After traveling in Chengde for a month, I officially returned to Beijing at the end of July.
In addition to celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in Yuquan Mountain, the more important reason is that it is already the end of autumn on the grassland, the cold wind from Siberia has blown in, and there is frost in the morning.
Knowledgeable old people say that in less than half a month, the grasslands will begin to turn yellow, and herdsmen must take precautions against frost.
Zhu Yixi calculated, good guy, it’s cold in September in the Gregorian calendar. How can we farm like this?
"To build a city on the grassland, in addition to silage to store feed and plowing to store grain, more importantly, it is also used to store fuel for the winter."
Zhu Yixi cooed. The smoke and birds in the distance looked very harmonious, but outside the herdsmen's yurt, there were walls made of cow dung.
This is fuel, an essential fuel on the grassland.
Once a white disaster (blizzard) occurs on the grassland, very few people will starve to death, and a large number of people will freeze to death due to lack of fuel.
Those who survived plundered other people's cattle, sheep, and cow dung to survive the difficulties. If they did not go to the southern Central Plains to plunder supplies next year, the grassland casualties would be even more tragic.
The reason why there is an endless supply of herdsmen on the grasslands is that in addition to the slaves who were plundered, some are Han people who were deceived into eating meat every day, and people from the Central Plains.
I don’t understand why I envy the Central Plains?
Because the food supply is stable, and there is still rice and wheat straw as fuel, heating is also very stable.
“There should be a lot of coal mines in Inner Mongolia!”
Zhu Yixi frowned, and she suddenly had concerns in her heart.
Building a city on the grassland does not necessarily have to be around the delta or Hetao. It can also be built on an open-pit coal mine to become a resource-based city.
As long as iron is not made, those coal mines can be used by ordinary people for hundreds of years.
Thinking of this, he felt a little proud.
The emperor even planned to bring the Mongolian grassland from slavery to feudal society and establish a class of "yeoman farmers" on the grassland - the ranchers.
This is also like the changes in the Central Plains over the past thousands of years. The imperial power continued to eliminate "middlemen", nobles, clans, and powerful men, while the slave-owning nobles of the grasslands had to be slowly eliminated.
This is far better than the Manchu Qing liaising with the upper class and exploiting the lower class herdsmen.
The more Zhu Yixi thought about it, the more excited he became, and even his grand blueprint came out:
Divide the grassland into pieces of pasture and allow a large number of herdsmen to become ranchers, thereby winning people's hearts.
In Monan, it takes 100 acres to raise a sheep; in Monbei, it takes at least 300 acres; in the Siberian grasslands, it takes even 700 to 800 acres to feed one sheep.
Just like the star Tengger, the five thousand acres of grassland allocated to his family may seem like a lot, but in fact it can only sustain their lives.
Therefore, a family needs at least 500 cattle and sheep, which is 10,000 acres of grassland, or 100 hectares, to live a life without worries about food and clothing.
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How many grasslands are there in the entire Mongolian grassland?
Zhu Yixi showed the map of later generations in his mind and roughly estimated the number - at least two billion acres, or 20 million hectares.
In other words, at least two million pastures can be allocated.
As long as there are two million ranchers who are loyal and divide the land, why worry about the grassland being uneven?
The figure of two million can also be corroborated with Zhu Yixi's memory. He remembered that the number of Mongolians in the late Qing Dynasty was less than two million, and Mobei had to be added.
Of course, all of this is based on silage. Without this method of storing feed, allocating pastures would not be feasible at all, because the herdsmen still need to go nomadic.
A stable life will inevitably lead to population growth. Isn’t there still vast Siberia?
With an order to enclose the land, he was allowed to ride on horseback to enclose the land, and whatever he took was his own.
He not only stabilized the grasslands, but also developed Siberia. He was simply a genius.
He was really a good emperor who adapted measures to local conditions and considered the herdsmen.
In this way, bringing two prairie beauties back to Beijing is a matter of course and nothing too much.
After telling Chahar Governor Sun Changzhou his thoughts and asking him to find coal mines and establish mining sites, the emperor finally set off back to Beijing.
Although Zhu Yixi has beautiful thoughts, he can distinguish reality clearly.
His foundation is in the Central Plains, so 90% of his energy must be given to the mainland, and he cannot put the cart before the horse.
It is also possible to leave the grassland transformation plan to a trusted minister.
Before leaving, the emperor sat on a soft couch in the carriage and said to Sun Changzhou seriously:
"We can start with the Khan Department and allocate a large amount of pasture, divided into ten thousand acres, to those who serve as my guards."
"They deserve to enjoy the richest grass."
"As for the second batch, eight thousand acres will be divided into portions and distributed to the officials who work for me. After several years of hard work, they have become reliable assistants in the grass..."
"As for the last ordinary pastures, they can be distributed to ordinary herders. They will be allocated a share of 5,000 acres of land, allowing them to make a living and fill their stomachs."
It is human nature to divide people into different categories, with different degrees of closeness and distance. It is also the most suitable method and will be recognized.
After all, who would be happy if someone who works hard and someone who is usually lazy get equal pay for equal work?
"Old minister, I understand!" Sun Changzhou was shocked by the emperor's handwriting and nodded quickly.
"The second step is the other tribes of the Chahar tribe."
The emperor chuckled and said: "Chahar Khan will be brought to the capital. When the time comes, I will also take Budali away. Relying on the strength of the Khan's tribe and the border army, no one will dare to oppose Chahar."
"What should those nobles do?"
Sun Changzhou asked softly, but his face was full of determination and determination.
Obviously, he is not afraid of a massacre.
"It is best if there is no killing." The emperor sighed: "Forget those who resist, let them go to the Buddha to atone for their sins. As for those who are obedient..."
"Allocate 100,000 acres of grassland, retain the property, and then move to the capital to live. If you stay on the grassland, you will easily cause trouble..."
Speaking of this, Zhu Yixi looked into Sun Changzhou's eyes and said seriously: "Those slaves, they account for half of the total population, and they also need to divide the land. In this case, they will be the biggest supporters of the imperial court..."
Afterwards, Sun Changzhou left the carriage and watched the emperor go away, sighing deeply in his heart.
After riding back, the staff on the side saw this and couldn't help asking: "Why did Dong Weng sigh?"
"Your Majesty no longer seeks stability in the governance of the grassland, but is eager for quick success and quick gain. I don't know how long he will continue to cause trouble."
Sun Changzhou described the situation, and his staff couldn't help but sigh when they saw it: "Since then, Dong Weng will have to stay in the grassland for a few more years."
Yes, I have to wait for a long time again...
In the past, when dealing with the grassland issue, the emperor would win over the upper-class nobles, mainly to control the grassland, and then gradually encroach on it, divide Chahar, and establish khanates and cities.
According to the plan, in just ten years, the imperial court's rule over Chahar will be unprecedentedly stable.
But now the emperor has changed his tactics and chosen to divide the land. How big is the resistance in this?
Chahar, Suiyuan, if this happens, will the tribes in Mobei still be far away?
…
At this time, in Luzon, Jinbao took the imperial edict, submitted his identity and official seal, and formally announced at the Governor's Mansion in the Royal City that he would assume the position of Governor.
As the commander-in-chief leading the battle, Sun Lin was suddenly promoted from baron to earl, named "Uncle Wu Jin", and had an estate of 2,000 households.
Because the scale of the battle exceeded ten thousand people, and they even captured several cities and hundreds of thousands of people, it was equivalent to conquering a palace for the imperial court out of thin air.
Coupled with his status as a maternal relative, he was promoted to earl and had nothing to say to anyone.
However, becoming an earl at the age of twenty-six is considered outstanding.
The other earl was Shi Lang, the commander-in-chief of the Donghai Navy. His name was "Nanling Bo" and he had a settlement of 2,000 households.
Other viscounts and barons have also improved a lot.
The entire Governor's Mansion was beaming with joy at this time.
However, as the governor, Jinbao told the court's intention after meeting the two of them:
"The East China Sea Navy and the South China Sea Navy will be divided into two to three thousand men and stationed in Luzon. They will be called the Luzon Navy to protect the entire Luzon."
Sun Lin and Shi Lang are incomparable.
In front of the earl, these were nothing.
However, after learning that the Luzon Navy had the rank of deputy commander, people became silent.
Recommending such a general is a big piece of cake.
However, Shi Lang opened his lips slightly, hesitated for a long time, glanced at Sun Lin, and finally said nothing.
For such a candidate, Sun Lin, as the commander-in-chief, has a great say.
Not to mention, Shi Lang himself was a member of the Zheng family army. If he recommended another general like this, he would definitely be considered a member of the Zheng family.
The imperial court or Governor Jin would never agree.
I think back then, the Fujian Navy, also known as the Zheng Family Navy, was very powerful, and was later divided into the East China Sea Navy and the Nanhai Navy, and then each expanded their armies, diluting the Zheng Family's elements.
Later, Sun Lin served as the Nanhai Navy. The main purpose of the court was probably to completely cleanse the traces of the Zheng family and make it completely belong to the court.
A piece of cake like Luzon Navy would never fall into his hands.
Sure enough, Sun Lin said bluntly: "The guerrilla general Gao Bao was a cautious man, good at using Western ships, and he also loved cannons. This time, he commanded the cannons and sank a large ship, which was a great achievement."
"He has also been promoted to Viscount. Whether it is qualifications, military exploits, or abilities, they are all sufficient."
"That's him!"
Jin Bao was also impressed by this person.
Although Gao Bao is also from Fujian and belongs to Zheng Zhilong's hometown, but he was recommended by Sun Lin, so he must be very reliable.
Furthermore, there are so many generals in the Fujian Navy that it would be strange to find one who is not one of them.
After the navy personnel were selected, General Jinbao spoke again: "According to the grace of the imperial court, by capturing Luzon this time, the navy also has meritorious lands."
"Originally, the land was settled in Taiwan, but someone made a petition to the emperor and settled the land in Luzon..."
As soon as these words came out, Sun Lin and Shi Lang looked at each other and cursed in their hearts.
Although Taiwan is a bit desolate, after years of development, it has become a mature land and is as rich as Fujian. If the land is located in Luzon, it will be completely different in comparison.
Shi Lang did not dare to speak, but Sun Lin said bluntly: "Governor, please forgive me for saying this bluntly, there are so many barbarians in Luzon, and it seems even more remote compared to Taiwan. The soldiers must be very unhappy -"
"If it's a bad person, I'm afraid it could cause big trouble..."
Hearing this, Jin Bao showed a smile on his face and said calmly: "So, the Holy One has given me permission..."
The two of them breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he continued: "This time in the attack on Luzon, the Beijing camp also made great achievements, so this time the imperial court implemented the strategy of returning from the south to the south and from the north to the north."
"The soldiers in the Beijing camp will receive land in Liaodong, while the navy officers and soldiers in Fujian, Guangdong, and Zhejiang will receive land from Taiwan."
"However, considering that the people of Luzon are not prosperous, the imperial court allowed the soldiers to place land from Taiwan in Luzon in exchange for five times the price——"
Five times, this is an exaggerated number.
Even in the north, the land from Gyeonggi Province to Liaodong is only doubled.
One hundred acres of land in Taiwan and five hundred acres of land in Luzon are too easy to tempt people.
"They are all cooked fields——" Jinbao continued: "I hope the two commanders-in-chief will spread the word to the soldiers."
"You know, Luzon and Taiwan are not far apart. How do you know this is not the second Taiwan?"
"You have also seen the gold and silver in Luzon's treasury. The wealth here is beyond imagination."
After some temptation, the two generals left with deep worries. This was a difficult choice.
Jin Bao watched the two people leaving and showed a smile.
After the Philippines was renamed Luzon, it was not just the military that benefited. For Wang Cheng, his future and that of his family had also changed.
He once risked his life for a reward of dozens of dollars. After being lucky enough to survive, the benefits were huge.
After the incident was completed, the distant imperial court settled in Manila.
He and the group of rebellious warriors and righteous people became role models and received praises.
Not only was the reward correct, but he was also recruited into the Yamen and became a personal soldier under the Governor's Mansion. He was given two silver coins a month and a house as a reward.
Walking on the streets, as soldiers, they actually also take on the important task of managing the city. As locals, this is perfect.
Walking on the street with head held high, pedestrians along the way, whether they are indigenous, Spanish, or original Chinese, all ducked out of the way to make way.
"Bah, damn yellow-skinned pig——"
Suddenly, with a sword in his hand, Wang Cheng suddenly heard a white man scolding him. He turned around and saw his arrogant and disdainful look, which made him furious:
"You damn white pig, do you think I can't understand you?"
After saying that, he directly pulled out the big knife, with the scabbard attached, and swung it directly, beating him until he screamed, cried for his father and mother, and lay on the ground unable to get up.
Seeing this, Wang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, and when he saw the crowd watching, he loudly said: "Anyone who talks nonsense like this in the future will not be so lucky, and will be sent directly to the Yamen——"
After that, he left in a big way, and no one dared to come out.
There were people close to him on the roadside, so he quickly sent the injured one for medical treatment.
On the high-rise building, after witnessing this incident with their own eyes, several priests were naturally furious, but they unanimously chose to remain silent.
"The Ming people are not different from the Spaniards."
A priest shook his head and said, "Luzon's rules are about to change."
"As long as they do not infringe on the interests of the Lord, we will not care about the affairs of those untouchables."
On the other side, several potbellied businessmen looked thoughtful.
"It seems that it's time to go to the Governor's Mansion to meet the Governor -"