"The first batch of disaster relief supplies from ports such as Dengzhou Port, Mizhou Port, Haizhou Port, Chuzhou Port, Suzhou Port and other ports have been handed over to various transshipment envoys, and will be sent to the county and township centers through prefecture and county cement roads or canals.

Hebei East Road, Jingdong East Road, Huannan East Road, Huannan West Road, Jiangnan East Road, Liangzhe Road, and Hebei West Road were timely alleviated because disaster relief materials entered from the sea. Hedong Road, Yongxing Jun Road, Qinfeng Road, I asked someone to purchase some grain relief in Xia and Liao Kingdoms, and it was temporarily alleviated.

But this is just a relief strategy. It is July now, and conditions must be created immediately to cultivate. Otherwise, if all summer can't continue, it will be completely ruined this year. It is impossible to support next year."

Ouyang Bian and Zhao Xu reported on their work.

Zhao Xu's face was filled with relief.

"Ji Mo, fortunately, you have you. In winter, you thought about purchasing grain. How did you do it?"

Ouyang Bian smiled.

How did it be done? Great prophecy.

Anyone who pays attention to the history of the Song Dynasty knows the severe drought in the seventh year of Xining.

Because of Wang Anshi's resignation in history, Zheng Xia's "Picture of Refugees" talks about the severe drought in the seventh year of Xining.

If I had known what was going to happen, how could Ouyang Bian not prepare in advance?

However, it takes time to raise this massive amount of food, and it also takes time to transport it back from sea, so it was just enough to deal with it when he came back.

Zhao Xu took a deep breath and asked in a trembling voice: "Ji Mo, how much does it cost to purchase food this time?"

Ouyang Bian smiled and said, "It costs a lot, but as long as the economy improves, you can recover in one or two years. The key is that we have to use this time to do something."

Zhao Xu closed his eyes in pain, this time it was a big blow to the Song Dynasty.

Baojia method has troubled farmers, leaving farmers without the ability to bear risks, and the market law has damaged merchants' vitality. This severe drought has not only displaced farmers, but also has a huge blow to merchants. If you want to restore your previous prosperity, you may not be able to do it in ten years.

Ouyang Bian comforted: "Your Majesty, no need to worry. The disaster is determined. This is helpless. However, as long as we can respond actively, we will be able to survive the crisis safely, and even seize the opportunity to lay some foundations."

Zhao Xu was so excited when he heard this: "Ji Mo said quickly."

Ouyang Bian said: "Life-saving rations are quickly transported to various places, but they cannot be given to the victims for free and free of charge. During major disasters, people's hearts are fluctuating, and eating but not working is prone to chaos, so labor-for-relief must be implemented."

Zhao Xu nodded. This was not an innovative move. He had done this before.

"With life-saving rations, this is just a relief strategy. The key is to cultivate summer as soon as possible. Although the best time for cultivate summer, there will be a harvest if planted. Even if you can receive half of the previous harvest, you can still safely survive this disaster year."

Zhao Xu hesitated and said, "But it doesn't rain now, so I can't plant it at all."

Ouyang Bian nodded: "I have organized a well drilling engineering team and have been scattered to various routes to drill wells. The engineering team is built by Western Engineering. Workers all know how to drill wells and dispatch them to the countryside. They will organize people to drill wells with the local government. There is not water on the ground, but they have to be dug downwards for more than ten meters. In some places, they have to be dug twenty or thirty meters before water can be released. It is impossible to do with folk technology."

Zhao Xuqi said: "Will the people from Xigongjian go and do it?"

Ouyang Bian smiled and said, "Manual drilling of wells cannot be drilled deep. There are technical reasons and excessive spending. The cost is mainly based on manpower. At this time, manpower is naturally not a problem. As for technology, it is mainly about anti-collapse, insufficient oxygen and other factors, which can be solved.

To prevent collapse, you can use prefabricated cement rings to cover them layer by layer, which can naturally be avoided. As for insufficient oxygen, you can use manpower to pump the air and use Zhongtong bamboo to send the oxygen down. There is no big problem.

However, well water irrigation is not as good as river water after all, so the amount of water is definitely insufficient. Therefore, I have introduced drought-resistant crops from overseas, such as sweet potatoes, corn, beans, etc., especially sweet potatoes, which have a huge yield and are the best food for hunger in the year of disaster!"

Zhao Xu asked, "Can these things be planted when brought in?"

Ouyang Bian smiled and said, "Don't worry, your Majesty, it was not a temporary introduction. As early as a few years ago, I had already introduced it, but I have been doing experiments everywhere and have reached the point where it can be fully promoted. In this way, with wells and drought-resistant crops, summer farming can be barely implemented. As long as I can receive 30% or 40% of the previous years, I can spend the desolate year."

A smile appeared on Zhao Xu's face: "There are you Ji Mo, otherwise I really don't know what to do."

Ouyang Bian smiled and said, "It's just a stopgap solution. In addition, I have some plans. Although the previous farmland water conservancy law was also implemented, it is far from enough in my eyes."

Zhao Xu was shocked and said, "It's not enough?"

Ouyang Bian nodded and said, "In my opinion, this has not even achieved the most basic requirements.

My ultimate idea is to one day achieve the South-to-North Water Diversion and transport the abundant water from the south to the north where water resources are scarce, so that it will be perfect enough."

Zhao Xu couldn't help but be amazed: "That's something that only gods can do?"

Ouyang Bian smiled and said, "It is indeed difficult to do with current technology, but it can be done by sorting out rivers, building river embankments, digging canals, building reservoirs to regulate drought and flood, and controlling the Yangtze River and Yellow River..."

Zhao Xu waved his hands repeatedly: "Ji Mo, Ji Mo, don't say too much, this is impossible. I know you said that labor-for-relief. Although you only need to let the victims work, you only need to eat enough, but the food that only allows the victims to live and the consumption of heavy labor is nothing more than the consumption of heavy labor. The consumption of food is four or five times the difference. In the past, it was not that no one wanted labor-for-relief, but he could not afford it at all!"

Ouyang Bian nodded: "Your Majesty, I understand what you mean, but this is the best opportunity. Do you still remember Zheng Guoqu? Qin State was able to sweep Liuhe to achieve great achievements for the ages because of Zheng Guoqu. If the Song Dynasty wants to fight against Xixia and take back Yanyun, it has to rely on its extremely strong national strength to destroy them. The national strength is not enough now. Although we seem to be prosperous, the basic agriculture is very weak. If you have a slight risk, you can't stand it. Now it is the dilemma in front of you."

Zhao Xu was very confused.

He knew very well in his heart what Ouyang Bian said was right, but once he focused on it, it would be difficult to take into account the rest of the matter.
Chapter completed!