The criticism has become more and more intense, and has even begun to reach the point of being hair-raising.
At this time, Zhang Anshi was sitting firmly on Diaoyutai.
His current thoughts are on agriculture.
Both Henan and Guanzhong have a large amount of farmland. Once the land is divided, the promotion of grain seeds and new agricultural tools will become the most important issue.
In this regard, Zhang Anshi had to turn to Deng Jian for help.
Deng Jian has opened an agricultural school in Taiping Prefecture.
In addition to recruiting more than 1,700 students, he is also responsible for research on his vast experimental field.
Deng Jian's current direction is mainly in two aspects. One is to improve improved varieties.
On the other hand, new crops from various places are cultivated.
He also studied crops from the West, Africa, India, China, America, and even crops from other climatic conditions in the Ming Dynasty that were brought by sea.
The theory of agriculture has not really spread in this era, but various experimental methods have made great progress under the leadership of Deng Jian.
The crops finally cultivated through different soils, different temperatures and different fertilizers have to be entered into data every day and then selected over and over again to select the best varieties, which has now become one of Deng Jian's main responsibilities.
To do this, you first need to have great endurance. After all...it is not easy for wealthy and knowledgeable people in this era to teach them to work with their crops with their faces facing the loess and their backs turned to the sky for many years.
In ancient times, scholars were intellectuals, and they would never bend over to do farm work.
In addition, an experimental field of this scale also requires a large investment of funds. Without continuous investment, this kind of systematic agricultural research cannot continue at all.
Fortunately, all these problems have been solved now. This agricultural school has recruited many scholars, but most of them are civilian children from Qixia. Those scholars who inherit poetry and calligraphy do not bother to study this, but these civilians trained through Taiping Mansion
Children, in fact, do not expect to be able to leap over the dragon gate, be the number one scholar in high school, or have any fame. What they hope for is that they can live a better life than their parents.
What's more, these people are originally from civilian backgrounds, and many of them are children of farmers. They already have common sense about farming, and they have also read books. It is easy to adapt to both theory and practice.
As for the funding issue, it was not Deng Jian's business to worry about. Taiping Prefecture usually allocated the most money and food to agricultural schools every year.
Therefore, over the years, Deng Jian has been breeding and selecting crops over and over again, and now he has begun to reap a lot of harvests.
Knowing that Zhang Anshi was coming, Deng Jian had been waiting at Minglun Hall early.
When Zhang Anshi arrived, Deng Jian smiled and said: "Drink tea first."
"There's no need to drink tea, Uncle Deng..." Zhang Anshi said, "I just want to ask for advice on grain cultivation."
Deng Jiandao: "This... has to be done step by step. Over in Henan, the Agricultural School has also purchased some land and planted some test fields. Henan and Guanzhong are two places suitable for growing wheat. Now... there are several varieties.
, one of which we think is the most suitable.”
Zhang Anshi said seriously: "I'd like to ask Uncle Deng for some advice. I don't know how many kilograms per mu can be."
Deng Jian did not hide anything, so he said: "The higher the yield in the wheat field, the better. Although high-yield wheat has been grown in the experimental fields, in the end when it was promoted, it was found that it could not be promoted."
Zhang Anshi said in astonishment: "Why is this?"
Deng Jiandao: "Due to insect pests and drought, the wheat fields in the North are most worried about this. No matter how high the yield is, if there are insect pests and drought, the harvest will still fail. And once the harvest fails, the livelihood of the year will be completely over.
For ordinary people, such risks are absolutely unacceptable."
After Zhang Anshi heard this, he immediately stood in awe.
This is professionalism!
In this era, various pesticides have not yet become popular, not to mention various severe drought factors. It is said that farmers depend on the weather for their livelihood. This is really true, because once a disaster occurs, there will be no harvest.
Deng Jian took a sip of tea and added: "Actually, whether the output increases is secondary, because an increase in output means a good year, and the price of grain will fall in a good year. So what the people value most is stability.
"
Zhang Anshi said: "I understand, what Uncle Deng means is not to pursue production?"
"No." Deng Jian shook his head and said, "Should we strive to maximize yields on the premise of disaster prevention, or should we focus on pest control and drought resistance. We only understood this when we promoted agricultural seeds in Zhili.
Therefore, I have been selecting wheat and rice seeds that are pest-resistant and drought-resistant. Now, I have selected several varieties. The yield is indeed not as high as some high-yielding grain varieties, but... the harvest is not bad, Anshi
Since we plan to make a difference in Henan and Guanzhong, we think these varieties are suitable."
Zhang Anshi said in a relaxed tone: "That's very good. With Uncle Deng's words, I can rest assured."
Deng Jian smiled and said, "You are always reckless, and we haven't finished talking yet."
Deng Jian's eyes were soft. In his eyes, no matter how old Zhang Anshi was, he was still the child he had raised since childhood.
So after a pause, Deng Jian continued patiently: "In addition to grain seeds, we also need irrigation methods, and various measures. Even for fertilization, there must be rules. Of course... new farm tools... are also very important.
These links are indispensable.”
Zhang Anshi said: "These are secondary matters. Anyway, I can leave it to Uncle Deng to start the business, so I can rest assured."
Deng Jian couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "There is no problem with manpower, it's just about money and food..."
Zhang Anshi showed a big smile and said: "This is easy to handle, I will give you as much as you want."
He, Zhang Anshi, lacks everything, the most indispensable thing is money!
After talking about the serious business, it was inevitable to talk about some casual things. After that, Zhang Anshi walked around the agricultural school and was very interested.
Time flies, and the end of the year is approaching in a blink of an eye. The weather is getting colder and colder, and people begin to go out as little as possible.
At the end of the new year, snow fell from the sky and the earth was completely white.
Zhang Anshi was wrapped in thick cotton clothes and rode a carriage to the East Palace.
First I met my brother-in-law who had returned from Henan, and then I went to meet my sister.
Crown Princess Zhang first complained that Zhang Anshi wore too little clothes when going out. Then she mentioned her son Zhu Zhanji.
The mother-in-law was still a little dissatisfied, so she said: "It's almost the Chinese New Year, and I don't want to come back from Hezhou. She said she has a lot of things to do. Alas..."
Seeing his sister's slightly frowning expression, Zhang Anshi softened his heart.
So he said: "How about I give an order right now and tell him to return to Beijing immediately? Sister, this boy has stiff wings and no filial piety at all. Unlike me, I always feel sorry for my sister."
Mrs. Zhang immediately shook her head and said: "Come on, it can't be like this! It's not a bad thing that Zhan Ji is focusing on this matter. He is at this age when he needs more experience. What's more, he is now responsible for the welfare of the people of the state and does his best.
I should be honest, I am just an ordinary mother's complaint, but as a mother and a princess, I know the priorities of things."
After a pause, she said with a bit of concern and a smile: "What is he busy with in Hezhou?"
Zhang Anshi said with a smile: "This... it's hard to say. I let him do it and left other things alone, lest he think I was dictating. In fact, it was also to sharpen his mind. If he really couldn't do it well, I would clean up his mess later.
"
Zhang said: "As long as he doesn't mess up things, it will be fine."
Zhang Anshi shook his head and said: "Sister, I am somewhat sure about this. Speaking of it, I am not only his uncle, but also his mentor. As the saying goes, famous teachers produce great disciples. I will point to him in the coming year.
The state...has become the best state in the world."
"The best state in the world..." Ms. Zhang opened her eyes slightly, with a look of surprise on her face.
She is not an ignorant woman, and she knows the situation in Hezhou... in the whole of Zhili, it is only mediocre, sparsely populated, not much fertile land, and has little to show for it, whether it is money, food or other things.
Zhu Zhanji was still young, how could he make Hezhou the best state in the world within less than a year of being in power?
So Zhang smiled and said: "You, don't brag about him. Although Zhanji has many good qualities, he doesn't have such ability."
Zhang Anshi laughed and said: "Sister, if you don't believe it, just wait and see."
Seeing Zhang Anshi's eagerness to swear, Mrs. Zhang still just smiled, but did not continue to ask.
But Zhang Anshi's words still caused ripples in Zhang's heart.
Who doesn't expect his son to be successful? Zhu Zhanji is the grandson of the emperor and will control the world in the future. If she really achieves any great political achievements, as a mother and concubine, she will be proud and proud, and finally she will not embarrass the Zhu family.
.
At that moment, Zhang Anshi had dinner with his sister and brother-in-law in the East Palace, having a good time, and returned at midnight.
…………
"His Majesty……"
At this time, in the Forbidden City.
Zhu Di put down the Spring and Autumn in his hand, raised his head and said, "What's wrong?"
Outside the hall, snowflakes were flying in the air, and the flying snowflakes were submerged into the darkness.
But in the warm spring-lit literary building, Yi Shiha stood cautiously, bowed slightly and said, "There are already some clues here in Dongchang."
"Eyebrows?" Zhu Di couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"Your Majesty has forgotten." Yishuha said with a smile: "The chief messenger who deceives the public with his monstrous words."
When Zhu Di heard this, he suddenly became energetic.
More than half a year has passed since this incident, but Zhu Di has always been thinking about it.
It's a pity that Dongchang and Jinyiwei seem to be working hard to investigate. Seeing no movement for so many days, Zhu Di originally thought... this must be an unsolved case.
But what Zhu Di never expected was that he would now have a clue.
And it was Dongchang who tracked it down first.
It seems that it is precisely because of this that Yi Shiha's face is filled with red light.
It's not easy, it's really hard... to be one step ahead of Jin Yiwei.
He wanted to shout: Everyone, follow our lead, let me announce something...
Zhu Di said enthusiastically: "How?"
Yishiha said hurriedly: "The slaves and others found a record in Honglu Temple and found that there was something strange about this person. After that, the police followed him for a few days and then started to search his home. Sure enough... they found a lot of rumors.
The manuscript that confuses the public... The slaves have captured this man and are now torturing him, waiting for him to confess his accomplices."
A little record of Honglu Temple...
This record is just for a seventh-rank official, and it is not conspicuous.
Zhu Di frowned and said, "Are you sure he has accomplices?"
Yi Shiha said: "I can be sure, because many of the rumors are mixed with the secrets of the court. And these secrets, such as Lu Shi, cannot be known. In other words, there are at least three levels.
The above-mentioned court ministers participated in it..."
Zhu Di's face became solemn, and he couldn't help but gather a bit of anger on his face, and then said: "Sure enough, the disaster originated within Xiao Qiang. After all... I have raised a group of white-eyed wolves."
Yi Shiha carefully glanced at Zhu Di's face, and then said: "Now that we have clues, it will be easy to handle. The servants secretly captured the recorder, and are now prying open his mouth. As long as we follow the clues, we will soon be able to
…All the truth will soon surface.”
Zhu Di looked at Yishiha with satisfaction and said: "This time, Dongchang did a good job. It seems that Dongchang did its best."
Yi Shiha hurriedly said humbly: "No, it's just that everyone is deeply favored by the emperor, so we are working extra hard."
Zhu Di nodded: "In the past, Jinyiwei was the most successful. This time, Dongchang has made great contributions. I will have my own reward when the time comes."
Yi Shiha was busy thanking him. Although he tried his best to hide it, he couldn't hold it back and his mouth was almost crooked in laughter.
After all, for so many years, Dongchang has been in vain, unable to do anything. Of course, the main reason is that the Jinyiwei is so powerful. The truth has already been revealed before Dongchang started to work on it.
And this time, he was proud and proved his worth. This alone was enough to make Yi Shiha feel a little stiffer.
Zhu Di stood up. He seemed to be in a good mood at this time. He suddenly remembered something and said, "I heard that my grandson is still in Hezhou..."
"Yes." Yi Shiha said: "I heard that the emperor and grandson don't plan to return to Beijing during the Chinese New Year."
"Hey..." Zhu Di said with emotion: "I haven't seen Zhan Ji, my grandson, for many days, but it's okay. He has such ambition, and I feel relieved."
Yi Shiha said: "Yes, His Majesty the Emperor...is considered diligent in his work. This is the blessing of our great Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Di nodded, his face full of relief.
…………
After the New Year, the weather was still bitingly cold. Suddenly... Chen Li braved the heavy snow and hurriedly arrived at the Prince's Mansion.
"Your Highness... Your Highness..."
This voice sounds a bit urgent!
At this time, Zhang Anshi was wearing Gong uniform and preparing to go to the East Palace.
Seeing Chen Li coming in a hurry, he asked, "What's the matter?"
Chen Li said with some anxiety: "Dongchang... Dongchang... didn't even say hello. Today... suddenly started arresting people in the capital. I heard that a lot of them were arrested..."
Zhang Anshi was shocked after hearing this: "Who did they catch?"
Chen Li said: "The news I heard is that it is the person behind the scenes who is making lies and deceiving the public."
When Zhang Anshi heard this, he felt like he was struck by lightning, his face changed drastically, and he immediately said: "What? They... did they find out?"
Chen Li couldn't help but said with a bit of annoyance: "The father-in-law of Dongchang is not a thing. A few years ago, they captured a recorder of Honglu Temple, but they were afraid that our Jin Yiwei would take away the credit, so they concealed the news.
Everything was airtight. When they found a breakthrough from this recorder, they suddenly started to pick people up from everywhere. People said they were factory guards, factory guards. These factory guards were indistinguishable from each other. Who knew... They even hid their secrets, in order to fight for it.
I don’t even need to lose face anymore.”
Zhang Anshi: "..."
"Your Highness, Your Highness, what's wrong with you? Just say something..."
Zhang Anshilao waited for a long time before he let out a breath and said: "Dongchang is not a human being. He must be a member of the Haha religion. They want to take credit, and they are going crazy."
Chen Li was also helpless, so he looked at Zhang Anshi with burning eyes and said: "Your Highness, then... what should we, the Jinyi Guards, do?"
"What should we do?" Zhang Anshi said: "They have already taken everyone, what else can we do? Can we still teach them to push people back, and our Jinyiwei will arrest them again? Hey... this is too sudden, why did we do it beforehand?
There were no signs at all.”
Chen Li couldn't help but said resentfully: "The main thing is that I was humble and careless. I didn't expect Dongchang to be so unloyal and suddenly come here like this. If I had known this, I should have arranged a few in Dongchang..."
Zhang Anshi waved his hand and said: "Okay, it's useless to talk about this. I'm going to take a look at the situation. You come with me."
Chen Li said: "Here."
At this time...in the capital, a large number of gangsters suddenly appeared. They blocked several streets and alleys, and then...started to arrest them.
Liu Xiong, the supervising eunuch of Dongchang, and the stall waiters below were all smiling and overjoyed.
Several fans, on the other hand, kept flying back and forth in the palace, conveying the latest news.
For Dongchang, this is definitely a rare opportunity to feel proud.
When the imperial prisoners were captured one by one and more and more people were dug out, Yi Shiha, who was waiting for news at any time and reporting to Zhu Di, was in high spirits and looked several years younger.
"Your Majesty, capture them all, catch them all in one fell swoop." Yishiha said with a red face: "This operation is airtight, not a single prisoner has escaped."
Zhu Di nodded and said: "Interrogate immediately..."
Yi Shiha said: "The trial is already underway, and the results will be announced soon..."
Zhu Di said: "Get the confession quickly."
Just as he was talking, a eunuch came in a hurry: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wuhu County and the Commander of the Jinyi Guards, Chen Li, are asking for an audience."
Zhu Di said with a smile: "What are they doing here? Call them in."
The smile on Yi Shiha's face froze a little.
Although I am happy today, Zhang Anshi came here so excitedly, which obviously means he takes this matter very seriously.
Speaking of this, Dongchang didn't say hello to Jin Yiwei at all, which was indeed a lack of loyalty. When Zhang Anshi and Chen Li came later, Yi Shiha saw them. I'm afraid it would be a little... embarrassing.
Fortunately, Yi Shiha was considered a good person among the crowd, and he quickly adjusted his mentality.
In any case, Dongchang is in urgent need of a big success now, and others... can leave it alone.