Li Nian nodded fiercely: "Yes! The manufacture of this object is not difficult, the Qin Dynasty could also produce it. Of course, it's not easy to make paper like the later generations!"
Introducting so much is to pique Ying Zheng's interest, making it easier for him to make paper.
Not to benefit the masses, not to be immortalized for a hundred generations, but simply for the sake of being able to use the toilet comfortably.
Ying Zheng said, "Fine, in addition to planting potatoes, make this 'paper' diligently. If you truly succeed in creating it, there will be a great reward for you!"
The political boss gave Li Nian another piece of paper. However, to speak of it, the political boss's paper has some guarantee, unlike the bosses in later generations who drew round and bright papers that look like the moon, which can only be admired from a distance and not approached.
'Wondering what kind of reward the political boss will give me? In this era, many rewards from the boss have little use for me.'
Li Nian continued to introduce: "This item is called a 'plastic bag,' used in the future for carrying and containing things, but the Qin Dynasty cannot produce it now."
Hearing that it couldn't be made, Ying Zheng immediately lost interest. He looked at those ten or so dry, flat red objects and asked with great interest, "Is this also some kind of crop?"
Li Nian flattered him: "Your Majesty has a divine foresight. Indeed, this is a kind of crop, known as 'chili.' But it's different from potatoes; it's a seasoning, with a taste..."
After thinking for a moment, Li Nian continued: "It's like Wu Yu!"
Zhu Yu is divided into three categories: Shan Zhu Yu, Wu Zhu Yu, and Shi Zhu Yu. Shan Zhu Yu belongs to the family of Shan Zhu Yu, while Wu Zhu Yu and Shi Zhu Yu belong to the family of Rumxiang.
The type of Zhu Yu generally referred to as having a pungent taste is Wu Zhu Yu.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng's interest decreased greatly. It's just a seasoning, and he didn't expect it to be another high-yield crop like potatoes that can revitalize a country.
Li Nian said: "In fact, potatoes and chili peppers are not produced in our Central Plains, but were introduced to China from foreign countries during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although our China is vast and abundant, and has a wealth of resources, foreign countries are not inferior, some places have richer resources and more fertile land than China."
This aroused Ying Zheng's strong interest. He had thought that the Seven States were the best and most fertile places in the world, with the outside being barren and wild land not worth looking at. But to his surprise, this person said that there were lands outside that were not inferior to those of China.
Ying Zheng's blood began to boil in his chest.
It's normal for an emperor like Qin Shi Huang to know that there are even more extensive and fertile lands beyond the borders of Qin. How could he not want to conquer them?
But Li Nian held back Ying Zheng's boiling passion. "If Your Majesty is interested," he said, "let me draw a world map for Your Majesty and then I will thoroughly explain it to you. The vastness and wonders of the world may far exceed what Your Majesty imagines, and it cannot be fully explained in one day or two."
Ying Zheng was only temporarily inflamed with passion. At this moment, he had calmed down. As he had just conquered all six states, there were many things to deal with. He couldn't think of doing something just because of a sudden desire.
And how the Qin Dynasty fell, the specific reasons for its fall, he was still unaware. How could he have internal strife and then wage war on the outside?
Over these years of swallowing up the Six States, Ying Zheng well knew that one could not be hasty. Meals had to be eaten one bowl at a time, and things had to be done step by step, distinguishing between the primary and secondary, and what's more important. It's just that the messages this person brought were too tempting.
"Okay, I'll wait for you to draw that map!"
Ying Zheng looked at the last item, and said with surprise: "This is a piece of meat?"
Thinking back then, he had thought that the assassin was really strange for bringing a piece of meat with him for the assassination.
Li Nian replied: "It's a piece of pig meat!"
Shi, or pig, has been raised in China since ancient times: such as the well-known story of Zengzi killing pigs from the Hanfeizi; but in that article, the pig was referred to as "zhi."
The story of Goujian's destruction of Wu, as recorded in the "Book of Yelu," also includes the phrase "For a son, two jars of wine and one dog; for a daughter, two jars of wine and one pig," where "pig" refers to pork.
In ancient times, pork was considered very smelly and strong-tasting, and was not well-suited for cooking. It was generally eaten by ordinary people, while those of status and position rarely consumed it.
Hearing that it was "pork", Ying Zheng was a bit confused. With the wealth and resources of the future, how could they eat pork? Or is this pork special?
Ying Zheng asked, "Is there anything special about this pork?"
Li Nian thought for a moment and replied: "It does have some special features. This pork is not a native species in our Central Plains, but was introduced from foreign countries. Its growth is very rapid, and it can reach over 200 pounds in half a year. However, its smell is very strong. If it's not handled properly, it's quite difficult to eat."
Ying Zheng did not ask Li Nian "if it's difficult to eat, why bother eating it," as there were probably not many options available. He was merely confused in his mind about why there were not many choices in the future despite the abundance of resources.
It's likely that the future isn't entirely idyllic either, with its own set of problems and challenges.
He asked another question: "Why does this pig grow so fast?"
Pork meat isn't considered good meat, but in this era, most people can't afford to eat meat at all. How can they be picky?
If we could adapt this method of raising pigs to the Qin Dynasty, allowing the people of Qin to have more meat to eat, that would be good as well.
Li Nian said: "First, there are specialized materials and skills for raising pigs in the future; second, these pigs are castrated at a young age. After castration, the pigs become lazy and good at eating, do not like to fight, which is conducive to fattening and meat growth. Moreover, castration can reduce the smell of pork, making it easier to eat. The Qin Dynasty can also adopt this method!"
Does the pig really have these effects after being castrated?
Ying Zheng nodded, indicating that the method could be tried in Qin: "If this method is effective, I will credit you with one achievement!"
Li Nian understood that Ying Zheng intended to try castrating pigs and spoke up to remind him: "Your Majesty, it's not difficult to castrate a pig, but the real challenge is to keep it alive after castration. It would be better to let me try first."
"Very well, then I'll entrust this matter to you!"
Seeing that all the introductions have been completed, Ying Zheng asked again: "Is there anything else to discuss?"
Li Nian shook his head and replied, "I have nothing else to report to Your Majesty!"
With so much information obtained from Li Nian today, Ying Zheng also wanted to carefully sort and ponder over it. Now that he heard that Li Nian had nothing else to report, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
He didn't want to stop listening to Li Nian continue, as many of the things Li Nian was saying were of great interest to him. However, he had heard too much, and sometimes less is more.
Ying Zheng said, "Since that's the case, you may withdraw and study diligently. Although I can understand what you say, it is very strange. Also, without my command, do not disclose today's matters to others!"
Qin Shi Huang seemed to be annoyed by the strange language he spoke, making Li Nian speechless: 'I've only been in Qin for a little over half a month, and I'm already saying enough as it is. What more can I be expected to say?'
"I understand!"
Li Nian left the palace and took away the two potatoes and chilies that he had intended to use for cooking meat. As for the piece of pork, Ying Zheng kept it for himself.
Looking at the two potatoes, Li Nian sighed: "You two are lucky to be alive. Originally, they would have ended up in my stomach, but now they will take root and grow in Qin. If you two can really take root and grow in Qin, then all the potatoes in Qin will be your ancestors."
"Will there be someone in the future who will write a book about you all, called 'The Alluring Potato Ancestors of Mine'? Go for it, my potato brothers, grow deeply here and take root! By the way, and you chili sisters too, you will all be the ones to claim lineages and ancestry in the future!"
As he watched Li Nian leave until his figure disappeared completely, Ying Zheng finally turned his gaze back and asked seemingly casually, "What do you think this person's words are true or false?"
Meng Yi didn't answer immediately but was pondering. Ying Zheng did not urge him and patiently waited in silence.
