The speed of raising food and grass in Daming was undoubtedly amazing. All of this originated from the new crops popularized by Zhu Cilang five or six years ago. You should know that sweet potatoes and corn were of epoch-making significance for the Central Plains dynasty, which was mainly farmed. At one point, it directly caused a population explosion.

The first thing that can be confirmed is that the big explosion of the Qing Dynasty population had little to do with the so-called prosperous times. All of this was due to the fruits of these crops.

Although crops such as sweet potatoes and corn were introduced in the Ming Dynasty, the real benefit was in the Qing Dynasty. In other words, the saplings planted in the Ming Dynasty were covered by the Qing Dynasty.

Throughout history, after Chen Zhenlong introduced sweet potatoes to China this time, it had a huge butterfly effect, which directly led to a huge change in China's population and indirectly had a great impact on all aspects of society, politics and economy.

Those who advocated the prosperity of Kang and Gansu were really ridiculous. The population of the Qing Dynasty had several significant growths. As early as the 12th year of Yongzheng, the population of the Qing Dynasty was 27.35 million, which was still at a normal level. However, in the next seven years of Yongzheng, the population of the Qing Dynasty suddenly increased to more than 143.41 million. This is the statistics of the sixth year of Qianlong. According to the world calendar, 1741, the population increased by more than 100 million in seven years. What’s more terrifying is that in the 60th year of Qianlong, that is, in 1795, the population of the Qing Dynasty was already more than 296.96 million, which doubled compared with the sixth year of Qianlong. By the 14th year of Daoguang, it almost doubled to 401 million. Such a growth rate is really shocking.

Such a significant population growth is absolutely impossible because of the result of prosperity. Looking at the entire history of Chinese civilization, the Central Plains dynasty once created many brilliant prosperity dynasties. However, no prosperous dynasty would cause such a large population explosion. The reason is that the popularity of crops in the Ming and Qing dynasties was the case.

Sweet potatoes were introduced as early as the Ming Dynasty. At that time, people did not have a great demand for sweet potatoes. Although sweet potatoes had a strong sense of fullness, they would feel uncomfortable if they were eaten too much and digested very quickly. In the era of famine, people might grow sweet potatoes more, which were relatively easy to preserve and carry.

Until later, the smart Han people adopted a variety of methods. For example, the first place in Shandong to make pancakes with sweet potatoes. Such pancakes can be used as staple food and can be stored for hunger. The elderly in the last century still remember them freshly, and sweet potato pancakes are still local staple food.

Zhu Cixuan was promoting these crops as soon as he traveled through time. Moreover, he was promoting them with the power of imperial power. Now, six years have passed since the 19th year of Chongzhen.

At this time, the popularity of crops in the entire Ming Dynasty had basically been completed. Its extraordinary output had already solved the food crisis.

Moreover, the grain output in Daming is increasing year by year. The people know that the ultra-high yield of crops such as sweet potatoes and corn has been difficult to promote, and now there is no need to promote it at all, and the people are rushing to plant it.

These crops can be said to be full of treasures. Whether it is peanuts, corn or sweet potatoes, peanut seedlings can be used as feed for livestock in winter, peanut shells can be used as firewood. Corn stalks can be used to raise cattle and sheep, and corn braced clothes can be made into futons and other handicrafts.

Sweet potatoes are even more terrifying. The roots, stems and leaves of sweet potatoes can be eaten. During the famine, the sweet potato seedlings can be cooked and dried and stored. When eating, just soak them and then add mixed grains to steam them.

When Zhu Cixuan led the 12th Regiment Camp to pacify the enemy, the food and grass were still in short supply. The soldiers relied on sweet potato seedlings and mixed grains to defeat the enemy Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.

Sweet potatoes can be stored in the cellar in winter, or they can be directly sliced ​​and dried. The dried sweet potatoes can be steamed and eaten. Or they can be ground into a paste and made into pancakes. These are one of the staple foods that the people rely on for their survival.

In the 21st year of Wanli, an old scholar, Chen Zhenlong, decided to do a big thing, a big thing that could change the entire Chinese population pattern and benefit future generations.

Unlike Westerners who steal silkworm seeds and tea trees from China, the big thing Chen Zhenlong is preparing to do is to smuggle a magical plant brought by the Spaniard from South America into China from the Philippines.

This plant was later called sweet potato.

Chen Zhenlong was born in Changle County, Fuzhou, Fujian. He passed the exam for scholars when he was young. However, with the rapid increase in the population in the late Ming Dynasty and the difficulty of the imperial examination, after failing to pass the exam, Chen Zhenlong followed the strong business atmosphere of Southeast provinces to do business in Southeast Asia, "communicating between Fujian Province and Luzon."

At that time, the Spaniards who conquered the Philippines "often suffered from insufficient grain and rice", so they introduced a plant transplanted from South America in the Philippines. The peak yield of this plant can reach more than 4,000 kilograms per mu, and the lowest is more than 2,000 kilograms. Compared with wheat and rice that had a domestic yield of only two or three hundred kilograms per mu during the Ming Dynasty, this is undoubtedly a super crop.

Although he was just a scholar who changed his career in business, Chen Zhenlong's heart still had a strong sense of traditional intellectuals. Thinking of the growing popularity of his hometown and the relatives who were still struggling on the line of food and clothing, Chen Zhenlong decided to bring this super plant back to China no matter how hard he went.

However, the Spanish were very skilled, "treating their species and not dealing with the Chinese." They also checked them layer by layer at the customs. After many failed smuggling, after bribing local natives and obtaining sweet potato vines, Chen Zhenlong twisted the potato vines into the water-drawing rope, and after mixing through the checkpoint, he finally returned to Fuzhou from the Philippines after seven days and nights of bumpy sailing.

At that time, Fujian "had a narrow mountain and a sea, with barren soil and poor people, and was given little trouble, and famine survived. I was occasionally apologized for the year and waited for food to be eaten."

It is precisely because of these new crops that the people have overcome the difficulties.

Zhu Cixuan took all this forward. Since the 14th year of Chongzhen, the court has been spared no effort to promote these new crops. The high yield of grain has squeezed the living space of the bandits. After all, there is land and food to eat, who would put his head on his belt to drag his family to rebel?

In fact, the grain transported to Liaodong has been collected, but this takes time. What is important is that mules and horse tools are needed to transport grain and grass.

Dorgon did burn Zhu Cilang's food and grass, and at one point almost forced the Shenji camp to withdraw its troops. However, the prefectures and counties within the pass quickly took action to collect grain.

If you impose next year's grain tax, you can enjoy a 30% discount when you pay in advance. That is to say, if you need to pay 1,000 kilograms of grain to the court next year, if you pay in advance this year, you only need to pay 700 kilograms.
Chapter completed!