Akagi Hague was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat. The hot wind blew under the grape trellis, which actually made him feel cold all over, and there was a slight chill in his heart... The expression on his face was wonderful, he was afraid and regretful at the same time. It was about trying to please again, and several completely different emotions made his facial muscles almost out of control, which was extremely embarrassing.
Fang Jun glanced at him with a half-smile, waved his hands and said comfortingly: "Brother, don't worry, am I the kind of person who gets convicted for his words? It's not a big deal for me, I just saw that there are a lot of wastelands in Gaochang Country. , the water and grass are also abundant, especially the flocks of sheep are luxuriant, so I want to open a woolen mill tomorrow spring, and I need the strong support of everyone here."
Another skinny old man was afraid that the old guy Akagi Hague would talk nonsense again and not get everyone involved, so he blurted out: "Please don't worry, Lord Marquis, your business is our business, in the land of Gaochang... That..." He bit his tongue hard before swallowing half of the words, and quickly added: "I didn't say anything!"
After saying that, I was sweating profusely. I glanced at Akagi Hague sympathetically. I wanted to express my sincerity, but it was really hard to say this...
Fang Jun didn't notice that he almost said, "Who do you love in Gaochang?" He nodded happily and said, "That being the case, I would like to thank you all for your kindness. Starting next year, For those wastelands and sand dunes that are not suitable for growing grapes, please encourage local farmers to raise more sheep and graze more. But don’t worry, when I do business, what I pay attention to is a steady flow of water and a win-win situation for all parties. This will never happen I treat my partners badly. My woolen mill does not collect sheep, only wool. The price is at least five times higher than it is now!"
When he said this, these people's eyes widened!
Although Gaochang State is located in an oasis and is surrounded by desert, there is not much land suitable for growing food, but there are many places for grazing, and grazing is also the source of livelihood for many people.
Many sand dunes are not suitable for growing crops, including grapes. The sandy land does not store water or fertilizer, making it difficult for crops to grow. But nothing grows. Some low weeds grow on the surface of these dunes. These weeds are extremely drought-resistant.
Most of these pastures are small and uneven, and are not suitable for raising horses, but they are very suitable for raising sheep.
Persian blankets are world-famous and extremely expensive. Because of the smoothness of the Silk Road, this technology was introduced to the Western Regions a long time ago. All countries have mastered this technology. Therefore, the demand for wool has always been great. The profit from raising sheep is not small, at least it is much better than growing food. .
Now that Fang Jun promises that the price of wool is more than five times higher, doesn't raising sheep mean making a fortune?
In order to make up for the gaffe he just made, and for fear of leaving a bad impression on Fang Jun, Akagi Hague immediately expressed his position: "After I return, I will instruct my tribe to raise more sheep. This herding is what we Vighur people are best at! In addition, I will I will destroy all the farmland with low yield in the clan and turn it into pasture to support the Marquis!"
He thought that anyway, the land in Gaochang State was not suitable for growing food. Rather than letting the barren land produce only a small amount of food every year, it would be better to turn it into pasture to raise sheep. On the one hand, he could express his full support for the Marquis, and on the other hand, he could Increase a large amount of income, wool is much more valuable than food...
When he said this, how could the other people be willing to fall behind? They immediately expressed their full support for Mr. Hou's business.
Akagi Hague can settle accounts, who can’t?
Not only can he show his loyalty, but he can also get benefits. This prince's business is really "win-win"...
Fang Jun had a look of emotion on his face, and immediately clapped his thigh and said: "Not much else to say, we are aware of your friendship! Since you are so supportive, we have to give you some benefits in return. First of all, I know Gaochang has always been short of food. From now on, every time a caravan enters Gaochang, I will traffic grain from Guanzhong here and sell it at a fair price without making any profit. I just want to repay you!"
When everyone heard this, they immediately beamed with joy!
Food shortage in Gaochang has been a major problem in history, and it is getting worse.
Because Gaochang is prosperous, most refugees from various countries in the Western Regions migrate here. There are more and more people and less and less food. Moreover, any land suitable for growing food is also suitable for growing grapes, and the profit from growing grapes is several times that of food...
In the past, the Tang Dynasty had very strict control over food. Caravans from the Western Regions could take away any commodity from the Tang Dynasty, even a small amount of ironware, but they could never take away a grain of food!
Well now, with Fang Jun's promise, Gaochang will no longer be in danger of food shortages from now on. Not only can the population expand rapidly, attracting refugees from the entire Western Region to migrate here, but the land used to grow food can also be used to grow grapes... …
This prince is simply the God of Wealth!
Fang Jun looked at the smiling faces with a smile, but felt happy in his heart.
He can guarantee that as long as enough food can be supplied, from now on, Gaochang will firmly join the Tang Dynasty without any dissent!
The trick he played was inspired by the "sheep-eating man" enclosure movement in Britain, the Netherlands and other countries in the 15th and 16th centuries...
As long as the "East Datang Trading Company" can open up routes to the East and even Southeast Asia in the future, it will greatly promote the prosperity of the woolen textile industry and greatly increase the demand for goods. Even in the current Tang Dynasty, there is a lot of demand for woolen products.
The woolen weaving industry prospered and the demand for wool surged, making sheep raising a very profitable business.
When everyone sees the profits from sugar and wool, who among the people here or the entire Gaochang Kingdom will have the heart to grow food?
Profit-seeking landowners will definitely fence off their own land and public land to graze their sheep, and forcibly occupy farmers' land. Peasants lost the land they relied on to support their families, and they took care of their young and old, wandering to unfamiliar places.
Where to wander?
Of course it's the Tang Dynasty...
The entire Western Region is short of food. Gaochang has no food output. How can it still be strangled by the Tang Dynasty?
A grape and a piece of wool can hold Gaochang tightly in the palm of your hand!
As for whether there will be too much wool and supply exceeds demand, there is no need to worry at all.
"Sheep eating people" is a nationwide practice in several European countries at the same time. Therefore, the output of woolen products is huge, and the products must be sold to the world through new routes.
And how big can Gaochang be? Even if all sheep are raised, how much output can be produced?
There is absolutely no comparison between the two.
As long as these two tactics are promoted in Gaochang, they will tightly control Gaochang's economic lifeline. If they betray the Tang Dynasty, these big landowners and merchants will lose huge profits and cut off the supply of food. At that time, even if a foreign enemy invaded and the Tang Dynasty had to send troops, the Gaochang people themselves would fight the enemy with red eyes!
Fang Jun was in a good mood. He took out a memorial from the box next to him, threw it in front of several people, and said with a smile: "Secondly, I have already paid an audience to His Majesty. In view of the special geographical location of Gaochang State and the powerful people in Gaochang State, In order to express their loyalty, I request your Majesty to list Gaochang as an autonomous land. In addition to garrisoning troops and appointing the highest officials, the imperial court will vote for eight members of the council to be elected by all the people of Gaochang. Under the leadership of the Tang Dynasty, they will jointly participate in Gaochang. The daily management and policy formulation of the country..."
The series of unexpected surprises have already shocked these people to the point of being tender on the outside and tender on the inside...
Puquluo couldn't believe his ears: "Does the Marquis mean that the officials of Gaochang State are elected by all the people, rather than appointed by the Tang Dynasty?"
Fang Jun pointed to the memorial: "This is a copy. The original has been sent by me to His Majesty for review, and will be decided by several prime ministers in the Political Hall."
People of all ages can put their heads together for a while and start reading impatiently...
Fang Jun himself is very proud of this idea of "popular election".
If all officials were appointed by the Tang Dynasty, it would invisibly increase the burden on the Tang Dynasty, and if they were handled slightly improperly, it would easily arouse the rejection of the people of Gaochang, thinking that this was unfair treatment by the Tang Dynasty. If it is instigated by thoughtful people, it can easily cause social unrest.
But if you are the officials you elected, no matter what decision you make, how dare you blame it on Datang? If there really is a riot, it is justifiable for the army to suppress it. It will not cause social conflicts, let alone arouse rejection.
Again, as long as the economic lifeline is firmly grasped, the land of Gaochang will never be able to fly...
