no,225 on agriculture (Part 1)

Huang Junming finally sent Li Chunfeng away, who was curious, but this was delayed by Li Chunfeng, and the matter of Li Yuanheng finding Li Shimin was delayed again. Huang Junming was both helpless and depressed. However, now he has reached the gate of the Hundred Years Hall, Huang Junming is too lazy to go and search for it himself, so he has to find a small path and ask him to bring Li Yuanheng here.

"Yuanheng, you go down the mountain later. Bring this letter to Your Majesty. Let Your Majesty find it. If possible, you can also let Your Majesty go to the Heavenly Immortal Palace." Huang Junming said to Li Yuanheng, who had been rushing over to the mountains and yet to stand still, and stuffed a letter into Li Yuanheng's hands.

Li Yuanheng put away the letter. Although he was puzzled by Huang Junming's anxious look, he did not say much. After saluting Huang Junming, he walked out and went to Li Shimin.

About an hour and a half later, Li Shimin and Li Yuanheng came to the Heavenly Immortal Palace together. Li Shimin walked in the Heavenly Immortal Palace, but if he had any ideas, he would still be a little bit. Last time, Li Shimin came to the Heavenly Immortal Palace, but Huang Junming refused to see him. But this time, he took the initiative to come to discuss things. He had no small revenge and had a thought of rejecting him. However, as an emperor, Li Shimin could not do it. Since last time in Huang Junming's treasure, he learned that there would be a big locust plague next year, Li Shimin had long been thinking about how to deal with it without thinking.

This locust plague is no better than other things. The current agricultural output is not high. If a locust plague comes, the locust may end up not growing in every grass after it. This year is another leap month, and the weather and climate are too late. Late planting is also equivalent to taking a great risk. Therefore, the first year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty may also be a year of shortage of food. In the second year of Zhenguan, Huang Jun clearly stated that a locust plague would occur. Moreover, according to previous experience, this locust plague is often accompanied by severe droughts, and the so-called drought is the case if there are locusts. At that time, the harvest in the second year of Zhenguan is probably close to zero.

In this way, the harvest in the first year of Zhenguan cannot be guaranteed, and the second year of Zhenguan is another year that consumes only and does not produce. The treasury granary also has less grain storage. If you count this way, you may have been going through these years when the new year has just changed the country. However, during the New Year, you wanted to discuss this matter with Huang Junming, but Huang Junming distracted it. Now you suddenly heard that Huang Junming wanted to discuss farming with him. How could you not let go of your identity and come to the news?

"Your Majesty hasn't seen you for a long time. I wonder if Your Majesty is healthy in the dragon body?" Huang Junming saw Li Yuanheng bringing Li Shimin over, gave a light salute and greeted Li Shimin.

"Isn't it that my secret bag of talent, Immortal Master, made a fuss?" Li Shimin smiled bitterly: "Since last October, Immortal Master, I gave me the three secret bags, I have no idea about food and food. The first secret bag and the second secret bag have made me fight two battles. The third secret bag is still in my arms and I dare not dismantle it. But then again, the first of these three secret bags, I'm really very suitable. I have made the prisoners build roads and promised that those who are less guilty will reduce their crimes based on their work results. In the past few months, the cement road has been built to Luoyang. In addition to taking a few days to rest, the cement road can be opened to traffic and people."

Although Li Shimin came after reading Huang Junming's letter from Li Yuanheng. But if the first thing he did when he met was about the locust plague in the second year of Zhenguan, then Li Shimin, the emperor, would be greatly embarrassed. This foreigner asked Li Shimin, the emperor, to come to the door in person after hearing the news, was already a matter of Li Shimin's disrespect. If Li Shimin came up and spoke to Huang Junming, it would be too disgusting. Besides, since Huang Junming asked Li Shimin to come over to discuss this matter, Huang Junming would definitely bring the topic to this matter. There was no need for Li Shimin to ask more questions.

"Oh? The cement road between Chang'an and Luoyang is about to be built?" Huang Junming didn't care much about this matter, but he still looked interested. He said to Li Shimin: "If I had that leisure time, I would definitely walk around between Chang'an and Luoyang. Since I came to the Tang Dynasty, I have not left Chang'an City yet."

Hearing Huang Junming's words without any haste, Li Shimin was secretly anxious and said dryly: "The Immortal Master has walked around more when he has time. I still have many beautiful scenery in the Tang Dynasty."

"Haha, when I have time, I will definitely appreciate the worldly scene of the Tang Dynasty." Huang Junming was tired of staying in Chang'an City. If it weren't for the fact that he had not finished his work, Huang Junming would have already gone to a corner of the Tang Dynasty to travel around.

"Your Majesty, I asked you here this time. I'm asking you to come if you have something to do." Huang Junming didn't want to waste more time between these gossips, so he said straight to the point.

Hearing Huang Junming's words, Li Shimin felt a little nervous. He knew that the matter was coming. He looked at Huang Junming and replied: "The immortal master has something to say, but it doesn't matter."

"Okay, then I will say it." Huang Junming had already thought about the language and then continued: "I wonder if Your Majesty has considered the locust plague next year. I know that when the locust plague comes, a large number of people may die in the Tang Dynasty, right? Of course, officials from aristocratic families are nothing more than a little hardship, but the common people below may not be able to survive. I firmly believe that the immortal way is worth living, but also know that heaven is healthy and gentlemen should strive for self-improvement. I cannot avoid locust plague and cannot produce food out of thin air, but it can make more surplus food in the hands of ordinary people. However, I can't do anything just by myself, so I hope that Your Majesty, you can help and support me."

"Okay! I'm thinking about what to do next year for a while. Since the immortal master has already made plans, I'll ask the immortal master to come one by one. As long as it is beneficial to the country and the people, I will take care of it one by one." Li Shimin also knew that Huang Junming was telling the truth, and Huang Junming did not say all the specific measures he had come up with, so he was naturally thinking of waiting for Li Shimin to express his opinion.

"In this way, I will say it. In my mind, I will divide the locust plague into three parts: before the disaster, beginning and after the disaster." Huang Junming signaled Li Yuanheng to record, and said: "I won't talk about the disaster after the disaster. I will talk about the disaster first. The so-called before the disaster is to know that the locust plague is about to occur. I often don't know the specific time of the disaster. Now that I know that the locust plague will occur, I must make plans in advance."

"First of all, from now on, this year is late spring. Although there are disadvantages, it is also beneficial. The advantage is that this late spring gives us enough time to prepare for farming." Huang Junming said as if he had made a statement.

"If the grain output increases this year, the disaster will be much better next year. But how can we increase the grain output this year? I think we can start from these aspects." Huang Junming asked and answered himself. He did not give Li Shimin more time to consider. "First, change the farming method of farmers. Now the farmer's farming crops are relatively single, just corn and vegetables. Although I know some crops that can increase grain output, it is too late now, so I can only work hard on the farming method. First, most farmers have land in their hands. Because they cultivate land for themselves, they are more enthusiastic. This is a good thing, but the way farmers use farming land now is nothing more than plowing, so they sow seeds, weeding, and harvesting. However, among them, the farmers have land, because they cultivate land for themselves, so they are more enthusiastic. This is a good thing. However, the way farmers use farming land now is nothing more than plowing, so they sow seeds, weeding, and harvesting. However, among them, the farmers have land, because they cultivate land is nothing more than plowing, so they are weeding, and harvesting is just finished. However, among them, the farmers have farming land.

People’s lack of farming awareness often leads to a long period of farming. The less harvest is. This is because the land lacks fertility after years of cultivation. How to increase the labor force of the land and strengthen the yield is actually a very simple problem. The best fertilizer for crops is manure. Although farmers know this, they cannot meet their needs because their manure output is relatively small. Those officials, even the army, merchants, scholars, etc. are quite disgusted with this manure, which makes Ye Xianglang look for a place outside the city to bury the matter. On this side, farmers lack manure, and on the other hand, others don’t care about manure. This contradiction causes the farmland to fail to produce fertilizer due to the lack of fertilizer. How can this contradiction disappear? Only Your Majesty, you guided it through the efforts of the government. I can’t do this."

Li Shimin was quite depressed when he heard Huang Junming's words. He also understood the fertilizer. Although he had not personally operated it, he had lived for 30 years. Haven't seen pork yet? Didn't he see pig run? Li Shimin could understand the conflict between farmers and people in other industries about manure. But if he had been the emperor, he ordered the government to send or sell manure to the farmer to send or sell manure to the farmer. How could he feel awkward? In his heart, the feces were extremely dirty, and it was a bit unreasonable to connect the government and the feces. But what Huang Junming said was the truth. The problem was found and the solution was also guided by you. The rest of the work could only be done by the leader of the emperor.

"In addition to fertilizer, the second point is the farm tools used by farmers to farm. The farming tools used in the Tang Dynasty now are nothing more than a straight plow, a few cows, and a whole family. But you should know that many people do not have cattle at home, so they can only use people to pull straight plows. But you must also know that it is quite laborious to operate. If you want to exert its efficiency, you should at least use two cows to pull it. Families without cows rely solely on manpower. I believe that you have a general concept, right? So I wondered whether you can make a simple, easy, and practical plow. So I found several Taoists who are more researching on farm tools. After they heard of my ideas, they all thought that this method was feasible, but this research could not be studied in a day or a day. At this moment, a Taoist claimed that he had recorded in "The Creation of Things in Heaven".

Carrying a plow that is simpler than a straight plow, called Jiangdong plow, but it is not recorded in the Tiangong Kaiyu that cannot be copied by these Taoists under my command. So I wondered, can you ask Your Majesty to send someone to Jiangnan to find a Jiangdong plow, so that the Taoists under my command can study and improve it, so that it becomes the best plow suitable for the Tang Dynasty? Besides, this year is late spring, so there is still some free time to cultivate. Take this opportunity to successfully study and then send it to the entire Tang Dynasty. Will it be better to reduce the time for cultivation? Once the cultivation time is reduced, will there be time to reclaim more fields? In this way, the fields will increase and fertilizer supply will be provided. At that time, the people will be encouraged to develop water conservancy and use the kind of tube trucks in Jiangnan. Even if the weather is not good this year, you can get a very good harvest. If the harvest is good this year, the dilemma of the locust plague next year will be weakened a lot."

Huang Junming's words like a cannon gave Li Shimin a deep pressure and a sense of urgency, which also forced Li Shimin to try to think about every word Huang Junming said. Yes, this agricultural tool is also a very serious problem. The combination of agricultural tools completely limits the size of the cultivated land. The less land is reclaimed, the less harvest will be. There are so many harvests per acre of land. If you want to increase the harvest, you can only work hard to reclaim the fields. However, innate conditions do not allow it, and this can only be maintained until now. The reform of agricultural tools is also necessary. However, after Huang Junming said that he had already started to do the reform of agricultural tools, Li Shimin also felt a little relieved.

"Immortal Master, don't worry. When I return to the palace, I will immediately find someone to go to Jiangnan to search, and strive to send the real objects and drawings as soon as possible. However, since the Jiangdong plow written on natural craftsmanship is better than the straight plow and has many advantages, why not popularize Jiangdong plow to farmers for the time being? Instead, I am modifying Jiangdong plow?" Although Li Shimin knew that the reform of this agricultural tool was necessary, even if it had the foundation of Jiangdong plow, it was not guaranteed in terms of time. Since Jiangdong plow was good, then use Jiangdong plow for the time being. After passing this difficulty, isn't it okay to develop a new plow?

"Your Majesty, you must know that it has been eighty years since the book "The Book of Heavenly Works" was released. Since it has been eighty years, Jiangdong Pi is a good thing but has not been spread and spread?" Huang Junming lured Li Shimin's thought bit by bit: "It's very simple. Your Majesty, think about the difference between the fields in Jiangnan and Guanzhong? Jiangnan is mostly paddy fields, and the land of paddy fields must be different from the land of our dry fields. The land of paddy fields is much softer than that of dry fields. Therefore, Jiangdong Pi must be suitable for working in paddy fields and cannot be cultivated in dry fields. It is precisely because of this that it has not spread."

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Today's first chapter, there are two more updates. Stay tuned. (To be continued)
Chapter completed!