Xuanyuan Zhan's eyes lit up suddenly, and he said excitedly, "Dryland rice? What is dryland rice? Tell me quickly."
Xie Dongfang quickly explained, "As the name suggests, dryland rice can be grown in relatively arid places, even on dry land and hillsides without water. However, the yield is not as high as that of paddy rice, and the milling rate is also lower. But once the North is irrigated, paddy rice can still be grown in low-lying areas and paddy fields, while dryland rice can be grown on other slopes and dry land. By making full use of the geographical features of the North, I believe that the North will no longer suffer from famine and food shortages in the future."
He had carefully observed the area on his way to the North. Due to the long-term water shortage, the land in the North had become cracked and dry. The paddy fields and low-lying areas had all turned into arid land.
There are many slopes in the north. In the future, with the introduction of water, not only can the paddy fields be utilized, but those slopes can also be utilized.
Xuanyuan Zhan was overjoyed upon hearing this: "That's wonderful! I originally wanted the people of the North to grow sorghum, wheat, cotton and other crops, but I was afraid that rice wouldn't survive. If we can really cultivate this kind of dry rice, the people of the North won't have to go to other places to exchange for food."
Xie Dongfang was surprised that Xuanyuan Zhan had thought of so much. He nodded and said, "The crops that Your Highness mentioned are not unsuitable. Sorghum, wheat, cotton, etc. are all relatively drought-resistant and suitable for planting in the north. However, we in Dongchu have never planted sorghum, wheat, cotton, etc. before. If we want to plant them well, we not only need to go to the Northern Wei to exchange for the crops, but also learn the planting methods."
Actually, the prince's idea is quite good. If we can really learn to grow sorghum, wheat, and cotton, that would be great. After all, the things that Eastern Chu uses now are all obtained through trade with Northern Wei. If our country can grow them, we won't need to trade with Northern Wei so much in the future. This is also one of the ways to solve the disaster in the north.
Xuanyuan Zhan thought for a moment and said, "We can let them plant dry rice first. As for sorghum, wheat and cotton, they should also be planted. However, after the water is diverted, rice and dry rice can be planted together. This way, we can study the sorghum and other crops slowly and there is no rush."
Xie Dongfang nodded: "I will go back and study the dryland rice more carefully, and strive to cultivate it successfully as soon as possible!"
Xuan Yuanzhan looked at Xie Dongfang excitedly: "If the North needs you in the future, I may transfer you here. Would you be willing?"
If someone as talented as Xie Dongfang were in the North, he would surely be able to ensure that the people of the North would no longer go hungry.
Xie Dongfang quickly bowed: "This humble official is an official of Dongchu, a brick of Dongchu, and naturally I will go wherever I am needed!"
Xuan Yuanzhan patted Xie Dongfang on the shoulder with emotion: "Dongfang, Dongfang, you are truly my blessing, and the blessing of the entire Eastern Chu!"
In front of Xie Dongfang, Xuanyuan Zhan never referred to himself as "this king"; he had too much respect for such a capable person.
Xie Dongfang dared not accept such praise and bowed to Xuan Yuanzhan again: "Your Highness is truly a blessing to Eastern Chu!"
He was also Xie Dongfang's confidant!
In fact, he wasn't even an official in Dongchu. Although he was a scholar, he hadn't passed the imperial examination, so he definitely couldn't become an official.
If the prince hadn't discovered his talent for rice cultivation and made an exception to appoint him as the grain official of Xiangnan, he would never have become an official in his life.
Over the years, he has spent a considerable amount of money researching rice, and no matter how much he spends, the prince never says a word against him, always offering his full support. He even repeatedly mentioned his salary, noting that even the governor of Xiangnan didn't earn as much as him monthly.
This aroused the jealousy of many people in Xiangnan, but with the prince protecting him, no one dared to do anything to him. On the contrary, the people and officials respected him more and more!
Xuanyuan Zhan escorted Xie Dongfang out of the northern lands, and Xie Dongfang left with his long grain delivery team.
As Xuanyuan Zhan watched Xie Dongfang's retreating figure, he suddenly felt immense admiration for someone who had dedicated his life to rice, the livelihood of the people, and the greater good of the nation.
Ye Yun rode up at breakneck speed, and seeing that Xie Dongfang had already led his men far away, he frowned and asked, "Your Highness, why did Mr. Dongfang return so quickly? Why didn't he stay and rest for a few more days?"
Xiangnan and Beidi are thousands of miles apart. Mr. Dongfang must be very tired after traveling all the way from Xiangnan to Beidi. Why is he in such a hurry to go back?
Xuanyuan Zhan exclaimed in surprise, "You don't know him at all? He just can't let go of his rice."
Ye Yun felt relieved when he thought about how Mr. Dongfang had been cultivating various types of rice.
Mr. Dongfang's expertise in rice was unparalleled, and his talent was beyond the reach of most. Even his disciples were far inferior to him.
Mr. Dongfang was definitely worried about the rice seedlings and rice he had worked so hard to cultivate, so it's understandable that he was in a hurry to go back!
Xuanyuan Zhan watched Xie Dongfang walk away before turning back to look at Ye Yun: "You can go back to Baichuan now."
Ye Yun gave Xuan Yuanzhan a dry laugh: "Your Highness, could you please allow Ye Feng to go to Baichuan? I wish to return and serve Your Highness!"
Rather than supervising the construction at Baichuan, he preferred to stay by the prince's side and serve him.
Moreover, Ye Feng might not be used to doing these errands, so it would be more suitable for him to do them.
Seeing how dependent he was on him, Xuan Yuanzhan was both amused and exasperated. Just as he was about to call Ye Feng over to ask for his opinion, Ye Feng rode over at breakneck speed.
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the capital."
Upon arriving, Ye Feng dismounted and delivered the letter.
Xuanyuan Zhan took the letter and discovered that it was not sent by the Emperor, but by the Holy King's Mansion. He immediately opened the letter and began to read it.
After quickly reading the letter, Xuan Yuanzhan's expression changed abruptly: "Something happened in Kyoto?"
Ye Feng and Ye Yun were suddenly startled: "What happened?"
Xuanyuan Zhan showed the letter to the two of them directly, and they were both shocked after reading it.
Ye Yun frowned and asked urgently, "The Emperor has been poisoned by a curse. Was it the Third Prince who did it?"
Xuan Yuanzhan scoffed disdainfully, "Do you think a fool like Xuan Yuanyu could understand Gu?"
In the entire Eastern Chu, there are very few people who understand Gu poison. Xuan Yuan Yu doesn't even understand medicine, so how could he understand Gu poison?
"Is that the demoness?" Ye Yun immediately thought of the key figure.
Xuan Yuanzhan narrowed his eyes coldly: "This matter is inextricably linked to her!"
Anything related to Gu (a type of poison) is bound to be connected to that woman, Long Jiaojiao.
No wonder she came to Kyoto to attend Xuanyuan Peng's birthday celebration; she wanted to use a curse on him.
Ye Yun said worriedly, "If the Emperor is controlled by that vixen and the Third Prince, then the letter that the Prince sent back before might not have even reached the Emperor's hands, and the Dowager Consort and the Princess Consort will not be safe either."
"I'm returning to the capital now. You two stay here and handle the rest!"
Xuanyuan Zhan was extremely anxious. He gave a few instructions and then rode off at breakneck speed.
But before he could ride very far, he heard a loud "boom," and then soldiers rushed over, shouting, "Your Highness, the Northern Rong are attacking the city!"
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