Chapter 451 Food Crisis
Little Su Bao patted Ling Buqi's forehead with her little hand, then said firmly in her sweet, childish voice, "Brother Ling, please don't pee when you go inside..."
Ling Buqi...
His face flushed red, and he couldn't help but turn his head to glance at his general.
Tang Bugui curled his lips and said to him, "Listen to Su Bao!"
The two guards beside Ling Buqi were almost unable to hold back, but they were professionals...
"Pfft..." One of the guards finally couldn't help but laugh.
Ling Buqi glared at the two of them fiercely, his face dark.
However, he still turned to look at Xiao Su Bao and nodded very seriously.
"Okay, I understand!"
After saying that, Ling Buqi turned and walked outside.
Laughter erupted from behind him.
Tang Bugui didn't care about any of that; he reached out and picked up the little bundle of flesh.
Little Su Bao nestled obediently in Tang Bugui's arms, her smile growing even brighter.
"What do you want to eat today? I'll have someone get you some later!" Tang Bugui said gently, reaching out to tidy up the hair near her ear.
The little dumpling looked at Madam Qian, then at her father, and after a moment's thought, said, "Meat..."
Tang Bugui also liked to eat meat, so naturally he had no objection.
Send someone to prepare meat for the little girl.
On the other side, Ling Buqi came out not long after he went in.
However, there was a hint of joy in his eyes.
What's inside?
Tang Bugui looked at Ling Buqi and asked.
Ling Buqi chuckled and then said, "It's grain and pig iron!"
"pig iron?"
Tang Bugui frowned slightly, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Regardless of the dynasty, gold, silver, copper, and iron were all held by the imperial court.
There's so much pig iron here...
"Yes, besides pig iron, there's also a lot of grain!"
After Ling Buqi finished speaking, he paused and then said, "There are also some grain seeds, some of which I have never seen before."
Their main grains were wheat and rice, along with some millet, soybeans, and sorghum.
The bags of grain that Ling Buqi had just seen were not the same.
One of them was a yellow granule, which looked even better than a soybean.
I just don't know if it's edible...
"Look!" Ling Buqi took a small handful out of his pocket.
Little Su Bao glanced at it curiously, then carefully pinched one.
Tang Bugui frowned; he had never seen or eaten this before.
"I don't know, let's pack it up and take it back to Tangjia Village!" Tang Bugui thought for a moment and then said.
Little Su Bao didn't pay attention to her father's words. After pinching the seed that looked like a golden bean, her eyes flickered slightly.
"corn……"
She muttered to herself, yet she didn't know why she knew the name of this thing.
Tang Bugui was already holding the little girl, so he naturally heard what Xiao Su Bao said.
He looked down at the little dumpling and couldn't help but ask, "Does Su Bao know this?"
Little Su Bao paused, then raised her little head to look at Tang Bugui.
"Su Bao doesn't know..." Little Su Bao shook her head.
Just as Ling Buqi was feeling a little disappointed, he heard the little dumpling's voice continue: "But... it seems like your little tummy knows!"
The little dumpling was a bit conflicted...
Her stomach growled after she saw the corn; she was a little hungry.
Tang Bugui paused slightly, then looked at the little dumpling staring seriously at his tummy and immediately smiled.
"Tell Daddy what this is, little tummy?" Tang Bugui asked his daughter.
Little Su Bao rubbed her tummy with one hand and pinched a corn kernel with the other, saying, "Corn, I can eat it..."
Tang Bugui was silent for a moment, then changed his mind and said, "Someone, have someone grind this corn with a millstone, then boil it!"
Wheat can be ground into components; I don't know if this will work.
Tang Bugui was only thinking about it, but didn't say anything else.
Ling Buqi nodded and had someone carry a sack of corn out.
But in my heart, I felt more and more that Xiao Su Bao was amazing. Sure enough, a little general is a little general!
After confirming that there was no danger inside, Tang Bugui took Xiao Subao and the others inside for a look.
The main reason was that Xiao Su Bao's eyes were too eager, and Tang Bu Gui felt embarrassed to refuse!
This secret room is quite large. Although it's not as big as the underground palace, there are still quite a few things behind it.
“This should be an ancient tomb!” Tang Bugui said after glancing at the rest of the underground palace.
Little Su Bao instinctively hugged Tang Bugui's neck tightly, wishing she could bury her little head in Tang Bugui's neck.
Although she wouldn't be afraid if her mother turned into a ghost, she would still be a tiny bit afraid of other ghosts!
Tang Bugui smiled, but still asked, "Do you want to continue looking?"
Little Su Bao pursed her lips, her big eyes secretly peering over Tang Bugui's shoulder to look around.
It's still quite dry here. Lime powder has been sprinkled around, probably to repel insects and keep the area dry.
The little dumpling paused, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes!"
She could sense that Ken had something they needed from this place.
Although I don't know what it is...
That doesn't stop the little dumpling from looking around inside!
After reading it, Tang Bugui was still somewhat surprised.
There is so much grain stored here that it's like a small granary.
Moreover, the types of grains inside are diverse, and some of them should be from outside the region.
Little Su Bao held onto something that looked like a clod of dirt, refusing to let go.
Madam Qian couldn't help but ask, "This clod of earth is all dirty, Su Bao, give it to your mother!"
Little Su Bao raised her eyes and looked at Tang Bugui, saying, "Daddy, Mommy, my tummy says this is edible... *glug*..."
As she spoke, Xiao Su Bao couldn't help but swallow.
Tang Bugui guessed that the little dumpling was probably hungry, as it wanted to take a bite of everything it saw.
He chuckled inwardly, a gentle look in his eyes, and said, "Okay, if Su Bao wants to eat, let's wait until we're sure these things aren't poisonous before we eat them, okay?"
Little Su Bao looked at the clod of dirt, then at her father, and then nodded pitifully.
Besides this, there were also some tiny, indistinguishable seeds here.
Tang Bugui simply had all the small seeds moved away.
As for the remaining grain and pig iron, he has decided to inform His Majesty and let His Majesty make the decision.
They searched inside, while Xiao Su Bao dragged Xiao Mo Bao and Bai Yin Jun around aimlessly.
After the initial fear subsided, the little dumpling became full of curiosity about the place.
The little girl looked left and right, finding the place quite interesting.
She got tired of running, so she simply sat down on a small rock.
Just then, she suddenly felt her little bottom move.
The little dumpling didn't react immediately. It looked down and then paused for a moment.
She actually found a small booklet hidden in a crevice in the stone.
The booklet was stuffed between the stone and the wall.
If Xiao Su Bao hadn't picked up that huge rock and thrown it aside, she probably wouldn't have discovered this booklet at all.
"What kind of book is this?!" Bai Yinjun immediately looked over, his little face full of curiosity.
Little Su Bao shook her head, she didn't know either.
Xiao Mobao stood to the side watching the little girl holding the booklet, and took out her handkerchief to wipe the dirt off Xiao Subao's face.
"Thank you, Mo Bao!" Xiao Su Bao said, turning her gaze to the booklet in her hand.
She glanced at the title page, then casually flipped it open, and saw that it was covered with drawings of many plants.
"Food!"
Little Mo Bao looked at the two words on the title page and whispered.
"Food?" Bai Yinjun looked puzzled.
Little Su Bao does recognize a few characters, though not many...
She doesn't know what grains are, but she knows what rice is!
Little Su Bao glanced at it and found the illustrations in the booklet quite interesting.
There is wheat, there is sorghum...
Xiao Su Bao's eyes lit up immediately, and she rushed towards Tang Bu Gui while holding the object.
"Look, Father!"
Little Su Bao's face was rosy, and the chubby little cheeks jiggled, making her look exceptionally cute.
Tang Bugui couldn't help but smile as he watched his daughter die trying to save a treasure.
He picked up the booklet and said to Xiao Su Bao, "Su Bao is so clever, you found something great again!"
Little Su Bao's cheeks flushed slightly, her little hands clasped together, looking a little embarrassed.
Tang Bugui casually flipped open the booklet and glanced at it, then paused slightly.
This was because the booklet contained many plants that he had never seen before.
He flipped through two more pages and found the word "corn" prominently displayed.
And potatoes, sweet potatoes...
Besides these, he also saw a green vegetable he had never seen before, called "from Persia".
There is also a red fruit, which looks very beautiful.
There are also long, red fruits, and many more...
Tang Bugui only saw a general outline, but a strange emotion rose in his heart.
If these vegetables and grains are genuine, obtaining even a small portion of their seeds would be a significant step forward for their Great Shang Kingdom!
Tang Bugui held the booklet, but his gaze fell on Xiao Su Bao.
"Su Bao, do you know the significance of this booklet to the Great Shang Kingdom?" As the Great General of the Great Shang Kingdom, Tang Bugui naturally knew that the people were not living well.
The food supply was too limited, and people often went hungry.
If it includes things like corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes.
If these things can be mass-produced, they might be able to solve a large part of their food crisis.
Little Su Bao didn't know why her father had suddenly become so serious. She scratched her little head and smiled at Tang Bugui.
Qian had just glanced at it too, and now she was thinking the same thing.
This thing is extremely important to ordinary people.
Just then, Ling Buqi returned, carrying a small bowl containing finely ground cornmeal, which looked somewhat similar to flour.
"General, look, this thing is actually edible!" Ling Buqi said with a hint of excitement.
No one knew better than the soldiers how important this kind of storable food was to them.
After all, which soldier hasn't experienced hunger?
“However, this flour can’t be kneaded to make noodles; it’s not as easy to make as wheat flour!” Ling Buqi said, looking at them.
But who cares about this!
The important thing is, this is actually food!
"Okay, you stay here and take stock of the grain here!" Tang Bugui said to Ling Buqi.
"yes!"
Ling Buqi chuckled, feeling incredibly motivated at that moment.
Tang Bugui carried Xiao Su Bao and the others away.
Madam Qian looked at the grain thoughtfully, but remembering what Tang Bugui had said earlier, she didn't say anything more.
The group returned to Feihua Village, where Village Chief Jin recounted the events that had transpired to the villagers.
Everyone looked confused, but they quickly cheered up.
After all, the house has been built and life is getting better and better. Who wouldn't be happy?
When Tang Bugui came out, Village Chief Jin had already had a large table of delicious meat and dishes prepared.
Fortunately, because the female demon was a picky eater, the village chief's kitchen had almost everything.
"My daughter made all of these. Don't let her size fool you, she's a really good cook!"
Village Chief Jin scratched his head. He used to be a pig butcher, but by some twist of fate, he became the village chief.
Tang Bugui and his group were not picky, and Qian Shi and Tang Bugui sat at the dining table.
Qian helped Xiao Su Bao pick up some food, while Tang Bugui chatted casually with Village Chief Jin.
Hidden in the shadows, Honeysuckle and Jin Ruhua were secretly watching outside.
Seeing that Xiao Su Bao and the others had officially started eating, Jin Yin Hua and Jin Ru Hua finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Jin Ruhua, in particular, felt like crying herself to death when she thought about her previous foolishness.
Under the watchful eyes of Village Chief Jin, after Qian Shi, Xiao Mo Bao, and Bai Yin Jun had finished eating, the dishes on the table were all consumed by Xiao Su Bao and Tang Bu Gui.
Looking at the corn porridge they brought out last, Qian hesitated for a moment, but still ate a small bowl.
Upon tasting the food, her eyes lit up slightly.
"This is very good!" Ms. Qian felt a little full, but at the same time, it proved that the corn porridge was quite effective.
“I think it’s good too!” Tang Bugui nodded in agreement.
"These things were all sent from outside by the sorceress. We didn't know what she wanted them for, but no one dared to touch them!"
Village Chief Jin spoke with a hint of worry in his voice.
Nobody knows if these things are poisonous.
Tang Bugui nodded and said nothing more.
It was getting late; the sun was setting in the west, and a large patch of fiery clouds had turned the sky orange-red.
Tang Bugui held Xiao Subao in his arms as he sat on the oxcart, his hands tightly protecting the little girl in his embrace.
Feeling her father's embrace, the little dumpling curled up her lips, her smile radiant.
Qian Shi, standing to the side, had a gentle smile in her eyes. Little Su Bao was much better than when she first arrived.
At least, her heart didn't seem so cold anymore.
The group headed home as the sun set.
At the entrance of Tangjia Village, the thousand-year-old peach tree still sways its blossoms, as if trying to unleash all the flowers that haven't bloomed in years at once.
The Tang family members stood guard at the village entrance, their eyes filled with sorrow.
Wang Xiuer was being supported by Tang Qi and her son, but she kept talking.
"What are you capable of? How could you just leave your mother and Su Bao there?"
What if something happens to Mother?
"And Su Bao, she's so young. What if she gets scared and cries, or gets hurt? Don't you feel bad about it?"
"Tang Lao Er, if anything happens to our mother and Su Bao, I'll definitely divorce you and marry another man!"
Sun Cuihua's lips twitched violently as she looked at her second sister-in-law's increasingly unreliable behavior.
Finally, having exhausted all other options, Sun Cuihua could only look to her husband for help.
Tang Cheng's expression was also not good. He naturally knew that his second sister-in-law had scolded his second brother, and they were partly responsible for it.
The second and third princes quietly distanced themselves from them.
As the two were pondering whether to go, they saw an oxcart returning in the last rays of the morning sun.
A huge, bright orange sun hung in the sky.
It's as beautiful as a painting.
The villagers watched this scene with mixed feelings.
Looking at Qian Shi and Tang Bugui now... they really are not a good match at all!
Qian held the sleeping baby in her arms, with Xiao Mo Bao and Bai Yin Jun protecting them on either side.
Tang Bugui, on the other hand, drove the oxcart leisurely without any hurry.
The second prince's eyelids twitched violently, and he knew in his heart that something was wrong.
Could it be that something happened to Xiao Su Bao? But judging from Tang Bu Gui's condition, it doesn't seem like it.
Just as he was about to speak, a sharp voice rang in his ears.
"Mom... Su Bao... I've missed you so much..."
With that, Wang Xiuer took off running towards the oxcart.
The Qian family...
The villagers of Tangjia Village looked at each other, their mouths twitching violently.
"Mother, what's wrong with Su Bao? Why is she closing her eyes so tightly?" Wang Xiuer rushed over, her whole being filled with sadness.
Tang Bugui's eyelids twitched, and he was about to speak when he heard Qian Shi say, "Su Bao, if you can't speak properly, then shut up!"
"Mother~ Don't you love Xiuer anymore?" Wang Xiuer looked at Qian Shi pitifully and spoke for a long time in a high-pitched voice.
Qian felt a headache coming on, but she knew that her second son's wife was genuinely worried about her and Su Bao.
Zhang Cuihua also came over. Unlike Wang Xiuer, she made sure that Qian Shi and the others were alright, and then she smiled.
"Mother, Uncle, I thought you must be tired after a long day, so I boiled some water so you can take a bath whenever you get back," Zhang Cuihua said with a smile.
Ms. Qian nodded, a smile in her eyes.
The eldest son's wife is very capable in doing things.
Thinking of something, Madam Qian said, "You've all worked hard. Eldest son, come and drive the oxcart back."
She looked at Tang Bugui, thought for a moment, and then said, "Uncle, you go ahead and do your work. Tang Cheng and the others are taking care of things at home, so you don't need to worry about them!"
Tang Cheng nodded. The Second Prince and the Third Prince were waiting, so his uncle naturally couldn't go back with them.
Upon hearing Qian's words, Tang Bugui jumped off the oxcart.
He spotted the Second Prince and his group from afar, and naturally knew that the Emperor was waiting for him.
Tang Bugui glanced at his sleeping daughter and, for the first time, didn't want to see the Second Prince so soon.
If Madam Qian hadn't spoken up, he definitely would have waited until he sent them back before going to find the Second Prince and the others!
When the two saw Tang Bugui approaching, they realized that their older brother seemed to be in a bad mood.
"Brother Tang, how is things over there?" The Second Prince glanced at Xiao Su Bao, a hint of worry creeping into his heart.
The Third Prince didn't think anything would happen to Little Su Bao, but he consciously took a step back.
Tang Bugui did not answer the two directly, but looked at them and asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
The second prince was about to speak when the third prince pulled him back.
At this moment, Princess Chang'an appeared from behind the two of them.
"Brother Tang, my parents are over there!"
The little girl pointed to the makeshift thatched hut that had been built earlier.
Tang Bugui nodded and followed Princess Chang'an over.
Princess Chang'an couldn't help but ask, "Tang Dabao, is Su Bao alright?"
"It's nothing!" Tang Bugui said softly, unable to suppress the smile on his face when he mentioned his daughter.
My daughter has great fortune.
Otherwise, given my own bad luck, how could I possibly have such good fortune?
Thinking of what he held in his arms, Tang Bugui's smile grew even brighter.
Upon reaching the outside of the thatched hut, Tang Bugui said softly, "Master, Madam, I'm back!"
The emperor quickly withdrew his hand from massaging the empress's shoulders and coughed lightly.
He glanced at the Empress secretly, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that her expression had not changed.
"Come in!" the emperor said calmly to those outside.
The eunuch hurriedly pushed the door open from the outside to let Tang Bugui and the others in.
The Queen reached out and opened the window beside her.
Tang Bugui was about to bow to the Emperor and Empress when the Emperor rolled his eyes and said, "Alright, there are no outsiders here, no need for such trouble. Tell me, what exactly is going on?"
Seeing the Empress looking at him with a smile, Tang Bugui nodded slightly before saying, "Your Majesty, the matter of Feihua Village is like this... and so on, and so forth!"
After hearing this, both the Emperor and Empress's expressions changed slightly.
The emperor, in particular, had his eyes become incredibly sharp.
Tang Bugui handed the booklet in his arms to the Emperor and Empress, along with various seeds that could be identified.
There was a small handful of corn and a potato, but sweet potatoes weren't available there, so they weren't brought over.
For some reason, Tang Bugui felt that this sweet potato was somewhat familiar.
The emperor looked at the corn and potatoes, and a strange feeling began to creep into his heart.
After all, this thing might actually be a staple food!
The emperor paced back and forth, holding a potato and a handful of corn in his hand.
Feeling dizzy, the Empress said to the Emperor in an annoyed tone, "Your Majesty, could you please take a rest?"
The emperor looked at the empress and sat down listlessly beside her.
Seeing the emperor's appearance, the empress ignored him and looked at Tang Bugui, saying, "If that's the case, this booklet will be of vital importance to the Great Shang Kingdom!"
"It was only by good fortune that I discovered this thing; otherwise, it would have remained a hidden gem!"
When Tang Bugui talked about his daughter, the smile in his eyes became noticeably warmer.
The emperor felt a toothache looking at him and was too lazy to bother with this guy who always showed off his daughter in front of him.
Looking at Tang Bugui, the Empress felt that he had become more humane than before.
After a pause, the Empress said, "This year, let the people of Tangjia Village try planting these things first..."
After a pause, the Empress looked at the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I remember you still have a few imperial estates. We can let them try it out this year!"
The emperor nodded in agreement. Although he could be a bit short-tempered at times, he never failed when it came to important matters.
"Yes, you can make the decision on this matter!"
After the emperor finished speaking, he paused, seemingly thinking that the empress was not in good health, and then said, "Never mind, let's leave it to the second prince!"
The Second Prince...
Actually, he doesn't like it that much either.
"Yes!" What could he do? Look at the way his own father was looking at him, could he refuse?
“Oh, right, there’s one more thing…” The Empress looked at Tang Bugui.
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