hunger!

This is a problem that no dynasty can get around. For Zhang Juzheng, the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, he knew very well what famine would cause.

Famine caused by natural disasters will lead to the destruction of the dynasty.

A high-yield crop is more conducive to the stability of the world while avoiding the occurrence of famine.

It is precisely because of this that Zhang Juzheng's mood today seems quite comfortable.

After a while, the food was ready. Looking at the food on the table, Zhang Juzheng said curiously.

"Are these potatoes?"

"Looking back to the master, this is shredded potatoes, this is roasted beef, this is mashed potatoes..."

Pointing at the food on the table, Shi Yiwen specifically explained the mashed potatoes in the basin.

"Mashed potatoes are to mash the cooked potatoes and sprinkle some salt to serve as a staple food. Because potatoes cannot be made into flour like rice and flour, so if they are used as a staple food, mashed potatoes are the best choice."

Although potatoes are the four important food crops, second only to wheat, rice and corn. However, even hundreds of years later, it has not become a staple food in China, but has always been a vegetable. In many European countries, mashed potatoes are the main food method when potatoes are the staple food in history.

“It tastes good!”

Just as he tasted it, Zhang Juzheng's eyes lit up and he said.

“Although the mashed potatoes are a little lighter, they taste good.”

Then he ate the dishes again, and the taste was also extremely delicious, which made him feel much more relieved. Compared to Zhang Juzheng's calmness, Ma Ziqiang and others seemed quite excited, and they praised potatoes from time to time, and of course they would also praise Shi Yiwen.

Although the food on the table was not very rich, the four cabinet masters seemed very interested because of the different foods. They even discussed how to promote potatoes to the world in words. Shi Yiwen was naturally happy to see this, after all, this is also the reason why he planted potatoes.

"This potato is pretty good. It can be used as a meal and as a dish. If it can be promoted throughout the world, it will definitely be welcomed by the people."

After sighing, Zhang Juzheng looked at Shi Yiwen and then said seriously.

"I have never heard of these treasures for so many years since I opened a sea trade. It seems that these rare objects are indeed beneficial to the country and the people overseas!"

A seemingly casual sentence made Shi Yiwen's eyes lit up and he said intentionally or unintentionally.

"It is not certain whether there are rare treasures overseas, but crops like this are not only potatoes and sweet potatoes, but also many crops suitable for the Ming Dynasty. If those seeds are introduced, the people will naturally benefit from it."

Seeing Zhang Juzheng nodding and saying yes, Shi Yiwen said casually.

"But, sea merchants often ignore the introduction of these good varieties when going to sea. As far as the officials know, crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes have been planted in some places in the Southeast Asia for decades, but no one has ever been introduced to the Heavenly Kingdom. Speaking of which, it is because not many people know that these things are good things that benefit the country and the people."

Almost the moment Shi Yiwen finished speaking, Ma Ziqiang said.

"Businessmen speak of profit but cannot make profits from it. Naturally, they are unwilling to introduce seeds, that is, you, thinking about the livelihood of the people."

When he spoke in praise, Ma Ziqiang couldn't help but sigh.

"If all the rare and rare overseas varieties can be introduced into the Ming Dynasty, I wonder how many people can be saved!"

Ma Ziqiang sighed casually, which made Zhang Juzheng nod and agreed, and then said.

"It is indeed possible to save countless people, but how could those maritime merchants be willing to handle this matter for the court? After all, it is not easy to handle this matter."

"Ordinary maritime merchants are unwilling. After all, it is not easy to find a good breed. But if they can make a lot of profit, I think there will be maritime merchants who are willing to run for the court."

Shi Yiwen's seemingly casual words made Zhang Juzheng look at him a few times, and then said curiously.

"Promising a high profit? What is a high profit?"

"Looking back to the prime minister, although the state has opened the sea ban for many years, it is only allowed to allow the people of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou to "trade the East and West and East". As for other places, the sea ban is still implemented. The officials thought that if the court could allow a ship to go out to sea from Tianjin or a certain place to go to sea for trading, but to ask them to collect good varieties from overseas as a price, I think the sea commerce companies are still willing to run for the court."

A seemingly casual suggestion has actually been brewing for a long time. Although it was already open in the Ming Dynasty as early as the early years of Longqing, only Yuegang was opened, allowing merchants and civilians from Zhangzhou and Quanzhou to go overseas for trade, and foreign merchants were not allowed to enter the country for trade. Both in terms of the scope of opening up and the trading system, it has great limitations. Opening local areas in exchange for sea bans in most coastal areas of the country has created an unequal overseas trade environment, leading to the rise of smuggling trade again, and eventually destroying the legal trade of Yuegang.

Because of understanding the disadvantages of opening the sea in Longqing, Shi Yiwen had the idea of ​​opening the sea in the north. Of course, this idea also has a certain relationship with his own needs. After all, the wealth that maritime trade can bring is far beyond people's imagination.

In the past, he put his hopes on Wanli in the future, but now, since he has this opportunity, he naturally does not want to miss this matter again.

"Oh, I don't think it's necessary."

Shen Shixing objected almost immediately.

"The Prime Minister, if the Prime Minister wants to collect good varieties from overseas, he can hand over this matter to the maritime merchants in Yuegang. There is no need to set up another commercial port in Tianjin. Besides, Tianjin is an important place in the capital. If the Hong Kong trade is opened, it will inevitably attract outsiders to spy on it. At that time, it will inevitably harm the Ming Dynasty. The officials think this matter is inappropriate!"

inappropriate!

Shi Yiwen subconsciously sneered in his heart.

Is it inappropriate, and it is not possible?

Thinking that Shen Shixing was from Nanzhili, he might have connections with those maritime merchants. He is probably because of his opposition now. Shi Yiwen naturally did not tolerate others' bad things, so he immediately refuted.

"What Mr. Shen said was surprised. What he said below was not to open a port, but to trade in Tianjin with a maritime businessman. He only needed the court to give him a license, and then allowed him to go to sea from Tianjin, trade in the east and west, and to ask him to search overseas for good crops and livestock overseas. This is the premise for issuing a license for good crops and livestock to go abroad. This is different from ordinary port openings. Opening a port is to allow the people to go to sea, and this is just to give a license to a few ships. The purpose is nothing more than to exchange for good crops and livestock overseas."
Chapter completed!