"His Majesty has arrived!" With Pande's sharp voice, the Yuan-Ri Court Assembly officially began.
Under the lead of Fang Xuanling, hundreds of officials filed into the Taiji Palace. The originally spacious Taiji Palace was suddenly filled with officials inside and outside.
"Lord Su, why don't you go to the front?" Meton pointed to the front and asked Su Lingnong.
Su Lingnong was a third-rank official. Standing beside Meton, who was a sixth-rank official, he was particularly conspicuous. Moreover, Su Lingnong had just said that today's line was arranged according to official rank.
Su Lingnong smiled like a simple old farmer and said, "Old Man can be said to be dispensable in the Imperial Court. One more old man won't make a difference, and one less old man won't make a difference. What does it matter where I stand?"
The position of the Grand Minister of Agriculture had become extremely awkward after the reforms of the dynasties. In the Tang dynasty, it was only a prominent position but had no real power. Su Lingnong was the only remaining fruit of the peasant family. His position in the Imperial Court was transcendent. Naturally, no one would care where he stood.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Under the lead of Fang Xuanling, the officials congratulated.
Li Shimin nodded slightly. Then Fang Xuanling took out a memorial and quoted the classics, praising Li Shimin's achievements in the past year and looking forward to the nine years of Zhenguan's bright future.
The ministers listened with rapt attention. Only Modun was confused. He had studied Confucianism, but when he heard these awkward words, he only knew half of it. It was difficult for Fang Xuanling to be able to pronounce these words so fluently.
Fortunately, Fang Xuanling finished quickly. Then, officials from all over the country presented tributes.
"Jiannan sent ten jars of fine wine! … "
"Jiangnan sent a dendrobium of pearls! … "
"Huainan …"
The prefectural governors of various provinces sent rich tributes, all of which were valuable.
"Lingnan Province has sent ten buckets of emeralds, ten buckets of fine jade, ten buckets of gems …" When Feng Zhidai presented the tribute on behalf of Lingnan Province, the entire court was in an uproar. Among the ten provinces of the Tang dynasty, the Feng family of Lingnan Province had sent the most treasures.
"His Majesty's decision to change the soil and return to the stream has probably scared the Lingnan King. This time, the Feng Family has really put in a lot of effort." Su Lingnong gloated. His position in the Imperial Court was extraordinary, but his judgment was extremely accurate.
Ever since Meton proposed the strategy of returning the land to the stream, the imperial court suddenly changed the land of the three Furen Tribes to the stream, adding three new counties to the Tang dynasty. Naturally, this move was like a stone that stirred up a thousand ripples, and the undercurrents of the Furen Tribes surged.
However, the Imperial Court was prepared for this. They mobilized their armies and sent messengers to pacify them. Only by using both kindness and power did they manage to stabilize the situation. After that, they displayed their invincible military might during the military parade, and only then did they manage to subdue the Wingman Tribe.
Among the people who changed the soil and returned to the stream, the Feng Family was probably the most worried. The Feng Family had been in control of Lingnan Province for several generations. If they changed the soil and returned to the stream, the Feng Family would probably be the first to be targeted.
"I'm afraid the Feng Family hates this kid to death." Meton smiled bitterly.
Su Lingnong shook his head and said, "You're thinking too much. Although Feng Zhidai is not a great figure, Feng Ang is a shrewd person. Even if the soil and returned to the stream is not changed, the Feng Family will not be able to control Lingnan Province forever."
A local tyrant like the Feng Family would probably only have a place when the dynasty changed. Now that the Tang dynasty was in power, how could the Imperial Court allow the Lingnan Province to be controlled by one family for a long time? It was only a matter of time before the Feng Family was transferred out of Lingnan Province.
"Thank you, Minister Feng!" Li Shimin couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.
"Your Majesty, these are just some common things. This time, my father also sent a good news. I believe Your Majesty will be happy after hearing it." Feng Zhidai bowed and said.
"Oh! Tell me quickly. "Li Shimin looked at Feng Zhidai in surprise.
Feng Zhidai immediately showed a hint of pride and said, "The Johor Rice has been planted in Lingnan Province for less than a year. So far, three harvests have been done. Each harvest is as high as four piculs of rice. Moreover, it is very easy to plant and can withstand drought and drought."
"Three harvests a year, four piculs per harvest. Doesn't that mean we can harvest 12 piculs of rice a year?"
After Feng Zhidai finished speaking, the Imperial Court was in an uproar. 12 piculs of rice a year. This was probably the most productive crop in the Tang dynasty. Once the Johor Rice was promoted in the south, the Tang dynasty would not have to worry about food shortage anymore.
"Really?" Li Shimin suddenly stood up and said.
He wouldn't care about the other gifts no matter how expensive they were. Only the Johor Rice made him happy. One should know that the average yield of rice in the Tang dynasty was only one or two piculs. Most of them only had three harvests in two years. Suddenly, the Johor Rice could be harvested three times a year. Even if the Lingnan Province could reach four piculs of rice at the cost of fertilization, it should be easy for an ordinary farmer to reach three piculs.
Feng Zhidai said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. How could the Feng family commit the crime of deceiving the emperor?"
Li Shimin nodded. This kind of thing couldn't be hidden anymore. With such a high yield of Johor Rice, it would definitely be promoted in the south. There was no way to hide it anymore. All the Imperial Court officials couldn't help but feel happy.
"Thank you, Minister Feng. The success of the Johor Rice trial, Minister Feng deserves the most credit." Li Shimin said excitedly.
"Your Majesty, you flatter me. This is what the Feng family should do." Feng Zhidai said with a surprised face.
"The Feng family's position is secured!" All the Imperial Court officials couldn't help but sigh.
For a long time, the Imperial Court was dissatisfied with the Feng family's control of the Lingnan Province. The Imperial Court often sent the Feng family away from the Lingnan Province to Li Shimin's desk. Now that the Feng family had made such a great contribution, at least as long as Feng Ang was still alive, the Imperial Court wouldn't touch the Feng family.
Of course, the Feng family didn't take all the credit. They stole Mo Jiazi's results. Otherwise, the Feng family would be able to rise to a higher level with just this credit.
Immediately, many people secretly looked at Meton. If the Feng family didn't rob them, this credit would belong to Mo Jiazi alone.
"Mo Jiu must be regretting it now!" Su Lingnong nudged Merton.
Meton smiled and said, "The Johor Rice needs to grow in extreme heat. Even if I get the rice seed, I will send it to the Lingnan Province to try it out. Lord Su, you didn't succeed in your trial, did you?"
Su Lingnong's face darkened. He also got a batch of Johor Rice seeds from the Si Nong Temple. However, the results were not optimistic. They only ripened twice a year, and the yield was less than three tons. It didn't meet the target at all. He originally wanted to improve it and report it to the Imperial Court. He didn't expect the Lingnan Province to succeed.
"It's just a problem with the soil! After a few generations, the Johor Rice will adapt to the soil of the Tang dynasty. It will improve greatly. If we cross it with the late Tang dynasty rice, we might be able to get a better variety. " Meton didn't have any doubts about this situation. How could the introduction of a new variety be smooth sailing?
Su Lingnong nodded thoughtfully. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, since the Lingnan Province can grow the Johor Rice, and Johor isn't too far from Lingnan, I hope Your Majesty can send people to Johor to get the seeds. The sooner the Tang dynasty grows this rice, the sooner the people will benefit."
"That's a good idea!" Li Shimin agreed happily.
"Your Majesty, there are many ships in Lingnan. There is no need for Your Majesty to make a big fuss. The Lingnan Province can do it." Feng Zhidai immediately volunteered. There were many sea merchants in the Lingnan Province. It was easy to transport a batch of rice seeds from Johor. With the Feng family's status, there were naturally many people willing to help.
"Then I will wait for your good news!" Li Shimin nodded.
"I will not disappoint Your Majesty!"
Feng Zhidai got the result he wanted, so he left with satisfaction.
"Today is the Lantern Festival. I believe everyone wants to go home for a reunion. I will not disturb you. Court dismissed!" Li Shimin waved his hand and the court meeting on the Lantern Festival officially ended.
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