If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Sir, what are your plans for the next step?"

As Zhou Wu's deputy, Su Jing naturally followed Zhou Wu's lead. Seeing Zhou Wu's hesitation, he wanted to hear what Zhou Wu planned to do next so that he could give him some advice tailored to his individual needs.

"Old Su, do you have any good suggestions?"

To be honest, Zhou Wu's mind was in a mess right now. Although the government's support was minimal, he wanted to help these disaster victims, since they were all citizens of the Great Dragon.

"My lord, there are essentially two paths. One is to hand over the money and provisions to the Qingzhou government, and then we can return to the capital to report back. In this way, we will neither have done anything wrong nor been guilty. The other is for you to stay and find a way to help Qingzhou rebuild. If that happens, when we return to the capital, the Crown Prince will surely recommend you for merit before His Majesty."

"Old Su, I plan to stay and help rebuild Qingzhou, but not for any merit, so I hope you can help me out."

“If you do not abandon me, I am willing to lend you a helping hand.”

After spending time together, Zhou Wu recognized Su Jing's abilities, and now with Su Jing's help, Zhou Wu was even more motivated.

The next day, Zhou Wu and Su Jing went to the government office to meet with Ji Yongfeng to discuss the next steps in disaster relief.

"Old Ji, could you give us a good introduction to the situation in Qingzhou? It would help Old Su and me find some inspiration."

Inside the government office, there were only Zhou Wu, Su Jing, and Ji Yongfeng. Zhou Wu didn't stand on ceremony.

"Your Excellency, Qingzhou is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side. There is not much arable land, and it is rainy, so it has never been able to develop throughout history."

"Wait a minute, you mentioned the coast? Why haven't you developed fishery resources?"

"My lord, that is the ocean. Although I have heard that there are now large fishing boats that can fish on the sea, the cost of building those boats is beyond what Qingzhou can afford. Moreover, even if we catch fish, who will we sell them to? They will probably rot before they are even transported out."

Ji Yongfeng gave a wry smile, saying that the root of the problem was poverty.

"Let's go to the beach."

Everyone says the ocean is an inexhaustible treasure, so Zhou Wu decided to find a way out for Qingzhou from the ocean.

Led by Ji Yongfeng, Zhou Wu and Su Jing arrived at the seaside in Qingzhou, where the sea was somewhat different from that in Zhou Wu's hometown.

The sea in my hometown is as clear as a sapphire, while the sea here has a very deep color.

"Wait, this thing."

After looking closely, Zhou Wu realized that the seawater wasn't just dark in color; there was clearly something in the sea.

"Oh, these things are everywhere in Qingzhou Bay. People who raise pigs will catch some to feed their pigs."

Seeing that Zhou Wu was interested in the things in the sea, Ji Yongfeng introduced them to him.

"You actually fed pigs kelp and laver?"

Zhou Wu took off his shoes, stepped barefoot into the seawater, scooped up a handful of water, and stuffed it directly into his mouth, taking a bite.

"So this stuff is called kelp and laver."

"Haha, great! It came so easily! Qingzhou is saved."

Zhou Wu's exaggerated behavior frightened Ji Yongfeng. Did he go crazy after eating a bite of pig feed?

Zhou Wu packed some kelp and seaweed and took them back. After returning to the government office, Zhou Wu was busy spreading the seaweed out in the courtyard to dry naturally in the sun. He also repeatedly washed the kelp strips clean.

"Sir, your chicken has arrived."

Zhou Wu paid out of his own pocket to have Ji Yongfeng get a chicken, which stumped Ji Yongfeng. At this time, people were starving, so where would they get a chicken? But luckily, his subordinates knew of a family that lived on a mountainside and had not been affected by the disaster. Their chickens were still alive. His subordinates even took it upon themselves to buy some eggs for the gentlemen to nourish their bodies.

After slaughtering the chicken, Zhou Wu stewed it with kelp. He then boiled a pot of water, beat the eggs, and poured the mixture into the pot after the water boiled, creating egg flowers. He then added dried seaweed, and a seaweed and egg flower soup was ready.

"Old Su, Old Ji, come and eat! You're hungry."

Zhou Wu's actions completely baffled Su Jing and Ji Yongfeng. This Lord Zhou actually knew how to cook, and it even smelled quite delicious.

Soaking white rice in two spoonfuls of chicken broth makes it incredibly delicious.

"Sir, is this pig feed really edible?"

Ji Yongfeng looked at the seaweed in the bowl and felt an indescribable disgust. He had seen Zhou Wu washing it earlier, and it was still sticky and gooey.

"This is called kelp, not pig feed. It's delicious. You'll know once you try it."

Zhou Wu knew that everyone would feel resistant the first time they tried anything, but once they got there, they would try countless times.

"So be it, I, Ji Yongfeng, am willing to die for the people of Qingzhou."

After struggling with his conscience for a long time, Ji Yongfeng still decided to break the law.

"Is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of eating just seaweed?"

Watching Ji Yongfeng's expression, from initial resistance and disgust to gradual relaxation, acceptance, and enjoyment.

"Delicious, really delicious! I never expected this pig feed—no, this seaweed—to be so tasty. I've been in Qingzhou for so many years, always hungry despite having plenty of food. It's truly...sigh..."

"Try this seaweed and egg drop soup."

Zhou Wu then asked Ji Yongfeng to try another one. This time, Ji Yongfeng did not resist and directly scooped up a chopstickful and put it in his mouth.

"The flavor is a bit bland, but it's still edible."

Then Su Jing tried them all and said they were good.

"This stuff is practically inexhaustible in the Qingzhou Sea, but sir, can it really be sold for money?"

"You certainly can't, but I can."

Indeed, Zhou Wu could use Gu Xinyuan's three restaurants in the capital to add some seaweed and kelp dishes. In addition, vegetables are scarce in winter, so seaweed and kelp will definitely be very popular.

"Both kelp and laver can be dried and stored for a long time, which also makes them easier to transport. Lao Ji, you can start arranging for people to collect the kelp and laver now. After all, drying them takes time. I'll get some and send it back to the capital first to preheat it."

"It's an adult."

The more Ji Yongfeng listened, the more he felt that what Zhou Wu said seemed quite reliable, and now he was full of energy.

Zhou Wu immediately wrote a letter containing some recipes for kelp and seaweed, then briefly explained the situation, and sent the kelp and seaweed together with someone to be sent back to Gu Changqing in the capital as quickly as possible.

Ji Yongfeng also began arranging the harvesting of kelp and laver. At Zhou Wu's suggestion, he adopted a work-for-relief approach, which involved having the people participate in the harvesting work, and then the government would buy back the harvested produce. This way, the people wouldn't be too idle and cause trouble, and they could also earn money. It was a win-win situation.