I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 828 Zhang Juzheng also came to his senses
Zhang Juzheng replied in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, please give your instructions."

"Railway, the third thing I want to talk to Master Zhang about today is railway!"

Zhu Yijun's words made Zhang Juzheng laugh.

"Is this old minister waiting for the emperor to talk about the railway?"

Zhu Yijun also smiled, "It seems that Master Zhang sees the benefits of building a railway."

"In reply to the emperor, building a railway is a high-quality project that requires a large investment but also has a large return, and a long payback period. It can be said to be an excellent project that can benefit generations to come!"

Zhu Yijun smiled even more happily, "It seems that Master Zhang has learned a lot from Yang Jinshui!"

Feng Bao, who was standing in the corner, raised his head slightly, glanced over twice, then continued to stand there quietly with his hands down and his head lowered.

“Let me be frank, Master Zhang, the Cabinet will focus on the construction of six railways over the next three years.

The first is the northward extension of the Beijing-Qinhuangdao Line, which goes out of Shanhaiguan, passes through Suizhong, Ningyuan, Guangning and Liaohe River, and goes directly to Shenyang to build the Beijing-Shenyang Line, which becomes the backbone of the Beijing-Harbin Railway.

The second is the Beijing-Tianjin line extending to the northeast, passing Shunyi, Huairou, Miyun, out of Chaoheso, and directly reaching Chengde.

The third line is the Beijing-Tianjin line extending northwestwards, passing through Juyongguan and Xuanfu, and reaching Datong, becoming the main part of the Beijing-Suiyuan line.

These three railways are not long and cost little, but they are strategically important. Master Zhang, you have to be aware of this.”

Zhang Juzheng nodded, understanding what was going on.

These three lines are all centered around the capital, and the core issue is to ensure the safety of the capital. These three railways extend to Shenyang in the east, Chengde in the north, and Datong in the west. Once completed, it will be extremely convenient for military mobilization.

The northern border is like an iron chain, and the capital is as solid as a rock.

Once the capital area is stabilized, we can continue to expand based on these three railways to operate in the northeast, south of the desert and north of the desert.

So these three railways are of strategic significance.

“The latter three railways are more economically significant.

The Jiaoji-Zhengxi Line is an important channel for the Central Plains and Guanzhong to go to the sea.

Henan and Shaanxi are located in the hinterland and do not have convenient river transportation like the Yangtze River system, so railways are the first choice.

We will open up their seaports, connect Shandong, Henan and Shaanxi with railways, and then complete the Yellow River diversion project. We will take a two-pronged approach to revive Guanzhong and the Central Plains and make them prosperous places for the Ming Dynasty. "

Zhang Juzheng said: "Your Majesty, I have been in charge of state affairs for several years and I deeply understand the truth that agriculture is the foundation of the country, industry can strengthen the country, and commerce can enrich the country.

The development of agriculture in Henan and Shaanxi can only help the people solve the problem of food and clothing. How can we make them live a prosperous life?

Industry and commerce must be vigorously promoted.

But if you want to get rich, you must first build roads, and these roads must be railways.

Once the Jiaoji-Zhengxi Railway is completed, Shaanxi and Henan will have access to the sea, and they will naturally be able to open factories, circulate trade, and establish regional economic centers along the railway line. "

"I am very pleased that Master Zhang and the cabinet have this understanding.

The Jiaoji-Zhengxi Railway is an important artery connecting the east and the west, while the Jinpu and Jinghan Railways are the major arteries connecting the north and the south.

Now the medicine of the Ming Dynasty was developing faster and faster, and the arteries and veins were officially defined and announced by the Imperial Hospital. Zhang Juzheng understood what it meant.

"Your Majesty, I and the cabinet all believe that the Jinpu and Jinghan railways are grand in plan and have great significance. They connect the capital, the Central Plains, the Jianghuai and the Jiangnan and Lakes regions, one east and one west.

According to the definition of the Geographical Society, this is called connecting the Wei River Basin, the Yellow River Basin, the Huai River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin.

By then, the old rice-producing area of ​​Jiangnan and the new rice-producing area of ​​the two lakes will exchange what they have with the Central Plains and the northern regions.

Grain, silk, cotton cloth, and tea from the south are transported to the north, and coal, steel, and machinery from the north are transported to the south. We can truly achieve a national chess game, coordinated cooperation, and common development! "

It seems that the effect of taking the court officials and advisors on a train to Luanzhou for a visit and meeting was very significant.

People in both the government and the public saw the huge role that railways and industries played in economic development.

As the economy develops, everyone gets promoted or gets rich, and everyone is happy. Who wouldn’t like that?
The entire cabinet changed its previous attitude of rejection and questioning towards railway construction and became railway supporters, wishing that every province and county in the country would have a railway tomorrow.

"Okay, Master Zhang will lead the whole cabinet to strengthen their study recently. Their awareness and understanding have improved a lot." Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "The Jinghan and Jinpu railways are different from the previous three railways, and they are also different from the repaired Jingqin and Jinggu railways.

First, the mileage is long. The Beijing-Hankou Railway is 1,216 kilometers long, while the Jinpu Railway is 1,015 kilometers long.

Second, it passes through many provinces, counties and districts.

The Beijing-Hankou Railway needs to pass through more than ten counties in Shuntianfu, Hebei, Henan, and Hubei provinces. The Jinpu Railway needs to pass through Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Yingtianfu, more than ten counties.

In order to shorten the construction time, the Ministry of War decided to start construction at both ends of the railway at the same time and construct the railway in sections. Our railway construction team has experience in this regard.

The Jinggu and Jingqin railways were both started at the same time, with the foundations constructed in sections. With the help of our detailed maps and the guidance of advanced surveying technology, they were successfully completed with minimal errors.

Zhu Yijun counted for Zhang Juzheng on his fingers.

“Third, it is very costly. Not only is the construction work huge and it costs a lot of money and food, but there are also several natural barriers.

Lugou River, Yellow River, Huai River and Yangtze River.

The Yangtze River is the most difficult to tackle. At the moment, no one is sure about it, so we can only put it aside for the time being.

The Lugou River is the easiest to tackle. The Bridge Design Institute has already surveyed the site and drawn up the design drawings.

The Huai River and the Yellow River are both obstacles, but we must be determined to conquer them both!"

After talking about the difficulties in building the railway, Zhu Yijun emphasized: "Master Zhang, building a railway is a systematic project, not just a simple traffic artery.

In order to support the construction of the railway, we need to build cement plants, steel plants and machinery factories along the line, dig coal mines and iron mines, and provide materials and equipment nearby.

After the railway was completed, these industries became valuable assets to the regions along the route and served as their industrial bases.

Master Zhang, based on the needs of railway construction and the actual conditions of various regions along the route, the cabinet must take a comprehensive approach and formulate a plan for the opening of factories and mines as soon as possible, and promote it simultaneously without delaying the progress of the six railways. "

Zhang Juzheng nodded.

Zhu Yijun didn't need to say anything about this matter, as he and the cabinet knew the severity of it.

"The Cabinet has been paying attention to this matter. The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, the Imperial Household Department, the Ministry of Works, and the Planning Bureau of the Ministry of Finance have been holding joint meetings.

The plans for factories and mines that are not controversial should be finalized and implemented as soon as possible. The first batch of plans came out in July, totaling 15 companies, and construction has already started. For controversial factory and mine plans, the opinions of the Ministry of War should be taken as the main consideration, while local opinions should be taken into consideration. Discussions and consultations should be accelerated, and those that reach consensus should be approved immediately and issued for implementation.

Zhu Yijun nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

This work style that pursues efficiency very much seems to have come from the Shaofujian.

It seems that the effect of the exchanges between officials from both sides was beyond my expectations.

"Your Majesty, this railway overhaul and the opening of factories and mines have cost countless amounts of money, a bottomless pit that can never be bottomed out. Wang Ruguan, the Minister of Revenue, has been looking pale all day long these days."

Zhu Yijun laughed out loud.

“You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a kid!

However, building railways is not a losing business. The first quarter financial reports of the two railway companies, Jingqin and Jinggu, have come out, and their profits are very impressive. You will make money if you buy them!
This is just the beginning. As new steam locomotives and carriages are put into use and the number of passenger trains continues to increase, more money will be earned and the wealth will roll in.

Anyone who bought the bonds on these two railroads became rich.”

Zhang Juzheng smiled and nodded, "That's right. Several newspapers, such as the Commercial Daily and Shuntian Zhengbao, have been publicizing this matter with great fanfare. Many people were envied after reading it!"

“It’s right to be jealous!

I didn’t know the secret before and didn’t buy it. Now it’s too late to regret it.

The bonds for the Jinpu and Jinghan railways are being promoted in full swing. If you rush to buy them now, you will be grabbing an opportunity to make a fortune.

Opportunities never come again! "

Zhang Juzheng laughed heartily.

The emperor is really good at making money.

"Your Majesty, the bonds of these two railways are being snapped up in the market right now. I, an old minister, was so shameless that I asked my family to take the initiative and buy 20,000 yen."

"Buy, why miss such a good opportunity to make a fortune? I am also buying, and the concubines in the harem are also using their own private money to buy.

I have discussed with Yang Jinshui that these railway bonds will be converted into shares in the future."

“Debts converted to equity, bonds converted to stocks?”

"Master Zhang, have you also understood these financial knowledge?"

"Your Majesty, I am also trying hard to learn, but I am old and I only understand vaguely."

"Master Zhang, this is actually very easy to understand.
Bonds are money that the railway company owes you, and when it matures, it must pay you back with interest. Stocks are shares you have invested in the railway company, but you don't pay back the capital, and you get dividends regularly.

Although the stock capital will not be returned to you, you can resell the stock to someone else.

For example, this package of railway stocks that can only make money, the market is booming, and countless people are rushing to buy them. The stocks you bought for ten yuan, others are willing to buy for fifteen or twenty yuan. "

Zhang Juzheng's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, this is another opportunity to make money."

“Yes, but it can be an opportunity to make money, or it can be a loss.”

"Loss of money, how can it be a loss of money?"

"Master Zhang, how can you make a profit without losing money in business?
If the factory or mine you choose to buy suffers from natural disasters or man-made disasters, operates at a loss, and does not distribute dividends throughout the year, it will become a junk stock. Do you think anyone will want this stock?"

"No."

“Yes, but if you want to sell the stocks and get your money back, you can only sell them at a lower price, so others buy them with the hope of taking a chance.

The stock you bought for 10 yuan may drop to 5 yuan or even 1 yuan! "

Zhang Juzheng understood. "The main bonds on the market are guaranteed by the imperial court with taxes, so at least the capital is guaranteed. Stocks have gains and losses, and there are risks."

“Yes. Stocks are risky and can be manipulated by those with ulterior motives.

For example, someone secretly bought a large number of stocks of a factory that was in a recession at a low price, and then spread false news that the factory was going to be acquired by Luan Steel.

When the people heard that this factory had a bright future, they rushed to buy its stocks, and the stock price immediately soared. The person behind the scenes took the opportunity to sell the factory stocks he held at a high price.

When the truth comes out, the factory's stock will not only fall back to its original price, but will fall further.

As for the people behind the scenes, they made a lot of money and left without a care in the world."

Zhang Juzheng's face was serious. "Hearing what the emperor said, there is indeed a big problem."

"Yes. There are many smart people in this world. As long as they can make money, they dare to cheat, murder and arson, and they can do it with all kinds of tricks.

I am worried about this problem, so the Ministry of Finance requested to fully open up stocks and formally establish a stock exchange, but I have been holding back. "

Currently, some "private enterprises" in Daming are issuing stocks, which is a private behavior among the people.

The bond, stock and futures exchanges in Shanghai and Tianjin are also "private activities of the people" and are skirting the law. Transactions are extremely cautious and inconvenient.

To put it bluntly, all it takes to seal it off is an official document from the Shanghai Municipal Government.

However, in the southeast region, the calls for formal legislation to allow companies to issue stocks and establish stock exchanges are growing louder every year.

Zhang Juzheng also knew about this situation.

Zhu Yijun continued: "But everything has its pros and cons. Stocks have big risks, but they are an excellent channel for corporate financing.

In the next three years, we will overhaul the railways, develop industry and commerce, and launch hundreds of major projects, which will require money everywhere.

How to fill this huge hole? The only way is to borrow money from the future.

After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to formally liberalize stocks and open a stock exchange in Shanghai and Tianjin. It will remain the same as before, with business run and government supervision.

The Shaofujian is working overtime day and night to draft rules and regulations and select the first batch of industries to issue stocks."

After Zhu Yijun finished speaking, Zhang Juzheng spoke.

"Your Majesty, can the cabinet be involved in this matter?"

These words made Zhu Yijun stunned!
There was total silence, except for the cicadas in the trees outside, which were screaming desperately, like the sound of a suona, piercing the air, coming in, and floating around the room.

(End of this chapter)