Cao Yu didn't plan to discuss any strategic plans or stratagems with Pang Tong.
This was because there was a high chance that he would not be able to win against the other party.
Let's talk about the land development gap first!
Cao Yu took out a map of the Han Region and spread it out on the table in front of the two.
"Sir, with the Yangtze River as the boundary, what is the difference in cultivated land between the north and the south?”
He asked Pang Tong.
Pang Tong frowned." Of course, it's better to go north than south. Why ask?"”
" Yes." Cao Yu nodded and said," Since ancient times, the key criterion for the strength of a dynasty is the size of its population.”
"Jing Yu understands that the total population of the northern nine provinces has exceeded five million.”
"As for Yangzhou, Yizhou, and Jiaozhou, they only have three million people.”
"It was also occupied by Liu Zhang, Sun Quan, and Shi Xie.”
This was a portion of the information Cao Yu had obtained from the Jiangling Household Registration.
Part of it was just speculation.
Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the population of the Han Region had been less than ten million.
However, it was certain that the population in the north of the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty was definitely more than that in the south.
This gap lasted until the Five Lakes Rebellion, when almost all the Han people in the north were wiped out and their clothes and clothes were brought to the south.
Only then did it gradually shrink.
Only then could the south be developed.
"Sir, the number of people is determined by the size of the cultivated land in the territory.”
During the farming period, the more cultivated land there was, the more people could be fed, and the base number would increase.
"A dynasty with a large population might not be strong.”
"But with a small population, the country is bound to be weak.”
Without a population, you can't even raise an army. How can you talk about national strength?
There was little cultivated land and they didn't even have enough to eat. How could the soldiers have the strength to fight?
"Only the south bank of the Yangtze River is slightly prosperous.”
Cao Yu analyzed.
"The other areas like the southern region of Kuaiji Prefecture have eight mountains, one river, and one field. It is difficult to find flat land to cultivate.”
There were hills everywhere in the south!
Cultivated land could only be scattered in the valley, and it was extremely difficult to cultivate.
"Mister, I dare to say something."
"As long as there are no changes in the Han Domain and no foreign invaders.”
"Within 800 years, the population of the south will never catch up to the north.”
Cao Yu felt that Pang Tong should be able to understand these words.
The war in the north had long ended with Yuan Shao's defeat.
He would seriously develop the economy and slowly recover the population. With the power of the nine provinces, he would crush the Yizhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhou in the south in minutes.
"Sir, in the war between the north and the south, the south can only rely on the terrain!”
Cao Yu said.
"River East is close to the river, and River West is close to the mountain."
The independent forces in the south of the Yangtze River could only rely on the mountains and rivers to protect themselves.
As long as the confrontation continued, the South would not be able to hold on one day.
This was also the reason why Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei risked their lives in the northern expedition in the later period of Shu Han.
They hoped to use war to hinder Wei's development.
Unfortunately, Wei Country's strategy was to defend.
The sturdy mountains and rivers protected the Shu Kingdom, but they also became the biggest factor restricting the development of the Shu Kingdom.
"Success is due to the terrain, and failure is due to the terrain."
"Do you still think that Yang, Yi, and Jiao have a chance to turn the tables?”
Cao Yu asked Pang Tong.
Pang Tong stared at the map in silence.
The time for an incense stick to burn passed.
The tent was still extremely quiet.
An hour passed.
Pang Tong was still deep in thought.
Cao Yu did not disturb him. Instead, he ordered the soldiers to prepare lunch.
Not long after.
The other table was filled with food.
After a while, Pang Tong sighed.
"The prefect is right."
He finally broke free from his thoughts.
The strength of a dynasty was determined by its population, economy, military, culture, and talents.
Overall, the Yangtze River was the boundary, and the north was indeed far superior to the south.
The mainstream culture and the main farming areas were all in the Central Plains.
The mountain road in the south was rugged and desolate, with few people.
It was extremely difficult to win.
"Tong Yi once wanted to turn the tide, but what could he do?”
Pang Tong sighed.
"Sir, please take a look at this map."
Seeing that it was about time, Cao Yu took out the world map.
"The Han Region is not the only place under the sky.”
On the map.
Other than marking the Han Region.
There was also the nearby Kushan Empire, the distant Persian Empire, the Roman Empire, and so on.
Pang Tong was shocked when he saw this map.
"Where did the prefect get this map?”
he asked Cao Yu.
This had already exceeded Pang Tong's understanding.
He knew that there was always someone better.
However, he didn't expect that the area outside the Han Territory would be so vast.
This was unbelievable.
However, the Han Region part was so real.
Even the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Western Regions outside the Han region were clearly marked.
"When Yu was young, he wandered around and was given this map by a strange person in the mountain.”
Cao Yu made up an excuse.
"What a wonderful map!"
Pang Tong sighed.
"After the unification of the Han Region, Yu presented this map to the Prime Minister and sent troops to conquer various regions.”
"Open up territory for my Han family. When the time comes, I will go with you. I will definitely be a hero in history and will be passed down for thousands of years.”
Cao Yu said," Wherever the sun shines, there are Han people.”
Pang Tong pondered for a while, then said,"Allow me to think."”
Another hour later.
Pang Tong stood up.
"I don't know the way to the Prime Minister's residence, please recommend me.”
He cupped his hands and said.
"That's great!" Cao Yu was overjoyed.
Immediately, Cao Yu brought Pang Tong and left the stronghold, heading straight for Jiangling City.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。