This young man really knew how to live!
Leaving aside everything else, his skill in making delicious dishes was impressive. For a royal princess, he would be a suitable match.
Moreover, his care for Changle was evident. His initial choice to appoint him as his consort was a fortunate decision.
The sweet potatoes are ready. Give them a try. Unconcerned about Li Ers thoughts, Su Li picked up two sweet potatoes and handed one to Li Er and another to Empress Zhangsun.
Neither Li Er nor his wife made a move. After all, it was unfamiliar food they had never encountered. With their astuteness, they wouldnt rush to taste it.
Su Li carefully broke another sweet potato in half and distributed it to Changle and the Little Princess, along with a small spoon to eat. Li Er and Empress Zhangsun followed suit.
Its sweet, soft, and waxy and tastes good! Unsurprisingly, the roasted sweet potatoes received unanimous praise from everyone.
Under the stimulating effects of the Coke, Li Er felt his mind becoming unexpectedly clear. At this moment, he recalled his official duties.
Where do the ingredients for these roasted sweet potatoes and French fries come from? Li Er asked casually.
Su Li smiled and responded, These two types of food are made from sweet potatoes and the other from potatoes, both of which are imported from overseas.
New food? Li Er inquired.
Not overly concerned, he asked, If its new food, whats the yield like?
His natural curiosity as an emperor prompted this question rather than any deep consideration.
Since Shennong tasted a hundred herbs and classified them into five grains, the term five grains had become synonymous with food in the Central Plains.
Of course, as new crops emerged, the composition of the five grains evolved.
The five grains of ancient times were not the same as those recognized today. Li Ers question was partly rooted in these thoughts.
The yield is decent, around a thousand catties per acre, Su Li answered with a smile.
Li Er nodded instinctively and continued, Thats not bad. They can be treated as regular crops and cultivated in the less fertile corners of farmland
Then, he paused mid-sentence.
Wait a moment, did you say these new crops can yield up to a thousand catties per acre?
Li Er widened his eyes as he looked at Su Li, seeking confirmation.
This news came quite unexpectedly, leaving Li Er somewhat dumbfounded.
A thousand catties per acre!
Li Er was well aware that if this yield was genuine, it would hold profound implications for the Tang Dynasty. For the common people of the Tang Dynasty, their primary food sources were millet, wheat in the northern regions, and rice in the southern regions.
Millet yielded around 100 catties per acre, wheat produced a little over 300 catties, and rice, at its best, reached just over 200 catties per acre. Considering these numbers, the average yield of grain-producing fields in the Tang Dynasty was approximately 270 catties per acre.
A yield of 1,000 catties per acre was nearly four times that!
This meant that if the entire land of the Tang Dynasty were cultivated with these two crops, the realm would be free from worries of famine.
For any emperor who held such crops, as long as they werent squandered, their reign would go down in history. If someone possessed such crops, the term five grains could easily be updated to seven grains.
No, even if it was later revised to just two grains, no one would likely have any objections.
A person who introduced these new crops would immediately rise to prominence. These thoughts raced through Li Ers mind, stirring a sense of awe.
Li Ers eagerness was well within Su Lis expectations. Su Li nodded slightly and remarked, These two items yield at least a thousand catties per acre, and thats a conservative estimate.
Li Ers expression was filled with urgency as he asked, Are there seeds available?
Su Li spread his hands, indicating the roasted sweet potatoes and French fries on the stove, and replied, Arent the seeds right here?
Li Ers eyes reddened at the thought that his grand ambitions, his dream of becoming an eternal emperor, might crumble because of this development.
Have you tasted them? Really?
Su Lis nod elicited a complicated expression from Li Er. His eyes shone excitedly, yet there was also an undeniable sense of loss. This kind of disappointment was unprecedented for an emperor who had once been so audacious.
He inquired in a somewhat reluctant tone, These two things come from outside the Tang Dynasty, right?
Su Li shook his head slightly and, with a serious tone, responded, Sweet potatoes and potatoes both originate from the distant overseas, tens of thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty. Between these lands lies an endless ocean that human effort cannot bridge.
He continued, Furthermore, although sweet potatoes and potatoes have high yields, they arent without their flaws. These crops consume land and require rotation with other crops annually, or else, within a few years, even the best fields can turn barren. Additionally, they arent very nutritious, causing bloating if consumed in excess. They cant replace traditional grains in terms of nourishment.
Su Lis words were met with surprised gazes from Li Er and Empress Zhangsun.
Such divine food with no nutritional valuehow could that be considered a drawback?
For ordinary people, nutritional value was hardly something to consider. Their primary concern was filling their stomachs. When famine struck, and crops failed, even if they knew a certain food would cause discomfort, they would consume it without hesitation.
Su Lis explanation left Li Er unsatisfied. He seemed to think that, just a few months ago, Su Li was a peasant living a simple life.
Li Er thought that, as a peasant, Su Li would understand the struggles of the common people better than anyone. However, Su Lis perspective now seemed far from their reality.
Yet, what right did he have to blame Su Li for eating his own precious crops? Su Li was treating him to something he owned. It wasnt wrong.
Although Li Er had these thoughts, he couldnt help but feel uneasy about the situation.
Even if its far across the ocean, no matter the cost, I will obtain it! Li Er declared with determination.
Observing Li Ers reaction, Su Li felt a tinge of emotion. Sweet potatoes and potatoes had been introduced to the Central Plains during the Ming Dynasty, but they werent given much attention. If they had been officially promoted and supported by the government, and if the Ming Dynasty hadnt been so focused on accumulating wealth, it might have thrived for a few more decades.
Until the Qing Dynasty, the widespread adoption of sweet potatoes and potatoes was achieved through the efforts of common people over decades and even centuries.
Despite flaws in Li Ers character, his immediate concern indicated he was a qualified emperor.
Observing Li Ers heavy and wistful expression, Su Li smiled while gazing at the flowerpot in the courtyard. The potato vines and sweet potato tendrils were swaying gently in the breeze.