"Father, I heard that Guanzhong's grain harvest will be bumper this year, with an increase of 20% compared to last year!"
In the Li Mansion, Li You looked gloomy, looked at Li Si who was kneeling in front of the eucalyptus, and asked.
Zhao Tuo introduced the art of retting, and Li You had heard about it during spring plowing.
But the Li family did not start from farming and was not good at farming. The effect of retting and fertilizing could not be seen until the autumn harvest, so he did not take it to heart at the time.
In addition, Zhao Tuo first entered the palace at that time, although there was a dispute between him and Li You because of the princess. But the conflict has not yet completely intensified, and Li You is not particularly concerned about Zhao Tuo's affairs.
When he first heard about this, he, Li You, followed some people to ridicule secretly, joking that Zhao Tuo must have often dealt with feces before, and maybe he had tasted old feces himself, otherwise how would he know that piles of feces were like this? benefit.
But I just smiled at that time and forgot about it in the blink of an eye.
Unexpectedly, during the autumn harvest season, the method of retting and fertilizing would greatly increase the grain production in Guanzhong, and the effect was astonishing.
When he first heard the news, Li Youke was stunned for a long time.
Faced with Li You's inquiry.
Li Si ignored his son and focused on peeling the yellow fruit in his hand.
Citrus from Chuland.
Li Si peeled off the skin of an orange, revealing the yellow flesh inside, and a sweet and sour smell hit his face.
Li Si stuffed the orange meat into his mouth and chewed it slowly, with a nostalgic expression on his face.
"Try it too. It still has the familiar taste of Shangcai citrus, sour and sweet."
Li Si pushed the half-peeled orange in his hand towards Li You.
He said slowly: "You and I have not been back to the Chu land for more than ten years. This time you follow Li Xin to attack Chu, so you can have a good experience of the customs and customs of the Chu land. After this battle, the state of Chu was destroyed. The land of Jingchu will also crawl under Qin's law, becoming more and more imprisoned, and the customs of the Chu people of eight hundred years will no longer be seen."
Just as Li Si was sighing to himself.
Li You finally couldn't bear it anymore and said loudly: "Father, I don't eat oranges!"
"I heard that the reason why the grain harvest in Guanzhong is so good this time is not only because the soldiers who defeated Yan returned home to participate in spring plowing, but also because the king implemented the method of retting that Zhao Tuo proposed!"
"Why are you talking so loudly? I can hear you clearly."
Li Si glanced at his son.
"You are almost thirty years old, so you need to be more prudent in your words and actions. I think you should learn from Zhao Tuo. Although he is younger than you, he is quite mature in his actions and speaks in a leisurely manner. If you are neither arrogant nor impetuous in doing things, you will never be able to calm down when seeing a trivial matter like you do. How can you do great things in the future? "
He was scolded by his father, especially because he was asked to learn from Zhao Tuo.
Li Youyue became more and more ashamed and said: "This is not a trivial matter! The yield per mu has increased greatly and the grain harvest has been bumper. I am afraid that Zhao Tuo will be promoted to a noble because of this great contribution. If he is promoted to another noble, he will be the right concubine. It ran over me."
When he said this, Li You couldn't help but tremble.
In the blink of an eye, his former subordinate's title was higher than his own. How could Li You meet Zhao Tuo and lose face?
Not to mention, there is also a battle between princesses involved.
Nowadays, among the nobles in Xianyang, everyone knows that Zhao Tuo and Li You intend to compete for the princess.
….
Both of them were the chief of the left concubine before, and Li Youshang was still confident of defeating Zhao Tuo. Now if Zhao Tuo was promoted to the chief of the right concubine through the merits of this fertilization method, he would be overpowered.
Seeing Li You's indignant look, Li Si couldn't help but sigh: "I knew that the Zhi Su Nei Shifu was implementing the method of retting during spring plowing, but I didn't expect that this method would be so effective."
"This is just Guanzhong. If it were extended to the entire Qin State, or to the entire world, have you ever thought about how much more food would be added in that year? What if this kind of merit is promoted to the next level? If you ask me, Not to mention the first-level title, even if Zhao Tuo is promoted to three levels in a row, he still deserves it!"
"ah?"
Hearing what Li Si said, Li You was stunned.
.
Why does this old father still speak for outsiders?
Seeing Li You's dazed look, Li Si shook his head even more.
"It seems that you forgot again what I told you about throwing pots last time."
"Qin is the King's Qin. Whether it is a title or a princess, everything is decided by the King's will. It cannot be changed by hiding in your room and complaining. What we can do is You are dedicated to serving the king. If you make meritorious deeds, the king will see it and be happy in his heart. Naturally, he will give you a title and treat you as a princess. But if it is for nothing, why should the king reward you?"
"Zhao Tuo has made meritorious service. Whether it is according to the king's wishes or according to Qin's system, what should not be rewarded?"
Li Si advised: "I once heard a young man say, 'pattern,' two words. So, your current pattern is not broad enough. You spend all your time thinking about your children. Today is the time for Qin to unite the world. It is the time to count. This is a rare opportunity in a hundred years to make achievements! You just need to work hard and build up enough achievements. There will be titles, and there will be princesses too!"
Listening to the old father's sincere words of comfort and encouragement.
The anger, unwillingness, and jealousy in Li You's heart were all transformed into a force of motivation.
I want military glory!
I want to be promoted!
I want Princess Shang!
Li You roared in his heart.
He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and growled: "Father, I understand. In this battle against Chu, I will definitely work hard and make enough contributions to make the king look at me differently! Let the king know that I, Li You No way worse than Zhao Tuo!"
Seeing that the resentment in his son's heart turned into the drive to make meritorious deeds under his own comfort, he looked very motivated.
Li Si nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Now that you understand, I feel relieved. You need to think more about the word 'pattern'."
"I understand, Father."
Li You nodded.
…
In Meng's Mansion.
Facing Meng Yu's teasing eyes, Meng Tian touched the two curls of beard on his lips and whispered: "With this fattening effect, Zhao Tuo will be promoted to the rank of right concubine at most. Uncle, there is no need to tease me like this."
Meng Yu said: "Yes, at most he is just a right concubine. But this right concubine is only sixteen years old now. In just one year after joining the Qin Dynasty, Zhao Tuo went from an untitled soldier in Guizhou to a high-ranking official. Your concubine, don’t you, Meng Tian, feel scared at such a speed of promotion?”
Meng Tian remained silent.
….
Meng Yu continued: "Not to mention that he was just a lieutenant under you last year. He was not a public servant, but now he is in charge of you. If word spreads, how will I, Meng, deal with it? Meng is dignified. , Three generations of loyal people, the most outstanding person in the family is actually inferior to a child who has not been crowned in the title. "
Hearing the other party mention Meng's honor, Meng Tian, who was as calm as a man, couldn't help clenching his fists.
The Meng clan, which had been loyal for three generations, was now overpowered by a sixteen-year-old child.
Everyone has feelings, not to mention that Meng Tian is now in his prime of life.
Seeing Meng Tian's blood surge, Meng Yu's eyes smiled even more, and he revealed the true purpose of this trip.
"Tian, this time Zhao Tuo goes on an expedition with Li Xin, and he will definitely be able to achieve great feats. By then, he will not only be one level higher than you, but maybe two or three levels? How will you deal with it then?"
"It's also for your own good. Why don't you ask the king for orders and go with the army? With your qualifications and my reputation as Meng's family, you will definitely be able to get the position of general. If you go to the battlefield, you will be promoted and meritorious, surpassing that Zhao Tuo. What a pleasure!"
After hearing this, Meng Tian finally couldn't bear it anymore.
He laughed and said: "Okay, okay, uncle, I know what you mean. If I don't tell you, I'm afraid you will keep irritating me. Anyway, the king asked me like that, so I think there will be no changes in this matter. Uncle, you are Those close to me won’t tell anyone, so I’ll tell you.”
"The king has asked me before if I am willing to be General Li Xin's deputy general and participate in this war against Chu."
When Meng Yu heard this, he both
His eyes widened, and then he reacted, stroking his hands and laughing.
"Well, you Mengtian, you have kept it from me for so long. I have been thinking all day long about how to get you to go to the battlefield and perform meritorious service. I didn't expect that you actually got the king's promise to serve as the deputy general of the 200,000-strong army without saying a word. ! Hahaha, this position is more important than the title of Right Concubine!"
Meng Tian said: "It's not really a promise, your Majesty is just asking."
Meng Yu smiled and said: "You are still playing this modest trick, right? If the king didn't mean it, why would he come to ask you? In my opinion, there is no doubt about it. The king trusts you so much, but you have to make a good contribution when you go to the battlefield. Don't You’re going to ruin my Meng family’s reputation!”
Meng Tian couldn't help but show a look of satisfaction on his face. He raised his head and looked at the scenery outside the window.
He said loudly: "That's natural! When I first entered the battlefield, I was entrusted with such an important task by the king, as the deputy general of the two hundred thousand army. This kind of favor is enough for me to sacrifice my life to repay the favor! Uncle, you watch, I am here Fan Dingran has performed meritorious service on the battlefield and let everyone in the world know that I, the three generations of the Meng family, are all famous generals in the world!"
Seeing Meng Tiankang's passionate look, Meng Yu couldn't help stroking his hands and praising: "Such a great man, how can Zhao Tuo compare with you!"
While the two were laughing, a servant of the Meng family came to report that Meng Wu, who had been stationed outside, had arrived in Xianyang.
"Father is back?"
Meng Tian looked surprised. Then, a smile appeared on his lips.
"I think the king called my father back to ask for his opinion on this war. After all, the attack on Chu is of great importance. Uncle, don't tell my father what I just said. When the king personally appoints me, I will definitely surprise my father."
….
"I understand, you want to give your brother a big surprise."
Meng Yu smiled knowingly.
…
September is almost the New Year.
The autumn harvest has been completed, and Qin's planning work is in progress in an intense and orderly manner.
The great dynasty meeting of the State of Qin.
Zhao Tuo handed over his sword, held the jade guide in his hand, and walked towards the palace.
When I met familiar colleagues on the road, everyone smiled at Zhao Tuo and made congratulatory gestures with their hands.
"Chief Zhao, you are such a talented young man. You are even proficient in agricultural skills. I really admire you."
Everyone knows about the great harvest in Guanzhong. Through their connections, they all know that the method of retting fertilizer was presented by Zhao Tuo. They think there will be a reward for coming to this court meeting.
"I wonder if the king will give me a title? Once I become the right concubine, this title will surpass that of Li You and Meng Tian."
Zhao Tuo laughed with everyone while cooing in his heart.
When he walked in front of His Majesty, he saw a military general with a square face, short beard and a crown on his head standing in front of him.
Li You is the general of Zhonglang household, and it is his duty to guard the forbidden area in front of the palace.
"I've met General Li Hu."
Zhao Tuo slightly cupped his hands and looked calm.
Li You nodded with a cold face. After some consolation from Li Si, the jealousy and anger in his heart dissipated a lot. At this moment during the meeting, he had no idea of attacking Zhao Tuo.
He turned sideways and let Zhao Tuo walk over.
The two of them passed by each other.
Zhao Tuo heard a whisper.
"Zhao Tuo, I, Li You, will definitely not lose to you in this attack on Chu!"
Zhao Tuo was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned strange.
This is a letter of challenge!
"Then I wish Li Hu great success in this battle and a great defeat of the Chu army."
Zhao Tuo shook his head, turned around and walked towards the main hall.
Seeing the young man's back disappearing from his eyes, Li You clenched his fists and said, "Father is right, you must have a pattern in your life. My eyes should be on the battlefield and making contributions. Instead of talking with my son in this palace. The battle."
"The method of retting and fertilizing is the method of strengthening the country! This method can fill the treasury of our Qin State and make our Qin State's leading soldiers in Guizhou no longer suffer from hunger. It is the fundamental method of rejuvenating the country. Such achievements cannot be ignored. Your Majesty, Li Si, please reward this person for your advice!"
Above the court,
Speech by Chief Shi Li Si Kang.
Everyone in the palace looked at Li Si strangely. The fight between Zhao Tuo and Li You for the princess had long been spread as an anecdote among the elite circles in Xianyang.
His son and Zhao Tuo were love rivals, but Li Si didn't hold a grudge at all. When Zhi Su Neishi had just finished reporting on the autumn harvest, Li Si was the first to offer a heavy reward to those who offered advice.
Such a broad mind!
All the ministers showed admiration on their faces.
"This little clever guy."
The old prime minister Wei Xiang opened his eyes, looked at Li Si, and pursed his lips again.
Qin Wangzheng on the imperial couch nodded with satisfaction, looking at Li Si's figure with increasing fondness.
"Having the talent of a king and the left, winning the hearts of many people, and knowing how to advance and retreat, it would be really unfair for such a person to be a long history member."
Qin Wangzheng glanced at the white-haired Tingwei in the palace, thinking deeply in his heart.
At this time, Zhao Tuo looked at Li Si with a grateful face.
But in his heart, he actually raised his vigilance to the extreme.
….
He and Li You were at odds, but Li Si took the initiative to praise him. Is he really broad-minded?
How did Han Fei die?
As long as Zhao Tuo thought about this matter, he would not dare to underestimate this person.
At this time, with Li Si taking the lead, other ministers also praised the method of retting.
King Qin waited for the ministers to finish speaking, then nodded and said, "Since all your beloved ministers believe that the method of retting and fertilizing is a way to strengthen the country, I should not be stingy with the reward."
"Zhao Tuo, for his meritorious service in offering fertilized manure, I will receive a special reward of two hundred yi, a first-level title, and the title of Chief of the Right Concubine."
As Qin Wangzheng spoke.
Zhao Tuo immediately burst into tears of gratitude and thanked him.
Right concubine!
Unexpectedly, Qin Wangzheng actually conferred a title on him.
In the blink of an eye, Zhao Tuo was promoted to another level.
King Qin, fair!
The military meritorious figures of the Qin State are indeed incorrigible, and they will be rewarded for their meritorious deeds!
At this time, all the officials in the palace looked at Zhao Tuo with congratulations.
Among them was Li Xin, who stood at the forefront of the generals.
What a good boy, he is indeed the one I, Li Xin, like!
This is the meaning conveyed in Li Xin's eyes.
Zhao Tuo responded with a smile to Li Xin, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at the two senior generals wearing crests beside Li Xin.
One of them is Zhonglang General Meng Tian.
Meng Tian was very calm and even smiled at Zhao Tuo.
"What about the right concubine?"
"I, Meng Tian, will soon become the deputy general of the army attacking Chu. No matter how high your title is, Zhao Tuo, you still have to obey my command."
Thinking of this, the smile on Meng Tian's face became even brighter.
Zhao Tuo's eyes fell on the other person next to Meng Tian.
This man is in his late fifties, with a tall build and a calm face. At first glance, it seems that this man has a rather stable and mature character.
His appearance is very similar to Meng Tian, especially the two beards on his lips. They are almost carved from the same mold.
Mengwu?
Zhao Tuo made a guess in his mind.
The king actually recalled Meng Wu who was stationed outside. Doesn't this mean that Zhao Tuo's previous suggestion to change generals was accepted?
Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo couldn't help but look weird when he looked at the Meng family and his son.
Perhaps feeling Zhao Tuo's gaze, Meng Wu also looked over and nodded slightly to him.
Just when Zhao Tuo and the Meng family made eye contact.
The topic at the court meeting also turned to the battle against Chu.
"Now that the autumn harvest has been completed, our Guanzhong army is being recruited. It will be assembled into an army in just a few days. At that time, we can send troops to Jingchu to punish the unfaithful country!"
"I invite you, Your Majesty, to send out troops to attack Chu!"
"Send troops to attack Chu!"
…
Qin Wangzheng nodded with satisfaction and saw Wei Liao except Bang Wei.
One person remained silent, while the other ministers were all furious, so they took advantage of the situation and said, "I know."
"For this war, with General Li as the commander-in-chief, he mobilized soldiers from Guanzhong and Shandong counties, a total of 200,000, to send troops to Jingchu!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Li Xin stood up, his face was extremely rosy, and his eyes were full of pride.
"Your Majesty, Li Xin, this expedition will destroy the state of Chu for eight hundred years. When you return victorious, you will present the captives before the king!"
"good."
Qin Wangzheng looked at the confident and heroic young coach in the palace with a smile on his face.
Isn't the reason why he likes Li Xin because he likes his soaring arrogance?
With a young and brave general, with a spirit of bloody courage, and with the power of destroying Wei, he can attack and destroy the Chu Kingdom for eight hundred years!
How magnificent!
Thinking of the scene where Li Xin captured the King of Chu and returned and presented him as a prisoner to Xianyang, the King of Qin couldn't help but feel excited.
All the ministers in the palace, except Wei Liao and a few veteran generals, all looked at Li Xin with envy.
I'm afraid this son will make great contributions to destroying the country again.
At this moment, Li Xin's glory has surpassed that of Zhao Tuo, who had just been promoted.
"General Li, General Li, alas..."
Zhao Tuo looked at this scene, his eyelids twitching, but he did not dare to say anything. He could only sigh in his heart, extremely worried about the future.
At this time, Qin Wangzheng's eyes passed over Li Xin and fell on the Meng family and his son behind.
coming soon!
Meng Tian held his head proudly and met the king's gaze.
A heart beating excitedly.
At this moment, he even felt that Meng Wu beside him was no longer so tall.
Father, I want to give you a surprise!
Dongjun taking off
