I seek economic hegemony in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 16 The Han Army’s Lasting Strategy—50 acres of farmland

Hearing this, even Yang Yi couldn't refute.

Li Heng continued: "It was my fault to take out all the food without authorization. I should tell my father. If he knew the reason, he would not object."

At this point, Zhuge Liang finally spoke. He said calmly: "This matter is your family matter, so we won't ask any more questions."

Zhuge Liang's heart is like a bright mirror.

Li Ruji was not a public-minded person. If Li Heng really told him about this matter, he would definitely not agree.

This is also human nature.

Food is very precious. It is really embarrassing for others to give out all the money they have saved through frugality.

In order to do something, Li Heng took it all without consulting Li Ruji.

Zhuge Liang encountered this kind of behavior countless times during his years of governing the country.

In Zhuge Liang's view, there were problems with the procedure, but the results were good.

Zhuge Liang governed the army by law and ensured smooth flow of military orders, so he naturally attached great importance to procedures.

But Zhuge Liang also knew that the purpose of the program was to ensure the completion of the results.

So what happens when results are accomplished, but procedures are not followed?

This places requirements on superior leaders.

Li Heng said: "Although this matter is small, it can also be extended to many matters. Lower-level officials made their own decisions. Although they have completed their tasks, if other officials follow suit, wouldn't it be a violation of the law?"

Zhuge Liang, who was not prepared to continue interfering with this trivial matter, was a little surprised. He did not expect that Li Heng could extend it to the administration of officials.

Yang Yi said: "The administration of officials is extremely complicated. It is not something you can manage well just by following the laws in Ji'an."

"What Yang Changshi said is absolutely true. The governance of the entire bureaucracy requires unified coordination of laws and regulations. It also requires flexible handling by subordinates in unified coordination and order. It also needs supplementary provisions other than laws and regulations. For example, when the actual situation faced by subordinates conflicts with the regulations of superiors, , how to implement it, and the supplementary provisions should encourage subordinates to have a certain degree of autonomy to do things as quickly as possible. If there are good results, they will be rewarded. If there are no good results, the subordinates will bear all the responsibilities."

Fei Yi's expression changed. He didn't expect that Li Heng, at such a young age, would actually know this?

This sounds simple, but the balance of interests involves many parties.

Li Heng added: "But there is one exception!"

Zhuge Liang asked: "What exception?"

"Exception in the military."

"Why are the military exceptions?"

Li Heng added: "Everything in the military must be conducted with rigor and not at will. Even if the military planes are ahead and are sure of victory, they cannot be dispatched at will."

This time it was Zhuge Liang who asked in person: "Why?"

Li Heng replied: "There are no small things in the army. The troops do not obey orders and act at will. If you win this time, if you are rewarded, someone will follow your example next time. Victory may not be guaranteed next time, and victory may not be guaranteed next time."

This sentence hit Zhuge Liang's heart at once.

This is completely consistent with his philosophy.

In fact, famous generals in history have basically encountered this kind of problem.

For example, Yue Yun once made a bold move and defeated the Jin army, but was punished by Yue Fei when he came back.

Li Heng continued: "Our Han army is numerically weaker than Wei's. The way to win is definitely not one or two partial victories. Such small victories are meaningless to our army..."

"Let me remind you, your position is the Chief of the Department of Weaving and Dyeing." Yang Yi interrupted Li Heng, "You have never fought a war, nor have you governed a state or county. Who can't talk about war on paper?"

Li Heng said quickly: "Yang Changshi taught you a lesson."

Yang Yi continued: "Do what you have to do and don't think about anything else."

"Yes Yes."

Li Ruji on the side was sweating. Why has this guy been talking about some weird rotations in the past few months?

Even taking food from home can be extended to national affairs!

Zhuge Liang asked: "Ji'an, how much has this Quyuanli been renovated now?" "Prime Minister, at least three hundred improvements have been made."

Zhuge Liang remained calm, but he was quite surprised. In just ten days, he had already exceeded three hundred.

Three hundred buckwheat plows, calculated as one per household, would cultivate an average of fifty acres of land per household, covering more than fifteen thousand acres of land.

According to the grain production in the north of the Three Kingdoms, the total annual output of one acre of land can be about 1.5 shi (180 kilograms) of directly edible grain.

Quyuan plow has two major advantages:

First, plowing the land deeper will increase the grain yield of crops by about 20%, from the previous 180 kilograms per acre to 216 kilograms.

If a worker eats one pound a day, it is equivalent to increasing his ration for more than a month.

Second, it has changed from three people and two cows to one person and one cow.

In the same period of time, three people were trapped in one acre of land instead of one person in one acre of land. This undoubtedly greatly increased the speed of plowing the total field.

But the reality is that there may not be enough cattle.

Taken together, overall, the efficiency of plowing has been roughly doubled.

This is of great benefit to Zhuge Liang's current practice of farming.

When the Han army arrived in Guanzhong to farm, they started farming from scratch.

The essence of Ji Han's farming is still the integration of military and agriculture. Once the time to open the fields is shortened, it means that the time for militarized training and troop dispatch will increase.

Li Heng said: "Prime Minister, please speak further."

Zhuge Liang nodded, walked into the papermaking factory, and followed Li Heng to his office.

Yang Yi and Fei Yi also followed.

On the other hand, Li Ruji was strolling outside. He was not interested in any of this at all.

Li Heng said: "Prime Minister, if we all switch to Quyuan plows, a household with three people working on average can cultivate nine acres of land. However, perhaps due to the lack of cattle, an average household can cultivate five acres of land in one day and ten days. Fifty acres tilled.”

"This greatly improves the process of opening up fields. We can definitely fight steadily in Guanzhong and fight a protracted war with Sima Yi."

"Ji'an, how many more times do I need to emphasize this?" Yang Yi said seriously again, "You don't need to think about these issues..."

Zhuge Liang interrupted Yang Yi and said, "Hey, Wei Gong, let him continue."

Li Heng saluted and said: "I bet you dare, let us assume that our army has a total strength of 3. If all [-] people are required to eat in Guanzhong, and the food road in Hanzhong is only used for storage, our army will have no worries about logistics, and we can compete with the Wei army in Guanzhong." Let’s continue this confrontation and wait for the opportunity.”

"As for how much food is needed, Xianguan also made some calculations. If we can plant [-] acres of land in Guanzhong, [-] acres of which will be military camps, we will harvest [-] shi per year, which can feed an army of [-] for a year."

"The other [-] acres are for the people's villages, and they will also harvest [-] shi. According to the rules, [-] shi are handed in, which can feed the [-] troops for another year."

"According to this calculation, one hundred thousand acres of farmland in Guanzhong can provide enough food for an army of [-] people for a year."

Yang Yi said: "Ji'an's calculations like this are suspicious of talking on paper?"

"Yes, it is indeed just talk on paper." Li Heng looked at Yang Yi and admitted on the spot, but he continued, "Theoretically, 2000 acres of land require [-] households to cultivate it, which is equivalent to the population of a county. It takes a county to raise it." An army of [-] is theoretically feasible, but in practice it is far from enough.”

Zhuge Liang asked: "Why?"

"Although food transportation is close, there is still consumption, and sometimes there may be a reduction in production. The most important thing is that people in the county also need to eat. According to the actual situation, at least five such counties are needed to ensure the supply of [-] troops in Guanzhong. forage."

Zhuge Liang's gaze remained on Li Heng without blinking.

Li Heng continued: "The actual situation may be worse than what Xiaguan encountered. The population of a county may be less than 1, but according to my calculation, at least [-] households are needed to farm. As for how many counties should be established, The lower official is stupid."

Yang Yi glanced at Zhuge Liang and saw that Zhuge Liang did not speak, but his eyes lit up. Then his eyes fell on Li Heng, and his tone became gentle. He asked: "If ten thousand households come to farm, it will cost 50." acres of land.”

"Yes."

Yang Yi asked: "Do you know how long it will take to open 50 acres?"

Moreover, more than [-] Han troops came this time.

(End of this chapter)