Later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Agriculture, in charge of the nation's rent, taxes, money, grain, and fiscal revenue and expenditure, which was equivalent to the later Minister of Revenue, making him one of the important officials in the court.
At this moment, when Teng heard Ying Zheng mention high-yield crops, he immediately realized it was his responsibility.
Ying Zheng nodded and said easily, "The high-yield crop bestowed by the immortals is called sweet potato!"
Teng then asked, "Your Majesty, what is the yield per acre of this high-yield grain crop called sweet potato?"
"In this year of abundant millet harvest, the yield is about two shi per mu."
"Since it was bestowed by an immortal."
"Could it be..."
He paused, then uttered softly, "Can it reach five shi?"
For a moment, the entire Jique Hall was completely silent.
None of the officials who could stand in the imperial court were useless people who didn't know the difference between farming and agriculture. They all understood the people's livelihood. After all, it was an agrarian society, and even if they didn't know how to do farming, they had to have a basic understanding of it.
In this day and age, millet is a common crop, but the yield per mu is very low, about two shi, or about 240 jin.
If we could reach five shi, or 600 jin, how many people would we be able to feed?
Putting aside everything else, the total population of the world will at least double.
Ying Zheng shook his head and said, "No!"
Upon hearing this, Teng said somewhat dejectedly, "That's right, this old minister was too optimistic. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
But then Ying Zheng said softly, "The immortals say that this is a high-yield crop called sweet potato, with a yield of at least fifty shi per mu!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Teng, the Prefect of Grain Supply, excitedly asked a question in a loud voice.
"A yield of...fifty shi per mu?"
"Your Majesty, this is no laughing matter. It concerns the safety of the nation and must not be taken lightly."
"I have lived for fifty years, but I have never heard of such a high-yield product in the world."
He quickly bowed and asked, not caring at this point about whether he had been impolite.
Teng, as the Minister of Grain Administration, completely disbelieved the terrifying production figures Ying Zheng had described.
This is truly unheard of, and can even be described as a fantasy.
Ying Zheng smiled wryly at this.
Even when he first heard the news, he was completely skeptical. If it weren't for the appearance of the Longevity Pill and the divine skill "Roaring Battle Song," coupled with the power of the immortals, Ying Zheng wouldn't have believed it so easily.
Therefore, it is perfectly normal for these ministers, who had not personally witnessed the power of the immortals, not to believe it.
"Does my dear minister question the majesty of an immortal?"
Ying Zheng said in a deep voice, "What you need to do is to first conduct a small-scale pilot planting, and then promote it to the whole world later."
He paused for a moment and then said, "No need for further explanation, this matter is entirely entrusted to you, my dear minister, and there must be no mistakes!"
The Minister of Agriculture was only responsible for agricultural work, so in Ying Zheng's view, it was the right decision to leave professional matters to professionals.
"promise."
Although Teng found it utterly absurd.
However, since His Majesty the First Emperor had issued the order, as his subjects, we could only offer advice, but we could not change his mind.
While Teng felt helpless, he also held a glimmer of hope.
perhaps…
Is it really possible for the high-yield grain crop that His Majesty brought back to achieve a terrifying yield of fifty shi per mu?
If that were the case, the Qin Empire would never have been troubled by food shortages, and its population would have experienced explosive growth. Even if a family had more than a dozen children, there would be no need to worry about feeding them.
Once the food problem is solved.
I'm afraid that the number will double in just a few years!
When that time comes, if those remnants of the six kingdoms want to rebel, they'll have to ask the people of the world if they're willing.
When people have enough to eat, who would be willing to risk the execution of their entire family to join a group of rebels in a rebellion?
Is there not enough food at home?
Or do you think you've lived too long?
At this moment, Prime Minister Li Si stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Where are the sweet potatoes you mentioned placed?"
Previously, Emperor Qin Shi Huang was in relatively good health and did not show the signs of faltering that would occur eight years later.
Therefore, Li Si had not yet developed any disloyal intentions and continued to work diligently for the development of the Qin Empire.
Moreover, as the second-in-command of the Qin Empire, Li Si's talent and ability were beyond doubt.
"Right here."
Ying Zheng smiled calmly and took out a white crystal card from the sleeve of his black dragon robe.