The new book "Defying the Heaven to Change the Ming Dynasty" has been released. I sincerely ask my friends to continue to support it.
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The climate is getting colder, especially in the north, which makes the sweet potatoes that were previously grown no longer suitable, and potatoes are the only crops grown.
The yield of sweet potatoes and potatoes is similar, but the taste is different.
In order to deal with a major disaster, even if it was more severe in the north and less affected in the south, the emperor would make overall arrangements and mobilize the whole country.
The area of sweet potato cultivation in the south has increased significantly, and Mekong Province, Hainan, and Dongfan also have strict regulations.
The large output is the best advantage. It is transported to the north as a supplement to food, which is called supplementing the north with the south.
As long as the common people have sweet potato porridge to drink and are not starving to death, they will not rise up in rebellion and social order will be stable.
Food is the most important thing for the people. It is such a simple truth, but many dynasties have failed because of it, and the Ming Dynasty in history is no exception.
Zhang Zhuzi declined for a moment, but then accepted it. He then unloaded a large sack from the cart, filled with produce he had grown himself: peanuts, potatoes, and corn. Though not expensive, it showed his thoughtfulness.
"Although the weather is a bit cold, the harvest is good this year." Zhang Zhuzi said with a smile: "Yingzi said, if you want something, just tell me and I will bring it to you from home."
Ah Tao laughed and accepted it without hesitation, saying, "As long as the harvest is good, it's fine. Farming is the worst thing you can do, after a year of hard work, only to have nothing to eat. Look how lucky I am. I can harvest regardless of drought or flood, and I earn money."
Zhang Zhuzi smiled and nodded, but he didn't agree in his heart.
When Yingzi and A Tao were working together, they also had such thoughts when they returned home, but now they are living a good life and don’t think it’s a big deal.
After Ah Tao sent Zhang Zhuzi out the door, she suddenly remembered something and said, "There's no small grocery store in your village, right? Why don't you open one and get the goods from our shop?"
Zhang Zhuzi didn't decide immediately. After thinking for a while, he said, "I'll go back and discuss it with Yingzi."
"The boss is planning to expand into the countryside. I have some influence here and can give you the lowest price." Tao smiled and said, "Some of the goods can be sold on credit."
"Yingzi would be happy." Zhang Zhuzi nodded and said, "She can't sit still and always wants to find a job."
"Okay, then give me definite news when I get there!" A Tao watched Zhang Zhuzi get on the carriage and waved goodbye.
The wheels creaked rhythmically as they rolled over the newly frozen dirt road. The cold wind blew on Zhang Zhuzi's face, but it couldn't dampen the warmth in his heart.
Thinking of his wife at home and the fat boy, Zhang Zhuzi couldn't help but smile.
It has only been two years since the pacification of Liaodong, but the changes have been enormous. Even Zhang Zhuzi is surprised when he thinks about it sometimes.
Reconstruction was rapid and the population recovered extremely quickly. Liaodong, which had experienced war, regained its prosperity at an astonishing speed, even exceeding the pre-war level.
This is due to the various preferential policies introduced by the court and the huge resources invested, which not only filled the people with enthusiasm for building their homes, but also gave them the conditions to create wealth.
Everyone has a plan in mind, and they would take advantage of the preferential policies and tax reductions for two or three years to work hard and save some money.
Zhang Zhuzi's family farmed, raised chickens and sheep on credit, and also worked as a transporter. They were doing very well and their lives became more and more promising.
There were many Liao people like his family. Later, the people from Shandong, Shaanxi, and northern Zhili who immigrated here could almost breathe a sigh of relief as long as they had a harvest in one year.
Besides reclamation, the Liaodong government also frequently recruited workers for other projects. The largest project was the railway. The steel mills in Anshan and the coal mines in Fushun became the largest heavy industries in Liaodong, absorbing a large number of workers.
The relaxed policy towards farmers gave the people extra money and promoted the prosperity and development of business.
Relying on its advantage as an early mover, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has set up branches in major towns in Liaodong; the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce and the Maritime Chamber of Commerce have also successively set foot in Liaodong, selling their own specialties and unique products.
Brown sugar, millet, salt, cloth... Zhang Zhuzi counted the daily necessities he had purchased again, and felt relieved when he found that he had not missed anything.
Returning home, looking at his wife’s smiling face and listening to the fat boy’s giggles are the happiest things for Zhang Zhuzi.
Next year, if the harvest is good, I will definitely install a glass window in my house or buy a mirror.
Although his wife didn't say it, Zhang Zhuzi knew that Yingzi valued glass mirrors the most, as they could clearly see every detail. She could still use them frequently in the shop, but with Zhang Zhuzi...
A dozen riders appeared in front, and their military uniforms could be recognized from a distance.
Zhang Zhuzi put away the slight guilt he felt towards his wife, slowed down, drove the car to the side of the road, and made way for the cavalry.
"I really want to go home for the New Year, but I still feel it's more lively to be with my brothers in the camp."
Zhao Huizu was riding on his horse, waving his whip and talking loudly. If anyone called him Fatty Zhao, he would definitely spit in their face.
The fat was gone, all on his face and body. His face had a more mature and experienced look, and his eyes had a more soldierly sharpness.
"Drinking wine in big bowls and eating meat in big mouthfuls is indeed refreshing." Zhang Junneng sighed, "But we haven't seen our parents for several years. We are also unfilial. They are still arranging for me to get married and have already found a girl."
Zhao Huizu glanced at the carriage on the side of the road. The driver's eyes were not full of awe, but envy and emotion. He clenched his fists and covered his chest with them, saluting them.
Although it was a military salute, it was a common salute, not the formal one used in the military camp.
Zhao Huizu covered his chest with his fists, bowed slightly, and politely returned the greeting.
This is also a military background, and they may even have shed blood and been injured. In Liaodong, retired officers and soldiers can be seen everywhere. They have returned to normal civilian life, but their temperament can still be seen.
"Hui Zu, where are your parents? Haven't they arranged a marriage for you?" Zhang Junneng returned the greeting, nodded and smiled, then turned to Zhao Hui Zu and asked.
The shadow of a woman flashed through Zhao Huizu's mind. Her appearance was already very blurry, but the crisp voice was still clearly remembered.
I wonder where she is now and how she is doing?
The thought flashed through Zhao Huizu's mind, but he never dreamed that the girl was already a wife and a mother, sitting on the kang and coaxing her child. He also never imagined that the man who passed by was her man.
With a self-deprecating smile, Zhao Huizu tapped his riding boots with his whip and said, "How could I not have bothered? Just thinking about this makes me feel overwhelmed. What's the point of being blessed with good birth? My parents, they really don't know how extraordinary and heroic I am."
Hahahaha, Zhang Jun laughed out loud. Zhao Huizu's success in losing weight and becoming what he is now was definitely something his parents could not have imagined.
As the laughter faded, Zhang Zhuzi felt a surge of emotion. The soldiers from Liaodong were arriving one after another, and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to find anyone he knew anymore.
The whip was cracked, and the carriage started moving forward. Zhang Zhuzi's heart was filled with anticipation for home and longing for a new life.
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