Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Ouyang Lun continued, "Finally, the operation of the railway needs to be governed by rules - passenger and freight separation, regular maintenance, and strict prohibition of private transportation. Violators will be fined at the lightest and exiled at the worst."

His voice was not loud, but every word was as strong as iron, and everyone in the hall was in awe.

Zhu Biao stroked his beard with satisfaction and smiled: "My brother-in-law has made thorough arrangements, which makes me very happy. Wang Aiqing, I will hand over the Railway Bureau to you."

Wang Tiechui knelt down and kowtowed: "I will do my best to live up to your majesty's trust!"

Ouyang Lun suddenly turned around, bowed to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Majesty, I have another suggestion - each railway station should be named after the prefecture or county where it is located, and a new city should be built around it."

The hall suddenly became quiet, and even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly and tapped the table with his fingers: "Brother-in-law, what's the reason? The train station is just a place for passengers to get on and off, why go to all this trouble?"

Minister of Works Shan Anren's hand twisting his beard suddenly stopped, with a look of doubt in his eyes: "My Lord, building a new city is very expensive, I'm afraid it won't be worth it."

The Minister of Finance Guo Zi's face suddenly changed, and he hurriedly stepped out: "Your Majesty! Although the treasury is now full, the expenses of each place are fixed. If we rashly build a new city, it may not be sustainable!"

After saying that, Guo Zi immediately looked at Ouyang Lun with an apologetic look on his face, as if to say: Boss, you didn't tell me about this! The Ministry of Revenue is under great pressure now, so please don't bother me!
Wang Tiechui stood in the corner, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, and was secretly shocked: "What is the prince consort going to do? This proposal is simply too bold. And each station needs to build a new city. How much money will it cost!"

Ouyang Lun looked calm, his eyes slowly swept over the crowd, finally landing on Zhu Biao.

"Your Majesty." His voice was as steady as before. "This proposal of mine may seem to be very costly, but in fact it is a plan that will benefit future generations and is extremely beneficial to the Ming Dynasty court!"

Zhu Biao leaned forward slightly, with curiosity flashing in his eyes: "Oh? Brother-in-law, tell me in detail."

Ouyang Lun walked to the huge map hanging in the center of the hall. The sunlight shone through the window lattices, casting mottled shadows on him.

"Please look." He drew the railway lines on the map with his slender fingers. "Every railway station is a meeting point for people and goods."

The Minister of War nodded thoughtfully: "Indeed, just like the post stations often form market towns, but it still doesn't seem reasonable to build a new city just for this."

Ouyang Lun tapped a few stations with his fingertips: "Where transportation is convenient, merchants will naturally gather. Goods turnover and personnel exchanges all require a place to stay."

"The post station is so small, and the cargo throughput of the train is not comparable to that of a small post station."

Minister of Revenue Guo Zi's eyes suddenly lit up: "Prince consort, are you saying that these places will spontaneously form markets?"

"That's not all." Ouyang Lun turned around, his eyes sharp, "If the court takes the initiative to plan and designate the area around the railway station as a new city and build it uniformly..."

Minister of Industry Shan Anren suddenly clapped his hands and said, "Great! Unified planning can avoid chaos!"

Ouyang Lun nodded slightly: "The first priority for new city construction is the appreciation of land prices." He glanced at everyone, "Do you know where the most expensive store in Beijing is?"

Zhu Biao thought for a moment, "Could it be somewhere near the canal dock?"

"Your Majesty is wise." Ouyang Lun bowed, "A place with convenient transportation is worth every inch of land."

The ministers in the hall began to whisper to each other, and many of them had a look of realization in their eyes.

Ouyang Lun continued: "Building a new city requires bricks, stones and wood, which will boost the building materials industry; it requires craftsmen and labor to solve the employment problems of the people; and the opening of shops will increase commercial tax revenue."

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, but every word sounded like pearls falling on a jade plate.

The Minister of Revenue Guo Zi suddenly stepped out excitedly: "My son-in-law has a good idea! After the new city prospers, we can collect both land prices and taxes, and the initial investment will be paid back soon!"

Minister of Industry Shan Anren's hand trembled slightly as he twisted his beard: "Not only that. The construction of the new city will also boost dozens of industries such as iron smelting, brick burning, and carpentry."

Wang Tiechui listened attentively and unconsciously took a half step forward, thinking: "It turns out that a railway station can drive so many industries. The prince consort's vision is really extraordinary."

Seeing everyone's reaction, Ouyang Lun raised his lips slightly and said, "More importantly, the new city can attract people from the surrounding areas to gather. More people means more business opportunities, and more business opportunities means more tax revenue."

Zhu Biao's eyes sparkled, and he suddenly clapped his hands and said, "Great! This is the strategy of 'building a nest to attract the phoenix'!"

Ouyang Lun smiled and added: "Your Majesty is wise. After the new city is built, you can set up a customs office and a tax office to standardize management. It will be convenient for the people and increase the court's income."

Ru Ying, the Minister of War, suddenly thought of something: "Sir, do these new cities need additional garrisons?"

Ouyang Lun calmly replied: "In the early stage, we can set up a patrol inspection office, and then discuss it after the scale is expanded. The new city has good public security, which can reduce the pressure on the surrounding garrisons."

The ministers in the hall looked at each other, all shocked by this grand idea.

Zhu Biao stood up suddenly, and the cuffs of his dragon robe blew a gust of wind. "Okay! Let's do as my brother-in-law suggested! We will first pilot three new cities along the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway!"

Ouyang Lun bowed deeply and said, "I will not let your majesty down."

Wang Tiechui's hands trembled with excitement, and he thought: "The importance of the Railway Bureau will be further enhanced! The construction of this new city may also be under our jurisdiction."

Minister of Works Shan Anren suddenly thought of a key question: "Son-in-law, who will lead the construction of this new city? The Ministry of Works or the local government?"

Ouyang Lun was well prepared: "I suggest setting up a 'Railway New City Supervision Office' to be responsible for this matter. The Railway Bureau will coordinate and the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue and local governments will work together to handle it."

The Minister of Revenue Guo Zi couldn't wait to ask: "Sir, how should the land price income be distributed?"

Ouyang Lun calmly replied: "Fifty percent will go to the national treasury, thirty percent will go to the local government, and twenty percent will be used for the maintenance of the new city. The specific details can be drawn up by the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhu Biao stroked his beard with satisfaction and smiled: "Brother-in-law has thought it through. You will be fully responsible for this matter, and all departments must fully cooperate!"

Ouyang Lun bowed and accepted the order, with a gleam of foresight in his eyes.

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace. A young eunuch rushed in and knelt down to report: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Korea Li Shanchang urgently wants to see you!"

Zhu Biao frowned: "At this time?"

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment, waved his hand and said, "Announce."

The palace door slowly opened, and Li Shanchang, wearing a purple python robe, walked into the palace steadily. His eyes were like lightning, quickly sweeping over everyone present, and finally fell on Ouyang Lun, with an imperceptible sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I am your humble servant." Li Shanchang bowed and saluted, his voice loud but respectful.

Zhu Biao raised his hand slightly: "Please excuse me, Duke. I wonder what important matter has brought you to the palace at this time?"

Li Shanchang stood up and took out a memorial from his sleeve: "I have something to report about the reform of the grain transport system."

When these words were spoken, the ministers in the hall had different expressions.

The Minister of Revenue Guo Zi and the Minister of Works Shan Anren exchanged a puzzled look, while Wang Tiechui clenched his sleeves nervously. He knew a lot about the discord between Li Shanchang and the prince consort. The grain transport reform plan proposed by the Duke of Korea Li Shanchang at this time was probably aimed at the railways.

As the temporary general manager of the Railway Bureau, any changes would inevitably affect him first. Wang Tiechui secretly glanced at Ouyang Lun and found that the latter was very calm. He felt much more at ease. He was the man of the Prince Consort Ouyang Lun. As long as the Prince Consort was there, he didn't need to worry about such things.

Ouyang Lun looked normal, as if he had no feelings about Li Shanchang's arrival.

Zhu Biao took the memorial presented by the eunuch and unfolded it to read it carefully.

As his eyes moved downward, his brows gradually furrowed: "Is the Duke's proposal to change the grain transport system to government-supervised and business-run?"

Li Shanchang clasped his hands and said, "That's right. The grain transport system has been malfunctioning for a long time. The government's efficiency is low and the losses are huge. If we recruit merchants to take charge, the court only needs to send people to supervise. This can save most of the expenses and ensure that the grain is delivered on time."

Ouyang Lun suddenly chuckled: "The Duke's proposal is novel. However, the grain transport is the lifeblood of the country, and it may not be appropriate to leave it to merchants."

Li Shanchang turned to look at Ouyang Lun, his eyes sharp as a knife: "Your Majesty, you are wrong. I have heard that your Majesty has promoted the business of coal mining in the north, with remarkable results. Why can't the grain transport follow suit?"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.

All the ministers held their breath and felt the tension between the two important ministers.

Ouyang Lun calmly straightened his sleeves and said, "How can coal mining and grain transport be compared? Grain transport is related to the grain supply of the capital. If there is any mistake, the consequences will be disastrous."

Li Shanchang sneered: "Is the Prince Consort worried that the new policy will affect the railway business? I heard that the railway planned by the Prince Consort will also carry grain."

Zhu Biao saw the two arguing and raised his hand to stop them: "My dear ministers, please wait. This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to think carefully."

Ouyang Lun suddenly changed the subject: "Your Majesty, I have a plan that may take into account both the Duke's opinion and the safety of the grain transport."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "Brother-in-law, please speak."

Ouyang Lun walked towards the sand table in the center of the hall: "I propose that the canal transportation can be divided into three steps. The first step is to retain the existing canal transportation system; the second step is to try commercial canal transportation along the railway; the third step is to wait until the time is ripe and then fully implement it."

Li Shanchang's expression changed slightly: "Is the Prince Consort trying to delay time?"

Ouyang Lun said calmly: "The Duke has misunderstood. I was just discussing the railway new city with Your Majesty. If we combine the reform of the canal transport with the construction of the new city, wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone?"

He pointed to several nodes on the sand table: "For example, the construction of new water transport docks in these places can not only provide a place for the new city to distribute goods, but also test the effectiveness of commercial water transport."

Minister of Industry Shan Anren suddenly realized: "Great! In this way, canal transportation and railways can complement each other!"

Li Shanchang's eyes flashed with a hint of sinisterness, but he quickly returned to normal: "Your Highness, it's a good idea. But I am worried that this will cost more."

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly: "You worry too much, Duke. The savings from the business of transporting grain can be used for the construction of the new city. In the long run, the court can actually increase its income."

Zhu Biao clapped his hands and applauded: "Just as my brother-in-law said! The reform of the canal transportation and the construction of the new city will be carried out simultaneously. Duke, this matter will be supervised by you and the prince consort."

Li Shanchang forced a smile and said, "I obey your order."

Ouyang Lun bowed deeply, but his eyes were always paying attention to the changes in Li Shanchang's expression. He noticed that the right hand of the Duke of Korea was trembling slightly in his sleeve, and his knuckles were white due to the force.

Li Shanchang suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I still have some doubts. Your plan for the new city may seem good, but it actually contains three major hidden dangers!"

His voice was so loud that it echoed in the hall, and all the officials were shocked when they heard it.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly: "Please speak, Duke."

Li Shanchang stretched out his skinny fingers and raised them one by one: "First, where will the initial investment come from? I see that you, my son-in-law, are going to build the first batch of twelve new cities in the early stage. The money required will probably empty the national treasury!"

He raised his second finger: "Secondly, even if it is built, why would so many people buy houses? If no one lives in it, won't it become a ghost town?"

The third finger was raised heavily: "Third, the construction period is long and continuous investment is required. If it is abandoned halfway, all the previous efforts will be wasted and the Ming Dynasty will be seriously damaged!"

These three questions are like three sharp swords, pointing directly at the core of the new policy.

The officials in the hall all changed color, even Zhu Biao looked solemn.

Ouyang Lun was not in a hurry, and gently smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeves: "I have already prepared a countermeasure for what the Duke is worried about."

He turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Majesty, regarding the issue of silver and money, I propose that the 'Da Ming Silver Cabinet' provide a special loan."

Minister of Finance Guo Zi's eyes lit up: "Yes! How could you forget the silver cabinet!"

Li Shanchang sneered: "Loans must be repaid. If New Town's revenue is lower than expected, who will bear the responsibility for this bad debt?"

Ouyang Lun said calmly: "Don't worry, Duke. The court can auction the land in the new city in batches, and the highest bidder will win. This alone can recover most of the investment."

Minister of Industry Shan Anren twirled his beard and nodded: "Great! The land auction can not only generate cash, but also attract merchants to invest."

Li Shanchang's eyes flashed with a sinister look: "What about my second question? Where do so many people buy houses?"

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly: "Does the Duke know the method of 'pre-sale'?"

"Pre-sale?" Zhu Biao asked curiously.

"That's right." Ouyang Lun explained, "The deposit is collected before the house is built. People only need to pay 30% of the down payment, and the rest can be paid in installments. In this way, we can recover funds in advance and let people lock in their favorite houses in advance."

Minister of War Ru Heng couldn't help but interrupt: "What if the people are unable to pay halfway?"

Ouyang Lun was well prepared: "Resale can be allowed, or mortgage loans can be provided by the bank. As long as the housing prices are stable and rising, people will flock to buy houses. The major bank offices have already started loan business, and many people also buy houses with loans."

"It seems that the Korean public does not understand this matter, nor does it understand the national conditions!"

The ministers in the palace were stunned. This advanced financial concept was totally unheard of for them.

Li Shanchang's face was gloomy: "The prince consort is playing with fire! If the housing prices fall and the people make trouble, who will clean it up?"

Ouyang Lun said calmly: "So I suggest that we only build three demonstration new cities in the first batch. Once the model is mature, we can gradually promote it."

He turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Majesty, I have another plan to solve the Duke's third worry - the construction period."

Zhu Biao was very interested: "Brother-in-law, please tell me!"

Ouyang Lun pointed to the sand table and said, "The new city can be divided into blocks and handed over to different businesses for construction. The court only needs to set standards and inspect the quality. Merchants will compete for profits, and the construction period will naturally be shortened."

Li Shanchang suddenly shouted: "Ridiculous! How can we hand over the imperial project to merchants?"

Ouyang Lun's eyes turned cold: "Did the Duke forget what he had just said about the business of transporting grain to the country?" (End of this chapter)