate. Eating locusts is a feat. No one has ever tried it. The common people never thought that this thing could be eaten. No one dared to eat it. How can you eat the calamity that comes from heaven? So people want to come and see it. In front of the Suzaku Gate is a large square, now surrounded by Yulin guards. All swords are unsheathed. There are also rows of archers on the city wall. The security measures are airtight. The seats have been arranged. All officials in Beijing including deputies will also be present today. Everyone from Chang'an to level [-] and above will come. Next to the city wall was the place where the imperial chef cooked dishes, and a temporary pavilion was built. At this moment Li Shen is making final preparations. Cleaning has begun in several water tanks, and those that need to be marinated have been marinated in advance. And the locusts haven’t eaten anything in the past two days. So very clean.

After a while, Li Shimin came out with about a hundred people, including civil and military officials. After Li Shimin took his seat, the officials also took their seats according to their rank. Wang De walked over and asked Li Shen, "His Royal Highness King Ji. His Majesty asked if you are ready. You can start."