The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

"Growing cotton requires not only people, but also suitable land, soil, water, and sunlight." Li Fu counted on his fingers and explained to the officials in front of him: "If any of these conditions is not good, the growth of cotton will be problematic. I don't know if you have ever grown land before."

Li Fu said so, but the people in front of him must have never grown land before.

Don't say that Li Shimin led them to the farm outside to plow the land during the spring plowing every year.

That's called farming?

After they finished the work in the front, the tenants on the farm were the ones who cleaned up the mess in the back, diligently serving the crops in the fields, and when the autumn harvest came, they sent people to the palace to report the good news, saying that thanks to your majesty's majesty, the crops in the imperial farm grew well, and this year was another bumper harvest...

An old script.

"What kind of crops to grow also depends on local conditions. Why am I thinking about the land in the Western Regions and the land in Gaochang? That's why." Li Fu said: "Because it's suitable there."

"In addition..." Li Fu looked around.

At this time, the eunuch who had just gone to the East Palace came back with the cotton-padded clothes given by Li Chengqian.

The cotton-padded clothes were delivered to Li Fu. Li Fu glanced at the eunuchs in the palace, and finally set his eyes on Wang De.

"Wang Jian, take them outside to wait for a while." Li Fu said.

Wang De bowed his hands, and after Li Shimin nodded, he waved his hand and led the eunuchs in the palace to leave the Liangyi Hall and go to the corridor outside, closing the door.

Li Fu smiled slightly.

Or Wang De can be Li Shimin's personal eunuch, and can be the head of the palace eunuchs.

This is enlightenment.

Li Shimin and several court officials were sitting here to discuss things. They were close to each other. When Li Fu came and sat down, several people formed a circle.

Li Fu put the cotton-padded clothes in the middle.

Li Shimin was not surprised.

"This is the cotton coat." Li Fu said, "It is filled with cotton inside. Take a look and try to touch it. It is very warm to wear in winter."

"Yes, there are not only cotton coats, but also cotton-filled quilts, which are very comfortable to use." Li Shimin added appropriately, "When the army went out last year, he privately sent several carts of cotton coats to his father-in-law, saying that they were for the raiding cavalry."

"You also know what the winter on the grassland is like. You have an idea of ​​what effect such cotton coats can have on the soldiers."

Several people touched the cotton coats, which were soft and thick.

Li Fu smiled when he heard Li Shimin mention this.

"Those 1,000 sets were originally for the people on the farm. They were improved according to the training situation and are different from this one." Li Fu said, "The sleeves are too thick, which affects the soldiers' movements. Naturally, they cannot be compared with ordinary cotton clothes."

"Look, he still has this idea." Li Shimin laughed and joked.

"It is said to benefit the people, but in fact, I hope the army can be equipped in advance." Li Fu said, "Cotton clothes, as winter clothes for the army, are equipped to the army first, and then promoted to the people."

First ensure the army, then ensure the ordinary people.

After all, if there is anything, such as fighting, the army must go first.

There is nothing wrong with giving priority to the military's supplies.

Li Shimin nodded.

He agreed with this point.

If large-scale planting is carried out to ensure the army, perhaps it can be done within one or two years, so that the army's combat capability can be improved in winter.

Moreover, this move will stabilize the morale of the army.

Li Shimin has already started to think about it.

"Although the world is peaceful now and there are no wars to fight for the time being, I think that the court should always be prepared for danger. Your Majesty is the Khan of Heaven, the Khan of the 29 countries." Li Fu said, "This is not just a title, it is also a responsibility."

Everyone nodded slightly and agreed with this statement.

"If the Tang Dynasty does not fight with other countries, will the 29 countries be peaceful in the future?"

"Most of these countries are concentrated in the Western Regions." Li Fu said, "In the future, there will inevitably be problems between them. At that time, they will send people to Chang'an to ask the Khan of Heaven to do justice for them. How do you say that?"

"If they obey the order of the Khan of Heaven, everything will be fine. What if they don't listen?" Li Fu asked, "The Khan of Heaven must have the majesty of the Khan of Heaven!"

"So the army of the Tang Dynasty must be majestic and deterrent. The army is a sharp blade to maintain the dignity of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, we must not slack off on military issues. In the future,More military expenditure can be invested to improve the treatment of standing troops, starting with clothing, which is a good choice. "

"There are clothes for summer training in summer and clothes for keeping warm in winter." Li Fu said: "This is the significance of cotton to the army."

"When the treasury is full in the future, when the people of the Tang Dynasty have spare energy to grow other things, cotton, as an economic crop, can be planted in their own fields to meet their own needs." Li Fu said.

"Economic crops?" Fang Xuanling wondered: "What are economic crops? Why is cotton considered an economic crop?"

"So-called economic crops are raw material crops, such as cotton, hemp, sesame, and sugarcane for extracting icing sugar, as well as medicinal crops, dye crops, ornamental crops, fruits, etc., are all considered economic crops. "

Fang Xuanling nodded.

He understood.

The so-called cash crops, as commodities, have certain economic value and certain geographical restrictions. For example, sugarcane cannot be grown well in the interior of the country.

"The Tang Dynasty is now short of food, and food prices remain high. At present, the people's first priority is to grow food. As for cash crops, they should be postponed to make way for food. Only after ensuring food security can other things be considered." Li Fu said.

"I agree with King Jingyang's point of view." Du Ruhui echoed: "Things like cotton are definitely good to have, but not having them will not hinder major events, but food is different. Ensuring that the people are well fed is the top priority of the court."

"As for King Jingyang's concern for Gaochang, the so-called adapting to local conditions is not unreasonable." Du Ruhui said: "But now Gaochang is a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. What does Your Highness plan to do?"

"Isn't Ju Wentai still in Chang'an? Let him stay for the time being. "Li Fu said: "After we finish discussing this, my second brother will go directly to Ju Wentai to discuss this matter. Since they are a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty and are currently quite obedient, the Tang Dynasty will not treat them unfairly."