Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 183 Signs of National Demise
While attention was focused on the war between hereditary chiliarchs and fief peasants, Arctic Army released its new year's food report.

"The Huanghuai Province has a total area of ​​47 square kilometers (7.05 million mu), with a total of 5 million mu of arable land, of which 3 million mu are public land. This year, 0.5 million mu of land will be cultivated, and the rest will be left fallow for planting soybeans, forage grass, and vegetables to improve the land."

"The public fields in Huanghuai Province yielded 3 million tons of wheat, with an average yield of 120 jin per mu. Due to the disaster, the yield was reduced, but it was enough to feed 5 million people in Huanghuai Province for three years."

"The total grain output of public fields in Son Nong Province was 668.7 million tons, of which the summer grain output was 248.2 million tons and the autumn grain output was 420.5 million tons."

"Plain Province's public land yielded 102 million tons of grain, which was severely damaged by drought, floods, and locust plagues."

"The total output of pork, beef, mutton, and poultry in the three northern provinces reached 586,000 tons, an increase of 9.9% over the previous year. Among them, pork output was 102,000 tons, an increase of 9.7%; beef output was 317,000 tons, an increase of 14.0%; mutton output was 128,000 tons, an increase of 6.7%; poultry output was 39,000 tons, an increase of 100.3%; milk output was 61,000 tons; and the per capita meat consumption was 97.6 jin (43.8 catties)."

"After verification by the censor, it was found that officials in various regions were given an average of 100 catties of meat this year, soldiers were given meat once every three days, and random checks of public household registrations showed that there was a record of eating meat once a month. The data is basically consistent."

"At the end of the year, the number of cattle in the three northern provinces was 871.5 million, horses 500 million, and sheep approximately 2000 million. (This does not include the numbers of cattle, sheep, and horses in eastern Liaoning, western Xinjiang, Guihua, and central Yunnan.)"

"Grain production will gradually resume in various provinces next year. Mountain farmers will ensure they eat well while also increasing the production of meat, eggs, and dairy products, provided they have enough to eat."

King Wu commented: "Hereditary governors and lords of thousands or tens of thousands of households in various regions should encourage agricultural production, participate in labor personally, and learn from the spirit of the mountain farmers to seek benefits for the people. Only in this way can there be long-term stability and peace, instead of treating the people as slaves."

"The country produces 56 tons of iron annually, which is used for agricultural tools, weapons, military equipment, and daily civilian and commercial use."

"Horse-drawn harvesters: 60,000 units per year for the 15-mu model and 20,000 units per year for the 40-mu model. Due to the wartime delays in machinery production this year, it is expected that the No. 9 and No. 10 machinery plants will be put into production next year, and the quantity of steel and machinery will increase significantly."

"By the end of autumn, a total of 2021 million strings of cash had been distributed for the year, and the grain self-sufficiency rate of Pingyuan Province was 305%."

"A total of 17 million strings of cash were distributed to officials (including cadres from rural areas) throughout the year."

"A total of 400 million guan were allocated for disaster relief throughout the year (the surplus was used for subsidies), and 600 million guan were used to support the South."

"A total of 100 million taels of silver were awarded throughout the year, which were used for King Wu's rewards and individual relief."

"The annual fiscal revenue was 140 million guan."

"Starting today, salaries will no longer be paid to the military households under the command of hereditary military households in various regions. Each commandery and prefect, along with their relatives, shall not leave their territory except for official business. Those who violate this rule shall be removed from the register."

"King Wu's comment: The fiefdoms granted to each lord are all fertile lands with high yields per acre. He also gave them tens of thousands of taels of silver for building houses. Now that the world is at peace, you have surrendered and have not made any contributions in the past six years, yet you have received tens of thousands of taels of silver and been granted hereditary honors. Now you are taking your colleagues who stood guard and traveled with you, running east and west, back to your hometown with cattle, sheep, and carts to enjoy your wealth. What grievances do you have to complain about?"

"All those who have fought in the past six years after surrendering, except for those who surrendered and were captured, shall continue to serve in the army regardless of victory or defeat. The rest shall return to their hometowns to enjoy peace, and the rice and wheat produced in their territories shall be purchased by the provincial capitals at market prices."

"In order to select talents, this year we are accepting submissions from the mountainous agricultural province, plains province, Huanghuai province, and Sichuan region with the theme of [administration]."

"From now on, the imperial examinations and all other affairs will be the responsibility of the Governor-General's Office."

***
The grain output of the Mountain Farming Kingdom has exceeded ten million tons, and the surplus grain will be used to brew wine, raise pigs, and feed chickens. In the future, we will eat meat and drink wine!
Apart from the hereditary households in various regions being unhappy, the public households throughout the entire Mountain Farming Kingdom were very happy.

Although it's a little disappointing that there wasn't a pay raise this year, we're still doing pretty well.

Several thousand-household commanders in Luoyang City were not allowed to retire and go home. Instead, they were assigned to go home and rest for a while before going out to suppress the mountain bandits in the south after the New Year.

Maintaining a fighting army is very important. We need a strong army for the Hu people in the north, the south, the Central Plains, and the Western Regions.

However, I really can't find many capable fighters among my men; I always feel like they're all a bunch of useless trash.

Just as Beiji Wu was pondering who should lead the army, Teng He reminded him, "Your Majesty, it is time to receive the Liao King of Liaodong."

Beijiwu nodded and casually said, "Let him in."

"Yes." The little eunuch went out to call for help.

A short while later, Yelü Baocai and three Khitans entered.

"Happy New Year, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Looking at the Khitans kneeling and bowing, Beijiwu felt that they were no different from the Han people.

Especially after getting a haircut and changing clothes, the difference is minimal.

"Rise," said Beijiwu. "Sit down and let's talk. Since I've asked you to release your slaves, I won't treat you like slaves. We're allies for now, except I'm a little more powerful. There's no harm in accepting the culture of the Mountain Farmers."

The eunuch brought over four chairs.

The four of them said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After sitting down, everyone started talking from a distance of three meters.

"This year's wheat production has increased significantly, and I will supply wheat to eastern Liaoning at a price one cent lower than the market price."

"For wine, you can also reduce the price by ten coins per pound."

Yelü Baocai said with difficulty, "The market prices are chaotic now. Although I know the market prices in Luoyang, Liaodong is a barren and cold place, unlike the Central Plains which are vast and rich in resources. Liaodong has nothing but people now."

Cattle and sheep belong to the Arctic Warriors, and almost all gold and silver treasures are offered to the Arctic Warriors. Even the land and people belong to the Arctic Warriors.

Beijiwu smiled and said, "It is true that I want all the land and cattle and sheep, but you can eat some of them if you want. I only want them for the sake of management, not because I am unreasonable."

"Don't worry, I need a group of people to help me build roads. Those who are willing to cut down trees to build roads can naturally earn enough food to feed a family of ten. If you want to drink and eat meat, you still have to go to war."

"You members of the imperial clan and former officials will have your own wealth and honor as you work for me. I will not mistreat you. I just hope you can follow my orders. I don't ask for much each year. You can enjoy yourselves, but don't interfere with my command of the Liaodong region."

Yelü Baocai felt much more at ease. If the living conditions of the royal family and nobles could be guaranteed, he could secure his throne. "Yes, Your Majesty!" Yelü Baocai agreed, then pleaded, "I have something to ask Your Majesty today! The Jurchens to the east of Liaodong are always robbing our tribe's cattle and sheep. The men in our tribe have all gone to fight in the west, causing some tribes to lose their land there."

Arctic Wu smiled and said, "That's simple. If they are willing to maintain peace, willing to go south to help build roads, and willing to obey, I can sell them wine, clothes, and food."

If you are unwilling, there will naturally be consequences.

Yelü Baocai cautiously inquired, "How many people does the Mountain Farmer Kingdom have enough grain to feed?"

Arctic Warrior replied, "Many things have delayed my farming in the past two years, so the output is only 10 million tons. In fact, with my current population and technology, I can feed 400 million people, which is ten times the current population of the Mountain Farming Kingdom."

"If we look at it ten years from now, I think it will be able to feed 800 million people."

Yelü Baocai had no concept of such large numbers and did not understand how terrifying this number was, but he knew that the Shan Nong Kingdom had more food than it could eat.

What to do with the surplus food?

Beijiwu replied, "We can sell to those regions with underdeveloped agriculture, such as the Western Regions and some countries in the Southeast. Not every country can have enough to eat and not worry about three meals a day."

Food can be used not only in agriculture but also in industry.

The Mountain Farming Kingdom could become the world's largest grain exporter, and by relying on its strong grain production, it could influence the lifelines of various neighboring countries.

Once the railway and cargo ship routes are opened, all countries will have to rely on the Mountain Farmer Kingdom for food.

The more exports, the more profits and orders are generated, which in turn stimulates related maritime trade and technological advancements in transportation.

Arctic forces need more than just food; they also need people who can fight.

"The Liao people have indeed lost the bravery of their ancestors. Too much contact with the Central Plains culture will accelerate their decline. I hope that the eastern Liaodong region can exchange territories with the Jurchen tribe."

"In the future, 500,000 people will be relocated from eastern Liaoning to live in the Jurchen lands. Whether they hunt, farm, or work as craftsmen, they cannot live too well."

"All the Jurchen people went to the northern part of Wuzhou and the western part of Liaodong to graze their livestock, while 10,000 Jurchens were transferred to fight for us."

“I will send an envoy with gifts over there. You should go there yourself and have a proper talk with them. Treat them with courtesy and don’t be so arrogant.”

“If they are unwilling to fight for me, and unwilling to obey my command to migrate to better pastures, then I do not want them to continue living there.”

Yelü Baocai also deeply realized the impact of a wealthy environment on people, and that the warriors of his tribe had become corrupt in recent years.

"Yes, Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed."

When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will, strain their muscles and bones, starve their body, leave them destitute, and thwart their endeavors, so as to strengthen their resolve, temper their character, and increase their abilities.

The Arctic military is deciding who will be the future of the empire, and a portion of it must remain combat-ready.

Although the Shan Nong people are currently able to control the ethnic minorities in the northwest because of themselves, once they are gone, these integrated Hu people could easily have a fatal impact on the Shan Nong state.

But if his children and grandchildren are not good enough, what does that have to do with Beijiwu?

Beiji Wu felt that he was doing the right thing, and didn't care whether his descendants' thrones were secure or not.

If future generations want territory and power, they should fight for it themselves. Those who constantly complain about their ancestors not working hard are nothing but idiots.

After sending off the Liaodong region, just as Beijiwu was pondering how to train a strong army in the south, good news arrived within a few days.

A memorial from Guangxi gave Arctic Martial some good inspiration.

A rebellion broke out in Yongzhou County, Xiling South Road, Guangdong Province. Zhang Gong, a local resident of Yongzhou, led over a hundred men to capture the county seat. They claimed to be retired soldiers from the mountains and had captured corrupt tax collectors, requesting King Wu's judgment.

Beiji Wu quickly replied: He ordered Zhang to recruit a thousand soldiers and appoint him as a thousand-household commander in Yongzhou. Zhang was to lead the villagers in distributing farming tools and implements from the prefecture and to keep them busy with production. In addition to farming, Zhang was to diligently train the troops, using the standards he had when he was in the army in Tiezhou. He was to proceed step by step. After the New Year, an official would come to manage the agricultural affairs, so Zhang was not to be negligent.

After sending a messenger by fast horse, Beijiwu found a stable source of soldiers and generals.

You can't count on those veterans. Besides running away and showing off, they have absolutely no combat experience to rely on.

New recruits are better at following orders and being brave enough to charge into battle.

Young people, especially those who have received training and education, are much more useful than some old men.

Beijiwu thought of the Duke of Yan, so he asked the eunuch beside him.

"Is the royal family of the Duke of Yan currently in Luoyang?"

Teng He carefully replied, "This humble servant...does not know."

Beiji Wu didn't blame him. "There are many things to do in the palace, so it's normal that you don't know. You can ask the duty officer of the city's security forces or the guards of the Forbidden City."

"Yes!" Teng He breathed a sigh of relief and hurried off to carry out the task.

Beijiwu felt it was about time to establish the Embroidered Uniform Guard; he had many children around him, so he could train a group of them.

With a formidable army of Hu people on the outside, the powerful Jinyiwei youth corps on the inside, a group of bureaucratic groups in the neighboring city banding together, and hereditary households in various places harboring discontent, merchants in various places gradually gaining control of the discourse, the southwestern frontier region has acquired an organizational system that is ahead of its time.

In the very first year of unifying the world, Beiji Wu felt that his country was doomed.

(End of this chapter)