The Zheng family is located in the outskirts of Luoyang, with a land area of ​​nearly a thousand hectares.

The people in several villages around them almost make a living by working as tenants for the Zheng family. The farming season is approaching, and the tenants are also becoming nervous... Although Emperor Wen of Sui has been continuously strengthening the promotion of the equal-field system since the Kaihuang, a large amount of land occupied by the aristocratic races will not be so easily spit out. Not to mention that most of these fields are Yongye fields of the Zheng family, even if the fields are exposed, it is not easy to return them easily.

Thinking back to the time when the Zheng family was at its peak, there were thousands of hectares of fertile land in Luoyang alone.

To some extent, it seems to indicate the decline of the Kanto clan. However, the lean camel is bigger than a horse. Even though the Zheng family is not as good as before, it still occupies an important position in the Heluo region. This position is not in the size of the official position, but in the reputation and reputation of the family. The reputation of the Kanto clans is far from comparable to that of the Guanlong Group.

In early spring, the fields are full of vitality.

Dozens of Qi-seeing masters, led by the farm manager, wait and see the earth-ceiling masters among the fields. This Qi-seeing master is also a special profession. Unlike Feng Shui masters, their main job is to survey the fields at the beginning of spring every year.

How to divide this field?

Which piece of land should be idle, which piece of land should be cultivated?

Without the investigation by the Qi Master, the construction will never be started easily.

Looking at the busy masters of looking at the air, Zheng Yanqing couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

In these days, there were really 360 professions, and every profession was the top scorer... Unexpectedly, surveillance of earth energy has become a profession.

What is professionalism?

This is called professionalism!

At least in later generations, Zheng Yanqing had never seen such a meticulous division.

Several managers followed Zheng Shi'an, answering questions raised by Zheng Shi'an from time to time, and sometimes quarreled fiercely.

Zheng Yanqing was very leisurely and walked aimlessly in the fields.

Xu Shiji did not come, and he was not interested in such things. In his words, instead of going around the farm, it would be better to read books and box at home. However, Zheng Yanqing instinctively wanted to come and watch. After all, in his previous life, he had participated in this kind of scene many times. Zheng Shian said that when the dragon raised his head, the tenants would sacrifice to the world to pray for good weather and a good year. Perhaps this is the reason, Yan Qing followed him...

Seeing Zheng Shi'an busy, Zheng Yanqing asked for a green donkey and rode around the farm.

Although the wind in early spring is a little chilly, it is not biting. It blows on your body and makes people feel very comfortable.

Especially the breath that is filled with the air is the earth that has been stored for the whole winter. Taking a deep breath can make people feel energetic. After the autumn harvest every year, farmers will throw the remains in the fields to nourish and maintain their health.

And these natural fertilizers are transformed into the vitality of the land after fermentation in a winter.

Breathing like this makes people feel inexplicably satisfied... it is very comfortable and also makes people feel very happy.

“Huh?”

Walking aimlessly, Zheng Yanqing suddenly strangled the green donkey.

"Xiao Ba?"

"Yes, Master Zheng!"

From behind the green donkey, a eleven-year-old servant ran over. Although he was dressed as a farmer, he looked pretty. The servant was named Mao, and he was the son of a tenant. The countryman had no name, and everyone called him Mao Xiaoba. Over time, Xiaoba became his name. Although Zheng Yanqing was just the grandson of the Zheng family housekeeper, in the eyes of these tenants, it was God... After all, whether it was Zheng Dashi or Zheng Renji, it was impossible for him to come and get involved in these farming affairs. The real manager was a housekeeper like Zheng Shi'an.

How many seeds are distributed, how many fields are divided, as well as farm tools, oxen, and how much money is sold, these are all the managers and managers. Zheng Shi'an's words can bring the tenants to heaven; in the same way, his words can bring the tenants to hell. Therefore, this time Zheng Shi'an inspected the fields and the farmers' managers did not dare to neglect Zheng Yanqing.

Xiaoba's eldest sister is the concubine of the Tianzhuang manager.

So the task of accompanying Zheng Yanqing fell on Xiao Ba.

Zheng Yanqing pointed at the river beach in the distance with a horse whip and asked, "What are the things planted on that river beach?"

Xiao Ba replied: "Young Master Zheng, that was the sugarcane that Manager Zheng found from Lingnan last year. He originally wanted to use these sugarcane to make some sugar for daily use. But he didn't expect that after planting it, he would not grow.

Later I heard that the season and method of planting sugarcane is very unique, and it is necessary to plant it on the sand to produce sugar. The manager felt it was troublesome, so he gave up the idea. The land was a bit bad, and after the busy farming began, he left this matter behind. The manager said that when the busy farming farming is over, he will deal with the sugarcane, then take a rest for a year, and then farm again in the next year... In fact, I would say, it would be better to ignore this piece of land, it is very poor."

The method of growing sugarcane is indeed different from that of ordinary crops.

When winter is just around the corner, cut off the head and tail of the sugarcane and bury it in the soil. You must also avoid the low-lying wetlands with water accumulation. Then, take it out of the soil five or six days before the rain comes the next year. After peeling off the shell, cut the sugarcane at a length of five or six inches per section, and then drain it densely on the ground. The head and tail are connected like fish scales, and then covered with a little soil. Then sprout and plant it separately, and it is best to use sandy loam and plant it near the river.

I think that Manager Zheng only knew to go to the river to plant, but he didn't know the steps of planting.

In later generations, as regional differences became smaller and smaller, sugarcane, which originally grew in the south, was also planted in large quantities in the north. Zheng Yanqing was in charge of this area in his previous life, so he was not unfamiliar with the method of planting sugarcane.

Speaking of which, planting sugarcane is nothing.

But the problem is that the planting steps of sugarcane are complicated and in this era, there are great limitations. It is obviously not easy to promote the cultivation of sugarcane in the north on a large scale. Besides, this thing seems to have no other use except for sugar.

Zheng Yanqing shook his head and overturned the idea of ​​growing sugarcane.

If he had really had such an idea when he first discovered this sugar forest. But when he thought of the operability, Zheng Yanqing immediately gave up on this idea. It would not be worth the effort, and it seemed to have no practical value.

Holding the green donkey's bridle, Yan Qing was about to leave.

Slowly, Xiaoba said just now... use sugar cane to make sugar?

China's sugar-making process was found in the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, the main production at that time was mainly malt sugar, which is commonly known as malt sugar. The cultivation of sugarcane was recorded in Chu Ci. In the famous "Chu Ci - Zhao Hun", there are: turtle and cannon cakes, and some jujube. The jujube here is sugarcane, and jujube, which refers to the juice of sugarcane.

In the "Seven Discussions" written by Zhang Heng of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there are also sentences such as "Sandy, Stone Honey".

Sand is a tiny crystal, which is the prototype of sugar.

During the Renshou period, the sugar people ate were turbid and mostly had the color of sugar juice. However, the amount was very large.

People like sweets, and some sugar will be added when sautéing tea.

The price of sugar is not too expensive, so even ordinary families can afford it. Moreover, sugar is not as strict as salt and other items, and the court will strictly control it and even impose high taxes. The cost of sugar is very low, but the prospects are very broad. The key is that if the sugar process can be improved, it can dominate the market.

Of course, with Yanqing's current ability, it is naturally impossible to monopolize the sugar market.

But Zheng Yanqing knew that the method of purifying sugar, and also knew the deep processing technology of sugar, that is, the production process of rock sugar. Speaking of which, this process is not very profound, but it is definitely ahead of this era.

"Master Zheng, Butler Zheng is calling you."

Mao Xiaoba's voice awakened Zheng Yanqing from his meditation.

He looked up and saw Zheng Shi'an waving to him in the distance, which meant that he would go there quickly.

"Oh, let's go over."

Yan Qing had no choice but to give up the idea for the time being and drove the green donkey over.

But in my heart, I was trying hard to recall the making process of white sugar. If he could really make white sugar, it would be a big income. Of course, there is also a partner issue here, which needs to be carefully considered.

He didn't know many wealthy merchants, only Xu Gai and Zhang Zhongjian.

With Zheng Yanqing's control over Xu Shiji, he persuaded Xu Gai to take over, but it was not a big problem. However, Xu Gai had a close relationship with the Zheng family. If he told the Zheng family about this, then the one who welcomed Zheng Yanqing would probably be a catastrophe.

If you don’t look for Xu Gai, then only Zhang Zhongjian will be left.

To be honest, Zhang Zhongjian is indeed a suitable candidate.

First, Zhang Zhongjian's father is the richest man in Yangzhou, and behind it is the support of the Zhang family in Wu County. The main production area of ​​sugarcane is concentrated in the Jiangnan region, and the Zhang family has this innate convenient condition. This is by no means comparable to Xu Gai.

Secondly, Zheng Yanqing and Zhang Zhongjian did not have much contact, but it can also be seen that Zhang Zhongjian is a very cheerful person.

Whether it was Sun Simiao or Du Ruhui, his evaluation of Zhang Zhongjian was not too low.

But the question is, can Zhang Zhongjian convince his father? Moreover, he doesn't know how to contact Zhang Zhongjian, which is a big trouble. Before he came up with a proper method, Yan Qing decided to hide it for the time being.

At the same time, there is a thought in my mind: How to tie Xu Shiji firmly to his ship?

"Yan Qing, the matter is done almost..."

Zheng Shi'an smiled and said, "It's not too late, let's go back now. If it's too late, I'm afraid I won't be able to enter the city."

Zheng Yanqing nodded and prepared to get on the car with Zheng Shi'an.

It's strange that the green donkey followed Zheng Yanqing and couldn't help but let others hold the reins.

"You want to go back with me?"

Zheng Yanqing looked at the green donkey with a smile and reached out to hug the donkey's face.

"Or, go back with me... Grandpa, can it?"

Zheng Shi'an smiled gently, "Since this beast is willing to follow you, just take it back."

In this way, the green donkey's bridle was tied to the carriage, and Zheng Shi'an and Zheng Yanqing sat in the carriage and left the Zheng family's farm.

"Grandpa, what would you do if... I mean, the eldest son really had other ideas?"

On the way, Zheng Yanqing suddenly asked.

Zheng Shi'an is so smart that he naturally understands the meaning of Zheng Yanqing's words.

Earlier, he said to Yan Qing: Zheng Renji is likely not to let Zheng Yanqing be Zheng Hongyi's book boy. In fact, there is another meaning here, that is, will Zheng Renji value Zheng Shi'an? I'm afraid it's a problem.

After hearing Yanqing's question, Zheng Shi'an's face became gloomy.
Chapter completed!