It only takes the imperial court to give a policy to be able to build a railway? Su Shun looked at each other suspiciously, the two met for the first time, and they had no friendship, he didn't want to ask directly, he hesitated, and then he smiled: "There are such good things?" The court doesn't spend money, can you sit back and enjoy its success? ”

Slowly taking a puff of his cigar, Yi Zhizhi said slowly: "In the sixth year of Daoguang, Cao Yun changed to sea transportation, and in just over a year, the number of sand ships in Shanghai has increased by more than 400, what is the price of a sand ship?" Seven or eight thousand taels or even more than ten thousand taels of silver, if it is changed to railway transportation? Will there be a boom in investment in railway construction? ”

Su Shun is not very old, and he is not out of Beijing, he has only heard of the change of Cao Yun to sea transportation, and he does not know that the innovation has greatly stimulated the development of sand ships in Shanghai, however, he believes that the other party will not talk nonsense, and he groaned slightly, he said: "Cao Yun is the blood of the imperial court, the great policy of a generation, and the great destiny of the world, how can it be easily changed, Brother Yi is afraid that it will be difficult to get his wish." ”

"We do business, there is a saying, if you are not afraid of not knowing the goods, you are afraid of comparing goods." Yi Zhizhi said disapprerovingly: "When the Fozhou-Guangzhou Railway is put into operation, seeing the transportation capacity of the railway, the imperial court is afraid that it will take the initiative to build a railway, which is very simple, and this alone will save the imperial court four or five million taels of silver every year." ”

Cao Yun expenses are huge, Su Shun knows, he is not a child of the Gentleman Sect who does not learn and has no skills, but a person with a heart, on the surface it looks absurd, likes to mix in the market, but in fact he is a person with a heart, through wandering, he will remember all the benefits and diseases of the five cities of Beijing in his heart, and he also has a good memory, people who have seen it, heard things, can remember it in his heart.

Jingshi has not talked a lot about Caoyun, and there are also a lot of discussions about the high cost of Caoyun, how high is the cost of Caoyun? There are different theories, some say that one stone of grain into Beijing, the freight is not less than 20 taels of silver, and some say that the overall calculation, non-40 taels of silver can not transport rice and one stone into the Beijing warehouse, although he does not understand much, but also feels that these two statements are too exaggerated.

There is another of the most detailed statements: the true color of the shipment is one stone per grain, and the consumption varies from three buckets to four buckets. In addition, there are rice, such as moisturizing, adding, drenching tips, meals, etc., and there are kicking solutions, steady jumps, inverted baskets, cabin mats and other silver, in the flag Ding there are the moon, in the ship needs to be repaired, built, in the starting is more light, mat board. The total public and private consumption is about one stone and five or six buckets of grain, and six or seven dollars of silver is needed before one stone of grain can be redeemed.

With this most reliable and cheapest algorithm, how much financial resources did the imperial court spend on four million stone grains a year? Six or seven million taels of silver! And right now, what is the first priority for the imperial court? It's not military politics, it's not civil administration, it's finance!

can save four or five million taels of silver for the imperial court a year, and even he is tempted to listen to it, not to mention Daoguang and those big officials in the court, not to mention that this is not to ask the court to vote for a big son, such a good thing that is difficult to find with a lantern, who can not be tempted?

After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "I'm just an idle sect disciple, Brother Yi told me so frankly, should I be expected to make a statement to the emperor?" Wang Ding, Qi Shan, Lin Zexu, Deng Tingzhen, which of these big men is not more suitable than Zaixia? ”

Seeing him ask this, Yi Zhixiang pondered for a moment before saying: "Yes, among the court officials I have acquainted with, any one who writes and makes a speech is more suitable than Brother Yuting, and it is also easier for the emperor to pay attention to, but they are all dying. After a slight pause, he said with a smile: "I want to burn the cold stove of Brother Yuting." ”

Burn him this cold stove? Su Shun couldn't help but be surprised, although Yuan Qi has no semicolon in Beijing, but the influence is not small, if this time to undertake the issuance of national bonds, the influence will be greater, and Yuan Qi's strong strength, which is well known, on behalf of Yuan Qi's Yi Zhizhi content to burn him this cold stove, which makes him both surprised and happy, however, what does the other party like about him?

Although the other party's tone is relaxed, it doesn't seem like a joke, and with the identity and relationship of the two, it is impossible to make such a joke when they meet for the first time! After a slight sigh, Su Shuncai said: "I don't go out of Beijing under the next step, Brother Yi is also the first time to come to Beijing, right?" ”

"Jin Ling followed me and talked about Brother Yuting in detail." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "This dynasty has strict restrictions on the relatives and nobles of the clan, crowned in the past dynasties, without permission, it is strictly forbidden to interfere in the affairs of the court, it is strictly forbidden to interact with officials, and it is strictly forbidden to go out of Beijing. ”

As he spoke, he glanced Su Shun up and down, and said, "Brother Yuting's outfit should be to facilitate wandering around the capital division?" And I heard that Brother Yuting is also good at taking over some scholars, and he also has a lot of contacts with some minor officials in the six departments, which is enough to show that Brother Yuting is ambitious, as a child of the clan, young and ambitious, this is enough. ”

Why did Jin Ling tell him everything? Su Shun secretly slandered himself in his heart, but said: "I still don't understand." ”

"There's something I don't understand about this." Yi Zhizhi said: "The construction of the railway is not an overnight thing, it takes a long process, at least for decades, the imperial court policy cannot be changed overnight, Yuan Qi needs a stable and powerful supporter in Beijing, or a stable backer, in order to carry out the construction of the railway, Brother Yuting is the best candidate." ”

Su Shun smiled when he heard this, "Brother Yi is still joking?" Just me? ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Brother Yuting has no confidence in himself?" Still don't believe in the eyesight below? For Yuan Qi, the construction of the railway and Brother Yuting are both long-term investments, and they are long-term investments with extremely rich returns, what's the matter, Brother Yuting is not interested in Yuanqi? ”

What are you kidding, how can you not be interested? Su Shun didn't know what to say for a while, what does it mean to get Yuanqi's strong support? In other words, to be able to get the support of the majority of Han members in the DPRK and China, and to be able to get the support of the majority of Han members in the DPRK and China, and to be able to get the support of the majority of Han members in his clan and nobles, if he wants to get ahead and rise to the top, it is definitely twice the result with half the effort.

"If you can't be interested in Yuanqi, I'm afraid there are few people." Su Shun said with a smile: "However, at present, he is a scattered minister, although he often enters the palace and is on duty, and he often sees the emperor, but he basically can't speak." ”

"Opportunities are always for those who are prepared." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Brother Yuting is also a caring person, but his mind is in the wrong place, now that the British are invading, the southeast is turbulent, and the imperial court is very likely to use troops in the southeast, what is the war?" Money and food! The imperial court has always restrained its reluctance to provoke lightly, why? Or money! Because I don't have money, I'm afraid of provocation.

This time, the imperial court issued a national debt of 10 million taels, that is, for the southeast with troops, England has increased its troops on a large scale, the southeast war, inevitable, at present, the emperor is most concerned about two things, one is the war, the other is money and food, if you can have unique insights in these two aspects, why worry about the day when there is no future? ”

Su Shun's heart was hot, and he hurriedly arched his hand and said, "I hope that Brother Yi will not hesitate to dial." ”

Inside Zhengyang Gate, the Imperial City, the Thousand Steps Corridor.

The central ministries and institutes of the Qing Dynasty are clustered on both sides of the Thousand Steps Corridor, and the Household Department of the Great Qing Dynasty is on the east side of the Thousand Steps Corridor. ”

Wang Ding said in a sullen voice: "This is what Qi Zhongtang negotiated with Yuan Qi in Guangzhou. ”

Hearing this, Zhuo Bingtian was silent, Qi Shan would never dare to issue treasury bonds without authorization, needless to say, this is what Daoguang meant, Daoguang wants to issue treasury bonds, what else can he say? Not to mention the interest of one million a year, it is the interest of two million, and I grit my teeth and carry it.

Seeing that he was silent, Wang Ding sighed lightly and said, "There is definite news in Guangzhou, and Yingyi is increasing his troops on a large scale. ”

Zhuo Bingtian was shocked, the six departments of the imperial court, the most favorite to fight is the military department, the most afraid of war is the household department, every time the large-scale use of soldiers, the household department has to be busy, the current treasury is empty, the life of the household department is even more sad, as the household department is still the book, where is he not frightened? He immediately picked up the contract again and looked at it carefully, and at this moment, the issuance of 10 million taels of treasury bonds was too timely.

After taking a closer look, he said: "The monthly interest rate is eight percent, which is indeed lower than the silver number of Qianzhuang, but it is higher than the ticket number, and the local government borrows a large amount from the ticket number, and the monthly interest rate is generally six percent, will Yuan Qi take advantage of the fire to rob?" "That's not right." Wang Ding said in a deep voice: "The Yingyi fleet is Chen Bing outside Guangzhou, Yuan Qi has suffered several runs, the deposit has almost been withdrawn, and the interest on Yuan Qi's own deposit is a cent of monthly interest, in this situation, to undertake 10 million taels of treasury bonds, Yuan Qi's loss is not small, the interest rate of the ticket number is low, Lord Zhuo and the ticket number contact, see if you can undertake this 10 million taels of treasury bonds?" ”

10 million taels, even if the Shanxi ticket number is strong, it can't eat such a large amount, Zhuo Bingtian hurriedly smiled: "Xiaguan really doesn't know the current situation of Yuanqi Bank, how can the Shanxi ticket number have such a strong strength." As he spoke, he shook the contract and said, "Wang Zhongtang is asking the household department to take the initiative to issue 10 million treasury bonds?" ”

Wang Ding glanced at him and said, "Worried about being attacked? ”

The issuance of treasury bonds is quite controversial, the household department publicly proposed to issue 10 million treasury bonds, it is inevitable to be attacked, however, this is the meaning of Daoguang, and the southeast army is also in urgent need of silver, for those who do not know the current affairs, Zhuo Bingtian is not worried, he is worried about whether Daoguang will be satisfied with this contract.

After a slight hesitation, he said, "This contract was sent from Guangzhou?" ”

"The big shopkeeper of Yuanqi, Yi Zhi, has come to Beijing and lives in the 'Matou Inn' in Da'er Hutong outside Zhengyangmen." Wang Ding said and smiled, and said, "I talked to him in detail last night, and there is no room for change in this contract. As he spoke, he took out the translated negotiation conditions proposed by the British side and said, "Enter the palace and present them together." ”

After reading the conditions proposed by Yingyi, Zhuo Bingtian smiled bitterly and said: "This is not a matter of our household department, it is better for your military aircraft department to submit it." "This negotiation condition is presented, and it is strange that Daoguang is not angry, why bother to touch this brow if there is no reason to come.

Wang Ding said slowly: "Look at the attached film in the back." ”

The attached piece is Yi Zhi's dissatisfaction with Yingyi's dissatisfaction with the Qing Customs and implores the Jiang Customs to try the customs reform, Zhuo Bingtian was confused, of course he knew how much the tariff silver of the Jiang Customs was a year, and he didn't think about the mortgage at all, but he vaguely guessed that this was an additional condition proposed by Yuan Qi, and after pondering for a moment, he asked: "What is Yuan Qi's intention?" ”

"Yuanqi is preparing to implement a machine silk reeling factory in Jiangnan."

Zhuo Bingtian said in surprise: "Even so, Yuan Qi still refuses to make some concessions on interest? ”

Wang Ding shook his head and said: "Yi Zhizhi said that kid said that to undertake this national debt, Yuanqi lost more than two million, this is still secondary, the problem is, no matter how low the interest rate is, Yuanqi will not be able to launch the treasury bonds normally, and it is likely to go bankrupt, and the imperial court must not let Yuanqi go bankrupt, that is not a good reputation for the imperial court, and there is no need to consider issuing treasury bonds in the future." ”

This is also the case, the first time the imperial court issued treasury bonds, it forced the most powerful Yuanqi Bank in the Qing Dynasty to close down, and there is really no need to worry about the issuance of treasury bonds in the future.

"Don't tell the public." Wang Ding advised: "There are a lot of people who like to do stupid things like killing chickens and taking eggs, don't hurt Yuanqi." ”

"Xia Guan understands." Zhuo Bingtian nodded.

"It's not early, let's go into the palace and hand over the sign, it's urgent." Wang Ding stood up as he spoke, and seeing that he was leaving, Zhuo Bingtian was really anxious, and hurriedly said: "Wang Zhongtang, in the excerpt of the negotiation conditions, it is better to hand it in from the military aircraft department, our household department is not suitable." ”

"Let's go to the palace together."

Qianqing Palace, Xinuan Pavilion.

Daoguang, who was reviewing the excerpts, reported that Wang Ding and Zhuo Bingtian were handing over the sign outside to ask to see, and casually ordered: "Let them in." He had already received a secret letter from Qi Shan from Guangzhou, and knew that Yingyi had increased his troops on a large scale, returned Yingyi's prisoners of war, Yuan Qi actively undertook the national debt, and Yi Zhizhi was content to enter Beijing, and the only thing he didn't know was that Yingyi's new negotiation conditions, Qi Shan wrote another excerpt of the negotiation conditions proposed by the British side, and deliberately used 300 miles to expedite it.

After Wang Ding and Zhuo Bingtian, who were waiting, came in to greet them, Daoguang asked directly: "Yi Zhizhi has entered Beijing?" ”

"Back to the emperor." Wang Ding hurriedly replied: "Yi Zhizhi entered the city yesterday afternoon, and I saw Weichen in the evening. ”

After a slight groan, Daoguang said: "Xuan He entered the palace to meet him." ”

As soon as he heard that he wanted to declare Yi Zhi's contentment to enter the palace to meet him, Wang Ding was a little worried, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Yi Zhizhi is the son of a merchant, he doesn't know the etiquette in the palace, and he often communicates with foreign Yi, and he doesn't know how to be in awe of his words. ”

Daoguang was anxious to understand the situation in Guangzhou through Yi Zhicontent, where to wait for a few days, and immediately said: "No need, this will be announced that he will enter the palace for an audience." (To be continued.) )