Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 385 Everyone has a heart that yearns for peace.
Outside the main tent, Jia Sixie slowly walked out.

His students came forward, only to find Jia Sixie completely silent.

Seeing his expression, the crowd became worried and couldn't help but ask:

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, what did the King say?"

Jia Sixie slowly said:
"The king said that nature can evolve, and so can human beings."

The people on either side looked at each other, neither of them understanding.

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, what is the meaning of this?"

Jia Sixie remained silent, but waved his hand and said:
"Let me have some peace and quiet!"

After saying that, Jia Sixie left alone.

Seeing this, no one dared to actually enter the royal tent to question Li Shuang, and they dispersed in unease.

Just after everyone had dispersed, the tent door opened, and Li Shuang walked out from the back. Looking at the lake and grassland not far away, he murmured:
"Isn't this a bit too shocking?"

Li Shuang pursed her lips, then walked into the main tent and looked through the documents that Jia Sixie had sent.

Guanzhong was the first place to implement the equal-field system and also the place where the military system was most maturely implemented.

As the most outstanding agricultural expert of this era, arguably unmatched, Jia Sixie deserves immense credit.

The agricultural system of Guanzhong can be transplanted to the Central Plains and improved according to local conditions.

Because the rotation of millet, wheat, and beans is generally applicable in northern regions, enabling three harvests in two years.

Guanzhong now has 160,000 to 170,000 households, totaling about one million people. Excluding the 40,000 soldiers and their families, there are still 120,000 households that received land under the equal-field system.

The yield of millet from one mu of dry land is counted as one shi. In a household with an average of one man, one woman, two children, and one elderly person, the family would have 120 mu of land and produce 120 shi of millet annually.

The total millet production in Guanzhong was approximately 14.4 million shi over two years, averaging 7.2 million shi per year.

Of course, this is an estimate. In reality, each household's situation is different, and the yield per mu of farmland varies in different parts of Guanzhong. The specific situation will definitely differ from the estimate.

According to the statistical data provided by Jia Sixie, from the initial chaos when Li Shuang entered Guanzhong, to the deterioration of the situation in Guanzhong when confronting Erzhu Rong, to the stabilization of the situation in Guanzhong after Erzhu Rong's death, and now to the large influx of people into Guanzhong, becoming new residents and starting to reclaim wasteland, the grain output in Guanzhong is on the rise, and the grain reserves in the government granary have gone from being balanced to having a large surplus this year.

The secret envoys sent by Li Shuang to inspect various parts of Guanzhong returned and reported that the people in most areas did not show signs of hunger, and that the mulberry and jujube trees in the permanent fields of each household were in large groves.

The government treasury was full, yet the people showed no signs of hunger or distress, indicating that the equal-field system in Guanzhong had been effectively implemented and was gradually maturing.

Now, as long as the equal-field system is implemented in places like Taiyuan, Hedong, Sizhou, Hengzhou, and Luoyang as it is in Guanzhong, Li Shuang's foundation will be completely solidified.

Compared to wheat and beans, millet, as the main staple food and the main military ration, naturally has its unique advantages.

Li Shuang built three large granaries in Guanzhong.

Yongfeng Granary, located in Huazhou, controls key locations such as Tongguan and Pujin Pass;
Located in the ancient city of Chang'an, the area near present-day Beiyi is also the largest granary in western Guanzhong, Yongping Granary;

The Yongle Granary was built near Chang'an City to supply the city.

Given the construction standards of these three large granaries, millet stored in the cellars could last for nine years or even longer.

Millet can be stored for a long time if the storage is well-sealed.

This is an important factor in why millet could become military rations.

Now that the north is largely stable, it is not enough to rely solely on millet as military rations to expand our military might to the Western Regions and even further afield.

To cross the desert and conquer the grasslands, one must rely on a large number of cattle, sheep, horses, and camels, as well as corresponding meat and dairy products.

Therefore, the requirements for logistics are quite high.

Building ranches and planting forage grass, introducing high-quality cattle and sheep from the Western Regions and grasslands, and carrying out large-scale crossbreeding—these are all things that can only be done by the government.

Over a period of five, ten, twenty years or even longer, we will cultivate high-quality cattle and sheep and increase the production of dairy and meat products.

This was to prepare logistical support for the establishment of the expeditionary force.

Of course, all of this is inseparable from a prosperous and stable Guanzhong region.

Only when the people have a large surplus of grain can they carry out more economic activities, including grape cultivation, livestock breeding, fish farming, and so on.

You can't expect ordinary people to use their own food rations as feed for cattle, sheep, horses, and camels when they can't even feed themselves, or to allocate their land to grow other crops.

Of course, achieving the ultimate goal of establishing the Protectorate of the Western Regions is not something that can be done overnight.

At this moment, Li Shuang only wanted to establish a framework to prepare for future military logistics reforms.

The person he chose to oversee this matter was naturally Jia Sixie.

After spending more than a month in Shayuan, Jia Sixie finally found Li Shuang again.

However, at this moment, he was in a somewhat manic state.

"Your Majesty, I understand!"

Jia Sixie's hair was disheveled, and his pupils were bloodshot, but his eyes were quite bright.

Li Shuang looked at Jia Sixie and asked in confusion:

"What have you realized?"

"What Your Majesty calls the way of natural selection is the true path!"

Jia Sixie was extremely excited at this moment and said:

“After Your Majesty spoke to me that day, I returned to Chang’an and read through ancient books. I found that not only livestock follow this path, but also humans, the most intelligent of all beings, follow it.”

Li Shuang looked at Jia Sixie and advised:
"Actually, you don't need to think about it so complicatedly. Just keep it simple: select superior breeds, crossbreed, and increase the daily milk production of cows from one or two liters to four or five liters, and the daily milk production of sheep to one or two liters, thus extending the milk production days of cows and sheep."

Jia Sixie, however, said:
"How can we stop here!"

Jia Sixie approached Li Shuang, speaking sincerely:
"The Great Way shines brightly, revealing the secrets of the rise and fall of dynasties over thousands of years. From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present day, the reason why the wise kings of ancient times were wise was not because they did not contend, but because they had nothing to contend for. When Xia Qi came to power, he changed the old system, not because he lacked virtue, but because he did contend. Later, during the transition from Qin to Han, and the Wei and Jin dynasties were immoral, which led to the disaster of the Five Barbarian Invasions. We can also learn something from this principle."

"..."

Seeing Jia Sixie's excitement, Li Shuang feared that this top agronomist of the time might be ruined.

That would be a huge loss.

Li Shuang quickly pulled Jia Sixie down to sit, rubbed his shoulders, and comforted him:

"Why put so much pressure on yourself? Things are different now. Even if Guanzhong is short of food, we can get supplies from the Central Plains. If we don't have enough livestock, we can get some from the north!"

Jia Sixie burst into laughter and said:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I am fine. I have now gained a clear understanding and know what I must do!"

"what are you up to?"

"My book, 'The Essential Techniques for the Common People,' combined with this principle of natural selection, will become the foremost agricultural book of all time!"

As he spoke, Jia Sixie stood up, eager to return to Chang'an.

Li Shuang saw this and shouted from behind:
"Minister of Agriculture, the book must be written, and don't forget to take your shift!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will live up to Your Majesty's trust and will certainly handle the agricultural and pastoral affairs well."

Li Shuang shook his head and turned to sit back in his seat, but then heard a report coming from outside the tent behind him.

"Your Majesty, a report has come from Luoyang that Yuan Yue, the Prince of Runan, has colluded with the Liang people, seized the land of Yuzhou, rebelled against the court, and declared himself emperor."

Li Shuang smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"Has it only been a little over a month, and he couldn't resist rebelling already?"
-
Luoyang!

royal palace.

Upon learning of the rebellion of Yuan Yue, the Prince of Runan, Emperor Yuan Baoju immediately summoned Hu Sichun and Hebasheng to the palace.

Why only call these two people?
Because Qin King's subordinates such as Gao Huan, Yuwen Tai, and Hou Jing could not be persuaded by Yuan Baoju.

"I've only been in power for a short while, and that old scoundrel Yuan Yue has already caused such a mess. What is he trying to do?"

Yuan Baoju stared at Hu Sichun, making him feel a little uneasy.

This was the first time Hu Sichun had realized that Yuan Baoju also possessed such a sharp edge.

"I believe that Prince Yuan Yue of Runan harbored rebellious intentions ever since His Majesty requested that the imperial clan be enfeoffed. Fortunately, the passes inside and outside Luoyang are now well-defended, and Yuan Yue will not be able to enter Luoyang for the time being." It is common knowledge that Hu Sichun and Yuan Yue are on good terms.

Yuan Baoju asked him first, hoping to get some information out of Hu Sichun. However, what Hu Sichun said was something everyone already knew.

Yuan Baoju immediately waved his sleeve and looked at Hebasheng.

"Grand Commandant, what do you think?"

"I believe that as long as we hold the passes, Luoyang will be safe for the time being. The rebel Yuan Yue's rebellion is quite large, and if we want to quell it, we will need the Prince of Qin to come and suppress it."

Upon hearing the words "King of Qin," Yuan Baoju finally felt reassured.

"Yes, yes, please let the King of Qin take charge of Luoyang!"

Yuan Baoju had already sent someone to inform Li Shuang, but had not received a reply for a while.

Just then, an announcement came from outside the hall that Lu Rou, a scholar from the Prince of Qin's residence, had arrived.

Lu Rou was an old acquaintance of Yuan Baoju. They had gone to Guanzhong together as Yuan Ziyou's envoy.

Upon seeing Lu Rou arrive, Yuan Baoju felt as if he had grasped at a straw.

As soon as Lu Rou entered the hall, Yuan Baoju stepped down from the throne, took Lu Rou's hand, and said with concern:
"Zigang, has the King of Qin sent word that he will return to Luoyang?"

"The King of Qin said that there are still some days to go, and that this is just a minor disturbance, which Your Majesty can decide on your own!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Baoju became quite anxious and said:
"Stop making decisions unilaterally. I only made decisions for a short while, and Henan is already in chaos. If I continue to make decisions unilaterally, Luoyang will be lost."

Lu Rou smiled, cupped her hands, and said:
"Things have not come to this, Your Majesty need not worry. The eight passes of Luoyang are fortified and the rebel army cannot break through in the short term. The most urgent task is to guard against internal collaborators within Luoyang."

Yuan Baoju listened, nodded, and said:

"Zigang is right, but even if Yuan Yue has an inside man in Luoyang, what kind of trouble can he cause?"

In Yuan Baoju's view, Li Shuang held all military power inside and outside Luoyang, so what could these inside agents possibly do?
"Your Majesty has forgotten that tens of thousands of Xianbei prisoners of war are currently digging the Yongji Canal along both banks of the Yellow River. If Yuan Yue's inside man incites these criminals, Luoyang will immediately descend into chaos!"

Yuan Baoju's expression changed, and he looked at Hebasheng and Husichun, saying:

"You've done a good job!"

The two dared not say anything and immediately bowed and apologized.

Yuan Baoju also didn't want to pay attention, and said:

"Hebasheng!"

"Chen is here!"

"You shall immediately lead your troops to the front lines and keep a close watch on these river works. Anyone who rebels shall be executed on the spot!"

"promise!"

"Husi Chun!"

"Chen is here!"

"Keep a close watch on the Luoyang treasury. Under no circumstances should the rebels' inside agents get their hands on even a single hammer!"

"promise!"

The two obeyed and left. Yuan Baoju looked at Lu Rou, his previous imposing manner gone.

"Zigang, tell me the truth, what does the King of Qin want?"

Lu Rou smiled slightly and asked in return:
"And what is Your Majesty's opinion?"

At this moment, Yuan Baoju's expression was very serious.

"I've only been emperor for a few days. Anyone who tries to prevent me from staying in this palace, I'll kill them!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Rou bowed and clasped her hands in greeting:

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

……

In Gao Huan's residence, Hou Jing and Gao Huan stared at each other.

"Wan Jing, what are you doing here?"

Gao Huan was very frustrated, since it wasn't him who was rebelling.

Even if Hou Jing wanted to find accomplices of the rebels, he would have a greater grudge against Yuwen Tai next door!

What's that kid doing, always hanging around his house eating for free?
"He Liuhun, we're brothers, how could I not think of you at a time like this?"

"..."

Gao Huan was speechless and said:

"What do you want me to do? You'd be better off keeping an eye on Yuwen Tai."

"Why should I look at him? He only has about a hundred followers. What can he possibly accomplish?"

Hou Jing lay on the floor, leaning against the fire, grinning as he looked at Gao Huan, as if he were gazing at a beauty.

"I only have about a hundred followers, so what?"

"That's different!"

Hou Jing immediately sat up, leaned closer to Gao Huan, and said:

"You have over a hundred followers. If you get the armor and weapons, think of all the things you can do!"

Gao Huan was speechless, staring at Hou Jing with a hint of suppressed anger.

"You just have to drag me into this mess before you're satisfied, don't you!"

Hou Jing sensed Gao Huan's anger, but instead of retreating, he moved closer to Gao Huan, closing the distance between them.

"He Liuhun, have you forgotten? You still owe me a favor!"

"..."

Gao Huan listened with a helpless expression and said:
"Tell me, what do you want?"

"I've found out that Yuan Yue's inside agents in Luoyang are also preparing to start a rebellion."

"An uprising?"

Gao Huan looked somewhat puzzled, and Hou Jing explained:

"They planned to collude with Xianbei prisoners of war outside to capture Luoyang."

"So what are your plans?"

Hou Jing held Gao Huan's hand and said:

"It's up to us to decide what to do!"

Looking at Hou Jing's smile, Gao Huan stroked his stubble, as if thinking of something, and asked:

"what do you mean?"

"If they want to make a big fuss, we'll make an even bigger one. Isn't this a golden opportunity to handle things that are usually difficult for us?"

Gao Huan and Hou Jing looked at each other and smiled.

"This is feasible, but what are Yuwen Tai's plans?"

Gao Huan was worried about the situation on Yuwen Tai's side. Although he didn't believe Yuwen Tai would choose such a drastic measure as to follow those Yuan clan members in causing chaos, he still needed to understand the specifics of the situation.

Hou Jing smiled upon hearing this and said:

“Yuwen Tai’s determination to quell the rebellion is even stronger than ours.”

……

(End of this chapter)