Chapter 99 Australia

Xia Hourong did not answer Xia Houhui immediately. As he slowly drank porridge, he thought about it. It was not until he finished eating the porridge in the bowl that he looked up at Xia Houhui: "I think of Funan to have a look. I don't know if it's convenient."

Xia Houhui nodded with a smile: "Of course, Funan is the first to start. If you can give some good advice, it's the best."

"And..." Xia Herong seemed to be a little hesitant. He took a towel from the maid's hand, wiped her mouth, and then cleaned her hands. Then he slowly said, "There is also a shortage of people in Guanzhong. If you want to make a good grain reserve for the western expedition, it is too difficult to have a household registration. I have long heard that Yue is also vast and sparsely populated, but your food is very sufficient. We don't quite understand it, and we really want to get some inspiration from you. Is this... convenient?"

Xia Houhui was a little surprised to see Xia Hourong's frankness. She thought for a moment, "I'm going to ask the king about this matter."

Xia Hourong smiled with understanding. He knew that this matter could be big or small. If he thought deeply, it was also to spy on the secrets of the State of Yue. It was really hard to say whether Sun Shao could agree. Sun Shao is generous. After this East China Sea alliance, he had a very practical cooperation with the three countries, which can be said to be quite generous, but none of the thunderbolt and steam engines he demonstrated in the East China Sea were taken out. Everyone can understand this. After all, this is the killer of the State of Vietnam. If it is easily taken out, what else can he do to deter the other three? Country? Think about it from another perspective, any country that has such a killer will not be taken out and shared.

Xia Hourong didn't have much hope for this, but he couldn't help but say it, so he could only convey it through Xia Houhui. Even if he was rejected, he would not be too embarrassed.

But he didn't expect that Sun Shao would soon agree to his request. Sun Shao said to him face to face, "If you want to see Funan, of course, there is no problem. Except for the weapons supervisor, you can watch it casually."

Xia Hourong was overjoyed. He never expected to go to the weapon monitor. He didn't have to think about it. He was already very surprised to let him see other things. He thought for a thought and couldn't help asking, "Is the steam engine subordinate to the weapons supervisor?"

Sun Shao's mouth was crooked. He knew that it would not be so simple for Xia Hourong to come. Of course, it was the purpose to see the development of Funan, but it was definitely not the most important purpose. The thunderbolt and the steam engine were the top priorities. However, Zhen Tianlei is a killer. He can't give it to them. The steam engine is still a semi-finished product. It can be taken out to scare people. There is still a long way to go if it is really practical, but Sun Shao has another idea. The purpose of this technological innovation is to apply. If it can't be applied and keep immersed in development, the investment will be very considerable and not in line with the objective development of technological development. Law, if you want to make technological progress, you must innovate in application and let more people and capital participate in it. He asked Cao Zhang to mine in Bingzhou, draining and transporting coal in mining, all of which could be used as a steam engine. Although the stability of the steam engine is not very good and the power is not satisfactory, it is obviously much better than manpower. Moreover, there is a shortage of people in all countries now, and the desire to use the machine is stronger. It is a good time to promote the steam engine.

Xia Hourong took the initiative. Of course, he couldn't ask for it. However, he still looked very embarrassed and hesitated for a long time. It was not until Xia Hourong was about to be disappointed that he smiled reluctantly: "Although the steam engine is not a weapons supervisor, it is also the hard-working development of the technicians of my technical college. It's okay to take a look, but it must be kept secret.

Xia Hourong was overjoyed. How can he not comply? He nodded in a hurry. For the next period of time, Xia Hourong visited Yue County first according to Sun Shao's arrangement. Yue County has attracted a large number of people from Wu, and a lot of people from the mountains to settle down. Although the population density is not as good as that of the Central Plains, it is also dense. Xia Hourong looked at several places and secretly praised himself. No wonder farmers from all over the world went to Vietnam. Vietnam really treated farmers too much. Although Yue attaches importance to industry and commerce and does not pay attention to agriculture, in fact, farmers are the most comfortable. Compared with these populations, there are many arable land in Vietnam, and a hundred mu is not a problem at all. Normally, a family has two workers, which can be divided into about 200 mu. The amount of work is not small. However, through a large number of cattle bought by the government from Liaodong and the local cultivated cattle, it has basically achieved one cow. Even if it is a little worse, it can share a cow between the two families. In addition, with the large promotion of new agricultural tools, the family grows 200 mu. The earth is no longer an impossible task.

If there is more land, there will be more grain production. Even if the amount of cattle and agricultural tools is repaid on credit, there is still a lot left. The rent of Yue is very low, according to the ancient system of thirty-tax one, which is the legendary low tax. Since the Han Dynasty, although the court has often reduced the amount, in fact, there are very few times when the tax is really collected at the proportion of thirty-one tax, but now This standard is implemented in Vietnam. Two hundred mu of land, the normal harvest can be five or six hundred stones, and there are still a lot of savings after paying the tax. These savings can be kept for the year, or sold to the government. The price is based on the market price. There are many merchants in Vietnam, and the grain consumption is large. The grain price is more expensive than that of the Central Plains, which is about 134 yuan per stone. When it is expensive, it can For 200 yuan, the farmer sold surplus grain to exchange for oil, salt and daily necessities, and most of them still have some surplus. They can get some wine, eat some meat, and buy some new clothes during the Spring Festival. Although it was hard, I lived a stable life.

In addition to light taxes, there is also a very popular phenomenon, that is, it is widely used in various machinery. Waterwheels, mills and so on can be seen by almost every river. Xia Hourong inquired curiously, and then he knew that some of these waterwheels and mills were built by farmers, and some were built by the government. No matter who built them, they brought great convenience to farming and life. For example, the mill, because it is driven by water, a mill is worth the labor of 50 people, which greatly reduces the burden of work. Another example is the water truck. With the tireless operation of the water truck driven by water, even the highlands where it is inconvenient to transport water can be planted with food without consuming too much manpower.

Xia Hourong really felt the benefits brought by machinery. He thought of Guanzhong, where there was a large area of arable land, but irrigation was a big problem. Because of the war, many water conservancy facilities were abandoned. If he wanted to repair it, he needed to make great efforts. If there is no water, planting wheat is a big problem. If more water trucks can be built like Yue, the water problem in Guanzhong can be alleviated to a certain extent.

Xia Hourong felt the real benefits and took it more seriously. He was not ashamed to ask questions and mixed with ordinary Qianshou to ask them about all aspects. While those farmers told him all kinds of new machines, they also conveyed their happiness from the bottom of their hearts to Xia Hourong. On the one hand, Xia Hourong was happy, and on the other hand, he felt shocked. Yue's preferential treatment for farmers cannot be learned by other three countries. If we can't change the current way of exploitation of the people as soon as possible, more and more people will focus on Yue, and the gap between Vietnam will widen and wider. It is obvious that if the State of Wei was attacked by the State of Yue, the people of the State of Wei would certainly not have the positive surname of the people of the State of Yue when the State of Wei attacked the State of Yue. The reason is very simple. The people of the State of the State of Yue protected their own good life, and the people of the State of Wei only worked for others.

Xia Hourong was surprised and happy.

After about two months, Sun Shao was about to set sail south. Xia Hourong also ended his visit in Yue County and set out with Sun Shao. This time, Sun Shao left Yue County and moved the capital of the country from Qian Tang to Funan Temu City, so he followed not only the officials and facilities of various temples, but also a large number of officials and families. Fortunately, there are now ships in Yue, with nearly 3,000 large and small boats. They can't see the head at a glance, taking advantage of the strong north wind all the way. South.

In Qian Tangkou, Donghai Governor Su's thick legs and newly appointed supervisor Shi Fu said goodbye to Sun Shao. This time in the East China Sea, Sun Shao and Su thick legs rarely got together for more than three months. They discussed a lot of things. Su thick legs heard some rumors. Someone suggested to transfer him back to Funan in front of Sun Shao to prevent him from guarding the East China Sea for a long time. Su thick legs were planning to attack Sanhan. As soon as he heard the news, he was worried. He left thought Thinking to the right, he asked Sun Shao to send a garrison to assist him in governing the East China Sea. Sun Shao listened to his worries, so he also responded and divided the rights of the two. Shi Fu was in charge of civil affairs, and Su's thick legs were in charge of the expedition. The two cooperated with each other and should put the overall situation first. At the same time, Sun Shao asked Su to take the three Koreans, and then transfer the residence of the East China Sea Governor to the three Koreans to prepare for further capture of Japan. Sun Shao said that although the Japanese country is not strong, it is better to train soldiers. The sailors can't be idle. The best way to maintain combat effectiveness at all times is actual combat. Even if there is no war, let them escort and fight against the pirates along the way. In a word, you can't let them rest. Once they rest, they will fight again. A sharp knife can also rust.

Although Su's thick legs had some opinions on the arrival of Shi Fu, he was full of joy after listening to Sun Shao's words. What he regretted most was that he had not been able to follow Sun Shao's expedition, and there were not many opportunities to make contributions. Now Sun Shao has arranged so many tasks for him. He estimated that he had been comfortable for several years, so he didn't have to be greedy anymore. Cui Qian always has a chance to go on an expedition.

Su's thick legs and Shi Bu said goodbye to Sun Shaoyi and set sail away. Before he came, he was ready to go on an expedition and set the front position in Xingzhou (now Jeju Island). This time, he did not return to Lianyungang, crossed the sea and went straight to Xingzhou to prepare for war. According to the predetermined plan, after he takes the three Koreans, he will go north from Lelang County and Oifang County, echoing Cao Zhang's northern expedition. In order to ensure the advantages of the troops, and also to train the team, the right general Chen Hai and the rear general crossed the sea with him, with a total force of 35,000 people, 27 buildings, nearly 100 medium-sized warships, and more than 200 heavy ships and accompanying merchant ships, which were very touching at a glance.

Halfway, Sun Shao and Guan Feng separated. Guan Feng took a large number of merchant ships and cargo ships to the south and returned to Funan first. Sun Shao rushed to Yi County with Xiahou Rong and more than a dozen building ships. After patrolling Yi County for more than a month. After replenishing fresh water and grain, he took advantage of the wind and entered the jurisdiction of Haizhou. Deng Ai, the governor of the South China Sea, had already received the news and led 5,000 South China Sea fleets to greet him. After meeting with the South China Sea Fleet participating in the military parade, he also saw Zhang Cheng, the long history arranged for him by Sun Shaoxin.

Deng Ai was very polite to Zhang Cheng and asked Zhang Zhao about his situation as soon as he met. Zhang Cheng knew that Deng Ai was Sun Shao's cronies and did not dare to neglect him. He told Zhang Zhao's situation. Zhang Zhao was in good health, and now he has become a lieutenant in the court. It can be said that he is extremely glorious and has no regrets in his life. Deng Ai was also very happy and personally introduced the situation of the South China Sea to Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng has learned a lot about the South China Sea from Zhang Zhao. Now after listening to Deng Ai say it again, he is even more confident.

Xia Hourong followed Sun Shao all the way. He saw the scattered islands, the indigenous people of different forms, many rare birds and beasts that could not be seen in the Central Plains, and the legendary precious wood. He sighed and shouted. On this day, when he held the railing, blowing the sea breeze, and looking at the sea that could not be seen at a glance, Lu Ji came over and smiled and said, "You Quan, what's wrong?"

Xia Hourong quickly bowed his body and gave a salute. In front of Yi Xue like Lu Ji, he did not dare to put on the air of a famous scholar. He thought for a while and said with a smile, "The size of the border of Yue Guo is really beyond my expectation. Although I have long heard that the border of Yue is close to the Central Plains, and there are many rare things, I was still very surprised to see it with my own eyes this time."

"Ha ha ha..." Lu Ji stroked his beard with a smile, shook his head, stretched out a finger and pointed up: "That's not what I'm talking about. I said yes."

"This?" Xia Hourong looked up in surprise. The sky was very blue and the clouds were very white, but is that what Lu Ji wanted to say?

Seeing that Xia Hourong was at a loss, Lu Ji reminded him again, "You Quan, didn't you find that the position of the sun is a little strange?"

Xia Hourong blinked his eyes, and then he suddenly realized that he thought about it a little and suddenly saw something strange. It's July. It should be the highest time of the sun, and the shadow is the shortest. But no matter how short the shadow is, in the Central Plains, the sun is always in the south. Now, the bright sun is clearly in his north, and it is very dangerous, pulling his shadow to the south.

"This?" Xia Hourong was puzzled and didn't know what to say for a while. During this period, he only looked at the ground and never paid attention to the change in the sun. Suddenly, he was reminded by Lu Ji, and he felt very incredible.

How could the sun go to the north?

Lu Ji smiled quietly.

Xia Hourong thought hard, but he couldn't figure out the truth. According to his idea, no matter how far he went south, he could only let the sun be at the top at most, and it was impossible for this situation in front of him. But this kind of incredible thing happened, which shocked him. After thinking for a while, he said tentatively, "Do we really live on the same ball?"

"Have you read Xuanye's words?" Lu Ji nodded with approval. The child prodigy is a child prodigy. He can figure out the key so quickly, and he refused to believe Sun Shao's statement at the beginning. Even when he saw the sun appear in the north for the first time, he refused to believe it. It took a long time to accept this fact.

"I have read it." Xia Hourong smiled and said, "I have read all the articles published in the communique."

"Hahaha..." Lu Ji smiled proudly. He published some articles about celestial phenomena in the Dahan Communique, each of which aroused a great response among the scholars of Xueyi. Yang Xiu's family passed on Shang Shu, but he also communicated with Meng Shiyi. He usually said that he was very high, but this time when he saw Lu Ji, he called him a master with great admiration, saying that his explanation of astrology was unprecedented to the ancients. Yu Fan, a person from Yi Xue, was also very envious of him. He said sourly that he didn't want to be a doctor of imperial history, but he was interested in the scholars of Zhuya College who were well-paid, with light burden and suitable for learning.

"Since you have seen it, I don't need to talk to you." Lu Ji pointed to the blue sky like a piece of jade: "If you think about it slowly, you will soon find that there were many seemingly correct ideas in the past that were wrong. Maybe it will help you understand my current situation."

After saying that, Lu Ji walked slowly with his hands behind his back and leisurely. Xia Hourong bowed and stood up, saw Lu Ji leave, and then bowed his head and meditated. Although he thought of Xuanye's words, it was still difficult to accept the fact that the earth was round. For a moment, he thought ups and downs, and he couldn't help himself.

Sun Shao sat on the flying room, while Deng Ai, Zhang Cheng and others sat aside, clearly seeing the conversation between Lu Ji and Xia Hourong. Sun Shao smiled and joked, "Xiahou prodigy is going to faint this time."

"This is not surprising." Zhang Cheng, who had fainted, said with a smile, "Xunzi has clouds. It's better to climb up to see. If you can't travel thousands of miles after reading thousands of books, it is a stupid book. After all, your knowledge is limited.

Sun Shao turned his head and looked at Zhang Cheng, stroked his palm and smiled: "Zhong Si, I don't think you're talking about young power, but also talking about yourself, right?"

Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Exactly. This time, I traveled far away with the king, and my eyes were wide open. They were not seen in the sage's books before, and I hadn't even heard of it. Now it seems that Tai Shigong said that the Classic of Mountains and Seas is a false book and hasty. If he sees these strange things, he must not be able to finish it in 70 volumes.

"It's really rare for Zhong Si to say such a thing." Sun Shao scratched his nose and said with a smile, "My teacher, even if he has lived in the South China Sea for more than a year, will not say such a thing."

"In fact, my father has believed it, but he just refused to say it." Zhang Cheng also smiled. He told Sun Shao what Zhang Zhao said. Sun Shao listened quietly and nodded from time to time. The reason why he recommended Zhang Zhao to Luoyang to be a lieutenant was not that he didn't think Zhang Zhao was a trouble. At this point, he was different from Wu and Shu. What he favored was that Zhang Zhao was not only profound in knowledge, but also had seen the world. It was more convincing for him to guide Luoyang Junchen's thinking. If possible, he might Becoming the teacher of Prince Liu Xing, he will teach Liu Xing, which must be much better than those Confucians who read and read books. If the prince can broaden his horizons and no longer only know the sky above his head like the previous emperors, it is a good thing for the great man.

"Your Majesty, from here to the south, there are probably thousands of miles to reach the border of our Haizhou." Deng Ai pointed to the south and said calmly, "However, I have just received accurate information. There is a big island only five or six hundred miles forward from the border. Its land is so wide and its things are as different as the South China Sea."

"Is it?" Zhang Cheng was very surprised.

"I'm afraid it's not as simple as an island, is it?" Sun Shao was not surprised. He had long known that Australia was in this sea, but he also knew that although Australia was a large place, it was not suitable for people to survive. Now it may still be a virgin land. He said that he should occupy this place now, but after careful consideration, he decided to take it a step slower. First, Australia is there. Anyway, no one can rob it. He can go whenever he wants to go. Second, he is now worried about the lack of population, and there is no people to move after taking Australia, so he can only let it go. For him, the top priority at present is to increase the population, stabilize Funan, and actively prepare for the war against Tianzhu. Rome is too far away, and the Romans are now overwhelmed. There is no real threat to him. Tianzhu is not. He controlled Borneo and pocketed all the Spice Islands, which is equivalent to robbing Tianzhu's wallets. Tianzhu's messengers have come several times, either hard or soft to ask him to let go of trade. The reason why he has been procrastinating and not replying is that on the one hand, the situation in the Central Plains is not stable, and he must solve this problem first. On the other hand, he knows that although Tianzhu is also divided, a single country is definitely not his opponent, but if you want to occupy Tianzhu, you can't defeat one or two countries to solve the problem. Unlike solving the Funan issue, a proper long-term plan is needed to start a war with Tianzhu.

Deng Ai glanced at Sun Shao, but he was not surprised. Although he stayed with Sun Shao for a long time, he couldn't understand Sun Shao. For many things, Sun Shao didn't seem to learn. He knew many things without a teacher, and there were too many amazing things. If he had known it long ago. Deng Ai doesn't think there is anything strange about the island.

"Shi Zai, Zhong Si, think about it, how can I double or even quadruple the number of Han people in the shortest time?"

Deng Ai and Zhang Cheng looked at each other and immediately knew what Sun Shao was thinking about. Yue is now divided into three parts, one is Yue County and Nanhai County, plus Zhuya County, the other is Yi County, and the other is Taizhou. Taizhou accounts for more than half of the area of Yue, and the total population is more than half. However, the population of Taizhou is mainly Funan people, and the Han people now account for at most of one. This demographic structure is obviously not For a long-term and stable structure, if Vietnam can continue to develop in Taizhou, the most important problem is to increase the number of Han people.

"Increase fertility." Zhang Cheng thought for a moment and said cautiously, "On the one hand, it can be reduced. On the other hand, it is necessary to control the number of slaves and concubines. The most important thing here is the latter. I think... we should be cautious."

Sun Shao narrowed his eyes and said nothing, but he knew that Zhang Cheng had reached the point. Reducing the oral income, that is, the head tax, can indeed increase the population, but in this way, I'm afraid that the population growth of the Funan people will exceed the growth of the Han population. The latter is mainly aimed at the Han people, but this is mainly aimed at the rich of the Han people. It is the rich and powerful who marry more wives and concubines, so that a large number of poor people can't afford to marry wives, thus hindering the growth of the population. The reason why Zhang Cheng said that he should be cautious is that such a situation is not only more powerful, but also Wu Shu. However, no one dares to do it easily, because it is too risky to do it with all the rich.

After a long time, Sun Shaocai slowly said, "Zhong Si, write a detailed report and send it to the Prime Minister's Office. I want to discuss this matter with the ministers to see if I can come up with a good idea."

(to be continued)