Emperor Xiaoyao of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 304
Seed, a word full of vitality and imagination.Under the right environment, a seed can lift a thousand times its own weight, grow from an inconspicuous gravel to a towering tree, and quickly fill a hard disk from a few bytes...

If you want to perfect your idea of ​​ecological agriculture, diverse seeds are an essential and very important basic condition.Last winter, when he first started to build a greenhouse, Jinyu tried to buy some vegetable seeds through official channels. There is an acquaintance in Sinong Temple, Zhang Peng, who is full of dandruff. After hearing Jinyu’s needs, Zhang Peng was a little dumbfounded , very tactfully explained to Jin Yu the responsibilities of his unit "in charge of grain storage, warehouse management, and the supply of rice for officials in Xi'an".

Zhang Peng replied very directly: "There are only some common vegetable seeds, but they are not for sale." The reason is that there is no precedent, and he dare not make an exception... Jin Yu is a very reasonable person, and he did not embarrass the administrator of the national granary.It is enough to buy some common seeds from farmers. Jinyu is greedy for seeds from the Western Regions, so there is a reward in the West Market and a seed tour of the Cheng family caravan...

Afterwards, Jin Yu couldn’t help but slander that the so-called emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business was only suppressing business through tax increases, and emphasizing agriculture was only reflected in land ownership. There was no special organization to breed and promote improved varieties, and it all relied on non-governmental exchanges.In this matter, Jin Yu agrees with Comrade Zhang Yanghao's view of compassion.

Throughout the feudal dynasties before the Tang Dynasty, there was only one person who was involved in the exchange of plant species in the Western Regions and was rewarded by the court. This person was Zhang Qian, who has been famous forever.Zhang Qian went to the Western Regions twice, and the first time he went through a lot of hardships. It took 13 years. The scroll of returning to the city was destroyed and was imprisoned by the Huns for more than a year.When they set off, there were more than 100 people in a mighty crowd, but when they arrived in Chang'an, there were only two people left.After reporting the customs of various countries to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han rewarded Zhang Qian with the official position of "Taizhong Doctor". From the fourth rank, the specific grade and power can refer to the post of director of the Provincial Party History Office. Although the bench is cold, the salary is still quite a lot of.

In fact, Zhang Qian’s second mission to the Western Regions was for the purpose of maneuvering. With the experience and lessons learned from the first exploration, the number of entourage increased to more than 300 in the second time. The gold, silver and copper coins he brought are said to be worth tens of millions. huge.People in the Western Regions like to eat cattle and sheep, so Zhang Qian drove ten thousand cattle and sheep there.The group of people is mighty, slowly heading towards the western sky... No, they are going to the Western Regions.This time the main goal is to win over Wusun, and the second goal is to declare the country's prestige - the heaven is on the top of the country, not short of money, why don't you come and kneel and lick it?

As a result, Zhang Qian rushed to Wusun, and Wusun was also in civil turmoil... Fortunately, Zhang Qian's deputy envoy completed the second purpose, passing through Dawan, Kangju, Da Yuezhi, Daxia and other countries along the way, successfully leaving the people of the Western Regions Under the impression that "people are stupid and have a lot of money", people in the Western Regions spread word of mouth, so a large number of Hu merchants rushed to the big Han to do business. This is the prototype of the "Silk Road".At the same time, "people are stupid and have a lot of money" has also led to the bad tradition of robbing officials and caravans when they meet Han officials in the Loulan area. The slaves ordered seven hundred cavalry to attack Loulan and break it.That's why Wang Changling's golden sentence came out later, "The yellow sand wears a golden armor in a hundred battles, and if you don't break Loulan, you will never return it."

This time it took four years. Zhang Qian returned to Xi'an with the Wusun envoy and was named "Bo Wang Hou".The Silk Road slowly took shape, and the exchange of species among the people began.

Within a few years of this kind of exchange, the Central Plains will be able to produce a large number of people, and the chaos will become a mess.Wang Mang, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sima Yi, etc., each led the coquettish for a few years, and then they became more chaotic and stewed the pot of porridge. It was not until Yang Ying's grandfather Yang Guang was unified and gradually settled down that the Silk Road was restored. Rejuvenated.

At this time, Jin Yu lived in a great man 100 years ago, who was highly respected by Jin Yu. He was the great agronomist-Jia Sixie.

In a great agricultural country, which claims to have 5000 years of civilization, there are few agronomists in its history. This is the tragedy of the entire nation.

Jia Sixie was born in a scholarly family and was an official to the prefect. Originally, he could talk and laugh, play the piano, read scriptures, and search for oil and fat. But facing the poor people displaced and starving, he finally I chose the most difficult path.The practice in the first half of my life was sorted out in the second half of my life, and the book "Qi Min Yao Shu" was completed throughout my life.This work consists of chapters on farming, grains, vegetables, fruit trees, trees, livestock, brewing, seasoning, conditioning, foreign products, etc. It is the earliest and most complete large-scale agricultural encyclopedia in the great agricultural country.It is a pity that Jia Sixie did not see his own works shine in his lifetime.In fact, the promotion of "Qimin Yaoshu" has not been strong, and those who have left their names in history are often not doers, because they do not play with words and politics.

The efficiency of the Cheng's caravan is not guaranteed. Not long after Qin Huaiyu's wedding, Cheng Huaimo rushed to lead a team of carriages to Jinjiazhuang to deliver the results of this purchase.

"Brother, what kind of green onions are brought here? According to the owner of the caravan, there are a lot of them planted by the barbarians, and they are resistant to storage, so they bought more on their own." Cheng Huaimo pointed to a piece of green onion on the car. Baskets of onions said.

"Not bad, not bad, this thing is delicious." Jin Yu was overjoyed. In the era without refrigerators, most vegetables were not durable, so they could only be dried or pickled for storage. They had no umami taste at all, but the onion was an exception. .Onions can be stored longer than Chinese cabbage and potatoes. They can be dried in the sun. As long as they are dry and ventilated without water, they can be enlarged for half a year.

"This kind of radish is a kind of radish seed, but the color of the radish is weird, it's red inside and out. I can't let it go. The caravan only bought some seeds from the barbarians." Seeing Jinyu's satisfaction, Cheng Huaimo I was also happy, and introduced everything to Jin Yu.

"This one is also good. It can be eaten marinated. It can be mixed with meat stuffing to make dumplings. The taste is also very good." Hearing what Cheng Huaimo said, Jin Yu knew it was a carrot.It has been two years since Jin Yu came to Datang, but he has never seen a carrot.After Zhang Qian, the Silk Road only prospered for fifty or sixty years, and the journey was far away. Merchants came to the Middle Earth, only bringing things with high profits, and bringing a handful of seeds. Who knows what it is?How could anyone buy it?Will I be uncomfortable after buying it?Will it fail?There are too many unstable factors.The middle-earth merchants brought more silk to the Western Regions, and the things they brought back were also valuable things agreed by the nobles of both sides.In the face of caravans that can bring them big profits, good wine and good food are sure to greet them. Even if there are carrots on the table, they will not be noticed by the Central Plains businessmen, because the focus is on wine.The wine culture has a long history not only in the Central Plains, but also in the Western Regions, such as wine. "The luminous cup of grape wine, if you want to drink the pipa, immediately remind you. Drunk lying on the battlefield, Lord Mo Xiao, how many people have fought in ancient times?" It vividly reflects what the generals and soldiers like.If there is a place with seeds, it is better to bring a few more bottles of wine and a few more luminous glasses. The sales are very good and the profits are also very good.

"Then when it grows out, I have to taste the handicraft of big brother." Cheng Huaimo was drooling after hearing what Jin Yu said, and continued to introduce, "This is the seed of spinach. It is said that the root of the vegetable is also red, and the leaves are tall. It is big, dark green, and has few stalks, but the yield is low, but the nobles over there like to eat it, so those who hold the whip collected more seeds."

"It's also a good thing. Don't be afraid of low yields. Improve it slowly." Jinyu also likes to eat spinach, which is rich in vitamins and can treat night blindness; Less, the favorite of constipation.Jin Yu remembers reading in the literature that when Li Erye was in his later years, the Niboluo envoy gave spinach to Li Erye in the name of a national dish.In his later years, Li Erye has been obsessed with eating various "elixir". Taoist elixir is rich in various heavy metals. Hallucinations are the mildest symptom, and the serious ones directly soar.The blood-enriching function of spinach can bring about the symptoms of mercury poisoning, so Li Erye felt good after eating it, so he first planted it in the world of elixir, and alchemy Taoists affectionately called it "Persian God Grass".It's a pity that Second Master Li only took three years before he was promoted.Jin Yu thought regretfully that it would be great if spinach was introduced to the Central Plains sooner, otherwise the literati and bureaucrats in the Jin Dynasty who liked to eat five stone powder would not be able to run around naked.

"This is alfalfa seed. The barbarians grow it all over the mountains and plains. They don't choose a place. The poor over there eat a lot of it." Cheng Huaimo was a little embarrassed, always felt that it was eaten by the poor and should not be collected, and complained in private He said a few words about the caravan's whip.

"Alfalfa?" Jin Yu was very pleasantly surprised, "My boy, this trip is worth it!" Alfalfa has strong adaptability, resistance to cold and drought, salt and alkali, pests and diseases, and has high nutritional value.Humans can eat it when it is young, but when it is mature, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and chickens all like to eat it, and it grows fast, without feeding other forages, does not get sick, and its fur looks smooth and shiny.Drying after cutting in late autumn is the best forage grass for livestock to survive the winter in winter.The key is tenacious vitality, not picky ground, perennial.What a treasure!
"Hey, as long as the elder brother likes it." Cheng Huaimo patted his head in embarrassment, it seems that he will give him a good reward later. "This is the melon seed that my brother bought a while ago, can we grow it too?" Cheng Huaimo liked to eat cantaloupe very much, and asked hopefully.

"What kind of melon? It's called cantaloupe. Don't try to plant it. Even if it grows, it won't taste good and it won't be sweet." That smell.

"That's really a pity." Cheng Huaimo said nostalgicly.

"If you eat too much, you will get angry, you will get aphthous ulcers on the top, and hemorrhoids on the bottom." With a smirk on his face, Jin Yu assigned Cheng Huaimo to say: "Pick a dozen or so onions, and let the rest be put in the cellar. Don't leave today." , get you something delicious to try."

(End of this chapter)