Kowloon wins

Chapter 157 Preparing for a strategy ([-])

"The three things Mr. Chen said are quite reasonable. However, I have some difficulties as a last resort. I'm afraid I can't fully agree to Mr. Chen."

It's okay to sympathize with Chen Qidong's underappreciated talents, but when it comes to specific matters, Hongqing can't be overwhelmed with sympathy. Hongqing will definitely not hand over the power that should be controlled casually. It is completely one, and Hong Qing is not willing to try things like placing her own destiny on the loyalty of others, no matter how passionate Chen Qidong said, Hong Qing can only answer with a little apology road.

"Oh? Please tell me, my little prince."

Chen Qidong thought to himself that Hongqing had something to ask of him, and the three demands he made were not too much. He thought that Hongqing should readily agree, but he didn't expect Hongqing to say that, and he couldn't help but say that for a while. He froze on the spot, and after being in a trance for a while, he cautiously asked questions.

"Let's make it simple first. The 4000 taels of silver owed by Mr. Chen must be repaid as soon as possible. Of course, the money can be lent to Mr. Chen first. When Mr. Chen is free in the future, he will pay it back slowly." Not too late, does Master Chen have any objections to this point?"

Many things cannot be explained clearly by words, especially when it comes to the distribution of power, but Chen Qidong is obviously a person who admits death, otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten so badly in the fat and oily Hecuo yamen, Obviously, it is not an easy task to convince such serious masters. Hong Qing is well aware of this, but she doesn't really care about it. Let's start first.

"This……"

Hearing what Hong Qing said, Chen Qidong couldn't help being stunned again. In his opinion, money owed to the treasury is a common phenomenon. Son, if it was money owed to a private person, the reputation would obviously not be very good, especially since the creditor was still Hong Qing, the popular Beizi, Chen Qidong couldn't help but feel a lot of pressure.

"The matter of paying off the debt is already on the line. It is a good thing to be able to pay it off earlier. What do you think, Mr. Chen?"

It is not yet time to reveal the issue of the debt, Hong Qing naturally does not want to say too much, so she just explained in a calm voice.

"Well, then I would like to thank the little prince for his love."

Although Hong Qing's tone was calm, there was a hint of evil spirit inside. Although Chen Qidong didn't understand why, he didn't dare to insist any longer. After frowning a few times, he reluctantly accepted Hong Qing's proposal.

"Well, let's move on to the second point. Well, before that, Ben Beizi still has a question, and I don't know whether Mr. Chen's water control is for water transportation or for the well-being of the people?"

Hong Qing ignored Chen Qidong's embarrassment, smiled calmly, and continued talking on her own.

"This... should be taken into account. Water transportation is the lifeline of the court, and there is absolutely no room for loss, and river regulation itself benefits the people. Is there any difference?"

Hearing that Hong Qing asked this question strangely, Chen Qidong couldn't help being stunned again, and after hesitating for a moment, he answered in an uncertain tone.

"Although what Mr. Chen said is common sense, it is not inevitable. There are still some differences. It is probably because water is needed for water transportation, and the Yellow River is diverted into the canal. If the water is too large, it will be flooded, and if the water is too small, it will not be enough for sailing. It is difficult, but if it is only for controlling the river, there is no need to worry so much, but it is enough to ensure that the Yellow River does not collapse, Lord Chen, do you think this is the reason?"

Hong Qing has been working in the Ministry of Industry for a year and a half, and it is not for nothing. With her extraordinary memory and super comprehension ability, she has already figured out such things in the Ministry of Industry. It's just practice, and when it comes to the truth, it's very clear.

"What the little prince said is true, and I don't know how the little prince wants to control the water?"

Although Chen Qidong intends to cooperate with Hongqing, it doesn't mean that he has to submit to Hongqing. Generally speaking, it is just the idea of ​​cooperation. At this moment, he heard that Hongqing actually has some advice on water control. It means that Chen Qidong is not very happy in his heart, so he raised his brows and asked back with obvious dissatisfaction.

"Since the way of harnessing the river is different, the cost is completely different. The former may be several times more than the latter. I think Mr. Chen is clear about this, so there is no need for me to say more. As for me As for river governance, that’s just one point, you don’t need to worry about the canal, as long as you can ensure that the Yellow River is safe, as for the water transportation, I have other considerations, so there should be no mistakes.”

Hong Qing is such a shrewd person, she knew that Chen Qidong was full of dissatisfaction when she heard it, but she didn't take it to heart, and she gave the answer in her heart openly and honestly with a light smile.

"This..., the little prince has clearly learned that water transportation is the foundation of the country, and there is absolutely no room for loss, and it must not be ignored."

Hearing Hong Qing's words, Chen Qidong was shocked again, fearing that Hong Qing would get angry, he hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"It's okay, Ben Beizi has his own opinion, because the purpose of river control is different, so when it comes to the cost, Ben Beizi can only give 180 million taels at most, but he must guarantee that the Yellow River will not be lost for at least ten years. It is unavoidable that it will be quite difficult. Therefore, Mr. Chen can be responsible for the practice of river control, and Ben Beizi will not intervene. However, the Ministry of Industry must come forward to take over and coordinate the affairs of various provinces, and do it cheaply. This is Ben Beizi. It is my opinion that Mr. Chen does not need to worry about the pressure of the Hecao Yamen, and I will recommend Mr. Chen as the governor of Beihe to focus on managing the waterways of the Yellow River. I wonder if Mr. Chen is willing to give in?"

Hongqing's shipping route was still under preparation, so she didn't want to discuss it too deeply, so she just vaguely covered it. However, she did not give any ambiguous assurances about Chen Qidong's worries.

"Please also ask the little prince to say clearly, what should be done about the water transportation?"

Chen Qidong is a person who accepts death. Although he is very excited about the position of Governor of Beihe mentioned by Hongqing, he is unwilling to let it go until he has figured out how to solve the water transportation.

"Heh, I've heard for a long time that Mr. Chen is a serious person. It's really so. Well, I'll make it clear to you. I don't know what Mr. Chen thinks about shipping?"

Seeing that Chen Qidong was so serious, Hong Qing couldn't help laughing, but she didn't rush to reveal her overall plan, but asked back with a smile.

"Sea transportation? I have heard about it before, but the weather at sea is changeable and the risk is extremely high. It is not as safe as river transportation. If you are not careful, you may have disasters. The little prince must not be careless."

As expected of Chen Qidong, who lives on the water, his vision is not bad, and he explained the difficulties of sea transportation in one sentence.

"Master Chen is very worried, but it is not comprehensive. Let's put it this way, if a small boat sails on the sea, there will be many dangers, but if a large boat sails on the sea, and the timing is right, the risk is high, but it is low. Don't you know that there are also storms and floods in the river transportation? Ben Beizi has made up his mind that the water transportation in the future should be mainly by sea. As for the sea-going ships, let's not hide from Mr. Chen, Ben Beizi is already under construction and will be put into use in the next year , A ship can carry nearly ten thousand stones, deducting all kinds of miscellaneous expenses, compared with river transport, one stone can save more than half a tael of silver. This one alone can save about 200 million silver a year, let alone abolished and merged. It can also save millions of taels of silver, calculated together, can save 300 million taels a year, why not do it?"

Although she was reluctant to tell the whole plan that she had planned for a long time, it was hard to convince Chen Qidong if she didn't come up with some dry goods. After a little hesitation, Hong Qing simply pointed out her overall plan .

"One ship with ten thousand stones? This, what a big sea ship, I have never heard of it before."

Although Chen Qidong's horizons are wide-eyed and knowledgeable, he still can't believe that there is such a big sea-going ship in this world. He shook his head with his brows tightly furrowed. very.

"Ben Beizi has never said anything false, Mr. Chen might as well wait and see. Now, this is all that Ben Beizi said. I don't know if Mr. Chen is willing to help Ben Beizi?"

Although before Hongqing left Beijing, the M&A negotiations between the "Kirin Firm" and the Portuguese Da Agassi had not been completely concluded, but the M&A matter has basically been finalized, and the only thing left is some issues to be resolved. Hongqing has great confidence in the matter of shipping, but after all, there is no real thing in hand, and it is difficult to convince Chen Qidong no matter how much he says. Hey, this changed the topic, showing the meaning of ending the conversation.

"This is a big matter, and let the officials consider it for a few days before returning to the little prince?"

Hearing Hong Qing's question, which obviously implied an ultimatum, Chen Qidong hesitated a little, and after a moment of silence, he spoke cautiously to ask for an answer.

"Naturally, Mr. Chen can think about it for two days. After making a decision, you can come to see Ben Beizi at the inn directly. If you find it inconvenient, you can transfer it to the storekeeper Li. It's getting late, so Ben Beizi will leave first. If there is any interruption, please forgive me, Mr. Chen."

All that should be said has been said, the meaning that should be expressed has been clearly expressed, and Hong Qing has no intention of staying any longer, so she stood up with a smile, left a sentence to explain, and was escorted out by the Chen family father and son Outside the gate of the mansion, I took a carriage and turned to the "Kirin Company".

"Father, why do you..."

Chen Hainan's official career has not been going well, and he has long been looking forward to a good opportunity to rise. When he was listening to the audience, he had already suffocated his words, but because of Hong Qing's presence, he did not dare to say more. Now that Hong Qing has gone , he couldn't hold back anymore, before the carriage turned around the screen wall in front of the mansion, Chen Hainan couldn't wait to open his mouth, and was about to ask endless questions.

"Shut up, what do you know, hum!"

Before Chen Hainan finished speaking, Chen Qidong glared impatiently and snorted heavily. Then, regardless of how his eldest son reacted, he quickly walked towards the mansion with his head buried. Feeling very helpless, he could only shake his head bitterly, and followed step by step into the gate of the mansion.

(End of this chapter)