Chapter 145 Malthusian Trap and Mobilization Order
Chapter 145 Malthusian Trap and Mobilization Order
In the first stage of the "Crossing the North Sea 1784" operation, the Thor transported troops across the sea, landed at Sachuan, and under the leadership of the Sachuan guide, headed straight for the plain (Sapporo); at the same time, Deng Fei drove the Thor south to Matsumae Castle, waiting for an opportunity to eliminate Matsumae.
The feudal navy ships blocked the sea lanes.
In the second stage, Wang Yuanfang led a battalion and an engineering team of 500 people to march to the Sulfur Mountain in the southwest of the plain, and pulled out all the strongholds set up by Matsumae Domain near the Sulfur Mountain. He also set up military depots locally to prepare for the subsequent sulfur collection.
.
In the third stage, Liu Sheng led a battalion from the plains to the southeast, heading towards Makomai (Ainu language, meaning the river entering the mountains), and established a military base on the seaside.
Zhao Xin read the entire plan in silence, then found a map of the modern island country and read it for a long time. After thinking for a while, he asked: "How do you know about Makomai?"
"That's what Tuka said. He said there is a tribe there, and the Matsumae clan also has a tax office and a business store there."
"Then do you know what Makomai means?"
Liu Sheng said proudly: "Hey, I'm going to ask Tuka's sister specifically about this."
"Oh?" Zhao Xin looked at Liu Sheng with interest. "What did she say?"
"The river in the deep mountains."
"Brother~~" Zhao Xin shook his head and said: "I have told you to learn more island dialect, but you just don't learn it."
Liu Sheng rubbed his beard on his chin with his hand and asked, "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Makomai is Tomakomai City in later generations, also known as Tomakomai, which means the river in the swamp!"
"Swamp?" Liu Sheng swallowed his saliva, looking surprised.
"It's summer, are you going to lead the troops into the swamp?"
"Then what do you mean?"
"The tax office and commercial warehouse must be eliminated, but the location of the military depot must be changed to the river plain outside the swamp."
"All right."
"One more thing. The engineering team of one thousand people is too small. Change it to two thousand people. After occupying the plain, let another thousand people follow you to build the road from the plain to Makomai."
Let the shogunate and the Matsumae clan go to hell. The future of Ezo Land can only be controlled by yourself! In Zhao Xin's plan, he plans to engage in animal husbandry and planting in the plains, which will be used as meat and feed for Beihai in the future.
base.
Seeing Liu Sheng leaving excitedly, Zhao Xin couldn't help but fell into deep thought.
The island country's "Dawn Famine" has only entered its second year, and a large number of refugees are still begging for life. Starting from the second half of this year, severe droughts will occur one after another in Shandong, Henan, Hubei, and parts of Anhui and Zhejiang.
The disaster will last until the 51st year of Qianlong's reign.
From the very beginning when Zhao Xin came to this time and space, he never thought about becoming the king. From the beginning, he absent-mindedly rescued hundreds of refugees, and finally led these people across the sea to occupy the ice-free port, with the purpose of digging a hole in this time and space.
Gold; there are too many gold mines in Lenkishima, Kuril Islands, and Ezo.
However, with the increasing number of refugees under his command and the idea of rescuing the victims, Zhao Xin could only start to deal with agricultural issues.
For the island countries and the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century, the large number of victims caused by several disasters from 1782 to 1785 could no longer be solved by changing dynasties. Everything was a combination of natural and human factors.
caused by.
Taking Henan as an example, as of the forty-fifth year of Qianlong's reign, the population of Henan Province had exceeded 20 million; these were only official statistics. Counting the hidden population, the actual population had exceeded 21 million.
The problem of insufficient cultivated land caused by the increasing population has gradually emerged. In order to solve the contradiction between man and land, the Qing government has always encouraged the strategy of reclamation. After more than a hundred years of reclamation in Henan, the unclaimed wasteland since the founding of the Qing Dynasty has also been reduced.
It has been basically completely cultivated. People at that time could not help but sigh, "Millet has been cultivated on the top of the mountain, there are island fields in the river, old forests have been established in the middle of the Sichuan, and seedling caves have been dug deep, but there is still not enough to support them. The power of heaven and earth is exhausted."
On the island country, the situation is similar. In the past two hundred years of peace, almost all the wasteland that can be cultivated has been developed. Frequent natural disasters have led to stagnation of agricultural production technology, and the stagnation of agricultural technology development has led to farmers having no choice but to
Depend on God for food.
This situation cannot be changed by a time traveler rising up in the hinterland of the Qing Dynasty. Only by solving the problem of farmers' land ownership and improving agricultural production technology can the current situation of relying on the sky for food be changed.
If this problem is not straightened out and resolved, large-scale land annexation will occur once disaster years arrive. After the land is harvested, farmers will lose their land again and then migrate; the vicious cycle will eventually continue.
Even if Zhao Xin is a god, he cannot change the backward agricultural production technology in the entire Northeast Asia in a short period of time. (Forget the stupid idea of buying 10,000 walking tractors. Who will do the maintenance? Who will process the parts?
Who will provide skills training? Modern industrialization is a complete and comprehensive system, rather than relying on one person's inspiration.)
Since it cannot be changed in a short period of time, the only option is to increase the area of cultivated land.
In the time and space of the 18th century, this required cultivated land area could only be found in the vast black land in the outer northeast. This is why Zhao Xin spared no effort to occupy this black land. Since he has to occupy it sooner or later, it might as well be
Take advantage early.
As long as the family has land and enough food to eat, those Chinese people who are not willing to live in the fields will naturally start to spread their branches. At that time, there is no need for Zhao Xin to capture the young men. With a little guidance, some people will follow the Aleutian Islands.
Go all the way east to explore and occupy another vast land.
After dinner that day, Zhao Xin summoned eleven time-travelers to the conference room of the Thor for a meeting, and told everyone the results of his thinking.
The eleven people fell into silence after listening to Zhao Xin's words. Some understood, while others were still confused.
By the way, this is the first time that Zhao Xin has fully expressed his thoughts on solving the difficulties of this era. No one expected that this young man who was just thirty years old in front of them would actually play such a big game of chess!
After a long time, Chen Qingsong lit up a cigarette produced in Beihai Town and murmured: "The cycle of curing chaos, the cycle of curing chaos... Malthusian trap!"
"Old Chen, what did you say?" Everyone looked at Chen Qingsong.
"The essence of the Malthusian trap is the ever-growing agricultural population and the almost never-growing agricultural productivity!" Zhao Xin explained loudly.
Chen Qingsong took two deep puffs of cigarette and said slowly: "Mr. Zhao is right, that's what he meant! To put it simply, under the premise that agricultural productivity remains unchanged, a country is prone to an endless cycle of population growth.
Grain production increases, the country prospers, and then the population increases. As the population increases, if agricultural production technology remains unchanged, the per capita food supply will decrease, followed by food shortages, and eventually wars and diseases will break out.
Then the population decreases, and the cycle starts again. In fact, this cycle is a dead end in feudal society! No matter who comes to power, they can only delay and cannot break through."
Hong Tao said: "I understand what you mean. For example, the two generations of Kangxi and Yongzheng created a prosperous era, and as a result, the population of the Qing Dynasty skyrocketed. Now, no matter how hard Qianlong tries, he cannot escape the fate of decline."
Chen Qingsong nodded and shook his head: "That's right or wrong. Now the first industrial revolution in the West has begun. If the Manchus can seize the opportunity and improve productivity, then even if the population increases, there will still be enough food to eat. What a pity!"
Liu Zheng said: "What about the Opium War a few decades later?"
Chen Qingsong said: "That's just an external cause. But the root cause is still food pressure. That's why the leader once said that liberating and developing productivity is the only way to break out of the vicious circle of 'circulation of chaos'."
Zhao Xin continued to explain: "The initial crisis in the past dynasties was nothing more than 'finance'. Insufficient finances would lead to wars. The financial crisis was also due to the destruction of agricultural production due to disasters and the forced migration of a large number of agricultural people, which created a negative impact on the rulers.
A group of disaster victims that is extremely harmful.
The imperial government wants to allocate funds for disaster relief because it wants to break the Malthusian deadlock and use food from wealthy areas, such as Huguang or Jiangnan, to help the disaster areas survive the difficult period of agriculture and minimize the deaths of victims. But in fact, it is tearing down the east wall to make up for the west wall. In the end, it will definitely
From a local disaster to a national problem."
Chen Qingsong added: "In fact, there is only one way to deal with this situation in all dynasties, but it can't be said."
Liu Zheng asked: "What is it?"
Chen Qingsong said coldly: "I will die by myself, and I will not save you until I die!"
"That's right! If the ruler has the ability to save but doesn't do it, it will arouse public resentment; if he doesn't have the ability to save and gives up, there will be civil unrest. Therefore, prosperity has always declined, chaos has begun, and life has been ruined." Zhao Xin paused and continued.
Said: "From a national level, behind all problems are actually economic problems, that is, productivity problems."
Chen Qingsong added: "Historically, with the introduction and domestication of corn and potatoes, agricultural productivity increased in the Qing Dynasty.
The abundance of food caused the Qing Dynasty's population to begin to grow rapidly. China's population ceiling increased from more than 90 million during the Southern Song Dynasty to 400 million.
However, the nearly four-fold increase in population resulted in huge pressure on food production in the late Qing Dynasty. I dare to assert that even without the foreign invasion of the Eight-Power Allied Forces, the Qing Dynasty was on the verge of collapse."
"Awesome! Old Chen, I didn't expect your theoretical knowledge to be amazing." Liu Zheng praised.
Only then did the other people in the conference room finally understand what was described in the textbook in middle school; they also finally understood the significance of people like themselves coming to this time and space.
Liu Siting looked up at Zhao Xin and said, "What was originally a fun thing has become so complicated for you to say, it's not fun!"
Damn it! Zhao Xin, Chen Qingsong and others almost fell over from their chairs. Everyone knew that Director Liu Da did this on purpose to avoid making the topic too heavy, so they all laughed heartily.
Dr. Hong Taohong let out a long sigh at this time, and then said: "Education, the foundation of everything is education! I finally understand why Zhao Xin is in school every day."
"Him? Do you really think he is so noble? Don't be ridiculous, he did it for... um, um~~"
Liu Siting glanced at Zhao Xin, who was covering Liu Sheng's mouth with her hand, and said, "Stop covering Liu Sheng's mouth. We all understand. Isn't it that little teacher Shen?"
"Oh, listen to me, that's not the case..." Zhao Xin tried to defend.
"Hahaha~~" Everyone burst into laughter. Zhao Xin always comes to Shen Xuan every day when he has something to do, and everyone sees it.
After laughing for a while, Wang Yuanfang asked: "So, what are we going to do next?"
Zhao Xin coughed a few times, cleared his throat and then said: "We need to prepare food and houses in advance. As for the farmland, you are the only three of us who can operate those three mechanical monsters now. Even if you are exhausted, you will not be able to plow dozens of fields." Thousands of acres of land! Although you guys are having a great time driving it, a set of 9620RX costs more than 6 million yuan. It is impossible for me to buy dozens or hundreds of units now. Even if I have the money to buy it, who will drive it? Who will fix it if it’s broken?”
"So Mr. Zhao, you place your hopes on those children?" Zhang Bo finally spoke.
"Yes, white paper is the best for drawing! Whatever we teach, they will learn!"
"This matter is not simple. Just like us, can you just fool hundreds of teachers?" Liu Siting said with a smile.
"My Director Liu, just the five of you have made me worried all day long. If you get dozens or hundreds more, it will really explode!"
"Then what are you going to do?"
"This matter is easy to handle. Actually, I have an idea that I haven't thought of yet. Let's do this..."
After hearing Zhao Xin's idea, everyone looked at each other and fell into a sluggish state. What did this guy think? This move is too damaging!
But if you think about it carefully, it is actually a good idea.
How could such a fun thing be done without me being present? So everyone here asked to follow him next time to have a better experience.
But when everyone is gone, who will look after the house?
Let's discuss it again... Anyway, we have to wait until the Ezo operation is over.
One day later, as Liu Sheng and others completed the revision of the combat plan, Zhao Xin, as the commander-in-chief, issued the "Crossing the 1784 North Sea" combat order.
The Security Department is left behind by Wu Siyu and Zhao Liang, Liu Sheng, Wang Yuanfang, Deng Fei, Ding Guofeng, Sheng Haizhou, Jiuzang, Liji, Huji, Pan Xiucheng and seven companies with a total of 810 people will be deployed on the third day after the order is issued. Board the ship and set off.
Immediately afterwards, Chen Qingsong, as the person in charge of the civil affairs system, issued a mobilization order to all residents of Beihai Town.
The general mobilization order requires: Beihai Town will send a medical team of 30 people headed by Hong Tao and a construction team of 2,000 people headed by Manzao and Shigesuke to go to Ezo with the ship to cooperate with the combat troops and build clinics, military stations, outposts, and roads. and other facilities. All dispatched personnel should actively cooperate with combat troops to assist in maintaining security in the rear and prevent espionage activities. The medical team should quickly rescue and transport the wounded during combat to ensure that the wounded are quickly cured and returned to the team.
The residents of Beihai Town who have not participated in the operation should overcome all difficulties and work hard to complete various tasks in the rear. The military industry department must step up production; the police department must be prepared to receive prisoners.
Zhao Liang looked at the combat mobilization order on the notice board in front of him, and thought to himself, why should I step up production? Fermented human urine? You have to wait until I can create real black powder, so you have to wait.
For this operation, the only thing Zhao Liang, the person in charge of the workshop, was interested in was the sulfur from the Sulfur Mountain in Ezo, which was a necessity for the production of gunpowder. In addition, it could also be used to make sulfur soap.
Zhao Xin took advantage of these two days to quietly return to another time and space and place orders online in eight batches. A total of 100,000 tons of wheat were ordered as grain reserves for Beihai Town. In addition, he also ordered through his cousin
A 40-ton flour mill unit.
The most important thing is that he asked his cousin to post a recruitment notice online.
Recruitment position: Ten full-time teachers working abroad.
Job requirements: Age 22 and above, no limit to male or female; required teaching-related work experience. If no relevant experience, excellent candidates are acceptable; college degree or above, majoring in Chinese language and literature, mathematics, physics, chemistry or related majors.
Work location: XX city, XX country
Salary: Basic salary 12,000~20,000 per month.
One afternoon later, in a teaching and research room in a county-level city in China, a slovenly man in his late forties saw an online recruitment information. After hesitating for a long time, he called the contact number at the bottom of the recruitment information.
More than twenty minutes later, when he just put down the phone, a student knocked on the door and walked in.
"Teacher Fang, I have a question to ask you."
"Bring it to me and see."
The student handed over the question booklet in his hand.
"Which question?"
The student carefully pointed his finger.
"Oh. Calculate the molar mass. Tell me your idea first."
An hour later, the student walked towards the door with a face full of joy. When he reached the door, he stopped, turned around and asked the middle-aged man: "Teacher Fang, I heard that you are leaving?"
The middle-aged man adjusted his glasses, smiled and asked, "Who did you listen to?"
"It's spread throughout the grade. Teacher Fang, can you not leave?"
"Really." The middle-aged man smiled mockingly, looked at the students in front of him and said, "Study hard."
Two days later, the middle-aged teacher named Fang Hua completed all the resignation procedures and boarded the train with a suitcase.