allonlinenovel Chapter 58 Sages of Our Time
Chapter 58 Sages of Our Time
The main reason why acidic soil is unsuitable for planting is that the content of aluminum and manganese ions in the soil is too high.
The simplest and most effective method is to use quicklime to neutralize the acidity.
However, this approach can only improve soil quality to a certain extent and cannot play the most effective role.
However, as a transmigrator, Qin Xuan naturally knew about the soil fertilization method, also known as traditional fertilization.
This method is very simple: lay a layer of straw, stalks, weeds, or even leaves on the ground, and then cover it with a layer of animal manure, such as that from cattle, sheep, or horses.
Finally, following this method, the piles are stacked, and they can be stacked up to more than a meter high.
However, it should be noted that during the piling process, the soil needs to be turned over periodically to achieve the best results.
Qin Xuan explained the soil fertilization method he knew to all the people in detail.
Upon hearing this, many farmers' eyes lit up.
They might not be able to come up with such a method, but having farmed all their lives, they would understand its ingenuity.
"Your Highness, you are a living bodhisattva who saves people from suffering!"
"I know your method is reliable as soon as I hear it."
A gaunt old man slowly walked out, surrounded by a crowd.
Liu San immediately ran up excitedly and said, "Old Huang, you've arrived!"
This man was Huang Hansheng, the best farmer in the Jiazi wasteland.
Qin Xuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Elder Huang, there's no need for such formalities. Since I've taken you in, I will never let you starve to death."
"Your Highness, will your method be able to keep up with the spring planting season?"
Huang Hansheng's cloudy eyes were slightly red at this moment as he asked excitedly.
"It only takes about two months to improve the soil with quicklime. If everyone can work hard and plow the land one more time, it will take even less time," Qin Xuan explained with a smile.
“What’s so hard about this? These days, being alive is a blessing, and besides, we’re just farmers. It won’t kill us to put in a little effort.”
"Yes, Old Huang is right, we have plenty of strength."
"We're willing to turn this land upside down if it can be turned into fertile land."
"..."
The white-clad men shouted in unison, their faces filled with hope and excitement.
Qin Xuan nodded and said to Qiu Xingzhi, "Sir, I will write down this method, and you can teach it to them later."
"In addition, I think both Old Huang and Liu San are of good character and ability. You can assign them some work to reduce your pressure."
"Your Highness, Xingzhi will obey immediately."
Qiu Xingzhi nodded vigorously.
That very day, Qiu Xingzhi began organizing manpower and then, following the soil fertilization method that Qin Xuan had taught him, began to promote it on a large scale in the northern wilderness area.
As for the existing fertile fields in the city, Qin Xuan suggested that they could be developed simultaneously.
After all, organic fertilizers produced by the soil-fertilizer method can improve soil quality and increase grain yield, whether in fertile or barren land.
Beining City is undergoing earth-shattering changes every day, which even Qin Xuan, its master, sometimes finds unbelievable.
The people here are all full of enthusiasm for life.
They may be thinly dressed, or even pale and emaciated, but in their eyes, there is not a trace of despair or frustration.
At noon that day, Qin Xuan stood in front of the regional map, his gaze fixed on Quyang Bay in the middle reaches of the Xueshan River.
The river is wide here, but few boats come and go.
In fact, Quyang Bay is easily accessible from all directions.
To the north, one can directly access the Khanate, Goryeo, and other countries; to the west, one can enter the Tianhe River basin of the Jurchen Kingdom; and to the south, one can enter the Yellow River basin of the Great Qi Empire.
However, the Xueshan River has a steep terrain and many rapids, making it impossible for many boats to navigate.
Decades ago, Daqi had considered using the Xueshan River to develop river transport.
However, due to frequent accidents involving merchant ships caused by turbulent currents and hidden rocks, gradually no one dared to sail anymore.
"Your Highness, you've been staring at this map for almost an hour. It's time for you to rest."
Zhao Luoying brought over a bowl of lotus seed soup, urging him on with a mix of helplessness and coquettishness.
Qin Xuan snapped out of his reverie and smiled apologetically, "I was so engrossed in thinking that I neglected you."
As he spoke, Qin Xuan gently pulled Zhao Luoying into his arms: "Things have finally calmed down these past few days. Shouldn't we start thinking about that issue now?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Luoying immediately blushed and said shyly, "Oh dear, you should eat the lotus seed soup first."
"Let's do it tonight!"
Qin Xuan was somewhat excited.
Although the two had been married for some time, they had never had a proper intimate moment because they were always fighting on the battlefield.
Now that Beining City is gradually getting back on track, Qin Xuan naturally hopes to have a good time with Zhao Luoying.
"It's so embarrassing to say this in broad daylight."
Zhao Luoying struggled to break free from Qin Xuan, but her eyes already betrayed her budding affection.
Just as the two were deeply in love, an announcement interrupted them.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Zhuge Xuan's urgent voice came from outside. Qin Xuan composed himself before leaving the side hall and entering the council hall.
"Strategist, what's got you so agitated?"
"Your Highness, Mr. Qiu's prized student has finally arrived, and he has brought tremendous news."
Zhuge Xuan's face was flushed and his breathing was rapid, clearly due to the excitement of running all the way.
"Oh, Cui Yu has arrived? Then Mr. Qiu should arrange a table for us tonight."
Qin Xuan smiled.
Qiu Xingzhi had mentioned Cui Yu's name before, saying he was definitely good material for becoming an official.
"Your Highness, aren't you even a little curious about what this amazing news I'm talking about is?" Zhuge Xuan asked anxiously, seeing that Qin Xuan only cared about Cui Yu.
Qin Xuan chuckled and waved his hand, signaling Zhuge Xuan to continue.
Zhuge Xuan, who had originally intended to keep everyone in suspense, suddenly found it boring and muttered, "Your Highness, you're so dull."
"Do I have to act really eager for you to feel satisfied?"
Qin Xuan was deliberately trying to provoke Zhuge Xuan, since he had just interrupted his good time with Zhao Luoying.
Zhuge Xuan shook his head helplessly, but then immediately cheered up and said, "The sage Confucius announced three days ago that he would publish his work 'Confucianism,' written in his later years with painstaking effort, free of charge, to educate the world."
"However, he demanded that each copy of 'Confucianism' published by booksellers not exceed one tael of silver. Such sentiments have earned him the utmost respect and admiration from countless scholars."
In Daqi, books were relatively expensive. Students from ordinary families often borrowed books to read or copied them down to study gradually.
Kong Ru did this so that as many scholars as possible could read this book, "Confucianism".
"At the same time, Master Kong Ru also said that if any bookseller is willing to benefit the world, he is willing to go to the bookseller's location and give lectures for three months free of charge."
"Your Highness, this man is the only Confucian sage of our time! If we can invite him here, what need will Beining City have to fear a lack of scholars?"
The Sage of Confucianism?!
No wonder Zhuge Xuan was so excited.
What Qin Xuan didn't know was that this Confucian sage was a transcendent being whom even the Emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty had to personally greet.
Even in nomadic countries like the Jurchens, Confucius was highly respected, and they even allowed him to lecture for three days in the Jurchen royal palace.
The reason it was only three days was because Confucius was unwilling to teach more.
If he were willing, the Jurchen emperor would probably even give up his imperial study.
"This is indeed fantastic news, but we still need to consider it carefully!"
A glint flashed in Qin Xuan's eyes, as if he had thought of something, and he muttered to himself.