One month after Lan Yuan was born, the spring plowing and sowing season came.
As the first season after migration, it is very important to have a good start. Lantian allows a small number of people to continue planting millet and wheat, while most people have to learn to grow rice.
At that time, there was rice in the north, but the yield in dry fields was not as high as that of millet, so very little was planted. Even so, Lantian asked people to bring rice seeds from the north.
The common people admired Lantian enthusiastically, but most of them were not familiar with rice farming, so they waited for the Diannong Captain's step-by-step instruction.
Lantian planned to teach the fifty students the rice planting process first, and then spread it out in batches through these people.
When cattle were scarce, the newly moved people had some new fields that had not yet been plowed, which gave them a time lag.
The first is seed selection and seedling cultivation. Farmers who have migrated here are still familiar with seed selection, which is nothing more than seeds with full grains and good appearance, but the handling of seeds is a science.
The selected rice seeds must be dried in the sun for several days. Due to the scarcity of salt and the lack of disinfectant solution, Lantian can only simply clean the seeds.
The fields used to raise seedlings are sown with plant ash, green manure and other materials in advance. After the seeds are processed, they can be germinated and sown.
During the seedling raising period, the fifty students continued to spread the knowledge they had learned, while Lan Tian took time off to go home and hold his son.
The local people in Linwu also grow rice. Seeing how time-consuming and laborious these newcomers are, everyone feels strange and think that the people from the north are not as good at planting as we are?
There was no plastic film at that time, and the seedlings were prone to cold during cultivation. Lan Tian asked people to cover them with thin cloths at night to block the wind, and then remove them during the day to absorb sunlight.
In ancient times when resources were scarce, everything had to be done by manpower. Fortunately, there were no entertainment activities to divert time.
The biggest entertainment for ordinary people now is growing crops, and their most basic need is to have enough to eat, so even if it's a bit hard, everyone is full of energy.
When the seedlings grow to three to five inches, they need to be divided and transplanted. This is the most difficult time of growing rice, because you need to bend your waist all day long, and you are really facing the loess and your back to the sky.
Dry fields in the north are relatively easy. Now each seedling needs to be firmly transplanted into paddy fields at proportional intervals.
Practice makes perfect in the art of transplanting rice seedlings, and they will get better and better through continuous accumulation of experience. During this period, Lantian asked them to eat extra lunch, because it is really energy-consuming.
When transplanting rice seedlings, you need to control the water depth in the field, as long as the soil is not exposed. In addition, the newly reclaimed land is hard, so transplanting rice seedlings deeply can make the seedlings strong.
If the soil becomes soft after a few years, the transplanting depth should be made shallower, otherwise the seedlings will easily float due to their own weight as they sink.
After transplanting the rice seedlings, the men in every household lay down for a few days. After this season of planting, they have gained another survival skill.
Rice likes high temperatures, high humidity, short days, and has loose requirements on soil. Because the newly cultivated rice fields are close to the Qin River, it is very convenient to divert water for irrigation. The key to the later stage is weeding and insect repellent, which farmers are already familiar with.
After the 100th day of Lanyuan, the climate in Linwu has become extremely warm, and the newly planted rice has reached the heading stage. At this time, appropriate top dressing is needed to increase the yield.
In addition to plant ashes, villagers brought human and animal excrement for watering.
When relocating to new buildings, Lantian not only planned the location and size of the houses for the people, but also forced every household to build dry toilets.
Building dry latrines can not only control the spread of diseases, but also increase fertilizer through dilution during farming.
Looking at the green seedlings, Lantian feels full of vitality, just like a blue scroll giving people hope.
"Sir, these rice seedlings are growing very well. Months of hard work have finally paid off. I wonder if the yield will be higher than that of corn?" Gao Shun asked from the side.
"Maybe it's not too different..." Lan Tian said.
Since it is not a high-yield hybrid rice, it is almost impossible to achieve the terrible yields of later generations. The process of developing hybrid rice is quite complicated, and it is almost impossible for Lantian to complete it on his own.
"Why don't you just keep planting millet? Sir, you don't need to bother teaching me anymore." Gao Shun looked puzzled.
Lan Tian smiled slightly and said, "Cavalry is mostly used in battles in the northern plains, while the hilly and mountainous areas in the south are suitable for infantry. Just like fighting, these crops also need to be adapted to local conditions. The south is mild and rainy, which is more suitable for the growth of water-loving rice. Besides, they are also willing to learn."
"Everything you say, sir, has a profound meaning." Gao Shunxin said that you would teach you how to survive, and these farmers naturally flocked to you.
"I hope the rice will suffer less diseases and disasters," Lantian said to himself.
Without the aid of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, machinery, etc., in ancient times, if you wanted to increase production and have a good harvest, you largely had to rely on the weather. Lantian could only use his own knowledge to maximize the benefits for the people.
"Speaking of using troops, General Gan..." Gao Shun hesitated before speaking.
"If you have something to say, you might as well speak up." Lan Tian asked upon seeing this.
"General Gan has maintained good public security since he became the county captain, but he has been quite rough with some Vietnamese people who committed crimes. This is somewhat inconsistent with Mr. Gan's policy of promoting ethnic integration and being gentle..." Gao Shun has always been quick to talk, but Gan Ning is quite popular.
Lan Tian re-used, he was not willing to speak ill of people behind their backs.
"Is the same true for Han people?" Lan Tian asked again.
Gao Shun nodded, "Yes, treat everyone equally."
"There is no problem if everyone is treated equally. There is no rule without rules. Although I say that I should treat Yue people kindly, I can't just leave it to chance. Gan Xingba has done a good job in this regard." Lan Tian affirmed.
"Sir, I understand when you say this. In fact, General Gan not only maintained the security of Linwu, but also dredged rivers to help the people divert water and build canals. Just being a county captain is a bit unqualified." Gao Shun said.
Lan Tian laughed, "Isn't our General Gao even more talented? As long as you are willing, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
"My mission is still to protect the master, and of course my husband and little master." Gao Shun said solemnly.
Lan Tian looked into the distance and sighed: "Why don't you take Wu Gou and collect the fifty states in Guanshan..."
When Gao Shun was lost in thought, Lan Tian continued: "I have gained some insights from leading people to plant rice these days. In fact, it can also be used as a reference in the military. Let's gather the Xingba together and let's discuss teaching a group of general students?"
"Can a general teach it? This is all based on military merit..." Gao Shun reminded.
"Promotions are naturally based on military merit, but if you want people to make the most of their talents, try to create opportunities for them. Some are good at setting up battles, some are good at mobilizing troops, some are good at scouting, and some are good at logistics. As long as someone gives guidance, it will be effective, but in this kind of camp
Military affairs require generals like Bo Ping to discover that there is running water at the source so it will not dry up..." Lan Tian said.
Gao Shun stroked his beard and asked, "Sir, is this method useful?"
Lan Tian nodded and said, "I think we can give it a try."
Gao Shun said: "Then General Gan and I will work together and select twenty soldiers from each battalion to be students. When the time comes, sir, I will tell you how to teach them."
Chapter completed!