Yuan Qi gave money to shares for the imperial court to buy land year by year? What does this mean? Is it included in the 30% shares mentioned earlier? Or do you want to give it again? If it was the former, how could the imperial court agree? If it is the latter, how can Yuanqi shareholders agree? It's not a small amount of money, and it requires a long-term investment!

This matter is very involved, even Zhao Liewen, who has always loved to ask, did not continue to ask, Yi Zhishu was unwilling to continue to talk about this topic, took a sip of tea, he looked at Sun Changling, and said slowly: "The article "Agricultural Revolution" is not a lie, since the fifties, European industrial powers and the United States have begun to use agricultural machinery in large quantities.

Now the outbreak of the first worldwide agricultural crisis, is bound to further promote the wide application of agricultural machinery, it is foreseeable that the future of the world's agricultural development will inevitably be from the scattered and scattered primitive agricultural farming mode to the large-scale intensive agricultural model of the transition.

Large-scale intensive agriculture has four obvious advantages, one is conducive to farmland water conservancy infrastructure, today's water conservancy construction is dependent on the state, especially large-scale cross-regional, large investment, long period of water conservancy infrastructure can only be invested and maintained by the state.

Once large-scale intensive farms are formed, the construction of these water conservancy infrastructure will be taken over by one large farm, which can not only ensure the water conservancy infrastructure, but also save a lot of money for the country. ”

Speaking of this, he stretched out two fingers, "the second is to save production costs and improve agricultural production efficiency and output, compared with the use of animal power, manpower and backward production methods of primitive agriculture, large-scale intensive agriculture in terms of production costs and production efficiency and output has huge advantages, not only because of the use of a large number of agricultural machinery, but also scientific production and management methods."

Third, enhance the ability of agriculture to resist risks, scattered and sporadic primitive agriculture does not have the ability to resist risks at all, encountering a slightly larger disaster will lead to a large number of individual agriculture in distress or even bankruptcy, large-scale intensive agriculture because of low cost, high yield, large profits, natural ability to resist risks.

With the rapid development of industry, with the continuous expansion of the scale of cities, the continuous concentration of population in cities and the rapid expansion of population, the demand for food will also be greater and greater, only the existing scattered and sporadic primitive agriculture can not meet the increasing demand for food, only large-scale intensive farms can ensure China's food demand! ”

The large-scale use of agricultural machinery can greatly reduce the cost of production, after all, the production efficiency of the machine is far from being comparable to manpower, which is clear to several people, but to greatly increase the output, several people are a little skeptical, after all, agricultural production and industrial production have an essential difference.

Zhao Liewen took the lead in asking: "Big shopkeeper, the annual output of the land is not fixed, but the fluctuation should not be large, and the large-scale use of agricultural machinery cannot be higher than the output of intensive manpower?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "Your thinking is still stuck in the primitive agricultural era, with the development of industry and science and technology, agriculture will inevitably usher in a period of rapid development!"

The agricultural revolution refers not only to the large-scale application of agricultural machinery, nor is it just the development model of large-scale intensive farms, it is natural science that really promotes the rapid development of agriculture, and it is the improvement of all crop seeds.

What is the average yield per acre of rice now? If I tell you that the average yield per mu of rice can reach 8 stones, 10 stones, or even higher, and the same is true for the yield of wheat, will you dare to believe it? ”

The people of this group were all taken aback by these words, and the average yield of rice and wheat per mu reached eight or ten stones! And even higher! Is this possible? Not to mention that it is so high, as long as the average yield per mu can be increased by one stone, it is a great thing! Not to mention multiplication!

If these words came from other people's mouths, several people would inevitably laugh, thinking that it was a fool's dream, but these words came from the mouth of Yi Zhicontent, and after looking at each other, Li Hongzhang hesitated and said: "Isn't this a joke?" ”

Yi Zhizhi lit a cigarette, and then said leisurely: "Forty years ago, if someone said that they could build a hazy giant ship with steel and sail on their own, would you dare to believe it? Forty years ago, when someone said that a car could travel 100 kilometers per hour, would you think it was a joke? Forty years ago, when someone described to you the wired telegraph, the electric light and the telephone, would you think that it was a fool's dream? ”

Several people were silent for a while, the changes in the Qing Dynasty for more than 30 years can be described as earth-shaking, Zhao Liewen and Li Hongzhang are all personally experienced, endlessly, the ever-changing new technologies and new inventions make people overwhelmed, and repeatedly make them feel that they can't keep up with the rhythm of the times, everything that seemed impossible forty years ago has now happened, so how many times the grain output has been increased, is it also possible? What's more, these words still come from the mouth of Yi Zhizhi.

The few people who saw it were silent, and Yi Zhizhi said slowly: "Whether it is agricultural production or industrial production, there is one thing in common, that is, the pursuit of profit is endless!" The continuous development of natural science and technology has also provided the conditions for this unremitting pursuit, this is a bad era, but also an era full of infinite possibilities and opportunities, as long as you dare to imagine, anything is possible! Maybe one day we can really fly to the moon to see if there is Guanghan Palace and Chang'e. ”

Flying on the moon is really no one dares to believe it, but the grain production has increased several times, but a few people are a little skeptical, after all, the quality of the seeds is enough to affect the yield, this is a matter of common sense, if the seeds can really be improved, maybe it is really possible.

Among these people, Zhao Liewen can be said to know Yi Zhifen the best, and he said tentatively: "Yuan Qi has made some progress in improving rice and wheat seeds? ”

"Some progress has been made, but it's still far from what I'm talking about, but at least it shows that the research is going in the right direction." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "This kind of research cannot be achieved overnight, it requires long-term and unremitting research, which requires a lot of time, a lot of manpower and material resources, and most importantly, a huge amount of research funds.

Scattered and sporadic primitive agriculture cannot and does not have the ability to carry out agricultural improvement research, and only large-scale intensive agriculture, driven by profits, will not hesitate to spend huge sums of money to carry out related research, and it is also more willing to try and promote new technologies and seeds.

For example, only one or two percent of the wheat seed can be increased, because the seeds need to be purchased, for farmers with only a few acres of land, I am afraid that there is no interest in trying, because the increase in yield is not obvious, but for the intensive farms that often exceed 100,000 mu, hundreds of thousands of mu or even millions of mu, the effect of increasing the yield by 100 percent is very obvious. ”

Speaking of this, he looked at Sun Changling and said slowly: "The benefits of large-scale intensive agriculture are obvious, and the large-scale use of agricultural machinery is a necessary condition for the formation of large-scale intensive agriculture. ”

Sun Changling, in his early forties, wearing a pair of black wide-rimmed glasses, he is a native of Hunan, born in Yuan Qiyixue, graduated from the University of Göttingen in Germany, and has been the director of the agricultural machinery factory since 1862, when he was responsible for the establishment of the Shanghai Agricultural Machinery Factory, he was a little embarrassed and said: "These days, the agricultural machinery factory is full of people, but there are many people who know about agricultural machinery, but they buy very little. ”

Yi Zhizhi said: "What is the reason? ”

"Summarizing with students is nothing more than several reasons." Sun Changling pondered: "One is that the performance of agricultural machinery is not satisfactory, although the internal combustion engine is good, it is prone to failure, maintenance trouble, professional drivers and maintenance personnel are needed, and gasoline is not easy to buy and store."

Then agricultural machinery can not cover all the links from ploughing to harvesting, such as irrigation, weeding, fertilization, insect control and other links, agricultural machinery can not be competent, still need a large number of manpower, in addition to the northern provinces of the field is not suitable for agricultural machinery operation ......., the current situation is actually better not to sit. ”

Listening to this, easy to be content for a long time without saying a word, agricultural machinery is usually used oil extractors, like tractors are almost all diesel engines, compared to gasoline engines, diesel engines are more durable, and the mechanism is simpler and easier to maintain, diesel is also safer and easier to store than gasoline, the problem is that the diesel engine has not yet come out, Yuanqi's improvement direction for the internal combustion engine has always been based on the application of automobiles, it seems, but also come forward to order.

After a long time, he spoke: "There is a specialization in the industry, and the improvement of the performance of the internal combustion engine is the business of the internal combustion engine research institute, you write a report on the requirements of the internal combustion engine for agricultural machinery, and I will ask them to tailor the internal combustion engine for agricultural machinery."

As for not being able to cover all the links, this is not a difficult task, irrigation can be modeled after waterworks, fertilization can use Nanyang guano, weeding, insect control can be handed over to the chemical research department.

In addition, choose a suitable place and a more enlightened and courageous gentry, let's build a large-scale intensive large farm demonstration area, really to achieve good results, not afraid that no one will follow suit. ”

Although these words are said to be an understatement, but it spares no effort to support agricultural machinery at any cost, and the determination to promote large-scale intensive agriculture is fully revealed, Sun Changling is naturally very excited, there is easy to be content with this attitude, agricultural machinery will inevitably develop rapidly, he hurriedly said: "Relevant reports, students will be submitted tomorrow, the demonstration area, students immediately began to investigate and arrange." ”

Yi Zhishu nodded slightly, and said: "The country is people-oriented, the people take food as the sky, China is a large agricultural country and a large population, we must pay attention to the development of agriculture at all times, we must ensure that food can be self-sufficient, and the transition from scattered and scattered primitive agriculture to large-scale intensive agriculture is the direction of agricultural development in China."

Agricultural mechanization is the guarantee of China's agricultural development, it is currently in its infancy, agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fishery production, transportation, processing and other fields need a large number of machinery, we must let scientific research personnel go deep into the grassroots, conduct in-depth and detailed investigation and understanding, develop a variety of practical agricultural machinery, subsidies for rural areas, invention patents and incentives must be implemented. ”

Agricultural mechanization! And it's not just about agriculture, it's about animal husbandry, forestry, and fishing! Sun Changling felt both excited and responsible, and hurriedly bowed and said: "Rest assured, the principal will live up to the principal's high expectations." ”

Shandong, Tai'an, Feicheng.

On the 22nd of the lunar month, there was a long queue outside the gate of the Yuanqi Bank in the county seat, all of whom came to withdraw money without exception, and the migrant workers who went out to work and could not rush home for the New Year or the workers of factories and mining enterprises, even if they were short of money, they would take out most of their wages and send them home before the 23rd of the lunar month.

On the twenty-third day of the lunar month, the small year, Shandong customs, every household in the small year has to sacrifice to the god of the stove, to steam the sticky cake and eat the sticky cake, which means to stick to the mouth of the king of the stove, so that he can say good things in the sky, not bad things in the world. The sticky cake is made of yellow rice, red dates, etc., which is sweet and strong, and the entrance is soft, taking the auspicious meaning of "high every year".

Even if it is difficult, as long as there is a few surplus money in hand, every household will sacrifice to the god of the stove and steam sticky cakes, in order to pray for the auspicious celebration of the coming year, but also thanks to Yuanqi's large-scale recruitment and work-for-relief, otherwise most people will even have a problem with their stomachs, let alone steamed sticky cakes in the new year.

In the county seat, in addition to the long queue at the entrance of the bank, there were also long queues in front of the relief sheds set up by some county gentry for the free distribution of yellow rice and red dates.

As a big household in Feicheng, the scale of yellow rice and red dates released by the Song family is the largest, and Song Henian, who is the chairman of the county advisory bureau, personally went to the relief shed to give alms, which is not only to do good deeds, but also to win good fame and accumulate prestige, so it is natural to do it yourself.

Looking at the two long queues in an orderly manner, Steward Wang, who accompanied the relief, said with emotion: "It's thanks to Yuanqi's large-scale recruitment, otherwise most people will not be able to celebrate the New Year this year." ”

Song Henian handed a wrapped yellow rice and red dates to a little boy about ten years old, Wen Yan was relieved, and then he retreated and said, "Still have a small year?" It's good to be able to drink porridge. ”

Steward Wang picked up the hot pot and poured him a cup of hot tea diligently, and said in his mouth: "A few days ago, the northern provinces accused Yuanqi of attacking the formation, but fortunately, the imperial court finally supported Yuanqi's ....... ”

"The mantis arm is a car, not self-sufficient." Song Henian said disdainfully: "If you can bring down Yuanqi by accusing and attacking in the newspaper, then Yuanqi would have closed down a long time ago, and they are all a group of rats who dare to open a dyeing workshop if they give a few colors." ”

As he spoke, he gently dialed it with the lid of the tea bowl, "What is Yuanqi, Yuanqi is the heaven of our Daqing!" The imperial court did not dare not support Yuan Qi! ”

Steward Wang was taken aback by these words, it was a catastrophe when these words were spread before, and he quickly changed the conversation, "There has been no decent rain and snow for the whole winter, and I am afraid that the spring drought will be extremely serious ......at the beginning of the year." ”

After taking a sip of tea, Song Henian said: "It's so abnormal, I'm afraid it's not just a spring drought ......." ”

Before he finished speaking, a little guy trotted to him, handed over a telegram, and said, "Young master——, telegram from Shanghai." ”

After taking the telegram and sweeping it twice, Song Henian immediately ordered: "Go home!" ”

Back in the house, Song Henian rushed straight to the main house, and saw the old man Song Youkun, who handed over a telegram after he saluted: "Father, Shanghai Agricultural Machinery Factory wants to build a demonstration area in the north to promote agricultural machinery, and it is a rare opportunity to hang a thousand tilt cards." ”

After reading the telegram, Song Youkun said slowly: "Who is this Ziyun who sent the telegram?" ”

"It's my son's classmate and friend at Jinan University, and now I'm in charge of copywriting at Shanghai Agricultural Machinery Factory." Song Henian said: "Among the classmates back then, there were four who hung thousands of cards, we must reply as soon as possible, as soon as the news spreads, I am afraid that the head of the fight will be broken and the blood will ........" ”

After a slight sigh, Song Youkun pondered and said, "Once our Song family becomes this demonstration area, I am afraid that it will be branded with Yuanqi." ”

Song Henian said with a smile: "Now how many wealthy families want to climb Yuanqi, but they can't find the opportunity to ........ ”

"What do you know?" Song Youkun said in a deep voice: "The slave is a big bully, and the disaster will not follow." ”

"It's a constitutional age, and there are no masters and no minions." Song Henian laughed and said, "Besides, how many years has Yuanqi been since its founding?" If Yuan Qi wants to rebel, there is no need to wait until now, and it is impossible for the imperial court to destroy Yuan Qi. ”

After a pause, he slowed down his tone and said: "Today's world has long changed, the emperor is already a hypocritical monarch, and the one who controls the imperial court is the cabinet on the surface, and he is the representative of the parliamentarians elected by the provinces, but in fact he is the ....... of Yuanqi. ”

Song Youkun waved his hand, "Needless to say, for my father, I can't see through this world more and more, and you are in charge of this matter." ”

Song Henian is clear that there are many people who are obstructed by this matter, and he must strive for the full support of the old man, and he sighed slightly, he said: "This is a demonstration area built for the promotion of agricultural machinery, not only can take this opportunity to close the relationship with Yuanqi, but also has huge benefits that we can imagine, not to mention the rest, even if we can drill more than a dozen deep wells, we also have a lot of benefits, this year's climate is so abnormal, maybe next year will continue to drought for a whole year......." ”

For next year's climate, Song Youkun is also very worried, for the Song family, who hangs a thousand tilt cards, the loss of a year of drought is not a small number, he sighed lightly, and then he said: "Don't worry, my father will do my best to support you." ”

Shanghai, Railway Station.

Compared with last year, the number of people stranded at the train station this year is significantly smaller, and the reason is simple, because to transport migrants to the south and transport food to the north, all trains to the north have basically stopped, and trains in other directions have also been greatly reduced, and even if many people want to go home for the New Year, they cannot buy tickets.

The three cars slowly drove out of the station, and Yi Li, who was sitting in the car, looked at the sparse crowd in the station square through the window, and said with emotion: "The impact of the drought in the northern provinces this time is really ....... ”

Sitting in the front row, Yan Shikuan, who came to greet him, said softly when he heard this: "It will move the whole body, not to mention the drought in several northern provinces, and the entire Qing Dynasty will be affected." ”

Yi Yi smiled and said, "If you can't go home for the New Year, won't the workers stranded in Baoshan, Shanghai?" ”

"No, it won't." Yan Shikuan said: "Many factories only have five days of annual leave this year, and when it comes to transporting grain to the north for relief, the workers can also understand." After a pause, he added: "The workers are still very organized and disciplined, and many factories have literacy classes. ”

Yi Yi nodded slightly, no longer silent, the strong organization and discipline of the workers is not a good thing for the imperial court, especially in the case of the rapid expansion of the scale of workers, this is actually a huge hidden danger.

With a slight mutter, he changed the subject, "I heard that the top speed of this car reached a hundred yards?" ”

"The news of the sixth master is really well-informed." Yan Shikuan said with a smile: "This year, the internal combustion engine has been improved again, the efficiency has been improved, and the maximum speed has reached one hundred and twenty yards per hour, but other aspects are lacking, and it is impossible to drive at this speed for a long time. ”

One hundred and twenty yards? Yi Yi can't imagine how fast it is, even if it is only sixty yards for a galloping horse, if the car can ensure an average speed of sixty yards, it is much stronger than a horse, although the horse can run sixty yards but after all, it can not last, the car can run without sleep, no wonder Yi Zhizhi is content to actively build a road network.

The three cars slowly slid into the Zhennan Palace, stopped outside the courtyard gate of the Changle Book House, and Yi Yi, Su Shun, and Wu Changqing got out of the car and walked quickly to meet Yi Zhifen, who was standing at the door to greet him.

Yi Zhizhi took a few steps and said with a smile: "The three giants of the cabinet are here, and this battle is inevitably too big." ”

Yi Yi arched his hand and smiled: "How can we be as big as the movement of Brother Guocheng." ”

"Fortunately, there is a lot of movement, otherwise it will be difficult to provide relief next year." Yi Zhixiang said with a smile while returning the salute: "The climate in the north is abnormal this winter, and the drought at the beginning of the year is bound to be extremely serious. ”

Su Shun continued: "As the scope of the drought expands, can we continue to expand the scale of recruitment? ”

"How can Yuan Qi have so much money to continue to expand the scale of recruitment?" Yi Zhixiang stretched out his hand and said politely: "There are so many factories to be built in various provinces, and if there are more, we should consider the economic crisis in a few years." ”

Entering the courtyard gate, Wu Changqing said: "Machine drilling should be able to alleviate the drought in some states and counties?" ”

"Machine drilling is a drop in the bucket." Yi Zhizhi said: "Judging from the abnormal situation of winter, as soon as spring begins, the scope of the disaster will expand rapidly, and the only way to do it is to give relief first and migrate first!" ”

Although it was expected, several people's hearts were still heavy, and Yi Yi asked with concern: "There is no problem with food, right?" ”

Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Don't worry about grain, Russia's fifty tons of grain will arrive in Tianjin and Qingdao before March." ”