Brother Zhu Youxiao

Chapter 641 The Lord of Conservation
"Uncle is right, technology is the primary productive force of Guochao's future!"

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, when Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian were about to take a boat to Guangdong and Guangxi, Zhu Ciran, who was far away in the capital, also received a secret handwritten letter from his father Zhu Youxiao.

Among them, it mainly explained the issues of science and technology, economy, politics and military affairs.

Compared with Zhu Youxiao, Zhu Ciran, who has been around the world for a long time and has seen the lives of workers and farmers, is more able to appreciate the power of technology and industry.

Farmers who cultivate by hand, farmers who cultivate by animal power, farmers who cultivate by machinery, farmers who cultivate by machinery and work part-time in slack, and farmers who enter factories to do long-term labor...

These examples are all in Zhu Ciran's memory and experience. He is very aware of how hard the lives of the first two are, and how "happy" the lives of the latter three are.

A tractor can easily plow 20 acres of land in one day, but if it is manpower, it takes a full [-] days.

If sowing is also counted, with the existing technology and productivity, a farmer with machinery can intensively sow more than ten acres of land within half a month, while manual farmers want to intensively sow more than ten acres. Land, the time required is calculated in quarters.

If the tractor can be smaller, lighter, or can plant more land, and the operation is simpler, then the comfort it can bring to farmers can be said to be cross-generational.

Zhu Ciran has experienced digging, loosening, watering, and transplanting rice seedlings in the fields with hoes one by one.

With his energy of fifteen or sixteen years old at that time, if he didn't have cattle for one spring plow, he could at most intensively cultivate three mu of land.

Even for some good farmers, in the absence of cattle, one spring plow can reach the sky, which means intensive cultivation of five acres.

That is a six-acre land that can be dug out one hoe after another, and it takes more than half a month to bend down. Once there is a tractor, this amount can be multiplied by three in an instant, and there will be more time for lunch breaks.

Zhu Ciran couldn't be more clear about what the progress of science and technology represents, so even though he is busy with government affairs, he still maintains the frequency of going to the Armament Academy three times a month.

After reading the contents of the manuscript again, Zhu Ciran put the manuscript away.

He set his sights on the Chunhe Palace, it was noon, everyone had already gone to eat, so only Zhu Ciran and Li Yongzhen were in the palace.

Zhu Ciran picked up the memorabilia from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and briefly read through it: "Isn't Li Changgeng sick? Who made this document?"

Seeing this, Li Yongzhen next to him bowed his body and explained:
"It was prepared by Li Shangshu in advance, and the document was sent by Li Shangshu in the morning."

"Since the beginning of spring, it has rained for several days in a row in Shanxi. It seems that the drought is over."

"Li Shangshu thinks that autumn tax can be levied on the world. After all, the situation of Guochao this year is still not optimistic."

"The national debt must be repaid, the salary must be paid, and the construction of industrial zones, railways, and roads cannot be stopped."

"Although it is still possible to print 6000 million taels of banknotes, the necessary expenditure of the imperial court has reached 8000 million taels."

"Therefore, it is better to resume tax collection..."

"The world will be saved for another year!" Zhu Ciran interrupted Li Yongzhen's words, put down the memorial and said:

"People all over the world are having a hard time. Although the drought is gone now, it will take time to restore the land."

"Shanxi, for example, has a local population of more than 400 million and it is quite difficult to farm 4000 million mu of land."

"Tell the Ministry of Household Affairs that each village should deploy enough tractors and set up a production team by the way. In the coming year, one tractor and ten households will form a production team."

"With tractors, the people can reclaim the wasteland as quickly as possible. In such a year, they can accumulate enough food for three years, and it will not be too late to collect taxes next year."

Zhu Ciran gave his own opinion. Although he knew that agricultural tax was the main source of tax revenue for Ming Dynasty, as long as the tax exemption was stopped, he could immediately collect 6000 to [-] million taels of tax money, but he could not do so.

He had exchanged letters with his uncle, and he felt that even if the drought in the world stopped, taxes should not be collected immediately, but to give the people a chance to breathe.

"This year, the country's business tax collected 200 million taels, and the mining department shipped back more than 800 million taels of gold and silver."

"Counting the banknotes printed, there are a full [-] million taels of silver."

"Tell Li Changgeng to pay off the national debt with interest first, and consume some of the remaining banknotes to see the attitude of the people."

"As long as there is no problem with the attitude and no one is against banknotes, then the issuance of banknotes will be promoted immediately."

"This batch of banknotes is enough for the country to use for two years."

While speaking, Zhu Ciran continued to pick up the household registration booklet from the household department, and Li Yongzhen carefully asked after seeing this:
"Your Highness, it's time for a lunch break..."

"I'm in good spirits now, so I won't sleep today." Zhu Ciran said, and at the same time carefully looked at the household registration and the number of acres of land in the Ming Dynasty.

According to the statistics of the Ministry of Household Affairs, as of the 22th day of the twelfth lunar month in the 7806nd year of the Apocalypse, the Ming Dynasty had a total of 11 million people and more than 320 billion mu of arable land.

In addition, the countries under the suzerain-vassal system have a total population of more than 370 million. Among them, the six foreign domains of Korea, Siam, Ganbozhi, Nanzhang, Boni, and Sulu have a total population of about 600 million.

There are more than 100 vassal states in the size of the Nei Fan, and the population of the county is about 670 million.

The arable land area of ​​the outer feudal clan was more than [-] million mu, and that of the inner feudal clan was more than [-] million mu.

That is to say, including the suzerain-vassal system, Daming is the co-lord of a population of 5000 million and the direct and indirect master of nearly 13 billion mu of cultivated land.

It needs to be known that the current world population is only [-] to [-] million, and Ming can be said to have ruled half of the world.

"Why is the population of the feudal kingdom so small? Qi is not counted?"

Looking at the document, Zhu Ciran frowned. After all, in his knowledge, there are probably no less than 2000 million natives in Qi State alone. Counting the vassal state of India, the number of natives in the inner vassal of the Ming Dynasty It should not be lower than 5000 million.

"Qi State has a vast territory, and the Qi people are still registered as registered households, so the number of native people in Qi State has not been counted."

Li Yongzhen explained: "However, there is news from Qi State that the number of native people who have accepted Qi Min's registration has reached 800 million."

"Including the immigration of the Han family, the population of Qi has reached more than 300 million, and the number of cultivated land is more than [-] million."

"Right now, the Qi State is still improving its national strength at the rate of 50 households and reclaiming more than 50 mu of arable land every month."

"Nanzhen Fusi estimates that in about ten years, the number of Han people in Qi State will not be less than 700 million, the number of native people will not be less than 3000 million, and the amount of cultivated land will be close to [-] million mu."

Li Yongzhen seemed to have something in his words, Zhu Ciran could hear it, but he didn't scold Li Yongzhen.

It is a fact that Qi's rise is too fast, which makes many people uneasy, but Zhu Ciran knows that this is not a bad thing.

At least from the perspective of resources, the rise of Qi is not a threat to Ming Dynasty.

Only Daming's own resources are enough for Daming to have closed the country for hundreds of years to digest, let alone disperse energy to interfere with Qi.

In addition, Qi's resources are enough for the existing 3000 million people to consume for a hundred years or hundreds of years. Talking about threats to such two countries is really a bit unfounded.

Compared with Qi State, Zhu Ciran is more worried about India's lack of resources as a vassal.

India's Sidang vassals have a population of more than 500 million, but only [-] million mu of arable land.

As far as the present is concerned, famine has already broken out in the local area, and it is likely to be the same in the future.

They don't have enough minerals and other industries and handicrafts, and they can only do business with Daming with grain.

When Daming suffered a famine due to drought, it was okay. Now, apart from Huguang and Jiangxi, the situation in other places in Daming is improving, and the demand for food is not great.

Not only is it not big, Daming's own grain has also begun to enter the overcapacity.

11 billion mu of arable land, less than [-] million people, more than five mu per capita.

If part of the land is not cultivated with cash crops and the diet is enriched, there will only be more and more staple food, and finally the price will drop because it cannot be digested.

The cheap grain hurts the farmers. At that time, many farmers will suddenly switch to other crops. Once the court can't control it, there may be man-made disasters.

For the national economy, appropriate intervention is a must.

"The amount of arable land in Guochao has increased, but it can't consume so much staple food."

"Tell the Department of Agriculture that people can be properly encouraged to grow some cash crops, such as peanuts and fruits."

"Now Guochao's train can travel [-] miles per hour. It can travel a full [-] miles a day without refueling. It is not difficult to sell fruit."

"Communicate with Huangdian, let the fruits and vegetables from the south go to the north, and the peanuts and dried fruits from the north go to the south."

Zhu Ciran explained, and at the same time commented on the population issue:

"Although the country has a population of nearly 500 million at present, nearly 600 million of them are natives. Although the number has been reduced to more than [-] million because of marriage, this is basically at its limit."

"In recent years, there have been more and more local riots, especially in Yingzhou."

"If Cao Dingjiao hadn't suppressed it properly, I'm afraid Yingzhou would have broken away from the rule of the dynasty long ago."

"So in terms of immigration, it is still necessary to encourage the relocation of Yingzhou, so that Yingzhou can become a Chinese territory as soon as possible."

"Yes..." Li Yongzhen bowed in response, and said by the way:
"The scale of relocation this year is a bit large, and the relocation team from Qi State has already been lined up until the middle of next year."

Li Yongzhen's words made Zhu Ciran frown, and he scolded with a straight face: "The matter of relocation, without the will of my father and me, no one can hinder it, let Lu Yuangao watch carefully."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Ciran remembered the matter of the imperial store and the officialdom, and leaned back:

"How is the handover between the imperial store and the officialdom going?"

"Returning to Your Highness, Wang Bingbi and Cao Bingbi are very cooperative, and it is estimated that it will be completed before the winter solstice."

Li Yongzhen bowed in return, and Zhu Ciran talked about nothing serious, and also commented on the battle in the river:
"The recovery of the land in the river, coupled with the acquisition of the Volga land in Eastern Europe, has added a lot of territory to the dynasty."

"The situation and policy in Hezhong will remain unchanged for the time being, and the policy formulated by my uncle will still be implemented."

"As for the promotion after the war... Cao Wenzhao was promoted to Marquis of Weiyuan, Cao Bianjiao became Marquis of Shuofang, Li Zi became Boss of Yulin, other generals were promoted to a higher level, and another 60 taels of silver were awarded to the army."

"In addition, Li Zicheng continued to serve as the commander-in-chief of the river. In addition, the land of the Volga River was set as Taixi Province, which was under the control of the Northern Army Governor's Mansion."

"Cao Bianjiao served as the commander-in-chief of Taixi and guarded Taixi, Zhu Fuju served as the commander-in-chief of Anxi, Li Guo served as the commander-in-chief of Beiting, and Liu Zongmin served as the commander-in-chief of Lingbei."

"Cao Wenzhao mobilized troops from all over the country, and then... transferred Li Dingguo back to Beijing to serve as the co-prefect of the Governor's Mansion of Shangzhi."

At the end of Zhu Ciran's speech, a smile appeared on his face, and Li Yongzhen beside him also smiled and said:
"Li Dingguo has performed well this time, and he has been wronged by serving as a co-prefect."

"Hmm..." Zhu Ciran was very satisfied with Li Yongzhen's words, and echoed:
"It's okay. Uncle is going to let Li Dingguo take over as the governor of Shangzhi. It's better to let him practice for a few years first, that's..."

Zhu Ciran had a headache: "It's just that once my uncle leaves, I don't know who should be the commander-in-chief of the five armies."

Thinking of this, Zhu Ciran couldn't find anyone to replace him for a while.

Logically speaking, both Man Gui and Sun Yingyuan are good candidates, but they both went to Qi.

Once they are gone, the remaining people will not be enough to shoulder the big responsibility.

Qi Yuangong and Qin Minping are too old, Cao Wenzhao and He Shixian have too many personality flaws, Huang Fei and Li Zicheng cannot convince the public...

"Alas..." Zhu Ciran sighed, and could only push this question to Zhu Youjian.

Therefore, he also wrote a copy in hand and sent it to Zhu Youjian.

However, Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian should have just boarded the ship at this moment, so they can only send the letter to Guangzhou and wait for them to arrive to solve this problem.

After finishing all this, Zhu Ciran continued to concentrate on processing the memorial.

On the contrary, compared to his bustling East Palace, Prince Qi's Mansion at this moment seems much deserted.

Baiwangfang has always been deserted, and it is only because of the bustle of Qiwangfu that Baiwangfang is lively.

However, following Zhu Youjian's announcement of the vassal, a large number of officials close to the Qi Palace went to the Ministry of Officials to be transferred, and they went to Qi State with their families.

As soon as they left, Prince Qi's mansion became deserted.

However, this desertedness is also very good, at least Zhu Cihong doesn't have to deal with those adults anymore...

"Brother Xia, when do you think Dad will let us pack our things!"

In the Chengyun Hall of Prince Qi's Mansion, when Zhu Cihong's voice sounded, two windows were also pushed open by a pair of hands.

The sun shone into the Chengyun Hall, and Zhu Cihong was sitting on a chair in front of the bookshelf, holding a book in his hand, and on the table were more than a dozen books that he had finished or hadn't finished.

In the 23 years since entering Tianqi, Zhu Cihong has turned 11 years old, and Xia Wanchun, whom he calls, is also 13 years old.

Xia Wanchun came to Daming to learn from Zhu Youjian, but later he was gradually sent by Zhu Youjian to take care of the children.

He is currently studying at the Shuntian Mansion School during the day, and after school is the acting teacher of the seven county kings of the King Qi Mansion.

It's winter vacation now, Xia Wanchun finished his homework early, and then started making up lessons for Zhu Cihong and the others from the twelfth lunar month.

When it came to the Zhengdan Festival, Xia Wanchun gave them ten days off, and hid in Chengyun Hall to read many books and unfinished documents left by King Qi.

Zhu Cihong likes to read books very much, and he is curious about Qi State, so he stays in Chengyun Hall every day, and asks Xia Wanchun about Qi State while studying from time to time.

In this regard, Xia Wanchun also knew all the answers. After all, Zhu Cihong was very pleasing, and even the living commentator of the Qi Palace once wrote for him:
"The king of Linyi County is fair and beautiful, with ten fingers like green onions. He is loved by his superiors and His Royal Highness."

Of course, the other Zhu Cijiong and others are also handsome, but they are not as good as Zhu Cihong.

Maybe because Zhu Youjian was tall in this life, Zhu Cihong and the others also grew much taller than their peers.

Although Zhu Cihong is only 11 years old, he is already five feet one inch (163cm) tall. If he grows up, he may not be much taller than Zhu Youjian.

However, Xia Wanchun didn't feel the pressure, because he went to Qi State with his father since he was a child, and ate so much bison in Qi State that his height was also outstanding.

Although he was 13 years old, he was already five feet three inches tall (169), and his official education emphasized sports, and his father emphasized Confucianism, so he can be said to be a Confucian student who has truly mastered the six arts of a gentleman.

However, although he is a Confucian scholar, he is not pedantic. When teaching Zhu Cihong and others, he is also pragmatic, which is why Zhu Youjian asked him to teach on his behalf.

Like now, after Xia Wanchun opened the window to let the sunlight into the hall, he turned around and smiled at Zhu Cilang:

"His Royal Highness should set off on the winter solstice, but the few of you will probably be left behind."

"Ah?! Why?" Zhu Cihong was taken aback, and quickly stood up.

After Xia Wanchun heard the words, he walked to the bookshelf, took out a copy of "Economics" written by Zhu Youjian, and answered the question with a smiling voice with his back to Zhu Cihong:
"Qi State's school is not as good as Guochao's. Your younger brothers can still learn after His Royal Highness goes to Qi State to build it up, but you, Second Highness, and Third Highness can't do it."

"Besides, it is an unwritten rule to keep children to study in Beijing. Many vassal kings have left children, and my state of Qi is no exception."

"But..." Xia Wanchun turned around with a smile, and joked:
"Based on the love of Long Live and His Royal Highness the Prince, I'm afraid you will live a very happy life."

"I still want to go to Qi State with my father." Seeing that Xia Wanchun was still in the mood to joke, Zhu Cihong felt relieved and responded with a smile:
"But if I stay, you have to stay too, and you can be regarded as a companion."

"You bastard..." Xia Wanchun couldn't laugh or cry, but Zhu Cihong continued to say with a refined smile:

"Although I'm very curious about Qi State, since Qi State hasn't been built yet, it's better for me to wait and go."

"What's more, if I stay and make the country and Qi stable, it will be worth it."

After getting out of the initial panic, Zhu Cihong calmly accepted the situation he was about to face.

Seeing his calm manner, Xia Wanchun couldn't help but praise him in his heart.

"Don't worry too much, there are only four years left in the government school, and we will be able to return to Qi after four years."

Xia Wanchun comforted Zhu Cihong, but Zhu Cihong was no longer persistent at this time, but calmed down and said:
"Having said that, I don't think Uncle Huang and the others will let me go so easily."

"That's true..." Xia Wanchun didn't know whether to laugh or cry, after all, the love for Zhu Cihong from the emperor and prince, as well as King Yong and King Ding was deep in his bones.

Since Zhu Cihong was born, his rewards seem to have never been cut off. Although other Zhu Cijiong and others also received rewards from the inner court, they are not as frequent as Zhu Cihong.

Especially after Zhu Ciran took office as supervisor, the rewards Zhu Cihong received were too many to count.

"Your Highness, Lady Yang sent a message that the East Palace rewarded the bird's nest, asking if you want to try it!"

No, Zhu Cihong and Xia Wanchun hadn't finished talking when a maid's voice came from the door.

When Xia Wanchun heard it, he coughed a little, as if saying that his throat was a little dry.

"Get two copies and try it, and send it to Erlang and the others by the way!"

How could Zhu Cihong not understand Xia Wanchun's small movements, so he smiled and opened his voice to the door, and the maid at the door responded, and then left the Chengyun Hall.

Hearing the sound of footsteps walking away, Zhu Cihong returned to the topic and said: "I heard that there are still many people who migrated to Qi this year. What's going on? Didn't you say that the large number of people who migrated before was due to the drought?"

"It was because of the drought..." Xia Wanchun replied with a wry smile, helplessly explaining:
"As for now, it all depends on the common people trusting and relying too much on His Royal Highness Qi."

"I heard that the people in Shuofang, Beizhili, Henan, Liaodong and other places who received direct favor from His Highness are moving, especially the hungry people who were resettled by His Highness in Changping, Miyun and other places during the Taichang period."

"Although they are now living and working in peace and contentment, when they heard that His Highness wanted to surrender, they immediately sold their family property and planned to move to Qi State in advance."

"There are not a few people like this, and Qi Guo is a good thing, but the impeachment in the temple has never stopped."

Xia Wanchun explained it again, and Zhu Cihong nodded half-understanding:
"I also know my father's position in the hearts of the people, but I didn't expect that the people would rather leave their hometowns and follow my father to Qi."

"Qi State is very good, and the people will not regret it after passing." Xia Wanchun replied while reading a book:
"It's just that there is some noise in the temple..."

"That's true..." Zhu Cihong couldn't help nodding, and then laughed out loud:
"Sometimes I also admire the elder brother, who endures the noise of the noisy civil servants every day."

"You may be like this in the future..." Xia Wanchun said, and the smile on Zhu Cihong's face froze immediately.

"Didn't you say that the temples in Qi State are very quiet?" Zhu Cihong looked deceived.

"It used to be quiet and everyone was pragmatic." Xia Wanchun flipped through the book:
"It's just that too many people have migrated in recent years, and the original rules will definitely be changed when there are too many people."

"My father is also very busy. I hope that when I go back, Qi Guo won't become someone I don't know."

"Alas..." Zhu Cihong couldn't help but sigh after hearing Xia Wanchun's words:
"Everywhere is noisy. Sometimes I really want to go to a place where there are no people and read a book quietly."

"Then your idea is probably going to come to nothing. Now there are people everywhere in the world except Antarctica." Xia Wanchun couldn't help being shocked, but Zhu Cihong became interested when he heard it:

"I heard Dad talk about Antarctica, but do you think there are really flightless birds in Antarctica?"

"The world is so big, there are no surprises." Xia Wanchun had never seen it before, but it didn't prevent him from prevaricating.

Seeing what Xia Wanchun said, Zhu Cihong couldn't help looking out the window, seeing the bird soaring freely in the sky, couldn't help but sigh:
"I really want to go and see..."

　Due to work problems, tomorrow's update will probably be postponed until around [-]:[-] pm. Recently, the end of the work and the business trip have collided, and the update cannot be uploaded. I am very sorry.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)