Hearing what Li Shimin said, Zheng Yushi and Wei Zheng both fell silent.
Yes, Li Mu is easy to get along with. It's hard to say that he is treacherous and cunning, but he is a professional who will retaliate. Moreover, Wei Zheng knows how arrogant Li Mu is in his bones. What the situation in Luoyang was like some time ago, he has never bowed his head to ask for help.
At that time, all the noble families and nobles were able to help him, but due to various reasons, no one helped him. Now that he has an immortal seed and wants to take advantage, how can such a good thing happen?
"I feel guilty about what happened last time. You are shameless, but I am. If you want potatoes, you go ahead and tell me. I will never say anything anyway." Li Shimin dropped this sentence and waved his hand.
It was time to go to court. All the officials retired and gathered together in twos and threes. Zheng Yushi followed Wei Zheng and said, "Wei Gong, is there no other way?"
"Why don't you ask your family, Zheng Daru, what you can do?"
Wei Zheng was not angry anymore. The people in these powerful families were all greedy. When it was time to give, they would not give up even a dime. When they saw the benefits, they all surrounded him like flies, which was disgusting.
Zheng Yushi was frustrated and did not dare to say anything in front of Wei Zheng. When Wei Zheng walked away, he stamped his feet angrily, opened his mouth and swore a curse word silently that no one could hear, and went home holding his breath.
.
…
In the evening, Li Mu received a letter from Li Shimin, and then he called Li Siwen over.
Li Siwen had not shown up in front of him for two days because of Li Mu's departure. If Li Mu hadn't specially sent someone to look for him, he would still be angry.
"Okay, don't be like a child, look at this." Li Mu handed Li Shimin's flying pigeon letter to Li Siwen to see. Li Siwen glanced at it and immediately exploded, saying: "Why are these people so shameless?"
, why should I give it to them if it looks good to them?"
"You think you shouldn't give it?"
Li Siwen said matter-of-factly: "Of course I won't give it to you! Why! Why didn't they help Luoyang when there was no food?"
"Have you forgotten my original intention of cultivating potatoes?" Li Mu said seriously: "Isn't it that I cultivate potatoes so that there will be no more hungry people in the Tang Dynasty? Although these people are greedy, they still meet our purpose?"
"This..." Li Siwen hesitated for a while and said: "I still feel at a loss." After a pause, he added: "If you are willing, just pretend that I didn't say anything. Anyway, the potatoes are yours."
"I am definitely not happy. However, if they are willing to pay a price, it is not non-negotiable." Li Mu thought for a while and asked: "What percent of the total output does the potatoes shipped now account for?"
"Almost half." Li Siwen still knew these data clearly, and said: "The seeds are limited, and a total of about one thousand acres have been planted. One acre of land produces an average of two thousand catties, totaling about two million catties. It will be transported one after another.
Half of it has come here, and there is still half of it in Dingxiang. We will expand the planting area next year, and these are reserved for seeds."
Two million kilograms may seem like a lot, but when calculated carefully, it's really not much.
Li Mu made a calculation in his mind. He asked Li Tai to do a survey on how much food an ordinary Tang Dynasty citizen needed to survive in a day. The answer he got was that if he was the main laborer of a family, he would need at least half a kilogram of rice.
, women, children, and children can be reduced as appropriate. When necessary, boil porridge to cope with it. No matter how much, it is only 2 taels. This is without counting meat and other supplementary foods. Of course, this is also generally applicable to ordinary people in the Tang Dynasty.
, there is really no supplementary food in daily life, such as dried meat and candied fruits, which are not affordable for ordinary people.
The calories that potatoes can provide are less than those of rice and noodles. Half a kilogram of rice is enough, but half a kilogram of potatoes is not enough. For a major laborer, there is still one kilogram of potatoes a day. In this way, the account is easy to settle, two million
Jin of potatoes, Luoyang's current population is 600,000. If each person eats one kilogram a day, it will only be enough for three and a half days if there are no restrictions. Li Siwen brought half of the output, which is not enough to save the city of Luoyang in one fell swoop.
The purpose, at best, can only be relief. If you make potato porridge or something and survive for ten or eight days, it will definitely not work if you rely solely on potatoes.
The existing potatoes cultivated from one potato are generally too small in size. Although the yield is very high, this yield is simply not enough to satisfy the entire Datang.
Li Mu made a simple calculation and found that even if the existing potatoes were not eaten, in another three years, the supply would be almost enough.
But don’t forget that potatoes will still face the problem of repeated cropping. And later generations have proved that potatoes cannot be used as a staple food in China. Otherwise, we will need hybrid rice, and everyone will just plant potatoes. If you want to rely on potatoes to solve the problem of eating once and for all,
The problem is unlikely in China. The role of potatoes is to supplement rice and noodles and reduce the consumption of rice and noodles.
Therefore, there is no need for Li Mu to hide and tuck potatoes. Moreover, potatoes are grown in large areas, so it is basically impossible to prevent thieves. If you don't cooperate with others, there is nothing you can do if they steal directly.
This is like a universal patent, which will inevitably be copied sooner or later. It is better to make a profit while the patent is still valuable.
"We have enough food now." Li Mu said to Li Siwen: "In the short term, there is no need to worry about food shortage. We don't need those potatoes in Baima Temple. It's not convenient to store them, so we might as well sell them to make money."
"Selling money?" Li Siwen frowned and said, "Brother, didn't you say we should keep a low profile as much as possible?"
Li Mu pointed at the flying pigeon to pass the letter and said: "If we want to keep a low profile, we can keep a low profile? Sooner or later, it will be the same, why not take the initiative to take it out." Li Mu shouted, and Wei Yingluo took the pen, ink, paper and inkstone.
Come over, Li Mu personally picked up the pen and dipped it in ink: "Hold a potato 'exhibition' to let them know what potatoes are, their yield, farming methods, how to eat them, and let them have a taste. Then, tell them,
If you want to plant potatoes, you can. Three conditions."
Li Mu wrote on the paper: "First, potato seeds are limited and are only provided to areas where the New Deal is implemented. Each household is allocated according to the amount of land. Second, potato seeds are not given for free, they have to be exchanged for grain. Two pounds is good.
Rice, in exchange for a pound of potatoes, each family must not exceed ten pounds, fast hands have it, slow hands have none. Third, potatoes are not allowed to leave the Tang Dynasty. Once the private sellers are found out, they will be treated as enemies."
Li Mu wrote the three conditions, dried the ink, and handed it to Li Siwen: "After I leave, you will start working on this matter. If anyone has any objections, show them my handwriting."
Li Siwen frowned and said: "Brother, I think this third item is of little use. Businessmen are greedy for profit. As long as the money is in place, there is nothing they won't sell."
Li Mu smiled and said: "Of course I know that the ban will never be banned, but having these words is better than not having them. The number of private sales will definitely decrease, and it can be regarded as a handle. Whoever is unlucky will be punished.
Even if he doesn't die, let him peel off his skin."
Li Siwen nodded and asked, "What will the grain exchanged be used for?"
"Ship it back to Dingxiang. The people of Dingxiang can't always eat potatoes, right?" Li Mu motioned Wei Yingluo to go out, and then said to Li Siwen: "Before I leave, I will write to the King of Hejian County to discuss with him.
The Protectorate has moved out of Dingxiang. When the time comes, you still have to go back."
Li Siwen suddenly became anxious and said, "Brother, didn't you promise me? Are you going to drive me away just because we had a few quarrels a few days ago?"
"Am I such a stingy person?" Li Mu smiled and said, "You are looking down on your big brother too much."
Li Mu sighed: "My brother and sister are pregnant, you should stay with me. First of all, I have told you many times about the importance of Dingxiang. Today I might as well make it clearer. You have also seen it.
, How has my popularity become? There may be a day when Luoyang and Changan will no longer be able to survive, and I will have to leave then. Dingxiang is my escape route." After a pause, Li Mu said again: "Then
You have to maintain the trade routes in the Western Regions well. If one day, the Tang Dynasty can no longer accommodate me, I will go to the west."
This was the first time Li Siwen heard Li Mu say such words, and he couldn't help but be moved: "Brother, that day won't happen, right?"
Li Mu gave a bitter smile: "If you don't do something, you will live in this world for nothing. Do something, I'm afraid...that's all. It's not a big deal right now, but if you don't have long-term worries, you will have immediate worries. Things that are related to your wealth and life.
, I can’t trust others, you are my brother, I can trust you.”
One sentence made Li Siwen's eyes turn red: "Brother, I, I was wrong, I shouldn't quarrel with you."
"There's no tongue that doesn't touch teeth. How can you, my brother, take it to heart?" Li Mu patted Li Siwen on the shoulder and said, "I won't mention these little things. Remember my words. Big brother still hopes that you can take charge of your own affairs."
.Don’t think that if you don’t have generals, you are useless. In war, you don’t just need to be able to charge into battle. Logistics support is also a top priority. If you can’t fight, you can do a good job in support. Now there is Hejian County in Dingxiang
Wang, there are Su Lie, Cheng Chumo, Wang Hu and others who are all good at fighting. But there are no outstanding talents in logistics matters. After you go back, continue to accept refugees, accommodate Turkic tribes, reclaim land, and communicate with trade. Just do it step by step.
, Dingxiang will have great potential in the future."
"Dingxiang is a city you built with your own hands. How can you just abandon it?" (Refreshed later)
This sentence touched Li Siwen's heart. He finally nodded heavily and agreed to go back: "Brother, I can go back, but can you tell me what you plan to tell Prince Hejian? That old guy is very slippery.
It’s tight, I’ve gone to see him many times, but he’s always stubborn. If he’s in a hurry, he’ll take an official position or title and won’t let me speak.”
Li Mu could imagine Li Xiaogong's face with his buttocks, but Li Mu had already figured it out and said: "The real purpose of being such a scoundrel is not to want your Dingxiang, he wants to be his own protector."
Mansion."
"Build it yourself," Li Siwen said speechlessly, "Why are you robbing me?"
"You don't need money to build?" Li Mu spread his hands and said: "He has no soldiers, no money and no food, and you have taken in the refugees. How can he build?"
"Uh..." Li Siwen thought about it for a moment and said, "What should I do? You can't let me pay for him to build it, right? I don't have that much money -" As he spoke, he became anxious again: "Even if I do,
I won’t give it to him either. Why should I give it to him? He has no money to ask the court for it!”
"How can there be so many excuses? If you don't pay, he won't leave. Isn't there nothing you can do to him?" Li Mu sighed and advised: "The prince of Hejian County is not better than others, and he will not offend.
Come on, it’s better to avoid conflicts as much as possible. Moreover, our help will not be in vain. You can set up a caravan later. I will help you prepare goods here in Luoyang, and you will sell them to Persia. When traveling to and from the Silk Road
, let him send someone to protect him, and the money and food given to him now should be treated as advance wages."
Li Siwen heard what Li Mu said, and although he was still reluctant, he could only admit it. This sentence touched Li Siwen's heart. He finally nodded heavily and agreed to go back: "Brother, I can go back, but
Can you tell me, how do you plan to tell the King of Hejian County? That old guy is very naughty. I have gone to him many times, but he is always unscrupulous. If he is in a hurry, he will take the official position. The title will overwhelm me. No.
Let me speak."
Li Mu could imagine Li Xiaogong's face with his buttocks, but Li Mu had already figured it out and said: "The real purpose of being such a scoundrel is not to want your Dingxiang, he wants to be his own protector."
Mansion."
"Build it yourself," Li Siwen said speechlessly, "Why are you robbing me?"
"You don't need money to build?" Li Mu spread his hands and said: "He has no soldiers, no money and no food, and you have taken in the refugees. How can he build?"
"Uh..." Li Siwen thought about it for a moment and said, "What should I do? You can't let me pay for him to build it, right? I don't have that much money -" As he spoke, he became anxious again: "Even if I do,
I won’t give it to him either. Why should I give it to him? He has no money to ask the court for it!”
"How can there be so many excuses? If you don't pay, he won't leave. Isn't there nothing you can do to him?" Li Mu sighed and advised: "The prince of Hejian County is no better than others, and he will not offend.
Come on, it’s better to avoid conflicts as much as possible. Moreover, our help will not be in vain. You can set up a caravan later. I will help you prepare goods here in Luoyang, and you will sell them to Persia. When traveling to and from the Silk Road
, let him send someone to protect him, and the money and food given to him now should be treated as advance wages."
When Li Siwen heard what Li Mu said, although he was still reluctant, he could only admit it.
This sentence touched Li Siwen's heart. He finally nodded heavily and agreed to go back: "Brother, I can go back, but can you tell me what you plan to tell Prince Hejian? That old guy is very slippery.
It’s tight, I’ve gone to see him many times, but he’s always stubborn. If he’s in a hurry, he’ll take an official position or title and won’t let me speak.”
Li Mu could imagine Li Xiaogong's face with his buttocks, but Li Mu had already figured it out and said: "The real purpose of being such a scoundrel is not to want your Dingxiang, he wants to be his own protector."