"Your Majesty, the third study is about seed potatoes!"
Song Yingxing said, picking up a potato and picking up a vine: "Through research, the seed potato requirement can be reduced from 300 kilograms per mu to 200 kilograms."
"What?"
"Is this true?"
Before Chongzhen could say anything, Yuan Keli and Xu Guangqi exclaimed.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely true!"
Song Yingxing just patted her chest and promised.
Chongzhen's eyes were also full of surprise.
Even though it is only a reduction of 100 kilograms, compared to the current situation where the stock and yield per mu are not high, this is an astronomical figure.
Ten thousand kilograms of seed potatoes, according to previous technology, can only be planted in about 330 acres.
But now we can plant 500 acres. If the yield per acre is ten shi, the difference between the two is 1,700 shi, which is equivalent to 225,000 catties. What an exaggeration.
If we talk about previous technology, it would have taken Ming Dynasty five years to popularize potatoes.
It only takes four years now, and saving one year can save too many people.
“Congratulations to Your Majesty, a bumper potato harvest, two technological breakthroughs, and three other blessings are truly a blessing to our Ming Dynasty!”
An official suddenly shouted, waking up everyone who was still settling accounts.
"Your Majesty, this is auspicious, God bless me!"
"Your Majesty is wise, by the time all potatoes are promoted, people should be able to have enough to eat!"
"Your Majesty, the Daming Agricultural Research Institute has only been established for more than half a year, and it has already made amazing breakthroughs. I have full expectations for the research institute!"
"Yes, it's funny that the former minister is still questioning it. Looking at it now, we are short-sighted and not even one ten thousandth as good as His Majesty!"
"Since ancient times, the people have never had enough to eat, but now it has been achieved in our Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty's achievements will surely surpass those of the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty!"
"Your Majesty, it is so auspicious that I must go to the Ancestral Temple and the Temple of Earth to offer incense..."
…
Chongzhen was speechless after hearing the compliments and flattery, but he was very happy.
At this moment, he thought of sweet potatoes from Fujian and Shaanxi.
He is not too worried about sweet potatoes. Although they have not spread to other places, they have been grown in Fujian for many years.
Whether it is planting technology or experience, nothing can be compared with potatoes.
If corn is further promoted and the problem of cultivated land is solved, the people of Ming Dynasty will really be able to have enough food and clothing.
He set this time within five years.
"Your Majesty, the Agricultural Research Institute deserves a heavy reward for making such an amazing breakthrough!"
While he was thinking about it, Wang Chengen whispered something, and Chongzhen immediately woke up.
Looking at the happy faces of the ministers, the people, and the farmers at the Agricultural Research Institute who were still busy, they coughed lightly.
“Dear agricultural assistants at the Agricultural Research Institute, today’s bumper potato harvest and two technological breakthroughs are the result of your day and night efforts over the past six months.
I am very pleased and happy for you because you have mastered the technology of potato cultivation.
I am happy for Ming Dynasty, because Ming Dynasty has one more crop that can be promoted on a large scale.
I have decided that everyone at the Agricultural Research Institute, including the patrol sergeants, will be rewarded with half a year’s salary, which will be paid immediately after the potato harvest is completed! "
After saying that, he looked at Song Yingxing again: "Song Aiqing, after the harvest is completed, you organize a sumptuous feast in the courtyard to reward them for their hard work!"
"Your Majesty, don't worry!"
After Song Yingxing finished speaking, he asked several doctors and people in charge behind him to convey the emperor's awards.
After a moment, the entire experimental site remembered the thundering cheers.
His Majesty's Holy Ming, His Majesty's Long Live and other congratulations resounded through the sky.
The eyes of the people watching slowly turned to envy.
The monthly salary of workers at the Agricultural Research Institute is twenty taels of silver, and the reward is half a year's salary, which is twelve taels.
Even at the feet of this emperor, it is a large amount of money.
"Your Majesty, can we grow these potatoes?"
Chongzhen was about to take Song Yingxing to the Agricultural Research Institute to talk about something, when the people watching suddenly shouted.
Chongzhen turned his head when he heard the sound and looked at the many people with burning eyes and eagerness: "Dean Song needs to answer this for you!"
Seeing the emperor mentioning himself, Song Yingxing immediately stepped forward: "The seed must be planted, but the time is not sure.
First, as you have seen, we are still in the breeding stage.
Second, planting technology, before planting, you need to learn the technology first and meet the standards, otherwise it will be a waste of the few seed potatoes!
I guess in the next year, it should be possible to plant it around Beijing! "
His calculation is well-founded. Based on the yield of ten stones per mu, 1,500 catties, two thousand acres of land should be able to produce three million catties.
With two hundred pounds of seed potatoes per acre, 15,000 acres can be planted. If they are planted again next year, the number of seed potatoes will definitely be enough around Beijing.
"However, I can tell you responsibly that if you plant it, the final yield may be around six to eight shi per mu.
Technology, care, fertilizers, etc. all have a big impact, so don’t despair! "
"Don't worry, Dean Song. We are not greedy. Five stones per mu is enough!"
"Hahaha...yes..."
"Dean Song, I heard that this stuff sprouts and turns green easily, so you can't eat it. Is it poisonous?"
"That's true, but that's because the storage method is wrong. Our hospital has researched a method that can store it for at least a year.
As for what you grow, you will naturally sell it, so you don’t have to worry about storage.
If you can’t sell it, the institute will be responsible for recycling it, don’t worry! "
…
The people watching asked questions one after another, and Song Yingxing also answered them.
A good potato harvest meeting turned into a question and answer meeting.
After answering a few questions, Song Yingxing looked at the waiting emperor and civil and military officials.
He said hurriedly: "If you have any technical or planting questions, you can ask Dr. Chen Shuangquan, the potato manager!"
As he spoke, he pulled Lao Chen in front of him, turned around and walked towards the emperor.
Chongzhen left with the civil and military officials amidst the cheers of the people.
While walking, Chongzhen said: "Song Aiqing, I heard that potatoes can be made into flour. After being made into flour, it can be made into noodles like noodles. Both can be stored dry for a year and a half.
Your research institute should also study this! "
"I will arrange for someone to test it immediately!"
Having said this, Chongzhen pondered for a moment and turned to look at the experimental field: "I see that there were still a lot of damaged potatoes during the harvest. They probably cannot be stored.
You can arrange for chefs to set up a few stalls on the street, stir-fry, fry, etc., and let the people try it.
It’s not enough to just let them know about the harvest, they also need to know about the taste, so the promotion work can start first! "
"I understand!"
Song Yingxing nodded.
After Chongzhen explained some precautions about potatoes and the precautions of the Agricultural Research Institute, the team arrived at the gate of the Agricultural Research Institute.
"Song Aiqing, I am very happy today. The establishment of the Agricultural Research Institute is the most correct decision I have made, and you have not let me down!"
"Do it well, I will help you in everything!"
Chongzhen patted Song Yingxing on the shoulder: "I hope you will become the divine farmer of the Ming Dynasty!"
