The Lone Star of the Tang Dynasty

Subsequently, ......

Empress Changsun raised a question: What if the yield of ordinary rice per mu is less than two stones, but what if it is replaced by this kind of crop with a production capacity of 3,000 catties per mu?

This question made Li Er and Fang Xuanling both stunned......

This is an extremely rare phenomenon, and only a very small number of the most fertile fields can achieve an astonishing yield of more than two stones per mu. The actual yield per mu of most farmland often hovers around 200 catties. This means that the price of one or two or five dollars of silver per stone of grain in the market actually corresponds to the average yield of about 200 catties per mu.

As soon as Empress Eldest Sun's words fell, Li Er's brain fell into a blank as if it had been struck by lightning. Fang Xuanling was even more shocked by this sudden information, and the mashed potatoes in his mouth almost choked on him, the old minister.

"Queen, what you just said...... I didn't hear it clearly, maybe it was because of the busy government affairs and lack of rest recently. Li Er tried to calm himself down and confirm the staggering number again.

"Your Majesty did not fail to hear clearly, but did not dare to believe it. Empress Changsun repeated in a firm tone, "What I said is that the mashed potatoes that Your Majesty enjoyed just now can yield three thousand catties per mu of raw potatoes!"

The Manna Hall instantly fell into an eerie silence, and Li Er and Fang Xuanling looked at Empress Eldest Sun dumbfounded, as if the scene in front of them exceeded the limits of their cognition. 3,000 catties per mu? This figure is simply unbelievable, and even feels a little absurd.

After killing Li Er, he didn't believe that there would be any crop in the world that could yield 3,000 catties per mu, unless it was the soil itself. However, at this moment, Empress Eldest Sun's expression was extremely serious, and she didn't mean to joke at all.

The yield of 3,000 catties per mu is simply astronomical for ordinary grain, which means that the price of this potato will be much lower than that of ordinary grain, and may reach about one penny of silver. You must know that the reason why the price of grain in Datang is as high as one or two or five dollars per stone is the result of being speculated under multiple factors such as wars, frequent disasters and famines, and hoarding by the big families. Based on the price of grain in a normal year, it may be possible to buy potatoes for two stone or more for only one penny of silver.

When Li Er heard this, his mind was in chaos, and he couldn't digest this subversive information at all, so he could only stand in place, his face full of question marks. And Fang Xuanling was even more petrified, his whole person was as stiff as a wood carving, his expression was frozen, and he couldn't react.

Empress Changsun looked at Li Er's stunned appearance, and couldn't help laughing: "Your Majesty, why don't you speak? If this potato is useless to you, the concubines will use it as a snack and distribute it to the palace maids." "

"No, no, wait!" Li Er was so excited that he was incoherent, "Let me see!" Empress Changsun pointed to the basket at the bottom of the stairs, emphasizing once again that this was the auspicious potato she wanted to offer to His Majesty.

Li Er and Fang Xuanling couldn't hold back any longer, completely ignoring the courtesy of the monarch and ministers, and rushed to the basket.

Li Er asked Empress Changsun with anticipation and nervousness: "Can this potato really yield 3,000 catties per mu? It is a matter of life and death for the people of the world, and you must not deceive me!"

Empress Changsun replied firmly: "Since the concubine and His Majesty were married, when did they ever lie about it?".

Hearing this, Li Er couldn't help but burst into tears, and Fang Xuanling was also in tears. They realized that this discovery was like a blessing from heaven, and it could finally give hope to the suffering people.

After some emotional ups and downs, Li Er and Fang Xuanling gradually calmed down, and Empress Eldest Sun gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. They all understand that the Tang Dynasty was fought hard by hundreds of people, and now with this high-yield potato, it means that the people may say goodbye to the life of hunger and hardship.

Fang Xuanling took a deep breath, and said in a slightly trembling voice: "This potato not only tastes sweet, but also has a yield of up to 3,000 catties per mu, this is God's favor for the Tang Dynasty, congratulations to Your Majesty for finding a good way to save the world!".

Li Er wiped away his tears, his heart was shocked, and his mind was full of possibilities ...... potatoes

At the same time, Li Er's doubts in his heart have not been dispelled, he is worried that the planting conditions of this potato are too harsh, if only a few fertile fields can produce such high-yield potatoes, it will not be of substantial help to solve the food problem nationwide.

Empress Eldest Sun responded with a firm glint in her ruddy eyes: "Your Majesty, you don't need to worry, this potato is drought tolerant and barren, and it can be harvested even in a year of great drought." Moreover, its yield does not come from stems, leaves, or fruits, but from its roots and tendrils, which can hardly be damaged even if the locust plague is raging. As for the planting method, it is even easier and simpler, no seeds are required, just cut the potatoes into small pieces and bury them in the soil to take root and sprout and thrive. "

These words shook the hearts of Li Er and Fang Xuanling like thunder, and they almost couldn't believe their ears, as if it was a godsend, allowing the people of Datang to see the dawn of hope. When the maid in the palace came in to deliver tea, she saw the excited expressions of the three of them, and mistakenly thought that something major had happened.

After more than half an hour of intense mood swings, Li Er regained his composure, but his expression was extremely serious. He turned to Fang Xuanling and ordered in a deep voice: "Fang Xuanling, listen to the order." "

Fang Xuanling immediately responded: "The minister is here!" He knew that Li Er's determination had been made at this moment, and anyone who tried to hinder him could not change his decision, even if it was an immortal.

"Recently, there has been an influx of displaced people in Chang'an, and I order you to settle it properly and distribute relief food. After that, I plan to use this batch of potatoes to teach the victims to reclaim wasteland for planting. "

Empress Changsun also attached great importance to this matter, and she resolutely expressed her willingness to make a military order, and if the potatoes failed to achieve the expected bumper harvest, she was willing to accept military justice.

Li Er was moved by the queen's determination, and at the same time understood that she was sharing this political responsibility with herself. Therefore, he also resolutely declared: "Okay! I have also made a military order, if the potatoes cannot be harvested, I am willing to go on a hunger strike for three days to show my responsibility!"

Fang Xuanling knew Li Er's character very well, and wisely did not dissuade him, he knew that this plan to use potatoes to help the victims and reclaim wasteland must be resolutely implemented to the end no matter what.

However, ......

After Li Er learned that potatoes were shelf-stable, easy to grow and could be eaten directly, his eagerness eased slightly. However, he was still anxious about the fact that there were still three days left for the victims to arrive in Chang'an, pacing back and forth in the Ganlu Hall from time to time, and sighing incessantly.

"Xuan Ling, even if this potato can be stored for about a year, if it can't be promoted to the people in time, I'm afraid it will be difficult to effectively resist natural disasters. Li Er said worriedly, "If the big family hears the wind and hoards a lot to raise the price, wouldn't it make this auspicious gift from God become a tool to aggravate the hardships of the people?"

Seeing this, Fang Xuanling hurriedly reassured: "Your Majesty doesn't need to worry too much, potatoes are easy to grow, as long as you teach the victims the correct method, they will soon be able to master it and plant it themselves." Moreover, after harvesting, potatoes can be stored for a long time by placing them in a cool and ventilated place, which can indeed effectively solve some food problems. "

Empress Eldest Sun added at the right time: "This thing is a gift from that mysterious master. He not only taught the art of pig raising and iron smelting, but also brought this magical potato to help Datang tide over the difficulties. "

Hearing this, Li Er immediately understood that all this was done by his long-lost son Li Changge, and he couldn't help but feel endless emotion and pride in his heart - this child is the real auspicious rui of the country, and he is protecting Datang in his own way!

Fang Xuanling was even more surprised when he heard this. It is unbelievable that this master can even cure the disease of typhoid fever and offer so many thaumaturgical artifacts. "Your Majesty, since this master has such outstanding intelligence and virtue, why don't you invite him to join the court as an official and help me with the Tang Dynasty?" Fang Xuanling made a bold suggestion, which also made everyone present more curious and expectant about the identity and origin of this mysterious master.