"Your Majesty, I think we should build the east-most north-south line first. Firstly, the areas that this line passes through are the most important areas in our Ming Dynasty, heavy taxation areas and grain-producing areas. Secondly, the areas that this line passes through are huge.
Part of it is in plain areas, so the cost of construction can be minimal."
On the train, Emperor Hongzhi and many ministers looked at the map and discussed which trunk line should be built first.
"Your Majesty, I think we should first build the east-west main line and build a railway from the capital to Nanyun Province to strengthen our Ming Dynasty's control over the Western Regions, Hezhong, Nanyun and other areas, and at the same time, we can continue to expand westward."
Zhang Mao glanced at Xie Qian, thought for a while and put forward his own opinion.
This railway is very expensive to build, and the highway is not at the same level as it. Which main line should be built first is also extremely important.
So it was natural that these ministers also started to quarrel. The railway was so important and closely related, and everyone had their own opinions.
For example, Xie Qian is from Zhejiang and his hometown is in Zhejiang. When it comes to building railways, he naturally wants to speak for himself in Jiangnan.
If this railway could be built to the Zhejiang area, it would be very helpful to promote the development of Zhejiang, so he advocated building the eastern main line of Zhejiang first.
But Zhang Mao is different. He is regarded as the representative of the Xungui Group. The Western Regions, Hezhong, Nanyun and other places were all captured by the Ming army by force.
In these places, a large amount of land, pastures, etc. were rewarded to these people in the military. Zhang Mao, the British prince, also invested a lot in these places.
He owns a large number of pastures, cotton plantations, grape plantations, wineries, etc. If the east-west trunk line can be built, it will be very helpful for his investments.
The cattle, sheep and horses raised on the pasture can be quickly transported to the Central Plains, and the cotton, grapes, wine, etc. from the plantations can also be transported back and sold at a very low cost.
This trunk line is really important to the Xungui Group, which has a lot of investments in the Western Region. Of course, he has to stand up and express his position, and the reason is very defensible.
Strengthening the empire's control over the Western Regions, Hezhong, Nanyun and other places is a major event designed to ensure the long-term stability of the empire and the security of its borders. Once the railway is connected, it will be very easy and fast for the emperor to dispatch troops and generals, and he can easily
Hundreds of thousands of troops were mobilized back and forth, and the consumption of food and grass was almost negligible.
"Your Majesty, I think the middle trunk line should be built first. The eastern trunk line involves coastal areas. There are ship and river transportation in the coastal areas, which is already very convenient. This railway trunk line is just the icing on the cake.
"
"But the central route is different. The place it passes through is the central area of the Ming Dynasty in the traditional sense, especially the traditional Central Plains area."
"These areas have a large population and have always been the places with the largest number of immigrants in the Ming Dynasty. If railways can be built, population migration will be more convenient in the future."
"At the same time, these areas are also one of the poorest areas in Ming Dynasty. Building railways can promote the development of these areas."
"Third, it is located in the middle area. Building the middle trunk line first will also be conducive to the formation of the railway network. It will be more convenient to connect the north and south or the east and west."
Liu Jian stood up again and had nothing to say. As a Henan native, he naturally wanted to speak for Henan.
In the past when we were building roads, we did not take care of Henan first. Now we are building railways, but we want to bypass Henan first. This is absolutely unacceptable.
Our country, Henan, has endured a lot of heavy burdens in recent years. A large number of people have migrated to the new land of the Ming Dynasty, but these migrations are basically done on foot.
Although the court took good care of him along the way, Liu Jian still received countless letters of blood and tears. If the railway could be built, it would be much more convenient to go out.
He also gave three reasons in succession, involving immigration, development of the central region, and connecting the east, west, north, and south.
In fact, in the final analysis, it is because Henan is his hometown, and in this kind of matter, he must speak for his hometown.
"I think the main line in the south should be built first~"
"The northern region is mostly plain, and cement roads are enough. However, the southern region is mountainous, hilly, and traffic is congested. If the railway can be built, it will definitely promote the development of the south."
"For example, first build the railway from Huguang to Guangdong and Guangxi, or build the railway from Huguang to Jiangsu and Zhejiang. By then, the food in the Huguang area will be able to supply the needs of the world."
Li Dongyang looked at several people, and all of them spoke for their hometown. If he, a Hunanese, didn't say a few words, he would definitely be speechless when he saw Jiangdong's elders in the future.
"Haha, what you all said makes sense. These lines are very important and must be repaired."
When Emperor Hongzhi saw it, he couldn't help laughing.
Of course, Emperor Hongzhi knew what they meant, but he was not angry, but felt happy. It was human nature and reasonable to speak for his hometown. There was nothing to say.
If you speak to people in your hometown, not only will you not be scolded, but you will also be regarded as a natural thing and you will also be praised.
This is a little different in later generations. The shepherd dogs of later generations always attack their own country when they go abroad, saying that this is not good and that is not good. It is simply rubbish that forgets its ancestors.
I always think of gaining recognition from Westerners through licking, but I don’t know that in their eyes, I am not even a clown.
Liu Jin also looked at where they were fighting with a smile on his face, and each of them was red-faced. Just like when the Beijing-Tianjin Highway was built and the court decided to overhaul the cement road, they were also arguing.
It's not just that they are quarreling. If this matter is discussed in the court, the court will become a mess, because officials from various regions will definitely fight to benefit their hometowns.
This is true for building cement roads, but the railways, which are more expensive, will be even more contested.
Liu Jin could imagine that after today was over and everyone experienced this train, they would definitely be quarreling in the morning, arguing over which line should be built first.
"Yes, yes, it will be repaired sooner or later, so don't argue. Just repair it slowly one by one, and it will be done sooner or later."
When Liu Jian heard this, he immediately smiled and said: "If this central trunk line is important, it is better to build the central trunk line first."
"What Mr. Liu said is wrong~"
"The eastern trunk line is the most important. It connects the most important areas of the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, the central trunk line can also pass through Fengyang and Nanjing. It will be more convenient for Your Majesty to visit his ancestral home in the future."
When Xie Qian heard this, he nodded and said, and then played another card, that is, the Eastern Main Line can pass through Fengyang and Nanjing.
Fengyang is the ancestral home of the old Zhu family, and Nanjing is even more amazing. The tombs of Comrade Zhu Yuanzhang are all in Nanjing. With the railway, if the emperor wants to visit his hometown or go to Nanjing to worship his ancestors, then he can
Much more convenient.
After hearing Xie Qian's words, Emperor Hongzhi was slightly moved.
Sacrificing ancestors is a big deal, especially for the royal family. The Xiaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty held three major sacrifices and five minor sacrifices every year. Each time, the emperor would send important nobles and ministers to worship.
In the past, Zhang Mao was specialized in doing this. He often went to Nanjing to pay homage to the Xiaoling Mausoleum, where Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma were buried together.
If the railway was built, it would not be very troublesome to go to Nanjing. Emperor Hongzhi actually wanted to go to Fengyang to see the hometown of Lao Zhu's family, and then go to Nanjing to personally worship his ancestors. By the way,
Report your work situation to Comrade Zhu Yuanzhang.
“If we build the East Road trunk line, we must pass through Fengyang and Nanjing~”
Emperor Hongzhi thought for a while and said solemnly.
"Your Majesty, that's for sure!"
When Xie Qian heard this, he immediately smiled and said quickly.
"Your Majesty, gentlemen~"
"There is no need to fight over it. All these railways need to be built. With our Ming Dynasty's national strength, there is no problem in building several main lines at the same time."
Liu Jin blushed when he saw everyone arguing, smiled and spoke.
"Yes, yes, it's no problem to build several trunk lines at the same time."
When Zhang Mao heard this, he also said with a smile, and at the same time, he did not forget to give Liu Jin a "you know" look.
Don't forget, kid, that you also have a large number of pastures and plantations in the Western Region, Hezhong, and Nanyun Province. This artery that runs from east to west must be repaired first.
Liu Jin gave Zhang Mao a reassuring look. This line is so important and must be repaired. The worst we can do is pay for the repair ourselves. It's not like we don't have money anyway.
"Okay, okay, there's no need to argue~"
"Let's do this. This year we will first arrange for the listing of the Eastern Main Line and the most important East-West Main Line to raise funds for the construction of railways, and next year we will arrange for the construction of the Central Main Line and the Southern Main Line."
"That is to say, it will only be a year or two years later. Sooner or later, all places will be connected to railways and trains."
Emperor Hongzhi looked at everyone, smiled and said.
The Eastern Main Line must be built, which affects the most important taxation, food, population, and economic areas. It also affects my ability to go to my hometown of Fengyang and Nanjing to worship my ancestors in the future.
As for the East-West Artery, it is also very important. It is related to the Ming Dynasty’s rule over the Western Regions, Henan and other regions, and it is also related to the Ming Dynasty’s trade with Europe, West Asia, Persia and other regions.
If railways and trains are built, the Ming Dynasty's goods can be continuously transported to Europe by train. This is much faster than shipping by sea, and the key is that it is safer.
Of course, Emperor Hongzhi also really wanted to visit the Western Regions, Hezhong and other areas, and wanted to be the first emperor to go to these places.