Ch.270Knowledge (11)

“What’s wrong, brother?”

“Radishes grow well even in infertile soil and don’t deplete the soil’s nutrients much.”

In ancient China, turnips were the crop grown in military farms when wars dragged on.

This was because they grew quickly regardless of where they were planted and thrived even when neglected.

Thanks to this, turnips were even a staple food for the poor in Europe.

“It seems more efficient to plant radishes first, then barley, and then rice, rather than just doing a double crop of barley followed by rice.”

With proper planning, triple cropping might be possible.

As this thought occurred to me, I immediately wanted to start growing radishes.

While I was thinking, I heard someone approaching from outside.

“Who is it?”

At Munglig’s question, the Kheshig bowed before answering.

“The Chancellor wishes to see Gurkhan.”

When the title “Gurkhan” was mentioned, the chef’s expression turned to shock.

He stared at me, trembling as he muttered to himself.

“Mountain-like muscles and thighs that could split the earth…! C-could it be! Are you the Gurkhan, Lord of the Four Seas?”

He recognized me quickly.

I couldn’t help but think this to myself.

As if reading my thoughts, Munglig whispered to me.

“It means your disguise was excellent, brother.”

“Hardly.”

Anyway, that wasn’t important right now.

My attempt to observe the people’s livelihood had already been compromised, so there was no point in hiding anymore.

“I-I have committed a grave offense. M-my lord… n-no, Gurkhan.”

As the chef tried to prostrate himself on the ground, I reached out to stop him.

“Don’t worry. You have shown me no disrespect.”

“B-but…”

“Enough.”

At my firm command, the chef pressed his lips shut.

Once he quieted down, I turned and gestured to the Kheshig.

The Kheshig stepped back, and two men stood before me.

“Gurkhan, I apologize for interrupting your incognito outing.”

“No need. It must be important.”

I looked at Yelu Chucai, who bowed before getting to the point.

“We have discovered a groundbreaking method to further develop the agricultural techniques Your Majesty ordered.”

“Further develop agricultural techniques?”

“Yes.”

After saying this, Yelu Chucai gestured to his right.

A scholar about the same age as Yelu Chucai bowed and introduced himself.

“It is an honor to meet the great Gurkhan. I am Yelu Chucai, a scholar working at the House of Wisdom.”

“Two Yelu Chucais…?”

Munglig tilted his head as he looked at them both.

I too stared at them with considerable confusion.

“I was also surprised to meet someone from the same clan with the same name.”

At Yelu Chucai’s words, the other Yelu Chucai nodded.

In fact, the original Yelu Chucai’s name was Yelu Zhilugu.

Temujin had bestowed the name Yelu Chucai upon Yelu Zhilugu, who had been the crown prince of Western Liao.

Because of this, I thought the Yelu Chucai who had made a name for himself as an administrator in the original history had disappeared.

But here he was, appearing out of nowhere, which was quite surprising.

“Scholar Yelu Chucai has brought a good proposal.”

The term “scholar” here referred to a ninth-rank official in the Song Dynasty.

It was the lowest official position in the Song Dynasty’s Imperial Academy, equivalent to a fresh official just starting their career in the House of Wisdom in the Ulus.

Anyway, at the mention of “scholar,” Munglig made an incredulous expression.

But I trusted the Chancellor Yelu Chucai’s judgment, so instead of judging by appearances, I asked the scholar directly.

“I hear you have opinions about agriculture. I’ll give you a chance, so speak freely.”

The scholar bowed and then expressed his opinion.

“From my humble perspective, the agricultural method proposed by Gurkhan appears to be double cropping.”

“That’s correct.”

“It’s a good method, but I believe that after two harvests, the fields would need to lie fallow for about a year.”

At the scholar’s words, I realized my oversight.

I had been so focused on double cropping that I’d forgotten about the fallow period.

“I-I’m sorry. I dared to contradict Gurkhan…”

“I didn’t consider this aspect. Your opinion is correct.”

I waved my hand to calm the scholar.

Then I instructed the young scholar to continue sharing his views.

“I don’t mind. Continue with your explanation.”

“Thank you, Gurkhan. Then…”

The scholar said this and pulled something out from his chest.

When I saw it, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

“Isn’t this clover?”

“Y-you know it?”

“Well, clover is everywhere… Ah!”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen rabbit grass since coming here.

From this fact, I deduced that rabbit grass had not yet spread to Asia in this era.

“Brother, what are you talking about?”

“I must have confused it with something I saw during the Byzantine expedition.”

Clover was abundant in Europe.

So I could easily make this excuse.

“Ahem. Anyway, tell me how this plant can be used.”

“Clover grows easily anywhere. Not only does it not deplete the soil, but it also serves as animal feed, so it can be used directly as fertilizer.”

Using clover as fertilizer.

It was truly an excellent method.

“In the first year, plant beans and then rice. In the next year, plant barley or millet, and during the fallow period, plant clover to replenish the soil’s nutrients. This makes three crops in two years possible.”

Three crops in two years.

This meant a dramatic increase in crop yields.

Wait, if we cultivate in the order of clover, beans, and then barley or rice…

Could we also incorporate radishes?

“That sounds like a good idea. Could we also plant radishes?”

The scholar’s eyes widened at the mention of radishes.

Then he looked at me with an expression suggesting this was a brilliant idea.

“Radishes don’t deplete much soil nutrients and grow quickly, so they would indeed be an excellent crop. If we alternate between radishes, beans, barley or rice, and clover, we could continuously produce crops without any fallow period!”

As Yelu Chucai got excited, the Chancellor standing next to him stepped forward and apologized to me on his behalf.

I gestured that it was fine and looked at the scholar.

“You’ve given an excellent suggestion. For devising such a wonderful method, I appoint you to the eighth rank as an assistant instructor.”

Though it was a low position, it was a promotion of two ranks.

For Yelu Chucai, who had just started his official career, this was incredibly good news.

“Thank you! Thank you, Gurkhan!”

“And I will appoint you as the person responsible for agricultural matters, so if you have any more good ideas in the future, discuss them with the Chancellor and then report to me.”

The four-field rotation system created by Yelu Chucai and Gurkhan.

Yesugei had no idea that this method was actually the four-field rotation system developed in Flanders.

* * *

While Mongolia was rapidly developing under Yesugei’s leadership, the Song Dynasty was not only devastated by Mongol Pirate invasions but was also experiencing major upheaval throughout the country.

The Jin Dynasty, noticing this, instinctively recognized that now was their opportunity.

“Now seems to be the right time, Your Majesty.”

At Jin Dynasty Chancellor Wanyan Liang’s words, Emperor Shizong of Jin nodded.

“We will conquer Sichuan while the Song Dynasty is in chaos.”

The Jin Emperor’s eyes lit up as he said this.

The Jin Dynasty had been greatly weakened by Mongol attacks.

Despite this, they had managed to survive attacks from the Song Dynasty thanks to the Emperor’s leadership and military power.

However, at this rate, the Jin Dynasty’s collapse was only a matter of time.

Because of this, Emperor Shizong had no intention of missing this golden opportunity while the Song Dynasty was in chaos.

“If we occupy Sichuan, the Song Dynasty will not only lose one of its breadbaskets but will also fall into great economic turmoil.”

Sichuan was called a heaven-sent land and had long been known as a breadbasket.

Additionally, it was protected by mountains on all sides, making it advantageous for defense.

In this natural fortress, the Song Dynasty had built a mint and circulated currency to the market.

Therefore, if the Jin Dynasty occupied this land, they could revive their country with the grain from this fertile breadbasket while pushing the already chaotic Song Dynasty into further confusion.

“We must occupy Sichuan by any means necessary.”

Emperor Shizong clenched his fist as he said this.

He too knew that this action would ultimately help the Mongols in the grand scheme of things.

But he couldn’t just sit still.

If they did nothing, their country could be crushed between the Song Dynasty and the Mongols.

It was better to do something than to let the country perish without taking any action.

Of course, considering past grievances, attacking the Mongols would make more sense.

But the current Mongol Empire had become too formidable an enemy for the Jin Dynasty to face.

Moreover, they were growing stronger by the day.

Attacking the Mongols while they were on such an upward trajectory would be suicidal.

In contrast, the Song Dynasty was distracted by Mongol Pirate attacks.

So from the Jin Dynasty’s perspective, attacking the Song rather than the Mongols was the only viable decision.

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

A young general stepped forward.

The Emperor looked at him with an expression full of trust.

“Wanyan Shengyou. I’m counting on you.”

The young general was none other than Wanyan Shengyou.

He was the one who had suffered a major defeat against the Mongols at Yehe Ridge.

In fact, Wanyan Shengyou held the largest share of responsibility for the Jin Dynasty’s downfall.

Yet Emperor Shizong was still employing him.

The reason was simple: among the remaining Jin generals, none could match his abilities.

Knowing this, Emperor Shizong employed him despite his past failures.

In return, Wanyan Shengyou was devoted to serving the Emperor with his life, grateful for such immense grace.

“I will live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”