In Egypt, while the people of the Ming Dynasty were still discussing the rise of Egyptian stocks, here in Egypt, Tong Yuan had already led his team to conduct a detailed inspection of the land here and formulate the route and plan for digging the canal.
In a scorching desert, Tong Yuan stood on a sand dune riding a camel, carefully observing the surrounding terrain with a telescope.
"Sir, this canal is not difficult to dig."
"According to the current data we have explored, the sea level of the Red Sea should be the same as that of the Mediterranean Sea, so digging the canal does not require a separate artificial lifting of the water level, which can save a lot of investment."
Next to Tong Yuan, there was a very young man who looked to be in his early twenties, with short hair, shaved beard, and uniform clothes embroidered with the words 'Daming Engineering College'.
His name is Zhan Qi. Although he is very young, he is a professor at the Daming Engineering College and a leading figure in the field of engineering. He once led a team to participate in the construction of the highway to the Western Regions. He also designed and built many
Bridge.
"Secondly, according to our current exploration results, we can make good use of several lakes called Kuhu Lake here," which can greatly reduce the amount of engineering work. "
"Also, the soil here is relatively soft and easy to dig. There are no rock layers. It only requires enough manpower and can be dug very quickly."
Zhan Qi took the map, drew a few straight lines on the map, and said very confidently.
It's just digging a canal. In his opinion, it is much simpler than building bridges and building roads. Building bridges and building roads requires many factors to be considered. Compared with digging canals, the team's main consideration is sufficient financial, manpower, and material resources.
As for the technical aspects, they are secondary.
"Hmm~"
"That's not what I'm worried about."
Tong Yuan nodded slightly. He looked at the scorching sun and then at the desert in front of him.
It's only the spring of March, which is the most comfortable time here in the Ming Dynasty, but here, it's as hot as summer, making people extremely thirsty.
"Then what are you worried about?"
When Zhan Qi heard this, he immediately asked curiously.
"Look at the desert in front of you. What is missing most in this desert?"
Tong Yuan asked with a smile.
"Of course the most lacking thing in the desert is water."
Zhan Qi replied almost without thinking.
"Yes, it's just lack of water~"
"If there are 100 or 1,000 people, we can still use water trucks to transport fresh water, but when the time comes to dig the canal, we will need to use tens of thousands of huge manpower."
"Where will we find so much water then?"
"No matter how many water trucks there are, I'm afraid they won't be able to meet the demand by then."
When Tong Yuan said this, he couldn't help but take out the kettle and take a sip of water. It was too hot.
"this…."
When Zhan Qi heard this, he was slightly dumbfounded. After thinking about it carefully, he immediately realized the problem.
Almost the entire Egypt is covered by desert. Only the Nile River Basin has a large amount of water, so a large population thrives. However, except for the Nile River Basin, few people settle in other places because there is not enough water.
The result of canal exploration is that it is easy to dig, but the prerequisite is that the problem of large amounts of water needs to be solved.
"Sir, can we dig a small canal first to transport fresh water?"
Zhan Qi thought about it and immediately searched carefully on the map. He quickly found the location of the river and said immediately.
"This is the only way. Apart from digging canals to divert water, I really can't think of any other way."
Tong Yuan thought for a while and nodded. He had no other choice. If he wanted to find fresh water that could meet the water diversion needs of tens of thousands of people in this vast desert, the possibility was almost zero. The only way was to divert water from the branches of the Nile River.
Just fine.
"You continue to take people to explore, and I will return to Cairo."
"Now is the time to start recruiting workers. Egypt's local population is still very sufficient. The key is that the wages are low. The main reason for digging the canal is to recruit a large number of local Egyptians."
Tong Yuan ordered Zhan Qi.
"Yes, sir~"
Zhan Qi nodded quickly and led his people to explore the surrounding rivers again, carefully planning the excavation plan for the water diversion canal.
…
Tong Yuan returned to Cairo again, and soon received the latest news transmitted from Daming.
"Great, the Egyptian Canal was successfully listed in Ming Dynasty, and the 20 million taels of silver raised are already on the way."
After seeing the latest news, Tong Yuan couldn't help clenching his fists with joy.
Everything went very smoothly according to plan.
"With my mentor, nothing is impossible."
"Although the money hasn't come to me yet, I can already start recruiting people to dig the canal."
Tong Yuan began to think in his mind.
It will take almost three months to transport the money here. Naturally, it is impossible for me to wait for three months, so I can start organizing people to dig the canal now.
"It seems that it is necessary to have a good talk with Kansu II."
Thinking of this, Tong Yuan also walked non-stop to the Egyptian Palace to ask for an audience with Kansu II.
In the Egyptian palace, Kansu II was also having a headache at this time.
Regarding the canal excavation, despite the strong pressure exerted by Ming Dynasty, he successfully suppressed the opposition of Duer and other die-hards.
However, this cannot change its situation at once. Egypt's internal and external troubles have not changed at all. Even due to the mischief of die-hards such as Toure, the current situation in Egypt has become somewhat subtle.
First of all, the biggest problem is that there are a large number of refugees in Egypt. These refugees are farmers who have lost their land. Their land has been annexed by Egypt's feudal nobles, lords, etc., causing them to be displaced and without the land they depend on for survival.
These refugees quickly turned into one after another peasant uprisings, which made Cansu II tired of exterminating them.
At the same time, externally, as the news spread that Egypt and the Ming Dynasty were cooperating to dig a canal, the Ottoman Empire could not sit still. They sent troops to the border, intending to capture Egypt before the canal was dug and destroy the layout of the Ming Dynasty.
If Egypt builds a canal, it will be of great significance to Egypt and the Ming Dynasty. It also means that it will be more difficult for the Ottoman Empire to connect North Africa by land. The land in North Africa wants to
It would be difficult to take it back. I could only watch it fall into the hands of the Spanish and Portuguese.
"Old stubborns like Duer only care about their own interests and completely ignore the interests of the country."
"We have already reached this point. They are still annexing land in a big way, and are constantly pulling back from behind. The Ottoman Empire's army is almost coming to Cairo, but they are still in a state of intoxication."
"After passing the current difficulties, sooner or later I will kill you all."
Kansu II had a frown on his face, and he gritted his teeth with hatred for the old diehards in the country. He did not hold all the power, and was constrained in many ways by the great feudal lords, nobles and lords like Durr.
"The envoy of the Ming Dynasty asks for an audience~"
At this time, someone hurriedly came to report.
"Please quickly~"
Kansu II heard this and said quickly.
Soon, Tong Yuan, who was dressed in a dusty appearance, came to Kansu II. After being polite, he immediately got down to business.
"Your Majesty the Sultan, I have just received news that our Ming side has completed raising funds more than two months ago. Twenty million taels of silver are already on the way and will arrive in Egypt soon."
"So we can start recruiting people to dig the canal now."
Tong Yuan said very excitedly.
As long as he takes care of the canal issue and works hard here for a few years, he will definitely be promoted when he returns. There is no doubt about this.
Therefore, he also wanted to dig this canal as soon as possible and return to Daming Dynasty as soon as possible.
"Great~"
"As expected of the Ming Empire, twenty million taels of silver were actually able to be raised in such a short period of time."
When Kansu II heard this, he immediately laughed happily.
"It is mainly raised by our Ming Dynasty through stocks. Although twenty million taels of silver is very large, it is nothing compared to our entire Ming Dynasty."
Tong Yuan was also very patient in introducing the situation on the Tianjin Stock Exchange to Kansu II.
“There is actually such a way to raise funds?”
When Kansu II heard this, he was slightly dumbfounded. This Ming Dynasty man is also very good at playing. Then he thought for a while and said: "Can I also list half of the canal ownership in our Egyptian hands to the Ming Dynasty?"
"Well, it should be okay."
When Tong Yuan heard this, he was slightly startled, thought for a while and said.
"Haha, I'm just saying this. Egypt is far away from the Ming Dynasty, and it is extremely inconvenient to travel there, let alone go public."
Kansu II immediately smiled happily. He had also heard about some things about the Ming Dynasty's stock market. He could also read the Ming Dynasty's newspapers. Through the newspapers, he could understand some things about the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty the Sultan, although the money has not arrived here yet, I think we can start digging the canal now."
"I plan to recruit 20,000 people from your country to dig the canal first. This recruitment requires your help and cooperation, His Majesty the Sultan."
Tong Yuan smiled, but also said his blessing. Although the money has not been paid, with the reputation of the Ming Empire, it can still start operations now.
"Twenty thousand people?"
When Kansu II heard this, his eyes lit up slightly, and then he thought about it and asked, "What conditions are you prepared to offer?"
"How about twenty cents a day and three meals a day?"
Tong Yuan thought for a while and said.
With a salary of twenty cash a day, it is impossible to recruit people in the Ming Dynasty. As for providing three meals a day, this is the rule here in the Ming Dynasty.
"Great, it's settled!"
When Kansu II heard this, he was overjoyed and agreed happily.
