Mr. Lu Xun once said that any trivial matter, once multiplied by an astronomically large base number, would cease to be insignificant.
During my Qing Dynasty era, a healthy adult typically consumed two to three jin of grain daily, while the elderly and women required about eight liang to one jin. Even taking the lowest average of one jin per person during a drought, the grain deficit in Shandong and Henan alone would be ten million shi or more.
What was even more infuriating was the inevitable surge in grain prices. While a shi of rice might only cost one tael of silver normally, during a drought, it could skyrocket to three or even four taels.
Suppose the Menglianggu rebel faction had eight million taels of silver. At the price of one tael per shi of rice, they could purchase eight million shi of rice. However, during a drought, these eight million taels would only buy two million shi. Food that could sustain eight million people for a hundred days would now only suffice for two million.
What then would become of the remaining six million?
Of course, if Zhu Jinsong had the heart to replace grain with bran, and provided relief in the manner of the Qing Dynasty's gruel kitchens, then this so-called grain deficit might not be a problem. It might even give rise to a legendary tale of "chopsticks toppling heads."
As the esteemed Grand Secretary He said, could disaster victims truly be considered human?
Unfortunately, Zhu Jinsong was no Grand Secretary He, nor could he treat the populace like pigs and dogs.
Thus, Zhu Jinsong was greatly troubled.
After a long silence, Zhu Jinsong raised his head and instructed Ke Zhiming, "Send people to contact Joseon, Wa, Siam, Annan, and Burma to inquire about their grain prices. If possible, dispatch ships from Dengzhou and Lin Shuangwen to purchase grain from these regions.
After a moment's thought, Zhu Jinsong continued, "Have our contacts in Guangzhou find ways to connect with the Western barbarians and purchase several whaling ships and large fishing vessels from them. Also, see if we can acquire the technology for their production and manufacturing."
This was truly a last resort.
If the Dengzhou or Lin Shuangwen's Fujian fleets had reliable sea vessels, Zhu Jinsong would not have had to set his sights on the Western barbarians.
It was precisely because my Qing Dynasty had strictly enforced the maritime ban, allowing not a single sail to venture out to sea since the era of the "Pockmarked Brother," and coastal residents were relocated inland by thirty to three hundred li.
"The decree was for a mere three days; the distant had not yet been informed, the near were informed but disbelieving. Two days later, the pursuers arrived, causing chaos. The wealthy abandoned their riches, the poor carried cauldrons and cradled infants, clutched handfuls of rice and bundles of straw, seeking refuge from house to house. From Jiangxi and Zhejiang to Fujian and Guangdong, thousands of li of fertile land were abandoned to become overgrown with weeds; the indigenous population was entirely displaced."
"Those displaced believed they would return soon and could not bear to part from their kin. However, they drifted for so long, with no means of sustenance. Thus, fathers and sons, husbands and wives abandoned each other, parting with tears. A child could be bought for a handful of grain, a daughter for a hundred coins. The able-bodied became soldiers, the old and weak succumbed to ditches and ravines. Some families drank poison, others drowned themselves in rivers. Officials viewed them as ants, offering no succor; relatives treated them like mud and sand, offering no support. Thus, hundreds of thousands more in the eight prefectures perished."
By the time of the "Money-Deaf Old Dog," that scoundrel had not only further amplified the maritime ban but had also personally burned all the design blueprints and manufacturing technical documents for the treasure ships, conveniently blaming Liu Daxia.
Therefore, even though Dengzhou, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong were all adjacent to the sea, they were of little practical use. The private fishing industry of my Qing Dynasty had long since been nearly obliterated, and the invincible fleet that viewed everyone as dogs during the Ming Dynasty had also become history.
As a result, Zhu Jinsong had long harbored the intention of whaling, but due to the inadequacy of the warships of the Dengzhou fleet and Lin Shuangwen's Fujian fleet, he was forced to turn his attention to British whaling ships.
...
Zhao Village.
Zhao Yuntian stared at the cracked, dry earth before him, wishing he were dead.
When the former Elder Zhao was still alive, Zhao Yuntian felt his life was quite bearable. Although he still had to pay the Qing Dynasty's exorbitant taxes and rent to Elder Zhao, compared to the five or six, or even seven or eight, percent rent demanded by other villages, Zhao Yuntian felt that a three percent rent was quite fortunate.
After overthrowing the wicked landlord Zhao and with the people from Menglianggu helping to establish the farmers' associations and redistribute land, Zhao Yuntian felt that his current life was true happiness.
After all, without the Qing Dynasty's harsh taxes and the rent owed to Master Zhao, all the harvest from the land belonged to his own family. If this wasn't happiness, what was?
However, Zhao Yuntian was also somewhat worried.
After all, it was Elder Zhao who had led the people of Zhao Village in their resistance against the Menglianggu army, and he himself had been the most active participant. Who knew if those officials would secretly hold a grudge?
Especially now that the entire province of Henan was suffering from drought, what if the officials turned a blind eye and overlooked Zhao Village? Wouldn't the people of Zhao Village starve to death?
The thought of himself and his fellow villagers suffering greatly for their earlier actions against the army made Zhao Yunguang slap himself.
Why had he listened to Elder Zhao's persuasion back then?
What was he thinking?
And just as Zhao Yunguang was wondering if the midwife had discarded his brain, a distant shout was heard: "Yunguang! Yunguang! Hurry back to the farmers' association, someone from the county association is here!"
Zhao Yunguang was stunned.
Was the county farmers' association here to provide disaster relief or to collect taxes?
If they were here for disaster relief, Zhao Yunguang thought it unlikely, as the drought had only just begun, and the people of Zhao Village were far from being unable to survive.
If they were here to collect taxes, Zhao Yunguang found it somewhat plausible, as officials had always been as good as their word, and it wasn't entirely incomprehensible for them to come collecting taxes now.
With a helpless sigh, Zhao Yunguang stood up from the field and walked towards the location of the village farmers' association.
The village farmers' association of Zhao Village was located in the former courtyard of Elder Zhao's residence.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, the chairman of the county farmers' association greeted Zhao Yunguang, saying from a distance, "You're finally back; I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Zhao Yunguang felt a surge of bitterness. Looking at the chairman of the county farmers' association, he asked in a low voice, "Is the county demanding tribute? Or taxes? We've just experienced a disaster; can we postpone it for a few days?"
The chairman of the county farmers' association looked at Zhao Yunguang, bewildered, and asked, "What tribute? What taxes? Who told you we were demanding tribute or taxes?"
Zhao Yunguang was also taken aback and retorted, "Isn't the chairman here to collect tribute and taxes?"
The chairman of the county farmers' association snorted and looked at Zhao Yunguang, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting? If this gets out, aren't you ruining the reputation of the Grand Leader?"
After reprimanding Zhao Yunguang, the chairman of the county farmers' association continued, "Alright, I won't discuss such nonsense with you. I'm here to inform you that the Grand Leader has requested all county, township, and village farmers' associations to prepare. Firstly, to cooperate with the personnel sent from Menglianggu to promote drought-resistant crops like sweet potatoes and potatoes. Secondly, not to wait idly but to mobilize the villagers to dig more wells.
"Furthermore, the village farmers' associations of each village must do a good job of appeasing the villagers, telling them that everyone from Menglianggu, from top to bottom, will not abandon them. The Grand Leader has already sent people to purchase grain, which will be transported to various regions soon, so the villagers should not panic."
Zhao Yunguang was completely stunned.
Promoting drought-resistant crops? Digging more wells? Purchasing grain for transport?
Was this disaster relief?
Did this mean the government officials did not harbor resentment towards the people of Zhao Village for their earlier resistance against the army?
Thinking of this, Zhao Yunguang tentatively asked, "Isn't it a bit too early to start disaster relief?"
The chairman of the county farmers' association glanced at Zhao Yunguang and said, "Too early? It's not too early now. Do you intend to wait until the autumn harvest when there's nothing to reap before feeling anxious?"
"Let me tell you, quickly gather the strong young men of your village. I've brought the county's geomancers with me, and we'll select the well-digging locations for your village today. You start digging the wells first, and whatever harvest you can salvage, you salvage."
"Furthermore, if even one villager from Zhao Village starves and flees or dies of starvation, you and I will be held accountable!"
Zhao Yunguang suddenly didn't know what to say.
During the reign of my Qing Dynasty, it was always the yamen runners who were held accountable for failing to collect taxes or complete tasks assigned by the officials. When had he ever heard of county officials being held accountable for villagers starving and fleeing or dying of starvation?
Wasn't this a complete absurdity?
Zhao Yunguang's heart warmed, and he nodded vigorously, replying, "Yes! I'll go gather people now!"
After gathering the villagers of Zhao Village, Zhao Yunguang stood before them and declared loudly, "The chairman of the county farmers' association himself has come to our Zhao Village. Everyone listen carefully to what Chairman Master has to say!"
After speaking, Zhao Yunguang stepped aside, and the chairman of the county farmers' association stepped forward, announcing loudly, "It is a time of drought, and I have no time for pleasantries with everyone. There are three points.
"First, the village farmers' association must lead everyone in digging several wells for our Zhao Village. After the wells are dug, everyone should carry water to irrigate the crops, and whatever harvest can be salvaged, salvage it.
"Second, the county will send people to guide everyone in planting drought-resistant crops like sweet potatoes. Everyone should be mentally prepared.
"Also, Menglianggu's Grand Leader has sent people to purchase grain overseas, and it will be transported here soon. Everyone should not worry about starvation.
"That's all I have to say. Now, let your village farmers' association chairman lead the geomancer to find well-digging spots for everyone!"
As the chairman of the county farmers' association finished speaking, the villagers of Zhao Village were somewhat bewildered.
The thoughts in the minds of the Zhao Village villagers were similar to Zhao Yunguang's; they were all worried that the officials of the Menglianggu government would resent them for their earlier resistance against the army.
Now, it seemed they had judged the noble with a petty mind.