Don't Mess with That Dragon-Chapter 734 - 120 Agriculture and Industry (1st Update)
Relying on a network of spies, a large number of minstrels at the bottom spread those extremely beguiling verbal messages to almost every corner of the entire nation.
The numb-free citizens and peasant groups in the isolated mountain villages, though fearful of the authority of the Lords ruling above them,
in a crisis of life and death, there are always a few bold individuals who will take risks.
And this,
further unsettles the minds of the peasant groups under oppressive rule.
Coupled with minstrels secretly fanning the flames, igniting one potential crisis after another, leaving the Blue Dragon Kingdom and surrounding nations in turmoil throughout.
However,
due to the pride of noble bloodline, those lofty noble lords wouldn't deign to nestle in the stinky taverns with those peasants to listen to the minstrels' vivid storytelling propaganda.
Therefore, the noble lords are basically ignorant of the source of the underground current.
Perhaps a few clever noble lords have learned from reports by subordinates about the propaganda by minstrels in taverns, and feel somewhat inexplicably uneasy about the stories that seem slightly off.
But this world has not yet seen such a covert propaganda and public opinion war utilizing a spy agent network to bribe minstrels secretly.
Furthermore, the Blue Dragon Kingdom's spy agents, amidst escalating turmoil caused by influx of refugees from surrounding nations, safely obtained a newly revised script from higher-ups, with minstrels broadcasting it.
This script, carefully crafted by the Ministry of Propaganda, contains no overt praises compared to previous provocative speeches, but subtly guides nearly all impoverished commoners to seek life in the Blue Dragon Kingdom.
Thus,
even those enlightened noble lords only sense something amiss but can't pinpoint it, opting to send away fallen minstrels wandering to the area.
Realization,
remains in the minority.
Under dire circumstances, old noble Lords deploy various methods, be it strict surveillance, brutal killings as warnings, or hoarding all surplus grains to lock subjects in their domains, every tactic proclaiming violent oppression,
yet under the secret stirring by wandering minstrels, leads to greater chaos and incites rebellion among peasant and free citizen groups.
The situation doesn't calm as quickly as upper echelons of surrounding nations assumed,
instead worsens under the arrogant nobles' brutal suppression, creating waves of refugees.
The nation's foundation is being hollowed out further.
In crisis, a certain King even issued twelve orders in a single day, nearly exhausting the Royal City's order officer's steed.
Yet the effects,
remain negligible.
Meanwhile,
as surrounding nations become disoriented by covert operations of Blue Dragon Kingdom's spy agents, the Blue Dragon Kingdom's officials steadily accept the influx of refugees.
A strong militia maintains order, heaps of food placed centrally quickly pacify the panicked refugees.
Then through various means, they are recruited, organized, and transported in batches to vast plains for farming and land development.
Simultaneously,
policies to digest newly occupied areas haven't stopped; through previous land tax and other actions, Blue Dragon Kingdom firmly holds the hearts within these vast territories.
However, even so,
large rural populations still remain in self-sufficient agrarian economy, isolated from outside, unable to truly leverage human resources of these regions.
Only by incorporating rural populations into the industrialization process via economic or political means can the Kingdom organize its power to the greatest extent.
An agricultural nation led by peasants remains at a disadvantage against industrial giant states.
Industrialized populations not only produce greater economic output but also possess greater discipline, able to be mobilized onto the battlefield with minimal organization, unmatched by agricultural nations.
Despite annexing the Three Great Dukedoms,
overall, the Blue Dragon Kingdom stands at a disadvantage in manpower and land facing the entire Central Earth World.
To achieve the ambition of swallowing an elephant, ultimately unifying the continent, establishing a hegemonic Empire across Central Earth World,
a purely agricultural nation finds it difficult.
Only by constructing every industrial citizen like a screw in the Kingdom's system can an industrial nation counterstrike and annex foes ten times its size with minimal population.
Transforming newly occupied vast territories and integrating the large population into Blue Dragon Kingdom's industrialization process is imperative.
The Blue Dragon Kingdom's leadership has already planned for this.
The plan is to develop markets, once vast rural farmers reap enough surplus under a ten percent land tax, initially dumping exquisite salt, fabrics, and inexpensive necessities to cultivate consumption awareness.
Subsequently, various industrial products will follow,
such as bicycles, sewing machines, radios, televisions, and productivity-enhancing machines like tillers and pumps, families buying these major items will naturally create aspirational hierarchies among fellow impoverished villagers.
In Austin's previous life's nation, those owning three major appliances in early 1980s rural areas were envied by all villagers.
Once advanced machinery is utilized, production scales expand, further widening wealth disparities.
Farmers initially happy with retaining ninety percent harvest may soon find their gains insufficient against abundant commercial product values, compelled to work harder under the allure of industrial goods.
Even more than before.
However, compared to the past,
before they were driven hungry by lords with whips, now they voluntarily work after being well-fed.
