Chapter 9: The Flesh of the Locust

  As always, seeking recommendations and collections, encouraging Da Bai to quickly code words and get fat soon!

  Dazhu got angry and walked up to Han Qiang's face, punching him several times.

  "Han Qiang, do you know your mistake?" Zhangsun Chong asked sternly, ignoring Cheng Yaojin.

  Han Qiang gritted his teeth and said: "I understand, from now on I will definitely follow the law and never disturb the people again."

  Chang Sun nodded, "This small matter, with a slight punishment, won't be held against you. Today you mistakenly caught me and I had someone beat you up, so from now on, our grudge is settled! Uncle Chang will bear witness to this!"

  "Haha!" Cheng Yaojin walked over and patted Zhangsun Chong's shoulder, "Good young nephew, you actually understand human affairs now!"

  Cheng Yaojin still thought that Zhangsun Chong was like before, beating someone half to death, and was thinking about how to plead for mercy. Unexpectedly, this time Zhangsun Chong's behavior was dazzling!

  "Haha!" A bright and cheerful laughter came from outside, Chang Sun Chong felt a warmth in his heart, tears of joy welled up in his eyes. His dear father had arrived, with a father by their side, children are like precious gems.

  Chang Sun's chubby father appeared, if there weren't so many people, Chang Sun would have rushed to hug his father's thigh and wailed loudly.

  "Cheng, I don't know what you've done with my son again, bringing him to the Left Golden Guard. Are you trying to beat him senseless? Do you think Longsun Wujie is dead?" Longsun Wujie and Cheng Yaojin had been friends for over a decade, but they were always at odds with each other and frequently quarreled.

  Chang Sun burst into Chang Sun's father with a full aura, although he was a civil servant, but that one body of fat meat had a very strong momentum.

  Cheng Lao Yao Jing didn't mind Long Sun Wu Ji's tone at all, today's matter was indeed his fault, so he compromised and stretched out his hand to hug Long Sun Wu Ji, laughing loudly: "What are you talking about, Auxiliary Machine Xian Di? Before that, it was just a childish argument between the kids, and today's matter is just a misunderstanding. My subordinate went outside the city on an errand and saw Xian Sheng eating locusts, worried that he had something to do, so he brought him over, right, Xian Sheng?"

  Just now, Zhangsun Chong said: "Dad, it's really like this. I had a dream yesterday and an old Taoist told me that locusts are not heavenly gods, but just like chickens, ducks and geese, they are all earthly animals. They eat everyone's crops, so naturally everyone can also eat their meat. It's the same reason why we eat chicken and duck after they eat grains. There's nothing special about it! He also said that this thing is delicious when fried with oil or roasted over a fire! Both Dazhu and I have tried it!"

  "Is this for real?" Old Demon Cheng thought this was a great opportunity, "Hàn Qiáng, go catch some grasshoppers for me! The faster the better, the more the better!"

  "General, there's half a bag of locusts here!" Han Qiang took out the bag that was originally to be used as evidence, which were the very same locusts caught by Da Zhu and Er Zhu.

  "This can't be taken lightly!" As soon as Zhangsun Wuji heard about the locusts, he got a headache. In order to resist the disaster, he had no good solution so far. Now they are using only the old grain from several large granaries, and the disaster is getting more and more severe, fearing that it will not be enough!

  "Dad, if you don't believe me, let someone wash and fry it in a pot! With some wine, it's a great dish to go with the drink!" Chang Sun Chong said with a smile, "Just now we were outside the city, and simply roasted it over an open flame, it was extremely fragrant!"

  "Yes, sir, I had some just now too, it's not poisonous and the meat is very fragrant!" Da Zhu echoed.

  "Hurry up and get it into the kitchen, I'll fry it!" Cheng Yaojin said loudly. "Assistant Brother Xian, why don't you have a simple meal here with me today?"

  Chang Sun Wuji also wanted to know what medicine his son was selling in the pot, and besides, if his son was caught and walked away with a loss of face, wouldn't it be extremely embarrassing.

  "Then I'll be troubling Brother Cheng." Zhangsun Wuji bowed his hands, which was tantamount to accepting.

  "Assistant Xiao is being polite, we're all brothers who stir the same pot! Who's superior to whom?" Old Demon Cheng squeezed his eyes and said, "Let's go, we'll wait in the dining hall!"

  Chang Sun-chung followed behind him like a little daughter-in-law, keeping pace with his every step.

  Before long, the fried locusts were served, and a fragrant aroma wafted over from afar. Old Demon Cheng suddenly stood up with a "whoosh" sound, rushed over first, snatched the plate of fried locusts from the young servant's hands, and put one in his mouth.

  "Hmm, hmm, it's really delicious. I wonder why I didn't think of deep-frying it back then!" Cheng Yaojin said with a smack of his lips and a face full of regret.

  Chang Sun Wuji took a few from the plate of Cheng Yaojin and put them in his mouth, saying: "This is what the old immortal entrusted to my son in a dream. Brother Cheng, if these locusts can really be eaten, it will be a great achievement!"

  "But refugees don't even have food, where's the oil for frying coming from?" Cheng Yaojin seemed like a rough and simple man on the surface, but his mind was full of twists and turns. "Young master, is there any other way to eat?"

  "That's natural, roast it over a fire and eat it, or boil it in water, dry it in the sun, grind it into flour, mix it with wheat flour or wild vegetables, it's delicious and filling!" Chang Sun repeated what he had just said to the old farmer.

  Chang Sun Wuji and Cheng Yaojin exchanged a glance, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. Chang Sun Wuji reacted first, snatching the plate from Cheng Yaojin's hand and turning to leave, saying: "Such delicious food should be taken to the Emperor and Empress for them to taste!"

  Cheng Lao Yao Jing gritted his teeth secretly, this scholar's brain was indeed quick-witted. He had only just thought about his past achievements, when he was preempted by the old man.

  "Assistant Xiao, you're absolutely right! It just so happens that I have some business to report to the Emperor, why don't we travel together?" Cheng the old demon wasn't stupid either, he found a dignified and justified reason, and followed behind Zhangsun Wuji's butt, hurrying to catch up.

  But Changsun Chong, the person involved, was left behind, with no one taking care of him or asking about him.

  Han Qiang knew he had offended Zhang Sun Chong today, so he carefully came over and asked: "Young Master Zhangsun, there's still a big plate left, do you want it?"

  "Now that we're ready, let's eat here! By the way, I'll treat you to some fried cicadas!" Chang Sun pointed at another plate of cicadas.

  Han Qiang just saw General and Master Changsun eating, not shy at all, grabbed a handful: "En, smells good, it's all small-minded people who don't understand, making Master Changsun suffer."

  Chang Sun waved his hand and said, "I've already had someone beat you up. We can't settle this between us, so don't say anything more. After dinner, if you have time, go catch some grasshoppers for me and send them to my place!"

  "Yes, yes, I'll go and do it right away." Han Qiang ate a handful of locusts and went to catch more with his hands.

  Chang Sun-zhong and Da Zhu returned home leisurely.

  Not long after arriving home, a servant came to report that Han Qiang had caught a whole sackful.

  Changsun Wuji and Cheng Yaojin went to the imperial palace, where Emperor Taizong of Tang was having dinner with Empress Changsun. At this hour, unless it was a major event, officials would not enter the palace.

  "My two loves, what is it that can't wait until tomorrow?" Li Shimin asked after eating and drinking a cup of tea.

  Li Shimin looks more handsome, only because he has aged and is no longer as vigorous in his southern and northern expeditions as before, so he has gained a bit of weight, but compared to Li Zongjin, he is thinner.

  Chang Sun Wuji knelt on the ground and said: "Congratulations to Your Majesty and the Empress, I have found a way to reduce the locust disaster."

  Li Shimin is now plagued by locusts, his mind is disturbed and he has lost his appetite. He has been suffering from headaches and insomnia for several days. The Xuanwu Gate Incident led to the death of his brother and forced his father to abdicate, ultimately making him emperor.

  But it seems as if Heaven is angry, last year's severe drought has already caused the people to reduce production, and this year they are hit with a locust plague, could it be that Heaven really wants to punish him? What Li Shimin fears most is that the people of the world will say that his imperial throne was obtained through unjust means.

  Li Shimin quickly got up and personally helped Zhangsun Wuji, who was kneeling on the ground, saying: "Assist, hurry up and say, what method is there? The sooner we solve the locust disaster, the less suffering the people will endure! The fewer people will starve to death!"

  Empress Changsun knew that during this time, from the Emperor down to the civil and military officials, everyone was thinking of a solution, but the money and grain were gradually decreasing, and a good plan had not been found for a long time. The Emperor's brow remained furrowed with worry.

  "Brother, hurry up and say something! Whether it works or not, it's better than being unable to think of a solution!" The Empress Longsun walked in front of her brother and paid respects to Li Zhi.

  Chang Sun took out a food box, inside which were the fried locusts he had just taken away. He picked one up and put it in his mouth, saying: "These are fried locusts, they taste pretty good!"

  Li Shimin's facial muscles twitched slightly, and without thinking, he could guess that the method Changsun Wuji was referring to was eating these locusts!

  "This... can this be eaten?" Empress Changsun covered her mouth with a handkerchief, the food she had just swallowed almost coming back up.

  Cheng Yaojin knew it was his turn to speak now; for the public, it concerned the suffering people of the world; for private matters, his son had beaten Long Sunzhong, and today his subordinates had misunderstood him.

  "I report to Your Majesty, the Empress, this is definitely edible. I, your old minister, have eaten several handfuls already! I remember that Old Chen also ate them before, during wartime when we had no grain or hay, and we would eat whatever we saw. Locusts were one of them." After finishing speaking, Cheng Yaojin put a few more in his mouth and savored the taste, but Da Shifeng complained, "They're just too small, not enough to stuff my teeth with, I need to eat a whole handful at once to be satisfied."