At present, across the entire nation, the impoverished farmers undoubtedly constitute the vast majority of the population.
Many people lack land and are forced to rent from landlords.
They not only bear the burden of taxes but also have to pay exorbitant rent.
Even in years of abundant harvests, they can only barely sustain their lives.
If a famine strikes, they are left with no choice but to sell their children.
Yet, despite the hardships they endure, the vast majority of the people persevere.
It can be said that the people of this country are truly the best in the world.
As long as they can survive, they will not rebel.
Throughout history, every peasant uprising has been a result of the people being unable to endure their plight, leaving them with no other choice but to rise up.
And it is for this reason that the feudal dynasties of the past were dealt heavy blows and overthrown.
Li Jingyuan is well aware of this.
Therefore, since the Qing court is seeking to compete for the hearts and minds of the people with the Beiyang, why not simply deploy this ultimate weapon?
Li Jingyuan believes that if the Beiyang were to do so, the people of the entire country would support them.
The Qing court's attempt to vie for the people's loyalty with the Beiyang is nothing more than a delusion.
After all, the Qing court represents the vested interests. Countless princes and nobles, numerous high officials, and a vast amount of land are all in their possession.
They naturally cannot possibly distribute this land to the impoverished people.
Conversely, the Beiyang, as the rebellious faction, naturally possesses the determination to shatter everything.
Li Hongzhang and the other high-ranking officials of the Beiyang fell silent, seemingly taken aback by Li Jingyuan's radical proposal.
"Third Brother, doing this will likely cause a huge uproar throughout the country. Not only will it place us in opposition to all the officials, landlords, and scholars of the nation, it will also cause them to turn against us!" Li Hongzhang cautioned.
Li Jingyuan nodded. "Father, I understand. That is why I proposed implementing a land distribution policy, allocating land to the people of the entire country, thereby realizing the ideal of 'those who till the land shall own it'.
Across the entire nation, with a population of four hundred million, the vast majority are farmers with little or no land. With their support, we will gain an inexhaustible and endless source of soldiers.
Even if we stand against the entire world, we will still emerge victorious!"
Li Jingyuan was utterly confident in this.
"Alright, Third Brother. If we are to implement land redistribution, where will we find so much land? We cannot possibly confiscate all the land from those landlords who have not colluded with the Qing court, can we?" Li Hongzhang inquired.
Li Jingyuan understood this point as well.
"We can purchase this land from the landlords with money. Of course, the price cannot be based on the market value, nor can it be paid all at once. I personally believe we can purchase this land for one-tenth of the market value. And this cost of land purchase can be paid over five years.
This should not be a problem for us."
Li Jingyuan stated.
Purchasing land from the landlords at one-tenth of the market value and paying for it over five years.
In reality, this is not much different from outright robbery.
However, compared to outright robbery, the Beiyang's approach is far more civilized.
"Third Brother, those landlords aren't fools. How could they possibly agree?" Li Jingshu countered.
If he were in their shoes, he would absolutely refuse.
"They have no choice but to agree. We have not resorted to outright robbery, nor have we been merciless. We have given them a way out. These landlords have amassed vast wealth through these lands over the years.
I suspect many of their hands are stained with blood.
If they refuse, we will simply charge them with crimes.
Then, all their land and other property will be confiscated. We wouldn't have to spend a single coin to obtain their land and would even gain additional wealth from them.
I believe these landlords are not fools and should understand what choice they need to make!"
Li Jingyuan made no attempt to conceal his murderous intent.
Although Li Jingyuan knew that doing so might be unfair to those landlords.
But where in this world is there absolute fairness?
The vast majority of farmers have endured exploitation and oppression for centuries. Is that fair to them?
This ancient nation needs to undergo a great transformation.
Rather than allow the entire country and nation to continue to decline and ultimately succumb to invasion by the Western powers, leading to countless deaths.
It is better to sacrifice a small number of people now so that the entire nation can rise rapidly, even soar, and thus avoid the hardships that lie ahead.
To sacrifice the interests of a small number of people to benefit the entire country and nation, there is no doubt about the choice that needs to be made.
Li Hongzhang and the other high-ranking officials of the Beiyang understood Li Jingyuan's intentions.
Although they felt that Li Jingyuan's plan was perhaps too radical, with the potential for many people to die if things went wrong.
They had to admit that if successful, the Beiyang's control over the entire Shandong province would be as strong as an ironclad fortress.
Once the Beiyang army defeats the Qing army and conquers other provinces, they will also quickly establish a firm rule.
For the Qing government to attempt to compete for the hearts and minds of the people with the Beiyang is pure delusion!