Diqin Designer

Chapter 380 Daqin's Future Economic Path

Li Nian asked himself the question and answered it himself: "I'm afraid they are not willing to do so. They work hard to raise livestock, but they can't compete with the livestock sold from foreign countries. The income is very meager, and it is even difficult to support the whole family. So why do they still raise livestock?"

"The people of Daqin are unwilling to raise livestock, and they even have a thought that 'it is better to buy from foreign countries than to raise livestock ourselves': foreign livestock are cheap and good, why should we raise them ourselves, which is time-consuming and laborious? Wouldn't it be better to buy them directly from foreign countries?"

Wang Wan shook his head and said, "This idea is wrong. If everyone thinks this way, the Qin Empire will be in great trouble!"

Everyone else looked at Wang Wan, who had a serious expression on his face. He said seriously, "It seems that buying livestock from foreign countries is cheap and good quality, and it also saves labor and material resources for Daqin. But have you ever thought that one day, foreign countries will be unable or unwilling to sell livestock to Daqin. Wouldn't it mean that we are controlled by others and have weaknesses that are taken advantage of by others? What if foreign countries use this to threaten Daqin?"

Wouldn't that be equivalent to creating a weakness that others could exploit and use to control the Qin Dynasty? This is not what the First Emperor and others want to see. How could the Qin Dynasty have a weakness that could be exploited by others?

Just by thinking about it, Qin Shi Huang and others could imagine how uncomfortable it would be to be controlled by others and have someone strangle them, and how serious the consequences would be for the Qin Dynasty.

Li Nian said, "It is true as the Prime Minister said, but some people in later generations cannot figure it out. I don't know whether they really cannot figure it out or are just pretending to. They think that it is better to buy directly from other countries than to develop and manufacture by themselves. As a result, when other countries refuse to sell to them, they are confused."

"No matter how good others have, it is not as good as what you have. I am only using livestock as an example. In fact, when Daqin interacts with more countries, the situation will be more complicated. The flow of goods from other countries into Daqin will have an impact on similar goods in Daqin."

"This is something that Daqin will inevitably experience on its road to internationalization. Under such circumstances, no matter what, Daqin must have a complete industrial chain and production system, from basic to high-end, from agricultural production to precision equipment manufacturing."

Li Nian spoke in a serious tone, and some new terms appeared in his words to the First Emperor and others, but after just a little thought, the First Emperor and others understood what these terms meant.

"In short, Daqin must be able to produce what other countries can produce, and what other countries cannot produce. Daqin must also be able to make. No matter how powerful Daqin becomes in the future, I believe that Daqin must have the ability to produce."

"Instead of thinking that when the Qin Dynasty becomes strong and rich, it no longer needs to manufacture and produce goods on its own, and can just spend money to buy from other countries. If that really happens, even if the Qin Dynasty becomes the richest country in the world, it will still be in danger."

Qin Shi Huang and others already understood where the danger lay. They could not manufacture and produce on their own and had to rely on purchasing from other countries. Even if they were rich, they might face the dilemma of other countries being unwilling to sell to them. If other countries suddenly cut off their supply, wouldn’t they be in danger?

The First Emperor thought about it carefully and found that this situation was very likely to happen. No, not just very likely, there must be examples in later generations, so Li Nian specifically brought it up here.

Li Nian continued, "For Daqin, the danger I mentioned will mainly occur after it has completed industrialization. After Daqin's industrialization, Daqin will quickly become strong and wealthy."

"After becoming powerful, the manufacturing costs in Daqin will be higher than those in less developed countries. For example, in Daqin, hiring a lumberjack will cost one gold coin per day, but in less developed regions, hiring a local lumberjack will only cost eleven gold coins per day."

The First Emperor said: "Therefore, Daqin will move its workshops in the country to other countries and regions. Doing so will indeed save production costs, but it will have a very bad result: Daqin's manufacturing industry will be transferred away, Daqin will lose its production capabilities, and will have to buy supplies from abroad."

At this point, the First Emperor nodded and said, "I understand. No matter what, we must allow the Qin Empire to retain its independent and complete production and manufacturing capabilities!"

Li Nian said: "This phenomenon has already occurred in later generations. All countries that have deindustrialized have been affected. Even if the most powerful country in later generations has not completely deindustrialized and still retains high-tech industries and only transfers some traditional manufacturing industries, the consequences are serious."

The reason why the Eagle Sauce was able to make the Rabbit very uncomfortable in the beginning was that the Rabbit's high-tech industries such as chips had not yet caught up. But a few years later, things are different now.

The rabbit has developed well in all industries and has a complete industrial system. Even if there are still shortcomings in some aspects, it is not so dependent on others. It is a hexagonal warrior.

On the contrary, due to deindustrialization, the United States has moved many manufacturing industries away, so although it is still the world's number one economic and military power, it has exposed its chicken feet.

The Eagle Sauce still thought that the rabbit was the same rabbit of the past and wanted to control it by increasing tariffs. However, it did not expect that the rabbit today is not the same rabbit of the past. After three days of separation, you should look at the rabbit with new eyes. It depends on whether Brother Rabbit will be tough with you.

Haji Eagle, don't get it wrong, it is you who need me more now, not me who needs you. We may not use your products in our country, but how many products in your country are made in rabbit?
Or maybe the Eagle Sauce has lived too comfortably in recent years and has broken its own legs due to deindustrialization. Otherwise, the Eagle Sauce, with a complete industrial system and hardworking and highly qualified workers, would be difficult to deal with.

Li Nian said: "Daqin has not even completed its initial industry, and is even further away from industrial splitting, transfer, and deindustrialization, but the principle is the same!"

"It is not only the goods flowing in from foreign countries that will have an impact on Daqin, but also the goods sold by Daqin itself. For example, if something from Daqin sells very well in foreign countries, such as tea and silk, which are very profitable, will the people of Daqin be willing to use more fields to grow tea and more manpower to raise silkworms when they see this?"

Of course, but what Li Nian meant was not to ask them to answer "yes" or "no", but that if more manpower and material resources were invested in growing tea and raising silkworms, it would definitely have an impact on Daqin's farming.

Food is the first necessity of the people and agriculture is the foundation of a country. If not enough food is grown, the whole country will fall into chaos.

The First Emperor asked: "How should we solve this problem?"

Li Nian replied: "I think the solution should be as follows: First, when trading with other countries, Daqin must retain an independent and complete production system. Even if the 'livestock' purchased from foreign countries is of high quality and low price, Daqin must raise 'livestock' on its own. It must not stop raising livestock just because foreign countries have cheaper and better ones. "

Feng Jie asked at the right time: "Da Qin must continue to raise 'livestock'. We can understand why we have to do so, but how can we make the people willing? Could it be that you want to benefit the people?"

Li Nian nodded and admitted: "That's right! Without preferential treatment, how can the people of Daqin be willing to do so? We should formulate relevant policies and decrees to make the people of Daqin believe that raising "livestock" is not only not a loss, but also a profit, so as to increase their willingness." But giving benefits to the people, and even formulating relevant policies and decrees to make the people willing to raise "livestock", isn't it the same as asking the court to make concessions to the people?
As the rulers of the feudal era, Qin Shi Huang and others naturally thought of this.
At this time, Li Nian said again: "Your Majesty and the gentlemen should not think that this method will cause the court to lose money. In fact, not only will it not cause any loss, but it will also make Daqin profitable."

"You all must understand that what Daqin needs is not the 'livestock' raised by the people of Daqin, but to allow the people of Daqin to continue to have the ability to raise 'livestock'. The 'livestock' raised by the people of Daqin is not the key. The court can purchase the 'livestock' raised by the people of Daqin and sell them to foreign countries at a relatively high price."

"For example, the cattle raised by the people of Qin can be called 'Qin cattle'. They are different from cattle from foreign countries, for example, their meat is more tender and the texture of the meat is more detailed."

"And with the influence of the Qin Empire among the nations, the things from the Qin Empire will surely be sought after by the nobles of the nations, and they will not hesitate to spend some money to buy Qin cattle."

Wang Wan and others quickly pondered what Li Nian said in their minds. The more they thought about it, the more they felt that this could work. The Huns were a good example: the Huns already had some things, but many Hun leaders insisted on using those produced in the Qin Dynasty.

Foreign countries can buy livestock from Daqin, and Daqin can also sell livestock. However, because these livestock were born in Daqin, they drank Daqin's water and grew up eating Daqin's grass, so their prices are higher than those of foreign cattle.

They are obviously all cows, but the price of a Qin cow sold to foreign countries can be equivalent to several foreign cows. Even if the price is high, those foreign nobles will probably buy it.

Because what they eat is not beef, but the cattle from the Qin Dynasty, which is used to give them face and symbolize their status and identity.

In this way, not only can the problem of the Qin people's unwillingness to raise "livestock" be solved, but it can also bring benefits, killing two birds with one stone.

"The court must also formulate policies to encourage the people of Daqin to improve their breeding methods and cultivate more high-quality livestock, so that the livestock exported by Daqin can surpass those of foreign countries."

Li Nian was not only talking about livestock breeding, but also about other aspects of Daqin. When it was difficult to surpass other countries in terms of quantity and price, Daqin won by relying on high quality and high price. In the process, Daqin could also accumulate more technology for development.

Not only will it prevent Daqin from losing its production and manufacturing capabilities, but it will strengthen them, allowing Daqin to maintain its technological lead over other countries.

Li Nian continued: "In addition to the above methods, we must also establish relevant laws for trade with other countries and formulate corresponding taxes. Trade with other countries must not be allowed to proceed freely. If it is allowed to proceed freely, no matter how powerful the Great Qin is, it may be overwhelmed."

"Daqin must build a barrier to protect the economic security of Daqin with laws and taxes. For example, if a country exports a large amount of a certain item to Daqin at a low price, which will have a serious impact on Daqin's economy, Daqin can review it according to the law, or restrict its sales in Daqin, or increase the taxes imposed on it."

The First Emperor and others listened thoughtfully. It turned out that this was a method used by later countries.

The First Emperor looked at Li Nian again. If they didn't have this kid's guidance, it would be difficult for them to figure out these things if they were left to explore on their own.

In the original history, the Qin Dynasty never took this path at all. It never thought that there was such a path to take, let alone figure it out.

Seeing that no one asked any more questions, Li Nian continued, "Second, we must actively intervene and guide the industries in Daqin. We must not allow the private sector to independently produce and trade. Otherwise, everyone will focus on things that bring more profits and gather there, which will be detrimental to the development of Daqin."

"Just like the question I asked just now, if tea and silk sell well in foreign countries and bring in a lot of profits, the people of Daqin will use more fields to grow tea and employ more people to raise silkworms, which will definitely have a huge impact on Daqin's farming and cultivation, and even lead to insufficient grain production."

"Therefore, the imperial court should take the initiative to guide and, if necessary, intervene by force! It would be best if we could benefit from tea and silk while ensuring that Daqin has sufficient crops. The aforementioned policy formulation and benefits to make the people of Daqin willing to raise livestock are actually intervention and guidance."

Even if Li Nian didn't say it, Qin Shihuang and others could think of it. In the Zhou Dynasty, there were special officials in charge of market management, who strictly regulated and managed trading venues, types of listed goods, market prices, trading order, etc. The Qin Dynasty also had the same thing.

This is easy to understand. If the prices of daily necessities are unstable, sometimes high and sometimes low, it will not be conducive to national stability, and the court will of course manage it.

However, Qin Shi Huang and others knew that the intervention and guidance proposed by Li Nian would be more in-depth and detailed than the current market management of the Qin Dynasty.

Thinking of this, the First Emperor suddenly realized a problem: Although the cakes drawn by Li Nian sound delicious and should taste good, how many new departments would be set up and how many people would be needed?
Daqin is already short of talent, and if it wants to execute the plan conceived by Li Nian, the gap will be even bigger.

Could it be that this kid is waiting for him here, using these things to lure him to continue to increase his support for education?
The First Emperor was well aware of the consequences of educating the people and improving their intelligence. It would accelerate the end of the dynasty of one family and one surname. His idea of ​​letting the Qin royal family rule the Qin Dynasty for thousands of years would be shattered even faster.

Because when people become more intelligent, they will naturally think: Hey, why do I need an emperor above my head? We are all human beings, we all need to eat, drink, defecate and urinate, and our blood is all red, so why should we let the emperor ride on our heads?

But he had to admit that he was really moved by what Li Nian described. Even more than the idea of ​​making the Qin royal family last for thousands of years, the Qin Empire on which the sun never sets, the greatest emperor of all ages, the king of all kings, the emperor above all other countries, made the First Emperor extremely moved.

Li Nian didn't know what the First Emperor was thinking about, and continued, "I think the future economic affairs of the Great Qin should start from these two major points: retain independent production and manufacturing capabilities, and actively intervene and guide trade production."

"Economic issues are extremely important to a country and should not be taken lightly! As trade with other countries increases, they will affect the economy of Daqin. Daqin will also impact other countries. Sometimes, it can even weaken a country without bloodshed through economic means."

Li Nian used the Xiongnu as an example and said with a smile: "Like the Xiongnu today, if we ask them to give up using the things of the Qin Dynasty, how many of those Xiongnu leaders would be willing to do so?"

(End of this chapter)