PFC Chapter 850: Those who humiliate me, slap me in the face.
Chapter 850: Those who humiliate me, slap me in the face.
Guan Yebao holds his fist:
"Your Majesty, if you allow us to open up wasteland and grow crops, we will be able to achieve self-sufficiency in food within two years! We may even have surplus food, which can reduce the pressure on the court to supply!"
Ye Kun nodded: "Take your time and don't rush. The court's financial resources can still support it for a few years. In addition, the sand control work cannot be stopped. We need to take care of both sides."
Then, Ye Kun looked at Guo Ping again:
"The entire Western Region should have the concept of environmental protection. Some places where the ecology has deteriorated should be rehabilitated, or the original residents should be relocated to restore the ecology.
Once the ecological degradation becomes irreversible, our descendants will lose their living space.”
Guo Ping thought for a moment, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, I'm telling you the truth. For such a large area in the Western Regions, relying on our human power to control the sand is no different from moving mountains. Take Loulan for example. Although the sand control project has been effective, it was also driven by money. If the entire Western Regions needs to control the sand, the court's financial resources will definitely collapse.
Instead of focusing on desert control, it is better to migrate people. The right way is to migrate the population of the Western Regions to the interior or to the west. "
Ye Kun smiled and said, "I understand this and I think so too. But some places are important supply stations on the trade route and we can't move away. For example, Loulan has millions of people passing through here every year, who need food and supplies."
Guo Ping nodded: "We can keep important gateway cities and remote areas. Once the population increases too much, we can encourage immigration. In this way, we can ensure the supply of trade routes and protect the ecology of the Western Region."
Ayiman whispered, "This is also a solution. We Loulan people can relocate 3,000 to 4,000 people to the new city of Loulan in Jincheng to relieve the pressure here."
Ye Kun smiled and said, "Well, I'll listen to the Queen."
Environmental protection and sand control.
Ye Kun felt that he could not complete this task.
Let it be up to you all.
When the day comes when the environment deteriorates, let our descendants find a solution!
This is called believing in the wisdom of future generations.
After listening to the reports from Guan Yebao and others, Ye Kun, together with Ayiman and Guo Ping, went to inspect the farm's dormitories, schools and activity centers.
The main task of the farm is sand control, and there is not much industry here.
In terms of production, it is growing vegetables.
The Han people are hardworking and smart, and they manage the vegetable gardens here in an orderly manner.
There is a rich variety of vegetables, and there are also many dried vegetables.
Aibo smiled and said, "Over the years, the vegetables in our Loulan City have been supplied from here. Many Han immigrants go to the city to sell vegetables and dried vegetables."
Guan Yebao was startled and whispered, "Your Majesty, there are some families and children of the soldiers who are stationed in the fields. They grow vegetables in their spare time to supplement their lives..."
"I support starting a side business to earn money to support the family."
Ye Kun reassured Guan Yebao: "You are right. The imperial court cannot support you forever. It is imperative to be self-reliant. The Western Region lacks vegetables, dried vegetables, and tea. You can produce vegetables, which will also reduce the pressure on the imperial court."
Guan Yebao breathed a sigh of relief.
Aibo added: "There are also some Han immigrants selling tea in Loulan City. It's really strange, where do they get their tea?"
Guan Yebao was angry and looked sullen:
"That's what we saved. The court gave us 10 kilograms of tea per person per year as part of our salary. Some people couldn't bear to drink tea, so they sold it. We also sold dried milk flakes, brown sugar, and white sugar, which were also saved."
Ye Kun frowned: "The life of the garrison soldiers is very poor. Are they short of money?"
Guan Yebao sighed, "With so many children, everyone is under a lot of pressure. The salary and support from the court can only guarantee the lives of the couples who farm, but not every child."
Guo Ping also said: "This is the headquarters, it looks OK. The conditions of the small farms below are indeed very poor."
Ye Kun's face changed: "Mr. Guo is the chief official of the Western Region. Since you know that the conditions on the farm are difficult, why don't you try to change it?"
"Your Majesty, the Western Region is separated from the military and the government. I am not responsible for any military affairs. In addition, I have allocated funds three times to protect the lives of farm employees, but there has been little improvement."
"I understand."
Ye Kun nodded and asked, "Are the conditions of other farms in the Western Region similar to this one?"
"The conditions are similar. In some places, people can only barely guarantee food and clothing." Guan Yebao sighed slightly.
"Nonsense, ridiculous!"
Ye Kun's expression completely changed, and he glared and said, "It has been more than ten years since I unified the nine provinces of China. Over the past ten years, changes have taken place with each passing day, and technology and productivity have greatly improved. There is more food than can be eaten, and cotton fabrics are piled up like mountains. I didn't expect that there are still people who have just solved the problem of food and clothing.
I unified China back then and am now expanding overseas, all for the sake of letting the descendants of China live a good life!
However, our soldiers stationed on the border are still suffering. This is a disgrace to me and a slap in my face!"
Guan Yebao was so scared that he bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, calm down and take care of yourself."
"I am angry at myself. I am the Minister of War, but I didn't know that our soldiers working in the fields are working so hard."
Ye Kun sighed, turned around and told Guo Ping:
"First, give each of the soldiers stationed here five taels of silver to improve their lives. Then, count every household and every child and register them for me. All of these children will be given living subsidies to ensure everyone's life."
Guo Ping clasped his fists and said, "I obey your command. I will do it right away."
Guan Yebao was overjoyed and clasped his fists and said, "The emperor cares so much about the soldiers and generals of the Tuntian Farm. We must be loyal and serve the court!"
Ye Kun was still blaming himself: "In recent years, China's nine provinces have developed rapidly, and most people have enjoyed the fruits of development. However, the garrison soldiers in remote areas are not as good as before because of the increase in population. This is my fault.
In the future, we need to establish a long-term mechanism to care for every veteran in remote areas.”
Guo Ping said, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."
"explain."
“I suggest that we retire some of the older veterans and make them free citizens. We should exempt them from agricultural taxes and give them land so that they can survive here.
Their adult children can continue to serve in the army and replenish the military resources.”
"This is a good suggestion." Ye Kun nodded:
"Then pass on my order. All the soldiers over 40 years old will be retired as freemen on the spot and given land or pastures. They don't have to pay the public grain tax. This is my compensation to them.
If they are injured or disabled veterans, they will continue to receive their salaries until they die."
"Your Majesty, on behalf of all the veterans, I kowtow to you and express my gratitude!"
Guan Yebao burst into tears and knelt down to Ye Kun.
Ye Kun helped Guan Yebao up: "You don't have to thank me, I should be the one to apologize to everyone."
Guan Yebao stood up, still wiping away tears.
Ye Kun waved his hand: "Let's go, let's go to the school in front."
In front of us is the middle school and elementary school of the farm headquarters, with several rows of low houses.
Guan Yebao followed Ye Kun and introduced: "Your Majesty, today is a day off. There are no classes in school. There are no students. There are only some teachers who stay behind..."