Chapter 245 Liu Bian was shocked! How could two-line hybrid rice be so useful?
"Is this the relationship tree of the Kong family?"
Liu Bian took the handed bag with a look of disbelief on his face.
Normally, the letterhead would be placed in a brocade bag, which is not only compact but also easy to carry. However, this Confucian family tree is placed in a square cloth bag, which is more than enough even for bamboo slips.
It was really hard for Liu Bian to imagine how much content the Kong family's personal network could contain, no matter how large it was. It actually needed to be contained in a cloth bag, which was simply an exaggeration.
"kindness."
Tang Xiang nodded and said with certainty: "Father has carefully sorted out the connections of the Kong family, which involves the Yin family, Deng family, Li family, Feng family and other connections, so the content is relatively large."
"My father sorted it out according to the connections between each family. The Kong family has one copy, and the Deng family, Yin family and other aristocratic families have one copy each. There will be intertwined contents, so there are some silk books."
Although Liu Bian asked Tang Mao to collect as much detail as possible, Liu Bian couldn't believe that Tang Mao was so serious about collecting a bag full of information.
"That Gu Ke will have a good life."
Liu Bian became very interested and hurriedly opened the cloth bag and took out a stack of silk books.
This is not only related to Liu Bian's action strategy in Nanyang, but also something that can make up for the lack of historical data. How can Liu Bian not take it seriously?
He unfolded the silk book, and the first one was the personal relationship tree of the Kong family in Wancheng, starting with Kong Ben's father and ending with Kong Ben's wife, children, and granddaughters.
Among them, there is even the relationship between Kong Ben’s deceased father and the Deng family, how the marriage contract was concluded in the first place, and why Deng Hui, as a descendant of the Deng family, married his daughter to Kong Ben.
...
After casually browsing two or three items, Liu Bian couldn't help but nodded slowly and praised sincerely: "My father-in-law, you have really worked hard. No wonder it took so long to send you this relationship map."
Tang Xiang took advantage of the situation and said: "Your Highness, my father ordered me to tell your Highness that Kong Ben is already panicking now, but Zhong Xiang has not taken any more grain from the Kong family, so your Highness can rest assured."
"If His Highness wants to free the Kong family, he only needs to send a letter to Nanyang, and my father will take care of the rest. If not, please come back to Nanyang after Your Highness has a complete plan."
Liu Bian naturally understood what Tang Xiang meant and nodded affirmatively: "Don't worry, I have my own concerns in my heart! You go down first and have a good rest. I have to study it carefully."
Tang Xiang cupped his hands: "Here."
Immediately.
He bowed and exited the tent.
Liu Bian unfolded the silk book and laid it flat on the commander's head, giving the military advisor alliance enough time to take a screenshot and save it.
Kong family, Deng family, Yin family, Feng family...
After a rough scan, there are actually twelve families, and these are only powerful families. If all the details of the families were recorded, it would be estimated that there are at least twenty families.
certainly!
Such a terrifying human relationship spectrum does not start from the generation of Kong Ben, but the relationships that already existed two generations up, especially some special relationships, are recorded in detail in Eucalyptus.
"This...how is this possible?"
Liu Bian stared at the contents of the Kong family network with a look of disbelief: "Kong Ben actually led troops to rescue Deng Hui's family during the Yellow Turban Rebellion? No wonder the two families are related by marriage."
"yes."
Even the Alliance of Military Advisors couldn't help but marvel: "The power of the Kong family is stronger than experts imagined. It is indeed very difficult to attack the Kong family."
"After all, it is indeed difficult for us to completely establish a foothold in Nanyang and get rid of our dependence on the aristocratic family in a short period of time. If we do not handle it well, I am afraid it will cause unnecessary trouble."
Liu Bian took a deep breath and asked tentatively: "Teacher, what do the experts say?"
The military advisor alliance said softly: "Master Bian, don't call me. Give the experts some time. They have now distributed the tasks and will present the relationship tree of the Kong family in the form of context."
"Especially when it comes to the two key families, the Deng family and the Yin family, experts need to carefully consider and discuss. Even if they really want to fall out, they will prepare a response plan in advance."
"Although experts have helped Mr. Bian apply for two-line hybrid rice, it still takes a lot of time to successfully cultivate it. In terms of food, it is slightly more difficult to completely get rid of dependence on aristocratic families."
"But don't worry, Mr. Ben..."
The Military Advisor Alliance emphasized: "Although it is unlikely to cultivate hybrid rice in a short time, experts still have other methods that can help increase yields."
"For example, manufacturing large-scale water conservancy equipment, increasing the coverage of paddy fields, making chemical fertilizers, ecological rice farming technology, and the like, conservatively estimated, there will be no problem in achieving self-sufficiency within two years."
Liu Bian couldn't help but wonder: "Teacher, since we can achieve self-sufficiency, wouldn't it be redundant to cultivate two-line hybrid rice? After all, this requires a lot of energy. Wouldn't it be better to use it for other purposes?"
Hybrid rice is of epoch-making significance.
Although the simple knowledge of genetics can make the person in charge understand its principles, it still requires Liu Bian to spend a lot of time to check, verify, and even teach it personally.
Now that Liu Bian is at the peak of his career, he should focus his energy on the cutting edge. If he can be self-sufficient in food, in a sense, it will be a waste of energy.
certainly!
Liu Bian just guessed this.
He still believed that since the Military Advisor Alliance made such a decision, there were reasons for such a decision, but with Liu Bian's current knowledge, he did not understand it so deeply.
"Master Bian made things simple."
As expected, the Military Advisor Alliance had a deeper idea: "The two-line hybrid rice will not only allow Bian Ye to obtain sufficient food and grass, but more importantly, it will weaken the value of the land in the hands of wealthy families."
"ah?"
Liu Bian was a little confused and didn't understand the necessary connection between the two: "Is this... can this work?"
The Military Advisor Alliance said with absolute certainty: "Of course! Mr. Bian may not know yet that two-line hybrid rice has a very important feature, which is that it requires seed production every year."
"This is an important reason why two-line hybrid rice is not popular in the current international community, because it cannot be promoted on a large scale, and the country cannot set up a dedicated seed production department."
"but......"
Changing the topic, the Military Advisor Alliance emphasized: "For Mr. Bian, this is an effective way to weaken the land in the hands of wealthy families, and it is not easy to cause strong reactions!"
"As long as you master the two-line hybrid rice seed production method and have certain land resources, the lifeblood of the wealthy family will be in your hands, Mr. Ben."
"this......"
Liu Bian still didn't understand.
After all, the span from hybrid rice technology to suppressing wealthy families is really too big.
The Military Advisor Alliance explained in detail: "Actually, the reason is very simple. For the same acre of land, the yield of a wealthy family is less than three shi per acre, but if you plant your hybrid rice, you can produce ten or even 20 shi per acre!"
"Under the same tax conditions, ordinary people are naturally willing to grow hybrid rice with a higher yield per mu, because this way they will get more food."
"But......"
The Alliance of Military Advisors made a twist: "Hybrid rice requires seed production every year. In other words, the number of rice seeds is limited. The yield of the fields of wealthy families is not high, so naturally no one is willing to rent their land."
"Over time, the aristocratic families will definitely reach out to buy rice seeds from Mr. Ben, otherwise no one will plant their land. As a result, the value of the land in the hands of the aristocratic families will be greatly reduced."
"If we cooperate with some government decrees, such as changing the land tax to a fixed tax, levying a wasteland tax, etc., there won't be too much per acre, but for the aristocratic family, the land will become a hot potato."
"At this time, they will dispose of a large amount of land at a low price and stop the loss in time. If Mr. Bian takes it back, won't he successfully complete the nationalization of the land?"
"The most important thing is that the common people have fields, food to eat, and a happy life. They will never rebel with the wealthy families. Even if they have a temper, they have nothing to do with Mr. Bian and can only let him be slaughtered."
"When Mr. Bian has recovered almost all the land, the three-line hybrid rice will be fully rolled out. By then, the people will be able to keep their own rice seeds, and all problems will be solved."
"The same method can also be applied to resources such as mines and forests. However, the key constraint is not the two-line hybrid rice, but other inter-generational technologies."
Awesome!
It’s so awesome!
Liu Bian was so impressed that he fell to the ground.
Relying on absolutely advanced technology, it forces the opponent's means of production to depreciate and then recycle them at a low price.
With such strength, I'm afraid only the Military Advisor Alliance can achieve it, right?
The most important thing is...
Liu Bian established a new dynasty, and the imperial power was absolutely guaranteed.
This is different from the court in Chang'an, which is full of powerful and powerful families. A decree may have been stillborn before it is promulgated and implemented.
Liu Bian can now implement it in a drastic way. Anyone who is disobedient will be punished directly. This will not affect the operation of the court institutions, and the execution efficiency will be greatly improved.
certainly!
Liu Bian believed that with the expert knowledge and methods of the Military Advisor Alliance, there should not be too many problems in selecting people. Just like the next combination of Xu Qiu and Yu Fan, they will definitely perform in their true colors.
"Report—!"
At this moment, a long announcement sounded outside the tent.
Liu Bian subconsciously raised his eyes and looked up.
But when the curtain was raised, Xun You hurriedly entered the tent and bowed his head: "My lord, Yan Xiang, the counselor under Yuan Shu's tent, has entered the camp of Xu Qiu, the prefect of Runan."
"oh?"
Liu Bian couldn't help but become interested.
It was not that he doubted Xu Xuan's loyalty, but he was quite curious about the next actions of the princes: "Is there any sign that Yuan Shu is going to return to Yuzhou?"
"kindness."
Xun You nodded and said with certainty: "Yuan Shu's troops have left Mianchi and are heading towards Luoyang. If your guess is correct, Yuan Shu will most likely not stop, but will return to Yuzhou."
"It must be so."
Although Liu Bian had expected it, when he heard the news, he still couldn't help being shocked: "It seems that he has given up hope in challenging Dong and is preparing to separate one side and become the emperor of the country."
"kindness."
Xun or twisted his beard and nodded: "The jade seal of the state has appeared. At present, all the princes know that His Highness will postpone the attack on Dong and prepares to return to Nanyang to proclaim himself emperor. The northern and southern Han courts are in conflict, and the world situation has changed suddenly. Yuan Shu will naturally not act rashly."
"but......"
When the conversation changed, Xun You frowned slightly, but still looked worried: "Yuan Shu has a grudge against His Highness. If he is provoked by Dong Zhuo, he will most likely attack Yingchuan. We have to guard against it."
Liu Bianshen thought so and asked urgently: "Who is currently garrisoning Yingchuan?"
Xun Yi bowed his head and said, "It's the chief secretary, Zhong Yu."
"Yingchuan Zhong family?"
"kindness."
"What's the relationship with Zhong Yao?"
"He is the father of the Yuanchang clan, and he also sponsored Yuanchang's studies."
"I see."
Liu Bian nodded with interest, pondered for a moment, and then made a decision: "You quickly order Li Min to lead his troops back to Yingchuan. Be careful to prevent Yuan Shu from taking action when he returns to the city. Gu Zihui will send generals to support him."
Xun or nodded: "I wonder who Your Highness is going to send to Yingchuan?"
Liu Bian had discussed with the Military Advisor Alliance earlier: "The land of Yingchuan is very important and requires a real commander. I will send Cao Cao there to temporarily act as the captain and cooperate with Li Min to defend Yingchuan."
"Cao Cao?"
Xun You was slightly surprised, but after thinking for a moment, he nodded and said: "It is indeed a good choice. This man is proficient in the art of war and has a good plan. Yuan Shu is indeed no match for Cao Cao."
"only......"
Xun You asked tentatively: "Cao Cao was born as a cavalry captain. Is it a bit unfair to be a small captain? His subordinates thought that Cao Cao's ability was not inferior to that of Zhang Liao, so they appointed him as the captain of Yingchuan. I was afraid that he would
I have complaints in my heart."
You know, a few years ago, Cao Cao was already the prime minister of Jinan. This was a high-ranking official with two thousand stones, just like the county governor. Now that he had the credit for defeating Dong, he was only given to a captain?
Can Li Min, the governor of Yingchuan County, hold Cao Cao?
certainly!
The most important point is that Cao Cao is by no means a talented person. If he is appointed as a captain, he is really overqualified and will definitely make him full of enthusiasm and suffer a lot.
How could Liu Bian not know this, but he had his own considerations: "Gu naturally knows it. Go and send an order to Li Min, and then call Cao Cao into the tent. I will tell him personally about this appointment."
Xun or raised his hands: "Here."
Immediately.
He bowed and left the tent.
Liu Bian took a deep breath and thought: "Teacher, the experts are really right. Once the two Yuans fail to challenge Dong, people's hearts will be dispersed. It seems that it is time for us to return to Nanyang."
"Don't worry!"
The voice of the Military Advisor Alliance followed: "Let the other princes go first. Master Bian still needs to make plans before returning to Nanyang. After all, it will take time for the news to spread back to Nanyang."
"The Kong family?"
Liu Bian asked tentatively.
"kindness."
The Military Advisor Alliance affirmed: "First of all, the Kong family's personal relationship tree has just been sent, and experts are doing targeted sorting. This is related to our next suppression of the noble clan."
"Which group should be attacked, which group should be killed, and which group should be won over, all must be understood in advance, and only then can we return to Nanyang."
"This is the second time..."
The military strategist alliance turned back to Luoyang again: "Even if you, Mr. Bian, want to return to Nanyang, return to the palace, establish a new dynasty, and compete with the old dynasty, you must not lose the momentum to challenge Dong."
"Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and other princes can lead their troops to leave, but you must not leave. Even if the large army leaves, you must leave an army in Heluo to continue to fight against Dong and uphold justice."
How could Liu Bian not know this: "Well, I understand. Just let Zhang Liao lead his troops to stay in Luoyang, carry out farming, rely on the Yingchuan base, and continue to deal with Dong Zhuo."
"right!"
The Alliance of Military Advisors affirmed: "No matter whether there is a substantial battle between the two sides, as long as Mr. Bian's troops are still in Luoyang, nominally speaking, we have not given up on challenging Dong, and we will continue to carry the banner."
"When we have the strength in the future and can expand outward, Zhang Liao's troops and horses can immediately attack. Whether it is Bingzhou or Yanzhou, they will all be threatened by us."
...
Liu Bian continued to chat with the Military Advisor Alliance.
"Report—!"
Suddenly, a long announcement sounded outside the tent.
He raised his eyes and looked up.
But then, the curtain was raised, and the guards came in from the outside, cupping their hands and clasping their fists: "Your Highness, Cao Cao, the cavalry captain, is outside the tent."
Liu Bian waved his hand: "Let him come in."
The guard held up his hands: "Here."
Not long after.
Cao Cao opened the curtain and walked in. He stepped forward, bowed and raised his hands and said, "General Cao Cao, please pay homage to His Highness."
Liu Bian waved his hand and motioned for him to take a seat: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Cao Cao bowed his hands in thanks and immediately sat down and said, "I wonder why Your Highness summoned the general to come here?"
Liu Bian didn't bother to cover it up, and said bluntly: "I guess you should have got the news, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu went west to attack Dong and failed. Yuan Shu led his troops away from Mianchi and is now heading towards Luoyang."
"but......"
Liu Bian changed the topic and said softly: "Gu guessed that he would not stop in Luoyang, but would go straight to Yingchuan and return to Yuzhou. Previously, there was quite a rift between Gu and Yuan Shu. Just in case, he wanted to send
You stationed yourself in Yingchuan just in case something unexpected happens."
Cao Cao did not hesitate and said sonorously: "The final general is willing to go."
"kindness."
Liu Bidan smiled and nodded.
He liked Cao Cao's positive attitude very much: "I am very happy that you can do this, but for now I have to aggrieve you and temporarily settle in as the captain of Yingchuan."
"no problem."
Cao Cao agreed without any hesitation: "The final general will not feel aggrieved."
This made Liu Bian feel a little surprised: "You were once a member of the imperial court worth two thousand shi, and you also had great achievements in defeating Dong. Your ability is not inferior to that of the county governor Li Min, or even worse."
"you......"
Liu Bian stared at Cao Cao: "Are you willing?"
Cao Cao smiled faintly and nodded affirmatively: "Your Highness, there is no need to doubt, the general will not be jealous at all."
Liu Bian was quite satisfied with this, but he was also very curious: "Can you tell me the reason?"
"Can."
Cao Cao took a deep breath and organized his words a little: "First, His Highness took the initiative to call the general to come and issue orders, instead of sending Wen Ruo to appoint him. Cao is well aware of this importance."
"Secondly, His Highness has made it clear that he is a captain temporarily, not permanently. Moreover, I will believe in my own ability and more importantly, His Highness's vision. If I have merit, I will definitely be promoted."
"Third!"
Cao Cao suddenly became serious: "It is the last general who secretly speculated that Yingchuan County is adjacent to Heluo to the north and connected to Nanyang to the west. It is a strategic hub. Its location is extremely critical and cannot be missed."
"The general has just arrived, and His Highness can hand over this important task to the general. This trust makes the general feel honored. How can he care about a small captaincy position."
Tsk tsk.
Liu Bian had to admit that Cao Cao was indeed very careful and well-intentioned. How could Liu Bian not feel at ease if Yingchuan was left in the hands of such a person?
"There are four more..."
Liu Bian smiled calmly and said softly: "You are from Qiaojun, Yuzhou. You are very familiar with Yuzhou. In the future, the new dynasty will definitely set foot in Yuzhou. Because of you, Cao Cao is an unsheathed sword."
Cao Cao cupped his hands and clasped his fists: "The last general will live up to his high expectations."
Liu Bian waved his hand: "Okay, you go ahead and return to Yingchuan with Li Min. If Yuan Shu dares to take action, then he will be eliminated. Gu Zhengchou has no reason."
Cao Cao responded sonorously: "Don't worry, Your Highness, just leave it to the general."
"Oh right."
When Cao Cao was about to turn around and leave, Liu Bian suddenly remembered something: "Can the Yingchuan jujube be under your account?"
Cao Cao cupped his hands and clasped his fists: "Yes."
"Dai Gu asked him if he would like to go back to Nanyang with him. He has other plans."
"Zao will definitely not refuse."
"good."
Liu Bian said in a long voice: "In that case, just retreat."
Cao Cao surrendered again.
Immediately.
He bowed and left the tent backwards.
Because if you want to develop two-line hybrid rice, you need someone with experience in farming to take charge of it.
Historically, after Cao Cao welcomed Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and moved the capital to Xuchang, Zao Zhi and Han Hao suggested setting up farmland. Cao Cao appointed Zao Zhi as the captain of the farmland. Under the promise, he recruited people to farm the fields and build water conservancy projects. He harvested tens of thousands of grains that year.
With such a successful example, how could Liu Bian let it go?
Looking at Cao Cao's leaving figure, Liu Bian smiled indifferently and said to himself: "Teacher, this Cao Cao is really smart."
The voice of the Military Advisor Alliance sounded randomly: "Not only is he smart, he also knows how to restrain his sharpness."
"oh?"
Liu Bian couldn't help but be curious: "Teacher, what does this mean?"
The Military Advisor Alliance explained: "Just now, the micro-expression expert reminded me that when Mr. Bian pointed out the fourth point, Cao Cao didn't have the slightest bit of shock on his face. He should have already understood Mr. Bian's strategy."
"You know, this fourth point is the key to arranging for Cao Cao to enter Yingchuan, but he has deliberately omitted this point. He is obviously afraid of arousing your suspicion, Mr. Bian."
"As a subordinate, you have to learn to figure out the boss's thoughts, but you can't figure them all out. It's like the boss's tapeworm. This will make the boss afraid."
"Master Ben."
The Alliance of Military Advisors pointed it out pointedly: "Do you think Cao Cao is very smart? He is no longer the fool he was when he was young. He knows how to restrain his sharp edges and has begun to truly shape his own outlook on life."
"This also supports the conjecture of historians. The turning point in Cao Cao's life should have started with the crusade against Dong Zhuo. The subsequent actions of Bian Ye were crucial to reshaping Cao Cao."
Liu Bian took a deep breath and subconsciously became serious: "Teacher, what you said makes me feel even more stressed."
The Military Advisor Alliance said calmly: "Don't worry, the experts from the Military Advisor Alliance will make Cao Cao a real sharp sword. After all, among the experts, Cao Cao is trained as a commander-in-chief and focuses on the target."
"kindness."
Liu Bian nodded affirmatively: "As long as there are experts here, I can rest assured. It is obviously a good piece of iron. Wouldn't it be a pity if it was destroyed by me? If experts take action, they will definitely be able to make steel!"