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If they hadn't paid much attention before, everyone had to pay attention to it as soon as the meeting started. Therefore, Wen Tiren immediately bowed and accepted the order: "I obey the order!"

But they were also puzzled, why did the emperor insist that the disaster would be serious and there would be serious food shortages in the next twenty years?

However, all dynasties have been based on agriculture. If there is not enough food, there will definitely be unrest. Since the emperor attaches so much importance to it, it’s not surprising!

Hu Guang didn't care what they thought, and said seriously: "In order to ensure food and increase food production as much as possible to survive the disaster years, it is necessary to build water conservancy projects. Although the court has no money at the moment, statistics must be done well in advance. Which ones need urgent construction and improvement, and which ones can be put aside later. This matter is also led by the cabinet. I will see a detailed report within three months!"

"I obey the order!" Wen Tiren agreed with this and immediately responded.

Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites, heard this and went out to report: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, many fertile fields in various places have been abandoned. I think these fields should be reclaimed."

To explain why the late ministers cared about farming, Xu Guangqi said he was second, while others dared not say he was first. Although "The Complete Book of Agriculture" has not been published, there are many manuscripts, and it is also heard among ministers.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Tiren immediately followed up and said: "Your Majesty, it has been nearly a year since the national land survey and registration was carried out during the Wanli period. There must be many discrepancies in the land situation and registered field records in various places. Therefore, I think, Land across the country needs to be verified again.”

"Sure!" Hu Guang nodded, this is indeed necessary. After all, at this time, land is the most fundamental asset, just like housing in future generations.

Bi Ziyan complained in his heart after hearing this. This was a matter for his household department, and it was a thankless task. But he couldn't object, and couldn't object, so he had no choice but to remain silent.

Unexpectedly, Xu Guangqi was not done yet, so he continued: "Your Majesty, I have found several crops that may be used as a supplement to rice!"

Hu Guang was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly urged: "Xu Qing, please speak quickly!"

"During the Wanli period, I once presented "Sweet Potato Sparse" to the imperial court, but people talked about it lightly. At that time, people's idea of ​​​​southern oranges and northern tangerines was deeply ingrained. In addition, sweet potatoes had some disadvantages, so they were not allowed to be promoted!" Xu Guangqi took a deep breath and played loudly, "But Weichen has now successfully grown it on a farm in Tianjin, and it is no different from what is grown in Fujian."

At this point, he was afraid that he would not be able to persuade Emperor Chongzhen, so he bowed and said emotionally: "Your Majesty, although this sweet potato is a foreign thing, I have proved it with facts. It doesn't matter whether it is north or south, sweet potatoes can be grown. There is no need to occupy farmland, and it can be grown in the mountains and wild fields. Sweet potatoes are drought-resistant and have a large yield! Now that the Ming Dynasty is short of food, it is time to promote this product as a substitute!"

"Why don't you tell me about the disadvantages of sweet potatoes?" Cheng Jiming, the assistant minister, took a step forward. After shouting at Xu Guangqi, he turned around and bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, how long will it take for people to eat sweet potatoes?" Abdominal distention, acid reflux, nausea, even dizziness, weakness of limbs, numbness and other symptoms of poisoning. In short, this substance is poisonous!”

"This is ridiculous!" When Xu Guangqi heard this, he immediately retorted, regardless of whether the other party was an assistant minister, "This thing has disadvantages, but it is definitely not poisonous. The fact that people in Fujian can eat it is proof!"

"Do you dare to say that no one died from eating sweet potatoes?" Cheng Jiming turned around and sneered, looking at Xu Guangqi and asked.

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he felt a thump in his heart. Once human life was involved, the emperor would not be able to say anything. But if it cannot be implemented under such circumstances, I am afraid that I will not be able to get what I want in this life!

Thinking that this might be the result, he gritted his teeth and ignored it. He immediately replied: "If this thing is bad, it can indeed kill people. But if it has not deteriorated, it is harmless to humans and animals. At most, it will become slightly worse after eating too much." Discomfort."

At this point, he put aside Cheng Ji Ming, bowed to the emperor again, and loudly said: "Your Majesty, in the year of drought, the people changed their sons to eat each other. They knew that eating Guanyin soil would lead to death, but they still ate it. Sweet potatoes that have not spoiled. , it is an excellent disaster relief thing. How to plant it? How to distinguish good from bad? I have compiled it into a book, and it will not cause death! I sincerely ask your Majesty to promote it for the survival of the people in the world!"

"I also sincerely request your Majesty that such poisons must not be promoted. It will lose the prestige of the court and be used by people with ulterior motives!" Cheng Jiming was not willing to give up and followed up with a strong request.

"You..." Xu Guangqi became angry when he heard this. He turned to look at Cheng Jiming. After a pause, he suddenly said, "Big grain merchants boycott sweet potatoes, as expected!"

"What did you say?" Cheng Jiming was furious, pointing at Xu Guangqi and said, "What do you mean, how dare you slander me?"

Seeing that another pair of people were about to fight in front of the emperor, the chief minister Wen Tiren became angry. Looking at them, he shouted angrily: "The emperor must not be rude!"

Cheng Jiming and Xu Guangqi were shouted at like this. Although they stopped talking and taking action, they both glared at each other and refused to let anyone go!

Hu Guang didn't speak, just listened quietly. At first, he didn't understand. What on earth was this sweet potato? Later I realized what Xu Guangqi said was sweet potato, or sweet potato, right?

Sure enough, after hearing this, he could basically confirm that what Xu Guangqi said was indeed sweet potato. If Xu Guangqi was as beautiful as Tian Guifei, he would probably go and kiss her excitedly.

The key to such a good thing is that Xu Guangqi has figured out the habits of sweet potatoes, sorted out how to grow them and distinguish between good and bad ones. This is really timely!

Seeing his ministers fighting cocks below, he couldn't help but smile and said: "I know this thing, Xu Qing, this sweet potato is a good thing. Is it available in your house? Let me have a taste!"

"..." When the officials below heard this, they were all stunned. The two important court officials were having a heated argument just now, but the emperor wanted to eat it as soon as he opened his mouth. Didn't he hear the content of the argument between the two sides? After all, even Xu Guangqi himself did not deny the disadvantages of sweet potatoes!

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!" Cheng Jiming immediately objected.

Wen Tiren hesitated and followed suit: "Your Majesty, be careful!"

After hearing this, other ministers also agreed, and even Xu Guangqi hesitated. After all, the emperor is a body of ten thousand gold. If anything happens, he will die without redemption!

Seeing the reactions of these courtiers, Hu Guang smiled and said: "You are all overthinking! I just said that I know that sweet potatoes are a great tonic for the human body and can replenish some necessary nutrients for the human body. They are rich in Starch, sugar, protein, vitamins, fiber and various amino acids..."

The conversation was mixed with all kinds of terms that they had never heard of before, which made all the officials below, including Xu Guangqi, who knew the most about sweet potatoes, dumbfounded.

There is another update, which may be posted around 4 o'clock, or it may be posted at night.