Start with the humble bridegroom

Chapter 370 Food
When Zhang Zhe and others returned to Yuncheng in a hurry, they received the most solemn welcome from the whole city.

On the side of the road where Zhang Zhe passed by, people knelt down in rows, offering their most excited and sincere gratitude to the prefect.

Their hometown finally has hope starting today.

By saving a Yun River, the people of Yunshang County will have the roots to continue to prosper and survive.This achievement of Zhang Zhe is far more supportive by the people on the cloud than winning ten big victories.

On the 22nd day of the first lunar month, the Yunhe River will flow again.

On the 24th of the first lunar month, Zhanghua's first heavy rain in 44 years fell on Yunshang County.On the 26th, more than a hundred wells in Yunshang County, which had been dry for nearly a hundred years, began to emit muddy water.

After [-] consecutive days of spring rain, a faint green that had not been seen for a long time appeared on the wasteland in Yunshang County.

The most excited of all was Chen Jiong. All the young and old women in the city were mobilized by him.The farming talent hidden deep in the bones of the Central Plains people was detonated, and the fields along the Yunhe River were re-cultivated.Chen Jiong allocated all his cattle and hundreds of horses for this purpose.

All the iron materials seized from the two tribes were made into plowshares by Xu Jidao, and they were assembled into Quyuanli according to the drawings provided by Zhang Zhe.On rainy days, Zhang Zhe also brought hundreds of refined steel Quyuan plows from modern times.

The salesperson of a certain agricultural tool factory made another big order.

On the fifth day of February, in the west of Shahai, Wuxiang County.

The vehicles pulled by donkeys formed a long straight line, slowly heading westward from the sand sea.A large wooden shoe was worn on each donkey's foot, wide planks were nailed under the wheels, and the carts slid on the sand.

It is probably the first time that so many donkeys have been used to cross the desert.

Zhang Sanqi, who rode his family's stupid donkey, walked at the front of the line, while his father Zhang Wuliu sat in the first donkey cart, chatting with his son without saying a word.

Zhang Sanqi looked at the compass in his hand, adjusted the direction slightly, and headed towards the exit of the desert correctly.

After negotiating peace with the Taha tribe, Zhang Sanqi was sent out by Zhang Zhe and re-entered the desert with hundreds of people.This time, Zhang Zhe was inspired and decided to bury a large electromagnet in each oasis and rely on solar panels to supply power. From now on, he can easily find the location of each oasis with a compass.

Sinan, which works on the same principle as the compass, is not too expensive, and many merchants have it.Then it became possible to restore the business path of contacting Da Zheng.

"Master Taizun, I want to make iron!" At the banquet where Zhang Zhe received Zhang Wuliu, Xu Jidao excitedly suggested to him.

"Oh?" Zhang Zhe was surprised, "We actually have iron mines on the cloud?"

"Of course!" Xu Jidao pointed to the south, "Our people hunted in the mountains in the south in the early years, and found a few places with a lot of iron and stones. It's just that the barbarians don't allow us to use iron, and we don't have craftsmen. And I didn’t want the barbarians to get those iron stones, so I kept hiding it from the barbarians.”

Excitedly, he raised the wine cup to Zhang Wuliu again: "The manager brought more than 60 blacksmiths and furnace smiths this time, we can completely set up the blacksmiths ourselves."

"In that case, I will give you a design in a few days, and you can find a place with strong water in the lower reaches of the Yunhe River to build the iron workshop. The craftsmen and family members brought by the fifth and sixth uncles will be assigned to you for use. "

Xu Jidao readily accepted the order.

Zhang Zhe looked at Chen Jiong again: "Mr. Chen, I will receive the sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn seeds brought by the fifth and sixth uncles. The sweet potatoes and potatoes will be planted on the mountainous land in the south, and all the newly opened fields will be planted with corn. "

Hearing this, Chen Jiong picked up a cooked corn in his hand, feeling a little puzzled.

"Although this food is delicious, I don't know if it will be troublesome to grow? What about the yield per mu?"

Zhang Wuliu stroked his beard. He had been hiding this answer in his heart for several years, and he could only be secretly happy. Now he can finally say it openly.

"This corn is unique to my Zhang family. It is not uncommon to produce two thousand catties per mu in the south of the Yangtze River! I just don't know how much this thing can produce in the northwest, and the old man is not sure."

All was silent.

Zhang Zhe didn't say a word, because this output would be surprising in modern times.

The modern yield of corn is only about [-] to [-] kilograms, and this is still the case with the use of modern seedling raising, farming, management, fertilization and other means.But since the seeds were brought here by him, they seemed to have been infected by entropy and mutated to a certain extent.

The plants are taller and there are more hanging seeds, and they are not afraid of pests and diseases.In fact, the same is true for sweet potatoes and potatoes. The yield, size and viability have all increased significantly.

Chen Jiong wanted to laugh but didn't dare to laugh, this kind of naughty?

"Mr. Chen just leave all the farming work to Uncle Fifth or Sixth. You can also take care of other things."

Seeing the prefect speak, Chen Jiong could only say yes.He knew what Zhang Zhe wanted him to do. The prefect of Yunshang County was the poorest prefect in the world, without any subordinate agencies or officials.

The punishment room, household house, official house, school office, workshop, military affairs and other institutions in the county all need him to be perfected as soon as possible.

Wuling County is very depressed now.

Zou Tianyang's soldiers suppressed the border, and a large number of rich and noble people moved to Nanyang one after another.

However, Zhang Meng, who was well-known in the county, did not leave for a long time. Instead, he took a lot of farms at a low price.

In the living room of Zhang's Manor, Zhang Zhe's cousin Zhang Xiukan was talking to Meng Xiaowan.

Today's Zhang Xiukan is no longer the old farmer he was a few years ago, he looks a few years younger, and has a hint of richness.With the help of Zhang Zhe, his family has also set up several small villages in various counties, with more than a thousand acres of land.

"Since the second brother won the first prize, according to the wishes of the patriarch, our Zhang family in Taowan should also set up a branch. The Cao family will have a filial piety next year, and Ergu's marriage will have to be arranged. Ergu's original name is according to the southern clan. Your cousin and I are thinking about the second brother giving his nephew a big name. Brothers and sisters may wish to write and ask, what is the name!"

Meng Xiaowan smiled and nodded in response, and also asked about Zhang Xiukan.

"Uncle's side had a war a few days ago, did it scare Tangsao and Ergu?"

Hearing this, Zhang Xiukan's expression turned serious.

"Zou Zei's warships came three times, but it was a pity that the second brother figured out the origin early. Taowan happened to be stuck at the mouth of the lake, and the second brother designed more than 20 clapstick catapults in the woods behind the village. Then The three boats could not get close day and night. The bandit soldiers went ashore and wanted to go around the village, but Shi Shi led people to guard the stone bridge, and a burst of arrows shot them back. Over there, Luo Yanei also led troops to charge and kill them. Hundreds of bandit soldiers who went ashore Only a few dozen ran away. When I came out, I saw several warships from the county entering Zhantian Lake, and Taowan might be more likely to be captured."

"It's just that once this battle started, people's hearts were unstable. When I came, the patriarch asked me to tell you that he was about to hand over the inspection station and the clapper on Taowan Houdao to the soldiers in Luo Yanei. Our people are all going to the county town. Everyone has always known that my younger siblings have a lot of knowledge, let me ask my younger siblings what they think."

"In my opinion, it's better to leave early than to leave! Zou Thief's navy is not worth mentioning, but if the upstream Xilu State navy also rushes down, it will be troublesome. If you want to leave, don't go to the county town, go directly to Nanyang When our husband and wife came back from Jiangnan this time, when we passed by Nanyang, we also set up several gardens. You tell the patriarch, just ask everyone to live in it."

Zhang Xiukan was not polite, he nodded in agreement, and then asked Meng Xiaowan.

"Second brother has gone to the northwest. I don't know when the younger brother and sister will leave? Next year, Ergu will get married. If you and your husband can't come, at least someone will bring you a letter to save face for your nephew."

Meng Xiaowan smiled and nodded in agreement.

"That's what it should be! It's March, and as soon as the spring plowing is over, I should leave. I only keep Zhao Ping and his grandfather here. When something happens, I need my uncle and the patriarch to look after me."

After seeing off Zhang Xiukan, Bailu walked in with two foot-long fish and smiled.

"The uncle is getting more and more stingy now, so he gave our sister two fish for soup!"

Meng Xiaowan gouged her out.

"What are you talking about! Don't you know what uncle is like? His family is also up now, and he has nothing to do on weekdays. He only loves fishing, but his craftsmanship is a little rough. In the cold spring season, he can only do this by freezing by the water for three to five days. Two things are not easy. She fished it with her own hands, but I accepted the kindness of her uncle's cousin for Mi Jieer. Relatives in the family give gifts, it depends on how much effort is put into it, and it doesn't matter if it is a business. If we talk about how much it is, even our husband and wife can't afford to give a gift to Miss Mi. Who has that little thing with a lot of dowry?"

Bailu got a slap on the butt from the big lady, covered her mouth and smiled, and went to the small kitchen to make fish soup for Mi Jieer.

The ninth day of March is an auspicious day.

Thirteen large ships are slowly leaving the shore at Wuling Wharf.

On one of the big boats, the official lantern of Cong Sipin was hung. Meng Xiaowan held Mi Jieer and looked at the pier that was getting far away, and couldn't help the eyes getting sour.

My husband and wife come and go, how many times is this the first time?
Mother Chen stepped forward to support Meng Xiaowan: "Don't feel sad, ma'am, the more capable you are, the longer our journey will be. Who else is not the same?"

"Has the letter to Xijiang been sent?"

"It's sent out, but it's still delivered by the official, don't worry, Ma'am."

At this time, Madam Hu came over, still holding a list in her hand.

Seeing her, Meng Xiaowan handed the child to Mother Chen, and then reached out to take the form.

"How do you say, but you understand?"

The list was a gift list for people in the county, but she just scanned it briefly, and then returned it to Madam Hu.In terms of human relations, Madam Hu is extremely reassuring when she handles affairs.

Seeing Meng Xiaowan read the list, Madam Hu replied to her previous question.

"Back to the big lady, I have already asked clearly. When we arrive in Nanyang, we will turn to Hanshui. Nanyang is in the rainy season, and it is safe for our big boat to go on Hanshui. When we arrive at Xianguan, we should turn to Fengchuan Canal. The water there is deep enough for a large boat. When you arrive in Songcheng County, Fengzhou, it depends on how deep the water is. If the water is abundant, you can get by; if the water is a little less, you can use a tracker. You can change the ship, or wait until the turn of April and May."

"How can we wait until May? My teacher also lived in Songcheng County for a short time. There are many boats there. I will buy a few more boats at that time. After crossing the Yanshui River, it will go straight into the Dahe (Yellow River)."

Madam Hu nodded and said yes.

"The big river goes straight to Liaochengdu in the west, and it reaches Qinguan within fifty miles after reaching the bank. Calculated in this way, it will take thirty or forty days at the earliest."

Meng Xiaowan sighed, "When you arrive in Nanyang, you send capable people to ride horses to Songcheng County and Qinguan to wait first, and also send a letter to Mr. Lang, telling him our itinerary, don't make him worry about it every day."

"Hey, the servant has made a note."

Spring in Yunshang County has never been as busy as this year.

All the people in the county, including the men, stopped training, leaving only one cavalry of a thousand men, and the rest went into spring plowing.

This time, relying on the hard work of hundreds of oxen and the strength of Qu Yuanli, the common people planted a total of [-] mu of corn.The more than [-] catties of corn seeds brought by Zhang Wuliu were all used up after screening.The hillsides and wild fields to the south of the county city are also full of sweet potatoes and potatoes, according to Chen Jiong's calculations, no less than [-] mu.

All the Zhang family's three-year breeding results have been used here, and there is not a single corn seedling left in Jiangnan.

After the spring rain, the cattle and sheep of the Taha tribe have been driven to graze in Haizi, which originally belonged to the Mulet tribe. They have actually been paying attention to the movement in Yunshang County.

Later they discovered that the Yunhe River was flowing again, and Yunshang County had started farming with great fanfare.Merdeko Khan immediately thanked the Mangyuan God. Now that the Central Plains people started farming, they had no energy to plot his pastures, cattle and sheep.

Yunshang County ate all the grain and most of the sheep in one winter.They have no use for the other half of the pastures of the Mulet department and the pastures of the Zalan department.

Moreover, Yunshang County will soon face a shortage of food in spring.

The [-] donkey carts brought tens of thousands of catties of grain besides the seeds, and eating wild vegetables can only last for half a month.Chen Jiong had put down all his affairs and went to Taha Department with a few thousand taels of gold.They are going to entrust the Taha tribe to buy food at high prices from the tribes on the north bank of the Banchan River.

Zhang Zhe misses his wife even more now, because there are still eleven large ships of food that set off with Meng Xiaowan.Zhang Zhe bought that kind of boat from Jiangnan, and one can hold [-] catties of grain.With those grains, calculated as half-full, it would definitely last until the first batch of potatoes matured.

Potatoes contaminated with entropy can be harvested in as little as two months.

When Zhang Zhe was frowning in the prefect's mansion, Zhang Sanqi rushed in in a hurry.

"Lang Jun, would you like a bunch?" A bunch of finger-long, seven or eight grilled prawns wrapped in wooden sticks was delivered to Zhang Zhe.

"Where did they come from?!" Zhang Zhe was slightly taken aback, and then thought of something, "Why are there shrimps in the river?"

It happened that Chen Jiong walked in and recognized the origin of this bunch of shrimp at a glance.

"Isn't this the brook shrimp from Nanshan? Zhang Qianchang has been to Nanshan today?"

"No," Zhang Sanqi was still holding a bunch in his hand, "There are a lot of them in the river, and many people are catching them. I also got a few bunches."

"It shouldn't be," Chen Jiong was also stunned, "The Yun River has just resumed its flow, where did it come from? I know, the brook shrimp on the mountain actually come from the mountainside lake. Spring comes with plenty of water, so now all Come to the river!"

Chen Jiong turned his head and ran away, looking at his posture, he was preparing to call people to kill the shrimps in the river.

There are so many brook prawns that you can catch one in the river a few times with a spoon.

After entering April, the brook prawns in the river had disappeared, but no one in the whole city mentioned how the brook prawns were, and they all felt nauseated.

The saved food was used to get through the most difficult April.

(End of this chapter)