Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 430: Changing Cotton to Rice, a Bloody Storm

The Director of the Agriculture Department, Fan Zhongmo, suddenly said:

"Your Majesty, I have an idea."

"speak."

"Since the Ming Dynasty, people in the south of the Yangtze River have started to grow cash crops on a large scale, mainly mulberry and cotton, because their returns are higher than growing grain. I conducted a survey in Songjiang Prefecture, where the situation is most serious, and the area planted with cash crops accounts for 6% of the total cultivated land."

"Nowadays, cotton mills are opening one after another, and the price of raw cotton is rising. People are flocking to it. If this continues for a long time, I am afraid that food will become a big problem. Therefore, I suggest that we switch from cotton to rice."

……

Li Yu was silent for a while.
Said:

"The mulberry fields must not be moved, and the silk industry needs to be expanded. So, we can only switch to cotton!"

"At least 6% of the vacated cotton fields must be converted to grain. It is also acceptable to moderately expand the mulberry fields."

"Use imperial decrees to force the people to obey on the surface, but they are resentful in their hearts. Let's try another way. Take advantage of the opportunity of importing cotton from the East India Company to suppress the price of cotton, making cotton planting unprofitable. The Propaganda Department will cooperate and spread the word that cotton from overseas is particularly cheap, and the price of raw cotton will only continue to fall."

Such changes may affect industry.

Industry Minister Du Ren quickly spoke out:

"What if overseas cotton channels are cut off or prices skyrocket in the future? What will happen to our cotton spinning and garment factories?"

Li Yu smiled:

"Before Staunton returned home, he had a long conversation with me. He said that in the past few decades, the cotton textile industry in European countries has developed rapidly, and the cotton planting area in the colonies has also been rising steadily. Cotton is the flagship export product of the East India Company, and they are reluctant to give up our huge market!"

"I have thought about it. If Staunton wants to gain a firm foothold in the London aristocratic circle, he must have good relations with us. The greatest value of his existence is to serve as a bridge between the two countries. If the two countries become enemies or even stop communicating, his value will disappear. If we were to say who in the Saxon Kingdom is most afraid of the deterioration of relations between the two countries, the first one should be Staunton, and the second one should be Adelaide."

The ministers suddenly realized.

……

Li Yu was so confident because he remembered that the Saxons and Franks were fighting because of the American War of Independence, and were about to go to war with the Dutch.

Within five years, the shrewd Saxons would not create another "needless" enemy for themselves.

This is the good thing about dealing with smart people, your radio waves are in sync.

It's difficult to deal with stupid people, because you can't predict their magical thought processes.

He added:
"In the future, when we control the Yellow River Basin and the Northwest region, two high-quality cotton producing areas, cotton will become another sharp sword in my hand, a sword that pierces the whole world."

"Remember, everyone, the only purpose of Europeans sailing around the world is gold. Keep this principle in mind, and you will be able to deal with them with ease."

"We must see their true nature!"

"Yes."

Everyone responded in unison.

……

Wu responded quickly.
Various government agencies took joint action to deal with the soaring food prices.

The first step was to release grain from government warehouses to stabilize the market.

Then, a large amount of raw cotton was supplied to various cotton spinning factories at a price 3% lower than the market price. The factory owners were all beaming with joy and cheered, "Long live His Majesty!"
The price of cotton in the market fell sharply.

The Publicity Department followed up.
Tell the people,
There is a place overseas where the cotton trees are 1 feet tall and the cotton fluff is 3 feet long. It hangs down like willow branches and can never be harvested.

All staff of the Department of Agriculture went on a business trip to the countryside.

Everyone rushed to the states and counties to promote agricultural tools and composting methods that would improve efficiency.

The main purpose of the composting method is to use local materials, mix straw and farmyard manure for fermentation, and the main feature is to use local materials without spending extra money.

The specific production process of composting is posted in each village and town.

Tell farmers that this method can increase production.

……

The sea merchants in Zhejiang also received imperial edicts.

In exchange for being allowed to export some silk and porcelain, they were required to purchase the scarce materials of the Wu State locally - grain, copper, sugar and saltpeter.

Wu's foreign trade
Currently there are only two fixed routes, Ningbo-Manila and Ningbo-Nagasaki.

The Fujian Navy has been very restrained and has not taken any proactive provocative actions so far.

The Southeast Asian colonists are currently taking a wait-and-see attitude towards the Wu State, hoping to make profits, so there is no official hostility.

The sea merchants purchased imitation Manila sailing ships equipped with six cannons from the Jiangnan Shipyard. Generally speaking, the current navigation safety issue was not serious.

……

The only enemies are pirates.

In order to intercept and destroy or capture three large Wu sailing ships equipped with carronades, the pirates would have to gather at least 3 ships to have a chance of winning.

The savvy Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce has begun sending middlemen to contact the most powerful pirate groups in the East China Sea.

Give me money for the passage!

From now on, don’t even think about eating me. I’ll bleed a little, and we’ll all go our separate ways on the sea.

In the underworld, people also need to understand the ways of the world.

The pirates did not want to engage in a head-on confrontation, fearing retaliation from the Wu army.

……

As a result of Ma Zhongyi's massacre in Jiangxi, a large number of people in the three prefectures in southern Jiangxi died, and a large number of unowned fields appeared.

These fields were counted and registered by local government offices and nationalized.

The land cannot be left barren,

It was used to resettle refugees from other places and landless tenants in the province.

In spring and autumn, they collected double the normal land tax (120 kilograms) of grain and recognized their perpetual tenancy rights in order to reassure the people.

Some time ago,

Li Yu announced to the world:

Civil servants of level 2 and above, and military officers of second lieutenant and above, and their families are strictly prohibited from purchasing good farmland (if the amount is less than 50 mu, they can purchase more to make up for it to 50 mu).

Since we have good land, no matter how much it is, we will not hold grudges against the past.

If the amount increases, the penalty may be a fine or the land must be returned, or even worse, the official may be dismissed from office.

Everyone was in an uproar. Although some were dissatisfied, no one dared to express their opposition explicitly.

……

A few days later,
Li Yu personally drafted a secret order, requiring civil officials in each county to begin distinguishing all the gentry and wealthy families under their jurisdiction.

Especially the newly occupied areas!
First, gentry who had donated money and grain to the Qing court, whose relatives within five generations served as officials in the Qing-ruled areas, or whose direct descendants had achieved success in the imperial examinations for three generations, and who met any two of the above three conditions, were defined as "diehards." They were arrested immediately, their male members were shot, their female relatives were made slaves of the government, and all their property was confiscated.

Second, gentry who were neutral or slightly inclined towards the Qing court and had no investment in industry or commerce were defined as "fence-sitters." For fence-sitters, those who had cut their queues on their own initiative would not be held accountable for the time being. For those who still kept their queues, evidence was collected to put them in jail on reasonable charges and their fines were confiscated.

Third, the gentry who actively cooperate and take the initiative to transform themselves into industrial and commercial owners are defined as "enlightened people", and they put aside their past grudges and treat everyone equally.

……

According to historical records:

During the reign of Emperor Kangxi, the per capita arable land in the empire was 6.5 mu.

In the early years of Emperor Qianlong's reign,

This number has dropped to below 4 acres.

But now, even 3 mu per capita is in danger.

These are official figures.
Taking into account the national conditions of the Qing Dynasty, a 3% discount on the 7 mu price would probably be closer to the truth.

2 mu of thin land can feed 1 person.

It seems incredible, but it is actually covered in blood.

If farmers want to fill their stomachs, in addition to working on their own fields, they also have to collect wild vegetables and coarse grains, go fishing in the river and hunting in the mountains, and plant sweet potatoes wherever they can in the yard in front of their houses.

The sense of crisis engraved in their bones has endowed all Han people with innate skills in growing vegetables and fighting.

……

Li Yu thought about agriculture in his spare time, and felt a chill on his back.

What should we use to feed our hungry subjects after conquering the southwest and northwest? We will definitely need to transfer the surplus money and grain from the south of the Yangtze River.

He has already seen the future:

To transfer money and grain, it is necessary to suppress the dissatisfaction of the New Jiangnan Group.

If the money and food are not transferred, the people over there who can't survive will definitely rebel.

Agricultural civilization cannot support the progress of an empire with a population of more than 1 million, and civilization is on the brink of collapse.

It is a luxury for people to live with dignity, even living as humbly as a dog is a luxury.

All along,
Li Yu’s idea is very clear - support industry and commerce, and give back to agriculture!
For large countries, developing small-scale peasant economy and industry and commerce may not be contradictory.

A vast territory and a large population can be achieved at the same time.

Small peasant economy and stable order.

Industrial and commercial economy makes the country strong and the military strong.

The former defends the lower limit of the empire, while the latter determines the upper limit of the empire.

……

Li Yu has been working hard to get those gentry who own vast tracts of fertile land to sell their excess land and either become industrial and commercial owners or invest in shares to earn dividends.

Only then will the people have the opportunity to own their own land and avoid becoming refugees.

[Based on the standard calculation of a family of six with three generations, if you live in the Jiangnan region, the minimum food and clothing line is to own 1 mu of paddy fields. If you live in a half-mountain and half-field area, the minimum food and clothing line is 6 mu. If you live in the arid northwest region, this number is at least 9 mu. ]

Some provinces have less arable land, so there is not enough to go around.

The solution is to transform landless farmers into workers, craftsmen, and supporting service industry personnel after the great commercial boom.

A little further,

You can also give away good farmland and houses as a condition to move the surplus manpower to the frontier to guard the border and reclaim wasteland or to cultivate land in Southeast Asia, thus killing two birds with one stone.

……

In the early spring of 1778,

Li Yu implemented a series of drastic reforms.

Taking advantage of his high prestige, the young empire, and the blank slate in the vast occupied territories, he could boldly implement any "shocking" measures.

No one dares to oppose his rule, and there are no small interest groups to hinder it.

Once the path of the empire was set in the early stages, it would follow the established track. It was not easy for the ministers to find another path.

If we don't lay the foundation of the building in time, but just pursue military victories.

Wait until the empire is unified, and then turn around and think of shaking the foundation?
I am alone and my death is imminent.

Li Yu doesn't understand chemistry, but he understands the "Law of Conservation of Everything."

Li Yu didn't know how to govern a country, but he understood human nature.

Human nature is greedy.

Want others to vomit out what they have eaten?

In mild cases, the victim will be beaten to make him vomit, and in severe cases, his stomach will be ripped open.

It would be better to set a strict meal sharing system from the beginning, so that everyone can only eat from their own plates.
……

The will of the center reaches every neuron in the body smoothly.

For a time,

On the surface, the State of Wu was peaceful, the order was stable, the price of grain was falling, there were no wars or bad policies, and the people praised it, thinking that this was the best way of life.

however,
However, the local government offices were in a bloody mess.

The process of eliminating the gentry was cruel and mixed with a desperate struggle.

but,

The weapons and servants that the gentry had hidden could not cause any trouble. Instead, armed confrontation confirmed the crime and silenced the people of the world.
……

Huzhou Prefecture implemented the policy most vigorously.

Lu Qingzhi, a young man who graduated from a civil service school, had been the magistrate of Wucheng County for only one year. The edges of his round face gradually became sharper, and his clear eyes became bloodshot.

This is probably the "class flavor".

however,
He couldn't be more grateful.

As the son of a small trader in Songjiang Prefecture, he was lucky enough to enter the civil service school, and based on his test scores, he was directly appointed as a county magistrate, with a monthly salary of 300 silver dollars and free accommodation in an official residence.

I don't know how much black smoke came out of the ancestral tomb by the Huangpu River~
One of his cousins ​​passed the imperial examination at the age of 14 and became a scholar. He and his whole family acted arrogantly and bossily.

The last time I went home to visit my family,

He saw the jealous, desperate and collapsed look in his unshaven cousin's eyes, and he felt so happy in his heart.

Thank you, Your Majesty~
……

"Sir, the people who are monitoring the Dongxiang Gu family reported that the Gu family is holding a funeral."

"Ok?"

"It is said that a young lady from the Gu family hanged herself to death."

Lu Qingzhi smiled with a cold look in his eyes.

Seeing this, the subordinates retreated tactfully.

Now, everyone with a little status in Wucheng County has seen that the government is going to take action against the Gu family~
The Gu family are gentry in this county.

The family produced two Jinshi and one Juren, and owned five manors, more than 2 acres of fertile land, 1 acres of mulberry fields, 5 lakes, and two hilltops. It was also involved in multiple industries such as silk and grain.

In terms of wealth, Wucheng ranks first.

At the beginning, Wu's army advanced very quickly. Before the Gu family had any further ties with the Qing court, Huzhou city had already fallen into the hands of Wu's army in a surprise attack.

……

Wucheng and Gui'an are both the first counties of Huzhou Prefecture.

This is just like Yuanhe, Changshu and Wuxian, which are all the first counties of Suzhou Prefecture.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, for the sake of restraint, the wealthy prefectures in Jiangsu and Zhejiang were divided into two or even three chief counties to restrain and check each other.

However, Li Yu never made any adjustments to the geographical divisions.
It completely inherits the Qing system. Of course, for propaganda purposes, it is generally said to inherit the Ming system.

……

Mr. Gu is over 5 years old and has taken good care of himself.

at this time,

The man sat in the courtyard, listening to the wailing outside, fear flashing in his eyes.

"Father~"

"Well, do all the neighbors know about it?"

"According to your instructions, I knocked on the doors one by one and notified them according to the etiquette."

"I must let the people of Wucheng know how miserable my Gu family is now."

"Father, is it really that serious?"

"As for that." Grandpa Gu stared at the blue sky above his head, his voice trembling, "I am afraid that I can't protect my Gu family even if this happens."

These words were too horrible. The son's teeth chattered and he whispered:

"No, that's not the case, is it?"

……

Mr. Gu sighed:

"I regret not submitting my surrender earlier. I always wanted to wait and see and try to sell at the highest price. Now that the new dynasty has taken shape, that person doesn't have the patience to pretend any longer."

The son was sad.

Of course he knew what his father was referring to.

The Wu army entered Huzhou City, and the soldiers did not enter the palace.

The family was also sensible and paid grain honestly and in full. They usually kept their doors closed and only had dealings with the authorities a few times.

Wu Ting called for selling land, but he did not respond.

Wu Ting called for investment to open a factory, but his own company did not respond.

When Wu Ting held an imperial examination to recruit scholars, he did not sign up for his own children.

Taking care of the family is a typical example of non-violent non-cooperation.

……

The housekeeper in mourning clothes came in hurriedly and whispered:
"Master, young master. Zhao Er, a senior clerk who was fired from our shop two years ago, went to the government office to file a complaint against you."

"Did the government accept his complaint?"

"Received."

Gu Taigong made a decision quickly:
"Quick, take my letter and visit the several counselors of this government. Tell them that the habit of digging up old scores must not be allowed to continue, as it goes against the will of your majesty. And if you look closely, who has not had dealings with Qing officials in the past? If they help me today, they are helping themselves. I am willing to give up all the mulberry fields under my name at a low price."

The butler did not move.

Instead, he whispered:

"Master, Zhao Er did not mention this. He first accused you of defiling a maid in the mansion in the 21st year of Qianlong's reign, causing her to commit suicide by jumping into the river. In the 23rd year of Qianlong's reign, the eldest master beat a tenant who owed grain with a stick, causing him to die after returning home."

……

Mr. Gu suddenly felt dizzy.

"Dad~"

"Master~"

"It's okay." Grandpa Gu's voice was hollow and sad. "All of you go out and leave me alone for a while."

Not long after,

Mr. Gu locked himself in the study, drank a small packet of arsenic with tea, and left a suicide note.

"If the government had arrested me for colluding with the Qing court, I might have been able to avoid disaster by spending money. But now they are starting with a murder lawsuit, and the Gu family is about to be ruined. My death may leave a glimmer of hope for the descendants of my family."

My son felt dizzy and wanted to cry but didn't dare to cry loudly.

At the end of the suicide note, there were eight large, scribbled characters written in red ink:
"The hurricane has passed, and only the grass remains!"

(End of this chapter)