In Pengcheng, Ji Ba met Liu Yu in the government office lobby.
During his last mission to Jiankang, Liu Yu was fighting with Yang Anxuan in Jingling. Ji Ba did not see him, but in Jiankang City he was full of legends about Song Gong: he was born in a poor family, he was accused of gambling, and he chased thousands with one man. , quelled the Yan Kingdom, wiped out the rebellions of Sun En and Lu Xun, never failed in the southern and northern campaigns, and so on.
The old man in front of him has a square face, bright eyes, thick eyebrows slightly drooped, thin lips pressed tightly, and a gray beard, giving him a resolute and decisive look. Ji Ba stroked his chest and bowed, saying, "Wei Chen Ji Ba has met Song Gong."
Liu Yu stood up and returned the courtesy, and said with a smile: "The envoy from Wei came all the way and worked hard all the way. I was supervising the battle in Feng County a few days ago. I couldn't get away and kept your envoy waiting for a long time."
After exchanging a few words, Ji Ba explained his intention and stated that he wanted to strengthen the alliance, exchange needs, and exchange and cooperate.
Liu Yu learned that the Wei army had been defeated by the Yong army in Weilijin, Liyangjin and Yumendu. This shocked him. It turned out that Yang Anxuan's troops were strong enough to fight against himself and the Wei army at the same time. Then he received the news of the naval division's defeat. Liu Yu decided to abandon Mengcheng and other places and shrink his defense.
The Emperor of Wei sent envoys to form an alliance and made it clear that they wanted to jointly fight against the Yong army, which played into Liu Yu's wish. He stretched out his hand to stroke his beard, and Liu Yu said with a smile: "The alliance between Jin and Wei is good, each guarding its territory, and the people can rest and recuperate, which is a blessing. For specific matters, Duke Ren Cheng may wish to discuss a charter with Xie Canjun first, and then report it to the court." "
Ji Ba knew that the so-called report to the court was just a lie. Although Xie Hui was only a lieutenant in the army, he was deeply trusted by Liu Yu and should be able to represent Liu Yu's attitude.
Both parties were in a hurry, and the negotiation progressed quickly. Three days later, Xie Hui handed over the terms of the negotiation to Liu Yu for review.
With the Yellow River as the boundary, Hebei belonged to Wei and south to Jin, and the two sides were not allowed to cross the border; two more foragers were added for mutual trade; and exchanges between craftsmen were strengthened. A total of five items were written.
Liu Yu glanced at the things written on the paper, put them on the case, and asked: "Xuanming, what do the people of Wei want?"
Xie Hui said in a deep voice: "Ji Ba requested to provide one hundred thousand kilograms of saltpeter every year, and one war horse in exchange for two hundred kilograms of saltpeter. In addition, we hope to exchange elixir fire and smelting technology."
Liu Yu sneered and said: "Yang Anxuan destroyed Yao Qin, torn the Xia State into pieces, and blocked the trade routes from the Western Regions to the Wei State. It was difficult to transport saltpeter to the Wei State, and the Wei State itself did not produce saltpeter. Tuoba Si I'm a little anxious; it's better to exchange Danhuo skills and each get what he needs. How can the iron smelting technology be known to the people of Wei, and how can we resist the iron cavalry going south in the future."
"Wang Huilong used gunpowder to crack the ice of the Yellow River at the Yumen Ferry. The Wei army suffered heavy losses, so he placed more emphasis on Danhuo." Xie Hui said, "However, the big enemy right now is Yang Anxuan. My lord might as well use saltpeter as a lure to get the Wei army to join forces with me to deal with the Yong army. "
Liu Yu closed his eyes and remained silent. Upon seeing this, Xie Hui bowed and turned to leave. …
In February, both Jin and Wei, Yong Gong and Song Gong focused their main attention on farming.
For the people of Jin State, cotton cultivation is undoubtedly the most lively topic. Yiyang cotton merchants recruited weavers in the Xunyang area, and the people in Jiangnan suddenly became aware of a cotton cloth that was more expensive than silk. The raw materials of this cotton cloth could be grown from the ground, just like hemp and kudzu.
Yiyang Cotton Bank donated 3,000 sets of cotton clothes according to Liu Muzhi's words. Liu Muzhi also asked the local government to provide support when the cotton bank purchased land. Wan Chang came forward to purchase 300 hectares of fields in Jiang, Hunan, and Henan. , all prepared for cotton cultivation.
Liu Muzhi received instructions from Liu Yu to plant a large amount of cotton this year, striving to reach more than 100,000 acres. To grow so much cotton, where would the cotton seeds come from? Liu Muzhi once again set his sights on Yiyang Cotton Shop.
Wan Chang sent the information back to Yiyang City and asked Lu Xin and others to purchase cotton seeds on their behalf. The aristocratic cotton-growing family in Yiyang has cotton seeds at home, but this year they purchased 300 hectares of new land in Jiangnan, so the cotton seeds are somewhat insufficient.
A hundred kilograms of seed cotton can be produced per mu, and more than fifty kilograms of seeds can be obtained. One kilogram of cotton seeds (check online and divided into wool seeds and light seeds, separated by rows and mountains, don't worry) can be planted in one mu of cotton fields. Last year, the price of a kilogram of cotton seeds was 20 yuan, but this year it has actually increased. When it reached 40 yuan, those cotton farmers received an unexpected surprise. It turned out that cotton farmers could make money by relying on cotton seeds.
It is profitable, so naturally many people want to plant it. Yang Anxuan and Xin He discussed and issued an announcement through the government. Except for the cotton fields planted by the government, all cotton fields grown privately would be taxed double as corn.
The government will no longer lease cattle, farm tools and other items; the purchase price of cotton is uniformly stipulated by the government and is not allowed to set its own price. Violators will be severely punished.
As soon as the government decree came out, many cotton farmers stopped thinking. Yonggong made it clear that he didn't like farmers growing cotton on their own, so it was safer to farm. xь.
Yiyang Cotton Shop thought that Yang Anshen was behind it and built many weaving farms in Jiangnan. No matter how much cotton they had, they could absorb more cotton. In addition to the 300 hectares of newly purchased cotton fields in Jiangnan, they also expanded them in various places in Yiyang. Fifteen thousand acres.
The news that the price of cotton cloth in Jiankang Market was as high as 7,400 yuan could not be concealed from anyone. The news that Yiyang Cotton Shop had made a lot of money by building a textile factory in the Jiangnan area disappeared. Lu Xin and Ye Ping had constant visitors at their homes, talking. Inside and outside, they all inquired about the purchase of land and construction of factories in Jiangnan. Under Yonggong's rule, cotton cultivation was restricted, and these aristocratic families all set their sights on Jiangnan.
The various states, counties and counties reported the farmland cultivation status to the Chancellery. Liu Muzhi learned that the number of cotton fields this year had already exceeded 100,000 acres and reached 300,000 acres. He couldn't help but secretly feel alarmed. However, the cotton seeds had already been planted, so he had to sit back and watch what happened. .
In Wujia Village, Xinxi, Runan, Mrs. Wu Chen found that the land in her cotton field had become thinner and the best fields were desertified, so she hurriedly invited her father-in-law, Mr. Wu, to come over.
After looking at it, Old Man Wu looked grave and said, "This year's 40 acres of cotton field must be replanted, otherwise the land will be useless after a few years of planting."
The land is the root of farmers. Mrs. Wu Chen heard from her father-in-law that growing cotton hurts the land. Although growing cotton can make more money, the land is something that must be passed down to children and grandchildren and must not be damaged.
Mrs. Wu Chen decided that all the land this year would be planted with grains. If her sister-in-law wanted to grow cotton, she would let her do it. When cotton prices fell last year, Mrs. Wu Chen came forward to sell most of the cotton to the government. Unexpectedly, she sold it a little early. Later, the price of cotton rose again. Mrs. Wu Wang couldn't help but complain. She heard from her sister-in-law that she would not plant it this year. Naturally, He was happy to accept all the quota allocated by the government for forty acres. King Wu calculated very clearly that the cotton fields allocated by the government could not lose money no matter what.
The Commercial Information Department reported cotton information from various places to Yang Anxuan. Yang Anxuan estimated that this year's cotton fields would increase by 30% compared to last year. After all, the price of cotton cloth was high, which made cotton growers feel profitable.
Yang Anxuan knew well that he had improved spinning machines and looms, and he was fully capable of suppressing the price of cotton cloth. Liu Yu ordered 100,000 acres of cotton to be planted in the Jiangnan area. It seemed that the fish had taken the bait. If he didn't take the opportunity to strike hard, he would be a time traveler in vain.
Ding Quan was called and gave detailed instructions. Ding Quan accepted the order and went to Runan in person to invite the cotton growers who came from Xiliang.
These cotton growers were completely different from those in Xiliang. After arriving in Yongjing, they followed the instructions and tried to grow cotton. According to the agreement, the government gave them homes and allocated fields. Two years later, many of them were appointed as farmers. This was a beautiful thing that they had never dreamed of.
Ding Quan exchanged a few pleasantries and asked directly: "You are all experts in cotton cultivation. I would like to ask what are the taboos in cotton cultivation? Why was the cotton yield not high last year?"
More than a dozen people in the hall didn't know Ding Quan's identity, but since the prefect Yin was with him, he must have a good background. They didn't dare to speak rashly, and they all looked at Zhai Tao.
Zhai Tao is the most prestigious among these people, and he was the one who advocated coming to Jin in the first place. Last year, Zhai Tao was appointed as a ninth-grade agricultural master by the government. The government used an ox cart to guide farmers around in cotton cultivation. Looking at those simple and respectful smiling faces, Zhai Tao could not help but laugh out loud in his dreams.
Zhai Tao calmed down and said: "To grow cotton, you need fertile land and sufficient water. Last year's cotton yield was not high because of insect pests."
Ding Quan asked: "What kind of insect pests are there in cotton?"
Zhai Tao flexed his hands and counted: "There are quite a few. There are cotton aphids, bollworms, ground silkworms, lice, moths, master worms, red spiders..."
Ding Quan laughed and said, "There are no less than ten species. With so many pests, is there any way to prevent them?"
Zhai Tao looked bright and said: "The old man has been growing cotton in Xiliang for nearly 30 years, and he has figured out some ways to control insects. You can mix fresh mulberry juice, pine leaf juice, plant ash and other substances with water and spray them on the leaves and ground. Control pests."
"How many people know this method of controlling insects?" Ding Quan asked.
Zhai Tao was a little embarrassed. He had been growing cotton in Xiliang for many years, and he had learned these insect control methods. Except for his two sons, he had not told anyone else. He originally planned to let his two sons bring the prepared concoction when the cotton insect infestation returned this year. Going to control pests can also make some extra money.
Seeing that Zhai Tao didn't speak, Ding Quan smiled and said, "Dad Zhai, there's no need to worry too much, just tell the truth."
"There are some methods that only the old man and the two dogs know."
Ding Quan nodded and said, "Very good. Does Father Zhai know how to make cotton more infested with insects?"
Zhai Tao couldn't sit still and stood up in horror: "Sir, no matter how courageous I am, I don't dare to let cotton suffer from insect pests.".Ь.
The cotton growers sitting nearby stood up in a hurry, followed Zhai Tao and knelt down, complaining that they were wronged.
Ding Quan stood up and helped Zhai Tao up, saying, "Don't panic, please sit down and listen to what Yu has to say. Yu has no intention of blaming me."
When everyone sat down again in confusion, Ding Quan made it clear his intention. This year, a large amount of cotton was planted in Jiangnan. The Commercial Information Department was going to send people to secretly sabotage it. The best way was to use pests. I wonder what you can do?
Everyone felt relieved. Zhai Tao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This is easy. You only need to put the soil and leaves with insect eggs into the cotton field, and the insect pests will occur naturally."
Ding Quan smiled and said, "I'll leave this matter to you. However, this secret must not be leaked. Otherwise, if Duke Song knows about it, your lives will be at risk."
Zhai Tao and others even said they did not dare. …
In February, Li Hao, king of (Western) Liang, died of illness. His son Li Xin succeeded to the throne and sent envoys to the Eastern Jin Dynasty to mourn him.
The (Northern) Liang took advantage of the (Western) Liang state's mourning. Juqu Mengxun led his army to attack the Wutiao tribe and the Beihe tribe, forcing more than 10,000 tribesmen from the two tribes to return to the Northern Liang.
(West) Qin Qifu Chipan defeated Kongtong and returned to Wuhan City. He ordered Qifu Tanda to station in Nan'an County to resist the Yong army in Tianshui County. He ordered the general Qifu Muyigan (brother) of Qin Dynasty and the general Qifu of Fuguo to conquer the north. Yuan Ji (the eldest son) led his army to attack Tuyuhun, defeated Murong Ajiao at Yaogang Mountain, and captured thousands of people and returned.
Murong Shuluogan, the king of Tuyuhun, was always frustrated by the (Western) Qin and died in depression. He passed the throne to his younger brother Murong Ajiu and asked him to fight against the Qin state.
Murong A'jack felt deeply that it was difficult to withstand the enemy (Western) Qin's attack alone, so he sent an envoy with twenty good horses to Xiangyang to seek an alliance with Yang Anxuan to jointly deal with the (Western) Qin.
Yang Anxuan was at war with Liu Yu and the state of Wei, and was unable to deal with the northwest. Tuyuhun was naturally happy to see that Tuyuhun was willing to hold the (western) Qin for him. He gave Tuyuhun 300 sharp knives and 200 long spears as gifts, and allowed merchants from the Western Regions to pass through Tuyuhun to the Qin Dynasty. State entry trade.
