Daming: If I find a great-grandson, I will teach an emperor through the ages

Chapter 259: Domestication policy for Kunlun slaves
When coming out of the ready-made clothing store, Cao Wei said to Zhu Zhen:
"In the next two days, you first go to the palace and ask His Majesty to give you some conveniences. It is best to get a handwriting. Then go to Songjiang Cotton Farm and find some experienced cotton growers. Then I will tell you what to do."

After Zhu Ming waved his hand and prepared to fund Boss Zhou with two thousand taels of silver, Boss Zhou also saw the money and agreed to cooperate with Zhu Ming.

In this way, he can not only have cash inflow, but also expand his business through Cao Wei's method. Boss Zhou must seize this opportunity.

Cotton was introduced to China from the Southern and Northern Dynasties, but its development over the past few hundred years can only be said to be difficult. It has been lingering in the border areas and has difficulty entering the inland.

The Yuan Dynasty's agricultural policy actually gave frontier cotton an opportunity. In the early Ming Dynasty, in order to develop national strength, Zhu Yuanzhang mandated farming and also ordered cotton to be planted in some areas. Now many farmers can be seen planting cotton in various places.

But the growth of cotton requires some natural conditions.

For example, temperature, the suitable growth temperature of cotton is generally between 20 degrees and 25 degrees. When the temperature is lower than 25 degrees or higher than 36 degrees, it will affect the normal growth of cotton.

There is also light, because cotton is a light-loving crop and needs sufficient light to promote photosynthesis and normal growth and development. The appropriate light intensity is 8000 to 70000 lux.

In addition, cotton has different needs for water at different growth stages. For example, during the seedling and bud stages, the soil moisture content should be maintained at a high level, while during the flowering and bolling stages, an appropriate water supply needs to be maintained. .

And cotton is suitable for planting in soil with high fertility, good drainage, moderate sandy clay, and sufficient nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other elements.

After speaking, Zhu Xiongying directly wrote a handwriting and gave it to Zhu Zhen, so that he could take it and go directly to Songjiang, and someone would do what he asked.

"Your Majesty, someone from Master Daoyan has returned."

Zhu Chu presented the box in his hand, "Your Majesty works hard every day, and the grassroots live in Yingtian. I am deeply grateful for the divine grace. Today I came here to offer two ginseng to your Majesty to replenish your body."

No matter how good he is, Zhu Xiongying will not refute his reputation even if he talks so nicely.

After looking at the two old ginsengs, Zhu Xiongying smiled and said, "How can I accept such a great gift from Uncle Wang? Or is there something difficult for Uncle Wang that I can help you with?"

The cotton area in this region is extensive and the cotton quality is high. This is closely related to the local natural climate conditions. This region is along the west and south sides of the Gulf of Guinea and close to the Sahara Desert in the north. It has a lower latitude and warmer temperatures throughout the year. The average monthly temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius, so cotton can grow throughout the year, providing good thermal conditions.

Zhu Xiongying was preparing to continue reviewing the memorial when the eunuch outside the door came to inform him again.

"As for what you say to get His Majesty to give you this convenience, I don't care," Cao Wei looked at Zhu Zhen and said with a smile.

Zhu Xiongying raised his head with a smile. He seemed to be in a good mood, "Uncle Wang, there is no need to be so polite. If you have any questions, just tell me."

"Grandmaster Cao gave me some guidance and helped me take the path of doing business."

"The common people thank your Majesty!" After receiving the handwriting, Zhu Zhen bowed with great joy and then exited the study.

After doing all this, it was just past noon. Zhu Chu returned home again and then headed to the palace.

First, because of its strong adaptability, some areas in Africa have extreme climatic conditions. Cotton varieties in these areas can adapt well to these environmental factors. African cotton has strong drought resistance, cold resistance and salt-alkali resistance, and can Grows in dry, cold or saline soils.

"promise!"

Zhu Ming then explained exactly what Cao Wei had done for him.

Zhu Ming immediately laughed and said, "To be honest with you, Your Majesty previously arranged a position in the court for me, but I failed to do it well, but I couldn't sit back and rest in vain, so I wanted to take another path to earn some money to support my family."

Zhu Chu's two old ginsengs were dug up and spread by the people when he was in Yunnan. Zhu Chu spent a lot of money to buy them. They were real old ginsengs from the mountains.

"Master doesn't need to worry about this little thing. Master, just wait."

The two returned to Cao Mansion. Cao Wei spent a cup of tea drafting the contract, and after handing it to Zhu Zhen, he went to the Research Institute. The latter returned to his mansion, took out enough banknotes, and signed the contract again. Rushed to the clothing store and signed a contract with Boss Zhou.

"Common people see you, Your Majesty." Zhu Zhen saluted respectfully.

But he didn't understand one thing.

Where is Cao Wei going to get so much cotton?

The job of the emperor seems to be extremely glorious, but Zhu Xiongying, who does not have any organization to assist in government affairs at this time, is indeed very tired. He has no prime minister or cabinet, and everything has to be done by himself like Zhu Yuanzhang.

The cotton industry center of the Ming Dynasty was in the Songjiang area (now Songjiang, Shanghai).

Zhu Xiongying thought for a moment, nodded and said, "I can give you a handwriting, but I also want to see how Master Cao can get unlimited cotton."

"Oh? What way?" Zhu Xiongying seemed to be very interested.

Zhu Zhen immediately slapped his chest loudly.

The second is the superior natural climate conditions. West Africa south of the Sahara and north of the equator is one of the main producing areas of high-quality cotton in Africa.

Zhu Xiongying has a strong understanding ability and roughly knows this model, which is to let Zhu Xi be the boss behind the scenes, only responsible for raw materials and funds, not involved in product sales, and not in the public eye. This is indeed safer and will not cause any turmoil.

"Um..." Zhu Xi scratched his head, "I don't know. Grand Master hasn't told me the rest yet, but I believe Grand Master Cao."

Cao Wei smiled and nodded, "Come, follow me back to your house. I will draw up a contract for you. You can bring the money and sign it with Boss Zhou."

It was already the end of April, and the weather in Yingtian Mansion had warmed up. Zhu Chu came to the door of the study, and after being informed by the eunuch, he went in and saw Zhu Xiongying.

Although Zhu Ming lost the throne, he still had the identity of the Zhu family clan.

"Bring him in."

Cotton is also a crop, crop after crop. Even the amount of cotton produced in Songjiang in the Ming Dynasty cannot be said to be unlimited supply.

In addition, Zhu Xiongying wanted to take back the position of the vassal king before, and Zhu Xi was the first to stand up and respond. Zhu Xiongying missed his love, and he would help those who should be helped.

The growing period of African cotton is relatively short, usually only 100 to 120 days to harvest, and it grows and reproduces quickly, and can adapt to different geographical and climatic conditions.

This is also the reason why Africa is suitable for growing cotton. In other words, the land in Africa is suitable for growing anything.

Therefore, ordinary plain areas in the Ming Dynasty are not particularly suitable for growing cotton because various conditions are insufficient and the harvest is not high. Usually farmers only select half an acre of their own home land to grow cotton.

Zhu Xiongying raised his eyebrows, "Doing business? Uncle Wang, please tell me carefully."

When Zhu Xiongying saw him doing this, he felt even more that he had something to ask of him.

Only the soldiers who followed Dao Yan came back. After seeing Zhu Xiongying, they handed over the treaty signed with King Zhongsu and Dao Yan's personal letter.

Zhu Xiongying read them one by one, and then asked the eunuch chief to put the treaty away.

"Go and call me Xu Zengshou."

The servant left in a hurry, and a quarter of an hour later, Xu Zengshou rushed to the study. Xu Zengshou was the third son of Duke Xu Da of Wei. Because of his father, Zhu Yuanzhang appointed him as a guard with a sword before the emperor in his early years, which shows his reliance on the Xu family. Later, Xu Zengshou was promoted to the rank of Governor of the Zuo of the Right Army Governor's Mansion. Hold real power.

It's just that Xu Da's eldest son Xu Yungong is too outstanding. In comparison, Xu Da's second son Xu Yingxu and third son Xu Zengshou seem mediocre.

Speaking of which, Xu Zengshou didn't have any serious problems, but he was easily swayed.

In the original history, this guy repeatedly conveyed military information to Zhu Di during his crisis, which led to the Southern Army's successive defeats and was eventually liquidated by Emperor Jianwen.

But now Xu Zengshou has no chance to swing between the two sides. Not to mention that the Xu family is the pillar of the Ming Dynasty, his brother is the Duke, and his sister Xu Miaojin has also married Zhu Xiongying as the queen. The Xu family is now completely tied to the Zhu family.

"I see your Majesty." Xu Zengshou bowed in salute with his hands raised. Although he was not as good as the outstanding Xu Yungong, he also had the unique toughness of a soldier.

"My dear, I have an errand that I want you to do. I wonder if you are willing." Zhu Xiongying asked him with a smile.

"It is the duty of a minister to serve His Majesty. If His Majesty has an order, I will not hesitate even to the death!"

"Okay, now that there are Japanese bandits in Goryeo, we, the Ming Dynasty, took advantage of the situation to establish diplomatic relations with Goryeo. We need one person to lead 20,000 troops to suppress the bandits, and then stationed in Goryeo to stabilize the situation."

After hearing this, Xu Zengshou's expression changed and he did not speak.

"But don't worry, my dear, you only need to stay in Goryeo for three to five years. After that, I will send someone to replace you."

"My lord, take the order!"

...

After Zhu Chu received the manuscript, he found someone the next day and headed to Songjiang. Half a month later, he returned to Yingtian Mansion from Songjiang, bringing back nearly two hundred people and several carriages of supplies, all of which were cotton seeds.

On the second day after returning to Yingtian, Zhu Wei approached Cao Wei again and asked him how to act in the future.

"Do you know about Africa and Kunlun slaves?" Cao Wei looked at Zhu Zhen with intelligent eyes.

As expected, Zhu Ming shook his head.

"Kunlun slave? What is that?"

"nigger."

Zhu Zhen was immediately shocked, "What is a nigger?"

"I told you to read more books, but you just didn't listen."

Cao Wei briefly talked about Africa, and Zhu Chu's eyes widened in shock.

"Is there really someone as black as coal?"

"Can I still lie to you? If we go to Africa this time, the indigenous people there are like this. They are all cheap productivity. The unlimited cotton you need depends on these Kunlun slaves."

Zhu Chu seemed to understand, but then asked:
"Then, Grand Master, since you are going abroad, will you come with me?"

Cao Wei suddenly looked at Zhu Zhen with a look full of pity, which made the other person's hair stand on end.

"I won't go,"

While Cao Wei was talking, he looked at the pampered and well-maintained Zhu Xi, who had really thin skin and tender meat. I wonder if he would be a crispy duck after going to Africa and coming back.

Cao Wei didn't want to go, and Zhu Zhen had no choice but to immerse himself in the preparation work. What he had to do was to take more than two hundred cotton farmers and a large amount of cotton seeds to Africa to start a plantation. .

When Zhu Chu had everything sorted, Xu Zengshou had already mobilized an army of 20,000 men.

In fact, 20,000 troops can be easily mobilized, but they need to add long guns and short artillery, as well as transported supplies. It will take a month for Xu Zengshou to be ready.

On this day, Xu Zengshou mobilized his troops and warships, set off from the port of Qixia Mountain, and marched to Goryeo.

Zhu Xiongying also led his own fleet and embarked on the voyage to Africa. The fleet not only had a large number of farmers, but also had 10,000 troops. This was Zhu Xiongying's purpose to ensure Zhu Xi's safety and to see how cotton was grown in Africa. Preparation for benefit.

Africa is very close to Europe, which means it is also very far away from Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Chu led the fleet and finally arrived at the African continent after five months according to the instructions on the coastal map.

It was September at this time, and on the land of the African continent, the scorching sun was hanging overhead, emitting heat vigorously, as if it was going to scorch everything to the point of burning.

Zhu Ming finally understood Cao Wei's eyes. It turns out that this is what Africa is like.

Grand Master has dug a hole for himself! Zhu Ming thought silently in his heart.

But thinking about his great cause, Zhu Ming still chose to grit his teeth and persevere!
After landing on land, Zhu Zhen finally saw the "nigger" in Cao Wei's mouth.

Not long after they entered the inland, a group of people gathered around them. They were all completely black, some were black and shiny, and some had no trace of luster, as if they had absorbed all the light into their bodies.

They held homemade stone weapons and stared at the intruders who stepped into their territory.

Zhu Ming was already extremely hot, and seeing these unappetizing Kunlun slaves, he couldn't bear it even more.

He wiped the sweat from his head impatiently,

"Tsk, it's so dark!"

There are records of Kunlun slaves in the Tang Dynasty. Wei Zheng said to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty:
“There are barbarians in the Western Regions, they have white eyes and black skin, their bodies are smelly and filthy, they are unintelligent and violent, they have human form but no human heart, they are difficult to influence by virtue, they fear power but not virtue, so they must be raised as animals.

Zhu Ming kept in mind Cao Wei's advice to him, "Those Kunlun slaves do not need to treat them as human beings, just treat them as animals, but be sure to keep a distance from them and pay attention to hygiene. Kunlun slaves represent chaos, Promiscuity and disease, once contracted, are worse than dead.”

Thinking of this, Zhu Zhen suddenly got goosebumps all over his body.

At this time, a person who seemed to be the leader suddenly stood up from the Kunlun slave in front of him, chattering something menacingly, as if he was shouting.

Zhu Ming frowned in disgust and waved his hand instead of calling for the translator.

"Hit me! Beat me first and then talk."

"If you fear power rather than virtue, you must raise animals," this is the guideline!
The two hundred soldiers behind Zhu Chu raised their muskets and pulled the triggers at the Kunlun slave in front of them.

(End of this chapter)