Chapter 965: The Population Crisis of the Ming Dynasty (Second update, please subscribe)
Every imperialist has his or her position!
This is a fact that no one can avoid.
Even a die-hard "Huaxia Party" like Zuo Zongtang would give priority to the interests of the Ming Empire when facing the direct interests of the Ming Dynasty.
The reduction in immigration would affect the interests of the Ming Dynasty. How could Emperor Zhu not know this?
“Immigration will definitely be affected.”
Emperor Zhu nodded and said.
"For many years, immigration has always been the lifeline of the Ming Dynasty and the capital for the rise of the Ming Dynasty. However, the old ideas must be changed. We can't just focus on China. Maybe Chinese immigrants are the source of labor for our Ming Dynasty, but now our population is not small. After all, we have the best population composition ratio in the world - the vast majority are young and middle-aged! The number of people born in our country each year is even more than the total of Britain, Germany and France!"
"Yingjiu, how many newborns were there in the Empire last year?"
"Your Majesty, it's more than 5.5 million people!"
Wang Youling's answer made Emperor Zhu look quite proud, and his heart was filled with pride. You know, at that time, the annual birth population in Germany was only 1.7 million, and France was only more than 1.4 million. As for Britain, it couldn't catch up with France!
This is only the homeland, not including the vast African colonies. The current birth population of the Ming Dynasty is almost equivalent to the sum of Russia and France, or the sum of the United States and Germany.
And what is the reason for all this?
Of course, it is the extremely excellent population composition of the Ming Dynasty - the vast majority of them are young and middle-aged people.
Over the past 20 years, the main immigrants each year have been young and middle-aged people aged 15-45. They are not only the prime labor force, but also the main reproductive force. Good living and working environment, coupled with various official encouragements - even encouraging them by directly giving money, have led to the Ming Dynasty's fertility rate being at an extremely high level.
Unlike Nanhua Town, which had only a thousand people 20 years ago, Daming now has a population of 57 million Chinese people! Half of them are newcomers in the past 20 years.
And that doesn’t even include the colonies!
"5.5 million!"
Emperor Zhu said.
"In terms of new population, only China can surpass us. Even Russia cannot compare with us. A large number of people of childbearing age will inevitably lead to a large population growth. The population of Ming Dynasty is entering a period of rapid growth. Therefore, in the future, when introducing immigrants, we need to consider the work of the new generation of young people in our country. What are the colonies we have established today, including the Twelve Northern Provinces, for? It is to prevent our descendants from worrying about living space!"
A man who does not plan for the future will have immediate worries. In fact, when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang learned that the number of newborns in the Ming Dynasty exceeded five million, he knew that the "population crisis" of the Ming Empire had been resolved.
What does five million new births each year mean?
Fifty million in ten years!
Of course, this birth peak will not last. When the immigrants from 1865 to 1880 enter middle age or grow old, the birth peak will decline. But even if it declines, one thing is certain: ten years later, Ming will become one of the only three countries with a population of over 100 million after China and Russia. As for India... it is not a country at all.
Twenty years later, at the beginning of the new century, the population of the Ming Dynasty will reach 130 million. By the middle of the new century, the Chinese population of the Ming Dynasty will reach 200 million. There is no doubt about this.
The only question is whether the Ming Dynasty’s land can support such a large population?
The answer is yes!
Because Ming Dynasty has the most extensive land in the world. Not to mention 200 million, even if it doubles, there will be no problem.
However, by then there will probably be tens of millions of Europeans and European-Indians in the Ming Dynasty. This is not a problem. They will eventually be assimilated into becoming part of the Ming Dynasty, just like the current twelve northern provinces - the former Brazilian region, where 6 million Europeans, European-Indians and European-Africans live. In the past few years, their future has been very simple, that is, to become subjects of the empire.
But there are only 6 million people, and they will definitely be diluted into the huge population base of the empire. Of course, they will also affect the Ming Dynasty, just like the Argentine tango, and in the future the Brazilian samba will also become the local characteristic dance of the Ming Dynasty. The mutual influence and intersection of cultures is inevitable.
"For the Ming Dynasty today, immigration is no longer a matter of life and death like it was in the past! Therefore, we have to start adjusting some policies."
Pursing his lips, Emperor Zhu slowly walked to the window. Standing by the window of the imperial palace and gazing out, he could no longer see the broad Xin'an River, but only a green meadow and a garden with a unique landscape.
This is the biggest difference between the Zhongdu Palace and the Yingtian Palace.
In Yingtian, when you look out the window, you can see the vast Xin'an River, but in Zhongdu? It's green, it's...
At the beginning of last year, after three years of intensive work and construction, when the first phase of Zhongdu project was basically completed, Emperor Zhu ordered the relocation of the capital. Everyone knew the reason for the relocation of the capital of the Ming Dynasty - in order to completely annex Brazil. Emperor Zhu never denied this.
After all, the purpose of occupying Brazil is for expansion and for the living space of the Chinese nation.
Gazing at the garden outside the window, Emperor Zhu continued.
"For example, the threshold for immigrants from the empire should be appropriately raised, while the threshold for overseas provinces and colonies can remain unchanged. However, the principle of attracting Chinese immigrants will not change. This is a basic principle issue. Just like now some of our outstanding young people can go to China, and outstanding Chinese young people can also come here. It's a choice..."
Gazing out the window, Emperor Zhu thought of another world. A large number of outstanding European scholars flocked to the United States during World War I and World War II. For them, the United States was an option.
"When they encounter injustice in their own country, when they suffer setbacks in their own country, they can come to Ming Dynasty or return to China. They can contribute their wisdom and talents to China in another familiar country, not to outsiders..."
Turning around, Emperor Zhu looked at Zuo Zongtang, Wang Youling and others and smiled.
"Just like you, I want to give them the power to choose - in today's world, not only do rulers choose their subjects, but subjects also choose their rulers."
Facing His Majesty's gaze, Zuo Zongtang smiled.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, if they can choose, they would prefer Ming Dynasty!"
"Not necessarily. Aren't there many people who choose to return to China?"
Wang Youling said with emotion.
"Many young people are always full of ideals and ambitions. In the Xinghan Army, there are many young officers who grew up in the Ming Dynasty!"
(End of this chapter)
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