Settled in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 396
In this era of low production, almost every family with a certain status has thousands of acres of land, and the production of refined grains is limited, so it is necessary to supplement some coarse grains.Now there are two such high-yield crops, sweet potatoes and potatoes, which can be made into vermicelli to improve the storage time. For wealthy families who are used to stockpiling food, the temptation of potatoes and sweet potatoes is not small.

Regardless of ancient or modern times, food security is related to strategic security. This principle is valid for all countries and families.The sage has these two things in his hands, and he can do a lot when promoting them.Especially in the past two years, the imperial court has fought many battles passively or actively, and military rations will always be a headache for the imperial court.

If high-yield and easy-to-grow sweet potatoes and potatoes can be used as a supplement to military rations, it will greatly relieve the pressure on the court to raise military rations.Only this one benefit, the sage will pay attention to it.

Xue Lang said: "When the sage comes back, I plan to make a brief report, suggesting that the sage build Huangzhuang in Henan, Hebei, Shandong and other places, dedicated to planting potatoes. When I was in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, I specially checked the climate of these areas, Given the geographical location and climate of these areas, it is entirely possible to grow two seasons of potatoes a year, and even if the second season is not as good as the first season's output, half of the output should be achieved."

Princess Pingyang was startled, and immediately asked: "Is this true?"

Xue Lang earnestly promised: "Nine times out of ten!"

Princess Pingyang thought silently for a moment, and said joyfully, "If we can really plant two seasons, we don't need much yield per mu. If we can harvest more than [-] kilograms per mu of land a year, it will be enough!"

Speaking of this, he paused, glanced at Xue Lang, and said, "If that's the case, tomorrow I will send people to buy land and build farms in these places!"

Xue Lang smiled and asked, "Why do you need to accumulate food?"

Princess Pingyang was taken aback by the question, and asked back: "Didn't Youyang propose to strengthen our power and transcend the crown prince and King Qin?"

Xue Lang looked directly into her eyes, and said slowly, "So, you shouldn't accumulate food."

Princess Pingyang's eyes flashed, and she asked, "How do you say that?"

Xue Lang said: "Since you have given up your military power in Jianling, don't touch it again. Instead of accumulating food to make people taboo, it is better to do something else. My suggestion is, food, you don't need to accumulate more, just generalize it. Bigger If the planting area is planted, it is better to grow cotton instead of grain. In my opinion, two or three acres of sweet potatoes are enough, and the same is true for potatoes.”

"Bai Diezi..."

Princess Pingyang was thoughtful.Xue Lang nodded, and said: "Cotton has a wide range of uses, making quilts, spinning cloth, whatever, at present, it is our unique technology. Since it is unique, the initiative is on our side. Even in the future Cotton planting technology is publicly promoted, we occupy the first mover and technological advantages, the market share is definitely not comparable to others, and we also hold the initiative, with more room for maneuvering, and we will act more detached.”

Princess Pingyang was stunned, her eyes lit up, she looked at Xue Lang with a smile in her eyes, and slowly nodded: "Youyang is right, I was thinking about it earlier. For cotton planting... What good strategy does Youyang have?"

Xue Lang rubbed his hands, and said happily: "I also studied the information when I was in the Ministry of Civil Affairs. I already know which areas are suitable for growing cotton. Come, let me tell you!"

Xue Lang circled the area suitable for growing cotton, and when it was over, Xue Lang said regretfully: "In fact, the most suitable area is the Longyou generation, but it is not yet the territory of our dynasty. After defeating the Turks, we will divide the land Come in, remember to circle a little more when the time comes, build a big cotton plantation, and strive to become the largest controller of cotton products in the Tang Dynasty!"

Xue Lang's confident appearance made Princess Pingyang laugh, and said: "Youyang actually despise Turkic so much? Are you so convinced that our dynasty will destroy Turkic?"

Xue Lang nodded and said: "This is the general trend of the world! It will definitely be destroyed, but sooner or later!"

Princess Pingyang looked at him with a smile, noncommittal, only said: "Then I will wait and see!"

After talking about cotton for a while, Xue Lang remembered something and asked, "How is the preparation of the library going?"

Princess Pingyang said: "The building of the library has been completed, now we just need to collect enough books before we can open the library."

Xue Lang nodded. With the current printing level, it does take a little time to get enough books to open a library.The two talked for a while, and Changjian came to report that the meal was ready, and it was time to serve!

Xue Lang ran to bring in the food himself, and put it on the desk. He and Princess Pingyang ate around the desk.Of course, fearing that Princess Pingyang might not be used to it, the meals are still separated, just one table.

Today's main dish is big plate chicken, the staple food is steamed buns, and it is accompanied by three side dishes, more than enough for two people.Princess Pingyang picked up the green pepper in the big plate of chicken with her chopsticks: "Is this the pepper that Youyang planted before?"

Xue Lang: "Yes, last year there were few seeds, so I didn't dare to eat green peppers. I only ate dried peppers. This year, I have saved enough seeds, but I can eat them. This variety of green peppers is not too spicy. Try it. .”

Princess Pingyang nodded, took a sip, and before eating, her face turned red, covering her mouth and beckoning to Xue Lang, Xue Lang quickly handed her a glass of water and looked at her with a smile: "It's the first time I eat it, maybe I'm not used to it, Is it too spicy?"

Princess Pingyang swallowed the water, said: "It's a little uncomfortable. It tastes different from dogwood, and the spicy taste is purer. Remember to share some with me this year."

"Row!"

The two of them ate while talking, they didn't talk too much, but they didn't strictly abide by the rule of not talking when eating or sleeping, so they had a good time.

With the big plate of chicken soup, Xue Lang ate three steamed buns, as well as a lot of chicken and potatoes. Princess Pingyang did not give in. Seeing that she was eating slowly, there were no fewer chicken bones piled on the plate than Xue Lang.

Xue Lang looked at her with a smile, and said with a smile: "After we get married, why don't we make a big table and eat like this in the future, okay?"

Princess Pingyang glanced at him and nodded: "Yes!"

After nodding in agreement, he said again: "Have you thought about how to arrange the furniture in your home? Do you have any suggestions? Why don't you draw a picture while the time is still early and let the craftsmen make it, so as not to have to do it yourself in the future?" reform."

Neither of them are shy people, and they don't shy away from talking about it.Xue Lang immediately said: "Okay, I will draw it when I have time these few days, and then we can discuss it and choose a style that we both like."

Talking about homework, Princess Pingyang didn't leave the small gate until it was getting dark.When Xue Lang came back after seeing her off, thinking of her smiles, he couldn't help but curl his mouth. When he got excited, he took out the drawing paper and brush, and simply sketched many pictures of home furnishings.

When Xue Lang was happily painting home, the saint also announced that he would end his summer vacation early and return to Chang'an from Renzhi Palace. On the second day after returning, he announced Xue Lang into the palace to participate in the political affairs hall.

(End of this chapter)