Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 112 Visit to Caihu Camp

"Whose name is this businessman? If these sweet potatoes really have such a big effect, he must have contributed a lot." The emperor said.

"This man's surname is Chen Mingshu, and his courtesy name is Changwen. He is a maritime merchant. Weichen met him accidentally when he was out. He didn't expect that he actually grew sweet potatoes and other things at home. I came to take a look and confirmed It’s really a sweet potato, so I came to report it.”

"I will reward this person. Regarding the corn and other things you mentioned before, I also asked the vegetable camp under the Shanglinyuan Supervisor Jiashu Department to take stock of how much they have grown. How many sweet potatoes does Chen Shu grow at home?" the emperor asked. road.

"Chen Shu's yard is not big, so he doesn't plant much. But he has saved seeds. Sweet potatoes are easy to grow. One sweet potato can be cut into several pieces and planted after germination. You can also use sweet potato vines. Planting." Zhang Xiao said.

"Then tell me where his yard is. According to you, the sweet potatoes in his hands are related to people's livelihood." The emperor said.

Zhang Xiao told the address, the emperor nodded, and Chen Ju immediately called a young eunuch to give some instructions, and the young eunuch left in a hurry.

"Your Majesty, is this Caihu camp used to grow vegetables to supply the palace? Wei Chen wants to go and see for himself." Zhang Xiao asked.

"This Caihu Camp is just outside Guang'an Gate. If Zhang Xiaoqian wants to go, I will ask Chen Ju to accompany you." The emperor said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Zhang Xiao did not go home after leaving the palace this time. The carriage in the palace took Zhang Xiao directly to the outside of Beijing.

The carriage moved slowly, and Zhang Xiao sat in it chatting with Chen Ju who was sitting next to him.

"This time it's really thanks to Eunuch Chen. In fact, Zhang just wants to see if those crops are really the corn, potatoes and peppers I mentioned, and also to see how these crops are grown and whether they are growing well. .”

"These things really have the many benefits that Zhang Shidu said? Especially the corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes are so high-yielding? If this is true, then we don't know how many more people can be fed."

"I don't dare to draw conclusions about how high the yield will be. This time I went to Caihuying to see it and believe it. The yield of a crop is closely related to the weather, precipitation, and soil of a place, and it also has a lot to do with the seeds. , only by cultivating good seeds can you grow with higher yields. In addition, there are also processes such as fertilizing, weeding, and soil loosening, which also have an impact on yields."

"I didn't expect that Zhang Shidu is not only good at writing, but also has a lot of research on farming."

"I just learned a little from the East and a little from the West. I am definitely not as proficient in farming as the old farmers in Caihuying."

Not long after the car drove out of Guang'anmen, Caihuying was ready to arrive. When we got off the bus at the place, a large number of officials from Shanglinyuan Prison were already waiting for Shangguan's arrival.

"Everyone, I'm just here to see how the crops are growing. You don't need to be so polite. Can you lead the way?" Zhang Xiao said.

A group of people moved forward in a mighty manner. Supervisor Zuo of Shanglinyuan Supervisor was reporting the relevant situation to Zhang Xiao.

"Zhang Shidu, our Shanglin Yuanjian had ten departments during the Yongle period, but now there are only four departments. They are Fanyu, Jiazhu, Liangmu, and Linheng. The Fanyu Department mainly raises six birds. The Jia Vegetable Department grows vegetables and fruits, Liang Mu raises six livestock, and the Lin Heng Department raises fruit trees and flowers. All the produce of the four departments is supplied to the palace," Zuo Jianzheng said.

"I'll learn more about the other three bureaus when I have the chance. What is the approximate size of the Jiashu District? What are they growing?"

"The main land occupied by the Jiaqi Vegetable Department is the vegetable garden. There are nearly a thousand vegetable households, covering an area of ​​more than 100 hectares. Every year, hundreds of thousands of kilograms of vegetables and fruits are supplied to the palace. The first vegetables and fruits are grown here. , there are common melons and fruits, and if foreign countries pay tribute, they will be planted here."

"Oh, you don't have to go far to where corn, potatoes, and peppers are grown." "It's not very far. It's just a few steps away. Zhang Shidu, look ahead. They are growing the potatoes you mentioned. .Old Wutou, this is Zhang Shidu from the Hanlin Academy, come and see him soon. Zhang Shidu, this old Wutou is in charge of potato planting. If you have anything you want to ask, just ask him."

"The common people come to see Mr. Zhang."

"Excuse me, old man, did you grow all the potatoes in this field? They are still growing well. They are not mature yet."

"Sir, it will take another month for the ground beans to grow well. However, the little man still planted some seeds. Look, the beans planted by the little people are the horses and potatoes you mentioned. "

"Potatoes," Zuo Jianzheng added.

"Yes, yes, the old man is right, that potato looks like this." The old farmer said as he took out a few potatoes with soil still in them from his pocket.

Zhang Xiao took one directly and looked at it.

"It should be right. I'll find a place to cook it later and try it. Then there won't be any problem."

"This ground bean, I heard that it was originally a tribute from foreign countries. However, the flowers of this ground bean are not pretty and are still white. Later, they said that the fruit is edible, so I, a little old man, asked me to plant it and try it. But it didn't work. When we came out, the noble man tasted it and thought it tasted average, so he let the little man grow it as he pleased," said the old farmer.

"Then you've done a pretty good job growing these potatoes."

"The villain is just a farmer. He has no other skills except farming. Mr. Zhang, you don't know that these beans don't look good, but they still smell fragrant when cooked, and they still make you hungry when you eat them. They can be used as food." Ah. The little people have been planting them for so many years, and the beans here are getting bigger and bigger. The one I gave Master Zhang just now is not the biggest, but the bigger little people have been planted as seeds. "

"Yes, these potatoes can be eaten as food. Old man, do you have a name?"

"We don't have any names. The master thinks highly of villains, so just call me Lao Wutou."

"Old man Wu, you have made great achievements for the imperial court. Zhang would like to thank you." Zhang Xiao saluted the old farmer.

"You can't do it, you can't do it, it's a shame for the villain." The old farmer said hurriedly.

After walking around, the group of people had a few more corn cobs, a few potatoes, and a small bag of chili peppers.

"I am here today by the emperor's order to inspect these crops. Let's start with this potato. Whether it is real or not, you have to take a bite to know. You are all witnesses, so take a potato and cook it. . This time I didn’t add any seasonings, just peeled, sliced ​​and boiled in water.”

The water is boiling, and the potato slices in the pot are stirring up and down. However, for safety reasons, Zhang Xiao ordered it to be cooked for a little longer. The house is filled with the aroma of potatoes.

"Everyone, let me try it." When the potatoes were served, Zhang Xiao picked up his chopsticks and was about to try them.

"Zhang Shidu, please wait a moment. Xiao Lizi, come on." Chen Ju looked at the ordinary-looking little eunuch next to him.

(End of this chapter)