The Zheng family is on the outskirts of Luoyang City, and there is a grange with an area of nearly 1,000 hectares.

The people in the surrounding villages almost all make a living by being tenants for the Zheng family. The farming season is approaching, and the tenants are starting to get nervous...... Although Emperor Wen of Sui has continuously strengthened the promotion of the Juntian system since the opening of the emperor, a large amount of land occupied by the Shi clan will not be spit out so easily. Not to mention that most of these fields are the Zheng family's Yongye fields, even if they are open fields, it is not easy for the Zheng family to return them easily.

I think that at the beginning, when the Zheng family was in its heyday, there were thousands of hectares of fertile land in Luoyang alone.

Now it has shrunk to a thousand hectares, and to some extent, it seems to indicate the decline of the Kanto clan. But the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, even if the Zheng family is not as good as in the past, it still occupies a pivotal position in the Heluo area. This status is not in the size of the official position, but in the reputation and fame of the family. The family voice of the Kanto clan is far from being comparable to the Guanlong Group.

In early spring, the fields are full of life.

Dozens of qi watchers, under the leadership of the grange steward, watched the earth in the ridges. This Qi Lookout Master is also a specialized profession. Unlike feng shui masters, their main job is to survey the fields at the beginning of spring each year.

How is this field divided?

Which piece of land is to be idle, and which piece of land is to be cultivated?

Without a survey by a hopeful teacher, it will never be easy to start work.

Looking at those busy Qi Seekers, Zheng Yanqing couldn't help but feel some emotion.

In these years, it is really 360 lines, and the line is the champion...... Unexpectedly, surveying the atmosphere has also become a profession.

What is a profession?

This is called a profession!

At least in later generations, Zheng Yanqing has never seen such a nuanced division.

Several stewards followed him, answering questions from time to time, and sometimes arguing violently.

Zheng Yanqing was very leisurely, walking aimlessly in the field.

Xu Shiyun didn't come, he didn't have the slightest interest in this kind of thing. In his words, instead of coming to the Grange, it is better to read a book and play boxing at home. But Zheng Yanqing instinctively wanted to come and watch. After all, in his previous life, he had participated in this kind of scene many times. According to Zheng Shi'an, when the dragon raises its head, the tenants will also sacrifice to heaven and earth to pray for good weather and a good year. Probably for this reason, Yan Qing followed......

Seeing that Zheng Shi'an was busy, Zheng Yanqing begged for a green donkey and rode around the grange.

The wind in early spring, although still a little chilly, is not biting. Blowing on the body makes people feel very comfortable.

In particular, the smell that pervades the air is the earth's air that has been stored all winter, and when you take a deep breath, you can be full of energy. Every year after the autumn harvest, the farmers will discard the stalks in the fields to nourish them.

And these natural fertilizers, after a winter of fermentation, are transformed into the vitality of the land.

Breathing such anger makes people feel an inexplicable sense of satisfaction...... It's very comfortable and pleasant.

"Huh?"

Walking aimlessly, Zheng Yanqing suddenly strangled the green donkey.

"Hachi?"

"Yes, Young Master Zheng!"

From behind the green donkey, an eleven or twelve-year-old boy ran over. Although he is dressed as a farmer, he is also good-eyed. The little servant's surname is Mao, and he is the son of a tenant in the family. The countryman has no name, everyone calls him Mao Xiaoba, and over time, Xiaoba has become his name. Don't look at Zheng Yanqing as just the grandson of the Zheng family's housekeeper, but in the eyes of these tenants, it is the ...... After all, it is impossible for Zheng Dashi or Zheng Renji to come and get involved in these agricultural affairs. The real master is a housekeeper like Zheng Shi'an, who is in charge.

The stewards decide how much seed to distribute, how much land to divide, how much to do, how much to plow the oxen, and how much money to pay. Zheng Sai On's words can bring tenants to heaven; In the same way, his words can send tenants to hell. Therefore, Zheng Shi'an inspected the Grange this time, and the managers of the Grange also did not dare to snub Zheng Yanqing.

Xiaoba's eldest sister is the concubine of the steward of the grange.

So the task of accompanying Zheng Yanqing fell to Xiaoba.

Zheng Yanqing pointed to the river beach in the distance with a horsewhip and asked, "What is planted on that river beach?" ”

Xiao Ba replied: "Young Master Zheng, it was last year, Steward Zheng found the sugarcane from Lingnan. Originally, he wanted to use these sugar canes to make some granulated sugar for his regular use. But I didn't expect that after planting, I didn't see growth.

Later, I heard that the time and method of planting this sugarcane were very unique, and that it had to be planted on sand to produce sugar. The steward found it troublesome, so he dismissed the idea. That piece of land was originally a bit bad, but after the farming began, I left this matter behind. The steward said that when the farm was over, the sugarcane would be processed, and then the sugar cane would be recuperated for a year, and then the next year it would be ploughed...... Actually, if you want me to say, it doesn't matter if you ignore this land, it's very poor. ”

The method of growing this sugarcane is indeed different from that of ordinary crops.

At the beginning of winter, when the frost is about to fall, cut off the head and tail of the sugar cane and bury it in the soil. Also avoid low-lying wetlands with standing water. Then, five or six days before the rain arrives the next year, it is removed from the soil. After peeling off the husks, the cane is cut open at a length of five or six inches and then densely discharged on the ground. The heads and tails are connected like fish scales and covered with a little soil. After that, it will sprout, divide and plant, preferably in sandy loam soil, close to the river.

Come to think of it, the steward Zheng only knew that he had to plant close to the river, but he didn't know the steps of planting.

In later generations, as the regional differences became smaller and smaller, sugarcane, which was originally grown in the south, was also planted in large quantities in the north. Zheng Yanqing was in charge of this part in his previous life, so he was not very unfamiliar with the planting method of sugarcane.

Speaking of which, growing sugar cane is nothing.

But the problem is that the planting steps of sugarcane are cumbersome, and in this era, the restrictions are very large, and it is obviously not easy to promote the cultivation of sugarcane in the north on a large scale. Besides, it doesn't seem to be of any use other than sugar.

Zheng Yanqing shook his head and overturned the idea of wanting to grow sugar cane.

If he had just discovered this cane forest, he had indeed had such an idea. But as soon as he thought of the fact that he could be a surname, Zheng Yanqing immediately gave up this idea. The gains outweigh the losses, and it doesn't seem to have much practical value.

Lifting the green donkey's bridle, Yanqing prepared to leave.

Wait, Hachi said just now...... Making sugar from sugar cane?

China's sugar making process existed as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, at that time, the main production was caramel, which is commonly known as maltose. The cultivation of sugarcane has been recorded in Chu Ci. Among the famous "Chu Ci - Summoning Spirits", there are: turtle cannon cake, and some syrup. The Zhe here is the sugar cane, and the Zhe pulp is the juice of the sugar cane.

In the "Seven Distinctions" written by Zhang Heng of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there is a sentence of "sand and stone honey".

Syrup refers to tiny crystals, which are the prototype of sugar.

During the Renshou period, the sugar eaten by people was cloudy in color and often had the color of sugar juice. But the usage is very large.

People have a sweet tooth, and even more, they will add some granulated sugar to sencha.

The price of granulated sugar is not too expensive, so even ordinary families can afford it. Moreover, sugar is not as good as salt, and the imperial court will strictly control it, and even levy high taxes. The cost of granulated sugar is low, but the prospects are very promising. The key is that if the sugar process can be improved, it can dominate the market.

Of course, with Yanqing's current ability, it is naturally impossible to monopolize the sales market of sugar.

But Zheng Yanqing knows the method of sugar purification, and also knows the deep processing technology of sugar, that is, the production process of rock sugar. Speaking of which, this kind of craftsmanship is not very profound, but it is definitely ahead of its time.

"Young Master Zheng, Steward Zheng is calling you."

Mao Xiaoba's voice woke Zheng Yanqing from his contemplation.

He looked up and saw Zheng Shi'an waving to him in the distance, which meant that he should hurry over.

"Oh, let's go over then."

Yan Qing had no choice but to give up the idea for the time being and drove the green donkey over.

But in my heart, I am trying to recall the production process of white sugar. If he can really make white sugar, it will be a lot of income. Of course, there is also the issue of partners, which needs to be carefully considered.

There are not many wealthy businessmen he knows, only Xu Gai and Zhang Zhongjian.

With Zheng Yanqing's control over Xu Shixian, persuading Xu Gai to take over is not a big problem. But the relationship between Xu Gai and the Zheng family is too close, if he tells the Zheng family about this, then Zheng Yanqing will be greeted by a catastrophe.

If you don't look for Xu Gai, then only Zhang Zhongjian will be left.

To put it mildly, Zhang Zhongjian is indeed a suitable candidate.

First, Zhang Zhongjian's father is the richest man in Yangzhou, and he has the support of the Zhang family of Wu County behind him. The main production area of sugarcane is concentrated in the Jiangnan region, and the Zhang clan people have this innate convenience. This point is by no means comparable to Xu Gai.

And the second point, Zheng Yanqing and Zhang Zhongjian have not had much contact, but it can also be seen that Zhang Zhongjian is a very cool person.

Whether it is Sun Simiao or Du Ruhui, the evaluation of Zhang Zhongjian is not too low.

But the question is, can Zhang Zhongjian convince his father? Moreover, I don't know how to contact Zhang Zhongjian, which is a big trouble. Before coming up with a proper method, Yanqing decided to hide it for the time being.

At the same time, there is still a thought in my heart: how to tie Xu Shiyun firmly to his own boat?

"Yanqing, things are almost ......"

Zheng Shi'an said with a smile: "It's not too early, let's go back." If it's late, I'm afraid I won't be able to enter the city. ”

Zheng Yanqing nodded, and as Zheng Shi'an prepared to get into the car.

It's strange to say that the green donkey actually followed Zheng Yanqing step by step, and it was not okay for others to hold the reins.

"You want to go back with me?"

Zheng Yanqing looked at the green donkey with a smile and reached out to hug the donkey's face.

"Otherwise, come back with me...... Grandpa, is that okay? ”

Zheng Shi'an smiled gently, "Since this beast is willing to follow you, take it back." ”

In this way, the bridle of the green donkey was tied to the carriage, and Zheng Shi'an and Zheng Yanqing sat in the carriage and left the Zheng Family Grange.

"Grandpa, what if...... I mean, what would you do if the eldest prince really had other ideas? ”

On the way, Zheng Yanqing suddenly asked.

Zheng Shi'an is so shrewd, he naturally understands the meaning of Zheng Yanqing's words.

Earlier, he once said to Yanqing: Zheng Renji will probably not let Zheng Yanqing be Zheng Hongyi's scholar. In fact, there is another meaning in this, that is, will Zheng Renji value Zheng Sai An? I'm afraid it's also a problem.

Hearing Yan Qing's question, Zheng Shi'an's face became gloomy.

He pondered for a moment and said softly: "If that's the case, let's leave Luoyang and go back to serve the eldest master." ”

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