Chapter 304 Dengzhou Red Fuji Apple
Princess Zhao Yingluo of the Song Dynasty and her party set sail on the banks of the Bianhe River outside Kaifeng City in her own armored ship. On the ironclad ship, Wen Boyuan and Wanyan Zongmei accompanied him, and thousands of elite navy troops followed behind the ship. Their goal is Dengzhou in the far east.
The fleet went down the river and passed through Liangshan Lake. The majestic figure of the ironclad ship was reflected on the sparkling lake.
As the fleet moved eastward, they changed to carriages and horses and embarked on the journey to Dengzhou.
It was already evening when we arrived at Shipsi, Dengzhou City.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell on the port, and ten majestic armored ships, like steel giants, docked quietly at the pier. Compared with the surrounding boats, they appear particularly stable amidst the swaying of the waves, as if no matter what the wind or waves, they cannot shake them.
The ship was loaded with muskets and artillery to support Wanyan Zongyi, which was an important mission for their trip.
Wen Boyuan pointed to the ten armored ships and explained to Zhao Yingluo: "Your Royal Highness, these armored ships will set sail from here and go directly to Pingzhou. The materials on them are our important support to Wanyan Zongyi."
Zhao Yingluo looked at the armored ships filled with firearms, and a trace of determination flashed in her eyes: "These supplies must be delivered to him safely. Commander Wen, what are your plans?"
Wen Boyuan nodded, with a thoughtful look on his face: "Your Royal Highness, I have arranged for five thousand elite naval forces to escort this batch of supplies. In addition, the route will be as far away from the coast as possible to avoid possible interception."
Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, but there was still a bit of worry in her brows: "Is there anyone in Pingzhou to help? If this batch of materials is robbed by the Jin Kingdom court, then our efforts will be in vain."
Hearing this, Wanyan Zongmei said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, please rest assured. The imperial brother of the Foreign Minister has arranged a group of people in Pingzhou, and they will receive and protect this batch of materials. Even if the Jin Kingdom's court takes action, it will not be carried out in a short time. Hard to get."
After hearing this, Zhao Yingluo's frown gradually relaxed: "That's very good. Commander Wen, I will leave this escort mission to you. Make sure the supplies are delivered safely."
Wen Boyuan bowed and saluted: "Don't worry, Your Highness, the general will fulfill his mission."
The night is getting darker and the stars are shining. The lights of Dengzhou City Shipping Department were brightly lit, and the navy was busy making final preparations.
The armored ship is about to set sail, heading for Pingzhou with the Song Dynasty's support for Wanyan Zongyi.
Five thousand elite navy troops boarded the ironclad ship in an orderly manner in the darkness. Their figures were busy on the ship, checking every detail and making sure everything was ready. As the last sailor boarded the ship, the sail was unfurled, and the ironclad ship gradually left the dock.
Zhao Yingluo stood on the dock, watching the fleet leave.
She knew in her heart that this mission was crucial to Wanyan Zongyi and even the entire Song Dynasty. She took a deep breath, then turned to Wen Boyuan, who was boarding the last ironclad ship, and said, "Commander Wen, this mission must be completed smoothly."
Wen Boyuan nodded with a firm look on his face: "Your Highness, please rest assured that we will definitely complete the mission and return safely."
After sending Wen Boyuan away from the coast, Zhao Yingluo returned to the Municipal Shipping Department Office.
This quaint government office is located on the seaside of Dengzhou. The sea breeze carries a slightly salty and moist atmosphere, blowing on the cornices of the government office.
When Zhao Yingluo walked into the lobby, she saw Lin Zetao coming up to her. His brows were furrowed, and he obviously had something important to discuss.
"Your Highness, you are finally back." Lin Zetao bowed and saluted, with a hint of urgency in his tone, "I have something important to report." Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly and motioned for him to continue.
"Your Highness, the Shipping Department of Dengzhou City has encountered considerable difficulties in recent years." Lin Zetao sighed and began to report in detail, "Dengzhou is geographically remote and is not as convenient as Quanzhou and other treaty ports. There is no water or land access here, and the materials from the Central Plains are It is difficult to transport it directly, and the official road has been severely damaged by wars, which has led to business travel. As a result, the annual income of the Municipal Shipping Department has been greatly reduced. The annual shipping tax revenue is only 10,000 yuan, compared with the Quanzhou City Shipping Department's income of 100,000 yuan. The difference is huge.”
Zhao Yingluo couldn't help but frown when she heard this. She was well aware of the importance of the Shipping Department to the finances of the Song Dynasty, especially in this period of frequent wars, where every income was crucial.
"In your opinion, how should we solve this problem?" Zhao Yingluo asked in a deep voice.
"I sincerely ask Her Majesty the Princess to rebuild the official system." Lin Zetao said sincerely. "Only with smooth roads, business travelers can travel safely, and the income of the Shipping Department can also be increased."
Zhao Yingluo was silent for a moment, her thoughts racing.
She knew that rebuilding officialdom was not a trivial matter and required a lot of manpower and material resources. But in the long run, this is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment.
"I'm aware of this matter, and your suggestion makes sense." Zhao Yingluo finally spoke, her voice firm and powerful, "I will arrange manpower as soon as possible to start rebuilding officialdom."
Hearing this, Lin Zetao's eyes flashed with joy: "Thank you, Your Highness, Princess! I will do my best to assist Your Highness in completing this matter."
The magistrate of Dengzhou, named He Wenze, is giving a detailed report to Princess Zhao Yingluo on the living conditions of the people of the Song Dynasty in Dengzhou.
"Your Highness, since the high-quality seeds you provided were distributed to the people, the food and clothing problems of our people in Dengzhou have been greatly improved." He Wenze's voice was gentle and sincere. He knew very well that these seeds were very important to the people of Dengzhou. means something.
Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, her heart filled with relief.
Since she came to this era, she has been committed to improving the lives of the people of the Song Dynasty. Now that we see the results, how can we not feel happy?
However, He Wenze's next words made her fall into deep thought. "It's just that, Your Highness, the soil in Dengzhou is poor. Even with high-quality seeds, our food production is nearly half less than that in the Central Plains." He sighed, "Therefore, the local people do not have any extra food to sell for money. , life is still difficult.”
Zhao Yingluo frowned when she heard this. She knows that to truly improve the lives of people in Dengzhou, it is not enough to rely solely on high-quality seeds.
It is necessary to find a cash crop that is suitable for the soil and climate of Dengzhou so that the people can have more sources of income.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind, and she remembered Yantai, Dengzhou in later generations, where the red Fuji apples were famous.
If Red Fuji apples are promoted here, it may bring new hope to the local people.
"Lu Zhizhou, have you ever heard of '氰'?" Zhao Yingluo asked tentatively.
"Nai?" He Wenze thought for a moment, "Your Highness, are you talking about that small red fruit?"
"Exactly." Zhao Yingluo was overjoyed. It seems that people in this era do know apples, they just have different names. "I want to promote a new apple variety in Dengzhou, which may improve people's lives."
"A new variety?" A trace of doubt flashed in He Wenze's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by curiosity, "What do you think, Your Highness, Princess?"
