Rebirth of Wu Ba Spring and Autumn

Chapter 499 The Population Territory of the Persian Empire
Empress Palace of King Wu, Palace of Concubine Yi.

This palace is where Judy from the western city-state of Athens lived.

Zhu Di, who became the concubine of King Wu Qingji and entered the harem, stayed here almost every day, writing a "Illustrated Record of the Western Regions".

In this book, Judy will introduce the city-states of ancient Greece and the customs of the Persian Empire, with maps attached.

Every place Judy has traveled will be recorded.

Zhu Di's original purpose was purely to do business and make a lot of money, but Qing Ji's ambition was even greater.

Qingji tried to open up a Silk Road to do business with Westerners.

However, it seems that things backfired.

Not to mention the inconvenient transportation, Qingji's Wu State is too far away from the west, separated by countless countries and tribes, especially the existence of Qin State...

Of course, if the country is not involved, Qingji can also encourage every vassal state to conduct foreign trade.

"Your Majesty, how would you like to take a look at this "Illustrated Record of the Western Regions" compiled by my concubine?"

Nestling in Qingji's arms, Zhu Di took out a paper book and stuffed it into Qingji's hands.

This made Qingji quite surprised, and asked, "Judy, it's only been a month, and your "Illustrated Record of the Western Regions" has been compiled?"

"This is just the original version. Fortunately, the queen and Mrs. Zhu Ji came to help, and the concubine was able to compile it into a book so quickly. The concubine will continue to simplify and strive for perfection!"

Judy smiled coquettishly at Qingji as if asking for credit.

Qing Ji nodded slightly, then immediately opened the book and browsed through it.

According to Qingji's memories of the Eastern and Western territories in his previous life, there is not much difference between the maps drawn by Judy.

Just some countries above, may be different.

Starting from the state of Wu, head west all the way, pass through the state of Chu, and then pass through the state of Qin.

To the west of the state of Qin are Wuzhi and Dirong, and then to the west is the territory of the Tocharian people, that is, the Western Regions.

Bordering it is the Achaemenid Empire, the territory of the Persians...

From the perspective of territory, the area of ​​the Persian Empire is larger than that of the Chinese countries combined!

"good."

Qingji nodded in approval.

"Your Majesty, my concubine thinks that Your Majesty should prepare a huge Wu Kingdom caravan, mainly to sell silk, porcelain, tea and other things that are not available in the West to the West through this trade route."

Zhu Di blinked her big eyes, hugged Qingji's arms in her arms, rubbed them vigorously, and said, "I assure you, these products will definitely be popular among the Persians and in the West. The country can earn a lot of money!"

"..."

Will this attract wolves into the house?

Qingji was also quite hesitant.

After all, the current Persian Empire, the Achaemenid Dynasty, had risen and had a vast territory.

If the Persian army came over, the state of Qin might not be able to stop it...

If so, Qing Ji doesn't seem to have to worry so much.

What the Chinese people believe in is "brothers fight against the wall, and defend against their insults from outside."

The Persians are undoubtedly a foreign race. How can the Chinese nations tolerate the invasion of foreign troops?

The vassal state is a big family, you can beat yourself, but others want to bully your brother?
Outrageous!

After thinking about these things clearly, Qingji has a plan to open up the Silk Road.

However, Qingji also knew that this matter should not be rushed.

Compared with the land-based Silk Road, the Maritime Silk Road is obviously more appropriate for Wu, which is backed by the sea.

"Judy, I need some time to plan, at least half a year, at most one or two years."

Qing Ji said meaningfully: "You can simplify this "Illustrated Record of the Western Regions" with peace of mind. If possible, the first caravan of our Wu country to trade with the west will be led by you."

"Yes!"

Zhu Di couldn't help hugging Qingji's neck, and gave Qingji a sip on his cheek.

……

Three days later.

Qingji convened a grand court meeting in Fengtian Hall, and all officials and officials with a rank ratio of [-] shi or above must participate.

As soon as the Great Court Meeting began, Qingji passed the "Illustrations of the Western Regions" that had been copied and drawn by hand to the hands of Ji Ran, Fan Li, Sun Wu, Bo Tong and other three gongs and nine ministers, and let them read it by themselves before passing it on one by one. .

To be honest, the current books are all hand-copied editions, and they really cannot be widely circulated.

Qingji already had an idea in his mind, that is to use movable type printing...

After reading the "Illustrated Record of the Western Regions" compiled by Zhu Di, all the ministers couldn't help but gasped and were shocked.

Sun Wu frowned, with a look of surprise on his face, and asked: "My lord, is there really such a vast country in the world?"

"This so-called Achaemenid Empire, if you look at it from the perspective of the territory, is bigger than our Chinese vassal states combined, almost double the size, how is it possible?"

Not only Sun Wu, but all the officials and officials present are all incredulous.

The Achaemenid Empire, which is now the territory of the Persians, was indeed very large.

You know, in history, after Qin Shihuang ruled the world, he conquered Baiyue in the south and attacked the Xiongnu in the north. The Qin Dynasty established a land area of ​​340 million square kilometers.

And how big was the territory of the Achaemenid Empire?

In its heyday (480 BC), it was 695 million square kilometers!
In other words, after twenty years, the area of ​​the Achaemenid Empire will be maximized.

The territory of the Achaemenid Empire is twice the size of the entire Chinese vassal states combined!
What kind of powerful empire is this?
Based on the current territory of Wu State, compared with the Achaemenid Empire, it can be said to be insignificant.

However, facing the doubts of the officials, Qing Ji did not immediately refute, but shook his head and said: "Second and third sons, I know that you don't want to believe it."

"Of course, that's the truth."

"The Achaemenid Empire has a large territory and a large population. It is estimated that the population of the Achaemenid Empire should range from [-] million to [-] million. .”

"..."

Upon hearing this, the ministers and officials couldn't help but look shocked, and whispered to each other.

Is there really such a powerful country in the world?

Eighteen million people, what kind of concept is this?
The current population of Wu State is only about four million.

If ordinary people say this, they will definitely be laughed out of the mouth by the officials.

However, the person who said such a thing was Qingji.

How can Qingji talk nonsense?

Qing Ji said with certainty that the population of the Achaemenid Empire was more than ten million, so he was not just talking about it.

In fact, in 480 BC, the Persians did have a population of eighteen million.

The unified Qin Dynasty had a population of between [-] million and [-] million.

(End of this chapter)