Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

It is not afraid of drought or flood, and it is not picky about the land, so it is undoubtedly a life-saving rice for disaster relief.

Of course, the drawbacks are also obvious.

Not tasty!

This is no small flaw.

In fact, this shortcoming greatly affected the spread of Champa rice.

If it doesn't taste good, it means it's not recognized by society and won't fetch a good price in the market.

One shi (a unit of dry measure) of rice costs between five and seven hundred wen.

One stone of Champa rice, worth one hundred to one hundred and fifty coins.

More than three times less!

Champa rice simply couldn't fetch a good price.

In addition, the beans that come with the rice plantation are more expensive than wheat.

A good harvest does not necessarily mean a high price.

These differences were enough to make wealthy gentry and farmers choose to grow japonica rice.

Jiang Zhao waved his hand and sighed softly.

Champa rice has many advantages, and the fact that its taste is not good and thus hinders its promotion is not the real reason.

The real reason is a policy issue!

The late emperor promoted Champa rice almost entirely through verbal encouragement, with very few real policy rewards.

Encouragement is encouragement, and life is life.

As a result, not many people planted it.

The late emperor passed away not long after he began promoting Champa rice.

When the emperor ascended the throne, there was little verbal encouragement, and policy support was unheard of.

The fact that this rice can still be grown in Huainan and Liangzhe areas, despite the lack of support from top to bottom for its cultivation, is already quite remarkable.

"In governing the country, we must not only consider the powerful and wealthy, but also the common people."

Jiang Zhao picked up a stalk of rice and said slowly, "It doesn't stick when cooked, and it has little flavor when eaten, but that's not important."

As he spoke, he looked at the county magistrate: "The real common people are looking for food to fill their stomachs, not food to taste good."

"The only drawback of this rice is that it tastes slightly astringent."

The rice stalks were passed over, and the county magistrate quickly caught them with both hands.

Jiang Zhao asked slowly, "Is Magistrate He quite knowledgeable about agricultural products?"

Since the decline of the Qi dynasty, he had really had nothing to do. He would occasionally read books, teach his son to read, and sometimes go to the fields to understand the farming practices of the people.

He Zhen was eager to flatter him, and he followed him closely whenever it came to farming.

The key point is that Magistrate He was able to answer 90% of the agricultural questions he asked, which is quite remarkable.

“I come from a family that values ​​both farming and scholarship.” He Zhen’s head trembled, realizing something, and he quickly replied, “Thirty acres of poor land could support six people. It wasn’t until I passed the imperial examination and received financial assistance from several wealthy merchants that things started to improve.”

Jiang Zhao understood.

To support an adult, you need at least five or six acres of land.

Thirty acres of land can support six people, and even if some of them are children, they are probably only at the point of having a chance to survive.

Such a family, which combines farming and scholarship, must have personally engaged in labor for quite some time.

No wonder!

"Do you know anything about seedling cultivation?" Jiang Zhao asked.

“Take rice seeds, select the largest ears and plant them, cover them with wood ash to prevent pests, and repeat this process for several years, and the rice will yield a high harvest,” He Zhen replied respectfully.

"Try starting seedlings."

Jiang Zhao made a rare promise: "If you can remove the astringent taste from the Champa rice, I will at least guarantee you a fifth-rank retirement."

He Zhen blushed, almost visibly.

"I will follow Jiang Gong's teachings!" He Zhen said excitedly.

For the vast majority of officials, the fifth rank is undoubtedly a difficult threshold to cross.

Once you put on the red robe, you can be considered to have entered the inner circle of officialdom.

Conversely, they are simply cannon fodder.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

This Champa rice is definitely a strategic item.

Since it's a policy issue, there's an opportunity to resolve it.

Saying it doesn't taste good is just empty talk.

Having enough to eat is the most important thing!

For ordinary people, the greatest pursuit is simply to have enough to eat, and occasionally to be able to eat their fill a few times.

Jiang Zhao glanced at the rice stalks and took out a token from his sleeve, which was engraved with the character "Jiang".

"Thank you, Lord Jiang," He Zhen said quickly.

"Focus on raising the seedlings."

It takes at least one or two dozen generations of rice varieties to achieve any results in seedling cultivation.

One or two generations, which is roughly ten years.

He, Jiang Zhao, can endure it!

Chapter 164 Entrusting the Orphan!

The end of February in the fourth year of the Zhiping era.

Dusk is falling and the setting sun is blood-red.

Jiang Mansion, Study.

Jiang Zhao opened the letter and read it carefully.

[Respectfully presented to Your Excellency Zichuan:]

A shocking change has occurred in Bianjing!

Since the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in July, His Majesty has been frequently afflicted with a stroke, resulting in a crooked mouth and slurred speech. This has continued every month since.

In November, the emperor's health deteriorated, and he suffered a severe stroke, which caused him to catch a cold. He had not been able to attend court for two months.

The court and the public were thrown into turmoil, and officials were filled with fear!

It is said that the emperor is already delirious and barely breathing.

We report on all matters concerning the capital day and night.

Please take good care of yourself!

Wang Shao bows respectfully!

A secret letter, about a hundred words long.

It mainly describes the political situation in the imperial court, so as to provide Jiang Zhao with reference.

After reading it, he placed the letter on a corner of the wooden table.

This secret letter is just one of dozens of secret letters that Jiang Zhao received.

Since the emperor suffered a stroke during the ancestral temple sacrifice, he has been receiving secret letters from his cronies and former officials concerning matters of the court.

Whether it was Wang Shao, Gu Tingye, or Han Jiayan, or former officials of Xihe, or members of Han's faction, or even former disciples of the Grand Tutor who had submitted to him, an average of one letter would arrive every three to five days.

Without exception, all of the dozens of secret letters were reports on the political situation at court.

At the age of twenty-nine, with the achievements of conquering new territories, he secretly plotted the struggle for the throne, deceiving everyone.

Although not in the imperial court, he constantly influences it.

He is a former official of Xihe, a protégé of Wang, and a member of Han's faction—all three combined in one person.

This can be described as an inevitable trend!

Even if Qi were to return to his hometown in decline, Jiang Zhao would not be allowed to keep a low profile in the slightest.

Wherever he is, attention follows!

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Zhao shook his head.

The old emperor is showing signs of approaching the end of his life!

At fifty-eight, he suffered a stroke, and was plagued by cold and wind; even the King of Heaven couldn't save him.

"The sky is going to change!"

Jiang Zhao got up, paced around, and looked out into the distance.

Fortunately, he will soon be "coming out of retirement".

The term "Qi Shuai" refers to the period starting from the day Jiang Zhi passed away.

My grandfather passed away on the seventh day of the third lunar month, so he only needs to mourn until the seventh day of the third lunar month.

Now, there are less than ten days left until the seventh day of the third lunar month.

Soon!

Bianjing (Kaifeng)

Fragrant dust falls, and catkins dance in the lonely courtyard.

Despite being a vital area surrounding the capital with a permanent population of nearly two million, it has an inexplicable sense of desolation.

And solemnity!

The patrol soldiers, who were usually quite scattered, were now unusually numerous, with one soldier every ten steps.

A patrol post was set up every 300 paces, with soldiers stationed there to maintain order. The post consisted of five men per post.

Nowadays, there are at least thirty to fifty people per bed.

The solemnity they exuded commanded respect and commanded respect.

Living in the capital, the people are naturally very sensitive to changes in the atmosphere. If they notice any problems, they will try to stay home as much as possible.

The place where nearly two million people live becomes increasingly deserted.

The study in the Han residence.

The candlelight flickered, and the wick swayed gently.

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang held a vermilion brush, annotating memorials and occasionally pressing his brow.

Since the emperor suffered from both a stroke and a cold, the cabinet's power has been significantly expanded.

Even some controversial memorials have begun to be discussed and dealt with by the cabinet.

As the head of all officials, Han Zhang was the biggest beneficiary of the extension of cabinet power.

In terms of power, he had already reached the level of a "powerful minister".

"My lord!"

The call was rather soft and melodious, yet it did not sound like a woman's.

Eunuch!

Is the Imperial Palace summoning me late at night?

Han Zhang was startled, looked up, put down his pen, and strode out.

A dozen or so steps away, a man holding a whisk, wearing specially made purple clothes, with no beard, was none other than the eunuch.

After that, about five or six people, all young eunuchs, carrying torches, with solemn expressions.