Women Wearing Men: The Growth Path of the Bastards of the Aristocratic Family

"This time I'm here, I have something to offer to Mr. Pu."

After Yan Zhengqian said this mysteriously, he tinkered in his sleeves for a long time, took out three or two round potatoes and placed them in front of Pu Tingnan, with a face as if offering treasures to please: "This is what I want to give to Mr. Pu. , a high-yield food crop with a yield of thousands of kilograms per mu - potato."

"Potatoes?"

Pu Tingnan picked up a potato, looked at it in his hand, and asked curiously: "You said this thing can produce a thousand catties per mu? Is it true? Why have you never seen it before?"

Yan Zhengqian was filled with excitement as he introduced the potato and gushed: "Of course it's true! The potato is originally from America and is not a crop of our country in the summer. Later, it was brought to our country by the Francons and was adopted by them. It's called 'Po Ta Ta'. We locals found the name difficult to remember, so seeing that it looked a bit like a taro and that it had traveled across the ocean, we called it potato."

"Potatoes have been planted on a large scale in Xuzhou Prefecture. When sowing, it takes [-] kilograms per acre. When harvested, it can be at least [-] to [-] kilograms. If you are lucky, the yield can be [-] kilograms per mu. It’s not unusual to weigh a thousand pounds!”

"The yield per mu is two thousand kilograms! How can there be such a high yield of grain in the world?!" Pu Tingnan was shocked. He turned over the potato in his hand and looked at it again and again. He just couldn't see that such a small thing could be so big. ability.

When he was in Xuzhou Mansion, Yan Zhengqian had a very negative attitude towards Gu Yunji's potato planting, but he was not a fool. On the surface, he looked down on potatoes, but that didn't mean he thought so in his heart.On the contrary, he is actually very optimistic about the future development of Yangyao.

Yan Zhengqian had seen with his own eyes how high the yield of potatoes was, and subsequent facts proved that what Gu Yunji said was true.

It can be said that this time Chen Xunzhou increased the rent significantly, and the tenants were still able to swallow their anger and did not unite to rebel. This is largely due to the potato - after all, for the people, as long as they have something to eat, there is no limit to their success. , there won’t be a large number of people taking risks and choosing to rebel.

However, Yan Zhengqian clearly valued Yangyao, but he still showed disdain in front of Gu Yunji. The main reasons were twofold.

First, he couldn't let go of his face. When Gu Yunji initially tried to persuade him and Chen Xunzhou to ask the government for funds to buy seeds, they refused, forcing Gu Yunji to have no choice but to ask Fan Li for money to buy seeds.

Now that the effect of the potato promotion has come out, everyone can see how important the potato is. For Yan Zhengqian to lick his old face and bow down in front of a young boy to admit his mistake and admit that he made a mistake in his judgment in the first place is simply more uncomfortable than killing him.

The second is that although potatoes are paid as taxed food, they are still food after all. They can be eaten as food, not to mention that they are such a high-yielding food that can feed thousands of people.The imperial court does not know about the existence of potatoes now, but if it knows, it will definitely pay attention to it. The first person to offer potatoes will naturally be honored and have a bright future.

Seriously, if you want to dedicate potatoes to the emperor, you must have reported it at all levels. First, the Xuzhou Prefecture discussed and decided internally. The prefect, co-prefects, and general magistrates jointly reported to the Chief Secretary. After the Chief Secretary learned about it, he reported to the central government.When he arrived in the capital, he had to go through many hands at the cabinet, the emperor, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Public Affairs, etc. The process was very cumbersome.

As a result, not only is the efficiency inefficient and it may not be possible to credit Yan Zhengqian before he is transferred, but he also has to share the credit with everyone in every link.Especially Gu Yunji, he was the first person to discover and grow potatoes, and he was definitely the person who benefited the most from the court's reward system.

Instead of doing this, it would be better for Yan Zhengqian to dedicate the potatoes to Pu Tingnan privately. As a provincial-level governor, Pu Tingnan can directly write to the emperor and return to Beijing to report on his duties at the end of the year. At that time, he can dedicate the potatoes to Jingnan in his own name. Emperor Feng, record a first contribution from Emperor Jingfeng.Pu Tingnan recorded his first contribution in Emperor Jingfeng's heart, and Yan Zhengqian could naturally record his first contribution in Pu Tingnan's place. He and Pu Tingnan should take the credit that belonged to Gu Yunji and others. This was his plan.

It's ironic that Yan Zhengqian usually sneered at Gu Yunji's potato cultivation, but now he wants to steal other people's achievements to embellish his own political achievements, and he doesn't even blush when he lies:

"Potato is a very common thing in America, but it has not been grown in my country before. It was Xiaguan who accidentally discovered this thing on a Western merchant's ship and took some back to try planting. Only then did he know about it. The yield is so high that just one acre of land can produce enough food for several people for a year.”

"Moreover, potatoes can be grown twice a year, one in spring and one in autumn. They can be harvested in two or three months. They can be planted on dry fields, which is convenient and hassle-free and does not take up the paddy fields used for rice. It is said to be given to me by God. Daxia, it’s not an exaggeration to ask me to provide the people with enough food and clothing.”

Seeing him exaggerating about this thing, Pu Tingnan was doubtful: "Don't exaggerate too much. If you really say so well, why should we grow rice and wheat? Wouldn't it be better to let the people grow all potatoes?"

Yan Zhengqian said: "I really didn't brag, Mr. Pu. Everything I said is true. Of course, potatoes are not perfect. If you eat too much, you will get heartburn and gastrointestinal discomfort. For us, it is just another dish on the table. That’s all. The rich peasants from better-off families don’t have much to plant. Only the poor and untouchables who can’t afford to eat plant more, just to make ends meet.”

"This time there was a severe drought in central Sichuan, and Chen Xunzhou dared to raise the rent so high because all the tenants had more or less potatoes planted in their homes. Even if he took away all the rice, the people would still have food to eat."

Speaking of this, Yan Zhengqian patted his chest confidently and said confidently: "Mr. Pu, you may not be able to tell it now. By the end of the year, when the people have almost eaten their food reserves, I dare to assure you that Xuzhou Prefecture will The number of people who starve to death must be the fewest among all the prefectures in Sichuan, and the reason is because of this potato."

These words were somewhat credible. Pu Tingnan was very interested: "So confident? If that's true, Governor Yan, the court will record your great merits."

Yan Zhengqian picked up a potato and held it in front of Pu Tingnan. He smiled flatteringly and said, "This is not Xianguan's credit. This is clearly your credit, Mr. Pu. Xianguan just brought the potatoes into Xuzhou Prefecture, and the people planted them spontaneously. It was Mr. Pu who had the foresight to realize that this thing was extraordinary and was the first to present it to His Majesty. You are the one who should be remembered by the court for your great merits."

Pu Tingnan looked at him with unclear meaning: "The high yield of potato will definitely affect the entire Great Xia in the future. Sir Yan is willing to give up such outstanding political achievements to me?"

Yan Zhengqian still had a flattering look on his face: "No matter what you give in to, this is yours."

Pu Tingnan smiled and simply opened the skylight and spoke frankly: "Master Yan, I don't want you to beat around the bush. You gave me such a credit, and I certainly can't let you be left empty-handed. Feel free to ask for whatever you want. As long as I There is nothing that Putin can do that he should not do."

Hearing this, a look of surprise flashed in Yan Zhengqian's eyes for a moment, he rubbed his hands in embarrassment, and said somewhat tentatively: "I heard that Ding You, the right counselor in the Chief Secretary, has returned to his hometown. Can I cannot……"