Wen Rensheng came under the rule of a time traveler somewhere.
They occupied certain islands in the south, established their own base here, and operated for up to ten years.
It was early morning.
The dewdrops sparkle on the grass blades, as if they are pearls given to this land by nature.
The indigenous residents in the village woke up early to the sound of cockcrows and began a new day of work.
Their lives have already undergone earth-shaking changes due to the arrival of the group of time-travelers.
Wen Rensheng seems to have seen this scene a long time ago. It was the same island and the same group of indigenous villagers who benefited from the changes of modern people.
In the center of the village, there is a windmill well built by the travelers.
The big windmill is slowly turning and starting to lift water.
Several women are using a windmill to draw water.
Their faces were filled with smiles of satisfaction and gratitude.
On the island, getting water is a difficult task.
Because there are no stable rivers on the island, underground fresh water is more reliable.
The island is like a funnel, collecting rainwater and draining salt out.
These travelers taught them how to dig wells and also taught them many labor-saving techniques.
For example, this big windmill.
Relying on windmills to drain water is a Western method, but it has never been used on a large scale in the East.
The reason is very simple, manpower is too cheap, so much cheaper than machinery...
"Look, the water from this well is so sweet. We used to have to walk several miles to fetch water from that river, but now it's so convenient." An older woman said with emotion.
Another young woman nodded in agreement: "Yes, the gentlemen on the island never thought of us before. They only thought of us when they collected taxes and recruited soldiers."
"Only the southerners are really good people."
Their conversation was full of respect and gratitude to the travelers.
Of course, in their eyes, these travelers are all gentlemen from Southeast Asia.
They not only bring technology and knowledge, but also the most important respect and equality.
Of course, they are sincerely afraid of this and do not dare to really think that they are equal.
But their children are beginning to have this kind of self-consciousness.
Although I respect the Southern master very much, at least I don't treat myself like a dog, but as a student and a junior.
It is similar to the equality between scholars.
Because they are not like those superior masters who always take without knowing anything in return.
Most of the time-travelers always smile and teach them patiently, never ask for anything excessively, and do not treat them as slaves or servants.
The sun gradually rises.
The people began to work in the fields.
Many people drive new agricultural tools and enter the fields.
In Wen Rensheng's eyes, this would create a contradiction.
The land doesn't need more people.
At this time, a time traveler was working in the fields with the indigenous residents.
He was teaching new farm tools and farming methods, which amazed the villagers.
This time traveler is showing the villagers how to use new plows, as well as oxen and horses.
“Using this method, each person can cultivate 50 acres of land every day!”
Everyone was shocked immediately.
No one realizes yet that in this case, these people will not be needed at all.
But soon they will realize it.
The population is so large and labor is so cheap that the ecological niche of cattle and horses has been pushed out.
This is the current situation of Ming Dynasty.
The people's motivation and need to use animal power and machinery are very, very low.
Therefore, it is very unrealistic to say that those who came back to carry out the industrial revolution are very unrealistic.
Because there is no such market.
Unless you forcefully occupy a territory, a territory with a small population, and reshape new production and consumption relationships.
According to Wen Rensheng, this is very simple.
Similar to playing a game, first determine the total amount of food produced and traded, and how many people can be supported.
Then the necessary agricultural population is demarcated from these populations, and then machinery and horse power can be used as much as possible to reduce the agricultural population.
The remaining population is invested in the military, industry, commerce, entertainment industry, literature and art education and other industries.
In short, we must first ensure the supply of agricultural products to meet the needs of the total population, and ensure a full supply of agricultural products.
Once you get this one figured out, everything will fall into place.
The next step is to invest in security, build up the military, and consolidate their territory.
Then try to enrich the product supply as much as possible.
From small to large, gradually expand the plate, and then gradually include the outside population.
Only this can truly achieve the success of a modern economic system.
Otherwise, it will still be overwhelmed and annihilated by the old feudal production system.
Of course, it was easy for Wen Rensheng, but the difficulty of grasping it was definitely not something that one or two time travelers could handle.
Therefore, if you want to be single, you must first educate yourself. Otherwise, even if you become an emperor, you will be quickly overwhelmed by feudal traditions as soon as you die.
It is equivalent to wearing it once in vain, leaving at most a few traces of antique machinery.
And among this group of time-travelers, there are obviously real experts.
They saw this through and started doing it early.
What they are doing now is to release labor from the land.
Let them cultivate good land with one-third or even one-tenth of the original number of people.
As a result, other people will be actively or passively driven from the land.
For example, if local large households find that it is cheaper to use machinery and animals than people, they will not rent out so much land, but will use a small number of people to farm the land.
Of course, there is a problem: even if it is cheap, local large households will rent the land to as many tenants as possible out of additional considerations of expanding their power and influence.
Because this represents how many people they can control.
Although these big business owners do not understand deep things, they instinctively know that more people are better than fewer people.
At least competing for water sources, fields, and fighting against the imperial tax revenue will be of great benefit.
So they won't give up a lot of land to a small number of people.
And this requires breaking up large households, preferably establishing company farms.
Corporate operations of the farm.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Only in this way can farming be oriented towards profits rather than personal dependence.
Every move he makes is meticulous, ensuring everyone can understand it.
"This kind of plow can increase the efficiency of our plowing by several times, and it can plow deeper and yield more crops." The time traveler explained while demonstrating.
The villagers gathered in a circle, listened attentively, and nodded from time to time to express understanding.
One of the elders among them, looking at the busy figure of the time traveler, couldn't help but said with emotion: "These southern gentlemen are really our lucky stars."
"They not only taught us how to farm, but also taught us how to read and write. They are much better than the old men who came here who only knew how to pull grain and Latin."
The elder's words resonated with the villagers.
They nodded one after another, with grateful smiles on their faces.
In their hearts, these southern gentlemen are not only masters, but also elders.
In fact, they are the disseminators of knowledge, more like their friends and relatives.
At sunset, the sound of children reading aloud came from the village school.
The time travelers established a school here to give the children in the village the opportunity to learn.
Of course, what they are taught is modern knowledge and modern ideas.
A female time traveler is teaching children how to read. Her voice is gentle and patient, and she explains every word clearly.
The modern pinyin is used directly, without the ancient fanqie method.
"This word is pronounced 'benevolence', which means to treat others well, just like we treat our friends." The female time traveler explained while writing.
The children opened their eyes wide and imitated seriously.
Although their little hands are immature, every stroke is full of desire for knowledge.
A little boy raised his head and asked curiously: "Teacher, why do you teach us this?"
The female time traveler smiled and replied: "Because knowledge can change destiny, we hope that you can all become useful people and make this world a better place."
"Remember, everyone is equal and no one is more noble than others."
"No one can make you kneel down."
"We are here to make you understand this truth."
"What we can do, you will do in the future."
To be honest, there are very few time-travelers who can express this principle of equality.
But this is inevitable in the future.
After all, knowledge and theories spread very quickly.
As long as there is a cultural atmosphere of hard work and willingness to learn, and the ethnic genes are there, it will take at least a hundred years to catch up with the most advanced people.
Of course, without this gene and atmosphere, it would be useless for another five hundred years.
This is the preciousness of the decay of feudal imperial examinations and feudal education: letting people know that learning knowledge can lead to advancement.
Not every ethnic group understands this truth.
And those who can understand can reach the top 1 or above.
The little boy nodded thoughtfully, his eyes shining with longing for the future.
In the hearts of the children, these southern gentlemen all speak nicely and are kind to them.
He is the enlightener of their knowledge and the guide of their dreams.
As night fell, another bonfire was lit in the open space in the center of the village.
The villagers and a few travelers sat around the campfire, sharing food and stories.
The children chased and played around the bonfire, while the adults chatted about home affairs. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
In Wen Rensheng's view, this is the core location for time travellers.
It is also an experimental field for change, and the way for travelers and indigenous people to get along is being explored.
That's why so many people stay here.
A traveler stood up, took out a flute from his arms, and played a melodious tune.
The villagers listened quietly and were moved by this beautiful music.
When the song ended, the villagers expressed their gratitude to the travelers.
"After the southern gentlemen came, our lives have become much better, the children can also study, and we can learn new skills." One villager said with emotion.
A traveler responded with a smile: "We just did what we should do, and we are very happy to be able to help everyone."
It was late at night, the bonfires gradually extinguished, and the villagers and travelers returned to their homes.
The village fell into silence again, but this tranquility was full of gratitude and hope.
…
As the sun rises, golden light falls on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, reflecting dazzling light.
In the court hall of the Ming Dynasty, hundreds of civil and military officials were dressed in court uniforms, arranged according to rank, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
There was a solemn atmosphere in the air, and everyone held their breath and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.
Of course, this is just a pretense. In fact, there are hundreds of people who are missing the court.
There are many people who ask for leave due to various reasons such as illness.
Since the emperor is tired, all the officials are also tired.
In addition, in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, civil servants controlled the main power, so they naturally kept an open mind on these matters.
Unless someone impeaches, no one cares.
Following a steady sound of footsteps, the Ming Emperor slowly entered the court.
Emperor Jiajing rarely attended court meetings.
The court meeting will not discuss serious matters.
His dragon robe shines in the sun, and the golden dragon pattern is lifelike.
The old emperor's face was majestic, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable authority.
He sat on the throne and scanned the entire audience. Every official who was touched by his gaze lowered their heads involuntarily.
"Dear dear sirs, I have something to discuss with you during today's court meeting." Jiajing's voice echoed in the court hall, and every word was full of power.
Xu Jie, the cabinet scholar of Zhongji Palace, an old but energetic old man, stepped out of the queue and bowed deeply to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I have recently learned that there is a group of maritime barbarians who call themselves Southerners.
"
"They occupied some islands and conquered many small states in Southeast Asia."
"Many countries ask me, the Ming Dynasty, to uphold justice."
"But they also brought many novelties and skills, which are quite beneficial to our country."
Jiajing raised his eyebrows slightly, showing a hint of interest: "Oh? Is this happening? What ability do they have that deserves your attention?"
Xu Jie continued: "Your Majesty, these southerners have mastered skills beyond what we know. They can make all kinds of exquisite utensils and even carry certain medicines, which are said to have the effect of bringing the dead back to life."
Hearing this, Jiajing suddenly became excited.
Doesn’t this mean that his great cause of immortality is effective?
Can he, the Longevity Emperor, become real?
"And they have some skills that can greatly improve the efficiency of farming and enhance the combat power of our army. I believe that if we can make good use of these southerners, we will definitely bring prosperity to our Ming Dynasty."
Xu Jie's words caused a burst of whispers in the court hall.
Some officials nodded in agreement, while others looked skeptical.
The Minister of War stood up, his voice loud and firm: "Your Majesty, although the southerners have wonderful skills, their minds are unpredictable."
"If they have evil intentions, wouldn't it be tempting for me, the Ming Dynasty, to lure the wolf into the house?"
Xu Jie retorted: "Although Lord Zhao is concerned, we can monitor them and only let them teach their skills and not be involved in the affairs of the country."
"In this way, we can take advantage of their skills and prevent risks."
The Minister of Rites also joined the discussion: "Your Majesty, what the southerners say and do are often contrary to tradition. If they are allowed to spread, I am afraid it will shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's ethics."
The debate in the court became increasingly heated, with each side having its own reasons and concerns.
Emperor Jiajing listened quietly, his eyes shining with thought.
In his opinion, other things are fine, but medicine should be taken seriously.
He hasn't been feeling well lately.
He wants to live beyond 60 years old.
He believes that the sixtieth birthday is a big threshold.