Su Shu rode a carriage to Anlong, the capital of Cao State, and felt a sudden sense of enlightenment.
The long mountain road finally passed, and there were not even hills ahead, but directly turned into an open plain area.
He looked above Anlong City and saw billowing black smoke forming dense black clouds floating over Anlong City.
This scene is a symbol of advanced civilization.
Su Shu was very familiar with this situation. This was caused by the large-scale application of steam engines and the burning of large amounts of coal at the same time.
In northern areas, this scenario may be residents keeping warm in winter.
However, Cao State is located in the tropics, where it is like summer all year round, so residents do not need heating at all.
When Su Shu saw this situation, he was also shocked.
The development speed of Cao State is indeed much faster than that of Zhao State and Xiang State.
Xiang Guo did not know the details, but only speculated on the general situation of Xiang Guo through Hongyan Port.
Su Shu lived in the State of Zhao for half a month, and he had an understanding of the basic situation of the State of Zhao.
Zhao also had some steam engine factories, but they definitely did not use steam engines on a large scale. They should be limited by some technology.
More importantly, King Zhao Su Xiong prefers to expand territory. In recent years, his energy has been mainly focused on attacking indigenous tribes.
He completely let nature take its course for the development of Zhao State.
Cao Guo is obviously different. He uses the power of the entire country to push Cao Guo forward.
Su Shu believed that Cao Guo had accumulated a lot of experience and that as long as this momentum continued, there would be no problem for him to become the regional hegemon in the Americas.
Admiral Zhan Tie remained silent, observing the situation in Cao Guo.
After seeing the basic situation of Anlong City, he said: "I observed that the population of Cao State should be less than one million."
When Su Shu heard Admiral Zhan Tie's firm words, he asked in surprise: "Admiral Zhan, the Cao Kingdom doesn't have such a small population!
This population is not as large as the population of a city in Tianjin.
Zhao State has not yet left the mountainous area, and its population is already about three million.
Cao State has moved out of the mountainous area and occupied a large grain-producing area. Why is it still so small in population? "
Admiral Zhan Tie did not answer this question directly. He pointed directly to the rice fields outside Anlong City where farmers commanded buffaloes and were plowing.
"I can calculate the approximate population of Anlong City from the size of the rice fields.
The population of Anlong City will not exceed 200,000. Combined with the situation introduced by Liu Guogong during this period, the population of Cao State can be inferred.
Besides, Cao's farming system was suitable for centralization and allowed the country to develop rapidly in a certain direction.
However, the ability of the farming and warfare system to assimilate indigenous tribes was very weak.
Under the system of farming and warfare, the best method of assimilation was to demote indigenous men into slaves and seize indigenous women to give birth to the next generation.
The population of Cao State may explode later, but in the early days of the establishment of Cao State, the population will definitely be in short supply.
From what I learned, Cao State has absorbed the largest number of immigrants.
For immigrants in the overseas provinces of the empire, only immigrants who have initially been Chineseized are the only ones. "
Duke Liu Yuanzheng of Lu State didn't look good when he heard what Zhan Tie said.
This is indeed the case in Cao State. The domestic population is too small. Counting the babies and children born in recent years, the total domestic population is less than one million.
There are very few elderly people in Cao State, most of them are young people, but there are only more than 300,000 young people.
Even if the Cao State had a farming and war system where all the people were soldiers, he could not withstand the population attrition caused by a large-scale war.
This is the fundamental reason why Cao Guo is cautious externally.
The benefits of attacking Xiangguo are huge, and the scale of the war is controllable, so that Cao Guo can reach a consensus.
The land of Qi State in the south of Cao State was barren and there were too few places to grow food.
Qi State's land is long and narrow, its strategic depth is too great, and most of its land is still mountainous.
Seeing the terrain of Qi State, even the most extreme militant faction of Cao State had no urge to attack them.
The Wei State southeast of Cao State was a country with a large population.
He was inclusive, not only absorbing the population of the major provinces of the Great China Empire and local indigenous tribes, he even absorbed the population of Europe.
Wei State is simply a hodgepodge, and they have sufficient cannon fodder troops.
Seeing Wei's huge army, Cao Guo had long given up the idea of provoking Wei.
The farming and war system allowed Cao State to maintain a strong combat effectiveness, but it gave up cultural compatibility.
The problem of population growth has always been a pain for Cao State.
When Su Shu saw the change in Lu Guogong Liu Yuanzheng's expression, he knew that Admiral Zhan Tie was right.
Cao State's farming and warfare system indeed allowed Cao State to develop extremely rapidly, but it also restricted Cao State's development in a certain field.
The carriage passed through the working rice fields, from where indigenous slaves expertly used plow oxen to plow the land.
It can be judged that these rice fields have become mature fields.
At a glance, Su Shu saw that Cao Guo's fields were adapted to local conditions.
Close to the river are paddy fields, which are used to grow rice with higher yields and more suitable for Han people's taste.
A certain type of potato was planted far away from the river. Su Shu could not recognize what it was.
Corn, which is native to America and has extremely high yield, is nowhere to be seen here in Cao State.
He saw corn growing in Xiang State, but Cao State was in the tropics and was not suitable for the growth of corn.
The carriage crossed the fields, walked into the tall city walls, and arrived at the spacious Anlong City.
Most of the inland cities in the Dahua Empire have eliminated obstructive things like city walls.
This is a symbol of the peace and prosperity of the Great China Empire.
Cao State will not only encounter attacks from indigenous people, but also Westerners or people from other vassal states may attack Anlong City.
The majestic city wall is an indispensable city defense.
The carriage drove into the city, and Su Shu observed the situation in Anlong City.
The atmosphere in Anlong City is relatively solemn, everyone is in a hurry, and they all seem to have missions on their backs.
The order in Anlong City is tighter, and some merchants are still able to move freely in Jing'an Port, but this situation is not seen in Anlong City.
Liu Yuanzheng, Duke of Lu State, took Su Shu and his party to the guest house of the Ministry of Rites.
Taking the letter of credence written by Emperor Su He, he entered the palace and asked to see King Cao Li Dazhuang.
…………………………
Duke Liu Yuanzheng of Lu State led a group of people from Su and Shu to meet with King Cao Li Dazhuang.
Su Shu was riding in the carriage, and he suddenly felt that the carriage was traveling in the wrong direction.
"Gong Lu, we are not going to the palace to meet King Cao.
Why do I feel that the carriage is traveling in the wrong direction? "
Liu Yuanzheng, Duke of Lu State, explained: "Your Majesty, we are indeed going to meet King Cao, but we are not going to the palace.
King Cao welcomes your envoys in the main campus to show you the momentum of the army. "
Su Shu's face changed slightly. King Cao Li Dazhuang wanted to show off to them. He really dared to do such a thing.
The Cao Kingdom seems powerful, but it is only in the Americas.
Cao State still has a long way to go before it reaches the Great China Empire.
The carriage was traveling very fast, and they rushed to the large school field in the south of the city.
The carriage drove into the school grounds, with one post every five steps and one sentry every ten steps.
Cao Jun stood densely in the school grounds. Under the scorching sun, they stood still and straight, even if they were sweating profusely.
Su Shu looked at the situation of Cao's army and saw that this was a strong army.
An army that can enforce orders and prohibitions is a strong army.
The strength displayed by Cao's army was that of a strong army.
Even if there are not many Cao troops in the school field, these troops can become the backbone and train more powerful troops.
Su Shu and others got off the carriage, climbed the steps, and climbed onto the high platform step by step.
King Cao Li Dazhuang and all the civil and military officials of Cao State were waiting on the high platform.
Li Dazhuang saw Su Shu in the middle of the crowd. The little guy who had previously called him uncle had grown so big in a flash.
The only thing he felt regretful about was that the person who came was not his nephew Su Lei.
If Su Lei comes, he will definitely entertain him warmly.
Now Su Lei's rival Su Shu has arrived, and everything is official.
King Cao Li Dazhuang did not want to cause trouble to his sister and nephew by spreading the news that he entertained Su Shu warmly.
Su Shu came here on behalf of the Emperor Su He of the Great China Empire, and King Cao Li Dazhuang must give him corresponding respect.
When King Cao Li Dazhuang saw Su Shu coming to power, he took the initiative to greet him and said with a smile: "My nephew can represent the eldest brother Su He to visit Cao State.
As the host, I welcome you with the most solemn etiquette of the Cao Kingdom. "
As soon as King Cao Li Dazhuang finished speaking, gun salutes rang out from both sides of the school ground.
Su Shu clasped his hands in his fists, bowed slightly and said, "Su Shu pays homage to Uncle King Cao. My father is concerned about Uncle King Cao's situation here in America, so he specially asked me to come and visit."
Zhan Tie, Cao Zhengyuan and others also saluted King Cao Li Dazhuang to show their respect.
King Cao Li Dazhuang laughed and said: "Nephew Su Shu is so polite, thank you Brother Su He for your concern.
I am writing this letter personally to Brother Su He, please pass it on to my nephew. "
King Cao Li Dazhuang took out his handwritten letter.
Su Shu took a step forward, stretched out his hands and took the letter respectfully. He put the letter into his bag.
King Cao Li Dazhuang pointed at the army at the school and said domineeringly: "I have been in America for several years and have trained an elite army.
Nephew Su Shu, what do you think of Cao Jun on the school field? "
Su Shu knew that this was King Cao Li Dazhuang showing off his power, but he didn't know the reason?
He just told the truth: "The North Korean army has strict discipline and is indeed a strong army.
The only shortcoming is that the firearms equipped are relatively weak.
Once this weakness is compensated, Cao's army will not lose to the Royal Army of Dahua. "
Su Shu said this, but Cao King Li Dazhuang was not angry because it was a compliment to Cao Jun.
The Royal Army of Great China is a powerful army with a reputation far and wide around the world. Cao Jun has several styles of this army, which is a compliment.
King Cao Li Dazhuang changed his painting style and said: "The land of the American continent has no owner, and those with strong soldiers and horses will occupy it."
When Su Shu heard these words, he immediately understood that Cao King Li Dazhuang was testing the Great China Empire's attitude towards Cao's war.
Su Shu knew that his answer would affect the next situation in America, and would also affect his father's attitude toward him when he returned to China.
He thought carefully, if his father wanted to answer this question, how would he answer it?
My father would never let the Dahua Empire fall into the whirlpool, and he would not let the Dahua Empire get away. He would completely ignore the matter and let him lose control.
Su Shu didn't have time to think deeply. After hearing this question, he immediately replied: "Uncle King Cao, all uncles and uncles came to the American continent to open up the living space for Chinese civilization in accordance with the will of the father.
In order to prevent conflicts between uncles and uncles, my father has already designated areas of the country for them.
Your uncles and your father have a very good personal relationship, and your father will never sit back and let anything happen to your uncles and uncles. "
After hearing what Su Shu said, Cao Guo Li Dazhuang squinted his eyes and thought.
Only when he understood the attitude of the Dahua Empire on this matter could Cao Guo free his hands and expand his territory wantonly.
The shortcomings of the farming and war system were very clear to King Cao Li Dazhuang.
The State of Cao must always have enemies, and the State of Cao must have constant wars.
Only in this way can the interests of the newly rising military aristocrats be satisfied and Cao State can develop according to the established track.
Once the military nobles abandoned Cao Guo.
Cao State, which has lost its most important fundamentals, will inevitably fall apart.
The best outcome is that the Eastern Han Dynasty will succeed the Western Han Dynasty, the Southern Song Dynasty will succeed the Northern Song Dynasty, and the Li family will establish a new country, but it is no longer the original country.
From the attitude of Su Shu, King Cao Li Dazhuang could already figure out the bottom line of the Dahua Empire.
Taking the war between Cao and Xiang as an example, Cao must not allow Xiang to perish.
As long as Cao State does not touch this bottom line, the Dahua Empire will only support the weaker Xiang State and will not personally intervene in this war.
King Cao Li Dazhuang became more confident. He raised his head and looked north.
"I know the deep meaning of Brother Su He, but some people are unwilling to make progress and let the barbarians invade the border and lose the dignity of us Han people.
I can only represent the Han people to regain their lost dignity and regain the land occupied by the barbarians. "
When Su Shu heard the words of King Cao Li Dazhuang, he also understood Cao Guo's attitude.
Cao Guo will control the intensity of the war himself.
Cao State will only have small-scale conflicts with other countries, and there will not be a war that will destroy the country and destroy the species.
The reason why Cao Guo wanted to do this, Su Shu speculated that population plunder must be an important factor.
Xiangguo was wealthy, and he provided many benefits to immigrants.
Many immigrants from the Great China Empire went to Xiangguo.
This huge piece of fat meat, without the strength to protect itself, will definitely attract hungry wolves.
After Su Shu experienced this, he felt that he had gained a lot.
Cao Wang Li Dazhuang and Xiang Wang Su Li were former comrades in arms, so their relationship was not too bad.
Now Cao Guo only takes a fancy to certain interests of Xiang Guo, and these people fall out faster than turning over a book.
King Cao Li Dazhuang understood the attitude of the Dahua Empire, and he happily watched the training on the school field.
When they returned to Anlong City, King Cao Li Dazhuang invited Su Shu to visit the palace.
Su Shu declined. He did not want to have too close contact with King Cao Li Dazhuang.
He was more curious about why Cao State could develop industry so quickly.
Su Shu proposed to visit the factory and meet some well-known craftsmen in Cao State.
When King Cao Li Dazhuang saw Su Shu's approach, he immediately became displeased and said in a heavy tone: "Nephew Su Shu, the Cao Guo factory is the foundation for us to live and work, and we will never let outsiders watch.
If Su Shu's nephew is curious about Cao's system, he can go to the army to experience it. "
Su Shu knew that this was a polite word from King Cao Li Dazhuang, and he refused to go to the factory.
From this detail, we can see that the reason why King Cao Li Dazhuang protected the country and strengthened the country, and the reason revealed to them, was completely superficial.
The interests of Su Shu and Cao Wang Li Dazhuang were originally different.
Cao's country grew stronger, and the person who benefited was his second brother Su Lei.
Su Shu visited Anlong, the capital of Cao State, and learned about the basic situation of Cao State.
They quickly received news that the fleet's engineers had completed the overhaul of the warship and replaced the damaged parts.
They can continue their journey. Su Shu bids farewell to King Cao Li Dazhuang and continues their journey.
He felt that Cao Guo's secret could be answered during the next journey. (End of chapter)
