The son-in-law of a prosperous family

The emperor's eyes were full of surprise and eagerness. He stepped forward and held Zhao Yunchuan's arm tightly, saying solemnly: "Since there are really such high-yield crops, this matter cannot be delayed! We must introduce these sweet potatoes and potatoes to our dynasty for planting as soon as possible."

Zhao Yunchuan returned the greeting respectfully, with a smile on his face, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, it is a coincidence that I have potatoes in my hometown. I bought them from a foreign businessman by chance, and tried to plant them out of curiosity. Unexpectedly, they grew well in the soil of my hometown. Later, I distributed potatoes to the villagers, and gradually the whole village began to plant them."

The emperor listened attentively and said repeatedly: "Good, good! What happened next? Did the whole town start planting?"

Zhao Yunchuan frowned slightly, his face thoughtful: "Your Majesty, I was summoned to the capital later. As for whether potatoes were planted in my hometown town, I don't know. But potatoes have successfully taken root in my hometown village, and the harvest is not bad."

The emperor paced back and forth in his study, his eyes full of longing: "If these high-yield sweet potatoes and potatoes can be promoted throughout the country, the people will be free from hunger and the national strength will be further improved."

The emperor stopped, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and he looked at Zhao Yunchuan seriously and asked, "Can this potato really yield over a thousand kilograms per mu? Are you exaggerating to comfort me?"

Zhao Yunchuan looked sincere and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. To be honest, I have never reached over a thousand kilograms, but I have achieved an output of 800 to 900 kilograms per mu. I have planted it myself at home, so I know it well. The planting process is not complicated. You just need to pay attention to the soil, climate and pests."

The emperor nodded slightly, hope rekindled in his eyes, and he paced in the study again with his hands behind his back, muttering: "Even if the yield per mu is 800 to 900 kilograms, compared with the current crop yield of our dynasty, it is extremely high."

After thinking for a moment, he turned around and ordered Zhao Yunchuan: "My dear Zhao, you must arrange this matter immediately. First, send someone to your hometown as fast as possible to bring potato seedlings and planting experts to the capital. I want to test planting first at the royal farm."

Zhao Yunchuan hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I went home to worship my ancestors some time ago. When I returned with my family to Beijing, I brought several hundred kilograms of potatoes with me. I thought that if there is a chance in the future, I will study in detail how to promote it. Since Your Majesty attaches so much importance to this, I am willing to donate all these potatoes for trial planting in the royal farm."

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and asked, "Why didn't you present this magical thing that is so important to people's livelihood earlier? Why did you have to wait until today to ask me?"

Zhao Yunchuan knelt on the ground with a plop, his forehead pressed against the ground, and said in a panic, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I have my own difficulties. I know this matter is very important, but I am also worried that if I present it rashly, the planting effect will not be good due to the different soil and climate in the capital, which will disappoint your majesty and may also delay the opportunity for promotion. I originally planned to privately explore a planting method suitable for the capital, and then present the potatoes perfectly to your majesty, so that you can see the tangible results and promote it with confidence. That's why I didn't report it in time. I hope your majesty will understand."

Damn, this ancient time was really not a place for human beings to stay. He had to kneel down at every turn, and his knees hurt from kneeling.

Fortunately, Huai Ge'er sewed a kneeling position for him, hehe.

The emperor frowned slightly, with a helpless look on his face. He waved his hand and said, "Don't kneel down all the time. It doesn't hurt you, but it hurts me too. Stand up. I believe you are also thinking about the court. But in the future, if there are such matters concerning the lives of the people, you must not act on your own."

Zhao Yunchuan slowly stood up, took a long breath, and said, "Your Majesty is magnanimous. I will remember this in my heart. I will report it promptly in the future and will not dare to do it again."

The emperor walked to the window, looked at the palace outside, and said with some expectation: "If this potato can be successfully planted in the royal farm, it will be quickly promoted to other places. I want all the people in the world to benefit from this high-yield crop."

Zhao Yunchuan quickly responded, "Your Majesty is wise. I will do my best to write a book on potato planting methods and submit it to the Ministry of Revenue."

In ancient times, agriculture was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue.

The emperor nodded slightly, turned around and looked at Zhao Yunchuan, his expression serious: "My dear Zhao, this matter will be fully handed over to you. I will arrange two officials from the Ministry of Revenue to assist you. You will be the main person in charge. Implement the potato planting as soon as possible."

Zhao Yunchuan cupped his hands and said in a loud and firm voice: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best to live up to your trust! However, potato planting needs to be adapted to local conditions and needs to be arranged in a coordinated manner."

The emperor waved his hand and said, "You and the Ministry of Revenue will work together to solve all the problems that need to be solved. You must move forward as soon as possible."

A moment later, two officials from the Ministry of Revenue hurried into the hall and paid their respects to the emperor.

The emperor explained the important matter in a few words. After receiving the order, the two looked at Zhao Yunchuan respectfully. Zhao Yunchuan briefly exchanged ideas with them and then discussed the detailed plan together.

After returning to the mansion, Zhao Yunchuan lost his appetite and plunged into the study, taking out his previous notes on the key points of potato planting. He combined the planting experience of his hometown with the climate and soil conditions of the capital, and carefully planned the planting plan.

At dawn the next day, Zhao Yunchuan took two officials to the royal estate.

The farm manager had been waiting for a long time when he heard the news. Zhao Yunchuan looked around the farm and divided it into different planting areas according to the terrain and the duration of sunlight.

He told the two officials: "Potatoes like cool weather and require high soil fertility. We should adopt different fertilization and management methods in different regions, keep good data records, and compare the results."

The officials nodded frequently and immediately arranged for the farmers to plow the soil, apply fertilizer, and prepare for the potato seedlings.

In the Hanlin Academy, everyone sat together and talked a lot.

Zhang Jin, who was usually on good terms with Zhao Yunchuan, was full of doubts. He put the book in his hand on the table and said, "Have you heard? Brother Zhao has been assigned by His Majesty to be in charge of potato planting."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

Li Hanlin's eyes widened, and he said in disbelief, "How is this possible? Our Hanlin Academy has always been a place for writing, compiling history books, and giving advice to the emperor. How could he go to farm?"