First Minister of Ming Dynasty

First Minister Section 611

Although this kind of behavior is a bit of hindsight, there is really no way.

What Zhang Ximeng can do seems to be to quickly grow potatoes and show enough value to make people realize the contributions of these pioneers.

It seems that at that time, commemorating it will be justified.

Of course, at such an important time, we must choose the most honorable pair of peasants in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Xiongying took up the job without hesitation.

Not surprisingly, Ma Sanbao became Zhu Xiongying's helper, one big and two small, and occasionally Zhang Ximeng also came over.

They prepared the land, fertilized, checked the weather...even checked the perpetual calendar.

Looking for an auspicious day, the potatoes were planted smoothly.

The bag of potatoes that Ma Sanbao brought, by the day the planting started, more than half had already rotted, leaving only one third.

And these potatoes are not as big as those of later generations, but about the size of duck eggs.

Zhang Ximeng didn't find it strange either. Potatoes as big as later generations, even after space breeding, took a lot of pressure, but they weren't as big as they were in the beginning.

Moreover, potatoes are poisonous, and it takes a long time to adapt, otherwise the potatoes grown will be small and astringent, far from being a high-yield crop.

In fact, if you think about it, you know that if you get the potatoes, you can produce several thousand catties per mu, and immediately create a prosperous potato world. Why didn't Zhang Ximeng get the potatoes earlier, and then sweep the world!

As for the native Americans, they not only have potatoes, but also sweet potatoes and corn, all of which are high-yield crops. Why didn't they accumulate enough wealth, and in turn, push the old continent across?

In fact, the reason is very simple. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are indeed high-yielding, but they have not yet reached the point of defying the sky.

The real value of these crops is that they can be grown anywhere without picking the land.

There is no need for intensive farming, and a lot can be harvested, which can be used to fill the stomachs of the poor and prevent them from starving to death.

To be honest, the people of Daming at this time may not be able to accept these coarse grains...

That being the case, why does Zhang Ximeng place high hopes on potatoes?

This is knowing what is not knowing why.

Although potatoes are not good at the moment, in a few decades, after proper cultivation, the yield will increase rapidly.In the future, the population will expand again, and there will be something to eat.

Moreover, the people of Ming Dynasty don’t like to eat. There are so many factories in Beiping, sugarcane fields in Luzon, Japan, Korea, so many manors... can we waste precious food on them?

I can't!

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn are all favorites for opening factories. They can definitely save costs and speed up industrial and commercial progress.

In a word, potatoes are definitely a good thing that can be expected in the future.

Zhang Ximeng's abacus was not known to others, especially Zhu Xiongying, who just focused on this little treasure of his own.

This year is the 15th year of Hongwu, and the little guy has reached the age of entering Mongolian school.

With Zhu Xiongying's brain, it is not difficult to study in Mengxue.

Moreover, he has memorized a lot of poems, and he is also very good at arithmetic. The teacher often praises him and gives him a little red flower from time to time.

This made Zhu Yuanzhang very happy.

After all, there are so many sons and daughters, but too few are smart. An emperor's grandson can be regarded as earning face back.He was more and more partial to Zhu Xiongying, and even stood aside with Zhu Biao.

And love Wuji, Zhu Yuanzhang also likes the honest and honest Ma Sanbao.Zhu Yuanzhang even pulled Ma Sanbao and taught him how to punch.

Zhu Yuanzhang's kung fu is not a show. In fact, the Hongwu Emperor led the charge in the early years, not much weaker than Chang Yuchun.

He knows weapons, riding and archery, boxing, and even wrestling, all of which are top-notch.

Ma Sanbao has a thick body and strong bones, which is very suitable for martial arts.

In just a few short months, Ma Sanbao has made great progress and is very powerful.

Moreover, this kid also recognized Zhu Xiongying and treated the little guy as his own brother, which also made Lao Zhu very happy.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, Zhu Biao had gathered enough ministers.People like Zhu Ying and Zhu Di can help Zhu Biao, and he has no shortage of helpers.

When Zhu Xiongying came here, there were not many people who could protect him.

Zhang Chengtian is one of them. This kid is smart, scheming, and able to handle things... definitely one of the best arms.

But the bad thing about Zhang Chengtian is that he is too smart, he has learned ten percent of his father's tricks.

Lao Zhu was even a little worried that the emperor's grandson would not be able to control Zhang Chengtian.

With Ma Sanbao, the situation is different.

This child is honest and kind, with a simple mind.

After practicing martial arts, when he grows up, he will definitely be the emperor's right-hand man.

One civil and one military, with these two people escorting the emperor and grandson, Lao Zhu has nothing to worry about.

Don't look at the words that you don't want to be horses and cows for your children and grandchildren, but Zhu Yuanzhang has this temper, and he really can't change it.

"Grandfather, come and see!"

On this day, Zhu Xiongying took Zhu Yuanzhang to the field.

The rain in the past two days washed away the soil, and a potato appeared on the edge of the ground, only a little bigger than Zhu Xiongying's fist.

And the exposed potato skins have turned green.

Looking at the potato seedlings, they have begun to wither and turn yellow.

"Grandfather, can you harvest it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at it carefully, and suddenly said in a low voice: "Go, let the three treasures call the grand master."

Not long after, Zhang Ximeng came, not only he came, but also the little fatty Zhang Chengtian, and Xia Zhifeng also came by the way.

Seeing Master, Zhu Xiongying was very happy, "Sir, sir!"

Xia Zhifeng ran over a few steps, reached out and touched Zhu Xiongying's head, and then said, "Do you remember what the master taught you?"

"Remember... for this harvest, we need to count the output to see how it is going?"

Xia Zhifeng smiled, "Smart! Then don't be dumbfounded."

Starting from Lao Zhu, Zhang Ximeng, Zhang Chengtian, and Ma Sanbao each took a shovel, cleaned up the potato seedlings first, and then started digging... They were all very careful not to damage any potatoes. It is really not easy to exchange human life.

After half a day of busy work, the harvest is finally over.

Zhang Ximeng is also very concerned about the output, and he personally follows along with the estimation.

There were less than half a bag of potatoes planted at the beginning, but now there are 25 bags of potatoes harvested.

In other words, it has almost doubled by fifty times!

Seeing this result, Xia Zhifeng couldn't help but brighten up.

"Master, I feel like I have found a treasure!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded, "Indeed, these twenty or so bags weigh about [-] catties, and the land is less than two acres. That is to say, the yield per mu is several hundred catties! Go to ordinary fields and conduct tests, but it is definitely worth researching and promoting! And the value is not small."

At this time, Lao Zhu also smiled and said: "There are some advantages that you didn't mention. The harvest time of potatoes is short. After the rice is planted, potatoes can be planted again, and they can be harvested before the Ghost Festival. And the potato seedlings grow up, and there is no need to weed. Fertilizing...is very convenient and saves labor."

They chatted excitedly, talking about the benefits of potatoes.

The little Zhu Xiongying was so beautiful, she ran around the bag, overjoyed.

"Grandfather, do you think I'm amazing?"

Old Zhu laughed happily, "Of course our eldest grandson is amazing! Our family's ancestral skills have been carried forward in you!"

Everyone was chatting excitedly, but only Zhang Chengtian thought for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty, there is one last thing left... If you can't do it, your work will be in vain."

"what's up?"

"Of course it's to see if it's delicious. If it's not delicious, who would want to grow it!" Zhang Chengtian played out his foodie instinct...

8Chapter 16 Go to sea and grab potatoes

How to make potatoes delicious, it seems that there is no need to talk nonsense.

Grilled, fried, beef stew... no matter how it is made, it is delicious.

But for everyone who faced Tudou for the first time, it was a bit difficult.

"Sir, this thing was sent to your house first, do you know how to do it?" Old Zhu asked curiously.

Zhang Chengtian immediately said: "Your Majesty, my father has never made it. I want to try it, but he doesn't agree, saying that he took it back after so much hard work, and won't let me waste it... I haven't eaten it. If it doesn't taste good, why don't I eat it?" It’s not hard work in vain.”

Several people's eyes fell on Zhang Ximeng, is it delicious or not?

Zhang Ximeng could only say: "This thing looks similar to yam, I just cook it, it's nothing difficult."

Zhang Chengtian still didn't believe it, "Father, I think this thing looks more like a radish, how about stewing it in soup?"

Before he finished speaking, Lao Zhu gave him a fist, "Stinky boy, stop talking nonsense, your father is willing to cook, hurry up and get ready to burn firewood!"

Zhang Chengtian hesitated a little, and Zhu Yuanzhang kicked him directly.

What are you wasting your time for? You don't know Mr. Zhang's cooking skills are amazing!

To be honest, Zhang Chengtian and the others didn't know, including Xia Zhifeng, she had heard that Zhang Ximeng should be able to cook, but she was not lucky enough to taste it.

After all, a man who is an expensive master is not willing to cook easily.

It's just that today it can't be avoided.

Zhang Ximeng could only do it himself. He got ten catties of potatoes, washed them and peeled them. The big ones were used to make potato shreds, the small ones were roasted, and the beef stew was not too big or too small!

When Grand Master Zhang picked up the kitchen knife, and the hair-thin potato shreds flowed out from his fingertips, the kids were dumbfounded.

My goodness!

This is too powerful!

Zhang Chengtian's face quickly collapsed, as if he had realized something.

Since Dad's culinary skills are so strong, what kind of food do I have to look for all over the world!Just let Dad cook at home.It's just that he was obviously dreaming, so Zhang Ximeng wouldn't cook for him.

In other words, how big a face does it take to invite Grand Master Zhang!

Today's meal is still based on the face of potatoes, otherwise Zhu Yuanzhang's grandparents and grandchildren would not be enough!

Sure enough, just look at the spices that Zhang Ximeng threw into the pot, not to mention the stewed potatoes, even if he threw the leather boots in, the aroma would overflow.

Soon, Zhang Ximeng quickly put the beef into the pot. After stir frying, add water and stew for half an hour.On the other side, he had already wrapped the small potatoes in persimmon leaves and put them on the charcoal fire.

This is also a little trick, the small potatoes are easy to cook, and the outside is wrapped in perilla leaves, which can add a little flavor.

Soon the potatoes were ripe. Zhang Ximeng took them out with a shovel and tore off the burnt leaves. Suddenly, a strong aroma came over his face.

Most of the children present, how can I bear this.

Zhang Chengtian directly reached out his hand, but unfortunately, someone was faster than him, Xia Zhifeng quickly grabbed a small potato, put it in his mouth, blew it twice, and stuffed it in.

Dare to love, she is also a foodie!

"Delicious! It's delicious!"

Hearing what she said, Zhang Chengtian couldn't wait any longer. He quickly grabbed one and stuffed it into his mouth.

People who eat it often may not think that, in fact, the potatoes are soft and mellow, with the smell of burnt paste, it is definitely a rare enjoyment.

Zhang Chengtian's eyes widened, he opened the door to a new world, it's really delicious!

"Father, I thought it would be fine to eat this every day!"

Zhang Ximeng just snorted lightly. Potatoes are indeed good, but they are far from enough to be eaten every day, especially not as a staple food.

"Stop talking nonsense, help me serve the dipping ingredients... Also, don't patronize yourself to eat, there is also His Royal Highness!"

Zhang Chengtian rolled his eyelids, with Senior Sister Xia here, how can the little grandson suffer?

Sure enough, Xia Zhifeng carefully peeled the potato, and then handed a piece of potato the size of an egg to Zhu Xiongying.

"Eat it!"

Zhu Xiongying took it with anticipation in his small eyes, and he really wanted to taste it...but the little guy turned his head and handed the first potato to Ma Sanbao.

"Try it, your father and the others have worked so hard to get it back."

Not only was it a waste of effort, but it cost my life.

But what moved Ma Sanbao was that Zhu Xiongying actually thought of him. This potato was sweeter than honey, and it was so delicious.