The New Year had just passed in the 17th year of Hongzhi, and the Lantern Festival had not even been celebrated yet, so Liu Jin began to become extremely busy.
He had to deal with his own bureaucracy matters, and more importantly, he was responsible for the preparations for the establishment of the Tianjin Stock Exchange. At the same time, he also had to contact Ningguo and the Mamluk Kingdom of Egypt to discuss the excavation of the Egyptian canal.
The Egyptian Canal is related to the Ming Dynasty's first listed stock. Naturally, it cannot be careless. At the same time, it is related to a huge investment of tens of millions of taels. Naturally, it must be cautious and careful in many details.
We need detailed consultations with Egypt.
Therefore, after Liu Jin decided to cooperate with Egypt to dig the canal, he immediately dispatched a team of more than 100 people to Egypt after receiving Emperor Hongzhi's approval.
On the one hand, it is to carefully explore the geographical conditions of Egypt, assess the funds, manpower, and material resources required to dig this canal, estimate the time required for excavation, etc.
Another aspect is to discuss in detail with the Mamluk Kingdom of Egypt many matters regarding canal excavation, canal operation, management, revenue distribution, canal ownership, land use, etc.
These matters require detailed consultation in advance, discussing many details, and then signing relevant agreements and writing them down in black and white. After the canal is built, there will be no quarrels over these matters.
Liu Jin didn't make wedding clothes for others. Don't expect that when the Ming Dynasty worked hard to dig the canal, the Egyptians would just eat it and wipe their mouths without acknowledging the debt.
After all, the canal is on Egyptian territory, and they have a natural local advantage. If they really don't admit it, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to do anything to them for a while. Even if it has strong force, it will probably take time to mobilize its troops.
Therefore, relevant agreements were signed in advance and everything was written clearly. If the Egyptians abide by the rules, it would be the best. If they really did not abide by the rules, Liu Jin would be eager to find an excuse to send troops to completely occupy this place.
There are many ships here at the Tianjin Port Terminal, which is extremely prosperous, lively and noisy.
At the side of a merchant ship that was about to go to Nanyang, Liu Jin was exhorting his student Tong Yuan.
"When you go to Egypt, the journey will be rough and the waves are high, so you need to make sure of yourself."
Liu Jin looked at his cheap student. He made a bet with Huang Jinquan and Lin Shuhong, but he lost and became his master. He was younger than them, but there was no other way. In this era, if you accept a master, you are a master.
The three of them also passed the Jinshi examination in the same period as him, but their rankings were very low, so naturally they were far less successful in officialdom than Liu Jin.
Of course, with Liu Jin, a cheap master, as long as he doesn't make mistakes, those who should be promoted will still be promoted. Tong Yuan has been the magistrate of Yinshan County in the Japanese country for several years. Because he performed very well, he has now been promoted to the capital to serve as an official.
, and now he is an official from the fifth rank.
Liu Jin wanted to cultivate him, so he sent him to lead people to Egypt and the Mamluk Kingdom in Egypt to dig the canal.
Originally, it stands to reason that if the Ming Dynasty officially sent officials to Egypt, it would be more appropriate to at least send officials of the third rank or above.
But this is just a canal, not a formal diplomatic affair, so officials from the fifth rank were dispatched, mainly to discuss many matters related to the excavation of the canal.
"Thank you for your mentor's advice. Students must keep it in mind."
"The student is not around, teacher, please take care of yourself."
Tong Yuan replied looking very moved.
"..."
Liu Jin was speechless. Do you really think of me as an old man? I am even younger than you.
But there is no way.
This is the case in this era. The relationship between master, master, and master and apprentice is extremely important. Even if you are younger than him, since you are his master, you will receive this courtesy.
Not only him, but also Huang Jinquan and Lin Shuhong. During the holidays, if you are in the capital, you must visit them. If you are not in the capital, the exchange of letters is absolutely indispensable.
As for the entrustment of some gifts, specialties and the like, it is even more indispensable. The inheritance relationship between master and apprentice is extremely important in this era, and it is far from being comparable to that of later generations.
Even in the new school founded by Liu Jin, the relationship between master and apprentice is still very important, and the status of teachers is very high in this era.
Respecting teachers and teaching is extremely important for scholars in this era.
"When you go to Egypt this time and pass by Ningguo in Tianzhu, you'd better discuss it with King Ning of Ningguo. This matter was first raised by Liu Yangzheng, the left prime minister of Ningguo. We can't leave Ningguo alone."
"In addition, reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. The journey to Egypt is far away and we have to pass through many countries and regions. You may wish to see more, learn more, and learn more along the way, and you will gain some insights.
."
After thinking about it, Liu Jin also warned Tong Yuan again. He had already warned him many times about negotiating with Egypt and there was no need to say it again.
"Yes, students must remember it."
Tong Yuan said very respectfully.
"Well, go ahead and have a nice trip."
Liu Jin nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the merchant ship that had already sailed and said.
"The student is gone, please take care of yourself, teacher!"
Tong Yuan saluted Liu Jin again, boarded the ship, and embarked on the journey to Egypt.
He knew that this was an extremely rare opportunity. If this matter was handled, it would be much easier for him to get promoted in the future.
Although Liu Jin was his mentor and also held a high position of authority, many eyes were staring at Liu Jin. If he wanted to be promoted, he had to show results.
Liu Jin had told them this very early on, so the three apprentices had always been honest when serving as officials. At the same time, they also kept in mind Liu Jin's words: serving as an official for one term, benefiting the whole party, and doing a good job.
Liu Jin looked at the disappearing sailboat and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
A high-ranking official has the advantages of being a high-ranking official, and a small official has the advantages of a small official.
Although he has a high and powerful position, he is trapped here and is burdened by the heavy government affairs.
To be honest, Liu Jin actually wanted to lead a team to Egypt by himself and travel along the way to experience the scenery and scenery along the way.
But Liu Jin couldn't. He couldn't leave the Beijing-Tianjin area. As the official minister, he had a lot of things to deal with every day. He was also responsible for the affairs of the Tianjin Stock Exchange. He was so busy that he couldn't leave.
"Modan~"
"When I am forty years old, I will stop working. I want to take a vacation, travel, and travel around the world."
Liu Jin couldn't help but cursed in his heart.
After scolding, he turned around and left for Tianjin to start site selection. He chose a place to prepare for the construction of the Tianjin Stock Exchange.
"In the era before computers, securities and stock trading could only be done on the stock exchange. This stock exchange must be built big enough, otherwise it will definitely be overcrowded by then."
Sitting on the four-wheeled carriage, Liu Jin began to think.
Stocks appeared very early. The earliest securities trading in the world appeared in the early 17th century. At that time, there were no computers or the Internet, so stock trading was conducted on the stock exchange.
Half of it is a wall. There are rows of chairs in front of the wall, and buying and selling information will be posted on the wall. If you want to buy stocks, if someone happens to sell them again, and the price is within your acceptable range, you can go to the counter.
Conduct transactions while doing so.
Although this method of stock trading is far less convenient and faster than later generations relying on Internet software for trading, it has lasted for more than two hundred years.
Although it is very primitive and troublesome, it still plays the role of the stock itself, raising funds and promoting capital development.
"If the stock falls to shit, I'm afraid the investors who bought the stock will smash the stock exchange."
"Well, stock exchanges still need to pay attention to protection, otherwise problems will easily arise."
Liu Jin couldn't help but laugh while thinking.
Liu Jin is still looking forward to the appearance of stocks in the Ming Dynasty. He estimates that in the future, whether it is in the Ming Dynasty Morning Post or a topic discussed by young and old men in the capital, stocks will definitely be indispensable.
"Technology is still too backward. The Ming Dynasty is a huge country, and travel is really inconvenient. It will take at least half a year for Tong Yuan and the others to go to Egypt. This news comes and goes only once, which is too slow."
"It seems that we still have to speed up the development of science and technology. At least we have to figure out the telegraph first, otherwise the information transmission will be too slow."
Thinking, thinking, Liu Jin quickly couldn't help but frown again.
I am afraid that the preparations for the construction of the Egyptian canal will not be completed in the 17th year of Hongzhi. It will take at least half a year for Tong Yuan to negotiate with Egypt. He can seize the time to prepare for the stock exchange.
First, establish a stock exchange, prepare for the Egyptian Canal Trading Company, and list the first stock in the Ming Dynasty. Let's test the situation first and see how everyone responds.
While Liu Jin was deep in thought, someone hurried to Liu Jin's side on horseback.
"Old Liu~Old Liu~"
Before the person arrived, the voice had already come over, and it was Zhu Houzhao's voice. The voice sounded very excited, as if some new results had come out.
"Your Highness~"
Liu Jin quickly asked someone to stop the car. When he got out of the car, he saw that it was indeed this guy and he quickly saluted.
"No need~ no need~"
"I came to Tianjin from the capital to find you. Come back to the capital with me quickly."
"Haha, our research on steam locomotives has been successful. As you said, steam locomotives can run perfectly using rails."
"You don't know, this steam locomotive is very powerful, not to mention how exciting it is when you sit on it."
Zhu Houzhao danced excitedly as he talked. The steam locomotive he had been studying for a long time was finally built.