Aztec Eternals

The king stood in front of the copper plow, awe-inspiring and speechless, only the time flowing in his eyes.

Familiar agricultural production tools lined up in a row, one by one came into view, bringing his racing thoughts back to his homeland nearly two thousand years ago. It was an era very similar to today's world, and it was also an era of change!

"The major event of the country lies in the worship and the army." This is the Spring and Autumn Period in 578 BC, the beginning of a new revolution.

"The reason why the country prospers is the agricultural war!" This was the Warring States Period in 356 BC, when Shang Yang's first reform.

The reform was conceived in the Spring and Autumn Period and took place in the Warring States Period. The real fundamental driving force of this is the continuous development of agricultural productivity and iron ox farming!

The process of history is cyclical, and social productivity and social systems advance alternately. In today's Mexica Union, at this time the lake is closed to the country, Xiu Luote has already referred to Shang Yang's reform and initiated the reform of the social system. Correspondingly, it is to further promote the development of agricultural productivity to match the Qin and Han-like institutional innovations and build a unified empire foundation!

Under the guidance of historical logic, Schlott's political thinking is very clear. To develop agricultural productivity, the first step is to control the land of the feudal country and concentrate agricultural capital; the second step is to organize households to equalize the people, strictly require and encourage farming, and increase the input of agricultural labor; the third step is to popularize bronze hand tools and improve the quality of wood and stone. Farm implement crafting efficiency, and craft and apply new bronze farm implements!

In the long pre-Qin period, the Celestial Dynasty had a highly prosperous bronze civilization. Bronze farm tools have been around for a long time and can improve agricultural production efficiency, but they have not been popularized in the Yellow River Basin. This is mainly due to the preciousness of bronze and the scarcity of bronze resources in the north. The limited amount of bronze was put into sacrificial ritual vessels, military weapons, and chariot and horse utensils. Correspondingly, the Yangtze River Basin is rich in bronze resources, and the production and use of bronze farm tools in the Shang and Zhou dynasties were significantly more developed.

"Cow farming is still far away, and ironware is also far away. If you want to improve the agricultural production technology of the closed country, you can only pile up manure, build dykes, and use bronze farm tools."

The king's thoughts returned from time. He carefully looked at the sorted farm tools. These farm tools are all from his memory, and have been modified with reference to the opinions of old farmers. He still has many follow-up designs, which are still on the drawing board.

The agricultural tools in front of us are divided into seven types, corresponding to the seven activities in agricultural production.

"The human bronze plow, shaped like a spoon, has wooden boards that the feet step on, and is often used by one person. Well, yes, it is simple and strong to make, and it can be called a stepping plow. Five days on the plow can be used as an ox plow for one day, Although it was exhausting, it was the best result!"

Xiulot first held the newly made bronze plow and inspected it for a while, with a smile on his face. This is the first, and most important, tool for cultivating and preparing soil. Tilling land is very important for agricultural production, which can effectively promote crop growth and increase yield. There are many reasons for this.

First, soil preparation. Leveling the land and breaking the soil clods can facilitate sowing in the soil layer.

Second, breathable. Loosened soil can improve air permeability and help crops grow deeper roots.

Next, evenly fat. Cultivation turns the fertile soil below to the surface and buries the remains of the previous crop to form new fertilizer.

Again, weeding. Before planting, get rid of the weeds that have emerged to disrupt the growth cycle of weeds. In tropical America with abundant rainfall, fast-growing weeds can greatly reduce crop yields and require a lot of manpower to deal with.

Finally, deworming. Digging the ground to dig out the eggs of the bugs in the ground and let the natural enemies and tropical sunlight kill them.

It is precisely because of these benefits that agricultural production is called farming, and the popularity of iron plows and ox farming will have a revolutionary impact on agricultural production!

The plows in the history of the Chinese Dynasty can be divided into ancient human-powered plows and common animal-powered plows. The animal-powered plow developed from the straight shaft plow in the Han Dynasty to the curved shaft plow after the Tang Dynasty. The plow plate was installed on the shaft head to rotate freely, and the plow blade was installed on the plow arrow to control the depth of the soil. It has been used until the popularization of agricultural machinery.

In Shulot's mind, there is still the image of Qu Yuanli in the villages of later generations, and he can roughly understand the principle and be able to draw pictures. It's just that the benefits of this kind of plow must be matched with livestock. For the Mesoamerican civilization of this era, this human-powered bronze plow is more suitable. A human-drawn rope can also be hung in front of the plow, thereby adding one person to assist.

Behind the bronze plow, there is also a bronze rake that is also used for plowing the ground. As for the more detailed plows and plows, they are not in the memory of the king.

Side by side with the plow and harrow, there is a columbine cart with a wooden columbine bucket on the upper part and bronze columbine feet on the lower part. This is the second type of sowing implement, that is, the ancient seed drill. Due to the lack of animal power, Xiuluote designed a bipedal columbine cart, with one or two people pulling the rope at the front end and one person pushing it at the rear end. And in order to adapt to the corn sown, the distance between the two feet of the columbine cart is wider, providing greater distance between crop rows.

Then there is the third type, cultivating and weeding farm implements. Very simple, it is actually a bronze hoe. Xiulot just glanced at it, then nodded and continued to move forward. Berthard frowned slightly. This kind of farm tool looks like a bronze weapon distributed to farmers. And Toltek, who followed at the end, was quite curious. He stretched out his hand and flicked the hoe twice, his eyes sparkling, thinking about how to use this strange-shaped mid-length weapon.

The fourth type is irrigation farm tools, human overturned carts, also called keel carts. The principle of operation is very similar to the rotation of a bicycle chain, except that there is a long slot in the middle. The wooden chain leaf plate is powered by manual power, and the leaf plate just wipes the water and rises to send the water out.

This kind of farm tool is used to lift water from the lower surface of the lake or river to the high place of the canal by manpower, and irrigate the fields along the canal. The same farm implements also have a bobbin car using hydraulic power. Schlott has already drawn up the graphics and is preparing for the first trial production on the banks of the Leman River in the north.

"Your Majesty, your divine wisdom is as bright as jade!"

Chalape followed closely behind and complimented with a smile.

"This object was made by me and a master carpenter. I used copper nails to repeatedly reinforce the key points. With it, you can build a highland garden surrounded by earth embankments and wooden railings on an island in the lake. In this way It can be easily irrigated and there is no need to worry about flooding!"

Hearing this, Shulot paused and nodded slowly. The new irrigation tools really need to be used in conjunction with dikes and ditches, so there is no rush right now.

Next, the fifth harvesting tool is equally simple, a small sickle made of bronze, less than half a meter long, with a sharp inner arc. Harvesting tools actually include harvesting, threshing and cleaning. But for crops such as corn and pumpkins, only the sickle for harvesting is needed.

Shulot looked at it for a moment, then asked in a deep voice.

"Chalape, how much bronze is used for this sickle? How many hours does it take to cast one?"

Chalape made an estimate, and he still understood such a simple question.

"Your Majesty, the bronze sickle is made of bronze in twos and twos, about the same as a bronze spearhead. As long as there is enough clay, it is not a problem for one person to cast more than a dozen a day."

The king nodded, thought for a while, and then gave the order.

"The autumn harvest in October is approaching, and the 30,000 garrison troops have cultivated a huge amount of fields, which require sharp bronze sickles to harvest quickly. Chalape, I will give you one month to provide at least half of the sickles used by the army!"

"Ah, this is as ordered, Your Majesty!"

Charape looked bitter, then bowed his head and accepted the order. His Majesty came to make an inspection tour, and the tasks left behind were all military orders. He secretly felt ruthless in his heart. In order to complete the tasks, he must order his craftsmen and apprentices to death in the past few months: from dawn to dusk, Board and lodging stay in the workshop!

The sixth is processing agricultural tools, which are used to process grain and cotton respectively. Xiulot, who is not familiar with the cotton processing tool, only remembers a scene of plucking cotton, and asked someone to make a slingshot and trampoline.

The basic grain processing tools include pestle and mortar and stone mill, which have long existed in the world. He recalled a novel of later generations, drew an upgraded version of Chujiu, Tadu, and then asked the craftsmen to make it. Now he stretched out his foot, stepped on the tail of the pestle twice, watched the mouth of the pestle at the front rise and fall, nodded and smiled in satisfaction.

"I have made great achievements in developing the treadmill, and I should be bestowed by myself!"

Hearing this, Chalape was stunned, his thoughts turned, and he actually picked up the conversation.

"Your Majesty's wisdom is enlightened, and he created a treadmill, which can pound mashed beans, corn kernels, and pumpkin puree. This product saves manpower, and it will benefit the world. The Lord God will be delighted to grant His Majesty divinity, and also bestow the hearts of the people in your hands! "

Hearing this, Shulot turned his head in surprise, looked at the hereditary bronze official in front of him, and said meaningfully.

"Chalape, as a small copper official, I really feel wronged by your talent."

"Ah, Your Majesty, the light of your divinity shines in my eyes, allowing me to present the best bronze craftsmanship. No matter what position I take, I am willing to die for you!"

Chalape quickly knelt down to salute, feeling a little uneasy in his heart. He has a deep foundation in the workshop, but he is not willing to leave easily.

Xiuluo nodded, noncommittal. He looked at the warrior commander and ordered in a low voice.

"What Chalape said is reasonable. The research and development of new agricultural tools is inspired by the king and related to the blessing of the Lord God. It can be known to all people."

There was a flash in Bertard's eyes, and he nodded clearly. Since the knowledgeable elder became the chief, the center has roughly grasped the right to speak in Fengguo. The matter of publicity will soon melt into the hearts of the people like spring wind and rain.

The last one is to transport farm implements. Including common loads, baskets, shoulder poles, and newly-made wheelbarrows. As for more convenient packs and carts, we still have to wait for the arrival of carrying livestock.

Xiulot glanced twice, expressing his affirmation. Then, he solemnly asked the most trusted samurai commander.

"Bothard, these new farm tools can facilitate farmers' production in the field and help increase the income of the fields! I intend to popularize it to all parts of the closed country, so that all people can use it. What do you think?"

Bertard thought for a moment, his expression solemn. he asked cautiously.

"Your Highness, how much do you think these agricultural tools can increase the harvest of the field?"

"I have discussed with the old farmers of the alliance. The new farm tools can significantly reduce the consumption of manpower, so that more land can be cultivated. As for the increase in the yield of the field, there is no answer if you don't actually plant the last season. The increase in the yield of the cultivated land should not be obvious in the first year , but it can reduce the time of fallow. And the row sowing, weeding with copper hoe should increase the income by at least 20%!"

"At least 20% increase in income"

Bertard was no longer calm, with shock in his eyes. He took a deep look at His Highness, and then said respectfully.

"Your Highness, increasing income must be a great thing, and wooden farm tools are also easy to talk about. It's just that the price of copper is high now, and bronze is even more expensive. How can ordinary people afford such bronze farm tools?"

"How about the unified distribution by Fengguo?"

"Your Highness, farm tools are prone to wear and tear during use. Although bronze is strong and durable, the cost of use may not be much lower than that of stone farm tools before it can be mass-produced. For ordinary farmers, rather than expecting to collect two or three baskets more , Three or five buckets, it’s better to melt the bronze farm tools and sell them, and continue to use cheap stone farm tools!”

"Well, that makes sense. How about a temporary lease?"

"Your Highness, ordinary people are unwilling to rent something from a noble person, let alone such a valuable thing. If you force it to be rented, I am afraid that the people will only carefully collect it, and they will not sleep peacefully every day, for fear of losing it and being blamed."

"Bothard, I have made up my mind to popularize new farm tools! How do you think it should be done?"

"Your Highness, in my opinion, bronze farming tools can be used first in military settlements. The military camps in the military settlements are well-defined, strictly managed, strict military laws are enforced, and there are officers at all levels to restrain them. As long as they are strictly guarded and checked for wear and tear, they should be fine. Really take advantage of the new farm tools!"

"As for ordinary folk villages, only a small amount of bronze farm tools can be issued. In the name of sacrificial utensils, they are handed over to the priests, and then as the grace of the main god, they are borrowed by the pious farmers in the village. This can also improve the authority of the priests and strengthen them. Mastery of the village!"

"Well, do as you say!"

The king stood where he was, pondered for a long time, and finally nodded slowly.

"Calculate the required quantity as soon as possible, and then hand over the task to the workshop. Before the spring plowing in May next year, the garrison army will use all new farm tools."

"Now it seems that in order to truly revolutionize the era, the cost of bronze must be reduced as soon as possible. Large-scale mining of copper mines is imperative!"

Shulot put his hands behind his back, pacing in thought, and everyone followed in silence. And when the king stopped, there was a real weapon across the ages, the bronze cannon!

In the Bronze Age, agricultural productivity was developed!