It took Zhen An and the others two years to build the track, but they spent all the budget for the track construction. The track only reached Zhangye County. Not to mention connecting the Western Regions, it even failed to penetrate Xiliang. Zhen An and the others only completed it at this time. You know, I made the matter of building tracks simple.
They were also decisive and immediately cut their losses and handed over the ownership of the track to Xu Wei. Xu Wei took over the ownership of the Xiliang track at a low price for the sake of the military value of the track. It was not that Xu Wei wanted to monopolize it. , in fact, he planned to retain a small half of Zhen An's equity since they had no merit but hard work.
But when Zhen An and the others calculated, they found that the income from the Xiliang track could not even cover the daily maintenance costs. The remaining equity was to subsidize the operation of the Xiliang track. It was affordable, after all, even if the Xiliang track did not run through Xiliang , but it is also extremely important for Daqian. Spending tens of millions per year to stabilize Xiliang is extremely cost-effective for Daqian.
But they can't afford it. They have many officials in the imperial court. The stability of Xiliang has nothing to do with them. If the business doesn't make money, they will sell it immediately. So Zhen An and the others didn't ask for a penny and gave up all their equity. Gave it to the Daqian court!
Because of this incident, big businessmen like Zhen An became the laughing stock of the entire Daqian business community. They spent more than 3 billion yuan, but got nothing.
Wang Guojun also felt helpless about this matter. Everyone thought that this project had a bright future, but they did not expect that the local market in Xiliang could not support such a large project. If Xiliang and Bingzhou had the same population of 5 million, the entire Xiliang track would The carriage would not have such a tragic ending. It was through this incident that Wang Guojun discovered that Xu Wei's statement that population is the primary productive force makes sense.
However, Xu Wei only built it to Jiuquan County and did not continue the construction. The cost was too high. With the current productivity of Daqian, even if it was built, it would be difficult to maintain it. It is already very difficult to barely build it to Jiuquan County. Well, according to Niu Gui's calculations, even as far as Jiuquan, Xiliang's track needs a subsidy of 100 million yuan per year to continue running!
The lessons from the Xiliang Railroad Incident were so profound that Zhen An and the others no longer dared to think about infrastructure construction. Zhen An and the others later reflected that if they had not been too greedy and wanted to monopolize the business routes in the entire Western Region, they would have spent this money Lending it to the Royal Army to build the track connecting the Western Regions, there are not so many things to do later, because even if Daqian cannot bear it, it will not swallow up their bonds, but now the track is theirs, and they will lose all their money. It was just an investment that failed commercially. Xu Wei took over and they owed Xu Wei a favor.
Because of this example, the businessman was even less interested in Wang Guojun’s ppt. Everyone treated it in silence, and the scene was extremely quiet for a while.
Wang Guojun found that no businessman was interested in this plan. He also knew that this matter could not be forced, so he said: "In this way, I will use the shares of Jizhou County's state-owned enterprises as collateral to borrow 10 billion from you to build this road. Canal, everyone must believe that I, Jizhou, have the ability to repay this debt!"
When Wang Guojun said this, the scene finally became lively. Although the government-run enterprises in Jizhou were profitable, they were not very attractive to these businessmen because their factories might not lose to the government-run factories in Jizhou.
What really appeals to them is the Jizhou Glass Factory. It is one of the top 10 giant factories in the entire Daqian. It can make billions of dollars every year. Jizhou retains half of the shares. Businessmen like Zhen An can be said to be very interested in Jizhou's glass factory. I have been coveting it for a long time, but I have never been able to invest in it before, but I have bought a lot of shares in the glass factory. The price of buying the shares in the glass factory on the stock market is of course high, but Zhen An and the others do not feel that they are at a disadvantage, because the glass factory every year The dividends are not huge, but they are extremely stable. It can be said to be a risk-free hardcore crop.
And according to Daqian’s patent law (Xu Wei came up with the patent law thousands of years in advance in order to protect his own interests. After all, he is the one who invents the most in the world, and the patent law is most beneficial to Xu Wei), such a hardcore expert It can last for nearly 10 years. If the price was not too expensive, Zhen An and the others would really like to buy more shares in the glass factory! It would cost tens of billions to get them. These shares would be a huge profit for them.
So the scene later became lively. Jizhou's business has always been the most developed area in Hebei, and the business community has accumulated the most wealth. Everyone, you subscribe for 100 million, I subscribe for 200 million, and soon these tens of billions of bonds will be sold All lighted up.
The bond issue had been completed, and Wang Guojun wanted to leave, but Zhen An tried his best to persuade Wang Guojun to go to his mansion for dinner before leaving. However, Wang Guojun wanted to ask Zhen An and was embarrassed to leave like this.
The presence of Wang Guojun made Zhen's mansion shine. Zhen An had arranged all this early. When the banquet started, Wang Guojun was surprised to find that there were not only his family records in Zhen An's mansion, but also many strangers!
Zhen An smiled at this time and said: "This is my relative. They came to Hebei for a visit and happened to come to my mansion to stay for a few days!"
Then a young man bowed his hands to Wang Guojun and said in salute: "I'm Zhen Yan, I've seen the governor Wang!"
"Zhen Yan!" Wang Guojun recalled and quickly remembered that this was the direct son of the Zhen family.
At that time, the Zhen family was the largest wealthy family in the Zhongshan Kingdom, and Wang Guojun received relief from the Zhen family when he was a refugee in the Zhongshan Kingdom. So he asked: "I wonder if Mrs. Zhen has also come to Hebei?"
Zhen Yan asked curiously: "Does Governor Wang know my mother?"
Wang Guojun shook his head and said: "I don't know, but when our family became refugees in Zhongshan Kingdom, if it hadn't been for Mrs. Zhen's relief in the village, I might not have survived until I came into power. It can be said that the old lady saved my life. If the old lady were here, I would pay her respects!"
Both Zhen An and Zhen Yan were greatly surprised by Wang Guojun's words, and they introduced Mrs. Zhen to Wang Guojun.
When Wang Guojun saw the old lady, he immediately knelt down and thanked her. He told her about the donation and told him that if there was any trouble in Hebei, he could come to him!
Mrs. Zhen was very happy and praised Wang Guojun profusely, saying that he was young, handsome, gentle and polite. He was only twenty years old but was already the governor of a state. He was talented, outstanding in battle, and a great hero in the world!
Wang Guojun said a few words of humility and was about to stand up to leave, but suddenly he saw a face that surprised him. A young and beautiful woman was standing behind the bead curtain and looking at him quietly. Probably sensing Wang Guojun's gaze, the woman shyly He lowered his head and quickly disappeared behind the curtain.
Wang Guojun realized his gaffe, his face turned red, and he hurriedly left. Zhen An and the others saw this scene, and they looked at each other and smiled.
However, the atmosphere at the banquet was very lively. Everyone talked about everything from the battlefield to the court, Daqian's various policies, and his thoughts on the development of Jizhou. Everyone talked loudly and was full of interest.
Zhen Yan said that the Zhen family was having trouble establishing a foothold in the Han Dynasty and wanted to return to Jizhou. Wang Guojun immediately said that as long as it was not illegal and disciplined, for the sake of Old Man Zhen, he could come to him.
Zhen Yan immediately expressed his gratitude!
After the banquet ended, Zhen Yan and Zhen An went to the study.
"Uncle, is this Governor Wang not married yet?" Zhen Yan asked eagerly.
The reason why the Zhen family came to Daqian was because they saw that Dahan was about to die. If the family wanted to continue in the future, they must retain a place in the new Daqian dynasty, so the Zhen family returned to their own clan again! And now! The fastest way to enter the officialdom of Daqian is naturally to marry, so Zhen Yan brought his most beautiful sister to Hebei to see if he could find a hero from Hebei for marriage. Obviously Wang Guojun is a good target!
Zhen An smiled and said: "Of course, if he gets married, how can I introduce him here? You must know that Dagan has extremely strict management of men and women and only allows monogamy. Anyone who dares to violate this policy will be punished by Dagan." I can no longer serve as an official, and Wang Guojun is a confidant of the ruling power. He is already the governor of a state at the age of only more than 20 years old. It is almost inevitable that he will become the prime minister of Daqian in the future!"
"Prime Minister Daqian!" Zhen Yan knew that Guo Guojun had a bright future, but she never imagined that he could become the prime minister of Daqian. You must know that the prime minister of Daqian is different from that of Dahan. One person is inferior to ten thousand people!
Zhen An smiled and said: "Guo Guojun followed the ruler when he was ten years old. Later, he became a student of the ruler in Mayi, and was taught by the ruler himself. He can be said to be a disciple of the emperor. He has joined the army since he was sixteen years old. He has been following the ruler to conquer all directions. He may not have had time to consider this matter earlier, but when he was a little older and wanted to consider it, his status was different and he had to be cautious, so he could only delay it again and again. drag."
Zhen Yan nodded and said: "He is in a high position at a young age. Of course he has great ambitions. He cannot decide his marriage so easily!" Then he worriedly asked: "It's just that he has such a high status that he can like my younger sister?"
Zhen An didn't dare to guarantee, "Now we have a good start!"
"Uncle, now the Zhen family can only count on you, please help me!" Zhen Yan begged.
When Zhen An separated from the Zhen family, the Zhen family did not set any obstacles, but instead provided help, so now Zhen An has no idea of repaying the favor!
He thought for a while and said: "Originally, this matter can only be repaid with hope, but the old lady is kind to Wang Guojun, and Wang Guojun himself is also a person who values love and righteousness. In addition, the younger sister is also a beautiful and fragrant person. This matter has There is a 50% certainty that it can happen. As long as my little sister and Wang Guojun are married, you can take root in Daqian again, and maybe you can even rise up!"
Zhen Yan was also excited when he heard this. If this is true, the Zhen family can not only revive, but also grow and develop. By then, it may even become the top family in Daqian. After all, in the newly created imperial court, anything can happen. possible!
On the other side, in the Bingzhou Chamber of Commerce, Liu Shi also gathered with Bingzhou legislators and businessmen.
But relatively speaking, Liu Shi didn't have as many worries as other governors. Bingzhou was the largest state in Daqian, and also had the largest population and wealth. In fact, in these years, Bingzhou has been playing the role of big brother, controlling Bingzhou's population, funds and technology spread to other states and counties in Daqian.
Bingzhou is also the place with the most vigorous industrial development in Daqian. Other prefectures and counties also have traditional merchants who make a fortune by reselling goods in various places.
The local businessmen in Bingzhou are a bit like the factory owners in Xu Wei's World. They did not establish caravans to sell their goods, but used their limited funds and energy to develop industry and improve production efficiency. , spend all their energy on how to increase the production of steel, wool cloth, cement, and paper. Although it sounds very rustic, in this era, these industries are already the most sophisticated technological industries.
To a certain extent, they are the scientific elite of this era, because most of these factory owners are also skilled craftsmen. Xu Wei focused on training them back then, which is why they have their current status, and they did not disappoint Xu Wei , because these factory owners are craftsmen, they are more concerned about technical issues, and the way to make money is to improve the quantity and quality of products. It can be said that Bingzhou is the Silicon Valley of Daqian.
Therefore, the issues discussed by people here are different from those of businessmen in other places.
Zhang Fugui asked with some curiosity: "This is my lord. I heard that the steam engine in power has been developed to the third generation. I wonder if it can be mass-produced. Has the price been reduced a lot? Can it be installed on a track carriage? With a belt?" How many kilograms of goods have to be moved?”
As soon as Zhang Fugui said these words, everyone looked at Liu Shi with gleaming eyes, wanting to get the answer from him.
Xu Wei's steam engine research was not secret. After Xuzhou and Qingzhou were captured, Xu Wei spent his main energy on scientific and technological research.
The fastest technological advancement in the world is of course the steam engine. The current technological level of Daqian can be said to have reached the limit before the steam age. Even the output and quality of steel have surpassed the steam age and have completely entered the era of steam. To the early days of the electrical age.
The steam engine can be said to be the Manhattan Project of this era, so Xu Wei mobilized 30 of Daqian's most elite craftsmen. Then in order to let these craftsmen understand more intuitively what a steam engine is, he found craftsmen in the glass factory and built some steam engines out of glass. Required parts, and then assembled the world's first glass steam engine.
Later, I used this glass steam engine as my ppt to explain to these top craftsmen how the steam engine operates, how to manufacture it, and how promising the steam engine is.
When used on textile machines, it is a steam textile machine. When used on tracks, it is a steam train. It can be used as a blower to make iron. It can be said that any industry that requires power can need this steam engine. As long as the steam engine is manufactured, this will be a trillion-dollar industry.
In the market, everyone here can become a billionaire!