During my escape from famine, I survived by eavesdropping on the whispers of food.

Qin Shuangshuang was immediately displeased by what the current chairman said, and argued with him, saying, "Everyone's life is precious. Do you really want to compare us to that beast? Besides, you asked everyone if they really want to eat what that beast should eat."

Although there's a food shortage right now, just look at your grain—it's clearly infested with so many insects, with holes drilled in it, and there's sand and stones inside. Eating that would be fatal.

The surrounding people were talking about it endlessly.

At this moment, the current chairman addressed the surrounding people, "In the past few days, I believe everyone has even eaten the bark from those trees."

Besides, this is mine, and I'm giving it to everyone to eat, and there's a continuous supply. Aren't you all happy?"

At this point, some people spoke up, "If what Chairman Jin said is true, as long as we get all the bits and pieces of dirt out, we can still eat it, right? Why can't we eat it?"

"That's right. I saw that Qin Shuangshuang's food was made with something that was under a curse. How could anyone eat it? I think she just looks down on what Chairman Jin made. In my opinion, Qin Shuangshuang should take her whole family and leave our county."

"Now that the local refugees are fleeing everywhere and have nothing to eat, does that mean that rice that has been burrowed by insects should not be eaten?"

Qin Shuangshuang's brows furrowed tightly at this moment.

Qin Shuangshuang never expected that her consideration for them would backfire so badly, and she clenched her fists even tighter.

But suddenly they heard the insects inside the spoiled rice talking.

"These people really underestimate our power. If they eat us, we'll multiply and thrive inside their bellies in no time. Anyone who doesn't know better would think that our house is inside."

"Exactly, these people are so bold, they actually swallowed us too. We're so energetic, who knows how many babies we'll give birth to inside them."

"Yes, yes, I haven't paired up yet. When I pair up a pair of the remaining little dolls inside, they'll be scared to death. You guys stop talking, or that sharp-eyed woman will see us again, and then we'll be in big trouble."

Qin Shuangshuang realized that eating this thing would definitely kill someone. Now she looked at Lin Zheng and said, "Sir, what should we do now? The betting has already started, so you have to decide who wins and who loses."

After thinking it over, Lin Zheng said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Now that the game has started, I will act as the judge and take a good look at your plans. Whoever is the most suitable to ensure that the people can live without worrying about food for three months will win."

Hearing Lin Zheng say this, Qin Shuangshuang felt more confident.

Although his creations have long been rumored by the people of the city and beyond to be witchcraft artifacts, he has now actually produced them.

After they taste it, they'll find that their own food is more refined than the chairman's, resulting in a different taste and a fuller stomach. I believe they'll definitely agree with their plan.

At this moment, Qin Shuangshuang and President Jin stepped aside.

This was Lin Zheng's instruction.

He was worried that the two of them might do something wrong. Although he trusted them both very much, this was a matter of life and death for the people, so he felt he should be extra careful in case one of them poisoned the grain on the other side.

Lin Zheng then hid himself, holding a small bowl and a pair of chopsticks. He looked at Qin Shuangshuang's food at the table and then asked her, "How do you eat this?"

Qin Shuangshuang then demonstrated for her, putting a spoonful of konjac powder into Lin Zheng's bowl.

Then, someone brought over boiling water. As soon as the water was put in, it mixed with the konjac powder. After stirring, it turned into a rice paste-like consistency, looking almost identical to noodle soup.

Seeing this, Lin Zheng became curious and took a small sip.

Qin Shuangshuang saw that he was about to open his mouth to drink, but then she suddenly remembered that there was still some oil on her table, so she hurriedly said to Lin Zheng, "Sir, please wait a moment."

Lin Zheng stopped what he was doing, looked at Qin Shuangshuang in front of him, and said, "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

Qin Shuangshuang picked up the bowl on the table that already contained a tiny bit of oil and said to Lin Zheng, "This thing is made with great care. If we add some more delicate ingredients, it will probably taste even better. Try it."

Qin Shuangshuang poured a few drops of oil from her bowl into Lin Zheng's bowl, and then said to him, "Try it."

Lin Zheng then opened his mouth and drank it down. Soon after, he felt refreshed and invigorated. He couldn't help but give Qin Shuangshuang a thumbs up and praise, "This stuff is definitely good! Just one small sip and I already feel full!"

Such a tiny spoonful yields so much; it's truly a good product.

"You can leave it here for now; I'll go check on the chairman's things."

Chairman Jin had just heard Lin Zheng praise Qin Shuangshuang, and now he was starting to worry. What should he do if Qin Shuangshuang really won this round?

But he always felt that his own was the safest, after all, not everyone thinks that konjac fish powder is made for human consumption. Some people worry that eating spicy food will cause poisoning, curses, and unrest for the whole family.

At this moment, Lin Zheng went to the table and looked at the dark, rotten millet and sesame seeds in the grave basin. Then, he instructed the yamen runner next to him, saying, "Now that this thing has been moved to the entrance of our yamen, let's build a fire here, melt the snow, boil some hot water, and cook this stuff to have a taste."

The constable nodded and said to Lin Zheng, "Okay, don't worry, I've already had it prepared. It should be brought up in a little while, sir. Please wait here."

Lin Zheng nodded, and soon after, he saw a yamen runner bring over a basin of snow and pour it into the pot.

It boiled in no time. Looking at the pitch-black mass in the pot, Lin Zheng couldn't help but think that this was something he shouldn't eat casually.

Even if we ate tree bark before, at least it was the same color, but this thing looks like something improper.