Han Shizu

Chapter 785 Cotton

After three days of rushing, the Western Ambassador Group, which was temporarily resting in Chang'an, finally caught up with the camp that had returned east to Huayin County.Moreover, under the instruction of the emperor Liu Chengyou, the two carriages were escorted by the guards in person, entered the camp, and went to the front of the imperial tent.

"These are cotton seeds?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Exactly!" After returning, Lu Duoxun, who has been serving as a secretary beside Liu Chengyou, immediately responded: "I have investigated this thing, and it has been passed down from the West for hundreds of years, and it has been widely planted in the Western Regions. The velvet and cloth produced by it have become the most important warming and bedding products for the people in the northwest. Guanzhong and Longyou have already traded a lot of cotton cloth from the west.

I heard that this material is easy to grow, is light-loving and drought-resistant, has high yield, is widely used, and has extremely high utility. If it is popularized, it can replace silk and hemp, and become the main choice of clothing for the people of the world!Your Majesty, please lower the standard of writing and promote it, and plant this plant in the Central Plains. This will definitely benefit the court and the people of the Han Dynasty! "

Lu Duoxun sang very high, and Liu Chengyou did not speak for a while, but carefully observed the cotton seeds brought back from the Western Regions.It is brownish, egg-shaped, with a pointed head and a thick tail, with some white spots on the tip, just like the top of a brown earth mountain covered with a layer of white snow.

This is still Liu Chengyou, the first time he has seen what cotton seeds look like with his own eyes.As for the role of cotton, Ludosun didn't need to say much, he knew it very well in his heart. When he sent Lu Xi on the trip, he told him to try to bring back some cotton seeds for promotion.

But listening to his unusually proactive suggestions, no matter whether he really discovered its utility or he was trying to cater to himself, Liu Chengyou appreciated his attitude.

However, Liu Chengyou remained calm at this time, put down a few cotton seeds in his hand, and said: "Of course I know the benefits of this thing, but it is not so easy to promote it in the Central Plains.

Not many people know the benefits of this plant. People who have never planted it will be willing to plant it. If the environment is changed, can it grow normally in the Central Plains? plant.
All these issues need to be considered, and it is not possible for me to order an edict to be executed.Even if the imperial court forces the people to plant, how can they be willing?Most importantly, the people in the Central Plains have no experience in planting this plant. If they want to implement it, the first thing to solve is the planting method! "

Hearing the emperor's remarks, the corners of Lu Duoxun's lips twitched slightly, and with a look of admiration, he complimented: "Your Majesty is really worried, this matter really shouldn't be rushed, it's because I'm impatient! They also brought back two cotton farmers from the northwest!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately cast admiring glances at him, and said with a smile, "Well, Lu Duosun, I'm afraid you've already thought about it!"

Lu Doxun smiled modestly.

"Bring those two cotton farmers up, I want to meet you!" Liu Chengyou waved.

Soon, two middle-aged men were brought to the king. One was tall and the other was short. They were both lean and dark-skinned. They had obviously sunburned too much. They were wearing cotton clothes.

Seeing Liu Chengyou's bright yellow attire, he prostrated himself swiftly, and said with a little fear: "Xiaomin see His Majesty the Emperor!"

Liu Chengyou still held a few cotton coats in his hand, which were soft in texture but rough in workmanship.Looking at the two, their accents were a bit strange, their conversation was vague, but they could barely understand, Liu Chengyou couldn't help being surprised: "You can speak Mandarin!"

Lu Duosun explained next to him: "They were originally survivors of the Tang Dynasty. On the way back to the east, I also spent time teaching them elegant accent. After such a long time, they can't speak well, but they can barely talk for your majesty's observation. ask!"

Liu Chengyou is liking Luderson more and more. His arrogance and arrogance may be unpleasant, but this talent and quick-wittedness are real.

"How long have you been growing cotton?" Yoo Seung-woo asked.

"Ten years!" the short man replied.

"Are you willing to travel thousands of miles east to return to the Central Plains?"

Wen asked, the two looked at each other, looked at Lu Duoxun who was standing beside the emperor, and the short one replied: "Mr. Lu told us that we can get rich rewards when we go back to the Central Plains.

Hearing what the two said, Lu Duoxun smiled awkwardly at Liu Chengyou.Liu Chengyou showed a bright face, and said: "He is right! I will indeed reward you, but there are conditions!"

The two were stunned for a while, their confidence was a little weak, and they replied: "Little people can only plow the land, grow cotton, and herd cattle."

"It will be a lot!" Although the cotton farmers are mediocre, there are some small people who are shrewd and greedy, but Liu Chengyou seems very close to the people: "Stop kneeling, get up and answer!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"How long does it take for this cotton to mature? How many seasons can it be planted in a year?" Liu Chengyou was concerned about some details.

"In Xizhou, spring planting and autumn harvesting take only five months from emergence to bolling! Only one season can be planted in a year, but it needs to be harvested many times!"

Liu Chengyou pointed to the two carts of cotton seeds again: "When you come back from a long distance, will these cotton seeds still be usable?"

The short man replied: "These cotton seeds are all new ones from last year. They are well preserved along the way. Even if they are damaged, most of them are still usable!"

Nodding his head, Liu Chengyou stopped asking about the specific situation, but resumed his usual strength, staring at the two of them and said: "I will set aside a few hectares of suitable land for you two, and find some common people for you. Just use these cotton seeds, teach them a series of things such as cotton planting and management, and cultivate cotton suitable for the Central Plains. As long as you teach well, I will not hesitate to reward you! Are you willing?"

Tianwei was exposed, and the two small farmers were so frightened that they bowed down: "The little people are willing!"

"I will send some more people to you!" Pointing to the two carts, he said, "I will leave these two carts of cotton seed to you!"

"Yes!"

"Take them down!"

There has been some progress in the matter of cotton, and Liu Chengyou is in a good mood.Taking Lu Duoxun along for a walk in the camp, the sun was shining brightly, falling on his body, and the heat warmed his heart. Liu Chengyou felt that the whole world was much brighter.

"Your Majesty is still thinking about planting cotton?" Lu Duoxun asked proactively.

Nodding his head, Liu Chengyou put his hands behind his back and said slowly: "This thing is planted in spring and harvested in autumn. It is already midsummer now, and it will take next year to sow seeds in the ground. And when they have something to harvest, they can reach the harvest. The extent of large-scale promotion in the Central Plains cannot be achieved in a short period of time. Therefore, I am not in a hurry on this matter!"

As for whether it will be successful, Liu Chengyou is not worried at all.

"I'm not going to hide it from you, I decided to promote cotton planting under the rule of the big man, even if it is forced through administrative orders, I will not hesitate." Liu Chengyou confided his determination to Lu Duoxun, and said seriously: "However, rather than forcing the people, I still I would rather it will come to fruition, and let the people take the initiative to plant!"

Hearing the emperor's words, Lu Duosun immediately said: "Your Majesty, apart from farming food, the people usually raise silkworms, grow mulberry and hemp. Since they can grow hemp, they can grow cotton themselves. I think that the world is bustling with profit. In the past, in the future, the common people may reject cotton because they are not familiar with its benefits, but as long as the imperial court vigorously publicizes the benefits of cotton and make them profitable, then it will be supplemented by government orders, and it will naturally rise. Good effect!"

His eyes were brightened slightly, and Liu Chengyou looked at Lu Duoxun, and asked with great interest: "Lu Duoxun, you are young, but you are very good at thinking about my thoughts. Your thoughts are not in line with mine. And the same!"

Hearing this, Lu Duoxun became a little more cautious, and said cautiously: "I dare not speculate on your Majesty's mind, it's just a coincidence."

Smiling, Liu Chengyou looked to the west and said: "I intend to open up a large city in the northwest, and the government will organize trade with various forces in Helong. It will not only infiltrate, but also strengthen exchanges, and gradually restore influence. At the same time, reopen the Hexi Corridor , Encourage merchants in West City to purchase cotton cloth from the west! Starting from the northwest frontier states, gradually promote cotton products to the east, so that the common people will be familiar with it first!"

"Your Majesty's consideration is very wise!" Ludoxon first approved, and then carefully raised some concerns: "However, the journey is long, the transportation is inconvenient, and the trade route is too risky. The value of cotton cloth is not high compared to other goods. I'm afraid Not many people are willing to sell."

"This, I didn't expect!" Liu Chengyou didn't get angry when the problem was pointed out. Instead, he thought about it seriously and said: "Before the development of cotton planting in the Central Plains, the imperial court canceled customs and city taxes on all cotton products. The government and the army should also use cotton quilts in an appropriate amount.

As for the safety of the trade route, the big man should jointly safeguard it with all the forces along the Lanliang, Gansu, and Guasha routes.Lead by the big man, wipe out the bandits, ensure the safety of the Silk Road, and maintain the stability of various places, they should not refuse! "

"Your Majesty is wise!" Lu Duosun bowed, sincerely.

(End of this chapter)