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“Thirty-two shi.”
Pang Yu Kun’s heart almost jumped out of his chest with excitement.
“That’s right, thirty-two shi, absolutely certain,” Kui Wu confirmed after double-checking the measurements.
“Thirty-two shi, thirty-two shi!” Pang Yu Kun almost went mad, repeating, “Ordinary people get only about two shi of grain per mu. One mu of potatoes equals sixteen mu of rice. A family of three farming a hundred mu would harvest two hundred shi. But with potatoes, that’s 3,200 shi! Even if they had ten children, they could support them all.”
Kui Wu swallowed nervously looking at Pang Yu Kun’s wild excitement, then glanced at the calm Xiao Ming and cautiously asked, “Your Highness, what’s going on with Chief Pang?”
“He’s happily crazy,” Xiao Ming laughed heartily.
“Is there really such a thing as crazy from anger and crazy from happiness?” Kui Wu shook his head while holding his ledger.
Xiao Ming patted Kui Wu’s shoulder. “You did well. From today, your slave status is lifted. The local office will handle your household registration.”
Kui Wu froze for a moment, then joy flooded his heart. Like Pang Yu Kun, he laughed uncontrollably, shouting, “I’m not a slave anymore! I’m not a slave anymore!”
The other slaves were speechless—first one went crazy, now another.
Watching the two excited men, Xiao Ming smiled happily. The next step was to encourage the people to have more children. Population was power in these times.
That evening, Xiao Ming returned to the city listening to Pang Yu Kun’s loud laughter all the way. The high potato yield had completely won over the historian.
In Qingzhou city, Xiao Ming carried a small bag of potatoes on horseback back to the mansion, where the kitchen was preparing dinner.
“Your Highness, what’s in this bag?”
Fei Yue’er, getting familiar with the garden with Xiao Huan, walked toward Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming was in an especially good mood. These potatoes were not only food, but also a new commercial growth point for Qingzhou. Selling them all over Great Yu Empire would bring great profits.
“These are potatoes, Princess. Today I want to show you more of Qingzhou’s wonders.”
With that, Xiao Ming ordered the servants to fetch the coal stove and iron pot, also preparing a cutting board and knife. Then he set up in the courtyard to create a modern delicacy.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?” Zi Yuan and Lu Luo came over, curious, while Fei Yue’er couldn’t help asking.
Xiao Ming grinned, “Don’t ask now. You’ll understand once you taste it.”
Under everyone’s watch, Xiao Ming sliced the potatoes into thin strips, briefly boiled them in hot water, then had servants bring saltpeter and a large basin of water.
The saltpeter went into the water, producing white mist as the water gradually froze. Xiao Ming placed the bowl of potato strips into the ice water and covered it with cloth.
This traditional saltpeter ice-making was well known in Great Yu Empire and used by nobles to cool off in summer. So no one was surprised.
After a while chilling in the ice water, Xiao Ming took out the potato strips and fried them in boiling oil with salt. When golden and crisp, he took them out.
The golden fries filled the plate with a tempting aroma. Everyone watching swallowed hard.
“Your Highness, what is this?” Fei Yue’er blinked wide-eyed.
“French fries,” Xiao Ming said, picking up a fry and feeding it to Fei Yue’er. The intimate gesture made her blush deeply.
But since they were among familiar faces, Fei Yue’er still took a bite. The fries were crispy outside and soft inside, fragrant from frying—delicious.
After one bite, Fei Yue’er was conquered by the fries and finished it eagerly, wanting more.
Xiao Ming then explained the origin of potatoes, how to plant and eat them. Everyone finally understood.
“Thirty-two shi per mu, and they taste this good,” Fei Yue’er, well-read in poetry and books, understood the significance. “Your Highness, these potatoes can bring wealth to the people of the six prefectures.”
“Yes, that’s what I think too,” Xiao Ming proudly said. “I discussed with Pang Yu Kun on the way back. We’ll promote potatoes in the next few days, and require each household in the six prefectures to plant at least one mu. Even if they can’t eat them all, they can sell the surplus.”
Fei Yue’er nodded, looking at Xiao Ming with admiration. This man was not only respected, but had amazing skills she could hardly match.
Just like in Chang’an, the more she understood Qingzhou, the more she longed for it.
A smile touched her lips. Being with this man, what else could she ask for?
“Delicious,” Fei Yue’er said, eating another fry. She called Zi Yuan and Lu Luo, “Come try Your Highness’s cooking.”
Lu Luo, the biggest foodie, eagerly took a fry, eyes wide. Zi Yuan wasn’t to be outdone, and even Xiao Huan reached out her small hand.
With the five of them attacking, the plate of fries was quickly gone. Then the four looked at Xiao Ming pleadingly.
Unable to resist, Xiao Ming fried another batch. That evening, they barely ate anything else—just fries till half full.
When night fell and lanterns lit up the mansion, Fei Yue’er wiped the oil from her mouth, satisfied, and returned to the bedchamber with Xiao Ming.
After days of travel and settling affairs, she felt drowsy. Xiao Ming also looked tired and urged her to bathe together before bed.
Fei Yue’er blushed, hesitated, but still went to the bathroom with him. When she saw the bathtub, toilet, and washbasin, she perked up, grabbing Xiao Ming’s arm and asking questions.
Xiao Ming smiled and explained everything patiently, even demonstrating. This amazed Fei Yue’er more.
Hot water flowed from the water tower into the bathtub. They undressed and bathed together, sharing tender moments. Fei Yue’er blinked, suddenly feeling like a village girl who had just come to Chang’an.
“Your Highness, are you laughing at me for not knowing anything?” Turning her head, she saw Xiao Ming smiling warmly and pouted in dissatisfaction.
“Of course not! I’m just smiling because I married such a beautiful wife.”
Fei Yue’er smiled shyly. “I am lucky to marry you, Your Highness. I only wish to grow old with you.”
Looking at her pure smile, Xiao Ming felt warmth in his heart. He finally had a home.