Chapter 5: Catering to Kangxi's tastes

  Kangxi attached great importance to agriculture throughout his life, believing that without agriculture there would be no stability and no wealth. Every year, he would take time out to personally cultivate the land, and even set up experimental fields in Fengze Garden to grow rice varieties. He also vigorously promoted the planting of double-season rice, which can be said to have reached an extreme level of emphasis on agriculture.

  As soon as he heard that Yongzheng was talking about agricultural works, his attention was immediately drawn to him. He put down the pen in his hand and said with great interest: "These are not miscellaneous books, you actually have your own ideas, it seems that you haven't been idle recently, come, tell me about your ideas."

  "Yes, Your Majesty. These ideas are occasionally obtained by your humble servant, and if there is anything improper, please correct me." After a modest remark, Yongzheng spoke confidently: "Since ancient times, the people have regarded food as heaven. Our dynasty has a large population, and every year it increases at a rate of 3 to 5 million. However, the newly cultivated land is extremely limited. If this continues, the contradiction between grain production and population will become a major worry for the court."

  Furthermore, land annexation has always been a major problem throughout the ages and dynasties. Our current dynasty is now in a period of revival, and land annexation is not yet severe, but what about 30 or 50 years later? At that time, on one hand there will be highly concentrated land ownership, and on the other hand, a large number of landless peasants; once a natural disaster occurs, the consequences are unimaginable.

  Hearing this opening, Kangxi's expression had become solemn, and he listened intently.

  How to resolve this contradiction? The land annexation in the later period is almost an inevitable phenomenon, and there has been no effective solution for a long time. The Central Plains cannot implement the "reduction policy", and the only way out is to increase the yield of the land.

  To increase the yield of land, seeds are crucial, and the cultivation of seeds requires a large number of agricultural experts to conduct long-term and unremitting research. What our country lacks most now is agricultural talents. The reason for this phenomenon is that scholars in my country only read Confucius and Mencius, but do not distinguish between wheat and millet, while farmers are illiterate.

  "Existing agricultural works are mostly written by predecessors and are one-sided, naturally having certain limitations and partiality. I think, can we follow the example of Guozijian, establish an Agricultural Academy, to cultivate agricultural talents?"

  Agricultural College? Kangxi's eyebrows rose, and he felt a sense of sudden enlightenment. He couldn't help but secretly praise the idea, thinking it was a good way to address the root cause.

  Seeing a pleased expression on Kangxi's face, Yin Zhen thought to himself that there was something to be played with, and continued to say: "Our dynasty has a vast territory and complex climate, but the main grain-producing areas can be divided into two parts, north and south. Among them, Jiangnan is also the fundamental place for the country's grain tax. If we establish an agricultural academy in Jiangnan, recruit readers who are interested in agriculture and have aspirations for agronomy, use existing agricultural works as textbooks to educate them.

  In a few years, a large number of agricultural talents can be trained. For these people, the imperial court gives them certain official positions. The excellent ones are either left in the institute as teachers or concentrated to conduct agricultural research. The mediocre ones can also be assigned to various counties for propaganda, promotion, guidance and popularization of local agriculture.

  Moreover, the imperial court will heavily reward those who make outstanding contributions in agriculture. In this way, we will achieve a dual effect and our dynasty will surely usher in an agricultural craze. Agriculture will undoubtedly reach its peak during our reign, laying a solid foundation for future generations.

  "Good, insightful, innovative ideas, broad thinking, worthy of a great master." Kangxi blurted out in praise, his face flushed with excitement.

  Yin Zhen didn't dare to accept the praise, hastily bowed his head and humbly said: "The Emperor's praise, I don't dare to accept. Being able to enter the Emperor's eyes is also a part of my filial piety."

  Kangxi excitedly stood up and smiled: "Fourteen, there's no need to be modest, this is a good strategy for governing the country." As he looked around, seeing nothing else suitable to reward him with, he picked up a jade scepter from his desk, "This scepter is yours."

  Yin Zhen happily stepped forward a few steps, knelt down and accepted the jade scepter, "Thank you, Imperial Father, for the gift."

  Kangxi smiled and asked: "What ideas do you have for this agricultural college?"

  "Returning to the Emperor, I, your son, believe that initially building on a scale that is too large is not suitable. There must be a certain number of experimental fields, and the Agricultural College should be divided into departments. For now, let's temporarily divide it into four departments: paddy rice, dry land crops, economic crops, and animal husbandry. Students can choose their department based on their interests and the actual situation in each region, but each person can only choose one department."

  Secondly, Jiangnan is the fundamental place for national food, and the first batch of students should mainly focus on Jiangnan provinces, with other provinces taken into consideration. The first agricultural college would be best built in Jiangnan, and the recruitment of students should not be too hasty, with a limit of one student per county per year being advisable.

  In addition, for the Agricultural College, the imperial court can directly assign research topics, and students can be given official positions of grade 8 or 9, dispatched to various counties to promote, guide and popularize agricultural science. For these officials, the imperial court can stipulate that they must serve for five years before being promoted or demoted based on evaluation, after which the imperial court can produce a batch of officials who know and understand agriculture.

  Finally, the dispatch of agricultural officials to each county can be first tried out in Jiangnan; if it is effective there, then it will not be late to promote it nationwide.

  Kangxi nodded his head in approval, and after Yin Zhen finished speaking, he smiled all over his face and said: "Ruling a big country is like cooking a small fish, first try it out before promoting it widely, don't be greedy for grandeur, don't bother with empty words. At your age, this is quite rare." After walking a few steps, Kangxi added: "Write a memorial to present to me."

  "This is the draft of 'Nong Shu' written by your son." Yongzheng hastily took out the draft and handed it over with both hands, "Please, Imperial Father, review and correct it."

  Kangxi put down the imperial rescript on his desk and said with a smile: "First, kneel down to bid farewell. This matter, I will reconsider."

  After Deng Qi left, Kangxi carefully read the memorial to promote agriculture. In his eyes, this memorial was a bit radical and had some obvious shortcomings. After careful consideration, he said: "Li Dequan, send this memorial to the Grand Council, forward it to the six ministries, publicly copy it, and publish the full text in the Gazette."

  It was published in the Gazette, and Kangxi had two thoughts. The first was to openly demonstrate fairness and test the reactions of various governors. The second thought was not good to say out loud. After half a year of purging and rectification, all officials who participated in the imperial son's party struggle were terrified and uneasy. By using this controversial agricultural book to attract the attention of the court, he could divert their attention and stabilize people's minds.

  What is meant by "one stone stirring up a thousand layers of waves"? The publication of the "Farmer's Book" in the Imperial Gazette immediately caused a sensation throughout the land. Few people were concerned about the Agricultural Academy, but as soon as its students graduated, they were granted eighth-rank official positions, which was quite astonishing. To put this into perspective, every three years, only around 300 people passed the imperial examination and became officials of the third rank or higher, while those who were appointed to local offices usually started at the seventh rank or lower.

  The most fundamental thing is that the readers of the world have added another way to climb up, and the officials in the imperial court will also increase by several thousand, which means that the expenditure of the imperial court will increase greatly.

  So the Farmer's Book was published in the Imperial Gazette, and immediately the whole country was abuzz with excitement. Some people praised it, others cursed it, but most just discussed it.