Settled in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 144 Sweet Potato Banquet
"Ahem... such a strange thing, why is Your Highness worried?"

Li Gang asked hurriedly after trying to calm his breath.Princess Pingyang said: "Because there are too few potato seeds, there are no specific examples to prove the yield per mu. I don't know how to report it properly."

Xue Lang also came to his senses at this moment, and answered the words tacitly: "The so-called hearing is believing. At the beginning, because of consumption on the road, there were only five potatoes left, which is no better than sweet potatoes. There are too few seeds, and there is no production. Real evidence, I dare not report it."

Princess Pingyang continued: "It is auspicious to discover a new high-yield crop. There is one kind of sweet potato, but another kind of potato. There is evidence for sweet potato, but there is no evidence for potato. How should I report it? Please advise Li Shangshu."

After finishing speaking, Princess Pingyang and Xue Lang looked at Li Gang together.Li Gang said: "Is the potato ready to be harvested?"

Xue Lang said: "Not yet. Sweet potatoes mature earlier than potatoes, so they will be reported when they are harvested. Potatoes are more than half a month later than sweet potatoes, so they will be harvested in just a few days. Because it is a foreign crop, I don't know if it will be harvested in my Tang plantation meeting." There will be no change, so it has not been reported yet. In addition, only five seeds are planted, and the yield cannot be confirmed, which is also a reason. That's why His Highness is undecided."

Li Gang nodded, but he could understand Princess Pingyang's hesitation. The auspicious report was paid attention to by the court, so the investigation was naturally very strict. Unlike sweet potatoes, which have proofs, it is really difficult to report potatoes without proofs.

Li Gang said cautiously: "Since that's the case, it's better to wait until the potatoes are harvested and see the yield. If it's satisfactory, it's not too late to report."

Princess Pingyang said: "What Li Shangshu said is old-fashioned words, thank you Li Shangshu for your guidance. If you are happy, it happens that Li Shangshu is here, how about asking Li Shangshu to be a witness?"

Li Gang said: "This is the honor of the veteran."

Things are settled, everyone is happy.Xue Lang silently praised the princess, he only thought of exchanging sweet potatoes and potatoes for a way to stand up, and operated it according to Princess Pingyang's method. As long as it is not such a serious crime as treason, it is simply giving Xue Lang the foundation of eternity.Xue Lang felt that the gap in political literacy between the two might be as high as Mount Everest.

After reaching a consensus on important matters, it is naturally impossible for Princess Pingyang to entertain the governors and governors with singing and dancing.Now that Liu Heizhen is making trouble, it can be regarded as wartime, the kabuki was sent back to Chang'an by Princess Pingyang, and now Weizeguan is in a state of stepping up military training and preparing for war.

Without singing and dancing, before the meal is finished, it is natural to chat.Li Gang seemed to be very interested in Xue Lang. Hearing the legendary story of Princess Pingyang rescuing Xue Lang, he became curious about the buns and played them carefully.

As the owner, Xue Lang is naturally proud and proud, saying: "Steamed Bun and Mantou just gave birth to a litter of puppies, it's almost two months old, they can be independent now! Fried dough sticks and soy milk are probably coming soon!"

"Buns, steamed buns? Fried dough sticks, soy milk?"

Li Gang said with a smile: "This name is quite interesting."

Xue Lang had an expression of "Li Shangshu, you are so tasteful", and said with a smile: "Li Shangshu, you can appreciate the wit in it, so it can be seen that he is also a very witty person."

Li Gang laughed loudly: "This old man has lived to a rare age, and he has been said to be a donkey, a straight man, a poor man, etc. It is the first time that Xue Zhiyi has given such a good comment to such a witty person. You can drink a glass of these words."

Xue Lang smiled and cupped his hands: "Then it's settled, let the officials accompany Li Shangshu to have a good drink later."

Li Gang said with a smile: "The old man is already old, but drinking alcohol is not as good as that of young people like Xue Zhiyi, just have a few drinks."

Xue Lang suddenly remembered the fruit wine he brewed, and said: "Li Shangshu is old, and he drinks a few cups a day, but the amount is actually good for the body. Appropriate, let someone send it to you, and invite Li Shangshu to try my handicraft."

Li Gang asked with a smile, "Xue Jianyi still makes wine?"

Xue Lang said: "The lower official likes the things in the cup, so I have done some research on it."

Princess Pingyang reminded at this time: "Li Shangshu is old, Youyang, please don't give Li Shangshu your strong wine."

Xue Lang felt that it was because His Royal Highness remembered his black history, and said with a smile: "There is not much left for spirits, and I want to keep it for myself to taste. However, when peach blossoms are in full bloom in spring, Xiaguan made peach blossom wine. When the green plums and apricots are ripe, green plum wine and apricot wine are brewed, both of which are fruit wines, not strong, but soft and mellow in the mouth.”

Li Gang said strangely: "Peach blossom wine, green plum wine, apricot wine, just hearing the name of the wine makes people salivate, Xue Zhiyi quickly get someone to bring it."

Princess Pingyang was also very interested: "Youyang has good wine, why don't you bring it out as soon as possible?"

Xue Lang said with a smile: "It's better to come early than to come early. Good wine needs to be stored in cellars, and fruit wine also takes time. What I drink out today is the first batch of brewing. The time is just right. If Li Shangshu comes a few days in the morning, I will There is also no wine to entertain."

Everyone laughed.After chatting for a while, it was finally time for feeding. Aunt Fang came to ask if the meal should be prepared, and Her Royal Highness naturally ordered someone to prepare the meal.

Today's sweet potato feast is slightly different from the one served to Princess Pingyang that day.Li Gang is an elderly person, and he can't eat too much fried food. Therefore, the staple food is changed to a large bowl of boiled vermicelli. Use pork bones to make a thick soup, add some ginger and salt, and put a few flowers when serving vermicelli. The soaked dried wild mushrooms are stewed together, and the green onion is sprinkled at the end. It is delicious to eat.There are three side dishes, one is fried sweet potato balls, one is cold vermicelli, and the last is ants climbing the tree.

Xue Lang introduced all the dishes, and finally concluded: "Stir-frying costs a lot of oil, and ordinary people may not want to eat it except for the New Year's day. Cold vermicelli and boiled vermicelli are cheaper, easy to make, and not expensive. It’s for rich and poor.”

Li Gang nodded, picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the boiled vermicelli. The delicious aroma instantly conquered his taste buds. After squinting his eyes and savoring it carefully, he said, "It's flexible and chewy, and it has a special taste."

Princess Pingyang was also very satisfied with the food. Xue Lang's dishes have never disappointed.With a faint smile on his face, he said, "Li Shangshu, please try other dishes."

Li Gang smiled and nodded, stretched out his chopsticks and continued to taste other dishes. After eating a meatball and a piece of baked sweet potato chips, he wondered, "Xue Zhiyi, why are these sweet potatoes sweet and salty? I'm afraid none."

Xue Lang said: "Sweet potatoes are originally sweet, but after they are made into vermicelli, the sweet taste is gone. It's up to each person to taste the taste. The lower officials have someone to roast and boil the sweet potatoes separately, and they will be delivered soon. Then Li Shangshu will be able to taste the original taste of sweet potatoes."

"Great kindness! The old man is looking forward to it."

As soon as the words were finished, the waiter came in with roasted and boiled sweet potatoes. Xue Lang stood up and first broke a piece of boiled sweet potatoes for Li Gang. Li Gang took a taste of it and said: "It really tastes sweet and soft , most suitable for old people like this old man. However, the baked one in Xue Jianyi's hands seems to be more fragrant, and this old man can't help looking forward to it."

Xue Lang said with a smile: "Compared with wheat, sweet potatoes have a disadvantage that eating too much tends to accumulate food. Li Shangshu is old, so it's better to eat less."

"Yes! Thank you Xue Jianyi for reminding me."

"This is what a subordinate should do."

(End of this chapter)