Daming Town Haiwang

Chapter 1168, Digging the canal problem

In Egypt, when the people of Ming Dynasty were still discussing the rise of Egyptian stocks, in Egypt, Tong Yuan had already led his team to inspect the land here in detail, and worked out the route and plan for digging the canal.

In a scorching desert, Tong Yuan rode a camel and stood on a sand dune, carefully observing the surrounding terrain with a telescope.

"My lord, this canal is not difficult to dig."

"According to the data we have obtained so far, the sea level of the Red Sea should be the same as that of the Mediterranean Sea, so the excavation of the canal does not require a separate artificial lifting of the water level, which can save a lot of investment."

Next to Tong Yuan was a very young man in his early twenties, with short hair and a shaved beard, wearing a uniform with the words 'Da Ming Institute of Engineering' embroidered on it.

His name is Zhan Qi, although he is very young, but he is a professor in Daming Engineering College, a leading figure in the field of engineering. He once led a team to participate in the construction of the road leading to the Western Regions, and also designed and built many bridge.

"Secondly, according to the results of our current exploration, we can make good use of several lakes here called Bitter Lake," which can greatly reduce the amount of engineering. "

"Also, the soil here is relatively soft and easy to excavate. There are no rock layers, and only enough manpower is needed, and the excavation speed can be very fast."

Zhan Qi held the map, drew a few straight lines on the map, and said very confidently.

In his opinion, digging canals is much simpler than building bridges and roads. There are many factors to consider when building bridges and roads. Compared with digging canals, the main consideration of the team is sufficient financial resources, manpower, and material resources. As for the technical aspect, it is secondary.

"Hmm~"

"That's not what I'm worried about."

Tong Yuan nodded slightly. He looked at the scorching sun and the desert in front of him.

It was only March in Yangchun, and it was the most comfortable time in Daming, but here, it was as hot as summer, making people extremely hungry and thirsty.

"Then what are you worried about?"

When Zhan Qi heard this, he immediately asked curiously.

"Look at the desert in front of you. What is the most lacking in this desert?"

Tong Yuan asked with a smile.

“Of course the most scarce thing in the desert is water.”

Jenky replied almost without thinking.

"Yes, it's the lack of water~"

"If it is a scale of [-] or [-] people, we can still use water trucks to transport fresh water, but when the canal is dug, we will need to use tens of thousands of huge manpower."

"Where are we going to find so much water then?"

"Even if there are more water trucks, I'm afraid it will not be able to meet the needs by then."

When Tong Yuan said this, he couldn't help but took out the kettle and took a gulp of water, it was too hot.

"This…."

When Zhan Qi heard it, he was slightly dumbfounded. After thinking about it carefully, he immediately realized the problem.

Almost the whole of Egypt is covered by deserts. Only the Nile River Basin has a large amount of water, so a large number of people have multiplied. However, except for the Nile River Basin, few people have settled in other places because there is not enough water.

The result of the canal exploration is that it is easy to dig, but the premise is that the problem of a large amount of water needs to be solved.

"My lord, can we dig a small canal to transport fresh water?"

Zhan Qi thought for a while and immediately searched carefully on the map. He quickly found the location of the river and said immediately.

"That's the only way to go. Apart from digging a canal to divert water, I really can't think of any other way."

Tong Yuan thought for a while and nodded. There is no other way. The possibility of finding fresh water that can meet the water diversion needs of tens of thousands of people in this vast desert is almost zero. The only way is to divert water from a branch of the Nile River. just work.

"You continue to take people to explore, and I will return to Cairo."

"Now is the time to start recruiting workers. The local population in Egypt is still very sufficient. The key is that the wages are also low. The main reason for digging the canal is to recruit a large number of local Egyptians."

Tong Yuan instructed Zhan Qi.

"Yes, sir~"

Zhan Qi nodded quickly, and led his people to explore the surrounding rivers again, carefully planning the excavation plan for the diversion canal.

……

Tong Yuan returned to Cairo again, and soon got the latest news from Daming.

"Great, the Egyptian Canal was successfully listed in Daming, and the [-] million taels of silver raised is already on the way."

Seeing the latest news, Tong Yuan couldn't help clenching his fists in joy.

Everything is going very smoothly according to plan.

"With a mentor around, there is nothing you can't handle."

"Although the money hasn't reached me yet, I can already start recruiting people to start digging the canal."

Tong Yuan began to think in his mind.

It would take almost three months for the silver to be transported here. Naturally, I couldn't wait for three months, so I can start organizing people to dig the canal now.

"It seems that it is necessary to have a good talk with Kansu II."

Thinking of this, Tong Yuan also walked non-stop to the Egyptian palace to see Kansu II.

In the Egyptian royal palace, Kansu II was also having a headache at this time.

Regarding the excavation of the canal, although under the strong pressure exerted by Daming, he successfully suppressed the opposition of Duer and other diehards.

However, this does not change their situation all at once. The situation of internal and external troubles in Egypt still cannot be changed in the slightest. Even because of the tricks of Toure and other diehards, the current situation in Egypt has become a little subtle.

First of all, the biggest problem is that there are a large number of refugees in Egypt. These refugees are farmers who have lost their land. Their land has been annexed by Egyptian feudal nobles and lords in large numbers, causing them to be displaced and have no land to live on.

These refugees quickly evolved into peasant uprisings one after another, which made Kansu II exhausted.

At the same time, externally, as the news of Egypt and Ming's cooperation in digging the canal spread, the Ottoman Empire couldn't sit still. Chen Bing border, intending to capture Egypt before the canal was dug, and destroy Ming's layout.

If Egypt builds a canal, it will be of great significance to both Egypt and Ming Dynasty. It also means that it will be more difficult for the Ottoman Empire to connect to North Africa by land. The land in North Africa wants to It will be difficult to take it back, and you can only watch it fall into the hands of the Spaniards and Portuguese.

"Toure's old stubborn people only care about their own interests and completely disregard the interests of the country."

"It's already reached this time. They are still wantonly annexing the land, and they are constantly dragging their feet behind. The Ottoman army is about to kill Cairo, but they are still drunk."

"After the current difficulties are over, sooner or later I will kill you all."

Kansu II was frowning, gritted his teeth with hatred for the old stubbornness in the country, he did not hold all the power, and was constrained by the big feudal lords, nobles, and lords like Toure in many ways.

"The envoy of Ming Dynasty seeks to see you~"

At this time, someone hurriedly came to report.

"Please~"

When Kansu II heard this, he said quickly.

Soon, Tong Yuan, who was dressed in dust and dust, came in front of Kansu II, and immediately talked about business after some politeness.

"Your Majesty the Sultan, I have just received the news that our Ming side has completed the fundraising more than two months ago. Twenty million taels of silver are already on the way and will arrive in Egypt soon."

"So we can now start recruiting people to dig the canal."

Tong Yuan looked very excited and said.

As long as he can finish the matter of the canal and work hard here for a few years, he will definitely be promoted after returning home, there is no doubt about it.

So he also wanted to dig this canal as soon as possible and return to Daming as soon as possible.

"That's great~"

"As expected of the Ming Empire, [-] million taels of silver can be raised in such a short period of time."

When Kansu II heard this, he immediately laughed happily.

"It's mainly our Daming that relies on stocks to raise money. Although [-] million taels of silver is very huge, it's nothing compared to our entire Daming."

Tong Yuan also patiently introduced the situation on the Tianjin Stock Exchange to Kansu II.

"There is still such a way to raise funds?"

When Kansu II heard this, he was slightly dumbfounded. This Daming man is too good at playing, and then he thought for a while and said: "Can I also list half of the canal ownership in our Egyptian hands on Daming's side?"

"Well, it should be possible."

When Tong Yuan heard it, he was slightly taken aback, thought for a while and said.

"Haha, I'm just saying this. Egypt is far away from Daming, so it's extremely inconvenient to travel, let alone go public."

Kansu II immediately smiled happily. He has also heard about some things about Daming's stock market. He also knows how to read Daming's newspapers now. Through newspapers, he can learn about some things about Daming.

"Your Majesty, although the silver hasn't arrived here yet, I think we can start digging the canal now."

"I plan to recruit [-] people from your country to dig the canal first. This recruitment also needs the cooperation of Your Majesty the Sultan."

Tong Yuan smiled, but he also said his protection. Although the money has not come to an end, but with the reputation of the Ming Empire, it can still start to operate now.

"Twenty thousand people?"

When Kansu II heard this, his eyes lit up slightly, and then he thought for a while and asked, "What kind of conditions are you planning to offer here?"

"How about twenty Wen a day and three meals a day?"

Tong Yuan thought about it and said.

With a salary of [-] Wen a day, it is impossible to recruit people in Daming. As for three meals a day, this is the rule of Daming.

"Great, that's it!"

When Kansu II heard this, he was overjoyed immediately, and immediately agreed happily.

(End of this chapter)