The state refers to the country or its people.

However, literally, "She" refers to the god of earth, and "Ji" refers to the god of grain.

Therefore, the term "社稷" actually refers to the rice growing in the land.

This clearly demonstrates that ancient China was an agricultural nation.

Wise and virtuous rulers always attach great importance to agriculture.

Some emperors even set aside a plot of land in their office to plant crops, and would personally cultivate this plot of land to experience the hardships of farmers.

However, Zhao Huan did not have an office.

Some ministers had suggested this to him, but Zhao Huan felt that his office space was already too cramped and not enough.

Some ministers privately believed that the emperor looked down on farming. Although he kept saying that agriculture was the foundation of the country, he had never been seen to work in the fields or even care about the grains.

He likes to fight battles, put on a show, and play around with divination when he has nothing to do. He is particularly interested in the things of the Mohist school.

But today, it's truly rare to see the emperor cultivating the land in his own imperial garden.

The ministers had a thorough understanding of the emperor's temperament.

Their ideas are wildly imaginative; they want to do this today, play that tomorrow, and beat up whoever they don't like the day after.

But to everyone's surprise, he suddenly became interested in farming.

This is a good thing!

But I always felt that his farming wasn't just about simply growing crops.

Moreover, the emperor has been spending a lot of time with Shen Lang these past few days, and the two of them have been mingling together. Who knows what kind of drug Shen Lang has given the emperor?

After returning from a sea voyage, the emperor developed a love for farming, but there were no fields at sea!

The ministers were all pondering what would happen next.

Even when Xu Churen went to report on the drought, the emperor seemed less concerned than before.

Instead, they spend their days planting, fertilizing, and watering, as busy as carefree children.

"Your Majesty, the grain transported from the southwest has been arriving in Jinghu Road in succession, which can guarantee that the disaster victims have a meal every day."

While the Grand Chancellor was discussing the drought in the south, the Emperor, with his head bowed and back bent, was carefully examining the newly turned soil.

"His Majesty?"

"As for the official grain, it will be transported to Jiangling Prefecture. It will not be less than one meal a day, but it will guarantee the disaster victims two meals a day."

"Your Majesty, the official grain has all entered Jinghu Road. However, this year's disaster is particularly severe. The drought is still spreading. Last year, many people from the north migrated south, causing the current food shortage."

"Where else can we get grain? Chengdu Prefecture?"

“It would be extremely difficult for Chengdu Prefecture to transport grain out; it would take at least three months.”

"Guangnan East Road, Guangzhou Prefecture."

"Your Majesty, Guangzhou Prefecture has a small population and little land, and it has more than enough to feed itself, but if we need to transfer grain, it may affect the livelihood of the people in Guangnan East Circuit."

Xu Churen added, "I arranged for one meal a day because I was worried that the drought might continue. I believe that stability is the best long-term solution."

Zhao Huan remained silent for a moment, realizing that Xu Churen's words were not without merit.

It seems that grain production in ancient times was lower than I had imagined.

No wonder Chinese people greet each other by asking "Have you eaten?"

This tradition has been passed down through thousands of years of struggle for basic sustenance, especially in ancient times, when it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to get a full meal.

It's no wonder that some scholars have lamented: "When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer."

The suffering of the common people lies not only in having to carry heavy burdens but also in having to endure hunger and thirst.

Zhao Huan could almost hear the sounds of many children squatting by the roadside, crying and begging.

In fact, the situation was much worse than Xu Churen had reported.

According to information secretly relayed by the Imperial City Guard, some people have already starved to death.

In ancient times, the ability to resist natural disasters was very low. Even if the government transported large amounts of grain to provide disaster relief, it was impossible to take care of everyone.

"Minister Xu, I have some seeds here. Take them and have them planted in the official fields. I want to see them bear fruit in three months."

A eunuch brought over a wooden tray with a black cloth on it, and some seeds on the cloth.

Sweet potato cultivation does not necessarily require seeds; using vines to grow seeds is more convenient. However, currently, only seeds are available, not vines.

Xu Churen was slightly taken aback. Seeing that the emperor had nothing to say about his report, he knew that the emperor had tacitly accepted the status quo.

Although he didn't know what these seeds were, he had no choice but to obey the emperor's order.

"Your Majesty, what is this?"

Zhao Huan thought for a moment and said, "You can call it sweet potato."

"Sweet potato?" Xu Churen was a little confused. Even someone as well-read as him had never heard of it before.

Is this plant edible after it's grown?

Could it be that the emperor has been fussing about here these past few days just to grow this thing?

It seems that's it!

What on earth is this thing that has the emperor so excited about it?

After Xu Churen left, Zhao Huan continued farming.

He wasn't just researching sweet potatoes, but also potatoes, peppers, tomatoes...

Shen Lang brought back many good things from there. After promoting these things, Zhao Huan felt that he could finally have a sense of his past life.

For example, chili peppers, especially the red chili peppers he dreams of eating.

However, still feeling somewhat uneasy, Zhao Huan planted the plants himself in the palace first.

By the time the planting was finished, it was already evening.

The fiery clouds on the horizon illuminated the glazed tiles on the eaves of the palace in a crimson glow.

After a simple meal, Zhao Huan received a secret report about certain people in the south.

In recent years, the imperial court has been transporting grain from the southwest to the north, which inevitably passes through Jiangling Prefecture. As a result, many privately organized transport teams have sprung up.

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