lcionline Chapter 348 347 Farming Comes First
Chapter 348 347 Farming Comes First
Chapter 348, Section 347: Agriculture Comes First
The accelerated mass production of paper will lead to the rapid use of various charts and graphs in practical work.
It also allows Qin Shi to use Arabic numerals more smoothly.
Although Arabic numerals are not used in formal reports because they are easy to erase, their existence can, in a subtle way, speed up the presentation of a lot of data.
Of course, there is no Arab kingdom yet.
At this time, the southern part of Arabia was the Kingdom of Sabai, and there were no records of it within its borders.
The Dayuan Kingdom of northern Arabia, mentioned in the *Records of the Grand Historian*, is not yet known for its use of numbers. While the Qin Dynasty might not have remembered such minute details, it didn't prevent her from explaining things to everyone—
But as soon as she opened her mouth, she suddenly realized:
No explanation is needed at all.
The female immortals who descended from Kunlun Ruins naturally possessed their own divine abilities and insights.
Since the Queen said that digital applications are convenient, then they should just study them diligently.
If it weren't for Chi Nu Wu Zi, Xin, and Dan Pu gradually becoming useful, even if Qin Shi had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish all of these things.
"People!" We desperately need people!
Just then, the Crimson Maiden arrived to report on the preliminary preparations for the talent selection ceremony. She then asked:
"Who are the main talents that the Queen has summoned this time?"
It's important to understand that people have different priorities.
In the imperial court, the Minister of Justice, Xin Wan, was skilled in criminal law, while the Minister of Agriculture was an expert in agriculture, and the Grand Astrologer was unparalleled in astronomy and calendar.
Based on the Queen's various plans, the Red Maiden deduced that the Queen probably didn't want those talented people who could write brilliantly.
Qin Shi had already considered this issue.
The imperial examination system was inevitable, but as the ruler of a country, Ji Heng's actions could easily cause unrest in the country.
Therefore, although this talent selection ceremony at Ganquan Palace was only for the Queen to select talents, it was actually a stepping stone for the subsequent implementation of the recommendation system and other recommendation methods in the court.
She thought for a moment: "The first priority is farming." Eating and drinking are the most important human principles in the world. Even the most talented person will become dull and stagnant, or even a fool, if they suffer from hunger and thirst.
The reason is simple: not having enough to eat means there's no energy left to power the brain's thinking.
At present, the Qin state, after reviewing last year's report, found that the total tax revenue and grain collected throughout the year amounted to only fifty million shi (a unit of dry measure).
What can we do with this grain?
Qin Shi only did a quick calculation and found it shocking—if measured by the standard of being able to eat one's fill, this amount of grain would not even be enough to relieve a disaster in one area.
It could barely feed a few hundred thousand people.
The number really stung her.
She originally planned to proceed steadily, first obtaining various appropriate data and methods in the experimental fields, and then promoting various farming methods nationwide.
That's exactly what she promoted.
You can only find out by asking the official in charge of grain supply.
The seemingly ordinary methods of furrowing in the fields, castrating pigs and sheep, and applying fertilizers in the Shanglin Garden of Xianyang Palace, which were already recorded, were not universally used throughout the country!
Because of the lack of information and the fact that those who knew about it cherished it, it is very likely that more than 60% of the people in the entire Qin state, who had worked hard for decades, did not know that the furrow method could be used!
And for them, an acre of land could only yield one or two bushels of grain.
This amount of food is barely enough to feed ourselves, let alone cope with the heavy taxes levied on us by the country.
Therefore, Qin Shi answered with great certainty:
"Agricultural work should be the priority."
"But even if someone doesn't understand farming, if they are meticulous, patient, and willing to look down into things, they can be recruited and trained as professional agricultural officers."
Let's use these as padding for now.