Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 27 South China No. 9
After several days of research, comparison, and even risky attempts, Kruse finally reached a definitive conclusion.

He summoned several key figures, including Buffett, Wilstone, and old Camis, and piled up samples of purple sweet potatoes at several different stages of treatment in front of them.

Kruse was certain that, apart from its strange color, the purple yam was almost identical to cassava in its habits, structure, and especially its starchy nature.

This also made it easier for him to process these purple sweet potatoes.

Kruse paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, before emphasizing what he was about to say, his voice grave:
"The most dangerous characteristic of purple sweet potatoes is their potent toxicity, mainly concentrated in the skin and the shallow layer of flesh. Remember, never eat them directly; even a small bite could be fatal!"

He picked up a peeled sweet potato, revealing a whitish interior with strange purple veins, and pointed to a large wooden bucket next to him, in which many processed sweet potato chunks were soaking, the water already slightly purplish.

"To ensure safe consumption, the three-step method must be strictly followed!" Kruse's voice was firm and unwavering, allowing no room for error:
"First, peel it completely! You must completely remove the outer layer of dark purple skin, leaving not a single bit!"

"Second, soak in clean water! The peeled sweet potato flesh must be completely submerged in running water or clean water that is changed at least three times a day, and soaked for a full three days! The purpose is to extract as many toxins as possible from inside. Look, the color of this water is proof." He pointed to the purplish wooden bucket.

"After completing these two steps, the third step is to cook it thoroughly! It must be boiled over high heat for a long time until the potato flesh is soft and mushy. Only in this way can the residual toxicity be minimized, making it barely edible to eat."

At this point, Kruse's face showed an extremely complex expression, a mixture of helplessness, disdain, and a little bit of accomplishment.

He picked up a small piece of purple sweet potato flesh that had been processed and cooked according to procedure, turned grayish-white, and become soft and mushy, but instead of eating it himself, he handed it to the butler, Buffet, who was watching eagerly from the side.

"As for its taste..." Kruse shook his head, his tone carrying a complex mix of emotions. "You'll know once you try it yourself. I can only say that nature is indeed fair, giving it tenacious vitality and the possibility of high yield, but when it comes to taste... it's extremely stingy."

The old housekeeper couldn't wait to stuff the small piece of potato into his mouth and chew it a couple of times.

Instantly, his wrinkled face contorted, his expression anything but one of enjoyment. He swallowed hard, then smacked his lips, mumbling his assessment: "Uh... Young Master... this stuff... it's a bit... sticky, and a bit... stringy. The taste... it tastes really weird, it has an... indescribable... sour and rancid smell, like spoiled beans..."

The other serfs who also received a small piece tasted it and showed similar expressions, grimacing but not daring to spit it out.

This is the "food" that both the lord and the knight commander are watching!

Even the serfs couldn't stand the smell, let alone the nobles.

Kruze smiled helplessly at everyone's reactions: "It seems it's not just my imagination. Yes, it's probably its unique toxic components that cause this...unforgettable, terrible taste. It can't provide any flavor, and it's hard to even call it 'delicious,' but in the face of famine, the calories and satiety it provides are far more important than taste."

The nauseating sour smell and sticky, unpleasant texture lingered like a dark cloud over Kruse's mind. The "flavor" of these purple sweet potatoes was indeed a huge problem, enough to deter anyone attempting to promote them as a staple food. The people might tolerate them during famine, but for a long-term stable supply, or even as a reserve food, the taste would undoubtedly greatly dampen their enthusiasm and could even provoke resistance.

"Perhaps... we could try extracting starch?" Kruze rubbed his chin, his mind racing with the rudimentary starch extraction processes from his previous life—crushing, filtering, settling, and drying.

If relatively pure potato starch could be obtained, the unpleasant taste could be largely eliminated, at least making it into pancakes or mixing it into other foods, making it easier to swallow.

Although this may result in the loss of some nutrients and total amount, it may be a viable way to increase acceptance.

Just as he was immersed in how to improve the processing method of purple sweet potatoes, trying to turn this "chicken rib" into a real "food",

[Ding!] That cold yet pleasant notification sound rang out again without warning from the depths of his mind.

[New Player Quest 4: Farmland Development (Part 3) Completed]

[Task Assessment: Successfully discovered and preliminarily established planting and processing methods for a new staple crop (purple sweet potato)]

[Task Reward: Ten sections of South China No. 9 cassava stem seedlings have been sent to your system space]

This sudden system notification instantly cleared up Kruse's mental blind spot!

The brow that had been furrowed just moments before because of the awful taste of the purple sweet potato suddenly relaxed, replaced by an uncontrollable ecstasy and burning gaze!

South China No. 9 Cassava!

Yes!

It is a legitimate, optimized, low-toxicity or even potentially non-toxic edible cassava variety!

The system directly provides the optimal solution!

With this truly high-yield staple crop from our homeland, who would still bother with the sour, sticky, troublesome, and even toxic purple sweet potato?

The value of purple sweet potatoes was instantly redefined – they were no longer a last resort as a staple food, but returned to their original role as a "magician's economic crop," focusing solely on providing raw materials for the manufacture of hemostatic powder!

As for the people's stomachs, they should be filled with more reliable, tastier, and more productive cassava!

With clear thinking, everything becomes clear!
Kruse suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with excitement and determination, all his previous hesitation vanishing.

He waved his hand, pointing to the newly cleared hillside and the uncultivated wasteland further away, his voice booming with undeniable ambition:

"Let's put the taste issue aside for now! Buffett, Wilstone, the priority now is to expand the planting!" His tone was resolute. "Immediately organize people to plant all the existing purple sweet potato seed tubers! Just follow the method I taught you before, don't waste a single one! Our goal is to finish before the end of the year."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over his two capable subordinates, before uttering a number that made both of their hearts skip a beat:

"Let's set this as our small goal: to plant 100 acres of purple sweet potatoes!"

"One...one hundred acres?!"

Wilstone gasped, his bronze face stiffening slightly.

He even wondered if he had heard wrongly.

(End of this chapter)