Chapter 868

As the cold wind from Siberia swept southward, Qingzhou City suddenly grew much colder overnight. Then, heavy snow fell, turning the streets and alleys a shimmering white.

But even so, the soldiers in the Qingzhou Grand Camp continued their daily training. The difference now was that, in addition to practicing traditional formations, the soldiers were also practicing crawling.

“Your Majesty, the military machinery department has delivered five thousand ‘Falcon Rifles’ to us. According to Song Changping, equipping sixty thousand men will be completed before next autumn.”

Niu Ben and Xiao Ming inspected the military camp in the heavy snow. A month had passed since their return from Dengzhou. This was his routine year-end inspection of the army.

“This progress is satisfactory, but we owe much to Li Chuyuan and the Dutch. This arms trade has provided the military machinery department with ample funds,” Xiao Ming chuckled.

Although it couldn’t compare to the production efficiency of European countries during World War II, which often manufactured millions of rifles annually, Xiao Ming was already very satisfied with the current firearm production efficiency of the Great Yu Empire’s military machinery department. After all, this was the military machinery department’s first attempt at producing breech-loading rifles.

Niu Ben’s expression was excited. The breech-loading rifles produced this time were ultimately named “Falcon Rifles.” Their effectiveness in equipping the army surprised the generals.

In comparison, while traditional line firing was still necessary, equipping them with Falcon Rifles allowed them to adopt more flexible combat methods.

“This war between Li Chuyuan and the merchants’ council has truly benefited us,” Niu Ben laughed heartily. “But Your Majesty, although we have received a lot of silver from Li Chuyuan, if the war continues until next autumn, the damage suffered by the south will probably be even greater.”

“You needn’t worry about that. The south doesn’t have much industry; its prosperity is merely in agriculture. Besides, I have my own considerations,” Xiao Ming said, his gaze deep.

Niu Ben looked puzzled. He looked at Xiao Ming, awaiting an explanation.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, “Do you remember the imperial court’s decree last year about migrating people from densely populated areas to sparsely populated areas?”

“Of course I remember. After that decree was issued, the powerful families in the south deliberately obstructed it, causing minimal effect.” Niu Ben spoke indignantly at the mention of this. In his opinion, this was simply deceiving the Emperor and defying authority.

However, he also knew very well that the south had a weak concept of loyalty to the imperial family and had always feigned compliance with the imperial court’s orders.

“That’s it. If I don’t let them beat each other to a pulp, how can I seize the opportunity to migrate the common people to Guandong?” Xiao Ming said calmly.

Niu Ben suddenly understood. The current Guandong region was sparsely populated. Relying on the common people who remained in the six cities was simply not enough to completely control Guandong. Moreover, a new country called Tsarist Russia had now appeared in the north.

According to the imperial court’s previous statistics, the majority of the Great Yu Empire’s population was concentrated in the south. During the northern war, many common people also fled to the south for refuge, which further increased the population in the south.

“Your Majesty’s foresight is profound. If that is the case, this is indeed necessary,” Niu Ben said.

Xiao Ming nodded. Now, large numbers of secret guards had gone south, continuously monitoring the State of Chu’s war. Overall, both sides were still in a state of preparing for battle, with occasional small skirmishes. He certainly didn’t want to act now and deplete his own strength.

“Precisely. The fundamental reason why dynasties throughout history lost control of the north was that they did not allow Han people to flourish and multiply in these lands. For me, the most terrifying weapon is not firearms or cannons, but this weapon of flourishing and multiplying. To completely control Guandong, we must migrate the common people there and vigorously encourage childbirth. Only when every inch of Guandong is inhabited by Han people can the Great Yu Empire’s power truly take root there.”

Niu Ben listened, stunned. He sighed, “Your Majesty’s words have made me suddenly enlightened. Thinking about it this way, it seems that in the past, it was always foreign tribes occupying our land and flourishing, leading to their increasing strength. Now, we should repay them in their own coin.”

Xiao Ming looked at the training soldiers with a smile. Why were Europeans able to occupy most of the world’s land during the Age of Sail? They relied on the migration of their own common people. Thus, after centuries of reproduction, the current global pattern was formed.

Therefore, in his heart, he already had a grand plan: to migrate Han people to any conquered territory to reproduce and flourish.

With the concept of common people bearing as many children as possible in this era, he believed that as long as living standards improved, the Great Yu Empire’s population would explode. Coupled with the Great Yu Empire’s population base, populating the entire world would not be a dream.

After discussing this matter with Niu Ben with a mischievous grin, Xiao Ming returned to the palace after his inspection.

At this time, he drafted a decree rewarding childbirth. Since the implementation of the decree, any commoner family in the Great Yu Empire that gave birth to three or more children would have one year’s tax reduced.

If a fourth child was born, the provincial office would provide a subsidy of five Golden Dragons. For a fifth child, another five Golden Dragons, and so on.

Having settled this matter, Xiao Ming summoned Pang Yukun and Fei Ji. He first explained the necessity of the birth plan and then discussed this decree with the two.

“Starting with three is a bit low, Your Majesty. In fact, most commoner families in the Great Yu Empire will have more than three children. For them, children are labor, and also a fundamental way to avoid being bullied by families with more children. I believe that tax reductions should be adjusted to four children, and the Golden Dragon subsidy should start from the fifth child,” Pang Yukun said.

Fei Ji nodded, “Senior Grand Secretary Pang is right, Your Majesty. This way, it can also lighten the burden on the national treasury. After all, there are simply too many places to spend money now.”

Xiao Ming pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. “Proceed as you said. Additionally, after the New Year, you will begin preparing for the southern expedition. Once the assets of the merchants’ council and the southern powerful families are confiscated, the imperial court’s treasury will be abundant.”

Pang Yukun and Fei Ji exchanged glances. Clearly, this plan for the southern expedition did not include winning over the powerful families.

Previously, the imperial court compromised with powerful families because its strength was insufficient. But now, they could fully cope. Moreover, and most importantly, the southern powerful families were more hostile towards the imperial family. This was evident in the previous matter of migrating from densely populated areas to sparsely populated areas.

The two were well aware of this issue. When Xiao Wenxuan was on the throne, a group of officials with backgrounds from southern powerful families strongly advocated for the exemption of taxes for southern powerful families.

When this proposal was rejected, these southern powerful families simply resisted taxes and evaded taxes, which also led to the emptiness of the Great Yu Empire’s treasury.

In the eyes of the two, their Emperor surely hated these southern powerful families even more than they did. It was no surprise that he made this decision.

“Yes, Your Majesty, we will return and prepare for this matter,” the two bowed.

Xiao Ming nodded. He looked at the continuous heavy snow, his heart filled with ambition.

Currently, the Great Yu Empire’s industry was developing steadily, and railway construction also showed good momentum. The only thing lacking now was a market for dumping goods.

And to feed the increasing population of the Great Yu Empire, he could no longer wait. Unifying the country was the first step.

The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair

Check another translation project:
Title: Trench, Gun, and Magic. The webnovel blend magic, firearm, war and mecha with the bacground of WW1