Great Qin Shi Empress

==·Thanks·==

This kind of national affairs is not something Xiao He can listen to today, so he quickly resigned and left.

Ying Zheng didn't force him to stay, but looked at Li Si after he left, "What's going on?"

Li Si hurriedly explained: "After I came back a few days ago, I immediately started to deal with the official documents that I had piled up before. This morning, I saw this letter delivered by the governor of Jiuyuan County. The content is the same as before. What I said is that those Xiongnu tribes who did not belong to the Great Qin before regretted it and wanted to return to the Great Qin."

As he spoke, he immediately handed over the letter to the servant.

The servant took over and handed it over to Ying Zheng.

After Ying Zheng opened the letter, he scanned it at a glance: "Didn't you mention the reason?"

When the Touman tribe was attacked before, many Xiongnu tribes cooperated with Daqin.

Later, when Xu Shi saw the strength of Great Qin, many tribes chose to join Qin and become a part of Qin. However, there were also some Xiongnu tribes who were used to living freely and unfettered, and did not want to be ruled by others. Jurisdiction.

Naturally, these tribes did not take refuge in Qin, but chose to nomad outside the border of Qin.

But now, these people suddenly proposed to join Qin?

Haven't mentioned why yet?

Ying Zheng had no choice but to suspect that he had been forced by external forces: "But because the Touman tribe has regained its vitality, did you lead troops to the border to retaliate against them?"

Li Si shook his head again and again: "That's not the case. After reading the letter, I immediately sent someone to investigate, and found that the border has been calm recently, and there has been no invasion at all. I specially ordered people to find General Meng Tian to inquire. I just learned from the mouth that the root cause of these Xiongnu tribes suddenly wanting to belong to Daqin lies in those Xiongnu county magistrates."

Yingzheng paused: "Xiongnu county magistrate?"

When Li Si thought about it, he found it funny: "Although the Xiongnu county magistrate and the leaders of the Xiongnu tribes belong to two countries, when they chose the pasture, those Xiongnu tribes deliberately chose the outskirts of the county where their friends live. Transactions will be easier."

"Because of the good relationship, the two parties communicate frequently and know each other's situation well."

"The turning point of things happened when the school was built some time ago."

"Although the Xiongnu county magistrates had a misunderstanding because of illiteracy, the Xiongnu county magistrates, county guards and others cleared up their suspicions and soon sent their children to schools in nearby counties."

"The Huns didn't have a school, so it didn't take long for the young people in those tribes to realize something was wrong."

"In addition to the school, there are also several roads built by the imperial court on the grassland, which seem to make them envious. The elders in the tribe are fine, but the middle-aged and children are very curious about it, and often go to that road."

The roads on the grassland were all built from neighboring counties. The distance was not too long, and it was multi-line construction, so it took about two or three months to repair it.

After drying for almost half a month, those Xiongnu had already used the cement road.

The cement road was repaired, and of course the post station was also built.

The officials at the station had to live in it all the time, even if they could discuss changing shifts internally, it would be too lonely and boring.

So the county guards from all over the country specially sent a lot of books to the post station at the very beginning——

In order to prevent being seen by the Huns from the outer tribes, the county guard did not send books such as military books and strategies, but Zhang Liang and other scholars compiled pamphlets, story books, new three hundred thousand and other enlightenment books and dictionaries. ...and sent them all to him.

Maybe few people could understand these books at the beginning, but after the children who read and read in the school came back, these books immediately became useful.

Li Si thought for a while, and added: "In addition, the lives of the people in those Xiongnu counties are getting better and better..."

We used to have a good relationship, and our standard of living was about the same. Although the standard of living of each other is not the same as that of heaven and earth, there is indeed a considerable gap: at least the Xiongnu in a few counties established on the grassland can now With a combination of meat and vegetables, there is no need to worry about food and clothing, but those Hun tribes outside are still the same as before. Although they eat meat, their lives are really not good.

It would be fine if the other party had always been like this, but the reality is that they had this change only after they took refuge in Qin.

This is unbearable.

Seeing the life of their neighbors getting better and better, and there is a tendency to continue to improve, the people of the Hun tribe naturally couldn't sit still.

After Ying Zheng listened, he took a look at Li Si: "Don't worry, what's going on, wait for Xiao He to go to Jiuyuan County and see for himself."

Li Si was stunned: "Xiao He is going to Jiuyuan County?"

Yingzheng nodded: "Marquis Gu Feng recently obtained some grass seeds, which are said to have a large yield and high nutritional value. It's just that the Xiongnu are used to the nomadic life of living by water, and it will take a lot of work to get them to settle down. Therefore, the widow sent Xiao He there, hoping that he can do a good job in this matter."

Li Si was stunned for a moment, remembering what Xiao He had done to promote pork during this period, and nodded in agreement: "Xiao He can put down his figure and mix with the common people. It is indeed very suitable for him to do this kind of thing."

Xiao He told Liu Ji and the others about his possible trip to Jiuyuan County after he finished his work that day.

The brothers looked at each other in blank dismay, they didn't expect such a development.

But Fan Kui and others have serious official positions in Xianyang, and it is impossible to leave with Xiao He without an edict, so everyone can only turn their attention to Liu Ji.

Xiao He was going to the grassland to do business, so it was always worrying to be alone.

Liu Ji had no objection: "I've never been to Jiuyuan County, so I just went to play."

Xiao He sighed: "If you hold this kind of thinking, it's better for me to go there alone."

Liu Ji glanced at him: "Why, you still despise him?"

Xiao He was helpless: "Isn't it disgusting? Last time you were busy with me, and finally got a job as a petty official with a glib tongue and barely passable skills. In the end, you didn't take it seriously, and got drunk that night. It's too late, and you lost a good job, so I still hate it?"

Liu Ji's eyes drifted a little: "I'm not too happy?"

Xiao He didn't believe it: "Too happy? Too depressed, right?"

Seeing Liu Ji's embarrassment, Xiao He said seriously. "I'm not joking with you. This mission was not only ordered by His Majesty himself, but the importance is completely different from the last time. This matter is related to the Huns, and there is no room for sloppy. If you continue to fool around, I dare not take you there Jiuyuan County."

Liu Ji paused: "The Huns?"

Xiao He nodded: "Your Majesty has obtained some grass seeds, and it is said that the yield is very large. If the planting is promoted, those Huns may be able to settle in a certain place."

After all, Liu Ji is a person who has the qualifications to become an emperor, and he knew the seriousness of the matter as soon as he heard this.

He immediately promised: "You still don't know me? I may be vague about small things, but if you leave the big things to me, you can't make mistakes!"

Xiao He breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, let's pack up quickly."

The brothers prepared the luggage for Xiao He and Liu Ji, and asked for leave to see them off at the city gate.

But I didn't want to meet an old man driving a group of piglets into the city at the gate of the city. The old man recognized Xiao He at a glance, and walked up to Xiao He happily: "My lord, where are you going? ?”

Xiao He also recognized the old man, hurriedly got off his horse and greeted him with a smile: "Old Zhang An, boy, I have received a mission and am about to go to Jiuyuan County."

As he spoke, he glanced at the piglets tied up by the old man with a rope, and said with a smile, "This piggy in your family is two months old, and it can be brought out for sale? Why does it seem that the number is not large? I remember I visited you before When my family went to publicize the issue of raising pigs, there were a dozen or so little piglets in your pigpen.”

The old man laughed loudly: "Thanks to your publicity, my piglets were sold early this year."

Xiao He was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "This is a good thing."

There are only the old couple in this old man's house, and they have been counting on selling piglets for a year to make money.

I heard that in previous years, the piglets would be sold at the market just after the full moon, but they couldn’t be sold out in one go, they had to be divided into several batches, but now they are sold before the piglets grow up, so there is no need to run back and forth repeatedly.

The old man had a smile on his face: "You don't have to worry about me, I have learned a craft now."

Xiao He was curious: "What craft?"

The old man glanced around, and carefully leaned into Xiao He's ear: "Didn't you tell me about the method of killing pigs before? I thought that this job is not difficult, so I thought about learning it myself, and I will use it before selling piglets." Well, take it out and publicize it, it will be easier to sell."

"Later, the news spread that my piglets were really easy to sell, and a litter of piglets had already been booked out."

"These are the last few that were agreed to be delivered to the market today, and they are just waiting for payment."

"I'm still surprised. Although there are not many people who raise pigs these days, pigs can eat everything. It's hard to raise them, and it's not easy to raise them to death. Many people are greedy for the meat, and they are willing to buy one back. They were left in the wasteland to be raised, so there are still many people who make a living selling piglets, even if there are more people buying piglets this year, my piglets will not be so popular.”

"It was only later that I found out that a lot of people don't want to do the job of weeding pigs." The old man smiled, "I don't mind it. I can earn two dollars for a pig when I go out. Now I'm one of ours. The only person in ten miles and eight villages who knows how to piggyback has about [-] yuan a month, and by saving it, our old couple can cover their annual expenses. This is a lot of income, and life is more hopeful than in the past."

Xiao He laughed: "You are getting old, so you don't have to be too busy. You really can't raise a few more pigs. Listen to me, those nobles like pork now, even the nobles in the palace like it."

The old man nodded again and again, proudly said: "I'm raising them. After you came, my old lady immediately detained two piglets and raised them according to the method you said. They will sell them to earn some money later in the year."

The two were talking, when suddenly a commoner came over: "Old man, your piglet looks good, do you sell it? What's the price?"

Seeing that the old man had something to do, Xiao He hurriedly smiled and said goodbye to him.

The old man apologized to the man first, and then said to Xiao He: "If you meet Gu Fenghou in the future, remember to thank the little old man, and say that thanks to her help, the little old man's life is much better now .”

Xiao He was startled, and immediately responded with a smile.

On the way, Liu Ji gave him a white look: "It's just an ordinary old man, you care so much about him? The most important thing is to get to Jiuyuan County as soon as possible."

Xiao He glanced at him: "What time is it, why are you still so high-minded..."

Liu Ji chuckled, waved his horsewhip and ran away.

Xiao He looked at the two carriages behind him, and had no choice but to watch him take a step ahead.

==·Doubt·==

Xiao He and Liu Ji hurried all the way, and finally reached the grassland in the first ten days of April.

After they arrived at the place, they immediately went to the sheriff. After some rest, they left a cart full of grass seeds for the sheriff to arrange. Then they drove towards the grassland under the leadership of the soldiers.

It was also a coincidence that when Xiao He and Liu Ji arrived, it happened that the students were on vacation.

A group of people passed by the place where the Qin army camped before heading to the grassland——

Before Yingzheng, he really thought about whether to transfer Meng Tian and other soldiers stationed near the Great Wall to the grassland, but the grassland was so vast and without shelter, it was really not suitable for stationing, and those Huns patted their chests and promised that they would The abnormality was reported immediately, and Meng Tian and others finally returned to the vicinity of the Great Wall.

Seeing that someone was going to the grassland, Meng Tian came up to inquire about the situation in person, and when he learned that it was someone from Xianyang, he suddenly realized.

He often communicates with Xianyang, so he naturally knows about it.

After the two parties greeted each other, they prepared to leave.

But at this moment, Liu Ji suddenly pointed in one direction and asked, "Why are there two children over there? And one of them looks like a foreigner?"

Meng Tian glanced back and explained: "Those two children, one is the only son of the next lieutenant general, because his wife died early, so he can only take the child to the army to take care of; the other has a special status, but please rest assured, His Majesty knows about this matter. .”

When Liu Ji heard that even His Majesty knew about that person's existence, he touched his nose in embarrassment.

Meng Tian laughed when he saw this: "Thank you, the strong man, for your concern. But that child is Terie, if you see other foreigners in the barracks in the future, please tell me immediately."

Liu Ji felt relieved, and immediately smiled.

Not wanting to hear that Xiao He and others were going to the Xiongnu's territory, Mao Dun immediately pulled Han Xin over: "What are you going to Xiongnu County for?"

Liu Ji looked at Xiao He and didn't say much.

Xiao He glanced at Mao Dun, his eyes flashed: "It's just some trivial things, not worth mentioning."

Mao Dun frowned, and couldn't help turning his head to look at Meng Tian.

But Meng Tian was helpless: "He came here for His Majesty's order, I don't dare to inquire about it."

Mao Dun frowned, always feeling that something beyond his expectations had happened.

Xiao He glanced at the sky, and cupped his hands at Meng Tian: "The temperature difference between day and night in the grassland is huge, we still need to arrive at the post station before dark, so we won't greet General Meng. Let's say goodbye, and see you next time, General Meng!"

Meng Tian bowed his hand and personally sent the man to the foot of the Great Wall before leaving.

Xiao He and others soon arrived at the station.

Before entering the door, he saw two young Huns coming out from the inside, led them off their horses, and then went to the carriage behind to help the driver unload the things inside.

Liu Ji looked at the two young Huns curiously, and asked curiously: "Are they really willing to let His Majesty build roads in the grassland? I wonder if it will be very easy for Daqin soldiers to attack them in the future once the roads are opened in the grasslands? They're not worried at all?"

Xiao He was so angry that he raised his hand and whipped him with a horse whip: "Shut up!"

Liu Ji was taken aback, and realized that he might have gotten into trouble, so he immediately shut his mouth.

but……

Those two teenagers have lived on the grassland all year round, and they are the most sharp-eyed, how could they not hear what they said?

It's just that the reactions of the two teenagers were different from what they expected——

One of the teenagers glanced at the two of them suspiciously: "We have already obtained the photo of the state of Qin. We are serious Qin people. Why did your majesty send troops to attack us? If you really want to send troops, it should be to attack the head." What does the Man tribe have to do with us?"

The other boy had a displeased expression: "Do you want to say that His Majesty will still attack his own people?"

Xiao He turned his head and glared at Liu Ji, before he explained: "He is my brother, he is not well-informed because he has never been an official, he didn't know that you are already from Qin, and he thought you were just like those Hun tribes outside of Qin, but It’s just a good relationship with Qin.”

Liu Ji Neng bowed and stretched, and immediately apologized to them: "I was being rude. Since you are already from Qin, His Majesty should treat you equally."

The two teenagers looked at each other and said nothing more.

Before going to bed, Xiao He told Liu Ji everything about the situation in the grassland, and told him several times, and then he went back to his room and fell asleep.

Early the next morning, the two followed one of the teenagers to meet the county magistrate of the Xiongnu.

These Huns seemed to have their own special contact codes. After the young man ran with them for a while, he only needed to stop and look around to find the right direction and continue to lead Xiao He and others forward.In about an hour, they saw a bunch of tents made of animal fur.

The boy waved his hand in the direction of the tent from a distance, and then immediately rushed over on his horse.

The two of Xiao He didn't dare to delay, and they also ran over.

Soon, the two met the county magistrate.

As soon as the county magistrate saw the two of them, he cheerfully welcomed them into the tent, and then seriously asked the reason why the two came: "I heard that you two came from Xianyang, and I am far away from welcoming you, please forgive me."

Xiao He hurriedly said that he didn't dare, and then he opened his mouth to explain the purpose of coming: "Next time, I came here to bring you grass seeds. Because the sowing date of this grass seed is from the end of March to the whole of April, I am a little anxious about time, I hope The county magistrate can lead me down to visit other county magistrates as soon as possible."

Plant the grass first, and then go to see those Hun tribes who want to defect to Qin.

The county magistrate was stunned: "Grass seeds?"

Xiao He nodded: "It's mainly alfalfa, and there are also some other pastures. The main reason is that this pasture has a large yield. If it can be planted, you may choose a place with abundant water and grass to settle down in the future."

settle down?

The county magistrate looked at Xiao He blankly: "We raise a lot of cattle, sheep and livestock, and the daily consumption of forage is quite a huge amount. Although there are people who like this kind of wandering life without a fixed place, But most of them still prefer to settle down and build their own houses like Qin people, warm in winter and cool in summer.”

"We live by water to ensure that the cattle and sheep raised by us have enough food, and we move to other places when the pasture in a grassland is almost eaten."

"but……"

The county magistrate didn't quite believe Xiao He's words: "Is there really a pasture in this world that can feed tens of thousands of cattle and sheep all year round?"

Xiao He didn't know much about nomads before, but now he knows the reason why they live without a fixed place.

However, he is quite confident in Gu Fenghou: "Don't worry, this grass seed was brought out by Gu Fenghou. Gu Fenghou, you should know it? It is the person who took out potatoes, sweet potatoes and other grains. People in the Central Plains used to It is precisely because of these high-yielding grains that people can’t get enough to eat, and the people’s lives will be better and better.”

The county magistrate paused: "Marquis Gu Feng took it out?"

Of course he had heard of Gu Fenghou's name.

In fact, the name of Marquis Gufeng Linqian was in the hearts of the entire Qin State, and even the Huns who had just joined the Great Qin, and their status and reputation were second only to King Qin Yingzheng.

And he also knew that Marquis Gu Feng was able to become a Marquis as a woman because of the high-yield grains he produced.

In terms of food, everyone's trust in Gu Fenghou can be raised wirelessly!

grass……

The county magistrate blinked, and couldn't help asking: "This pasture is also food for cattle and sheep, so... we should be able to trust Marquis Gu Feng, right?"

Xiao He was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "I think what the county magistrate said is very reasonable!"

The county magistrate was affirmed, and he was relieved at once.

He thought for a while and asked: "We have just arrived in this grassland, and we won't leave for at least a month. But I see that the people in the pass need to plow and fertilize the land to grow food. Planting grass should also need it." ? Then the grassland we are grazing now may not be suitable..."

Xiao He smiled and said, "Don't worry, there is no need to plant grass on the grassland you live in now."

……

While the two were talking, Lin Qian and Ying Zheng, who were far away in Xianyang, were also talking about planting grass.

Of course, it was mainly Ying Zheng's inquiry, and Lin Qian replied——

It's not that I don't believe in the effect of pasture, but the planting of pasture is very important, and I have never heard of the saying that nomads can also settle in a certain place before, so it is inevitable to ask a few more questions to avoid any mistakes .

And the first question he asked was the site selection for pasture planting: "The pasture can choose land? Or can it be sprinkled on the ground and wait for it to germinate?"

Lin Qian smiled: "I used to think the same as you, but the modern host helped me check the planting method of pasture, and I realized that although pasture can be sprinkled in one place as you said, waiting to grow That’s fine, but if you want to grow well, it takes no less time and effort than growing food.”

"It's not difficult to choose a site. Generally, the land is fertile and not dry."

"Those Huns lived by the water, and the grasslands they stayed in the past years were also places with abundant water and grass. Just any grassland they had been to before would perfectly meet the requirements."

"Then it's turning the ground."

"This is a bit more convenient than farming. It doesn't need to be plowed too deep, and it only needs to be plowed once a year. After the pasture is planted, you can harvest several stubbles a year, and some animals are like alfalfa. I really like alfalfa, which also has quite high nutritional value, and I can even harvest a hay thirteen times during the growing season, and some pastures can even be green all year round.”

"Then comes breeding and fertilization."

"Every household of the Xiongnu raises a lot of cattle and sheep. Natural fertilizers are absolutely indispensable. As long as you teach him how to manure or compost, and add other fertilizers recently researched by alchemists, the nutrients needed for pasture are complete. not a problem."

Lin Qian also told Ying Zheng about the other details of pasture planting.

After speaking, Lin Qian smiled: "Actually, the most troublesome part of settling down is not planting pasture, but harvesting pasture, silage and harvesting seeds."

However, the modern host has found all relevant information and handed it over to Lin Qian.

But Lin Qian didn't hide anything, and handed it over to Xiao He directly after the translation.

So as long as those Huns strictly follow the steps when planting pasture, there should be no major problems.

Ying Zheng frowned: "Since planting grass is not much different from growing food and vegetables, wouldn't those Huns have to move to other places before the grass grows?"

Lin Qian paused and said with a smile: "They can directly spread the grass seeds on the grasslands they have been to before."

Ying Zheng reacted: "I'm confused."

The Xiongnu often took their cattle and sheep to eat up the pasture on a grassland before moving away. In this case, wouldn’t it be better to plant pasture directly on the pasture that they just left than to plant pasture directly on the current pasture? more convenient--

They also save the hassle of weeding.

……

In fact, the Huns did exactly that.

After getting the grass seeds and deciding whether they could live a settled life by planting pastures, the group of Huns couldn't wait to go directly to the previous pastures with the hoes and other things they bought from the county town of Jiuyuan County.

Coincidentally, their friendly tribe was grazing in this area recently, and wanted to say hello when they saw them coming.

However, after noticing the completely different attires of Xiao He, Liu Ji and the others, those Hun tribe members worried about causing misunderstanding, so they retreated obediently outside the border.

One of the elders was curious: "Didn't you go to the east pasture, why are you back?"

The county magistrate laughed: "Oh, isn't it true that His Majesty and Gu Fenghou of the court did not forget us when they were far away in Xianyang, so they deliberately found some grass seeds? They said they planted the grass seeds. Maybe you can settle in a certain place.”

As he spoke, he patted the agricultural tools hanging on the horse proudly, "No, let's come and see if this pasture can really be grown."

He intended to show off, but he soon remembered that the other party seemed to have sent a letter to Xianyang requesting surrender?

The county magistrate flashed his eyes and said with a smile: "It's a pity that this grass seed can only be planted from the end of March to April, and there is not much time left now. We are in a hurry to dig the ground and plant it, so we don't agree with it." You talk too much."

The other party didn't understand what the county magistrate was saying at first, seeing that they were really anxious, they offered to help.

After consulting Xiao He's opinion, the county magistrate pulled him to his side.

then……

The county magistrate couldn't help pointing out: "You are stupid, the most important thing now is to quickly ask this official from Xianyang, what does His Majesty think about the letter you sent before! If it goes well, you can't tell You can also have the opportunity to grow grass!"

"I can tell you, this person will only stay in our county for one day, and we will go to other counties after we learn how to grow grass. If you don't hurry up, you will miss this opportunity."

That person: "!!!"

He understood in an instant, and didn't bother to ask any more questions, and hurried to Xiao He: "This official, before the patriarch of the tribe where I belong, submitted a letter of attachment to the emperor of your country. I don't know if you have come here this time. What news did it bring?"

Xiao He glanced at the county magistrate, and said with a smile: "It does bring some news."

The man immediately held his breath and concentrated: "I don't know what the result is?"

Xiao He looked at the other party, helplessly: "I wanted to wait until the matter of pasture planting was completely settled, and then visit each other one by one..."

Liu Ji was listening, and quickly reached out to poke him: "I said, why are you so annoying? It was decided to go to someone after finishing the planting of pastures. It's not that there is no contact method with them. People, missed the planting time of pasture? People are in front of you now, if you have something to ask directly, wouldn’t it be good to convey His Majesty’s words to him?”

Xiao He was speechless and was about to speak.

But the man quickly echoed Liu Ji: "Don't worry, this official, I'm the patriarch's brother, and I have some decision-making power in major matters. If you are worried, I can send someone to the patriarch immediately. nearby."

Xiao He was a little surprised: "Why are you in such a hurry?"