The train sped across the fields, with golden rice fields on the left and a sea of flowers on the right. The scenery was so beautiful that it was breathtaking.
However, Tuoba Ye was not in the mood to appreciate the scenery along the way, because he had seen enough of the scenery along the way since Xingqing Prefecture.
Since Da Qi increased its investment in Xixia, Xixia's infrastructure has made rapid progress and the reclamation of surrounding fields has also accelerated.
Today's Xixia is no longer a place where people can only survive by relying on animal husbandry.
Whether it is agricultural crops, cash crops, or wool economy, they can all bring them rich income.
The "they" here refers to the nobles.
The growth of wealth should have allowed the people to live a better life. However, in the land of Western Xia, this does not seem to be the case. At least the degree of improvement in people's lives is disproportionate to the degree of growth in social wealth.
Nowadays, the people can survive by either freezing to death or starving to death.
Although this was unthinkable in the past, times are progressing and people should have higher aspirations, right?
It would be fine if these people were ignorant and still as stupid as before, but as long as they were given a full meal, they would happily help the nobles make money in the tent.
But ever since those young men who went out to fight and make money came back, the common people at the bottom have become a little restless.
Those soldiers who went out have seen the colorful world outside and have lived a good life. Now you suddenly ask them to go back to the tent and fleece the farmers every day. How is that possible?
The principle that it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality applies everywhere. This is human nature.
Perhaps in the eyes of the nobles, this is not a problem, because Western Xia has always treated the lower-class people in this way since its founding.
However, times have changed. Those soldiers who have been out and about now have their own demands and want to be in line with their social status, so conflicts arise.
During this period, small-scale rebellions broke out in various parts of Western Xia.
Although it was quickly quelled, it made the entire Western Xia very uneasy.
The nobles didn't understand that when people were starving and cold, and many people froze to death every day in winter, the people were obedient and did not rebel.
Why does this kind of problem still occur now when life is better than before?
In fact, this situation not only occurred in Western Xia, but also in Liao and Jin. The rulers of Liao and Jin are also very troubled now. Obviously, social wealth is increasing and national strength is growing stronger, so why is the foundation of their rule still unstable?
Tuoba Ye took the train to Da Qi this time because he wanted to study at the higher education institution there to see if he could find the root cause.
After years of development, not only have the trains become faster and more stable, but the fact that Da Qi's science and technology culture is ahead of the world has also been recognized by neighboring countries.
Those noble children who were sent to Da Qi as hostages have now returned to their country after completing their studies and have become the top figures in their respective countries, participating in the governance of their countries.
Being able to study abroad in Da Qi now is like gilding yourself. When you come back, countless families will rush to establish relationships with you, and you will definitely have a place in the court.
Tuoba Ye received an invitation to study abroad from the Imperial College. He will be a member of the Imperial College in the future. After returning to the country, naturally, seniors from the Imperial College will come to him and recommend him for official career.
Tuoba Ye was very excited. When he thought about being able to see what the leading Da Qi was like, and thinking about how he could make great plans after returning to his country and use what he had learned to make Xixia a better place, he wished he could grow wings.
"So our train is still too slow. 50 kilometers per hour is no longer able to keep up with current demand."
A person nearby shook the newspaper in his hand and made this comment.
Tuoba Ye looked over and saw that the other person was reading the official newspaper issued by Da Qi. This meant that this person could understand the Da Qi language, and he was also a talent.
Tuoba Ye was immediately interested in chatting. He bowed and said, "May I ask your name, sir? And what are your thoughts on trains?"
"Haha, sir, I don't deserve that title. I'm just a businessman who frequently travels between Xixia and Daqi. My humble name is Ku Mu Tu."
"So it's Mr. Kumutu. You look like a well-educated man. Could you tell me more about this train?"
"I'm not a learned man, I just fought in battles a few years ago and have seen a lot." Ku Mu Tu said this modestly, then changed the subject: "I heard that many places in Da Qi now use trains with speeds exceeding 80 kilometers per hour. The efficiency is simply incomparable."
"Unfortunately, these trains can only be used to transport freight. The speed of passenger trains is limited to 50 km/h."
Tuoba Ye nodded and said, "I heard that because the 80 train technology is not yet mature, they don't dare to carry passengers at the moment, right?"
Ku Mu Tu curled his lips and said, "Don't listen to this, it's all lies. I know these grandsons too well. What's the point of saying the technology is not mature? If the technology is not mature, you can just use the iron pot. It's nothing more than transporting goods to make more money than transporting people."
"You've definitely never been on the first trains. They weren't meant for people. Thinking about it now makes my body ache. Those freight guys are like that. In their eyes, cargo is much more lovable than people. They can move a lot at once with minimal hassle. You can just stuff it in there and the cargo won't complain."
Tuoba Ye nodded and said, "I wonder what you are doing in Da Qi this time?"
"Well, some of my good friends in Daqi got some things for me, and I want to get them back this time."
"They must be good things, right?"
"Haha, it's indeed not common in Xixia."
As the saying goes, it is a taboo to talk about deep things with someone you just met, so after chatting for a while, the two sides did not continue the conversation in depth.
After a day and a night, the train finally arrived at the station, and Tuoba Ye and Kumutu parted ways at the station.
After leaving the station, looking at the four-wheeled car in front of him, Ku Mutu's eyes lit up and he said, "Is this the car that was built two years ago? Can this thing really run on its own?"
His companion smiled and pushed Ang Kumutu onto the car, saying, "A train can actually run on its own, so why aren't you so surprised? Come on in, let's go eat first. We've raised quite a bit of charity this time. If we can exchange it for weapons and ship it back, it will definitely help our revolution succeed!"
Ku Mutu also nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, we have been oppressed for too long. It's time to let those nobles know that we merchants are not to be trifled with. Times need to change!"
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