Settled in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 169 Scheduled Term
Xue Lang didn't answer the crown prince and King Qin's exclamation, but slowly explained the reason:
"In spring, there was a heavy snowfall. The king of Qin's attack on Liu Heita was affected by this, and he even suffered defeat and loss. At that time, the minister was at Weize Pass, and the cold weather was very unbearable. Ask your highness what I can do to protect against the cold. When I was looking for things, I realized that there was no cotton...that is, cotton-padded jackets and quilts made of Baidiezi bullets. Grass is used for ornamental purposes. In foreign countries, cotton is a must-have in winter. Even ordinary people, no matter the south or the north, will make a few beds of cotton quilts for winter protection. It is very common. stuff. And cotton, as long as the climate is right, is a very easy crop to grow."

When they came, Princess Pingyang reminded Xue Lang not to refuse the saint's appointment too much, so as not to offend the saint and make the saint feel that he doesn't know what is good or bad.

To solve this problem, Xue Lang thought hard, and what he came up with was cotton.The trial planting of cotton is beneficial to the country and society.Using this as an excuse, Li Yuan wouldn't be able to say anything if he thought about it, he would only praise him, and he wouldn't have any thoughts about Princess Pingyang.

Looking at it now, everything is as expected.Xue Lang said that he is as witty as him, thumbs up!

Li Yuan hurriedly asked: "What kind of climate is suitable for growing cotton? Please teach me, Mrs. Qing!"

Li Yuan didn't call him Bai Diezi anymore, but changed his name to Mian Mian after Xue Lang.Xue Lang hurriedly said: "Don't dare, I will tell the saint right now."

The cotton production areas in my country since ancient times have been divided into three areas, one is the cotton production area in the Yellow River Basin, the other is the Yangtze River Basin production area, and the other is the northwest inland cotton area.

Of these three production areas, based on the current situation and territory of the Tang Dynasty, basically only the first production area can be promoted, the second production area is sparsely populated, and the court has not yet developed it, let alone the third production area, where it is now It is not the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and the court cannot control it.Even in the first production area, there is still Liu Heita making troubles, so the imperial court still has a long way to go if it wants to promote cotton planting.

Xue Lang said: "Sage, regarding the planting conditions of cotton, cotton likes temperature and sunlight, is afraid of humidity, cold, frost, rain, waterlogging, and drought. There is a jingle, which is very intuitive. It is said that 'cotton has been a sick man since he was a child. , grow up to be a medicine jar, and grow old to become a string of money.' According to Yichen's observations all the way, the lands of Qilu, Hebei, and Henan are the most suitable for planting; secondly, Guanzhong, Youzhou and other places can also be planted. In fact, it is the most suitable for planting. The climate of the countries in the Western Regions is suitable for growing cotton, so Gaochang Kingdom can produce so much cotton."

Li Yuan nodded and said, "How's the progress of cotton planting in Weize Pass?"

Xue Lang said: "Sage, everything is going well so far. When I come back, I will be ready to harvest. Then I will calculate the yield. Because it is the first year of trial planting, although I know cotton, I am not proficient in planting management. For this year's planting management, the princess selected two gardeners who cultivated Baidizi from Beijing to go, and everyone discussed and tried planting. This year I have experience, and next year I will try to increase the planting area. During the planting process It takes time to learn from experience and improve technology, so there is no rush."

Li Yuandao: "In that case, the Qing family will go back to Weize Pass first. In the spring of next year, you can choose suitable land near the capital, try planting sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cotton, and leave it to the Qing family to be in charge of you. In Chang'an, I We must find all the gardeners who are good at cultivating cotton to Qing's family, and strive to achieve high cotton production as soon as possible."

This is to set a deadline for Xue Lang, and also to value Xue Lang.In fact, Xue Lang was still reluctant, and it would be best to come to the capital after next year.According to historical records, Her Royal Highness the Princess died in the sixth year of Wude, whether it was the beginning of the year, the middle of the year or the end of the year, it was not written at all!
Before this concern was resolved, Xue Lang had no intention of coming to the capital.However, thinking of Princess Pingyang's explanation when he came, Xue Lang could only say: "Thank you saint for your attention, I will definitely work hard."

He didn't agree directly, but he didn't refuse any more.

Today's court meeting is mainly about sweet potatoes and potatoes. Cotton is a windfall.After Xue Lang had finished what he could say, the next detailed arrangement was a matter of the officials in Beijing and had nothing to do with him.

The detailed arrangements are not a big deal and will be discussed soon.After discussing other matters, all the ministers spoke freely, and when speaking, they would look at the wat board in their hands from time to time.

When the wat board is in the upper court, it is equivalent to a notepad.Before going to court, record what you want to say and the main points of your speech on the wat board, so that you can be concise and well-organized when you speak.Or record the conclusions of the imperial court and the orders of the saints on the wat board, so as not to forget mistakes and omissions.

If an official has so many things to report on the day of the court meeting that he cannot write on one wat board, he will bring a few more wat boards.There are too many wat boards, and for the convenience of carrying, the officials even fill them with cloth bags for the servants to carry the wat boards, called wat bags.

And in the process of the court meeting, if there is an official's speech, you can praise it with a wat board high-five.In ancient times, the courts were not rigid and forbid everything, but they were actually very humane.

Xue Lang listened to the discussions of the ministers, and confirmed what he had learned in his heart. He felt that he had learned a lot just by listening. At least, he had a little understanding of the customs and customs of the ancient times.

"Youyang, please stay."

When the court was over, Xue Lang was about to go back to the post house, but was stopped by Li Gang, and beside him was a young man who was about the same age as Xue Lang.

Xue Lang hurriedly stopped, and replied: "Li Gong! I don't know what to order for the younger generation?"

Li Gang smiled and said: "It is a good thing to call Youyang. Come on, the old man and Youyang will introduce him. This is the master craftsman Yan Lide who will be in charge of the prison. The master asked me to introduce him. After the court is over, you should take Youyang with you." I went to Yuci's mansion! Is this a good thing?"

Xue Lang smiled and cupped his hands: "It is indeed a great thing, thank you Li Gong."

Li Gang smiled and waved his hands, and said: "Since the master and Youyang still have something to do, I will take a step first, and it will not be too late to talk to Youyang after the affairs of Youyang are finished."

"Thank you, Mr. Li, please go slowly, Mr. Li."

After sending Li Gang away, Xue Lang bowed his hands to Yan Lide: "Trouble Master Yan."

Yan Lide said politely: "Mr. Xue Jun is polite, this is the job of a subordinate official."

Speaking of which, this Yan Lide Master Yan is actually a historical celebrity, a famous painter and architect. Some people may not be familiar with him, but when it comes to his younger brother Yan Liben, more people must know him.

Speaking of which, these two brothers are also quite interesting. They were born in an engineering family, and their mother was Princess Qingdu, the daughter of Emperor Wudi of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.Both are good at architecture and good at painting.It's just that my elder brother is good at drawing figures, trees, rocks, and animals, while my younger brother Yan Liben is good at drawing figures, chariots, horses, and pavilions.

Xue Lang wanted to study architectural design when he was admitted to university. Although he failed in the end, he also read a lot of books.The Yan family brothers are naturally familiar with this master craftsman of the Tang Dynasty, but Xue Lang is actually a fan of the brothers from passers-by.

If there is a chance in the future, I must ask the two brothers to cooperate to draw a picture for him. It must have trees, rocks, animals, chariots, horses, and pavilions, so that the two brothers have the opportunity to display their strengths.

As a fan, Xue Lang secretly planned.

(End of this chapter)