Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 714 Changing Saline-Alkali Land

In early summer, the golden wheat fields on the Jinan Plain should be rolling like a sea, but the scene before us is worrying.

Lin Che squatted by the edge of the field, picking up a clump of soil with his fingers and rubbing it gently between his fingertips. The soil had an unhealthy grayish-white color, with tiny crystals mixed in between the particles, giving it an eerie glow in the sunlight.

"Just as I thought." Lin Che frowned, placing the soil into the porcelain bottle he carried with him. He stood up, brushed the dust off the hem of his long robe, and glanced at the barren land. The wheat seedlings in the distance were sparse and thin, their edges scorched yellow, as if burned by invisible flames.

Wang De, the county magistrate accompanying him, wiped the sweat from his brow and cautiously asked, "Lord Lin, what exactly is the problem with the land south of Jin? Since I took office, taxes have been insufficient every year, and the people are suffering endlessly. No matter how much fertilizer and irrigation we apply, the harvest is always disappointing."

Lin Che didn't answer immediately. He walked to a crooked old willow tree by the field, took out a leather water bag from his bag, and poured some water at the base of the tree. After the water seeped into the soil, a layer of white powder quickly appeared on the surface.

"Lord Wang, please look," Lin Che pointed to the layer of white frost, "This is the crux of the problem."

Wang De leaned closer for a closer look, his face full of doubt: "This is... salt?"

“Exactly.” Lin Che nodded. “And it’s not just salt, there’s also a lot of alkaline substances. We call this kind of soil saline-alkali land.”

Upon returning to the county government office, Lin Che immediately ordered a gathering of local farmers and officials. By sunset, more than twenty people had gathered in the backyard of the office. Lin Che stood on the steps, a simple soil profile he had drawn on the road hanging behind him.

"Gentlemen," Lin Che cleared his throat, his voice exceptionally clear in the twilight, "I have invited you all here today to explain the fundamental reasons for the poor harvests in the Jinan region over the years."

A commotion arose in the crowd. The old farmers whispered among themselves, while the officials straightened their backs. Wang De stood at the front, notebook in hand, ready to take notes.

Lin Che smiled slightly and took out the porcelain bottle containing a soil sample from his sleeve. "So-called saline-alkali land refers to soil containing excessive salt and alkaline substances, causing the land to lose its suitable conditions for plant growth." He poured the soil sample into his palm and showed it to everyone. "It's a type of infertile soil; growing crops on such land is almost impossible."

An elderly farmer with a wrinkled face couldn't help but speak up: "Sir, I've been farming for fifty years and have never heard of 'saline-alkali land.' This land has been cultivated like this for generations, so why are crops becoming increasingly scarce in recent years?"

“Good question.” Lin Che nodded approvingly, picking up another bottle from the table. “This is a soil sample record from this land thirty years ago.” He poured out some dark brown soil. “Now look at it.” “Comparing the two, the soil now is clearly lighter in color and coarser in texture.”

"There are several reasons for salinization," Lin Che said, pointing to the blueprints behind him. "First, a high water table means that salt remains on the surface after water evaporates; second, improper irrigation introduces river water with high salt content; and third, over-cultivation damages the soil structure."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood, and whispers of surprise and delight filled the air. Wang De quickly took notes, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He finally understood why the arable land in the Jinan area had never been effectively utilized, and why the crops always grew sparsely and weakly, failing to produce a bountiful harvest.

"Is there a solution?" Wang De couldn't help but ask, his voice slightly shrill with urgency.

Just as Lin Che was about to answer, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open. A squad of Imperial Guards filed in and lined up on both sides. Everyone hurriedly knelt down—Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in ordinary clothes, strode in accompanied by several ministers.

"Rise, all of you." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, his gaze falling directly on Lin Che. "I've heard you've discovered the crux of the agricultural problems in Jinnan?"

Lin Che bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I have indeed made a discovery."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked to the table, picked up the two clay sample bottles, and compared them, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. "Explain in detail."

Lin Che reiterated the causes and harms of saline-alkali land. Zhu Yuanzhang listened, his face gradually darkening. When he heard that this situation might take several years to improve, a hint of helplessness flashed across the emperor's face; he realized that the complexity of the problem far exceeded his expectations.

"Your Majesty," Jia She, the Vice Minister of Revenue, suddenly stepped forward, "I believe this matter requires caution. The concept of saline-alkali land is unprecedented. A hasty change in farming methods could potentially impact tax revenue." "Lord Jia," Lin Che interrupted politely, "I have experience managing similar land in Jiangnan, and I have successful precedents to follow."

Jia She sneered, "How can the land and water of Jiangnan be compared to that of the North? Lord Lin is far too confident."

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to stop the argument from escalating: "Lin Che, tell me your plan."

Lin Che took a deep breath, took out a roll of blueprints from his bag, and slowly unfolded it on the table. “First, we need to dig drainage ditches to lower the water table; second, we need to irrigate with clean water to flush out soil salinity; third, we need to apply organic fertilizer to improve soil structure; finally, we should initially plant salt-tolerant crops such as barley and sugar beets, and then plant wheat after the soil has improved.”

Zhu Yuanzhang carefully examined the blueprints, nodding occasionally. Jia She, however, had a livid face, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

"How much silver will these projects cost? How long will it take?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"The initial estimate is that it will require five thousand taels of silver, and the results will be visible in three years," Lin Che replied.

"Absurd!" Jia She could no longer contain himself. "Five thousand taels of silver just to test a vague and unfounded theory? Your Majesty, the drought in the north is severe this year, the national treasury is tight, where would we find the extra money for such an experiment?"

Lin Che remained calm and composed: "Lord Jia, the annual tax reductions in the Jinan region due to poor harvests exceed five thousand taels. A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one."

Jia She was trembling with rage, his eyes bloodshot, and he roared, "You brat! Do you know how many soldiers on the border can be supported by five thousand taels of silver? You expect the court to risk real money based on your empty talk?"

"Minister Jia!" Zhu Yuanzhang sternly rebuked him, "Watch your actions."

Jia She hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have lost my composure. Please forgive me. But I am truly worried about the affairs of the state."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak immediately. He walked to the old locust tree in the courtyard and looked up at the rising moon. The night breeze carried the scent of the distant fields—a bitter smell mixed with the saltiness of the soil.

"Lin Che," the emperor suddenly spoke, "how much silver would it cost to provide you with a small experimental field?"

Lin Che's eyes lit up: "A hundred acres of land, five hundred taels will suffice."

"Your Majesty!" Jia She exclaimed urgently, "Even five hundred taels is the hard-earned money of the people!"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his gaze sharp: "Minister Jia, do you have a better way to solve the problem of consecutive years of poor harvests in Jinnan?"

Jia She was speechless, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "Your Majesty, I believe we should strengthen tax collection and administration, rather than..."

"Enough." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to stop him. "My mind is made up. Allocate 100 mu of experimental land to Lin Che, along with 500 taels of silver. Wang De will fully cooperate."

Wang De immediately kowtowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."

(End of this chapter)