In early May in Handan, the capital of Zhao, the temperature had gradually risen. The sun was glaring and the weather was scorching hot on the fertile North China Plain.
The breeze blows gently across the earth, and the golden wheat waves rise and fall with the rhythm, making a rustling sound. It is the time of great harvest.
Zhao Yong walked out of Chengyu and reached out to gently brush the ripe wheat ears beside him. He looked at the rich land in front of him and couldn't help but take a deep breath. The light fragrance was mixed with the fine dust. Enter the nose.
The battle ahead has come to an end for the time being, and the wanderers in the distance have returned home. In this grand season of the year, the sweat of hard work is once again shed.
Zhao Yong decided to have fun with the people. He took the iron sickle from Chen Zhong's hand, waved it gently, and cut off the first handful of wheat ears this year.
In this era, the staple food in the north is still millet, but some areas have also begun to sow this new crop, wheat, on a small scale.
Millet is sown in March and April, and the wheat planted last winter can be harvested again in May.
This variety, which was introduced from the Western Regions more than 500 years ago, became widely loved by rulers of various countries once it was popularized.
However, the cultivation of wheat is also greatly restricted by geography. So far, only the northern countries can cultivate it on a small scale, and Handan, Zhao State, happens to be one of the largest sowing 'bases'.
During the Warring States Period, the population of each country was directly related to its food production capacity. Food is not only a necessary product to drive the country's economy, but also an important lifeline that affects the country's prosperity and decline.
The most powerful countries in the world today are all major grain-producing countries.
Today, the country with the most dense population and the highest land quality belongs to Wei State. Wei State is located in the land of "Three Rivers". In the past, the people of Tang Dynasty were all in Hedong, the people of Yin were in Hanoi, and the people of Zhou Dynasty were in Henan. Although the land is smaller and narrower than that of Qin and Chu, the people are numerous and the princes of the country gather together, so its customs are simple and frugal. If Hexi had not been taken away by the Qin State a few years ago, the level of wealth would have been even more exaggerated.
Next is the State of Qin, which covers Guanzhong, from Qian and Yong (Qishan Mountain, Yongshan Mountain) to He and Hua (Yellow River, Huashan Mountain), and has fertile soil for thousands of miles.
Again, it is Qi, Lu, Song, Wei, Han and other places.
Qi lived on the coast and was famous among the princes for his merchants. It is widely spread that Linzi has 100,000 households, the market rent is thousands of gold, and the people are wealthy. For example, a poor and sick family can also enjoy the blessings of the whole family.
The land of Han is dangerous, and people live close to the mountains. Although the land is less than 900 miles away, all crops grow, either wheat or beans. Even if there is no harvest for one year, the people will not be in danger of hunger.
As for countries such as Yue and Chu, although they have vast territories and sparsely populated areas, they have no worries about their stomachs. Their food mainly consists of rice and soup fish, which can be cultivated by fire or water tillage. Therefore, south of the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, there are no cold and hungry people, and there are no homes with rich people.
However, the land of Yanzhao is close to the Northern Yi, and it is easy for heroes to become traitors. Most of the northern areas are not involved in agriculture and business, and the people are less concerned about defending. But there are also crops of salt, wheat, and dates.
It is not unreasonable that only the Seven Kingdoms dominated during the Warring States Period.
In the wheat field, the internal historian and a group of agricultural officials, big and small, saw the monarch's carriage and hurriedly came from a distance.
"It is indeed a blessing for our country, Zhao, that the king personally comes to the farming land." Zhao Tian, the internal historian, took the lead and bowed to the ground.
Food is the most important thing for the people. Since ancient times, farming, like military affairs, has been the top priority of the country. However, generally princes would not visit agricultural production areas in person, and would often appoint trusted ministers to reward them.
"My lords, please get up quickly. I feel very relieved to see such a great harvest." Zhao Yong couldn't help but praise him verbally.
"These are all matters within the scope of the ministers' duties." Everyone said in agreement.
Many low-level officials in the Ministry of Agriculture saw their king for the first time, and they couldn't help but praise Zhao Yong's wisdom and prowess.
"The internal history is here to stay, and the rest of you can quickly go to work on the farmland. Don't waste this good time." Zhao Yong said.
"No." Except for Zhao Tian, the internal historian, everyone else immediately bowed and retreated.
The responsibilities of the internal historian were originally responsible for communicating with heaven and man, and they were officials of the priesthood.
After the Warring States Period, in order to better serve the various countries competing for hegemony, the responsibilities of the internal history underwent fundamental changes, from the original official who communicated with heaven and man to an independent official who governs the people and administration.
The management of internal history can be roughly divided into two types: one is to "control the capital", and the other is to "control the country's grain", that is, to manage the country's finances. His previous position conflicted with the policies of the Handan Order, but by taking charge of the latter, Neishi confirmed his status as the highest-level agricultural official in the country.
Such an important position is almost in charge of the economic lifeline of the entire country, so the internal history of the past dynasties has been borne by the monarch's cronies.
Zhao Tian, the internal historian, was born in the clan of Zhao Guozong, and he also studied under the peasant family Xia Kui.
Due to his political affiliation and outstanding talents, after Zhao Yong came to the throne, Zhao Tian naturally became the new internal history of Zhao State.
"I would like to ask the internal historian, how is the wheat yield per mu this year? Can it increase compared to last year's yield?"
Zhao Yong asked Chen Zhong beside him to take out two Hu stools and put them beside Cheng Yu. He lifted up the hems first and sat on them.
Stools and chairs of this era had not yet been introduced to the Central Plains from the Western Regions, and most people sat on the floor. Generally speaking, people who have not been trained cannot sit still at all.
Zhao Yong couldn't do it anyway. His legs and feet would become numb after sitting for a long time, so he usually sat cross-legged. But as the king of a country, it seems unsightly to sit cross-legged when attending formal occasions.
Fortunately, the structure of the chair is also simple. After he returned to Handan from Dai this time, he ordered someone to build a few of them.
It was also the first time for Zhao Tian to see such a novel object. It looked like a desk or a bed, but it was much smaller than the former.
"This thing is called a stool. This time I traveled to the land to imitate the way made by the Hu people. Sir, please sit down." Zhao Yong raised his hand and motioned for Zhao Tian to sit down like him.
Hu stool? Zhao Tian was shocked: How could we in China imitate Hu Man? The king must have lost his mind!
Although Zhao Tian is different from ordinary clan nobles, he still looks down on Hu people in his heart. But when he saw Zhao Yong also sitting on it, he didn't dare to offend Zhao Yong's kindness, so he had to sit down reluctantly.
Seeing Zhao Tian's hesitant look, how could he hide what he was thinking from Zhao Yong.
But Zhao Yong also has his own plans, and this is just a precursor to his reform and change of service.
He has already ordered hundreds of chairs and stools to be built and displayed throughout the palace of King Zhao. From now on, giving a seat will be a real gift. He wanted the courtiers to adapt to the convenience brought by the reform in advance.
Zhao Tian was also the first Zhao minister to experience this 'service'. Sure enough, from his initial rejection to his leisurely attitude, he suddenly realized that this Hu stool was really a good thing. It can greatly relieve fatigue without the sequelae caused by sitting on your knees for a long time.
Although Zhao Tian didn't say anything, he already secretly admired Zhao Yong's vision in his heart.
"Why didn't other countries introduce such a good thing earlier?" Zhao Tian is a man of action.
…
…
