Bulgarian Empire

Chapter 47: Reform 3 (Population, Agriculture)

"Food for the people, food for the safety!"

It solved the food safety problem. On the surface, it was a crackdown on rogue people in business and provided the basis for the development of monopolism.

Only Ferdinand himself knew that the deeper reason was to accelerate population growth. A country with a population of more than three million people cannot become a powerful country.

Although no one has counted, Ferdinand can be sure that the Bulgarians spread worldwide, even if added together, will never exceed 10 million. And the entire Balkan region, the Bulgarians are now roughly in the range of six million to eight million.

Compared with the European powers at the same time: France has a population of more than 38 million, Germany has nearly 50 million people, Russia is 120 million people. The population of Bulgaria is only three and a half million, less than a tenth of the above the great powers.

So the population problem is the most severe core issue for Bulgaria to develop and grow in the future. For Ferdinand, every Bulgarian is precious.

Ferdinand thought long and hard about how to grow the population. He conducted another survey on the ground in Bulgaria.

Due to the stability of the situation, the rapid development of the domestic economy, and the population's stability, the birth rate in Bulgaria has been greatly increased.

The birth rate in Bulgaria in 1885 was 4.07%, and in 1889 it gradually increased to 4.25%. From the statistics of the first half of the year, he can assume optimistically that the birth rate in 1890 will be between 4.36% and 4.39%.

And the mortality rate of the Bulgarian population: in 1885 it was 2.65%; in 1889, it was 2.78% (including those secretly executed); in 1890, the mortality rate of the population counted in the first half of the year was 1.01% (not including foreign workers).

As things stand, the Bulgarian people are relatively conservative. The motivation to have children is still very high. As long as the economic conditions allow, everyone is still willing to have more children.

Ferdinand knew that this figure had many potentials to be found, and it was far worse than Russia's counterparts: in 1864, the birth rate was 5.29% and had remained around 5% for many years.

The death rate was also similar. Compared to the Great Powers, Britain and France largely kept it to about 2%, a figure that was even lower when it did not take maintenance casualties in the colonies into account.

But the survival rate of babies, Ferdinand could hardly believe it when he saw the survey data (and neither could the author). Not too low, but too high.

In 1889, the survival rate of Bulgarian infants was 85.7%. In the same period, it was 74.4% in Austria, 82.6% in France and 77.4% in Germany. The countries with the highest survival rates were Ireland and Norway, both of which exceeded 90%.

Ferdinand, before traversal, would not believe that these data are valid. However, he had to accept this fact after the actual statistics in Bulgaria. (The above data are from the International Historical Statistics: Europe 1750-1993 by Palgrave)

For raising the population, there is no good way for the traversers but to encourage childbirth. Ferdinand was not a medical student in his previous life, so he could not open up on medical treatment.

Medical talent is now still being studied in schools. To improve the level of medical care in Bulgaria in the short term, Ferdinand said, the traversers are not omnipotent. He really can not do anything.

Before Ferdinand traverses, the population of many areas has entered into negative growth. Many people are not interested in having children. There is only one group that tries to get the best out of it.

In Sofia Palace, the Minister of Agriculture Yakov Petrinov is caught by Ferdinand and sprayed: "Is this what your Ministry of Agriculture has done, in two years? Idiots, fools..."

Yakov Petrinov looked at the furious Ferdinand with a baffled look on his face and thought, "What's the problem? Isn't that how it's always done! How come His Highness is so furious today, not ~~."

Fortunately, Ferdinand did not know what Yakov was thinking, or the consequences would have been unknown. After looking at the documents lying on the floor and at the confused Yakov, Ferdinand had just subdued his anger, and it bubbled up again.

He snapped, "Humph! Yakov, you stupid bastard! I ask you, what has been done with the money allocated to your Ministry of Agriculture specifically?"

Now in a cold sweat, Yakov said fearfully, "Your Highness, some of it ~ we used to publicize and promote the new technology. Most of the money was allocated directly to local governments to increase food production!"

Ferdinand said with a sneer: "Oh, Yakov, you idiot! Apart from promoting new technologies, does your Ministry of Agriculture have results? What happens when you allocate funds to localities? Is it used to build water projects, or is it used for agricultural industrialization and reform?"

"None of it! Look at what it says? For repairing the river and reinforcing its channels? The Danube, the Maritsa, and the Struma, don't you know the location of these rivers? What does Montana have to do with it? Did the river flood the Stara Mountains?"

"You idiot! Even if you want to manage the river, there are financial allocations. Have the local authorities made any reports? They just devoured the funds for the construction of the water projects. What's even more ridiculous is that my minister of agriculture came out to endorse the assholes below!"

Hearing this, Yakov has cold sweat. Such an obvious problem, he did not find, only as usual disposal. The reports below were actually approved directly without check. Several million Leva of huge money was wasted by themselves.

Yakov trembled and said, "Your Highness, this ~ is my ~~ failure of duty! Please remove me from my ~~ position!" When he finished, Yakov let out a deep sigh of relief.

Initially, he had little real power as a member of the cabinet. In addition to the Ministry of Agriculture for other jobs, Ferdinand did not let him be in charge, and Yakov was still a bit resentful. Now, all that remains is to be thankful, "So I really am a loser!"

Ferdinand looked at the depressed James and knew that what had just happened had hit him a little too hard. After all, he was less than thirty years old and could not withstand such great pressure.

It has been given a chance to withdraw, but Ferdinand now can not let Yakov resign. He is not Chongzhen Emperor1), change the cabinet like changing the lamp.

It is only a few months after the removal of one cabinet already. Ferdinand will not change anyone until a new cabinet is elected, as long as no major problems occur.

"Just, it seems that the Ministry of Agriculture is not suitable for you. The government is going to set up a Ministry of Information. I heard that you used to be in the propaganda area, and you are the perfect choice to be the minister!" said Ferdinand comfortingly.

Yakov looked at Ferdinand gratefully. He knew that this was to take into account his honor. The main task of the Ministry of Information is to oversee the newspaper. He is the only minister who can be exempted from all the rules of work, which is basically an idle position.

After thinking about it, Yakov's scholarly spirit exploded and said emotionally, "Your Highness, I am really not suitable for politics. The University of Bulgaria is more suitable for me. It would be more meaningful to pass on my knowledge in the agricultural profession to the next generation, or to go into scientific research!"

Ferdinand looked at the cynical James, who had no place to send his anger, and said helplessly, "Fine! If you want to go, go! It happens that Bulgaria also lacks experts in agriculture. The position of the cabinet is kept for a while. You can not think of yourself as an ordinary researcher who wants to organize scientific research pairs and in-depth rural fieldwork! I hope that you are now in the field of scientific research to contribute to the development of Bulgaria!"

"I will, Your Highness, don't worry. I swear by God, I will try my best!" Yakov said proudly.

Translator:

1) Chongzhen Emperor was the 17th and last emperor of the Ming Dynasty before Qing Conquest. He has the habit of changing ministries and generals in a short time because of his impatience. He executed 7 military governors and 11 regional commanders. He replaced his defense ministry 14 times and appointed 50 ministries to the Grand Secretariat (similar to the cabinet and chancellor). He hanged himself on a tree after killing all members of the imperial household because of the siege by Shun rebels.