Chapter 261 New Agricultural Tools and Agricultural Productivity
The king stood in front of the bronze plow, speechless, with only time flowing in his eyes.
The familiar agricultural production tools were lined up in a row, one by one in sight, bringing his flying thoughts back to his homeland nearly two thousand years ago. It was an era that was very similar to the world today, and it was also an era of change!
"The major affairs of the country are sacrifices and wars." This was the Spring and Autumn Period of 578 BC, when new changes were conceived.
"The reason why the country is prosperous is agriculture and war!" This was the Warring States Period of 356 BC, when Shang Yang first carried out reforms.
The reform was conceived in the Spring and Autumn Period and took place in the Warring States Period. The real fundamental driving force is the iron ox plowing and the continuous development of agricultural productivity!
The process of history is cyclical and rising, and social productivity and social system are advancing alternately. In today's Mexica Alliance, in the lake country at this time, Xiu Luote has already referred to Shang Yang's reforms and started the reform of the social system. Correspondingly, it is to further promote the development of agricultural productivity to match the institutional reforms like the Qin and Han Dynasties and build a unified empire foundation!
Guided by historical logic, Xiu Luote's political ideas are very clear. To develop agricultural productivity, the first step is to control the land of the feudal state and concentrate agricultural capital; the second step is to register the people, strictly require and encourage farming, and increase the input of agricultural labor; the third step is to popularize bronze hand tools, improve the production efficiency of wood and stone farm tools, and manufacture and apply new bronze farm tools!
In the long pre-Qin era, the Celestial Empire had a highly prosperous bronze civilization. Bronze farm tools have appeared 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. Limited bronze was invested in sacrificial rituals, military weapons and chariots and horse tools. In contrast, the Yangtze River Basin is rich in bronze resources, and the production and use of bronze farm tools in the Shang and Zhou dynasties were obviously much more developed.
"Ox plowing is still far away, and iron tools are also far away. If you want to improve the agricultural production technology of the feudal state, you can only pile up manure, build dams and use bronze farm tools."
The king's thoughts returned from time. He carefully looked at the classified farm tools. These farm tools are all from his memories, and they were modified with reference to the opinions of old farmers. He has many subsequent designs, which are still on the drawing board.
The farm tools in front of him are divided into seven types, corresponding to seven activities in agricultural production.
"The human bronze plow is shaped like a spoon, with a wooden board for foot treading, and is often used by one person. Well, yes, it is simple and sturdy, and can be called a treadle plow. Five days of treadle plowing can be equivalent to one day of ox plowing. Although it is extremely physically demanding, it is the best result!"
Xiu Luote first held the newly made bronze treadle plow, took a look at it, and a smile appeared on his face. This is the first and most important farm tool for tilling the land. Ploughing the land is very important for agricultural production, which can effectively promote crop growth and increase yields. There are many reasons for this.
First, soil preparation. Leveling the land and breaking up soil blocks can facilitate sowing in the soil layer.
Second, ventilation. Loose soil can improve air permeability and help the roots of crops grow deeper.
Then, evenly fertilize. Cultivated land can turn the fertile soil from the bottom to the surface and bury the remnants of the previous crop to form new fertilizer.
Secondly, weeding. Before sowing, remove the weeds that have emerged and disrupt the growth cycle of the weeds. In tropical America with abundant rainfall, fast-growing weeds will greatly reduce crop yields and require a lot of manpower to deal with.
Finally, pest control. Turn the underground insects and eggs out by turning the soil, and let the 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 plows will have a revolutionary impact on agricultural production!
The plows in the history of the Celestial Empire can be divided into ancient human-powered plows and common animal-powered plows. Animal-powered plows have developed from the straight-beam plows of the Han Dynasty to the curved-beam plows after the Tang Dynasty. The plow disc is installed on the head of the plow for free rotation, and the plow level is installed on the plow arrow to control the depth of turning the soil. It has been used until the popularization of agricultural machinery.
In Xiuluot's mind, there is still the image of the curved-beam plow in the countryside of later generations. He roughly understands the principle and can draw a picture. However, the benefits of this plow can only be realized with the help of draught animals. For the Mesoamerican civilization of this era, this human-powered bronze treadle plow is more suitable. A human-powered traction rope can be hung in front of the plow to add one more person to assist.
Behind the bronze plow, there is also a bronze harrow that is also used for turning the soil. As for the more detailed hoe and hoe, they are not in the king's memory.
Along with the plow and harrow, there is a plow cart with a wooden plow bucket on the upper part and a bronze plow foot on the lower part. This is the second type of sowing agricultural tool, which is the ancient seed drill. Because of the lack of animal power, Xu Luote designed a two-legged plow cart, with one or two people carrying the rope to pull at the front and one person pushing at the back. In order to adapt to the sowing corn, the distance between the two legs of the plow cart is wider, providing a larger distance between the crop rows.
Then there is the third type, the inter-row weeding agricultural tool. It's very simple, it's actually a bronze hoe. Xu Luote just took a look and nodded and continued to move forward. Bertard frowned slightly. This kind of agricultural tool looks like a bronze weapon distributed to farmers. Toltec, who followed at the back, was quite curious. He stretched out his hand and played with the hoe twice, his eyes sparkling, thinking about how to use this strange-shaped medium-length weapon.
The fourth type is an irrigation farm tool, a human-powered wheelbarrow, also called a keel cart. The operating principle is very similar to the chain rotation of a bicycle, except that there is a long groove in the middle. The wooden chain blade is rotated by human power, and the blade scrapes the water up and sends 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 already 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’s easy to irrigate 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 man-hours 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. It is about 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, as ordered, 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 ordered his craftsmen and apprentices to death in the past few months: from dawn to dusk, All food and accommodation will be left in the workshop!
The sixth type is processing agricultural tools, which are used to process grain and cotton respectively. Shulot didn't know much about the tools used to process 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 later novel, 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 has inspired him to create a treadmill, which can pound beans, corn kernels and pumpkin puree. This thing saves manpower and brings blessings to the world. The Lord God will definitely be happy and grant your Majesty the divinity, and also give all the hearts of the feudal people to 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 inspired by the king's gods and 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 increase in the first year of farming should not be obvious. , but it can reduce the fallow period, and using drill seeding and weeding with copper hoe should increase the income by at least 20%!”
"At least 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!”
"Yes, that makes sense. How about renting it temporarily?"
"Your Highness, ordinary people are unwilling to rent things from nobles, let alone such valuables. If they are forced to rent, I am afraid that people will only carefully keep them and cannot sleep well every day, fearing that they will be blamed for losing them."
"Bertard, I have made up my mind to popularize new agricultural tools! How do you think we should do it?"
"Your Highness, in my opinion, bronze agricultural tools can be used first in military settlements. The military camps in the settlements are clearly divided and strictly managed. They are subject to strict military law and are restrained by officers at all levels. As long as they are strictly supervised and the loss is checked, the advantages of new agricultural tools can be truly brought into play!"
"As for ordinary civilian settlements, only a small amount of bronze agricultural tools can be issued. They will be handed over to the priests in the name of sacrificial utensils, and then as the grace of the Lord God, they will be borrowed by the devout farmers in the village. This can also enhance the authority of the priests and strengthen their control over the village!"
"Well, let's do it as you say!"
The king stood where he was, thinking for a long time, and finally nodded slowly.
"Calculate the required quantity as soon as possible and hand over the task to the workshop. Before the spring plowing in May next year, the garrison troops must all use new farm tools."
"Now it seems that if we want to truly innovate the era, we must reduce the cost of bronze as soon as possible. Large-scale copper mining is imperative!"
Xuluot paced in thought with his hands behind his back, and everyone followed in silence. And when the king stopped, he saw the real weapon that transcended the times, the bronze cannon!
In the Bronze Age, it's time to develop agricultural productivity!