Imperial Garden
Zhang Jian dressed in a scarlet Senior Fourth Grade official uniform, with a fair complexion and slender fingers. Despite reining in his brilliance completely after mastering Daoist Technique, he couldn't conceal the elegance in his expression.
"Your humble servant Zhang Daosheng pays respects to Your Majesty!"
Upon meeting Emperor Jingwu, Zhang Jian saluted, and Emperor Jingwu, in high spirits, waved his hands eagerly.
"Mr. Zhang, no need for formalities, quickly tell me, how did you research this? Can it be produced on a larger scale?!"
This was what Emperor Jingwu wanted to know the most at the moment!
Upon hearing the words, Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged, merely mentioning the process of numerous seed selections and optimizations over the past three to four years.
Finally, he mentioned the yield.
Zhang Jian gave an extremely conservative answer.
"About a thousand jin per mu, and if conditions permit, it can reach over two thousand jin!"
Actually, in the era Zhang Jian remembers, with advanced production techniques and suitable conditions, it was possible to yield ten thousand jin per mu.
But in Daqian, not only was the composting technique immature, but the technology for regulating temperature was also completely lacking.
Furthermore, pest control, fertilization, and management were basically starting from scratch. If one or two thousand jin could be produced, it was already impressive.
"A yield of a thousand jin per mu, Mr. Zhang, is this true?"
Emperor Jingwu couldn't help but stand up, his eyes bright with excitement.
He was not unversed in agriculture; on the contrary, he had personally disguised himself and conducted private visits among the people. Currently, the other grains cultivated in Daqian yielded at most three to four hundred jin per mu.
If these tomatoes could yield a thousand jin, wouldn't this be two or three times more than other crops?
Zhang Jian nodded and said.
"Your humble servant test-planted an acre of tomatoes in a private field on the outskirts. Multiple harvests might even exceed two thousand jin!"
Hearing this, Emperor Jingwu was overjoyed.
"Mr. Zhang indeed is a benefactor to the people of Daqian. With this crop, countless commoners can be saved!"
Zhang Jian shook his head and dampened the enthusiasm with a basin of cold water.
"Your Majesty, although the tomatoes yield quite well per mu, they cannot replace staple foods!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu was stunned. He looked at Zhang Jian and, after some thought, asked.
"Mr. Zhang, is it because of storage issues?"
Emperor Jingwu knew that crops like fruits always had a storage time limit, with few exceptions that could be preserved well for long.
Zhang Jian nodded.
"Firstly, tomatoes are not easy to store, and secondly, the energy they contain is insufficient to sustain an individual's normal life requirements, necessitating supplementary staple food."
Hearing this, Emperor Jingwu furrowed his brows, a bit surprised, and his earlier excitement calmed down.
If it can't directly represent staple food, its value is obviously discounted!
Emperor Jingwu was still somewhat reluctant and asked:
"Mr. Zhang, is there a solution to this problem?"
"Your Majesty, every crop has its unique value, and altering their essence is not easy! Furthermore, creating something out of nothing is impossible!"
Zhang Jian felt somewhat helpless!
Creating something out of nothing is in the realm of void creation!
Emperor Jingwu felt slightly regretful, but he still praised Zhang Jian profusely.
"Mr. Zhang, your pursuit of knowledge in practical application is indeed commendable. Regardless, the emergence of these tomatoes will greatly benefit the people, perhaps providing a glimmer of hope to those in dire straits!"
"Minister Qian just said my merits are immeasurable; I say Mr. Zhang's move is truly immeasurable merit!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian cupped his hands.
"Your Majesty flatters me!"
At this moment, Emperor Jingwu's eyes were shining brightly, so he said.
"Mr. Zhang, since you can improve crops like chives, green onions, ginger, and now tomato seeds, can you also improve the current staple grains of the Daqian people?"
His eyes were filled with intense anticipation.
Indeed, if Zhang Jian could achieve this, he would be revered as a Living Saint, and he, the Emperor, would surely go down in history.
Anyone who could achieve this would earn merits comparable to the ancient Agricultural Emperors.
As a Holy Emperor and a leader, if he could achieve this, he would elevate the prestige of the emperor to the utmost, paving the way for future reformation and transformation smoothly.
Zhang Jian nodded and said.
"Your Majesty, give your humble servant some time, and I will certainly accomplish it!"
Hearing this, Emperor Jingwu couldn't help but stand up, walked to Zhang Jian, and said joyfully with shining eyes.
"Good, Mr. Zhang, if you can accomplish this, I wouldn't hesitate to confer you as one of the Three Ministers or even bestow a fief!"
Looking at the Emperor Jingwu, full of dreams and hope, Zhang Jian silently sighed inwardly.
He was not as optimistic as Emperor Jingwu; his vision was broader, having witnessed many stories of rise and fall.
He knew that even if the seeds of staple grains were selected, and inefficient farming methods changed, giving hope for the people to be full, it might not eradicate poverty and hunger.
In truth, even if people were full, there would still be disputes and hardships.
Human desires are endless.
Moreover, the fundamental conflict of land distribution in Daqian remained unresolved, and it was also impossible to eradicate poverty and hunger.
But everything must have an order of priority.
For now, he needed to complete the tasks at hand, build networks, and wait for the right moment to replace what needs replacing.
Wait until the land changes owners.
The things that the previous emperors of Daqian couldn't accomplish, others might not be able to either.
As for the emperor's promises of titles and lands, Zhang Jian didn't care much.