The ministers begged me to ascend the throne

In the Han Palace, in He Lianfang's study, Wen Daoji and Lin Qing were asking He Lianfang about Zhao Yao's whereabouts.They had important matters to discuss with His Highness King Zhao Han, but His Highness was not in the Han Dynasty.

After the Shangyuan Festival, His Highness the King of Han became a dragon that never saw its head or tail, and he is nowhere to be seen until now.

"Mr. Lian, where is His Highness going?" Not many people knew He Lianfang's identity. Only those around Zhao Yao knew about it. Wen Daoji and the others did not know.He Lianfang once rescued the Lin family and persuaded the Lin family to join Zhao Yao, but Lin Muyuan did not know He Lianfang's true identity.Like Wen Daoji, he thought He Lianfang was just a counselor around Zhao Yao.They are not wrong to think so. "His Highness went to the morning court on the [-]th day, and he never appeared again. Do you know where His Highness is?"

Lin Muyuan also reported something important to Zhao Yao: "Mr. Lian, His Highness previously asked the Ministry of War to organize the military parade ceremony. I have drawn up the regulations and want to let His Highness see if it is okay."

The Lin family was the family of generals during the previous dynasty, and had been a general for a century.The previous dynasty also held a military parade, and of course the Lin family participated, but Zhao Yao explained that the military parade at Lin Muyuan Lane was different from that of the previous dynasty.

"You haven't seen His Highness for a while, and neither have I." He Lianfang had not seen Zhao Yao since he went to Beishan to make black fire weapons.I thought that Zhao Yao would come back after making the black fire weapon, but I didn't expect that he would be busy with other things.

Wen Daoji was shocked: "His Highness has never returned to the palace?"

Lin Muyuan couldn't help but feel worried: "Is something going to happen to Your Highness?"

"He's fine. What kind of terraces is he working on now?" Although Zhao Yao did not return to the palace, he sent someone back to tell He Lianfang where he was going. "He plans to complete the terraces before spring plowing, so he has been busy with this work these days."

Wen Daoji heard the word "terraced fields" for the first time, and asked with confusion and curiosity: "Mr. Lian, what are terraced fields?"

"It's a new kind of field." He Lianfang didn't know much about farming. Zhao Yao didn't come back and didn't tell him specifically what the terraced fields were. He didn't know what the terraced fields were. "His Royal Highness said that there are too few fields in Lingnan, and the terrain is undulating. It is impossible to cultivate common fields, so he plans to develop terraced fields that conform to the topography of Lingnan."

After hearing this, Wen Daoji's expression became very excited: "I told His Highness before that the cultivated land in Marsh Mansion is relatively small. If there is a way to cultivate more fields, then the food of Marsh Mansion may be quadrupled, or even More." At that time, His Highness said that he would find a way to cultivate more fields, "With His Highness's talent, he will definitely be able to make such terraced fields." His Highness is a genius, and everything he makes is astonishing. Whatever terraces His Highness plans to build this time will definitely be very impressive.

He Lianfang smiled lightly and said: "With his ability, he will definitely be able to do it successfully."

"Mr. Lian, do you know where His Highness has built terraces? I want to see them?" His Highness has built terraces for people's livelihood. As the Prime Minister, he naturally wants to see them.

"On the other side of Nanshan."

"I'll go find His Highness later."

Lin Muyuan echoed: "I'll go too."

After knowing Zhao Yao's whereabouts, Wen Daoji and Lin Muyuan did not disturb He Lianfang anymore, and they hurried to Nanshan to find Zhao Yao.After asking around for several times, the two finally found His Highness the King of Han on a hillside.

When they saw Zhao Yao, dressed in coarse cloth, squatting on the ground without any image, talking to the old farmer beside him, they couldn't help but be shocked.If they hadn't seen Tongxi, they really wouldn't have believed that the man with a muddy face was their Highness.

Wen Daoji and the others approached and were about to salute Zhao Yao when they were stopped by Tong Xi.Tongxi put his index finger to his lips and made a silent gesture to Lin Muyuan and the others.

They understood and did not come forward to disturb Zhao Yao, and immediately walked to Tong Xi's side.

"Eunuch Tongxi, Your Highness, this is..." Wen Daoji saw that several twists and turns were dug out on the hillside... I think they were ditches, but the ditches were not too long, and the ditches were a bit wide. "What are these crooked ditches?" I can't find any other word to describe them at the moment, I can only say ditch.

Lin Muyuan looked down from above and found that the hillside was full of winding ditches.Looks like stairs.

Tongxi raised his chin slightly and said proudly: "Mr. Wen, these are terraced fields."

"This is the terraced field?" Wen Daoji first exclaimed, and then looked at the terraced field in front of him with astonishment. "Can we grow food?" These winding terraces look nothing like fields, and there is no water at all in these so-called terraces.It is said to be a field, but it is actually dry land.

"His Highness said it can be planted, so it can definitely be done." Tongxi trusted his Highness blindly.He felt that anything made by Zhao Yao must be very powerful and useful.

Wen Daoji also did some farming, and he once personally planted food in the fields.He really couldn't see that the dry land reclaimed on the hillside could be used to grow rice.

Zhao Yao was still saying something to the old farmer. Wen Daoji and the others could not come forward to disturb him, so they could only stand with Tong Xi and wait.

"The day after tomorrow, it will rain in Marsh Mansion." Zhao Yao pointed to the dug terraces and said to the old farmer with a smile, "When it rains, there will be water in the terraces, and then rice can be grown."

"Sir, this is dry land. Even if there is water, you can't grow rice." The old farmer felt that the young and good-looking gentleman next to him thought growing food was too simple.It’s not like you dig out a piece of land and fill it with water to grow crops. "Also, this land must be plowed well. If the land is not plowed well, it will not be possible to grow crops."

"Don't worry, old man, I will plow the land well first, and then I will apply fertilizer when the land is plowed." Zhao Yao grabbed a handful of soil from the terraces and said with a smile, "As long as you apply enough fertilizer, this terraced field will be can be turned into fertile fields.”

After hearing this, the old farmer shook his head and said: "This hillside is high and steep. It is too troublesome to carry big manure up to water these fields."

"Old man, the fertilization I am talking about is not pouring manure, but fertilizer." After Zhao Yao finished speaking, seeing the old man's expression of "You are talking nonsense", he quickly added, "The fertilizer I am talking about is a special kind of fertilizer." Fertilizer is more fertile than manure.”

When the old farmer heard this, he hurriedly asked: "What special fertilizer?"

"His Royal Highness the King of Han is working on it, and when it is finished, His Highness will distribute it to the people." Zhao Yao asked someone to make fertilizer before building the terraces.In fact, Zhao Yao produced fertilizer many years ago. At that time, he gave it directly to the King of Chu who was far away in Liangzhou.Liangzhou also has a lot of mountainous land, and the cultivated land is very barren.Zhao Yao wrote the method of making fertilizer to the King of Chu. After the King of Chu sent people to make fertilizer, he found that the originally barren land became much fertile.

When the King of Chu saw that the fertilizer recipe given by Zhao Yao was useful, he immediately handed it over to the court.After the emperor learned about it, he published the fertilizer recipe so that people all over the Zhou Dynasty could make fertilizer and use it to fertilize their fields.

Over the years, grain production in various parts of the Great Zhou Dynasty has increased, partly because Zhao Yao made the Quyuan plow, and partly because of the fertilizer he made.

The climate in Lingnan is different from that in Beijing and Jiangnan, and the geology of the land is naturally different, so the fertilizers needed are also different.

"Is His Royal Highness the King of Han really making this kind of fertilizer?"

"It's being done, it should be done soon." Zhao Yao pointed to the terraces in front of him and said to the old farmer, "His Royal Highness the King of Han also asked me to build the terraces in order to give the people of Marsh Mansion more fields to grow crops. .”

The old farmer was moved when he heard this: "His Royal Highness the King of Han is really a living Bodhisattva who saves the suffering."

Zhao Yao felt a little embarrassed when he heard this, and said with an unnatural expression: "Old man, His Highness said this is what he should do."

Tong Xi walked to Zhao Yao and said to the old farmer seriously: "Old man, His Highness the King of Han is extremely smart. He said that crops can be grown on the terraces, so he will be able to grow them. Just wait for the good news."

"Okay, okay, then I'll wait." The old farmer smiled and looked at the terraced fields in front of him that were still dry land. "If His Highness the King of Han can really turn these terraced fields into fertile fields, then..." The old farmer has never read a book and doesn't know. What should I say? He stammered, "That will save our lives."

In the past few years, although the grain output of Marsh Mansion has not been the largest in Lingnan, it can still be ranked among the top.It stands to reason that the people should have no shortage of food to eat, but the previous officials brutally exploited the people, causing the people to have no food left after turning in the food they handed in. As a result, the people of Marsh Mansion often went hungry and did not have enough to eat.Zhao Yao waved his hand and asked Tong Xi to step aside. He still had something to say to the old farmer.

The veteran farmer has been cultivating fields all his life and has been dealing with crops all his life. It can be said that he has rich experience.Zhao Yao is preparing to learn from his old man.

Seeing that the young man in front of him was interested in farming, the old farmer didn't hide it and told him all his farming experience in his life.

Zhao Yao listened very carefully.When he heard something he didn't understand, he would ask for advice humbly and not act like a prince at all.

Wen Daoji and Lin Muyuan asked Zhao Yao sincerely for advice from this seemingly inconspicuous old farmer. They showed great respect for the old farmer in their words, and they were very shocked in their hearts.

The old farmer had something to do and didn't chat with Zhao Yao for a long time.Before he left, he told Zhao Yao his home address. If Zhao Yao wanted to know anything else, he could go to him directly.

After sending the old farmer away, Zhao Yao discovered the existence of Wen Daoji and Lin Muyuan.

"Why are you here?"

His Highness actually just discovered them! ! !
"I have something important to report to His Highness."

"Didn't I ask you to find your second uncle if you have any problems?"

"Your Highness, Mr. Lian can't make the decision, so I came here to see you." Wen Daoji added, "I heard from Mr. Lian that you were busy building terraces these days. I have never seen terraced fields, so I came to see it out of curiosity. look."

Zhao Yao looked at Lin Muyuan, who hurriedly said: "Your Highness, I have prepared the regulations for the military parade and would like to ask you to take a look." After saying that, he took out a memorial from his arms and immediately handed it to him with both hands. In front of Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao's hands were full of dirt and it was difficult to pick them up, so he asked Tong Xi to hold them first.

"Your Highness, can you tell me about the terraced fields you made?" Wen Daoji was extremely curious, "and the special fertilizer you just mentioned."

"Talk while you walk."

When going down the hillside, Zhao Yao carefully explained the functions and benefits of terraces to Wen Daoji.Then he explained in detail what the special fertilizer is made of.

A few years ago, the fertilizer Zhao Yao produced was green manure.In the past few days, Zhao Yao sent people to get special fertilizer, which was actually retting fertilizer.The method of retting fertilizer is very simple, that is, put the chaff and rotten and withered leaves from grinding into a pool, and then soak them with dishwater and swill. Over time, they will rot into fertilizer.

Zhao Yao also talked about a kind of retting method called "Jiaohuacao" retting method, which is to use milkvetch, broad bean stems and leaves, etc., mix them with you and pile them up evenly.

Wen Daoji felt that he was the best at farming among the officials, but he had never heard of the two retting methods Zhao Yao mentioned. This was the first time he had heard of it.He was very shocked. He didn't expect that Zeng Fei could do this. It was really a great experience.

"Your Highness, I didn't expect you to know so much about farming." Wen Daoji saw that Zhao Yao talked about farming in a clear and logical manner, and he respected and admired Zhao Yao more and more in his heart. "How can you, a prince, know so much about farming?" Not to mention princes, they are just ordinary wealthy people. The children also know nothing about farming. I'm afraid they can't even tell the difference between wheat seedlings and rice seedlings.

"The more you see and the more you ask, the more you will understand." Zhao Yao doesn't think it's great that he knows about farming. "Compared with experienced farmers, I don't know much."

"You know enough." Wen Daoji felt that Zhao Yao knew more than him. "Your Highness, there are very few princes who understand and care about farming like you do." Not to mention princes, there are also very few officials.Those high-ranking adults in the capital may not know how to sow rice or when to transplant it.

"Fourth brother cares about farming as much as I do." Zhao Yao said modestly, "I am influenced by my fourth brother."

"I remember that His Highness the King of Chu wrote a book on farming, and I even read it."

"I remember you wrote that too."

Wen Daoji said humbly: "I just wrote randomly, it doesn't mean anything."

"Don't write agricultural books blindly, otherwise it will harm the people." Zhao Yao knew that Wen Daoji's words just now were modest. "I have read the agricultural books you wrote. They are very realistic and not made up."

Wen Daoji didn't expect that Zhao Yao had read the agricultural book he had written before, which made him flattered.

"My fourth brother has also read it and praised you for writing better than him."

"His Royal Highness the King of Chu is so humble. How can my humble work be compared with His Highness the King of Chu's masterpiece." Both His Highness the King of Chu and His Highness the King of Han are good highnesses who care about people's livelihood.

Zhao Yao asked: "By the way, what do you want from me?"

"I'm looking for you about the trade conference."

When the matter of the trade conference was mentioned, Zhao Yao's expression immediately became serious.He was busy with spring plowing, so the preparations for the trade conference were left to Wen Daoji and Mr. Xiao.

Wen Daoji came to Zhao Yao because he had received a letter from the envoy sent out.Judging from the letters received so far, some countries have decided to send people to participate in the trade conference in Marsh Mansion, such as Annan, Johor, Pyo, Siam and other countries.However, it has not yet been determined whether these countries will send officials or businessmen.It is not yet known whether any members of the royal family will attend.

For Zhao Yao, as long as someone comes, it's fine, and the identity is not very important.

Zhao Yao took Wen Daoji and the others directly to the farm in Nanshan.During these days, he lived on the farm.

During the Chinese New Year, didn’t Zhao Yao go to Lingnan Camp?In addition to sending blessings and discussing the military parade ceremony, he also had another purpose, which was to let the old, weak, sick and disabled soldiers in the military camp come to the farm to work.After they arrived, they worked very actively.In another two months, the farm will be completely completed.

Upon arriving at the farm, Zhao Yao gave Wen Daoji the improved Quyuan plow and asked him to take it back and manufacture it in large quantities before distributing it to the people.

Based on the curved shaft plow he made before, he shortened and bent the plow shaft to reduce the head and pressure. In this way, the plow body structure became lighter, more flexible and convenient to use, and the farming efficiency was naturally higher than before.

The curved shaft plow has been improved, and terraced fields and retting have been made. Now only the waterwheel is left.Once the waterwheel is built, spring plowing in Marsh Mansion will go very smoothly, and there will definitely be a bumper harvest in the fall.

The emperor who was far away in the capital was very surprised when he learned that Zhao Yao had not been deceived by He Lianfang and intervened in the investigation of the deposed prince.Of course, he was very relieved to learn that Zhao Yao was busy with farming.

Xiao Shi, this brat, didn't investigate the boss's affairs secretly. Could it be that he knew something? (End of chapter)