A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 477 Bestowing the Emperor's Heart
"Has the wheat been harvested?"

"Ah."

"How much did you charge?"

"The Chen family has more than 500 mu of land in Sanyuan Qinghe Township. It cultivates [-] mu of wheat on its own manor, and rents out about [-] mu of wheat. There are more than [-] stones, and the yield per mu that is rented out is also two stones.

A total of more than [-] stone wheat has been harvested this summer."

Li Shimin stroked his beard, "The yield per mu of your Zhuangzi is actually more than three shi, which is more than that of the farm under the Si Nong Temple. They only have two and a half shi, and they have the horse manure of the servants for fertilizer. They are actually not as good as you."

"The key to yield per mu is water and fertilizer. If there is sufficient water and fertilizer, the yield per mu will not worry." Huaiyu is also considered half of the crop. To achieve high yield, a good field is the key, then water and fertilizer, followed by deep plowing , but also to dry the field, generally two or three times to plow, the best effect.

However, deep plowing requires large livestock, oxen and horses, and some even require two oxen or two horses to carry the plow.Ordinary people do not have this condition, and it is difficult to plow and plow the fields several times.

Coupled with the serious shortage of water and fertilizers, many lands are purely dependent on rainfall from the sky, without water canals, and there is no additional fertilization, so the land becomes poorer and poorer, and must be left fallow or crop rotation, and the yield will naturally not increase.

There is an old saying that without thousands of hectares of land, ten thousand tons of grain cannot be harvested.

Even one bucket of wheat is harvested for one liter of seeds, but the harvest of more seeds is less.In later generations, an acre of land only had about thirty catties of seeds, but at least one thousand catties of grain could be harvested.

"The Chen family's land in Sanyuan County, Bailuyuan, Fengyuan and other plateaus has low yields. The main crop is millet, and the yield per mu is only about one stone. After the summer harvest, they used to only grow some beans, but now Planting potatoes and sweet potatoes can increase the yield."

Wu Huaiyu presented a good thing to the emperor.

"Quyuan plow?"

"The plow is the most important farming tool. Today's plows in the early Tang Dynasty are mainly long curved plows, which are much more advanced than the long straight plows of the Han Dynasty. The long straight plows of the Han Dynasty were not flexible enough to turn around when plowing the land, and the soil was lifted. Laborious and inefficient.

The Weili, Changquyuanli and the current plow in the Southern and Northern Dynasties all belong to Changyuanli.

Wu Huaiyu found a lot of craftsmen, paid a lot of money for rewards, and put forward a request for a short Qu Yuanli, asking them to study and improve it. These masters were desperately researching under the huge rewards.

After several generations of upgrades, today's curved shaft plow is a short curved shaft plow. The plow body can swing during operation, which is full of maneuverability, easy for deep plowing, light and soft, and easy to maneuver. It is convenient even for small fields. One ox or even one mule and one person can plow deeply, without the need for a man to lead the plow, nor do you need two oxen or two horses.

Huaiyu took out a design drawing of a short curved shaft plow and showed it to the emperor.

"The main reason is to increase the plowing and plowing. Pushing the plowing can make the arrow of the plow go down, and the plowshare will go deep into the soil. If you lift the plowing, the arrow of the plow will go up, and the plowshare will go deep into the soil.

It can better adapt to the different requirements of deep plowing and shallow plowing, and is convenient for intensive cultivation.The plow wall can not only break up the soil, but also push the plowed soil to one side, reducing the obstruction of the plow to advance, and the whole plow is lighter and labor-saving. "

This is done by a master craftsman from Jiangdong, so it is also called Jiangdongli.

Using this plow saves a lot of labor for both people and cattle, and the efficiency is greatly increased.

Although Li Shimin would personally help the plow to plow a ridge of land at the spring plowing ceremony held by the court every year at the beginning of spring, but he really didn't understand these things.

But he believed in Wu Huaiyu.

"This product is so amazing, it should be promoted immediately!"

"I suggest that Shaofu Temple build a new Jiangdong plow workshop to produce this plow in large quantities."

The government-run workshop produces and sells to the common people. If there is no money to buy it temporarily, the common people can borrow money from young crops to buy it.

You can also authorize merchants to produce and sell, but you have to pay a sum of money, and then give them the drawings.

Wu Huaiyu does not suggest that the court should be free. The official workshops of the Shaofu Supervisor also need to make profits in order to develop soundly. The court also needs revenue and tax profits.

If it's all free, it's actually the most expensive.

Therefore, Wu Huaiyu also asked the emperor for a reward for inventing the Jiangdong plow very bluntly. Although the plow was made by Jiangdong craftsmen, Wu Huaiyu invested and offered a reward for research and development, and the ownership belongs to Wu Huaiyu.

Datang didn’t have a patent law, but he still asked for a reward. This was an attitude. He didn’t lack the money, but the court rewarded Jiang Dongli, which would play a good role, and the craftsmen would have the motivation to research and invent.

Technology is the primary productive force.

A Jiangdong plow family has greatly increased their wheat harvest this year. They only use five catties of seeds per acre of land, but they can harvest three stones. Reduced costs and increased production.

Otherwise, more seeds and more human and animal labor will be invested.

"It deserves a reward."

Li Shimin was very happy, not only agreed to Wu Huaiyu's request, but also made it more grand, and issued a formal edict, not only rewarding Huaiyu with a hundred guan coins, but also summoning the craftsman to Si Nong Temple to grant a five-year-old As an official of Pinpin, he was also given [-] yuan.

The so-called Qianjin City Horse Bone.

The emperor gave Wu Huaiyu a cup of buttermilk, which was sweet and sour, but Wu Huaiyu still didn't like this drink very much. He liked to make herbal tea with some herbs himself when it was hot.

"I heard that your family's Sanyuanxiu manor is very majestic and magnificent, covering an area of ​​[-] acres?"

Huaiyu smiled slightly, he is now in favor, so he doesn't have to worry about it, he is now an official, building a larger manor, it is not illegal, even though he occupies a lot of land, it is still The land bought by the Wu family is a pity to occupy a good grain field.

"I originally planned to build a ten-acre Zhuangzi, but the steward took the wrong blueprint, and the project was enlarged."

Ha ha.

Li Shimin scooped up a piece of ice and crunched it into his mouth.

Believe me, the steward took the wrong blueprint, can you turn ten acres of Zhuangzi into a hundred acres?

"That's right, it's in line with your current status to cultivate a bigger one. The dignified prime minister, Duke Yi, who has sealed [-] households, should build a bigger Zhuangzi in the village. That's right.

Whenever I am free, I will go to your village to live for a few days. "

Huaiyu smiled and said, "Then when the weather is cooler, Your Majesty can go hunting on the White Deer Plateau. There are often deer there. When you pass by Longqiao Fort, you can stay at the Chen Family Manor."

"Okay, that's it."

The emperor didn't worry too much about Wu Huaiyu's manor, and even asked Huaiyu to spread paper and rub ink. He even wrote a few plaques for Wu Huaiyu's manor.

"Famous in the Universe", "Looking at Luli", "Auspicious and More than Good", "Heirs of Good Virtue", "Blessings from God", "Hengtai Yongchang"

"Taiyuan Family", "Sanyuan Wu Family", "Jane in the Emperor's Heart"

When the emperor handed over the last painting to Huaiyu, "From now on, you will give me the heart of the emperor."

Wu Huaiyu knew the source of this sentence, "The Analects of Confucius · Yao said": "The emperor's ministers are not concealed, and the simplicity is in the emperor's heart." This sentence originally meant that the emperor's ministers did not dare to deceive him, but now it means that he is understood and appreciated by the emperor.

The emperor wrote a lot of inscriptions on Wu Huaiyu's manor, and the ink pen was bestowed by the emperor, but of course this is not as simple as it seems.

Wu Huaiyu is now the emperor's finance minister, who specializes in adjudicating Duzhi, in charge of the three yamen, and vigorously raises money for the emperor. The effect is very strong, but there are also many opposing opinions. with.

But it can't just be suppressed, the emperor has to express his opinion.

These imperial pen and Zhu inscriptions show the emperor's attitude.

Especially the Emperor Heart title, even more unusual.

Li Shimin's calligraphy is very beautiful. The emperor's favorite is the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, the sage of calligraphy. He kept looking for the authentic works of Wang Xizhi from the people. It is said that in his later years, he had owned more than 3000 authentic works of Wang Xizhi.

When Xuanzang came back from learning the scriptures, Li Shimin wrote a preface to the holy teachings of the Tripitaka, and then asked the monk Huairen to complete his article by collecting words from more than 3000 authentic works of Wang Xizhi, more than 900 words, and a group of people It took 25 years and it was not completed when Li Shimin died.

This sacred preface, which was composed of characters, also became a monument in the calligraphy world later. Each character is the ultimate rule of calligraphy, and it has become a masterpiece of the world.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Take it and frame it, and make a plaque. If Jane is in the heart of the emperor, hang it in the hall of your Duke Yi's mansion, and hang the rest on your Sanyuan Zhuangzi."

Wu Huaiyu believed that if this Jane was hung on the emperor's heart plaque at Wu's house, there would be fewer officials impeaching him, and even if the emperor's heart title came out, who would dare to attack him easily?
Although it is only the title of Emperor Xin, not the Emperor Teacher, it is enough to deter.

When Wu Huaiyu was chatting with the emperor, there were two other prime ministers. One was Wei Zheng, the Secretary of the Shangshu Zuocheng, and the other was Qin Qiong, the inspector, the right servant and the general of the left guard. In addition, there were Zhou Shaofan, the supervisor in the palace, Right Guard General Hou Junji.

Hongwenguan Zhixue, Qijulang, Shishu, and Chu Suiliang also recorded in the hall, and Zhang Xingcheng, the imperial censor in the hall, was also there.

Everyone watched Wu Huaiyu go to the countryside to harvest wheat and came back for seven days. The emperor summoned him immediately, and Wu Huaiyu immediately donated a Jiangdong plow.

Even Wei Zheng looked envious, even a little sour.

Qin Qiong stroked his beard from time to time, obviously very happy.

The rest of them were basically envious and jealous in their hearts.

Wu Huaiyu took advantage of the situation and proposed to the emperor to speed up the reconstruction of Chang'an, carry out the second phase of the renovation of the cross market in the square, and add [-] new squares.

In addition, it is requested to start the plan to demolish the walls of the two squares in each of the three cities around Chang'an, and transform the frontage into a commercial street.

Moreover, the plan proposed by Wu Huaiyu this time is different from the previous ones. This time the plan is that the imperial court actually expropriates the land facing the street, and the original residents are demolished to the south of the city, and the imperial court supplies them with land and money.

The requisitioned land will be transformed into street-facing shops, some of which will be sold and some will be rented out.

Wei Zheng couldn't help but ask that such demolition and land acquisition would be too disturbing to the people, and where would the money for compensation come from, and where would the money for the construction of the market come from?

Wu Huaiyu said that there is no need to worry about money. The whole project not only does not require money from the national treasury, but also makes money.

Wei Zheng expressed doubts, the imperial court didn't spend money, so it was for the common people to bear it?

"There is no need for the people to bear the burden. We need to do commercial development and attract investment. These commercial streets and shops will be very valuable in the future. We only need to realize the future income by cooperating with the merchants in advance. The merchants get long-term benefits, and the court is Quickly cash out, everyone gets their own benefits, the people will not be affected, and they can still enjoy the convenience brought by the market."

This mode is the simplest operation for future generations, but Wei Zhengzhi felt that it was a bit brain-burning, and he always felt that something was wrong.

When Li Shimin heard that he could make a fortune without paying money from the treasury, he immediately felt that this matter could be done.

"I heard that the national treasury has received a lot of money, how much money and food reserves are there?"

Huaiyu reported the number, the emperor took a breath, Wei Zheng had an incredulous expression, and Qin Qiong was very excited with a red face.

"Your Majesty, with so much money and food, we can send troops to crusade against the Turks this autumn. I invite you to fight!"

The emperor was also moved. Although the previous plan was to use troops in autumn next year, now that he has money, he has even introduced the Chinese Salt Law, which has also solved the problem of military supplies in the border areas.

"Huaiyu, I would like to hear your suggestion, can you fight, can you provide logistics, food and equipment?"

"It's possible to fight," Wu Huaiyu affirmed at first, and then said, "However, I feel that I am a little anxious to start the fight this autumn. I will be more prepared and foolproof when I wait a year for the fight."

The emperor's breathing became short of breath, he really couldn't wait any longer, Qin Qiong asked for a fight again, and now even Zhou Shaofan and Hou Junji stepped forward to ask for a fight.

Now that the world is unified, only the Turks are left. The opportunity is rare, and no general will miss it.

Civil officials like Wei Zheng, Chu Suiliang, and Zhang Xingcheng couldn't help frowning when they saw how excited they were. Civil servants are naturally war-weary.

Wei Zheng stood up and opposed it bluntly, thinking that the next autumn campaign would be a bit hasty, and the people should be given more rest and recuperation.

The emperor didn't say a word, it was obvious that he wanted to do something.

"His Majesty,"

Li Shimin looked up and saw Wu Huaiyu, "Duke Yi?"

"Nowadays, Jieli's internal and external troubles are indeed a good time to crusade, but I don't think we need to go off in person this year. I heard that the little Khan of Tuli in the east has been in constant conflict with Jieli, and the situation is already in dire straits. Your Majesty can send a team The envoys went to see Tuli, conferred him the title of Tuali, awarded him a drum, and then sent envoys to the Khitan, Xi, Yu, and Shiwei tribes, and asked them to cooperate with Tuli to conquer Xieli."

This trick is called driving away tigers and swallowing wolves.

Jieli and Tuli, uncles and nephews have deep conflicts, and now the situation is in dire straits, with constant conflicts, and Tuli also wrote several times asking Tang to send troops to attack Jieli.

Tuli obviously wanted to seize the position of Great Khan, and also wanted Datang to help him out of the fire, but why did Datang do this?

It should be the other way around, intensifying the conflict between Tuli and Jieli, forcing them to fight first. In this way, no matter who wins or loses when the two tigers fight, their vitality will be greatly damaged. Next year, the Tang army will send troops again, just to take advantage of the benefits to pick peaches.

Although the trick is a little bit damaged, the country is so cruel.

Li Shimin calmed down after listening.

"Well, the words of Yi Guogong are justified. Yijieli is cruel and tyrannical to the people. My Tang Dynasty canonized Tuli as the Turkic Khan, and Yushe as the Chuluo Khan, Nanmian Khan, and Shaboluo She. Suni lost his title as Sabolo Khan and Semyeon Khan..."

The emperor decided to hold a court meeting tomorrow, and asked the prime ministers, ministers and generals to discuss it together.

(End of this chapter)