Ye Jiu didn’t understand why they had such persistence, but most importantly, Ye Jiu didn’t know how crucial this yield was for Dongyue.
If there really was a type of crop that could achieve a yield of nearly ten thousand catties per acre, not to mention how Dongyue would develop in the future, it would at least solve the recurring problem of starvation among the countless citizens of Dongyue.
At noon, Ye Jiu had someone bring the vermicelli from her carriage and, after explaining how to cook it, had it arranged for pork chops stewed with vermicelli for lunch.
After everything was arranged, Ye Changsheng anxiously asked, "Niece, the Prince is also here, don’t you think the arrangement for lunch is too simple?"
It was said that these wealthy and influential people covered everything edible from the sky, the ground, and the water in each meal. Now, hearing the Niece’s instructions for just pork stew with vermicelli, which was an unfamiliar dish, what if it didn’t suit the Prince’s taste...
Charging them with the crime of inadequate hospitality, no one could afford that.
Ye Jiu and Prince Jing were old acquaintances and she didn’t mind at all. "They are here mainly for the sweet potatoes; using that to host them shows sincerity. Moreover, it will give them a good chance to taste this thing. If you feel uneasy, just instruct the kitchen to cook some sweet potato porridge, roasted sweet potatoes, boiled sweet potatoes, sweet potato balls..."
Ye Jiu quickly listed many ways to prepare them, making herself drool in the process.
Ye Changsheng felt helpless. Looking at his niece speaking, it didn’t seem like she was trying to host Prince Jing at all, but that she wanted to eat it herself!
When a big pot of pork stewed with vermicelli was served, Ye Jiu took a large bowl, first served a bowl for Prince Jing, and then brought it to the table where he sat with a small ledger, "This is the vermicelli, Prince, how does it taste?"
The County Official couldn’t believe what Ye Jiu was doing and said, "Miss Ye, the Prince’s body is worth thousands—how can he..." eat such coarse food!
Even he, a minor official, had at least four dishes and a soup as standard in his meals, along with a few small pickles, all meticulously prepared.
Yet, this full big pot looked more like something for feeding pigs from afar, how could it be swallowed?
Backed by Prince Jing, Ye Jiu was not afraid of the County Official, "What? You think our food is too coarse?"
The County Official looked at Prince Jing, his face clearly expressing that sentiment.
"Such rough food, how is it fit for humans?" he blurted out.
Ye Jiu sneered, "Lord County Magistrate is really used to the good life, ignorant of worldly sufferings. In the past, when our family was poor, we ate even worse than this. Those mountain wild vegetables, both bitter and dry, would still be eagerly dug up by people. The coarse black breads, too tough to chew and choking the throat, didn’t stop us from growing up eating this kind of food."
Although this pork stewed with vermicelli was not any fancy dish, it had meat and bread; how was it inferior?
Each one was a problem of indulgence, whether or not she was willing to cater to them was another matter.
Listening to Ye Jiu describe the food she had eaten in the past, Prince Jing’s throat involuntarily moved.
Under everyone’s gaze, Prince Jing picked up the chopsticks and began to eat.
The vermicelli was smooth and chewy, and although not visually appealing, it tasted quite good.
With Prince Jing leading by example and eating without disdain, the Princely Heir, not one to stand on ceremony, grabbed a bowl and began serving himself.