Chapter Three Hundred and Fifty-Three Arms Prosperity
When there was a food shortage in the north.
Jiangnan is a scene of abundant harvest.
In early November, autumn harvest summary reports from various places were sent to Jiangzhou.
Fang Zhe couldn't hold back the smile on his face.
Although there has been heavy rain this year, flooding has occurred in some areas.
But flood control work in most areas has been done very well.
Coupled with the attention of local officials and careful management by the people, this year's grain output is basically the same as last year.
In such a flood year, grain output remained unchanged, which was extremely rare in the history of Daqian and previous dynasties.
"Yes. This year can be considered a good harvest year. Let's keep up the good work next year." Song Yang said to everyone with a smile after reading the report.
"Next year is the last year of the first five-year plan. Our goals have been basically achieved. Next year, all localities must focus on improving social replacement and strive to make people's lives on par with natural disasters."
At the autumn harvest work meeting, Song Yang put forward work requirements for next year to all officials.
The main goal of the first five-year plan was to complete the complete unification of Jiangnan.
At present, it seems that it is basically completed.
Although the barbarian areas in the southwest are still a bit chaotic now, it will be a matter of time before they are taken back.
Song Yang, Yu Ming and other generals discussed it and planned to gradually take back the southwest region next year.
In addition to unifying Jiangnan, the second goal is to improve people's living standards.
At this stage, in terms of food and clothing, the people in Jiangnan are already the same as before the natural disaster.
In Jiangzhou, Ezhou and other state capitals that were the first to be rebuilt, the living standards of the people were even far higher than before the natural disaster.
Song Yang emphasizes the overall standard of living, including material life and spiritual life.
In the past few years, the focus of development in various places was the material life of the people.
Starting next year, we should also pay attention to our spiritual life.
For example, teahouses, wine shops, theaters, communications, jewelry, perfume and rouge, and many other supporting industries that complete all aspects of social life.
"By the way, Lao Fang, why haven't the jewelry from Lingnan over there arrived yet?"
When talking about all aspects, Song Yang thought of jewelry.
Some time ago, third uncle Song Jing sent a letter to someone, saying that he had collected a lot of treasures such as southern pearls, clams, and corals, and planned to send them to Jiangzhou for sale.
The people in Jiangzhou have a higher living standard and have begun to pursue decoration.
Therefore, all kinds of local jewelry are in short supply.
After Song Yang received the letter, he readily agreed to help his third uncle sell it.
Of course, the work is not in vain, there is a 30% profit share.
"Your Majesty, according to the departure date given over there, we should arrive in a day or two."
"However, the weather at sea is changeable, and a delay of ten to eight days is possible."
Fang Zhe explained.
Third uncle sent two shipments this time, not only containing treasures, but also a lot of various materials, such as ore, wood, coal, etc.
There are things that belong to the public, and there are also businesses where Uncle San makes money for himself.
Anyway, it's all about sending the ship, and it's all done in one move.
Song Yang wiped his face, with a look of worry on his face.
This summer, Jiangzhou was hit by two typhoons, and there must be more in coastal areas.
Ships of this era are unlikely to survive a typhoon.
Lingnan Road is extremely far, and the steam transport ships produced in Jiangzhou have not yet been allocated to Lingnan.
This time the supplies were still transported by sail-powered boats, which were slow and had limited loading capacity.
That's why Song Yang was more worried about this voyage.
"The prince is counting the days and they should enter the river soon. Why don't you ask Manager Ma to greet them?" Fang Zhe suggested.
Song Yang looked at Ma Cheng, who nodded and said that he had nothing to do recently and could leave at any time.
"That's alright. Tomorrow, Lao Ma will take two steamships to go to...Jiangyin."
Song Yang almost said it was Shanghai.
There was no Shanghai at this time, and the mouth of the Yangtze River was Jiangyin.
The area in Shanghai is still just a tidal flat, and it will take at least one or two hundred years for land to form.
…
The next day, Ma Cheng set out with two ships and ten cargo ships.
Cargo ships deliver various materials to Pengze, Qiupu, Tongling, Dangtu, Jiangning and other places along the way.
Ma Cheng brought him out along the way.
"Uncle Wang. The residential building has been renovated. When will we move in?"
As soon as Ma Cheng's fleet left, Song Chengwang ran to inquire.
The residential building was completed in mid-November.
It was originally thought to be completed this year, but it turns out that He Siyuan's work is progressing faster and faster.
Song Yang finished building the wall within seven days after seeing the construction site.
After drying for half a month, the white walls were painted.
In early November, the glass and doors were installed.
Not to mention, from the outside, it really looks like the same thing.
Song Yang looked at Song Chengwang and said angrily: "What's the rush? The walls of that house are very damp now. We can't consider moving in until at least the rainy days next year."
"Besides, the building has been built, but the community has not yet been completed. There are also roads, greening and other facilities. It may not be until next summer that they are completed!"
Song Chengwang could only nod his head angrily, sitting on a chair and drinking tea.
Song Yang is very concerned about the progress of the residential building, and since the beginning of this month, Song Yang has started customizing furniture.
Seeing Song Yang's customized furniture, Song Chengwang and Fang Zhe both imitated it.
Soon, those who decided to move in began to prepare furniture.
Some furniture that was made quickly has been delivered to their respective homes. Song Chengwang arrived at some tables, chairs and benches. He became anxious when he saw the new furniture, so he came to ask something.
"How are you practicing with the rapid fire cannon and cannon?"
Song Yang saw that Song Chengwang was getting a little darker these days, so he asked about his recent training.
In mid-October, the continuous artillery and cannon were officially put into service.
Four new artillery battalions were formed.
Each artillery battalion has fifty new artillery pieces.
With the extensive application of steam machinery, Jiangzhou's productivity is extremely high.
As production efficiency increases, the number of artillery pieces will naturally increase.
Not only the new artillery, but also the number of squatting tiger cannons has been increased to 400. This does not include the squatting tiger cannons for city defense in various places.
Song Yang plans to form four to six new artillery battalions next year, and at the same time, the number of tiger squatting artillery will be increased to 600.
As for the muskets, Song Yang's idea was to have five thousand.
However, it seems that it may not be achieved at present.
Barrel production is too slow.
A steam engine is also slow.
This year, the Jiangzhou Renaissance Army has about 2,000 muskets and equipment, including old and new models.
And that’s the total over the past four years.
Therefore, Song Yang estimates that he will have more than 3,000 next year.
Why the sudden increase in armaments?
Of course, the results of the war in the North came back.
The news that Luo Xin defeated the Sumo tribe, annexed the Sumo tribe, and obtained a large number of war horses was immediately reported back to Jiangzhou.
Song Yang immediately asked Yu Ming to increase his combat readiness level.
Patrols in various places are also becoming more frequent.
Although Luo Xin's army did not move south this year, Song Yang still took a precautionary attitude and asked various places to pay attention.
At the same time, we are also preparing various weapons and equipment for the war that may break out next year.
The first five-year plan will end next year.
The primary goal of the Second Five-Year Plan must be the Northern Expedition to unify the Central Plains.
Even if Luo Xin doesn't come to attack next year, starting from the end of next year, Song Yang will also plan to gradually use troops against the North.
Troop training also started this year, and Song Chengwang has now resigned as the general of the Tiger Crouching Artillery Battalion.
Specialized as artillery instructor.
Because he felt that the Tiger Crouching Cannon was no longer interesting.
After training new artillery, I plan to select an artillery battalion to be the commander.
Of course Song Yang would not attack Song Chengwang's enthusiasm.
At the same time, he also believed in Song Chengwang's strength.
After all, he has very rich practical experience in Tiger Crouching Cannon.
"Uncle Wang, when did we hold the drill? Small-scale training can't see much effect." Song Chengwang rubbed his hands.
Song Yang thought about it for a while, and finally shook his head and said: "Wait a minute, the ammunition factory has just increased its manpower, and the ammunition production cannot be increased for the time being. It can be used for training first. The exercise... Let's put it around the Spring Festival.
.”
"Okay. My nephew will leave first." Song Chengwang was about to leave in a hurry. He was in a hurry to train troops.
Song Yang nodded. The boy had already ran out the door, but he came back after a while.
"By the way, Uncle Wang, I forgot to tell you just now. I found a good artillery prospect!"
Song Chengwang chuckled.
"Who?" Song Yang asked with interest.
"Qin Ming! How about it, Uncle Wang didn't expect it!"
Song Chengwang said with a smile.
"Qin Ming? Isn't this kid on the last page of his ballistics class? Why is he still such a good talent?" Song Yang was indeed a little curious.
"Uncle Wang. I found that Qin Ming's talent is very good. Although the ballistics class is not very good, after practicing the gun, he will become more and more accurate after three or four shots. Basically, after ten shots, he can hit nine out of ten shots."
." Song Chengwang explained.
Song Yang thought, hey, this guy is still a practical talent.
"Okay. If you train him well, he might become a general in the future! His ideal is to be a general." Song Yang nodded.
He still remembers Qin Ming's ideals.
Song Chengwang nodded and ran away again.
Song Yang curled his lips and said: "This bastard is acting like a riot every day!"
Song Chengwang was busy training troops, Fang Zhe was busy leading everyone to prepare the land in Qiu, and Yu Ming strengthened border defense, built fortresses, and repaired fortifications.
Anyway, everyone is very busy and everyone has their own things to do.
As for Song Yang, he was mainly engaged in invention and creation.
Qi Yuan had already sent over a hundred barrels of oil, but Song Yang's internal combustion engine didn't have any clues yet.
He looked for an overview diagram in the encyclopedia.
After two months of research with Wang Jinshi, it can be said that there has been no progress.
Even Zhang Mi's steam harvester is almost ready.
"My lord, I'm afraid it will take several months to resolve these difficulties." Wang Jinshi pointed to the area circled on the drawing.
These places are some of the key points of the internal combustion engine they recently studied.
It needs to be solved slowly.
Song Yang can only encourage and support this.
Ten days passed in this busy manner, and a steam clipper came downstream.
"Your Majesty! Something happened!"
Ma Cheng came back in person and brought back very bad news.
Two shipments of supplies sent by my third uncle were robbed, complete with cargo!
All the crew members on the ship were slaughtered, and only three people managed to survive by jumping into the sea!
And the initiator of this incident turned out to be a Japanese!