The reason why people in ancient times could not get enough to eat or wear was due to insufficient productivity, inadequate transportation capacity, strong regionalism, and the influence of the political system.
Within a year, with Wang Han's extraordinary support, the reforms in Bingzhou began to show results. Besides educational reforms, Wang Han also reformed animal husbandry and agriculture, increasing productivity. He secretly multiplied the surplus to meet the needs of the people, truly ensuring they had enough to eat and wear. Although the beginnings of development were somewhat distorted—for example, potatoes became a staple food—the overall outcome was positive. Wang Han also established various livestock farms and large orchards. He not only ran these himself but also encouraged the people to engage in animal husbandry and agriculture. The government provided low-interest loans to capable individuals, and even with surplus livestock, the government continued to encourage production. Unsold or unsustainable livestock were bought back by the government. Some of the livestock was used free of charge for the army, students, and those who contributed to government projects such as road and school construction. The rest was brought into Wang Han's livestock farms to continue raising livestock and expand the scope of animal husbandry.
Although many people wondered if Wang Han was losing money by doing this (in fact, they didn't know that Wang Han's farm had a multiplier effect, so apart from the labor cost, there was no issue of losing money at all), some astute people realized that Wang Han was stockpiling surplus resources to prepare for the future.
Cao Cao knew that Wang Han was preparing for the future. He was always the first to follow Wang Han's reforms or actions. However, after only a year of reforms, Cao Cao still had to borrow a considerable amount from Wang Han. Any surplus resources were either used to pay off Wang Han's debts or exchanged for other supplies.
Cao Cao is now having a headache looking at the various IOUs he owes Wang Han. Wang Han's reforms are too fast, and his economic foundation can't keep up. He not only owes money, but also various materials. Fortunately, the reforms have been effective and have won the hearts of the people. He has also gained a lot of popular support and prestige. His army is also united. Among the various warlords, apart from Wang Han's Bingzhou, he has the strongest army and the wealthiest people. However, he himself is now heavily in debt.
Cao Cao has now come to terms with it. The position of the ruler of the world is not his for the taking. Even if he gains control of the world in the future, he will still have to listen to Wang Han. After all, Wang Han is now almost like a god in the hearts of the people and soldiers. Even if he were the emperor, if he didn't obey, the people would rebel against him, and the soldiers would mutini. He probably wouldn't be able to hold the throne for long. Wang Han's series of reforms show that he is no match for Wang Han. Compared with Wang Han, he is simply not cut out to be an emperor.
Wang Han could be said to have gained the world without bloodshed. The battles fought to the death by other warlords were not as effective as Wang Han's reforms. Their battles were simply a joke.
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The cattle, sheep, and horses obtained from the nomadic tribes were all rented to the people for free. Regarding land, although Wang Han did not confiscate the land from the powerful clans, he allowed the people to cultivate a large amount of land in suitable places to grow various crops, and then brought water from nearby areas.
Horses were used to transport various supplies and as military horses.
Sheep are raised in large numbers, sheared for wool, and sold for meat.
The construction and widening of roads have facilitated trade and the transport of goods. Although the reforms are not yet fully complete, there has already been a significant improvement in the past year, and many people are already looking forward to the completion of these reforms.
It is worth mentioning that Huang Yueying and Huang Chengyan invented the wooden ox and flowing horse together, which really helped a lot in transportation.
Wang Han was overjoyed. He not only mass-produced them but also established a special research and invention department, tasking them with inventing useful things. He also taught them the principles of steam power and gunpowder manufacturing. In response, they imitated the principles of rifle bullets and, after Wang Han's suggestion, researched and manufactured a hand cannon using existing technology. However, because rifles already existed, and because Wang Han intentionally suppressed the technology, it didn't cause much of a stir; only Wang Han and a few others knew about it. Furthermore, he generously rewarded any inventions from the public that were useful and unique.
In addition, the times are still relatively simple. People can eat and dress well now, and there are fewer people who are forced to take risks and commit crimes due to the pressure of life. As for those who still dare to commit crimes, Wang Han is ruthless towards them.
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The changes in Bingzhou within a year shocked the warlords, followed by fear. The Marquis of Dingshan was truly a genius; under his various reforms, Bingzhou was now not only militarily strong and well-fed, but its people were also well-fed, clothed, and living in peace and prosperity. Everyone was literate, and the people were united in purpose. It was a golden age of national strength and prosperity, even better than Chang'an at the height of the Han Dynasty. And this wasn't just one city, but the entirety of Bingzhou. Some even analyzed that Bingzhou was now capable of rivaling the Han Dynasty at its peak, and that once the so-called schools cultivated a large number of talents, the situation would only improve, becoming even more prosperous and powerful. The fact that their own people weren't starving was also thanks to the Marquis of Dingshan's distribution of grain and seeds.
Comparing the current situation in Bingzhou with that in their own territory, it's obvious to anyone that the latter is better. Their past smear campaigns, opposition, and criticisms of the Marquis of Dingshan's reforms have now backfired spectacularly, slapping them in the face from both sides. Not only are many civilians from their territory secretly migrating to Bingzhou, but many soldiers have also deserted there. Few don't want a better life, and despite their best efforts, they haven't been able to stop the continuous outflow of population and soldiers to Bingzhou.
Now they regret it, and even the powerful clans know that this is the inevitable trend and want to learn from the reforms. In many places, the people are even trying to reform on their own, but unfortunately, they don't have the strength, nor do they have Wang Han to support them. Lacking the foundation and support, although their reforms have increased some productivity, they are far from achieving the prosperity and strength of Bingzhou.
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