The next day.
Zhao Chen, accompanied by Yan Fei and Yue Shen, appeared at the Da Qin Farm.
This was considered a royal farm, with dedicated personnel for cultivation.
“Tian Fei pays his respects to the Young Master!”
“Was it the Leader who sent you here?”
“Yes, the Leader instructed us to follow the Young Master’s orders.”
“Very well, has your House of Agriculture conducted any research regarding agriculture in recent years?”
“Young Master, please take a look. These are the results of our research over the years.”
Tian Fei handed a stack of notes to Zhao Chen.
Upon careful examination, Zhao Chen discovered that the House of Agriculture was indeed extraordinary, at least from the perspective of this era, they were already quite advanced.
Not only were they capable of increasing agricultural yields, but they also understood the concept of applying fertilizer, and even knew how to compost, truly remarkable.
Indeed, none of the schools that ranked among the top hundred were simple.
“By the way, have you discovered any new grain species, or researched new rice varieties?”
“We have, these are the new rice varieties we’ve been researching. We also discovered some grain species, but we haven’t figured out how to cultivate them properly. We’ve failed multiple times.”
Tian Fei brought over a box and opened it before Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen examined it carefully.
The first things he noticed were potatoes and sweet potatoes, causing him to be overjoyed.
He picked up the seeds of these two crops and asked.
“Where did you discover these?”
“Reporting to the Young Master, we found these in the Western Regions by chance. These two can indeed be eaten, but we couldn’t successfully cultivate them. We don’t know what went wrong, the ones we grew were very small, and the yield was also meager. Therefore, although we kept them, we didn’t pay them much attention.”
“I see!”
Zhao Chen instantly understood. Although potatoes and sweet potatoes are relatively easy to cultivate, one must employ the correct methods, otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve a substantial yield.
“Alright, I understand now. Just focus on planting these two species for now. It’s July now, and it should take about two to three months to harvest. You will plant them according to my instructions.”
The moment Zhao Chen received the notes, he had a sudden epiphany and had gained considerable understanding of agricultural practices.
Combined with his memories from his previous life, he was now considered an agricultural expert.
Afterwards, Tian Fei recorded everything Zhao Chen said, preparing to cultivate the potatoes and sweet potatoes.
“Remember, you must manage them properly. Whether the people can eat their fill in the future depends on them.”
Although they didn’t understand why the Young Master was so concerned, they still nodded.
“Young Master, rest assured, we will manage them diligently!”
“Very well, after you succeed this time, I’ll ask my father, the King, to grant you a title.”
“Thank you, Young Master!”
“Alright, start planting. If you encounter any difficulties, you can send someone to ask me.”
“Yes!!”
Zhao Chen left with Yan Fei and Yue Shen. Before leaving, he took some rice seeds with him. He was going to start researching hybrid rice.
This was a good deed that would benefit the nation and the people.
“Little brother, will those potatoes and sweet potatoes really solve the people’s food and clothing problem? What’s their yield?”
“Big sisters, you can guess.”
“5 shi”
“6 shi”
Yan Fei and Yue Shen each said a number.
Knowing that Zhao Chen valued these crops, they intentionally guessed higher. Otherwise, it would probably have been 3 shi or 4 shi, and even that would have been considered quite high.
But Zhao Chen just looked at them with a speechless expression.
“Sisters, be bolder, think bigger.”
“10 shi”
“15 shi”
“I’m saying, sisters, are you really so timid? Let me tell you, if the yield is not 30 shi per mu, I wouldn’t even bother mentioning it. If the land is fertile, combined with the House of Agriculture’s meticulous management, the yield could even reach 40 or 50 shi per mu.”
Hearing this, even the two women who didn’t understand much about agriculture widened their beautiful eyes and looked at Zhao Chen as if he were joking.
“Young Master, are you joking?!”
“This must be a lie!”
“I would never joke about the lives of the people.” Zhao Chen spoke with rare seriousness.
“Young Master, if that’s the case, then this place should be strictly protected!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have Luo Net and the Shadow Secret Guard keep an eye on this place secretly.”
Hearing this, the two women nodded.
“Then, Young Master, should we report this matter to the King?”
“No need for now. Just wait until the harvest, and I’ll give Father a surprise. Let’s go, things are basically settled, the next step is to focus on cultivation.”
“Yes!!”
For the next period of time, Da Qin continued to develop at an astonishing pace.
Zhao Chen’s life had also returned to normalcy. Apart from simply having the Book Spirit impart the Dao to him, he spent his time researching hybrid rice.
Although he had the “Numinous Comprehension” buff, without any corresponding prompts, it was still difficult, and progress was slow.
Zhao Chen didn’t feel anxious about it. At least he had potatoes and sweet potatoes now, solving the people’s food and clothing problem.
His progress in swordsmanship was also impressive. Now, all he needed was a spirit sword, and he could soar freely through the sky.
Unfortunately, spirit swords weren’t easily obtainable. Gai Nie’s Yuan Hong, despite being one of the Ten Great Swords, wasn’t quite at the level of a spirit sword. Zhao Chen discovered this.
The same applied to Xiao Meng’s Qiu Li.
Only Ying Zheng’s Tian Wen barely reached the level of a spirit sword. Unfortunately, it was his father’s sword, a symbol of royal authority, and Zhao Chen didn’t want it.
Even though Zhao Chen knew that if he asked, Ying Zheng would definitely give it to him.
However, Zhao Chen still wanted to forge a spirit sword himself.
The problem was, Zhao Chen had no knowledge of forging. When he inquired at the House of Gongshu, Gongshu Qiu could only forge simple weapons. Thus, Zhao Chen requested forging techniques and began to study them himself.
At this time, he also thought of Yun Zhong Jun and the other sorcerers.
Da Qin planned to attack Han in September, so it was time for gunpowder to make its debut.
This would allow them to conquer Han more quickly and reduce casualties for Da Qin.
With the aid of his memories and “Numinous Comprehension” buff, Zhao Chen had already drawn up blueprints for the simplest flintlock rifles and cannons, as well as simple jet-propelled rockets, multi-rocket launchers, etc. He even designed a crossbow-based siege cannon based on Da Qin’s existing ballistae. All that was missing was the most crucial ingredient - gunpowder. Once gunpowder was available, he believed that with the House of Gongshu’s manufacturing technology, they could quickly produce finished products. At that time, conquering Han would be a breeze.
Since Yue Shen had some free time, Zhao Chen brought her to the Yin Yang House’s headquarters in Xianyang.
“Greetings to the Young Master! Greetings to the Moon God!”
“Yun Zhong Jun, where are the sorcerers and your alchemy room? Take me there!”
“Young Master, please follow me!”
“Young Master, this is my alchemy room. Those sorcerers, after being exposed by you, were so frightened that they ran off, not daring to practice alchemy for the past few days. They’ve all been obediently awaiting their deaths!”
Zhao Chen: *They’re really quite cowardly.*
“Bring me all your alchemy materials, as well as the alchemy notes from those sorcerers!”
“Yes!!”
Soon, Yun Zhong Jun carried a stack of papers over.
Paper had already become widespread in Da Qin, so naturally, everyone could afford it.
“Very well, I’ll take these with me. Also, send over a batch of your alchemy materials, I have a use for them.
Investigate those sorcerers. It seems we’ll be needing them soon.”
“This subordinate understands!”
Zhao Chen took the notes and alchemy materials back to his palace.
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