Chapter 21
Given the productivity of that era, the plight of these places simply could not be solved. It wasn't that Zhuge Liang didn't want to take these territories; it's that taking them would only have been a drain on the people and resources.
Of course, the population here was similar to Qinghai. From the perspective of ancient rulers, it was better not to take these places at all.
Not only would you have to teach them, but you would also have to constantly spend money and effort. In the end, you might get no thanks for your pains and reap zero harvest; thus, it was better to just not want them.
However, Lia came from the modern era and was different from the people of this age.
One must realize that directly below Tibet lie Nepal and India, which are populous nations. After taking Tibet, Lia could completely continue to conquer Nepal and then seize some population from the Indian side to replenish the populations of places like Tibet and Qinghai.
India is a populous region; it would be a waste not to take from them. Once seized, it would be a good choice to have them go to regions like Tibet and Qinghai to mine and develop.
India is particularly peculiar in this regard; their caste system directly divides the people of the country into four levels.
The highest level consists of priests, the next level includes emperors and ministers, followed by Common People, and finally the slaves. These caste statuses are fixed for life once a person is born.
Under such a system, the soldiers and people of this kingdom are as docile as cattle and sheep, having been bullied countless times by others.
Once they encounter an invader and suffer even a slight setback, they surrender and eventually become slaves.
These are secondary matters; the most important thing is that those at the bottom of society, no matter what kind of bullying they endure, never think of resisting or rebelling.
Influenced by the caste system, according to that ideology, being in the lowest class is because you did too many bad things in your past life, while those in the higher classes did many good deeds.
Therefore, as long as you serve those of the higher castes well and endure all hardships, you will be a higher-caste person in the next life. With this ideology present, those of the lower castes work hard without complaint.
This state of affairs has persisted until today.
Besides this, because of the geographical environment in India, they can even harvest rice three times a year.
If this place could be conquered and used as the future granary of Huaxia, then the problem of food supplies could be said to be completely solved.
Finally, there is Xinjiang, which also comprises The various kingdoms of the Western Regions. The population here is actually quite large; a small kingdom in the Western Regions has between 10,000 and 20,000 people.
There are thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions in total, including some populous ones with over a hundred thousand people. According to Lia's estimates, if the entire Western Regions were conquered, there would be roughly 500,000 to 600,000 people!
As long as she can conquer these places, the population under her rule will reach a million.
In Lia's view, since ancient Tubo could make the combined regions of Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang reach a population of 10 million and eventually force the Tang Dynasty into retreat, it shows that these places are indeed useful.
In any case, she would take them first. Based on the knowledge she possessed, as long as she was given a few decades, it would absolutely be no problem to bring Huaxia into a period equivalent to just before the national Reform and Opening-up.
Of course, she had no way forward regarding firearms, but she could certainly improve the quality of life.
The reason population growth was limited was still the issue of land distribution; it didn't reach the hands of those who truly needed it.
Once Common People can solve their food and clothing problems, they will think about having children. Having children leads to reclaiming more land. By repeating this, within a few decades, Lia could develop a population of tens of millions relying solely on these regions.
Of course, Lia couldn't possibly spend decades developing just this region. Once her technology reached the standard, it would be time for her to counter-attack the land of Huaxia!
Seeing that everyone did not understand the importance of these places, Lia could only give them a science lesson on the relevant information of this region and why she absolutely had to take these places.
After hearing Lia's words, everyone was momentarily stunned. They hadn't expected there to be so many intricacies. Since the Lord had said so, then these places must be taken!
"But Lord, according to what you said, these places are vast and sparsely populated. If we enter, it will be very difficult to find those people, right?" Hua Mulan asked after thinking for a moment.
"Hmm, venturing deep into an unknown region and facing various miasmas, insects, ants, and fierce beasts in the deep mountains and old forests is indeed dangerous for the soldiers. However, I already have a very good conceptual method to ensure that even if the soldiers enter those forests, they won't get lost."
Lia curled the corners of her mouth slightly.
Hearing Lia's confident words, everyone looked at her curiously, wanting to know what made Lia so self-assured.
Chapter 49: telescope
"Let me show you something." Lia clapped her hands lightly.
After Lia clapped her hands, a servant came up holding a box. At Lia's signal, the servant placed the box on the table, bowed, and retreated to the side.
Lia opened the box and took out a long stick made of bamboo?
Everyone was greatly disappointed upon seeing this, having thought it would be some strange or precious treasure.
However, Hua Mulan had an inexplicable confidence in Lia. The Lord's actions during this period had completely won her over.
Looking at everyone's expressions, Lia could only sigh inwardly at these hicks. These country bumpkins who had never seen the world—the thing in her hand was the famous modern telescope!
"Do you know what this is?" Lia held the telescope in her hand, then placed it to one eye and looked out the gate.
"Lord, what is that?" Seeing Lia staring intently into the distance with the telescope, Hua Mulan only felt that Lia looked adorable and had an urge to give her a hug, though she only dared to think it.
"This thing is called a telescope. It allows you to see very far. You'll understand once you take a look." Lia handed the telescope to Hua Mulan, letting her try it for herself.
Only by trying it would one know how miraculous this thing was. Of course, Lia really wanted to name it after herself, but after thinking about it, she decided against it. The name 'telescope' was quite appropriate, and there was no need to attach her own name.
As for the lenses of this telescope, Lia had naturally ordered people to begin the work of firing glass after returning from Dunhuang. This telescope was one of the results produced by the workers grinding that glass according to Lia's requirements.
Of course, the current magnification wasn't high, only about 50 times. However, as glass-making techniques improved, the utility of the telescope would be infinitely magnified!
Hua Mulan curiously took the telescope and, imitating Lia, looked out the gate. In just a short moment, she let out a surprised "Wow." Clearly, this telescope had brought her no small shock!
"This is incredible! This thing called a telescope can actually see so far. Things a thousand meters away look as if they are right before my eyes. It's truly amazing! This must be a divine artifact of the immortals!" Hua Mulan couldn't help but say after putting down the telescope.
"General Hua, is it really that miraculous?" Hearing Hua Mulan say this, the others also grew anxious. Was this thing really that powerful?
"General Li, come and see for yourself!" Hua Mulan glanced at Li Lin, who was equally eager to know the answer, and placed the telescope in his hands.
Li Lin imitated Hua Mulan, placing the telescope to his right eye and looking into the distance. After a while, he put the telescope down and murmured, "This is a divine artifact for military strategists."
The others also took turns looking, and all were so shocked they were speechless.
If just this little thing shocks you, what if I said I'd use this in coordination with a hot air balloon? Wouldn't you be scared to death?
Lia's idea was not impossible. A hot air balloon was something that, with current technology, they were fully capable of making.
It was just that a safe test flight would require quite a bit of time.
After everyone had been shocked, Lia had them all return to their seats and sit down before she spoke: "My dear subjects, you should all know what a kongming lantern is, right?"
"We have seen them." Although they didn't know the implication of Lia's words, everyone nodded.
"Has anyone ever wondered why a kongming lantern can fly up into the sky?" Lia continued to ask.
"It is said that the heat generated by the burning candle gathers inside the lampshade. Because the lampshade is very light, the heat from the candle's combustion carries the kongming lantern up." At this moment, a clerk spoke up.
Lia glanced at him. This civil official was a former Advisor to the Prince of Leping named He Qinggao. Lia saw that he had some knowledge and learning, so she had him work for her.
"What Minister He says is correct. But have you ever considered a question, my subjects? Since a kongming lantern can carry a candle into the sky, does that mean it could also carry other things into the sky? For example, chickens, ducks, sheep, and such?" Lia said.
Many people would release kongming lanterns during festivals, so it could be said that everyone present was familiar with them. However, hearing Lia say this, they were all suddenly stunned.
What on earth is my Lord's thought process? How could she think of using a kongming lantern to take people into the sky? Candles can go up only because they are light; people are so heavy, how could they fly?
"Lord, kongming lanterns are so small and people are so large, this should be impossible," He Qinggao replied after some thought.
"So at a time like this, you need to broaden your horizons. Does the reason you think a kongming lantern can't carry a person fly come down to the fact that it's too small?" Lia asked.
"Yes, Lord, you mean—!" He Qinggao was stunned for a moment, but quickly caught on.
"That's right. Since a small kongming lantern can't do it, what if we change it to one taller than a person? If we make a kongming lantern to the point where it can carry a person into the sky, paired with a telescope to observe the ground, tell me, wouldn't everything be exposed at that point?" Lia said slowly.
A kongming lantern paired with a telescope—hearing this combination, everyone's jaws nearly hit the floor. They had never imagined it could be played this way!
But thinking carefully, it wasn't just that. If a kongming lantern could really ascend to the sky, it could even fly over an enemy's city and drop bombs without any problem???
Following Lia's words, everyone's thoughts seemed to be opened up, and they began talking incessantly about using kongming lanterns to formulate various combat plans.
Listening to their words, Lia suddenly smiled. That was it; her subordinates' thoughts must not be bound by this world; they had to broaden their horizons.
"Lord. Even so, the kongming lantern you mentioned must actually be achievable, otherwise these plans are out of the question." Li Lin remained relatively calm, realizing that all of this required the kongming lantern Lia spoke of to actually work as she described.
"Gongsun Qing, what do you think?" Lia looked toward Gongsun Zhi.
"Lord, I think it's worth a try. However, I have one more question. Even if a kongming lantern can carry a person, it relies on heat from burning. What happens when there is nothing left to burn? The lantern would fall, wouldn't it? Wouldn't the person on it fall to their death?"
Gongsun Zhi voiced his concerns.
Chapter 50: We Are at the Forefront of the Era!
"That's simple. You just need to make something like a valve to control the heat of the kongming lantern. That way, you can fly when you want and descend when you want. Also, the paper for the lantern needs to be replaced with a fabric that has better airtightness to ensure safety."
Lia explained the control methods of a modern hot air balloon.
People of this era had their limitations. They didn't dare to explore the unknown future too much. Even though a kongming lantern could take a candle into the sky, they never thought to apply that principle elsewhere.
They had clearly created gunpowder, yet didn't know how to improve it. One can only say that Confucian thought is harmful!
"This humble official will test it thoroughly." Gongsun Zhi nodded, feeling a bit excited; he was already somewhat impatient to try it out.
First make a kongming lantern the size of a person, then one the size of a house, and then increase it sequentially. Eventually, they would surely be able to make a kongming lantern that could carry a person into flight!
Seeing the group's excited expressions, Lia also smiled slightly. She wondered what these people would think later when she brought out glass cups, cement, and soap?
Next, Lia stopped talking about these matters and instead discussed the upcoming combat plans with her generals and civil officials. After the plans were fully formulated, Lia announced the end of the meeting.
"My dear officials, what do you think of these chairs? Are they comfortable to sit in?" Just as Lia announced the end and everyone stood up to leave, Lia suddenly spoke.
"Lord, these chairs are very well made. My legs don't feel numb anymore," a general said with a laugh.
"Indeed."
"Much better than a cooling mat."
"My backside gets a bit sore after sitting for a long time, but it's still much more comfortable than a mat."
The others all nodded, acknowledging the utility of these chairs.
"That's good. I have already given the manufacturing method for these chairs to the Li family in Liang Province. If you need any, you can place an order with them. You can also recommend them to your friends and relatives. That will be all, then. Safe travels, my dear officials." Lia nodded with satisfaction.
These chairs were Lia's compensation for befriending those more sensible Aristocratic Families. She had directly granted the Li family the sole agency for the chair manufacturing method. Of course, after excluding the production costs, promotion, and other expenses, she would receive twenty percent of the profits while the Li family kept eighty.
To ensure the Li family's source of wealth, she would also provide them with something similar to a modern official certificate to protect the brand of chairs they produced.
As for other Aristocratic Families who wanted to make chairs, they would need to register with the government and pay a fee, and they could not use the same brand as the official one.
If it was just for Common People's personal use, Lia wouldn't say anything. Even selling small items wouldn't be a big deal, though they also couldn't use the official label.
However, this was within Lia's jurisdiction; she couldn't control other places for the time being. If she could, she would naturally require the same there.
It could be said that Lia planned to do this for all future products.
The chairs were just the beginning. Once glass could be fully produced as a finished product, Lia was definitely going to fleece the Wei State and Song State clean!
First, she would pretend they were rare colored glaze treasures to swindle money.
Once she had swindled the wealthy enough, she would promote glass to the general public. When those great Aristocratic Families discovered that the so-called rare treasures were all over the streets, they would surely vomit blood in rage!
At the thought of this, Lia couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. At this moment, the great army from the Wei State had already arrived at the border of Western Liang, and would reach Tianshui in less than half a day.
Lia was not unfamiliar with the place called Tianshui; after all, a very famous person came from here: Jiang Wei, Jiang Boyue.
Lia led her army to station within Tianshui Commandery, waiting for the enemy's arrival.
On the city walls of Tianshui Commandery, a large flag with the character 'Long' in red on a white background fluttered in the wind. Thousands of soldiers in green military uniforms, holding swords and sabers, shuttled back and forth within Tianshui City. It was wartime now, and it was possible that some Aristocratic Families dissatisfied with Lia's rule might want to cause trouble.
Lia sat on a chair in the commandery office with her eyes closed, resting her mind. Hua Mulan stood beside Lia acting as a personal guard, while Li Lin and other generals stood on either side of the hall.
Seeing the sun once again moving toward the west to set, while the Northern Wei soldiers were still nowhere to be seen, Lia opened her eyes and sighed somewhat helplessly: "The movement of these Wei State soldiers is a bit too slow, like a tortoise walking."
Lia had arrived at Tianshui Commandery several days ago. If nothing went wrong, according to the Wei State's marching pace, they should have arrived at Tianshui Commandery by this time. But they still hadn't arrived, to the point that Lia was getting bored of waiting.
Li Lin thought for a moment and said: "Although it is a grand army of fifty thousand, they must also be carrying a lot of provisions, which affects their marching speed. Or perhaps they were delayed by something on the road."
"Report! Lord, our army has discovered the enemy's marching troops five li outside the city. It is estimated to be ten thousand men!" Just then, a messenger ran toward them with military intelligence.
"Oh, they're finally here. They've kept me waiting for so long." Upon hearing this, Lia's face showed no worry about the approaching army; instead, she looked delighted, as if she wasn't the one being attacked.
"Ten thousand? Lord, this unit must be the enemy's vanguard," Li Lin said to Lia after some thought.
Lia gave an 'en' in agreement, then turned her gaze toward Hua Mulan and asked, "Mulan, have you led the men to bury all those Explosives?"
Hua Mulan nodded and said, "Rest assured, Lord. I have personally inspected them multiple times. I guarantee they are all buried properly and will definitely not be noticed by those Wei State soldiers in the slightest."
Of course, even if they were noticed, those Wei State soldiers probably wouldn't know what these things called Explosives were.
Lia nodded and said, "That's good."
To welcome the arrival of the Wei State's fifty thousand elite troops, Lia had not only brought the hand grenades produced during this period but also specifically had Hua Mulan bury Explosives in the ground. Once the fighting started, it would definitely give the opponent a nasty surprise!
It could be said that Lia attached great importance to this battle. Only by immediately striking fear into the Wei State would she have time to develop; otherwise, if the other side kept bringing grand armies to crusade against her, she would be dragged to death sooner or later.
Western Liang was such a large province, yet it had a population of only around 500,000. Trying to fight a war of attrition with Northern Wei, which had over 10 million people, was very unwise.
Even if she had firearms now, it was the same. Before the appearance of cannons and mu