Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 753 The Little Ice Age Is Coming
According to the records of later generations, the real Little Ice Age was between 1650 and 1700, and before that, it was a period of abnormal climate, with droughts and snowstorms taking turns.

Just like giving birth, the most excruciating part is not when you come out, but during the first nine months of pregnancy.

Often last year it was a snow disaster and freezing people, but this year it is a thousand miles away.

During the 276-year lifespan of the Ming Dynasty, a total of 1101 natural disasters occurred, but among the more than 1000 natural disasters, nearly one-third occurred in the last 50 years.

Since the Wanli period, the Nanjing area, which has never snowed all year round, has begun to snow continuously.

During the reign of Tianqi and Chongzhen, the Yangtze River, which had a huge flow, began to freeze. There were also snowflakes in the south of Lingnan in Guangdong, and many people froze to death.

In fact, if it was a pure Little Ice Age, it would be fine. The temperature is low, after all, fires can be lit to keep warm, and the people can still suffer.

However, due to climate disturbances and frequent occurrence of extreme weather, even in the 21st century, there is nothing we can do about droughts.

It is impossible to divert water from south to north in the seventeenth century, right?

Thinking about the historical records and the bits and pieces of news in his memory, Zhu Yixi's expression became more solemn when facing the discussions among the ministers, and he had to remind them:

"If Zhuqing is careful, I'm afraid that since the Wanli period, the climate has become abnormal. Either there is a severe drought for thousands of miles, or the snow is several feet thick. God is capricious—"

"Even in Lingnan, where it hasn't snowed for hundreds of years, you can still see snowflakes..."

As soon as these words came out, everyone stopped talking and began to think.

In the past, limited by their vision and knowledge, even top scholars like them were helpless in dealing with meteorological problems.

Although Dong Zhongshu absorbed the theory of catastrophe and strangeness in "Gongyang Zhuan" and absorbed Mozi's concept of punishment from heaven, and inherited and developed it into the relationship between heaven and man, but to be honest, few people who read and understand the truth basically believe it.

Otherwise, how could there be a permanent warehouse in the world for disaster relief?

Advise the emperor every day, wouldn't there be no natural disasters if he implemented a benevolent government?
The reason why civil and military officials are talking about it is because this is the only method they can legitimately restrain the emperor, and it is more effective than the ancestral system.

No matter how bad it is, the prime ministers have to take the blame and vacate a few positions.

After all, no one can figure out whether it is true or false. What if it is true?

Everyone thought about it carefully, huh, is this really God's will?Daming deserves to die?
No, this is an ignorant word that cannot be trusted.

So according to the emperor's meaning, it means that God is abnormal?
Seeing everyone's eyes gathering, Zhu Yixi's expression became solemn: "I have read poetry and history books, and realized that in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms before the Song Dynasty, the world was also in such chaos, and disasters occurred frequently, so we must pay attention to it."

"As the saying goes, if the old doesn't go away, the new won't come."

Zhu Mou stood with his hands folded, flattered and said:
"How could there be the establishment of Zhao and Song if we didn't come to the troubled times of the Ten Kingdoms?"

"Your Majesty rebuilt Daming from the ashes and comforted the ancestral temple. This is God's will."

"It is God's will, God's will is His Majesty—"

The ministers don't care so much, and the filming is over.

The emperor may not remember who flattered him, but he will definitely remember who did not.

Where is this!
Zhu Yixi looked astonished, I didn't come to talk to you about this, I digressed.

He waved his hands and said: "Even so, I'm afraid that the tail of this natural disaster will still be there. Even in October, there will still be an autumn tiger. If it's not guaranteed, he will come here before he leaves to have a test or something."

As he said that, his face straightened, and he said solemnly: "Anything will be forewarned, forewarned will be established, and no forewarned will be abandoned. Therefore, the entire court must pay attention to this matter."

"The north is already in a mess. I don't want the south to be in a mess anymore. It just adds a little bit of trouble."

As soon as this trouble came out, everyone's face changed, and they immediately understood that this was referring to the thief.

Didn't the burglars and thieves back then come out because of disasters?It shook the foundation of the country, and even made Emperor Chongzhen hang Meishan.

"Your Majesty, remember, didn't you set up a disaster relief department in each province before? And it was headed by the governor."

Chief Assistant Zhao Shu said softly: "At that time, I planned to let the governor take the helm to appease the people of this province, and now I just sent an order to let him stockpile food and train troops, and there must be no bandits."

"And the imperial court should also build granaries to store grain and prevent accidents."

"Even if something unbearable happens, the capital camp must be kept in order."

Hearing that Zhao Shu handled the matter so seriously and carefully, and looking at the emperor's satisfied expression, Zhang Shenyan understood that he still lacked something from the beginning to the end.

At this moment, he couldn't help but said: "There are tens of thousands of children from the Beijing camp in Liaodong. I'm afraid that one of them will not be able to supply money and food. Besides, after sending troops for half a year, they must be tired. How about returning to Beijing to rectify?"

It is Zhang Shenyan's intention to dispatch troops to protect Beijing through rectification.

"It's not time for rectification." The emperor vetoed this proposal: "Although the Manchu Qing Dynasty is still alive, but the evils have been eliminated, and so many soldiers and horses are piled up in Liaodong, it is to completely eliminate their people."

At this time in Liaodong, there were nearly [-] soldiers and horses, including [-] Beijing battalions, more than [-] Guanning soldiers, and about [-] Korean soldiers.

Due to the large number of cavalry, their food supply alone cost 300,000 shi a month.

Fortunately, it can be transported through the Bohai Sea, which saves cost and time, otherwise the loss will be even greater.

In the huge Liaodong, there are only a million ordinary people, and it is impossible to support an army of [-]. Not to mention the bitter cold in Liaodong, the material production is not abundant, and it is good to be able to support yourself without the support of the court.

Therefore, its grain and grass come from Taicang, and what is consumed is the stored grain.

But it's all worth it.

"Let the governors of all provinces build more water conservancy projects, and be on guard against the unpredictable drought and snow disasters. In addition, the patrol battalions should also patrol closely to catch illegal activities."

"As for the general soldiers in various places, they can cooperate with the governor to use troops."

But for Zhu Yixi, there is still some good news.

There was a turmoil that lasted for many years in the late Ming Dynasty, and the population dropped sharply, which led to the empty land and the pressure on the land was greatly reduced. For the survivors, as long as they worked hard, the vast land could still survive.

As the old saying goes, those who send a dynasty to the grave are often their own.

For example, the Chuangjun and various rebels in the late Ming Dynasty were full of deserters from the frontier army. Li Zicheng was originally a member of the Yichuan system, and then he was laid off. If he has no job, can he not rebel?
"All in all, the government and the public must be prepared. This disaster will come if it is not guaranteed, and you must come step by step."

"If I find someone negligent, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Yes—" Everyone bowed their hands and bowed, their hearts tightened.

The six ministries of the cabinet move up and down, and the whole court is in great motion.

Not to mention anything else, the Ministry of Households immediately asked the Ministry of Industry to start construction and build some granaries to stockpile grain to prevent accidents.

Since the seedlings of sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes have gradually expanded in the past two years, the expansion of seedlings in the entire north, and even the world, has also been officially put on the agenda.

The method is also simple, as long as these grains are allowed to be tax-deductible.

(End of this chapter)