Daming Military Empire

Chapter 537 Developing Siberia

Hearing Xu Erjue's description of Siberia's products, Zhu Cijiong's eyes lit up. He originally thought that the development of Siberia would have to be promoted by himself. Unexpectedly, Xu Erjue had already led the Daming Royal Xinglong Company to develop it first.

He couldn't help but gratified and said: "Well, yes, since you have discovered that Siberia is a treasure house, you must develop it well. Daming spent a lot of money in fighting for Siberia. I hope you can earn this money back as soon as possible and create more wealth. Contribute to the development of Daming."

This is obviously a compliment, but Xu Erjue's face changed when he heard the words, and he said in shame: "The emperor forgives the sin, what the villain said is only what the merchants sent by the firm saw and heard over there, and the Ming Xinglong firm was not there. How much money is made there? Last year and a half, it only earned a few hundred thousand taels, which is nothing compared to the loss of the army."

Hearing this, Zhu Cijiong didn't choke at the wrong point. For a long time, this guy was just shooting empty guns, making himself happy for nothing. This kind of habit is not good. He asked in a slightly reproachful tone: "Since you know where is it?" There is so much wealth, why not develop it?"

Xu Erjue broke out in cold sweat from being frightened by this question, and he quickly explained in panic: "The emperor forgives the sin, it's not that the villain doesn't want to develop it, it's because there are not so many people in the Ming Royal Xinglong Company, and the territory of Siberia is simply boundless. Wuji, the total number of employees of Daming Royal Xinglong Company is only over [-], even if the villain shuts down the business in other places, it will not be able to develop if everyone goes to Siberia!"

Zhu Cijiong was taken aback when he heard the words. It seemed that he had wrongly blamed him. With 10 people, it would be good to be able to develop tens of thousands of square kilometers. There are several million square kilometers there. Besides, it is impossible for the Daming Royal Xinglong Company to diversify its business from other places. All stopped and ran to develop Siberia.

He thought for a while, and comforted him: "I blamed you wrongly. You can consider hiring the herdsmen over there to develop it. They are also the people of Ming Dynasty. It is a good thing for them to earn some money and live a prosperous life."

Hearing this, Xu Erjue heaved a sigh of relief, and thanked his forehead repeatedly: "Thank you for your forgiveness, the villain has also considered the issue of hiring herdsmen, but the number of herdsmen over there is really too small. According to the estimates of the merchants sent by the company, The total number of herdsmen over there is less than a million, and most of them are women, children and the elderly. The real young people are less than [-]. There is no one to hire people to do physical work such as logging, hunting, and fishing. After all, They also have to graze and take care of their families."

Zhu Cijiong asked curiously: "Oh, why are there so few herders there?"

Xu Erjue immediately explained: "This villain sent someone to inquire about it. Originally, the population of the Siberian Khanate was not large, and most of them gathered in the Siberian plains with abundant water and grass. There were not many nomadic tribes in the plateau valleys. During the several wars during the invasion of Tsarist Russia, their population was seriously damaged, especially the young and strong. It is not bad if a large family can leave a young and strong labor force."

Zhu Cijiong heard the words and nodded. This is the truth, and it is completely consistent with the information obtained by Jin Yiwei. Most of the population of the Siberian Khanate is still concentrated in the plain between the Yeni River and the Ob River, and there is still Tsarist Russia. territory.

It is indeed a problem that there is inexhaustible wealth, but no one develops it. He has never thought of this. Will there be other problems?
He tentatively asked, "Your Excellency, according to your opinion, besides the population problem, are there any other problems in developing Siberia?"

Xu Erjue heard the words, thought carefully, and then replied affirmatively: "Yes, the villain feels that transportation is also a big problem. In fact, what those herdsmen need more is food. If they have food, they may be able to stabilize. Let’s carry out some development together. The caravans and carriages organized by our Royal Xinglong Company are limited, and other necessities of life with greater profits cannot be transported. Things with meager profits like food, if it is not for their strong demand, we will even I don’t intend to transport them over there to sell them at all, that’s a trade route that travels thousands of miles at every turn, so it’s better not to transport some grain over there to make a meager profit!”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cijiong nodded again and said, "Well, are there any other problems besides population and transportation?"

Xu Erjue heard the words, thought about it carefully, and then shook his head and said: "The villain is stupid, and these two are the only things he can think of."

These two are not easy to solve. Zhu Cijiong thought about it for a while, and there was really no good way. He couldn't help but look at the people present. These are all quick-witted and experienced people, and they might have some good way.

So, he said directly: "Everyone has heard that in order to develop Siberia, the population and transportation problems must be solved. Siberia's huge territory and endless wealth must be developed. Regarding these two problems, what do you have? Good suggestion?"

In fact, everyone has been thinking about it for a long time. When he asked, everyone immediately began to offer advice and suggestions, because everyone here knows that the emperor doesn't like boring gourds.

The first person to speak was Bi Maokang, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, who suggested: "Your Majesty, I feel that water transportation should be the main method. It is very difficult to build railways in Siberia, but the rivers are all ready-made, so there is no need to build them at all. Just build more castles with piers, which is good for transportation and invigorating trade. As for the ships needed for transportation, they can be Fuchuan warships or armed Fuchuan. Now the major fleets are starting to change their equipment. It’s a super battleship, the Fuchuan battleship needs to be refitted, it’s just right for an armed merchant ship.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cijiong clapped his hands and praised: "Okay, Menghou, you take the lead and work out a specific charter with all ministries."

When Bi Maokang heard the words, he quickly cupped his hands and said, "My minister obeys the order."

Immediately afterwards, Sun Yuanhua, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, proposed again: "Your Majesty, I feel that we can gradually move the guards to the north to solve the population problem. Now, Liaodong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Huguang and other places are no longer borders. There is absolutely no need to leave so many guards. You can slowly transfer the excess guards to the Western Regions and Siberia, let them log, hunt, and fish, and the royal business will buy them at an appropriate price, which is conducive to border stability , and allow the Tunwei to participate in development to solve the population problem, increase the income of the Tunwei, and improve the lives of the Tunwei family members. This is the so-called killing three birds with one stone."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cijiong clapped his hands again and praised: "Okay, very good, let's do it this way, Chuyang will be in charge of you, and draw up a specific regulation."

The two seemingly difficult problems were solved by Bi Maokang and Sun Yuanhua in a few words. Zhu Cijiong was naturally very happy, but Cheng Guoxiang and Luo Yangxing were very depressed. They also thought of some solutions. Appropriately, the emperor immediately made a decision, which made them lose their chance to express themselves!
(End of this chapter)