Song Ci naturally knew that.
She could list several dishes made from potatoes, but that’s not the most important thing; the most crucial aspect is that this crop has high yield and is satiating.
Potatoes have a high starch content, which not only makes them suitable for cooking but also as a staple food. Once they are planted in large quantities, they will significantly contribute to the Great Qing’s grain storage. Don’t underestimate it just because it doesn’t smell as fragrant as rice or wheat; during a famine, they are excellent for filling one’s stomach.
They must be planted, and she would do it herself, like greenhouse vegetables. She wanted to claim this achievement and gather it up; no one should stop her.
Then the problem arose: how are potatoes planted?
Song Ci held a potato, a bit confused.
"Mother, can this be eaten?" Niu Pan’er curiously picked up a potato and sniffed it near her nose.
"Of course it can be eaten. You cook it and it can be both a dish and food, like sweet potatoes."
Niu Pan’er was taken aback: "Like sweet potatoes?"
Song Ci nodded: "It’s inconvenient to talk about it here. We’ll talk in detail when we get back to the mansion."
Niu Pan’er was somewhat skeptical and uncertain, looking at the potato repeatedly and also at Song Ci. She was curious about how her mother-in-law, who had never been far, knew about such a novel thing?
Song Ci was unaware of her daughter-in-law’s suspicions and kept thinking about how to plant potatoes.
In her previous life, as an orphan adopted by two working parents, she naturally had never done any farm work. At eighteen, she was discovered by a talent scout, starting her star career, making it even less likely for her to farm. She knew about greenhouse cultivation from participating in reality shows.
No, she seemed to have vaguely heard about how to plant potatoes, but who said it?
Song Ci was distressed; she truly couldn’t remember, sigh.
Could it be that she was going to lament over such a significant achievement?
The distressed expression stayed with her until they returned to Prince Dingbei’s Mansion when Niu Pan’er eagerly asked Song Ci about the wonderful uses of potatoes.
To her own family, Song Ci didn’t hide anything and said immediately.
"... So, once these potatoes are planted, a single seedling can yield several, even a dozen. If favored by the heavens, a single seedling can produce a large bunch." Song Ci pointed to the round potato and said, "Foreigners call them yams, but since they grow in the soil, they should be called potatoes."
Niu Pan’er glanced at her; is this name something she came up with on the spot?
Song Ci pretended not to notice her doubt and said, "These potatoes are easy to cultivate and plant, and when the fruit is harvested, they store well in sandy soil. The magic lies in their ability to be both a dish and staple food."
"The Great Qing is currently quite peaceful, but I know there are often small skirmishes at the borders. Pan’er, once these potatoes are planted, they can be used as food to ease the grain worries of the Great Qing. Unluckily speaking, during a great famine, apart from rice and sweet potatoes, they can be good for filling the belly and are very filling." Song Ci chuckled lightly, "With full grain storage, the Great Qing has nothing to worry about, right? Soldiers can’t eat white rice every day either; adding a few potatoes would also be satisfying."
Niu Pan’er was excited upon hearing this: "Such a good thing comes from overseas."
"Let’s take a few to try out; you’ll see that I’m not exaggerating."
Niu Pan’er hesitated a bit: "But Mother, didn’t you say we should save them as seeds?"
"With this basketful, taking a few won’t matter; you just can’t finish it anyway. Mother will personally make you a dish of sautéed shredded potatoes in vinegar, I guarantee it will be delicious." Song Ci said proudly.
The mention of vinegar, Niu Pan’er immediately felt her mouth watering, so she listened to her mother. Orıginal content can be found at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Something big has happened, let me tell you all." Song Zhiyu rushed in from outside and plopped down by the table, face full of excitement, "Guess what happened at the feast in Prince Xiao’s Mansion today? Heh, Prince Zhou and Prince Xiao nearly got into a fight!"