Volume 3: Dragon and Snake Movement Chapter 352: Visit the "Garden"
Zhang Shou was not an expert in farming. However, when he was young, he would go to his hometown village to live for a few months every year. He would go to the fields and enjoy the rural scenery. He also learned a lot of useful and unusable knowledge from his uncle who ran a large-scale business.
Therefore, even if he really had to go to the fields, he could only pretend to do it, such as taking the third and fourth princes to harvest wheat last time... But when it comes to theory, especially breeding and hybridization, which few people are involved in nowadays, he can definitely pretend to be an expert in agronomy. Therefore, he then began his agricultural knowledge lecture with earnest words.
"Not only should we not allow artificial hybridization between domestic cotton and overseas cotton, we should also be on guard against natural hybridization. What is natural hybridization? It means that two cotton fields of different types are too close to each other, and insects that can pollinate, such as bees and butterflies, can naturally pollinate the two different cotton fields, causing natural hybridization and the degeneration of overseas cotton varieties."
"Oh, it's not just natural hybridization that causes the degeneration of varieties. Cotton is a very difficult thing to take care of. That's why, before this dynasty, although cotton was introduced from the west, it was always difficult to promote it because it would naturally degenerate. If artificial selection is not often carried out after planting for a long time, natural selection will prevail, and the cotton produced will eventually become less and less."
"You ask what natural selection is? Natural selection is like... well, the tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Anyway, for cotton, natural selection means that small plants, small peaches, and small seeds are more likely to survive. If you don't take good care of them and keep selecting seeds from large plants, large peaches, and large seeds to plant, then after two or three generations, the growth will get worse and worse..."
Natural hybridization, self-pollination, degeneration, purification and rejuvenation, artificial selection is greater than natural selection...
As a result, Zhu Er saw Zhu Ying follow Ah Liu out of the house without hesitation, and Xiao Huasheng only hesitated for a moment before quickly following behind. He was also confused, but he still remembered that he only had the image of a good farmer left. If he ran away like this, he would be beaten to death by his father when he returned just because he ran away from home and accomplished nothing.
Therefore, he could only listen carefully and remember what he didn't understand. The only thing that made him feel balanced was that Lao Xianyu also listened with dull eyes, obviously he didn't understand.
The reason why Zhang Shou deliberately talked incessantly was, firstly, to test Zhu Er's patience, and secondly, to see whether the old salted fish was really like he said, a good farmer who had worked hard to cultivate crops. As it turned out, he guessed right. This old and wrinkled salted fish might have the corresponding good variety resources and manpower to grow it, and might have planted the land, but he did not grow the vegetable garden himself.
At least when it comes to growing cotton, Lao Xianyu is definitely not as persistent as he says.
Come to think of it, this old man runs a salted fish shop on Shuishi Street, and he goes out to play chess with people every few days, looking like a salted fish who should enjoy his old age. And he also tends to the vegetable garden every day? And he is also trying hard to grow cotton? This must be a lie!
Therefore, after a one-sided and endless lecture on the theoretical knowledge of cotton breeding, purification and anti-degeneration, Zhang Shou watched the dizzy Old Salted Fish leave with a dry laugh. He glanced at Zhu Er rubbing his temples as if relieved. He was too lazy to tease the poor boy and was about to ask him what he thought of Old Salted Fish's vegetable garden, but who knew that Ah Liu's voice came from outside.
"Why are you back again?"
"Well, I suddenly remembered that I have something to say to Dr. Zhang. Can you inform him for me, little brother?"
"What else is there to report? Just come in!" Zhang Shou suddenly burst into laughter.
As expected, as soon as he spoke, the door was pushed open a crack. Old Salty Fish stuck his head out and looked around, then walked into the house with a drooling face. Then he said with a smile on his face, "I just remembered that the Second Young Master is not an outsider, and Dr. Zhang, you are even less of an outsider. If you are free tomorrow, come to my vegetable garden and take a look and give me some advice."
Zhu Er immediately looked at him sideways, and then said viciously: "You took my brother-in-law to your vegetable garden. Are you going to cover his eyes with a black cloth and get rid of his guards, just like a thief?"
"How could that be possible..." The old man laughed, his eyes a little vague. A nobleman like Zhu Er would not go out alone, there would always be guards following him secretly. He used a little trick to get rid of them halfway. However, if it was Zhang Shou who went, I'm afraid that Ah Liu, who he still couldn't see through at the door, would follow him. He still wanted to get rid of him?
Therefore, he was happy to be generous - and besides, for the sake of the professionalism that Zhang Shou had just shown, he had to be generous. Seeing Zhu Er sneering at him and Zhang Shou not making any comment, he smiled again and said, "The place before was not far from Cangzhou, but when I took the second young master there, I took a detour."
"There's really no other way. Cangzhou is a vast plain with almost no hills to be found. Besides, all the fields are owned by someone. If I don't think of a way, not to mention those thieves, even country urchins can break in and destroy the vegetable garden... Alas, it's not easy to keep a secret these days!"
"Well, I'll go take a look tomorrow when I'm free." Zhang Shou said this, glanced at Zhu Er who was reluctant, and then said to him, "You follow Zhang Chen tomorrow and find out the situation of those streets first."
Well, I don't have to deal with this old man anymore! Zhu Er was relieved, but he thought to himself, Cangzhou is a huge granary, there must be many people who are good at farming. Old Salted Fish is obviously a half-baked farmer, so he doesn't believe that he can't find a farmer who is really good at farming during the investigation.
He is the second son of the Duke of Zhao. How could he be frightened by such a small problem?
When the old salted fish left satisfied, Zhang Shou turned around and asked Ah Liu to invite Zhu Ying, smiling and saying, "How about we go out of town tomorrow?" Before Zhu Ying, who was very excited, agreed, he told her the truth immediately, fearing that she had too high hopes. Although the trip turned into a visit to a vegetable garden, Zhu Ying was not unhappy at all, but nodded repeatedly.
"Although I would definitely feel relieved if Ah Liu went with you, that old salted fish is too slippery, so of course I have to go with you. Take Zhu Hong and Zhu Yi with you, and leave the others behind. Then we don't have to worry about having no one around when Big Brother needs help."
Even though he knew that Zhu Ying was not a spoiled, willful, and self-centered young lady, Zhang Shou still felt guilty seeing how concerned she was about his affairs. He had completely forgotten that the young lady had sneaked out this time - although she had obtained the approval of the Lady Dowager and Jiu Niang, forced Zhao Guogong Zhu Jing to agree, and even tricked the emperor into giving the order, but in his heart it was still sneaking out.
He thought for a moment and then smiled, "The iron lions in front of Kaiyuan Temple in Cangzhou are very famous. I have been in Cangzhou for several days but have not visited them... I have been so busy before that I have not had time to visit these scenic spots. When I am done with my work these few days, I will take you around."
"Then I'll remember that."
Zhu Ying's eyebrows lit up immediately, and she said with a smile: "Just like what the old salted fish said, the area around Cangzhou is flat, but I heard from the people in the county government that there is a Maliu Mountain to the east of Cangzhou City, which is the only small mountain nearby. On the 15th of every month, there is a gathering, and the villagers gather together, which is very lively. That's fine, but I heard that there are many tunnels in the mountain, and I want to go and see the excitement."
"Oh, there is such an interesting place?" Zhang Shou was really surprised. His little knowledge of Cangzhou was probably limited to the Iron Lion and Cangzhou Golden Silk Jujube. In addition, he also had some impression of martial arts and Huanghua Port.
Seeing that Zhang Shou also seemed very interested, Zhu Ying felt encouraged: "I came to Cangzhou for nothing else, so of course I asked people about the local customs and all kinds of interesting stories, so I heard about Maliu Mountain. It's just that the mountain is a bit far from Cangzhou City, and it's probably impossible to go back and forth in one day. But there is a temple on the mountain, so I should be able to stay overnight."
Since Zhu Ying had brought it up, Zhang Shou agreed without a second thought, "Okay, after we sort out these issues in Cangzhou, we'll go to Maliu Mountain to have a good look. Since it's far, we can hire a guide and stay for a few days."
The two of them were just talking casually, but they had no idea that early the next morning, when they saw Zhang Chen and Zhu Er taking Xiao Huasheng out to help with the research and they were chatting and laughing in front of the door, Lao Xianyu, who came with Ah Liu on horseback, readily told them the destination of this trip.
"The vegetable garden I took the Second Young Master to yesterday was relatively small. In fact, I have another vegetable garden a little further away at the foot of Maliu Mountain. But that place is quite far away. Even if you ride a horse, it will take at least half a day to get there. If you add the time you stay, this trip will take at least two days. Would it be inconvenient for the young lady to go there together?"
Zhu Ying didn't expect that she had just mentioned Maliu Mountain to Zhang Shou yesterday, and today Lao Xianyu actually mentioned such a place. It even seemed that he didn't want her to go with him. She immediately frowned.
"What's the inconvenience? Why, do you look down on me and think I've never been to the countryside?"
"Well, how dare I question the young lady?" Old Salty Fish quickly cried out, "I really am doing this for your sake. Apart from anything else, in this country, there is nothing you need, including the bed, bedding, pillows, and various utensils outside. In addition, the weather is hot, and all kinds of insects are endless in the countryside..."
Before he could finish his words, Zhang Shou said slowly, "Back then, it was almost midsummer. Yingying lived in my little village for more than two months. She walked in the mud all day without complaining. Don't nag her. She won't back down. She's not one of those delicate girls."
The old man couldn't help laughing. Not squeamish? How could it be possible! He believed that Zhu Ying would not scream at the sight of poisonous snakes or insects, but just going to the toilet was something that such a young lady would definitely not be able to stand!
But the next moment, he shut up because he soon saw Zhu Hong driving a carriage out, followed by Zhu Yi on horseback. When they got closer, Zhu Yi rode up to them and said with a smile, "The barriers, tents, and various equipment on the carriage are all ready. If you can't come back that day, it doesn't matter if you camp outside for a day or two."
Money really allows you to do whatever you want! The old man could only tell himself this in his heart, and then he had to accept the fact that such a rich lady was traveling with him.
As for Zhang Shou, he had no intention of getting on a carriage to travel on such a hot day, but after getting on the horse, he couldn't help but ask Zhu Ying: "I don't think I've seen this carriage before... Isn't it the one you take when you go out occasionally?"
"A Shou, you have a really good memory!" Zhu Ying smiled and then said nonchalantly, "The car you usually ride in is too small. This is a specially modified car. Grandmother and mother know that I like to run around, so they installed a lot of equipment in the car. I chased you all the way to Cangzhou and didn't have time to stay in any inn or hostel. I slept directly in the carriage."
"From beds, dressing tables, clothes hangers, to clean buckets...everything is available."
Ancient version of RV... It's really the best tool for camping. Money can really do anything! This car alone is probably more valuable than the furniture in many people's homes, right? Zhang Shou had the same idea as Lao Xianyu.
When they set out, Zhang Shou didn't see Zhu Tingfang. He didn't know whether this big brother Zhu had tacitly agreed to Zhu Ying going out with him, or whether he couldn't persuade Zhu Ying to go out with him, so he simply didn't show up.
However, with Zhu Hong and Zhu Yi following them, and Ah Liu as well, the other party probably didn't worry too much about other rebels and bandits lurking in Cangzhou.
In Zhang Shou's opinion, Cangzhou, with its vast plains, does not have the geographical conditions... There are large wetlands such as Baiyangdian, Wuguandian and Deshengdian in the north and northwest, but they are going to the east now and have nothing to do with these water bodies unless the bandits come ashore... However, he soon discovered that his geographical knowledge was not comprehensive.
The old seafarer, Lao Xianyu, led the way on horseback. After leaving the city, they headed southeast along the official road, but gradually, the main road became a small road, and the small road gradually became a dead road. This place was far away from the prosperous area near the canal, and it was not where the post road was located. In addition to farmland, there was a river around. In addition to farmland on both sides, there were reeds. It was a water scenery.
Old Salted Fish also explained with a smile: "Although sea transportation is convenient, it has the corresponding risk of capsizing. Therefore, after our dynasty was founded, we continued to use Yuan Dadu as the capital and dredged the canal. When it came to Cangzhou, because the canal intersected with the Yellow River, we had to open another canal to prevent flood discharge when the river overflowed in summer, so we opened this floating river."
"This floating river is very beneficial to the east of Cangzhou. First, it makes it less likely for the canal to flood, and second, it draws water to irrigate countless fields in the southeast of Cangzhou. The reason why our Cangzhou is considered rich in Northern Zhili is because of this abundance of water... But there are pros and cons. In the early years, when Emperor Ruizong was fighting for the throne and the world was not at peace, the bandits on the floating river even fought with the Cao Gang on the canal!"
Zhang Shou couldn't help but frown when he heard the word "water bandit". Just at this moment, he heard Ah Liu's voice: "Master, there is a boat coming on the water!"
