Crossing the Ming Dynasty to be the magistrate

Since September, Wen Yu has started to organize the autumn harvest in the county. With ten taxes and one tax, the common people live a decent life.

But when everyone saw Wen Yu's harvest, they were not calm.A tenant farmer blinked his eyes vigorously: "My dear, this sweet potato can really grow. I think one mu of land can produce more than 1000 catties."

Another companion retorted him: "Things with shallow eyelids, look at the posture, more than one thousand, two thousand catties." The two choked for a long time, and finally collected statistics. The average yield per mu was [-] catties. There was silence.

Wen Yu got the news from his subordinates, and was very satisfied with the people's response. It is worthwhile for him to specially show the autumn harvest in front of everyone. With the stimulation of production, I believe it will be much easier to promote these few things in the future.However, the yield of more than 3000 per mu is still a bit small. Modern improved sweet potatoes have an yield of tens of thousands. It's a pity that I don't study agriculture.

Wen Yu thought that his wish was about to come true, and when he was dreaming of sweet potatoes everywhere in Mengyang, the reality gave him a blow.

I went to apply for sweet potatoes. Although there are many people who plan to plant them in the coming year, each family only received a small amount.Why is this?Haven't they seen such a high yield of sweet potatoes?Wen Yu was extremely puzzled, so he called Mei Hongzhi, who was in charge of the autumn harvest, to find out more about the situation.

Mei Hongzhi said helplessly: "Everything that needs to be said has been said, but the common people are indifferent, and the lower officials can't do anything about it."

Wen Yu asked: "Why are they unwilling to grow this? Is it because the taste is not to their liking?"

Mei Hongzhi replied: "On the one hand, there is this reason. People think that after eating sweet potatoes, there will be adverse reactions such as flatulence and pantothenic acid. Therefore, the people are not very enthusiastic about planting high-yield crops such as corn and sweet potatoes. Another reason is that people feel that fine grains are more expensive. Well, now I plant fine grains such as wheat, and sell them after harvesting. I exchange the money for tax payments, and the rest of the money is exchanged for miscellaneous grains mixed with bran vegetables for my family to eat. Even if I grow sweet potatoes, I can’t sell them for money, and they really can’t be traded. .”

Wen Yu's heart was heavy, and he realized it after hearing what Mei Hongzhi said, which was indeed the case.In ancient times when the selection and breeding technology was relatively backward, the two characteristics of high yield and good taste of food crops were like two ends of a seesaw, and it was difficult to balance both.In terms of the current small-scale peasant economy in Mengyang, farmers are self-sufficient in farming. In normal years, farmers will definitely give priority to planting food crops with better taste and low yield. When paying rent and tax and selling in the market, This type of food is also more popular.

Mei Hongzhi saw Wen Yu's distressed expression. Although as a friend and subordinate, he was a little worried for him, he still didn't take it seriously in his heart. He tried to adjust the atmosphere and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, you don't have to worry. When there is a disaster in a year, everyone will eat it by themselves."

Wen Yu reluctantly responded with a grin, but remained silent. This is probably the so-called "what can I ask for if I don't know me". How could he tell everyone that in just over 100 years, the drought will sweep the Ming Dynasty.At that time, the extreme drought in the northern provinces will last for more than ten years, and a large number of hungry people in these places will become refugees or join the rebel army, and the Qing army from outside will continue to invade the territory.

At that time, even if I wanted to, it would be too late to grow sweet potatoes.Now we can only hope that the court will realize the seriousness of the problem, Wen Yu sighed.

However, things turned out to be contrary to expectations. In Beijing, Wantong looked at the zhezi handed over from Sichuan with an unpredictable expression. He almost suspected that Zong Yifeng was just picking the right time to find a way.

Just a few days later, Zheng Shi, the governor of Shaanxi, the right deputy capital, and others said: Shaanxi has been suffering from severe drought for years, and it has become more severe until now. There are people who starve to death all over the road.The emperor was kind, and ordered him to be exempted from tax and grain, and 60 shi of grain was transferred from Nanjing, Jiangxi and other places to Henan by water, and distributed to the three disaster areas.

Now is the time when the treasury is empty, these sweet potatoes, pumpkins and so on can't be too timely.And judging from the output written in the memorial, planting it will surely alleviate the emergency of the disaster.

But... Wantong slapped the table hard, this matter must not let him do it!

Not only because Zong Yiyi offended him because of his ignorance of current affairs, but more importantly, he and some officials in the court took advantage of the natural disaster in Shaanxi to buy a large amount of fertile land there, hoping that all the local people would starve to death or Run away, so that the land will all belong to him. If these things are promoted, how can he make money!

Wantong thought for a while, packed up, and took the booklet to find Mr. Wan'an Wange.Although Wan'an was dubbed by the world as "Paper-pasted Sange Old Man" and "Long Live Master", after all, he had been operating in the court for many years, and soon pointed out a clear way for Wantong.

On the second day, Wantong asked to see Emperor Chenghua. Chenghua was very kind to this brother-in-law. After joking with him for a while, Wantong saw that he was in a good mood, so he proposed his intention: "My lord, I heard that Lin Jun and Zhang Fu Are the two still in jail?"

Emperor Chenghua lowered his face. A few days ago Lin Jun, a member of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, said that he quoted evil and flatterers and rejected Zhongliang.Emperor Xianzong was furious and ordered him to be imprisoned in Jinyiwei Prison for torture.

The post-military governor's mansion experienced Zhang Fu Shangshu begging for mercy, but he was also imprisoned, and he became murderous towards the two of them.Chao Zhongqing went around in a hurry, but there was nothing he could do. Even Wynn, the eunuch who had become Emperor Hua's heart on weekdays, told him to beat them out with an inkstone because he helped them speak. Fortunately, Wynn was smart and watched the situation Unfortunately, he knelt on the ground and cried loudly. Chenghua was annoyed by his crying, and remembered that he had been dedicated to his duty all these years. After all, he couldn't bear it and told him to go back and reflect.

Now Wantong also came to find him unhappy, what happened to this world?Emperor Chenghua doubted life.

Wantong bowed his head in trepidation and explained: "My lord, you know me, and I have always dismissed those sour scholars who are full of words. I am mainly worried about you."

Wantong squeezed out two tears and said with a sob: "Now everyone in the capital is saying that Lin Jun and the others are celebrities who are loyal to the emperor and patriotism. If you touch them, wouldn't it be because of these two people that your reputation will be tarnished."

Cheng Hua knew that what he said was reasonable, but felt that the bad breath of being pointed at his nose was more in his chest, so he simply kept silent.

"And..." Wantong released a big move: "My sister is also very worried about you in the harem. She is now the target of everyone in the court. I really don't want the emperor to follow suit."

Emperor Chenghua could turn a blind eye to everyone, but he couldn't ignore Concubine Wan Gui: "Zhen'er...why haven't I heard her mention it before, I didn't know that she was so worried about me." Emperor Chenghua was moved.

Wantong then wiped away his tears: "Sister is like this. She has been like this since she was young. She buries any suffering in her heart and never expresses it."

Emperor Chenghua remembered the time when he was trapped in the cold palace when he was young, and he had to rely on Zhen Er to take care of him every day to survive.After pondering for a moment, he said to Wantong: "I know about this, you should go back first."

Wantong knew it was done, so he resigned.

The next day, the palace decreed that Lin Jun and Lin Jun would be released, demoted and sent to other places.At the same time, someone reported that the magistrate of Mengyang County and hundreds of Jinyiwei households had discovered two fresh crops, and specially presented them to the emperor for a taste.

The people who played at the top focused on the taste of those things, and skipped over the production and so on, and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty kept silent about it.

Guo Jun, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, remembered what his stepson had described to him in his previous letter, and wanted to add, but after looking around, he sighed and did not make a sound.

Wen Yu begged someone to bring them from overseas at the risk of death, and carefully selected good seeds to be given to the palace in hopes of being promoted. They didn't even have a chance to appear, so they entered the Wu Zang Temple of Emperor Chenghua.

On the other hand, Wen Yu still didn't know anything about it, and the autumn harvest was more than half done, and it was time for the county to hold a celebration.

The activities are still the same old ones of eating, drinking and having fun, but this time Mengyang has brought forth new ones.For example, the food, the cold-eating rabbit with the full version of chili is very appetizing to tourists, and many people even asked the store for chili seeds when they left, planning to go back and grow them themselves.

Wen Yu couldn't laugh or cry at this. The sweet potatoes that were pushed were not cared for, but the peppers that were grown for fun were very popular. I can only say that I really deserve to be from Sichuan. Sure enough, the gene of eating spicy food was passed down from my ancestors.

In addition to eating, there has also been a great breakthrough in the drama this time. It may be because of the tabloids that the local entertainment life in Mengyang has greatly increased.The creators of the opera troupe are also full of writing and thinking, and have written many good plays.

The most popular among them is the "Ling Long Ji" written by Wen Yu at the beginning. In addition to the early release of the mass base, the ideological values ​​​​conveyed by this book itself are also very in line with today's national conditions. , this is what everyone loves to see.But it's a pity that there is no copyright awareness now, otherwise this alone would be enough for Wen Yu to make a fortune.

The city was full of excitement for a whole day, until it got dark, and people reluctantly left under the urging of the guards, but everyone knew that the celebration was not over yet.It has been rumored before, and there will be a fireworks show at night.

At this time, firecrackers and fireworks are already very popular, and people set off firecrackers and fireworks to worship gods and ancestors during weddings, funerals or festivals.

Mengyang does not produce these locally, and Wen Yu has never thought about developing them. In his opinion, this product is too dangerous.But this does not prevent everyone from enjoying it.

Adhering to the principle of doing the best, Wen Yu deliberately invited several famous firecracker masters from other places early on, and spent nearly a hundred taels of silver, planning to give the masked people a thorough carnival.

Finally, as the first firework bloomed in the sky, the whole Mengyang was peaceful. The crying children, the couples bickering with each other, and the old people who babbled at each other stopped talking at this moment, and everyone focused on looking up at the sky.

Wen Yu was no exception at this time, with his sweetheart following him, he couldn't help sighing: "Before I knew it, I have been in Mengyang for a year."

Xu Jing just smiled and said nothing, the two just stood outside quietly, as usual, by each other's side.

The author has something to say: This chapter is relatively heavy, but I think it is better to respect history

Because this is indeed the case in the Ming Dynasty. If you read "Jin Ping Mei", you will find that in the Wanli period, corn and sweet potatoes already existed, but farmers didn't plant them. Those who do not pay attention.

These few things are in the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi's "breeding people will never add taxes" and Yongzheng's "spreading people into the mu", these two policies are the human bombings that occurred in the middle of the Qing Dynasty.Population growth leads to increased food pressure.Coupled with the conversion of large tracts of fertile land to crops such as tobacco and cotton with higher commodity value, sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes introduced later, the planting scale of these high-yield crops was expanded.However, in terms of promoting planting, the intervention and intervention of the imperial court is still needed.Taking sweet potatoes as an example, although it was introduced to Henan in the eighth year of Qianlong, the emperor still had to instruct Henan officials to promote planting in the 50th year of Qianlong.

And I have always felt that although the Ming Dynasty was indeed affected by natural disasters, it was not unjust to perish. Even if there was no Li Zicheng, there would be Zhang Zicheng and Wang Zicheng, because there were too many social ills at that time. It can be described in one word - everyone has their own ghosts, and it is no wonder that Chongzhen finally said that all civil servants should be killed.

Especially in the later stage, if he really wants to save the country and save his life, if he doesn't get rid of the decay and backwardness at the root, relying on one or two inventions, or crops, it is estimated that he will only be able to survive for a few more years.

Fortunately, this article does not discuss these things. Wen Xiaoyu's task is to solve crimes and improve people's livelihood. The seeds have already been planted, and how they take root depends on fate.