Chapter 34 A whimsical era

Chapter 34: The Age of Whimsy

"Higher, faster, stronger, what does this mean?"

Zhang Guozhu picked up a cup of hot cocoa and took a sip. , put it on Yun Zhao's desk, and then pointed to this line of writing on the document and asked Yun Zhao.

Yun Zhao’s eyes fell on the cup filled with hot cocoa, but he answered Zhang Guozhu’s question.

“I want to select people from all over the country who can run faster, jump higher, and have stronger physical fitness to see how high human body functions can reach.”

Zhang Guozhu took the cocoa, took another sip and asked: "What are the benefits of doing this?"

Yun Zhaodao: "People are aggressive. Since there is no war in the Ming Dynasty, Just find something for them to compete with, and give the people another way to go directly to Tianting."

Zhang Guozhu said: "There is Longzhou in the south of the Yangtze River and horse racing in the north. It will be superfluous to do this. Right?"

Yun Zhao said calmly: "No more than that, the people of Ming Dynasty can't just work at sunrise and rest at sunset. They should also have higher requirements after having enough food and clothing. "

Zhang Guozhu said: "They also have various operas arranged by Honglu Temple to watch."

Yun Zhao said: "It's better to move."

Zhang Guozhu said: "They still have to shoulder the important task of reproducing the population for the Ming Dynasty at night. You see... okay, I agree in principle, but don't expect the cost to come from the national funds."

"Zhu Cunji will handle this well."

After Yun Zhao said this, he threw the document aside, pointed at the hot cocoa in Zhang Guozhu's hand and said, "Where did it come from?"

Zhang Guozhu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, do you know what this is?"

Yun Zhao nodded and said, "I know better than you."

Zhang Guozhu sighed. He said: "I have been drinking tea for half my life, and suddenly I have this thing.

The morning in winter and spring is really the best time to drink hot cocoa. After all, this kind of thing that can keep you warm with just one cup is very popular in the world. It is best in this cold weather, and it is also good as afternoon tea. It has a slight bitter taste and a little sweetness, and is most suitable for one person, one book, one table, one chair..."

Yun Zhao knocked on the desk and said: "Let's talk about the important point."

Zhang Guozhu said: "The Prime Minister's Office is going to organize a conference on goods from all countries to see if there is anything suitable for my Ming Dynasty. If there is, take it. Come here, hot cocoa is one of them."

Yun Zhao nodded and said: "Why don't we call it the World Expo? It will be held every two years. It's best to hold it together with the sports games I mentioned. , the business atmosphere is stronger, after all, there is no harm in making more money."

Zhang Guozhu laughed and said: "The wealth of all countries is for my use. This is the confidence of a great country to continue to prosper. In the past, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin was overjoyed when he got the spinach, and gave it to the merchants who brought the spinach seeds to the Tang Dynasty with the attitude of buying a horse bone with thousands of gold.

My Ming Dynasty relied on corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes.Only in this way can we at least have a bite to eat in those hungry years. Over the years, Dasinong's affiliated company has even obtained the latest sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn seedlings from Europe, and began to cultivate the second generation in Daming that is suitable for the locals of Daming. of seeds.

Nowadays, the results of agronomic research are gratifying. After these original seedlings took root in the Ming Dynasty, their yields began to recover. Unlike the seeds we used in earlier years, the yields dropped after a few seasons. The decline was severe.

In some places, potato harvests have even ended.

Newly cultivated potato seedlings can continue to produce abundant crops for many more years. Agricultural science is solving this problem. One agronomist claimed to have discovered the problem, saying that the native potatoes of the Ming Dynasty were very weak in resisting pests and diseases. If potatoes with pests and diseases are used as seeds, the yield will naturally decrease.

Now, he is crossing old and new potatoes to see if he can create a new variety of potatoes.

It was because of the loss of potato production that I ordered Han Xiufen, Shi Lang, and the Guangzhou Shipping Department to collect all new crops they could. At the same time, I also ordered them to collect all new crops. Heart skills that can be collected.

Let’s see what new crops and new technologies can take root in our country. ”

Yun Zhao vaguely heard about the reduction in potato production in Sichuan. He also vaguely heard that potatoes need to be detoxified when planted. As for how to do this, he didn’t know, but , he believed that the Ming Dynasty Sinong Temple and the Agricultural Society had figured this out.

As for what Zhang Guozhu said, he completely agreed, even if Zhang Guozhu didn't hold a cup of hot cocoa, he would. Agree to hold such a thing as the World Expo.

You must know that if such a grand event is organized into a global event, within ten years, Ming Dynasty’s agronomy and new technologies will surely spread all over the world. At the front.

This kind of technical plunder even surpasses Han Xiufen's use of a giant ship to burn, kill and plunder other people's land.

Zhang Guozhu has such vision and ambition. Yun Zhao admired him very much.

After getting Yun Zhao's approval, Zhang Guozhu went to work on his new policy ambitiously. He was ready to let Ming Dynasty open his mind and work with the most enthusiastic attitude. Embrace the world trend.

Today is another month since Yun Zhang took office as the magistrate of Lantian County, and it is time for the elderly Liu Xian Cheng or Chief Liu to come to report.

This old guy is very old. There are not many hairs on his head anymore. He was already too old to walk. However, since his eldest son died of a sudden illness while serving in Changsha, this old guy seems to have lost his temper. He immediately became energetic.

When Xia Wanchun left Lantian County Magistrate, he made a special request to resign and return to his hometown. After his son passed away, he stopped mentioning this matter. , becoming more and more diligent in doing things.

Exactly as Yun Xian said, seeing this flattering old face, Yun Zhao also wanted to kick him.

However, he kindly asked Zhang Xiu to pour a cup of tea for the old guy. He personally pushed the tea to Master Liu and said, "Don't be in a hurry to speak. Drink some water first to moisten your throat." , I don’t have much official business today, I’m just waiting for you, old dog.”

Master Liu said with a smile: “Your Majesty, don’t worry, the eldest prince is more stable than Young Master Xia. As for the matter in Lantian County, the eldest prince can't help it. Although there are still small flaws, there will definitely be no problems in two years."

Yun Zhao nodded and said: "Well, that's good. , after all, you are watching, and there should be no major problems. You are old, and I won’t say more about taking care of your health. If nothing happens, just go to the hospital a few times and ask the doctors there to help you. Keep an eye on your body and hold it together for a few more years."

Hearing this, Master Liu immediately left his seat, knelt down tremblingly on the ground, and cried bitterly: "I have been favored by His Majesty these years, and my body has been shattered. It’s hard to repay His Majesty’s kindness.

Now that Your Majesty has allowed me to go to a place like Tai Hospital, I would be happy even if I died.”

Yun Zhao. He stood up and helped Mr. Liu up and said: "Don't think this is my good intention. In fact, I still have selfish motives in my heart. You have been working hard in Lantian County these years, and I take it all into consideration.

Your eldest son died prematurely, which is a great tragedy in the world. I pity the capable boy. I originally thought that I could have a talented person in my own backyard, but it is a pity.

But you. The eldest grandson has left Yushan Academy. I heard that he has gone to Jingyuan in Longzhong to serve as the head of the school? My son is currently serving as the district chief in Gaolan, Jingyuan County, Longzhong. I heard that he is doing well. When his term as district chief expires, he will be promoted to Tianshui Mansion."

Yun Zhao nodded and said, "Not bad. , I have been working hard for several years, and I am a talented person. I heard that Yun Zhang’s policy on merchants’ participation in railway construction is different from the policy formulated by Xia Wanchun when he took office. Do you know this? ”

It has been different in the past few years. Some worthless bastards have made so much money from building railways that they have begun to tremble. After the eldest prince takes office, he is going to let them pay for the construction of Ruichuan. Railway, they dare to complain so much.

Your Majesty, it doesn’t matter. Who is the eldest prince? Why are you talking so much to these worthless bastards? When the old slave comes back, he will take them. Let them know what will happen to them if they disobey the eldest prince."

Master Liu became fierce, and his originally curved eyes suddenly turned into vicious triangular eyes, which still had some power. .

Yunzhao waved his hand and said: "Yunzhang is too idealistic about this matter.He had never walked through the Shu Road and did not know the difficulty of the Shu Road. He simply saw the inconvenience in communication between Shuzhong and Guanzhong, so he started to build the railway from Chang'an to Chengdu.

Li Bai had a poem at that time - the road to Shu is difficult, and it is difficult to reach the sky. Building the railway from Guanzhong to Shuzhong is definitely not something that a few merchants can do. To put it nicely, even the whole world can do it. Even the merchants who joined together were unable to build this railway.

This can only be done by the state.

When you go back, bring my words to Yun Zhang and ask him to take a trip to Shu Road himself and talk about building this railway.

I also want to tell him that when doing anything, he must do what he can, step by step, and don't be impatient. He is only fourteen years old and has plenty of time, so what should he do if he is eager for success and profit?

Let him remember that he is the magistrate of Lantian County, not the prefect of Chang'an or Chengdu. This does not fall under his jurisdiction. ”

Master Liu nodded repeatedly and said: “What your Majesty said is that the road to Shu is indeed difficult. I don’t know how many people were killed or injured and how long it took the immortals to build the plank road in the middle of Shu.” Repair.

The old slave will definitely bring His Majesty’s words to the eldest prince. At the same time, the old slave will definitely accompany the eldest prince on a field trip to Shu to see if it is possible to build a railway here. "

Waiting for Mr. Liu to leave with all his gratitude.

Yun Zhao took a long sigh and said to himself: "After all, you haven't grown up yet, and you still have to do things. With just one breath, why did this silly boy think of building the Sichuan Railway?

You know, even in later generations...when the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway was built, there were still many casualties..."