Lei Nian sat there, pondering what to do next. Now that he has initially gained Ying Zheng's trust, the issue of survival is temporarily resolved. What should he do next?
First of all, he needs to plant potatoes, which are highly valued by the political boss. However, is the current season's climate suitable for potato planting in Qin? Is the land near Yanming suitable for potato growth?
There are more than two thousand years of time difference between Qin and the modern era, so the climate environment is not the same as in the modern era. Therefore, crops that can be planted in a certain season and region in the modern era may not be able to be planted in Qin. For example, during the Little Ice Age period of the Ming Dynasty, the climate was cold, and crops planted in the same season could not be compared with those planted in the modern era.
It is necessary to fully understand the climate and soil environment of the Warring States period.
If Li Nian had a large quantity of potatoes to plant, he could be more confident in doing so. However, with only two potatoes, he has to be careful and consider all possible factors.
This problem is not difficult to solve. He can consult with the farmers in Yanming, who have been cultivating the land for years and are bound to have a good understanding of the Qin soil and climate.
"Handle the chili peppers in the same way as the potatoes, first figure out which season and which type of soil in the Warring States is suitable for planting them."
Li Nian instinctively wanted to find paper and pen to record his thoughts, but he immediately realized that paper in the Warring States had yet to be invented.
'By the way, there is also papermaking. Papermaking requires a site and needs to first produce a batch of tools.'
Li Nian had browsed through the videos of ancient papermaking methods multiple times, and the process didn't seem difficult, at least it looked easy on paper. But he needed tools, and where in the Warring States could he find the tools for papermaking?
'The issue of tools can be troublesome. The craftsmen in the Palace Workshop will have to deal with it!'
The handicraft industry of Qin was uniformly managed by the Palace Workshop. The Palace Workshop was responsible for coordinating and managing various handicraft production activities, including but not limited to metal mining and casting, coinage, vehicle manufacturing, weapon production, and the production of daily necessities.
The Qin dynasty also implemented the system of engraving the names of artisans, production dates, production organizations, and officials on the products during production, in order to trace the quality of the products and assign responsibilities.
This management approach ensured the standardization and normalization of Qin's handicraft production, improving product quality and efficiency, especially during war with other countries. The war-winning support provided by Qin's military could be attributed to this.
'Almost forgot, there is also a plow, which can also be drawn to let the craftsmen of the Palace Workshop do. For now, I will first do these. The rest should also think about how to improve my quality of life.'
'After contributing so much to the Warring States, what's wrong with enjoying myself?'
Li Nian's mind suddenly came up with the dialogue of the Western Han Zhaolie Emperor: 'Isn't the iron smelting technology in Qin good enough? Can we make iron pots?'
In the past half a month in Qin, the food was either boiled or roasted. Although all ingredients are natural and green, eating too much would make it greasy. Besides, the seasoning of this era is far behind that of later times.
'Chairs, tables, and benches also need to be made. Who can endure kneeling and sitting all day?'
Actually, as long as the correct method is mastered, kneeling down isn't necessarily uncomfortable. But being a modern person, why should I kneel down instead of sitting comfortably?
'I will delay making a flush toilet for now. I will do it after the emperor uses the paper I have made.'
After a moment of thought, Li Nian had bamboo slips and ink brought in, wrote a request, and had someone deliver it for the approval of Ying Zheng.
If the political boss doesn't approve, no matter how many good ideas there are, it will be useless.
Soon, Ying Zheng received the bamboo slips and read them. He said, "Li Nian does things in an orderly manner and is not just a momentary whim. The matters above, I have approved all of them. Send an imperial edict to the Palace Workshop Director-General and instruct him to cooperate with Li Nian, and he must not violate any orders!"
The next day, the people from the Palace Workshop hadn't arrived yet, but Su Xu came first.
Despite already being in the Sixing Palace and even sitting in front of that person, Su Xu was still somewhat surprised.
Has it only been one day?
The person he was responsible for teaching had suddenly transformed into a prince!
What happened yesterday?
What kind of relationship do you have with the king?
At first, he had thought of this person as a barbarian, fortunately, he hadn't shown it directly.
Thinking of this, Su Xu muttered "thank goodness for that!" Then came joy and excitement. He was teaching a prince!
Although the prince was treated as a prince according to the king's order, not a true prince, it was also enough to show the king's importance of this person.
This person is sure to become a pillar of the state of Qin in the future!
And now, fortunate enough to be teaching this person, what can he do?
Su Xu thought about Chun Yu Ye, who had a similar background in Confucianism, teaching the Prince Shu Su. If he could also influence this person with Confucian knowledge……
A Qin king deeply influenced by Confucianism, and another highly esteemed member of the government also influenced by Confucianism, wouldn't the world of Qin be under their Confucianists' dominion?
Just unfortunate that this person is a bit older, if he had met him when he was young, it would have been more conducive to teaching. But it's not too late now.
After some deliberation, Su Xu felt that his idea was feasible, so he opened his mouth and asked, "Prince knows the Hundred Schools?"
In Su Xu's opinion, this person was initially unable to speak properly and didn't know where he came from in the countryside. How could he possibly know about the Hundred Schools?
As soon as Su Xu asked, Li Nian thought it over and understood. This person probably took advantage of his identity as a prince to try to influence him with Confucianism.
Su Xu was waiting for Li Nian to answer "I don't know!", but unexpectedly, Li Nian replied, "I know! What you, Master Su, are asking about is the 'Hundred Schools'. The hundred schools include Laozi, Mozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Confucius, Guiguzi, Han Feizi..."
"The Hundred Schools consist of Taoism, Mohism, Legalism, Agrarianism, Medicine, Yinyang (yin-yang) School, Name School, Miscellaneous School, Fiction School (or Mencius School), Diplomatic Strategists, Military Strategists, and Confucianism..."
"The sages in the Hundred Schools are the most famous and representative people among them. Some sages are even the founders of their own schools, which is why there is a saying of 'Hundred Schools.'"
Hearing Li Nian enumerate as if he were counting his own treasures, Su Xu was stunned. How did this person know so clearly?
He had intended to exploit the person's ignorance of the Hundred Schools to boost the status of Confucianism among the schools, to talk about the merits of Confucianism, and to spark his interest in it.
Su Xu believed that as long as this person showed interest in Confucian studies, he would definitely be influenced. There is no better way to govern the world than Confucian theories.
Unexpectedly, this person knew it. The plan will have to be changed. Su Xu asked again, "Since the Prince knows the Hundred Schools, do you know who among the sages has the deepest learning and highest moral character?"
'Not even bothering to act out the role anymore, going straight to the point? That fits the temperament of people in this era. Talented individuals recommend themselves, that's how the idiom "Mao Sui self-recommends" came about!'
Su Xu was waiting for Li Nian to say "I don't know!" or to casually mention a sage other than Confucius, but Li Nian didn't even answer his question. Instead, he asked with a smile, "Master Su, isn't it because in the Hundred Schools, Confucius has the deepest learning and highest moral character?"
Li Nian's direct statement completely stumped Su Xu. Although this was indeed his belief, having it directly pointed out by Li Nian made Su Xu feel a bit embarrassed as if his thoughts had been exposed.
