Chapter 785: Cotton

After three days of travel, the western envoy convoy that had briefly rested in Chang'an finally caught up with the field headquarters that had already returned east to Huayin County. Moreover, under the Son of Heaven Liu Chengyou's instruction, the two horse-drawn carts were personally escorted and transported by guards into the field headquarters, all the way to the imperial tent.

"These are the cotton seeds?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Exactly!" Lu Duoxun, who had been serving as a secretary and lecturer at Liu Chengyou's side since his return, immediately responded: "Your subject has investigated—this thing was transmitted from the West, and has been in the western frontier for several hundred years. It is already widely cultivated in the Western Regions. The fluff and cloth produced from it have become the primary cold-resistant and clothing materials for the people of the northwest. Guanzhong and Longyou already have considerable cotton cloth traded in from the west.

Your subject has heard that this thing is easy to cultivate, loves sunlight and tolerates drought, has high yields, wide uses, and extremely high utility. If it is promoted, it can fully replace silk and hemp, becoming the primary clothing material for the common people of the realm! Your subject begs Your Majesty to issue an edict for its promotion, to plant this thing in the Central Plains—this will surely benefit the court and benefit the people of the Great Han!"

Lu Duoxun sang a lofty tune, and Liu Chengyou was silent for a moment, instead carefully observing those cotton seeds brought back from the Western Regions. Brownish, ovoid, with a pointed head and thick tail, the tip capped with a bit of white—like brown earth mountain peaks dusted with a layer of white snow.

This was the first time Liu Chengyou had seen with his own eyes what cotton seeds looked like. As for cotton's uses, he didn't need Lu Duoxun to explain—he knew perfectly well. Back when he had sent Lu west, he had instructed him to find a way to bring back some cotton seeds for promotion.

But hearing his unusually proactive suggestion—whether he had truly discovered its utility or was merely trying to please him—this attitude earned Liu Chengyou's approval.

However, Liu Chengyou remained calm at this moment. Setting down the few cotton seeds in his hand, he said: "The benefits of this thing, I naturally know well. But if we wish to promote it across the Central Plains, it will not be so easy.

Few people above or below yet know its benefits. Whether the common folk who have never planted it would be willing to do so, whether it can grow normally in the Central Plains after a change of environment, and since food is the heaven of the people, whether this crop would affect grain cultivation...

All these questions need consideration—it is not something a single edict of mine can force into execution. Even if the court issues a compulsory order and the people plant it, would they do so willingly? Most importantly, the people of the Central Plains have no experience planting this thing. To promote it, the first thing to solve is the method of cultivation!"

Hearing the Emperor's remarks, Lu Duoxun's mouth curved slightly upward in an admiring expression, and he flattered: "Your Majesty's considerations are most astute. This matter truly cannot be rushed—your subject was too hasty! However, on this return east, your subject also brought back two cotton farmers from the northwest!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately cast him an appreciative gaze and laughed: "Good for you, Lu Duoxun—what I worry about, you've surely already thought of!"

Lu Duoxun smiled modestly.

"Bring those two cotton farmers up—I wish to see them!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

Soon, two middle-aged men were brought before the sovereign—one tall, one short, both lean and wiry, with dark, sun-baked skin, dressed in cotton cloth clothes.

Seeing Liu Chengyou's bright yellow attire, they swiftly prostrated themselves and said with some fear: "This humble one pays respects to the Emperor!"

Liu Chengyou still held several cotton garments in his hand—soft in texture but coarse in workmanship. Looking at the two men, whose accents were strange and speech somewhat garbled but barely comprehensible, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but be surprised: "You can actually speak the national tongue!"

Lu Duoxun explained from the side: "They are originally remnants of the Great Tang. On the road east, your subject also spent time teaching them the elegant speech. After all this time, they don't speak it well, but they can barely converse, enough for Your Majesty's inquiries!"

Liu Chengyou liked this Lu Duoxun more and more. His proud and lofty temperament might be off-putting, but his ability and quick wit were genuinely real.

"How long have you been planting cotton?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Over ten years!" the shorter one answered.

"And you were willing to travel thousands of li east to return to the Central Plains?"

At the question, the two exchanged a glance, looked at Lu Duoxun standing beside the Emperor, and the shorter one answered: "Governor Lu told us that returning to the Central Plains would earn us generous rewards."

Hearing them say this, Lu Duoxun gave Liu Chengyou an awkward smile. Liu Chengyou, however, showed a hearty expression and said: "He spoke correctly! I will indeed reward you—but there are conditions!"

The two were stunned for a moment, their confidence somewhat weakened, and answered: "This humble one only knows how to till fields, plant cotton, herd livestock..."

"Quite a few skills, then!" Though cotton farmers were lowly, they were not without the shrewdness and greed of common folk, but Liu Chengyou appeared very approachable: "Stop kneeling—rise and answer!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"How long until this cotton matures? How many seasons can it be planted in a year?" Liu Chengyou turned his attention to some details.

"In Xizhou, it is planted in spring and harvested in autumn. For the short cycle, from sprouting to boll-opening takes only five months! Only one season per year, but it requires multiple pickings!"

Liu Chengyou then pointed at the two carts of cotton seeds: "Your journey back was long and took time—are these seeds still usable?"

The shorter one answered: "These seeds are all new seeds from last year. They were kept in good condition along the way. Even if some are damaged, most are still usable!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou stopped inquiring about the specifics and resumed his usual commanding manner, fixing his gaze on the two men: "I will set aside several qing of suitable land for you two, and find some common folk to put under you. Use these seeds to teach them cotton planting, management, and all related matters, and cultivate cotton suited for the Central Plains. As long as you teach well, I will not stint on heavy rewards! Are you willing?"

The imperial majesty radiated outward, and the two small farmers, terrified, immediately prostrated themselves: "This humble one is willing!"

"I will also send some people to assist you!" Pointing at the two carts, he said: "These two carts of cotton seeds, I place under your charge!"

"Yes!"

"Take them down!"

With progress on the cotton matter, Liu Chengyou was in a good mood. Walking with Lu Duoxun through the field headquarters, the blazing sun shone down, its warmth reaching straight into his heart, and Liu Chengyou felt the whole world had become clearer and brighter.

"Is Your Majesty still considering the cotton planting matter?" Lu Duoxun asked proactively.

Nodding, Liu Chengyou clasped his hands behind his back and said slowly: "This thing is planted in spring and harvested in autumn, one season a year. It is already high summer now—if we want to sow it, we must wait until next year. And by the time they have a harvest and it reaches the point where it can be promoted on a large scale in the Central Plains, that will not be accomplished in a short time. Therefore, on this matter, I am not anxious!"

As for whether it would succeed, Liu Chengyou was not worried in the slightest.

"I won't hide it from you—I am resolved to promote cotton cultivation under the Great Han's rule, even if it means forcing it through administrative orders, I will not hesitate." Liu Chengyou revealed his determination to Lu Duoxun, speaking seriously: "However, rather than imposing it on the people, I would still prefer to let it happen naturally—orders from above carried out below, letting the people plant it of their own accord!"

Hearing the Emperor's words, Lu Duoxun immediately said: "Your Majesty, in their daily lives, aside from growing grain, the people raise silkworms, plant mulberries, and grow hemp. Since they can grow hemp, they can naturally grow cotton. Your subject believes that the world bustles and hustles, all for profit coming and going. In the future, the people may reject cotton at first because they are unfamiliar with it and do not know its benefits—but as long as the court vigorously publicizes it, lets them understand the advantages of cotton cloth, and lets them see profit in it, then supplemented with government decrees, good results will naturally follow!"

His eyes brightened slightly, a spark of spirit rising, and Liu Chengyou looked at Lu Duoxun with keen interest, asking: "Lu Duoxun, you are young, but you are very good at figuring out my thoughts—your ideas coincide with mine!"

Hearing this, Lu Duoxun became somewhat more reserved and said cautiously: "Your subject would never dare presume to fathom Your Majesty's thoughts—it is merely coincidence."

Smiling, Liu Chengyou looked toward the west and said: "I intend to open great trade markets in the northwest, with the government organizing trade with the various powers of He-Long—both as infiltration and to strengthen exchange, gradually restoring influence. At the same time, reopen the Hexi Corridor, encourage merchants to trade westward, and purchase cotton cloth from the West! Starting from the northwestern border prefectures, gradually promote cotton products eastward, letting the people become familiar with them first!"

"Your Majesty's considerations are most wise!" Lu Duoxun first approved, then cautiously raised some concerns: "But the roads are long, transportation is inconvenient, and the risks on the trade routes are too great. Cotton cloth's value is not high compared to other goods—I fear not many would be willing to trade in it..."

"This... I had not thought of that!" Being shown a problem, Liu Chengyou did not get angry, but instead thought seriously for a moment, then said: "Before cotton planting in the Central Plains develops, the court will abolish all customs and market taxes on cotton goods. The Guanzhong and northwestern government offices and armies should also adopt cotton-made clothing and bedding in appropriate amounts.

As for the safety of the trade routes, the Great Han should jointly maintain it with the various powers along the route of Lan-Liang, Gansu, and Gua-Sha. With the Great Han taking the lead in suppressing bandits, ensuring the safety of the Silk Road, and maintaining stability everywhere—they should not refuse, should they!"

"Your Majesty is sagacious!" Lu Duoxun bowed in admiration, sincerely from the heart.