Then the rice matured early in the south, and there was a harvest in June and July. The imperial court collected the grain in the south, and then transported it to the north to ensure the food supply in the second half of the year.

But this is not enough. We have to anticipate the food shortage situation early next year. Therefore, next, Hufang will join forces with grain merchants in northern Beijing, Sichuan, Sichuan, western Beijing, and Jianghuai areas, and cooperate with maritime merchants to purchase large quantities overseas.

Agricultural products to supplement the food supply of various regions.

This is why I asked the Third Division to give me so much money. This is just to prepare food in advance, and does not include the money to vigorously promote water conservancy facilities in various places. That money is even greater!"

Jia Changchao's head was buzzing as he listened to Zhang Heng's understatement of a large-scale operation that mobilized almost all the manpower, material and financial resources of the country. He had been immersed in officialdom for many years, so he naturally knew what such an operation meant.

This big operation even mobilized more resources than during the Song-Xia War!

"You can't do it!" Jia Changchao said through gritted teeth.

Zhang Heng frowned and said: "It can be done. I have already deduced these things and they can all be done.

Food from the south can be transported by sea to the northern coast, and then transported from the coastal port to the inland. In fact, the consumption is not too much, and this can definitely be done.

It is actually not difficult to purchase agricultural products overseas. Now our maritime merchants go to sea with full loads of goods. When they come back, they can only enlarge stones in the cabin.

Because in overseas countries, apart from precious metals such as gold, copper ingots and silver, the only things that maritime merchants are interested in are local jade, agate and the like, which do not take up space at all.

Therefore, if there is profit from buying grain from abroad, they would be very willing to do it. After all, if they don't buy the grain and come back, it would be a wasted trip.

As for the construction of water conservancy projects, it is actually to distribute food to the people who participate in the project. It is originally meant to be given to them. Why not let them do some work and use work as relief.

The core of famine policy is prevention, and what we do is more about prevention. As long as we do these things well, even if there is a severe drought, at most the court will be a little tighter, but the people will be able to survive.

.”

Jia Changchao said with admiration and guilt: "The court is currently debating this matter, because the budget you proposed during this period is too scary.

Many people think that there is no need to provide disaster relief at all. There were droughts in the past, and the court only provided tens of thousands of guan. Now you want tens of millions of guan for disaster relief. This is nonsense!"
Chapter completed!