The Agricultural Tycoon of the Red House

Pair it with Zhuangzi's self-brewed plum wine, as well as homemade sweet and sour side dishes and jam, which is very refreshing.

A group of people eat barbecue and enjoy the spring scenery. Looking around, you can see the blooming spring flowers in the mountains and fields in the distance, and you can smell the fragrance of the soil wetted by the spring rain.It was the first time they felt this feeling, and it was quite interesting.

Baoyu learned that there was a lot of excitement here, and only had half a day of class, so her husband asked for leave and rushed over.Under Xue Pan's care, he ate with gusto and recited two poems with great interest.

Xue Pan didn't understand such things as elegance, so he was very envious of Baoyu, a person who could write poetry and literature. He gave a thumbs up when he heard a poem, and praised Baoyu for his extraordinary talent.Baoyu was temporarily proud of being praised by the brainless Xue Pan, and when the new wave of barbecue came up, he couldn't help showing off a song in front of his father Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng felt that Baoyu's poems were pretty good and suited Chunjing, but he shook his head with a straight face and said, "It's not good." That's all, Jia Zheng looked at Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai smiled politely: "It is rare for Baoyu to have such a talent for poetry at this age."

Jia Zheng was so happy that he couldn't hold back his smile, but he still maintained a serious face, scolded Baoyu twice as a beast, and said he was incompetent.

It was a modest speech, but it was meant to show off after Lin Ruhai praised Baoyu.Tanhualang just praised Baoyu for his talent, but Jia Zheng only scolded him for being incompetent. Is this insinuating that Tanhualang's vision is low?Originally, it was fine to say this in front of the guests, but saying the same in front of Tangtang Tanhualang only made people feel that Jia Zheng was overly modest, which was already a disgusting arrogance.

These two sentences may not be intentional and not a big deal, but they are really annoying.

Lin Ruhai smiled perfunctorily, turned his head to talk to Jia Amnesty, and couldn't pay any more attention to Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng also hoped to follow this topic, and then go on to have a good chat with Lin Ruhai about the court affairs.The other party suddenly turned cold and ignored him, Jia Zheng was a little annoyed, and forced to intervene in the conversation between him and Lin Ruhai.

"Recently, Bessichi has released a new storybook. Several theater troupes in Beijing and China are rehearsing this play. Have you seen it?" Jia She has just finished chatting with Yin Zhaochen of Gyeonggi Prefecture, and feels that his masterpiece has been taken by a third-rank official. Definitely, very proud.Seeing Tanhualang's brother-in-law coming now, I naturally want to find some approval from him.

"I haven't seen it yet. Recently, there are many things in court, so I don't have a chance to see it. But I heard from Daiyu that she likes to watch it, and I can watch it with the old lady in Rongfu." Lin Ruhai replied.However, he didn't understand why Jia She kept asking him about Besicchi's script. He remembered that he mentioned it last time.

"It turns out that the old man likes it too." Jia Amnesty laughed happily and scratched her head a little embarrassedly.

Lin Ruhai looked at him like this, as if he was being praised.A few days ago, I heard that he always loves to write in his room. Could this man named Besic be...

Jia Zheng suddenly interjected, "Oh, Besichi? Isn't he the one who wrote the Mandarin Chinese? I've read his book, but I found it from Baoyu's kid's house. After a quick glance, I was almost blind. The story is made up and made up, it's unbearably vulgar. Brother, how can you say such vulgar things to the dignified scholar?"

Jia She's eyes widened in anger, and this fellow scolded him for being vulgar!He raised his hand and pointed at Jia Zheng viciously, wanting to scold him, when he suddenly remembered his son's order not to reveal that Bessichi was his identity.

Jia Amnesty withdrew half of the anger he was going to release, and scolded angrily as an admirer: "I just think it's pretty, and many people think it's pretty, so why is it so vulgar? If everyone thinks it's good, then it's good. I think it's good." You have a problem."

Hearing this, Jia Zheng laughed helplessly, and acted like "you are just a layman, I don't have the same knowledge as you".

Seeing him like this, Jia Amnesty was even angrier.

Lin Ruhai already knew who Bessichi was, and said with a smile that this is a work that appeals to both refined and popular tastes, but it is better than those Yangchun Baixue, and it is also a skill to be accepted and loved by more people.

Jia Amnesty nodded in agreement, then gritted his teeth at Jia Zheng: "Master Zhao likes Besic very much, if you are not convinced, I will repeat your exact words to him."

Jia Zheng panicked and grabbed Jia Amnesty.He was looking for an opportunity to make friends with senior officials and restore his official position.Before the official came back, offending a third-rank official first, that would not work.Moreover, Zhaochen is notoriously narrow-minded, and if he offends himself, there is really no hope.

Jia Zheng shyly pulled Jia She aside and told him not to be troublesome.That Besichi has nothing to do with him, why bother to hurt the friendship between brothers because of him.

"You have to apologize to me." Jia Amnesty was annoyed again.

Jia Zheng refused, so Jia She clamored to tell Zhaochen, Jia Zheng then pulled back his face and apologized to Jia She, holding back his shame.

A group of people were eating, drinking, and chatting, just when they were feeling bored, they suddenly heard that a stage had been set up at the foot of the mountain over there.

Baoyu asked curiously, "What play?"

"The play between Sui Yushi and Fairy Furong." Tian Guanshi replied.

"Which one did Bessich write?" Baoyu asked in surprise.

Steward Tian nodded: "Exactly."

Baoyu was very happy, and hurriedly took Xue Pan, Liu Xianglian, Jiang Zining and others to have a look.

Jiang Zining didn't like watching plays, so he insisted on staying and waiting for Jia Lian.Under the leadership of Tian Guanshi, the others had almost left, but Jia Lian was still waiting in front of the stove.

Not long after, someone who watched the fire and used the oven shouted "out of the oven".Holding an iron hook in his hand, he took out the meat strips hanging from the furnace one by one.

When the meat was sent in, the color was bright red, and the strips were very large. The fairy had already turned a darker brown, and it was only a small dry strip.

The meat strips are cut into pieces and put on the plate.

Jia Lian poked it with chopsticks, then picked it up and looked at it, then took a bite, it was very chewy, but it would not be too hard to chew, "This level of dryness is the best to eat, but under the current conditions, it is better to eat it." Dry thoroughly for easy storage."

The servants in charge of the oven also tasted it and nodded in agreement.The dried fish over there has been thoroughly baked, and a basket has come out.Jia Lian tried it again, and it was very dry. The taste was salty, but it smelled like fish.For those who are on the road or live in barren and fish-free areas, this kind of dried fish can be regarded as a dish to satisfy their hunger.

"I like to eat this fish!" Jiang Zining took one after another and chewed it in his mouth. It was so crunchy that he didn't even have to spit out the fish bones.

"It's just a little salty." Jiang Zining ate with two glasses of green plum wine.

Jia Lian: "Turn back and ask someone to make two baskets of unsalty food and send them to you."

Jiang Zining was overjoyed, "That's a good thing." He took another one and put it in his mouth, "If I can eat this food when I am fighting at the border, I will be extremely happy, and I will have the strength to kill the enemy."

Jia Lian laughed, thinking that Jiang Zining was quite clever sometimes, and guessed the purpose of his batch of jerky.

Xing'er gave Jiang Zining a thumbs up, "Uncle Jiang is witty, he is indeed our second master's friend."

Jiang Zining was stunned, fish scum was still on the corner of his mouth, and he looked at Jia Lian with wide eyes, "You mean..."

"Otherwise?" Jia Lian asked him back.

Jiang Zining slapped his head hard, "That's right, so much meat and fish from your village, even if they are dried, how can so many people buy them in a short time. Ship them to the border and give them to the soldiers who lack vegetables and meat Let's eat it, it can not only solve your troubles, but also improve the plight of those frontier soldiers. To kill the enemy on the battlefield, you have to eat meat to be strong. The war is already hard enough, eat it No matter how bad it is, who would want to guard the border in the future.”

Jiang Zining saluted Jia Lian excitedly, expressing that he would thank him for the border guards.

"I charge money for these things, but they are just for sale, so you don't have to thank me like that." Jia Lian said lightly.

Jia Lian suddenly thought of something, turned his head and asked: "Make more raw salted fish."

Jiang Zining still couldn't stop his excitement, "There is also dried raw fish, this is good! Soak it later, it's also good to eat in stew." Jiang Zining took a piece of dried meat and chewed it in his mouth, full of energy and meaty aroma But it doesn't have such a strong smell, he thinks it tastes better than stewed meat.

"Jerky is prepared in the army, but it's not as delicious as yours, and the quantity is so small that it can't benefit every soldier. Besides, those jerky don't know how to make it, and some people can't describe it. The strange smell is completely incomparable with yours."

Jia Lian then brought the freshly prepared pork jerky to Jiang Zining.

"Sweet and salty, and there are sesame seeds on it, it's amazing. I like to eat this too, brother, give me two baskets, no, I want four baskets." Jiang Zining raised four fingers excitedly.

Jia Lian smiled and agreed, and patted him on the shoulder, "Let's go, don't make everyone wait."

The two lead the way, and behind them a woman brings over dried and dried meat.

Everyone was addicted to watching the play, and occasionally applauded.Suddenly seeing something new on the table, I grabbed one and tasted one, just chewing and watching the play.

When Jing Yingguang, Lin Ruhai, Zhaochen and others saw these jerky and dried meat, they suddenly understood that this was the reason why Jia Lian built so many ovens.As Jia Lian sat down, Jing Yingguang asked first.

Jia Lian didn't explain too much, just said that these things are convenient for storage.

Jing Yingguang sighed that Jia Lian's idea was good, and it just solved the trouble of the palace's sudden suspension of supply.Then everyone agreed, and turned their minds to watching the play.

"Not to mention, this play written by Bessie is really interesting, with every link linked. The protagonist named Sui Yushi has the common faults of the children of the aristocratic family, but he also has a kind and lovable side. It's a pity After all, it has nothing to do with the fairy who was reincarnated as a maid." Zhaochen couldn't help sighing.

Jing Yingguang was amused by Zhaochen's remarks, "I didn't expect Master Zhao to be a man of temperament." Jing Yingguang did not agree with this point of view, Sui Yushi was like this in the play, just for fun, if it is in real life Among them, Jing Yingguang couldn't bear to have such a child who was eating and drinking for nothing.Several of his sons are now married and established careers, and their official careers are smooth, none of them depend on their family.Those who can't even support themselves are not worthy of love at all.

Lin Ruhai stroked his beard and smiled, and looked at Baoyu over there.Zhaochen smiled and asked Lin Ruhai what he thought, Lin Ruhai shook his head, saying that watching the show is just for fun, and there is no need to delve into it.Lin Ruhai already knew Besicchi's identity, so he could easily guess who this Sui Yushi was. Of course, he couldn't just comment on Baoyu in front of Jia Zheng.

But there was one thing he was curious about.Afterwards, when everyone dispersed, Lin Ruhai stayed behind and pulled Jia She to ask: "Is the story in that play you said today true or false?"

"Of course it's true. Maybe there are people around me like this." When Jia She was speaking, his eyes were looking away, which happened to be Baoyu's direction.

Lin Ruhai understood, and hurriedly bid farewell to Jia Lian, and said to his wife Jia Min when he returned home, "Tell your mother to rest those thoughts as soon as possible, we will never give Daiyu to her precious grandson."

"Master, what's the matter, suddenly angry and said this? The previous mother only hinted at me half-jokingly, and didn't make it clear. Maybe it was just a momentary thought."

Recently, Baoyu's performance has indeed improved, and he has done a good job in learning.He was originally a smart head, and with a little hard work, he was a bit taller than his peers.But this is only compared with other people. Compared with the Lin family, his poetry writing level is sometimes not as good as that of Daiyu.Jia Mu is now dizzy by these praises, so she thinks that there is still a possibility between Baoyu and Daiyu.

After all, she is an elder, and they only hinted at it. Although Jia Min is unwilling to do so, she can't just refuse clearly.

"You can't even think about it for a while. You should quickly find an opportunity to hint back, completely get rid of her thoughts, and don't give her any thoughts. Don't think about what kind of identity we Daiyu is now, what kind of Baoyu is like, and how we match each other." Lin Ruhai frowned, very displeased.

Jia Min noticed that Lin Ruhai was unusual. He usually spoke softly and was rarely so excited.Then he asked him what happened, and Fang learned about Sui Yushi from Lin Ruhai, and Jia Amnesty turned out to be adapting the play based on Baoyu's story.

"My God!" Jia Min covered her mouth, showing surprise that Bessichi hit it by herself, and then she was surprised by Baoyu's actions, "Sui Yushi in the play is just the son of a middle-class rich family, and his background is not the same as that of the Rong family. Same, I didn’t think too much about it. When I watched the theater, I saw their master and servant loving each other, and they were so infatuated, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for a little bit, but I didn’t expect that person to be Baoyu!”

"The woman in the play is loyal and loyal, and she has a deep love for the master. It is indeed touching. But the play is the play, which is different from reality. After all, I will never allow this kind of man who casually talks about feelings with the maid to be my son-in-law!" Lin Ruhai airway.

Jia Min agreed that she couldn't bear this matter.If she only heard that Baoyu felt pity for a maid, she might not feel anything. The key is that she has carefully read the infatuation and affection between Baoyu and that maid, and she can think of them when she sees him. How can she accept that he likes herself again? daughter.No, he would never have a chance with Daiyu at all.

"I think it's better not to let Daiyu go to the Rong Mansion to attend classes in the future, lest the old man will have other thoughts when she sees someone." Jia Min worried.

Lin Ruhai agreed, but thinking about Daiyu's changes these days, she was afraid that the sudden request of the two of them would make Daiyu uncomfortable.

"She gets along very well with her sisters. It's bound to be boring to be alone at home. Why don't you invite Yingchun and the others to come to our house, my lord, and prepare more delicious and interesting things for them. It's just a few days, and it will pass. .When your nephew moves back to Rongfu, we don't have to worry about it with him taking care of us."

Jia Min agreed, and on the second day, he did as Lin Ruhai said, and invited two girls to come over to Xiaozhu.Because Jia's mother likes her children and grandchildren very much, Jia Min can't call them all away, but let Yingchun and Xing Xiuyan live there.The reason is also easy to find, and it is said to help Mrs. Xing, who left home, take care of the two children.

Yingchun was in front of Jia's mother, and she didn't like to stand out. Jia's mother didn't care much about her presence or not.Xing Xiuyan is a foreign relative, let alone.Mother Jia naturally agreed, and soon sent the man over.

As for the husband, Jia Min also hired two of them with money, and asked them to learn from the two female gentlemen in Rongfu, so that the teaching would not be too bad.

……

Since the spring planting, potatoes have been planted almost like crazy all over the country.Some well-informed farmers around some big states and counties are still willing to buy seeds.But the vast majority of farmers, especially those whose families live on only a few acres of land, still stick to the tradition and are unwilling to take risks to try new things.

Qi Tianlai implemented the method of "assignment to the head" in the promotion of potato seeds. Every selected village and county has a certain quantity stipulated by the Ministry of Households when it comes to the promotion of potatoes.If the potato cannot be promoted to this amount, it means that the officials are incompetent, and it will be recorded by the Ministry of Households and submitted to the emperor.The local officials all took this set of threats, and they all did what Qi Tianlai wanted, trying their best to persuade the farmers to grow potatoes.

Once things become 'involuntary', it will inevitably lead to public dissatisfaction.

Because the prefectures and counties were responsible for this, so the people complained, they could only suppress it themselves, and Qi Tian didn't worry about it.Qi Tianlai didn't know that his good thing of promoting potato seeds had already changed.

Public grievances can be suppressed, but the inner anger of the common people cannot be easily extinguished.Qi Tianlai, Minister of the Household Department, seven words, is the most mentioned name by the common people recently, and it is also the name that everyone hates the most.The denunciations came one after another, and even Qi Tianlai's eight generations of ancestors were scolded from their graves.

Qi Tianlai, who didn't know it, was still very happy these days, he felt that he had done a great thing, that he must be famous among the common people, and even more famous than Jia Lian back then.After all, Jia Lian's reputation is only higher in the Northwest and Gyeonggi areas, and when it comes to the whole country, it belongs to him, Qi Tianlai.

The escape from death at the beginning was all for the glory he got today.

The so-called whether it is extremely peaceful is talking about him.

Qi Tianlai was very happy, humming a little tune when he went out and walking, even under cloudy skies, his face would always be glowing with joy.

Qi Tianlai has been waiting for the local officials to participate and sing praises in front of the emperor, but he didn't wait until the potatoes germinated.So Qi Tianlai decided to send someone to investigate.

The stink and infamy suddenly spread into his ears overwhelmingly.

And the most hateful thing is that those people still like to compare.He is always called a dog, while Jia Lian is regarded as a god.Before, I didn't think those people praised Jia Lian so exaggeratedly, but since he was compared, Jia Lian was praised more vividly.

"Master Jia has a great reputation, especially in the mouths of the poor people. He is like the Bodhisattva in charge of farming. They also said that in detail, Lord Jia is more useful than Bodhisattva. It is said that in some places There is a small stone statue of Lord Jiahou enshrined at the head of the field, as long as you worship carefully before planting, you will have a good harvest."

"And when potato seeds were planted, because there was no one who really knew how to sow them to guide them, everyone was blind. Fortunately, Master Jia set up small farm schools in various places to teach everyone how to sow seeds for free, so that those potato seeds can go smoothly. Down to earth."

"By the way, there is another saying that if you ask any questions about farming, you only need to teach them in the small farmer's school, and there will be answers. Everyone also said that the one in the imperial court..."

When Qi Tian came to hear that this guy stuttered, he cursed angrily: "Tell me the truth, I won't blame you!"

"That bastard official, Qi Tianlai, is a waste, useless rotten meat, occupying the latrine and saying..."

"presumptuous!"

The little boy knelt down, terrified, "My lord, forgive me, these are all nonsense words of those poor and lowly peasants, it is definitely not what the little ones said, please calm down, my lord."

"Quiet your anger? How can I calm my anger!" Qi Tianlai kicked the boy on the back, cursing in anger, he wandered in the invincible center with his hands behind his back.He couldn't figure it out, and even more couldn't figure it out, why his reputation suddenly became stinky.The same is to do one thing, and also to do good things for the people, why Jia Lian can get such a good reputation, but he is like a mouse crossing the street, everyone shouts and beats him.

Qi Tianlai was completely unconvinced!

But the matter of reputation, he can't change it, as long as the emperor doesn't hear it.

The Northwest is colder, and potatoes are only starting to be grown now.When the news reached the capital, the emperor happily took the memorial and mentioned to everyone that the barbarian army was about to move.Speaking of military rations, he was even more pleased to say that according to Jia Lian's so-called method of farming and supporting the army, the army's food must be enough this time, and it may not even be allocated from the Ministry of Users.

Mentioning Jia Lian's contribution cannot be denied, the emperor couldn't help sighing in his heart.However, he was still somewhat dissatisfied with the arrogant behavior of this guy who took the initiative to resign. Thinking of this, the emperor looked at Qi Tianlai, whom he loved very much.

Qi Tianlai is talented, knowledgeable about current affairs, sweet-talking about the key points, and he is a good minister who wholeheartedly protects her.Compared to the proud Jia Lian, the emperor is much more satisfied with Qi Tianlai.He didn't care that Qi Tianlai continued to do things according to Jia Lian's practice.Anyway, farming is not a big deal, potatoes are indeed a good idea, but as long as someone can continue to maintain this "good idea", the emperor doesn't care whether the person's surname is Qi or Jia.

Ten days passed.

The jerky produced in Xiaozaozhuang has filled ten warehouses.The roasting of pigs, sheep, and beef naturally requires lean meat, while the fat on the pigs is boiled into lard for storage, and then sold slowly.Fat meat from sheep and cattle, such as beef brisket, has always been in urgent need of major restaurants in the capital, so they don't have to worry about selling them.And recently, many kebab shops have opened in the capital, and they all like these fat and thin meat.There is no need to worry about fish. Smoked, grilled, pickled and dried are all good for storage.

Manager Yang of Yangzhou Pharmacy has arrived in the capital.He proposed to Jia Lian some very useful and new storage methods.For example, put boiled and seasoned beans into an altar, and then cook in a pot, then plug the mouth of the altar with a cork and seal it with wax to prolong the storage time.By analogy, some fruits and vegetables can be stored in these ways.There are also problems with storage and food in summer. You can use the cold air in the cold water spring to dig a hole to fix the tank in the spring pool and store food in it.

Jia Lian was amazed by Guanshi Yang's idea.It is really a good way to use the principle of making canned food through jars. He had never thought of it before. Sure enough, there are so many people and so much wisdom.Jia Lian felt that the canned food could be produced in batches, so he immediately made an agreement with several kilns to make special jars.

About one month later, the household department successfully completed the spring planting of potatoes in the whole country. When the court was full of joy and praises, news of a large-scale potato disease outbreak suddenly came from the northern part of the country.