The Song Dynasty is often described as "weak Song" by some of us. In fact, the Song Dynasty cannot be said to be weak. You know, the Song Dynasty was the first country in the history of the world with a population of over 100 million. In ancient times, population was a very important resource, and that was one of the important criteria for being an "empire." From this perspective, it is not very fair to say that the Song Dynasty is a "weak Song".
According to historical data, in the Song Huizong period, the number of households in the Song Dynasty reached 20.88 million, with a total population of about 120 million! At that time, the world's population was just over 400 million. The Song Dynasty’s population accounted for a higher proportion of the world’s population than China’s now.
The Song Dynasty is the smallest dynasty in the history of China. If the Northern Song Dynasty is included in the current Chinese territory, it can only be regarded as a relatively safe dynasty. So, why can the Song Dynasty feed 100 million people?
This is entirely due to rice, but a kind of imported rice-Champa rice, imported from Champa, Vietnam.
According to "Song History" records, during the Song Zhenzong period, as soon as a drought occurred in Jiang, Huai, and Zhejiang, the whole country was in a crisis of rice. In order to get rid of this predicament, Song Zhenzong ordered to find a rice seed that is less dependent on paddy fields. Later, it was really found. Fujian officials found a high-yielding, early-maturing, drought-tolerant rice seed in Champa, Vietnam, the Champa rice.
How good is this kind of Champa rice? According to the record of "Ling Wai Dai Da Dao. Lazy Farmers": "Drought does not ask for water, and flood does not dredge. There is no dung soil and no stubborn hard work. It is always in the sky." Champa rice is not afraid of droughts and floods. It does not need to fertilize or go to Dali. In short, it is very easy to feed and can reduce the risk of relying on the sky.
But in fact, Champa rice was not introduced to China during the Song Zhenzong period. As early as the late Tang and Five Dynasties, Champa rice was grown in Fujian and other places through private channels, but it was not officially promoted. People pay attention.
Since the introduction of Champa rice, it can be planted not only in Jiang, Huai, and Zhejiang, but also in hilly areas in the south and dry land in the north, greatly improving land use efficiency , Increased national grain output and solved the problem of food.
The eating problem was solved and the natural population increased. It is no surprise that the population exceeded 100 million by the time of Song Huizong. Later in the Southern Song Dynasty, the territory was smaller, but it was able to feed such a large population and to fight against the northern peoples for a long time. It can be said that Champa rice is indispensable!
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