Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

After they finished drinking, the room fell silent for a brief moment.

All the turmoil and pressure seemed to be swallowed along with the tea, settling into a more substantial reality.

Zhou Wenqing took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, bringing his mind back to the specific matters at hand.

"Brother Shengzhi, Brother Gu'an, please look at the guard's book." His fingertip touched the silk scroll.

"This method may seem complicated, but its essence lies in the principle of 'accumulating small gains to make a great achievement, and turning the rotten into the miraculous.'"

Zhou Wenqing skipped over the overly modern terms and selected the essentials.

He moved his finger down the process: "Select poultry and livestock bones, hooves, fish meal, etc., crush them as much as possible, burn them into ash with a strong fire, and then mix them with a certain proportion of thoroughly decomposed manure, wood ash, and... a special mineral powder called phosphate rock."

"After mixing these ingredients in a specific ratio, add water to adjust the consistency, pile them up to ferment, and stir them regularly during the process to ensure they are fully transformed and blended. When the pungent smell changes to a... calm earthy smell, and the texture becomes loose and uniform, it is considered to be initially produced."

"However..." Zhou Wenqing's expression turned serious as he solemnly pointed out, "The method of applying fertilizer, the amount used, and its compatibility with different soil types all require extreme caution. If applied improperly, it may actually damage the soil's fertility."

"If used improperly, it could damage the soil's fertility?!"

Meng Wu's thick eyebrows suddenly furrowed, his body leaned forward slightly, and his voice unconsciously rose a few decibels.

Having commanded troops for many years, he knew that food supplies were vital, and land was the source of that vitalness, and could not be lost.

"Young Master Zhou, this matter is of utmost importance! From what you've said, this substance... this substance is extremely potent. If it's used incorrectly, like a strong medicine, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

He was genuinely worried, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Wenqing, waiting for a reassuring answer.

Zhou Wenqing was not annoyed by Meng Wu's somewhat impatient questioning. Instead, he nodded solemnly, his expression becoming even more serious.

"What the guard has said is very true. As the saying goes, medicine has its side effects; it can cure diseases, but it can also harm people. Fertilizer is like a potent substance, so we must be even more careful in its use."

He first acknowledged Meng Wu's concerns, then changed the subject, "But we can't just stop taking medicine because we're afraid of poison, can we?"

"Moreover, even today's manure and green manure, if used improperly, can still cause damage to seedlings and manure poisoning, just like chemical fertilizers."

"That's why Wenqing said that this matter must be handled with utmost caution and proceed with caution step by step."

He paused briefly to gather his thoughts, then held up two fingers:

"The solution can be divided into two steps: short-term and long-term. One of these steps is to conduct small-scale trials and compare results in different areas."

He gestured in the air, "No need for a big fuss. We can first designate a small, medium-sized or slightly barren field, and then divide it into several sections. In one section, we can test the new fertilizer, in another section, we can use the old fertilizer, and in one section, we can use none at all. From sowing to harvest, every step, including the growth of the seedlings, the heading of the ears, and the final harvest, must be recorded in detail by a reliable person. It's better to be slow than to make a mistake! After verifying on a small scale that it is indeed effective and harmless, and after summarizing the application guidelines, we can then gradually promote it."

Upon hearing this, both Ying Zheng and Li Si nodded slightly. This method was indeed mature and prudent, and could fundamentally solve the problem.

Seeing that they accepted, Zhou Wenqing continued, "This is necessary to verify the effectiveness and safety of fertilizers. Looking at the long term, if we want to ensure that the soil fertility does not decline in the long term, we need to introduce the 'crop rotation method'."

"The rotation method?" Li Si repeated thoughtfully.

"Exactly," Zhou Wenqing explained. "It means not planting the same soil-depleting grains, such as millet and wheat, on the same land year after year. Instead, we should rotate crops in a planned way. For example, if we plant millet this year, we can plant beans next year. Beans have unique root systems that can nourish the soil and improve its fertility. In this way, millet depletes the soil, and beans nourish it. This cycle allows the land to rest and recuperate, thus preventing the soil from becoming depleted. If we supplement this with timely fallowing and returning vegetation to the field, it will be a long-term solution."

He packaged the concept of modern sustainable agriculture in terms of concepts that people at the time could understand, such as "using beans to fertilize the fields" and "rest and recuperate," which made Ying Zheng's eyes light up with admiration.

This is not only about addressing the risks of fertilization, but also about building a more systematic approach to land conservation.

"If crop rotation is done properly, it is not impossible for the grain harvest to increase by another 10%."

The three of them suddenly brightened up.

Increase it by another 10%!!! Then it absolutely has to be rotated!

Meng Wu's expression relaxed slightly, but he still had doubts: "What you said about crop rotation and fallow makes sense, but how should fertilizer and crop rotation be combined? If fertilizer is used, is crop rotation no longer necessary?"

"Of course not," Zhou Wenqing shook his head.

"Fertilizers are like powerful supplements that can quickly replenish soil fertility when needed, helping crops to produce abundant harvests. Crop rotation and fallow, on the other hand, are the foundation for long-term health and well-being. The two are not only irreplaceable, but should complement each other."

"How exactly to combine them, what kind of land and crops to use, when and how much fertilizer to use, and how to arrange the rotation order—this is precisely the 'degree' we need to explore through long-term experimentation."

"That's why we have to conduct small-scale trials first. What we're looking for is not just the method of making fertilizer, but the complete method of using it safely and effectively."

This argument placed a risky technology within a more systematic and controllable framework, immediately alleviating most of Meng Wu's concerns.

Meng Wu pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands and said, "Young Master's consideration is thorough. I was too hasty. In that case, I will arrange the guards for the Kaitian Record and the other physically demanding tasks."

Zhou Wenqing nodded to him, then asked the three of them, "Any other questions?"

Ying Zheng's gaze lingered on the silk scroll, which, in addition to the text, also contained a simplified flowchart drawn by Zhou Wenqing.

He suddenly pointed to the words "phosphorus stone" and asked, "What are its properties? Where is it produced? Is it difficult to obtain?"

Oh, I almost forgot about this!

Zhou Wenqing quickly explained: "Phosphogypsum is often found in certain specific mineral veins. It is grayish-white or light brown in color, relatively light in texture, and can be easily scratched with an iron tool. It often appears in layers or blocks."

"While I cannot pinpoint the exact location, we can keep an eye out for sites with smelting history or unique rock formations. The initial search may take some effort, but once a stable source is found, the subsequent search will be much easier."

He paused briefly, then added, "If this stone is hard to find in the short term, we can collect seabird guano and bat guano as a temporary substitute to meet the urgent needs of the experiment."

"Any other questions?"

This has been explained very clearly. Ying Zheng and the other two exchanged glances, and no one offered any opinions or had any further questions.

Ying Zheng rose from the table, carefully rolled up the two silk scrolls, and gave instructions.

"Now that it is clear, we should put it into practice. The curved plow will be handed over to a reliable craftsman to make. As for the phosphorus stone, I will immediately send people to search for it based on its characteristics. Other materials will also be procured as soon as possible. Meng...Ge, select someone to coordinate and record the site selection, fencing, and all protective labor to ensure that everything is done properly."

He made the assignments swiftly and decisively, then looked at Zhou Wenqing, his tone shifting to a questioning tone: "Brother Zicheng, do you have anything to add to this arrangement?"

Zhou Wenqing also stood up, cupped his hands, and said solemnly, "Brother Shengzhi's arrangements are thorough, and I have no objections. There is only one thing I would like to ask."

"speak."

"Like the curved plow, if this fertilizer is successfully tested and proven effective," Zhou Wenqing said earnestly, looking at the three people before him, "I hope the first batch of finished products can be used on the fields of this village firstly. Firstly, it will facilitate close observation and detailed recording; secondly, the villagers have been very supportive, and I personally want them to benefit from it as soon as possible. Is that alright?"

To possess powerful weapons without being arrogant, and to plan for the future without forgetting one's neighbors, is truly rare. This is the second time. Ying Zheng looked at him with appreciation: "Approved... It's acceptable! All the benefits of the experiment originated from this village. This is not a personal favor, but a necessity for empirical evidence, and it is also what Zicheng's benevolent heart desires. It is only right and proper."

"To be from the same village as Brother Zicheng is truly a blessing!" Li Si said, half jokingly and half seriously.

Here they come, finally they've arrived! Zhou Wenqing was thrilled. He had mentioned his fellow villagers so many times, and finally he had a suitable angle to get to the point!

He almost immediately turned to look at Li Si: "Brother Gu'an, you are mistaken. It is Wenqing's good fortune to be neighbors with the villagers!"

Li Si wondered if it was just his imagination, but why did Zhou Wenqing look at him with a hint of... gratitude? Even his speech seemed a little faster than usual.

"Brother Zicheng...why do you say that?" he asked hesitantly.

When Wenqing first settled down, he encountered bandits and was seriously injured. He was taken care of by the villagers, so he always thought that if he had the opportunity, he would do something to repay them.

"Brother Gu'an left early today, unaware that I had just asked Aunt Liu to pass on a message: all the children in the village who are willing to learn, regardless of gender, are welcome to come to my place so I can teach them to read!"