Daqin: My weak and virtuous minister

The farmers that Zhang Yuanqing had been thinking about had already arrived in Qin State. However, Qin State was fertilizing the land. Xu Xing and his disciples looked at the Qin people working in the fields and came forward to watch out of curiosity.

"Master, the people of Qin actually threw such filthy things into the ground."

Chen Xin pointed at the field in surprise. Although they were standing far away, they could still smell the stench.

The other disciples behind him also looked on in surprise.

“Is this the way to increase production from land?”

Xu Xing was surprised, but more than that, he was curious. He had spent most of his life studying rice fields, and seeing the people starving, he felt grief in his heart, but he could do nothing to help.

This time, when he heard that Qin had a way to produce four stones of grain per mu, he brought his disciples here.

"Let's go up and ask."

As Xu Xing said this, he walked up without paying any attention to the strong stench.

"Who are you?"

The soldier in charge saw so many people coming and stopped the old man who was approaching and asked him.

"Sir, I am Xu Xing, a farmer. I heard that a talented person in Qin State has a method to increase the grain yield to four dan per mu, so I brought my disciples to Qin State to investigate."

After hearing that he was from a farmer's family, the soldiers' attitude improved.

"Indeed, this is a solution devised by a great talent that the king has found."

"So, is it enough to just water the land with these excrement?"

Xu Xing asked in surprise when he heard it.

"Of course not, it's just one of those things."

The other party is not a Qin citizen, so naturally he won't tell everything. He still has some common sense.

"If you have nothing to do, please leave immediately and don't disturb us."

"Master Xu Xing!"

At this moment, a man carrying feces passed by and looked at Xu Xing in surprise.

"Lu Sheng!"

As he spoke, the man put down his things, straightened his messy clothes, and walked over to salute.

Seeing that the two knew each other, the soldiers stopped trying to stop them.

As Lu Sheng approached, Xu Xing smelled a foul odor, but for them, the farmers, it was nothing. People who worked with the fields all year round didn't have to be so particular.

"Greetings, fellow disciples."

"Meet Senior Brother Lu Sheng."

After the two sides exchanged greetings, Lu Sheng turned to Xu Xing and asked, "Uncle Master, why did you come to Qin? If Master knew you were here, he would definitely be very happy."

"Is your master here too?"

"Master is in another county. Now that the whole country of Qin is improving the land, farmers like me have been assigned to various counties to guide the people."

Lu Sheng told the truth.

"Is it true that the yield of four stone of grain per mu is real?"

Xu Xing couldn't help but confirm.

"Of course. Master took us to see it and weighed it himself."

Speaking of that day, Lu Sheng couldn't help but sigh a few times. Xu Xing and others wished they were there at that time.

Fortunately, they are here today. When Qin State harvests the crops next year, they will definitely participate and witness the miracle.

"But Da Shang Zao also said that grain yield is not only related to the fertility of the soil, but also requires regular care. Next year's yield may vary in different places. But if we follow his method, the minimum yield is three dan per mu."

!!!

Chen Xin and others heard the discussions and some of them couldn't wait to go to the fields to work.

"You could introduce this person to us. I came to Qin State just to ask for advice from this person."

"Master, Master Zhang is in Xianyang, so you can go there yourself. I heard that thousands of Mohists came to Qin State and took refuge with Master Zhang. They have been given accommodation and are helping Master Zhang research some farming tools."

Thousands of people!

Xu Xing looked at his disciples. He didn't bring many people with him, so it should be fine.

At that moment, Xu Xing took his men and said goodbye, he was going to Xianyang.

Zhangtai Palace

"Your Majesty, the salt production is now enough to feed the people of Xianyang for a whole year."

At the grand court today, Meng Wu, who had never had much presence in the court, took the initiative to submit a memorial, which caused a huge uproar.

"Many people have never seen this fine salt. Bring it up so that the ministers can see it."

Ying Zheng wore a crown and looked at the eunuch Shi Yi with dignity.

Shi Yi understood, went out and got a jar of fine salt, and handed it to the two prime ministers.

Shi Yi is the eunuch newly appointed by Ying Zheng these days. Ying Zheng has not used Zhao Gao since what Zhang Yuanqing said that day.

"This," Changping Jun Xiong Qi held the salt jar and looked at the sand-like stuff inside. Is this salt?

Wei Zhuang was also shocked by the whiteness of the salt. He stretched out his fingers, pinched a little and put it in his mouth. It was not bitter at all!

"!!!"

Seeing Wei Zhuang's expression, the others gathered around him and leaned forward to look at the salt inside. Wang Wan also reached out and pinched a little and put it in his mouth.

!!!

Same expression as Wei Zhuang*2

"My Lords, could you please let us travel through time and space?"

Those who couldn't squeeze forward were anxious. What kind of salt shocked them so much?

Meng Wu stood aside and watched silently, what a bunch of ignorant guys!

I completely forgot what it looked like when I first saw salt.

"My lord, how much does this salt cost?"

Seeing that someone had finally hit the nail on the head, Ying Zheng looked at the other person with satisfaction.

“Less than one-tenth of coarse salt.”

!!!

Manchao was shocked.

"God bless the king, God bless the Qin Kingdom!"

"God bless the king, God bless the Qin Kingdom!"

"Stand up. This is the salt-making method invented by Zhang Qing, and the salt obtained after the Mohists improved it. Now I intend to sell this salt to the people of Qin, so that everyone in Qin can eat this fine salt."

"Your Majesty, if the imperial court were to sell them, would that be seen as competing with the people for profit?"

Changping Jun spoke, naturally he did not agree in his heart.

The Ying clan leader also spoke up, "Your Majesty, I believe the imperial court cannot participate in the fine salt trade."

"Your Majesty, salt is extremely important. I believe it should be controlled by the court," Li Si began. He had heard Zhang Yuanqing mention this matter. Since Zhang Yuanqing had called in sick and was absent from the morning court today, it was Li Si who was cooperating with the king. "Your Majesty, the salt sold by merchants now is not only bitter but also extremely expensive. Most people cannot afford salt. If this continues year-round, they won't have the energy to work. If the court controlled salt, the price would be set by the court. Salt is cheap now, so we can lower the price so that the people can afford it. Wouldn't that be better for the people than letting merchants sell it?"

"Your Majesty, I agree with what Li Si said." Just as everyone was discussing, Wei Zhuang spoke.

In the past few days, while discussing the revision of Qin Law with Li Si, Wei Zhuang also realized Li Si's talent, and what Li Si said today was indeed reasonable, so he naturally supported it.

Sure enough, after Wei Zhuang expressed his opinion, several other people soon stood up to agree with Li Si's point of view.

Ying Zheng looked around with satisfaction. How could he not know the little thoughts in the minds of those who disagreed?

"From January onwards, private individuals will no longer be allowed to sell salt. The relevant laws will be jointly supervised and improved by Prime Minister Wei Zhuang and Li Si, with the cooperation of all the ministers. As for the price of salt, we will discuss it together and once it is determined, it will be decided by me."

"There's only one thing: we need to make sure that the people of Qin can afford salt."

"promise."