Xue Lang did not answer the exclamation of the crown prince and the king of Qin, but slowly explained the reason:

"In the spring, there was a heavy snowfall, and the King of Qin's attack on Liu Heimin was affected by this, and even suffered losses and losses. At that time, the minister was in the reed pass, and the cold climate was very unbearable. When I asked His Highness what I had to keep out the cold, I found out that there was no cotton...... That is, the white stacked bullet made of cotton jackets, quilts, etc., after careful questioning, I know that in our dynasty, because of the law, the white stacks are still used as strange flowers and plants, for ornamental purposes. In foreign countries, cotton is a must-have thing in winter, even ordinary people, whether in the south or in the north, will make a few quilts for winter cold, which is a very common thing. Cotton, on the other hand, is a very easy crop to grow as long as the climate is suitable. ”

When she came, Princess Pingyang reminded Xue Lang not to shirk too much about the saint's appointment, so as not to collide with the saint and make the saint feel ignorant.

In order to solve this problem, Xue Lang thought hard and came up with the thing cotton. The trial planting of cotton is beneficial to the family, the country and the society. Using this as an excuse, Li Yuan couldn't say anything, and he would only reward him, and he wouldn't have any thoughts about Princess Pingyang.

Looking at it now, everything is as expected. Xue Lang said that he was as witty as him, like!

Li Yuan hurriedly asked, "What kind of climate is suitable for growing cotton?" Please teach me! ”

Li Yuan didn't shout Bai Diezi, and followed Xue Lang to shout cotton. Xue Lang hurriedly said: "Don't dare, Weichen will tell the saint." ”

Since ancient times, China's cotton production areas have been divided into three regions, one is the cotton production area of the Yellow River Basin, the other is the Yangtze River Basin production area, and the other is the northwest inland cotton production area.

These three production areas, with the current situation and territory of the Tang Dynasty, basically only the first production area can be promoted, the second production area is sparsely populated, and the imperial court has not yet developed it, not to mention the third production area, which is not the territory of the Tang Dynasty now, and the imperial court cannot control it. Even if it is the first production area, there is still Liu Heimin in trouble, so the imperial court still has a long way to go if it wants to promote the planting of cotton.

Xue Lang said: "Sage, about the planting conditions of cotton, cotton likes temperature and sunshine, is afraid of moisture, cold, frost, rain, waterlogging, and drought. There is a smooth saying, which is very intuitive. He said, 'Cotton was a sick man from a young age, a medicine jar when he grew up, and a money string when he grew up.' 'According to Yichen's observation along the way, the lands of Qilu, Hebei and Henan are the most suitable for planting; Secondly, Guanzhong, Youzhou and other places can also be planted. In fact, the most suitable for planting cotton is the climate of the Western Regions, so Gaochang will have so much cotton output. ”

Li Yuan nodded and said, "Wei Zeguan tried to grow cotton, how is it going?" ”

Xue Lang said: "Sage, everything is going well at present, when Weichen goes back, it will almost be harvested, and the yield will be calculated at that time." Because it is the first year of trial planting, although Weichen knows cotton, he is not proficient in planting management, and this year's planting management is that the princess took out two gardeners from Beijing to cultivate white stacks, and everyone discussed the trial planting together. After this year's experience, we will try to increase the planting area next year, learn from the experience in the planting process, and improve the technology, which will take time and cannot be rushed. ”

Li Yuan said: "In this case, the Qing family will go back to Weize Pass first, and in the spring of next year, you can choose suitable land near the capital, try to plant sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cotton together, and hand it over to the Qing family." In Chang'an, I decided to bring all the gardeners who are good at cultivating cotton to the Qing family, and strive to achieve high cotton yields as soon as possible. ”

This is to set a deadline for Xue Lang, and it is also the importance of Xue Lang. Xue Lang is actually still reluctant in his heart, it is best to come to Beijing after next year. According to historical records, Her Royal Highness the princess died in the sixth year of Wude, whether it was the beginning of the year, the middle of the year or the end of the year, it was not written at all!

Before this concern was resolved, where did Xue Lang have the heart to come to the capital. However, thinking of Princess Pingyang's explanation when he came, Xue Lang had no choice but to say: "Thank you for the sage's attention, and Weichen will work hard." ”

didn't say yes positively, but he didn't refuse.

Today's court meeting is mainly to discuss sweet potatoes and potatoes, and cotton is an unexpected harvest. After Xue Lang said the part he could say, the next details were arranged for the officials in Beijing, and they had nothing to do with him.

The details are not a big deal, and they will be discussed quickly. After discussing other matters, the ministers spoke freely, and when they spoke, they would look at the wat board in their hands from time to time.

When the wat board was in the upper court, it was equivalent to a notepad. Before going to the court, write down what you want to say and the main points of your speech on the wat board, so that when you speak, you can be concise and organized. Or write down the conclusions of the court and the instructions of the saints on the wat board, so as not to forget the mistakes and omissions.

If there are many things to be announced on the day of the court's meeting, and one wat board cannot be written, a few more wat boards will be brought. There are many wat boards to bring, and in order to make them easy to carry, officials will even fill cloth bags called wat bags for small servants to carry on their backs.

And in the process of court discussion, if there is an official's speech that makes you admire and reward, you can praise it with a wat board high-five. In ancient times, the dynasty was not rigid and inaccurate about anything, in fact, it was very humane.

Xue Lang listened to the deliberations of the ministers, and then confirmed what he had learned and known in his heart, and felt that he had learned a lot of things just by listening, at least, he had some understanding of the ancient customs and customs, and the customs and customs of the people.

"Youyang, please stay."

When the dynasty was dispersed, Xue Lang was about to go back to the post house, but was stopped by Li Gang, and he was accompanied by a young man of the same age as Xue Lang.

Xue Lang hurriedly stopped and responded: "Gong Li! I don't know what to call the juniors? ”

Li Gang smiled: "It's a good thing to stop Youyang. Come, the old man and Youyang introduced, this is the master craftsman Yan Lide Yan who will be the prisoner, the master craftsman asked me to help him introduce, after the dispersal of the dynasty, it is time to take Youyang to the palace of the imperial gift! Is this a good thing? ”

Xue Lang smiled and arched his hand: "It's indeed a great thing, thank you Gong Li." ”

Li Gang smiled and waved his hand, and said, "Since the master craftsman and Youyang still have something to do, the old man will take a step first, and when Youyang's affairs are completed, it will not be too late to talk to Youyang." ”

"Thank you Li Gong, Li Gong go slowly."

Seeing Li Gang away, Xue Lang bowed his hand to Yan Lide: "I'm tired of Master Yan." ”

Yan Lide said politely: "Xue Jun Gong is polite, this is a matter within the duties of the lower officials." ”

Speaking of which, this Yan Lide Yan master is actually a historical celebrity, a famous painter and architect, some people may not be familiar with him, but when it comes to his younger brother Yan Liben, there must be more people who know.

Speaking of these two brothers, it is also quite interesting, they were born in an engineering family, and their mother is the daughter of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Princess Yudu, who can be regarded as from a famous family. Both are good at architecture and good at painting. It's just that the elder brother is good at painting people, trees and stones, birds and beasts, and the younger brother Yan Liben is good at painting people, chariots and horses, and pavilions.

Xue Lang wanted to be in architecture and design when he was admitted to university, and although he didn't complete it in the end, he also read a lot of books. The Yan brothers are naturally familiar with this master of the Tang Dynasty, and Xue Lang is actually a fan of the two brothers.

In the future, if there is an opportunity, we must ask the two brothers to cooperate in painting a picture for him, and there must be both trees and stones, birds and beasts, as well as chariots, horses, and pavilions, so that the two brothers have the opportunity to display their strengths.

As a fan, Xue Lang secretly poked and prodded.