Chapter 344 Railway Road Construction Rights (Part 1)
After the war, the Governor's Office in Tianjin became even more lively, and more and more officials lined up at the door waiting to be received.
This is enough to show that Li Zhongtang's power is getting more and more important, otherwise why would those officials wait in long lines?
However, outsiders only saw the beauty of Li Zhongtang, and no one knew about his troubles.
"Yushan, have you raised enough money?"
In the governor's office, Li Zhongtang asked his most trusted confidant Zhou Fu, Governor Zhou. Mr. Zhou has now been promoted to the governor of Shandong. However, since Li Zhongtang cannot do without Mr. Zhou now, this can only be regarded as a remote appointment.
Of course, regardless of whether Mr. Zhou is going to take office or not, can Shandong be able to escape the control of the Huai Army?
Facing Li Zhongtang's urging, Zhou Fu hurriedly said, "Dong Weng, you are in urgent need. Xingsun and others are already working hard to raise money. So far, they have raised more than 2.3 million taels of silver..."
"Too little, too little!"
Li Zhongtang interrupted Mr. Zhou, "Yushan, you know that we still owe Italy more than eight million taels of silver. Minister Jia has arrived in Tianjin and will definitely ask about this money. How do you want me to reply?"
?”
Master Zhou is certainly aware of Li Zhongtang's difficulties, but it is indeed very difficult to raise money now. Xing Sun (Sheng Xuanhuai), who is responsible for raising money, has complained to him more than once that it is difficult to raise money now. His legs have been broken.
With this small amount of money, it is really difficult to fulfill the request of eight million taels. I hope that for the sake of his colleagues, he can put in a good word for himself in front of the main hall.
Of course, just based on Sheng Xuanhuai's words, he, Zhou Fu, was not very trusting. He had also inquired and found that it was indeed difficult to raise money at the beginning of this year.
In the previous battles with the Japanese, money had been raised many times, but now everyone was so tight that they really could not repay Li Zhongtang.
And more importantly, as the war subsided, even if the tax money was used first, it was not possible. The court also acted like eating grain and waiting for the tax money to be taken away.
In addition, after the battle, the various departments of the Huai Army should give rewards to the other armies of the Huai Army that participated in the war. This also requires money.
Zhou Fu didn't even have time to tell Zhongtang about all these messy things.
Just when Mr. Zhou was about to speak, a servant suddenly came to report that Minister Jia was at the door.
"Please, please, please come in quickly. No, open the middle door, I will go there myself."
Following Li Zhongtang's words, the middle door of the Governor's Yamen was slowly opened, and with a smile on his face, Li Zhongtang happily walked towards Jia Liwen, who was waiting outside the door.
"Hahahaha, I kept Mr. Jia waiting for a long time."
Facing Li Zhongtang who went out to greet him in person, how could Jia Liwen, who had been a minister in the Far East for many years, not know what he was thinking.
He immediately responded with the same enthusiastic smile. "I apologize for disturbing you, Mr. Zhongtang."
"No need to disturb me. This is a distinguished guest who has come to make me shine. Please come in quickly!"
The group of people quickly arrived at the living room. After the servants brought tea, Minister Jia quickly expressed his intention to come.
"I heard that Your Excellency Zhongtang is short of money recently?"
As soon as Jia Liwen opened his mouth, Zhou Fu, who was accompanying him, felt his heart sink. He was afraid of something happening.
Although these words made Zhou Fu uneasy, who was Li Zhongtang? He suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, since this is all hearsay, it must be wrong. Although our Huai army has just finished fighting, it is impossible to be short of money and food. If we lack the money from your army, I will ask someone to give it to you tomorrow.
It’s over.”
After all, Li Zhongtang was Li Zhongtang, and he never took the money owed to Italy seriously in his words. He acted quite wealthy and did not notice the impatience of Mr. Zhou behind him.
Although Jia Liwen didn't know where Li Zhongtang's confidence came from, he had already figured out his trump cards, but he knew that his subordinate Sheng Xuanhuai was raising funds everywhere. Of course, Jia Liwen's visit this time was not to expose Li Zhongtang, he didn't have the time to spare.
.
"Your Excellency Zhongtang, I believe you have misunderstood the purpose of my visit this time. I am not here to collect money. I heard that you are short of money. I have an idea that can increase your country's income."
Jia Liwen's words surprised Li Zhongtang and Mr. Zhou. Isn't Minister Jia here to ask for financial reform and open a charity?
But regardless of whether Minister Jia means what he said, there's no harm in listening.
So Li Zhongtang said cheerfully, "Since your minister is so thoughtful, I am all ears."
Seeing Li Zhongtang looking for advice, Jia Liwen immediately said, "I wonder how much your Excellency Zhongtang knows about railways?"
"Know something."
How could Li Zhongtang not know about the railway that Jia Liwen mentioned? You must know that the Tianjin-Gu Railway currently in operation could not be built without Li Zhongtang’s support. He published an article more than ten years ago and believed that "the seven provinces of southern and northern Yangtze"
, they must be united as one to be able to respond to China Unicom." What's more, when something goes wrong, the military situation changes instantly."
"There are inland trains and railways, and troops are stationed nearby. When the police hear the news, they rush to help, which can cover hundreds of miles a day, so the commander-in-chief will not make any mistakes."
Yes, Li Zhongtang was optimistic about the future of railways from a military perspective.
However, this does not affect what Jia Liwen said next. "Your Excellency Zhongtang, the railway can not only transport troops during wartime, but also transport goods and passengers on weekdays. As far as I know, the Tianjin-Gu Railway currently in operation is mainly for cargo transportation.
, it can earn more than 30,000 taels of silver profit for the railway company every year."
"I know this."
As for what Jia Liwen said, Li Zhongtang certainly knows, and he knows even more. This is after deducting the profit from other people. If added, it would be at least more than 50,000 taels. The interest from the railway is very good, and it is a source of wealth.
, but Minister Jia said this is not because he intends to let Li Zhongtang build the railway, right? He still owes a lot of money, where will the money come from?
Seeing Li Zhongtang's suspicious eyes, Jia Liwen immediately said, "Our country believes that if your country wants to open up its source of income, the construction of this railway is definitely a great weapon. For example, building a railway from Guangzhou in your country through Changsha, Wuhan, Baoding to Tianjin or the capital.
The north-south railway (Beijing-Guangzhou line, ending in Tianjin) will definitely be very profitable."
Hearing this, Li Zhongtang and Mr. Zhou both laughed. Minister Jia really dared to think that these thousands of miles of railways would require money.
Let me be open. Even if I have this money, how should I deal with the officials of the various political parties? He, Li Er, doesn't think he has the ability to let them sell his face.
So Li Zhongtang immediately said, "Mr. Jia was joking. Although this railway is good, it is thousands of miles from Guangzhou to Tianjin. It is too urgent and is not conducive to construction."
