After watching the horses, Zhu Yuanzhang finally came to a place he was familiar with, the cowshed. His feelings for the cows and the cowshed were very complicated.
The cowshed was obviously not the small shed made of wood and thatch that he used to herd cattle when he was a child, but a large shed, fences, a long trough, a semi-open sports field, and many spare fences.
"Your Majesty, when the cows are raised, there is too much excrement in the soil, so they will be moved to another place, and the soil here will be cleared out and used as fertilizer.
Due to the large number, the calves will be raised separately to avoid overcrowding and causing discomfort to the calves, and the lactating calves will be kept together with the mother.
Use a mixture of coarse and concentrated feed, select those that produce more milk, or those with more meat, and then feed them in different categories..."
The chief explained that breeding beef and dairy cattle would take a long time because there are no exotic dairy breeds.
When an ordinary cow is lactating, its milk production in one day is not as much as that of two goats.
Zhu Yuanzhang listened and nodded: "Xiaqiu Village not only cultivates crop seeds for the Ming Dynasty, but also breeds livestock. The investment is high and the return is small. How do the cattle on the grassland compare with the cattle in the village?"
"It's not much different. If we ask the barbarians to send us black and white cattle, or red and white cattle during foreign trade, we can shorten the breeding years of dairy cows.
It is best to be a bull. One bull can be paired with many cows. If a bull of that color is paired with an ox, it is possible to produce new cows with flowers. "
The head of the village went to find the cows outside according to Han Han's teaching. No matter how they brought them here, they were worth money alive.
"It is not easy for ships to transport living animals, especially to places further away." Zhu Yuanzhang considered the difficulty.
"Your Majesty, the milk production of those cows is five to ten times that of ordinary cattle, and the milk can be made into many delicious foods.
If you don't have lactose intolerance, drinking it is good for your health.
People in Xiaqiu Village drink milk every day, but there is little milk, so they basically drink goat milk.
Cattle brought in from outside also produce a lot of meat. We don’t expect them to farm the land and then kill them for meat after they are raised.
One thousand guan for a breeding cow is not expensive, but if there are 100 of them, it will only cost 100,000 guan. "
The director explained the benefits and saved his own training time, otherwise it would take many years.
He also told Zhu Yuanzhang that drinking milk would make it less likely to get sick, that drinking milk from a young age would help people grow taller, and that dairy products could enrich people's lives...
"Okay! Let them find a cow. A bull with flowers will come over and give you a thousand guan in exchange for the goods."
Zhu Yuanzhang was tempted and decided to give milk to the people in the palace, especially his children.
In the future, the people of the Ming Dynasty will have more meat to eat and more milk to drink. A thousand guan is not expensive. If they are transported alive over such a long way, a lot of people will die on the way, and they have to be fed.
After looking at the cows, I turned to the greenhouse. The greenhouse in the village was not demolished and was used to raise seedlings. No matter what I planted, I could be one step ahead of others.
There are some openings in the greenhouse. It’s too hot inside, so ventilation needs to be maintained.
"Your Majesty, in addition to the cattle from outside, we can also bring sheep, horses and other livestock. In addition, our trade with the Western Regions has brought many species.
Such as grapes, carrots, cucumbers, etc., but there are still some that have not been brought over. They have round ones that taste similar to onions.
That one has a high yield and can be stored for a long time in winter. It has a spicy taste and is sweet when cooked. "
The head of the village once again cared about Zhu Yuanzhang's request for things. Anyway, in overseas trade, as long as they were given enough benefits, the Yi people would naturally find a way to send the things to the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the crops in the greenhouse: "It doesn't matter if it's this or whatever the Ming Dynasty doesn't have now. If you bring it over, we'll harvest it at a high price. The crops are easy to carry, and one hundred pounds per catty. I think they are willing."
The officials watched together and admitted that Xiaqiu Village was indeed unique in terms of breeding and planting.
It’s not just a matter of money, Xiaqiu Village can do things that others can’t think of.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the silo pond again. There was also one in the palace, and the structure had not changed.
The chief kept talking almost non-stop, taking advantage of your majesty's visit and having something practical in front of you to tell your majesty more quickly.
"Where are the Xuancheng County officials?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.
"Your Majesty, I am here, and I am waiting behind you!"
The four chief officials of Li Zhi County came up, but the civil servants did not show their faces. They had just arrived.
"Zhu Lichang has talked a lot. I'm tired. Please explain to us. Where is the front?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth went dry when he saw the chief talking, and he couldn't bear it. For a moment, he thought that officials always go here, don't they just eat?
The four officials looked at each other, and Magistrate Li continued to step forward: "Your Majesty, there is a bamboo rat breeding area ahead. Please follow me."
When Li Zhixian said, "Please come with me," he straightened his chest, raised his head, and brightened his eyes.
"Xiaqiu Village has been breeding bamboo rats for three years. The meat of bamboo rats is delicious. The meat nourishes qi, nourishes yin, removes heat, resolves phlegm and detoxifies.
They mostly live in bamboo forests and dig holes to live in. They don't like heat and cannot tolerate severe cold. They usually sleep during the day and come out at night.
Xiaqiu Village was the first to use cages, and later, as the number increased, masonry and cement houses were built.
One room is divided into three parts, which are the mating area, feeding area, and breeding area...
The skin of the bamboo rat can be used to make leather boots, leather clothing, and fur. It is easy to eliminate salt and easy to dye. The fur...
In addition, the beards of bamboo rats are a good material for making brush bristles, no less than the whiskers of weasels.
Bamboo rat oil can detoxify, expel pus, promote muscle growth and relieve pain. In terms of treating burns, etc., it is even better than badger oil.
Now that the temperature is high, bamboo rats hide in dark places with water troughs nearby to cool down. They can usually give birth eight times a year..."
Li Zhixian introduced everyone while walking. When they arrived at the bamboo rat breeding area, he explained various aspects.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied after hearing this: "Yes, it seems that you did not understand the situation in Xiaqiu Village in vain. Go to eat first, and others will talk after the meal."
Zhu Yuanzhang got the hint. The meal was ready and he happened to be hungry. He wanted to eat first. He had to stay for two days! Not busy for a while.
He was in a good mood and came over temporarily. Obviously Li Zhixian and others would not know in advance.
He suddenly asked them to come forward and explain. The county magistrate was first familiar with the terrain and also understood the affairs of Xiaqiu Village.
If you can talk about bamboo rats, I believe you can't go wrong talking about the previous large animals.
This is what magistrates should do, if they don't know anything about it, they should be killed!
Everyone walked towards the canteen. Xuancheng County officials were no longer afraid. So His Majesty was asking about these things? Simple!
The officials were relieved, and the government officials who followed every time were also eager to give it a try, and they would do the same.
When I come here, I have to walk around the village, look at each place, ask questions, and then help with some work.
I wonder if His Majesty will ask himself? Just ask! Just ask!
Lunch includes bamboo rat meat, braised in brown sauce, plus other dishes, a total of sixteen dishes.
In the divided meal system, there are not so many small tables, so one person sits at a large table, while the villagers and guards sit together, and dividing the table is not enough.
The large cafeteria was ventilated in advance, the cement floor was brushed with water, and ice basins were placed in the corners. The sunlight from outside could only shine in through the windows.
Zhu Yuanzhang and others sat north and south, just in the shade, not under the south window.
(End of chapter)
