I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 58 Application of Modern Agriculture

Agricultural Science Class.

These three seemingly casual words struck everyone like a thunderclap.

The training courses previously launched by Liu Shan shocked the entire Yizhou with their unique teaching methods, novel content, and distinctive examinations, making the academic atmosphere of the Imperial Academy, which was gradually declining in the chaotic world, even more intense.

Now, a new agricultural science class has been launched with the aim of farming, which has aroused curiosity and doubt among everyone.

Farming isn't something anyone can do without, so why create a training course? Isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness. Every farmer who works in the fields knows how to cultivate the land. Why establish agricultural science classes? Isn't that redundant?"

Liu Shan shook his head and said, "The farming that the Grand Minister of Agriculture speaks of is merely physical labor, while the farming I speak of is science."

science?

Another word I'd never heard before popped up.

Not only did Grand Minister of Agriculture Meng Guang understand it, but even Zhuge Liang only had a vague understanding of it.

"As the saying goes, wealth lies in strategy, not physical labor; profit lies in position, not in hard work. Agricultural science classes teach how to increase grain production, not how to plow, carry water, and harvest."

That being said, increasing grain production is easier said than done.

"Your Majesty, the yields of rice, millet, wheat, and other grains have stabilized. Even in Cao Wei, which possesses fertile land, the yields per mu are not significantly different. If we could truly increase the yields, it would be something even a god couldn't accomplish."

Yang Min was not subtly criticizing Liu Shan for being arrogant and conceited, but rather stating a fact.

Liu Shan understood why they thought increasing grain yield per mu was an incredible thing.

Although China has thousands of years of planting techniques and experience, these were accumulated little by little over time and with wisdom.

As a time traveler, returning to the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period with planting experience from two thousand years in the future, this is a classic case of "dimensional reduction attack," right?

Liu Shan planned to use real-life examples to teach them a lesson.

"Supervisor Yang, you are well-versed in agriculture. Then let me ask you, what conditions are necessary for a bumper harvest?"

"Naturally, it's good seeds, fertile soil, and the right timing," Yang Min said without hesitation.

"Someone, bring me two handfuls of rice, and then pick out the plump ones."

Seeing that Liu Shan attached great importance to this, the chief eunuch Wang Gui personally took charge and soon brought over two bowls of rice.

One bowl was mostly dry and broken, while the other bowl was full and golden.

"Supervisor Yang, which of these two bowls of rice do you think will yield a higher harvest if planted?"

"Naturally, it's this bowl of plump seeds."

Yang Min understood exactly what Liu Shan wanted to say and continued, "Even with the best seeds, the rice grown from them will vary in quality."

Liu Shan laughed and said, "When it comes to farming, Yang Du Nong is better than me. I just think that farming and raising an army are the same thing."

"The state raises soldiers by selecting strong and young men and subjecting them to rigorous training. Those who fail the tests are eliminated, and only then can they become an elite force."

"The same applies to farming. Only by selecting superior seeds and nurturing them in fertile soil can yields be increased."

This method of optimal planting is well understood by anyone who farms.

"Your Majesty, the court carefully selects seeds for sowing every year before spring planting, but the yield has not changed significantly."

"I have spoken the truth, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

After Yang Min finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Liu Shan.

"It's alright, everyone should express their opinions during a meeting. Yang Du Nong's method of selection is merely superficial."

"The true best is called 'One Ear of Rice Transmitted'."

A single ear of grain passes on?

What is this?

Not to mention Yang Min, who was in charge of agriculture, even the well-informed Grand Minister of Agriculture, Meng Guang, had never heard of it.

After pondering for a moment, Zhuge Liang seemed to have an idea.

"What Your Majesty refers to as 'one ear of rice passed down through generations' should refer to a high-quality variety obtained by selecting a single rice ear and cultivating it over several generations."

"What you say is very true, Prime Minister." Liu Shan gave Zhuge Liang a thumbs up in his heart.

No wonder he's a farmer; he understands immediately.

"Traditional seed selection involves choosing the best seeds from a large number of seeds for planting, which naturally results in differences in quality."

"And the 'one ear of grain' is to select seeds, plant them until they mature, then select the best seeds from them and plant them again. This process is repeated several times, with the superior seeds being selected and the inferior ones being eliminated. Although the number of seeds decreases, the remaining seeds are all high-yielding seeds."

Yang Min was skilled in farming and extremely intelligent; he immediately understood the mystery and wonder of this "one ear of grain passing on".

Through generations of selection, the seeds that remain are naturally the best, with almost no defective high-quality varieties.

This kind of knowledge that subverts traditional understanding actually came from the mouth of a young man.

Your Majesty, what books do you read in your daily life? Your knowledge is so profound.

"This ear of grain, though it can increase production, is by no means something that can be achieved in one or two years. It takes three to five years to cultivate successfully before it can be widely planted. We cannot be too hasty."

Liu Shan pointed out the drawbacks of this method.

"If we can really increase production, what's wrong with waiting three to five years?" Yang Min was overjoyed.

If the "One Ear of Rice Transmission" project succeeds, it will be a major breakthrough that will change agriculture.

"In addition to this, the agricultural science class will also teach techniques such as soil conditioning, winter wheat planting, grain rotation, seedling transplanting, green manure, and mulberry and hemp improvement."

"If the people can all use this method to farm, the grain output in Yizhou will definitely double within three to five years."

Although the people didn't understand these modern agricultural terms, they were convinced that the technology could double the yield, and they felt that it must be an amazing technique.

"Your Majesty, the techniques you have described are unheard of not only by me, but also by all the agricultural officials in Yizhou. How can we possibly teach them to you?"

Oh, that is a problem.

The training courses have been started, but there are no teaching materials or lecturers. How can we promote them?

After a moment's thought, Liu Shan said, "In that case, I will compile these techniques into a book and then pass them on to you. You must learn them humbly and bring benefits to the people."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Min immediately bowed in gratitude upon hearing this.

To receive instruction personally from the current emperor is truly an honor for one's ancestors.

"There is one more matter, Governor Yang, you must take immediate action. I need a piece of land called the 'Experimental Field,' where I will conduct lessons and experiments."

The seeds of "One Ear Spreads" will also be cultivated here. Only after successful cultivation can they be planted throughout the country. We must not be careless.

"As you command!"

Yang Min was impressed by Liu Shan's meticulousness and attention to detail.

"Let me state beforehand that I only understand the surface of these techniques, not their deeper meaning. The reason I issued the decree to recruit talented people from all over the country who are proficient in agriculture is to exchange ideas with each other in practice, summarize experiences, and successfully apply these techniques to agriculture."

"With Yang's talent, he will surely be able to draw inferences from one instance to another, integrate knowledge, and become a pillar of the nation, bringing benefits to the country and its people."

Liu Shan's flattery made Yang Min completely devoted to him.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly serve you with utmost loyalty to repay your kindness."

Liu Shan raised his bowl and said, "My dear ministers, everything is settled. Let us eat."