Han Fei ultimately did not go to see the King of Qin.
He sat in the study, not reading a book, just staring blankly at the potted plant on the table.
Zhu Xiang never made the spices he extracted public. He just grew them in his own yard or in flower pots. If his relatives or friends liked them, he would give some to them.
The most lacking thing in this era was food. Zhu Xiang was worried that he was promoting crops such as spices that were only enjoyed by nobles. Given the personalities of some nobles, they might impose harsh policies that would increase the burden on farmers, just like Zhao State promoted potatoes in winter.
Even though Qin's laws were strict and such a thing would not happen, the other six countries would.
After the King of Qin learned of Zhu Xiang's idea, he said nothing and pretended not to know.
Anyway, if Zhu Xiang has any good things, he will be informed first. So if other nobles can't enjoy them, what does it have to do with him
The potted plant in front of Han Fei is a sesame plant.
He seemed to be thinking of nothing, but kept repeating Zhu Xiang's feelings in his mind.
"If other countries learn about these crops that can greatly improve the taste of food, farmers will suffer. Although the six countries have nominally promoted self-cultivation, some nobles still treat them as serfs."
“… Even a little feudalism wouldn’t be bad.”
Han Fei wanted to ask what "feudalism" was, but Zhu Xiang smiled without saying anything and just patted his shoulder in an air of condescension.
He understood that this was knowledge that belonged only to Zhu Xiang and could not be passed on to his disciples.
While reading a book, Xunzi glanced at Han Fei out of the corner of his eye.
He remembered that when Zhu Xiang said that Han Fei felt wronged, he was like a puppy caught in the rain, and then Zheng'er imitated Zhu Xiang's words, "Uncle, the repetition of words is disgusting."
Although Zhu Xiang's metaphors were mostly strange, he was not wrong this time.
While Han Fei was sitting in the study, Zhu Xiang was also talking about Han Fei.
Although Zhu Xiang was only a professor of agronomy and not a mechanical expert, he still knew a little about the machinery commonly used in rural areas.
Although he didn't know the specific structure, as long as he could describe the general effect and application principle, he could make the farm tools by brainstorming with the Mohists and farmers.
Zhu Xiang invented the curved plow and the modern wide-faced hoe in the State of Zhao, but unfortunately they were not promoted.
The seven kingdoms vied for supremacy in the Central Plains. Even though iron smelting technology was already very advanced during the Warring States Period, the other six kingdoms, except Qin, preferred to use iron to make weapons.
Iron farm tools from the six kingdoms were also unearthed in later generations, but according to Zhu Xiang's observations in Zhao, basically only powerful nobles could use iron farm tools on their private fields, and they also needed to be nobles who were sympathetic to the common people and had foresight.
In addition to the fact that most monarchs did not attach importance to the iteration of agricultural technology, the monarchs of the six countries did not have as much control over their countries as Qin, and the large iron mines were basically in private hands, which was also an important reason.
The Qin State took most of the domestic iron ore for official use and ordered the research and development of agricultural tools. Those who had the technology to increase farmland output could be awarded titles, so iron agricultural tools were relatively common in the Qin State.
In addition, the Qin government raised oxen and rented them out to farmers, so ox-drawn plowing was also very common in Qin. Ox-drawn plowing and iron farm tools were one of the reasons why knowledgeable people in the six states feared Qin.
But people with insight knew that it would be difficult for the kings to implement it. If the kings of the six countries used all the iron ore in their hands to make farm tools to benefit the people, they would probably be driven out of power by their brothers who used iron ore to make weapons.
The succession to the throne among the six kingdoms was not peaceful.
Only in the Qin State, which had already initially completed centralized autocracy, could the agricultural tools developed by Zhu Xiang, the Mohists and the agriculturalists be promoted.
This year, the King of Qin has promoted the curved plow and wide-faced hoe around Xianyang, and next year it will be promoted throughout the Qin State.
Many people from the Mohist and Agricultural schools were given titles, and their hearts were filled with passion. Even though Zhu Xiang did not become their leader, they had already regarded him as their honorary leader.
With such enthusiasm, they made a cotton gin that operated with centrifugal force based on Zhu Xiang's description, without ever seeing the actual cotton.
Now that the cotton harvest is in, they have begun debugging the cotton gin and are anxiously awaiting the results.
Instead of using a cotton gin, you can also manually process cotton bolls to separate cotton wool, impurities and cotton seeds, but the efficiency will be much lower and only half a kilogram of cotton can be produced a day.
If a cotton gin was used, at least 20 kilograms of cotton could be produced a day. Before the Industrial Revolution, this was the limit.
Zhu Xiang once thought about whether to promote the industrial revolution in this world.
Of course he gave up.
The Industrial Revolution is the accumulation of technology. At most, he came up with some scientific theories for future generations to verify one by one. Forcing the steam engine and internal combustion engine to be made is like being buried in human history, like a "wonder" assisted by alien civilization. It is not only short-lived, but may also bring great disaster to China.
Technology that the world cannot understand cannot be used, just like you cannot force a seedling to grow. He mainly worked on artificial machines such as cotton gins that did not require steam engines or internal combustion engines.
The King of Qin played with it for a while out of curiosity, separated the cotton by hand, and took a look at the cotton gin debugging area. He took Ying Xiaozheng from Prince Zhu's hand and went to find Zhu Xiang and Lin Zhi who were cooking.
The two men skipped the social event on the grounds that they had to help with cooking.
When the King of Qin arrived at the kitchen, Zhu Xiang, who was preparing to get away with the meal, was making dumplings.
He turned to Lin Zhi, who was rolling out dough, and said, "I thought Han Fei would take this opportunity to pay his respects to His Majesty."
Lin Zhi smiled and said, "He thinks too much."
The King of Qin walked into the kitchen and asked, "Is Han Fei very talented?"
The King of Qin's talent radar was activated.
He knew that Han Fei was a member of the royal family of Han and was loyal to Han. But if Han Fei was really a talent recognized by Zhu Xiang, a little alienation strategy could make Han Fei stay in Qin.
As long as Han Fei has nowhere to go, it will be fine.
Even if Han Fei refused to serve as an official in Qin, it would be fine for him to teach in Xianyang Academy. In any case, Han State would not be able to use him.
Ying Xiaozheng bit his lower lip to hold back his laughter.
Now, not only can Zeng Dafu still use Fan Weng, but Cai Weng is as capable as Fan Weng in this regard. He really wants to see if Han Fei can escape this disaster if he catches Zeng Dafu's eye.
"He is very talented, but he still lacks some experience." Zhu Xiang said, "Han Fei needs to learn the knowledge taught by Xunzi thoroughly, and then travel around the seven kingdoms. Only after accumulating experience can he become a great sage."
The King of Qin immediately lost interest: "You are still a great sage even if you don't travel around the seven kingdoms."
Zhu Xiang laughed: "Your Majesty, that's different. Although Han Fei was not valued by the King of Han, he was a member of the royal family of Han after all, and he had never suffered since childhood. Although I did not travel to the Seven Kingdoms, I experienced many changes."
Zhu Xiang waved to Ying Xiaozheng, and Ying Xiaozheng ruthlessly let go of his grandfather's hand and moved closer to Zhu Xiang.
"This is also the reason why Zheng'er is smarter than many people who have reached adulthood." Zhu Xiang said, "Go wash your hands and help make dumplings."
"Okay." Ying Xiaozheng went to wash his hands obediently.
The King of Qin came over with his hands behind his back and asked: "He can also make dumplings?"
Zhu Xiang said proudly: "As long as Zheng'er wants to learn, he can do anything."
The King of Qin asked sarcastically, "Who is more capable, your Jia Zheng or Han Fei?"
Ying Xiaozheng's ears pricked up.
Zhu Xiang was speechless: "Comparing Han Fei to a five or six-year-old child, isn't that underestimating Han Fei?"
The King of Qin turned to Ying Xiaozheng and said, "Zheng'er, your uncle said that you are not as good as Han Fei."
Ying Xiaozheng: “Humph!”
Lin Zhi laughed so hard that his hands shook and a piece of dumpling wrapper was torn.
Ying Xiaozheng stood on a small stool angrily, pinching the dumpling skin hard to vent his anger.
Although Ying Xiaozheng had chubby little hands and short fingers, the dumplings he made were surprisingly neat.
Zhu Xiang pinched the dumpling skin and threw it into the basket, but Ying Xiaozheng insisted on pinching the dumpling skin one fold at a time to seal it.
The King of Qin found it interesting and also washed his hands, rolled up his sleeves and started making dumplings.
Zhu Xiang said quickly, "Your Majesty, I'll get you a small bowl to put the dumplings in and cook them just for you."
Who dares to eat dumplings made by the King of Qin
Lin Zhi came up with a bad idea: "Didn't you say that we could put some strange things in the dumplings, and whoever eats it would be lucky, and their luck would get better? Is there any dumpling that is more suitable for lucky luck than the one you made?"
Although the King of Qin always said that Lin Zhi was not like Lin Xiangru, his personality unexpectedly got along well with Lin Zhi. As soon as Lin Zhi came up with a bad idea, he ignored Zhu Xiang's dissuasion and insisted on making lucky dumplings.
To this end, he deliberately wasted a lot of dumpling wrappers to imitate Zhu Xiang's dumplings.
Maybe smart people learn things quickly. After wasting more than a dozen dumpling wrappers, the King of Qin was able to make decent dumplings.
The King of Qin originally wanted to wrap gold in the dumplings, and Zhu Xiang was almost frightened to death by squeezing the dumplings to pieces.
He knew that most of the Qin officials had been on the battlefield and were very wild about eating. If someone swallowed a lucky dumpling made by the King of Qin in one gulp, wouldn't that be like swallowing gold and committing suicide? !
Zhu Xiang brought over a jar of sour plums, picked out a few smaller ones, and asked the King of Qin to put them into the dumplings.
The King of Qin looked regretful. He still thought it would be better to wrap it in gold.
Ying Xiaozheng touched his face, which was covered with flour without knowing when, and tried to hold back his laughter.
Great-grandfather Zeng is really letting himself go. Uncle is getting safer and safer in Qin.
Zhu Xiang said that Han Fei still needed some time to calm down, and the King of Qin was no longer interested in Han Fei, thus avoiding Han Fei's tragic fate of being expelled from the Kingdom of Han.
When the dumplings were put into the pot, the minister who had come to watch the cotton harvest finally got tired and followed the prince, who was walking with one foot deep and one foot shallow, to get a free meal.
Prince Zhu wanted to walk with a cane, leaning on his old waist. He was fat, and standing for a long time was too tiring.
"I wonder what delicious food Zhu Xiang will cook." Meng Wu said to himself.
Prince Zhu whispered, "Zhu Xiang said that we're eating dumplings today."
Meng Wu whispered, "Ah? So perfunctory?"
Prince Zhu whispered, "Be perfunctory to us, but not to them."
Meng Wu whispered, "That's right."
Meng Ao, who was eavesdropping on the side, said: "…"
Meng Ao was very curious about what this meal was like, both perfunctory and not perfunctory.
Eat more dumplings.
Zhu Xiang served soup dumplings, steamed dumplings, fried dumplings, and mixed dumplings, including lotus root meat, leek meat, mushroom meat, and a mixture of fish meat. He adjusted some of the flavors, and the guests could also season them themselves.
Zhu Xiang introduced: "This is a dumpling, also called flatbread. The outer skin is made of wheat flour."
"Wheat flour?" Meng Ao was puzzled. "Wheat flour is so white?"
Zhu Xiang said: "It is the wheat I brought from Zhao State. It tastes better."
Although winter wheat can survive the winter, it can also be planted without overwintering. After Zhu Xiang arrived in Xianyang, he planted the few wheat seeds he had.
This year, when the cotton harvest was good, the wheat harvest was also good. Zhu Xiang kept half of it for seeds and ground the other half into flour to entertain guests.
Only when the nobles accept the taste of the new flour will they spontaneously promote the new wheat varieties, thus saving the Qin State's administrative costs in promoting the improved varieties.
Because there were not many seeds left, only the king's farm would plant new wheat varieties next year, and even if the nobles were greedy for new flour, they would have difficulty eating it. With this "hunger marketing", it is believed that when the improved varieties are promoted next year, there will be no need for the king of Qin to order it, and the nobles and wealthy merchants will rush to buy them.
After Zhu Xiang offered advice to the King of Qin, the King of Qin immediately prepared the imperial edict one year in advance.
In addition to rewarding meritorious officials, the King of Qin was prepared to collect "donations" to bestow good varieties of wheat, and to let the nobles and wealthy merchants contribute money to build more canals, water wheels, stone mills, make more iron farm tools, and raise more oxen in the Kanto Plain.
If this policy were adopted in other countries, it would be as bad as selling official positions and titles, and would be prepared by a tyrant. The King of Qin was famous for his pursuit of profit, and when he came up with this policy, the six countries were too lazy to criticize him.
Haven’t the King of Qin issued enough outrageous edicts
After Zhu Xiang introduced the dumplings, he said, "Your Majesty made ten dumplings today and put dried plums in them. There are not many seeds left for this kind of wheat. If you eat the dumplings made by Your Majesty, you can get one acre of seeds to try planting this year."
The ministers all straightened their backs.
Nonsense! How can the Lord personally cook for us? You, Lord Changping, don't even try to stop him
"Let's eat." King Qin said coldly.
The ministers who wanted to scold and persuade him immediately lowered their heads and ate dumplings.
Zhu Xiang wanted to laugh every time he saw this scene.
The old King of Qin is not only the Great Devil of the Six Kingdoms, but also a well-deserved Great Devil in the eyes of his own subjects.
"Dried plums!" Ying Xiaozheng was the first to raise his head and spit out a plum pit.
The corners of Zhu Xiang's mouth were almost raised to his ears.
He is worthy of being my nephew. The fate of Qin Shi Huang’s son is different.
The King of Qin was also very happy. He took off the jade pendant from his waist and stuffed it into Ying Xiaozheng's hand: "You are the first one to get the prize, so you deserve the reward."
Prince Zhu was happy that Ying Xiaozheng was the first to eat the lucky dumplings, but at the same time he looked worried.
His own king and father were not human beings. They did not even put a mark on the dumplings, and he had to scoop the dumplings himself. If he could not get the lucky one, wouldn't it be very embarrassing
"Hmm?" Zhu Xiang spat out the plum pit.
Ying Xiaozheng was so happy that his eyes narrowed into crescents.
He is worthy of being my uncle!
The King of Qin did not give any extra rewards this time. He just laughed a few times and then glared at Prince Zhu.
Cold sweat broke out on Zhu Xiang's forehead.
Fortunately, the prince is broad-minded. If it were someone else, he would have been hated just by this glance.
He actually asked the King of Qin in advance whether he should give the dumplings with prizes directly to Prince Zhu or someone the King of Qin valued.
The King of Qin was very stubborn and refused to do so.
Zhu Xiang could only sympathize with Prince Zhu and pray silently that Prince Zhu would soon eat the lucky dumplings.
"Hmm?" The old King Qin spat out a plum pit himself.
He laughed again: "I am also very lucky."
Taizizhu curled his lips and continued to eat dumplings in silence.
This one is not it, and this one is not it either. There are only seven left!
Why does the Lord himself want to participate in the competition
What made Prince Zhu even more speechless was that Zheng'er ate another lucky dumpling, and his father the king also ate a lucky dumpling right after that.
The wrinkles on the old King of Qin's face when he smiled were deeper than those on the dumpling skins that Ying Xiaozheng made.
Prince Zhu felt bitter.
There are five more.
"I ate it." Fan Ju silently spit out the plum pit.
Prince Zhu: There are four left.
Lin Zhi: "Hmm? Am I so lucky?"
Prince Zhu: There are three left. What's going on?! How come all the people related to Zhu Xiang got to eat first? Did Zhu Xiang really not cheat
Meng Ao: "I got lucky!"
Prince Zhu: There’s still… there’s still… ah!
Taizizhu spat out the plum pit and was about to cry.
I finally got to eat it and won’t be scolded by my father.
The old King of Qin gave Prince Zhu a gratified look.
This child is lucky. Even if his talent is mediocre, he will not squander Qin's national strength in the future.
There was only one dumpling left, and everyone became nervous.
But the strange thing is that until all the dumplings were eaten, no one could tell that the last lucky dumpling was the one.
The old King of Qin was puzzled: "Zhu Xiang, where is the other dumpling?"
Zhu Xiang was also confused: "I'm sure they were all cooked in, and the Lord saw it. Where is the other dumpling?"
At this time, Sima Jin, who followed his father to eat, whispered: "Maybe... maybe it's me."
The old King Qin was even more puzzled: "It's you? Why didn't you say anything?"
Sima Jin said with a sad face: "I just swallowed it whole. When I tasted the sour taste of plum in my mouth, I realized it might be a lucky dumpling, but I had already swallowed it."
Old Qin King: “…”
It turns out that what Zhu Xiang said was right. If it was wrapped in gold, would there really be a fool who didn't eat seriously and swallowed the gold to commit suicide
Sima Jin asked, "Sir, does it count?"
The old King of Qin said quietly, "Although I believe you will not deceive the emperor, it does not count without evidence."
Sima Jin was almost frozen to death when his father glanced at him.
Wow, he just ate the dumplings a little faster, he didn’t expect this to happen.
The lucky dumpling was a soup dumpling. He took a bite and swallowed the whole dumpling in one gulp. It was so comfortable that he couldn't help himself.
When the old King of Qin saw Sima Jin's sad face, he felt that today was really a happy day.
Not only will the cotton harvest be good, but there will be fewer people freezing to death in the Qin winter. The dumpling banquet was so enjoyable.
The ministers were all helpless and wondered if it was really destined.
They saw Zhu Xiang carrying a large bowl of dumplings and choosing dumplings by himself. Even if the order of choosing dumplings may affect the probability of winning, it is not surprising that the King of Qin ate two dumplings (forced). But Zhu Xiang was the host and took the dumplings last; Gongzi Zheng said that he was young and took the dumplings after the senior minister.
Zhu Xiang ate the lucky dumplings, and Gongzi Zheng even ate two lucky dumplings. This...
Oh, by the way, Prince Zhu also ate dumplings. Could it be that these lucky dumplings are more accurate than divination
"Is there any sign?"
"Definitely not. Changping Jun will be the last one to choose."
"I mean Master Zheng..."
"I don't know. Even if it is, it is no different from Gongzi Zheng having the strongest luck."
"That's right, it must be the Lord's instruction."
"But isn't Prince Zheng too young? He is the great-grandson of the Lord."
"Isn't this just perfect? Your Majesty directly selected three generations of rulers. Qin will have at least three generations of rulers!"...
The story of Zhu Xiang's lucky dumplings soon spread to the ears of all the nobles in Xianyang.
When the Qin State celebrated the October New Year, even the scholars among the people were discussing the issue of lucky dumplings.
They all said that the next three generations of Qin kings had been selected by the King of Qin, and Changping Jun's nephew Prince Zheng had been confirmed as the heir by the King of Qin.
Ying Xiaozheng was very worried. He knew that even if the king had chosen an heir, he would not like others to talk about the heir they were going to choose in front of them.
But Zhu Xiang was very calm.
"Zheng'er, what are you afraid of? With the monarch's control over Xianyang, how could there be rumors in Xianyang that the monarch doesn't like?" Zhu Xiang saw Ying Xiaozheng, whose lips were covered with blisters due to worry, and smiled as he made another note in his diary.
(End of this chapter)