In Zhu Yunxuan's previous life, he had read many historical records.
Sweet potato appeared probably around 1600, that is, during the Wanli period of the late Ming Dynasty, and was introduced to the Central Plains by Western missionaries.
There are still hundreds of years to go before this moment.
Later, it was slowly promoted across the country, and as a major food, it was loved by many people.
"Book of Fujian·Southern Production" also records that sweet potatoes are "moist and edible, which can be boiled or ground into powder... Raw food is like eating kudzu, cooked food has a color like honey, and its taste is like cooked water chestnuts. When stored raw, it has a honey smell and a fragrant smell." In the room".
However, Zhu Yunxuan did not think that the sweet potato would really appear that late.
Information in ancient times is blocked. Generally speaking, it should take some time from the actual appearance to the time it is recorded in books.
Even if someone knew about sweet potatoes, they would only regard them as a relatively common food.
According to official historical records, it may even be decades or even longer.
After all, productivity was underdeveloped in ancient times and messaging was also lagging behind.
Perhaps a certain village has been cultivating silently for decades before being discovered by famous literati and recorded in books, becoming archaeological evidence for later generations...
But the actual time and source of its emergence have long been unknown.
This is also the reason why many scholars in later generations have repeatedly studied the records.
I just want to find some clues between the lines that others have not noticed.
Therefore, if we calculate it this way, the chance that a merchant from the past will bring sweet potatoes to Nanjing at this time is probably not small.
Maybe it had appeared earlier, but no one noticed?
Zhu Yunzhen became energetic.
It turned out that the sweet potato incident was a temporary thought he had in order to persuade Lao Zhu to impose a sea ban.
Now it seems that it may actually be feasible.
Thinking like this, Zhu Yunxuan became energetic.
He took Ying'er's soft, boneless little hand and said, "Come on, come with me to have a look!"
…
On the dock, merchants from all over were shouting about their products.
Some people even set up a street stall.
Many people in the city will also come to Ma Ma from time to time to see if there are any novelties.
Even many wealthy young men enjoy it.
If you are lucky and buy something good from overseas, you can give it to the girl you like.
Zhu Yunxu took Ying'er's hand and looked carefully at the dock.
In my ears I could hear the shouts of vendors in various accents, and even strangers from foreign countries shouting in broken Mandarin.
"Hey! Come and take a look, these gems from the Western Regions..."
"Pearls, pearls! The best pearls from the West, whether they are made into jewelry or pearl powder, are unparalleled. The price is negotiable."
"Come and see amber, its texture, its color..."
"Fine spices, fine spices!"
"Persian cat, Persian cat! Take a look, it's a strange beast from a foreign country!"
Walking on the bustling pier, Zhu Yunzhen felt as if he had returned to the night market of later generations.
This feeling was amazing, making his eyes slightly unfocused.
However, he didn't forget about business and looked carefully to see if he could find the strength of the sweet potato.
"It's really lively here." Zhu Yunxi sighed while watching.
A small pier has everything you need.
Spices, corals, amber, pearls, gems, crystals, etc., as well as rare birds and animals...
These are all from overseas.
No wonder so many people come here.
Ying'er on the side chuckled and said: "Fourth Master, I don't know something. On every first and fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, there are activities here!"
"Oh? It's so interesting." Zhu Yunzhen said while looking around.
He held Ying'er's hand and was about to leave, but suddenly felt that Ying'er was standing still.
Zhu Yunzhen looked back.
I saw this girl looking at the pure white kitten in the cage with a look of joy on her face.
The kitten is not big yet, only about the size of an adult's hand. It has long hair and twinkling blue eyes. It seems to have curled up into a ball out of fear, making people unable to help but love it.
It was probably the first time I saw such a cute animal, and Ying'er's eyes were shining with strange light.
There was also a gentle smile on his face.
Zhu Yun was so happy, a woman's nature always has a hint of motherly love!
Speaking of which, this girl Ying'er also helped me a lot this time.
Moreover, he has always taken good care of his diet and daily life, which can be said to be his dedication.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yunxi smiled and asked, "Do you like it?"
"Ah? Ah!" Ying'er suddenly came back to her senses, her face turned slightly red, and she said in embarrassment: "Ying'er was distracted for a moment, fourth master, don't blame me."
Zhu Yunzhen smiled and said: "Let me ask you, do you like it?"
"Ah?" Ying'er was flattered and looked at Zhu Yunzhen blankly, then at the kitten, and was speechless.
Seeing this, Zhu Yunxuan said to the entourage (guard) on the side: "I bought it."
"yes."
…
Holding the kitten in her arms, Ying'er was as happy as a child, and she thanked her repeatedly: "Thank you, Fourth Master."
The joy that could not be hidden in her eyes seemed to make people empathize with her.
The beauty was eye-catching, and Zhu Yunzhen was in a good mood. Thinking that it was still early anyway, he took Ying'er to a spice stall and bought a lot of spices for Ying'er.
Seeing Yinger's overjoyed look, Zhu Yunzhen couldn't help but joked: "Ying'er, you smell very good. After using these spices, it will definitely smell better."
"Ah! Fourth Master..." Ying'er's face turned slightly red, obviously feeling a little embarrassed.
After all, no matter how young Zhu Yunzhen is, he is still a man.
Zhu Yunzhen didn't think much about it and said with a smile: "Just take it."
"Thank you, Fourth Master." I don't know whether it was because of shyness or embarrassment at receiving the favor, but Ying'er's face was as red as a ripe peach.
Zhu Yunzhen took Ying'er around to look for sweet potatoes, and at the same time bought some pearls and jewelry for Ying'er.
Anyway, this little money is nothing to him.
Ying'er, on the other hand, was flattered along the way and was so happy that she even smiled from the corners of her eyes.
Just when Zhu Yunzhen walked to a stall selling dry goods, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Found it! Found it!!"
Zhu Yunzhen frowned slightly and turned back.
I saw a fat man sweating profusely running over in a hurry, his face flushed with excitement.
"Who is it?" The guard dressed as a follower shouted, stretched out his hand and pushed the man to the ground.
Their mission is to protect Zhu Yunzhen.
He must not be approached by suspicious people.
If something happens to the Fourth Emperor's grandson, even a hundred of their heads won't be enough.
Just when several guards were about to take down this man, Zhu Yunzhen waved his hand and said: "It's okay, stand down."
It turns out that the fat man is none other than the eunuch Feng Dazhuang.
As the grandson of the emperor, there will naturally be no shortage of people around him to serve him.
The eunuch Feng Dazhuang is the closest person.
However, he was sweating profusely and his clothes were messy, and he didn't look like his usual self.
The guards usually guard the outer courtyard, and they don't have many interactions with people like Feng Dazhuang who stay in the inner courtyard all day long.
He was running so fast just now that he didn't recognize him for a moment.
Feng Dazhuang kept panting.
"The Four Emperors..."
"Ahem..." Seeing Feng Dazhuang opening his mouth to reveal his identity, Zhu Yunzhen's eyes widened.
Feng Dazhuang suddenly realized it and quickly changed his words: "Fourth Master, I found it! I found the sweet potato!"
At that time, after Zhu Yunxu painted the sweet potato, he ordered Feng Dazhuang to send someone to find it.
For this reason, Feng Dazhuang spent money to arrange for many porters on the pier to search.
Someone came to report today and found a sweet potato in the painting.
But it happened to be that Zhu Yunzhen left the house.
Feng Dazhuang didn't dare to be lazy, so he quickly found a set of rough clothes and came to the pier to look for them.
"Found it!?" Zhu Yunzhen's voice suddenly became louder.
God is really helping me!
He originally thought that today would be a failure.
Sweet potatoes are so easy to find.
But to my surprise, I actually found it!
His breath quickened with excitement, and he asked: "Where is it? Take me there quickly!"
"It's over there, at the coral seller!"
