According to later records, the real Little Ice Age was between 1650 and 1700. Before that, there was a period of abnormal climate, with droughts and snowstorms taking turns.
Just like giving birth, the most painful part is not when it comes out, but during the nine months after conception.
Usually last year it was a snowstorm that froze people, but this year it was a bare land.
During the 276-year lifespan of the Ming Dynasty, a total of 1,101 natural disasters occurred, but nearly one-third of these more than a thousand natural disasters occurred in the last fifty years.
Since the Wanli period, heavy snow has begun to fall in the Nanjing area, which does not snow all year round.
During the Tianqi and Chongzhen years, the Yangtze River, which had a huge flow rate, began to freeze. Snowflakes also appeared in Lingnan, Guangdong, and many people froze to death.
In fact, if it were a pure Little Ice Age, it would be fine. The temperature was low. After all, fires could be made to keep warm, and the people could still suffer.
However, it cannot withstand climate disturbances and frequent extreme weather events. Even in the 21st century, there is nothing we can do to deal with droughts.
It was impossible to divert water from the south to the north in the 17th century, right?
Thinking about the historical records and the fragmentary information in his memory, Zhu Yixi's face became more and more solemn when facing the discussions among the ministers, and she had to remind them:
"If you are careful, you may have noticed that since the Wanli period, the climate has begun to become abnormal. There may be severe drought for thousands of miles, or there may be several feet of snow. God is capricious -"
"Even in Lingnan, where it has not snowed for hundreds of years, we can still see snowflakes..."
As soon as these words came out, everyone stopped talking and started thinking.
In the past, due to limited vision and knowledge, even top scholars like them were helpless when it came to weather problems.
Although Dong Zhongshu inherited and developed the disaster theory in "The Legend of Gongyang" and Mozi's concept of heavenly punishment into the communication between heaven and man, to be honest, few people who read and understand the truth believe it.
Otherwise, how could there be a Chang Ping Cang prepared for disaster relief?
Wouldn’t there be no natural disasters if he exhorts the emperor every day and implements benevolent government?
The reason why civil and military officials talked about it was because it was the only legitimate way they could restrain the emperor, and it was more effective than the ancestral system.
No matter what happens, the prime ministers will have to take the blame and clear up a few positions.
After all, no one knows whether it’s true or not, so what if it’s true?
Everyone thought carefully, hey, is this really God's will? Does the Ming Dynasty deserve to die?
No, this is foolish talk and cannot be trusted.
So according to the emperor's opinion, God is not normal?
Seeing everyone's eyes gathered, Zhu Yixi's face became slightly solemn: "I have read poetry and history books, and realized that during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms before the Song Dynasty, the world was also in such chaos, with frequent disasters, so we must be aware of it."
“As the saying goes, if the old doesn’t go away, the new won’t come.”
Zhu Mou stood with his hands folded, flattered him and said:
"Without the chaos of the Ten Kingdoms, how could Zhao and Song be established?"
"Your Majesty rebuilt the Ming Dynasty in the ashes and comforted the ancestral temple. This is God's will."
"God's will is clear, God's will is your Majesty——"
The ministers don't care so much, just take the photo and that's it.
The emperor may not remember who flattered him, but he will definitely remember who didn't.
Where is this going?
Zhu Yixi looked stunned. I'm not here to talk to you about this. I'm going off topic.
He waved his hand and said: "Even so, I'm afraid that the tail of this natural disaster is still there. Even in October, there will still be an autumn tiger. I don't guarantee that he will come before leaving to do a test or something."
As he said that, his face straightened and he said seriously: "Everything is forewarned, otherwise it will be abandoned. Therefore, the whole court must pay attention to this matter."
"The north is already in chaos, and I don't want the south to be in chaos again, which will only cause a lot of trouble."
As soon as this trouble came out, everyone's expressions changed, and they immediately understood that this was a reference to a bandit.
Didn't the intruders and thieves of those days come out because of disasters? It shook the country's foundation and even led Emperor Chongzhen to hang himself on Meishan.
"Your Majesty, I remember, didn't we set up a disaster relief department in each province before? And it was headed by the governor."
Zhao Shu, the chief assistant, said softly: "At that time, we planned to let the governor take the helm and appease the people of the province. Now we have just sent an edict to let him collect grain and train troops to prevent bandits from happening."
"The imperial court should also build granaries to store grain and prevent unexpected events."
"Even if something unspeakable happens, we must keep the capital camp in peace."
Hearing Zhao Shu handle the matter so seriously and carefully, and then looking at the emperor's satisfied expression, Zhang Shenyan understood that he was still missing something from the beginning to the end.
At this time, he couldn't help but said: "I'm afraid that among the tens of thousands of children from the capital camp in Liaodong, it will be difficult to supply food because of the money they have saved. Moreover, after sending troops for half a year, they must be tired. Why not return to the capital to reorganize?"
It was Zhang Shenyan's idea to use the rectification to dispatch troops and horses to protect Beijing.
"It's not time for rectification." The emperor vetoed the proposal: "Although the Manchu Qing Dynasty is still hanging on, its mission of eradicating evil has been exhausted. The purpose of piling so many troops and horses in Liaodong is to completely eliminate its people."
At this time, nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses were accumulated in Liaodong, including 60,000 Jingying soldiers, more than 10,000 Guanning soldiers, and about 30,000 Korean soldiers.
Since there were so many cavalry, their food supply alone cost three hundred thousand dan per month.
Fortunately, it can be transported through the Bohai Sea, which saves cost and time. Otherwise, the loss would be even greater.
In the huge Liaodong, there were only a million ordinary people, and they could not support an army of 100,000 people. Not to mention the bitter cold in Liaodong, and the production of materials was not rich in nature. It would be good to be able to support oneself without the support of the court.
Therefore, its grain and grass all come out of Taicang, and the stored grain is consumed.
But it's all worth it.
"Let the governors of each province build more water conservancy projects. Drought and snow disasters are unpredictable, so beware of everything. In addition, patrol battalions must patrol closely to catch lawbreakers."
"As for the general troops in various places, they can just cooperate with the governor in deploying troops."
But there is still some good news for Zhu Yixi.
A turmoil that lasted for many years in the late Ming Dynasty resulted in a sharp decline in population, resulting in empty land and a significant reduction in the pressure on the land. For survivors, as long as they work hard, the vast land can still survive.
As the old saying goes, the people who send a dynasty to its grave are often its own people.
For example, in the late Ming Dynasty, the invading army and various rebels were filled with a large number of deserters from the frontier army. Li Zicheng was originally a member of the Yichuan system, and then he was laid off. If he lost his job, couldn't he rebel?
"In short, the government and the public must be prepared. This disaster will come if there is no guarantee, and you must come step by step."
"If I find someone who is negligent, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Yes -" Everyone bowed their hands and their hearts tightened.
The six ministries of the cabinet moved up and down, and the entire court became agitated.
Not to mention anything else, the Ministry of Household Affairs immediately asked the Ministry of Works to start construction and build some more granaries to store grain in case of unexpected events.
Since the number of sweet potato, corn, and potato seedlings has gradually expanded in the past two years, the expansion of planting in the entire north, and even the world, has officially been put on the agenda.
The method is also simple, as long as these grains are allowed to be tax deducted.
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