Cotton was introduced to China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Before that, there was no word "cotton" for cotton. Mulberry and hemp have long been the only choices for people to make clothes. Basically, the rich and the rich wore silk and brocade, while the poor
They only had linen to wear.
The word "cotton" appeared for the first time in the "Song Book", indicating that cotton was entering people's field of vision. However, at this time, cotton was mainly grown in border areas and was not fully popularized. Until now, the scope of cotton planting has also
It was still limited to the borders of the Han Dynasty.
But in the end Cotton was discovered by Sun Simiao in advance.
Sun Simiao, who was in need of a disinfectant alcohol carrier, accidentally discovered cotton at a market and used it for alcohol disinfection. Therefore, cotton's entry into people's field of vision should be due to the complete trade network that the Han Dynasty has established.
, even goods from the Western Regions are not uncommon items on the streets of Jiankang Mansion.
The large-scale planting and utilization of cotton is inseparable from Sun Simiao. Sun Simiao, who realized the importance of cotton, quickly asked Li Xinchen to apply for planting cotton. To be honest, after seeing Sun Simiao's application, Li Xinchen himself
He was a little surprised. In his impression, cotton should not have appeared so early in the history of China. After all, cotton was introduced to the Central Plains through the Western Regions and became China's main crop only after the Tang and Song Dynasties.
It's just that Li Xinchen didn't expect that the economic network he had built would actually show cotton that was supposed to grow in the corners of the border so long in advance. Sun Simiao's application naturally fell into Li Xinchen's mind.
Because he is very clear about the role of cotton, which is secondary to medical treatment and more importantly to textile. As the main component of clothing, cotton can effectively enhance the warmth-keeping effect of clothing, which naturally solves the problem of "food and clothing".
The problem of "warmth".
Food and clothing have been two major issues that have troubled Chinese rulers since ancient times. China has a vast land and rich products. The people have never had any special needs. As long as they can have enough to eat, they can do anything. However, because there is little cultivated land and a large population
, in addition, farming really all depends on whether God will give him face, coupled with political conflicts and institutional flaws, so food and clothing cannot be guaranteed from time to time, and naturally some people will rise up.
Therefore, if Li Xingchen wanted to keep his position as well as that of his descendants strong, he would try his best to solve the problem of food and clothing, and at least eliminate one source that might lead to the subversion of the dynasty.
This is why Li Xingchen focused on developing hybrid rice when he went south, and now he has set his sights on cotton.
Increasing food output and improving the people's ability to withstand the cold are naturally two good choices for stabilizing the political power.
Of course, from a deeper level, if you have cotton, you can make cotton-padded clothes. With cotton-padded clothes, people can withstand colder winters and naturally develop further north. Li Xingchen wanted to establish a complete and stable rule over the north. Cotton
It is destined to become a sharp blade.
In Li Xingchen's view, the northern border of China cannot stay at the line of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun. In fact, the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun is also the border of the Great Wall. In the settings of the emperors of the Qin and Han dynasties, the Great Wall has never been anything.
Defensive facilities, how can it be so easy to block the mighty northern barbarians with just a wall and a few cities? In history, both the Song and Ming dynasties have made similar attempts, but in the end they were not always the same.
A complete failure?
When the battle line retreated to the foot of the Great Wall, the Central Plains Dynasty was about to face disaster.
The role of the Great Wall is to serve as a stepping stone to conquer the north. The Han army should use the Great Wall as a support and cotton clothes as a shield to continue its expedition northward, and eventually the entire grassland and the northeast will be shrouded under the iron hooves of the Han Dynasty.
Cotton-padded clothes not only allowed Han soldiers to go further, but also allowed the people to go further. If the Han Dynasty wanted to develop the grasslands, the Northeast and even Goguryeo, cotton-padded clothes would be indispensable.
Let’s forget about relying on “shaking” to resist the cold, not to mention it’s still the Little Ice Age.
So when Sun Simiao saw cotton, he saw the future of medicine, and when Li Xingchen saw cotton, he saw the future of China.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, taking advantage of the opportunity to defeat the Xianbei and the Turks, and when there was only the weak Xueyantuo tribe on the grassland, Li Xingchen wanted to occupy the grassland, defeat Goguryeo, and completely stabilize the north and Liaodong, which had troubled China for generations in history!
But after all, these things happened a long time ago. Now Li Xinchen can only slowly plant cotton and wait for the cotton to bloom and bear fruit. With the dual support of Sun Simiao and Li Xinchen, there are now many medicinal plants in the Royal Pharmacy.
At the same time, the imperial court also encouraged the planting of cotton, especially in Jingzhou, Jianghuai and along the Dajiang River. Li Xinchen knew very well that in later generations, in addition to the Western Regions and North China, this was also an important cotton distribution area.
When Zhou saw this little cotton ball, of course he didn't know the twists and turns behind it, nor did he know that it was because of this little cotton ball that His Majesty had even been planning a war in the future.
As the current commander-in-chief, what Zhou needs to consider more is how to crack this tough nut in front of him.
"You can see from today's battle that we don't have enough manpower." Jiang Xian, who didn't know when he would come to donate blood, had just thrown away his cotton balls, waved to Zhou, and the two of them walked towards the Chinese army.
"And the morale on the other side is not as bad as expected. When our navy retreated just now, the crossbowmen on the other side even rushed up to fire arrows. It can be seen that the enemy did not feel any pain due to today's artillery bombardment."
be discouraged."
"For such a large camp, we spent a whole day today just to tear down the wall in front of it. If the enemy repairs it, I'm afraid at least half a day's effort will be in vain tomorrow morning." Jiang
Xian continued, "And now there are not enough stone bombs and cannonballs on the ship."
After saying that, Jiang Xian glanced at Zhou Xian, and his meaning was very clear. You guys kept shouting for artillery support today, and I also tried my best to support you. Now there is nothing available. What should I do?
Zhou frowned and said, "The reinforcements are just behind. I received a report from the horseback half an hour ago. Your Majesty learned that there was a stalemate at Qingjiangkou. He did not enter Zhongli and directly led his troops to support. It is estimated that before noon tomorrow
Achievable, but”
The two exchanged glances, each knowing what the other was thinking.
The reinforcements are coming, and they are elites like the Imperial Guards. Naturally, this battle will become unsuspicious. But if His Majesty personally leads the troops to come to the rescue, doesn't it mean that he is really incompetent?