Chapter 1037 Great changes
Whether it’s Guan Zhong’s technique or economic colonization, the routines are basically the same.
In the early stage, a large amount of costs must be invested to cultivate and support agents or interest groups, so as to unknowingly disintegrate the enemy and allow the enemy to follow his own design.
Just wait until the time is right before harvesting.
If you want to implement this routine, you must have a prerequisite.
That is, one’s own strength must be strong enough—whether it is economic strength or military strength.
To put it more bluntly, to strike with iron, you have to be strong yourself.
If you get it half way, but cannot continue due to the weakness of your own strength, the investment in other countries in the early stage will really be like cutting meat to feed dogs.
Maybe it will be backlashed in the end.
Of course, if the enemy can be successfully harvested, the harvest will be huge.
Even if you can't destroy a country, you can at least enslave other countries for your own use, or make the enemy country fall into chaos without fighting.
Fortunately, the current Han Dynasty is a powerful country for Wu.
Population, economy, and military are all superior to the state of Wu.
More importantly, after regaining Bingzhou in Guanzhong and Hedong, given time, the Han's war potential will sooner or later be the highest among the Three Kingdoms.
War potential depends not only on who has more resources.
It also depends on who can conduct war mobilization better and who can use domestic resources more efficiently.
From this point of view, the Han Dynasty has already opened a considerable distance from Wu and Wei.
At least ten years ago, Governor Feng had already begun to try to restore the township pavilion system of the former Han Dynasty, or the former Qin Dynasty.
After more than ten years of military career and more than ten years of non-stop promotion of schools in local areas, he has trained a large number of grassroots cadres.
Retired military veterans and students from local schools who failed to pass the Royal Academy are the nerve endings for the government to control the local area.
From Nanzhong to Longyou and then to Liangzhou, their presence is everywhere.
If we say that the two countries Wei and Wu, which were completely controlled by the wealthy and powerful people, were like patients with malignant tumors.
Such a big man is a young man who has had a successful operation and is recovering.
Fifteen years ago, in order to raise more food, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty did not hesitate to recruit civilians to clean up Dujiangyan when the country was at its weakest.
Even specially set up weir officers, leading 1,200 soldiers to patrol water conservancy.
This unprecedented move sounds like a helpless move.
After all, the economic lifeline of the Shu Han Dynasty at that time was in the hands of aristocratic families.
Without money and food, how can we talk about fighting in the south and the north?
Who could have expected that fifteen years later, the Shu family would feel like crying as they looked at the increase in grain production every year and the tightly suppressed grain prices.
After so many years of training, the Shu family has become obedient.
Farming and mulberry trees are the foundation of the country. For a large area of arable land like the Shu plain, where to grow food and where to grow mulberry trees has already been determined.
Whoever dares to plant sugar cane, tea trees, etc. will have the government come to their door the next day.
As for the fact that cheap grain harms farmers, of course there is no such thing.
Because the government has a guaranteed minimum price for grain, Xinghanhui can even purchase grain at a price higher than the guaranteed minimum price by two to three cents, or even four or five cents.
In any case, we will definitely not let everyone farm at a loss.
Just tell me whether you want to sell it or not!
“If the price of your food is right, we will definitely sell it!”
The dock warehouse outside Jincheng is also the largest stronghold of the Xinghan Hui in Shu.
Today, this stronghold welcomed many guests: Li family, Zhang family, Zhao family, Huang family...
Every high-ranking family in Shu sends out people who can make decisions.
I heard that Deng Liang, who was sitting in the main seat, looked at the noise below and smiled very respectfully:
"After so many years, who doesn't know that we Xinghan can do things very authentically! In which year was our price for harvesting grain not higher than others?"
That’s because apart from selling it to the government, it can only be sold to you, okay? !
Over the years, with the support of Xinghanhui’s pastures, the government has rented a large number of cattle to Mudlegs every year.
The legs of the eight-oxen plow are useless, but the curved shaft plow is most suitable for small households.
After so many years of war, it may be an exaggeration to say that the population is reduced to only one out of ten, but it is definitely true to say that it has dropped by 60 to 70%.
In addition, the prime minister has been vigorously building water conservancy projects, and in recent years, foreign wars have been successful.
Let the government have a large amount of wasteland in its hands, and be able to allocate fields and land to mud-legged people on a large scale, and the taxes are not high.
The most important thing is that only families with household registration can send their children to school.
This can be regarded as the greatest benevolent policy of the Emperor of Han Dynasty - as for whether anyone is gnashing their teeth secretly, who cares?
Wealthier farmers now even raise chickens and ducks.
With such great hope, who would want to be a hermit?
What’s the point of having more grain stored by a big family?
Thinking of the fact that many wealthy families went to Nanxiang to do grain business in recent years, but in the end their families were ruined, many people said "poof" in their hearts:
The government and businessmen collude and bully the officials. Do you still have the nerve to say that you are doing things honestly?
“It’s because I knew Xinghan would do things honestly, so when I heard that I was going to collect grain in large quantities, didn’t I rush over here in a hurry?”
Someone to laugh with:
“I wonder how much grain you would like to collect?”
Deng Liang glanced at the other party meaningfully and said slowly:
“Don’t worry, this meeting is not to go to Nanxiang to list the sign, but to inform everyone directly. The meaning is very clear:
This time we will only collect grain from the families present and will not collect grain from grain merchants in other places. "
“Seriously?”
Most of the people present couldn't help but beam with joy after hearing this.
In other words, this time, everyone doesn’t have to go to the Nanxiang Exchange to compete with grain merchants from all over the place?
Then they saw Deng Liang extend a slap and continued:
“The old grain I bought this time can be 30% higher than the grain price at Nanxiang Exchange. If you are willing to write the deed now, next year’s grain price can be 50% higher.”
“Hiss!”
Everyone took a breath of cold air, making the temperature in the room a little colder.
“Seriously!”
This time, it was not just a few questions, but most people spoke in unison.
Seeing this, Deng Liang smiled slightly, and then stretched out three fingers:
"Three copies of the deed, one for each party and one for the government."
In other words, is this thing true?
If you want to break the contract, you will destroy the reputation accumulated by the Xinghanhui and the government over so many years.
Everyone looked at each other, none of them recovered from the shock.
Someone swallowed their saliva and asked carefully:
“I dare to ask Deng Langjun, does Feng...er, Feng Huishou know about this matter?”
Since the day Feng Gui Wang came out of the mountain, I don’t know how many people have written down this person’s black accounts in their notebooks.
However, over the years, everyone's morale has become increasingly short-lived, and many people even suffer from "Ghost King Fear".
Having suffered losses for so many years, and suddenly getting such a big benefit, people can't believe it at first.
Of course, there are also people who have other ideas:
Feng Guiwang has been isolated from news for most of this year. Even if it is possible to enter Chang'an now, considering the distance between Guanzhong and Jincheng, it is impossible for the news between the two places to spread so fast.
In this case, unless this matter was discussed in advance, someone made the decision alone without King Feng Gui's knowledge.
So...is it possible that there is a second leader in the Xinghan Society?
But Deng Liang said leisurely: "Don't worry, everyone, how could my brother not know about such a big thing?"
Well, I wish he didn't know.
Huh?
Wrong.
If this matter is really a decision made by King Feng Gui in advance.
Doesn’t that mean that King Feng Gui had already decided on this matter at least a year ago, that is, before the expedition?
Remembering someone’s foresight, more people became more hesitant:
Everyone has managed to save a little money in the past few years, won't he be favored by others again?
Deng Liang was greatly surprised when he saw that everyone was suddenly speechless:
“Deng Langjun, we have interacted with each other more than once or twice over the years. Everyone here has some friendship.”
“Can you tell everyone what this deal is all about?”
Well, over the years, most of the grain collected by everyone every year has been sold to the Xinghan Hui.
Old acquaintance!
Hearing this, Deng Liang finally vaguely guessed what these people were thinking.
Seeing him, Dan couldn't help but smile and said calmly:
"There is nothing hard to say about this matter. To put it bluntly, there is a shortage of food in Jingzhou, Wu State, and we have sent people to the imperial court for help many times."
"Everyone should also know what happened later. Because we had to prepare for the Battle of Guanzhong, this matter was postponed."
“However, the preparations have not been left behind. For example, the Yi Market was set up in Yong’an to make it easier to trade with Wu.”
At this point, Deng Liang raised his cup and took a sip of tea before continuing:
"The current person in charge of Yong'an Yi City is Fei Gongju (Fei Shi). This man is from Shu. He is an upright and outspoken person. If you have any doubts, you may as well go and ask."
Fei Gongju?
Hmm, well, this...
First he wrote a letter against Liu Bei's premature proclaiming of emperor, and then he opposed Zhuge Liang's acceptance of Meng Da's surrender in person. Fei Gongju's character is relatively worthy of recognition.
At least much better than a guy named Feng.
The price of food in Jingzhou is high—the price of food in the entire Wu Kingdom is much higher than that in Shu—everyone has heard about this for a long time.
However, transporting grain out of the country and selling it to other countries without permission is a beheading transaction.
Especially with the terrain of Shu, even if you have the courage to risk it, there is no way to transport a large amount of grain to Jingzhou without being discovered.
After searching for many years with no way out, I finally got an opening. If I say I’m not interested, it would definitely be a lie.
“Deng Langjun, may I ask how much grain will be harvested this time?”
No one here is a fool. Judging from Deng Liang's current words, this matter is at least 70% to 80% true.
So the atmosphere immediately became a little warmer:
“Yes, Mr. Deng, how much grain will you sell to the east this time?”
“The more the better, of course. After all, the Xinghan Society will collect grain from Shu every year.”
“Of course, high-priced grain will only be sold to Jingzhou, so there must be a quota. This depends on the food shortage situation in Jingzhou.”
After learning that grain could be sold to Jingzhou, people with ulterior motives suddenly felt chilled when they heard the word quota.
Doesn’t that mean that selling grain to Jingzhou still needs to be controlled?
Doesn’t that mean that only a portion of the high-priced grain can be sold?
Doesn’t that mean we can’t transport grain to Jingzhou ourselves?
His mother’s wife!
Shameless thing!
There is collusion between government and businessmen all day long!
"Deng Langjun, you know that there is never a shortage of food in everyone's hands. So what exactly is the quota for this high-priced food? Can you explain it in detail?"
When the master of the Jincheng Hall of Xinghanhui Hall, Deng, heard this, he smiled slightly:
"Well, of course there are regulations. To be honest with everyone, I have received news that the imperial court may open schools in various counties in Shu."
“Everyone also knows that the battle in Guanzhong has not yet been decided, and the imperial treasury may not be well-off..."
Before I finished speaking, my eyes reminded me: You understand!
Who doesn’t know that the Xinghan Society is actually the biggest white glove in the world?
It is not surprising at all that Hall Master Deng knew some inside information in advance.
What does it mean that the treasury is just not very rich?
Your uncle came here to make money, but you actually want me to pay for it?
It’s just a school...a school? !
“Deng Langjun, you mean to say that the imperial court finally plans to open a school in Jincheng?”
A few years ago, after the first examination in Liangzhou, some people were already advocating that they want to establish a school in Shu County.
After this proposal was sent to Hanzhong, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty forwarded it to King Feng Gui and asked for his opinion.
The final answer given by King Feng Gui was: Nanxiang was too short of teachers and teaching materials and was temporarily unable to support the construction of schools in Shu County.
“Not only Jincheng, but also several counties around Shu County will establish schools, and the money and food required will definitely be indispensable.”
“The Xinghan Hui is naturally involved in this matter of the school, so the regulations on harvesting grain still have to fall on the school.”
“This is a great good deed, and a rare act of benevolence!”
Some people suddenly became excited.
Is that possible?
Good people should be rewarded. When it comes to schools, whoever pays more will naturally have more quotas for high-priced grains.
But for the Shu family, this is something that has been long awaited.
Because only by opening a school can we truly have a channel to enter the Royal Academy, instead of having to make twists and turns to find the way like now.
There are even many times when we can’t even find a way out.
Someone couldn’t help but said loudly:
"Deng Langjun doesn't have to worry about the school's money and food. As Shu people, if we sit back and ignore it, we will be stabbed in the back by the villagers!"
Many people have finally figured out that the so-called high price of food is simply an excuse.
In fact, someone wanted to use Deng Liang's mouth to test everyone's opinions on the school - of course, high-priced grains still have to be sold, and a little bit is worth it.
Just why did Zhuge Villager and Feng Guiwang suddenly show kindness?
Are you giving money to everyone, and easing the official career of the children in Shu?
With this question in mind, Qiao Zhou quietly went to visit Du Qiong, a famous scholar in Shu County.
At this time Qin Mi had passed away, and Zuo Zhonglang general Du Qiong became one of the most virtuous and respected local officials in Shu.
Du Qiong is usually taciturn and rarely sees outsiders, but this time he rarely met with Qiao Zhou.
"The Battle of Guanzhong will not only bring great changes to the world, but also great changes to the Han Dynasty."
He looked at the peach grove outside. At this time, all the peach leaves had fallen, leaving only bare branches.
The Han Dynasty today is not the same as it was more than ten years ago, when it was only supported by Shu.
But it is already sitting in the best place in the world, and there is a potential for revival.
The changes in the past ten years or so have been earth-shaking.
"The emperor is a wise king, the prime minister is a wise prime minister, and there are many knowledgeable people in the court. How can they not see the changes in the situation of the Han Dynasty? Knowing the changes and adapting to them can be called a brilliant person?"
Qiao Zhou didn’t understand, so he had to ask humbly:
“Sir, please explain it in detail.”
Du Qiong asked:
“Back then, the aristocratic family in central Shu was hated by the Prime Minister and Lord Feng. Do you know why?”
Qiao Zhou opened his mouth, but did not dare to say anything.
Du Qiong seemed to have anticipated Qiao Zhou's attitude and continued speaking:
“Most of what the powerful people in Shu did was to prevent the Han from returning to the old capital. Today’s situation can be said to be self-inflicted, but are all the powerful people in Liangzhou innocent?”
“In the Battle of Guanzhong, the Han Dynasty not only recovered Guanzhong, but also took control of Bingzhou, Hedong and other places. Do all the aristocratic families in the north hope that the Han Dynasty will revive?”
For pseudo -Wei usurpted Han, who does not have the support of the family in the north, who believes it?
Qiao Zhou seemed to have caught something. His eyes widened and he asked in disbelief:
“Sir, what you are saying is that the imperial court wants to practice balance?”
Du Qiong looked at Taolin again and said slowly:
“In the past, the imperial court used the help of Liangzhou’s wealthy families to suppress aristocratic families in central Shu. Now, even if the target of suppression is changed, it is just the same old plan. Is it strange?”
Hedong is a place where many aristocratic families live, so Qiao Zhou naturally understood it.
It’s just that the imperial court has always attached great importance to Liangzhou and despised Shuzhong. Even if it wants to suppress the Central Plains families, why not just continue to rely on the help of the powerful families of Liangzhou?
When Qiao Zhou thought of this, his heart trembled. He lowered his voice and asked quietly:
"Sir, if this is really the court's balancing act, doesn't it mean that Liangzhou is also possible..."
"That's not what you and I have to worry about." Du Qiong glanced at Qiao Zhou lightly, "Look, it's winter right now, and the peach tree seems to be dead."
“But after one month, it will grow flower bones, bloom with fragrance, and be extremely beautiful.”
Du Qiong said in a deep tone:
“The children of Shu have lost their best opportunity. Over the years, they have been like the peach trees outside the window, suffering from the cold wind.”
“This time, it can be said that we have experienced a cold winter and ushered in a warm spring. If it does not sprout buds and bloom, it will really be cut down as a dead branch and used as firewood.”
(End of this chapter)