(Because many readers are saying that locusts are poisonous when they become plagues.) Can't eat. I don't know much about it, but with the number of people, I take it seriously. So I spent money to look at a paper.

When locusts infest, the body secretes a cyanide form of phenylacetonitrile, which is rapidly converted to hydrocyanic acid. Hydrocyanic acid is toxic. But locusts are very small.

I found another lecturer at a biology university, and he told me that locust plagues are poisonous, but the content of locust hydrocyanic acid does not necessarily kill people, and it can be eaten after being fried and cooked at high temperatures.

Hydrocyanic acid naturally decomposes above 65 degrees. It's just that it may not taste very good. Therefore, after reading, you can question whether you can control the locust plague by eating. But don't think about toxins. Voiceover: I was also questioned about my academic qualifications. People say they studied chemistry in junior high school. But why I don't have any impressions. 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 the boutique pavilion, I told Wang Hongfu about my thoughts in the court.

Wang Hongfu said puzzledly, "Lord Wang, let's take back the dealings, where to put it." The main thing is where to bury. ”

"Buried. Why should it be buried. Such a good thing is still buried. Such a loser, I'll bury you. ”

"How can I deal with it if the prince doesn't bury it."

"Eaten"

"Eaten?" Wang Hongfu's mouth opened wide. Is this something that insects can eat?

"Look, you haven't seen the world before. You go to Huangzhuang to find someone. Collect locusts from the affected areas. One pound and two pennies, tell them if the people are far away from the county seat. Tell the farmers to wash the wings with clean water and salt a small amount of salt for storage, so that we can give an extra penny. We dealt with it ourselves when we returned. The restaurant next to the boutique pavilion was renovated and ready to open. Cook, I will go back to the palace in a while and ask His Majesty for two, and the man will find them from the Huangzhuang. There are no men, and even idle little women can do. I'm going to open in three days. The restaurant is called the Flavor Restaurant. Go for it. Time is money. After Li Shen finished speaking, he began to urge Wang Hongfu

Wang Hongfu did not dare to delay Li Shen's matter. Non-stop went to Huangzhuang to do business. And Li Shen went back to the palace and went all the way to the Ganlu Palace. Wang De let Li Shen in after saying goodbye

"I've seen Ayer."

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

"Ayer. Is there an old imperial chef in the Shangshi Bureau who is going out of the palace? Give me two. "Li Shen directly asked for people,

"What do you want the imperial kitchen to do, do you still want to open a restaurant outside" Li Shimin knows Li Shen too well. It's about making money.

"Ayegao, that's true. I was outside the palace to prepare to open a flavor restaurant in three days. There is no cook. Isn't Aya going to cut the people in the palace this year? So ask the Shangshi Bureau if there is anything going out of the palace. Li Shen knew that Li Shimin wanted to save expenses. The number of eunuchs and maids in the palace has dropped again and again.

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

"Back to everyone. There are five imperial chefs in the Shang Food Bureau, all of whom are around 50. Due to physical reasons, I need to leave the palace this year. "Wang De is the head of the harem. That's what he did. Whoever leaves the palace and who stays is up to him.

"Then I'll want them all. Pack up. Three days later I took them out of the palace. I'll talk to them about the 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 matter later. Li Shen, I know that you personally paid for the purchase of locusts for the sake of the court. I know it in my heart, but I have to do it according to my ability. You shouldn't have much money in your hand," Li Shimin estimated. Li Shen has less than 100,000 yuan in his hands. The grain is only 50,000 quintals. The rest either bought mountains and land to spend, or donated to Li Mengjiang.

"Ayer, it's okay. I still have some money. And the winery has been producing all the time. And maybe even make a profit."

"Oh? So what are you going to do with the locusts that you have acquired? Li Shimin was curious

"Didn't I say it, I opened a flavor restaurant," Li Shen replied

"Flavor Pavilion. You're going to eat the locusts??? Li Shimin's jaw almost dropped in shock

"yes. Locusts are very replenishing. It can strengthen the spleen and stomach, relieve cough and asthma. And it's highly nutritious. Eating it regularly can strengthen your body. Li Shen saw that Li Shimin was so ignorant and explained to him

"These are what you wrote in that old book?? No one has eaten this locust since ancient times. Can you eat it?" Li Shimin mentioned the ancient book again. All of Li Shen's stuff came from an ancient book that he couldn't find.

"Absolutely. And it's delicious. The main thing is that it is very supplemental. And Aya you think. They all say calamities from heaven. Some say that magistrates are not virtuous. There are those who say the imperial court. But if we eat it. Do you think that no one will spread rumors in the future? Li Shen explained

After hearing this, Li Shimin thought about it and asked, "Can you really eat it?" ”

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

"Good. Then we will hold a locust feast in front of the Suzaku Gate, and all the civil and military officials will participate in it. Let the people of Chang'an come to watch. Now the people of Chang'an are panicking and are grabbing food. I'm afraid of causing a food shortage. The household department has already started to transport grain from the warehouse to Chang'an. If only the people had known that the locust was not some beast of the flood? It can reassure the people. You go and prepare, prepare. Three days later, the locust feast "Li Shimin is a shrewd and capable emperor. After listening to Li Shen's words, he knew how to maximize his benefits. Li Shen: A small restaurant can have much influence. How can it be more influential than the imperial court.

"Then I'll go and prepare the materials. Tomorrow I'll start teaching those five how to do it. I'll ask Wang Hongfu to get some back quickly. "The closest disaster area to Chang'an, Tongzhou, can be reached in less than half a day by horseback. There is more than enough time, and the main thing is that it is difficult to arrest. I'll have to let them do the nets when I go back.

Li Shen didn't bring much. followed Wang De to the Shangshi Bureau. Spices could be used as money in the Tang Dynasty. All kinds of things are about two sales, one or two, seven or eight are used to money. There are also not many spices in the palace. Li Shen searched for a long time and finally found cumin, also called benzoin fennel, pepper is all there, Li Shen ordered someone to grind cumin and pepper into powder. It can taste fast and save a little. It's too expensive. It's a pity that there are no chili peppers. The rest is there.

At noon the next day, Wang Hongfu sent a cart of locusts, all of which were caught with nets overnight. It's still alive. Li Shen asked people to pull back to the Shangshi Bureau, and Li Shen first got some of them out and prepared to test them. He had eaten a lot in his previous life. Know the practice. But it's the first time I've actually done it. Locust Li Shen prepares four methods: cold salad, charcoal grilling, stir-frying, and deep-frying. There is no other material.

So one afternoon, Li Shen began to command the five imperial chefs to start experiments, and the materials were these few things. The main thing is to try the heat. A royal kitchen is a royal kitchen. After listening to Li Shen's theoretical knowledge, he began to ponder and try. It was finally successful until the evening. Actually, it's quite simple. Tell you the steps to cook. All that's left is to do it. As long as the material is sufficient. Groping for success will always be successful. Not to mention the Imperial Kitchen.

On the morning of the third day, the people of Chang'an already knew the news. His 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 people never thought that this thing could be eaten. And no one dared to eat it. How can you eat the calamities that come down from heaven? So the people wanted to come and see it. In front of Suzaku Gate is a large square, and now Yu Linwei is surrounded by it. All swords unsheathed. The walls are also lined with rows of archers. Defenses are airtight. The seats are all set up. All officials in Beijing, including deputies, will also be present today. Chang'an six products and above have to come. On the side of the city wall is the place where the imperial kitchen cooks, and a temporary pavilion has been erected. At this moment, Li Shen is making the final preparations. Cleaning has begun in several tanks, and the pickled ones have been salted in advance. And the locusts didn't eat anything for the past two days. So very clean.

After a while, Li Shimin came out with more than 100 civil and military officials. After Li Shimin took his seat, the officials also took their seats according to their ranks. Wang De walked over and asked Li Shen, "His Royal Highness King Ji." His Majesty asked if it was ready. It's time to go."