Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 172 Hebei Development Plan
In fact, the Song Dynasty’s post-war reward system was already very complete.

But... this very complete post-war reward system has happened again and again, like in the cases of Ren Fu, Ge Huaimin, and this time, where the people who climbed the city walls first cut the ropes of those who climbed the city walls later.

It can be seen that this is no longer an isolated phenomenon, but a widespread phenomenon, and has even become a hidden danger.

Zhao Xin certainly understood that since ancient times, people have been judged based on their achievements. However, the disadvantages of judging based on their achievements and the adverse effects it brings are already prevalent in the Song Dynasty at this moment.

He had to make some changes, otherwise, it would not be long before the Li Yuan Army would become no different from other imperial guards of the Song Dynasty.

Let Zhao Xun talk to the people below first.

Just think about it, and you will know that the reaction below will definitely be huge.

After all, three or five people might be able to do it, but these three thousand people might be able to divide half of the tofu pudding into sweet ones and the other half into salty ones.

This is already considered good. Some people may say that tofu pudding should be eaten spicy, so you have to add chili sauce!

Let’s put the system of post-war rewards aside for now.

Next, in the afternoon, Zhao Xin had to deal with matters of Wang Ze, Zhang Luan, Bu Ji and others.

Beheading, definitely beheading.

But you have to pick an auspicious day.

then……

Then, evidence of some officials' corruption and oppression of the people was also submitted.

As for these officials, it depends on how his father deals with them.

Zhao Zhen didn't expect Zhao Xin to set such a trap for him, but...

It’s not that bad!

Zhao Zhen immediately ordered a re-examination of the people involved, and then, depending on the severity of the circumstances, some would be demoted or some would be demoted to civilians.

Let the Censorate handle this matter.

In addition...

Zhao Xin once again reported news about the miserable living conditions of the people in Hebei.

Some people don't even ask whoever wants to go out to wear pants at home, but I feel that this is almost the same.

In fact, according to Zhao Xin's understanding, everything was fine before the Song-Xia War.

But after the Song-Xia War, coupled with the fact that Hebei was already plagued by famine, the people in ancient times relied on the weather for their livelihood. Now that God did not give them a way to survive and the government was pressing them, what other way was there to survive if not by rebellion?

Zhao Xin was only ten years old, but he was already standing in the hall and saying these words.

All the ministers looked at him sideways.

What a terrifying Prince Yu, what a terrifying ten-year-old!

Zhao Zhen didn't know why Zhao Xin said this, so he asked, "So what do you mean by Zui Xinglai?"

Zhao Xin said, "Dad, I think we should improve the pension system for Hebei."

In fact, the Song Dynasty has always attached great importance to providing relief to the people.

Sometimes, taxes would be exempted if possible, and sometimes, refugees would be incorporated into the garrison troops.

Zhao Zhen also said: "Oh? Then do you have any good suggestions?"

Zhao Xin said respectfully: "I think that the previous method of incorporating all refugees into the garrison troops is not a good idea. It will only increase the number of redundant soldiers in the Song Dynasty. I think that there will definitely be a large number of disasters and refugees in Hebei in the future. We must always be prepared and establish a useful defense system."

Zhao Zhen simply stopped playing and asked directly: "Then what do you want to do?"

When Zhao Xin's butt stuck out, he knew that Zhao Xin must have come up with some bad idea again.

really!

Zhao Xin then said, "I think we should build a large iron and steel mill in Hebei. If there are refugees among the people, let them make iron and steel. We only need to prepare food there in advance so that the refugees and their families can survive the famine. When the famine is over, let the refugees go back to farming."

The Censorate had something to say, and Sun Fu stood up and asked, "I have a question."

Zhao Zhen took a look and said to the other party: "Your words."

Sun Fu asked, "If we refine so much iron, what's the point of steel?"

This was obviously asked to Zhao Xin.

Zhao Xin also replied: "In the past, the way to deal with refugees was to recruit them into the army and help with some odd jobs, but these were odd jobs after all and could not create much value. Moreover, once they became soldiers, it would not be easy to retire and become civilians, and it would increase the burden of the court on maintaining troops." "My idea is that iron and steel are just like grain in the fields. They are grown and refined. Grain can be eaten, while iron and steel can be used."

"These irons and steel can be used to facilitate agricultural farming for the people in some iron-deficient areas in various states and counties of the Song Dynasty."

"Next... I also plan to try to introduce railway technology. It's the railway that you have seen before, leading to the Cuju field outside the city."

"Of course! What I'm going to build next is definitely not a simple railway."

Everyone knew about the horse-drawn railway outside the city.

It is said that it can pull cargo at least two to three times heavier than usual, and is very light and practical.

But many people still wonder that this thing doesn't seem to be of much use.

The main thing is that in our Song Dynasty, we can live a good life relying on the grain transport.

There is really no need to go to so much trouble to build a railway.

Don’t you see that the canals lead directly to Tokyo City?

Sun Fu asked, "What good can this railway do?"

Zhao Xin said: "This is definitely beneficial. It can increase the connection between various places and make business and logistics more convenient."

Sun Fu also said: "But the cost of raising horses can't be low, right?"

Zhao Xin said, "I won't raise horses anymore."

Everyone was in an uproar again.

Sun Fu asked, "If we don't raise horses, who will pull the horses?"

Zhao Xin said, "Let the steam locomotive pull it."

When returning from Beizhou, Zhao Xin also asked Jia Xian about the current progress of steam locomotives.

Jia Xian’s answer was that it was made, but the quality could not be guaranteed.

It may last three or five days without breaking, or it may break after one day.

This is because some materials are not strong enough, which is why they break so easily.

However, as long as you pay attention to these and choose some of better quality, there will not be too many problems in the future.

Their latest steam locomotive has already set a new record of lasting forty-five days without breaking down.

of course!

Again!
The steam locomotives they currently make are not the large steam locomotives of later generations.

What they have made so far is only about the height of a person.

The maximum horsepower is estimated to be around five to ten.

Zhao Xin thinks...

Although the technology is not yet very mature.

They don't even have a barometer or water tank indicator.

but……

There will be nothing wrong with digging up the coal, iron, and steel and refining them in advance.

And the key is...

All you need to do is to provide food for the victims and their families; you don't even need to pay them a salary.

With labor costs so low, why not do it?
You said that if you grow crops and encounter a famine, it is easy to have no harvest. Then you can go dig coal or smelt iron, these jobs do not require you to rely on the weather.

In other words, their initial investment is at most the price of food and food transportation, and they are also responsible for transporting people to the construction site by boat.

That's it!

Considering that the famine in the Song Dynasty was not just one or two days, but was extremely severe every year, even the Yellow River might burst its banks one day.

Zhao Xin felt that it was time to stockpile food in Hebei in advance.

(End of this chapter)