Chapter 420: Planting Over One Hundred Thousand Mu of Cotton

Compared with the traditional massive, cumbersome straight plow, the curved‑yoke plow that Chen Yan presented is bent, small, agile, and even shorter.

Li Shimin, after Chen Yan's guidance, quickly got the hang of it; the moment he urged the plowing oxen forward, he instantly understood why Chen Yan said the curved‑yoke plow's change was revolutionary.

With only a single ox, and on such dry soil, it was pulled so effortlessly that the earth was turned over in an instant.

In contrast, the straight plow that requires two oxen, taking time and effort, is utterly useless.

Li Shimin could not help but say, "Excellent! What a fine curved‑yoke plow!"

"This research institute is great, the institute must be opened!"

As he said so, he even became addicted and didn't want to stop.

Empress Changsun murmured, "A single ox can till the field so easily; this curved‑yoke plow is probably better than imagined."

"Of course!" Chen Yan replied with a faint smile, "Otherwise why would I exert so much effort to build such a massive research institute?"

"You should know that for a place this large, I already spent a lot just buying the land, let alone the construction and paying hefty sums to hire craftsmen from all trades."

"However, the result didn't disappoint me; whether it's the hydraulic loom, the horseshoe, or this curved‑yoke plow, once a single piece is forged, even spending several times the cost is still worthwhile."

"Hmm!" Empress Changsun nodded heavily, "I have always said you are a good child; you have never disappointed me."

"How much did you spend on this research institute? Today I decide, the Imperial Family will fund it for you; I have only one request: keep the institute running well. If you lack people or money, or encounter trouble, you may come to me at any time!"

"Alright!" Chen Yan smiled and nodded, then shouted, "His Majesty, try turning now; you don't have to keep going straight."

"You can turn?" Li Shimin exclaimed in surprise.

Tao Dashi, who was handling the oxen, immediately laughed, "His Majesty, of course you can, and it's very easy. Come, give it a try."

Speaking so, he guided the plowing oxen to turn; Li Shimin followed suit and immediately found, just as Chen Yan said, that turning was quite easy.

"Great, wonderful!" Li Shimin exclaimed excitedly, "With this, the people can till their fields much more easily; perhaps a single ox could finish a family's land."

"It could even be used to reclaim wasteland, giving the Tang Dynasty more farmland!"

"Perhaps I can ensure that no Tang citizen dies of hunger!"

Tao Dashi fell silent, inwardly reflecting that although their emperor has blemishes, it is undeniable that he truly is a good emperor.

"Master Tao, was the curved‑yoke plow made by you?" Li Shimin couldn't help but ask.

Tao Dashi, upon hearing this, immediately panicked, waving his hands, "His Majesty, I am just a common carpenter; I truly cannot claim the title of master before you."

"As for this curved‑yoke plow, the Duke provided the blueprint, and the forging department and we jointly produced it; we are merely laborers and dare not claim credit."

"Hmm, this youngster's mind is indeed extraordinary!" Li Shimin said without any doubt, and his resolve to have Chen Yan protect his own mind grew stronger.

Afterwards, the two asked and answered, chatting while plowing the field.

They worked for almost half an hour, and Li Shimin, drenched in sweat, finally stopped.

Empress Changsun helplessly produced a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, "Even if it's good, you can't act like this, can you? We should promote the curved‑yoke plow so that all the people under heaven can use it."

"Alas!" Li Shimin sighed, "I'm getting old; in the past, not to mention doing this for just a short while, even if I worked an entire day I wouldn't pause."

"Then, Your Majesty, you work harder than an ox!" Chen Yan suddenly said.

Li Shimin didn't realize the slip and proudly bragged to him.

"Alright, alright, you two stop." Empress Changsun said irritably, "Don't you see what time it is? Today we came to see Tang'er and the granddaughter."

"Let's go back first; it's getting late, we can talk while eating."

Hearing that, Li Shimin also felt hungry.

The group left the research institute and returned to Xianlingfu.

Empress Changsun hurriedly went with Li Lizhi to look for Gao Yang; Li Shimin stayed behind, for Gao Yang had just given birth, and even a father shouldn't enter abruptly.

At that moment, Qing'er happened to come and said, "Young master, the dishes are ready; shall we start the meal?"

"Alright, go tell Her Majesty the Empress and Lizhi." Chen Yan nodded, and said to Li Shimin, "His Majesty, let's have the meal first; we can discuss the curved‑yoke plow and other matters later."

"Fine!" Li Shimin readily agreed and followed Chen Yan to the dining area.

As the servants gradually served the dishes, Empress Changsun came carrying Xiao Sui An together with Li Lizhi; Li Tai, the Princess of Yue, as well as Li Chengqian and two little Princesses had already arrived earlier.

Li Shimin first glanced at the granddaughter, then everyone cheerfully began the meal.

"Brother Zi Anxiong, I recall you previously mentioned having something to discuss with me; what is it?" Li Chengqian spoke first.

"It's about land," Chen Yan said. "Didn't you give me a lot of land? Adding my own family's land, plus Lizhi's and Gao Yang's dowries, I already have over one hundred thousand mu of land."

"I plan to use most of it to grow cotton, rush out a batch of cotton garments this year, sell them to the people at low prices, and ensure their winter livelihood."

"But I truly lack enough manpower; I'd like to ask you for help."

"All for cotton?" Li Shimin asked in surprise, "Zi An, that's over a hundred thousand mu; if you used it for grain, the harvest would be huge. Are you sure you want to devote it entirely to cotton?"

"I know you are compassionate, but dedicating over a hundred thousand mu to cotton, I think you should consider it carefully."

"It's the majority!" Chen Yan first corrected, then said, "I will reserve a portion for grain cultivation to ensure food for my household and those under my command."

"The remaining majority will be for cotton; I have thought this through, so His Majesty need not worry."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, I'm not solely doing a good deed; I'll make a modest profit, like selling fine salt to you."

"Also, I will only plant this once; next year I won't plant, but will sell cotton seeds instead."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and suddenly understood.

"By planting on such a massive scale for a year and selling cotton garments everywhere, the people will themselves realize the value of this product."

"So next year, selling cotton seeds will allow the people to grow cotton themselves and spin cloth into cotton garments, right?"

"Correct!" Chen Yan admitted, "That's what I hope for; after all, aside from Weinan County, people elsewhere don't even know the purpose of cotton. If we ask them to plant it outright, they will surely refuse."

"......"