Chapter 104 The development of agriculture and sericulture in this world far surpasses that of ancient times…
Zhao Guo was a person from the Western Han Dynasty. He served as the Chief of Grain Supply under Emperor Wu of Han, in charge of agricultural affairs.
Lu Xiaoqi always felt that Emperor Wu of Han's ability to recognize and employ people was unparalleled among ancient emperors. If he came to Qinghe Ancient Town, Chen Yingying's position would definitely be in jeopardy.
Unlike the equally brilliant early Tang Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han employed people without regard to background—Wei Qing, who came from a household slave background, later became a general, and Huo Qubing was also a side benefit; Imperial Censors Zhang Tang and Du Zhou were both selected from minor officials; Jin Ridi, the important minister who later entrusted the young emperor to the emperor, was originally just a horse-breeding slave of the Xiongnu who had submitted to the Han Dynasty.
There was also Zhao Guo, the Grain Collector, who was originally unknown but rose through the ranks from a minor official. His method of land substitution made him famous throughout the land. Later, he improved many agricultural tools and became an agronomist who made great contributions to the history of Chinese agriculture.
And now this agronomist is sitting right across from Lu Xiaoqi.
Zhao Guo looked to be in his fifties. He didn't look like a pampered official at all. On the contrary, he had a dark face and large hands and feet. If you removed the clothes he was wearing, he would look no different from an old farmer from Meishan Village.
"As the Queen says, this is China two thousand years in the future?" Zhao Guo frowned, still somewhat dazed even though he already knew this fact.
Lu Xiaoqi nodded repeatedly, looking at him curiously.
This is the person she has summoned so far, apart from the long-gone Li Bing, who is from a period of more than two thousand years!
They were currently in the cafeteria of Zone 7. Zhao had landed near Zone 7 when he arrived, and since Lu Xiaoqi hadn't had dinner yet, he decided to bring him along for a meal. It was already evening, and most of the employees had already finished eating and gone home or gone to their night shifts; only a few were still having dinner.
Zhao Guo was also nervously surveying the space.
Above him were countless tiny suns embedded in the smooth ceiling, illuminating the entire space as bright as day, without a single shadow—a brightness far exceeding that of any palace or workshop he had ever seen. The walls were incredibly smooth, a pure white expanse.
The air was filled with a complex and rich aroma of food, mixed with an indescribable, clean yet unfamiliar scent.
Hmm? Food...
Su Jun walked over carrying two meals. He placed one in front of Lu Xiaoqi and the other in front of Zhao Guo: "Commander Zhao, please eat first. I didn't know your taste, so I just took some random food. Please forgive me."
Their senses were stagnant in the system space, but they quickly became hungry after arriving in the real world. Seeing that Zhao Guo was still in a daze, he took it upon himself to get some food.
Lu Xiaoqi glanced at the food and noticed that Su Jun had given her dishes that she usually liked. She couldn't help but smile. Then she looked at Zhao Guo and quickly introduced him to him: "Commander Zhao, we usually eat rice with stir-fried dishes here. Please try it! If you don't like it, you can also have noodles instead, which is what you call soup noodles."
Zhao Guo quickly stood up and thanked him.
Su Jun left the two of them to continue, then turned to get his own meal.
Zhao Guo's attention was completely drawn to the food in front of him. His gaze shifted from the novelties around him and fixed firmly on the plate in front of him, his focus intense yet scrutinizing.
The food at the staff canteen in Zone 7 is quite good; even employees who live in Anping County are willing to eat there before going home.
On Zhao Guo's plate were several common canteen dishes that Su Jun had brought for him, all of which looked and smelled delicious: a plate of crystal-clear, distinct white rice; a plate of glistening, vibrant green stir-fried vegetables; a piece of fried chicken with a golden, crispy coating and an enticing aroma; and a small dish of scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
Zhao Guo didn't recognize many of the dishes, but they were emitting a wonderful aroma.
"Is this what stir-frying is?" he asked Lu Xiaoqi, looking up at her.
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but smile: "Yes, you can stir-fry or stew it in an iron pot with oil, or deep-fry it."
Zhao Guo immediately understood: "It seems that iron smelting and oil pressing have made great progress."
Only when iron smelting technology advances will surplus iron be used to make cooking utensils instead of weapons. The same principle applies to oil extraction. Although Zhao Guo usually only focuses on his farming, he was also a former high-ranking official and possessed sufficient insight.
Lu Xiaoqi nodded: "There is already a surplus of steel, and we don't have to worry about oil either."
Zhao Guo looked at the food he was most familiar with: rice.
Millet and wheat were the most commonly grown crops in the Han Dynasty, but rice was also a common crop. However, the rice he had seen before was nothing compared to the rice before him now.
It's coarser, yellower, and the grains aren't as plump.
"This rice is so pure..." He stretched out his rough fingers, carefully picked up a few grains, and examined them closely in his palm. The grains were plump, white and flawless, with almost no broken chaff or impurities. It was far superior to even the imperial rice he remembered as tribute.
"Each grain is like a pearl or jade. How could the milling techniques of later generations have reached such a level?" he murmured to himself, his eyes filled with the agronomist's amazement at the superior quality of the crop. It should be noted that in the Han Dynasty, even the food consumed by nobles inevitably contained some unhulled grains or broken pieces.
“Our modern grain milling technology is indeed very advanced.” Seeing him staring intently at the rice, Lu Xiaoqi quickly said, “This is Northeast rice, grown on the black soil, it’s delicious. Would you like to try some?”
She didn't stand on ceremony; it was past seven in the evening, and she was already quite hungry. She picked up her chopsticks and started eating as she spoke.
Zhao Guo picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
The aroma of rice instantly filled his mouth, its texture soft and glutinous, with a natural sweetness. He squinted, even somewhat dazed. This texture... Zhao Guo chewed slowly, savoring the satisfaction brought by this pure grain, far beyond his understanding of his time.
"Good rice!" he couldn't help but murmur his praise. As an official in charge of agriculture, the joy brought by high-quality grain was ingrained in his bones.
Su Jun happened to be carrying a tray over, and also brought a bowl of soup for Zhao Guo and Lu Xiaoqi. Today's soup in the cafeteria was kelp and pork ribs.
Seeing that Zhao Guo's eyes were fixed on the food on the plate, he smiled and explained, "Commander Zhao, this is scrambled eggs with tomatoes. You probably haven't had this before."
"Tomato?" Zhao Guo asked curiously, picking up a piece with his chopsticks. "Indeed, I have never seen such a colorful fruit before."
Su Jun recalled when he first arrived: "I only got to eat this after I came here. This dish is now an indispensable vegetable on the Chinese people's table, and the consumption is huge."
He loves to eat.
Lu Xiaoqi explained the origin of the tomatoes, then looked intently at Zhao Guo, eager to see what Zhao Duwei thought of them.
Zhao Guo picked up a piece of tomato, brought it close to his nose, and a fresh, slightly sour aroma filled his nostrils. He took a small bite, and the sweet and sour juice burst in his mouth. It was a rich and complex flavor that he had never experienced before, with a hint of egg.
"Is it delicious?" Lu Xiaoqi asked expectantly.
"Hiss..." Zhao Guo took a slight breath, his eyes widening in surprise. "This taste... is quite peculiar! It's sour with a hint of sweetness, juicy and tender... indeed, as the Lady said, it's delicious."
He savored the taste, even unconsciously poking at the remaining tomatoes on the plate with his spoon, observing the structure of the seeds in their cross-section. His agronomist instincts led him to analyze the characteristics of this unknown crop.
"Is it warm or cold in nature? What kind of soil is it suitable for planting? How much water does it need?" These questions were almost on the tip of his tongue, but he quickly realized that the occasion was inappropriate and forcibly held back. He just stared at the few tomatoes, his eyes burning as if he were looking at a field.
"It's precisely because it tastes so good that more and more people are growing it now," Lu Xiaoqi said.
Zhao Guo hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Can ordinary people eat this?"
Is something so delicious really just ordinary food?
Lu Xiaoqi nodded easily, swallowed the food in her mouth, and then said, "Tomatoes are just a very common vegetable, and they're not expensive. In the summer, the vegetable market is piled high with them. Every household buys them to cook, whether it's for cold dishes, scrambled eggs, or soups."
"Every household?" Zhao Guo's hand holding the spoon paused, and his dark face was almost overflowing with shock. He asked urgently, "Then, this white rice, such fine rice, with every grain plump and without impurities, can be eaten by ordinary farmers every day?"
Su Jun understood his feelings and, after considering it for a moment, said, "Commander Zhao, this place is prosperous. Ordinary people have no shortage of food and clothing. Foods like fried chicken, pork, and even seafood are readily available. You'll see if you stay here longer and take a look."
Su Jun had great respect for Zhao Guo.
Agriculture is a vital matter for the nation, and while agricultural officials were not as prestigious as those in the Imperial Academy or the Hanlin Academy, and had little power to influence politics, they were highly respected. Zhao Guo, in particular, is remembered in history for his reform of the land system.
Zhao Guo was taken aback by Su Jun's words. His gaze fell again on the scrambled eggs with tomatoes on the plate, then swept over the steaming, fragrant seaweed and pork rib soup next to it, and finally settled on the bowl of pure white rice, each grain as white as a pearl.
In his time, even wealthy manor lords did not eat such a high-quality food. Rice was precious, and ordinary people mostly ate millet and wheat, which were far less refined. Meat was even rarer, enjoyed only in small quantities during festivals or special occasions. As for the brightly colored and uniquely flavored "tomato" before him, it was unheard of, and in Zhao Guo's mind, its value was probably comparable to that of rare delicacies and exotic fruits.
His gaze returned to the bowl of seaweed and pork rib soup. The broth was clear, with dark green seaweed and tenderly stewed pork ribs floating on top.
“This is called kelp. It grows in the sea and is dried before being transported here,” Lu Xiaoqi explained immediately. “Now that transportation is so convenient, even inland areas can easily enjoy seafood. This soup is also a very common soup served in the cafeteria.”
Sea creatures turned into ordinary soup?
Zhao Guo felt a tightness in his throat. He picked up the soup bowl and carefully took a sip. The warm broth, with its salty and savory flavor and the rich aroma of bones, slid down his throat, and the slippery, chewy texture of the seaweed was a completely new experience.
There was also fried chicken, with its golden, crispy exterior and rich, oily aroma—a powerful contrast to the Han Dynasty people's preference for light, steamed or boiled dishes. He hesitated for a moment, then carefully took a bite. The crispy skin and the tender, juicy meat inside surprised him once again.
"The people's daily food..." Zhao Guo repeated these words in a low voice, each word like a heavy hammer hitting his heart.
He recalled seeing the pale-faced farmers in Guanzhong when he promoted the crop rotation system, holding coarse millet porridge with little oil in their bowls. He devoted himself to improving farm tools and promoting crop rotation, all he wanted was for the people to harvest a few more bushels of grain and suffer less from famine.
In this canteen, the few people still eating had plates piled high with refined rice, meat, and vegetables they'd never seen before, accompanied by thick soup. They ate with composure; no one noticed the whiteness of the rice, no one marveled at a piece of fried chicken or a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and no one thought there was anything special about the seaweed soup.
Zhao Guo swallowed the food in his mouth, looked at the colorful and fragrant dishes on his plate, then looked around the brightly lit and exquisitely decorated dining hall, finally letting out a very soft sigh filled with complex emotions:
"The later generations...have actually progressed so much...Two thousand years of vicissitudes, the world has been turned upside down!"
He was somewhat shocked and confused.
Su Jun's tone was gentle yet firm, "Commander Zhao, the development of agriculture and sericulture in this era far surpasses that of ancient times. Rice and wheat yields are extremely high, with numerous superior varieties emerging, and we also have excellent farming tools and convenient irrigation..."
Lu Xiaoqi looked into Zhao Guo's eyes and suddenly chuckled: "Think about it, if two thousand years have passed and we haven't made any progress at all, wouldn't our ancestors like you say we descendants are worthless?!"
She deliberately spoke in a junior's tone, and Zhao Guo couldn't help but relax, laughing out loud with a sense of relief: "Yes, Your Majesty is right!"
Two thousand years have passed, and their descendants have also made something of themselves!
Lu Xiaoqi continued, "Besides, without people like you who gradually improved various tools and farming methods and passed on your experience, how could we have achieved such great success today?"
Zhao Guo was delighted by her words, and his initial hesitation gradually disappeared.
"You should go back and rest first. I'll have someone bring some books tomorrow so you can familiarize yourself with the situation here before going outside to take a look." Su Jun was already quite adept at arranging these things.
He planned two small buildings in Zone 4 as a temporary accommodation, where every newcomer could stay. Every two weeks, he would replenish their clothing and daily necessities, including books. It was practically a small library of literature and history.
Therefore, Lu Xiaoqi doesn't need to worry at all.
After finishing their meal, they chatted for a while before Lu Xiaoqi parted ways with them. Su Jun took Zhao to District 4, and she planned to stroll around the ancient town.
She didn't ask Zhao Guo about his wishes. She needed to wait until he adjusted to this era and saw more of the current situation before making a decision. However, even a fool could tell that Zhao Guo's wishes were definitely related to agriculture, and his special ability was most likely related as well.
Lu Xiaoqi was already considering whether to give Zhao Guo a piece of land; there seemed to be a small space available on the lakeside plot...
While wandering around Zone 1, she happened to run into the director and producer of the film crew who were coming to shoot a movie. They were sitting in the observation pavilion in Zone 1.
"Miss Lu, what a coincidence!" Producer Wang greeted her warmly.
Lu Xiaoqi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and walked over: "Good evening, Producer Wang, Director Tang. Are you here to watch the fireworks?"
The fireworks are about to start.
Director Tang gave her a seat. He had a good impression of this young boss from Qinghe Ancient Town—he wasn't arrogant, and most importantly, he could understand people and was easy to communicate with.
"We came here to see how we'll film the scenes," said Producer Wang. "We also want to thank Ms. Lu for providing such a great location. Your town is absolutely amazing!"
While not as convenient as a film studio, it was more realistic, with more unique and beautiful scenery, and more meticulous attention to detail. Even their air conditioner units and all the electrical wiring—things that would reveal a modern urban feel—were completely hidden. Producer Wang and Director Tang were very satisfied after their tour.
Lu Xiaoqi said modestly, "It's all thanks to Director Tang for giving us such an excellent script. It's sure to be a huge hit when it airs, and our ancient town will benefit from that."
She's getting better and better at saying polite things.
However, Director Tang's script is indeed very good, combining palace intrigue and power struggles with melodramatic misunderstandings in love, and it has some exciting moments.
They were filming the scene of the male and female leads' first meeting in Qinghe Ancient Town, while Zhao Feiyan, who played the Empress, hadn't appeared yet. Her scenes would be filmed in Hengdian in May. She is currently still diligently touring with "Ta Jinlian." She will join the production team as soon as the tour ends.
But she flew to the capital last month to try on makeup.
Producer Wang was very satisfied with Zhao Feiyan's makeup and styling: "It's perfect. You know what, Zhao Feiyan's aura is really suitable for the role of the Empress. If it were based on the Consort in the original novel, I really wouldn't know who to find to suppress her as the Empress."
Director Tang thought to himself: "Originally, she might not have been chosen to play the role of the Imperial Concubine, right?"
However, he was quite satisfied after Zhao Feiyan's makeup test. Although she was beautiful, she exuded the dignified and regal presence of an empress. Thus, as long as her acting wasn't excessively bad, she would pass muster.
Lu Xiaoqi thanked Zhao Feiyan on her behalf, chatted for a while longer, and then said goodbye.
After watching the fireworks, Producer Wang and Director Tang leisurely returned to their hotel, where they bumped into He Yan, the female lead of the film, as soon as they entered.
He Yan is a top-tier actress in the entertainment industry today, known for her professionalism, good reputation, and excellent acting skills. Despite being in her thirties, she still possesses pure eyes and a beautiful face. In this drama, she portrays the female lead from her teens to her forties, and her makeup and styling are completely natural.
Producer Wang was somewhat surprised: "How come you got here so quickly?"
The crew needs to set up the set and adjust the lighting first, so for now, only the behind-the-scenes staff have arrived; the actors haven't joined the crew yet.
He Yan smiled and said, "I think it's more atmospheric to read the script here. I happen to have some free time, so I came here to get a feel for it."
Producer Wang was deeply moved: "It has to be you."
Director Tang, who was closer to her and a good friend, retorted expressionlessly, "...I think you just don't want to stay at home."
He Yan chuckled twice, then sighed, "It's so annoying, everyone keeps rushing me, but I really am not satisfied with any of those dresses! I can't possibly show up at my own wedding wearing a dress that I don't like, can I?"
She refused to settle.
For a wedding to be truly perfect, you should wear the most beautiful dress from your dreams.
Yes, popular actress He Yan is preparing to marry her fiancé, with whom she has been engaged for several years, this year. Her fiancé comes from an impressive family, and she is very serious about the wedding, planning to make it a wedding of the century and personally handling everything.
But in the end, we got stuck on the dress.
She's already booked her main wedding dress; it's a custom-designed piece from a brand she represents, partly as a promotional tool. But she hasn't finalized the other gowns yet.
In particular, He Yan became even more anxious when her arch-rival, another popular actress in the entertainment industry, got married a few months ago, with her wedding and wedding dress trending on social media.
We absolutely cannot lose!
"I've tried so many brands, but none of them are quite right," He Yan complained to the two of them. "I also contacted some designers to have custom designs made, but I wasn't very satisfied with the designs they produced. I just came back from Paris, and I spent a few days wandering around Suzhou and Shanghai, but I still haven't found anything I'm happy with."
After a period of anxiety, He Yan realized this wasn't a solution, especially since she had to be on set for another three months. Being dedicated to her job, she decided to arrive a few days early to calm herself down and get into character.
Director Tang's expression softened. Although He Yan had acted a bit out of line, her professionalism was evident.
He comforted me, saying, "Things will work themselves out. Your mindset is off right now. Once you have the right mindset, your perspective will change."
He Yan curled the corners of her lips: "That's what I think too. Don't make decisions when you're not in the right mindset."
The next day, just as dawn was breaking and the morning mist was thick, He Yan woke up. Perhaps it was the distance from the hustle and bustle of the city, or perhaps it was the tranquil atmosphere of the ancient town that soothed her restless mind, but she slept exceptionally soundly.
"Come on, let's go for a walk and get some fresh air," she said, waking up her assistant, Xiaowen.
After a quick tidying up, the two, without makeup and dressed in comfortable casual clothes, quietly blended into the awakening morning light of the ancient town with the film crew. The town was not yet open for business, and the entire town was very quiet, except for several photographers and tourists filming, each occupying their own space in a harmonious atmosphere.
They were busy with their own things and didn't pay any attention to others. He Yan originally wanted to wear a mask, but in the end she put it down.
It's still so comfortable.
A faint mist hung in the air, carrying the scents of water vapor, fresh grass and trees, and a subtle aroma of food. Everything seemed so tranquil and peaceful, exuding an air of undisturbed seclusion. For a moment, she even felt as if she had traveled back in time to some ancient Jiangnan town, like a paradise on earth.
Looking at the scenery before her, He Yan suddenly had an idea: "What do you think about shooting my big movie here next month?"
She hadn't just been filming these past few months; she also had a magazine photoshoot scheduled long ago, but the topic hadn't been decided yet. He Yan, however, had some inspiration. She immediately took a picture with her phone and sent it to the magazine's editor-in-chief:
How about this view? Thinking of shooting here next month?
It's so early, there won't be any reply even if I send it out, so He Yan put her phone in her pocket and continued browsing leisurely.
Looking at the beautiful scenery and listening to the babbling brook, He Yan felt a sense of peace. It had been a long time since she had strolled around a scenic area so casually like a real tourist. Her previous anxiety was fading away, and she let out a sigh of relief.
Director Tang is right—changing your environment really does change your mindset.
Perhaps she will soon find a dress that she likes.
He Yan walked across the small bridge, through the narrow alley, and looked at the mottled old walls and carved window frames. She slowly felt that she had found a tiny bit of the feeling of the character in the play.
Unconsciously, they arrived at Section Five and turned into a relatively quiet alley. Here, there was no hustle and bustle of the waterfront, only rows of workshops. One workshop in the alley had a particularly rustic and dignified facade; above the wooden lintel hung an elegant wooden plaque with four powerful characters:
Qinghe Textile Bureau.
"Hmm, this store... looks really unique," Assistant Xiaowen said softly. "Is it a clothing store?"
One side of the storefront features a huge floor-to-ceiling glass display window.
He Yan looked up.
The sun had already risen, and the soft morning light streamed in unobstructed, shining directly on the Tang-style ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) in the center of the shop window.
Its color is as intense as the morning glow, as if the hottest pomegranate seeds had been crushed and dyed, pure and full. The long skirt spreads out like flowing water, and though still, one can imagine how soft and light it would be when it moves.
What made He Yan hold her breath the most was the outer layer of light gauze, with a nearly transparent monofilament as its base, as thin as morning mist. Sunlight filtered through this thin gauze, gently revealing the pomegranate red base color underneath. The two blended together, making the red no longer simply intense, but adding a touch of hazy, alluring charm.
But this is by no means a simple piece of light gauze. On it, it is covered with lifelike floral and bird patterns embroidered with unimaginably intricate stitches using fine gold thread.
Golden threads weave across the light, airy ground, painting a magnificent, meticulously detailed flower-and-bird painting directly onto the flowing mist. They depict blooming peonies, gracefully intertwined lotus blossoms, and lively phoenixes and sparrows.
As the angle of the sunlight shifted slightly, the flowers and birds embroidered with gold thread seemed to come alive.
"This is so beautiful..." He Yan murmured to herself, almost mesmerized by the gorgeous dress before her.
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