"Gentlemen, we can all see that the role of railways in the development of national commerce in modern times cannot be overestimated. It provides us with an unprecedented way to move a large number of goods and people at regular intervals and at fixed points. As long as the railroad passes, commerce will flourish, so we can say that the railroad is the cornerstone of modern civilization. ”

In the silence, Charles stood on the podium and spoke eloquently to the audience.

"Two centuries ago, our ancestors worked tirelessly to build a vast system of canals for France, including the Canal du South, not far from all of you. Now, two centuries later, shouldn't future generations pay tribute to these ancestors with even more brilliant achievements? ”

The Canal du South, also known as the Languedoc Canal or the Canal des Deux-Mers, is a canal in southern France that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. The canal runs from the port of Sète in the Hérault department in the east to the Garonne River near Toulouse, the capital of the Haut-Garonoon department in the west.

The main trunk of the canal is 240 kilometers long, and the entire shipping water system covers 328 artificial structures of various sizes, such as locks, ditches, bridges, and tunnels. Built between 1667 and 1694 during the reign of Louis XIV, the canal was an important project in France in the 17th century and a major component of the French canal system. In the 18th and 19th centuries, France's main cargo transportation depended on the

His audience, of course, will not be general. These were the local aristocrats and bourgeoisie - that is, they were all wealthy. He had already spent a great deal of energy trying to preach to these people about the benefits of railroads - though. It's one thing to be rich, it's another thing to be willing to support him.

"Because of this, for the sake of the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people, Mr. President decided to carry out the construction of railways throughout the country. This move is bound to greatly promote the economic development of our country, and in the end, ......," Charles glanced around the audience below, "it will also enable you to get the benefits you deserve in the development of the country's economy." ”

Sure enough, as he expected, after hearing this. These savvy listeners finally had some reactions.

"Since Mr. President can bring peace to the country, he can also bring prosperity to the country, and the former Bonaparte led the nation in the pursuit of honor. The latter Bonaparte would make the nation prosperous - their dedication to the country was worthy of admiration, and their ideas were worthy of support! So. I ask you to do so in the local elections in the future. Support those who share Mr. President's ideas, only in this way can Mr. President carry out his superior ideas without hindrance, and lead you to accumulate more wealth in peace and prosperity. ”

After Charles raised his voice, sparse applause rang out from his seat.

"Again, I support Mr. President, not for him alone. It's for ourselves! It's something that each of us can profit from! Charles suddenly spoke again, raising his voice. And it's not just words, it's a solid action! In order to promote the construction of the country, the government established the Ministry of Railways under the promotion of the president, and I ...... As you already know, I am the State Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, so I have more reason than anyone else to believe in the determination of Mr. President! Finally, I would like to inform you that the first tranche of bonds issued by the Ministry of Railways has been prepared and will be issued to the public soon, although the specific details have not yet been finalized, but I can guarantee that it will be a very good investment. So you see, as long as we are on the right path, we will not gain nothing. So, please subscribe enthusiastically! ”

"Great!"

"We all support Mr. President!"

Different from the cold expression just now, his last agitation was warmly echoed by these people, and the people applauded and cheered, and even stood up. Apparently, the news he posted was welcomed by everyone.

Finally, there was no cold scene, and Charles breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

………………

In the evening, Charles, who finally broke away from the non-stop social activities, chose to take a walk to soothe his mood.

At this time, the sun was about to set, and the golden sunlight dyed the whole world into an illusory color, and Charles walked on the country road, breathing in the fresh air that was different from the city, and suddenly felt a lot more comfortable. And next to him, the stream flows quietly, and under the breeze, the grass on the side of the road is also shaking, which makes people feel more relaxed. The gentle and soothing rhythm of the countryside made Charles addicted to it for a while.

"That's a nice place!" After taking another deep breath, Charles sighed, "Our esteemed Duke of Dalmatia has found a good place for himself to retire!" ”

"Of course it's good when you first arrive, but after you stay for a while, you'll get bored." His friend Albert replied, "If you stay here for a few years, I'm sure you'll go crazy!" It's all good here except immutability and dullness. ”

"You're right." Charles sighed slightly, "I'd be mad if I had to watch these stupid donkeys all day." ”

"Looks like your communication with them isn't going well?" Albert laughed.

"Yes, Albert, these people really hurt my brain, they are unmoved!" Charles grumbled, "These provincials don't know if it's shrewd and cunning, or if it's just elm heads, so I won't be moved by what I say!" It's as if there is no emotion at all! But when I mentioned bonds, they were like flies that had seen blood, and I was fed up with these provincials. ”

Although it is not as good as Charlotte's saying that the provincials are regarded as ignorant and boring local guys, Charles is inevitably contaminated with some of the superior attitude of Parisians to the provinces of this era. At least it seemed to him that the people who were encouraging him today did not show the slightest hint, even if it was merely polite. It's boring and annoying.

"Charles, you seem to have forgotten, in fact, I am also from other provinces." Albert replied with a seemingly stern sting.

"Oh. You're different, you've been remodeled so much after so many years," Charles replied slowly as he looked at the sinking sunset, "You're already a true Parisian, more elegant and fashionable than the average Parisian." ”

"Should I be honored for this? Mr? ”

"Of course." Charles nodded. "Remember the first time we met in class? When it comes to introducing yourself, you're nervous and overwhelmed. Then he told the class a long paragraph about your family tree, and what honors there were, for twenty minutes from the twelfth century...... Hahaha, only people from other provinces do that! At that time, the classmates couldn't stop laughing. ”

"You weren't the only ones who didn't laugh." Albert also looked at the sun. "So I thought I might be able to make friends with you......"

"Actually, I wanted to laugh at the time. It's just that the novel I read suddenly progressed to the tragic stage, so I wasn't in the mood to laugh at you. ”

“…………”

In between talking and laughing, they came to a small hill together, and then looked around condescendingly.

In front of you is a fertile field full of life, and the vineyards divided by ridges are at their most important time - the grapes are beginning to bloom. In the breeze, invisible pollen scatters in all directions, laying a solid foundation for the autumn harvest. Then, barrels of wine flow out of this fertile field. Run all over Europe.

"What a beautiful place it is!" This situation made Charles sigh again. Driven by an inexplicable feeling. He picked up his staff and pointed to the void in front of him, "We must save this place!" ”

"Save here?" Albert was a little curious, "What's going on here?" ”

“…… It's nothing. Charles quickly regained his composure.

At least not yet.

The frenzy that swept the vineyards of France, and indeed the whole of Europe, has not yet arrived.

In the late 1860s, during the imperial era, due to the invasion of organisms from the Americas, phylloxera broke out in French vineyards, destroying more than three-quarters of grape production, forcing a large number of grape plantations to be abandoned, and finally causing a heavy blow to French agriculture. Of those who were present at the time of the Shire's preaching, I don't know how many of them would go bankrupt as a result.

Between 1868 and 1871, the agricultural circles of European countries also carried out a lot of research on the elimination of phylloxera, including experimental planting, pesticide application, flooding, soil type research, etc. Eventually, a team of researchers from the Frenchman Jules-Emile-Planchon and the American Charles-Valentine-Riley found a solution by grafting European grape branches onto the roots of native American aphid-resistant varieties, which made the disease preventable (but not curable).

However, there was no need for Charles to wait for the crisis to spread before announcing a new solution, and he intended to announce a solution to this disease as soon as it appeared, so as to avoid such a beautiful place suddenly falling into depression and bankruptcy - although he did not like the lords of the manors who had received little response to him.

"Okay, let's not mention that." Seeing that Charles didn't want to talk about it anymore, Albert had to shrug his shoulders. In the years of contact, he has long been accustomed to this friend's sudden exclamation, so he will not continue to ask questions. "Recently, at your request, I have recruited quite a few people, all of whom are quite reliable. More importantly, they were very happy to be able to eat the public meal, and they could do everything for a few hundred or even a thousand francs a month......"

The real meaning of this "everything has been done" will certainly not be so sven on the surface of the two people.

"Good, great, faster than expected! As long as we have all the people, our next things will be much easier. Charles was very happy and patted Albert on the shoulder, "Your Excellency the Minister will be pleased. ”

"Oh, I hope I'll be able to make him happier in the future......" Albert smiled.

Although his words were sincere, there was an inexplicable mockery in his smile.

After a period of vacation, their minister, His Excellency, having overcome the loss of his father, has returned to the ministry and is back to his duties. Of course, he would never have imagined that the two young assistants he thought of as his help would join forces to deal with him.

"Is what you said about bonds today true?"

"Of course it's true," Charles nodded, "but the batch that just came out is in demand, and not much will be left for these people, phew, look at their pride!" I really thought they were qualified to subscribe to how much! ”

"They don't care about it for the time being, this fundraising is of great significance, and there must be no surprises." Albert solemnly reminded.

"Of course I know, so I've already consulted with Baron de Beauwon. It's because I'm afraid of something wrong that I've put it off for so long, and now all aspects have been taken into account, my friend, there will be no problem. ”

"That's good." Albert nodded reassuringly, for all the years, Charles's watch would never disappoint him. "Charles, well done! Let me get a little bit of it, too? ”

"Do you need to talk about that? I've been ready for a long time, and I won't lose your share. Charles replied as a matter of course, "I said I would do everything in my power to repay you for your continued help." ”

Albert didn't answer, just nodded slightly.

The two men turned around again and looked at the fertile field in the distance.

At this time, the sun had almost completely disappeared behind the mountains, and the originally golden earth was slowly swallowed up by the gray color.

"This thing is good, but you still have to pay attention to it, Charles, I have seen that you seem to have no scruples at all lately, and you will soon be preparing for the second and third batches." As if remembering something, Albert reminded again, "If the stall is too large, even with state guarantees, debt is still a big problem - after all, the investment in the railroad is too great and huge, and unless the best lines are the best, the return on investment will not be achieved in the short term, and it will take a lot of investment over many years......

"You're right, I originally wanted to achieve this in the safest way possible." Charles looked up again, looking at Portugal and the hard-working farmers in the distance, "But now I've changed my mind - when it's more advantageous, we can be more radical and let it go, can't we?" ”

"What if something goes wrong?"

"If something really goes wrong...... Charles suddenly smiled and replied leisurely, "shouldn't our boss take the main responsibility for leadership?" ”

"............" Albert turned his head, looked at Charles steadily, and nodded.

"Okay, Charles." (To be continued......)