Late Yuan Dynasty: I am the true emperor

Chapter 239 High-yield Varieties
The yield per mu is several thousand kilograms. It is suitable for both vegetable and grain. It is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, and is not picky about the soil. It matures in two months and can be planted in the northern desert.

The three of them were all knowledgeable when they typed out these labels. What could this mean? It means that as long as they can obtain this item, the Han people can grow countless grains in Mobei and conquer Mobei forever.
Thinking of this, the three of them couldn't help but breathe heavier.

Without waiting for Wang Dayuan to reply, Lu Jin spoke up, "Ever since King Wuling of Zhao adopted the Hu clothing and rode and shot arrows, he repelled the Xiongnu by more than 800 miles. Later, Meng Tian built the Great Wall and guarded the northern border. During the Han Dynasty, the Marquis of Guanjun was granted the title of Langjuxu and allowed his horse to drink from the vast sea. During the Tang Dynasty, Li Weigong wiped out the Turks. During the pre-Song Dynasty, the Mongols went south and unified the Central Plains. Our Central Plains dynasty has been fighting with the Northern Rong for thousands of years, with both sides winning and losing.

"But if the Mongols defeated the Song, they could take over the Central Plains. We in the Central Plains have more victories than defeats, but we cannot ensure long-term peace and stability in the North. Why is that?"

Lu Jin tapped the map on the blackboard. "It's because farming and nomadic fishing and hunting are different. The Central Plains are rich while the Mobei is poor. If the Northern Rong wins, they can enter the Central Plains to enjoy the good life. But if the Central Plains win, they can't gain a foothold in the Mobei. Why? Because the climate here is cold, people have no clothes to keep warm, and the land doesn't produce grains. We Han people can't farm here, so we can't gain a foothold. Without garrisons, how can we control the tribes in the Mobei? How can we maintain long-term stability?
"The land is there. If you win but don't occupy it, others will fill the vacancy. First there was the Xiongnu, then the Xianbei, then the Turks, and later the Khitan, Jurchen, and Mongolia rose in turn, occupying the northern border and eyeing the Central Plains, and eventually becoming a great threat.

"Were the emperors of the Han and Tang dynasties stupid and incompetent, and didn't know to station troops and cultivate land in Mobei? No, Han Wu and Tang Zong were all saints and outstanding people. If we talk about cultivating land and guarding the border, wouldn't the Western Regions be farther away than Mobei? Both the Han and Tang dynasties had garrisons and cultivated land in the Western Regions, except for Mobei. Did they not want to station troops and govern it? It's not that they didn't want to, but they couldn't."

After summarizing the causes and consequences, Lu Jin said, "Times have changed, and now it is different. Since the introduction of kapok into the Central Plains in the Song Dynasty, the Mongols and Yuan Dynasty have set up several kapok promotion offices in the Central Plains. Kapok has been planted on a large scale in China, and our people finally have cheap things to keep warm. The most important use of kapok is not to weave cloth, but to fill clothes. By filling cotton in cloth, people can survive in the northern desert.

"If Mr. Wang goes and gets the potatoes back, the Han people will be able to build cities and cultivate fields in the northern desert, spread education, and end the dispute between the north and the south forever. This will be a great achievement for the country. If this can be accomplished, the new dynasty will surely surpass the Han and Tang dynasties!"

Far surpassing the Han and Tang Dynasties!

Hearing the slogan shouted by Lu Jin and his ambition, the three people in the field breathed more rapidly. The function of potatoes is not just to be eaten. At this time, the status of this never-heard-of crop has been elevated by Lu Jin to the point where it can ensure long-term peace and stability in Mobei, as if Wang Dayuan would become a sinner of China the next moment if he refused.

Meng Zhifang also asked, "Marshal, can this kind of potato be grown in the Central Plains?"

"Of course you can. For growing potatoes, loose and thick sandy soil is the best, but other barren lands can also be used for planting. This plant can be grown not only in the northern desert, but also in the mountains of the southwest. As long as we have food to eat, we won't have to worry about the barbarians rebelling in the future. Do you understand what I mean?" Lu Jin explained immediately.

Yu Tonghai also became excited, "Marshal, besides corn and potatoes, does Lizhou have any other good varieties?"

"Of course there are. The world is so big and there are so many good things." Lu Jin turned around and pointed to the map, marking all the American crops he knew on the map.

"In addition to corn and potatoes, there is also a crop called sweet potato, or sweet potato, which is similar to potato. The sweet potato grows underground, and only vines grow above ground. When the vines are tender, they can be used as vegetables for human consumption and can also be used to feed livestock.

"Honey potatoes are as high-yielding as potatoes, with a yield of several thousand kilograms per mu. If the soil is suitable and fertile, and the cultivation is careful, the yield of ten thousand kilograms per mu is not impossible. This plant tastes as sweet as honey and can be cooked into porridge or baked for consumption. However, do not eat too much, as it will cause heartburn, so it cannot be used as a staple food.

"Although yam cannot be used as a staple food, it can be grown on the mountains and does not compete with rice and wheat for good fields. In good years, yam can be planted and what people can't eat can be used to feed pigs, so that more people can eat meat. In bad years, yam can be used to provide disaster relief."

Lu Jin turned around and sighed, "When I read history books, I always feel sad when I come across the great famine and cannibalism. So many people are my fellow countrymen. If we had potatoes and sweet potatoes, we Han people would have occupied the northern desert and the western regions long ago. How could we starve to death in the Central Plains and let the Mongolian Khitan and other northern barbarians take advantage of us?"

At this point, Lu Jinyan suddenly held Wang Dayuan's hand with emotion and said, "As long as you bring these fine seeds back, regardless of whether we can occupy Mobei in the future or whether we can ensure long-term peace and stability in the Northern Rong, it will be a great achievement for the Central Plains.

“I don’t expect there will be no natural disasters in the future. I just hope that when there is a famine in the future, there will be a sentence in the history books: ‘In the year of great famine, the court provided relief with potatoes and yams, and no famine victims died of starvation, and they survived the famine.’ This alone will be a contribution to the country. Not to mention being enshrined in the imperial temple, if the people knew about this, they would build a temple for you in the future to worship you and enjoy the incense forever.

"Even if there is another dynasty change in the future, you can be like Li Bing in the Qin Dynasty and Zhang Qian in the Han Dynasty, and leave your name in history and be worshipped forever. This is also a great contribution to the country. Please don't refuse and help me!"

Wang Dayuan was also moved when he heard this. On the one hand, the achievements described by Lu Jin were too tempting. Even if the dynasty changed, he could still leave his name in history like Li Bing and Zhang Qian and enjoy eternal worship. This is more difficult than being enshrined in the Taimiao.

On the other hand, Lu Jin had him on the spot with just a few words, saying that as long as we have sweet potatoes and yams, people in China will no longer starve to death in the future. If this is understood the other way around, doesn’t it mean that if I refuse, then people who starve to death in China in the future will blame me???
How could he refuse this?
Wang Dayuan suddenly felt that Lu Jin was very cunning and treacherous, but at the same time he admired Lu Jin's ambition to sweep across the northern desert and surpass the Han and Tang dynasties, as well as his kind heart for the people of the world.

Meng Zhifang and Yu Tongyuan also looked at Wang Dayuan in surprise at this time. They were busy before, and were suddenly called by Lu Jin to attend class. He also found Wang Dayuan, a sailing expert they had never heard of. It was not until this time that they suddenly understood Lu Jin's intention of calling Wang Dayuan.

Wang Dayuan sighed and said, "I am not very knowledgeable. If I hadn't had my early sailing experience, I would have been just an ordinary person. But the Marshal suddenly sent someone to Nanchang to find me and promised me the title of Marquis. I am not from a famous family, I don't have any talent, and I don't understand military strategy. I really don't know how I can help the Marshal, and I have never thought of rebelling and joining the rebel army.

"If it was just for the title of nobility, I would definitely not come. It's not that Wang has no ambition, but I know myself and I am not worthy of the position. But Wei Ziming told me that the Marshal is a kind king who cares about the people of the world and his trust is also for the people. He also told me that the Marshal said that if I came, I would definitely stay.

"Today I saw that the Marshal had entrusted me with such an important task and made it clear that China would no longer suffer from famine. Even if the Marshal did not reward me or give me a title, as a Chinese citizen and a fellow countryman, how could I bear to refuse? I really want it, but I dare not ask for it. Huanzhang is willing to serve the Lord like a dog and a horse."

Wang Dayuan is also a shrewd man. Since he is ready to agree, why not say some nice words and claim that he is not coming for the title, but for the people of the world just like Lu Jin.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin laughed out loud, "Hahahaha, I guessed that Mr. Huanzhang is very understanding and will definitely stay to help me."

Wang Dayuan also said, "My lord, there is no need to say more. How can I be an ignorant person? Just tell me the journey you have announced. It will be a life-threatening journey. I will definitely bring back the high-yield seeds of Lizhou for China."

Lu Jin said immediately, "It's not that far. From the mouth of the Yangtze River, it's 40,000 miles to go out and 40,000 miles to return. Plus collecting along the coast and taking a detour on the way back, it's no more, no less, 100,000 miles round trip." Wang Dayuan: "...(⊙_⊙;)..."

Yu Tongyuan and Meng Zhifang: "（*゜ー゜*）(￣_￣|||)"

The three of them gasped when they heard this. This was one hundred thousand miles, but when Lu Jin said it, it sounded like he had just gone to the next county.

Seeing the reactions of the three people, Lu Jin immediately smiled again and said, "But sir, don't worry. I asked you to go to China to get high-yield seeds for me, not to let you die in vain."

Lu Jin pointed to his head and said, "The world map, the climate map of the world, the wind direction and ocean current map of the four seas are all in my mind. I will tell you everything. I can also teach you the art of crossing the ocean to guide the stars so that the ship will not get lost in the vast ocean. I will also plan the route for you, tell you where to resupply along the way, and make a list of Lizhou's products for you. You just need to follow the map. If everything goes well, you can return in a year at most."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dayuan sighed, "My lord is indeed a descendant of the sage Gongshu, and his family tradition is so profound. I have never heard of the three treasure maps you mentioned. What I saw today should be just one of them. But why is there a list of Lizhou's products? Could it be that you are looking for more than just corn and sweet potatoes?"

"That's right." Lu Jin nodded and pointed at the map.

"Lizhou is very rich in products and has many good things. What I just mentioned are only a few types of food that must be brought back. There are other good things as well.

"Here, in this Mayan country, there are not only corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, but also chili peppers. These are extremely spicy and can remove dampness and warm the body. They can be eaten fresh as vegetables, or dried as seasoning. There is also cocoa, which tastes bitter, but can be made into a hot drink to relieve depression and nourish the mind. There are also Lizhou persimmons, which can be eaten as fruits and vegetables.

“In addition, there is not a single donkey, horse or ox in the tens of thousands of miles of territory of Lizhou, and the natives do not know how to make vehicles. The only livestock they have is the alpaca, which is slightly smaller than a camel and slightly larger than a sheep. It is about the same size as a donkey, covered with thick wool, has a gentle temperament, and can tolerate rough feed. It can drink ice water and survive on thorns. Although it cannot pull a cart, it can carry a small amount of goods and is good at walking on rugged mountain roads.

"We Chinese have cattle, horses, donkeys, mules and other livestock, as well as vehicles and boats. We do not need alpacas for transportation, but their meat is edible. Their fur is very long and dense, and its color is either white, gray, brown or red. If you break it down, there are no less than a hundred different colors, and it can be used to make felt and cloth.

"But it's not easy to carry living things across tens of thousands of miles of ocean, and we also have to prepare fodder and fresh water for them, which is quite difficult. Sir, you can decide whether to bring them or not."

Wang Dayuan nodded repeatedly after listening to this. At first, he was a little skeptical about what Lu Jin said about Lizhou, whether it was true or not. But as Lu Jin described more and more special local products, he could not help but believe it. Otherwise, how could Lu Jin know so much about it?
Lu Jin then pointed to the world map and drew a circle.

"There is also Kapok, also known as cotton. There are originally four kinds of cotton in the world. One is African cotton, which originated in Egypt and was brought to China from the Western Regions by the Western Xia and Mongolian Yuan. The other is Indian cotton, which was brought to Qiongzhou Island by sea merchants. In the early Song Dynasty, Huang Daopo introduced it from Qiongzhou to Suzhou and Songjiang. Cotton is also grown in Lizhou.

"Lizhou cotton is divided into two types according to its origin, sea island cotton and mainland cotton. Among them, mainland cotton is the best in the world. It has long cotton fibers and can be woven into cotton cloth as delicate as silk, so it is also called long-staple cotton. These are all from the west coast of Lizhou. You must bring them all back on this trip."

Wang Dayuan nodded repeatedly after listening, thinking that Lu Jin's knowledge was really extraordinary. He knew everything not only about Lizhou, but also about the products of Africa and India, as well as where the kapok tree originated from and how it was introduced to China.

However, Lu Jin waved his hand and pointed to the east coast, and continued.

"There are also many treasures on the East Coast. There is a food crop called cassava, which is different from potatoes and sweet potatoes. Those two are vines growing on the ground, but cassava grows on the ground like trees, with seven leaves growing together, so it is also called seven-leaf cassava.

"However, cassava is poisonous and can cause death by poisoning if eaten raw. It needs to be peeled and washed with clean water. It is best to soak it in running water overnight and then cook it before eating. It can replace rice and wheat as a staple food.

"Moreover, cassava is heat-resistant but afraid of cold. It cannot survive in places with frost. It also grows very slowly and needs 12 months a year to be harvested. It can be grown in Lingnan, Qiongzhou, Annan, Yunnan and other places."

The three of them frowned when they heard this. Meng Zhifang asked directly, "General, since this cassava is highly poisonous and grows so slowly, and cannot be planted everywhere in China, but can only be planted in Lingnan, why do we still want to retrieve it?"

Lu Jin explained, "Because cassava is high-yielding, slash-and-burn farming, poor soil can produce 1,000 kilograms per mu. If it is fertile land, intensive cultivation, and sufficient fertilizer, it can produce 10,000 kilograms per mu. Moreover, cassava itself is poisonous and is not afraid of common insect pests. Any pests will be directly killed by the poison."

Another yield of ten thousand catties per mu. When the three heard this word again, they were no longer as surprised as at the beginning, as if all the food in Lizhou was so abnormal. Because Lu Jin had already mentioned potatoes and sweet potatoes before, the three were still not very interested in cassava.

Wang Dayuan also said, "My lord asked me to find so many high-yield crops. If we promote them, what will we do if the low grain prices hurt farmers? Besides, this sweet potato is non-toxic and can produce 10,000 kilograms per mu. It can also adapt to climates all over the world. Isn't it better than cassava?"

Lu Jin retorted, "Tsk, is there anyone in this world who thinks there is too much food? You know about rammed earth. Buildings built with rammed earth are extremely strong, but glutinous rice is needed in this rammed earth.

"Glutinous rice is also rice. It is also food. It can be eaten by people. Why do we have to use it to build walls? And cassava is very productive. Although it is poisonous, it can be used to make cement instead of glutinous rice. How much food can this save for the people of the world?
“Besides, grain is not just for eating. Sir, you have seen weaving. After spinning cotton and linen, the yarns need to be starched to make them stronger. Only then can they be woven on the loom. To starch the yarns, grain is also needed.

"There are also papermaking, cloth dyeing, window papering and other uses for craftsmen, which also use grain as a material. If these can be replaced by cassava, how much food can be saved for the people of the world?
"If all else fails, we can feed the pigs. Besides filling the stomachs of the people, they can also have a few more bites of fat meat. It's better to have too much food to use up than to trade for food when there's no food, right?"

The reasons put forward by Lu Jin made Wang Dayuan suddenly realize that he had never thought about the uses of grain for these craftsmen before.

(End of this chapter)