To maintain national stability, food is the top priority.
Zuo Menggeng has always attached great importance to food production and invested a lot of resources and energy in this end.
However, the level of development of productivity is limited, and today's agricultural production is still in a relatively primitive state. Although the level of yield per mu has improved, frequent natural disasters have led to production reductions from time to time.
However, the population in Xia Kingdom continues to grow.
Because life is stable and products are abundant, the new population has shown an explosive upward trend for four consecutive years.
In addition, there has been a large influx of immigrants, accounting for more than one-third of the total population.
The population increased, but the land area did not increase. Coupled with the impact of natural disasters, food production also did not increase.
Due to various factors, food prices began to rise sharply starting this winter.
This is caused by the relationship between supply and demand. It is purely market behavior. Even if the government intends to regulate it, there is nothing it can do.
Zuo Mengeng has already felt the tremendous pressure of survival and development.
He deeply understood why Europeans in this era were so keen on pioneering and colonizing?
In fact, the inherent land is completely unable to support a large population under the influence of natural disasters.
Compared with the time-consuming and labor-intensive way of improving agricultural production technology, it is obvious that development and colonization are more effective with less effort.
China cannot follow the colonial path of the West, as this does not conform to the values of the Chinese people.
But in such an era, there is not no room for operation.
Just like the upcoming war in Korea, it is definitely a good opportunity to expand territory.
This approach will not cause internal controversy, nor will it even encounter resistance from the North Koreans.
Various tips also depend on operational capabilities.
Zuo Mengeng’s eyes have long been set on Jeju Island.
He knew that it was not only an important pasture, but also a natural agricultural base.
Once taken, it can greatly relieve food pressure.
At present, the Manchu and Qing Dynasties have not sent troops. Although North Korea is in turmoil, its political power is still stable.
Under such circumstances, Zuo Menggeng did not dare to attack Jeju Island in a big way.
Everything we are doing now is under the banner of supporting North Korea, so it does not cause any backlash from the North Koreans.
And once the war begins, facing the crisis of national subjugation and genocide, the North Koreans will definitely not care about Jeju Island.
At that time, we can completely use the name of logistic support to immigrate and develop Jeju Island. Over time, it will be logical to transform it into Chinese territory.
He broke these principles apart, crushed them into pieces, and told them to the soldiers, and they quickly gained everyone's understanding.
Regarding the dispatch of troops to Korea, there was no longer any resistance from the top and bottom of the Fourth Division. On the contrary, everyone was howling and full of fighting will.
Three days later, the Fourth Division began to board the ship and headed for Jeju Island.
And Zuo Mengeng, who was in Dengzhou, issued the order in the name of the headquarters.
This winter, all ships in the Xia Kingdom, whether public or private, military or civilian, were mobilized and concentrated in Dengzhou, waiting for orders.
Once the Korean War breaks out, it will be earth-shattering. And if you want to complete Yu Yiyuan's battle plan, you will definitely need a massive number of ships.
It is absolutely impossible to complete this huge plan just by relying on the navy's own warships.
Therefore, it is inevitable to recruit private ships.
There is no room for doubt when it comes to military and state affairs. Everyone must obey military orders.
Today, the Xia Kingdom is prosperous, all industries are prosperous, and the people are full of enthusiasm. After receiving the order from the headquarters, no one complained, and they gathered their ships and sailed to Dengzhou to accept the arrangement.
Just when the general mobilization began in the Xia Kingdom, the Dutch came from afar.
The leader is still Anthony van Diemen.
Seeing Zuo Mengeng again made him quite emotional.
"Dear His Royal Highness the King of Xia, this is the letter of credence for the establishment of diplomatic relations submitted by me, the King of the Netherlands. I hope that from now on, we can establish a profound friendship with your country, exchange what we have, and jointly safeguard the morality and justice of the entire world."
Hearing Anthony Van Diemen's solemn words, Zuo Menggeng couldn't help but laugh in his heart.
Do Western colonists have morality and justice in their hearts?
Apparently not.
However, this is a diplomatic occasion, and drama must still be performed.
Zuo Mengeng looked solemnly and accepted the credentials of the Netherlands.
This letter of credence was written by the current King of the Netherlands, Hendrik Casimir I, and the words in it are full of joy.
[I heard that the great King of the East is enlightened and wise, and can treat my Dutch people with a normal heart, so that our people can do business smoothly and have more exchanges and friendship. As the ruler of the Netherlands, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the great King of the East.
The king paid his respects and sincerely hoped that the Netherlands and the Xia Kingdom would establish an unbreakable friendship and become countries with diplomatic ties that open their hearts to each other.]
It seems that the Netherlands has reached a consensus and is willing to establish diplomatic relations.
Zuo Mengeng collected his credentials and expressed his stance on the spot.
"Our friendship with the Netherlands has gone through the test of blood and fire, and at the same time we both have the same aspirations. I believe that the establishment of exchanges between our two countries will definitely promote the progress of the entire Far East."
Anthony Van Diemen led the people next to him to introduce Zuo Mengeng.
"This is Henkinson Tropp, the ambassador to Xia appointed by the King of the Netherlands."
The Dutchman took a step forward with a humble attitude.
"Dear His Royal Highness the King of Xia, I hope that through my efforts, I can make you feel the friendship of the Netherlands."
Zuo Mengeng looked at this person steadily.
In this era, transportation was inconvenient and communications were intermittent. To be selected as an ambassador and stationed thousands of miles away was obviously something special.
In Zuo Mengeng's eyes, he was tall and tall, with a steady posture. His eyes were gentle but sharp, and his left hand was always resting on his waist.
Obviously, this is a person who is accustomed to holding a sword.
Thinking of this person's name again, Zuo Mengeng couldn't help but ask: "I wonder if Mr. Ambassador is a relative of General Marton Tropp?"
Henkinson Tropp couldn't help but be stunned, and then proudly puffed up his chest.
"I really didn't expect that His Royal Highness the King of Xia also knows about my brother's reputation."
Zuo Mengeng suddenly realized.
It turns out that the family in front of me is actually the younger brother of the famous Dutch general Marton Tropp. He comes from a naval family, so no wonder he can hold such an important position.
Three years later, at the Battle of the Downs, commanded by Marton Tropp, the Netherlands completely defeated the Spanish navy.
In the hundreds of years since then, Spain has been in decline and has never regained its former glory.
After learning the identity of Henkinson Tropp, Zuo Mengeng had some understanding of Holland's thoughts.
"The Dutch sent a capable general in order to enter our territory. Your Ministry of Foreign Affairs must also treat this matter with caution. The ambassador sent to Batavia must be able to stand alone."
Liao Zhongjian and Chonghua also understood the importance of the matter and hurried back to prepare.
