April of the early Kaiyuan period.

The spring ploughing season has passed, but there are still significant problems in agriculture.

The first is seed improvement.

After Jinmao became emperor, he rarely cared about this matter, causing the seed breeding work to stagnate.

The main reason is still the shortage of talent.

For this reason, Jin Mao specifically raised the question at the grand court meeting.

"My dear ministers, agriculture is the foundation of the country. If the seed problem is not properly resolved, it will bring disaster to future generations."

Zhuge Liang, the Minister of Agriculture and Military Affairs, stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the first step to solve the problem of seed improvement is to recruit talents, especially those who are proficient in agronomy. In the past, Your Majesty established an agricultural school and cultivated a group of young talents who are committed to agricultural development. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, the influence of the school has gradually weakened in recent years, and there has been a serious loss of talent. I suggest restarting and expanding the agricultural school, increasing capital investment, optimizing teaching content, and attracting more young people with aspirations to engage in agricultural research and specialize in seed cultivation and improvement.

At the same time, I also propose to set up a special reward fund to give generous rewards to scholars and farmers who have made outstanding contributions in seed improvement and crop yield increase, so as to encourage the whole society to pay attention to and participate in the progress of agricultural science and technology. In addition, envoys can be sent to various countries to learn and exchange advanced agricultural technologies and seed varieties, learn from each other's strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses, and enrich my country's crop germplasm resources.

Furthermore, we should strengthen practical guidance in the fields, encourage officials and scholars to go deep into the countryside and work side by side with farmers, combine theoretical knowledge with practice, and ensure that the improved seeds can truly benefit the people, increase grain production, and stabilize the country's foundation.

If Your Majesty can provide support in terms of policies, funds, talents and other aspects, in time, my country's agriculture will surely usher in a qualitative leap and lay a solid foundation for the country's long-term stability."

"What the Minister of Agriculture said makes sense." Jin Mao asked, "Do you have any other opinions?"

Pang Tong, the military minister, stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I think that while promoting agricultural improvement, we should not neglect the repair and expansion of water conservancy facilities. Water conservancy is the foundation of agriculture. A good irrigation system can effectively resist drought, ensure the water needed for crop growth, and thus increase the yield per unit area. It is recommended to set up a special fund to repair aging and dikes, and to build new water conservancy facilities in suitable areas, such as reservoirs and irrigation networks, to optimize water resource allocation through scientific and technological means to ensure that every drop of water can play its maximum effect.

In addition, I also suggest strengthening the meteorological monitoring and disaster early warning system, through observing astronomical phenomena and analyzing data, predicting natural disasters such as floods and droughts in advance, providing farmers with timely and accurate disaster information, reducing losses caused by disasters, and protecting farmers' production enthusiasm. At the same time, promote disaster-resistant crop varieties, such as drought-resistant wheat and saline-alkali-tolerant rice, to enhance the overall resilience of the agricultural system.

Furthermore, we should attach importance to agricultural education and skills training to improve farmers' scientific literacy and production capacity. Agricultural technology schools can be set up in various states and counties, and experts and scholars can be invited to teach modern agricultural knowledge, including scientific planting, green pest control, precision fertilization and other technologies, to cultivate new professional farmers and make technology a powerful engine to promote agricultural modernization.

In summary, a multi-pronged approach can achieve the comprehensive upgrading of my country's agriculture, not only ensuring food security, but also promoting the prosperity of the rural economy and injecting inexhaustible impetus into the country's sustainable development."

"Pan Shiyuan has a point." Jinmao pointed out the problem and said, "But in the next five years, we will focus on consolidation and development and will not carry out large-scale projects."

Si Tu Xi Zhicai stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, in this case, I think the most urgent task is to deepen the application and popularization of agricultural science and technology, and transform the modern agricultural knowledge taught by experts and scholars into practical skills in the hands of farmers. More agricultural science and technology service stations can be set up, and professional and technical personnel can be sent to guide farmers face to face to solve specific problems encountered in production, to ensure that scientific planting, green prevention and control of pests and diseases, precision fertilization and other technologies are truly implemented. At the same time, we should increase support for new professional farmers, and attract more aspiring young people to join agriculture through policy incentives, financial subsidies, technical training and other methods, so that they can become the main force in promoting agriculturalization."

"In addition," Xi Zhicai added, "pest and disease control is also a big problem."

"Today we have millet, wheat, rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and other seeds, all of which have high-yield crops."

"I think as long as pests and diseases are properly prevented, the yield can be further increased."

Jin Mao nodded and said, "Indeed."

"As long as the soil fertility is improved, it is possible to have two or even three crops a year."

"By the way, how is the construction of the national ecological cycle now?"

Situ Xizhicai replied: "The construction of the national ecological cycle has achieved initial results, and various regions are actively promoting the integrated development model of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline production and fishery. We have implemented large-scale afforestation and soil and water conservation projects in key areas such as the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, which not only effectively prevented soil erosion, but also improved the ecological environment of farmland. At the same time, various regions are also exploring and promoting organic agriculture, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and increasing soil organic matter and improving soil fertility through composting and green manure.

In addition, we also encourage farmers to use agricultural waste such as crop straw and livestock and poultry manure for resource utilization, develop biomass energy and organic fertilizer industries, and form a modern agricultural development pattern of "combining planting and breeding, resource circulation, and ecological balance". These measures not only improve the sustainability of agricultural production, but also drive the diversified development of the rural economy and increase farmers' income sources.

In animal husbandry, we have also promoted ecological breeding models, such as raising chickens under forests and fish in rice fields, which not only utilize natural resources but also reduce environmental pollution, achieving a win-win situation of economic and ecological benefits. Overall, the construction of the national ecological cycle is moving steadily towards the expected goals, laying a solid foundation for agriculture. "

Jin Mao nodded and asked, "What about the area north of the Yellow River? Is there any progress?"

Xi Zhicai replied: "The area north of the Yellow River is also actively promoting the transformation of ecological agriculture. In particular, we have introduced salt-tolerant crop planting and intelligent water-saving irrigation technology to address the characteristics of drought, little rain and soil salinization in the region. Through the precision agriculture management system, we have effectively improved the utilization rate of water resources, reduced ineffective irrigation, and ensured crop yield and quality. At the same time, the region has also vigorously developed organic agricultural product brands, used e-commerce platforms to expand sales channels, and directly connected to the urban consumer market, greatly increasing the added value of agricultural products and farmers' income.

In addition, the north of the Yellow River has also strengthened the resource utilization of agricultural waste, such as returning straw to the fields and fermenting livestock and poultry manure to make fertilizers. These measures have not only solved the problem of environmental pollution, but also provided rich organic matter for the soil and promoted the recovery of soil fertility. These comprehensive measures have not only improved the regional ecological environment, but also injected new vitality into the realization of green agricultural development and the promotion of rural revitalization. At present, the practice of ecological agriculture in the north of the Yellow River has achieved initial results. "What is the extent of initial results?" Jin Mao said: "I need a specific result."

"Last year, the north suffered from a cold disaster. Not to mention that they were unable to save themselves, they even used up most of the national grain reserves. Can this be considered as initial success?"

Facing Jinmao's doubts, Xi Zhicai explained: "It is true that last year's cold disaster had a significant impact on agricultural production, but it was under such extreme weather that the practice of ecological agriculture showed its resilience. Compared with traditional agriculture, the areas where straw is returned to the fields and livestock and poultry manure is fermented to make fertilizer have stronger soil insulation and water retention capabilities, and the crop root systems are more developed, so they have shown a faster speed and higher yield recovery rate in post-disaster recovery. Specifically, the average crop yield reduction in these areas is about 20% lower than that in the surrounding areas where ecological agriculture is not implemented, and the soil organic matter content has increased by more than 10%, and the soil structure has been significantly improved, laying a solid foundation for subsequent agricultural production. This is a concrete manifestation of the initial success of ecological agriculture under extreme conditions - it enhances the self-recovery ability of the agricultural system and reduces dependence on external intervention."

Jin Mao still shook his head and said, "My dear ministers, is there no way to have the best of both worlds?"

There was silence in the court, and all the ministers bowed their heads in thought. After a moment, Li Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, spoke slowly: "Your Majesty, although ecological agriculture has achieved remarkable results, its promotion and implementation requires time and a large amount of resources. It may be difficult to take into account the dual needs of food production and ecological balance in the short term. However, I think that we can start with pilot projects in some areas and gradually expand the scope. At the same time, we can encourage farmers to adopt more environmentally friendly farming methods, such as crop rotation and fallow, and the application of organic fertilizers, so as to gradually improve soil quality and enhance the crop's own resistance to stress. In addition, strengthening the construction of water conservancy facilities and improving irrigation efficiency are also important parts of alleviating the impact of disasters and ensuring food security."

Another minister, Zhao Yuanlang, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, added: "Your Majesty, I believe that technological innovation is also key. If we can develop agricultural technologies that are both efficient and environmentally friendly, such as intelligent irrigation systems and remote monitoring and early warning systems for pests and diseases, it will greatly improve agricultural production efficiency while reducing negative impacts on the environment. In addition, by cultivating new varieties of crops with strong resistance and wide adaptability, we can also maintain higher yields under extreme climatic conditions, thus achieving a win-win situation for ecology and yield."

Jin Mao frowned slightly when he heard this, but he was still worried: "My dear minister, you are right, but this matter cannot be accomplished in one day. I am worried about the national economy and people's livelihood, and I am afraid I can't wait to do it slowly."

At this time, a young official, Zhang Wenyuan, the head of the Ministry of Rites, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I have a plan that may solve the urgent problem. I suggest setting up a special fund to encourage private capital to invest in ecological agriculture and agricultural technology research and development. At the same time, we should strengthen exchanges and cooperation with advanced international countries in the field of agriculture and introduce and absorb their successful experiences and technologies. In addition, we should increase the intensity of skill training for farmers, enhance their awareness of ecological agriculture and practical operation ability, and make ecological agriculture a conscious action of the majority of farmers. In this way, the tree of ecological agriculture will be deeply rooted in our great land and benefit all the people."

After hearing this, Jin Mao was very pleased and nodded in approval: "Your plan is very much in my heart. I will leave this matter to you all to work together to ensure that our country's agriculture truly develops."

Then the topic turned back to seeds.

"Have you ever heard of seeds that are resistant to pests and diseases?"

Faced with the emperor's question, the ministers whispered, but no one heard it.

Jin Mao smiled and said, "Only practice can bring true knowledge, Minister of Agriculture."

"I'm here." Zhuge Liang stepped out.

"How about you take charge of this matter?"

Zhuge Liang hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, I am preparing for the work of the Grain Bureau. There are many matters that need to be sorted out and implemented. I am afraid that it will be difficult for me to focus on the research of pest-resistant seeds. However, I can recommend one person, Li Xiangyang, the descendant of the agricultural master Li Kui. He has always been devoted to research and has done a lot of research on crop diseases and pests. He may be able to take on this important task."

Jin Mao's eyes flashed with approval when he heard this. "Oh? Li Xiangyang, I have also heard of him. Since he is the descendant of Li Kui, he must be very knowledgeable. Well, I will do as you said and immediately summon Li Xiangyang to the palace and give him full responsibility for this matter. He must find or cultivate seeds that can effectively resist pests and diseases to solve the agricultural problems of our dynasty."

"Yes, sir." Zhuge Liang accepted the order, secretly feeling fortunate that he could recommend a suitable candidate. At the same time, he was also looking forward to the agricultural reform that was about to begin.

Then, Jin Mao looked around at all the ministers and said earnestly: "Agriculture is the foundation of the country. It is related to the food and clothing of the people and the safety of the country. I hope that you can work together to seek development, so that our agriculture will prosper and the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and live up to my high expectations."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers knelt down and responded in unison: "We will do our best to live up to your majesty's trust and build a prosperous world together."

At this point in the meeting, a new policy on agricultural development had been initially decided. Jinmao felt relieved and began to think about how to further promote reform and development in other areas in order to build a fully prosperous empire.

The grand court meeting continued and another matter was brought to the table.

Jin Mao coughed lightly, and scanned the hall with his eyes like a torch, and slowly spoke: "The industry and commerce are also important tools of the country. They circulate all kinds of goods and nourish the economy. They should not be underestimated. I heard that the trade routes have been blocked recently, and the skills of the workshops need to be improved. These are all obstacles to our prosperity. Do you have any good plans to promote the development of industry and commerce, so that goods can flow throughout the country and wealth can gather in the capital?"

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, then bowed their heads in thought. After a moment, an official in gorgeous clothes stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The difficulties faced by industry and commerce are caused by heavy taxes and unclear laws. I suggest simplifying the tax system, clarifying commercial laws, protecting the rights and interests of merchants, and at the same time encouraging technological innovation, setting up workshops and colleges, and cultivating skilled craftsmen. In this way, both industry and commerce can flourish."

Jin Mao nodded in approval, his eyes revealing approval: "My dear minister, what you said is very true. Only by giving equal importance to industry and commerce can the country be rich and the people strong. This matter will be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to handle together. They must formulate a practical and feasible policy and implement it quickly."

Then, several ministers offered suggestions on how to improve transportation, promote trade, and strengthen overseas contacts. The discussion in the court was heated and full of vitality.

Jin Mao was secretly pleased to see that his ministers were united in purpose and working together. He knew that the future of the empire would be unprecedentedly brilliant in this united and progressive force. He stood up and shouted: "I and you will work together to create a prosperous world and let the people of the world share the blessing of peace!" (End of this chapter)