The victims in Changliu County didn't know where they were, and the people who could barely survive also heard that a hundred locusts could be replaced by a hed of rice, so they were busy with catching nets and sacks.
The streets and alleys were suddenly crowded with people, both men, women and children. At this time, they were not afraid of these locusts. They hurriedly covered one and stuffed it into the bag.
The rampant locusts in the city were all caught in only half a day, and the ones that were not caught were also scared to fly out of the city.
So the people who caught the locusts also chased the locusts to the desolate field outside the city.
These locusts look scary in groups, but in fact they are not harmful to people. The locusts outside the city are in fragments. After eating up the food, they still hover in the fields. Large swarms of people come over and use cloth bags directly. One cover can catch a large piece.
In front of the gate of the county guard house that day, there were all people in long lines holding pockets full of locusts to exchange for food. On the contrary, there were a lot less people at the table opposite to the exchange of money, compared with the busy feet on the other side. My colleagues also showed a bit of depression.
On the second day after the announcement was posted, Fujia Rice Shop, which had been closed for a long time, announced that it would reopen. The lobby was full of grain. The price of grain was generally the same as before the drought, no more than no less.
Just to prevent people from hoarding rice and grains maliciously, this time the purchase of rice grains needs to be counted by households. The government officials take the Rending booklet to help record them. Each household buys grain by head, and can buy it after eating.
For a time, most of the people from all counties flocked to Fu's rice shop to buy food. The line in front of the rice shop was no less than the people at the gate of the county guard.
People who were desperate for a long time seemed to have seen hope again, and they took their pockets to catch locusts outside with great energy. They took them back and exchanged money and then went to Fujia Rice Shop to buy rice, or they could go directly to the prefecture to exchange rice. Anyway, The price of rice is the same on both sides.
The people were rejoicing, but the grain merchants who sat on the floor and expected to make a lot of money were not happy.
At the beginning of the drought, the businessmen sensed the business opportunities and suspended sales one after another. When the drought really started, they would meet to raise prices together and make money together.
Some people make money with ignorance of their conscience, and naturally others feel that this is too dark.
Natural disasters and man-made disasters are not easy in the world. Grain merchants have raised the price of rice so high, which is tantamount to forcing civilians who cannot afford rice to die.
However, there are only a few businessmen who have this idea. They can't twist their arms and beat their thighs. These people can only live their lives behind closed doors without making any noise.
Until Fu's Mipu became the leader, and the county guard's mansion stood behind him, two or three rice shops that had been troubled by their conscience also tried to open the door. The price was the same as that of Fu's Mipu, which attracted many people to the past. It relieved the pressure on Fu Jia Mipu, allowing Fu Tian and the others to relax.
Three new guys were recruited to help. Fu Tian handed the matter back to Guan Wang, and he took the time to discuss with Wei Yang and the others how to deal with the locusts.
According to the original plan, the captured locusts were to be filled into the pit, crushed with lime water and buried deep.
However, a few days ago, Wei Marting looked through predecessors' books on locust plagues, and found that in some books, locusts can be used as medicine or food.
In particular, one of the books also recorded the eating methods of locusts in detail: remove the wings of locusts, wash them with salt water, add oil, salt, ginger and a small amount of white wine after blanching, and stir-fry on high fire until the date is red. The meat is soft and tender, and the taste is delicious Like shrimp.
When Wei Yang believed the suspect, he and Fu Tian went through many books and found that there were also records of migratory locusts in the Compendium of Materia Medica, which recorded that migratory locusts can treat children with convulsions, fever, and asthma.
To be cautious, Qin also invited the doctor from the hospital to confirm that these locusts are indeed non-toxic and harmless and can be used as medicine. Only then decided to temporarily leave the large number of locusts, and plan to find a way to turn these locusts into food for the people.
After all, the national treasury's grain has long been used for disaster relief, and there is not much left. Now the rice that the people exchange for locusts is privately produced by Fu Tian, but the counties affected by the locusts are in addition to Changliu County and surrounding four or five counties. .
After the neighboring counties took effect in Changliu County, they followed the example of Changliu County and started to control the locust plague. If the counties and counties are supported by the food hoarded by Fu Jia's rice shop alone, they will soon bottom out. We still have to find a way to get these as soon as possible. The people can be self-sufficient.
If locusts are edible, they can indeed solve the big problem of food shortage.
But how to get the people to accept it is a big problem.
"If you are really hungry. Don't talk about locusts, even grassroots and soil will eat." Qin Li said lightly. He came from a poor family and knew these poor people better, but he was not as worried as Fu Tian.
"Think of a way, find some people to take the lead, naturally someone will follow suit." After all, rice still needs money to buy, but the locusts in the fields don't need money. After eating up the crops, the locusts only raise a big, fat and tender one. From light white porridge, this is a meat dish anyway.
Fu Tian and Wei Marting felt that what he said was reasonable, so they quickly found a cook and asked the cook to fry and cook a few plates of locust meat according to the records in the ancient books.
The cook has seen the world before. He has never made any rare ingredients. He took off the wings and limbs of the large locust, washed the internal organs and cut it from the middle, and then cooked it over a high fire. The spicy smell of meat came out. Sub-tempting.
In order to take care of the young masters, the cook deliberately made a few plates of locusts that do not look like the original ones. After removing the heads, wings and limbs, they have a long strip shape that is invisible. The meat is maroon red, and the chopsticks are tender and tender. Elastic, you can still see the full oil in it.
The cook is very good at craftsmanship, and a few plates of locusts are made with delicious flavors and colors. If you don't think about their original appearance, it is indeed a delicacy.
But it happened that their original appearance was unacceptable. Fu Tian held a large locust meat and manually operated it several times, but he couldn't let his mouth go.
Wei Yang was not much better than him. The two looked at each other, then looked at the meat on the chopsticks, and secretly cheered themselves up.
On the contrary, the official Qin, who has been silent, picked one up and put it in his mouth, chewing for a while and praised: "The book does not exaggerate. It is true that the meat floss is tender and tastes like shrimp, which is a delicious dish."
After speaking, Shi Shiran clipped an entrance.
"..." Wei Yang always loved to compare with him. Seeing that he had eaten it, but he didn't dare to utter his mouth. Isn't it shameful that he gritted his teeth, closed his eyes and ate one, and when he took it, he had no talent His discomfort, the rich taste burst on the tip of his tongue, he subconsciously chewed and swallowed, his face was not wrinkled, "Indeed... not bad."
Only Fu Tian who didn't eat is left: "..."
The three of them ate both of them, and he was embarrassed to carry them. He could only learn Wei Yang's teeth and close his eyes and swallow. Naturally, he looked surprised. He and Wei Yang looked at each other and said at the same time: "There is a show!"
The three of them slowly ate a few plates of locust meat with wine. After the hurdle in their hearts, the locust meat was indeed very delicious, and the cook's craftsmanship made them very satisfying.
After he was full, he called in the manager of the king and asked him to bring the county guard over to discuss.
The county guard heard that several great gods had requested, and hurried over, but when they arrived, they saw Wei Yang beckoning to him with a smile, "Master county guard, come and have a look."
The county guard hesitated when they said this, moved over vigilantly, and asked carefully: "I don't know if Lord Hou and the two adults called me...?"
Wei Yang sat down under him, and Fu Tian cooperated to push a plate of fried locust meat in front of him, "We didn't intend to find a delicacy. Thinking that the county guard is working for the people, we invite you to come and taste it."
County guard: "...?"
He was confused and felt that Wei Marting's smile was not so simple. After several encounters, he had vaguely realized that Wei-sama was not as pure and harmless as his looks.
Sitting down next to the edge of the bench, the county guard picked up the chopsticks and looked at the meat on the plate in surprise.
Wei Yang was still persuading him, "This is a rare delicacy, adults should try it quickly."
The county guard was persuaded by him, and he hesitantly put a chopstick into his mouth.
Fu Tian looked at him closely, "How does the county guard feel the taste?"
The county guard was stared at by the two of them so that his scalp was numb, and he hesitated: "It is indeed a delicacy, but...what is it made of?"
He hesitated to ask the doubts in his heart, he always felt that the things on the plate looked a bit unlike the meat that he had usually seen.
Wei Yang and Fu Tian smiled slightly at the same time.
Fu Tian began to talk about another topic, "I recently searched ancient books with Master Wei and found a good way to deal with locusts."
The county guard immediately threw away the doubts in his heart, and came to his mind, how to deal with so many locusts, he is also having a headache, "Oh? What method?"
Wei Yang handed him the very detailed ancient book describing the cooking of locusts, "Ancient books record that the meat of locusts is tender and edible, so I asked the chef to try it, and it didn't taste bad."
The county guard looked at the words in the book, and then at the platter of meat in front of him, his complexion turned blue.
Wei Yang kindly handed him a cup of tea. "The three of us just ate it and thought it was really good, so we wanted to discuss with the county guard how to promote this dish and let the people accept it. Many food problems can be solved."
Hearing that the three of them had also eaten it, the county guard had endured the discomfort and did psychological improvement for himself for a while before he smiled and said: "This is a good way, and the problem of how to deal with locusts has also been solved."
Wei Yang patted the county guard's shoulder appreciatively. He deeply felt that the county guard was a manufacturable, and he knew the times and was flexible.
The four people discussed it and finally decided to start with the big rich people and big restaurants. Ordinary people have always been elusive to the rich people. If these big restaurants and rich people can accept this fresh dish, Then it is not a problem for ordinary people to follow suit. Once they speak up, it will be easy for the rest.