87 Wheat

◎How many people will be willing to grow wheat next year?◎

As she spoke, she casually picked out a bag, opened it, grabbed a handful, and examined it closely. The grains were plump, glossy, and looked quite good.

Yan Lin also said, "It looks very good, so it should taste good."

"Indeed, but I need to think about how to promote it. After all, the people of Daliang are used to growing millet. If they are suddenly asked to switch to something they don't recognize, I'm afraid not many people will be able to accept it."

“But to be honest, wheat does taste better than millet,” Yan Lin said. He had eaten bread made from wheat flour and baked outside the Great Wall, and it was very soft and delicious. “If everyone could try it, perhaps it wouldn’t be so hard to accept.”

“You’re right, let them have a taste.” Shen Suqin called over a servant. “Go and deliver a message to the government office, saying that I’m going to set up a kitchen and provide meals there tomorrow, and ask them to gather more people for me.”

"yes."

The next day, before dawn, a crowd had already gathered at the main gate of the government office.

It was the off-season for farming, and everyone was staying at home. News spread quickly, and many people came to join in the fun.

At Chenshi (7-9 AM), Shen Suqin arrived carrying a large bag of wheat.

Before they even reached the government office, they were blocked at the street entrance and couldn't get in. Luckily, Yan Lin brought people to clear the way, and they were able to squeeze to the main gate.

Seeing that there were so many people, Shen Suqin realized it wouldn't be appropriate for them all to crowd into the government office, so she discussed with Yan Lin the idea of ​​doing it in the square in front of the main gate.

Yan Lin nodded, told people to clear a space, moved a table out of the government office, and also had someone set up a simple stove.

Seeing her playing house like this, no one thought the things she made would be very impressive; they just watched for fun.

Shi Ye was quite supportive, bringing out a row of armchairs and inviting his officials to sit in them.

With everything ready, Shen Suqin poured a small portion of wheat onto the table and spread it out, saying, "Everyone, today I'm going to make something new for you. We'll use what's in front of me."

"This stuff looks grayish and doesn't look edible," someone said.

"I think so too. Is it edible?"

"I've never seen this before. Can it really be used to make food?"

Many people shook their heads, clearly indicating their pessimism.

Shen Suqin didn't say much, but simply had a small millstone brought over and instructed the servants to help grind the wheat.

Soon, the grayish outer layer peeled away, and coarse white flour slowly fell from the millstone. After several repetitions, the wheat had turned into grayish-white powder, lying quietly in the basin.

Shen Suqin added water and flour, kneaded it until soft, pinched off small pieces, and then cooked the noodles. Soon everyone could smell the fresh aroma of wheat.

“My cooking skills are limited,” Shen Suqin said, ladling the cooked dumpling soup into a bowl and gesturing for her subordinates to distribute it to everyone. “This dough can also be rolled into flatbreads and baked over a fire, or you can wrap vegetables and meat in the dough and steam it. In short, there are many ways to eat it, so you can figure it out yourselves.”

Right now, those who got some noodle soup are busy drinking it and licking their bowls clean, while those who didn't get any can only sniffle and watch longingly.

Shi Ye naturally also got a bowl.

"How did everyone find it?"

Shi Ye spoke first: "It's sweeter and softer than millet, and it's chewy and has a sweet aftertaste. It's really good."

"It definitely tastes better than corn," some people said.

"tasty."

Shen Suqin held the wheat in her hand and showed it to everyone one by one, saying, "This thing is called wheat. The yield per mu is about twice that of millet, and it grows quickly in the wind and doesn't require much care."

The officials beside Shi Ye gasped. If the yield per mu could really double, how many people would no longer have to go hungry?

They turned their questioning gazes to Tian Cao, who nodded and said, "The yield per mu is indeed high."

"If we plant them, will every county distribute seeds?" an official asked.

Shen Suqin thought for a moment, "I can't say for sure right now, because these seeds came from beyond the Great Wall, and we in Great Liang don't have them yet. It's definitely unrealistic to expect everyone to plant them. However, His Highness has already promised to send people beyond the Great Wall to collect the seeds as much as possible, and bring them back so that those who want to plant them can do so next spring."

"I will also put wheat and sweet potatoes at Shen Ji Treasure Shop and tell everyone in detail what they are used for. Those who are interested can go to Treasure Shop to take a look."

"Gentlemen, starting next year, the people of Daliang will all work together towards a common goal. Whether the whole country can unite as one depends on us."

Shen Suqin's words stirred the passion of the officials present.

You have to understand that Daliang has been declining almost every year for the past ten years. They watched as people were displaced and farmland was abandoned. They were extremely anxious, but they were powerless to do anything about it.

But starting in the last two years, first the Equal Field Order was issued to allow displaced people to return to the land, and then they wanted to grow such a powerful grain, saying that the court was of one mind.

Perhaps, the fate of the Great Liang Dynasty is truly about to rise.

And how fortunate they are to be involved and witness all of this, as the driving force behind it.

After that day, the benefits of wheat quickly spread throughout the entire region.

Taking advantage of the situation, Shi Ye wrote several articles on the benefits of wheat and published them in the newspaper, allowing everyone in Daliang to learn the details.

Soon, officials from various counties and prefectures wrote to inquire about the details of the wheat harvest. Tian Cao was professionally assigned by Shi Ye to handle the matter and began to coordinate with various regions to arrange the sowing of wheat next spring.

“Actually, sweet potatoes are very good too,” Shen Suqin said. “They can be eaten as a staple food and also used to feed livestock.”

“We should do it one thing at a time. If we push too many things at once, the people won’t be able to accept it,” Shi Ye said.

"So how many people do you think will be willing to grow wheat next year?"

"It's hard to say, the more the better."

Shen Suqin also felt it was hard to say. Although local officials were highly motivated, the people were still largely isolated from information and found it difficult to accept new things. They might not be willing to grow such unfamiliar grains.

"Alright, let's get down to business," Shen Suqin said. "What's your decision regarding the gunpowder workshop? Are you going to agree to it or not?"

“It can be done,” Shi Ye said. “I have never objected to it from beginning to end. However, as you know, weapons manufacturing must be uniformly supervised by the imperial court. Daliang has a special Duli Shaofu that supervises weapons manufacturing, and civilians are almost not allowed to get involved.”

"So what you mean is?"

"I will have my father send a military officer here to incorporate your gunpowder workshop into the state's weapons bureau. Don't worry, this is just a formality and will not interfere with your work."

"That's good, thank you, Your Highness."

Shi Ye lifted her arm, preventing her from bowing, "You're doing this for the sake of Daliang, otherwise why would you bother with all this trouble? Don't worry, although I can't be of much help, I certainly won't hold you back."

Shen Suqin smiled happily: "It's so comforting to work with Your Highness."

"Likewise, likewise."

For the next few days, Shen Suqin and Yan Lin were out running around, and they finally found a place that met all the requirements, but it was a bit far away.

The heart of Laomaoling.

To the east of Laomaoling is a mountain valley composed of several low hills, which together enclose a gourd-shaped basin with a wide belly and a narrow mouth. The basin is flat and secluded, making it ideal for manufacturing gunpowder weapons.

After finalizing the location, Shen Suqin invited Gong Shunan to help design the workshop. Gunpowder making was a delicate task, and it was impossible to do it while enduring wind and rain.

As per her request, Lord Gong designed a spacious and bright research room for her, surrounded by watchtowers and barricades in the style of a military camp. A large open space was also left behind the workshop for experimenting with the finished products.

Three days later, the sketch was completed, and construction of the house began.

About two weeks later, the house was completed, and the experienced fireworks makers who had been recruited moved into Laomaoling and began a semi-closed research and development life.

As the autumn winds begin to blow, the fields turn golden, signaling the arrival of the harvest season.

Since the implementation of the land equalization decree in Jinzhou last year, hundreds of thousands of new farming households and millions of acres of new farmland have been added in Jinzhou, and the whole country is waiting for the autumn harvest.

The powerful families wanted to see a spectacle, the refugees wanted to see hope, and the ordinary farmers were waiting to see a miracle.

Finally, after a busy two weeks, grain was gradually stored in warehouses across the country.

Shi Ye couldn't wait to have Tian Cao tally the total output and tax revenue of various regions. Because almost no one cultivated the land in Jinzhou last year, the total grain output this year has increased dozens of times, breaking the record set by Liangzhou's bumper harvest. Tax revenue is also at a new high in nearly fifty years, even higher than that of Liangzhou.

This shocked the entire court, and Emperor Jingkang even held the memorial and read it aloud himself.

"Have you all heard me clearly? The Equal Field Decree transformed Jinzhou, which was almost uninhabited, into a major grain-producing prefecture, with its tax revenue far exceeding that of other prefectures. And what about you? You keep complaining about having no grain and no money, forcing the people to abandon their fields and flee. I wonder who you will care about once all the people under your rule have left?" Emperor Jingkang said.

“Your Majesty, Jinzhou is an isolated case,” said Yang Kan, the Director of the Revenue Department. “The division of land and households disregards national laws and is a barbaric act that is a disgrace to the nation.”

Emperor Jingkang threw the memorial at his head and said angrily, "You think Jinzhou is acting unfairly, but you've managed to collect such high taxes for me. You're just sitting around doing nothing every day. If it weren't for your father's wealth, I would have taken your job long ago. From today onwards, you go home and reflect on your actions. You are not allowed to come to court until you have reflected clearly."

Yang Kan knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

"You, and you all," Emperor Jingkang's gaze swept over the crowd, "think more about the people, and stop focusing on your own pockets."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingkang waved his hand weakly, signaling the court session to end.

On the way back, he asked Eunuch Yan, "What did the Crown Prince say to you when he sent you to deliver grain last time? Tell me again."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Yan replied respectfully. "His Highness said he understood your good intentions, and that you sent him to Jinzhou to save his life. He also said that he would manage things well in Jinzhou, and one day, he would return to the capital with a power that would be difficult for the aristocratic families to shake, and firmly safeguard the Shi family's empire."

"Hmm." Emperor Jingkang laughed with satisfaction. "Look at this kid, he's managed to pull off such a grand spectacle in less than a year. He's really made his father proud."

"Your Highness is capable, Your Majesty can rest assured, Your Highness always keeps his word."

"I hope so."

Meanwhile, as the grain was stored in the granaries, the Shatuo people became even more restless, trying to break through the defenses and invade every few days.

Upon learning the news, Shen Suqin put pressure on the gunpowder workshop.

The gunpowder that was hastily made the night before going to the Shule River was not very effective. First, it required someone to light the fuse at close range to detonate it, similar to setting off firecrackers; second, its power was limited and could not reach the level of an earthquake.

In short, the existing gunpowder is about the same as a large firecracker.

After several days of work, the craftsmen made improvements and gradually became able to control the combustion and explosion speed of the gunpowder by controlling the amount of saltpeter.

Yan Lin informed her to go and see the results.