The first thing that catches your eye is five small sweet potatoes, although they have been in the bag for nearly 8 days, they don't seem to have lost much moisture, and they don't seem to be drying out. Luo Zhengliang carefully rubbed the sweet potato in his hand, recalling the introduction of it in the encyclopedia of his previous life.

Sweet potato, also known as sweet potato, is an annual plant of the family Spiral. Creeping herbs, more than 2 meters long, lying flat on the ground obliquely. It has underground tuber roots, which are spindle-shaped, and the outer skin is earthy yellow or purplish-red. Leaves alternate, broadly ovate, 3-5 palmar lobed. The inflorescence is axillary, the bracts are small, diamond-shaped, the sepals are oblong, unequal, the corolla is bell-shaped, funnel-shaped, white to purplish-red. Capsule ovate or oblate, seeds 1-4. The tuber is a starch raw material, which can be eaten, brewed or used as feed.

In my impression, this crop was introduced to China from the Spanish colony of Luzon (present-day the Philippines) in the tenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1582), and was first introduced to Guangdong from Annan by Chen Yi, a native of Humen Beizha in Dongguan City. In May of the twenty-first year of Wanli (1593), Chen Zhenlong, a native of Changle, Fujian, took the risk of carrying back to China from Luzon, after the trial planting, "just and April, the soil was excavated, the son and mother were hooked, the big one was like an arm, and the small one was like a fist", Jin Xue, the governor of Fujian, had begun to vigorously promote it, and then China planted it on a large scale.

In terms of yield, sweet potatoes can be eaten not only by the roots, but also by the leaves. In later generations, the yield per mu is 4,000 catties to tens of thousands of catties, even if the agricultural technology is backward in this era, but the yield per mu is 300 catties (7 stones) can always be. Of course, it also has shortcomings, that is, it lacks protein and fat, and it is definitely not enough to be a staple food alone. The solution is to use a mixed diet with other grains that are relatively high in protein. Besides, in this era, it is already good to be able to solve the problem of food and clothing, so it will be used as an important food for the territory in the future. In terms of planting, sweet potatoes are more adaptable and can be grown even in less fertile mountainous areas, so it is no problem to grow them in hilly areas.

It can be said that the sweet potato in his hand is very likely to change the food state of this era, and it can be called the food against the sky. Thinking of this, Luo Zhengliang couldn't help but be full of hope.

Putting down the sweet potato in his hand, he picked up another kind of grain, corn.

Corn is the seed of the herbaceous plant maize. Native to Mexico or Central America, corn was discovered by Columbus in Cuba in 1492 and has been cultivated throughout North and South America ever since. After bringing corn back to Spain in 1494, it gradually spread to all parts of the world. And I have the impression that Guangxi in the Ming Dynasty should start growing this kind of food by now. In terms of planting, corn can grow on sandy soil, loam, and clay soils, and it can be said that the soil in the current territory is suitable for planting. In terms of eating, corn kernels can be used as miscellaneous grains, if there is no major disease, with the current level of technology, one mu will be about 100 catties (2 stones) of corn kernels; At the same time, other parts of the plant are also quite versatile, corn stalks can be used to make paper and wallboards; The bracts can be used as filling material and grass weaving; Corn cobs can be used as fuel, and the stems and leaves are used as livestock feed. Even the whole plant is used as fertilizer.

But Roche Zhengliang is a little optimistic about the planting effect of this crop. First of all, it is more susceptible to disease than sweet potato, although this is a high-level genetic crop from hundreds of years later, but before seeing the actual effect, no one knows the planting effect of the most difficult road, once it encounters a major disease, with the current level of technology, it can basically only be resigned to fate; Secondly, its cultivation requires a large amount of fertilizer, otherwise the yield will not be high, but the problem is to go there to find those chemical fertilizers in later generations, if you only rely on the backward fertilization technology of this era, even if you add the experience of Luo Zhengliang from later generations, it will not be able to provide too much fertilizer. Therefore, this crop can only be a miscellaneous grain of the future of the territory, or a specialty.

After looking at the corn, Luo Zhengliang came to the small wooden window again. I saw a small tattered stone bowl lying tightly under the window eaves, and in the stone bowl, there was a little damp rag. Luo Zhengliang carefully opened the rag, revealing dozens of melon seeds wrapped in the rags. Most of the melon seeds have revealed a white eye. A few days ago, Luo Zhengliang had the idea of trying it, and according to the experience of his previous life, he found this broken small stone bowl from Matsumiko, and then used a rag to absorb the water, and wrapped these melon seeds to see if they could sprout. Unexpectedly, a few days later, these melon seeds began to show their eyes. Now it seems that these orders, although small, are enough for cultivation. …,

In fact, Luo Zhengliang didn't know if he could grow melons here, but he felt that the latitude and longitude of Japan and his previous life were about the same, and since they could be planted there, they should also be able to be planted here. Of course, Luo Zhengliang did not expect this fruit to improve the food situation of the territory, but only intended to be a luxury fruit and specialty.

After inspecting the future hopes of these territories, Luo Zhengliang wrapped these things in rags and carried them with him, and then quickly walked out of his residence and went straight to another destination, the granary of the territory.

The so-called granary is nothing more than a larger mud and wooden house.

The two women who were in charge of taking care of the granary saw the lord coming, and hurriedly bowed their heads and saluted, Luo Zhengliang waved his hand to signal that there was no need to be polite, and then walked quickly into the granary and came to the grain. When I lifted the thatch on it, I saw dozens of yellow-orange beans lying on it. That's right, soybeans, soybeans to be exact. This was discovered by accident when Roche Masahiro, accompanied by Togo Heiji, came to inspect the newly purchased grain yesterday afternoon. According to Heiji Togo, soybeans are grown in many parts of Japan.

After hearing Togo Heiji's words, Luo Masarashi was surprised at first. Soybeans are unique to China, so why do Japan have them at this time? Later, when I looked back on it, I remembered that Japan had been communicating with China as a small country for a long time to learn about Chinese culture, and that these people who had traveled as far as China probably brought these crops with them when they returned to Japan. After discovering the soybeans, Luo Zhengliang was very happy, this is a good thing. It can be used as food, can also be squeezed for oil, and even made into tofu. Mixing with sweet potatoes can solve the problem of low protein in sweet potatoes. In the case of improving fertility, one mu should be able to produce about 100 catties (2 stones).

For the cultivation of crops in the territory, Luo Zhengliang's plan is to use rice, sweet potatoes, and soybeans as staple foods, and corn and other grains as miscellaneous grains, supplemented by necessary incentives to promote. Of course, this is a matter for the future, and now we must first establish a model agricultural base. How so? Although it is possible to require the people to plant these crops through compulsory decrees, the most effective way is to let them see the actual results, so that the promotion will be more effective. What's more, even now that it is mandatory to promote a large number of seeds, the question is where to find a large number of seeds? Therefore, the time for promotion can only be considered next year.

Returning to reality, Luo Zhengliang carefully put away the soybeans in front of him, then turned around and walked out of the granary. Now he is going to find a field to serve as a demonstration field.

While walking along the path by the stream, Luo Zhengliang pondered, what kind of field should he find? Well, first of all, you need to be close to the water source, and the land should be relatively fertile, but not too low-lying. Because geographically speaking, Dongsongpu belongs to the coastal area, and in July and August, it is estimated that the typhoon will rain more, and the low-lying fields will be flooded if you are not careful, and everything you have been fortunate to build will be gone, which will affect Luo Zhengliang's overall farming plan, and the impact on the entire territory in the future is also very great.

"Well, that's?" , Luo Zhengliang, who was looking around for a field, suddenly saw a familiar figure. Isn't that Matsumiko? From a distance, the rice in the paddy field had already sprouted young leaves and began to grow taller, and at the same time, weeds had grown in some corners, and she was cleaning them up in a small paddy field.

"Big brother", Tian Meizi, who was playing with the weeds next to her, also saw Luo Shimasashi at this time, and quickly threw down the weeds that had been "tortured" to no "grass" in her hand, and ran over happily. Seeing the small package wrapped in rags in Luo Zhengliang's hand, the little guy suddenly became curious again, "Big brother, what is this?" ", looked at Luo Zhengliang with big round eyes and blinked. …,

"Oda Mei, you'll know the way later," said Luo Zhengliang mysteriously teasing the little guy.

"My lord", at this time, Matsumiko also went ashore from the paddy field, washed her feet and put on straw sandals, and hurriedly saluted Luo Masayo.

"Matsumiko, are these pieces of land yours?" , Luo Zhengliang asked. Luo Zhengliang looked at the field in front of him, just by the stream, the land was still quite fertile, and it barely met his requirements.

"Yes, my lord," Matsumiko replied. Even though she has taken care of Luo Zhengliang for a few days, this young woman still seems a little restrained in front of Luo Zhengliang, and she usually answers whatever Luo Zhengliang asks, and never says a word. Looking at the young woman with her head bowed in front of her, Luo Zhengliang couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Well, a woman who is docile on the surface, but has her own insistence on her heart. In fact, when she was officially recruited as a maid, Luo Zhengliang suggested that she lend part of the land to other lords for cultivation (at least at the end of the year, you can also collect a part of the grain as rent), and only leave a part of it. After all, it is a difficult thing for a single mother who has lost the breadwinner of her family and is carrying a little girl at the same time, and is still cultivating fields far beyond her ability in this era. But the woman in front of her refused, although she didn't say why, Luo Zhengliang felt that she wanted to survive on her own.

"Well, Matsumiko, how about I talk to you about lending me the field you haven't cultivated yet?"

"My lord, this ......", Matsumiko is now puzzled. She felt that the lord had been too good to her, that he had saved her daughter's life, that he had kept her innocence, that he had recently taken her as a maid so that she would not starve herself and her daughter, and that she was now borrowing her own territory (of course, the lord would definitely make amends), which was too good for herself. Could it be that the lord ...... to himself? As if thinking of something terrible, Matsumiko suddenly trembled all over, and her head shrank down again, looking at her now, like an ostrich that stuck its head in the sand when it was in danger.

Luo Masara was looking at the surrounding terrain at the moment, but he didn't notice Matsumiko's abnormal behavior.

"That's right, I need some fields to grow something," Luo Zhengliang continued, raising the rag package in his hand, "The fields here are just right. ”

"My lord, ......", Matsumiko hesitated to refuse.

"Well, let's decide like this", Luo Shi Zhengliang saw that the "strong temper" in the heart of the woman in front of him was a little triggered, and hurriedly ordered with the majesty of the lord, "Matsumiko, find a few women who are in a similar situation to you, and you will need to take care of them here when the time comes." "How can I have a sense of guilt for bullying others, Luo Zhengliang criticized himself in his heart. But the other ego immediately comforted, well, as a lord, I have this right, and besides, when these things are planted in the future, it is not them who will benefit in the end?

After saying this, Luo Zhengliang left in a hurry, and he still had to go to Dongxiang Ping and ask a few people to tidy up these fields.

“…… Be...... Yes", trembling at the sudden seriousness of Roshi Masahiro, Matsumiko lowered her head and replied resignedly, not even noticing that Roshi Masara had left. When she found that the lord had gone away, she immediately remembered the lord's instructions before leaving, and couldn't help but wonder in her heart, "Isn't the lord going to ......", looking up at the back of the lord who had already walked away, Matsumiko breathed a sigh of relief.

Luo Zhengliang didn't expect that his momentary sympathy would cause a small misunderstanding. At this time, he found Togo Heiji, who was directing everyone to reclaim the wasteland, and took 7 people with him. He asked the men to follow him to Matsumiko's field with a few hoes. The surrounding lords were all encouraged to see that the lord who was high up in the sky was actually working in the fields, and the speed of cultivation suddenly increased a lot. …,

Back in Matsumiko's field, Matsumiko had already gone to Onishi Kuniji to look for people at this time according to the request of Luo Shimasara, and there was no one in the field now. Luo Zhengliang stood on the head of the field and probably visually inspected the situation of the field.

Matsumiko's field is half a square (five acres), and there are still more than 3 acres left without crops. This area should be enough for him to grow what he has in hand. Once the survey is complete, it's time to start tidying up the fields. Luo Zhengliang first asked people to level a paddy field of about one acre in the field near the river, turn the soil, and bury the weeds in the field under the soil; Then, the ridge on the side of the stream in the paddy field was trimmed, and the ridge was heightened, and the silt on the side of the stream was finally managed to get into the paddy field.

After this was done, a small ditch 40 centimeters deep was dug above the paddy field to draw water from the creek. In this way, a paddy field was formed. There is a vacant space on the upper side of the paddy field, and Luo Zhengliang plans to let people build a pig pen, and when the time comes, a few small wild boars will be caught and raised, and the wild boar's manure can also flow down the terrain to the fields below.

On the right side of the paddy field, near the land, it is organized into another field, about one acre, and three corn kernels of nearly 2,000 are planted at intervals of about 0.5 meters, and finally occupy more than 4 points (1 mu = 10 points). Sweet potatoes, soybeans and melon seeds were carefully planted in the open field next to the cornfield. In the end, there was still more than 1 acre of land left, and Luo Zhengliang divided it into two parts, one part of the field was reserved for sweet potato planting (after sweet potatoes grow, rattan can be directly planted), and the other part will be fenced into a small pasture for raising rabbits.

Although the wildlife near the territory is relatively rich, the large animals except wild boars are concentrated in the far forest area (that is, the forest area crossed by Luo Zhengliang), and it is not cost-effective to hunt there (one is a long distance, and the other is the possibility of being attacked by bandits at any time), so the lack of meat is difficult to improve for a while. Eventually, Roche Zhengliang came up with his own way of raising poultry, and rabbits are the fastest in the short term, and a litter of rabbits will soon give birth to many rabbits in the autumn. And as long as the rabbit eats grass and other omnivorous, the pressure of captivity is not great, so it can be said that as long as the rabbit is raised, the meat problem will be solved.

Finally, Luo Zhengliang found someone to fence a rough wooden fence more than 1 meter high along the field, and planted several scarecrows in the field. The fence is mainly used to prevent wild boars, and according to Onishi Kuniji, there is a group of more than 30 wild boars near the territory, which often patronizes the territory fields; Scarecrows are used to protect against small birds, to prevent the seeds from being gouged out and eaten.

At nearly 5 o'clock in the afternoon, with the efforts of more than 10 people (Tian Miko found a total of 6 women in a similar situation to her), the agricultural base finally took shape. There are no rabbits in the pasture yet, and Luo Zhengliang plans to let the hunting team pay attention to catching more Kyushu hares alive. After all, if you want to catch a baby wild boar, you must first face the entire wild boar herd, and these wild boars are not easy to mess with.

After the test base was sorted out, Luo Che Zhengliang briefly told Matsumiko and a few women about some precautions in the base. He plans to have them take care of the acres of land, and in the process let them gradually learn from him how to plant these crops, and when it is widely promoted in the future, they will each be responsible for the planting guidance of one area.

On the same day, when everything was settled, Luo Zhengliang officially issued an order that no one should enter these fields without his permission. As a result, the territorial agricultural test base, which will be regarded as a miracle in the future, was finally established.