Daming: Old Zhu, we agreed not to rush!

Chapter 82 The Malthus Trap
In Lishui County.

Just came back from the mountain, Su Jing didn't arrange anything, just let Zhu Biao rest by himself.

No matter how good your body is, you can't sleep less.

In the room, Zhu Biao was sorting out what he had learned from Su Jing.

At the same time, he also had a letter from his father Zhu Yuanzhang in his hand.

After reading it briefly, Zhu Biao immediately wrote back.

As Gong Weilang left with the letter, Zhu Biao also heaved a sigh of relief.

He always felt that he was like this, and he was a little sorry for Su Jing.

But when he thought that it was related to the future society of Ming Dynasty, he gritted his teeth and had no choice but to continue.

At the same time, as a transfer station for the exchange between Su Jing and Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao felt more profoundly the profound knowledge of Su Jing.

Su Jing simply proposed a knowledge point, but when it came to Zhu Yuanzhang, he needed to think hard and couldn't understand it.

And when Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to ask for the answer, Su Jing's teaching was already ahead by an unknown number of versions.

It was as if when climbing East Lushan, Su Jing strolled in front, while she could only catch up behind, still panting from exhaustion.

How to solve the natural disaster that happened more than 200 years later in Ming Dynasty?
In fact, Zhu Biao also thought about it, but no matter how he thought about it, what he got was useless.

Zhu Bianben thought that he told his father, and with the help of many ministers, there might be a way.

Unexpectedly, it still depends on Su Jing in the end.

With the sun rising three poles, Su Jing's sleep recovery was finally completed.

He stretched himself, touched his belly, smacked his lips and said:

"We still need oil and water!"

Not long after, Su Jing brought Zhu Biao to the snacks in Sha County.

If you want oil and water, you still have to have pork knuckle rice.

After the meal was full, Su Jing sighed with satisfaction: "Sure enough, food is the most important thing for the people, and eating is the most important thing in the world."

Zhu Biao echoed from the side: "Master Su is right. People in this world actually have very low requirements. They are happy when they have enough food and clothes."

Su Jing nodded and said: "That's right, food and clothing are the most basic human needs. Only when this need is met can there be other possibilities for development."

The two of them didn't stay in the store too long. After all, the turnover rate of Shaxian snacks is very high. Sitting after eating can easily affect the later diners.

Under the willow tree by the river bank, Su Jing strolled casually, digesting food along the way.

Zhu Biao followed closely behind, but he was thinking about how to ask Su Jing how to solve the natural disaster after more than 200 years.

The breeze was blowing, and there were many vendors hawking along the river.

Su Jing's eyes fell on the packaging of those products, most of which were straw paper produced by his own paper mill.

Yes, this shows that my straw paper has already gained market recognition.

After the Sweet Potato Workshop became unsustainable due to lack of raw materials, most of the customers for the wrapping paper made by Su Jing were these vendors.

Su Jing does not seek to make money, as long as it can maintain the operation is enough.

Because the paper mill is an important part of his business layout, and then there will be a printing factory, which will be gradually added.

Finally why, that's simple.

Because the imperial examinations in Ming Dynasty will be reopened soon, and the number of scholars will increase dramatically by then.

With more readers, the demand for paper and books will increase.

You have to plan ahead.

"Master Su."

Zhu Biao's voice came from behind Su Jing, pulling Su Jing's thoughts back.

Su Jing turned her head and said, "Niu Yi, what's wrong?"

Zhu Biao said: "Su Jing, the climatology you taught a few days ago has been reviewed and consolidated by the students."

"Students have a question, sir, please answer."

Su Jing stopped in her tracks, turned her head and said, "Oh, let's hear it."

Zhu Biao paused, and said: "Master Su, the student asked at that time whether there would be a natural disaster like the end of Tang Dynasty in Ming Dynasty. You said that after more than 200 years, the celestial phenomena will reincarnate again."

"Students have checked the records of the three years of severe drought in the late Tang Dynasty. It was not a blade of grass, no crops, and the displacement of the people. It was a purgatory on earth."

"Students want to know, is Daming really unable to deal with such a natural disaster? Can the common people just accept that purgatory-like reality?"

Compassionate and sympathetic to the world, with a heart to help the world.

Zhu Biao is quite good to the people, even though he is only the prince now.

Su Jing no longer had any doubts about Zhu Biao asking such a question.

This apprentice of mine cares about the sufferings of the world.

"There is a way."

Su Jing didn't want to dampen Zhu Biao's enthusiasm too much, so he gave a possibility.

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up, and he said immediately: "Please also ask Master Su to teach me."

Su Jing immediately said: "Niu Yi, don't worry, I said there is a way, but it's not that easy."

Zhu Biao's excitement remained undiminished. For him, as long as there is a way, it will do.

If there is a way, at least there will be a direction to work hard, instead of running around like a headless chicken.

"I know this matter must be difficult, but I believe in Master Su."

Zhu Biao said with firm eyes.

Got it!
Treat me like a god!

Su Jing looked at Zhu Biao's eyes, and complained in her heart.

However, he still said: "If we want to solve the problem of natural disasters, we must first analyze this matter and find out the main contradiction and the secondary contradiction."

"What are we fighting against natural disasters for?"

Zhu Biao immediately replied: "It is to let the people have food to eat, so that there will be no famine."

Su Jing nodded and said: "Yes, so in fact, our core issue should be how to solve the food problem of the people when natural disasters strike, right?"

"Ok!"

Zhu Biao nodded and said: "What Master Su said is very true."

Su Jing continued: "Then the next thing is simple. Natural disasters are natural changes. Human resources are small, and it is very difficult to change."

"We might as well change our thinking and start with agricultural production to increase our productivity."

"Even when natural disasters strike, the people can still farm and produce food?"

Su Jing's words made Zhu Biao's mind suddenly turn around.

All he thought about before was how to reverse the natural disaster and prevent it from happening.

Now it seems that there is a problem in thinking.

Su Jing continued: "I said before that the root cause of the dynasty's demise was the conflict between man and land and land annexation."

"Leaving aside the annexation of land, the conflict between man and land can actually be revealed in this natural disaster."

"With the development of a dynasty, the population will inevitably increase. When natural disasters occur, food production will decrease, and the people will not have enough food to eat, so they will riot, right?"

Zhu Biao's mind was a little dazed, why did he suddenly turn to the contradiction between human and earth.

But if you think about it carefully, there is really no problem.

He nodded and said: "Master Su is right. The root cause of natural disasters that make the people revolt is that there is not enough food."

Su Jing said indifferently: "I didn't tell you at that time, how to solve the conflict between people and land, but now I can talk about it."

Ok?
Zhu Biao's eyes widened instantly, and he looked at Su Shi in disbelief.

Strictly speaking, the conflict between man and land is more serious than the natural disasters that occurred more than 200 years later.

What I asked was how to solve natural disasters, but what Su Jing wanted to teach was to deal with conflicts between people and land.

This is really a big profit.

"Master Su, wait a moment."

Zhu Biao said hurriedly, and then came to Su Jing's side, and straightened his clothes, which seemed to be some kind of ceremony.

Su Jing was a little taken aback by this.

"Master Su, it's done."

Zhu Biao is ready to listen to memory.

Su Jing didn't care too much, and said: "Natural disasters will lead to the intensification of the contradiction between man and land, and the core reason for the contradiction between man and land is the contradiction between the infinitely growing population and the land productivity with its limit carrying capacity."

"First of all, the population grows exponentially, I taught you that. But the land carrying capacity, which is the productivity of the land, grows arithmetically."

"Whether it is natural disasters, wars or diseases, they are all means to smooth out the gap between the two due to development."

"This is an unsolvable problem in an agricultural society, also known as the Malthusian trap."

Su Jing spoke slowly, but Zhu Biao listened very carefully.

He didn't dare to make a sound, for fear of disturbing Su Jing.

For the places that you don't understand, you can only memorize them first.

"It is actually very simple to jump out of this trap, and that is to abandon the small-scale peasant economy."

Su Jing calmly said the solution.

But when he heard this, Zhu Biao's expression changed immediately, and he immediately said: "Master Su, give up the small peasant economy, what should the common people eat?"

Fortunately, I have talked about the small peasant economy before, so I don't need to explain too much to Zhu Biao.

Su Jing said, "Niu Yi, you misunderstood. Abandoning the small peasant economy does not mean giving up agriculture."

"It's two different things."

two different things?
Zhu Biao fell into doubt again.

Su Jing smiled and said, "Remember what I told you before, the changes in the social system?"

"What caused the emergence of feudal society?"

Zhu Biao immediately replied: "Iron plow and ox farming! Master Su said that the appearance of iron plow and ox farming means the emergence of new productivity tools, leading to changes in social forms."

"very good!"

Su Jing nodded and said, "Niu Yi, it seems that you haven't forgotten what I taught you."

"Let me ask you again, how did people carry out agricultural production before iron plows and oxen were plowed?"

Zhu Biao thought for a while and replied: "Stone tools and human farming?"

Su Jing said: "There are indeed, but the earliest farming method is slash-and-burn farming."

"In your opinion, whether it is stone-assisted farming or slash-and-burn farming, which one produces more grain than iron plow and ox farming?"

Hearing this, Zhu Biao immediately said: "Naturally, the iron plow and oxen are plowed. This is a more advanced agricultural production method, otherwise it would not be widely spread."

Having said this, Zhu Biao stopped suddenly.

He seems to have thought of something.

Su Jing smiled, and didn't rush to ask questions, just looked at Zhu Biao.

"So, what Master Su means is that as long as there is a more advanced production method than the iron plow and ox farming, no matter whether it is a human-land conflict or a natural disaster, it can be solved!"

Zhu Biao said excitedly.

Su Jing nodded and said: "Yes, this is the most fundamental way to solve this problem."

"It's just that, Niu Yi, don't forget one thing."

"Advanced production methods are often brought about by the emergence of new productivity tools, and the emergence of new productivity tools means social change."

"At that time, what will happen to the feudal dynasty, I don't need to say more."

(End of this chapter)