For architecture, Yi Zhicontent is a full layman, but his knowledge is not comparable to the people of this era, he has walked more bridges than others have walked, this may not be an exaggeration at all, he has seen a variety of bridges in later generations, not to mention cross-river bridges, cross-sea bridges are not unusual.

Whether there is underwater solidified cement, he doesn't know, but he knows that there is a lot of special cement, this year the cable bridge is obviously unrealistic, to build a bridge across the Yangtze River must have a pier, and the construction of the pier should be a kind of special cement.

In front of Walson, he naturally will not show timidity, when even with a smile: "It seems that your country's research on cement is still in the preliminary stage, China's cement plant is studying a series of cement with special use, in order to produce results as soon as possible, as soon as possible to complete the bridge across the river, I hope that your country can also send a group of chemists to our country to study together, the results, we can share." ”

Walson's keen idea reached the word 'also' that the other party said, and asked with a slight hesitation: "Are there other countries involved?" ”

"Of course." Yi Zhi said with a head of his head: "The United States and Russia will also participate." ”

Hearing that the United States and Russia would also participate, Walson naturally did not want Britain to be left out, and even said, "I think our chemists should be very interested in this research subject." ”

"We also look forward to your participation." Yi Zhishu smiled and said: "Science and technology have no borders, and scientific and technological achievements that benefit all mankind should belong to the whole world, and there should be no national borders." ”

For this, Walson almost scoffed, and secretly thought in his heart that this guy is really suitable for being a politician, what he said is really high-sounding, if it were not for the lack of talents, would Qing Guo be so kind?

Although the Qing Dynasty has been cultivating Western talents in a steady stream over the years, the talents have not yet been able to fully grow up because the days are too short, so he needs to seconded elite talents from various countries to concentrate on some subject research, so as to speed up the growth of domestic talents, and not let the Qing Dynasty fall behind.

Of course, this kind of thing is not something that everyone can do, only he has this ability, he can point out the direction for many scientific researchers, and he also has strong financial resources as a backing, which is his biggest capital for Yuanqi.

Walson was concerned about the railway, and after a slight groan, he asked directly, "I don't know what railways Yuanqi plans to build?" ”

"There are many ....... railways that Yuanqi plans to build." Yi Zhizhi pondered and said: "There is one most suitable for your country to build, Yuanqi plans to build a railway from Beijing to Guangzhou, which will be a large trunk line running through the north and south, with a total length of more than 2,000 kilometers. ”

Beijing-Guangzhou Railway! The total length is more than 2,000 kilometers! Walson's heart jumped, Yuan Qi is really a big deal! If this railway can really be contracted, it is not enough to transport all the backlog of rails in the country, and this railway alone is enough to pull the domestic industries related to it, and enough to bring countless factories back to life!

Soon he calmed down, even if the current prices have fallen sharply, the cost of building the railway has been greatly reduced, but the cost of each kilometer is also 30,000 or 40,000 silver dollars, more than 2,000 kilometers, that is, the cost of nearly 100 million silver dollars, he does not doubt Yuanqi's financial resources, after all, in recent years, Yuanqi has made a lot of money in the cotton trade and financial market in Europe, which is a well-known thing, and he considered whether Britain should invest in this railway.

Beijing to Guangzhou, this is a large trunk line that runs through the north and south of the Qing Dynasty, and it is definitely a railway with great commercial value, which is definitely no less than the Beijing-Shanghai Railway!

"Thank you very much for your trust in our railway company." Walson bowed slightly with a smile on his face and said, "Please allow me to express my sincerest thanks to His Highness on their behalf. ”

Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "This railway involves a wide range of issues, and the relevant details need to be carefully negotiated. ”

What's involved? Is it involving the Qing court? Walson didn't care at all, for this railway, England was determined to win! He stood up, "I will send a telegram back to China as soon as possible, and I will send someone from the railway company in your country to negotiate with you." ”

Seeing off Walson and his party, Zhao Liewen couldn't help but say: "How can the big shopkeeper give the Englishman a big prize for nothing?" ”

Looking at Walson's back, Yi Zhishu smiled at the corner of his mouth: "The Beijing-Guangzhou Railway can be repaired by the British, if we propose, the imperial court will inevitably shirk in every way, and furthermore, this economic crisis in Europe will inevitably have an impact on our Qing Dynasty, and the construction of this railway trunk line at this time is the most appropriate, which is conducive to stimulating the economy and stimulating consumption."

It just so happens that Yuan Qi also has some rich silver in his hand, and he can't all sleep in the warehouse, and the money must be circulated to reflect its true value.

In addition, we have to give the British some sweetness, so that the time for us to reduce the price and resist the dumping of Western low-price will be greatly shortened, which is beneficial to both sides, this north-south trunk line will have to be repaired sooner or later, and the choice of this time to build can save at least tens of millions of silver. ”

Zhao Liewen said worriedly: "When the news spreads, I'm afraid that other countries will come to the door one after another." ”

"Aren't we responding to requests, what are we worried about?" Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "The United States is currently in the post-war recovery stage, and because of the heavy losses in the war, they do not have the strength to undertake such a large project ......... Speaking of this, he pondered for a while before saying: "Xie Xiuyuan sent a telegram to the North German Confederation to see if they were interested in bidding for railways in our country. ”

Zhao Liewen was stunned and said: "Do you want to build a railway? Cash turnover? ”

"Yuanqi does not need to contribute in full, as long as it exceeds 50% of the shares." Yi Zhizhi said disapprerovingly: "The Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, the British will invest at least about 30%, and their domestic funds are worried that there is nowhere to go, how can they let go of such a good opportunity." ”

Zhao Liewen said puzzledly: "Yuanqi is not without money, why do you want them to invest and bear the interest for nothing." ”

"Don't be afraid to take on interest." Yi Zhishu turned around and walked slowly to the study, saying as he walked: "A large amount of capital will also bring technology and talents, if the Qing Dynasty can absorb the rich capital of Europe, it will greatly promote the economy and industry of the Qing Dynasty."

Don't be afraid of people making our money, we must hold an open mind, absorb the world's capital and technical talents with an open mind, only in this way can we develop at the fastest speed, and in a few years, we should take the initiative to open up inland provinces, encourage and promote free trade, and welcome countries from all over the world to invest. ”

Zhao Liewen was stunned for a while, speechless for a while, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo, Shanghai, and the four ports of trade were fought to the death with England, so they had to be opened, Tianjin was considered to be the imperial court took the initiative to open up, but in fact, it was also forced by the pressure of Yuanqi, in order to resist the development of Yuanqi to develop industry, and Britain and France have repeatedly asked to open up inland provinces, but the imperial court has not agreed, and now Yi Zhizhi actually said that he would take the initiative to open up.

Seeing that he was silent, Yi Zhizhi did not pay attention to it, and walked back to the room slowly, no one knows better than him, only openness, comprehensive opening can enrich the country and strengthen the army at the fastest speed, closed and semi-closed, will only lead to poverty and weakness, if it is not for the current situation of the Qing Dynasty can not withstand the impact, he wanted to gradually open up several inland cities a few years ago.

Kan Kan walked to the door of the study, and Lin Meilian quickly chased after him from behind to report: "The big shopkeeper, the governor of Nanyang, Ma Zhitai, asks to see him." ”

Ma Yiqing is here? Yi Zhizu turned around and smiled, "Let him in." ”

Ma Yiqing is the most prominent official position among the children of merchants, and only Wu Changqing can be compared with it, which can be called the right-hand man of Yi Zhizhi, who has been staying in Nanyang since the establishment of Nanyang Province, and was promoted from the governor of Luzon to the governor of Nanyang, in charge of the two provinces of Nanyang, not very old, only two years older than Yi Zhi, and is the youngest of all the governors of the Qing Dynasty.

Ma Yiqing, who came quickly in casual clothes, raised his eyes and saw Yi Zhishu at the gate of the courtyard to greet him, and couldn't help but speed up his pace, and when he was still more than ten steps away, he smiled and said: "The lord of the big shopkeeper vassal king, don't you dare to be the big shopkeeper to greet you from afar." ”

Yi Zhishu said with a smile: "Brother Junhu came to Shanghai without saying a word, it must be no good thing, I just gave it away." ”

"The big shopkeeper just guesses." Ma Yiqing walked over with a smile, "I'm here to fight the autumn wind." ”

"You, the governor of Nanyang, still need to fight the autumn wind?" Yi Zhishu frowned, "I haven't heard that Nanyang has suffered a disaster." ”

"Thanks to the blessing of the big shopkeeper, the wind and rain in the South Seas are smooth." Ma Yiqing said with a smile, and bowed to Zhao Liewen as he spoke.

"Let's go inside." Yi Zhixiang said and turned around and instructed Lin Meilian: "Tell the back kitchen to hold a table of wine banquet, in addition, someone will invite Wu Changqing, Yan Shikuan, and Wu Yundong to come, Brother Junhu is rare to come, and everyone will also gather." ”

The three of them entered the study with greetings, and after sitting down and chatting a few words, Ma Yiqing complained: "The big shopkeeper can't be too partial, the southeast railway is in full swing, but our two provinces in Nanyang are not ...... a railway." ”

"Co-authored from the ring?" Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "I just sent away a railway project, and Brother Junhu Coco came to complain, which is really a coincidence." ”

"British?" Ma Yiqing frowned and said: "Britain is a maritime power, even if it wants to build a railway, the British can't interfere." ”

Yi Zhishu nodded, and then said, "Yuanqi has never had a plan to build a railway in the two provinces of Nanyang....... ”

Hearing this, Ma Yiqing was anxious, and hurriedly said: "After more than ten years of recuperation in the two provinces of Nanyang, the people are now quite wealthy, and many businessmen have called for the construction of a railway connecting the north and the south, and we can raise funds on the spot." ”

Yi Zhizu quipped him: "If you can raise enough funds, Brother Junhu still needs to fight the autumn breeze?" ”

Ma Yiqing said with a smile: "I am thinking about it, to build a railway, Yuan Qi must always account for half of the shares." ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "The reason why there is no plan to build a railway in Luzon is because the commercial value of the railway in Luzon is not large, the railway cost is expensive, and it is often tens of millions of silver dollars, and the investment must always consider the income is not ......." ”

After being silent for a while, Ma Yiqing spoke: "Although the population of Luzon has grown rapidly in recent years, there is still a big gap compared with the inland, and the population flow is not large, but from south to north, there are large and small plantations, and there are also a lot ......of mineral deposits, and the construction of railways will not cause serious losses. ”

After lighting a cigarette, Yi Zhizhi said: "We are not operating the two provinces of Nanyang as a colony, and we can't completely consider the investment income, even if the local gentry and businessmen actively appeal, we should also conform to the will of the people, so that Yuanqi will contribute 51%, and the rest of Nanyang will prepare by itself." ”

Seeing that he agreed so easily, Ma Yiqing couldn't help but be overjoyed, and hurriedly arched his hand and said, "Thank you for being considerate!" ”

"Brother Junhu is right, Luzon can't fake outsiders to build railways." Yi Zhizu groaned: "Let our own railway company undertake the construction of this railway, and I will order them to go down and ask them to conduct a line survey as soon as possible and make a budget." After a pause, he then asked, "Brother Junhu came to Shanghai specifically for this matter?" ”

"It's not a trivial matter." Ma Yiqing said with a smile: "Do you want to go on this trip, can the big shopkeeper easily agree?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "Yuan Qi has invested a lot of money in the infrastructure construction of Luzon over the years, one is to provide employment opportunities for immigrants, and the other is to improve the basic conditions of Luzon, the construction of the railway is indeed not planned, because in my opinion, we should wait at least ten years later, when rubber becomes a hot commodity in short supply, and then consider building a railway."

I really didn't expect that the gentry and businessmen of Luzon would call on the government to build a railway, it seems that the wealth of Luzon has exceeded my imagination, although it is lonely overseas, but I also know that it keeps pace with the times, and Brother Junhu has made great contributions. ”

Ma Yiqing hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Don't put gold on the lower face of the big shopkeeper, Luzon is rich, that is because of the light and thin endowment, because the price of rubber is rising, because of the series of factories opened by Yuan Qi in Manila, knowing that it keeps pace with the times, that is because of the long-term uninterrupted implementation of free education, and now the literacy rate of young people in Luzon is as high as ninety." ”

Speaking of this, he chuckled and said: "Another important reason is that the officials rule Qingming, the separation of powers tried by the two provinces of Nanyang, mutual checks and balances and supervision, to ensure the integrity of local officials. ”

Yi Zhizhi was quite moved when he heard this, and said: "Brother Junhu might as well stay in Shanghai for a few more days, or go back to Guangzhou to have a look, and let's go to Manila together in a few days to investigate the field." ”

Hearing this, Ma Yiqing said happily: "The big shopkeeper hasn't been to Manila for two years. ”

Zhao Liewen was listening to the audit but smiled secretly, he knew very well that Yi Zhixiang went to Manila because he was worried about the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, and the imperial court was afraid of building the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway.

Yi Zhishu glanced at him, and then asked: "This price reduction trend, it seems that I haven't seen the telegram of Junhu's complaints, and Luzon has not suffered much impact?" ”

Ma Yiqing smiled when he heard this, "There are very few privately run industries in Luzon, and the factories opened by Yuanqi are subsidized, so what can be affected, ordinary people are applauding this wave of price reductions." ”