It was not difficult for Xiao Ruxun to get people to bring the woolen looms back from England. It was also not difficult to get some textile workers back. The most difficult thing was to improve the sheep breed.
It was not that the Mongolian sheep and Qinghai sheep were difficult to get, but the economic value was not that high. Once they were spread to the whole country in the future, with such a large market, there had to be some means to increase economic benefits.
But Xiao Ruxun was not worried about this. There was always a first time, and with the first time, many things would be easier in the future.
After getting the woolen looms back, Xiao Ruxun gathered the textile experts in the Imperial Plantation together and had them learn the woolen weaving technology. Then, he called a group of craftsmen to study the woolen looms thoroughly and began to imitate them. If there were any mistakes in the imitation process, they had to be improved.
The appearance of the woolen looms and the sweaters made the cabinet and the Ministry of Finance realize the amazing wealth potential of the grasslands that they had deliberately ignored.
There were sheep, cows, and horses on the grasslands. First of all, they could solve part of the demand for meat and some of the needs of the people. Originally, sheep were only used to eat meat and drink milk. There was not much meaning to their fur. But now, it seemed that these sheep were the most important.
The wool of sheep could be woven into comfortable and warm woolen sweaters. For the winter that was getting colder and colder, it was indeed a rare warm product.
And what was the number of people who needed to wear clothes?
It was infinitely close to 100%.
Daqin had 130 million people, which meant that there was a market of 130 million people. With the power of the country to promote the sale of woolen sweaters, they could definitely open up this market in the shortest time possible and make woolen sweaters indispensable for winter warmth for the people.
In this way, the problem that the Ministry of Finance and the cabinet were most worried about not being able to recruit enough people to graze on the grasslands could be solved. Seeing the benefits, there would naturally be people willing to graze on the grasslands.
Seeing such a large market for woolen sweaters and the profits from wool, would anyone not be tempted?
Xiao Ruxun said that the Imperial Plantation was the first to set up a pasture on the grasslands. They could make woolen sweaters, woolen pants, woolen socks, and even gloves. First, let the troops of the northern garrison be equipped with these warm products to ensure that they would not be frostbitten in the cold.
This was a source of income. They could turn the grasslands, which had been regarded as meaningless by the dynasties in the Central Plains, into very economically meaningful pastures. They could use everything from the grasslands to improve the lives and health of the people in the Central Plains. No matter how one looked at it, this was a job with many benefits and no harm.
Xiao Ruxun was not worried about whether Daqin would have a sheep cannibalizing movement.
England was small, not even as big as a province of Daqin. Sheep eating people was inevitable, but Daqin was different.
There were so many uninhabited regions in the northern side of the Great Plains that could be used for grazing. When the time came, the government would divide out some regions for grazing. He didn't believe that Great Qin's Herdsmen would be able to occupy the entire Great Plains.
If that was the case, he would be even happier.
Then the grasslands would really become an inseparable part of the dynasties in the Central Plains. Even if something happened in the future, for the sake of this benefit, the dynasties would not choose to give up the grasslands easily. They would continue to occupy the grasslands and maintain enough strategic depth to deal with the threat of Russia.
The secret agents from Black Water, who had gone further north and further west, had already returned to report to Xiao Ruxun. Daqin continued to explore the northwest border to the north and west. Other than the territories occupied by many Mongolian tribes, they also mentioned the existence of Russia.
As soon as Xiao Ruxun heard the name, he knew that it was Russia. Russia's expansion was really a legend. There were many things that could be said in detail.
But there was no doubt that this was not an accident, but an inevitability. The icy and snowy Siberian Plain had not brought enough economic benefits to Russia. Because the climate was too cold and unsuitable for human habitation, the economic development was not sufficient. However, the political and military significance of the Siberian Plain might be greater.
Xiao Ruxun was not interested in expanding to Siberia. Although there were many tree resources and perhaps many mineral deposits, the distance was too far, and the climate was too harsh. It was difficult to develop agriculture. It was not suitable for human habitation, and it was a serious problem for living there.
If he wanted to operate it, the cost would be too high without modern means. Other than increasing strategic depth, Xiao Ruxun couldn't see the significance of this land to Daqin.
But in terms of strategic depth, Daqin was enough. After completing Xiao Ruxun's three-phase northern expedition mission, Daqin's expansion could come to an end.
The bigger the territory, the better. It depended on whether it could be used effectively or whether it could be used as a strategic buffer. These were the values.
After completing the three-phase northern expansion mission and entering Baikal Lake, Xiao Ruxun felt that Daqin had enough strategic depth to deal with all problems. If they continued to expand to the north and pursue the illusory North Ridge Province, it would only increase military expenses.
As for whether the Russians would come here to fight with Daqin in the future, Xiao Ruxun wasn't worried. If they came, then so be it. It was not a problem to see if they could withstand it or if they could.
Don't treat Daqin like the Qing Dynasty.
At the moment, the biggest enemy was still the Mongolian tribes in the plains to the north of Daqin. It was not realistic to kill them all. If they were willing to surrender, he would let them surrender. He would give them an area to live in, build a city, let them graze, form an economic alliance, and slowly tame them.
But Xiao Ruxun's ultimate goal was to wipe out the hostile Mongolian tribes in this area. This was also a goal that would be achieved.
Everyone was always in a state of war. They didn't even need to declare war. Once they were ready, they would start fighting. Sudden attacks were common.
The Taolu and Qinghai Tumut who occupied Hetao were the first targets to be eliminated. Eliminating them would restore Hetao's control over Qinghai, and they would have the initiative in the war. When the war started, and how the war progressed, they would be the leader, not the enemy.
Originally, Xiao Ruxun thought that it would take more time to prepare for an all-out war.
But in the second half of the fifth year of Longwu, the General Staff Headquarters reported that a lot of resources were already in place. They could continue to consolidate, but could they consider sending troops to war earlier?
Xiao Ruxun thought about it again and again and rejected the General Staff Headquarters' suggestion. He wanted to give the people some time to recuperate.
But in May of the sixth year of Longwu, because the Taolu launched several surprise attacks, they were all defeated by the Northwest Corps. The Northwest Corps repeatedly reported that the Taolu could not withstand a single blow, and requested to take the initiative to attack.
Based on the equipment and training of the Qin Army, this was indeed what it should be, especially the Northwest Corps, which was one of the main forces of the northern expedition. Its training was even better than that of the Guanzhong Corps. It also had four field armies and one cavalry army with 150,000 soldiers. Its military strength was strong and outstanding.
Indeed, everything was ready.
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