Mythical Three Kingdoms

Hua Tuo no longer has any obsession with becoming famous. Even if he thinks with his heels, he knows that he is destined to be remembered in history, so all he needs to do is improve his medical skills and broaden the scope of medicine.

Unlike the future meridian system which is difficult to prove, in this era with Inner Qi, thanks to the contributions of many experimental subjects, Hua Tuo has almost completely mapped out this conceptual thing.

”Zhongjing, it’s better for you to write things down. Although when I was young, I was once recommended by the Three Dukes, I’m far from being your equal when it comes to Wen Fu.” Hua Tuo said to Zhang Zhongjing, turning to him.

Hua Tuo is not ignorant of Wen Fu, but compared to Zhang Jii, the gap is too wide. Even without his medical skills, Zhang Zhongjing could still serve as a prefect.

Because he is unburdened by fame or perhaps because of his accustomed fame, Hua Tuo can clearly see what is needed in such a book on medical ethics.

Since it is to be passed down through generations, it cannot be simple and unadorned, which is something Hua Tuo cannot achieve. As for the medical content inside, Hua Tuo knows very well, Zhang Jii and he are evenly matched, so it’s best for Zhang Jii to write such a thing.

If they can both present the most authentic side of medicine, why not choose the one who can write more beautifully?

Zhang Zhongjing glanced at Hua Tuo beside him, ”Then I’ll gladly accept it.” He also understood the reasoning, realizing that if he wasn’t under pressure beside Hua Tuo, he wouldn’t be so oblivious to these matters.

”Shuzhi said you brought your experimental materials to Ye City. I remember telling Zilong to send the message that everything was prepared for you,” Fa Zheng said with some curiosity.

”It’s actually a patient who is difficult to treat, so we brought him over.” Hua Tuo said calmly, without the excitement of experimenting on Zhou Tai.

”Don’t listen to his nonsense, it’s actually a super expert being repeatedly studied by them,” Qu Qi suddenly interjected.

”Hanmou, any recent progress?” Chen Xi waved his hand and asked.

”Some progress on grains, and I’ve reached the sixth generation in cotton cultivation. This generation is basically all long-fiber, and the fibers can be spun to make clothing.” Qu Qi said with a smile, ”It seems that spending money officially to find solutions is the best approach.”

”What about other aspects?” Chen Xi wasn’t interested in Hua Tuo’s patient, but in whether grain yields could increase.

”There has been some progress in soil fertility recovery. One method involves fertilizing water, another uses ashes from plants after soil and water fusion, but neither can be used too much, and the timing of fertilization varies,” Qu Qi said, stroking his chin.

On the other side, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing were both watching Qu Qi. Though not very old, the top agronomist of the current era held immense value that both Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing understood. Whether people across the land would have enough to eat, whether they’d have meat or grains, depended on Qu Qi.

”Just tell us the optimal extent and how much it can increase,” Lub Su had none of Chen Xi’s relaxed attitude and took Qu Qi’s research very seriously.

”It can increase by two stones...” Qu Qi said with pride.

At the time, Qu Qi himself was stunned by the increase; the scale was astonishing. In this era, a normal land’s yield per mu in a bumper year was about three stones, roughly equivalent to one hundred jin per mu in current measurements.

This is why a family of five needed at least a hundred mu to survive, with four-tenths taken by taxes and at least half the land fallowing each year...

Additionally, this explains one of the roots of the so-called ”many people, little land” issue. It’s not like nowadays with thousand-jin yields per mu. The yield per mu was just one-tenth of current yields, and arable land was limited to a few areas, with many undeveloped regions both in the South and North.

The whole room fell silent; even Hua Tuo and Zhang Jii held their breaths, staring at Qu Qi intently. Calculating yield increases by stones was incredible, especially given that Liu Bei’s governance had nearly reached four stones per mu due to many techniques spread by Qu Qi.

If it continued to increase by two more stones, it would be insane. Qu Qi was practically building a temple then. Just days ago, they were discussing finding the temple trustee for the Hua Tuo Temple. Believe it or not, in a few days, you might find the trustee for your temple.

”Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake...” Lub Su dryly asked, parched with anxiety.

”No, there’s indeed an increase of two stones, and potentially more with further investment, though it might not be cost-effective on average.” Qu Qi shook his head, indicating this was essentially an instance where more fertilizers meant higher yields before the crops hit their limits.

”Good job.” Chen Xi patted Qu Qi’s shoulder, ”Can it be popularized?”

”Yes, I’ve had it tested many times without any problems.” Qu Qi said earnestly, ”But I think there’s potential for further study.”

”Then continue and ask Zijing if you need anything,” Chen Xi said with a smile.

”We can’t continue experimenting in just one place. Climatic conditions also influence planting, and your Spiritual Talent can’t precisely adjust each area’s climate. Although it’s a Bumper Year, the climate varies across regions.” Qu Qi said with a smile, thinking silently that you aren’t eternal, after all.

”Moving forward with universal solutions is difficult now; what’s left is subdivision, so I plan to go out.” Qu Qi looked earnestly at Lub Su and others.

Instantly, aside from Hua Tuo, Zhang Jii, and Chen Xi, the other faces visibly showed concern. Qu Qi had risen from a generally important figure to a strategic level.

It’s not because they feared Qu Qi wouldn’t want to come back after going to other places, but could he come back? With Cao Cao and Sunx Ce, if they have any brains, they’d understand Qu Qi’s importance—killing him isn’t likely, but detaining or putting him under house arrest is highly possible!

”Rest assured, I’ll make the new planting methods and soil fertility techniques public before going elsewhere in full swing.” Qu Qi said with a grin. He wasn’t a fool; things were really good under Liu Bei, and staying here would eventually fulfill his ideals, but it would be slow.

”To the whole world?” Jia Xu furrowed his brows and said.

”Yes, to the whole world. This way, I’ll have completed the first phase of my ideals,” Qu Qi said with a smile, ”Besides, I don’t think grain will be an obstacle to your unification, Zichuan. What you want to preserve is the national labor force, right?”

Liu Ye was frustrated, Mann Chong was expressionless, Fa Zheng rubbed his temples, Guo Jia looked awestruck, while Jia Xu and Li Youu remained nonchalant. Lub Su smiled wryly, shaking his head, while Chen Xi casually smiled, ”Make it public, let them believe it or not. When has the Central Plains been our obstacle?”

”Our opponents have never been them.” Li Youu and Jia Xu exchanged a glance and sighed deeply. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at qidian.com; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com)