Chapter 516: No More Hunger

Just after the New Year, the time came to the 13th year of the Qingli period of the Song Dynasty, which is 1053 AD.

Today in history is the fifth year of Huangyou in the Northern Song Dynasty. This year, the situation in the Song Dynasty was temporarily stabilized and prosperous.

But it was very passive in the international arena. It was defeated three times in a row by Li Yuanhao in the northwest and was forced to sign the "Qingli Peace Agreement".

After that, it was blackmailed by the Liao Kingdom and signed the "Chongxi Increased Currency", and had to send a large amount of annual tribute abroad.

Suffering repeated invasions from the Vietnamese Li Dynasty in the southwest, the leader of the ethnic minorities in Guangxi, Nong Zhigao, was dissatisfied with the court's indulgence of the Vietnamese Dynasty's oppression of them, so he angrily started a war.

It can be said that in the fifth year of Huangyou in history, the situation of the Song Dynasty in diplomacy was very bad. Not only was there war, but there were also many conflicts with neighboring countries.

But now the situation of the Song Dynasty has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Not only is the country stable and peaceful, but in the international environment of the entire East Asia, the Song Dynasty is also unrivaled in all directions.

Especially the grand military parade on the day before the New Year, which shocked all the East Asian countries, and also shocked the Central Asian, Indian Peninsula, Southeast Asian, European and even African countries.

None of them thought that when they were still in the feudal era or even the tribal slave era, there were already civilizations that showed a qualitative leap.

Compared with the Song Dynasty, other countries in the world seemed to be in a barbaric era, lagging far behind by more than one civilization.

So just after the New Year, before the Lantern Festival on the 15th, envoys from some countries began to bid farewell to the Song Dynasty court one after another, and immediately sent back the intelligence in the Song Dynasty.

However, they were basically envoys from neighboring countries, such as Dali, Yue Dynasty, Goryeo, Japan, Liao Dynasty, etc. They wanted to buy weapons, but the lifeblood of the entire country was controlled by the Song Dynasty. If the Song Dynasty did not nod, how could they have autonomy?

As for other countries, they were all waiting for the Song Dynasty to transport the goods they bought to Guangzhou.

You should know that this is not just a few points. Many of the top domestic tycoons only transport goods worth hundreds of thousands of guan at a time, and at most no more than one or two million guan.

This batch of goods is worth hundreds of millions of guan. In addition to firearms, there are many other commodities, including tea, porcelain, books, paper, pencils and even telescopes from the Song Dynasty. It would take two or three months to transport them to Guangzhou.

Therefore, from December last year to January of the beginning of the year, just over a month, it became the busiest time for the Bianliang Firearms Department.

There are too many stocks, and a lot of maintenance and transportation are temporarily required. The goods must be transported to Guangzhou in batches according to the return time of envoys from various countries. Otherwise, the canal will be easily blocked if transported at one time.

When the New Year was just over, Bianliang briefly experienced a period of depression.

Factories stopped working, shops closed, government offices stopped, Jiaozi shops could not exchange coins, and people were eager to exchange currency for food. Many families posted slogans at the door to express their demands, and the streets were full of the smell of gunpowder left by explosives.

Most people were idle, staying at home all day drinking and playing cards, and there were fewer people walking around the streets. It seemed that overnight, the economy of Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty, suddenly became depressed.

And this scene is what the Chinese call the Spring Festival.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in later generations should have the most experience. When the Spring Festival came, the metropolis with a population of 10 to 20 million immediately became vacant, every household closed down, and there were few pedestrians on the streets.

Today, Bianliang has gradually shown such a situation.

After all, the local population of Bianliang was actually very small before the Jingyou Year, only 200,000 to 300,000, and most of them were migrant workers.

Originally, there were also many migrant workers who settled in Bianliang, but most of them were from the counties and prefectures around Bianliang, and they were willing to spend a day or two to go home during the Spring Festival.

It was just that there were fewer people at that time, and the urban construction was not that large, so it naturally did not seem so serious.

After the Qingli New Year, the population of Bianliang soared from one million to three or four million. By the twelfth year of the Qingli New Year, it was close to five million. It was only a matter of time before it exceeded five million this year.

With so many migrant workers and few native residents, and many holidays from the first to the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, plus the New Year holiday plus the Tiansheng Festival holiday plus the Yuan Festival holiday, a large number of people left Bianliang to go home for the New Year, which made it look depressed, didn’t it?

However, this depression only lasted for a few days. Basically, after the Tiansheng Festival holiday, that is, after the third and fourth days of the Lunar New Year, migrant workers began to return to Beijing one after another.

Now the official roads are well built, and many people ride bicycles to travel between the counties and prefectures around the Jingji Road. The well-connected roads can be seen everywhere. The army of bicycles is just like the army of motorcycles returning home for the New Year in my country in the millennium.

Basically, after the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Bianliang quickly restored its former prosperity, and the depression of those days seemed to have never appeared.

Shops opened for business, factories returned to work, and the two major transportation hubs, the docks and the railway station, were crowded with people. The bustle returned to Bianliang again, and the city and streets were full of vitality.

Zhao Jun didn't have a few days of leisure this New Year. He had to celebrate on New Year's Eve and the first day of the New Year, and he had to go to the palace to have dinner with Zhao Zhen's family on the second and third days of the New Year.

After that, the Cao family came to pay New Year's greetings and brought their whole family. In addition to Cao Cong, there were also Cao Xiu and Cao Ren.

Zhao Jun didn't have many relatives in this world. His relationship with Zhao Zhen could only be said to be a distant relative of twenty or thirty generations, so naturally he could only be closer to his wife's family.

And the Cao family also had to rely on the Zhao family. Whether it was Zhao Zhen or Zhao Jun, they had to cling to their thighs, so it was normal for the families to visit each other frequently.

On the fifth and sixth days of the first lunar month, the Lu family, Wang family, Yan family, Fan family, Song family and other messy prime minister families came to pay New Year's greetings.

Although Zhao Jun basically did not take the initiative to pay New Year's greetings, his family was never short of guests. Even if the masters of other prime minister families did not come, at least they had to send their children and grandchildren to pay their respects.

This also made the Zhao family's home basically restless after the New Year. From the New Year to the Lantern Festival, it was not until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month that it was quiet. It was rare to have a few days of comfortable days.

It was a pity that the Lantern Festival holiday had just passed and they had to go to work immediately.

On the twenty-first day of the first lunar month, Zhao Jun arrived at the Political System Institute early in the morning. The door of the Political System Institute had just opened, and Su Huan and several clerks from the Imperial Edict Office were still moving documents.

Seeing Zhao Jun coming, Su Huan, still holding the documents in his hands, stood at the door and bowed slightly and said, "Zhiyuan."

"Yes."

Zhao Jun nodded and stepped into the room.

After more than 20 days without work, the room seemed to be covered with dust.

Su Huan put the documents in his hand on the clerk's desk near the door, and then turned on the light.

With a "pop".

The electric light hanging from the ceiling of the Constitutional Court lit up, and the originally dim room quickly became bright.

Zhao Jun walked all the way to his desk at the back of the room, and then waved to Su Huan and said, "Wenfu, come here."

"Zhiyuan."

Su Huan came over after turning on the light.

"Are those the documents accumulated before and after the New Year?"

"Yes, I'll bring them to Zhiyuan?"

"Yes."

Zhao Jun responded.

He still has this old habit, caring about work.

It's not that he loves power.

At this position, the power is so great that there is no limit, so naturally there is no love of power.

Some people have such power, so they just enjoy it, just like feudal emperors.

But Zhao Jun was too idle at home. If he didn't read the official documents and care about national affairs every day, he felt that he had no value in existence.

This may also be the meaning of his life now.

He put all his hopes on the fact that as long as he worked hard, the future of the Song Dynasty would be better.

Su Huan took the official document.

This thing is naturally particular. Which ones are placed on the top will be seen by the prime minister first, and which ones are placed at the bottom will be seen last, or even ignored.

Otherwise, why is the power of the Imperial Edict Office so great?

All departments have to curry favor.

However, Su Huan knew very well what Zhao Jun cared about first, so he didn't play so many tricks, but put the important things on top.

Zhao Jun took the first official document and took a look. It was a joint document of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

These days, the Song Dynasty New Year celebrations, Bianliang is celebrating the New Year again. After the New Year, the streets were a little depressed for a few days, and many foreign envoys were jointly entertained by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition to the expenses for reception, there are many matters that the two departments have to deal with with many envoys.

For example, the date for the return of envoys from various countries has been almost set. They entrusted the goods they brought to their own merchants in Bianliang for sale, and then purchased a lot of things.

After the purchased materials have been loaded on the ship, many envoys are eager to leave after completing their mission.

Some have already placed orders, but they did not bring so much money this time, so they decided to take some of the goods back first, and then come to Song Dynasty to purchase when they have enough money.

Therefore, basically from late January to mid-February, envoys from more than 20 countries will leave one after another. The official documents list in detail the orders of these countries and the goods to be sent to Guangzhou.

"Yeah."

After reading the official document, Zhao Jun said with satisfaction: "This is a good start. In the future, trade between countries will become more and more frequent."

Su Huan smiled and said: "It is also because of this good celebration. After the countries in the world came to the Song Dynasty, they were all shocked by the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. They all admired the Celestial Empire. I heard that there are princes from Goryeo and Dali who are unwilling to leave Beijing and want to stay in Bianliang as hostages."

"It's really interesting."

Zhao Jun laughed: "My Song Dynasty doesn't like hostages. There are also people who want to stay as hostages."

Su Huan also laughed: "It is probably because the spring flowers and autumn moons in Bianliang are too attractive. These days, foreign vassals linger in various theaters, brothels, and restaurants. They are the nobles of various stores. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that a lot of taxes will be collected at the end of the year."

The smile on Zhao Jun's face slowly disappeared, and he became thoughtful again.

Su Huan saw that his expression was wrong, and was puzzled for a moment. He just thought he had said something wrong, so he quickly shut up.

In fact, he did not say anything wrong.

But when Zhao Jun heard about the theaters, brothels and restaurants, he remembered something bad.

That is, although the emergence of textile factories greatly improved the status of women in the old society, many women were able to be self-reliant and work in factories to support themselves.

But this is only a minority after all.

The status of the vast majority of women has not changed much. The 54 brothels in Bianliang are still open as usual, and there are revelries every night.

Although the court prohibited coercion, many of them were voluntary, and there were also many parents who valued boys over girls and forced their daughters to go, just because this business made money quickly and could make the family rich quickly.

It can only be said that it is no wonder that later generations have to completely ban it, but if there was not a big change in ancient times, the resistance to banning this industry would not be ordinary.

This is not something that can be accomplished by killing many officials, landlords, and nobles. It can only be done step by step, step by step.

"Hmm"

Zhao Jun put down the official documents from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and looked at other documents.

There are mountains of official documents piled up before and after, and many things can only be glanced at briefly to understand the situation before making a decision.

After about half an hour, it was about eight o'clock in the morning, and many of the husbands began to go to work one after another.

Originally, courtiers had to go to Chui Gong Hall for morning court as a rule. However, over the years, morning court has gradually become more formal, and Zhao Zhen has gradually reduced the number of morning court meetings.

It usually only opens once every three to five days, so now there is no need to go to Chui Gong Hall to go to jail at seven o'clock in the morning.

"Hanlong, it's so early."

Yan Shu entered the Constitutional Court and was not surprised to see Zhao Jun, so he said hello.

"Well, I'm bored at home."

Zhao Jun had already read a lot of documents, and he was still looking at them and said something casually.

"It's good to be young."

Yan Shu came to his desk and sat down.

Zhao Jun glanced at the office and asked, "Isn't Duke Xiwen here yet?"

At this time, everyone including Xia Song, Zheng Jian, Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Han Qi, Pang Ji, Zeng Gongliang, Song Xiang and others were basically here.

The only difference is that Du Yan and Fan Zhongyan, the oldest ones, have not arrived yet. Du Yan is not surprised. The old man is seventy-five years old this year, so it is common for him to be late for a while.

However, Fan Zhongyan arrived surprisingly late, which was also a strange thing.

Fu Bi said: "Maybe there is something delayed."

Said Cao Cao Cao Cao has arrived.

Fan Zhongyan stepped into the room with an official document in his hand and a very happy face.

"What's wrong, Mr. Xiwen, you're so happy after eating honey shit?"

Zhao Jun joked.

Fan Zhongyan rolled his eyes at him and said, "Speak nicely."

"Just kidding."

Zhao Jun asked curiously: "What happened?"

Fan Zhongyan threw the official document in his hand on the table and said, "Read it yourself."

Zhao Jun brought the official document over. It had the seal of the Ministry of Agriculture on it. He suddenly thought of something.

When I opened it, I saw it clearly stated that after extensive searches, the Agricultural College and Agricultural University Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture finally found a male sterile rice seedling in an acre of experimental field.

"Hybrid rice?"

Zhao Jun opened his eyes wide.

Fan Zhongyan smiled and said: "Yes, it was just sent over from the Ministry of Agriculture, and I met it."

"Very good."

A bright smile broke out on Zhao Jun's face.

Rice is a typical self-pollinating crop. It has both male and female flowers and can pollinate itself to produce rice.

However, the result of long-term self-pollination is to reduce the disease resistance, drought tolerance and other excellent characteristics of the planted varieties, resulting in a significant reduction in yield.

This is the same as marrying close relatives, which will greatly increase the probability of deformity in the offspring.

If you want to complete the hybridization, you must find a male-sterile rice strain that can be passed on to the next generation, and then pollinate it with other rice to complete the hybridization.

Hybrid rice inherits a lot of advantages and has higher yields, so this is why hybrid rice has advantages.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Song Dynasty has also been established for more than ten years. Over the years, it has been forming a team of experts to conduct extensive research on genetics.

Although there are not many research results, at least a lot of theoretical knowledge has been explored. In biology, the School of Biology of the Academy of Sciences has been working hard to explore the issue of increasing grain production.

It's just that it's not easy to make hybrid rice. It's even harder to find a male-sterile rice seedling. It took so many years to finally find it.

Zhao Jun immediately gave instructions: "This is indeed valuable, but high school biology told me that hybrid rice must be maintained using the three-line method, and the taste and quality must be continuously improved. I hope the Agricultural College will make good use of this." It’s a rare opportunity, so seize it and do your research.”

"Well, I will approve the note when the time comes."

Fan Zhongyan nodded, then took out an official document from his arms and said: "By the way, the Wuxi River water diversion project decided at the end of last year will start this year. The Ministry of Finance will allocate funds. Please sign."

"Old Fan, even if you are late, you still go out to get some official documents and come back. Can't you just let them be placed in the production department?"

Zhao Jun teased.

"We can wait, but the people can't wait."

Fan Zhongyan smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Wuxi River water diversion project?"

Zhao Jun took the official document and glanced at it, then suddenly said in surprise: "Is it the one from Quzhou?"

"Yes, the one in Quzhou."

Fan Zhongyan said.

Zhao Jun was silent for a moment, picked up a pen and signed, saying: "Let them speed up the progress of the project. The people really can't wait."

That year there was a drought in the south of the Yangtze River, and people in Quzhou were cannibals.

Although Quzhou is located in the western part of the Jinqu Basin and the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, the Qujiang River flows through it.

However, the terrain here is special and floods are prone to occur every rainy season, and droughts are prone to occur in summer and autumn. In history, there was a saying in Quzhou that "a small drought occurs every year and a major drought occurs every three years."

This is a long-standing problem in history. Over the past thousand years, many droughts have caused great pain to the people of Quzhou. The history of cannibalism was not only in the Tang Dynasty, but also in the Republic of China.

For example, in the third year of the Republic of China, there was a severe drought from May to July. The rice seedlings spontaneously combusted, and the people were starved and displaced. They dug Guanyin soil for food.

It was not until the new era that the Wuxi River water diversion project was dug that the problem was solved.

Although the productivity of various places in the Song Dynasty is rich, disasters still occur frequently. It’s just that the productivity has increased, and the court has the ability to resist risks, so the degree of harm caused by disasters is much smaller.

But this does not mean that the Song Dynasty has always had such ability.

With more and more people, food will become less and less. The current productivity is more than enough to feed 300 to 400 million people, but what if the population reaches 700 to 800 million?

Therefore, whether it is various projects or agricultural technology levels, they must always be continuously improved so that every citizen can hold their rice bowl.

After Zhao Jun signed the note for approving the funds in his hand, he whispered: "In the future, the Chinese Han people will never go hungry again."