The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 341

We must develop vegetable greenhouses. Only when the military and economy of the Pamir Mountains are developed can we prevent war from breaking out, just like Zhang Qian did before, who transported goods from the Tang Dynasty to the Western Regions via the Silk Road.

Goods from the Western Regions would naturally flow into the Tang Dynasty and undergo a commercial transformation.

Otherwise, if the nomadic tribes are driven to desperation and run out of food, they will have no choice but to plunder, and war will be inevitable.

In the second year of the Zhenguan era, Jili Khan encountered a severe snowstorm and led his troops to attack Yumen Pass. He also joined forces with the Western Turks to occupy the Hexi Corridor area of ​​the Tang Dynasty.

Although the Tang Dynasty recovered the lost territories of Songzhou, Youzhou, and Chanzhou in just one month, if the matter could be resolved at its root, there would have been no need to resort to war.

The next morning, Xu Tian enthusiastically gathered a large group of technicians in the area according to the list left by Princess Jinyang.

These skilled workers include not only bricklayers, but also other trades.

Xu Tian discovered that there were very few craftsmen capable of building houses.

Upon seeing Xu Tian, ​​everyone immediately began asking questions: What is a greenhouse? How is it built? What are its operating principles?

Qin Xian came out and distributed the blueprints.

Xu Tian nodded and pointed to the several hundred acres of open land near the jungle, saying, "Since the jungle is not primarily for animal husbandry, why not plant all of this land into vegetable greenhouses? That way, when sweet potatoes are plentiful next spring, we can solve the food shortage. And we'll also have a vegetable supply this winter."

After Xu Tian explained the vegetable greenhouse, the dozens of technicians became excited and eager to try it out.

The reason is simple: once the greenhouses are successfully built, they will no longer lack food.

Magistrate Chen then brought over a cup of hot tea.

"Master, you've been exposed to the cold winds of this northern land these past few days. Please have a cup of hot tea. The vegetable greenhouse project will be finalized soon."

Most of the farmland here belongs to farmers, so we especially teach them how to grow sweet potatoes.

These herders know even better than the local people how to grow greenhouse potted plants.

"Crops that are cold-resistant, such as cabbage and radish, are planted in large quantities, and the harvest period is short, only one month, so they can have fresh vegetables to use."

Qin Xian felt that in the past, they would not have even dared to think about this.

For a time, a strange scene appeared throughout the Northern Territory: greenhouses made of makeshift windproof tarpaulins.

Magistrate Chen was overjoyed.

"Master Xu, now that the food problem has been solved, I believe the border regions will soon be lifted out of poverty and become prosperous."

Xu Tian nodded, in a good mood.

Magistrate Chen reminded him from the side, "Master, your trip is to build a chain of academies. I'm afraid there will be war and chaos next spring. Right now, the tribes are eyeing Yumen Pass covetously, just waiting for us to exchange for grain and intercept government silver."

Xu Tian naturally knew and nodded, saying, "I think we should renovate Beiming Academy and build it into the largest academy in the Western Region."

Soon, a month later, the radishes and cabbages in this vegetable greenhouse had a bumper harvest, with yields exceeding 300 kilograms per mu (approximately 0.16 acres). This means that an average of 300 kilograms of vegetables could be harvested from 100 square meters of land, which was truly a huge harvest.

In addition, the people here still have some stored grain.

They should be able to barely get through this winter.

In some places, potatoes grew wildly, reaching 400 kilograms in two months. Not only could they eat them themselves, but they could also take them to the trading market near the Anxi Protectorate to exchange for jewelry and furs.