After three days of traveling, the Western Envoy Brigade, which had taken a break in Chang'an, finally caught up with the camp that had returned east to Huayin County. Moreover, under the instruction of Emperor Liu Chengyou, the two carriages were personally greeted and escorted by guards. Enter the camp and go to the imperial tent.
"These are cotton seeds?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"Exactly!" After returning, Lu Duoxun, who had been working as a reporter in Liu Chengyou's side, immediately responded: "I have investigated and found that this product came from the West. It has been in the Western Frontier for hundreds of years and has been widely planted in the Western Region. The velvet and cloth produced by it have become the most important cold-proof and bedding products for the people in the northwest. There are many cotton cloths traded from the west in Guanzhong and Longyou.
I have heard that this material is easy to grow, loves light and is drought-resistant, has high yield, is widely used, and is extremely effective. If it is promoted, it can replace silk and linen and become the main clothing material of choice for people all over the world! I ask your majesty to write down the system and promote it. Planting this plant in the Central Plains will definitely benefit the court and the people of the Han Dynasty!"
Lu Duoxun sang in a high tune. Liu Chengyou didn't speak for a while, but carefully observed the cotton seeds brought back from the Western Regions. They were brown, egg-shaped, with a pointed head and thick tail, with a little white on the tip, just like a brown soil mountain. The top was covered with a layer of white snow.
This is the first time Liu Chengyou has seen what cotton looks like with his own eyes. As for the role of cotton, Lu Doson knows very well. When he sent Lu to the west, he had told him to find a way to bring it back. Some cotton varieties are promoted.
But listening to his unusually proactive suggestions, whether he really discovered its effectiveness or just to cater to himself, Liu Chengyou admired this attitude.
However, Liu Chengyou remained calm at this time, put down a few cotton seeds in his hand, and said: "Of course I know the benefits of this thing, but it is not that easy to promote it in the Central Plains.
Not many people are aware of the benefits of this crop. Will people who have never grown it be willing to grow it? If the environment is changed, can it grow normally in the Central Plains? People depend on food. Will these crops affect the food supply? Planting…
These issues need to be considered, and they cannot be implemented with just one edict. Even if the court forces it, how can the people grow it willingly? The most important thing is that the people in the Central Plains have no experience in planting this plant, so they want to promote it. , the first thing to solve is the planting method!"
Hearing the emperor's remarks, Lu Duoxun's lips curled up slightly, and he said with a look of admiration: "Your Majesty is very worried. This matter cannot be rushed. I am impatient! However, I am returning east this time. We also brought back two cotton farmers from the northwest!”
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately looked at him with admiration and said with a smile: "Well, Lu Dosun, I'm afraid you have already thought about it!"
Lu Duoxun smiled modestly.
"Bring those two cotton farmers up, I want to meet them!" Liu Chengyou waved.
Soon, two middle-aged men were brought to the front of the king. One was tall and the other was short. Both were lean and had dark skin, obviously from too much sun. They were wearing cotton clothes.
Seeing Liu Chengyou's bright yellow clothes, he quickly prostrated himself and said with a little fear: "I see you, His Majesty the Emperor!"
Liu Chengyou also held a few cotton-padded clothes in his hand, which were soft in texture but rough in workmanship. Looking at the two of them, their accents were a bit strange and their conversation was vague, but they were barely understandable. Liu Chengyou was surprised: "You can actually speak Mandarin!"
Lu Duoxun explained from the side: "They were originally survivors of the Tang Dynasty. On the way back east, I also spent time teaching them elegant pronunciation. After such a long time, they couldn't speak well, but they could barely talk, for your Majesty's observation. ask!"
Liu Chengyou likes Lu Duoxun more and more. His arrogance and arrogance may make people unhappy, but his talent and agility are real.
"How long have you been growing cotton?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"More than ten years!" the short man replied.
"Are you willing to travel thousands of miles eastward to return to the Central Plains?"
After hearing the question, the two of them looked at each other and looked at Lu Duosun, who was standing beside the emperor. The short man replied: "Shijun Lu told us that we can get rich rewards when we return to the Central Plains.
After hearing what the two said, Lu Duoxun smiled awkwardly at Liu Chengyou. Liu Chengyou looked cheerful and said: "He is right! I will indeed reward you, but there are conditions!"
The two of them were stunned for a moment, their confidence was a little weak, and they responded: "The common people only know how to plow the land, grow cotton, and herd livestock..."
"It's quite a lot!" Although the cotton farmers are mediocre, and some people are shrewd and greedy, Liu Chengyou seems to be very close to the people: "Stop kneeling, stand up and answer!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"How long will it take for this cotton to mature? How many seasons can it be grown in a year?" Liu Chengyou was concerned about some details.
"In Xizhou, spring is planted and autumn is harvested. If the time is short, it only takes five months from seedling emergence to catkins! You can only plant one season a year, but you need to harvest it multiple times!"
Liu Chengyou pointed to the two carts of cotton seeds again: "You have a long way to go back. Can these cotton seeds still be used?"
The short man replied: "These cotton seeds are all new ones from last year. They are relatively well preserved along the way. Even if they are damaged, most of them are still usable!"
Nodding, Liu Chengyou no longer asked about the specific situation, but resumed his usual strength, stared at the two of them and said: "I will set aside a few hectares of suitable land for you two, and find some common people for you. You guys Use these cotton seeds to teach them cotton planting, management and a series of other things to cultivate cotton suitable for planting in the Central Plains. As long as you teach well, I will not hesitate to reward you! Are you willing?"
The power of God was exposed, and the two small farmers were so frightened that they prostrated themselves: "I am willing, small people!"
"I will send more people to you!" Pointing to the two trucks, he said: "I will leave it to you to take charge of these two trucks of cotton seeds!"
"yes!"
"Take them down!"
There was some progress in the cotton affairs, and Liu Chengyou was in a good mood. He took Lu Duoxun for a walk in the camp. The sun was shining brightly, falling on his body, and the heat warmed his heart. Liu Chengyou felt that the whole world was much clearer and brighter.
"Your Majesty is still considering planting cotton?" Lu Duoxun asked proactively.
Nodding, Liu Chengyou clasped his hands behind his back and said slowly: "This thing is planted in spring and harvested in autumn every year. It is midsummer now. If you want to sow it in the ground, you will have to wait until next year. And when they have harvested it, it will be enough." The extent of large-scale promotion in the Central Plains cannot be achieved in a short time. Therefore, I am not in a hurry on this matter!"
As for whether it will succeed, Liu Chengyou is not worried at all.
"I won't hide it from you. I have decided to promote cotton cultivation under the rule of the Han Dynasty, even if it is forced by administrative orders." Liu Chengyou confided his determination to Lu Duoxun and said seriously: "However, compared to imposing it on the people, I still I would rather let things happen as time goes by, and let the people take the initiative to plant!"
After hearing the emperor's words, Lu Duoxun immediately said: "Your Majesty, in addition to cultivating food, the common people also raise silkworms, plant mulberry and plant hemp. Since they can grow hemp, they can also grow cotton. I think that the world is bustling with profit and gain. In the past, in the future, people may be repelled because they were not familiar with cotton and did not know its benefits. However, as long as the court vigorously publicizes it to let them understand the benefits of cotton and make them profitable, and then supplement it with government decrees, it will naturally take effect. Good results!”
With his eyes slightly bright and full of energy, Liu Chengyou looked at Lu Duoxun and asked with interest: "Lu Duoxun, you are young, but you are very good at figuring out my thoughts. Your thoughts are not mine." But the same!"
After hearing this, Lu Duoxun became a little more cautious and said cautiously: "How dare I presume to speculate on His Majesty's thoughts? It's just an accident."
Smiling, Liu Chengyou looked to the west and said: "I intend to open up a large market in the northwest, and the government will organize trade with Helong forces, not only to penetrate it, but also to strengthen exchanges, and gradually restore influence. At the same time, re-open the Hexi Corridor , Encourage merchants to go to the West Market and purchase cotton cloth from the West! Starting from the northwest border states, we will gradually promote cotton products to the east so that the people can be familiar with them first!"
"Your Majesty's consideration is very wise!" Lu Duoxun first agreed, and then cautiously raised some concerns: "However, the journey is long, the transportation is inconvenient, and the trade route is too risky, and the value of cotton is not high compared to other goods. I'm afraid Not many people are willing to sell…”
"This is something I didn't expect!" Liu Chengyou was not angry when the problem was pointed out. Instead, he thought about it seriously and said: "Before cotton cultivation in the Central Plains developed, the imperial court canceled all customs and city taxes on cotton products. Guanzhong, Northwest Governments and the military should also use cotton quilts in appropriate amounts.
As for the security of the trade routes, the Dahan should work together with the various forces in Lanliang, Gansu, and Guasha to maintain it. The Dahan will take the lead in suppressing bandits, ensuring the security of the Silk Road, and maintaining stability in various places. They should not refuse! "
"Your Majesty is wise!" Lu Duoxun said in sincerity.
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