Chapter 9 The Potato Plan is Determined, and the Currency Plan is Imagined
As a monarch, it is normal for Peter to value population.
The importance of population can be understood by just talking about a few points.
In the Middle Ages, the Middle Eastern regimes always looked at the French because France had the largest number of people in Europe.
From 1096 to 1291, the absolute main force of the Crusade expedition was the three major knights, two of which were founded by the French.
During the Hundred Years' War between England and France, which lasted more than 40 years, although Britain made many achievements that were insulting to the law, the population gap between the two countries was five times!
The Hundred Years' War occurred from 1337 to 1453. In 1300, France's population was 16 million and England's was 3.5 million. This led to the British annexing France and eventually being overturned by the French.
During the War of Spanish Succession that took place more than 40 years ago, France was besieged by all its neighboring countries. Although it ended its hegemony in Western Europe after the war, it still survived with its population advantage.
The Franco-Prussian War had not yet happened. Prussia gave an order and the North German Alliance mobilized a huge military force of 1.3 million men in a few months, which was simply formidable.
In the future 21st century, who knows the benefits of demographic dividend?
After all, Ah San is always roaring in this regard, and he is already number one in the world.
With a large population, the most obvious thing is to collect a head tax, and collecting money on a per-capita basis will be lenient.
Vorontsov looked at His Majesty's face, hesitated and said:
"Your Majesty, since the economy is so tight, does the population need to be developed in such a hurry?"
Peter said:
"There is no rush, but it must be done. What we are talking about today is at least a five-year plan, and the population is based on a ten-year plan. This policy cannot be changed!"
Seeing His Majesty's expression in front of him and the tone of his words, Bestudev couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
Is this serious face the rumored crown prince who walked his dog so crazy that he pissed Adrian so madly that he cursed Russia as a country of barbarians?
When did it change?
Bestudev sat up straight, feeling even more nervous. He hadn't yet talked about the foreign policy he was most concerned about. What would be His Majesty's attitude toward Prussia?
Peter looked at Bestudev, then at the others, knocked on the table and said:
"Don't think that economic development is so difficult. There are ways to develop with less money. Has no one heard of potatoes? They are also called potatoes."
Andnov immediately raised his hands and said:
"Your Majesty, I have heard that I have been to France before, but aren't potatoes a plant? The French only plant them for fun when they have extra space."
Peter said:
"It's not a plant. It's edible. Who knows who eats it."
Then he looked at Bestudev and said:
"Do you understand?"
Bestudev shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, I don't understand this thing."
Judging from everyone's expressions, it is obvious that they are a little unfamiliar with potatoes.
Peter couldn't help but be a little confused. According to his understanding, Italy introduced potatoes in 1583, and the cardinal of the Holy See introduced potatoes from Italy to Belgium in the same year.
It was introduced to Austria in 1588 and introduced to the Frankfurt Botanical Garden in Germany in 1589. The Swiss introduced tubers from Austria and imported them to France around 1600. Due to various reasons, it was not until the end of the 18th century that there was a large cultivation area in France.
Potatoes were introduced to Norway from Scotland, and then introduced to Sweden and Denmark. In the mid-18th century, potatoes were introduced to southern Denmark from Germany.
In 1765, there was a famine in Russia, and the Privy Council issued a notice to expand the planting area across the country, and seed potatoes were purchased from Prussia and Ireland.
But now everyone seems to have never heard of it...
That’s not right!
The first potatoes were introduced during the time of Peter the Great. Don’t they know?
Peter was suspicious for a while.
Although it was not popularized for various reasons, it was not until the mid-19th century that the Tsar issued an order:
"Farmers must grow potatoes on a large scale, and farmers who grow potatoes well will be rewarded."
Since then, potatoes have settled in Russia and gradually become popular.
Potatoes have high yields and are suitable for growing in environments with barren land, low night temperatures, dryness, and short sunshine hours. The yields are higher than those of barley and wheat. It can be said that they are suitable for most environments in Russia.
It can be grown in Siberia.
Moreover, Russians don’t need much work at all to grow potatoes. They just put small potatoes in pits and water them.
In short, potatoes are a healthy and happy food, can be made into bread, porridge, starch and powder, and can be grown in large quantities in Russia.
Unable to think any more, Peter directly ordered Vorontsov:
"Send people to Italy, Belgium, Austria, France, Scotland, Prussia and other countries to take a look at their potato planting conditions. In addition, don't you know that we have seed potatoes in our country?"
"Finding our country's potatoes and carrying out the first trial planting will allow individuals from the Academy of Sciences to participate."
"In addition, we sent people to South America to select more potato seeds and establish a complete potato breeding system."
"I would like to emphasize one more point. Whether we send people to inspect or obtain seed potatoes, we must keep it confidential. Ivanovich, you are responsible for following up."
Peter instructed with a serious face.
This matter involves population and people's livelihood, as well as the prevention of famine more than 20 years later, and should be handled by Vorontsov, the Minister of General Affairs of the Privy Council.
Before large-scale promotion, confidentiality is also a matter of temporary leave to Ivanovic.
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
The two looked at each other and responded at the same time.
Then we continued to discuss population, but the result was obvious: other population increase plans all depended on money.
But Russia has no money now.
But there is one thing that comforts Peter: the Seven Years' War has not yet started, and the national treasury has not yet become appallingly empty.
During the Seven Years' War, the Russian soldiers in Prussia did not receive their salaries for eight consecutive months, and Russia was unable to borrow debt from other countries. The price of domestic crops soared. In the words of Ye Erdabao:
"The treasury still has 17,000 rubles of public debt that have not been repaid, and all business sectors are basically monopolized by private individuals. Queen Elizabeth tried to borrow 2 million from the Netherlands, but it was in vain. We have no credibility in the eyes of other countries."
After the Seven Years' War, even the public debt of 17,000 rubles was not repaid. A big country borrowed 2 million from the Netherlands but was rejected. One can imagine how miserable Russia was.
Now the state treasury still has 5.6 million rubles, which is much better than during Ye Er's time.
Under such circumstances, could he lose to Ye Er?
Of course not!
And he had a further plan to use paper money to replace the various kopecks and silver coins currently in circulation and store gold and silver.
But the conditions are not yet met and the step is too big.
At the very least, it must be after it is completely stabilized, no one can challenge his majesty, and after Russia's credibility is established in the world.
After all, if you exchange a piece of banknote for real money, who would believe it if you don't have credibility and strength?
After all, many countries often go bankrupt.
Peter is very eager for an international settlement system based on Russian currency, which is something that does not exist now.
But the road must be taken step by step. Who knows what will happen if you take big steps?