The king stood in front of the copper plow, silent and silent, only the time flowed in his eyes.
Familiar agricultural production tools were lined up in a row, and they came into view one by one, taking his racing thoughts back to his homeland nearly two thousand years ago. It was an era that was very similar to today's world, and it was also an era of change!
"The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military service." This was the Spring and Autumn Period of 578 BC, the beginning of new changes.
"The reason why a country thrives is the agricultural war!" This was the Warring States Period in 356 BC, when Shang Yang carried out his first reform.
The reform was conceived in the Spring and Autumn Period and took place in the Warring States Period. The real fundamental driving force in this is the continuous development of agricultural productivity with iron tools and cattle farming!
The historical process is cyclical, and social productivity and social systems advance alternately. In today's Mexica Union, during the feudal state of Lake Zhong at this time, Xiulote had already initiated changes in the social system with reference to Shang Yang's reforms. Correspondingly, it is to further promote the development of agricultural productivity to match the institutional innovations of the Qin and Han Dynasties and build the foundation of a unified empire!
Under the guidance of historical logic, Shulot's political ideas are very clear. To develop agricultural productivity, the first step is to control feudal land and centralize agricultural capital; the second step is to establish households and all people, strictly require and encourage farming, and increase the input of agricultural labor; the third step is to popularize bronze hand tools and improve wood and stone Farm tool crafting efficiency, and create and apply new bronze farm tools!
During the long pre-Qin era, the Celestial Dynasty had a highly prosperous bronze civilization. Bronze agricultural tools have been around for a long time and can improve agricultural production efficiency, but they have not been popularized in the Yellow River Basin. This is mainly due to the preciousness of bronze and the scarcity of bronze resources in the north. The limited bronze was invested in sacrificial vessels, military weapons, and chariot and horse equipment. Correspondingly, the Yangtze River Basin is rich in bronze resources, and the production and use of bronze farm tools during the Shang and Zhou dynasties was significantly developed.
"Ox farming is still far away, and iron tools are also far away. If we want to improve the agricultural production technology of the feudal country, we can only pile up manure, build dikes and use bronze agricultural tools."
The king's thoughts returned from time. He looked carefully at the categorized farm tools. These farm tools came from his memories and were modified based on the opinions of veteran farmers. He also has many subsequent designs that are still on the drawing board.
The farm tools in front of you are divided into seven types, corresponding to the seven activities in agricultural production.
"A human-powered bronze plow, shaped like a spoon, has a wooden board that is stepped on by feet, and is often used by one person. Well, yes, it is simple and strong. It can be called a tread plow. Five days of treading the plow can be used as an ox plow for one day. Although it is very physically demanding, it is the best result!"
Shulot first took hold of the newly made bronze plow, inspected it for a moment, and a smile appeared on his face. This is the first and most important type of agricultural tool for land preparation. Plowing the land is very important for agricultural production, as it can effectively promote crop growth and increase yields. There are many reasons for this.
First, prepare the soil. Leveling the land and breaking up clods of soil makes it easier to sow seeds in the soil layer.
Secondly, it’s breathable. Loose soil can improve air permeability and help crops' roots grow deeper.
Then, evenly fertilize. Farming brings the rich soil from the bottom up to the surface and buries the remnants of the previous season's crops to create new fertilizer.
Again, weed. Before planting, remove any weeds that have emerged to disrupt their growth cycle. In tropical America where rainfall is abundant, fast-growing weeds can greatly reduce crop yields and require a lot of manpower to deal with them.
Finally, get rid of the bugs. Dig the soil to dig out the bug eggs underground and let natural enemies and tropical sunlight kill them.
It is precisely because of these benefits that agricultural production is called farming, and the popularization of iron plows and ox farming will have a revolutionary impact on agricultural production!
The plows in the history of the Chinese Dynasty can be divided into ancient human-powered plows and common animal-drawn plows. The animal-powered plow developed from the straight-shaft plow in the Han Dynasty to the curved-shaft plow after the Tang Dynasty. The plow plate was installed on the shaft head to rotate freely, and the plow blade was installed on the plow arrow to control the soil turning depth. It was still used until the popularization of agricultural machinery.
In Shulot's mind, he still had the image of the Quyu plow in the countryside of later generations. He roughly understood the principle and was able to draw a picture. However, the benefits of this kind of plow can only be realized when it is used with farm animals. For the Mesoamerican civilization of this era, the human-powered bronze plow was more suitable. A human-powered rope can also be hung in front of the plow to add one more person to assist.
Behind the bronze plow, there is a bronze rake that is also used to turn the ground. As for the more detailed harrows and harrows, they are not in the king's memory.
Side by side with the plow and harrow is a columbine with a wooden columbuster on the upper part and a bronze columbine foot on the lower part. This is the second kind of agricultural tool for sowing, which is the ancient seed drill. Due to the lack of animal power, Xiulote designed a two-legged columbine, with one or two people pulling the rope at the front end and one person pushing it at the back end. In order to adapt to the sown corn, the distance between the two feet of the columbator is wider, providing a greater distance between crop rows.
Then there is the third type, cultivating and weeding agricultural tools. It's very simple, it's actually a bronze hoe. Shulot just glanced at it, nodded and continued moving forward. Bertard frowned slightly. This kind of farm tool looked like a bronze weapon distributed to farmers. Toltec, who followed last, was quite curious. He stretched out his hand and played with the hoe twice, his eyes flashing as he thought about how to use this strange-shaped medium-length weapon.
The fourth type is irrigation agricultural tools, human-powered rolling carts, also called keel carts. The operating principle is very similar to that of a bicycle chain, except that there is a long groove in the middle. Manual power is provided to rotate the wooden chain blades, and the blades will scrape the water and rise to send the water out.
This kind of agricultural tool is used to lift water from the lower lake or river surface to the high level of the canal through human power to irrigate the fields along the canal. The same agricultural tools include water-powered trolleys. Hulot has drawn the graphics and is preparing to trial-produce it first on the banks of the Leman River in the north.
"Your Majesty, your divine wisdom is as bright as jade!"
Chalape followed closely behind, smiling and complimenting.
"I made this object together with a master carpenter, and I used copper nails to repeatedly reinforce it at key points. With it, you can build a highland garden surrounded by earth embankments and wooden fences on an island in the lake. This way you can It can be easily irrigated and you don’t have to worry about flooding!”
Hearing this, Shulot paused and nodded slowly. The new irrigation tools must be used with dams and ditches, but there is no rush at the moment.
Next, the fifth type of harvesting agricultural tool is equally simple. It is a small sickle made of bronze, less than half a meter in length, and has a sharp inner arc. Harvesting tools actually include harvesting, threshing and cleaning. But for crops like corn and pumpkins, only a harvesting sickle is needed.
Shulot looked at it for a moment and asked in a deep voice.
"Charape, how much bronze does this sickle cost? How many hours of work does it take to cast one?"
Chalape estimated that he still understood such a simple question.
"Your Majesty, the bronze sickle is made of bronze in twos and twos, roughly the same as the bronze spearhead. As long as the clay model is enough, it is not a problem for one person to cast more than a dozen in a day."
The king nodded, thought for a moment, and then gave the order.
"The autumn harvest is approaching in October, and the 30,000 field troops cultivate a huge number of acres, which requires sharp bronze sickles to harvest quickly. Chalape, give you one month to provide at least half of the army with sickles!"
"Ah, this... I obey, Your Majesty!"
Chalape looked bitter, then lowered his head and accepted the order. His Majesty came to inspect and left tasks one after another, all of which were military orders... He secretly felt cruel in his heart. In order to complete the tasks, he must have used his craftsmen and apprentices to death in the past few months: working from dawn to dusk. Hei, stay in the workshop for food, accommodation and food!
The sixth type is processing agricultural tools, which are used to process grain and cotton respectively. Shulot didn't know much about the tools for processing cotton. He only remembered a scene of playing cotton, so he made a slingshot trampoline.
Basic grain processing tools, including pestles, mortars and stone mills, have long existed in the world. He recalled a book of later generations, drew an upgraded version of the pestle and mortar, and then asked the craftsmen to make it. Now he stretched out his foot and stepped on the tail of the turtle twice. Watching the mouth of the turtle at the front rise and fall, he nodded with satisfaction and smiled.
"I have made great achievements in developing the treadmill, so I should confer a first-class title on my own!"
Hearing this, Chalape was startled, his mind was spinning, and he actually picked up the topic.
"His Majesty's wisdom was enlightened and he created a treadmill that can pound beans, corn kernels and pumpkin puree. This thing saves manpower and benefits the world... The Lord God must be delighted and bestows divinity on Your Majesty, and also bestows all the hearts of the feudal people on it. In your hands!"
Hearing this, Shulot turned his head in surprise, looked at the hereditary bronze official in front of him, and said meaningfully.
"Chalapei, serving as a small bronze official is indeed a bit unfair to your talents."
"Ah, Your Majesty, the light of your divinity illuminates my eyes, allowing me to offer the best bronze craftsmanship... No matter what position I am engaged in, I am willing to die for you!"
Chalape quickly knelt down and saluted, feeling a little uneasy in his heart. He has deep roots in the workshop and is not willing to leave easily.
Xiulote nodded, noncommittal. He looked at the warrior commander and ordered in a low voice.
"What Chalape said makes sense. The development of new agricultural tools is a divine revelation from the king, and it is related to the blessing of the Lord God... It can be known to all people."
Bertard's eyes flashed and he nodded in understanding. Since the knowledgeable elder became the chief, the center has generally had the right to speak in the feudal country. Propaganda will soon melt into the hearts of the people like spring breeze.
The last one is to transport agricultural tools. Including common poles, baskets, poles, and newly-made wheelbarrows. As for more convenient pack gear and carts, we still have to wait for the arrival of livestock.
Shulot glanced twice and expressed his affirmation. Then, he solemnly asked his most trusted warrior commander.
"Bertard, these new agricultural tools can facilitate farmers' production in the fields and help increase the income of the fields! I intend to popularize them throughout the country and let all people use them... What do you think?"
Bertard thought for a moment, looking solemn. he asked cautiously.
"Your Highness, how much do you think these farm tools can increase the harvest of the fields?"
"I have discussed with veteran farmers in the alliance. New agricultural tools can significantly reduce the consumption of manpower, thereby cultivating more land. As for increasing the yield per acre... there is no answer without actually planting the previous season. The yield should be increased in the first year of farming. It’s not obvious, but it can reduce the fallow time. And with drill sowing and weeding with copper hoes... there should be at least a 20% increase in income!"
"20% increase in income..."
Bertard lost his composure, and his eyes showed shock. He looked at His Highness deeply and then said respectfully.
"Your Highness, increasing income is definitely a good thing, and wooden farm tools are also good. But the price of copper is high right now, and bronze is even more expensive. How can ordinary people afford these bronze farm tools?"
"How about it be distributed uniformly by the feudal countries?"
"Your Highness, farm tools are prone to wear and tear during use. Although bronze is strong and durable, until it can be produced on a large scale, the cost of use may not be much less than that of stone farm tools. For ordinary farmers, instead of expecting to receive two or three baskets more , three or five buckets, it is better to melt the bronze farm tools and sell them, and continue to use cheap stone farm tools!"
"Hmm... That makes sense. How about renting it temporarily?"
"Your Highness, ordinary people are not willing to rent something belonging to a distinguished person, let alone something so valuable. If they are forced to rent it, I am afraid that the people will only store it carefully and have no sleep every day for fear of losing it and being blamed."
"Bertard, I have made up my mind to popularize new farm tools! How do you think we should do it?"
"Your Highness, in my opinion, bronze farming tools can be used first in military camps. Military camps are well-organized, strictly managed, strict military laws are enforced, and there are officers at all levels to restrain them. As long as they are strictly monitored and the losses are checked, it should be OK. Really take advantage of the new farm tools!”
"As for ordinary villages, only a small amount of bronze farming tools can be issued. In the name of sacrificial artifacts, they are handed into the hands of the priests, and then used as the grace of the main god, borrowed by the devout farmers in the village. This can at the same time enhance the authority of the priests and strengthen them Mastery of the Village!”
"Well...just do as you say!"
The king stood there, thinking for a long time, and finally nodded slowly.
"Calculate the required quantity as soon as possible, and then hand over the task to the workshop. Before spring plowing next year, all the field troops will use new agricultural tools."
"Now it seems that if we want to truly revolutionize the era, we must reduce the cost of bronze as soon as possible. Excavation of copper mines on a large scale is imperative!"
Shulot put his hands behind his back, pacing in thought, and everyone followed him in silence. And when the king stopped, in front of him was the real weapon that transcended the ages, the bronze cannon!
