I open a history tutorial class in Daming

Chapter 74 There are too many good things in the world

Not to mention that the students below were whispering and I didn’t know what they were doing.

Even Song Shen, who was sitting on the podium, had no intention of giving his lecture at the moment.

He is not a good teacher who loves teaching and educating. He said so much yesterday and today, of course he had his own purpose.

I talk about world history because when I talk about this aspect, a world map will appear in the information provided by the system. Although that map is a 21st century version, it is still much better than the map of the Ming Dynasty.

If there was a chance, Song Shen even hoped that he would get a nautical map in his hand. In this way, when Chen Guorui and the others were ready, they could directly reach Japan with the nautical map in their hands. Combined with the gold and silver mine distribution map they had just obtained, they could avoid many detours.

Unfortunately, the system is not a philanthropist. It would be great if it could provide a world map. That’s not possible.

Another thing is that I mentioned potatoes in my last lecture.

Because potatoes were mentioned, he got some information related to potatoes, and at the same time he realized that what his classmate who specialized in growing potatoes said might not be right.

Disinfection with alcohol and potassium permanganate solution is the method used in large-scale scientific cultivation in later generations. However, it does not mean that potatoes cannot be grown before people can widely use these two things.

In earlier times, when cutting potatoes for planting, they would basically sprinkle a handful of plant ash on the cuts. Perhaps farmers did not understand the principle and just followed the way their ancestors did it, but Song Shen, a science student who had studied chemistry, probably understood it.

The main components of wood ash are potassium carbonate and potassium hydroxide, both of which are weak alkaline substances. Therefore, after contacting water, wood ash will release hydroxide ions, thereby increasing the pH value. For most microorganisms, an alkaline environment is very unfavorable for survival and can destroy the cell membrane structure and cause their death, so wood ash also has a very strong bactericidal effect.

In addition, wood ash has ionizing, drying and microbial inhibition effects.

Taking advantage of the gaps between the students' discussions, Song Shen, who had secretly read the materials, couldn't help but sigh -

Damn it, we can’t underestimate the wisdom of our ancestors of the farming nation. Now we can definitely grow potatoes!
"...Sir, sir?"

A familiar voice woke Song Shen up from his beautiful fantasy.

He wiped the non-existent saliva from his mouth, and tried his best to clear his mind of the beautiful dreams of becoming a national teacher by farming and reaching the pinnacle of life. He looked carefully and found that the person who was calling him was -

Zhu Qizhen???
The gentle smile Song Shen had just put on suddenly disappeared.

He asked unhappily:

"Why are you calling me? Do you have a problem?"

You can’t blame Song Shen for treating you differently.

If all the emperors in this classroom were people like Hu Hai, Yang Guang, Zhao Guangyi, and Zhao Gou, then he might be able to treat them all equally.

But among the Qin Emperor, Han Emperor Wu, Tang Emperor Taizong and Ming Emperor, there emerged a War God of Tumu Fort. The gap is really too big. Even if he is a living Buddha, he can't treat them equally, right?
Zhu Qizhen obviously knew that he was not welcome. Under the death gaze of the two Zhu family ancestors beside him, he smiled and spoke cautiously:

"Sir, I want to ask you, if we can create a fleet like Zheng He's voyages to the West and sail overseas, do you think it is better to go to America first to get potatoes and sweet potatoes, or go to Japan first to seize the gold and silver mines?"

This is what we have discussed.

After all, among so many people present, only Zhu Qizhen's era was after Zheng He's voyage to the West. Although most of the previous dynasties had experience in sailing to the sea, they were all from Xu Fu or those who followed the Tang envoys to visit. There were not many references to make, and the ship technology was far inferior to that of Zhu Qizhen's time.

As everyone knows, in Song Shen's eyes they are all non-existent, fictional characters. Although Song Shen still treats them as human beings, he does not think that revealing the news will have any impact.

Zhu Qizhen asked this question, and what he asked was not only closely related to the technology that would be brought about in the future, but he was also the person who knew the situation best and was the most suitable person.

Song Shen didn't expect him to ask this. He touched his chin and said:

"If you ask me, I'd suggest going to Japan first."

"First of all, Wa is closer to us, and from a personal perspective, I hate this place even more. If I had the chance, I would definitely advise the emperor to kill all the people on that island after taking it - just a joke, don't take it seriously."

"Secondly, although many people speculate that Zheng He had reached the American continent during his voyages to the West, earlier than Columbus's great maritime discoveries, in the absence of definite evidence, I think it is better to be more conservative. Ocean voyages require not only exploration and human lives, but also more advanced shipbuilding technology. It is better to gradually develop the productivity of our own country instead of engaging in such a labor-intensive and costly undertaking."

"And speaking of shipbuilding, in Southeast Asia, that is, the countries of Siam and Java that you know, there is a plant called the rubber tree, which can be processed into very good waterproof material."

"Let's take care of the areas around us first and make rational use of resources before we consider ocean voyages. This way we won't get into trouble, right? Besides, if you can get the rubber tree, it will be useful for more than just shipbuilding." If he said this before taking out the potatoes, Zhu Yuanzhang would probably be very angry.

In Zhu's opinion, it was already a shame to have so many naval forces but not be able to defend against the Japanese pirates. Wasn't it right to risk one's life to build a route for ocean voyages? It's not that he didn't take the lives of his officers and soldiers seriously. Even when he was still charging into battle, he thought that his death on the battlefield was a worthy death.

But it's different now.

Anyway, Song Shen had already taken out the potatoes. He gave them to Zhang Wei, who then handed them over to the Yiluansi people. So, isn't this the same as handing them over to the court?

If there is a first time, there will be a second time. Who can be sure that next time Song Shen will not take out sweet potatoes or corn, or even hybrid rice?
After confirming the uniqueness of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang was as steady as a rock!

But it’s different for others.

Zhang Liang's brain was quick. After hearing Song Shen's words, he didn't think there was anything wrong with his suggestion. Besides, the Han Dynasty had just been established and there was no confidence to run so far. He didn't intend to get involved in the grand plan of this group of people from the beginning. But Song Shen's last sentence obviously had some hidden meaning.

"Sir, you just said that the rubber tree still has a use... What is it?"

Zhang Liang raised his hand carefully.

Song Shen slapped his forehead:
"Oops, why did I forget to mention this before!"

"Rubber is closely related to the Industrial Revolution and plays a very important role. If you are interested, I can tell you more about it."

"But the class is about to end, so I can only start talking about this. Let's go to the next class. Next class, we can talk about the history of the Industrial Revolution. Okay, okay, five minutes of free discussion, and five minutes left before the get out of class ends!"

He looked at the clock on the wall and confirmed that there were only five minutes left. He allowed a free discussion period and then went into the office to rest.

All the students behind him raised their hands.

However, it was of no use. Song Shenlang was as determined as a rock and did not turn back, with no intention of delaying the class.

Are you kidding? He doesn't get overtime pay for keeping the class longer than normal. It's already hard enough for him to teach this group of people, and now he's asking for trouble by keeping the class longer than normal, isn't that?
The classroom was silent for a few seconds.

Suddenly.

Zhu Yuanzhang jumped up like a spring:
"I think that damn rubber tree is probably as good as potatoes, what do you think!!!"

His face was filled with excitement.

It’s not that Zhu Yuanzhang is too easily satisfied. It’s mainly because from his experience since class, all the good things Song Shen mentioned are invaluable treasures at any time and in any dynasty, and any time they are taken out, it can be said to be auspicious.

Now, Song Shen said that the rubber tree is good. Although he doesn’t know what the Industrial Revolution is, as long as he knows that it is good, then it is right!

Li Shimin ignored Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin, and exchanged glances with Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling beside him. After confirming that everyone thought this was useful information, he coughed twice and turned to Zhu Yuanzhang and said:
"That makes sense. I think that if things go well, once we get the gold and silver mines in Japan, we can start heading to the so-called Southeast Asia."

He was the first to agree.

Judging from Li Shimin’s previous slightly arrogant behavior, if Zhu Yuanzhang still couldn’t see such an obvious gesture of goodwill, then he would have been emperor for ten years in vain.

However, now that everyone is working together to occupy the Japanese territory, the distinction between the new and old factions is not so obvious. So in the face of Li Shimin's show of goodwill, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement:
"Wait until tomorrow's class and listen to what the teacher has to say."

"If the rubber tree is more useful than the gold and silver mines, it doesn't matter if we go there first. The gold and silver are buried in the mountains and won't run away. It doesn't matter if we go there earlier or later. Now that the teacher is giving us a lecture, we know that there are so many good things in the world waiting for people to take them. You can't get fat in one go. It won't be too late to sort them out and see what happens later."

Liu Che laughed:
"Zhu Yuanzhang, you are so calm. When the gentleman first mentioned potatoes, you wanted to grow wings and fly to America. But now you are preparing to prioritize?"

His words were full of sarcasm, and not only Zhu Yuanzhang, but everyone could hear the temptation in them.

Because there is a big gap between Zhu Yuanzhang's performance before and now, the difference may not be noticed by ordinary people, but the classroom is full of smart people and no one is a fool.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry, he just smiled slightly, with wrinkles on his face:
"Yes, I understand from the lecture that there are endless good things in the world. If there is a crop that is more productive than potatoes and closer to us, why would we go through the trouble of traveling across the ocean? Emperor Wu of Han, don't you agree?"

(End of this chapter)