Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 91: New Seeds and Rice Technology Promotion in Ming Dynasty
In the summer of May in the 13th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, in the imperial farm, Zhu Biao looked at the thousands of acres of golden rice ears in the fertile fields, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Because dozens of acres of land have been harvested this morning, and according to feedback, the average yield per acre is about 9 shi.

Zhu Yunfeng told him that one stone in the Ming Dynasty was equivalent to 180 kilograms today, which means that their yield per mu reached about 1620 kilograms.

When the crops were ripe for harvest here, it was already June in the Gregorian calendar and the harvest season in modern times, but they started a few days earlier than them.

According to Zhu Yunfeng, the yield per mu of his 1400 mu of land in the town basically remains between 1500 and kilograms.

This was beyond Zhu Biao's expectations.

After all, Zhu Yunfeng told them at the beginning that the yield of conventional rice per mu in a quarter was only about 800 kilograms, but now it has not only doubled, it is even higher than the yield in later generations, which is really surprising.

But now Zhu Biao is no longer a white-handed newbie. During the conversation with Zhu Yunfeng, he gradually understood the reasons.

The reason why Zhu Yunfeng said the yield per mu was 800 kilograms was because he found the information on the Internet.

But later I realized that this was an unscientific result.

Large agricultural households that are truly engaged in the farming industry can basically achieve an output of 1200 to 1300 kilograms per mu without using hybrid rice but high-yield conventional rice.

The situation where the yield per mu is 800 kilograms is because the seeds used by farmers are all self-saved seeds, the use of pesticides and fertilizers is unscientific, or even pesticides are not used at all, and the farming methods are very primitive, resulting in relatively low yields.

The situation is completely different for large agricultural companies.

Zhu Yunfeng later searched on Bilibili and found that some UP hosts who were large farmers had conducted popular science activities.

Basically, as long as you carry out scientific management, use pesticides and fertilizers reasonably, buy high-yield rice seeds, and plan field management, it is easy to achieve an output of 1100 to 1300 kilograms per mu in the first quarter.

Zhu Yunfeng, on the other hand, found a professional team. They not only bought high-yield conventional rice and selected good varieties, but also strictly followed scientific standards in the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and field management. Naturally, the yield was higher than that of the large farmers on Station B.

Then why is the per-acre yield higher in the Ming Dynasty than in modern times for the same operation?

The reason is also very simple.

The land reclaimed by Zhu Biao was the alluvial fan plain beside the Qinhuai River, and there were many fields built with silt along the river.

In addition, the climate and growing conditions here are better than those in the mountains.

In ancient times, chemical fertilizers were not abused, the soil fertility was not overdrawn, and ancient pests had no resistance to modern pesticides and died at the first touch.

Naturally, the same operation is caused by the fact that the yield of fields in the mountains that are fertilized all year round is not as good as the yield of silt fields by the river that are not fertilized.

So Zhu Biao also understood.

Basically, the output may only be so high in the first few times, and because modern fertilizers cannot be supplied to the entire Ming Dynasty, these 5,000 acres can only be regarded as a special case.

By the time it is promoted throughout the Ming Dynasty in the future, without modern fertilizers, it will be almost impossible to achieve this level of output by relying solely on farm manure made using traditional methods.

But even so, Zhu Biao was already very satisfied.

After all, before that, the highest yield per mu in a single quarter in the Ming Dynasty was only more than 500 jin, and the average yield per mu was often around 300-400 jin.

Now it has increased by 4-5 times.

Even if the output is reduced later, from 1620 catties to 800 catties per mu, it is still twice the output of the current Ming Dynasty.

In the future, we will promote emergency foods such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn, as well as other vegetables, peppers, fruits and other products in the north. Why should we worry that the Ming Dynasty will not have enough food?

"What do you think?"

Zhu Biao stood at the edge of the field, with his hands behind his back, and behind him were some respected elders.

Further away, there were countless men dressed as farmers.

These farmers were the agricultural representatives that Zhu Yuanzhang found from traditional agricultural areas in the Taihu Lake Basin, such as Suzhou, Changzhou, and Huzhou. They were generally village heads and chiefs.

Each of them brought a few people as witnesses, with their expenses borne by the court, so that they could see with their own eyes the yield of the rice fields.

At this moment, many farmers were standing on the edge of the fields, excitedly touching the plump ears of rice.

The old men standing next to Zhu Biao were called village elders in ancient times. Now they were all stunned and excited.

"Your Highness, this, this, this."

"The yield per mu is 9 dan. The yield per mu is 9 dan. My God, I have never seen such a prosperous era in my life."

"In the past, there were occasionally good fields that produced 6-7 dan per mu, but this one produced 9 dan per mu, and all of the fields produced 9 dan per mu."

"Your Highness, can the fields over there be like this?"

Many of the elders in the surrounding villages are speechless, because a yield of 9 shi per mu is already a miracle in their eyes.

Zhu Biao said with a smile: "It is rare to have a yield of 9 dan per mu, but if you cultivate it well, you should be able to have a yield of 6-7 dan per mu."

"Your Highness, why can it only produce 6-7 stones?"

An elder in the village asked hurriedly.

Zhu Biao explained: "Because this land is carefully taken care of by the court, it is not easy for you to achieve this. But if you follow the court's will, you will have no problem with high yields."

After that, he continued, "All the seeds produced will be sent to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and then the farmers will guide you to make them. The court will also set up a fertilizer station there to make special fertilizers, which will be managed by the local agricultural guards."

This is something Zhu Biao has considered well. In the second half of the year, all of these second-generation self-reserved seeds will be planted in the Taihu Lake Basin. Modern fertilizers certainly cannot be transported on a large scale, so they can only make compost by themselves using traditional methods.

However, a lot of pesticides can be transported, because pesticides can be diluted. With the power of modern pesticides, it is easy to deal with ancient pests.

He planned to set up a special Diannongwei there to manage it.

All experienced farmers trained in the imperial farm were given the position of Diannongwei Xiaoqi, allowing them to lead local farmers in standardized planting.

In this way, the 5000 acres of rice currently produced can grow and develop rapidly in the Taihu Lake Basin.

After about three years, when five or six generations have been planted and the seeds begin to degenerate, you can ask Zhu Yunfeng to transport the seeds over.

Over a long period of time, with the advanced experience of the Taihu Lake Basin, it will naturally be possible to promote rice planting technology throughout the south, greatly increasing grain production.

"Good good."

The surrounding village elders nodded repeatedly and were delighted after hearing this.

This may not be a good thing for the big landlords, but it is great news for small and medium-sized landlords and ordinary self-cultivating farmers.

After all, what the big landlords need is land annexation, while small and medium-sized landlords and self-cultivating farmers do not have the capital to carry out large-scale annexation. The more grain output, the better it is for them. Therefore, no one would not be happy to see this grand occasion with their own eyes.

As for whether the big landlords will cause trouble after realizing the seriousness of the problem, that is another matter.

It's best to be obedient and not cause trouble, but if you do cause trouble.

A cold light flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes.

His father is Zhu Yuanzhang!
At that moment, Zhu Biao ordered that all the rice be harvested.

Farmers in Huangzhuang re-selected high-quality rice seeds, which were then loaded into sacks and transported to Suzhou, Changzhou, Huzhou and other places, ready for planting in the second half of this year.

In the afternoon, Zhu Biao returned to the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang was working in his study. He now used a water-based pen to review memorials, which was much more convenient than a brush and could also be used quickly.

Hearing the footsteps, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and said calmly with a hint of excitement: "Harvest?"

“Harvest.”

"How much is an acre?"

"Nine stones, about one stone more than Yunfeng."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Father, my fields in Daming can produce nine dan per mu."

Zhu Yuanzhang's pen tip trembled and almost pierced the memorial.

Fortunately, the water-based pen does not drip ink, otherwise the memorial would definitely be ruined.

"Well, I see."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm and said, "It's as expected. What do the villagers think of it?"

"Everyone is very happy and is willing to plant in the Suhu area in the second half of the year." "Well, this matter is of utmost importance. It is related to the future foundation of our Ming Dynasty. You must take it to heart. It is a good time to issue an imperial edict to announce the good news to the world. You can write the content."

"Yes."

Zhu Biao found the imperial edict from the bookshelf, wrote the edict, then pressed the imperial seal and said, "Father, the edict is ready. I will send it to the Tongzhengsi immediately."

The Tongzhengsi of the Ming Dynasty was responsible for sending and receiving documents. In the past, the Tongzhengsi would send the documents to the Zhongshusheng, which would review them and then hand them over to the emperor. If the emperor thought there was no problem, he would send them to the Tongzhengsi for implementation.

Now that the Secretariat is gone, the person who makes the decision directly is the emperor. Basically, once the imperial seal is stamped on it, the edict can be sent out.

In the current Ming Dynasty, there are only two people who can issue edicts on behalf of Zhu Yuanzhang.

One is Empress Ma and the other is Zhu Biao.

However, Empress Ma would not use this power easily, or even basically would not use it. If she wanted to accomplish what she wanted, she would only ask Zhu Yuanzhang for help by persuading him.

Zhu Biao did not have this power before, but he has it now. To some extent, this is also the recognition of Zhu Biao by Zhu Biao.

"Well, let's go."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

Zhu Biao went to the Tongzhengsi.

Looking at his son's departing back, a hint of relief flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

My son has grown up and achieved great things.

Thinking about this, he looked at the notebook Zhu Biao gave him on the desk.

The content inside is the content of Zhu Biao's new policy.

To be honest, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't feel much disgust after reading it.

Because this new policy did not overturn all of his policies, it only made major revisions and supplements to prevent mistakes.

Even if some of the policies are to be cancelled in the future, it will be many years later.

of course.

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite dissatisfied with the fact that the imperial court did not provide supplies to the vassal kings.

After all, his sons are the apple of his eye.

How could he, as the eldest brother, treat his younger brothers so badly?

However, considering what Zhu Yunfeng said, the aftereffects of the court's supply to the vassal kings were too great, causing the national treasury to spend excessively, they had no choice but to compromise in the end.

Anyway, treasury expenditures are one thing, and his personal rewards are another.

If the court did not supply it, he would supply it himself.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Biao's efforts and became more and more recognized of his abilities.

Perhaps, he should indeed be given the power to rule the world.

Old Zhu thought to himself.

In the afternoon, the Ministry of Public Security received the imperial edict, which then quickly spread throughout the country.

of course.

The so-called "all over the world" actually means that the notice is sent to the provincial government offices, which then pass it on to the prefectures and counties, and the notice is posted in the prefectural capital, county town and major transportation routes.

The literacy rate was not high in the early Ming Dynasty. In addition, the clan power in the southern region was strong, so it was too difficult to extend the imperial power to the countryside.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's systems of the Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Book, as well as the appointment of village heads and headmen in the countryside, were still very helpful in controlling the villages and monitoring the local areas.

Once a stranger passes by, he will be monitored by these village heads and village chiefs.

If you don’t have a pass, you’re doomed and will be arrested.

However, doing so resulted in the village becoming isolated, and the head of the village, the head of the village, and the local gentry had great power.

It also deepened the local xenophobia.

soon.

A few days later, prefectures and counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions quickly posted notices.

Huzhou Prefecture, Gui'an County, as one of the cities of Huzhou Prefecture, Gui'an County and Wucheng County were separated by a canal.

There are many rivers in the east, west, south and north of the city, and there are rivers and lakes inside and outside the city.

But it is also thanks to the well-developed water system and the countless plains outside the city that Huzhou has thousands of miles of fertile fields and the reputation of "When Suzhou and Huzhou are prosperous, the world is prosperous" was born.

At this moment, the bailiffs had posted notices on the government office notice boards in the city and on major traffic arteries.

People who loved to watch the fun quickly gathered around.

The Jiangnan region has a strong reading culture and a high literacy rate. Someone immediately read out: "The court has newly developed a superior rice variety and fertilizer for cultivating fields, with an acreage yield of 9 shi. The rice seeds will soon be transported to Jiangsu and Zhejiang for widespread promotion. The planting methods and rice seeds and fertilizers will be taught by the Diannong Army. People in various places should listen carefully to the teachings of the court's Diannong Guards to increase acreage yields."

"Nine dan per mu? Is that true?"

"The court has announced it, so it must be true. I heard that the court summoned many village heads and chiefs to Nanjing to observe the rice some time ago."

"The chief of our village has returned. They said this is true. They saw with their own eyes the fertile fields of the imperial farm. An acre of land gave as much as 10 shi, as little as 8 shi, and most of them were around 9 shi."

"God bless me, if I can get 9 dan per mu, I won't have to go hungry anymore."

"We must go back and ask the head of our village when the seeds from the imperial court will be picked. If we plant them, we won't have to worry this year."

Some villagers were shocked, some were ecstatic, and some hurried back to the village to ask when the new seeds and fertilizers would be delivered.

Because it is already the end of May, and as the saying goes, farmers have few idle months and May is doubly busy.

The rice planting in the Jiangnan region adopts two seasons, one in spring and summer, and one in autumn and winter. Now that the spring rice has just been harvested, the autumn rice will be planted soon, and there can be no delay at all.

The news spread quickly and widely.

By early June, the imperial court had re-screened the newly harvested grain for quality and shipped large quantities of seeds to the south of the Yangtze River.

You should know that the yield per mu is 1600 kilograms, and for 5000 mu, the seeds alone would be 800 million kilograms.

Through the operation of an expert technical team, about 4 kilograms of seeds are used per mu, which means an output of 5000 mu, and 200 million mu of land can be planted.

of course.

We must select the best varieties and pick out the large and full rice seeds as seeds. The smaller rice seeds should be eaten and planted in disorder. The seeds from the same acre of land should not be kept to plant another acre, so as to achieve alternating reproduction.

After final screening, half of the seeds were kept and sent to Jiangnan.

But even so, there are more wolves than meat.

Since the Song Dynasty, tens of millions of acres of land have been developed in the Taihu Lake area, and even more land was developed during the Ming Dynasty.

The water system here is well developed and there is no shortage of water for irrigation, so the grain yield is abundant.

The existing seeds can only meet the needs of 100 million acres.

The imperial court's Department of Agriculture surveyed the land in June and eventually decided to select high-quality farmland for cultivation in Wuxi, Wuxian, Yixing, Changxing, Gui'an, Wujiang and other counties along the Taihu Lake.

At the same time, they set up a fertilizer station here, which was operated by a fertilizer company founded by His Royal Highness the King of Wu. They purchased feces, leaf mold, bone meal, and lime locally and made compost using traditional methods. The fertilizer produced was packed in sacks and sent to new fields for planting in various places.

For a time, the Suzhou-Lake area was in full swing. Stimulated by the yield of 1600 kilograms per mu, large quantities of rice began to be planted in July. Starting with breeding, these were new knowledge that farmers had never been exposed to before.

The only problem is that the seedlings cannot be suffocated.

Because a large amount of plastic film is needed to cover the seedlings, Zhu Yunfeng can still provide it for the 100 acres of Daminghuangzhuang, but there is really no way to do this for the million acres, so this step can only be skipped.

But even so, adding other steps and various types of field management can greatly increase yields and benefit the local people.

(End of this chapter)