readsfreenovel Chapter 145 Yield of the Experimental Field
Chapter 145 Yield of the Experimental Field
The swaying rice looks like water waves, and the fragrance of wheat smells like autumn osmanthus.
The harvest from the experimental fields in Nuzhuang this year was quite good, but of course there were a few fields that yielded almost nothing.
The village made over a hundred jars of crab paste and sent them to a few old men. It had been agreed before that when the crabs were fat, they would make crab paste for everyone to taste.
"Sister, how is the harvest in the experimental fields on the farm?" Li Shimin was most concerned about the grain harvest. When he heard that the crops on the farm were ripe, he came to inquire in person.
According to today's level, the wheat yield per mu does not exceed 2 shi, which is about 200 jin. Only fertile fields can produce more than 300 jin.
“Although the increase in wheat production is not significant, there are still some results.”
Chang'an is suitable for growing wheat. It is surrounded by eight rivers and has fertile land. Combined with the advantages of Zhuangzi's previous seed selection, the yield has indeed increased.
"The best-growing wheat in the field is about 450 kilograms, and the best rice has reached 30 kilograms per mu. The millet yield is average, and has only increased by about kilograms."
Li Yin said, sighing, "It's a pity that wheat can only be selected and fertilized slowly."
After hearing the first part about the 400 kilograms of wheat, Li Shimin calmly drank a sip of tea. Before he could swallow it, he was shocked by the following words.
Wheat and millet were within his expectations, but what about rice?
"What is the rice yield per mu?" He widened his eyes in disbelief.
"450 pounds."
Li Yin smiled and said that the village had started rice hybridization experiments a long time ago, so such results were not surprising.
Li Shimin was a little stunned. Before, the per-acre yield of wheat had always been slightly higher than that of rice. Why was it the other way around now?
This is a full 450 kilograms!
"Brother, this place is not suitable for growing rice, so the seeds need to be taken to the south and Kanto for experiments."
“That’s just this year’s production.”
The only people who came to the manor today were Li Shimin, Empress Changsun and Wang De, no one else.
Li Yin asked Feng Sanxi to close the door of the study, and asked Pei Xingjian to call the Qianniu Guards to guard outside.
There were only five people left in the room.
"Brother, I have something to tell you."
Li Shimin became nervous instantly. The last time he was so cautious was when he was looking at the world map.
"Stepsister!"
Li Shimin shouted, "Wait a moment, let me go out for some fresh air."
After saying that, Li Shimin ran towards the toilet... and Wang De followed closely behind him.
"..."Empress Changsun, Erlang is so embarrassing!
After a while, the two returned and found the door locked.
Li Yin thought for a while and finally spoke: "Brother, do you know why the family is getting bigger and bigger?"
Li Shimin and others' expressions changed.
Just mentioning this topic makes it bloody.
“Because of monopoly.”
Li Yin poured tea for them and said, "The so-called monopoly is the concentration of means of production in the hands of one person."
“Means of production…simply put, are the resources or tools we use to create value.”
"And the things that the aristocratic families monopolized happened to be the two most important means of production for production and development: one was writing, and the other was land."
"Brother, you also know that the punctuation marks that Zhuang Shang often uses in his books are actually derived from the Han Dynasty's 'ju' and 'dou (fourth tone)', and are not Zhuang Shang's own inventions."
"What Zhuang Shang has done is just to innovate on this basis."
"Why hasn't this convenient thing become popular yet? Has no one thought of more punctuation marks?"
"Ha!" Li Shimin sneered, "How could that be? The author of the book just left it out on purpose!"
"It is also."
Li Yin laughed: "An article without punctuation is difficult to read, so teachers and elders are needed to guide and answer questions. It is extremely difficult for poor students to read, let alone ordinary people?"
"The reason why the noble families abandoned punctuation is not because it is unusable, but because it is too useful!" Li Yin took a sip of tea and said, "Brother, this is cultural monopoly."
"The imperial examination has been in existence since the Sui Dynasty. It is said that anyone with aspirations can participate, but most of those who make the list are from famous and prestigious families. With the personal guidance of the elders in the family, wouldn't it be much easier to read those words?"
"When you are short of people, you put a famous talent in front of you. You have to use him even if you don't want to, after all, others can't do it."
Li Shimin took a few deep breaths, his chest rising and falling.
Isn't this the same dilemma he faces?
"If I hadn't met my brother, I would never have learned the art of letterpress printing." Li Yin didn't say it, but it didn't mean she didn't know.
Over the past six months, countless corpses have been buried beneath the peaceful scene in Nuzhuang.
Li Shimin seized the country on horseback. As long as he was there, the army's morale would not be shaken and Zhuangzi would be safe.
"If I hadn't met my adopted sister, I would..."
Li Shimin's eyes were red, Guanyinbi's complexion was getting better and better, the shackles in the court were gradually loosening, and everything was getting better.
Empress Chang Sun, who was standing by, was also secretly wiping away her tears. She knew the condition of her own body.
A few months ago, she was always worried that she didn't have much time left, but now she is worried that she has not learned enough and will not be able to help Erlang and her sister in the future.
"But it's different now." Li Yin laughed: "When newspapers and pinyin appeared, they could only let the spread of texts go their own way."
It’s not that no one has thought about imitating Nvzhuang and publishing newspapers to compete for the top spot in public opinion.
But it stopped before it even started because of the cost.
On the day when the first issue of the Nuzhuang newspaper appeared, Feng Sanxi knocked on the doors of half of the mansions in the city. He was very polite and courteous, and his smile was very big.
Knowing that they are at an infinite disadvantage, no one will be the first to take the lead.
"It's only been half a year, and the aristocratic families have gradually lost their monopoly on writing. What about next year, the year after, and the next five to ten years?" Li Yin heard that the chiefs of various aristocratic families have come to the capital to take charge, and it's been very lively.
Even an old stubborn man like Yan Shigu compromised, so who else dares to stand still?
"In a few decades, everyone in our Tang Dynasty will be literate!" Li Shimin said firmly.
“……” Chang Sun silently stretched out his hand.
"Ji Lang, don't always be unrealistic."
"Sister-in-law is right!" Li Yin raised her hands in agreement: "If we want everyone in the Tang Dynasty to be literate, we have to rely on compulsory education."
"We have to do this step by step, slowly. We can't be impatient." It was previously proposed to implement three years of compulsory education in Hebei Province first, but there is no specific plan yet!
"Brother, sister-in-law, the monopoly on writing has been broken, the next step... is the fields."
After Li Yin finished speaking, everyone in the room breathed lighter.
The noble family had two treasures in their hands, one of which was violently crushed by the woman and scattered throughout the Tang Dynasty. This was already very uncomfortable for them, and now...
"Brother, you can add one more rule to the law. All arable land in the Tang Dynasty can only be used to grow crops for the people to eat. Violators will be executed along with their entire family. Those who abandon the land will be fined accordingly. If the land is to be used for other purposes, the emperor must issue an edict in person." Li Yin held the teacup in both hands, her eyes slightly narrowed.
"Of course, the last one is just for show."
"This matter must be publicized vigorously so that the people of the Tang Dynasty will know about this law."