Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 382 Bold Hypothesis, Careful Verification! Is the Rebellious Son Researching Hybrids?
Ancient times were not lacking in imagination.

Many important theories and studies in later generations can actually be found in ancient texts and books.

Why have these theories and ideas, after thousands of years of development, ended up hidden in the pages of books in attics, without being developed and applied?
One of the most important reasons is that, for the ancients, this idea lacked an effective way to verify and develop it.

In ancient times, when productivity was low, people either pursued official careers through studying the Four Books and Five Classics or struggled to make ends meet in the land. They had no time to do any research.
Therefore, rather than Zhang Yunxiu proposing any groundbreaking scientific theorems, teaching the ancients how to conduct research and how to view problems with scientific thinking was of paramount importance.

Zhang Yunxiu led Xu Guangqi on a tour of the greenhouse, explaining to him, "Proposing a hypothesis is the premise. In the research process, one should boldly hypothesize and carefully verify."

"Make bold assumptions, and verify them carefully."

Xu Guangqi kept repeating this phrase, as if it were a mantra from some mysterious martial arts technique.

Zhang Yunxiu continued.

"After proposing the hypothesis, the experimental model is naturally constructed, just as I just drew, constructing the model of the father and mother, and then letting them form gametes."

If the height of peas is indeed as we just imagined, then after the third generation, the ratio of tall peas to short peas will inevitably tend to be three to one.

If we eliminate other factors and control the variables properly, we can verify the feasibility of this hypothesis through a large number of testcross experiments.

Going a step further, we can study the combination of round-grained, tall-stemmed grains and wrinkled, short-stemmed grains to further investigate the relevant theories of independent assortment.

Just like giving a lecture, Zhang Yunxiu demonstrated various conditions of peas and then continued to explain the theory to Xu Guangqi.

These are not difficult things to understand; on the contrary, they are even a bit too simple for Xu Guangqi.

But that's how scientific research sometimes works; even with the simplest things, sometimes it's just that one final step that's needed.

Today's visit to the agricultural settlement can be considered as opening a new door in Xu Guangqi's world.

After leaving the pea field, Zhang Yunxiu asked with a smile.

"So, what's wrong? Now that you know about this hybridization, do you still feel ashamed? Do you still want to leave Xishan?"

Without saying a word, Xu Guangqi immediately knelt down before Zhang Yunxiu and even kowtowed several times.

"Student Xu Guangqi pays respects to his esteemed teacher!"

He looked somewhat excited.

"The student is willing to study hybridization with his mentor in Xishan, as long as... as long as we don't have to go to the coal mines."

Outsiders spread rumors that Xishan Coal Hill was a place of ferocious floods and monsters, and some even spread rumors that the cave dwellings in Xishan were filled with bones and that wandering ghosts would roam around every night.

"If you cause any more trouble, I'll send you to Coal Hill."

In the capital, this phrase can stop a child from crying at night.

Xu Guangqi heard these rumors when he first arrived in the capital, and naturally he was uneasy.

Zhang Yunxiu said somewhat helplessly, "When you have time, go to Coal Hill and see if it's really as you think."

Xu Guangqi really wanted to slap his own mouth, but since the words were already out, he could only nod in agreement helplessly.

“Students understand.”

“However,” Zhang Yunxiu reminded him, “I am very busy and don’t have much time to study with you. If you encounter any problems, you can ask me when you have time. You can study the rest on your own.”

This was Zhang Yunxiu's usual practice. As a walking "database," his greatest role was not to directly study scientific theorems, but to provide these Ming Dynasty scientists with a solution library for solving problems, or to offer effective advice after they had taken detours.

This is the healthy development model of science in the Ming Dynasty.

Xu Guangqi naturally understood and obediently nodded in agreement.

"The peas were just a small test."

Zhang Yunxiu continued.

"Next, you will work with the agricultural settlement to successfully develop the sweet potato. If the sweet potato is successfully produced, you should understand what that means."

Xu Guangqi's expression immediately turned serious, and he nodded emphatically.

"Please rest assured, sir."

Subsequently, Zhang Yunxiu introduced Xu Guangqi to Zhang Sishu, who was temporarily in charge of the military settlement. Zhang Sishu was clearly delighted with the arrival of this scholar.

What was most lacking in the research of the agricultural settlement was this kind of scholar who understood agriculture.

Zhang Yunxiu then gave a few more instructions on the key points of planting sweet potatoes, and then, once again, he became a hands-off manager, handing over all the affairs of the agricultural settlement to Xu Guangqi and Zhang Sishu.

Zhang Yunxiu is now like a player of strategy simulation management games, trying to do everything but mastering nothing.

After some time, the theory of hybridization of peas from Xishan spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

People were discussing the origins and details of Xishan's research on hybrid peas in the streets and alleys.

"Is this hybrid better than a purebred?"

When someone asks this question in a tavern, it immediately triggers a burst of laughter.

"If being a mongrel is good, then are you a mongrel?"

The man immediately became anxious and said, his face turning red.

"Why are you swearing?"

This immediately triggered another burst of laughter.

Compared to the public discussion about "hybrids," the situation in the futures market is far from optimistic.

Since the beginning of spring, grain prices have been rising steadily.

Of course, this has been the case in previous years as well. Every year during the spring famine season, after enduring a winter and just as crops are being sown, grain prices are at their highest.

In previous years, many people who barely survived the cold winter starved to death in the spring famine because they couldn't afford food.

Shen Shixing said with deep concern in the Wenyuan Pavilion.

“Your Majesty, since the beginning of spring, famines have broken out in Taiyuan, Pingyang, Lu'an and other places. In addition, officials from Qing, Yan, Lin and Gong have submitted memorials requesting relief.”

The situation this spring remains far from optimistic.

Zhang Juzheng put down the memorial in his hand, squinted his eyes, and said.

"It's much better than in previous years. The court has money, so it should provide some relief when necessary."

Spring famines occur every year, and Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, was ultimately just a repairman for the Ming Dynasty.

They replenished what was lacking, and compared to the overwhelming situation of previous years, the harvest was indeed much better. Shen Shixing sighed and said, "Although the court has silver, grain is still a scarce commodity. Since the beginning of spring, wealthy households have been hoarding their granaries. Who is willing to sell grain? They are all waiting for prices to skyrocket so they can make a huge profit!"
In Beijing's futures market, the price of a pound of rice has already risen by 50%, making disaster relief equally difficult.

Although the Jiangnan gentry have fallen, there are still countless gentry in the world, and everyone is thinking about making more money. How can prices not rise?
Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, was also in the Wenyuan Pavilion, and he remarked with emotion.

"This year is much better than in previous years. Thanks to the regulation of the futures market, grain prices have not risen too much. Otherwise, in previous years, they would have definitely doubled."

The prices in the futures market are now basically a reflection of the overall market prices. The imperial court is still able to control grain prices to some extent by relying on the management of the futures market.

However, if one truly wants to suppress it with all one's might, it is also impossible.

If a silver coin sells for ten taels on the market, and you forcibly price it at five taels in the futures market, the end result will either be losing everything or losing credibility.

“This is a balance between supply and demand,” Zhang Xueyan emphasized again. “Ultimately, the imperial court is still short of food, and the whole country is still short of food.”

After some thought, Zhang Juzheng said, "There is still some old rice in Jiangnan, which can be supplied for some time by the grain transport and distribution."

When the Jiangnan gentry were raided last year, much of the grain in their granaries was put into the Ever-Normal Granary, which shows that Jiangnan's reserves were sufficient.

“It can hold out for a while,” Zhang Xueyan analyzed. “But it can’t hold out forever. In addition, transportation is difficult. Grain has to be transported from Jiangnan to the capital, or to Taiyuan, Pingyang, and Lu’an. There are too many losses in the process.”

He continued to ponder.

"In fact, the Ministry of Revenue has made calculations and found that, based on the yield of our Great Ming's fields last year, this amount of grain is roughly sufficient."

However, most of the land was still in the hands of gentry and powerful families. They would hoard the harvested grain and only put it out to sell when the spring famine was severe and grain prices soared.

It's normal that it's difficult to regulate the supply of grain by using the imperial granaries to compete with the granaries of local gentry.

Ultimately, this food crisis boils down to the economic and land crises.

“The grain supply in Jiangnan is not necessarily abundant either,” Shen Shixing reminded. “After the upheaval caused by Xu Zisheng and others last year, the economic situation in Jiangnan is not optimistic. It is a time for recuperation and development, and since the beginning of spring, there has been a shortage of grain everywhere.”

Zhang Xueyan recalled something and said, "I heard that the imperial court has been in talks with the Annamese, and that Annamese will be paying tribute of a batch of grain?"

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said, "Annam is rich in rice, but it takes several months for the fleet to transport it back and forth, which is not enough to solve the immediate problem. Moreover, the amount of rice provided is also a drop in the ocean."

When it comes to trading grain in Annam, the imperial court has to return to shipbuilding. Without a reliable escort fleet, how can the Ming Dynasty's merchant ships pass smoothly in the South China Sea?

Even if a steady stream of grain ships are dispatched, they will only become food for sea pirates and Francois.

Governing a country is a complex and multifaceted task. Just when Zhang Juzheng had solved a problem, another one would immediately arise.

At this time of year in previous years, the three of them would only discuss maintaining the status quo of the Ming Dynasty and minimizing the number of deaths.

This year, the three of them are discussing how to prevent people from starving to death.

This is indeed progress, but it also brings greater challenges.

As they chatted, Shen Shixing seemed rather embarrassed to speak.

Zhang Juzheng frowned and said, "Ru Mo, if you have any concerns, please speak freely."

Shen Shixing sighed and said, "I can't escape the discerning eye of the Prince. I was just thinking about some principles of economics, which is why I'm a little worried about the current situation."

Where to begin?

After some hesitation, Shen Shixing finally gritted his teeth and said, "Please don't blame me, Your Excellency. I've noticed that Commander Zhang's actions have been a bit too aggressive lately."
Is the surge in grain prices also influenced by the promotion of immortality seeds by Xishan?

Since the concept of economics became popular, almost everyone can talk about it. Whether you are a high-ranking official in the imperial court or a local official, if you don't understand the principles of economics, you will be regarded as an incompetent official.

Shen Shixing is also a top-notch scholar, and naturally he is able to integrate and master some economic theories.

In his view, Xishan's promotion of sweet potato crops was, in a sense, influencing market confidence.

No matter how much Ren Xishan promoted it, which gentry or commoner would believe that the grain seed could yield dozens of bushels per mu?
Xishan vigorously promoted sweet potatoes, even planting them in every available field.

In addition, the lands in Jiangnan, and the fields under the jurisdiction of Xishan Workshop, are almost all planted with sweet potatoes.

Assuming that Xishan is bound to fail, the Ming Dynasty's grain production this year will inevitably decline as time goes on.

Zhang Yunxiu always liked to talk about supply and demand, but this time supply and demand really came knocking on his door.

The large-scale planting of sweet potatoes in Xishan will inevitably disrupt the original supply and demand balance of grain production in the Ming Dynasty. When the gentry and merchants see this news, they will surely do their best to drive up grain prices and hoard more grain.

Xishan's move is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.

This time, there was no interference from the Jiangnan gentry; it was a genuine spontaneous action by the market. The court could not possibly wipe out the thousands of gentry and merchants as it had done with the Jiangnan gentry.

Before Zhang Juzheng could answer, Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, offered his explanation.

"Your Excellency Shen is mistaken. The superior varieties from Xishan have long been renowned. For example, the greenhouse vegetables and fruits grown there in winter have drawn praise from the Tibetan envoys."

This shows that Xishan still has some strength. I think Commander Zhang shouldn't act recklessly. The land in Xishan and Jiangnan is also the private property of Xishan and the royal family. Whatever is planted is up to Commander Zhang and His Majesty.

Besides, there are far more than a thousand acres of fertile land in the world. This little bit won't ruin the overall situation.

Shen Shixing and Zhang Xueyan are both members of the "Zhang Party," and they are not at odds with each other, but simply have different stances.

Zhang Juzheng watched the two argue quietly. He knew that Zhang Xueyan and Zhang Yunxiu had a good relationship now, and Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of Revenue, was about to become Zhang Yunxiu's apprentice.

Zhang Juzheng slowly spoke, "Ziyu, what has Shiyuan been doing lately?"

Zhang Xueyan was startled and said somewhat guiltily.

“Minister, Commander Zhang seems to have been spending most of his time at the military farms lately. I don’t know what he’s doing, and I haven’t seen him for quite some time.”

I searched for him several times, but all I got were replies.

The Minister of Revenue had already regarded Zhang Yunxiu as an advisor, not only consulting him frequently on economics, but also occasionally seeking his advice on mathematical and quantitative matters.

Every time Zhang Xueyan came to Zhang Yunxiu with a question, Zhang Yunxiu was almost always able to give her a good answer.

Several students from Xishan even interned at the Ministry of Revenue as junior staff members after completing their studies in mathematics there.

This is why Zhang Xueyan has a deep affection for Zhang Yunxiu.

"A military settlement?"

Zhang Juzheng's eyes involuntarily glanced at the Wanli Xinbao newspaper on the table. The contents of today's newspaper were truly impressive.

His expression was a mix of anger and sullenness, and he said coldly.

"So they're researching that bastard thing?"

(End of this chapter)